ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAm I eligible?
If you are granted a K-1, once you enter the US and get married within the required 90 days, you will be able to remain in the USA. Once married you will apply to adjust your status from a K-1 holder to that of legal permanent resident. The result of adjusting status is the issuance of a 2 year conditional green card.

You don't have to apply for another visa once you have been granted the K-1. The K-3 visa is for a USC that is married to non USC. They would need to file for a K-3 so that the non USC spouse could come and live in the US. If you apply for a K-1 that is the only visa you will need to stay in the US permanently (as long as you meet all the requirements of the visa !!)

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-06-02 22:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInfoPass
Looking at your timeline you only submitted your I-129F on June 5th which means its only been at Vermont for 4 days (if it's even reached Vermont yet !!).

Infopass appointments are made at your local USCIS office but will not effect the processing of an I-129F petition because those are processed at regional processing centers. There is no way to 'speed up' the processing of an I-129F and to be honest, if after 4 days you are already looking for ways to speed things up, you're going to drive yourself nuts once you've been waiting 90+ days !!

Most people who use the infopass system do so during the AOS and EAD application process which doesn't start until after your Fiance is in the US and you have got married. Even then, an infopass appointment is of no use unless a person has been waiting for at least the projected processing period. making an infopass appointment when an application is still within a normal processing timeframe will just result in you being turned away and told to return when you reach that projected time limit with no news.

Sit tight and try to be patient.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-06-09 08:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHi, I'm bran new here...
Bill,

To the left of each of your posts is a section showing the type of visa you are applying for, where your fiancee is from and your local office. Clicking on Tucson or Thailand in this section will take you to a list of others applying through tucson or with significant others from thailand.

I'm also sure there is a Thai section within the regional discussions forum.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-07-29 10:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting While K1 is Being Processed
As long as you have the correct visa / permissions etc.. to visit your Fiance's home country, the pending K-1 will have no impact on you travelling to Africa.

A pending K-1 is only likely to have an impact on the non USC visiting the US during the application process. The USC visiting the non USC should be as straightforward as usual.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-07-28 13:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage before K1 Interview

YES BUT YOU NEED TO PROVE THAT YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED BY PROVIDING EVIDENCES SUCH AS CATERER QUOTES!!!
How do you solve the catch 22???

(It is said everywhere that you have to prove:
That the couple previously met within the two (2) years of the date of filing the petition, UNLESS A WAIVER IS GRANTED;
That the couple has a bona fide intention to marry; AND
The couple is legally able and actually willing to conclude a valid marriage in the United States within 90 days after the foreign fiancee’s arrival.)


It is not a requirement to show receipts for caterers etc.. at the embassy interview. While some people feel that it adds weight to their evidence of actually planning to marry, many many people have courthouse weddings that don't ever include caterers etc.. A bona fide intent to marry is confirmed by the signed letters of intent, that is all that is required by the USCIS to determine your desire to actually follow through with the marriage within the allotted timeframe.

I know that we went ahead and finalised all of our wedding plans before the interview but we didn't do so until I had been granted an interview date. We had a very straightforward case and I was confident that if I could get as far as an Embassy interview, we wouldn't have any problems. We knew that booking anything any further ahead than that would be way too risky.

Hopefully the OP will find the Embassy to be accommodating of their situation.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-02 08:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage before K1 Interview
Email the Embassy (londonconsular@state.gov), explain the tight timeline you are on and request that you be scheduled for an interview as soon as possible. If you make it clear that you have all the documents ready for the interview they might just be able to squeeze you in somewhere.

Bearing in mind that an interview is no good without a completed medical i'd also get work on getting your medical done so that you are all set in the event that an earlier interview date is made available.

The visa section at the Embassy might look on your plight favourably but you won't know unless you ask.

Good luck

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-07-31 15:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo I even need a K1 as a Canadian?

In other words, if we were to get married now, apply for an adjustment of status (which does NOT require me to be on K1, since I had no actual intent to remain in the US at the time I entered the country under B2) but not receive the AP or LPR before our honeymoon in the Carribean, would I be permitted to re-enter the US to visit my husband?


If you apply for AOS, regardless of the visa you entered the US on, you will need to remain in the US until either the AOS application has been approved and you hold LPR status OR you receive AP.

