Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	Poutine, MTL Smoked Meat, and any other Montreal tips	I hear the bagels are also good in Montreal.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-01-20 22:53:00
Canada	best show ever--Cops!!	God, you and D both. I'd rather watch hockey.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-02-01 21:42:00
Canada	GIANTS MADE IT TO THE SUPERBOWL	I am really liking all the Giants love in here! Or is it really more Pats hatin'? In any case, keep it up!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-01-22 13:40:00
Canada	GIANTS MADE IT TO THE SUPERBOWL	Giants fan here! *waves hand* Poor D is a Green Bay fan and did not have a good day yesterday. I dunno if the Giants can beat the Pats, but if the game is anything like the one in December, at least it will be good!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-01-21 12:15:00
Canada	Holy! $42 for a *basic* home phone w Verizon???	OK, I am bit late jumping on this thread, but FWIW here's our experiences in Northern VA. When Derek first moved down we used Skype which I liked, but the intermittent delays in service ticked Derek off. Dunno if Vonage is any better, but another important fact to consider is that it's usually only as good as your internet connection. Slow connection = worse service. Which was probably what hung our service up once in awhile since we have a pretty slow DSL. Anywho, we get cable included in our rent, but we do have basic Verizon for our land line. And by basic, I mean the Economy Message Service that's about $16.00 a month with taxes and fees depending on how many local calls we make, which usually isn't very many since we often use our cell phones. Then, we also have Verizon DSL for $21.99 a month, so our total Verizon bill is usually around $35-$40. Finally, we have Pioneer for our Long Distance and I love them! Something like .03 a minute to Canada anytime. I don't think our bill has ever been more than $7-8 a month since we signed up in the summer. And since it's not VOIP, no interruption of service, delays, outages, etc. Their website is http://www.pioneertelephone.com/ if you want to take a look. Edited by derekkj, 17 December 2007 - 01:53 PM.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2007-12-17 13:53:00
Canada	Filing 2006 Canadian Income Taxes	Have been using a guy from jackson Hewitt the past few yrs to fiel my USA taxes. He has done a fairly decent job. The one thing I liked about him is that he listens to me. I did a bit of research, so I knew some of the forms (8891, 2555). I told him what I thought was correct (very politely) and he researched it, and we went from there. i was hoping this yr not to use him, and just use turbo tax!! If it wasn't for these damn RRSP's our filing would be pretty basic. I just recently cashed out th elast of my RRSP's so I can be done with the RRSP hassles each yr at tax time, lol I guess the 1 nice thing about going with Hewitt jackson, is that I purchased their insurance, so if IRS does come back,and state I owe more $$, Jackson Hewitt would pay it!! Ironically enough JH just called me and wanted to know when I would be coming in, lol. Like you, last year I helped point the JH guy in the right direction, although as it turned out I coulda done it on my own and saved some $. Anyway, this year I had to tell them that our returns this year would be waaaaaay to complicated for them to handle. Derek has Canadian income, US income, and then the whole mess with working for the Embassy, so it's going to be really fun. I have been researching it now for months and still don't completely understand it all, so I didn't want to give the poor JH guy a heart attack! Fortunately someone at the Embassy has someone they have been using for years and he is able to help us as well. I think he's a Canadian, is very familiar with the issues on both sides of the border, and can file Derek's Canadian taxes too. Our first meeting is Tuesday, so this weekend is going to be spent pulling everything together and getting organized. Oh joy. He costs a fair bit, but I have to say finding someone who knows what the hell they are doing makes the whole process at least a little easier to bear. I was almost ready to promise our firstborn to anyone who could figure it all out, lol.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2007-03-16 12:46:00
Canada	Favorite Things Now That You're in America?	QUOTE (Texanadian @ Feb 23 2008, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hmm, seems people in this thread have more favourite things than I do. I don't see what the big deal with Target is. Canada Post was 10x better than USPS. American TV has more lawyers, pharmaceutical drugs, and Head-On commercials. I'VE ONLY SEEN 1 HOCKEY GAME ON TV IN 6 MONTHS. #######? No cider anywhere. And the beer is so so. In the last week, I had two people come and ask me for money. One guy who pulled up to the pump in his car asking for gas money. And another guy in the grocery store asking for food money. Both strike me as odd. Favourite things here so far? Cheap shipping and no tax on internet purchases. No scraping windows or running the defrost in the winter. The enjoyment of walking outside during "winter." Can go to a concert without spending the night (ferry + hotel). Much cheaper and faster. Just drive to the show and drive home. Cheaper investment fees/taxes. Lastly, paying US prices for books and magazines. Umm, you may need to move! We watch hockey on TV several times a week AND there is cider in the stores and bars in the DC area. Plus, new coach and Ovechkin means Caps hockey is even worth watching most of the time! Course, the downside is that you may have to scrape your windshield or run the defrost here. And still just so-so beer. I do think though that you are the only person I have ever heard say that they like Canadian Post over USPS. :	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-02-23 11:36:00
