ms_jinga_lala

Lol,my son came in and said whatchya laughing about mommy while reading your post. Yours made me feel like mine was less tramatic!! And soooo happy I didn't knock down any poles! Isn't it strange though that in situations like these (where no injury or physical harm is done) that we'll sometimes break out laughing hysterically?

Lol, yeah. Laughter makes us feel bad when there is no one really hurt.

I'm the USC, however I'm glad they aren't requiring this shot anymore. It's ridiculous. I really think this vaccine got too popular too fast and I'm worried that we will see some very bad results down the line. I never trust anything that is less than 10 years old lol. It's just wrong to force this kind of vaccine on immigrants. I really feel like this shot was required because everyone was jumping on the bandwagon. They started requiring it for too many people too soon. This kind of vaccine should be left up to the recipient, not the government.

They just got it on the 12th, counting today it has only been 2 business days since they got it. I have no doubt they have already sent your check to their bank, however your bank has not received the documentation to deduct it from your account. You have no reason to worry. They got your package, you are now waiting for a letter letting you know that. You only have about 5 more months to go before you know the outcome. It's way too early to start stressing, I promise. It won't do you any good, just breathe because this whole process is stressful enough without worrying about each and every day that something doesn't happen. It will happen. There really isn't much of a chance they won't take your money.

This has nothing to do with a K-1 but now that you know he's done this and could do it again, you can put a freeze on your credit. I know in the state of NC this is free to do with all 3 credit agencies. You should check into it. There is nothing like knowing you are protected. A freeze will keep anyone from doing anything with your credit until you remove it.

You guys look cute together. You guys are similar to me and my honey. He's Punjabi and I'm super pale white lol. We got a lot of stares while I was in India with him, I wonder what it's going to be like when he gets here. I think there will be a lot less staring lol.

Okay, let me toss a jar of sugar across the border!

I am sorry but your story made me laugh so hard that I woke my husband up! I know it was not meant to be funny but I just don't know why I laughed. As I was reading, I was trying to imagine the scenario and the horror you went through. From what I notice, people here drive so courteously (is that even a word?) compared to people in my country, so it's like they will forgive you when you made a mistake while learning. If that same thing happened to me back home, all the drivers will be cursing, honking, you name it, whether or not you're a student or a regular driver.

I remember when I did my lessons back home, 12 years ago, I also had my parallel parking thing and we have this white and red poles around the parking space, at the practice arena. My instructor was sitting with his friends, conversing and sipping his coffee. I was going forward, reverse, forward, reverse with a stick shift and tight steering wheel. I had my windows down, sweating like crazy in that 100 degrees heat and guess what, I ended up knocking down all the 20 poles and the car was still not parked right. My instructor just shook his head and other student drivers were laughing! So embarrassing!!

Now come to think of it, I think I am a terrible driver! LOL.... I have so many horror, crazy stories just popped up! LOL..

Cheers..

Lol.... ***poof*** you are hereby given a second chance to prove yourself a good driver in a country where we promise to smile and waive and not cuss at you for any poles you knock over....just watch the paint jobs on the cars around you...k? lol... As for parking, just pull through a space at the end of the row when possible and forget all that parallel ####### lol. It's worth the extra walking to not have to stress in my opinion.

Learning to drive was fun wasn't it. I'm really excited about all the crazy things that could happen while I teach my honey to drive here. The memories will last a lifetime.

May take you up on that cup of sugar!

Ah, horror stories of drivers ed! One time when I was 16 and having a lesson as well, I was at this intersection and was supposed to make a right turn. Well, I made a right turn alright but drove too far into the middle of the intersection and made the right turn into the 'left turning lane' of the cars going to the left or opposite direction! Then she (the instructor) started screaming and I started screaming. I stopped right there in the middle of the road not knowing what else to do, then all the cars coming towards me stopped and just sat there staring at us even though they could have kept going since it wasn't their lane I was in. They were all looking at us with the most puzzled expression, not angry, just puzzled. I couldn't move forward and couldn't go backwards and didn't know how to get out of that mess until some guy stepped out of his vehicle and motioned for us to pull into a parking lot entrance in front of his car. Needless to say the driving instructor and me both had to take a break before proceding with that lesson. Even today I still get the weeby-jeebies whenever I think about it.

