notrepetiteashley

Hawaii is a US state.

Yes, don't lose that passport...I speak from personal experience.

Have a lovely time!

6 years is not that much. My mom is 11 years older than my stepfather. I doubt it will even be examined.

We are considering moving to Canada in 2010, after J graduates from university.

Hope it all works out for you

It means right now I don't really give a hoot.

Oh. Is this a cry for help? Like this: ?

When we first told everyone that we decided to pursue this K visa to have me move to the US. We got a lot of different reactions. Definatly got the whole will you be a USC once you are married still get that once and while. My family thought that I would never be allowed back in Canada. I think that was mostly paranoia. Mostly now its the whole why can't you work? What is taking so long..that sort of thing. My Brother is constantly asking me about that. Why I am not working...and since I am not working why don't I come home to visit. So I am constantly explaning the process to him.

My husband's family usually asks about if we decided to have children what they will be. I like to say hopefully healthy small human beings who grow up to be well adjusted adults.. .

Excellent answer.

Does this mean would you rather have cake or death? Seems an easy call to me...???

It seems like there are more people now than ever before who come to VJ just to build up their own egos by trying to prove they are more "correct" than anyone else. Some attitudes are seriously just so self-righteous and arrogant. I totally agree that's what happens when there are more members...more opportunities for negative attitudes.

That said, I think that sometimes the arguments on the polls and off topic forums get a little ridiculous, but that's what happens when people debate "hot topics" like global warming, illegal immigration, etc. I guess, in my opinion, if you get personally wounded by something someone says on a message board, you should probably not get on message boards. Part of being an adult is knowing how to disagree without getting your feelings hurt and without intentionally hurting the feelings of others. This is a great skill to have, but unfortunately a lot of people don't have it (here at VJ or otherwise.)

My personal favourite of the day: using your education to somehow make you an expert on something that has nothing to do with your degree. Oh, the egos, the egos.

I love all of you, though. Even the a$$holes. I know you're all good people and not just names on a board. And that's okay. I'm certain I've been a jerk on VJ before...but I don't think I have ever hurt anyone's feelings. If so, I apologize. I would like this to be a fun environment...but there are always going to be those who come in just to ridicule others because they feel badly about themselves. Psych 101. Hehe.

Hi Nortrepetiteashley,

Hmmm...that's a good idea, to find a copy of RtA somewhere. They have a copy of all of the Anne movies (I admit I didn't like Anne 3 though, as the first two Anne movies were better, still I think it's best to read the Anne books, and yes, read all 8 of them!) here at the local library, but I'll have to find RtA somewhere else. By the way, what's special about season two of RtA? Or is that the only season that they have on tape/DVD? Hmm..is that the season when the Jasper and Olivia got married, or when the cannery burned down, or something else? Did you ever see that "Happy Christmas Mrs.King Movie" too? Yes, the "pioneer period" of life is definitley interesting. Living in the rural countryside here in the USA, I am reminded of that often. Lol...it makes me tempted to build a log cabin or a cottage in the big field area in my backyard (just kidding, though there are old houses and barns around the area). Hmm...never knew about the Pioneer house and Regency house series. Will check into that and other pioneer life tv shows and movies too. Good luck in your pioneer life tv shows/movie searching too.

Ant (A Pioneering Ant?...)

You should pick up a season or two of RtA on ebay! Priceless.

Also, if you're interested in that time period, as I am, summers here in the US public television broadcasts a show where they take regular people and send them to live in another "time." There was Pioneer House, I think it was called, and Regency House, and one where they were in the wild west and had to take care of cows or something. Really good stuff. In fact, I think I'll go over to the public broadcasting website to see if there's a new one coming out this summer! Yay!

Sorry, I meant "a season or two" not season 2. LOL! But yes, Season 2 is pretty awesome!

Yes, I have Happy Christmas Miss King on DVD. I love to watch that at Christmastime. Last year I actually watched it 3 times in 3 days!

You have inspired me to go back and read those Anne books. I didn't like the 3rd movie, either. It was sad to see her all grown up and all that war stuff...no thanks.

Take care,

A.

My family was understanding, but my co-workers didn't understand and kept asking me if I'd "failed" the visa interview since it was taking so long.