Canada	What is your Astrological Sign?	QUOTE (KarenCee @ Jan 12 2008, 07:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Me = Scorpio Joel = Aquarius I don't necessarily fit all the characteristics of a Scorpio though and from what I've read, we're not supposed to match up. But, it works for us. Go figure. QUOTE (pj1959us @ Jan 14 2008, 03:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm Aquarius, he's Scorpio. We had warnings about some aspects of our match but we did it anyway. The warnings were true but the good parts are VERY good. Huh, we are also a Scorpio/Aquarius match. I am thinking someone needs to rethink it being a bad match!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-01-14 16:03:00
Canada	Canada Forum	Marilyn you crack me up! Kathryn, beautiful cat! I have always wanted a Maine #######. The thought of keeping their fur untangled scares me though.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2007-06-30 12:59:00
Canada	Canada Forum	Yeah, I really like the Canadian Forum as well - and have a real affection for all of the Canadians who post in this forum - you are all a pretty good bunch of people. Your American spouses are lucky to have you! Oh - and you non-Canadians who post here, you're pretty cool too (VBG!). We must be - we love Canadians! Oh this is good. Wonder if flames looks like a Timmie's cup........ I think he used to have a photo of himself in his profile. We actually used to live in the same apartment building but I never saw him. Hmmmm, maybe he does look like a Timmie's cup!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2007-06-29 14:57:00
Canada	Custom House	QUOTE (Nini & Bee @ Sep 14 2007, 04:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I must be really out of it (or not enough caffeine) but I can't find the signup for CH. Maybe someone can direct me? https://vantage.cust...i-bin/Login.cgi Just click on the Signup for Vantage link...	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2007-09-14 15:59:00
Canada	Passport	I am sure this has been discussed ad naseum, but I have not been on much lately and a quick look through the forum has been unsuccessful. Has anyone driven across the border lately and if so did you need your passport? Derek is going home to visit his parents in Montreal in August and will be landing in Burlington, VT (to save $$$) and his folks are driving down from Montreal to pick him up. He has his passport, but of course his folks do not. We do have a Plan B but are hoping that you still don't need a passport to cross back and forth. -kj	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-06-13 12:07:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (Leafgal @ Jun 13 2008, 12:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I guess we will see in the new season. I want to come up there to see a game when they play the Leafs next year, so time will tell. Also am hoping to get down to see the Hurricanes when they play the Leafs too. The Verizon Center is actually a pretty good facility and at least the nosebleed seats have historically been cheap ($15 or so). I have a feeling that next season might be a different story but as you say, we shall see. But at least for the last few years, the Canadian Embassy has gotten inexpensive tickets for any game the Caps play against Canadian teams so if you want to see the Leafs, sign up to get notified: http://www.connect2canada.com/	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-06-13 12:00:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	If this doesn't make DC a hockey town, nothing will! QUOTE Washington's Ovechkin, Boudreau give Capitals big night of NHL honors The Associated PressPublished: June 13, 2008 TORONTO: Russian forward Alex Ovechkin won the Hart Trophy and The Lester B. Pearson Award on Thursday night as the National Hockey League's player of the year, honoring him for a season in which he scored 65 goals and 112 points. Ovechkin edged finalists Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins for both honors. The Hart is voted on by members of the North American Professional Hockey Writers' Association, while the Pearson is given out by the NHL Players' Association. "I think I'm the happiest 22-year-old guy on the planet," Ovechkin said. "Everything I've got I make myself. I'm working hard and I know it's improving." Ovechkin was the first player to score 60 goals in an NHL season since Mario Lemieux in 1996. He joined Sergei Fedorov (1994) as the only Russian-born players to win the Hart and the Pearson. The Capitals' Bruce Boudreau, hired during the season after Washington's woeful start, earned the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach. The only damper on the evening in the nation's capital came when Nicklas Backstrom was edged by Chicago's Patrick Kane for rookie of the year. Boudreau, who led the Capitals to the Southeast Division title, beat out Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings and Guy Carbonneau of the Montreal Canadiens. Washington's run of awards was stopped when the 18-year-old Kane won the Calder Trophy over Backstrom. Kane led rookies with 72 points, including 21 goals. He is the first Blackhawks player to win the trophy since goalie Ed Belfour in the 1990-91 season. Kane, who had the best first month by a rookie since 1992 when he posted 16 points in October, topped Chicago linemate Jonthan Toews and Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom for the award. Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom completed his second hat trick in Norris Trophy competition when he was named as the league's top defenseman for the third straight season and sixth overall. That moved him into third place behind Bobby Orr (8) and Doug Harvey (7) and snapped a tie with another Hall of Famer Ray Bourque. "He's the best player on our team," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. Another familiar winner was New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, chosen as the NHL's top goalie for the fourth time in five seasons. Despite not capturing the award for the first time until 2003, his 10th full season, his four Vezina Trophies are second only to the six won by recently retired Dominik Hasek since general managers started voting in 1982. In other awards, Jason Blake of the Toronto Maple Leafs, diagnosed with leukemia just before the start of the regular season, received the Bill Masterton Trophy as the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey. He lost 4 1/2 kilos (10 pounds) after starting to receive treatment, but didn't miss a game. Pavel Datsyuk of the Red Wings took the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward. Along with teammate Henrik Zetterberg, also a finalist, Datsyuk helped shut down Crosby and the top line of the Penguins during the finals.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-06-13 11:49:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 19 2008, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> good back and forth game Mtl vs Boston!! Boston now up 1 with less than 2 min to go Good game! Yay, Bruins!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-19 20:44:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (J&K @ Apr 19 2008, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I scored Game 7 tickets for the Caps game last week...(if it goes that far). Row B in Section 112. Cost an arm and a leg, but how many game 7s do you get to see every day? I was there the last time the Caps went to the Stanley Cup. They lost of course, but it was so cool to see the Cup relatively up close and personal no matter who won!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-19 20:38:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (IR5FORMUMSIE @ Apr 19 2008, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Price is on again. 2-1 Habs. Bruins just scored 2-2, Garden is going crazy. Looked offside to me but the Bruins have been forechecking like the Bruins always do. KJ, if the Caps don't beat the Flyers (honestly who outside of Philly likes the Flyers?) you can start cheering for the Jets, I hear Namath will be in mini-camp this year. Yay, Namath! Bruins just scored to tie it, woot. The Caps are young and I was thrilled that they even made it to the playoffs despite it all. Just wish Ovechkin was playing better. And while I like Huet, I miss my Ollie the Goalie.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-19 20:30:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 19 2008, 05:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Saw the last period of the caps game!! Was hoping my friend would phone up and offer me another ticket, no luck,lol I am on some sort of Caps emailing list and as of 9am this morning there were tickets still available. But I wasn't willing to pay $85 per person to see the game. Watched it on tv though and it was a good game. Dunno that they can beat the Flyers at home in game 6 but am keeping all appendages crossed. And hoping that Ovechkin finally starts playing they way he can. Oops, Montreal just scored. Derek is not amused. Go Caps!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-19 19:19:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 12 2008, 08:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I turned down a caps ticket for tomorrows game!!! Friend has Season tickets! Damn exam on Monday!! I almost said screw it,lol Oh well. Think u can find the final broadcast on here: http://www.wjfk.com/ http://www.wjfk.com/...-an-End/1953962 And you couldn't think of one other person who you could give that ticket to?! Thanks for the link. Wasn't Don supposed to be on until May or so?	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-12 19:58:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 12 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Friday was the last show with Mike!! They all sat around and cried and stated how much they loved each other I'm sure it will still be a good show without him, we shall seeeeeeeeeee Who knows, down the road he may return!! He did say yesterday about eventually returning to radio!! Nooooo, I missed Don and Mike's last show?! Craaaappppp! I listened earlier in the week and they were doing best of. Then I had Thursday and Friday off and didn't listen as I normally do on the ride home. Boo. And J&K, loved the photos of your husband! I dared Derek to get the hawk and he was too chicken. A few guys near us did though and it was great. Watching Bruins/Montreal right now, but really looking forward to tomorrow. GO CAPS!