Aubrey

I'd say to be careful to separate an older cat for yourself. They tend not to adapt well. I had a cat that lived to 18; she handled 3 moves in her last 3 years, but she nearly died the one year I had to leave her with my parents before that (not eating, sulking, etc). Love and attention from their main companion goes a lot further than a familiar surrounding.

Thanks everyone for the supportive responses! I can't believe the story about the search into boxer shorts... that's simply shocking. It's bad enough when your padded down.

And yeah, it was pretty obvious from the agent's questions that he didn't believe that Andy would come for so long just to visit. I knew coming that it'd be better if he had documents to show "ties to home" but given the student visa not working out, he just doesn't have much to show. We'd been banking on him moving in a month, so there was no point in getting a job with everything going on. His roommate of ~5 years has never had Andy on the lease because it just wasn't necessary and it was no simple matter to add him... so, yeah, it didn't make it easy to convince the guy once he was suspicious. It definitely helped that our stories matched exactly, and we'd actually talked about how to answer questions should they arise... I'm so glad we did!!!!

And how I remained cool... hah, I didn't completely. I was shaking during that phone call, and getting increasingly nervous and pissed off. Maybe it helped that I was upset, I don't know, because he actually explained a little why he was so suspicious after I asked sarcastically if it was illegal for me to purchase his ticket.

And rebeccajo, I think you misunderstood. He's going home in September -- staying for 85 days. I'm definitely not risking the VWP for him again after this experience. I'm hoping we'll be lucky and have our case resolved quickly like some this year have. We mail our stuff the beginning of next week.

I've thought for a long time that it's nuts that we don't require all buildings over 3 stories within metropolitan areas to add solar panels to their building plans. Our government feels content to push us to use mercury-containing CFLs but not use solar panels... that doesn't make sense. And as green as wind power is, logistically speaking it requires too much acreage per watt to supply real energy needs... and those suckers are loud, too.

I also understand that a big thing holding back solar panel installation and use is outdated building codes throughout the country, requiring special permits or approval of city councils to install them.

solar power

This is why doctors are supposed to use a marker on the body part they're supposed to operate on before surgery. Mark the chest on the correct side so you don't f' up and do the wrong one. It's done quite often, and it's a simple way to avoid such a horrible problem...

I hope the patient survives.

Nonono, June 28th isn't allowed to be "sign up for obama" or whatever day. It's my birthday - it's "let's party with Aubrey" day!

And Obama already has my thumbs up anyway.

Yeah, well he came through Seattle the first time with no issues, so this was a huge surprise. But I know what you mean Olivia, when I came back from Germany they acted funny to me too just because I was so exhausted - I'd been almost 48 hours with almost no sleep. I really didn't expect this though, and next time he returns it will have to be on his K1 or a visitor visa because this scared the heck out of me!

Thank you DairyFarmer, we will!!!!

My fiancé just got here and was interrogated at POE in Seattle. The officer at the main entry area asked him what the purpose of his visit was (he's coming to see me for 85 days on the VWP) and apparently he didn't like his answer. So he gave him a giant red card and he was sent to the interrogation room, all his bags thoroughly searched, asked about all his finances, how he and I met, why I had paid for his ticket, what he was doing here, etc. My fiancé says he was questions over 30 minutes... then they called me and asked me just about every question the same. I don't think I've ever been so nervous... and simultaneously pissed off. He kept reasking me the same questions, I guess to see if I'd come up with a different answer. I finally asked him "What, is there something illegal about me paying for his ticket?" He's like, "no, but the US has laws about intent to immigrant" blah blah. Of course I know this, and I try very hard to explain he's returning in September and he's here just to visit and that yes, I'll be supporting him during his stay. He of course doesn't believe me and keeps asking more questions. That phone call felt like an eternity, and he hung up without even telling me if my fiancé was getting through! Ugh...

Thank goodness he made it through. We haven't even filed our K1 paperwork yet!

I don't know about most of your questions, but I can tell you a couple things about student loans. You're eligible for federal student loans if you are a permanent resident or US citizen and can demonstrate financial need (which isn't too difficult). Alternatively, banks offer private loans to international students if you have a US co-signer. The terms are generally pretty good, and you can defer payment until your education is completed. Sallymae, wells fargo, etc are just a few places I've seen private loans offered.

