FormerBrit

Congrats on your marriage and job offer mentaleruptions! Glad to see that everything is going well for you both

We actually live in Virginia - they sent us to Charleston WV for the biometrics as that was the closest office to where we live.

Well, we haven't heard from the biometric people yet, so we're hoping my fingerprints will pass...

Kiki

Yorkie, best wishes and good luck to you both!

We went for my biometrics yesetrday in Charleston WV. The office was small and everyone was real friendly. There was a very entertaining security officer with a great sense of humor!

I was in the office over 2 hours - I have really tiny smooth fingers. They had a major problem taking my prints. After doing 4 digital and 4 traditional ink/paper types, they decided they couldn't do any better. The QC Officer even had a go. I may need to go back and redo them if they get rejected, which we hope won't happen...

Kiki

Hey Kiki, thanks for the congrats! I just had to tell you something I'm sure you'll love. So I was in a pub in Scotland one night when the song "Alive and Kicking" came on...only I didn't know that's what it was called as I started singing along loudly to the chorus with my own version of the lyrics....instead of Alive and Kicking....I'm screaming, "I love you Kiki!!!" at the top of my lungs which is what I always thought were the lyrics. Of course, Andrew found this to be hilarious. I think the song is even by a Scottish band, but could be wrong. So that one's for you Kiki...you can sing my version next time you hear it!

(Was the group Simple Minds - I have that CD!)

Re-do it just in case. We did. They didn't ask for it. But it had only been 4 months since the filing. If they don't ask for it you can burn it - LOL. It's thereapeutic.

Thank you for the info Rebecca. We won't need to photocopy all the evidence again will we (since we've already sent it in)? It will be no problems to print off a new I-864 and have it re-notarised though...

Kiki

Great write up - thank you Rebecca! I just have a query - do we need to do another I-864 for the AOS interview. We submitted the original already along with all the evidence with our AOS packakge.

Well, today we went along for the third time to the DMV - and guess what - I got a learner's driving permit I showed them all the docs they asked me for. Then I sat for 10 mins and did a mega quick swot of the Virginia driving rules and highway code. Then I took the written exam - 10 road signs and 25 multi choice - I passed! So, we paid the $7 and they gave me a learners licence for 30 days. After this time, I need to go back and take the road test with an examiner. If I pass that, I get my Va driving license

Kiki

PS - Although I have had a UK license for 19 years, they told me that the UK "was not on the list" so I would need to take both a written and road test. At least that is part of it out the way. Now I have 30 days to get used to driving our car and get used to the roads here in town (what's with the gear lever on the dash - funny )

Congrats to wes & rebecca and weebeansy!

C & I are off to Vegas bright and early in the morning, 2 days of sightseeing, and then the wedding is on Friday. It'll be so much fun to see our friends and his family (my family declined to be present, except my mom, its all good by me, his fam is much cooler )

We'll be back in a week to whine about more AoS!

--Shawna

Good luck!

Well, it's back to reality for me after quite the amazing week. I've got to say that married life is greater than I could have ever imagined. I didn't think that having some piece of paper saying that you're married could really change things but somehow it has. I can't even explain it but things are different in the best of ways.

Weebeansy, CONGRATS on your wedding!

A very BIG hooray for rebecca and Wes!

Yay! Many congratulations!

Yeah, we're pretty wired up right now. At least I am. We finished our scrapbooks over the weekend - up through the wedding. USCIS will just have to settle for loose pics and stuff after that point.

I finished the I-864's tonite. Need to sign them and get them notarized and copy the whole deal.

We have all the immigration docs, etc., rounded up and in our wheelie case.

We will drive up to Pittsburgh on Wednesday afternoon. The interview is first thing 9am sharp Thursday morning. I hope like hell we get somebody who's a morning person.

I'm a damn nervous wreck. This is the first part of this process I have felt this way about. If all goes well, I'm getting seriously hammered this weekend.

Good luck for tomorrow! I'm sure you'll do GREAT!

Do we need another I-864 for the AOS interview? We already enclosed one with the AOS package (the original I-864, notarised etc...) plus all the financial supporting evidence.

Kiki

Wow Rebecca! Good luck for the AOS interview this week

I'm not sure who the other London Grad is, but "Good Luck" too!

Yeah, it's probably more of an ego-buster for guys, especially the more mature ones like Keith and my husband.

But how easy is it for a USC to find a job these days? Not easy. Doable, but not easy.