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-12 19:21:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 12 2008, 07:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> How about those Cap!!! Exciting game!! Think they play an afternoon game tomorrow on NBC Evan a 49 save performance by Gerber wasnt enough for the Senators!! Great game despite the Caps falling apart in the second and the damn Flyers fans in front of me and behind me. They quickly shut up in the 3rd. Actually I was really impressed with the Caps fans. Besides the ones near me, I barely saw any Flyers fans - a huge change from previous games I have been too - and the Verizon Center was rocking! I was deaf and hoarse by the end of it all. Can't wait for Sunday. Go Caps!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-12 06:54:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 7 2008, 07:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> thats just plain silly!! Why would one put themselves through that sort of pain and misery!! I am a Jets fan too!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-07 06:42:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 7 2008, 07:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think DC just likes to support a winner!! My wife is out of town for the weekend, so I was thinking of going to the game if I could get tickets, but I rather watch on TV,lol and I have a big exam on Monday, fun fun! Yeah, there def seems to be more than a few fair weather fans here, that's for sure. Try being an Islander fan since the late 80's!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-07 06:35:00
Canada	NHL Play off time!!!!	QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 7 2008, 07:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My Flames squeaked into the playoffs, whewwww They had me worried for a bit!! Unfortunately they face the red hot San Jose Sharks!! Hopefully Kipper gets and stays hot!! The team that i'm really excited to watch is the Capitals!! They are a fun team to watch! As much as I love Crosby, I think I would pick Ovechkin!! Solid 2 way player, and man does he ever get excited when they score!! Caps start off against philly, i believe they tied the season series 2-2, but one of the Caps wins was in a shoot out. probably not going to any of the games!1 rather stay in the comforts of my house and drink cheap beer, vice $7 for 1 at the game,lol To good hockey!!! D and I will be there Friday night - woot! Not planning on drinking any beer at the Verizon Center though, lol. I may have to eat my words that Washington is not a hockey town. The last few games that we have been at, the place has been rocking! If my Isles can't be in it, Go Caps!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-04-07 06:24:00
Canada	Deposit a canadian check in a US bank	Wachovia will technically cash your cdn check for you. They will also try and charge a $75 PER CHECK international bank fee. We use Custom House and love it! No fees, usually a better exchange rate and only takes a few days to transfer funds.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-06-20 15:58:00
Canada	Happy Canada Day!!	Just got back from the Embassy festivities and let me tell you, you CAN eat too much poutine!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-07-01 12:49:00
Canada	Um, Why?	Derek told me about this tonight and for the life of me, I can't grasp why this is in poor taste and not just a little bit of humor. I saw an explanation about how it would be like the Statue of Liberty holding a hot dog and didn't think that would be in poor taste either, so maybe it's just my sense of humor. QUOTE Embassy sorry for controversial Canada Day invite Updated Wed. Jul. 2 2008 10:19 PM ET The Canadian Press MONTREAL -- The Canadian embassy in Washington is apologizing after it sent out a Canada Day invitation which showed Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec City, holding a plate of poutine. Jean-Paul Perreault, the president of Imperatif francais, a group that defends and promotes the French language, called the embassy's behaviour "contemptuous and unacceptable." "It's ridiculous, it's a.....lack of respect towards the Canadian identity which proudly includes French-speaking communities," he said in an interview Wednesday. Poutine is a popular Quebec dish that consists of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with brown gravy. "If it was a joke, it was a joke in bad taste which we can't allow as part of the activities of a (Canadian) embassy," he added. Perreault said several citizens also complained to Imperatif francais about the invitation. The Canada Day invitation was placed on the embassy's website and about 2,000 people showed up for the July 1 party in the U.S. capital. Perreault pointed out that this year marks the 400th anniversary of the July 3 founding of Quebec City by Champlain. The event will be