Krissy!

Hello,

We already have the NOA1 for the AOS (and the AP papers and EAD card). It was sent to our current address....

Now I'm seeing postings "must inform USCIS of change of addresses" -- that has me

Originally on his K1 papers... I was living at a different address... when he got approved for his K1 and we decided for him to come about a month later, it was time for me to move to a "bigger" place, so I did -- he came a week later. 3 months later due to issues with the landlord/housemate, we moved out into our current place. We never filled out change of address to USCIS during his K1 visa stage. We filed for the AOS in early April with our current address, and received the NOAs and EAD/AP to current address.

Does this mean they are already "updated"?

I only presumed that we need to report while we're "pending" -- but from reading the forums, it doesn't seem the case?!???

Good morning and Happy Saturday!

No plans after a morning "re-orientation" for the night-summer job (2nd time around).

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

Making a quick list before I get back to work.....................

Love:

Lively city life.. people walking everywhere

FOOD

Safeway (food 1st floor, clothing 2nd floor, cafe 3rd floor - SWEET!)

Kawfe/Coffee

Wow, millions of internet cafes

Seeing camels by the highway

History

Sit-down meals with the entire family sharing off a BIG plate. That's so cool.

Did not like:

Stomach bug from the FOOD..

Lack of TP

Being unsure how to "flush" the toilet

Plumbing system

Being unsure how to use their toilet... was forced to as I had to pee badly!

(Can you tell I take toilets seriously?)

The smell of the air from gasoline / smoking

The driving laws... some are so kooky -- (if you fall on a parked car, it's the car owner's fault! Something like that)

Just a tip: check the processing status time-line for your local field office.

They may be "holding" on to your file until they can start processing as in the order they come in for the local office.

Unfortunately it doesn't mean that someone who filed Feb 1st will finish before someone else to filed Feb 15th (by dates), but by the dates the local office are processing (i.e. perhaps the Feb 15th's local office just started processing December 2008 files, but the Feb 1st's office just started processing October 2008 files, and so on).

Makes sense? It sucks, and I am in the same situation as you. (no "touches" since the biometrics)

(((((Nawal))))) closing on the house! HOW exciting!!! ~~tits on a bull~~ Saddleback Riding much?

((((Amanda)))) it sounds like Christmas/Birthday/Celebration time, where one all night and day along!

Let's bug Amal.... I've been trying to get a cookbook from her, too! Talk of making Mansaf... I want to be able to do it. I told hubby I want to try making it..... he's like "no way.. you don't know how.." WHAT?!? LOL... can you tell who does most of the cooking.

s'up Krissy

waz crackin' peeps?

Hi Sandrila

Amanda -- I'm excited for you... as jitter-police, take it easy on the coffee

Melly, stay cool. Yikes. Hubby brought up the idea of us maybe living in UAE at some point in the future... I'm like "what am I going to do there.... I'll diiiieeeeee in the heat"

Good morning everyone

Hi MENA.

I LOVE summer reading (well reading of any kind, but summer is usually the best time to read).

I give to Eat Pray Love. I've passed my copy on to my mother, and others. There's another book out by a dude name Andrew Gottlieb called "Drink Play F*@k"... seemed like a spoof of the former book from a male's perspective. I'll check it out at some point. :-P

jJ: How is "West of the Jordan"? I finished her other book not too long ago.

All of Dan Brown's books -- I can't wait for his newest book to come out soon.

On my reading list so far:

"The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" -- Michael Chabon (saw it on of B&N's recommended reading table -- but I grabbed it for a buck long before I saw it there, hehe)

"The Best Thing That Can Happen to a Croissant" -- Pablo Tusset

Other books I do highly recommend:

"Shantaram" -- Gregory David Roberts; this is by far my favorite book... I bought it about 5 years ago, never came around to reading and finishing it until 3 years later! I was like "wow, why didn't I read this sooner!?"

"Middlesex" -- Jeffrey Eugenides; interesting novel

Happy Reading!

Happy Tuesday MENA

Hope you all have a great day!! Posting my new doggie up one more time in this new thread! His name is Angus! He's a doll baby!!!

Aww NAWAL!!! You're killing me with the cute factor in your family. Babies and now puppy!

I am sorry.... if and when we do meet at some point, I'm going to be all over the dog! *smooches*

Babies are adorable, I love the curly hair on Nour! So cute!

Congratulations on the newest addition.

:waves: Hello everyone!

Welcome Sharifah!

I think this thread is great!

My name is Kristen, I am 29 year old. I joined VJ back in early 2008 just before we began the K1 process. My now-husband is Palestinian from Jordan, and has been here in San Diego, California close to 6 months. We've had our ups-and-downs during the K1 journey (one part was very public here in VJ, I admit ). Things have been so much better than expected since his arrival

I am what you may call a "serial-part-timer": I work as an ASL instructor at UC San Diego, an accounting specialist for an Electrics/Logistics distributor, night Adult ASL instructor, college tutor at yet another college. *heads spin* I still hear "So, tomorrow, you work at ... (place), and then... (another place)... and then what..?" everyday from my husband, Odai. It's funny sometimes. Hopefully that'd change in the near future...

Neither of us have kids, I had a very cute small dog who passed away unexpectedly a couple months ago. No pets or kids for us in the very very near future. Just us two.

