ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaThe other side of the fence...
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 8 2008, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Eric_and_Corinna @ Jun 7 2008, 05:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Reeena @ Jun 7 2008, 11:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am the USC living here in Canada and I long for all the food in the states... I was craving taco bell the other day... we have one in Sudbury but its just over an hour away in a mall so they are not open 24-7. I LUV Outback Steak house...Olive Garden... yummy.
We have Red Lobster here, but I wasnt too impressed, maybe I was just there on a bad day.
My husband has only been to the states once. (California) and he can't wait to go back and have "roach coach" lol those big burritos from the taco truck that cost a couple bucks. Jeeze now I am hungry!!


LOL...Reeena, that's so funnny! There is absolutely NO MEXICAN FOOD here in Sudbury that bears any resemblance to what I'm used to in the States, and it kills me! I figured out that in the last calendar year I've been in Sudbury for 24 weeks, all without Mexican food sad.gif Whenever I get back to the US all I make is Mexican food.

The Red Lobster comment was funny too...when I lived in Phoenix we ate there a lot, and I was so excited to see one in Sudbury, and I hounded my wife to go for so long...boy was I dissapointed! And it was even worse because I had to listen to "I told you so!"

laughing.gif

Red Lobster in Canada SUX!!!!! I've never been to one in the States. But my husband doesn't like them, either, so I'm assuming they're the same. Attached File  shrug.gif   2.52KB   0 downloads

Mexican food.... yeah, uhhhh..... . I'll eat it if I have to. But definitely not from Taco Hell.


Ooo...Red Lobster in the South is good though...at least it was in Texas. But you have Joe's Crab Shacks in Florida..."Joe's Got Crabs!!"
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-08 13:32:00
CanadaThe other side of the fence...
QUOTE (Reeena @ Jun 7 2008, 11:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am the USC living here in Canada and I long for all the food in the states... I was craving taco bell the other day... we have one in Sudbury but its just over an hour away in a mall so they are not open 24-7. I LUV Outback Steak house...Olive Garden... yummy.
We have Red Lobster here, but I wasnt too impressed, maybe I was just there on a bad day.
My husband has only been to the states once. (California) and he can't wait to go back and have "roach coach" lol those big burritos from the taco truck that cost a couple bucks. Jeeze now I am hungry!!


LOL...Reeena, that's so funnny! There is absolutely NO MEXICAN FOOD here in Sudbury that bears any resemblance to what I'm used to in the States, and it kills me! I figured out that in the last calendar year I've been in Sudbury for 24 weeks, all without Mexican food sad.gif Whenever I get back to the US all I make is Mexican food.

The Red Lobster comment was funny too...when I lived in Phoenix we ate there a lot, and I was so excited to see one in Sudbury, and I hounded my wife to go for so long...boy was I dissapointed! And it was even worse because I had to listen to "I told you so!"

MMMMM...and since you're from Cali...what about In-n-Out burgers? The American version of the "double double!"

QUOTE (liz_legend @ Jun 7 2008, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 7 2008, 08:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (liz_legend @ Jun 6 2008, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would miss SmartTrip cards.......
and being the GM's wife of Faccia Luna!!

What are SmarTrip cards and Faccia Luna? unsure.gif

SmartTrip Cards are the cards they use to ride the metro and buses here.. you don't need tickets or tokens or anything.. it scans your card in a flash!

Faccia Luna is the fabulous restaurant here in Arlington where my hubby is GM =)



Liz, how far is that from Capitol Hill? I go to DC every year - maybe I'll check it out when I'm there next spring!
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-07 16:40:00
CanadaHELP with Montreal Interview!
Hey Melissa and Chris

You'll get lots of help if you repost this in the Canada Forum here

http://www.visajourn...hp?showforum=93

Eric

PS...it sounds like you have most of the stuff you need, if not all.

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=121219

This thread directly pertains to your questions, and if you would be so kind, can you please fill out your timeline and email Liz so she can update her spreadsheet? It helps all of us when you do that smile.gif

Oh, and welcome to VJ !

