TearsOfBabylon

20 hours ago, pajobra said:

I think I was lucky because almost 2 years ago I got a really great job at a public library near where I grew up as a child so when I moved from the city I downsized considerably and already had when I moved there 3 years ago. I moved in with my Mum, at the age of 38, until I could get back on my feet and find an apartment luckily though I just stayed with her paying her a little bit of rent. I have already gone through the boxes I brought down that were still in the closet(kitchen and bathroom things mainly). Asked my Mum what she wanted because most of the stuff I did not need to bring as my fiance has everything already in his apartment. So I have everything that I am not using already packed and labelled ready for going across the border in the future. The last things to pack will just be my computer and my cat and my clothes. I am hoping things will speed up soon. I am hoping to have an interview in September because then my Mum can take her vacation and we will go for a week and do my medical and interview and some sightseeing since neither of us has been yet.

 

I am looking forward to chatting with you all as we go through this process. mojordan I sure hope you can get things straightened out. HUGS

 

I told my boss and co-workers a month or so ago and then when we had a board meeting I announced to the board that I was quitting and why. They all cried and were so happy for me then one said but you can't commute from there. LOL I am giving them two months notice so that they can get an ad out and so that I can train the new person coming in. They were saying I was awfully generous but that is how I am.

Awwww, you're really lucky!!
I'm happy for you! I wish I could move back in with my mom as well, even just to save money for rent. I'd have space enough there, but it would mean I'd have to drive an hour per day to work and back, and that eats up what I'd save for rent. So I stay here.

I'm glad I told at work already, but only the bosses and some well picked allies know yet. I'm in HR for a big part, in charge for production staff, and I'll tell officially once NOA2 comes. 
Though I'm sure it'll leak out before
I've had some cryers already as well, also myself, haha. But after 10 years in this madhouse of a company... there are more tears up to come. 

 

23 hours ago, eastcoastgroove said:

I am a February filer..... But I understand your pain.  I am moving in with my mom next week so that I can save money over these next few months.  I have soooooo much stuff and it is stressful getting rid of it all.  I have luckily sold most of my big things (couch, bed set) and will have a garage sale at my moms with the little stuff.... Then everything will be donated or trashed.  My fiance considers himself to be a "hobo" and is proud of the fact he doesn't have many belongings.  So once I get there, we will have to buy a lot of new things.... Which is frustrating when you just got rid of everything that You would have ever needed.  Regardless.... I am excited and eager for the new start.  

You're speaking my mind... TOTALLY!
My fiance is kind of the same. He's got plenty of his stuff in storage, and is living very.... "humble". I keep picking on him for being actually able to live in a tipi for the rest of his life, as long as there's wifi, haha

 

23 hours ago, Rev said:

 

My fiance wants to bring as little as possible.  I imagine he'll sell everything he doesn't use over the next three moths and then, like you, move on to everything else when it feels more "sure."  Personally, I think he will find it harder to let go of things once he's actually going through it, so we'll see.  I can't imagine how big of an undertaking it would be with a full house!! 

Yeah it gets more hard everyday, since I have so much stuff, and it feels like it's increasing hourly. I want to travel "light" as well, but.... so many things have to come.

And one of the worst parts: I have two guinea pigs and no clue what to do with them
When I got them 4 years ago, I didn't consider moving to another continent. Sighs. 

12 hours ago, piranda said:

hello everyone!

we just got NOA1 yesterday, april 4 th. praying for this months to pass quickly!!

what are your next steps ? how do you guys prepare for it?

 

Congratulations and good luck for your journey!

I'm trying to get rid of my belongings, so I can move after the visa is issued without having to get rid of everything I own in a way too short time!

8 minutes ago, Eric&Olya said:

I haven't started yet, but I am determined to take only clothes and children's books, so all the rest will have to go. But as there are 3 of us moving (I have 2 kids), it will be a lot anyway.

I am planning to give away most of my things, selling sounds like too much work for me. There are some things that I will have to sell but I am still procrastinating))

I'm still procrastinating as well. Since I don't really know where to start... I just put some of my clothes and DVD's on eBay yet. Decided to start with furniture once NOA2 comes, so I don't sit here without anything. But that's all progress I made.

