ozone_1974

but wait... in GATLINBURG, TENESSEE..they have the PANCAKE PANTRY. http://www.pancakepantry.com/.that's the best restaurant I have been to outside Florida... that when we got home , my wife is craving for panckaes the same as what we tasted there....

I LOVE pancakes Oh and Belgium waffles with REAL (of course the Canadian one) maple syrup too

Are you moving to Florida? If you are, I totally recommend the Pollo Tropical chain. Let us know where you're moving to and I can be more specific. lol

Yes I will be moving to sunny Florida

I've noticed too that the portions they serve in USA are huuuuuuuuuuuuuge, although I LOVE food and can eat quite a lot, I don't know how they are doing to eat all of it at once .. Most of the time I just can't finish my meals .. lol, so we often bring the leftovers back home to eat it later

Wow .. thanks everyone, we'll def have to try some of these restaurants Makes me hungry just to read what you guys say about these restaurants

I remember we went to a place once that specialize in bagels and cream cheese but I can't remember the name of it .. I had bagels with strawberry cream cheese (never tasted strawberry cream cheese in my life before) .. Omg I loved it !

I love food !

You guys will probably hate me for posting this, but it's been my favorite picture for a few months now. Any time I need a pick-me-up, I just pop it open and can't help but laugh my a$$ off. The back story - a friend of mine at work was listening to one of the hair band stations on XM and was wondering who sang this particular song. I knew it but couldn't think of who it was, so we Googled it. It was a band in the 80's called Giuffria who I vaguely remembered. When we saw the pic, we immediatley busted about laughing. Were they stuffing their jeans with socks?? #######?? The one guy even appears to have... um... trying to figure out how to say this nicely... a bit of ball separation. LMAO Man, that was the nicest way I could think of saying it!

LOL

Hey everyone

when I was in Florida, I was looking for good and not too expensive restaurants. One I found (very well known though), not too expensive and they have quite a nice choice is Olive Garden. Their food is really good and tasty and the ambiance is fantastic !

My fiancee and I love to go to restaurants sometimes (just to relax at the end of a long day at work, get out of the house and eat great food when we don't feel like cooking or just to break the routine) so I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on good restaurants to try.

Thanks in advance

Because here in US they pay for lazy people and haunt hard workers.

uhm they do that here in Canada too but the population in USA is far greater than in Canada so IMO it is hard to compare Canada vs USA

USA population (approximately 305,776,875 residents)

Canadian population (approximately 33,547,852 residents)

There are a lot of factors that makes a financial situation like this happen...

It is the MTL case number

And I put 70 or 60 years

Here's another rant that goes along with my previous one...

My wife and I really buffered the items we shipped. We wrapped two layers of bubble wrap around my stuff. Somehow UPS managed to damage some of my books and broke the seven of DVD cases. The book damage wasn't extensive (some corners heavily bent), but the DVD cases? There are large gaping holes in some of them and others were nearly smashed to bits.

I spent over $230 USD to have four boxes of my personal items shipped up here. I'd like to think that for that amount of money, UPS could be more careful. As I said, the books had relatively minor damage and none of the DVDs themselves were rendered unplayable (as far as I know), but that's not the point. Every item I stored in those boxes -- with one exception -- was in perfect condition. Knowing this, I received the boxes and some of the items were broken beyond repair.

I'm not including the "clothing issue" (where my clothes are held up at Customs) as UPS's fault. However, the condition in which some of my items were dropped off, I can only hope my clothes aren't filthy or torn. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were.

Sorry to hear that, DeadPoolX .. it sure does suck

However I am not surprised at all. UPS is IMO one of the most expensive and unprofessional shipping company I've ever seen. I've learned that all too well when I ordered items from USA on ebay.

First, their charges for customs are often as much as the double you would pay with another company and this is not justified at all.

Second, they are slow to ship .. you would think it would be fast considering the amount of money you pay for their services.

Third, problems like you described in your post are more than too common with that company

I stopped using UPS a few years ago for these exact same reasons.

Hi everyone

So The pack 3 should only contain the DS-230 and the checklist or am I missing something ?

