Mrs. M

20 minutes ago, Sarge2155 said:

Yeah, I know the feeling it's heart wrenching, but what can we do. I'm seeing lots  of folks expediting and getting approved whether a valid  expedite or not! You and I our dates are very close our biometrics date is the same could there be something to that? I shudder to think they got lost!

I have had the same thought, and it's terrifying! If we go over the 7 month mark we should be able to expedite automatically, right?

Seeing late December filers getting their EAD and AP approval is like salt AND lemon juice being poured on the wound.

It's like salt on the wound every time I get the email updates from VisaJourney that our AP and EAD approvals are past due.

3 hours ago, laylalex said:

@Mrs. M: I used the spray and it is amaaaaaazing. My hair is so smooth and dried in no time at all, especially with the ridiculous Dyson hairdryer that Alex bought me. (Regrets/no regrets.) I'm at my usual cafe this morning and the barista said WOW did you do with your hair? But yeah, that smell when it's sprayed.... whoa. Thank you!

Riiight?!?! I'm so glad you like it (apart from the initial smell haha).

40 minutes ago, laylalex said:

Ordering this one too! The Kerasilk spray arrived this morning from Amazon and tomorrow is a hair washing day -- I will report back. If I hate it, it's all on you.  

 

I have to order another pot of the Kerastase Discipline mask -- not cheap, but it has done so much to make my hair less poofy and problematic. I'm overdue for a haircut but have been putting it off because of the move (we have been in our new place for just over three weeks), so I need to find someone new. I feel like my whole life is based around "I need to find someone new to do [X]" right now.

I hope it works as well for you as it works for me. I will warn you that the smell is a little strong when you spray it, but it dissipates quickly and does not leave a smell on your hair afterwards. Good luck finding a new hairdresser, I'd give you the name of mine but Orange County might be a bit far for you to go.

2 hours ago, laylalex said:

I thought FatFace was only clothing, not beauty? Last time I was at St Pancras rail station I wandered in one and thought there was nothing in there for me.

 

Back to beauty, I am looking for a lip hydration product if anyone has any recommendations. Has anyone tried any of the products from Bite? I have read the vegan agave lip mask is good but I am looking for any personal recommendations. Boiler, TBone, please don't say Chapstik. My lips aren't chapped, they just feel a bit dry. Extra hydration by drinking more water isn't fixing it.

 

Edit: lol, shows you how long it's been since I've been in a FatFace -- apparently that location closed a while back.  

The Bite agave lip mask is AMAZING! Hard to keep myself from licking my lips all day though cause it tastes so good haha.

32 minutes ago, laylalex said:

That Aztec Secret mask is the bomb. I always feel squeaky clean after using it. I'm curious about the Kerasilk -- I have frizz issues too and am always looking for something new, though I am pretty loyal to my bargain Kristin Ess serum.

 

I also use the Double Wear for times when I want full coverage, which isn't that often these days. My lifestyle changed a few years ago from having to look made up on a regular basis to a little more casual. I'm combo to oily, and I've tried a ton of different formulations. When I want a medium level of coverage, I like the Dior Backstage, which is very buildable. It has almost as many shades as the Double Wear, and pricewise it is pretty similar. For light coverage, I use either the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer or the Bobbi Brown BB cream, which is SPF 35+. I tend to use the BB cream most of all, because of the SPF (like you, SoCal girl here and I have had a lifetime of sunscreen!) and the formulation, which gives just enough color to make everything look balanced without looking too made up. 

I was looking at the Dior Backstage, I've heard great things about it. I think you've sealed it for me, I'll try that and see how it goes.

My hairstylist recommended the Goldwell Kerasilk (she calls it her crack haha) and I LOVE it. My hair's pretty straight naturally, so I usually just wash and brush and go without any styling. I can spray this on my hair and it does the trick without having to blow dry.

These are my faves right now...