Edited by Eric_and_Corinna, 03 June 2008 - 02:56 PM.

Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-03 14:52:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
QUOTE (ndave @ Jun 21 2008, 02:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Called DoS today to check on status since our SECOND copy of the packet was received by the Embassy 6/13/08. Imagine my surprise to be told that the interview date had been set for July3rd!! Obviously, my emails must have caused them to look for our packet and put it in the system. At any rate, we have an interview set so maybe this process is drawing to an end finally.



Awesome!! Congrats smile.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-21 03:17:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
Good luck! I'm sorry you're having to go thru this...
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-13 22:33:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
What do you need their packet for? Your case number shouldn't have changed. Can't you just go ahead and start gathering all the paperwork up now?
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-09 10:43:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
QUOTE (ndave @ Jun 9 2008, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bad news from DoS - Montreal never got the packet! I absolutely can't believe we have been waiting all this time only to find out they don't have it for whatever reason. Additionally, I was reminded that the 4 months runs out at the end of this month and so we have to get a new packet and refile before then or else (according to the nice lady at DoS). She did NOT mention anything about an extension, by the way so I'm not sure what will happen now if for some reason we can't refile within the next 2 weeks. I emailed the folks at the embassy (they don't take phone calls) and now I guess we just wait and see what happens.
This is truly depressing.


Montreal is usually good about responding. Maybe there was a mistake and they can correct it. You guys should be able to file it in the next two weeks, right?
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-09 10:00:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
QUOTE (Southern_Canadian @ Jun 9 2008, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Eric_and_Corinna @ Jun 9 2008, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hmmm...this is the first time I ever got a message saying all specialists were busy, and it hung up on me. I called back and the wait is 5 minutes...which is easier said then done while watching a 10 month old!!


Yea, I got the same recording once. I was like huh?!?! Not used to them saying that. lol



Booo. Our package was received on May 1st, but no interview yet sad.gif Oh well...what's a couple more days, right?
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-09 07:55:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
hmmm...this is the first time I ever got a message saying all specialists were busy, and it hung up on me. I called back and the wait is 5 minutes...which is easier said then done while watching a 10 month old!!
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-09 07:43:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
QUOTE (Southern_Canadian @ Jun 8 2008, 10:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm glad that you found this site!

I don't know what I would have done without VJ and the wonderful people on it!!!

Let us know how your call goes tomorrow!


One hour, 8 minutes till i call... whistling.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-09 06:23:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
QUOTE (carr_122 @ Jun 8 2008, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,
I entered the Montreal waiting list on May 2nd, which means that our packet three qualified for the interview (no RFE's). I had called the DOS on June 4th, and there was no interview date booked...called back on Friday, the 6th et voila! My interview is set for June 17th!
If you take a look at our timeline, you'll see that we've been waiting for almost 400 days. It's been a brutal, frustrating year+, and I can't wait for this part to be over so I can go home!
Don't give up hope, because sometimes, when you're awake and alone at 3:00 a.m, hope is the one thing that keeps you sane.


That's scary to think that your interview was booked 11 days after you called. That doesn't leave a whole lot of time for the USC to get a plane ticket or make plans to attend the interview sad.gif

We sent ours right around the same time as you guys, and are really hoping that they schedule us between July 7th and 22nd, since I'll be in Canada then...

Are you Aaron and Carrie? If you are, thanks for sending Liz your information...it helps the rest of us out a lot.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-08 09:32:00
CanadaInterview Wait Times in Montreal?
DoS is Department of State. You can call from 8:30 am til 5pm Monday thru Friday. They can tell you if Montreal has received your package 3.

202-663-1225. Press 1 and then 0 after a couple seconds.

