Jashley820

I hate to give the shortest reply here but I need to say it:

You only live once.

Do what it is you want to do with the time you have and don't worry about the rest. It will all fall in line.

Amen!!!

I'm in the same boat. I loved my former career (museums/heritage preservation), but not having any luck finding anything here in that field. Currently working in a cross-stitch and knitting specialty store, which are two of my favourite things to do, but working retail is...well...working retail. Being surrounded by creative things all day is inspiring me, I must say, and I am seriously toying with the idea of designing my own patterns and stuff -- maybe with historically-based themes?? Mixing two passions into one maybe.....or taking watercolour classes....or photography.....we'll see!

That's a really cool idea

Here's a thread in the AOS forum that has all of the "beat the fee" filers in one chart....you can estimate what to expect from this!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...0&start=150

Hope this helps!

I just read in another thread that Len & Bren were scheduled for a september interview!! Call them back, they're liars!!! Haha!

My first shower was in the party room of a nursing home, lol! My mom is a director there, and it was a really cool room. We had finger foods, punch, cookies, cake, and about 40 people...it was really cute & fun.

My second one was at my in-laws' house, but hosted by a family friend...that one also had finger foods, etc...they both were very beautiful and touching.

I had 5 bridesmaids and I thought that was hard to manage!! I couldn't imagine 14!! I couldn't keep everyone happy, no matter how hard I tried.

As for my china...oh boy do I want to use it...but I haven't had the opportunity! To add to it, I just got another pretty china set from my mother-in-law as a random gift! It's more intended for tea parties or luncheons...but I don't know anyone here!! Ahhhhhh!! How am I supposed to have a luncheon, lol??

Excellent news! Good luck, the interview will be a piece of cake! Definitely go over the packet 4 instructions with a magnifying glass...it's kinda confusing!

Where will you be moving to in the U.S.?

I absolutely love this topic! I am probably 60 days from getting my EAD and I am starting to freak out! I have no clue what I want to do! I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration (and a psychology minor!), and I worked at a packaged goods company for 2 1/2 years prior to moving to the U.S. However, I quit that job more than a year ago and I haven't been able to work since. I was miserable in my marketing job...so I don't think I want to do that...but what do I do? How do I figure out what I'll actually LOVE doing? I've never truly loved my job, and I have an opportunity to find something that I actually look forward to when I get up in the morning!

Good luck to everyone in the same boat!!

Good luck!

My information is incorrectly stated in the chart. I applied only for EAD/AP in July. AOS has been pending since May 1. With regards to AP & EAD, EAD is online but AP is not.

Thanks...

And after all this time, I got this today (a Sunday!)...

Receipt Number: MSC0630520486

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On August 11, 2007, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service.

Take me off that list I've been on for too long!

Good luck the rest of you!

CONGRATS!! Also congrats to Lauren & Dave. You both deserve it!!

i am on there too!! I'll add the VJ group

Congrats Chelseafan!!! You've given me hope- I want to go on vacay with my hubby the last week in August...maybe it's a real possibility!

Congrats again!

We should add a column that describes whether our cases are online yet or not. For example, my EAD has been added to my portfolio online, but my AP still isn't working. It would be interesting to see how prevalent this problem is.

We can not find our case on-line until we get NOA1.

Updating list....

Name--------------Date mailed---Fee Method Used---Rec'd at Lockbox----NOA1 Rec'd?

Jashley820----------07/14/06----Personal check------07/16/07-----------07/28/07

OlivianWaleed-------07/16/07----Money Order---------07/xx/07-----------Yes (date please?)

