Melo

That's so sad to hear. What do you not like? ?

There is not much that I do like here in Texas... the violence; the lack of public transport; now the open carry law has been passed, watch how the violence level increases; it is only mentally challenged folk such as the current governor and his ilk that think it will not increase...

I don't drive - so feel pretty much locked away from the world at large!

I have been here since 2006. I would go back home, were it not for the fact that I am married to such a wonderful man...

It is very different from England - I would not have come here had I known what it would be like... now I am stuck!

I am so pleased for you!!! Way to go!!!

I was never caught during the years I did heroin... I had my interview at the New Delhi Consulate in June 2006... I provided the police certificates dating back to when I was 10 from the cities I had lived in which were London, Mumbai and Delhi... I got my approval in September 2006 and was married in November. I had no trouble going through immigration. I did not have to go through any form of rehab; but I had been clean for more than 20 years... I wish all of you luck. For me, it was simply not worth it to lie/conceal my drug past... despite the fact that i had no desire to live in America and still have no desire to live here... I do love my spouse and would not want to be anywhere other than with him, even it means living in a country I can't stand!

Good on you... that is the only way to be - proud of the fact that you have kicked the habit... no reason to lie...

I would also like to say that you should proceed with caution when taking an oath that all you have stated on the form is the truth and nothing but that... you simply do not know when someone from your past could appear in your present... would you be willing to risk everything by lying... or would you rather wait and get in the right way? I certainly did not have to do any rehab... nor have I had any problems arising from the fact that I stated I had been a user.

I have been in America since 2006... I informed the immigration officer that I had done heroin... in addition I answered the question pertaining to drug usage on the form and informed the doctor when I went for the medical examination. I have no desire to live a lie or wondering whether I would be found out... I never had any real desire to move to America... never dreamt I would marry an American and live in America... and now that I am here wish I could convince my husband to leave and move back to England...

Thanks everyone. I know every part of the U.S. is different. I went to school in Virginia where everyone was SO nice and caring, and now we live in D.C. where everyone would run you over if they could...so it's getting used to the change of life pace and attitudes!

I think if I could find work here it would make life easier... but 3 years and no work is driving me insane... I miss Old Blighty and I miss India... this country will never be my home.

Well, I had conditions removed - so now have nothing to deal with for another 10 years.... am happy I got the green card coz it means I stay with Paul; but am not ecstatic as I can't stand living here.

Been a while since I posted here last and have therefore posted this initially in the wrong forum.

The Green Card arrived this week. It's here. It's over. Now onto citizenship.

I had conditions removed - got the letter today... no interview nothing...

Am glad I got it coz I want to be with Paul but m not over the moon as I do not like living here. Can't see myself becoming a citizen... would feel like a hypocrite to do that.

I got a letter in the mail today informing me that conditions on my green card have been removed. Will get the new card in a maximum of 60 days. I did not have to go for an interview... in fact have not been for an interview at all...

I had my biometrics on the 4th September

Have my biometrics appointment on the 4th September at 9 AM

Receipt Date: 10th August

NOA 1 came today - don't know the date yet coz my mother-in-law took it with her to her sister's.

The British people have not been so anti-America perhaps since the war for independence... now when American troops need support from their allies, the stupidity of the right wing propaganda machine will live to haunt them.

The British government is our poodle

Correction - Tony B Liar was your ####### licking poodle.

Actually, you all are.

And we like it. Keep on lickin'.

How presumptuous!!! But then so typically republican american!!! This is why I am so contemptuous of many americans!!!

The British people have not been so anti-America perhaps since the war for independence... now when American troops need support from their allies, the stupidity of the right wing propaganda machine will live to haunt them.

The British government is our poodle

Correction - Tony B Liar was your ####### licking poodle.

You know I think the bloody republican party has created a storm that they will live to regret... Britain has been the US ally in their dastardly war on terror which really served to line the pockets of the Bush/Cheney combine.

The British people have not been so anti-America perhaps since the war for independence... now when American troops need support from their allies, the stupidity of the right wing propaganda machine will live to haunt them.

The cheque for the I-751 was cashed today

YAY Melo and I will be filing around the same time! I'm planning to send hubby's in next week.

