ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaEAD Approved Yesterday!!
Now that I've decided to take work with my Canadian employer, my EAD has been approved!! Yaaay!
kicking.gif


Anyway, it'll still be nice as I can apply for a SS# now and get a bank account etc... So, even though I won't be looking for a job here soon, it's still great that it was approved so quickly.

Just wanted to let everyone know that my experience with e-file was amazing! It was all approved in 45 days!

SO, I have a quick question, the approval notice was sent out yesterday, does that mean the actual EAD card is on it's way too?
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-12 06:40:00
CanadaToo much good news! AOS transfered. YIPPEE!
Congratulations Spirit! What a great day yesterday! I think it was going around smile.gif
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-13 07:53:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (trailmix @ Feb 23 2008, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (apk @ Feb 22 2008, 07:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rhymeswithcandi @ Feb 22 2008, 08:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just a little survey for a Friday morning...


I guess I am a memeber of the "Cougar Club" too. I'm 34 and my husband is 23.
Thanks for posting this thread it's a real pick me up! Just got off the phone with my brother-in-law and once again he's asking "What do you guys even have in common?" Anybody else get this?


Umm no, I wouldn't let anyone speak to me that way - how rude!!


It's funny... there is a weird age difference between my husband and I but no one close to us has ever made an issue about it... they're all just happy that each of us have found such a great match. It's people who just meet us who get weird about it "you're a dirty old lady" I'm 31 - hardly the age to be called that.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-24 15:28:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (Ron/Sharon @ Feb 22 2008, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sharon and I are the same age one day every year, July 28th.


That's so cool!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 14:37:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (Crikey! @ Feb 22 2008, 01:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, that answers all my "who's got the 16+ years age differences" questions. laughing.gif

I am six years older than my husband but I am not telling you our ages. tongue.gif


I love that my husband is younger.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 13:15:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (warlord @ Feb 22 2008, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wifey is just a bit less then 4 years older then I am. Doubt we would have dated in highschool, but if she had lived in Canada, I would have been in the 9th grade dating a 13th Grader so that would have been kind of cool. In the US she was just starting college when I was in the 9th grade...


A 9th grader with a college girlfriend!? You would have been the MAN!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 12:41:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (Delicia @ Feb 22 2008, 11:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am 19 years, 11 months older than my husband. Doesn't sound as dramatic as 20 years. hee hee



WELL done Delicia!

Yea I'm 7 years 6 months older than my husband - so I just say "7 years"
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 11:39:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (bowflex @ Feb 22 2008, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rhymeswithcandi @ Feb 22 2008, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bowflex @ Feb 22 2008, 10:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sylvia_n_Joseph @ Feb 22 2008, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Proud member of the Cougar Club


You've got me curious now, what's the age difference? haha

Just to be fair, I'm 26 (27 in June) and my wife just turned 24 smile.gif


I'm 31 and my husband is 24 - crazy right?


Haha as long as you didn't start dating him when you were 16 to 21, you should be good to go Lol.


That would have been very strange... haha.

Gosh I just realized that my stoopid a$$ answered wrong on the poll... I answered female younger instead of male - blonde moment.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 10:52:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (bowflex @ Feb 22 2008, 10:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Sylvia_n_Joseph @ Feb 22 2008, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Proud member of the Cougar Club


You've got me curious now, what's the age difference? haha

Just to be fair, I'm 26 (27 in June) and my wife just turned 24 smile.gif


I'm 31 and my husband is 24 - crazy right?
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 10:37:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (SHAPE OF MY HEART @ Feb 22 2008, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
AND MAY I ASK? WHAT IS COUNGAR CLUB MEAN?? heart.gif blush.gif


It's a not-so-nice way of saying that the girl is older than the guy.