Oh the horror! I sympathize with you. I still remember having to do the demonstration for parallel parking in drivers ed. I was so nervous. I was praying he didn't pick me. Out of the sheer fear of embarrassing myself in front of all my friends I actually aced it. I was extra cautious and paid very close attention, but still to this day whenever I have to parallel park, I think about that. I still try to avoid parallel parking in real life lol.

Thanks a ton all!

I am travelling by British Airways..with a 4 hr stay at heathrow. I 'd already paid for 2 extra bags online..

So now i have decided to ship extra weight-its bit costly but still better than carrying 6 bags all by myself.

Since am coming on K1 and will have a wedding soon..,most of my stuff is essential(esp. wedding lehngas, sarees etc,,apart from my medical books.)

Anyone with Heathrow Terminal 5(anything exciting there to spend 4 hrs) and JFK Terminal 7(P.O.E) experience please share..

JFK is huge, there is a full mall inside. Plenty of places to eat and lots of stores to browse. There is also a day spa there where you can get massages, etc. There is plenty to do, but it all costs a lot of money. I took my time shopping, played on my cell phone, ate lunch, got some exercise, charged my cell phone (there's a free charging station there). There is also a duty free shop that sells magazines, books, etc. If you get too bored you can stop in there and pick up something.

It's not easy, but get new bank accounts without her or cancel her credit/debit cards on the account. You can report them stolen, lost, whatever. Either way she won't have a good working card anymore. That will at least slow her down and you don't wind up in serious debt too.

Hey we're neighbors!! Mind if I borrow a cup of sugar? I'm in the state just above you two, Virginia Beach, Va.

Oh, those anticipated driving lessons...I'm having mine get his IDP, or international drivers permit so that he'll be legal and just about ready and set to go. The main thing I'm nervous about is 'his' nervousness about driving on the wrong side of the car 'and' (acording to him), the wrong side of the road. Additionally, he has to get used to driving an automatic which he's never in his life ever done. So his foot is going to have to get used to there not being a clutch. I can just imagine it when he drives over here for the first time....brrrrm-screech-brrrrm-screech-brrrrm-screech! Lol!

Most definately, It's going to be interesting for sure. But I still can't help but look forward to it.

A cup of sugar? Anytime!

My fiancee was going to "learn to drive the car" before he goes to the interview lol. He lasted all of 1 lesson. It was really cute. I know how to drive a stick shift and I remember those days. Well apparently his instructor took him somewhere busy and he kept stalling the car. I think he was a little embarrassed to go back. I had to tell him my horror story which was much worse. I got stuck at the top of a hill in the middle of an intersection and like to never got the car cranked back because I was so nervous. Traffic was having to go around me in the intersection. It was traumatic lol, but I did eventually learn. He was very glad to hear that my car is not a stick shift. He's thinking about being a cab driver when he gets here lol...we will see how that turns out.

Ooooh this is an amazing thread....

Okay... a little background about me. The last time I actually drove a car was like maybe the day I passed my driving test, 12 years ago, back in my country! And I always had someone drive for me back home. When I got here, I know cars are like our legs, you basically can't go anywhere anytime without knowing how to drive. I need to get a job but I need to learn how to drive first. My mother-in-law offered me her old car (Buick, imagine that LOL) so I can drive and of course also to driver her around since my husband does not allow her to drive anymore.

So, I went to DMV and got my permit a few days ago! Yay!! Excited and nervous at the same time. My husband told me that he will teach since hiring an instructor is totally out of the question, too expensive. I am a little disappointed since I was looking forward to learn with an instructor and my husband is a very impatient person. I know he would yell at me whenever I make a mistake! Anyways, I have no choice but to accept the fact that he is going to be the one teaching me.

Today, before he left for work, he suggested that we go for a quick 15 minutes practice....Boy, I was nervous but I was more surprised! He was so patient and never did yell at me!! LOL... I made so many mistakes and was driving so slow but he was encouraging me the whole time. I tried to park but I did so bad!

Now that he is at work and the car is sitting outside, man I really feel the urge to grab the keys and practice on my own but I know I can't do that!! But then, I am so looking forward to my next lesson! Hehehe.....