That didn't irk me as much as my friends thinking I was a lazy bum because I couldn't work for months after moving here. They constantly asked me, "So when are you finally going to work?" "Uhh... I still don't have my EAD or Green Card!" In the meantime, I did volunteer work and self-studied, but to them, those were as good as sitting on my butt all day long.

Im actually getting pleasure telling them I will be enjoying the sun this summer and getting lazy by the pool...I think I deserve that little vacation to come back to comon sense after not seeing the sun for 2 years due to standing too much in front of the computer to see my fiance... But of course ill make sure the house is clean and that hubby's got a nice dinner on the table We've been missing cooking too!

Awww, that's so sweet! What a nice wife you are!! I remember when J didn't have his EAD and he had to stay home and oh, the lovely food he would make! That was one of the only good parts. Have a lovely time in the sun. I could sure use some sun right now. It's been raining here for 2 days!

Yay! Congratulations!!!!

Pfeh. I don't think there's a chance of a denial here. The woman knows her behavior would be reported.

AT THE VERY LEAST - while this is fresh in your brain - I would right down a detailed account of what happened. One account in your words and one in your husbands. I would date it and sign it and file it away in case I needed it - which I don't think you will.

Power mad hag. Her ### would be mine if she had interviewed me.

Agreed.

And the fact that she said her rude comments were not recorded shows she knows she was in the wrong. She needs to learn a lesson. No way can she deny a case based on a bad mood. That's laughable. And anger-inducing. I bet her co-workers just love her (sarcasm.) Hah!

Before J got his AOS approval, I had these horrid recurring nightmares that he "accidentally" stepped into Canada and was denied entry back into the US. At one point he actually went to a store in Canada to buy batteries (???) and then they wouldn't let him back to see me for 2 years. It was so awful, I hate those nightmares! But now they're funny to me. Ooops, I stepped over the line into Canada!

(We don't live anywhere near Canada)

Well, I sure am glad we got all of that cleared up!

Cindy Brady avatar!!! Cool!

I always thought it was the oldest grandma from the Golden Girls. LMAO!

(sorry, off topic, hehe)

So, my baby's comin home tomorrow... after 15 months of being apart it just doesn't feel real. It's been so hard on him, saying his goodbyes and not knowing when he'll return to France. To think that this time tomorrow we'll have been together again for a few hours is just... whoa! What does he need to have on the plane with him again? The brown do not open envelope... isn't there something else?

It's funny, the 15 months we were apart flew by so fast... but now the reality of it is kicking in. The memories we have together are from 2005 - and now it's 2007. It seems (and is) so long ago... I don't remember what his hug feels like anymore... I don't even remember what it feels like to stand there and look up into his eyes. And that all finally ends tomorrow... wow... it's just so many combinations of feelings. Excited and relieved... worried about finances... sad for him having to leave his friends and family... on edge because of all the fighting we've done lately (15 months apart will do that to ya)... burned out because of a few bad weeks in work... combine them all together and I actually sort of feel numb. I don't know which one to feel first lol. I think I'm scheduling us for two back massages this weekend.

Eh, I'm just rambling. It just doesn't feel real that our K1 journey is ending, and then the AOS journey will begin. I guess, after 15 months of reading on the K1 forum, I just got used to being a "preparing to file K1" person. So it really, really doesn't feel real that he'll be flying in on his K1 tomorrow!

Did any of that actually make sense?

This actually made me cry a bit. I'm so happy for you. And empathetic. Although my husband and I were not apart for nearly as long as you. Take care.

If you are going to be already married at the time, no, I do not think it is a good idea. Don't risk it.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

I think most people find out they have to register with the selective service when they get their driver's licenses. At least, that's the way it is here in Iowa. They don't force you to do it right then and there, but they do make it very clear that you have to do it at some point. Other than that, I think they send a letter. I was kinda p!ssed when I found out J had to register with the SS. I just don't like it. For personal reasons I don't care to discuss.

I don't know, it sort-of sounds like you have a specific time frame that you want...and my only concern would be that you wouldn't get it (the time frame.) Stuff happens all the time in this process to screw it up and some people are lucky and get through it with ease, and some people have all sorts of problems that cause delays. Honestly, I am not sure what I would do if I were you, but I do wish you the best of luck.

