wendie and sam

There have been talks about government shutdown for months now... And nothing happened so far. In all reality it would be more expensive for them to shut down everything than to let the people work. We can all start panicking now and run around like a headless chicken or wait and (if it really should happen) accept things we can't change anyways and wait. We are used to the waiting game anyways, right?

True, there have been talks for weeks. However, with the last several rounds of deadlines the federal agencies were not sending out information related to contingency plans for workers. Yesterday I did receive an email from the Secretary of our agency that contingency planning and communicating those plans to top aids has already begun. Looks like the top levels of govt. are getting ready this time...when they didn't do this the last few times the continuing resolution was due to expire.

What will happen to interviews already scheduled ?? mine is scheduled in Montreal on 15 April

I'm not sure since I don't work at an embassy presently. There are several embassy functions that are considered essential, primarily those that deal with security and safety as well as high level posts. Those positions are not the ones that would be interviewing you so I am guessing if the government is closed you definitely should check before going to that interview. I would contact them this week and ask what happens and how they plan to reschedule interviews.

Nice thought.

USCIS has many functions as part of the DHS. Government shutdowns are political ploys to get ones way, it doesn't work if people are not inconvenienced. Th eIRS plans to let go the people that process tax refunds but not the ones that process payments received.

Our friends that work at VSC tell us they will be off if the government shuts down

Yes, I agree with you Gary they will definitely be furloughed or "off" for that time. Processing fees does not mean that their status as non-essential government workers will change. All non-essential workers will be off and most agencies have given warnings buildings will be closed, we cannot answer emails, blackberries, or process any work. Failure to comply with this can legally result in termination.

Yes, Mike, all government buildings will be closed and non-essential workers will be "locked out" essentially. I heard today that they are considering even blocking government email so people definitely can't work. Government contractors are also not allowed to work on their current government sponsored projects, so the USCIS website and telephone line won't be staffed by contractors.

Short answer, yes, it will affect your timeline.

However, I'm pretty optimistic that there won't be a prolonged shut down. It will actually cost more for them to shut it down than it will be for them to keep the govt. open. I don't expect another 3 week shut down, but a few days is possible.

(I work for the government in another department and that is the latest update we've been given today-we will be getting a better update tomorrow and definitely by Thursday or Friday we'll know if it's going to happen for sure.)

Vermont hopefully picking up some speed, quite a few approvals today according to igor's!!

I think they are gradually going to get faster and start to catch up!

Not long nows guys, couple more months!

I love the positive attitude! well done!

I too noticed Vermont seeming to make an effort, although I'm sure everyone will still say they are slow, blah blah. I'm just excite to see some folks moving onto the next phase of their journey.

OK here are my recipes, the first two are from Sam's mom's awesome cooking skills. The fish recipe is amazing!! The rice is your basic white rich whch may people mess up so this is a recipe to help you make perfect fluffy basmati rice.

The second two are my contributions, sweet pumpkin bread for everyone's first Thanksgiving together and the second is a very easy and awesome Apple pie recipe in honor of our fiance's coming to America.

Let me know if anyone has questions, I typed these super fast.

White Rice

Basic measurement: for each measure of rice, you must add 1 ½ measure of boiling hot water

i.e. if you use 1 mug or cup of rice you must add 1 ½ mug or cup of water

1. Put cold water on the Boil in the pan

2. While water is boiling, wash the rice until you get rid of as much starch as possible

Washing Instructions:

a) Putting rice in a bowl

b) Adding cold water to rice

c) mix rice in water filled bowl with your hands to thoroughly wash

d) gently pouring out the water

e) repeat steps a-d as many times as possible until rice water is less milky

f) drain water completely without spilling rice into the sink

3. Put drained and cleaned rice into pan with 1 ½ measure of boiling water

4. Immediately add some Salt (about 1/2 teaspoon per Tea Mug Measurement of Rice)

5. Immediately add a drop of oil (approx ¼ tsp.)

6. Stir well with wooden spoon

7. When the mixture starts bubbling again, immediately reduce heat to the middle of Medium heat (so that the rice is gently bubbling)

8. Cover and leave for 10-12mins (for 1 Mug Rice), 20-24(2 mugs)

9. When time is up, turn off Heat and leave it to stand (Covered) for approx 7-10 mins. This will let it settle nicely

10. Uncover and separate the rice with a fork, it should come out nice and fluffy

Hashu Fish instructions

Ingredients:

1 Onion

3 cloves garlic

walnut sized Fresh ginger

1 heaping tsp. Curry powder

1 small dried lime- crushed,

1 tsp. Tamarind

1 tbsp. Date Syrup (from the Arabic store)

2 tbsp. vinegar (balsamic)

Put all ingredients in food processor and mix to paste. If too sour put more date syrup, if too sugary add vinegar. Layer paste on fresh fish and bake at 190 C for ½ hour.