There is one form (DS-156k) that they sent me in the pack 3, but they do not ask for it (form DS-160 has already been filled out and sent online and I know this form is replacing the DS-156) .. they only ask for the DS-230 and the checklist, so should I send the DS-156K also ?

Note : In pack 3 they only included the DS-156K but not the DS-156

I am a little confused

Thanks for your help

No, your fiance does not have to be with you for the interview, you can go by yourself and attend the interview alone if you wish.

wow, you were extremely early if you arrived at 12:15 am,lol Nice review

Oh sorry .. I meant to say 10:15 am .. although it is not that early either

Great review Ozone! thanks for sharing with VJ.

You are welcome, I will do everything I can to help others in the same process You guys gave us so many precious and priceless informations already

Hi everyone

Ok so I had my medical appointment on Tuesday and thought about sharing my experience with you guys (Just in case someone have any questions on medicals in Montreal)

So according to the list provided by the Montreal consulate, medical examinations in Montreal are to be done by Medisys.

Took an appointment last week (January, 21, 2009) and had my appointment scheduled for January, 26. They asked me if it was for a visa for the US government and gave me all the necessary information prior to attending the examination.

I had to bring :

4 US size pictures

Letter from the Montreal consulate including my case number

Medical records booklet

Passport or 2 proofs of identity.

My appointment was scheduled at 10:30 am, so I went a little early (12:15 am) .. they have an inside parking (which is a fixed price of 10$ per day) or you can park on the street (was pretty easy to find a parking spot on the side of the building). btw, Their office is on the 11th floor.

Went to the reception and told the receptionist I had an appointment, she asked me for my 4 pictures, passport, letter from embassy including my case number and my medical records booklet. Once she gathered everything, she gave me a form to fill out, so I sat down in the lobby (not too much people waiting) and filled out the form (which is a list of questions on your health present and past conditions). Then I returned the form to the receptionist and they told me to sit down and that someone will call me in a few minutes.

A first lady called me at 10:30 for the xrays (this is just a normal xrays exam)

10:40 am, back in the lobby to wait for someone else to call me.

10:55 am, a doctor called me for a general exam (this was really quick and the doctor was not really saying anything but doing his job). Basically he asked me to strip down (minus the undies) checked my blood pressure, my reflexes (eyes and knees), my ears, listened to my heart and breathing, pressed on my stomach firmly and asked if it was hurting (not), then asked me if I have ever been convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol (not), then asked me if I was smoking (yes) and he told me "yes I know you are going to stop smoking" .. LOL, and then proceeded to fill out his form. Then he told me to go back in the lobby and wait for someone else to call me

11:05 am, I am back in the lobby waiting

11:15 am, a lady called me for the blood sample. She took my weight and proceeded with the blood sample. She was talking to me all the time (I guess to put me at ease with the needles lol) and we where talking about Florida. She then explained that I needed 3 vaccines and explained what they are for etc...

11:25 am, back at the reception to pay in advance for the medical examination and the 3 vaccines (378$). They also told me to call them back the same week to check if my results are ready.

11:35 am, another lady called me for the vaccines. She was really nice taking the time to explain what are the vaccines for, the secondary effects of these vaccines and what I will feel after the vaccines. I got 1 in each arms and one in the leg.

One was for Combined tetanus and Diphtheria (mine expired cause it is only good for 10 years)

One was for Combined Measles, mumps and rubella

One was for Chickenpox

Once the vaccines done and over with, she asked me to sit down in the lobby for approximately 20 mins and asked me to tell them right away if I was feeling any weird effects or having difficulty to breathe .. she explained that the vaccines are entirely reversible if any complications occur.

Went back in the lobby and waited a little bit .. except for feeling a little dizzy, everything seemed to be fine.

12:00 .. I was done with the medical exam and went to work

Overall, despite the fact I hate medical exams, it was quite a pleasant experience, they put you at ease and are really nice and professional.

Update : I called today and my results are ready and waiting for me to pick it up !

Okay so remember a few weeks ago I told you guys about the wedding saga with my future bridezilla sister in law? Well I have even more of a rant here about her so here it goes. Sorry for this guys, I have to get it out!