I'm calling Monday, I believe Anxiously_Waiting and Southern_Canadian are calling Tuesday and Wednesday. Be sure to post and update Liz if you hear anything good.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-08 07:24:00
CanadaCanada Firm and Fast Friends..
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jun 21 2008, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm quite impressed that McCain said all that. He's still a Republican, though, so he needs to go. lol



Yup

Attached Files


Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-22 00:06:00
CanadaSouthern Canadian - Good luck tomorrow
Good luck!! good.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-25 16:22:00
CanadaNeed some advice on moving back to canada
I just want to extend an invitation to all of you to move to Alaska...it's not Canada, but it's not really the US either. We'd be happy to have all of you. We can even open a Timmy Hortons so you have some creature comforts smile.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-23 21:10:00
CanadaGeneral Montreal Questions
Thanks guys!
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-28 13:00:00
CanadaGeneral Montreal Questions
Our interview is rapidly approaching, and as the realization that my wife will finally be coming back to the US sets in, so does her stress level. With that being said, it appears that now we're going to be flying to Montreal from Sudbury rather then driving blink.gif

Sooo...does anyone know roughly how much a cab or bus is from the airport down to the Consulate area? I'm not sure what hotel we're staying in, but I think it's only a few minutes from the Consulate itself.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-06-27 14:15:00
CanadaHow to handle a marrage
Hi Eric

You may be able to find a little help here, but the majority of the questions and answers here are for people who are immigrating to the US. Now if you want advice on how to get your lady to the US, this is the place!
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-01 01:51:00
CanadaHow Canada Stole the American Dream
QUOTE (trailmix @ Jul 4 2008, 05:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Reba @ Jul 4 2008, 05:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
He's actually criticizing my simplification of American history.


Yes, I was just trying to determine if he was just insulting you or all of us, but since it's just you that's ok laughing.gif

QUOTE (Reba @ Jul 4 2008, 05:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And I consider the "founding" of Canada to go back way before the Confederation in 1867.


good.gif



I wasn't trying to insult anyone. I apologize if I did. Educate yes, but not insult.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-04 18:17:00
CanadaHow Canada Stole the American Dream
QUOTE (Reba @ Jul 4 2008, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I like this one better Kathryn wink.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-04 13:13:00
CanadaHow Canada Stole the American Dream
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Jul 3 2008, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok - I hope no Americans take offense at this because it is not meant that way, but today I was thinking about this thread and thought this would be a perfect post to add - so enjoy!

Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-03 22:25:00
CanadaHow Canada Stole the American Dream
QUOTE (thetreble @ Jul 3 2008, 08:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
krikit, you are the best. Seriously. That was a great response.

I, too, thought your last comment eric wasn't 100% fair. I don't think I'm ever trying to prove Canadians are better. I just miss home desperately and find it hard to adjust in a place that is so different from what I am used to. No one people is better. That is completely subjective and down to personal preference. My opinion is only based on the experiences Im having.


Krikit and Treble...

You're right, I did kind of push back there. And I apologize. It's probably stemmed from me spending 6 months of the last year in Canada having to explain countless times that there's more to the US then murders, skyrocketing health care, and George Bush. It's the Michael Moore effect. Add that to explaining that Alaska isn't dark 24 hours a day, we don't have dogsleds or live in igloos, and no, I'm happy being an American and I don't think Alaska should "just be part of Canada." (I'm all for our own country, but again, I digress)

This thread touched a nerve with me because it took me back to my university days living with two British Columbians who were constantly bashing Americans...this is much more civil then those conversations.

Sorry if you thought I was adding a kick with the Canada Day comment. It was being sincere since I wasn't around on the actual holiday.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-03 11:48:00
CanadaHow Canada Stole the American Dream
Interesting article, but my two cents...

Canadians didn't steal the American dream. After the wealthiest Americans got their share, they then sent it overseas to places like India, Malaysia, China, and Korea. That being said, Canadians may be living the "American Dream," but I'm not convinced that it actually exists anymore. So much for

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Anyway, I often meet Canadians when I'm in Canada who have no clue about Alaska. Does this make them ignorant? Not at all. You know about what is important to you. Before I married a girl from Ontario, pretty much anything outside the Pacific Northwest (including BC) and Washington DC was unimportant to me. And to the cultural detriment of many Americans, Canada isn't that important. Now if you live in a border state like Washington, Michigan, or New York, the Canadian economy, politics, sports, etc gets a lot more important. But it's probably just as important as Arizona, Arkansas, and Alabama are for your average Canadian. And keep in mind that most Americans have no clue about anything more current then who got booted off American Idol or the Jerry Springer Show.