Mark (luv2teach) talks a lot about networking, and I think that's the key. USC or immigrant. I am not a 'computer person' but I have tried hard to tap all my 'tekkie' friends and acquantainces for sources for Wes. And I am not one bit shy about it - I'm polite but I make no bones about how we need the help. And most people are glad to give it.

What Wes might have to end up doing in the interim I have no idea. He has told me he will work in WalMart if he has too. As far as I am concerned, that makes me just as proud of him as if he landed a big job.

I can relate so much to how Wes feels. I have not got my EAD yet but I already feel sad with my job situation and we live in a real small town. I can't imagine finding anything in my field in this area. I even started asking around 18 months ago when I first visited. I'm a PhD Biochemist with 10 years experience working in government DNA research - we asked at the University here too but they say it is unlikely anything will come up Once I get my EAD, I'll work in WalMart or Pizza Hut if I have to - it will be a terrible self confidence buster ( ) but at least I can help pay the bills!

I'm so, so sorry to hear of this Mary and Tom I can only echo what others have said...sending you thoughts and hugs...

Kiki

Okay so I do have one shop question here. I know this was on the boards but I can't find it so maybe it was on the old ones? We are going to get Adam's SSN on Monday...we are going to try for a slam dunk of SSN and Marriage license in one day since I dont have any more days off to take we have to combine the two. On the SSN application, it asks if he is legally allowed to work. I know he isn't yet, but should he check yes anyway? If he doesn't I think he needs to provide evidence of why he needs the SSN for other reasons and that seems complicated. He will eventually be able to work so blah I just don't know

Estella, when I applied for my SSN, we were already married. I ticked "legal alien allowed to work". Also, I had to show my marriage certificate (original) to the lady in the SSN office, also my passport and birth certificate (all originals). She copied them and gave me the originals back. (May be different in New York though).

I have not received my AOS interview yet - wish I had - just the biometircs appointment - but it's better than nothing

Kiki

Many congrats! Wow, it was quick!

Kiki

I've had a look around, but it seems like this was eaten up by the old board. So I'll have to ask it again.

I need to make some phonecalls to the UK and was wondering what calling plan/card you guys use to call back to the UK. Thank very much.

We use Verizon. We have some sort of plan that includes free US long distance calls. Calls to the UK are sooo cheap. Like $2.50 for 30 minutes. I call my mom and dad 1-2 times a week!

Seven weeks from today...Ewen comes home with me!

Yes, but the US citizen normally fills this out I think. My husband did the one for me as he is supporting me. It took a while to gather all the papers, do the tax returns, get W2s etc.

The instructions that come with the I-864 list everything that you need to do/submit. Also, the instructions with the I-485 (AOS form) list all the evidence and paper work you need to send in with it. It was far easier to assemble than the I-129F!

You need to file forms:

I-485 (AOS)

G-325A (Biographical data)

I-864 (Affidavit of Support)

I-765 (EAD - optional)

I-131 (AP - optional)

Kiki

Good luck for today shakysgirl

I received my appointment for AOS/EAD biometrics today It is set for March 16 in Charleston, WV.

Things are starting to happen!

Kiki

YAY KIKI!!!! That was fast!!

Thank you Estella Yes, it is in just another 16 days. We are hoping it all goes smoothly and that the AOS /green card happens quickly, like most people! I'm so looking forward to being able to look for work again and get out and meet more people! Oh yes, and get a driving license!

I hope that all is going well for you and Adam. I found the first few weeks stressful, what with no bank account, no independence, no sense of existing almost, etc...Once I got my SSN and we applied for the AOS, I started to feel much more settled.

Roll on the Spring!

Kiki

Good luck for today shakysgirl

I received my appointment for AOS/EAD biometrics today It is set for March 16 in Charleston, WV.

Things are starting to happen!

Kiki

Great! I found it on Expedia....