I beleive (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that once you apply to adjust your status, whatever visa you entered on becomes null and void for the purposes of re-entry to the US.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-03 14:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresforms
If you are filling out these forms in readiness for your interview at the embassy in London then there is no specific filing fee just for them.

Once you send them in along with the document checklist you will receive another packet of forms from the embassy which will include a payment slip which has to be paid before you show up at the embassy for the interview. I beleive this is 60 pounds (or at least it was when I applied back in 2005).

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-16 19:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTips on Letter to a congressman
This is the letter I sent to my governor regarding the wait I had to endure for my EAD....

Mr. Shimkus,

I am writing to you in connection with two ongoing applications I have filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. In particular, I would greatly appreciate it if your office could look into the status of the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (EAD) which I submitted at the end of May, 2005. Below I have outlined the details of my case.

On March 11th 2005 I entered the US on a K-1 Fiance Visa which had been issued by the US Embassy in London, UK at the end of February 2005. At the end of April, in accordance with the conditions of my K-1 visa, I was married. I then set about putting together two applications which were sent to the USCIS District Office in Chicago. The first was the forms and supporting documents for an I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (AOS). The second was the forms and supporting documents for an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (EAD). Both applications were mailed on May 24th and the USCIS mailed me two I-797C notices of action which I received on June 18th, stating that both applications had been received. The notices of action (NOA) for both the I-485 and I-765 asked me to arrange a Biometrics appointment at my local USCIS office in St. Louis. I did as instructed and attended a Biometrics appointment on July 26th. The online case status for my I-765 application stated a projected processing timeline of between 30 and 90 days.

On July 21st, I received a letter from the USCIS, requesting additional evidence in the form of a Vaccination Supplement (Form I-693). According to the letter, this request was associated with my I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status as no mention was made of my I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. I returned the completed vaccination supplement to the Missouri Service Center (Otherwise known as the National Benefits Center) on July 28th, 2005 and received and online case update on August 3rd that the requested document had been received and that processing would resume on this application. Since August 3rd, I have had no word on the progress of either of these applications.

On September 7th 2005, I arranged an INFOPASS appointment at my local USCIS office in St. Louis for September 16th in the hope that I would be able to successfully request an Interim Employment Authorization Document. September 16th would be 92 days since receiving an NOA for my I-765 application. I had checked on the USCIS website about the conditions under which an Interim EAD could be issued and found the following information at http://uscis.gov/text/howdoi/ead.htm …

“What is an Employment Authorization Document?
U.S. employers must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are allowed to work in the United States. If you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to prove you may work in the United States.

USCIS issues Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in the following categories:
• EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States.
• Renewal EAD: You should apply for a renewal EAD six months before your original EAD expires.
• Replacement EAD: This document replaces a lost, stolen, or mutilated EAD. A replacement EAD also replaces an EAD that was issued with incorrect information, such as a misspelled name.
• Interim EAD: If USCIS does not approve or deny your EAD application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim EAD document. “
Also further down the same page on the USCIS website I found the following…

“If USCIS does not approve or deny your Employment Authorization Document application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim Employment Authorization Document. You must go to your local USCIS office and bring with you proof of your identity and any documents that USCIS has sent you about your employment authorization application. Please click here for more information on USCIS field offices.”

I attended my INFOPASS appointment on September 16th, bringing with me the I-797C notice of action issued in connection with my I-765 Application and my passport and state ID. When I explained to the woman answering questions that it was now 92 days since receiving an NOA for my I-765 application and that I would like to request an Interim EAD, I was told that she couldn’t do anything because “The 90 day count after which an Interim EAD can be issued doesn’t start until the date that your Biometrics were completed”. There is no mention of this requirement on either the USCIS website or the online case status that gives the projected processing time for the application. When I showed her printouts of the webpage that I’ve quoted above, I was told that an I-765 application is not considered complete until Biometrics have been completed. Again, there is no mention of this condition on any of the documentation available from the USCIS.