By the way, anyone of you live in Charlotte, NC?

Cheers..

That's sweet your mother in law offered you her car. You can get a lot of practice and learn some valuable information from her, both about driving and your husband lol. You can strategically pry her for information about all the crazy and embarrassing things he did as a kid.

Instructors in NC are outrageous and the schedules are horrible for trying to go to their classes. At least around here. I live in The northern part of NC, about 4 hours from Charlotte. You are most likely better off with the personalized lessons you are getting now

I'm glad your hubby is being patient. If today was only your first lesson for so long, I wouldn't worry too much about not being a great parker. That's kind of scary because you have to get so close to so many cars lol. I remember learning to drive and I was so nervous about parking. You will get better quick though, it's surprising how quick. There have been some great tips posted in this thread. I'm glad you found it now when you need it! My day to teach driving is coming up soon.

Thank you both. I just wish I could get this moving thing straight and over with already lol. So many unknowns.

Thank you k.loveh! I had read on here many times of individuals not getting their information back. I was fully prepared not to turn in anything too meaningful lol.

Sorry, it's getting late where I am and I didn't have time to read all the replies so if someone else has already said this, then I apologize. As a former military spouse of 14 years -

- the money he gets for being married is not here money, it's his because it's paid to him to afford the house and all the #######

- if the marriage isn't recognized by the US government, he couldn't claim those benefits. He has to prove the marriage is real

- she can have him disciplined under the UCMJ for infidelity - yes it is still against their laws and he is sworn to those laws as well

- she can get a military id if she can prove she is who she says she is, but unfortunately he will have to help her and it doesn't sound like he will

For her questions

1. - she is still an immigrant, the same visa regulations/laws apply to her so she does need all that stuff to get here and get any benefits from the military because he isn't stationed abroad to help her do it through the consulate

2. - yes if she saw his paystub and it said he was receiving BAS, BAH, etc then she is....she should also check it to see if he's paying for family medical benefits because if he's not she doesn't rate Tricare so it would be a waste of her time to try and get it because I doubt he would add her and start paying now (on a more vindictive note, if he is....she can so drag out this divorce and screw his #### hard like he deserves....sorry...that was my bitterness coming out lol

3. - separation pay is paid to him yet again, not to her, it's meant to alleviate the extra burden of childcare costs, etc when a military member is gone, he still has full control over it and she doesn't rate it just because he is alloted that money

4. - I don't know....still kinda new to this visa thing myself

If you read that post I created (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=224976) it appears that more than one member of this forum was able to attend the interview. It appears both posters were tied to the New Delhi consulate - so it appears that you are indeed able to enter the embassy with your fiance and even attend the interview (at the discretion of the CO).

Thanks Bobby, I did read your post. What I meant in mine is I know I can't be there because of family obligations. I can't get the time off of work or the time away from my kids in the middle of the school year to go. I would be at that Embassy in a heartbeat if I were single and had vacation time. I don't, I spent all my vacation time being sick and packing and such. Things that were all unavoidable. I am not being prevented from going to the interview, I just am not able to go. I'm just trying to do everything possible to let the embassy know this relationship is bona fide.

How could this situation affect us?

Details -

- we just got packet 3 yesterday

- interview anticipation - December

Problems -

- I need to move and it is most likely going to be in December or the beginning of January at the latest.

- I intend to be fully moved before he gets here

- I have no idea where yet, somewhere local to me most likely

- We're filling in all the packet 3 forms with my current address

Questions....

Will a change of address affect our interview in any way?

How long do I have after an address change to report it?

How do you go about reporting an address change so late in the process?

Thank you so much in advance!

And just fyi, I am trying to put off the move until after the interview. Since we are not scheduled for an interview yet, I can't know for sure that is possible. I really don't want this headache right now but some things are unavoidable. (As if life wasn't complicated enough...I DO NOT want to do anything to mess this up or potentially mess up my K-1 at this point.)

So, I have a question, What does the VFS want from the beneficiary?

The original Wedding album? Pictures? Affidavits? I-864? What should I ask my wife to take when we get to that point of the process?