It feels even the kitchen equipment is increasing overnight since I know I'll leave, haha. 

I would rather start filling the following forms already, but I've pushed that away until I wait after NOA2; so I have something to look forward to, hehe!

6 minutes ago, KozmicBlues said:

Congrats on telling your boss! That must've made everything feel so real. I finally told my boss the other day that I'm working on this process for my fiance to come here. We met through work so we had to keep our relationship on the DL for a long time, but now that we know he will be quitting to come here in the near future we no longer care about who knows at work haha. Plus I wanted to prepare her for the 2-3 weeks off I will need once he schedules the visa interview.

 

I don't have any advice to offer as I'm the USC and my fiance barely owns anything except clothes hehe, but hey...at least it will give you something to help the time pass while we are all waiting! Good luck with everything  

Thank you! :))
But you're female and can relate more!!! haha
My fiance isn't very helpful. Due to the army he's used to move a lot and be away from friends and family. Plus he's a hyper introvert, so I don't get "speeches" from him, hahaha. 

Yeah, the work thing was a biggie for me. I'm there for 10 years now; I just stayed in this city ( I hate!!) for work, because it's like replacement family. And yes, it made it very real to say these words. Because it's so final. Which is good.

Awwwwww I wish I would only own clothes. Even that's too much, I guess. I've got two closets - full. Started to separate in a sellcloset and a keepcloset. Also I got a loooooot of memories... I'm out for music a lot, knowing some bands, got tons of signed stuff, which I can't leave
AND... I'm 37 with an overly full equipped household. 

So I'm screwed.... I'm so happy when this is over, my 150 gazillion parcels are on the way to the states and I myself sit on a plane. lol 

I'm so sorry to read mojordan's story
Hopefully it will all be fixed and the petition can go out again and succeed.

My highest boss knows now. It was a shaky situation yesterday, walking in her office and say the words "I will quit!"... Although I'm looking forward it's very, very hard. 
But the reaction was all I could wish for. <3

Don't you - I mean the other beneficiaries for now - feel as under pressure to get rid of everything like I do?
It's overwhelming for me. I need to sell all my stuff... and I got  A LOT. I don't know what to do when... if I wouldn't need the money, I'd gladly throw everything in a trash container!

How are you working around? Anyone emptiying his/her home already?

Have a great evening, guys and girls!
Bine

13 minutes ago, Rev said:

Does anyone get a little unsettled reading conflicting advice / experiences on here?  Trying to research various things for future steps and it's a bit overwhelming! Especially when it varies so much by embassy.  I really hope the process goes smoothly for us all <3

I've read a lot of different things, especially concerning the time for the medical.
But I guess I've figured it out now. Seems to change so much from country to country. 

I'm wishing a smooth process for all of us as well!

21 minutes ago, Eric&Olya said:

That's a great acronym, you are a genius!

 

My fiance used to be in the military before we met. I think in such a relationship one has to be very strong and patient (so, you are probably just pretending to be a whiner) 

 

Life-changing moments are hard... I think I haven't realized it completely yet, I am being too optimistic

Nono, I'm a true whiner. A forced patient whiny baby. Haha!

Yeah, I'm kind of in denial still. Although more and more people know, and I started selling my stuff, and started telling at work... it's still so unreal.
I guess I will realize when I go to the airport and leave. 

2 minutes ago, Eric&Olya said:

It really is, but:

- we know that we are waiting for something that is absolutely worth it

- we have a wonderful group of Anonymous Whiners

- sad faces don't make the waiting shorter

WORD!!
I'm glad I could create a worth acronym for us hahaha

I'm a pro whiner as well!

My fiancé is in the military, so you never know about leave. I hope he will come over here soon! It might be the last time for long, until he can come back to potato land. 
I won't travel until my K-1 is issued. 

But harder times will come up... I have told my boss today, that I'll quit later in the year, so they can find a replacement for me. Tomorrow I'll go to the other boss... then it's out.
A very hard moment that was.... many tears. Been there for 10 years. It's my replacement family. 

I guess the time has come, where I realize that I am going to change my entire life. It's for a good cause, but it's very hard.