Cougar is a term for an "older" woman who "prowls" for younger guys. Usually, they're 40 somethings who dress way too young and go to bars to prowl for young guys. I don't consider myself one of those but I joke about it...
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 10:03:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
QUOTE (Sylvia_n_Joseph @ Feb 22 2008, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Proud member of the Cougar Club


Teeheehee... Me too! I think I've beat you though
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 09:44:00
CanadaWhat is the age difference between you and your SO?
Just a little survey for a Friday morning...
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-22 09:30:00
CanadaA cute YouTube loving story :)
SO sweet!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-19 06:07:00
CanadaU.S.A. quickly becoming just a place to visit
I wish you two the best of luck... and I'm so sorry it's been such a rough journey for you so far.

You'll definitely be in my prayers smile.gif
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-17 11:44:00
CanadaANYONE REGRETTING THE MOVE TO U.S.A
QUOTE (DavidsPrincess @ Mar 18 2008, 02:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's tough to see people so unhappy in a country that I love. I just think it's a great place so everyone should want to live here! laughing.gif but when I think about how I'd feel if I had to move to Canada..or anywhere else for that matter...I'd complain about it every chance I got. I love visiting Canada, but I wouldn't want to move there. I feel for all of you who had to leave a country you grew up in, and probably loved just as much as I love mine. Because of this forum I have learned how to empathize with you all instead of taking it personal. I truly am sorry for the heartache you've endured having to uproot your entire lives.

That being said, I would have left the US for my husband in a heartbeat. I would have been very sad and maybe a little resentful, but I would have done it. If the K-1 hadn't worked out, that's what would've happened.

I still think the US is the best country in the world smile.gif it's my home, after all. innocent.gif


That was a really sweet post! Thanks for not taking anything personally... I don't think anyone means to bash the US. It's just the adjustment to something new that makes it hard.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-19 06:01:00
CanadaANYONE REGRETTING THE MOVE TO U.S.A
QUOTE (flames9 @ Mar 18 2008, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What I sort of find amusing is when talking to some friends--Canadians and Americans, they all say there country is the best, blah blah blah!! Then i ask where they have traveled? they say nowhere!! So how can one say their country is the best? lol Now I have traveled a great deal, and yes I love Canada, but I would have no problems moving to South America, some places in Europe, Australia, even China was cool.


I've always found that amusing too... it would be like saying "apples are my favorite fruit" never having tried any other fruits..

I've traveled a ton and can see good things in a lot of countries... I think for some people it boils down to familiarity.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-19 05:55:00
CanadaANYONE REGRETTING THE MOVE TO U.S.A
QUOTE (flames9 @ Mar 17 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
its not as if were planning to burn down the white house (again) lol

laughing.gif
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-19 05:48:00
CanadaANYONE REGRETTING THE MOVE TO U.S.A
That's a totally good question, I think.

I do sometimes second guess the decision. I miss my friends and family and a few things about home. Things here are slowly starting to fill the hole left from missing my old life and things that were familiar. I imagine it'll only get even better when we move to my SO's hometown and are close to his friends and family.

I almost have second thoughts when I hear all this talk about the recession too. It's scary and I guess it doesn't make adjusting to life in the US any easier.

I've mentioned in a post earlier that one of the hardest things about moving here is that I'd expected it to be so similar to home but beneath the surface it really isn't the same at all. Embracing the differences makes it easier.

I've learned a lot about how dangerous it can be to have expectations through this whole process. I too thought it would be completely lovely all of the time (for the most part it has been just by virtue of the fact that I'm with my husband). But I started to get pretty disappointed pretty quickly when reality wasn't matching the picture perfect scenario I'd jotted out in my mind. I thought the immigration process would be seamless and straight-forward and it has been anything but. I guess that's just life sometimes.

It gets better all the time and I'm hopeful that it'll only continue to get better and easier... I'm sure the same is true for you. Give it a bit more of a chance. It's an adjustment and it takes a little time.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-05 09:19:00
CanadaGoing to CANADAAAA
Have fun!

We're going up tomorrow and I can't WAIT!!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-20 06:32:00
CanadaCanadian Names (English Language Names)
QUOTE (Earmuffs @ Mar 19 2008, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
sorry but thinking someone is Canadian because of their fist name is retarded...


Wow... offensive much?
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-20 06:30:00
CanadaCanadian Names (English Language Names)
I agree that Grant and Gordon are very Canadian names...