Also, if the interview is in Chennai, would she be able to submit the information requested at the Hyderabad VFS, If one exists? or must it be the Chennai VFS?

Don't give them anything you would want back (like your wedding album). Give them some copies of the photos. They will want the affidavit of support, all of the beneficiary's documents like birth certificate, police clearance certificate, divorce records, marriage records, etc. See the guides (link is at the top of this page) for a better list and explanation. Sorry, I'm not much help on the VFS question you asked, but you can go to the VFS website and check yourself to find what works best for you.

VFS

It's a great day to be alive!! The sun is shining....we're awaiting packet 3 to come in the mail any day. I'm so happy. It's great to be in love, and I know there is no guarantee that we will pass the interview but at the same time, it feels good to know we are so close to our chance to prove ourselves. I'm really excited, even though it costs me $60 to mail round 2 of documents needed for last part of this process lol. I just feel good. I hope you all can be optimistic throughout the rest of your visa process.

Thanks k.loveh! Did the embassy actually call you or respond in any way? I would want to know because I would take the day off work and glue myself to the phone for that!

It worked!! And what are the odds that only one package has went to new Delhi this whole week lol. Oh yeah!! Now I'm really excited!

In Bobby's post it was asked about how the consulate would know if the petitioner was there for the interview. I already know that without a doubt I can't go to the interview. I don't have the time off of work and I can't leave my kids behind or afford to take them. Not that Delhi is a good place for them or should they be dragged to the interview with me (and of course there is no way I would leave them in the motel....not even close to being an option). In the letters I am writing to go to the interview (my how we met letter, explanation of taxes, etc.) I have included a statement about why I am unable to be at the interview (due to family obligations as I stated it). Is that a good idea? Is there a good way to word that explanation? How could I help him from here when he is there alone?

I don't think we will have any problem proving a bona fide relationship. We both send each other gifts like crazy and I have photo evidence and call logs (70+ pages) and emails, etc. Do any of you who have been through your interview where the petitioner wasn't there have any insight or recommendations for things that might help boost the evidence at the interview?

I've been researching the site and both of us have been preparing for the interview. Not rehearsing because for goodness sakes that would be a red flag but basically just continuing to talk to each other about everything they could be asking about such as my family and his family and life and circumstances. I just want to make sure we don't wind up on AP or getting denied for some little thing. I don't set out to fail and maybe I plan and prepare a little too much but this is the most important thing in my life, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't give it 10,000%!

Thanks in advance!

I wrote it in Punjabi since that is my fiancee's language. He speaks Hindi, but not on a daily basis. I think they are looking more for effort than perfection. Have you fiancee write it for you then you copy and practice a few times the way he wrote it. Maybe English would be okay, but why risk it for something you could simply practice and do. It's free, and it can't hurt you in the process to put the address in Hindi.

Finally the NVC forwarded our case to the consulate!! They were sent the case on 9/22 and just forwarded it yesterday. We are working on a K-1. Just fyi for those of you who are also in additional processing.

I wouldn't recommend it either. We have prepaid phones here that are inexpensive and plans that are inexpensive as well. Not many phones and companies here are GSM capable and you might find it difficult to use the sim card, even though AT&T here can use them. I work for a cell phone company as well and let me tell you, when you buy those things as well as used phones online, you run a huge risk of them not being able to activate them for use. It's possible if you buy a sim card there, the unique identifier for the sim card could have been blocked from the phone companies system and you won't be able to use it. Saving the money isn't worth it unless you have some way to verify before you purchase that the card is good and will work when you get here.

For any of you who live in a MetroPCS area, for $50 a month you can have completely unlimited services including unlimited international calling. It's a prepaid service so there won't be hidden charges or surprises on your bill. Look them up.

Horse,

Find a secluded area or drive down roads that are hardly traveled. If you live well outside of the city then there are plenty of those roads around. You can get some good driving experience there as well. There's always somewhere you can practice driving with very minimal distracts just to build your confidence. Police can't pull you over just because they want to, so as long as you are following the rules, not driving like a drunk person and in an area that's not too crowded you should be fine.

You may also be able to get a learners permit which gives you legal permission to drive with a licensed driver in the car and you can go anywhere you want. Check to see if your state has those.