k34

I finally had a day of girly pampering yesterday after trying not to spend unnecessary money since moving here. It was soooo worth it! It made me feel like myself again :-) Anyway, I relied on Yelp to find everything I needed. I don't know if it's as active a site in other cities, but here in Chicago, you can count on it to help you find the best of everything, complete with details such as who is best at certain salons, what their prices are like, day of the week specials, etc.

As far as girl friends, I have always had trouble getting to know people, so I was worried about how it would go here, but one of the first nights that we went out there was a really outgoing female friend of one of my guy's friends who, upon finding out I was new here, asked "oh... do you need friends?" I was a little taken aback by the question, but admitted that yes, I do. We have been hanging out here and there, and she has introduced me to some other people as well. Overall, people seem to be very friendly and open to adding to their friend rosters. Girlfriends and wives of my guy's friends have all been super friendly as well, and I feel like there are several of them that I could call if I feel like I need some girl time.

As of right now, I am doing SFA and not at all happy about it. Actually that's not 100% true... I just started doing some consulting work for a company that is an intermediary for international theaters and the authors of the plays they wish to produce. That's only one day per week though, so I am furiously looking for a full time job as an accountant or auditor. The problem is that I have worked for the federal government ever since graduating university, so while I have some pretty specialized and unique skills and knowledge (tax investigations), what I know is really only useful in a similar position and citizenship is required for any federal government job that I have found here. This puts me in the position of basically being right out of university with no experience only all the stuff I learned there is 12 years behind me. At this point I am ready to take a job at the local supermarket or something

Have you tried Ebay for your Vichy products? I use Guinot products which are available here but only downtown as far as I can tell... and you really only go downtown here if you work there or are a tourist... it's really a big hassle.. so I have been buying them on Ebay. And now that I have a US mailing address I am not discriminated against by any sellers on there

sweet that clears up the police check question now just hope if someone knows on the other question about bringing the copy of I-129F with me to interview.

I brought a copy of mine with me because I wanted to be over prepared rather than possibly put on the spot being asked about something for which I had no back-up. I wasn't asked for anything besides the standard forms and evidence that are on the interview list, but I would always err on the side of caution, because the consequences of not having something they want to see would be way too frustrating for me.

Windsor, ON to Chicago, IL

Isn't that first EAD stamp only temporary and expires after the 90 days your K1 is valid for getting married?

Yes... was hoping to get a job pretty early and then be able to hang onto it because I should have had my EAD card within the 90 days. I say should have had, because without being able to find a job right away, I was also then not able to apply for my AOS/EAD right away... had to wait until I got my severance from my job in Canada. It looks like I wont have to worry about what to do about my job when the I-94 expires anyway though since I haven't even had so much as an interview yet

Weird pictures are the best!

And then there's this:

I couldn't possibly put that in the same post as my wedding pic!

The story behind that one is that my husband and several friends cycled from Chicago to Indianapolis for the Indy 500 (I drove there). For whatever reason, they decided that they should all grow creepy retro-porn-actor-style mustaches leading up to this ride. None of them turned out to be very good at facial hair, so when I spotted this guy in the stands, I had to point him out and put them all to shame. I tried throughout the race to get a stealth picture of him, but just as I got a good clear sight line and was about to shoot, he noticed and mugged for the camera

This will probably be my favorite picture of all time! It's our wedding pic, overlooking the waterfront across from Jackson Square in New Orleans... it was taken by an old couple who were sitting on a bench minding their own business when we asked them to be our witnesses and photographers Btw, they were there celebrating their 50th anniversary!

I was at my local Chase branch yesterday looking into getting a Visa. My husband has a couple of accounts there, to which he has added my name. I asked a lot of questions and was told that if they simply add me to his Visa card, that wont report to my credit at all. They don't do credit cards with a co-signer (not sure if this is new or has always been this way). He advised me that because of my situation and the fact that I am named on savings and checking accounts with them, after I get the inevitable rejection, he can submit it for reconsideration, meaning an actual person will look at the big picture so to speak. He thought that upon reconsideration there was a pretty good chance I would be approved for a low limit card to start me out. I thought this might be useful to mention, since another branch that I was at previously didn't seem to know anything about that process, so other people's experiences with Chase will obviously vary.