Corey comes to mind too.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-19 05:32:00
CanadaHow USCIS works!!
Hahaha! "I'm sorry I don't speak Korean"

I hope the one that got licked wasn't mine.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-21 04:46:00
CanadaHow do you use eat with your knife and fork?
QUOTE (charlesandnessa @ Mar 21 2008, 11:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
my thoughts - if i'm holding a knife and fork and someone gives me a hard time about how i'm eating, they are liable to wind up with one if not both in one of their hands - or elsewhere. devil.gif


I agree... correcting table manners is a huge faux pas. I think she was a b*tch and actually wanted to be rude. I explained the American vs. European difference at quite a bit of length and told her that the way she ate would probably been seen as "incorrect" in English circles. I think she felt exTREMELY silly because she had nothing to say to that!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-21 10:39:00
CanadaHow do you use eat with your knife and fork?
QUOTE (trailmix @ Mar 20 2008, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes silliness for someone to 'correct' how someone is holding their knife and fork - or imply they are 'wrong'....I mean really.

Personally I use the American version as described above - this is the way I was taught as a child. My Mother was raised by her American relatives, this is probably why.


Drives me nuts when people correct someone... the lady who corrected me, I think, was being rude. The old guy I think was being funny.

QUOTE (SonoranSongbird @ Mar 20 2008, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Gentle reader,

I find this problem can be solved easily by eating with one's fingers. In order to encourage my dinner guests to engage in this simple practical ettiquette, I always try to seat the left-handed guests next to the right-handed guests so that their elbows will bump should they try to use a knife and fork instead of their fingers. I also encourage them to speak with their mouths open by asking pressing questions just as they shovel in another mouthful. I hope this helps.

Sincerely, Miss Ing Manners
jest.gif

Okay, seriously, I tried to do it the British way just to be different, but found it difficult being right-handed. My fiance is originally British (even though I don't think he was using a knife and fork much before he immigrated to Canada as an infant) but I think he also does it the way we do. Now I'm probably going to stare at the poor man next time we eat together to see how he uses his knife!


Haha!!

I tried the American way but it seemed so awkward.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-20 14:46:00
CanadaHow do you use eat with your knife and fork?
I was once told (by an American) that the way I was using my fork when cutting my food was incorrect. After getting over the fact that she had just tried to correct my table etiquette, I let her know that she was wrong. Actually, another American had commented on this to me before years ago - I was having dinner with some friends in Mass and a man at the table said "If it were 1776, I would think that you were a British soldier" I was completely confused by this. Was he telling me I had terrible table manners? I had always thought myself quite savvy in matters of table etiquette. I guess I wasn't. See the confusing wash over my face he elaborated "One of the ways to detect a British spy during the Revolutionary war, was how he cut his food... how he used his fork. You woulda just given yourself away." He was old and smart and really meant it all in humor. I'd never known that.

I still eat "like a British soldier". I'm just wondering if that's the case with all Canadians or just some...

***************************************

To clarify the difference here are descriptions:

American Style
The knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. Holding food to the plate with the fork tines-down, a single bite-sized piece is cut with the knife. Never cut more than one piece at a time. The knife is then placed on the right edge of the plate (always with the blade facing inward) and the fork transferred to the right hand, with the left hand falling to the lap. The cut piece is then speared (if not already during the cut) or scooped and eaten using the fork in a tines-up orientation. The fork is held in the right hand or put down on the plate while chewing. The fork is then transferred back into the left hand, the right hand picks up the knife, and the process is repeated as necessary. A left-handed consumer can retain the fork in the stronger hand, although the knife is still released. While the position of the hand does not matter as it is placed on the fork while doing so, this is not considered completely proper.

or

European Style
The European manner is to hold the knife and fork, in the right and left hands respectively, throughout consumption. The hand grasp is also different: in Europe it is considered better manners not to hold a knife or fork as one would hold a pen, but to have the handle running along the palm and extending out to be held by thumb and forefinger. This style is sometimes called 'hidden handle'. This method is also common in Canada and other former parts of the British Empire. In contrast to the American method of using a fork much like a spoon (tines up), the British primarily use the fork with tines facing away from the user (tines down).
The cause of the difference in custom is uncertain. It is believed to have originated because the 17th century American colonists had established themselves before the fork, and any custom of its use, had become widespread in Europe. The implement did not become widespread in Europe (certainly northern Europe) until the 18th century, and was not adopted in the United States until the 19th century. The American use of blunt-ended knives was also a factor.