The last time I flew out of Sudbury, this guy sat next to me and we talked a bit. When he found out i was from the US, he immediatly asked me where the US flag on my hat was. And another guy I met in Hawaii went off on me for reading the Jon Stewart book "America." "Oh, typical American," he said "always thinking their better then everyone else." Umm...check the book out dude, it's called irony! And I hate to break this to you (not you guys here on the Forum, of course), but not everyone from the US is a NASCAR redneck who wants to invade and conquer every nation that disagrees with the corporate interests of Halliburton, Exxon, Wal-Mart, and Starbucks. Although my favorite driver, Elliot Sadler, will probably not make the Chase for the Cup in his stupid POS #19 Best Buy Dodge Charger once again this year. But i digress.

So this guy started in on how much he hated Bush and his politics. He went on to say that "I don't hate Americans, I just hate how you think you're better then everyone else." Look Dude, you won't find a bigger Bushie Basher than yours truly...the man's dumber than a chimp. And I'm sorry to piss everyone off on this entire forum, but it is my opinion, that because Canadians are so caught up in proving that they're not insecure about the way the average American views them, that they go completely off the deep end in trying to prove how much better Canada is then the US.

Happy belated Canada Day.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-02 20:58:00
CanadaWhat NOT to say to a USA border Agent!
QUOTE (flames9 @ Jul 4 2008, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I admit I was incorrect to say "Im Canadian" lol I was in a bit of a grumpy mood as well. Guess she was just doing her job.


At least you didn't stand there and recite the entire "Joe Canadian" bit smile.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-04 13:36:00
CanadaMedical Exam at Medisys in Toronto
QUOTE (Texanadian @ May 7 2008, 01:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've said it before, but you Ontario people have it good. At the Vancouver office, you have to show up at 6:30 AM and be there until about 2PM. $275 for the exam alone. Vaccinations and parking are on top of that.



Did you guys have to walk thru 20 miles of snow up hill both ways?
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-05-07 17:54:00
CanadaMedical Exam at Medisys in Toronto
My wife had her medical examination yesterday in Toronto, so I thought I'd write a quick review in case people were wondering whether to use Medisys or Seiden's office.

Her examination was scheduled for 1:30, but we drove from Sudbury and wanted to ensure we had lots of time, so we ended up arriving at 12:30. Parking was available in a garage (parkade?) behind the building, and it ended up costing $14. We registered and were told that the Dr. doesn't even arrive until 2, but the nurse would do everything but the actual examination anyway.

Apparently, the physical examination is done by a male doctor (not sure if they have females do the exam at Seiden's) and my wife said the room was so cold she had to wear her jacket over her paper robe. She also was told she needed an additional vaccination ($40) so she had a needle as well.

We finally got out of there about 3:30, but not after finding out that we had to pay an extra fee for a courier to send us the results (which wasn't indicated anywhere to us during the making of the appointment). Also, we found out that we had to drive up Yonge Street a few blocks to have her X-ray done, since they don't have the facility on-site.

When we got to the radiology office, it was another hour wait to have her x-ray done. We were afraid that they would stop taking patients, but they close to regular walk ins and only handle immigration cases in the afternoon. And it cost us another $10 in parking. And best of all, the experience ended at 5:00-perfect timing to spit us out on Yonge street traffic in the middle of rush hour!

Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience, but it was inconvenient to have to run from office to office. I think in total, with medical fees and parking, the day cost us about $275. I would probably consider going to Seiden's office if I were to do it over.

Hope this helps.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-05-07 09:02:00
CanadaAffidavit of support
QUOTE (anxiouslywaiting @ Jul 18 2008, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just had my interview on Tuesday, I had the Affidavit of Support notarized and I think one of my fiance's job letters was also notarized. I gave them the originals which included the Affidavit of Support (notarized), job letters (one was notarized), income tax returns and paystubs and I kept a copy for myself. That was sufficient as I was approved! I had my interview in Montreal.