She writes this 25 Random Things about her on Facebook and one of the 25 things is "I can't wait for marriage and my new job.."

She doesn't even work, is still in school and is not yet looking for a job. She is the onyl person I've ever met in my life that talks about a job like she already has it.

Example: She said that she wanted to have a summer wedding because she had to spend most of August planning her classroom. She doesn't have a teacher's job, has not applied for one yet AND is not even 100% qualified to be a teacher until May.

Well her sister is even crazier then her. She has been engaged to the same guy 3 times and they keep getting back together and breaking up. I know this because she updates me every day on Facebook about her break up.

Example: "L is having a hard day today...", "L wishes she could turn back the clock"

Why and how do people do that? She said she still wants to marry him. Um, so if you get married are you going to separate every 3 months? I don't understand why people even CONSIDER getting married if they can't get along.

I was watching Dr. Phil the other day because I was bored to tears and it was about newlyweds. I don't think people realize how hard marriage can really be. This new wife had practically taken away ANY freedom her husband ever had and everything he ever loved. He had to come straight home after work to spend time with her, no longer had any friends. He moved to the city from the country for her and she made him sell his horses. He wasn't allowed to go to the gym without her.

She was sitting pretty saying , "I don't see what is wrong with wanting to spend time with my husband..."

Uh...because you've got him in a headlock and the guy is at his wits end?

I felt like I was looking at my brother in law on tv in the next couple of years. No friends, monopolized by his wife and just works to support her.

OKAY! I'm done. 1-2-3 WOOOOSSSHHHH. (my french teacher in highschool used to do that with us to get all our frustrations out)

Oh My !!!!!

I am still baffled when I see people thinking they "own" their loved one, cause nothing and nobody is a "given" on earth. I do not think THAT is love at all, I think it is more disguised insecurities (but she will never admit it until she grows up !). I really feel for that guy, but he should also be able to step out and say whatever he have to say instead of accepting everything .. in a case like this, I would say both are to blame (her for putting that guy into pity and him for not telling her that this is enough).

OKAY! I'm done. 1-2-3 WOOOOSSSHHHH.

Actually I tried the one the captain does in "bad boys" "WOOOOOOOOOOSAAAAH" works best lol

I've also found out recently that my dad cheated on my mom several times. He has no remorse about it and said it "saved their marriage." I suppose that's one way to look at it. Nevertheless, my brother and I were a little shocked and none-to-happy about this revelation. Even worse was that he told me that I will probably cheat on my wife and that "all men do at some point." He said I'll get tired of being with one woman and look for sex elsewhere, which -- according to him -- is apparently "okay." He also instructed me to never tell her if I cheat, since she "won't understand."

Imagine that. One spouse not taking it well that their partner cheated on them. That's some newsflash, right?

What really annoyed me about that is he was telling me that I will cheat on my wife and even giving me advice how to do it, in addition to saying it's "perfectly acceptable." Just because he did, why should that be any indication I will too?

My dad did that too but it sure did not save anything at all, it only made their relationship worse !

I was as annoyed as you are but I finally realized that it was HIS life, not mine. It is not because he is my dad that I have to be in agreement with everything he says or everything he does. Personally, I hate cheating in every meaning of the word, I never understood why people do that and I guess will never understand... It is just something that is not in my book, what's the point in doing such things ??

I completely understand when you say your are annoyed by something like this. What puzzles me though is when I tell people that I am in love and do not need to sleep with other women, then they look at me with a strange look and ask me if I'm gay ! Well no I'm NOT gay ! So I try to explain that I am with my loved one and love and respect her so much, she is my love, my best friend, my partner, my other half ... still, some of them don't understand.

So then I proceed to tell them that a women is not an object, nor a sex toy but a real person and that it hurts when you do things like that ... yet, they still stand here looking at me like if I was a freaking alien and tell me "but we're guys, and normal guys like to have sex" ... well I sure do, WITH MY LOVED ONE.

Moral of all this ? it is not because we are guys that we have to think with our #### ! You can be a real guy and think with your brain (the one up there), feel with your hart, have some emotions, respect and common sense.