Interesting Wiki on the history/ background etc.

Edited by rhymeswithcandi, 20 March 2008 - 11:01 AM.

rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-20 11:00:00
CanadaPOE Review with AP - Peace Bride Crossing
QUOTE (flames9 @ Mar 27 2008, 08:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Glad you listened to ur husband, he sounds like a smart guy!! tongue.gif


Hahaha! He has his moments I suppose. Mostly, I'm the smart one though (or I like to think)
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-27 07:59:00
CanadaPOE Review with AP - Peace Bride Crossing
QUOTE (Crikey! @ Mar 27 2008, 08:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rhymeswithcandi @ Mar 27 2008, 08:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That was it. In total, it took about 15 minutes.

A snap!!

I'm leaving the country again tomorrow (this time by air) so I'll let everyone know how that goes smile.gif I'm supposed to turn in the I-94 to someone at the airport when I leave - not sure who but I'll find out.

Wow. 15 minutes. That's gotta be a record! laughing.gif

They won't take your I-94 at the airport, Mandi. It's been validated with an expiry date to match your AP. At least that's been my experience. We all know that's subject to each officer's interpretation of policy. However, it's also been my experience that an expired I-94 is not removed at the airport. But it has been removed and replaced at re-entry.

Glad you had a great visit!


I thought it was pretty quick too! I had warned my husband that it might take 45 minutes to an hour and he thought I was crazy. When we left he said "SEE! I told you it wasn't going to take an HOUR!" Of course they had to prove me wrong smile.gif
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-27 07:45:00
CanadaPOE Review with AP - Peace Bride Crossing
I FINALLY got to go for a visit to Canada for Easter weekend and it was GREAT! The 10 hour drive was totally worth it (even though my husband did all the driving)

On the way back into the US, we crossed at the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie/ Buffalo).

We handed the officer my passport and my husband's military ID. He asked our citizenship and where we lived. We told him we both live in VA and were going home. Then he asked my status and I told him I was applying for AOS and had Advanced Parole documents which I gave to him (with my marriage certificate because my passport has my maiden name). Then he said "We need to stamp this don't we?" I told him it was my first time using the AP so I didn't know. Then he put our docs in an envelope and told us to go to the building and we could get our docs there. We waited about 10 minutes (the waiting room in the building isn't heated btw) before the officer called me up. He just handed me all my papers and ID and said we could go.

He had stamped my passport and put an I-94 slip inside. They stamped one of my AP papers and gave them both back to me. I've heard that sometimes they take one of them but they gave me both.

That was it. In total, it took about 15 minutes.

A snap!!

I'm leaving the country again tomorrow (this time by air) so I'll let everyone know how that goes smile.gif I'm supposed to turn in the I-94 to someone at the airport when I leave - not sure who but I'll find out.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-27 07:28:00
CanadaI'm home
QUOTE (~Laura and Nick~ @ Mar 26 2008, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Crikey! @ Mar 26 2008, 10:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Awwww. How lovely. luv.gif You did tell him that it requires a matching necklace, didn't you? innocent.gif


laughing.gif
Nick already bought me the most beautiful diamond butterfly necklace and I wear it every day so...I don't really need another one..... rolleyes.gif or do I? devil.gif
laughing.gif


Lucky! That's the sweetest!