If you don't have a US co-signer and aren't a PR, then the only option you have for student loans is to get a co-signer in your home country and apply through your home country banks. The only website I found that offers this is Global Student Loan Corporation, but they are limited in the countries that they work with.

I wish you more luck than I've had. My fiancé and I weren't able to secure the necessary loan we needed for his student visa.

I don't like these threads that dump all illegal immigrants into one category, as if they're all evil and doing no benefit to the country.

Sparkofcreation brings up a good point about farm workers. My ex-husband's family and everyone they knew were farmers. They couldn't get reliable help in town, nor would the government let them legally sponsor their workers. But as this "crackdown" is happening, their workers go home to see their families and increasing are geting caught coming back. These are people who only come as migrants, not as people to stay. They'd happily come legally if allowed to do so. This is one of the only things I've agreed with Prez Bush on in his entire presidency - we need to have a migrant worker program that works. Whether people want to admit it or not, they are the backbone of much of our agriculture.

Yes, we need to stem the influx of illegals, but we are a nation of immigrants and our economy relies on the 10 million illegals in our country. You can't simply deport that many with no effect. I really think we ought to have tighter border security, but also create opportunities for those who wish to come legally to work -- not just in high end fields and movie stars, but at the very least for our migrant farm workers. Then there's the whole "let's make it as slow as possible to bring your family member here" thing which we all see happen on VJ. It's no wonder some people just come on a VWP and hide forever. It's expensive and slow and they reject legitimate people sometimes.

I really don't see immigration as a black and white issue.

That's nuts. I'm sooooo in love with our government bureaucracy! Best of luck with the infopass appointment.

I am drawing a blank but it wasn't a famous guild. My hubby created it with all of his real life friends. I also don't play anymore, it is hard to keep up with all of the expansions, last i played was GWEN. You?

Yeah, same. I PVE'd GWEN and it was fun. I quit GvG before that, although I have done a couple HA runs and a few random GvGs, but basically I just log on now to say hi and see if I have new birthday presents. lol

I'm assembling the docs for my packet... this thread made me question myself. I was going to submit a photocopy of my multi-page divorce decree. Is that acceptable? Or do I need to order a certified divorce certificate? They're apparently different things, at least here in Idaho. I'm so confused now.

My husband and I were playing the MMORPG FFXI (Final Fantasy 11). I played a little red-headed Taru named Leilu and my husband played a hume named Nazoom! We started out as friends and became super close and then it went to the next level. We met July or August of 2005 online and we met in person here in the US in July 2006, we got married March 2007 and are now expecting our first baby in less than 9 weeks. He and I never imagined in a million years we would ever date, let alone marry someone we met online and well... we did! He is AMAZING! I miss him so much and hope this whole immigration journey is over quickly and we don't have to be 2000 miles apart any longer!

We met through an online game called Guild Wars. He was my best friend and my rock while I suffered through a bad marriage and the subsequent divorce. He was the light at the end of my dark tunnel.

Our story is similar to this.

We also met playing MMORPG and he was there for me after my 4 yr relationship ended. He felt for me much more than I did for him in the beginning, but in time I felt the same. I think I'm truly blessed for having met him.

Same thing here ! His screen name was ima gurl and was the leader of my guild. I always thought he was a woman till later lol.

So many of us gamers here! We could start our own little club! Sometimes it would seem I was the only girl gamer in the USA, but you're making me feel less of an anomaly!

Ivy411, are you willing to admit to which MMO you were playing at the time?

Lili, what guild(s) were/are you in? I don't play anymore (waiting on GW2 beta), but I still keep in touch with my guildies from Moa Birds and Legion of Losers. Either of those ring a bell? I played way too much for awhile and competitively.

I quit the job I didn't like (teaching) and getting my 2nd degree to purse my dream job -- graphic designer.

Life's too short to be unhappy.

In such an extreme case, you may want to consider contacting a lawyer and trying to get one to take you pro-bono.

I looked up myself and my SO just out of curiosity of what the thing could find. It doesn't find half of the forums I know we're both part of. We both share most of our passwords, there's only a couple financial ones I'll keep private until our marriage is official. Otherwise there's no secrets. We know each others' friends and have logged onto each others' various accounts often already.

Secrets, imo, aren't indicative of a healthy relationship.

