ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomAnyone heading before xmas

Fly Heathrow to Dulles on 15th December. I will have four massive heavy suitcases with me - can't wait to be with my husband.

Our first Christmas in our own home. Visa process behind us (for 2 years at least)
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-11 18:45:00
United KingdomWedding Registries - did anyone use them for gifts for the wedding?
John Lewis is really good - we used that one and the customer service was great. You also have the option of letting your guests buy you vouchers there which can be useful if you want to choose the gifts later.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-10 05:02:00
United Kingdomwhat did you wear to your interview?
QUOTE (rocks @ Dec 5 2008, 12:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (English Muffin @ Dec 4 2008, 07:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wore jeans and a t-shirt and the majority of the other people there were similarly attired. Bear in mind that the ConOff will only be able to see you from the shoulders up.

oh ok. thanks! that has put my mind at rest, trying to buy a skirt suit at this time of year seems impossible.

maybe i should wear something low cut and hope i get a man? laughing.gif


Actually I had two very good looking young men - a British one who did the first interview bit and looked through the papers and a very cute American guy for the main interview.

Obviously am a happily married woman etc but it certainly made the whole experience more pleasant! wink.gif
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-06 06:16:00
United KingdomAny other way to get case status from London?
Congratulations! Happy Christmas
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-23 16:40:00
United KingdomAny other way to get case status from London?
I had requested an earlier date and the Embassy gave me one and said they had sent an email out with the new date on it but it never arrived. If it isn't there by tomorrow you should definitely phone the Embassy or email (with the special code) and ask for another one.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-15 10:18:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
QUOTE (desilu @ Dec 11 2008, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My CR1 visa was approved this morning. kicking.gif Relatively pain free. Out of embassy by 9am

Thanks for thinking of me guys biggrin.gif They didnt mention I could have the visa today, just the usual 3-5 days courier delivery. But that's ok as my POE will be in January so no hurry. Im just glad it's approved yay! biggrin.gif


Congratulations!
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-11 10:12:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
That's really useful to know - hmmm I wonder if desilu saw that message in time?

Mine was definitely ready that afternoon because that's when the courier firm first texted me to say they had it ready for delivery.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-11 04:26:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
That sounds positive - I'm sorry you had such a hard time
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-09 19:31:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Good luck for tomorrow.

My visa was available for delivery the following day from the interview so you probably won't have long to wait even if they don't release it that day

Edited by lsma, 08 December 2008 - 12:10 PM.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-08 12:10:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
And that's a yes to a visa for us! Will write review later when I come down off this big high!

Lynne
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-05 06:59:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Thanks Laura x
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-25 10:45:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Hi Laura+Tom - actually I am assuming it's Laura who does all the updates?

I have managed to get my interview date moved forward to the 5th Dec. So it's looking more hopeful to get there before Christmas!

Lynne
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-25 07:52:00
United KingdomThe 2008 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
I have an interview on 17th December
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-10-29 20:51:00
United Kingdom~Off Topic Thread~
Merry Christmas x
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-24 23:58:00
United Kingdom~Off Topic Thread~
Has anyone ever had an allergic reaction to chopped basil? My eye has just suddenly swelled up - the only thing I can think is that I was chopping fresh basil and might have touched my eye? It's so weird this has never happened to me.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-10 14:36:00
United Kingdom~Off Topic Thread~
The funniest thing just happened to my interview letter...

The Embassy had oddly sent it to my husband's address in the US - so he Express mailed it over to me here. Well it hadn't arrived and I was just wondering where it was when a neighbour from the farm up the road came down holding it. She had just found it in her dog's bed!

Apparently he has a habit of lying in wait for the postman and stealing a bit of post which he then just keeps and sleeps with. She found it today when she was cleaning his bed and has no idea how long he's had it!!

Thank goodness he didn't just chew it up - we would never have known where it went!
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-29 07:52:00
United KingdomHappy New Year!!!
Happy New Year x
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-01 01:23:00
United KingdomHow do we get from Euston train station to the embassy?
Taxi is probably going to end up only a little more expensive. If you don't have an Oyster card now in London all paper tickets cost at least £3 each for a single.




TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-15 21:17:00
United KingdomShaz 'n' Daymo's Sad Arse X Factor Thread
I can't believe I watched the whole programme for that!
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-29 17:28:00
United KingdomShaz 'n' Daymo's Sad Arse X Factor Thread
Is the Hannah Montana girl on to show a kind of before and after with Britney? You know...this is what they're like before they get fried by the industry?

Edited by lsma, 29 November 2008 - 04:11 PM.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-29 16:11:00
United KingdomShaz 'n' Daymo's Sad Arse X Factor Thread
When does Britters come out and show them how it's done?
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-11-29 15:27:00
United KingdomTraditional English Sunday Roast
Lamb is my favourite roast. Beef a close second.

I plan to attempt to do a Sunday roast over here most weeks - although it won't be the same
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-18 12:36:00
United Kingdomp4
QUOTE (rocks @ Jan 29 2009, 04:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (The_dip_sticks @ Jan 29 2009, 11:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you, Im just worried on how will we get into the interview if we dont have the p4 letter.

there was a girl here who had that problem too. i think she got the london embassy to send her an email confirming the interview. i hope this helps. smile.gif


That may have been me? In the end it turned out a neighbour's dog had stolen my letter from the postman and hidden it in his bed (not joking) so in the end I got it back in time (just). But the Embassy told me that an email confirming the appointment would probably have been okay. When I was there they had a list they were ticking people off so your name should be on the door.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-02 14:26:00
United Kingdom~Off Topic Thread 2009~
Just have to say how much I love 'Shameless' again - gave hubby the full box set for Christmas and we have been watching a few episodes every night - I'd forgotten how good it was.

The husband loves it - he's practising saying things like bog roll, par'y and sca''er.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-02 14:55:00
United KingdomEngland
QUOTE (Stinky Monkey @ Jan 31 2009, 10:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lsma @ Jan 31 2009, 12:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm going back to the UK for a short visit next week and will be bringing back...


PG Tips teabags
Small tins of Heinz baked beans
Heinz tomato ketchup
Birds' custard powder
Crumpets
Digestive biscuits
Lemsips
Bounty bars
Treacle

Have I forgotten anything?



You cant get Heinz tomatoe Ketchup there???? Freeze some decent bread and take it back hahahahaha


The ketchup doesn't taste the same - I swear it's a different recipe. I'm making my own bread so that's something I don't need to bring - apart from crumpets - they're too hard to make.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-31 16:57:00
United KingdomEngland
I'm going back to the UK for a short visit next week and will be bringing back...


PG Tips teabags
Small tins of Heinz baked beans
Heinz tomato ketchup
Birds' custard powder
Crumpets
Digestive biscuits
Lemsips
Bounty bars
Treacle

Have I forgotten anything?
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-30 19:52:00
United KingdomEngland
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Jan 20 2009, 06:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (broma25 @ Jan 20 2009, 06:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Jan 19 2009, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think you'd find some of the sleepier towns in Connecticut might be more to your liking than Florida. When I took my husband (back before he was just my boyfriend, not even my fiance) back home to meet my parents he fell in love with the place completely. He is far more homesick now for CT than England. People are more like what you're used to as well, and there are plenty of folks from the UK all over the state. My local supermarkets stocked tons of British goods as well -- very useful when you need a Mint Viscount!



Mint Viscounts huh....I feel a drive to Conneticut in order! Whats the name of the supermarket Elm??


You can get them at Shaw's Supermarket in Hamden or the Stop & Shop in Amity, both off Route 15 (the Merritt Parkway). Also Lucozade, Lion bars, Bounty bars, Mint Aeros, Maltesers, Hob Nobs of assorted varieties, Robinson's lemon barley water, Ribena, Bisto, Paxo, Lloyd Grossman sauces, PG Tips, HP Sauce, Heniz salad cream, and on and on. I wish my local supermarkets here stocked even just Bounty bars so I wouldn't have to drive to World Market!


OMG - I need Lucozade and Bounty bars - anyone know where I can get these in DC?

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-21 19:31:00
United KingdomEngland
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Jan 18 2009, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lsma @ Jan 18 2009, 10:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Definitely want to move back. We plan to do so in about 5/6 years - I wish it was a bit sooner.

Then we will come back here again after 5/6 years in the UK

and then back again I think....