I would have been happy to go home and wait, potentially until October 24th, for the new 90 day mark to be reached before I contacted the USCIS. However, I have been made aware through an online immigration forum which I am actively involved in, that other people in my exact situation have successfully requested an interim EAD at their local USCIS office on the 91st day after they received their I-797C notice of action. It appears clear to me that it has been left up to the individual field offices to interpret the 90 day rule as they see fit. When the officers adjudicating these requests hold the power to fundamentally affect someone’s life so powerfully by withholding the permission they need to go out and legally earn money, I think it is a disgrace that the guidelines governing the issuance of such an important document are so fluid.

Having spent 8 months in the UK waiting for my initial visa application to be approved, I had more than enough time to research the process that I would have to go through once I arrived in the US. My wife and I were fully prepared for a wait once I was in the US, before I would be in a position to look for work and truly start contributing to my new life. However, at the moment I feel like I have done everything that the USCIS has requested and barriers are still being placed in my way.

I would be hugely grateful if your office could use the information that I’ve provided to look into the situation I have outlined. I want nothing more than to be able to go out and start looking for work. If your office could either look into the current status of my EAD application, or provide me with something concrete that I can present to my local USCIS office in St. Louis, so that they cannot dispute a future request for an Interim EAD, I would be most appreciative.

Yours Sincerely,


The woman who dealt with my case praised me on the information included in my letter. As one of the previous posters stated, assume they know nothing about the immigration service and provide as much information as you can in a logical (preferably chronological) order.

Good luck

Mark
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-23 17:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 visa items to file. Who and Where?
Please read the guides section (found at the top of the page)... there is a complete breakdown of the K-1 process there to clear up all your questions. If after readin the guide you still have questions, feel free to post again !! :)

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-24 17:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow risky???
As you will be travelling using the Visa Waiver Program I would say that as long as you bring proof of significant ties to Germany and can demonstrate a solid need to return (I'd say your pending K-1 and your son would be a pretty cinvincing case !!) then you will probably have very few problems visiting.

Many people from VWP countries visit during the process (Including myself) and as long as you are fully prepared to answer any and all questions fully and honestly and can provide the proof I spoke about you should be good to go.

You are not staying for anything close to the full 90 days allowed under the VWP, nor do you appear to have any kind of history of multiple visits that could constitute abuse of the VWP. All of that works in your favour. A letter from an employer or school stating a date that you are expected back would be helpful as well. of course, you might not get asked to show ANY of this proof but having it ready will help you if needed.

Best of luck

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-10-30 20:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresvisit the US during K-1 application process
I visited my Fiancee twice during the visa process, once for 10 days and once for 17 days. Like the previous poster, both times I brought a letter from my employer stating when I was due back at work, along with anything else I could think of to demonstrate ongoing ties to the UK. Neither time was I asked for any of this extra evidence and I was never sent for secondary questioning. The second time I also had my NOA2 but again was never asked to show it. I said I was visiting my Fiancee both times and this didn't raise any extra questions either.

The thing to remember is that ANYONE (pending visa or not) has to demonstrate to the POE officer that they intend to return to their country on or before the expiration date of whatever visa (in your case the 90 day I-94) they are entering on. Yes... the fact that you have a ending visa **May** increase the scrutiny under which you are viewed but it doesn't mean that you will be grilled and turned away. The best policy is to travel fully prepared with as much evidence that you plan to return and to answer any and all questions 100% honestly.

Your chances of extra questions will increase with the length of your planned visit. If you are planning on staying more than a couple of weeks then I would expect to be required to show that proof of ongoing ties. A few weeks or less and I wouldn't expect much more questioning than any other visitor.

Best of luck with your visit.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-01-07 21:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat constitutes a legal marriage after K-1 Fiancee Arrives?
Being granted a marriage lisence doesn't constitute being legally married.

Just get legally married at the local court house. That will fulfill all the K-1 requirements. Then you can arrange to have a larger religious ceremony later on.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-06-04 11:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSetting a marriage date whilst waiting for the visa
Debs and I didn't finalize our date until I received my interview date. Now maybe we were still taking a risk at that stage but I felt that barring some kind of disaster at the interview, the visa was all but in the bag. It worked out fine, the interview went smoothly, the visa was issued promptly and I was on my way to the US within 2 weeks.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-01-25 16:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Mar 27 2008, 01:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (luv2teach77 @ Mar 27 2008, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Edited to remove the slew of innacurate info I just posted.... My bad !! tongue.gif


laughing.gif cute!