 

4 minutes ago, Gary JT said:

Praying I'm in USA by September/October time 😞

 That's what I'm hoping for as well.
But VJ calculates my NOA2 for end of June. So if that's right and you add like 3 months for processing... Visa in September, travel in October.

It CAN work! Let's hope for the best!

6 minutes ago, Gary JT said:

How many caseworkers do California USCIS employ ?😐

I hope MANY!
Because due to hiring freeze there won't come more!
But yet the cases don't seem to be progressed slow!

1 minute ago, jtona said:

I received my I-797C NOA1 Hard Copy today....   4 days after my Text/email.....

Wish the rest of the process would proceed as fast...:)

 

Yaaaay! Congratulations and good luck for your journey!

6 minutes ago, Andrew&Elizabeth said:

Just in case anyone was wondering - the January filers are started to be approved and receiving NOA2s. Hopefully this means they'll be starting on March filers in around 2 months (unless there was a significant increase of cases filed in that time).

It would be amazing if that would happen! <3 

But since I'm sure there were many people having romantic moments on Christmas and New Years... let's hope for the best!

You can check your vaccination status, like said before!

And the beneficiary can start sorting out the household, if necessary!

That's what I am doing right now. NOA1 was last week, and I realize more and more how much stuff I own. 
So eBay will be my dear friend during the waiting period! 

Good luck to you!

Hey guys and girls!
I'm back after two super busy days at work!

We're past March now!!!! So if NOA2 is still due for June (let's hope nothing will pile up at the Service Centers!!) then we can now say:

TWO MONTHS TIL NOA2!!!! Woooooooop!!!!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!!!

What are you all up to?
I'll take care of my household, visit my mom, and go for my new "hobby": Put stuff on Ebay to get my apartment empty, haha!

Have you actually tracked your petition on the USCIS Site yet? Ours is on there already. It looks so nice!

Welcome to the club to all new people on here!

End of work time in Germany, and one day closer to the K-1!
I'm also glad it will be April already next week - so exciting!!!

I'm sorting out my stuff to keep myself busy, trying to put as much on eBay as I can!
Good point on filing DS-160 and AOS already haha. I was about to do that, but then decided to wait until middle of May, so I have a little "bridge" to shorten the time!

Question around:
When are you guys planning to schedule the medical?
I've read somewhere you can ACTUALLY make the appointment already when NOA2 arrives. I want to have it done as soon as even possible (I'm terrified of lung xray... simple paranoia). 
 

1 hour ago, CubaAndChill said:

One thing I've seen is that the beneficiary should get their SSN as soon as they enter the U.S. as sometimes it can be a problem getting it after the marriage. Some states you can't get your DL until you've gotten your EAD.. Things like that.

 

Oh, I didn't know that! Can you request an SSN already after arriving? I kind of thought that's possible when you're married?

Good topic, I should start researching!

Have a wonderful evening/morning/afternoon or whatever it might be in your timezone, fellows!
Sabine

2 hours ago, shaiboogie said:

Ciao! Hello! 

 

Me and my fiance have just started this Journey. Im currently just waiting for him to finish up his part of the documents needed to go in our petition package.  I want to have it sent by Mid-April the lastest. We are so excited.. I wish everyone luck on their journey <3!!!

6 hours ago, jtona said:

Just received my text alert with my WAC#  that my case was received and routed to the CSC..My official receipt with WAC number will be sent expected 7-10 days...YAY!!!!!!! 

6 hours ago, MentalVoid said:

I just got my text / email NOA1. I'm also at the California Service Center, so they must all be going there right now. As someone from Texas, I'd assume I'd go to TSC if they were accepting any. I'm super excited though! Just have to patiently wait 3-4 months for the NOA2.

Good luck to all of you!
A big adventure for all of us to face!  

3 hours ago, Rev said:

We sent the same day and don't live too far from each other if you're in LA.  Best wishes to us both!

Good luck for you!
May it be finished soon! 

We hang in here together!