I like the idea of living in both countries.


Are you going to have furnishings, etc. stored in both countries?


I think so because the cost of sending things back and forth is ridiculous. I have a lot of furniture currently stored at my parents' house which I may not bring over here then we can just use that to set up a place over there.

Best case scenario is to have a house or apartment in both countries which we can rent out when not there but at the moment that's just the dream plan.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-18 12:34:00
United KingdomEngland
Definitely want to move back. We plan to do so in about 5/6 years - I wish it was a bit sooner.

Then we will come back here again after 5/6 years in the UK

and then back again I think....

I like the idea of living in both countries.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-18 10:11:00
United KingdomWhat was the transition like?
QUOTE (Welshcookie @ Jan 30 2009, 05:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Jan 29 2009, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Jan 28 2009, 04:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Fortunately I managed to find a duvet my first day here in BB&B.

NO YOU DIDN'T WHY MUST YOU LIE SO WHYYYYYYYY mad.gif


QUOTE (Robyn-n-Kris @ Jan 28 2009, 03:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We've found Duvets for sale around here so it is possible. LOL

NO YOU DIDN'T EITHER mad.gif mad.gif mad.gif



tongue.gif laughing.gif tongue.gif

laughing.gif I ordered ours online from an American store....and we were still living in England! Crazy!! laughing.gif tongue.gif

Ahhhh...I love the whole Duvet Debate...it somehow never bores me smile.gif


I found pretty decent duvets at Ikea in Virginia. My husband who was still living with sheets and blankets has been so AMAZED at how warm and cozy the duvets are. He mentions it almost every morning! We are living in a log cabin so warmth is a priority for me - I got the ones which you add two together to make it very warm and then in spring I will split them and put the warmer tog away.

TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-30 19:36:00
United KingdomHe wants to go back
This is the major life transitions graph from the article above -



From http://www.eoslifewo...k/transmgt1.htm
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-28 11:36:00
United KingdomHe wants to go back

I understand how your husband is feeling - I'm feeling small waves of homesickness here and I'm already looking forward to the time we can go and live in England for a while (about 6 years away)

Something else which might help to read at this time...

There's some interesting research done on how to manage big life changes - marriage, bereavement, immigration.

Things tend to get really tough about six months after the big change but this article contains suggestions on how to deal with the transition. It also has an interesting graph which may help your husband visualise the feelings he has been having.

http://www.eoslifewo...k/transmgt1.htm


TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-28 11:24:00
United KingdomTaking over posessions and belongings
I paid for an extra suitcase on my trip over - it only cost about £80. Then I had my parents bring some things over on their first visit and I have a plan to bring more things over each time I come back for a visit. I'm planning on at least 3 visits a year back home so will have plenty of opportunity to slowly get everything over. Still not sure what to do about the furniture and big items.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-17 20:31:00
United KingdomVisiting UK multiple times?
My husband and I dated long distance for three years before we got married and we each used to fly to see each other about five or six times a year. Neither of us really had any problems - coming in to the US I always got questioned about my return and how long staying etc.

My husband only had a problem once in all the visits to the UK when he hadn't printed off the return ticket - we always book online as well but we've found that as long as you have a printed off the email receipt you get they take that as the ticket.

The best thing is to bring all your proof of return documents - I always took a letter from my employer saying when they expected me back at work - and stay calm. It's their job to probe a little but try not to let it get you in a panic or you will appear as though you have something to hide.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-23 06:59:00
United KingdomBritish food stores

Anyone seen any Cadbury's Creme Eggs for sale in the DC area?
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-05 18:44:00
United KingdomTime frame for legally staying in the United Kingdom
Any chance of getting a tourist visa as a way of extending his current visa?

If not...

You have three full months until he has to leave so the AP may be over by then. If I were you I would persist in trying to find out if final bit of the process - the visa printing - can be transferred from one Embassy to another.

Try emailing the London Embassy again with that question and then the Islamabad Embassy. Perhaps you should try to get a face to face with someone in the US - the Infopass thing to establish that question.

I think that would have to be the most logical way to proceed if the AP lasts longer than Nov. I really hope you don't have to start all over again with the CR1 route.