I gave them copies of the last 4 years of W-2s and the note from my employer. I had brought copies of the last 4 years of tax returns, the last two pay stubs, last quarter's investment balances, social security statements, my annual pension statements (all originals), and mortgage statements, but they didn't ask for any of that stuff. The only thing I had notarized was my actual I-134 form. I think the closer you are to the poverty threshold, the more prepared you need to be.

As far as getting it actually notarized, I emailed Montreal before my interview asking if the I-134 needed to be signed by a US Notary, and they told me that if I (petitioner) was at the interview, it didn't need to be. So I took one copy notarized and had one that wasn't, just to be safe...

I was amazed at how relaxed they were about the paperwork after I had spent 4 months stressing about it.

Good luck.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-20 08:18:00
CanadaStruggling with a sense of identity.
Yeah, being a "suitcase" hockey player will get you to a lot of places for short periods of time. I liked most places I was at, but Bakersfield California would be one place I wouldn't recommend!

But... another great place is Boise, Idaho. I know Idaho is the last place anyone would expect, but I was there for a week in 2000, and the place was like Pleasantville! Everyone said hi on the street, no one littered, or crossed against the lights, or swore in public...it was crazy!

They have nice weather since they're kind of in the desert, lakes and mountains nearby, lots of IT and financial businesses are putting roots there. You could fish the streams right in the middle of town. Airport connections to Salt Lake and Seattle.

They have winters too...

Wow...all the choices...
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-25 01:33:00
CanadaStruggling with a sense of identity.
QUOTE (Texanadian @ Jul 24 2008, 01:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Brad, I'm a car guy. I love car shows, car cruises, weekly A&W meet ups, everything. I remember looking in May this year at the list of car shows on Vancouver Island. I counted 68 of them.....In Houston, I've been to 2 shows in the last year. There is the odd meet up somewhere. But you really need to know somebody here to find out anything. And this in a city of 6 million people. I think part of it is that the hot humid weather here isn't conducive to the old cars. Overheating, lack of A/C, and brutally harsh roads. But in BC, we just put our cars away for the winter months, restore and polish them up. A great winter project. And then bring them back out in the summer. I know of 3 people who in the last 2 years have built their own Cobras in their garages.

The rain is rather interesting. Vancouver and Houston get the same amount of rain per year. The difference is that in Vancouver it rains 160 days a year. In Houston, it rains 100 days a year. So it mists almost daily during the fall/winter/spring in Vancouver. But in Houston it's either dry or it's terrential downpours. Crazy rain. Flooding is common. And June is the rainiest month in Houston. It rains more during the summer here. While BC doesn't get any rain during the summer.

I think the lack of A/C in homes up north as well as the low humidity, mild weather (75° and 30% being about normal for Vancouver in the summer) means people want to get out of their hot homes and go play baseball, golf, go swimming, go bicycling, jog, a day hiking. In Houston you tend to stay indoors in the air conditioning during May-September because it's just too darn hot and humid. Houston has the same dew points as Key West, Florida. Except Houston doesn't have the ocean breeze surrounding the city. It's just never ending concrete.

Mind you the wintertime in Houston is nice. Verrrrrry nice. It's a trade off. You don't drive unless you have A/C. Your car is always hot. But then again, I don't miss scraping windshields and waiting for the defrost to kick in.

I drove through Colorado on the way down here. Lovely state from start to finish. Easily the prettiest. Something for everybody. Fort Collins and especially Colorado Springs could easily be my new home. I phoned my wife in Denver at 5PM to give her an update of where I was and how the trip was going. You should have seen the look on her face when I showed up at our front door in Houston the next day at noon. HOW THE HECK DID YOU GET HERE ALREADY? She didn't think I'd be home until the evening or possibly the morning after that.

I can pretty much guarantee that you'd like Austin, TX. The way I see it, Vancouver is to Houston what Victoria is to Austin. Austin is definitely the prettier city compared to Houston. Better roads, more swimming, more jogging trails, a more layed back lifestyle. More liberal than Houston, that's for sure. But this is still Texas you gotta remember. Austin is more expensive by Texas standards when it comes to housing. But still very cheap compared to California or BC. All my Austin friends say their neighbourhoods are full of Californians. And that they see U-hauls with California license plates all the time.