As soon as I read your post I realized that my information on this subject is missing a few key facts. I'm man enough to realize when I'm wrong and wouldn't want to mis-inform anyone.

Thanks for the education biggrin.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-27 14:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?
Edited to remove the slew of innacurate info I just posted.... My bad !! tongue.gif

Edited by luv2teach77, 27 March 2008 - 01:53 PM.

luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-03-27 13:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdon't know where to start
you cannot legally live in the US without having been granted a visa that allows you to do so. From what I read of the Nexus program, Nexus cards are issued to people who reside in either Canada or the USA and who the CBP see as having a low risk of remaining in the non-resident country beyond what a typical visitor would be legally allowed.

For this reason, I am almost certain that living in the US and travelling across the border every day would cause the CBP to question your trips and the constant crossing of the border. Also... a visitor needs to show that they spend more time in their country than in the US. Spending more than 50% of your time in the US without a valid immigrant visa will raise flags regarding your immigrant intent and could cause problems if you choose to apply for a visa to move to the US at some point in the future.

I understand that you want to be together and that your Fiance moving to Canada at the moment isn't an option but there are ways to do it and I don't think that your plan is either legal or will work for any length of time.

Sorry I don't have more positive news.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-05-11 19:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Petition already filed for US -- can we have a marriage ceremony in both countries?
You're applying for a Fiancee visa. Performing anything that could even be interpreted as a wedding (legally binding or not) could invalidate or seriously hamper your K-1 application. Play safe and leave the wedding ceremonies until after you've been granted the visa.
luv2teach77MaleEngland2009-07-22 06:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage license requirements for K-1 holders
Pi,

I agree that the information you have found, as well as the other information provided by posters is correct.

My wife and I live in Illinois but got married at the Larimore House which is in Florissant, MO (North East of the city). We applied for our Marriage lisence in person at City Hall on Market St. downtown and I was only required to show my passport and birth certificate.

The area you're moving too is great, If my wife didn't have ties to Illinois we would love to live near Forest Park. It is great to have such a huge area where you can get out and be active for free. Being close to the metro is awesome too, especially if you can find a job near another metro station. I make a 84 mile round trip every day to work in Clayton and would probably save a fortune on gas if I could get to and from work without using a car.

Mark smile.gif
luv2teach77MaleEngland2008-04-04 08:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs it possible for my fiancee to Submit I-129F to USCIS even we have not meet yet???

Me and my fiancee haven't meet in person yet,but we are planning to be engaged within 2-3 months on his next vacation.my fiancee works in asia but as of now its his vacation for a few weeks and spending it with his mom in the states,my question is that, is it possible for him to submit I-129F at the USCIS while he is in the US even we have not meet yet? does anybody know what are the requirements in filing I-129F? please let me know if you have any idea..thanks much


There is no way around the requirement to meet in person, at least once, prior to filing. You say in your original post that he is currently on vacation in the States visiting his mother. What on earth is stopping you from travelling from where you are in the states to where he is IN THE SAME COUNTRY to fulfill the most basic of requirements before filing your I-129F ? It's been many years since my wife and I went through this process but it still amazes me that folks would refer to people that they have never even stood in the same room as, as a Fiancee !!

Just my 2c worth.

Mark
luv2teach77MaleEngland2011-08-15 14:33:00
United KingdomReactions to you accent!
I have many many examples of my accent either being a source of interest of an absolute block during everyday communication. Here are few of the choice ones...

1) Waiting to order in KFC. I decided to make things simple by ordering using the menu number instead of the meal name. Me - "I'll take a number 3 please", KFC Worker - "Huh ??", My Wife - "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA".

2) Whenever I have to give my name in a resteraunt etc.. I say "Mark" like I have for the last 28 years but to people around here it sounds like "Mork" or "Molk" or "Malk". depending on my mood I either just go with whatever they write down or spend 5 minutes trying to sound out the letters so they get it right.

3) Ordering water is always a tricky one. At the moment I refuse to change the way I say it so I either say "I'll take the same as her" or I order coke.

4) I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked where I was from but the funniest times are when people try and guess without asking. "I'd love to visit Australia" or "I've never been to New Zealand". The best one was when i was in Best Buy last weekend and a woman at the cash register asked me if my accent from the East Coast ?? "Ummm... Slightly East of Boston yeah !!" nudge nudge wink wink.