celebrated Thursday with various events in the provincial capital. Tristan Landry, a spokesman for the Canadian embassy, says the online invite was eventually changed and the plate of poutine was removed from Champlain's right hand. "It was obviously not intended to offend anybody and we apologize if it offended anyone," he told The Canadian Press. Landry also said changes would be made internally to the process when invitations are sent out. Perreault wants Prime Minister Stephen Harper to offer "sincere" apologies nationally and internationally because the invitation appeared on the Internet. "The way the Canadian government, through its embassy, treats the francophone aspect of Canadian identity has been seen internationally," he said. Perreault also said Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson and the ambassador in Washington should resign. "There should also be disciplinary measures towards the employees who created an unacceptable and ridiculous situation on the website," he added. Landry would not comment when asked if any disciplinary measures are being considered. Perreault also complained that the invitation was sent out on the Internet only in English. But the embassy spokesman said it was emailed both in English and in French. "We do have a French version and the people who wanted it in French got it in French," Landry said. The invitations were shipped out by the embassy on what's called Connect2Canada, a network which sends out email notices on a range http://www.ctv.ca/se...?hub=TopStories	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-07-03 19:36:00
Canada	How Canada Stole the American Dream	QUOTE (Krikit @ Jul 6 2008, 09:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Reba @ Jul 4 2008, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (pegbert64 @ Jul 4 2008, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> As an aside, a quick story about the "have a beer" way of doing things. I'm involved in a dog sport which spans the border. Sometimes a team travels with a skeleton crew, and needs to enlist the help of other participants during the tournament. Down here in the US, folks usually offer to reciprocate help ("if you can help our team, we'll help yours" sort of thing). Well, we drove from NC up to Ontario for a tournament, and a Canadian team asked us if we could help them out with the offer "We'll give you a six-pack!" HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! My US teammates were shocked, but I just said "That's how we roll in Canada!" Yeap, my US friends just don't understand when I offer to "pay" them with beer. Back home if my plumbing needs fixed, I call my brother in law and say "James, my tap is leaking. Bring your tools, I have beer". Or if I need help moving I call a friend with a pick-up truck "hey dude, I'm moving again, bring your truck, I've got beer". Or when a friend of mine was re-decorating her home. She'd call up and say "ok, I've got paint and wallpaper and a case of beer, be here by noon!" The paying with beer thing is sooooooooo true! The heartwarming thing is that it is more than just paying with beer. It's the camaraderie and the bonding and the sense of "doing unto others". I'm really lucky in that I have found that exact same outlook on life here in my new neighbourhood. Everyone pitches in and helps each other out, as well as watching out for one another. It's soooooooo nice. I have the best neighbours ever. Well, it's not beer, but in my Mom's home town of Waterbury, VT, they pay one another with Ben and Jerry's. And I can't tell you how wonderful all of her neighbors have been and pitched in for her in her times of need since she lives by herself and my brother and I live so far away. From driving her to chemotherapy to plowing her driveway when it's literally snowed for months on end, they have been great. In short, I don't think of that as a Canadian/American thing, but more of a rural vs. city thing. That being said, Derek and I also have good neighbors here in Metro DC from ones who have helped us move - paid in beer and pizza - to taking care of the cat when we have been away - paid in Vermont maple syrup. But in turn we try and be good neighbors ourselves. And will gratefully take beer as payment!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-07-06 18:31:00
Canada	How Canada Stole the American Dream	QUOTE (milwaukeegirl @ Jul 2 2008, 04:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't understand why there are so many forums on visa journey centered on Canada vs. America topics. Why so much competition as to who is better? As an American (like many of my friends), I live within my means, do not have a huge debt, and I have an active sex life, thank you very much. I guess I'm just feeling offended by all of the Canada is better posts that I've been reading today. Reading this article has just offended me further. I've been wanting to ask, "If Canada is so amazing, then why don't you move back?" This remark would just bring on defensive remarks though, which I don't really want. The only foreign country that I ever lived in was England, but even when I found things about England that I disliked in comparison to America, I always tried to be respectful. I don't know any Canadians besides my husband's friend Jess. In all honesty, I never took the time to get to know her. She immediately separated herself from myself and my American friends when she snottily announced at Universal Studios "Americans love their theme parks." She spent the day bashing Americans and complaining about how fat and uncultured we were. Funny how she was at Universal Studios, along with huge amounts of British and other foreign tourists. How hypocritical. I'm not going to bother defending American culture, because I'm not going to change anyone's views. But it's very rude and unfair to generalize Americans into stereotypes. Huh, you do realize you are in the CANADA forum, right? And, Kathryn, interesting article. We like living in the US but have discussed going to Canada. This give us more to think about!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-07-02 15:51:00