Coppertone Glow Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 – It’s always sunny in Socal

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask - Amazing at reducing pores and discoloration and inexpensive

Goldwell Kerasilk Smoothing Sleek Spray - I have thin, colored hair and this keeps the frizz away without making my hair greasy

Radha Beauty Vitamin C Serum – I tend to get dark patches on my face after being in the sun too long (even with sunscreen), this has been great at lightning discoloration

Radha Beauty Retinol Moisturizer – Great moisturizer and does not make my face feel greasy or breakout

Still trying to find the perfect foundation. I use Estee Lauder Double Wear which is great for full coverage that lasts, but I need to find something a little less thick. Any recommendations?

28 minutes ago, MrsH23 said:

Anyone in this thread adjusting from anything but the k1? I’m from esta and most profiles I click on here are adjusting from K1. Just wanted to know how other people’s timelines are looking as I see some of the k1 people are getting interview dates  

I think you need to check out the following link. The one you're on now is for Adjusting from family-based visas

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/130-adjustment-of-status-from-work-student-amp-tourist-visas/

Yes, my husband applied for his AB 60 driver's license about 3 weeks ago. He had to show his passport, his I-94, his social security card and proof of living in California (he took our lease with his name on it and the electric bill with his name on it). They had him take the written test and once he passed they gave him his driving permit that allowed him to drive with a licensed adult in the car with him. He immediately made an appointment for a behind-the-wheel test at the Lake Isabella DMV (they were the only DMV with availability that week, all local DMVs had nothing until late November). He passed the driving test and received his paper driver's license, it took about two weeks to receive the actual license in the mail. When I added him to my car insurance, we were able to give the insurance company a copy of his driving record from the UK and it saved a ton of money on our premium.

4 hours ago, ConnorS said:

I applied for mine with my i-94, and it's true that it is only valid for the remainder of the time left on it, however I was informed at the DMV that when my notice of action for I-797c for my EAD came in and as long as it wasn't a refusal they would extend it as it states on it the application is pending for at least 180 days, I received that, took it in and tada, I now have a further 180 days, and then when the EAD is approved, all being well, I need to pop down again with it and have it extended again 

Good to know! I might see if my husband's up for another trip to the DMV now that we have the I-797.

As soon as my husband received his social security card we went straight to the DMV to apply for his AB 60. When we got there (at 7 a.m. to avoid massive lines) we were told that he could either apply for the regular Driver's License, assuming he had his I-797 as proof that he had a pending green card application or we could come back and apply for his AB 60 when he only had 30 days or less left on his K1 visa. Basically he was too "legal" for the AB 60 and too "illegal " for the regular license (we hadn't received the I-797 yet). I've read that the regular license would only be valid while his K1 was valid and the DMV guy didn't say otherwise, so we went back as soon as he only had 30 days left on his K1 visa, and had no problem applying for the AB 60 (again we went at 7 a.m. to avoid massive lines). They asked to see his social security card, passport with the K1, and proof of CA residency (we gave our lease and electric bill that both had his name on them). They took his fingerprint and let him take the written test. He passed so had his picture taken and was given a driving permit that allowed him to drive as long as someone over 18 was in the car with him. I added him to my car insurance and the agent was extremely happy to see his driving summary, as it decreased our insurance premium by a lot!

The same day he passed his written test, we went online and made an appointment for his behind the wheel driving test. All the local DMVs had no appointments until the end of November, so we booked something the same week all the way in Lake Isabella - the drive was worth it to avoid the wait. Now we're just waiting to get his actual license in the mail, whew! 

Definitely renew your UK license so you can print your Driving License Summary (https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence). Saved us loads on our car insurance after my husband got his AB 60 drivers license.

4 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Just ‘Bottom’ (no ‘the’) - and yep, early/mid nineties - and really funny 😆. Check out The Young Ones and Blackadder too, if you like Bottom - same era, similar styles.

Will do, thanks!

12 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

They’re ooooold British comedy series’, from the 80s/early 90s..made in a day where ‘sexism’ and ‘political correctness’ didn’t really exist. Basically, when I walked into the Queen’s Head, I was like ‘oh, this is an old man’s pub from up north!’...and 10 minutes later, an old man from Liverpool started talking to me and my fiancé 😆 - case in point.