Fri 17-Mar-06

Houston (IAH)

Depart 12:05 pm

Terminal C to Newark (EWR)

Arrive 4:44 pm

Terminal C 1,415 mi

(2,277 km)

Duration: 3hr 39mn

CO

Flight: 152

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Lunch, Boeing 767-200, 80% on time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newark (EWR)

Depart 7:45 pm

Terminal C to Manchester (MAN)

Arrive 7:25 am +1 day

Terminal 2 3,336 mi

(5,369 km)

Duration: 6hr 40mn

CO

Flight: 20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Dinner, Boeing 767

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total distance: 4,751 mi (7,646 km)

Total duration: 10hr 19mn (13hr 20mn with connections)

Sat 25-Mar-06

Manchester (MAN)

Depart 9:20 am

Terminal 2 to Newark (EWR)

Arrive 12:00 pm

Terminal C 3,336 mi

(5,369 km)

Duration: 7hr 40mn

CO

Flight: 21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Lunch, Boeing 767

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newark (EWR)

Depart 1:40 pm

Terminal C to Houston (IAH)

Arrive 4:35 pm

Terminal C 1,415 mi

(2,277 km)

Duration: 3hr 55mn

CO

Flight: 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Snack, Boeing 757, 90% on time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total distance: 4,751 mi (7,646 km)

Total duration: 11hr 35mn (13hr 15mn with connections)

Tip: Flight terminals may change. Please confirm the terminal with the airline before leaving for the airport.

$489.29

12:05 pm Depart Houston (IAH)

Arrive Manchester (MAN) 7:25 am +1 day Fri 17-Mar

Duration: 13hr 20mn Continental 152 / 20

Connect in Newark (EWR)

9:20 am Depart Manchester (MAN)

Arrive Houston (IAH) 4:35 pm Sat 25-MarDuration: 13hr 15mn Continental 21 / 23

Connect in Newark (EWR)

Sorry to hear about you and Anton seperating

Which dates are you travelling as it can make a big difference? Here is a slightly cheaper option:

$545.29

7:00 pm Depart Corpus Christi (CRP)

Arrive Manchester (MAN) 9:05 am +2 days Wed 1-Mar

Duration: 32hr 5mn Delta 3078 / 920 / 64

Connect in Houston (IAH), Atlanta (Hartsfield Intl.)

11:55 am Depart Manchester (MAN)

Arrive Corpus Christi (CRP) 11:45 pm Wed 22-Mar

Duration: 17hr 50mn Delta 65 / 1014 / 2923

Connect in Atlanta (Hartsfield Intl.), Houston (IAH)

It's cheaper from Dallas:

$486.79

2:15 pm Depart Dallas (DFW)

Arrive Manchester (MAN) 8:05 am +1 day Wed 1-Mar

Duration: 11hr 50mn bmi 4193 / 706

Connect in Chicago (ORD)

12:20 pm Depart Manchester (MAN)

Arrive Dallas (DFW) 7:13 pm Wed 22-Mar

Duration: 12hr 53mn bmi 705 / 4192

Connect in Chicago (ORD)

And Houston:

$483.29

Depart Houston (HOU)

Arrive Manchester (MAN) 9:05 am +1 day Wed 1-Mar

Duration: 13hr 59mn Delta 470 / 64

Connect in Atlanta (Hartsfield Intl.)

11:55 am Depart Manchester (MAN)

Arrive Houston (HOU) 7:23 pm Wed 22-Mar

Duration: 13hr 28mn Delta 65 / 4409

Connect in Atlanta (Hartsfield Intl.)

See my post in the computer topic above. I took everything with me to the US. Everything was new and it all works fine over here!

I brought over my Toshiba Satellite laptop, HP scanner and two HP color photo printers. Once in the US, I just bought new power cables for them which will plug in the sockets here, as they work on 100 - 240V.

My scanner was a bit more complicated. For that, I bought a new power cable and small adapter which converts the 110V here to the 240V required to use it. I got all the cables from Radio Shack.

I have used everything numerous times and it all works great

My stereo system, CD interchanger, flat screen Panasonic TV and VCR/DVD players also all work on 100-240V, so we just changed the plugs. My DVD player is multi-regional so will play anything I think you can change this at home, but I'm not sure, as I bought it like that.

I can watch the UK videos and DVDs I brought with me here, which is great. Also, to watch US DVDs/videos my husband also has a DVD/video player so we are just about set.

To use the internet, I just use wireless routed from my husband's computer. It's brilliant!

Hope this helps,

Kiki

I shipped over by sea a very large freight container from my previous location (Indian Ocean area) using Allied Pickfords. This most proabably is not what Nigel is doing though - I sent lots of furniture, household goods, antiques etc...it cost about GBP 5000.

Some personal things from the UK (about 120 kg) I shipped over by air freight (door-to-door) with Excess Baggage. It cost GBP 575.

Congrats Scotty!

Yay for Stace and Paul!

And I hope all went well for rebecca

I got the NOA1 for my EAD today. Nothing for the AOS as of yet.

Can we track these online? And how do we get "touched"? (Silly question, I know! )

Kiki