LlamaInvasion

I don't know where to take my little rant, but I figure this section of VJ is as good as any. You guys at least know some of what I'm going through.

I want to move home. I want to move home more than anything in the world.

My husband was unemployed for over 2 years after getting his BS, and we applied for a family reunification visa with UDI. We honestly didn't think we'd get approved, with no income, but we applied for an exception. To be honest, I forgot all about it. It's not been 14 months, my husband JUST got a job - and then of course we get approved. So now he won't go, because he has a job here.

I strongly believe home is a better place to raise our son. We pay $700/month for 3x/week daycare. I do not have a college degree, so I work for $8/hr (the three days he's at daycare, and then both days on weekends - the last two days, I'm home with our son). It's soul crushing working so much and knowing I have nothing to show for it afterwards. We can't afford savings. Even with his job we're living paycheck to paycheck. The only "luxury" item we have is our phones. When we need two cars, we borrow my in-laws' car. They also pay our gas. I get so aggravated knowing that if I was working at home, I'd be making a living wage, and wouldn't have to pay it all to barnehage.

My husband keeps saying it'll get better, he'll get promotions and make more, but how long will that take? And if we (ever can afford to) have another child, I would either need money for childcare for a second child (and infant care is even more expensive, not to mention I am not at all comfortable leaving a 3 month old!) or quit my job, because maternity leave doesn't exist! Since we don't have money, we can never afford to do anything, either. Skiing? $40/per person including ski rental, because we can't afford to buy skis. Children's Museum? $12 admission. We can't even take walks, because for some stupid reason there are like no f'in sidewalks here!

Our marriage is good, we don't fight, divorce is not something I want to consider, but I'm almost getting there, simply because I feel trapped here. I think it would be foolish to decline the family reunification visa, when it's so rare and hard to get, and there is no possible way to me to meet the income requirements at a later point in time (it would translate to somewhere between $40,000-$50,000/year, and without a college degree I don't think so).

He says he'll only go if he has a job to go to, but he doesn't speak Norwegian (despite me asking him to learn it for the past eight years, with extra badgering in the past 3 since we had our son), and everyone's telling me to give up on the hope that someone will hire an American accountant who doesn't speak the language. He also is unwilling to consider grunt work like I do (store clerk jobs, etc). I get so bitter, because I stood by him for YEARS while he was unemployed, with $0 income (literally), and he won't go to Norway, where at least my income would let us get by, until he's learned enough Norwegian to get a job???

How can I convince him to move? I don't know what to do. I feel so trapped here. Always broke, always STRUGGLING. This country is amazing - for the rich.

I did it sneaky and packed my ski bag (a large one) full of things and in that package ski+boot you can also have the boots in a big bag separate from the ski bag. That for me packed a lot of things that trip. However, as someone said earlier - just bring a couple of extra bags and you will probably fit loads of things.

We'll probably fit some extra things that can be packed flat in the Prampack, along with our stroller, but the wagon sadly does not fit in anything. XD Some of our son's toys are oddly shaped, and the few things we wish to bring are sadly quite bulky, even if they're not terribly big. The wagon is the biggest item we have though, and it's bulky to boot! Urgh. If the airline can accomodate it for a fee though, that looks to be our best bet. Thanks everyone!

Thanks for the tip on airlines! I will definitely ask, since that would be the easiest option by far.

Yeah, the partial shipping containers are just too much, especially when the biggest item we're moving is that wagon. (There's very sentimental reasons for bringing it, lol, trust me, I'd leave it if I could.)

I think it'd be easier, sometimes, if we were moving everything. Then we could just get a container and bring all our furniture and stuff. Sadly, we can't afford it, so we'll be selling all our stuff and moving with a suitcase each, and what we can bring of our son's possessions. Our lack of money is a big part of the reason why we're moving.

Are you moving it from Norway to the States? I think you might find that it's cheaper just to buy a new one in the States. Shipping got expensive quickly when shipping from Sweden. There's a wagon like that one available on ebay for $115 and it cost me $200 just to ship one moving box of stuff.

No, from the US to Norway. I'm asking here because I figure moving companies that move one way usually moves the other way as well, and I don't have anywhere else to ask. When I moved to the US I brought a single suitcase, now that we have a child, things are a little different.

How did you guys move belongings? We're looking to move some bulky stuff (mostly stuff for our son, a RadioFlyer wagon like this one), far too little for a container, but too much (maybe too big/bulky?) to bring as airplane luggage.