Griffon76-----------07/20/07----Personal check------07/23/07-----------No

Lana Rascoe---------07/20/07----Personal check------07/23/07-----------No

Ali-----------------07/21/07----Money order---------07-23-07-----------No

ae4ever-------------07/23/07----Personal check------xx-xx-xx-----------No

sahara--------------07/23/07----Personal check------07/24/07-----------No

PatientlyWaiting----07/23/07----Personal check------07/25/07-----------No

dannymartin1--------07/23/07----Personal check------07/25/07-----------No

Dano2006------------07/24/07----Personal check------07/26/07-----------No

preciousgift--------07/24/07----Personal check------07/25/07-----------No

Loke----------------07/26/07----------??------------07/27/07-----------No

Larry&Jia-----------07-26-07----Personal check------07/30/07-----------No

David-Mae-----------07/26/07----Personal check------07-30-07-----------No

CountryBoy----------07/27/07----Personal check------07/30/07-----------No

TRKCKL11------------07/27/07---------??-------------xx-xx-xx-----------No

mona Jamie----------07/27/07----Postal money order—-07/28/07-----------No

CB82----------------07/27/07----Personal check------07/31/07-----------No

honeysweet----------07/28/07----Personal check------xx-xx-xx-----------No

Shub----------------07/28/07----Personal check------07/30/07-----------No

eff ----------------07/28/07--------??--------------xx-xx-xx-----------No

patiently_waiting---07/28/07----Personal check------xx-xx-xx-----------No

Yes, understood. It was merely a suggestion to assist those on the list as they receive their NOA's.

We should add a column that describes whether our cases are online yet or not. For example, my EAD has been added to my portfolio online, but my AP still isn't working. It would be interesting to see how prevalent this problem is.

Congrats on your approval, FeatherB! You must be so relieved. Now send some good luck over our way

Hi,

Same here, no touches on my AOS since May 4th

I'm pretty sure I'm stuck in namecheks, but it would be nice if they at least told me that. Does anybody know how to find out if this is the case? (= my file is in namechecks)

E&K

I went for an Infopass and they told me I was...

I received an early birthday present today ...I had my green card in the mail

That's great Silke, congrats! Also- Happy Birthday!

My AP's not working either...I called customer service yesterday and they said as long as you have your NOA, everything's fine. Their online systems aren't updating quickly enough these days...

My AP case number is returning that same error message. I wouldn't worry about it. I called the Customer Service line this morning, and they told me that their case status systems are slow to update right now. As long as you have your NOA, your case is pending.

Keep trying the case number every day. It will work eventually.

we recieved my husbands AP today in record time. One month from filing exactally. #######???

what happened to the 3 months it always takes. what happened to the email i was supose to get telling me its approved? i was in total shock when there was a uscis letter for my husband. i could not wait for him to come home from work to open it hoping it was the green card approval. just stupid AP papers...Weres the GC????

Wow, donnal....that's great (although GC would be better, you're right!). That gives me hope for my AP...only applied because the officer at Infopass told me I'm stuck in background checks. I want to go away with my hubby @ end of August!! Maybe there's a chance...

Good luck to everyone in this thread...

Good morning everyone!

I have a bit of a funny story to tell. I have been worried about my AP application because the receipt number still isn't recognized online. I called USCIS customer service to inquire about it, and it wasn't recognized by their system either. I got transferred to an IO (never heard of that before!), and he was very nice. He told me that everything was progressing normally with my AP, but the case status systems had not been updated yet. He then asked about my AOS application, and when I told him it was in California and that I found out that I was in background checks via Infopass, he put me on hold to look into things. It sounded like the phone call was really going to go somewhere!!! Then- guess what happened- my cordless phone died!!!! I got disconnected. I was so upset.

I called back and got transferred to a different IO- he wasn't as nice, and he was full of crappo. He told me that they sent my file to California for processing, and that it would be sent to the local office in 7 months for an interview. He couldn't tell me anything about background checks. And he said it wasn't possible for it to be approved without an interview. Suuuuure, buddy!

I SO wish my phone hadn't died!! It really sounded like the first IO was going to actually DO something! Bummer...

Anyway, that's a funny USCIS story for your Monday morning!

P.S. the customer service agents were SO nice!!

Awesome, Em...I am SO happy for you!!