Now that I think of it, I did watch the whole series of The Bottom which was from the 80s I think... definitely sexist and politically incorrect, but hilarious! Haha.

1 minute ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Ooooh, their menu does look good!

 

http://www.yeoldekingshead.com/menus/breakfast-lunch-and-dinner/

 

And whilst they don’t mention it on there, I bet they’d do a chip cob (something I always miss when I’m out of England for more than a month and have specifically voiced my fears about not having access to in LA)...

I've already sent the link to my husband, I'm going there this weekend with or without him!  I really think that he was meant to be born here and I was meant to be born in England. He doesn't miss England at all but I'm feeling homesick from not being there for more than 4 months lol.

I've never seen On the Buses or Only Fools and Horses, I'll have to check them out. My all time favorite is Friday Night Dinner though lol I watch it all the time and I never get tired of it.

Thanks @Foibh, I didn't even know there were actual pubs here haha!   

We'll definitely check it out @sam.e, thank you! The husband will like that it's the same name as his favorite pub too lol.

2 hours ago, Whanlin said:

I cant help but I can sympathize. I miss so many things from my trips over there. Specifically Strongbow Dark Fruits and Greggs Strawberry Donuts

 

He is DYING for a kebab. 

 

We had a UK friend say the Applebees Fish and Chips was the closest she has found to home but they were still lacking. We dont have an Applebees so we have not tried them. 

Ooh we do have an Applebees near us that I could try, thanks! My husband definitely misses his doner kebabs, the ones he's had here are nothing like he's used to lol.

My husband moved here to California from England back in August, and I think I'm more homesick for England than him! I'm used to visiting him in England at least every couple months, and I'm having major cravings for real fish and chips. Does anyone know of a place in L.A. or Orange County that does real fish and chips like they do in England? We've only found fish and chip places that sell tiny fish fillets, I'm desperate for the huge fillets of cod and haddock. Thanks!

1 hour ago, John951 said:

In California you can apply for an AB60 drivers license before you AOS if your i94 has expired.You only need to provide A passport and proof of residency e.g. electric bill. If your i94 hasn't expired you can get a real I.D. driver's license with proof of residency, passport and SS card. You can apply for a SS card while you i94 is valid and before you marry if you like.

Thank you @John951. His k1 hasn't expired yet and he has his social security card, so we're hoping to get his regular driver's license/driving permit as soon as we get the i797 for his i485. When we went to the DMV they said they can extend the expiration date of his regular driver's license past the expiration of his k1 as long as we bring the i797. Fingers crossed!

My husband and I just got married at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana. It's a beautiful courthouse, only used for weddings, and we got our Certified marriage certificate in less than two weeks. Orange County processes Wedding Certificates much, much faster than L.A. County.

On ‎9‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 11:11 AM, Jaimee Camille said:

Husband just passed his driving permit yesterday 🥳. We live in California and they just asked for the social security number, 797 letter, passport, I-94 and let him take the written right away.

Did you have to make an appointment for him to apply for his driver's license or did you just walk into the DMV? We were told to come back to apply for the license when he receives his 797 letter, but I'm hoping he can just walk in and not wait a month or two for an appointment.

The phone number to the SSN verification hotline is listed in this link. Maybe try calling them to see what the issue is.

39 minutes ago, Eva_AJ said:

Has any of you had trouble getting SSN? I'm having nightmare experience, everyone is telling me different information, both USCIS and SSA are useless. I applied on 31st July and then again 5th of September (the first application for declined as DHS couldn't confirm me and SSA told me to apply again) and I can't find any info what should I do to get it done. Waiting for EAD or GC might be impossible as I need SSN for my military card and health insurance with it. My husband is deploying in 12 days and this has been hard.

When you submitted the application for your ssn did your name match your I-94 exactly? My husband's I-94 didn't show his middle name, instead it combined his first and middle name as his given name. We filled out the ssn application with his first and middle name as his given name and left the middle name section blank. He got his card in three weeks.