Of course the usefulness of this information really depends on whether I eventually get a card or not, I guess

Btw, sorry to have kinda checked out of here as soon as I moved... I have spent almost 100% of my time every day looking for a job (to no avail, yet). I decided that I needed a day off today :-)

edit: yes, based on my timeline it wouldn't be expected that I would be looking for work yet, but I actually got the EA stamp at the Detroit tunnel when I crossed

Agree... I wasn't asked for any evidence at all (and I had a TON!). I also didn't have any tax information aside from his W-2 from this year. I just attached that, a letter from his employer and a summary of his deposits over the past year to the affidavit and was not questioned about any part of that.

Yeah if you are in a city of any decent size (sounds like you are with the ghetto reference), then it should be next day so spending more for the next level wont help. I had a monday interview and got mine the friday. I mentioned to the interviewer that we were getting married about three weeks after the interview and said that she would make sure I had the visa in time.

I'm curious to know how people answered DS 156 question 29- They again ask you to list your previous trips to the USA. Did you put all the trips you listed in the DS 230 or just put the last 5 or just say "plus additional trips from 20XX-2009"?

I just listed the same ones as what was on that other form that asked for the last 5 or 6 trips or whatever. I have been there twice a month for a couple of years but only listed trips as far back as about November. The interviewer commented that it seems like I am there every weekend. I corrected her and said every other weekend. That was the extent of what was spent on that issue.

I didn't even provide a tax return, just his 2008 W2 as well as a summary of his bank deposits and a letter from his employer.

I wasn't even asked for this stuff either... I was asked for the I134 (think that's the right number) and I included those other items with it because I thought they were important to back up what the form said.

The only thing that was notarized was the affidavit of support, not any of the accompanying documents though.

Just trying to get a feel for what has been asked recently.... trying to get prepared.

Also, I posted a question a while back and most people said I had nothing to worry about, i'm just a worry wart. They ask what you do for your profession.... but why does that matter? mean, you can't work right away and you're sponsored?

I plan on working for my fiance's practice as his marketing liason.... but for the past year I have been working on and off....modeling and ....*gasp*.... exotic dancing.... I don't plan on continuing.... but I worry that they will think that it's a bad thing or something?

Anyways, kust paranoid I guess... I mean I am a very well educated person with a great work/career background... I just decided to spread my wings a little this past year lol! Actually it came about because I used to teach dance for years and I make my own hours... so I have all the time in the world to spend with family and visit my fiance in the US whenever I wanted (I had a horrible corporate career before that was stressing our relationship) plus I knew i'd be moving within the year so I quit.... I guess i'm trying to justify it.... but if it';s totally legal, then it shouldn't matter right?

Don't try to justify it! Don't feel guilty for doing it! You are you and thats what makes you awesome.

I personally think its great that you do that! I've always secretly wanted to be a go-go dancer, but my body is now gone-gone

OMG, I love it...as I read this...I felt compeled to stand on my couch as the American flag waived in the background.... 'I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!' HAHAHAHA!!!!

I love u guys

lol... I was immediately interested in your post because my baby and I go to strip clubs occasionally, where I tend to annoy the other guys there because I will often get in conversations with the dancers, keeping them from giving their attention to the drunk guys

Anyway if you've already mentioned it on forms then I guess it has to be mentioned in the interview. I really don't think it would be a big deal anyway.

oh, and for some reason I am thinking the info for what to bring doesn't specify this, but I was asked for a letter similar to the one with the I-129f, confirming my fiance's commitment to marrying me and completing the process. I don't remember seeing that requirement in any info that they sent me, but I had seen it mentioned here, so I had one and was asked for it, so thanks to whoever mentioned that!!!

The intent to marry form....my lawyer just had my fiance resign the original one, with a recent date (last week) and notarized it. Is that ok?

I didn't have an actual form... but rather a letter. I guess it is covered by a form as well though. But when I was asked for each of the specific items required I was asked if I have "an up to date letter stating his intent to marry me".

Just so you guys know about the time thing - it always says 8:30 - BUT if you go line up at 7 a.m., the doors open at around 7:30 a.m. and it's first come first serve.... so if you're one of the first you're out by 10 a.m.

My advice is to go early so you are one of the first!

Wow... out by 10??!! I figured it might be 12 or so. We're already planning being there by 6:40ish. If I tell him 6:30, we'll be there by 6:45. Again, more words of wisdom from the amazing SapphireDreams!