Sorry you're feeling so down missing your guy. I REALLY know how that feels and it really sucks. You'll be together soon though and it'll all be worth it. Sounds mushy but I feel like I appreciate my guy more because we had to do long distance for so long.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-27 12:49:00
CanadaI'm home
QUOTE (Crikey! @ Mar 27 2008, 08:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Would you mind emailing that pic to my husband, Marilyn? laughing.gif



laughing.gif Mine too!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-27 12:46:00
Canadai'm so freaken happy
I hope it's your visa (and I'm sure it is)

Congratulations!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-04-18 07:14:00
CanadaWe made it to 1 year!
Congratulations!!

The first year is definitely tough... My husband and I will be thawing the top part of our cake in 3 weeks!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-05-12 08:04:00
CanadaAdding a Canadian fiance/spouse to US bank acct
My husband's bank was VERY strict about it and he wasn't able to add me to his account until I had a SS#. The quoted the Patriot Act as their reason. When I finally did get a SS# they wanted FOUR pieces of photo ID faxed to them as well as my SS card.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-05-12 08:02:00
CanadaOur Story
This might sound shady but unless your passport is stamped or there was some record made of your entering... how then really do they know that you have or have not stayed longer than 6 months without exiting?
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-21 10:11:00
CanadaOur Story
QUOTE (Allie @ Feb 10 2008, 01:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
He can ask for an extension on that 6 months as long as it's under visitor status.
One thing to remember though, if out of Canada for over 6 months your health care benefits are forfieted and on your return it takes awhile for em to kick back in


Good point but, unless you officially change your resident status, there is no way for Canada to know you're gone longer than 6 months.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-02-11 12:16:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
QUOTE (liz_legend @ May 7 2008, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
oh my gosh!
someone bought our fine china from our registry!!! happy.gif



this is so exciting!


That's SO great! I remember when I set up my registry I would watch it kind of obsessively to see what was being bought.

It's very pretty china!
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-05-07 07:20:00
ChinaGifts to the bride's family
QUOTE (dennis777 @ Mar 21 2008, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
unsure.gif Jesus, is that is the custom? I hope it's the only occasion to fork over money like that ??
If no one can help you with that question, I'll call my cousin, he has several friends there and travels there often. Maybe telling folks the province would help, customs may vary in a large country.


There are a few other times they give money - I remember lots of red envelopes (for putting money in) and they're given out at Chinese New Year too.

Gift giving customs are SO different in Chinese culture.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-21 09:35:00
ChinaGifts to the bride's family
QUOTE (kraigster @ Mar 21 2008, 07:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My fiance lives in China and people tell her that it is customary to give gifts to the bride's parents when they marry. I said, "Okay, what kind of gifts"? She said, "Money and a few other small things". How much money ? 60,000 yuan. Holy cow! That alot of bread I said. With todays exchange rate thats got to be close to $8,000 U.S. This does not sound right to me. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing !


When I lived in Taiwan, a few of my Taiwanese co-workers became engaged. It is customary to give gifts to friends and family when you announce the engagement. Most girls came in and gave beautiful boxes filled with handmade cookies (I would imagine they cost about $20 each) I've also heard of giving the bride's parents money upon engagement. That being said though - I know that the married couples I knew also got a LOT of money from friends and family (people they barely knew) for wedding presents. To be honest, 60,000 yuan does sound a little steep.

I would ask your fiance to elaborate on the exact customs carried out by her own family as I'm sure everyone is different.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-03-21 06:40:00
CanadaProblems with AP
That's awesome! Thanks.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-01-16 19:34:00
CanadaProblems with AP
QUOTE (trailmix @ Jan 16 2008, 06:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi there,

I don't know if this will be helpful or not - but my Sister lives in Nebraska and her Husband filed his AOS on July 17th. He had biometrics a week later - then nothing, not a peep until a couple of weeks ago when he got his appointment letter for February - then last week when his EAD was approved and ordered.

So it is finally moving along and I hope you get some action soon!

As Karen mentioned, Carla's coffee is very good!



The series of events in you're sister's husband's case seems so random... it further shows me that there is no rhyme or reason to the way USCIS does things.

You've all got me curious about this coffee... I'll have to stick around for that.
rhymeswithcandiFemaleCanada2008-01-16 18:57:00