U have to set it up in Norway, then it will work here too.

I use my Swedish iTunes a lot cause the American iTunes doesn't have any of the music my son listens too. It would have been nice to be able to access everything on iTunes no matter where u live.

I have two iTunes accounts, one Norwegian (Norwegian address and credit card) and one American (US address and credit card). I can't change the info without also being made to switch stores (ie if I try to use my American card in the Norwegian store, I get sent to the US store instead). The reason the stores are separate are due to the difference in copyright and distribution laws in different countries and parts if the world.

It is sooooo hard to keep up the language! My son still understands swedish and he watches a lot of Swedish kids shows on the Internet. I speak only swedish with him, but his swedish gets worse by the day. I don't know how to fix it, and i feel i should be able to do this since i am a teacher and all ;-) But I guess as long as he understands it everything isn't lost. I'm gonna teach him to read and write in swedish now that he got that nailed in English.

I've been wanting to buy a regional free DVD so we can watch his movies together, where did you buy it???

Now he watches his movies in a tiny portable DVD that we bought in Sweden before we moved but its too small to watch more than one...

I seriously read about refusing to acknowledge the child unless s/he speaks to you in your language.

I bought the region free DVD player off amazon; it came locked to region 1 but with a sheet with the software unlock code and instructions for how to unlock it.

Another option if you're slightly computer savvy and have a desktop computer is to buy a DVD drive online and install it. Then when prompted, switch it to region 2 (Europe) and he can watch things on the PC. I have two DVD drives in my tower just for this purpose.

I believe there is a Scandinavian society of some sort in Pittsburgh. I have the link to their website, but I haven't really looked it up yet. I may do that, though. It would be fun to meet other Scandinavians, maybe speak Swedish with someone, and "compare notes".

I think you're out of luck if you're hoping to speak Swedish with them. The Scandinavian society in Pittsburgh is about exclusively older, second/third/further-out generation Scandinavians. None of them speak the language anymore, and they aren't all that familiar with actual Scandinavian life anymore. I've found exactly two other Scandinavians in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas - you're one, and the other one just moved home with her family.

I'm terrified my son won't speak Norwegian, so I've been reading about bilingualism a lot. He watches things from the Norwegian iTunes store, we got a region free DVD player to play Norwegian DVDs, and if he ever decides to speak English to me when he gets older, I'm going to ignore him until he speaks Norwegian to me. XD (So far he doesn't speak yet.)

I have one of those as well, and I prefer our regular window AC units. XD The stand-alone ones require a hose to the window anyway, so might as well safe the floor space!

I've been here seven years now, and I'm not disputing the heat, but the humidity isn't normally this bad. Also, you MUST have either window AC units or central air, it's impossible to live here without. I don't know of anyone who doesn't have either!

It's been unusually humid here, Mr. Borkstrom. It's not always humid, and not nearly as humid as it's been these last few days.

Izola, driving here is liberating! I got my license in February (I'd never had one, either) and the test was VERY easy aside from the parallel parking (which is evil).

I've found one company which would ship a 20-foot container for just under $3000, but I'm still trying to figure out if that price can be beaten. XD There's several furniture items that need moved; bed, tables, desks, etc, but I'm not going to bother if selling them and buying new would be more cost effective.

Has anyone here shipped a container from Scandinavia to USA or vice versa? I'm trying to find options (and costs) of shipping some furniture.

You only think being an accountant is boring until you realize the variety of... shall we say, unconventional professions out there, who pay taxes.

Muahahahaha taxes... No problem for me! I married an accountant!

Received letter for biometrics appointment! On April Fools Day, no less.

California Service Center (4 applicants)

VJName............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

AUDY_ROB............03/07/13........03/08/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

HI_UG...............03/09/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

CONCERTM............03/11/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

KDRJN...............03/12/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (8 applicants)

VJName............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

LLAMAINVASION.......02/27/13........03/04/13.......04/01/13........--/--/--....

D0N_THE_DRAGON......02/28/13........03/04/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

ANJP................03/04/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

MSNIKKI.............03/05/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

MHARJ...............03/08/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

HARVEYANDTHERESA....03/11/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

HINDUSTANI24........03/13/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

AG83................03/14/13........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

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Ketchup on pasta is a cultural thing.