The interesting thing about Colorado is that due to the elevation, it gets cold at night. Even in the summer. And it might snow all night, but melt before the morning is done. The UV is higher due to the elevation, so snow melts VERY quick. All you need to do is make a few holes in your snow covered driveway and then the sun will heat up your driveway enough to melt the rest. And even though the temp might say 75°, it feels much warmer due to the high UV rating.

I'd love to give Alaska a shot. I love wood stoves and hot chocolate, large yards, the real independent spirit of the place. Getting away from the hussle and bussle of big city living. Going fishing. Strangely enough there are more Corvettes in Alaska than any other state. Go figure.


Funny that you should mention the corvettes in Alaska. I had a 77 until last summer. There are tons of them, but the problem is there really aren't many places to drive them! That and the season only goes from about middle of May until September. I actually saw a lamborghini the other day. Must be someone who works for an oil company.

Colorado Springs is such a nice place, and it only took me a day and a half (long days, mind you) to drive to Calgary back in 1995. You're right about the UV rating though. Crazy weather there...I remember watching an Air Force football game in September and it was 100 degrees, then it snowed the next day!

Good analogy between Victoria and Austin. I was pleasantly surprised by Victoria's music scene when I was there last April. And Austin's music goes without saying, but I really liked how everyone was so friendly there.

Come on up to Alaska...there are tons of Texas Ex's here already. You may have to dig out your old hockey stick to hack the ice off your windshield, though...
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-24 07:47:00
CanadaStruggling with a sense of identity.
QUOTE (KarenCee @ Jul 21 2008, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I guess I'm grateful Joel loves it here. We do, however, dream of living in other places...Maine (expensive I know!) or Alaska (BRRRRRR!) and other places in between. I think for us though, it's a matter of doing what you have to do temporarily.

Hope you get some peace about it Brad... smile.gif



Alaska's not that bad...I spent half this year in Sudbury, Ontario, and the winter weather was about the same, if not warmer back home. Of course, that's not saying that Sudbury's a winter wonderland wink.gif
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-21 20:24:00
CanadaStruggling with a sense of identity.
I know Seattle has this bad reputation for rain, but is there anyone who actually had lived there that knows for a fact that this is true?

I go there several times a year for baseball games and concerts and we've only had bad rain in the late fall/winter. Most of the summer is beautiful. My sister lives there and said that it's not nearly as bad as people think.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-21 17:07:00
CanadaStruggling with a sense of identity.
QUOTE (bradcanuck @ Jul 21 2008, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've lived in the US for over 4 years now. Around 3 years ago I left, moved to Canada and attended University for a semester because I missed home so much I couldn't be away any longer.
After going home I realized I didn't like the weather or the slow pace of Vancouver Island. After being in California so long I had adjusted to the way everyone here is in a mad dash constantly and drive like lunatics. I grew very bored quickly of the bad weather and the slow people and decided to move back.

California isn't my "home" and I don't think ever will be. I am never really perfectly comfortable. I think about going home on a very regular basis, but struggle with that because I know what happened last time I went home. It sort of spoils everything thinking about how I couldn't re-adjust to where I grew up.

So herein lay my dilemma. I love the US, but I also love Canada. But it's not just me anymore, I have a wife to consider. I know she couldn't handle the rainy climate of Seattle for example which I think would be the perfect midpoint for me. I could go home all of the time and still be in the US. But that just wouldn't work. Sara would get so sick of the bad weather we would MAYBE last 6-12 months at best.
We could never move back to my home.

So now I am lost. I am unhappy where I am but I know anywhere else we go there is a risk one of us or both of us won't like it.

I made a plus minus list on a sheet of paper to see if we should move or stay, and it was basically a break even tie of positives and negatives on moving and staying.

Anyone been through this?


