mandolinv

I went to the Embassy in Abuja when I was in Nigeria in 2005. I was told to check in there and leave information in case anything happened while we were visiting. My husband (fience at the time) was not allowed anywhere near it (he had to wait a block away). As far as I know (unless they have changed something recently) there are no interviews in Abuja. Everything happens in Lagos. Of course, this could have changed, but this is how it was last time I checked.

Hello everyone. I haven't been on in months. I don't know who all is still on here, but I thought I'd give anyone who still remembers me an update. Our baby was born on March 8th. He was huge (11 lb 4oz) and I ended up having to have a c-section. There were some complications (breathing problems) for him and he was in the hospital for 8 days. He is now out and has been fine since he was released. We named him Uchenna. His daddy wanted that, and I liked it. He is such a sweet little thing. Malcon and I are doing well and loving being parents. Other than that, not much new news.

So happy for you!

I'm still here. Mostly lurking. I gave an update a little while back, so I won't bother doing it again. I get by about once every few weeks. I, like many of the "old timers" don't post often because most of the advice I would give is being given. If I find something missing, I always stick my 2 cents in there.

Oh!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!! Congradulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck!!!

My brother-in-law is doing well. He was in the hospital for about a week after the accident (and had surgery on his liver). He has 2 broken feet. One just small fractures that he is already putting weight on. The other foot was crushed. He had surgery on it last week (about a week after getting out of the hospital) and is doing well. They think he will recover fully. He is really lucky. We are very thankful that he is doing so well. The woman who crossed into his lane and hit him, did not make it make it, so it has made us think all the more about how blessed we are. On top of everything else, he had borrowered our car, so we are in the process of looking for one. The insurance of the woman who hit him is covering everything and we should have the settelment for our car by the end of the week. So, hopefully we will find something this weekend. We already have something picked out (we just have to find a time that we are actually together (I work days, he works evenings) to test drive it. Thats what weekends are for. Yes, we are very excited about the baby. We have discussed names just a bit. Mostly, we are going to decide as something comes to us. We won't know if it is a boy or girl until the baby is born, so we'll have to have one of each picked. Chispas: you ar right, sub plans are essential. I am really lucky, though. I have 2 fantastic paras (I teach special ed.) who help any sub tremendously. Also, one of them is an emergency sub, so she can be my sub if there isn't a good sub avaliable (we have a very small district (100 kids in the middle school- only the one middle school). So, I'm never too worried if I can't make it. Unfortuantely she can't long term sub for me when I am gone on maturnity leave (March 1- the end of the year). So, I am a little worried about how that will go. But she and the other para will be there, so it will all work out. Thank you everyone for you kind thoughts. I love stopping back by here. I always come away feeling so warm.

Hello all. It's been about a month since I've been here. And then, I just popped in a few times over the few months before that. Things are crazy. Malcon is working and going to school. I'm teaching and dealing with pregnancy (its just getting to the good part and over the sickness. Yippiee!). We had a family member in a pretty bad accident and we've been dealing with that. It's crazy sometimes how everyday life can keep you so busy. So, I'm afraid that I've neglected VJ. I just finished catching up on reading all the posts I missed (about 4 pages- boy, that was a long read). I wanted to say hello to all the newbies and congrats to all those who have had interviews, gotten their loved ones home, and/or gotten interview dates. I tried to say how happy I was for you on most of your posts, but in case I missed any, here is a congrats. to everyone and a hello to everyone new. Hope everyone else is well.

That is fantastic!

It should be in the packet that he had at the interview in Nigeria, that is now (should have been) forwarded for the AOS interview. You don't need to bring it. They should have it.

My husband also wanted to work 7 days a week when he first got here. I think he still would if I let him . I didn't want him to get more than one job. We kind of compromised when he first started working. He was working a construction job and it worked 5 days a week with a lot of Sat. add ons and some Sundays. After a few months, he started GED school in the mornings. This took away some $ hours, but he was still gone that much of the time. He finally has a good and reliable job with consistant hours (in a warehouse). He is still going to school, but his hours are pretty okay. He does occasionally have overtime, but it isn't bad. Soon, the school will be over and he'll have more time at home. It's great when your spouse has a great work ethic, but can cut into the home time. But, we are figuring it out.

If you have a letter on company letterhead stating you are a full time perment employee that will make x amount per year, it should help. I only made the proper amount the year before the paperwork because I was in school the previous years. I had a letter like the one I said above and I was approved. Now, each case is different and eachl, but it should help. Good luck.

I hope all went well.

It varries some by the country you are getting it from. Ask other people who have gone through the philippine embassy what was in their packet.

Yes, that is how my husband got his packet and appoitment date. And, yes, the e-mails I kept getting said that it had not arrived yet. They should have it for sure in a week from the time they sent it. I think that is about how long we waited before my husband went. But, have your hubby be prepared for a long wait (my husband waited about 6 hours or something in line).

I don't know anything about your situation or have advice for you, but wanted to say that I am sorry and that I am thinking of you. I wish you luck.

Congrats!

You have to show "good faith" that you have bought/are buying a ticket. When I was going, I had the consern that I might buy the ticket and then not get a visa (and be out all that money). I called them and they said that I had to show good faith had or was buying a ticket. I ended up buying the ticket with refund ability. I sent a copy of the itinery (which said how much I paid and flight dates) and that was fine. I think you need something similar to that to get the visa.

I also attached to e-mail.

The first time my husband and I ever went to a movie together in a theater (in Feb.) we saw the preview for this. We both thought it looked good and planned to see it. Then, we promptly forgot. I'm glad for the reminder.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, I hate to see another opstical in your way. I know how hard it has been for you. I will keep my prayers coming your way.

I don't think it will be a problem. I don't think you will have your interview before then. When we did our interview, we got approved this time of year and didn't have the interview until December. I wouldn't worry about it until you get the date. It is usually a few months off, so you are probably fine.

just read the other post and it looks like things are moiving faster at Lagos. I still wouldn't worry until you have a date. When she goes to pick it up, you could have her ask for a date after that time (if they try to give it to her earlier) and heve her explain that you will be bringing pictures at that time. I don't know what it will do, but it might work.

I'm still here also. Like other's with their spouse here, I usually stop by and read, but don't have much to post. Malcon got his provisional G C over the summer. We even got to try it out. We went to a friend's in Michigan and made two trips over into Canada. No problem with him (although they gave me a hard time because I only had my Driver's licence and no birth certificate). I thought it was halarious that they troubled me and he was fine. . I wrote on here a wile back that we are expecting. We are due March 1st. I'm just finishing my first trimester and hopefully the morning sickness will be finished soon. I started back to school (I'm a teacher) last week, so I hope I feel better soon! Malcon is still going to school for his GED (1/2 day classes) and doing some construction work on the side. He has applied for a full time job (we should find out in the next day or so). If he gets it, we'll hardly see each other for the next couple of months because he will be working all day and taking the classes in the evening. But, it will put us in a much better place for when the baby comes. So, I think I can handle it until December. His teachers think he should be able to pass the exam at the beginning of December. Well, I think that updates us (I'm probably missing something, but can't think of it).

Just a heads up: Make sure your certified copies are certified by their standards. This is not simply noterized and certified by the notery that it is an orgional copy. The Nigerian "certified" copies are basically new ones from the office the origional one's came from of the origional ones. This is something we got an RFE for. But, after reading more of your entry I see that it is at the embassy, so that probably is already done with. Well, I'll leave it up in case new people want the info. Other than that, and what has been said, it looks good.