The requirement for DCF typically is living in the consulate's district for 6 months as a resident. Have you been an official resident since January? If so, you're almost at the 6 months you'd need and I'd recommend going the DCF route.

Nature will adjust any imbalances that may arise out of natural or artificial causes. Note that adjustment may not necessarily be beneficial to humans and life on this planet overall.

Well, maybe we need a super volcano to go off. Apparently the last one set off a mini ice age 75,000 years ago. It also caused mass extinctions.

Okay, I can't tell you how far of a flight it is, but the best vacation I've had inside US territory is in the USVI - particularly St. Thomas and St. John.

Where did you stay?

Sorry, I was there from a cruise, so I can't recommend a hotel. I wish I had just flown directly to St. Thomas. There's places on both islands though, and plenty of websites with reviews on them. St. John is the place to stay if you're prefer more nature stuff (it has the VI National Park) and quieter, secluded beaches. St. Thomas is better for more active things, like shopping or whatever. There's a cheap ferry between the two islands. I think it was ~20 minutes and it's a pleasant trip.

We met through an online game called Guild Wars. He was my best friend and my rock while I suffered through a bad marriage and the subsequent divorce. He was the light at the end of my dark tunnel.

Cool... that is similar to my hubby and me!

Us too, minus the Guild Wars and adding in the toilet paper

The toliet paper is so much more cushy than GW! So you were also with a blech guy when you met your now husband?

Well, yes. I was married for 9 years and the last 3 or 4 were just ... not good. But we have kids so for their sake.

He's remarried happily and I will be as well so clearly it worked out the way it should have

Hah, well I wasn't married long, but I was with the guy for 8 years and really most of it wasn't good. I just had forgotten what it was like to laugh and smile. Fortunately my sweet Andreas reminded me what that was before I sank into a depressive hole. The guy would go spend every night reading in his truck. That is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm sooooooo lucky Andreas and I found each other.

We met through an online game called Guild Wars. He was my best friend and my rock while I suffered through a bad marriage and the subsequent divorce. He was the light at the end of my dark tunnel.

Cool... that is similar to my hubby and me!

Us too, minus the Guild Wars and adding in the toilet paper

The toliet paper is so much more cushy than GW! So you were also with a blech guy when you met your now husband?

I hope you all know about Cute Overload already... daily dose of smileys guaranteed.

Okay, I can't tell you how far of a flight it is, but the best vacation I've had inside US territory is in the USVI - particularly St. Thomas and St. John. There's plenty to do if you like or you can enjoy the most beautiful beaches and water I've ever seen. Actually it's the only place I will get in the ocean because I can see everything where my toes are.

If that's too far, there's always visits to the coast - Maine is supposed to be really nice this time of year I'm told.

Disney World/Universal Studios/Seaworld in Orlando is fun for the young and old alike.

Atlanta is a pretty cool city to visit, and you can always spend a day at Six Flags (I thought it was a blast, anyway).

We met through an online game called Guild Wars. He was my best friend and my rock while I suffered through a bad marriage and the subsequent divorce. He was the light at the end of my dark tunnel.

China just passed us up. India will soon follow. It does not make any difference what we do. We cannot make them stop.

If we all followed your logic in life, every time something got worse it'd be okay if we added to it.. the ole' if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Are you from the backwoods?

How about if we can't control what China and India are doing we provide the EXAMPLE for them so they know how to change. We have the means to do much better than we are. Not just for the environment, but for protecting our long term energy future. That requires reducing our consumption and producing it responsibly. Even if you don't believe the scientific community about man-induced global warming, you should at least acknowledge that localized air pollution from burning fossil fuels isn't healthy for anyone. Even if it "blows away" from your city by a cold front, someone has to breathe it. It doesn't disappear. That's just not ethical.

This is not a runaway train.

And to those arguing we should just protect our economy, protecting our environment DOES protect our economy. Global warming doesn't just make it hot. It causes increased fluctuations in the weather patterns -- making dry areas drier and wet areas wetter; hurricanes get stronger; snow storms become blizzards. Katrina was caused by higher than normal temperatures in the Gulf. Events like that are catastrophic on the economy. We should do everything we can to prevent those situations from increasing in frequency, and that involves protecting our environment.

If you expect to continue living on this planet, stop forgetting that you are part of the web of life. You can't destroy the air, the water, the other animals, the bacteria, etc without eventually dying yourself.