Brad

Think about the Denver-Colorado Springs corridor. I lived there for about a year and fell in love with it. 300+ days of sun a year, major sports and concerts, lots of outdoor activities, great downtown areas, young population demographic. If I ever had to leave Alaska for anywhere outside the Pacific Northwest, Denver would be it. Plus, I think they have great air connections to California as well as Western Canada.

The only downside to the area was that I missed the ocean.

And if fast traffic and insane drivers is something you've grown accustomed to, I-25 will be right up your alley.

Good luck smile.gif

Oh...and after spending time in Austin (didn't live there) I would definitely agree with Moos that it is a great place. But I loved everywhere I've ever been in Texas... good.gif Just too damn hot for me!
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-21 15:42:00
CanadaBest way to transfer Canadian funds to the US
RBC charged us a flat $35 fee to send a wire transfer. All I needed was the swift (routing) number and my account number in the States. I had the money in less than an hour.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-07-24 16:13:00
CanadaA note on Victoria
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Jul 30 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So on my way back from BC, I did not pre-clear US Customs/ Immigration flying from Victoria to Seattle. Which was strange thought I.

Plus, the officer in Seattle looking at my paperwork saw my K-1 visa still in my passport and said "What are you still doing with this in there"? to which I responded "well no one has ever taken it from me!" and with that he dramatically tore it out of my passport. Hope i don't need that to adjust my status whistling.gif



What a nightmare. We flew from Vic to Seattle in April and I was surprised at how far behind Seattle is in comparison to other US airports in their Immigration area.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-08-02 01:12:00
CanadaI watched my friend get grilled at the border
QUOTE (CherylandRichard @ Aug 1 2008, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
sooo not gonna say anything about all the lying think everyone covered that hehe, but i do have a question now that i read all this, i visited my fiance for 5 months had no problem getting through, didn't have a job at the time but still they did not question anything, well, i came back for 3 months, and and we decided i would come visit for a month or so, i had a job, but no letter from them, well, i get to the airport, 6 in the morning, and of course, i got denied, i hadn't bought my return ticket yet because we weren't sure of the date i would return exactly, and of course that looked suspicious, on top of the fact that he bought the ticket, they didn't like that much, so i got to go to the little room, fun, and i sat there, they left me for last, everyone else was gone and 2 hours later they tell me im not going through because i dont have ties to canada, well, its 8 in the morning, they called my work, not open yet of course so that didn't help me, tried calling my landlord, no answer, so again, everything against me there lol sooooo my question now, when i do my packet 3 forms i see where it says have you ever been denied entry blah blah blah, ok, so is this incident going to be a problem, i mean, i had ties, but couldn't prove them cause it was so early noone would answer their phones and i didn't think to get letters cause i had no problems before going back and forth, and i wasn't at vj yet sad.gif so is this going to be a problem if i just explain i didn't know i needed documentation with me of ties to canada and it was so early that the POE guys couldn't get ahold of anyone to prove my story so they thought i was lying?


i doubt it will be a problem. We were denied entry and the officer who interviewed us for our K-3 in Montreal simply asked us about it, basically told us that things like that happen, and then told us it was expunged as he waved his golden scepter of forgiveness.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-08-02 01:09:00
Canadaaffidavit of support
QUOTE (CherylandRichard @ Aug 2 2008, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ah ok i see, well we aren't near poverty, he makes more then enough to cover what we need, im just wondering what the best things to take are, do we need the letter or should i just take tax forms and pay stubs? or is the letter really required


Sorry, I should have been more clear. I believe the letter is required, but I doubt that they will do any more then glance at it unless the rest of your I-134 raises some questions. If I were you, I would do everything I could to get an accurate letter from his employer, but I wouldn't lose sleep over it if it was less then perfect.

Things I would include are date of hire, rank or position, if his work has health insurance, if he belongs to a pension or retirement plan, etc.

We took as much as we could gather, and probably went overboard. They only asked for the letter from the employer, pay stubs, and copies of the W-2s. Everything else (pension and SS statements, mortgage balances, investment holdings, bank statements) wasn't even asked for.
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-08-02 13:36:00
Canadaaffidavit of support
QUOTE (CherylandRichard @ Aug 2 2008, 01:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
would it be a good idea then to just have him write the letter and have a manager sign it and also go ahead and have all his pay stubs with me too? do they usually call the work to check? or if i took the pay stubs would that be enough so they dont need to call?