I know how hard it is getting info out of the London Embassy - any chance you will be in London over the next few months. Perhaps you could try going in and talking to someone there yourself about the possibility of transferring the case if necessary.

When you email London I would recommend not asking how long the AP will take as they will just give you the standard response but focus on the possibility of transfer after Nov. There's probably some ridiculous USCIS reason why they can't do it but you never know.






TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-01 08:15:00
United KingdomCountdown
QUOTE (Stinky Monkey @ Feb 2 2009, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lsma @ Feb 2 2009, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Damian P @ Feb 2 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
All I have to do is chuck stuff in a suitcase, and I'm ready to go. I'm not shpping anything over: if I can't carry it, it stays here!! And as for the weather?? Oh yeah, it's snowing over here alright! It's like the North Pole out there!


I took the no shipping option too (well for now). All my big stuff - furniture and furnishings ect is squatting at my parents' house and I just brought stuff over in suitcases.

Coming back to the UK with my husband tomorrow for a visit (travel permitting) and we are both bringing two empty suitcases over to bring back more of my things.



Good luck definately check with the airlines before leaving a few airports have been shut and over 250 flights cancelled out of Heathrow


I know! After dealing with snow over here for 2 weeks I thought I was going to get away from it. Am flying into Manchester which is better than London at the moment. But then need to get a train down to London later in the week - hope it's all melted by then!
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-02 12:31:00
United KingdomCountdown
QUOTE (Damian P @ Feb 2 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
All I have to do is chuck stuff in a suitcase, and I'm ready to go. I'm not shpping anything over: if I can't carry it, it stays here!! And as for the weather?? Oh yeah, it's snowing over here alright! It's like the North Pole out there!


I took the no shipping option too (well for now). All my big stuff - furniture and furnishings ect is squatting at my parents' house and I just brought stuff over in suitcases.

Coming back to the UK with my husband tomorrow for a visit (travel permitting) and we are both bringing two empty suitcases over to bring back more of my things.
TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-02-02 11:22:00
United KingdomUK Vaccinations
Hi had the MMR vaccine at my GPs before the immigration medical. The nurse was confused that an adult wanted it - she kept saying but it's only of use to children - especially as I had had measles and mumps as a child and had had the rubella vaccine at 13.

When I insisted that US immigration needed it she spent 15 minutes calling various people in the health authority trying to work out if I should be charged for the shot.

Eventually after about 5 calls which all went the same way..

"No, she's an adult....yes.....US immigration apparently....I know, how bizarre"

They all gave up trying to work out a price and gave me it for free.


TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-28 13:00:00
United KingdomRant thread
QUOTE (Allie and Nigel @ Nov 20 2009, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
-------TRUE STUFF----->

I understand yes.gif If they can review documents in 30 mins on the day of the interview and approve it. Why does it takes 2 months to review the same documents they would have seen on the day of the interview?? blink.gif


I second that!


I think it's the unfairness of the system which makes people want to rant a bit - when you see people who filed at the same time as you get processed months before you do for no apparent reason.

We got stuck in the backlog of 2007 and our CR1 petition sat in a big pile untouched at VSC for ten months (it took over 3 months just to get the NOA1). At the point when VSC finally started transferring cases to CSC to get them done - it took 2 weeks from transfer to approval. So for ten months it sat in a pile in some filing room and we had no way of knowing what was happening. In the end it took 14 months to go from filing to the interview and we had a simple case with no RFEs - we were just at the back of a big queue.

On the one hand I was able to accept that we just had bad luck and had to grin and bear it. But when people who filed six months or so after us at VSC suddenly started getting approvals (it was as if they had dumped the new post on top of the old pile and were dealing with that first) it was really hard not to want to rant and rave about the unfairness of it all.

It's almost 12 months on now from my POE and while most of that frustration disappeared with 'getting on with real life' I am still cross that we spent the first 18 months of our marriage apart because of a failure of the system. I'd been prepared for several months apart but never thought we'd miss all those 1st year milestones.

I remember people back then telling those of us caught in the backlog that we had to be patient but it was hard especially during the 96 days it took to get the NOA1 and the cheque cashed. We all spent 3 months not even knowing if the package had even made it to the right place.


TrellickFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-19 22:10:00