Sbys

I'm always curious about newcomer's reactions and misconceptions about their new surroundings. So, for those whose SO's have never been to the US before their visa was issued; what was the biggest misconception they had about the US?

The first thing Michael asked me was where all the police were. For some reason he thought we would have police everywhere here

Could be all those crime/drama American TV shows and movies. Sadly too, what is shown on the international news usually shows a bad light on American life. Some areas do have all that police presence though.

Julie will your family and friends in the US be going to Jamaica for the wedding? Are you planning a large celebration?

Yes My parents, sisters, and brother and their familiar are all going - and some friends are going down too. We will have about 100-125 guests so not too huge.

Kelly-glad to hear everyone's adjusting well. I'm always curious about newcomer's reactions and misconceptions about their new surroundings. So, for Craig and Kelly and those whose SO's have never been to the US before their visa was issued; what was the biggest misconception they had about the US?

The first thing Michael asked me was where all the police were. For some reason he thought we would have police everywhere here

For everyone else with wedding/reception/ceremony plans in the works, how's it going?

Squito? Jax? Julie?

It's going OK, I should probably have more done than I do, but having the baby and the wedding at the same time is making me give more decisions to the hotel. I'm just going to trust that they will put something together I will like. All the major stuff is in the works though... just the little details need to be put together.

How are the mommies-to-be doing? Also new mommies Juliana (babyjules), Georgia(popcorn)?

Me and the baby are doing just fine. Only about 6 weeks to go now, I can't believe how fasst it has gone. We just finished our parenting and delivery classes today, we're done with all of our classes now... the rest is up to us

We have all the ID, drivers, passport, EAD, birth cert., appt. ltr, 797, ss card,

Marriage lic. tax returns joint bills, joint bank, joint car ins. wedding pics. cards, mail, pay stubs, letters from job, ltr from friends, I-693 sup./cards, ATM card

Anything else?

Sounds like you got it all together

Hi Everyone - Hope you all are having a good Friday.

Welcome home Craig

Good luck job hunting Ann, you want to trade?? I would be happy to retire for you and you can go to work for me You'll be just fine at your AOS interview. AOS is nothing compared to Kingston, it will be quick and painless. What do you all have together so far?

Good morning Everyone - Happy Thursday

Welcome home Kim! I'm glad you had such a fun birthday, that was so sweet of him to throw you such a big party Oh... and Happy Belated Birthday!

Rhonda congrats on your "inbetween" trip I would take one of those for a normal trip Tony is going to be so surprised & happy.

And last but not least:

Welcome Home Mindy

Hope you had a wonderful time in CA

Happy Birthday Marsha!!

Good morning to everyone

Congrats Saundra! Doesn't it feel nice to get that out of the way ?? I'm so happy for you two

Well, we just got back from Atlanta and we had a succesful interview.

The appointment was at 12 p.m. and the security officer didn't let us in until about 11:30. So we got to the room at 11:40. There were a lot of other people in the room before us and a lot came in after us. I saw several lawyers come in, so then I started to wonder if everyone brought lawyers. We decided not to ask our lawyer to go with us b/c I felt like I did most of the work anyway.

Thanks for all of your kind thoughts and prayers!!!

Saundra

Oh and I got touched today, by my other man........the USCIS!!! Whoohoo!!!

Finally! A touch for you

Good morning everyone. I'm a bit peeved right now I really really hate the Kingston Embassy, it's staffed with complete and total a$$holes. I just got a call from Squito's mom. She was denied for her visitor's visa. She brought with her an invitation letter from Squito and I, the actual wedding invitation, a letter from her school (she's a teacher), her bank statements, and her pay stubs. And she was denied anyway. This is a 65 year old married woman who owns her home and works full time. She has very strong ties to the island is NOT a flight risk in the least. It's so upsetting that even after explaining to the officer that she only plans to stay for 2 weeks to attend her son's wedding they denied her anyway.

What?!! See, I just don't understand. This makes no sense at all, I don't get how some people get approved and the next person doesn't. Ugh... I'm just so sorry she got denied.

I don't get it. They didn't even give a reason for denial, they simply said "a visitor visa cannot be issued at this time". She said it was very crowded in there and they seemed to be rushing to get people out of there. She said she was interviewed by a woman who didn't even review her employment letter or her bank statements. The unfortunate thing is that, with the visitors visa, there's no way to appeal. You can try again however, but you also have to pay the $100 fee again. Did I mention that the fee is non refundable

Don't you have to wait a certain amount of time before reapplying too? I would be so angry if I were you - I'm sorry she won't be able to be at your wedding. I know my mom would be heartbroken.