That is, excuse me, f***ing ridiculous. If I were you, I would report that sh!t immediately to someone higher up than her. I don't care WHAT your profession is, NO WAY do you have the right to come in and say "I'm in a bad mood" and act all difficult. Especially when in a situation that could change someone's life. OMG, that makes me incredibly mad. So unprofessional. She should be fired or sent to a psychologist or something. Or both. USCIS officers are not supposed to act that way. They are supposed to be professional and able to work with the public in a respectful way. I was actually just reading that the other day in a job description for an officer.

Like I said, I would report her. She can't be the final word. No reason to be treated that way.

Did she record the interview??? I bet not. Ours was recorded with a video camera.

Take care, both of you, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I hope you don't take anything she said to heart. There is nothing wrong with wearing a tank top for God's sake. She was probably just jealous. She sounds like a total prude and a total b!tch.

It also sounds to me like she had a problem with your husband's country of origin.

Yes, thank you. I forgot to mention that bit. I wholeheartedly agree.

Thanks to all who replied - each reply is valuable!! Best of luck to everyone!!

I bet that I can prove you wrong on that....

"Are we being punished for being Canadians?, I am loosing my mind!"

Why are you loosing your mind? Was it feeling confined? Did it want to go for a walk?

Ok....maybe I didn't prove you wrong. This post might have been valuable in demonstrating why losing isn't spelled loosing...

[see Disclaimer Image in Signature]

That's you, ya snobby platypus. Use your proofreading powers for something useful...go pick up a copy of "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey.

Its considered visa fraud to come into the US on a tourist visa or from a visa wavier state with the intent to get married and stay in the country.

As far as the wedding goes, you have a couple options. You could keep the wedding non-legally binding and follow up with a legal wedding at a courthouse after you have the visa. This is risky. If any US officials find out about it, they could deny your fiancee a visa if you dont have it yet or prevent you from entering the US at the PoE. The other option is just to wait and file for k-3 or CR-1/IR-1 after your wedding. Your not very likely to have a visa by your wedding date (That depends on the service center you file with and consulate, it looks like the Canadian consulate takes about 90 days or so to schedule an interview. This would be after they received the approved petition.).

I've said it a billion times, but I'll say it again. CANADA IS NOT PART OF THE VWP. To get into the US as a visitor, all you need as a Canadian is ID...say, a passport. Definitely a passport. And proof of ties to Canada like a letter from your job stating they expect you back, proof of a rental contract, job, stuff like that.

I don't understand where so many people get the erroneous idea that Canada is part of the VWP.

I took my husband's last name because I have never really liked my real last name, and his is way better. Also, my maiden name is a bit famous and I'm tired of answering the OMG are you related to blah blah blah questions.

Please don't let them get me.

I disagree. I dare, I dare.

I saw those ants in their holes yesterday, too! That was weird.

I have yet to see any animal, though. Boo hoo!

When my Canadian and I were first married, everyone in my family acted like we were nuts for going to the USCIS local office. "But he's Canadian, why would he need a visa, can't he just move down here and live and work?" I got so sick of hearing that.

After a while (it took him a long time to get his EAD and everything) the family started getting much more snippity about it. As though we were just stalling or something. My own brother even had the audacity to say to me, "Well, this is ridiculous, you need to get in that immigration office and tell them he needs his work authorization, immediately!" Ha! So it's that easy, is it???

Anyone else have people treat you like you're an idiot because they think Canadians don't need visas?

Can't say I've had people treat me like an idiot, but they do think the process is ridiculous and just a way to get money or something. I try to explain that I think it's just because there are people trying to get into the U.S. illegally through marriage (which is true sadly - and I think the people who do that are only hurting themselves!) And they understand we want to do things legally and in a way that would be pleasing to God. I've also had people think that I would become an American citizen upon marriage...even my fiancé thought that (and he thought he'd become a Canadian automatically too!) He thought we should just be able to get married and that would be that. And he's the American! lol. A lot of Americans themselves don't have a clue.

So true, so true. When my husband and I first went to our local USCIS office, I remember actually saying to him, "are you sure we need to be here?" Hahaha. At the very start, I, the USC had no clue. Truly no clue whatsoever how much paperwork, time spent apart, and money this was going to entail. But I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.