1 hour ago, CubaAndChill said:

I've heard Virginia Beach is nice too, and the water is really clear. Poor Houstonians, our best idea of a beach is Galveston in the gulf of Mexico and the water is so muddy you can't pay me enough to go swimming in it lol. It's bad when I rather pay the $500 roundtrip to go to Cuba and swim in their waters

 

What?!?! That's not fair.. Extra money for tracking abilities... Anything to make a buck SMH

& Have a great day at work!!

Yesssssss!!! It's really nice there! Although I'm kind of glad that I will probably only have to survive one summer there. It's 37°C something like that + 90% humidity. Even the locals I know are aching (including my fiance, who keeps making fun of me boiling and dying there soon haha).
But I fell in love with the Atlantic right away. I'm 37 and the first time I have ever stood next to an ocean was when I was in Virginia Beach first time last year! 
Cried like a river haha (Whiny woman ).

Oh, but Houston has a nice humidty as well I guess. It was my POE for the christmas trip and I walked outside to satisfy my vice and was like walking into a wall! In December!

 

1 hour ago, CubaAndChill said:

 

WOOHOO!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank youuuuuuuuu!!!!!
I couldn't believe it, when he sent me a pic of the closed letter, saying: "So much junk mail again!"

The moron haha <3 

2 hours ago, KULtoATL said:

@TearsOfBabylon and @Eric&Olya Just fyi, Texas lockbox is completely different than the Texas Service Center  Texas lockbox is for us to mail in our petition and that's where all the sorting and scanning of documents as well as generating of NOA1 happen. Texas lockbox also forward petitions to all the service centers such as CSC, TSC and VSC.

Thanks for the hint, but I knew that already. 

But Virginia actually belongs to TSC's responsibility according to USCIS, that's why I was asking. 

I'm glad we ended up at CSC though!  

Thank you!
 

Timeline question!

We got the NOA1 letter from CSC. Actually we "belong" to TSC.
Should I put TSC as service center, and transferred to CSC or do I put CSC as service center right away?

40 minutes ago, Eric&Olya said:

Congratulations to everyone who got their NOA1!

Those who haven't yet - I do hope you get them soon.

 

Anonymous Whiners sounds like a perfect name!  

It's great to have a company to share your worries with, support each other and talk about dresses (or hoodies). I'll probably need both because we are planning a courthouse wedding and a picnic in the park.

 

Ohhh that sounds nice too!
For us it's so hard to gather ANYONE together.
My family is spread all over Germany and some are in the US. My friends are literally spread all over Germany and some other European countries.
HIS friends are in Virginia Beach, where we will live, but his family is in Salt Lake City.

So we're screwed!

One thought was to go for a beach wedding with a few friends in VA Beach, but since I will maybe arrive in later fall.... it's too chilly and windy. Hehe!
So we kind of made a rough plan about going to SLC, grab his parents and sister and road trip to Vegas and go in the High Roller (biggest giant wheel in the world).

I think that will be cool!

Yeah, I'm very glad for your guys and girls company as well!

5 minutes ago, KULtoATL said:

Congratulations on the NOA1. Woohoo! You can celebrate a little tonight!! Make sure all the details of your fiance and yourself are correct on the NOA1

Thank you!

Omg, I'm so happy. I rather have an RFE than the entire letter lost in the mail! Paid 60$ to express mail my stuff to my fiance, so that'd hurt. Not to speak of the lost time.

So, the notice date is March 22nd, and we also got to CSC!

You have no clue how relieved I am now! What a perfect news to start into this sunny day here!

7 hours ago, CubaAndChill said:

LOL thank you!! Yup I sent on the 20th and it got there on the 21st. I sent it through UPS, which cost like $10.50 but at least I got a tracking number on it so it was worth it.

 

I'm actually in Houston, TX. But, I heard Utah is really, really nice! Is that where you'll be living when you get to the US?

No, we will be in Virginia Beach for one year more, then move to whereever! But it's his hometown, and I've been there twice and liked it a lot. His family moved to Utah, and I liked it there as well!

I think I found out why the money order doesn't show anything. You have to pay additional for tracking ability. What the heck?

Welcome to all new members here at the Anonymous Whiners!
Good luck for your packs being delivered quickly!

Off to work now; it's early in Germany!