Good morning everyone. I'm a bit peeved right now I really really hate the Kingston Embassy, it's staffed with complete and total a$$holes. I just got a call from Squito's mom. She was denied for her visitor's visa. She brought with her an invitation letter from Squito and I, the actual wedding invitation, a letter from her school (she's a teacher), her bank statements, and her pay stubs. And she was denied anyway. This is a 65 year old married woman who owns her home and works full time. She has very strong ties to the island is NOT a flight risk in the least. It's so upsetting that even after explaining to the officer that she only plans to stay for 2 weeks to attend her son's wedding they denied her anyway.

What?!! See, I just don't understand. This makes no sense at all, I don't get how some people get approved and the next person doesn't. Ugh... I'm just so sorry she got denied.

Happy Tuesday Everyone

Rhonda - pregnancy is going great. And yes, we're on a countdown now... it's coming up so soon - but we're ready, everything is set up. I've successfully stuffed all 3 of us into our bedroom until my roommate gets out of our 3rd bedroom. Thanks for checking on me

Popcorn - Congrats on the interview, it will come up very fast. And goodluck to Richie on his permit test

Guess What Everyone - WE GOT THE GREENCARD YESTERDAY!! I can't believe we're really truly done for 2 years. What a nice feeling.

yeah... definitely NOT something I want to strive for!

my sister having four under six [/color]

Sweet mother of Moses!!! WOW!!!

Hey Popcorn! Good to see you. I hope your men have a good time in JA... they'll be just fine. Your family must be excited to meet Jay. How cute Do you have any new pictures to show us?

Congrats on the Expedition RW! We know you'll have room for 3 car seats in that

Welcome back ChristineJames I'm glad you had a good time.

And I came on thinking it would be busy today.....

Since its a ghost town in here.. congrats on the weddings, approvals and transfres... herre praying for a transfer myself so i can save myself fom having to go to manhattan for an interview. Please pray for my boys safety, I bought them a ticket to go to jamaica for almost a month. really happy (no husband, no baby) but i am going to miss them a ittle bit.

Very slow. Where is everyone? Oh... I know... Mindy is on vacation

Good luck at the interview Together! You guys will do great

Good Morning!! Haven't been able to post much lately, but wanted to say hi to everyone!

--Hope you had a wonderful wedding Tenika

Roy got his EAD card in the mail too :dance:

For all of you wondering -- yes, he is a FEMALE. Those idiots put that on the card. Do the problems ever end????

Nice... that's just nice. One little letter and they couldn't get it right.

hi

i have a question for all u mothers. is there a downside to microwaving formula after u've mixed it and stored it in the refrigerator? has anyone ever done that?

I heard it can create hot spots & possibly burn his little mouth. You have to shake it REALLY well to mix it. It makes me too nervous, I couldn't do it.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridalcollection.jsp this is the site my dress is on.. just hold the curser over the first girl on the top with blond hair.. she has a blue sash across her waist. Thats my dress. and the brides maids all have a different seprate outfit in that color.

LOVE the dress!

Our AP was approved today

Congrats Mrs.S! It's about time you get some action!

On June 8, 2006, we transferred your I485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status to an office in CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER for processing.

Dang, and I thought the AP was good news!! You're on your way now... you're sure to get an approval without an interview!

Ok, so here's how our interview went:

We got to the office at 7:15am - our appointment wasn't until 8am and the building didn't open until 7:30, so we waited in the car for 15 minutes, then we went inside - went through security, and then went right upstairs. We had to drop our interview letter in a bin and go to the waiting room. We waited until about 8:05 and then the baby starts kicking on my bladder (I'm almost 8 months pregnant). I HAD to go to the bathroom. This guy next to us was still waiting for his 7:30 appointment (but he was there for citizenship) so I thought I was safe to go. So I go, it's right down the hall... I come back and Michael is moved way to the front of the room. He says the lady called our name in the whole 2 minutes I was gone. Can you believe it?? What are the chances?!

Luckily she said she would check back in a few minutes, so she comes back out and calls our name again. We get sworn in and then sit down in her office. She asks us each for our I.D. and says "...for you, sir, I specifically need your passport" - That's when he looks at me funny while pulling out his driver's license. Yeah- WE DIDN'T BRING THE PASSPORT ! I couldn't believe it. I asked her if we "had" to have it, she said she could work around it - I wasn't about to argue with that. Then she had Michael pull out his EAD and I plopped my pile of paperwork next to me so it was ready. She got a copy of his I94 out his file and looked at it, then started paging through Michael's stuff and basically just verified the forms. She asked him:

-His full name

-Address

-Phone number

-If he is working now

-All the questions on the I-485

-Have you been married before?