The best Pumpkin Bread Ever!

Ingredients:

3 ½ cups sifted all purpose flower

2 tsp. Baking soda

1 ½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

3 cups white granulated sugar

1 cup oil

4 eggs

2/3 cup water

2 cups canned or fresh pumpkin puree

½ cup brown sugar for garnish

Instructions:

1) In large bowl- mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar

2) Make a large hole in the middle of the flour mixture and add the oil, eggs, water and pumpkin one at a time.

3) Mix all ingredients using large wooden spoon or whisk until completely mixed.

4) Pour batter into two greased and floured bread pan or greased cupcake pans.

5) Sprinkle a small amount of brown sugar on the top of the uncooked mixture for garnish.

6) Bake at 350 degree F in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie

Ingredients

• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie or store bought pre-prepared pie dough

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/2 cup white sugar

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 tsp. cinnamon

• 8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

2) Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, cinnamon and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer until thick.

3) Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, when you have a complete layer on the bottom, add a few teaspoons of the butter sugar mixture, then add more apples and keep layering butter mixture until mounded slightly. Reserve at least 5 tablespoons butter mixture for topping.

4) Cover the layered apples with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the remaining sugar and butter liquid over the crust trying to get it on top of the crust and within the lattice holes. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.

5) Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven with a cookie sheet under the pie plate. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Mari's letter from the Dept of Homeland Security:

OK I opened it and it read that they are confirming my new address change. A good thing so that our uscis mail doesn't go to the old house. And I wish they would get the NOA2's out as fast as they did the new address recognition. So basically, it said, "we fondled you, we have good memories of it.... and oh, btw, here is a consolation prize, "we have your new address change on all your records!"

Anticlimatic. Enuf said.

Mari

Maybe this was what your fondle was all about??? I was hoping for an early NOA2 surprise.. boo. It's ok, your time will come soon enough.

BTW on the topic of our fitness challenge, I did this bridal workout last night (1/2 hour then 10 minutes of abs) and it kicked my butt. I'm sore today and I hardly get sore from workouts, which means it worked different muscles than I normally do. Excellent!!

Here's the link... (there are other workouts on this site you might want to try out like the yoga and pilates stuff)

Bridal Body Burn

Bridal ABSession

At work (in our little Federal building) a lot of us are doing the President's Fitness Challenge to track our workouts and for a little friendly competition. The general public can register also, and you can form a group. So if anyone else wants to join in tracking your workouts I can start a K-1 Decemberites group so we can track them together.

President's Challenge

Congratulations

WHAT WHAT WHAT???

You can't leave something like that on this site and then not tell us what was in the envelope!I demand resolution to this story...you are going to drive me nuts!

I agree! We demand answers! Drive to work right now and get the letter!! ughhh... your letter is stressing me out!

I love when Mari has conversations with herself on the thread, it's really funny!!

OK so I don't really think you CSC folks will leave us because we're just too fun and full of resources! Maybe after we all get our visas approved we need to move our family thread to another forum and have a regular update on how the weddings all went, how married life is going, who's pregnant... so many milestones!

p.s. if i do change it to 185 days (6months and 5 days), then I will make sure to list VSC first. That way no one gets their feelings hurt looking at CSC fly by before they see VSC!

Stay positive everyone! we ARE ALL GETTING MARRIED IN 2011!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO

Hahah.. Dizzy girl you are 1) super smart 2) super sensitive to our feelings and 3) super awesomly positive!! I *heart* you!

I'm cool with whatever, either way VSC is in it for the long haul!! Together with our other Decemberites tho. I just hope the CSC people don't abandon our thread after they all get their NOA2s. (Don't forget about us!!) haha...

BTW having a horrific day at work, you guys and your positive energy are reminding me that there are bigger and better things to focus on (like my fiance and our wedding!) than work related drama and stress.

have a good day folks!

I was wondering the same. He was last active on March 10.My thought was that he blew a gasket, medically.

All I have to say to these two is... LOL.

Nigerian on Fridays Hilarious, I will have to use that one! I will try to get the recipes from him but dont hold your breath. He is hardheaded and must not have learned to share in kindergarten. But as soon as learn to make them from my other Nigerian friends I'll be sure to share. We went shopping for dresses while I was there and the colors are so vibrant and beautiful. I hope to go back soon and collect more. Although I wont make the same mistake of not getting them tailored while there because they try to charge an arm and a leg for the same service here. Lol, they had fun putting the head scarf on me too and he almost collapsed when he walked in and saw me wearing it.