I have missed all of you so much.... thought I would see some of you folks on the Bazaar... but then I have not been spending much time there either!!!

What is wrong with reins??? What is wrong with playpens???

Also if you do not correct a child (which means the occasional spanking) how do you expect them to know right from wrong???

I know I wore reins when I was a toddler... given the fact that I was hyper-active I think that was the best thing to do... heaven knows what I could have done had I been allowed to do as I please!!!

Paul and I sent off our application on the 6th August. My provisional green card expires on the 24th October 2009. The paperwork was received on the 7th August... nothing since. The cheque has not been cashed - so I guess one has to sit and wait.

I have not been here in ages. My life has changed drastically since I came to the USA. I have lost my freedom, as I do not drive; I lost my father soon after I got here and have never been the same since. In addition to losing Daddy, have lost 2 uncles and 2 aunts since I have been here.

The only constant in my life is Paul and I still love him to bits... ah well I hope to reconnect with my buddies here.

I thank all of you for your words of comfort.

My father was a wonderful man just like his father whom I adored too. In a country where daughters are not wanted... both my grand-father and my father were different. They not only wanted daughters they loved them to bits. In fact all my fathers family who have daughters are the same. There are not too many of us - there is my Uncle Om's daughter Reeta, then me, followed by my aunt's daughter Kavita and last of all my Uncle Jagdish's daughter Samina. All of us have been given so much love. We knew we were wanted and loved.

I am told that the day I was born my Dad went to the pub and got rip-roaring drunk buying rounds of drinks for all who were there - he was so happy.

My Dad gave me my love of music, my thirst for knowledge, my love of politics, my need to question and not blindly accept. Yet he was conservative while still being liberal.

After Daddy passed away, I went with Paul to the Arya Samaj (the faith of my Dad and my Grand-dad before him). I do not know if there is a god... I do not believe there is... but on the off-chance there may be; I went to the Arya Samaj and prayed for Daddy. I hurt more than you can even imagine. I have been fluctuating between being able to function and being almost zombie like. I do not feel like doing anything. I can only sleep with the aid of sleeping pills. I have only been listening to the music I used to hear my father sing. I do not know how this void will be filled... I am lucky to have Paul in my life. I know that it made Daddy very happy that I have such a wonderful man by my side. I am told time will ease the pain but it will never really go away, coz my life has changed forever with the loss of my father.

I wrote something that was read by my uncle on my behalf at Daddy's Chautha. I will share this with you:

I never believed this day would come; for I thought/wanted my Daddy to live forever. I used to think that if he died either I would go with him or I would go before him for I could never envisage my life without him. Fate has dealt with me cruelly – I could not see him one last time. There is a void now that no one can fill for my Daddy has gone and left me. A part of me died with him.

My father was the most wonderful father any child could ever want. Kind, loving, honourable, trustworthy... he was all that is good and virtuous in a human being. He filled my world with love and laughter. I am so proud to be his daughter.

He always had time for me, despite working long hours during his time with the Reader's Digest. I remember that I had an attack of asthma. I must have been about 9 at the time. I could not sleep as my breathing was so bad. Daddy sat up with me; He had just bought a sitar for me; though he did not know how to play it, he strummed on it Tanpura-style and sang “Soja rajkumari” by KL Saigal. I eventually fell asleep to the sound of my Daddy's beautiful voice.

Daddy was an intellectual; he had a questioning mind – and a thirst for knowledge that both Rajiv and I imbibed from him.

Daddy could never say no to me – and I knew it. Mummy would get annoyed with Daddy for this inability to say no to me. I was always Daddy's little girl and I adored him.

His love for music is something that I inherited... his greatest love was always Kundan Lal Saigal and really when Daddy sang he sounded exactly like him. He would always contradict me when I said this – but to my ears he was just like Saigal.

My life will never be the same again; for I will never see him again; I will never hear his voice. All I have is a life-time of memories of the wonderful man who was my father.

I could not have got there in time for the funeral; my mum, brother and I talked about it. Even if I had got the advance parole immediately, it would have taken another 20 odd hours flying time to get to India. I wish I had one last chance to see him, to talk to him... but...

Thank you for your support.

My father died this morning and am completely devastated. I could not even be there at the end for I do not have advance parole... I am numb with pain.