I have no problems with this thread but I would urge the filers in this thread who eventually receive a NOA1 with a JULY dated NOTICE DATE to please come over to the July thread and please post your info to our thread as well.

I think it's useful to keep all JULY (those with an NOA1 notice date of July) filers in one thread and that's why I ask that some of you post to the July filer thread as well but more power to you guys in here to achieving your intended purpose.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75786

Thank you SirLancelot, sir! Sounds like a reasonable request to me compared to the "barking orders" others have posted here. Arf, arf, Bow wow!!!

I will certainly transfer to the other thread after I receive NOA1. This thread shall have served its purpose by then.

Name--------------Date mailed---Fee Method Used---Rec'd at Lockbox----NOA1 Rec'd?

Jashley820----------07/xx/06----Personal check------07/16/07-----------07/28/07

Griffon76-----------07/20/07----Personal check------07/23/07-----------No

Ali-----------------07/21/07---------??-------------xx-xx-xx-----------No

ae4ever-------------07/23/07----Personal check------xx-xx-xx-----------No

PatientlyWaiting----07/23/07----Personal check------07/25/07-----------No

Loke----------------07/26/07----------??------------07/27/07-----------No

CountryBoy----------07/27/07----Personal check------07/30/07-----------No

TRKCKL11------------07/27/07---------??-------------xx-xx-xx-----------No

mona Jamie----------07/27/07----Postal money order—-07/28/07-----------No

CB82----------------07/27/07----Personal check------07/31/07-----------No

honeysweet----------07/28/07----Personal check------xx-xx-xx-----------No

Shub----------------07/28/07----Personal check------07/30/07-----------No

eff ----------------07/28/07--------??--------------xx-xx-xx-----------No

Just FYI- I sent my apps on 7/14...

I don't necessarily think a separate thread is necessary, but I think you might find my info pertinent:

Filed for EAD & AP (AOS has been pending since May 1)

Received at lockbox: 7/16

Paid by personal cheque

Cheque Cashed 7/26

NOA Date 7/25

Received NOA's for both 7/28

Received EAD Biometrics Notice 7/31

Biometrics scheduled for 8/16

I have been able to add my EAD to my case portfolio, but my AP is still coming up invalid.

Can someone please comment on the OP's statement that applying for AP delays AOS? I just applied for AP/EAD because I am stuck in namecheck. I don't want that to delay my AOS further!!

The only reason why I am here is my husband. Otherwise I'd be a happy little woman living and working in Germany.

But yes, it is difficult to find friends here, friends like I had them in Germany. And sometimes I wonder if I have to change my definition of "friends"...

Same here, if it wasn't for my hubbie, I never would have thought about moving to the US of all places. I don't think I can change my definition of "Friends" just yet. As far as I'm concerned, most of them are aquaintances or co-workers, and I talk about them as this. I don't call them my friends...they of course think it's weird.

Hey you guys! I found a really cool website last night called www.meetup.com. It's comprised of people who just want to meet new people and get out and do new/fun activities. There's a specific Meetup page for each major city in the U.S.

For example, I joined 3 meetup networks. 1) A book club that meets once per week; 2) A group of Canadian Expats; and 3) A group of people who have just moved to Cincinnati. It's free, and once you sign up, you will be notified by e-mail when there is a new event happening with that group. Events are scheduled by someone in the group- normally the group leader/starter. You must RSVP to the events, so it's harder to bail on them at the last minute because you're nervous .

Each person has an opportunity to put a small profile on there, just speaking about why they want to join the group ("I want to meet new people...."). So, you can see who's also in your group and kind of get to know them a bit.

It's cool!! I hope you guys go onto the site and check it out- definitely a chance to meet some people in the SAME situation as us!

I also signed up for volunteering with the Komen Breast Cancer foundation, Arthritis foundation, and Leukemia & Lymphoma society. I also signed up for a book club at the Library!!

Best of luck to you guys & gals!