Yep, good advice! I was there about 6:30, and was the first one there. I was out by about 9:45! Also, maybe if you're the first in line you have a better chance of having the same interviewer as me (who was so awesome and friendly) because maybe she's the one that's always ready to start first. Besides, it's not like you're going to be sleeping that morning anyway

oh, and for some reason I am thinking the info for what to bring doesn't specify this, but I was asked for a letter similar to the one with the I-129f, confirming my fiance's commitment to marrying me and completing the process. I don't remember seeing that requirement in any info that they sent me, but I had seen it mentioned here, so I had one and was asked for it, so thanks to whoever mentioned that!!!

I am going to go ahead and say that it doesn't matter then! Info in my packet 4 described the dimensions and then said it's the same as Canadian passport pics, so I just went with that and was ok.

As far as the different pics... I had a couple of different ones left over but decided not to use those because logically I was thinking that they would probably want their file photo and the one on the visa to be identical.

I was able to locate a number that is answered by some random employee like cleaning staff or something and they were able to transfer me directly to a person. This was solid gold, considering our case number never showed up in the system so we couldn't use the automated system and couldn't figure out the menu items to get us past that. They were able to confirm that even though we didn't show up in the online system, our case was in their internal system. That was all the help they could provide, but that was what we were looking for.

I don't have the secret number here, but if you need it, I can find it when I am back at the office on monday.

Quick question: As far as evidence goes, do they want to see evidence of an ongoing relationship AFTER the I-129F was filed, or do they want evidence from the beginning of the relationship until now? Or for the last 2 years? My fiance is coming to Montreal with me, so i'm not sure how much additional evidence they will ask for, but I'd like to be prepared.

I wasn't asked for any evidence at all, and I was at the interview alone even.

I prepared evidence that was as recent as possible though (past 4 or 5 months - phone bills, trip evidence, etc), because they may want to confirm that you still have an ongoing relationship. In my interview, she noted that it seemed like I as in Chicago almost every weekend based on my US visits listed... that was the extent of that topic.

SapphireDreams your interview sounds a lot like mine... I am thinking it was the same person.

Poprocks... they have no way of knowing that you dance, so if you are really uncomfortable with them knowing about it and you believe that you can answer the question confidently without including that info, then that should be no problem. I am thinking it wouldn't be a problem anyway though... as long as you didn't meet your guy through your job... that might cause further questioning

Honestly I think they are more interested in whatever you think of as your career occupation, rather than any random jobs that you happen to have at the moment, because they are evaluating what kind of person you will be in the US.

You know, I just realized that the consulate kept my original divorce certificate and I don't have time to contact them and wait for them to get it back to me. Why would they keep an original anyway?!

So in order to get a marriage license in about 2 weeks, I have had to contact someone that lives in the city that I got divorced in and have her get it for me and expresspost it. Really really hoping she comes through on this!!! I am sure I didn't need that extra bunch of stress right now

Oh, I should mention that this place that is super cheap is about a 15 minute walk from the consulate, and really close to the waterfront which was fun on the weekend.

What I thought was strange was that one sign said no purses at all, so I was worried that my tiny one would not be ok, yet I saw people in there with large almost tote-sized purses. I guess it depends who is at the door and what kind of mood they are in that day maybe.

Anyway, I stayed at Hotel Champs de Mars. It was something like $56 per night with the 3rd night free. It was the typical European style tiny basic hotel. Very friendly though and super clean. Unfortunately I can't recommend it because of the one witch that works there.

When I checked in I was given breakfast coupons (full hot breakfast, not a chintzy breakfast buffet type thing). After she had already prepared the coupons, the lady realized that my reservation said "no breakfast". She said that's ok though... she'd already given them to me so I could have them.

Then upon checking out, the witch that I referred to earlier told me that since I wasn't supposed to have breakfast, she would be charging me for them. I explained the situation, and showed her the coupon that I still had for the Monday when I had my interview and wasn't there for breakfast... didn't matter. She claimed that since I knew that breakfast wasn't included and I ate it anyway, I would be charged. She even went to the extent of raising her voice at me after I told her that I would be disputing the charge. Pretty unprofessional.

Yep no yummy fun kindereggs... they feel its a choking hazard.

So is giving head. Do you think that'll be outlawed next? Oh, no wait. Scratch that. I believe I read that men are still writing the laws.

In some states it is illegal