Canada	Canada Day!	QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Jul 2 2008, 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It was lots of fun sorry I didn't run into any vj'ers though, it was pretty crowded but I am glad I went. Lots and lots of fun. If they have it next year I'll go again for sure. Hey! I was wondering if you made it. I did see Lizelle and her husband briefly but I think that was it for the VJ community that I know of. I do know that I ate too much poutine and was feeling pretty sick after I went back to my office. I think it's an annual thing, so mark your calendar for next year!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-07-02 15:44:00
Canada	Canada Day!	QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Jun 30 2008, 03:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> what is the address of the Canadian Embassy in DC? Is this at the Embassy? Where do you go? Just walk up to the Embassy? So many questions. Any rules regarding cameras or anything? Is this inside or out? okay all done. Am sending you a PM with all the answers. And, just FYI, if anyone else is planning on doing the DC thing, just make sure to RSVP by tonight on the Connect2Canada site. Apparently this year they will be checking names at the door. Happy Canada Day!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2008-06-30 17:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Naturalization interview today	Sounds like you will be done far before Derek - congrats! Interview report today at Yakima, Washington State. Any of you cool dudes who think you can walk in there without a sweat can think again. The day of your interview you WILL feel queasy. I arrived in Yakima an hour early. Went to Wendy’s for a burger and coffee. They asked if I wanted cream and I said yes. They said oh we don’t have any. I asked if they had a slice of apple pie or whatever like McDonald's – NO. What a dump and viva McDonald's. I saw a gas station across the road and thought I would kill time and go there. The pumps had no card slot and it said pay inside. The woman said how much gas you need and I said I wanted to fill up. She said she wanted ID and my card and she would keep my card until I filled up. At this point I thought what a dump this town is. These people are lucky to have me as a citizen. I shouldn’t be nervous, they should be nervous that I might pull out. The weight lifted and I relaxed and I felt great. I went to the USCIS. Night club bouncer with a big gun etc and marine hairstyle and muscles. British bobby he was not. He asked me if I had a cell phone and then asked me if I had a gun. Bang on time the lady asked me in and she was absolutely great. She put me totally at ease and chatted but she was VERY professional too and I reckon she was getting my guard down at the same time as being pleasant and chatty. We chatted about all sorts. I did the answers about me not being a communist or a terrorist etc and I then did the 6 questions and got all six. She asked about the gun club and I told her I drank coffee with the Vietnam vets twice a week and it was a great social life. I told her one of em said to me that if it wasn’t for the French, the Americans would still be speaking English. I think she was ok with that but I should have watched my mouth as it was running away with me because things were going so well. She asked if my wife was a citizen and I said she was from Milwaukee and she was a ‘packer fan’ She sat upright and said – “Your wife comes from Pakistan ? “ I said “no she is a Packer Fan – you know, Green Bay Packers”. I don’t think she knew about football but she relaxed again. Then she said “Oh, you applied too soon”. My heart sank coz I thought I had nailed the 89 days prior to GC anniversary and we would have to do it all again and I would lose my money.. Then she said I wasn’t eligible for the oath until November 5 and she would keep the file until then and then write to me and give me 2 weeks notice. Phew I relaxed again. Told her I didn’t need 2 weeks as I was retired. Asked about ceremonies and they do them twice per month at Yakima. Sometimes at the courthouse with a judge and sometimes the USCIS are authorised to do it at their offices. Anyway, I have the form here and it has 2 ticks. 