Peter&Dana

Hi everyone,

Our AOS was happily approved on February 7. Up until now, we still haven't received the Welcome to America Letter or the green card. It looks like most people get it in 2-3 weeks.

I called the 800 # and they said I have to wait 30 days before I contact them about the Welcome letter, and 60 days until I can report the green card missing. No big deal, but it would be nice to get it without any trademark USCIS hassles.

Is anyone else still waiting? Has this happened to anyone else in the past, and how did you fix it? I'm not worried about it or anything, as the approval is what was most important, and that's a huge milestone, but I could use a little advice since I anticipate calling them again this week.

-Dana

Peggy,

We haven't heard much from you in a while, but I know you have an interview coming up March 9. We're rooting for you!

Much love,

Dana

Try the Sponge. It allows for spontaneity and isn't as "Stop the Presses!" as a condom.

www.todaysponge.com

You can get them at Walgreen's.

If you realllly like the pill though, Planned Parenthood is the way to go.

Dmartmar, just because your marriage broke down and you feel cheated doesn't mean every other immigrant on this forum is out to screw their USC spouse. Take your bitterness somewhere else. Get some counseling. Do something constructive. If you're like this in real life, you're never going to find another woman to have a relationship with, let alone marry.

I'm not bitter, nor do I feel cheated. I'm way past that and over it already.

But when I got married, my 1st time ever at that, it never ever crossed my mind taking my wedding ring off for whatever reason, be it justified or not.

And when/if I get married again (I do intend do so again), I won't take it off either, regardless of the circumstance(s).

This strikes me as very odd. My husband and I rarely wear our rings when it's just the two of us at home. We take them off each evening and set them on our dresser beside each other. We once joked that we're married in our heart and soul, it's the rest of the world that needs that golden proof that we're happily unavailable.

To never take it off would be highly uncomfortable to me at home, particularly when cooking (who handles raw meat with jewelry on?), bathing, or cleaning with chemicals.

I guess some folks just need that constant physical symbol, but don't knock the girl because she took it off during her pregnancy!

We got married in April so we rented a cabin in the mountains and snuggled together the whole time. Not only was the view incredible, but there was a pool table inside the loft. It was great!

Peter&Dana, congratulations!!!!! Go ahead and celebrate your approval! This immigration process is enough to make the most stable of us C-R-A-Z-Y!!!! So bust out the party supplies and celebrate! If we can't "forget" about the rest of the journey and just enjoy each new approval for awhile, then we are giving USCIS WAY too much of our sanity! Definitely the hardest part of the journey is behind you---that is worthy of celebration! I'm really happy for you!

Molly

That was a really sweet message, Molly! People like you make celebrations worth having!!!

I think I'll take my hubby out tonight to celebrate - he deserves it! He works hard, plays hard, and loves even harder, so he needs to relax and bask in the pleasure of green card freedom. This whole time all we think about are next steps next steps next steps. Now, all we've done is put a small "Lifting Conditions" reminder in our calendar and we'll address all that business when the time comes. But that's a year from now - practically an eternity!

My one biggest concern now? My Sub-Sahara Posse and all the people who are fighting the good fight to win their visas and start their lives together. I haven't forgotten you guys, in prayer or in thought. I'm still your biggest cheerleader, and I've got two shoulders to lean on if you need it. If Peter and I could do this after 2 visa denials, breakups, heartache, and separation, then all of us can!

Thanks so much for your well wishes everyone! I know that the journey of life is not over, but the hard parts certainly are. Peter doesn't even know yet - he doesn't have email at work! I can't wait to surprise him.

CONGRATULATIONS! SO GOOD NEWS!

Ps: I don't mean to cool the ice here, but the journey with USCIS is not exactly "over" until one becomes a US Citizen (not an obligation). Just be careful. It's not easy to say "bye bye" to DHS you know! Most people (like I did) find themselves dealing with DHS again at some point, even after getting their Greencard. There are certain conditions to "hold" a green card: i.e. residing in the US for 6 months out of the year is an example (except with the "authorization" of DHS). Greencard holders can be deported for committing fraud or for being convicted of a crime (I don't know all the rules here). Especially since 9/11, even some minor offenses have caused a few immigrants a lot of truble with DHS, even though they had lived in the US for years. I've read this horrible stories in the news quite a few times....