Love to you and Kadir as well (btw- Ola keeps calling me babejim after your post lol)

I'm so jealous you get to wear Nigerian wedding dresses!! I love Nigerian fashion, especially the traditional dresses- they are so orinate. When I lived in Africa I always saw women in dresses I loved and asked where they came from and they were always Nigerian. You're right about tailoring, way better in Africa. I had 5 dresses made with fabric I selected for under $40 fabric and all... and purses to go with them! (oohh how I miss Africa)

OK I'm going to submit recipes soon, I swear! I'm just looking up my best dessert recipes and I've got some recipes from my Iraqi mother in law for really good fish dishes. (even tho we are in the UK category my hubby to be is technically Iraqi so most things we cook are Mexiraqi since I'm Mexican)

Regarding the fitness challenge, I've lost 11lbs since mid January, and I'm on the way to losing more because I'm running the Marine Corps Marathon this year for the 2nd time. I just did 4 miles yesterday, last weekend I did a very slow 6 but I'll work on speed soon. I'll try to do a comprehensive 'weight loss tips" post soon...

Happy Monday guys and gals! Hope more people get fondled this week... starting with me!

Hey guys and gals...

Even though we're not supposed to be planning our weddings... I thought with the good news this week of our first Decemberite NOA2... a little wedding planning never hurt anyone!

So here's an important and helpful link about wedding invitation etiquette.

http://www.beau-coup.com/wedding-invitations-etiquette.htm

I'm sure some of you will be paying for your own wedding and wondering "how the heck am I supposed to describe this??" Check out the link above and the Knot's page that allows you to select your wedding situation and read about the appropriate way to word an invite.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-invitations.aspx

Happy non-wedding planning until you get your NOA2!!

*wendie*

All of the suggestions above sound like good ones. I would also suggest after this trip to take a "break" from coming to the US for a little while. My fiance was almost denied entry at one point because he was in a similar situation to you (not working, living at home, coming on visa waivers every few months) and they strongly suggested to him that he needed to stay in the UK for longer than his most recent trip to prove he was still a UK residing citizen. So he came for exactly 3 months, then stayed in the UK for 4.5 months, then came back and had no problems with entry.

I think at this point with your timeline for application it would be a good idea to try something like this and by the time you stay in the UK for your medical, etc. you'll be ready to enter on your K1 visa.

Also, last time he went through 'extra screening' and was almost denied entry he happened to have some of my info on him and they took copies of that (which I'm sure is now in his electronic file) and they even looked through his camera and made him describe every photo in the camera, on top of going through every piece of luggage and pocket. So be prepared if you do go through this 'extra screening' they will look through everything, don't pack anything that might give them the idea you are slowly moving to the US with every trip. He did have a return ticket booked and evidence of engagements in the UK that required his attendance after the trip...but they still harassed him.

On the up side, after he stayed for 4.5 months...they never bothered him on any of his return trips and he's been here many times since.

I wonder if Skype will sponsor all of our weddings because it seems like everyone, including us, uses Skype as one of their primary means of communication.

My SO and I do skype and chat and call each other and write love notes and emails, etc. etc. But we also try to see each other every 3-4 months, even now during this process. We are both very blessed with jobs that will allow us to keep up this schedule, he was here in February, will be here in the US again in May and I will be in the UK visiting him in early September.

We also try to meet up in the middle to extend our 'vacationship', just so he's not coming here a million times or me going there a million times we've met in France, Ireland, Mexico, Puerto Rico... etc. etc.

I think the diversity of meeting up in other countries/locations has helped us focus on each other rather than daily life where either one of us live.

Hope it all works out for you!! Keep up the communication like everyone else suggested!

Congrats Shawn & Sonoko!! that's fantastic!!

I'm sure you'll be be printing those invites very soon!! We (meaning I) am also trying to figure out ways to print creative but cheap invites. I really loved this DIY website that has entire paper collections called invitesite.com (it's included in my wedding tips that are on the thread map Mari posted along with a bunch of other neat websites)

As for us, no updates, VSC still sadly not fondling anyone at this point. In fact I'm sure they kicked the box that my application is in and then shook their fist at it with a threatening look in their eyes. haha

Hi all!

I definitely need to check this thread more often. Thanks Mari for checking on me! Everything is ok...just wedding planning and saving money. I read somewhere on page 40 something that some brides-to-be have gotten their dress. I picked up my dress last Sunday! I have no idea wear to store it now so its hanging on the back of my door!

Can anyone give me suggestions how how to easily access this thread? I could definite benefit from all the warm/positive affirmations in the group and chatting with like minded fellow VJers. I'm supposed to see Mark May 2nd and that seems like an eternity! I'm trying my best not to stare at a calendar and will the days to hurry past.

Ok I need to get my beauty rest. *smile* I hope all is well with everyone! Hopefully we will start receiving wonderful news within the next month!