-Do you have any kids?

-When he entered the U.S. on the K1

-When was the first time he ever came to the U.S.

When she asked if he had kids he said just the one on the way so she asked us when we were due... boy or girl? and if we picked out a name yet.

Then she said she was going to approve our case and we would get the green card in 2-4 weeks. She gave him his EAD back. I asked her if she needed any of the stuff I brought and she said no. She didn't even take my 2005 taxes or anything. We just thanked her and left.

The immigration officer was really nice - it was such a simple interview and fast. We were back out to our car at 8:20am.

Ok, so here's how our interview went:

We got to the office at 7:15am - our appointment wasn't until 8am and the building didn't open until 7:30, so we waited in the car for 15 minutes, then we went inside - went through security, and then went right upstairs. We had to drop our interview letter in a bin and go to the waiting room. We waited until about 8:05 and then the baby starts kicking on my bladder. I HAD to go to the bathroom. This guy next to us was still waiting for his 7:30 appointment (but he was there for citizenship) so I thought I was safe to go. So I go, it's right down the hall... I come back and Michael is moved way to the front of the room. He says the lady called our name in the whole 2 minutes I was gone. Can you believe it?? What are the chances?!

Luckily she said she would check back in a few minutes, so she comes back out and calls our name again. We get sworn in and then sit down in her office. She asks us each for our I.D. and says "...for you, sir, I specifically need your passport" - That's when he looks at me funny while pulling out his driver's license. Yeah- WE DIDN'T BRING THE PASSPORT ! I couldn't believe it. I asked her if we "had" to have it, she said she could work around it - I wasn't about to argue with that. Then she had Michael pull out his EAD and I plopped my pile of paperwork next to me so it was ready. She got a copy of his I94 out his file and looked at it, then started paging through Michael's stuff and basically just verified the forms. She asked him:

-His full name

-Address

-Phone number

-If he is working now

-All the questions on the I-485

-Have you been married before?

-Do you have any kids?

-When he entered the U.S. on the K1

-When was the first time he ever came to the U.S.

When she asked if he had kids he said just the one on the way so she asked us when we were due... boy or girl? and if we picked out a name yet.

Then she said she was going to approve our case and we would get the green card in 2-4 weeks. She gave him his EAD back. I asked her if she needed any of the stuff I brought and she said no. She didn't even take my 2005 taxes or anything. We just thanked her and left.

The immigration officer was really nice - it was such a simple interview and fast. We were back out to our car at 8:20am.

Thanks for all the congrats!

Seven e:mails sitting in my box this morning....

EAD is approved!! :dance:

Yay!!! It's a great day!

Congrats Mindy!!!! Tell Roy Michael and I are soooo happy for him

Good Morning

I'm just sitting here waiting for my Jamaican to finish primping. (Why does he take longer than me to get ready?!) Then we're off to our interview. It's at 8am. I'll be back to report later.

Have a good Thursday everyone!

GOOD LUCK JULIE Maybe I'll go buy a pregggers suit for back up

I'll loan you my ultrasound pictures! Thanks for the the good luck - and thanks to Jonesie, Rhonda, and sjb too

Good morning

Tomorrow is Julie & Michael (Sbys) AOS interview. Please everyone, send them your best wishes for a speedy and easy interview.

Thanks Mindy And Hi everyone - I've been around, but lurking lately. Too tired/lazy to post anything. We're ready for tomorrow so hopefully all goes well.

Good morning

Tomorrow is Julie & Michael (Sbys) AOS interview. Please everyone, send them your best wishes for a speedy and easy interview.

Good luck Julie and Michael You both will be in my prayers. I mean it's not like they can deny you, you're walking up in their with your big belly

Good morning everyone

And it is getting big! It popped out so much over the past couple weeks - the baby must be getting ready for the interview too

Thanks for your well wishes Jill, EH, and Tenika. By the way Tenika - your menu sounds great. Can I copy it for my wedding?!

now that sbj got us all hyped up about sumfest, we're trying to do mobay instead of negril

come on down. we're staying at el greco july 20-24 and trying to stay a few days longer in negril.

el greco is sold out we'll be there from the 17-22nd...we're looking at the wexford and doctors cave beach hotel

BTW......

Packet 3 picked up and DS230 dropped off ......APPOINTMENT TIME up next....................

yay

Ms S - try Toby's, Gloriana, Beachview apartments or the Gloustershire.

Make sure you don't get stuck in the basement of Gloriana though - it's a dungeon

BTW......

Packet 3 picked up and DS230 dropped off ......APPOINTMENT TIME up next....................

Congrats