1 You passed the tests of English and history and government 2 Congratulations ! Your application has been recommended for approval. (Their bolds) At this time, it appears that you have established your eligibility for Naturalization. If final approval is granted, you will be notified when and where to report for the oath ceremony’ So all in all I am a very happy bunny. No junk about more of the file to come (It was a foot thick) and twice a month ceremonies too ! I reckon I should be all done by the end of November and have the passport by xmas at the very latest. I still can’t believe I can file my marriage divorce etc FOREVER after all the times I have been involved with this stuff for 5 years. I suppose this really is freedom. All in all it was a pleasant experience once I was in the room but I was worried before. If I had been a shady character with something to hide, she would have gotten some dirt out of me with her reassuring manner which was very skilled. She was really good at her job.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2010-10-26 12:08:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 July 2010 Applicants	Derek is going through the Washington, DC office as well. He filed in early August and like Jay&Nardi got a quick response for NOA and biometrics but has heard nothing since. We are not in any huge rush either and are using that 4-6 month time frame. But please let me know if either of you hear anything in the near future - it will be nice to finally be done with USCIS! Thanks, ELW and Jay&Nardi, for your prompt answer. Jay&Nardi, if you filed under 319(b), I think you should make an InfoPass appointment now and explain the situation. They might be able to accommodate you, but there is very little time left until the end of October. Also, you can call the FBI at 304-625-5590 to find out when your biometrics check was forwarded to USCIS. (Have your A# ready when you call.) -- Good luck. I guess we're in a somewhat different situation from most people because we do not want the interview to be set up too quickly. My wife has some important extended travel coming up and any interview before mid-January would likely wreak havoc with her schedule. Of course, if necessary she would have to request postponement of the interview, but we would want to avoid that if at all possible because it might create other scheduling problems for us down the road. Information we found on other boards seem to indicate that four to six months seems to be a normal time frame for the Washington office, which would suit us fine. Anything earlier or later might pose problems. Thanks, everyone.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2010-10-20 14:38:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N400 August 2010 Filers	Derek finally had his rescheduled interview this morning and took the oath ceremony less than a half hour later. And I have to give a huge shout out to the employees at the USCIS office at Fairfax, VA. After years of being confused, frustrated, and generally pissed off by USCIS, these guys really bent over backward to help Derek out today. They even gave him his own private oath ceremony right after the interview. We were in and out in just about an hour! Though security did confiscate my tweezers, lol.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2011-02-09 17:54:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N400 August 2010 Filers	Congrats to all who are now US Citizens! Derek and I went to the Washington, DC office in Fairfax, VA for his interview today. We got there about an hour early and just as we arrived so did the fire department and police. Turned out to be some sort of threat and everybody had been told to leave the building. We waited until Homeland Security arrived to sweep the building with their dogs but a USCIS staff member said that he doubted the building would reopen anytime soon and recommended that we leave and have the interview rescheduled. So instead of standing around in the cold with no guarantee of being interviewed, we did just that. Have no idea when they can fit Derek in again but are hoping in the next month or so. Argh.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2011-01-11 17:18:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N400 August 2010 Filers	Slowly but surely. Updating for interview date - finally! Always use Courier New font @ size 2 =================================================== Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list: 1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting. 3. Click "Reply" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list. 4. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list. 5. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"! **For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"** ============================= N-400: August 2010 Applicants ============================= ====================================== USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox ====================================== UserName........Sent...ChkCashd....NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview.....Oath....FieldOffice bodyguard....08/02/10..08/06/10..08/18/10..09/09/10..11/08/10..12/09/10..--/--/--..Newark, NJ derekkj......08/03/10..08/11/10..08/12/10..08/12/10..08/30/10..01/11/11..--/--/--..Washington, DC Allie & Leo..08/12/10..08/24/10..--/--/--..09/22/10..09/28/10..11/04/10..