Take care,

Jamila

Jamila- make sure you store it in a room that is dry and free of any pests that will potentially eat it (moths, various beetles, etc.) You should definitely store it in a spare room or somewhere you don't go in and out of all the time to risk messing it up while entering/leaving the room. Some dry cleaners sell boxes and bags etc if the one you picked it up in isn't very good quality. In fact for long term storage they recommend not storing in plastic but in cardboard (although bugs can get in easier!), check out this link: Wedding dress storage long term

If your wedding is coming up soon you can kind of ignore a lot of the tips, but if you have a ways to go like most of the ladies around here make sure you invest some time and thought into how to store it until the big day! I made sure the bridal store I ordered the dress from would store it for me while the alterations were being done and after since I live out of the area we will be getting married.

Hugs everyone! Hope you all are having a fantastic Wednesday! Glad the thread chatter is pretty lively today!

Still no touches for me!

Blake and I are very seriously considering moving our wedding date, since we are at VSC and my local embassy is also known for being pretty slow (montreal). Of course there's a chance everything could be fine, but I don't want to take chances with the wedding. I suppose I should have listened to everyone saying not to plan anything until you have that visa in your hand, but its too late now! We'll probably move it to April or May 2012, which should be enough time. Blah, I like our current date Oh well, thats life and immigration.

Got back from Atlanta at 2am last night. It was super sad leaving, but also encouraging since its the last time I will be leaving Atlanta without Blake at my side!

April or May 2012??? Why so late?? is that your estimate of how long it will take you?

We have a pretty solid plan for 1/14/12 so I hope this won't make us miss our wedding too! yikes! Ohh well... nothing we can do now but wait and hope!

Although I don't think the London Embassy is as slow as Montreal, but still..... VSC needs to start padding their stats and move to December like CSC has started moving to Jan/Feb. hehe... It's only fair (to those of us in December!)

Ha. So you guys know the VSC twitter campaign? Let's just change it to: @USCIS FONDLE ME!!! #k1vermonters

LOL I love it!!! I wonder who came up with the "touch" name for it anyway?? they should have went straight to fondle, much classier! haha..

Thank you everyone!! I got the I-797 today!

The Tokyo embassy currently advises that visa interviews be scheduled after April so I hope that we can have our interview soon after our petition reaches Tokyo.

Woohoo this is great news!! it must have been that coke receipt that convinced them only a crazy man in love would keep a coke receipt from seeing a girl.

Wishing you a very happy journey and years of love in your future!

I've been playing with this site for invitations, I'm not sure if I'll order the invite pockets from them or just do something really plain but it's the cheapest site I've found for these damn things. (literally just cardstock folded with a pocket!)

cards and pockets invites

Oh good, after reading everything I thought that I would be the ONLY one who didn't get fondled. Yup... nothing at all. No moving of dates, no touches, it's like Sonoko and I are somewhere in a dark, damp, unlit corner. I know it's not that bad, and touches don't really mean anything but I just want some excitement.. so I will make it myself (by making dinner and working out!)

Is it too early in the week to already be burnt out from work??? I'm ready for the weekend!

Keep happy everyone!!! It's a slow boat we're on, but at least it's still floating!!

It's ok I already dealt with the disappointment of no touches today by working out and then eating after. haha. I'm glad I'm not the only one who did that! lol.

I'm also glad my fondled joke turned into new terminology... good job Decemberites! I used to love December cuz my birthday is in December, but now I love December because you all are such a fun family. (Of course we won't kick out the folks who are now "Novemberites", we still love you guys!)

Glad some of you got some action today! The rest of us will live vicariously through you.

Now my tweets also show on my page, but not when you just search #k1vermonters

Can someone research why this is happening?

Do you have your twitter preferences set to "private"?? I had to change my privacy setting in order to have my tweets searchable with #k1vermonters. Check that and if you have it marked private, unmark it then you should show up.

If that doesn't work I have no idea what's going on.

I'm having a Madonna moment - Touched for the very first time!

They've also changed our I-129F date of receipt to 29 November

LOL thanks Mari for calling me out!! hahaha. I have been so crazed trying to get my taxes together and doing wedding stuff that I totally lost my passowrd to VJ and was too lazy to get a new one, so I'm back..password and all. haha.

Congratulatiosn on your touch!! that's awesome!! I wish VSC would fondle me a bit... wait that sounded dirty. Anyway, hi guys, hope you're all doing well and staying sane.

My wedding gown came in yesterday!! What an AWESOME birthday present!!! Happy Birthday To Me!!

Updated March 2 2011

Yay girlie Congrats and happy birthday!!

Sam is here this week, which is why I've been so quiet! It's nice to have him in my new house fixing things! lol. We took engagement photos this weekend in New York, :thumbs:they came out so cute! My friend's boyfriend did them for free, well lunch and a box of chocolates from the UK. It was very nice to get something wedding related for free.