If you don't have a scanner how would you go about doing that?

As SapphireDreams mentioned, you can take a picture of yourself against a white wall. To crop or resize the picture, you can also use paint.net .. it is completely free and if you are not sure about the size in pixel, it gives you the option to view the print size in cm/metric or English units.

I wonder where they get these attitudes and ideas from.

I think some people just watch too much BS TV shows and base their ideas on that and also on what others are saying instead of actually get to know people for real, that's all .. lol

Most of the time people tend to generalize and do not think there are good and bad people everywhere in the world. They just see the world in black and white .. there is no Grey area to them.

Of course, they have the right to think whatever they want, they just make their life harder thinking that way !

wow .. what an immoral thread this guy posted !

hmmm, what to say about it ?

Insecurities, ultra low self esteem, lack of morals, and I would add that if he judges people by the way they look or where they come from, that just proves he's got a long way to grow up.

Also after reading some of the people's answers in that other thread, it just seems to me there are a lot of BS, old, and thankfully long gone stereotypes being posted .. lol

just my 2 cents

Oh ok Krikit, thank you for explaining how they process it, I am feeling much better now

Thank you so so so so so much for your answers everyone this is greatly appreciated and it is really helping a lot to know others went through the same things

I remember reading a post here on VJ about someone who said that VJ is the only way to stay sane during the visa process ... My god that is so very true

Thanks again so much Krikit

The DS-160 is online and has been sent already, the DS-230 has been completed as mentioned earlier, we have most of the checklist documents already, the only thing holding us back for the checklist is that we are waiting for the official date my fiancee came to USA with her parents (she was 2 years old) and this information will come from the US army.

Anyone else want to share their experience ? is it best to send the forms and checklist together ? and will the fact that it took 2 months already to send them back the forms will affect the visa ?

I guess I am just stressing it out a lil bit more than I should but you guys know how it is .. Sometimes stress is just getting to us, lol

Thanks everyone

Thanks so much for your answer Carlawarla

Hi everyone

I have another question

I received my packet 3 about a 2 months ago .. I have completed and submitted the DS-160 last week, the DS-230 is also completed but not sent yet I plan on sending it today by express post.

I am still working on the checklist items .. I had my birth certificate translated, my police certificates etc etc, I am only missing the medical and the affidavit from my fiancee who is also waiting for a paper for the affidavit form.

So is there any time line to send these forms back ? I saw that in the package they state to send back the DS-160 and DS-230 immediately but I have been so busy lately that I had just a little time to do anything. Will the fact that I did not sent it back immediately affect the visa procedures ?

Also can I send the DS-230 now and send the checklist later when we will have everything required ?

Thanks in advance everyone for your answers

I am not sure as I do not have kids, but in the pack 3 they clearly state for the DS-160 "one per each applicant" so I would guess you have to fill out one for her too .. but wait until someone more knowledgeable respond back in this forum just to be on the safe side. You can still fill out the rest of your form and correct the information at the end (before submitting it) if needed.

On the DS-160, for Current Employment, does anyone know if I should put Not Employed or Homemaker? Last night I began this form (thought I saved it but apparently did not) and I had put Homemaker, which then prompted me with "Have you worked in the past" and then wanted all employment details for the past five years. Today, I checked out the NOT EMPLOYED option, because I am not sure which to use. I was expecting the same "have you worked in the past" question and request for details, but was only asked for an explanation. I put "looking for work".

Thanks!

for current employment, If you are currently unemployed, I would select "unemployed" and write in the explanation box that you are unemployed since (date when unemployment began).

Also, when you save the form, make sure you save it in a place you will remember (like your desktop for example). When you will start your form again, it will ask you for the file so just select it and upload it. The default provided file name will change depending at what stage of the form you are at, so one thing you can do is select the last file you saved and overwrite it with your current progress.

I would personally go with what USCIS says.

Check with USCIS and follow the procedures, do not just overstay like that based on what others say. Call and get official information cause if they ban you due to fraud, you won't be able to go back to USA for a very long time.

Was going to ask the same question cause last time I checked, they said every documents not in English have to be translated by a certified translator and notarized.