It would appear to me that the closer you are to the poverty threshold, the more scrutiny they give your entire affadavite of support package. They seemed more interested in the tax returns/W-2s/paystubs then anything else. I would imagine if your husband hasn't been with his company for a significant time period that may present some more questioning...
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-08-02 13:05:00
CanadaWARNING: Medical - Medisys in Toronto
We did ours at Medisys too. It wasn't a great experience, but not nearly as bad as yours.

But I think the x-ray place is open past 4 for immigration stuff, at least that's what I seem to remember. I know that we got there around then and didn't leave until right around 5pm. wacko.gif

They just don't take any non-immigration patients in the late afternoon...
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-08-04 23:04:00
CanadaSarcasm
QUOTE (Eric_and_Corinna @ Aug 7 2008, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thetreble @ Aug 6 2008, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Aug 6 2008, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thetreble @ Aug 6 2008, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The US has...the colbert report.

Which has a lot of CDN writers writing for it whistling.gif


Yep! Hence the big story line with the Oshawa Generals last year laughing.gif Which was great!


The OHL coverage came from the Saginaw Spirit naming their Eagle mascot "Steven Cobeagle the Eagle," or something like that. I was dying every time Colbert would call Coach Mancini and act like he had any clue about hockey. One time Mancini said something about the Pyatt line, naming all three players by last name, and Colbert was like "how would you even stop that guy?", to which Mancini gently informed him that it was actually three players, not one guy with three names.

Good (and free) coverage for the OHL. But the WHL is still the best wink.gif

Through my travels across the US and Canada, I found that the folks from the Eastern US had a more biting type of humor that was more at the expense of others, rather then most other place's sarcastic self deprecating humor. I know when I played hockey the guys from New England were always the ones hammering on other guys in the locker room, and it wasn't in as much fun as everyone else. Especially those guys from Boston.

During my time in Canada, I've really come to enoy Corner Gas, which probably has most of you rolling your eyes. I'm a huge Daily Show and Cobert Report fan, so I've really enjoyed "This Hour has 22 Minutes" too. But is there a Canadian version of "The Onion?"

For us sarcasm fans, this month will only get better...Democratic and Republican National Conventions usually serve up tons of soundbites and bizarre stories (remember this?
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-08-07 15:31:00
CanadaSarcasm
QUOTE (thetreble @ Aug 6 2008, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Aug 6 2008, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thetreble @ Aug 6 2008, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The US has...the colbert report.

Which has a lot of CDN writers writing for it whistling.gif


Yep! Hence the big story line with the Oshawa Generals last year laughing.gif Which was great!


The OHL coverage came from the Saginaw Spirit naming their Eagle mascot "Steven Cobeagle the Eagle," or something like that. I was dying every time Colbert would call Coach Mancini and act like he had any clue about hockey. One time Mancini said something about the Pyatt line, naming all three players by last name, and Colbert was like "how would you even stop that guy?", to which Mancini gently informed him that it was actually three players, not one guy with three names.

Good (and free) coverage for the OHL. But the WHL is still the best wink.gif

Through my travels across the US and Canada, I found that the folks from the Eastern US had a more biting type of humor that was more at the expense of others, rather then most other place's sarcastic self deprecating humor. I know when I played hockey the guys from New England were always the ones hammering on other guys in the locker room, and it wasn't in as much fun as everyone else. Especially those guys from Boston.

During my time in Canada, I've really come to enoy Corner Gas, which probably has most of you rolling your eyes. I'm a huge Daily Show and Cobert Report fan, so I've really enjoyed "This Hour has 22 Minutes" too. But is there a Canadian version of "The Onion?"

For us sarcasm fans, this month will only get better...Democratic and Republican National Conventions usually serve up tons of soundbites and bizarre stories (remember this?
Eric_and_CorinnaMaleCanada2008-08-07 15:22:00