My husband revolts and runs for the door when I do it. XD

Lol, that was my priority last time I was there. Drove in on Friday, saw two shows on Saturday, and drove back on Sunday. XD But yes, NYC isn't going anywhere. But definitely go back soon as you can!

NOA1 arrived!

California Service Center (2 applicants)

VJName...........Date of I-751......NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

AUDY_ROB...........03/07/13.........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

HI_UG..............03/09/13.........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (5 applicants)

VJName...........Date of I-751......NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

LLAMAINVASION......02/27/13.........03/04/13.......--/--/13.......--/--/--....

D0N_THE_DRAGON.....02/28/13.........03/04/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

ANJP...............03/04/13.........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--….

MsNikki............03/05/13.........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--….

HarveyAndTheresa...03/11/13.........03/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

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NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

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Aaaah, NYC is AMAZING! I love that city!!! Go see a Broadway show while you're there (I saw Wicked twice last time I went, lol...). I also randomly ran into a Norwegian tourist couple in the Virgin Megastore. XD

The border patrol won't find it odd if you've been out of the country for a number of years. There are all sorts of reasons why a person might stay away from the US for a number of years. There's nothing suspicious about it.

Like others have said; when entering the US, present your US passport. When entering Canada, present your Canadian passport. That's all there is to it.

PS. Jealous you're permitted to have dual citizenship. My home country (Norway) doesn't permit it, so if I ever want an American citizenship, I have to give up my Norwegian one. Things would be so much easier if my husband and I could be dual...

NOA1 arrived!

California Service Center (13 applicants)

VJName...........Date of I-751......NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

INLOVE4LIFE........01/28/13.........02/04/13........03/04/13.......--/--/--....

RELEY..............01/31/13.........02/01/13........02/28/13.......--/--/--....

TMGKOHLER..........02/01/13.........02/??/13........02/27/13.......--/--/--....

VISCACHA...........02/05/13.........02/07/13........03/12/13.......--/--/--....

BWANA57............02/05/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

SAMY AND I.........02/07/13.........02/11/13........03/15/13.......--/--/--....

NADJA&CURTIS.......02/08/13.........02/11/13........03/15/13.......--/--/--....

AMBERLM............02/08/13.........02/11/13........03/14/13.......--/--/--....

SUNDROP............02/14/13.........02/19/13........03/18/13.......--/--/--....

BHEBE..............02/16/13.........02/19/13........03/18/13.......--/--/--....(Early Bio 03/01)

VRS................02/19/13.........02/20/13........03/19/13.......--/--/--....

XXTINAXX...........02/22/13.........02/25/13........03/25/13.......--/--/--....

WEEC...............02/27/13.........03/04/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (21 applicants)

VJName...........Date of I-751......NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

LAURA&LEO..........01/30/13.........02/04/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

CHELSEAKATE........02/01/13.........02/05/13........03/01/13.......--/--/--....

SALJOY.............02/02/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13.......--/--/--....

NA123..............02/03/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13.......--/--/--....

SPELAD.............02/04/13.........02/07/13........03/14/13.......--/--/--....

WEESCOTLASSIE......02/06/13.........02/08/13........03/15/13.......--/--/--....

MRS ABENETO........02/08/13.........02/12/13........03/07/13.......--/--/--....

TOUFIQ.............02/08/13.........02/14/13........03/13/13.......--/--/--....

CECE...............02/11/13.........02/14/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

REDDSTARS..........02/11/13.........02/26/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

MEDTAV.............02/12/13.........02/15/13........03/18/13.......--/--/--....

TASH24.............02/13/13.........02/19/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

MARIZHELL..........02/14/13.........02/19/13........03/19/13.......--/--/--....

HALFNHALF..........02/19/13.........02/25/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

LINDSAY1811........02/20/13.........02/22/13........03/19/13.......--/--/--....

MISS JESS..........02/20/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

QASHA..............02/22/13.........02/25/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

RICKY+VANESSA......02/23/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

J E N N Y..........02/25/13.........02/28/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

LLAMAINVASION......02/27/13.........03/08/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

YANKEPEACH.........02/27/13.........03/04/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

I've always translated everything myself, along with a little thing at the bottom:

"I, [my name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and Norwegian languages, and that the above document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled [document name]."

And signed/dated it.

Thanks for the response! It's a relief to hear it's happened to others. I got pretty nervous there for a few. XD