I drifted away from VJ for awhile and now return as we are in AOS process, I also can't seem to get away from the MENA crowd. There are AWESOME ladies (and gents) here. Hope to actually meet some of them.

Wishing you all the best in your job hunt! My hubby is doing the same.

Happy Caturday Everyone.

It's good to hear from you Olivia. I hope you recover very soon from the "bug".

Regarding the animals:

It saddens me hearing about the strays around the area -- while I also side with everyone here, it's probably not feasible to have a no-kill shelter in that area, unfortunately. But I agree there should be a shelter at least. Why? No-kill shelters would be over-populated by the vast numbers of strays needing homes... and it seems like keeping them as pets is a bit of a taboo...

I do not mean to offend: I am an animal supporter and ASPCA member. I used to work at a Humane Society 4 years -- and that location was not a no-kill because the region just had too many animals coming in, and owners did not spay/neuter their pets. We did and still offer free-spay days, but the shelter still is not a no-kill.

Birthdays:

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JOSH! I hope the celebrations! are what you anticipated for!

Yah, party time for Zain and Nour! :dance: Have fun celebrating today!

Have a great Saturday everyone! I'm off to get ready for a teacher organization meeting.

Great change of news!!! Congratulations!

Good morning MENA.

Almost-FRIDAY! YES! I think the long weekend spoiled us all...

Don't worry. You'll be fine even if you guys will have to go to an interview. Just be prepared and get both of your names on your car titles, bank accounts, lease contracts etc.

I had my job interview today and it really looks good guys! I will know for sure tomorrow as they have to interview the other person tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping, because I really like this position and company. And the best is they would be willing to work with me if I have to wait some more for the EAD. Cross your fingers for me!

Thinking a bit ahead.... as I'm pretty sure we'll have an interview as I took a look at other local office filers, all of them had interviews: We got a couple pictures of our marriage ceremony (even front page "local news" in county's newspaper!), his and my name on our housing lease....

I prefer to keep our bank accounts separate (maybe add a joint later on when he starts working).

Car title: It's under my name with a lien by the credit union. Should I add him? Does it cost extra? Wondered about your experiences... I'm also in the process of shopping for new driving insurance policy -- I've been with my agent for over 11 years, but I was jaw-dropping shocked at the quotes he provided me to add my husband to my current policy. I looked at GEICO, they seem to quote a much better rate for both of us... hmmm.... what are your options?

Good luck on your interview results! Keeping my fingers crossed!

My husband came here on a K-1. Long before he did, I tried looking for information on getting his 2-year "diploma" in Nurse Associate translated to U.S. standards.

He did a 6-month stint working at the local hospital before he came here. The things he described doing his job sounds similar to what a RN here does (injections, IV, pre-/post- operation care, changes, vital signs monitoring, etc etc) -- but he's considered as a Nurse Assistant there (in Jordan).

Anyhow, he just got his EAD. So I advised that he gets whatever he can get his hands on to work and earn some moola$. I notice through he seems to focus primarily on the healthcare field, understandable. I worry.... he might not get much response as being not certificated...

Anyhow, in short... where can he get his transcripts/courses and degree evaluated to determine at what "level" he qualifies for (perhaps sit in for the RN test?) or to determine if further courses need to be taken. We're located in San Diego. We tried emailing and contacting the local California Nurses Association chapter, and even the State Board to no avail.

Any tips?

Thanks!

Little Malek broke his elbow by falling out of his damn cozy coupe car and getting himself all twisted up in it. He had surgery on Saturday and has two pins and a cast. Keep my little trooper in your prayers as he recovers.

Ouch. May he recover quickly! (((Hugs)))

Good morning MENA.

I am sooo not happy returning to work today. I slept in an extra 45 minutes this morning. That was nice, I'm still greedy tho.

How was everyone's weekend?? I drove the entire 7-8 hours each way. *groans* But had a BLAST.

(((hugs Amanda))). Am excited on the count-down to Raad's interview date! Whoo-hoo!

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Congratulations! Absolutely Stunning!!

Olivia,

Just caught your updates! I'm so excited, and I look forward to reading more of your entries! Sounds like a wonderful reunion with your husband. I am glad you got there safely!

Kristen

Good morning MENA!

Wanted to thank you for bringing up the topic and for the responses. My husband and I are trying to figure out the whole evaluation thing. He has a 2-year "diploma" in "Associate Nursing". Still scrabbling all over the place on seeing who/what can evaluate his degree. Fortunately his transcript are in English translation. He told me he would have the same issue of his college being difficult about mailing off "official transcripts" and getting much needed signatures. Even while he was still in Jordan.

Hopefully we'll be able to come across some place that is just as understanding as UofA is.

I hope things work itself out for you, ak3.

Congratulations on the EAD production ordered notices and things moving along for everyone!

PrettyAngel: We also got notification from CRIS at least 3 times regarding the EAD. lol.

Hubby just received his EAD card yesterday. He is thrilled -- first on his agenda, getting a CA Driver License We may walk-in to the DMV first thing in the morning tomorrow to take the written test.. so he can do some "practice driving" on way to our destination this weekend.

The AOS still hasn't been touched since May 8th. *sighs* At least we got the AP and EAD.

Have a great weekend everyone! I keep praying for you all!