Of course, true to Visa Journey form, there has to be a party pooper. *sigh*

No offense Satisfaction, but posts like yours are exactly the reason why I rarely post at VJ anymore. I try to escape it by posting almost solely in the Sub-Saharan forum. I'm no fool - I know the potential challenges that may occur in the future, but my visa journey is OVER. O-V-E-R. At this point, any other things that happen in our marriage will simply be a part of life as an international, dual residence, married couple, and not a result of being "pending status."

I don't even care if I sound harsh anymore - I just wish people would keep the negativity and fear-based "advice" to themselves. I'm fed up to here with it.

Praise to the one true God, whose mercies endure forever.

Today our case was approved by USCIS without an interview. Peter's green card is on the way! Maybe now we can celebrate our first anniversary in style, since he can come and go as he pleases (we did NOT want to pay for AP after all the fees USCIS has stolen from us already).

Here's the email all of you will expect to see in the future (in case you're curious!):

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The following is the latest information on your case status

Receipt Number: MSC05XXXXXXXX

Application Type: I485 , Application to Register Permanent Residence or to

Adjust Status

Current Status:

This case has been approved. On February 7, 2006, an approval notice was mailed.

If 14 days have passed and you have not received this notice, you may wish to

verify or update your address. To update your address, please call the National

Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status

results listed above, or if you have not received a decision or advice from

USCIS within the projected processing time frame*, please contact the National

Customer Service Center.

National Customer Service Center (800) 375-5283.

*The projected processing time frame can be found on the receipt notice that you

received from the USCIS.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Yay!!!!

It's our turn! We just got our case approval notice from CSC, so you can update our info now. *whew*

Up until a couple of weeks ago, Peter did the vast majority of the housework, while I did 90% of the cooking. This is because during that time he was either working nights and had days to himself, or he wasn't working at all while waiting on his EAD.

Needless to say, he found a regular 9-5 job a couple of weeks ago and right now the house is a mess! LOL. It's been a challenge to me just to keep enough dishes clean to eat/cook with, and to keep enough clothes clean for us to wear.

I think this is because we haven't actually "discussed" housework since we're both working full time, but things will naturally probably be split down the middle. I notice that whenever I come home and start cleaning, he does, too. I don't think he likes to sit around while I clean - he wants to look productive, too. I think it's sweet. The other day I came home angry (who knows why?) so I started cleaning viciously to get my mind off of it. Well, Peter stayed in the bedroom (out of harm's way) and started making the bed, cleaning the bathroom, straightening papers, etc. It was so cute that he just fizzled out any anger I might have had and we ended up relaxing together for a little while in our sort-of-clean apartment.

Usually though, I do the laundry, he hangs the clothes, he washes the dishes, or I put them in the dishwasher, I always vacuum, and he takes care of the car. I do have to nag about the car sometimes, but I think that's because it's winter, and he doesn't think he can handle washing the car out in the cold. hehe

Thanks for your help everyone. I think many of you who think finding a ticket to Korea with so-called "little effort" are not following the stringent guidelines in the email. Also, +/-$2,000 is still not affordable at all for us.

Thank you so much to those with the great idea of flying to CA or using an airline with a hub in Korea (wow - who knew?). I think my sis is definitely going to take those suggestions. She thanks all of you for your input - it's a great start!

Hello all,

This is kind of unrelated to VJ since it has nothing to do with immigration, but my sister just got a job in Korea and she can't find any flights from Atlanta for less than $4,000. Can anyone here give us a better idea of how much flights should be? She has to be in Korea by February 25 and stay for one year, and she has to book a round trip ticket because of her E-class visa.

I posted this in another room but no one was very helpful.

Thanks,

Dana

Yep, she tried all of those places. Since she's going on an E visa (teaching visa) she can't book a one-way ticket and she has to book the return flight a year in advance. The lowest so far is still $2,000, and that's with layovers. Maybe I'll ask the Korea regional room - they should probably know.

Hello all,

This is kind of unrelated to VJ since it has nothing to do with immigration, but my sister just got a job in Korea and she can't find any flights from Atlanta for less than $4,000. Can anyone here give us a better idea of how much flights should be? She has to be in Korea by February 25 and stay for one year.

Thanks,

Dana