aminah

I love Shamrock shakes probably because they are only available for a short time....but the one I got this year was such a disappointment. It had a load of whipped cream and a cherry on top. At least half of it was whipped cream. I just wanted the shake like I remember having as a kid.

We arrived at the 950 Meridian Center at 10:15 and parked in front of the building in the building's small lot, $5. There was only one space open, which we found and parked in quickly. When we left, there were several cars waiting to enter as parked cars left. How quickly you can park seems to dependent on when you arrive, plus some luck.

We went through a security screening similar to those at airports with light security. That is, empty pockets and open bags, then get wanded.

The men's and women's toilets are available AFTER going through security. Nothing is available until you have gone to the 4th floor and passed security. If you need to use the facilities, make a stop at a nearby McD's, ... Burger King, wherever. There is no telling how long it will take to park and then go through security.

Tania's interview was scheduled at 10:40 AM, we checked in 15 minutes early at 10:25. We waited until 10:50, i.e., 10 minutes late.

I asked the examiner if I could accompany my wife for moral support and to help with documents. She said "No, we will be only a few moments."

The interview went off without a snag, Tania passed the reading, writing, and six U.S. government questions easily. The reading portion was to read a simple sentence that was written. The writing question was similar, Tania was asked to write down a sentence the examiner spoke to her.

She said the examiner was nice, professional, easy going, and pleasant. Tania came out waiving a signed sheet with a BEEG BEEG smile saying she passed! (I never had a doubt)

We came prepared with an armload of documents, mostly the originals and copies of the originals if we needed to give anything to the examiner. The examiner didn't ask to look at anything.

She took Tania's USSR internal passport, and her Ukrainian international passport as well. She thumbed through them, then handed them back. I guess this is because Tania may need them before she gets a chance to get a U.S. passport. The will probably ask for one or both passports later, maybe at the oath ceremony.

The examiner said she can't make a decision until March 25, because Tania is not "eligible" until then. This we knew because March 25th is her 3rd anniversary after receiving her green card. This is only a formality, of course.

The examiner also said the oath ceremony would take place four to eight weeks from today. I'm guessing Tania will turn in her international passport then, and maybe her internal USSR passport as well.

So, we wait about two weeks until the 25th for a decision, then up to six weeks more for the oath!!

Congratulations and thanks for the detailed desrciption of how your day went. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long to hear about her oath ceremony.

Oh, and I should add that I really hate posts that sound like gushing or bragging, it's just not my style. So that was hard for me to write, even with all of the quaIifications on my happiness. If others are like me, that might be one reason why you don't see a lot of "happy stories" around here.

I'm like this too. Jenn......your post didn't sound like you were bragging, it sounded very honest.

In June my husband and I will celebrate our 5th wedding Anniversary. He's only been in the US with me a little over 3 yrs though. We spent 6 mos in AP. Anyway, we've had our ups and downs too. Sometimes it seems to be a cultural misunderstanding and sometimes it's not. My children from my previous marriage were 18, 13 and 12 when he arrived. He doesn't have any children and had never been married. Often I have to remind myself that he's a long way from home living with a ready made family that don't always understand his ways. All in all I think he's adapted quite well.

disagreements or misunderstandings happen weekly but true arguements happen about once a month.

Had a Update today on my application

Hope it's good news like an interview date.

My husbands POE was Detroit. It took about 30 min total. He said they were very nice, took his packet and asked him a few questions.

Thanx Nigel for adding that for me. I WISH you were adding our interview letter....still waiting <sigh>

Could someone pls add 1/19/11 as our NOA. I noticed that I had forgotten to include that date when I was first added. Thanks

WooooHoooo! Congrats!!

Gagging here

This is soooooo me!

I hate sweeping or mopping the floor. I know as soon as it's done it's just going to need it again. Drives me crazy!

They're just giving you different ways of answering the question.........and I also do not believe it's verbatim. Have you tried watching the videos on the USCIS website? It will give you an idea of what to expect.

I don't have a middle name, but you aren't supposed toleave any fields blank, so should I put in N/A or NONE or --NONE-- ?

My husband doesn't have a middle name either. We put N/A.

My husband was in AP for 6 mo. Every case is different. At the interview the CO handed him a 221g but said not to worry we will call you in 2 months to come back for your visa. They did call him back 2 months later but it was for the K3 visa which I had asked to be cancelled because his CR1 interview was ready. His CR1 interview was June 2007 and he got the visa Dec 2007.

i have question to your guys: after i sent the whole package back to the same PO box in Dallas, tx, USPS sent me the receipt that it was received by zip code 75222 instead of 75266. today i check the bank account and my check cashed. not so sure that my package loss or uscis have the same PO box in tx for 2 zip code? or my package loss and someone try to steal my money? and how long since you send package to receive NOA?

Our package was sent on 1/6, check cashed one week later on 1/13, NOA on 1/19. Just under 2 weeks.

I am curious about this show.

Talking about Ricky Gervais, I saw 'The Invention of Lying' last night. Good movie with a "subtle" message about how superficial and cruel humanity can be sometimes when we don't have our filters put on.

I just couldn't quite get into that movie.

Karl's a tool (for someone else)

but enjoys the paychecks.

Yay Ricky !!!

Thanks for the heads up - I'm gonna find it here, nowish.

Holy Kr@pps - it's on the Science Channel here.. Yay Ricky !!!

Yup........the Science Channel here too. Forgot to mention that. Enjoy!

I've totally fallen in love with a new television show, "An Idiot Abroad". It's a travel, reality, and comedy all rolled into one. It stars Karl Pilkington as a lovable moron who is sent out to see the wonders of the world by his "mates" Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Karl doesn't really like going outside of his comfort zone and Ricky and Stephen are happy to play the puppet masters, via the telephone and get Karl to do all kinds of wild stuff. Ricky calls it the most expensive practical joke he's ever played. Anyone else seen it?

We used yahoo messenger and msn messenger. I don't think Skype was around back then. We have used Skype to talk with his family a few times and we love it.

My friends husband finally got his oath letter today!!!! They filed just over a year ago. She thought maybe the reason it was taking so long was he had his interview before biometrics. Who knows? Doesn't matter.......I'm just so happy for them.

We don't usually do anything to celebrate days like Valentine's. When he was in Morocco he would email me pictures of flowers........I always thought that was sweet.

I love the suggestion of going to the gym. Oh how I wish now that I had done that. Once they get here it seems theres not much time for things like that.

louse

Twenty-one

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day yesterday.