--/--/--..Memphis,TN TracyTN......08/20/10..08/25/10..09/07/10..09/24/10..10/18/10..11/17/10..12/09/10..Memphis, TN sk28.........08/23/10….08/27/19….08/30/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Houston, TX ================================ USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox ================================ UserName........Sent...ChkCashd....NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview.....Oath....FieldOffice B&P .........08/02/10..08/06/10..08/06/10..09/03/10..09/22/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..Milwaukee, WI Sparks.......08/03/10..08/03/10..08/09/10..09/03/10..09/28/10..11/09/10..--/--/--..San Fran, CA kobeya.......08/06/10..--/--/--..09/07/10..09/29/10..10/05/10..11/10/10..--/--/--..San Fran, CA saywhat(Alan)08/09/10..08/13/10..08/18/10..09/02/10..09/15/10..10/25/10..12/02/10..Yakima, WA Bigbear......08/12/10..08/21/10..08/25/10..09/17/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Detroit, MI SirLancelot..08/16/10..08/24/10..09/07/10..10/01/10..10/06/10..11/09/10..11/18/10..San Jose, CA ZQT3344......08/17/10..08/25/10..08/30/10..09/21/10..10/01/10..11/23/10..--/--/--..St. Louis, MO xxhwx........08/25/10..08/31/10..09/09/10..09/21/10..10/02/10..11/02/10..--/--/--..Indianapolis, IN MauiBec......08/06/10..08/16/10..08/25/10..09/07/10..11/09/10..12/13/10..--/--/--..Honolulu, HI =========================================================================== USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA) =========================================================================== UserName........Sent...ChkCashd....NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview.....Oath....FieldOffice missy0090....08/14/10..--/--/--..09/08/10..Fcards....--/--/--..11/09/10...11/09/10..Fairfax, VA	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2010-12-07 15:22:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N400 August 2010 Filers	Congrats, Alan! I think the sinking feeling is completely normal. But, as at your wedding, you may not want to share that info with your "bride". Congrats on the step ! Every step is good. I have my ceremony in a few hours and it's like getting married - I have that sinking feeling like do I really want to do this Right now I can contribute to wikileaks and get away with it because I am a citizen of the European Union - but by later today they can charge me with treason and give me 500 years in jail with no phone calls and no review and allow me to be jail raped and watch over me with a shotgun. Should I run for the horizon ? Think I will have another coffee and a piece of cheese. The last time I wore a tie it was to get married. I think it's that feeling again. I could be putting my life in Sarah Palin's hands... I will try not to think about that. Anyway it's weird that we greet every USCIS step with glee but then comes the commitment. The judge. They may get stuck in the snow - the judge, the USCIS, there may be a reprieve.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2010-12-02 14:52:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N400 August 2010 Filers	One small step closer... *** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case Receipt Number: NBC************* Application Type: N400 , APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION Your Case Status: Testing and Interview Your case has been transferred to a local office and an interview will be scheduled. You will be sent a notice advising you of the date and time of your interview. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. If your case status indicates that you are currently in this step, you have either been scheduled for an interview or are in line to be scheduled for an interview. The amount of time your application will remain in this step will vary by office and is largely determined by the number of cases ahead of yours. The interview notice will have specifics about time, location and anything you will need to bring to your interview. If your application remains pending beyond our normal processing times (as shown below) please contact our national customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. Please note that not every application/applicant will require an interview. In some instances, an interview is required by regulation and others an interview is requested because USCIS has determined that this is the most efficient means to determine eligibility. For a naturalization application the interview will include your taking the required English and/or Civics tests (unless exempt or waived). If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283. *Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times. *** Please do not respond to this e-mail message. Sincerely, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2010-12-02 11:08:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N400 August 2010 Filers	Do they do same day ceremonies at your place ? If so, you could finish before me... I believe they do if Derek can get an interview time early enough in the day. Otherwise I am not sure when they schedule. And if wishes were horses everyone would ride. My money is still on you finishing first but with USCIS anything can happen!	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2010-10-29 12:47:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N400 August 2010 Filers	Yeah, Derek got a yellow letter a few weeks ago telling him to bring a state/government issued ID, to the interview. Well, no duh. But still waiting on the interview letter.	derekkj	Not Telling	Canada	2010-10-29 12:19:00