Most of the time I can laugh it off and am pretty understanding about the source of the confusion. It's only when the reactions are rude or the confusion is almost treated like it's my fault that I speak differently. Only then do I get rude back.

Anyways... I have no intentions of trying to tone down my accent, It's what makes me me. I am in touch with enough friends and family back home that the second I start sounding even slightly American they'll let me know !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-07 11:05:00
United KingdomPolce Certificate
You only need a police certificate for any country that you have lived in for longer than 12 months since the age of 16. If you were under 16 when you lived abroad then you don't need to worry. If you were over 16 then you will need to contact the police force who had jurisdiction over where you lived to request a certificate.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-10 17:22:00
United KingdomDS-156
Use the online version if you can. It used to say that using the non-electronic version would increase processing time of packet 3. I don't know if anyone has actually proved if this is true or not but If you can avoid any possible delays by using the elctronic one, I'd go for it !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-13 11:09:00
United KingdomWhy did we choose....?
There were a number of reasons that dictated that I would be the one making the move.

1) Debs has a daughter from her first marriage and there was NO way she would either leave Bekah in the US while she moved to the US or uproot them both and move to the UK.

2) While I had a well paid job in the UK it was far from my dream career and had very few possibilities for career progression etc. Debs has been teaching at the same school for 7 years and is well established. I was pretty sure that'd be able to get another IT related jobso it made no sense for Debs to leave a solid career when I could use the move to start mine.

3) Money in the UK just doesnt go as far as it does here in the US and we were / are 100% convinced that our shared goals will be much more achievable here in the US.

To be honest, Debs moving to the UK was never really an option we gave much thought to. So far, a week shy of 18 months since I made the move we have no regrets. Everything has gone pretty much as planned and is moving in the right direction.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-05 19:30:00
United Kingdompackage 3 and payment
Not sure what it is now... was $60 in Feb of '05 :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-18 14:55:00
United Kingdompackage 3 and payment
Once packet 3 has been returned to the Embassy and processed, a further packet (known as as Packet 4) will be sent out by the Embassy. This will detail the interview date and will contain a payment slip which can be paid at any Barclays bank (without a fee) or any other bank with a fee. A portion of this payment slip whould be taken to the interviw to prove the visa fee has been paid. The embassy in London does not accept payment on the day of the interview.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-17 21:13:00
United KingdomPOE paperwork
yes you need to carry the X-ray and the sealed brown envelope. Make sure you get them both handed back to you before passing through to collect your luggage.

Yes you also need to fill in an I-94 but you want a white one this time, not the green one you're used to completeing. Again, make sure you get this back after it has been stamped and guard it with your life. You need this piece of white card for so many things and it would be a real headache to get a replacement one if you lose it.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-25 10:35:00
United Kingdommoving costs
How much stuff are you looking to actually ship ?

I brought 3 extra suitcases in addition to the 2 I was allowed on American Airlines. I paid about $170GBP in excess baggage charges and the bags arrived at the same time that I did.

I paid about 150GBP to ship my bike using UPS using a 7 days door to door service but its worth mentioning that if you have a bike properly packed in a bike box or carrier, it can be checked in place of one piece of luggage.

You may be looking to ship far more than would fit in suitcases but if you're just talking clothes / CD's etc.. then I'd contact the airline and inquire about excess baggage limits and charges.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-25 13:52:00
United KingdomTravelling to US whilst waiting for K1
I visited St. Louis (POE In Chicago) 3 times during our K-1 application process and one of those times (Christmas 2004) was after our NOA2 had been issued. I never had any problems even when replying that I was visiting my Fiancee. I always had extra proof with me, including a letter from my employer stating when I was expected back at work, but was never asked to show any of it.

Travel prepared to answer extra questions and with as much pertinant proof as you can get together, answer any and all questions 100% truthfully and you should be fine. As long as you haven't been abusing the VWP or have any history of overstays then I'd say that you will be fine !!

Enjoy your visit.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-27 12:56:00
United KingdomHas anyone asked for a temporary work visa?
Remember that even if he gets a temp EAD at JFK, he won't be able to work legally until he has received his Social Security Number.

It's also worth remembering that if he is lucky enough to find a job before the temp EAD expires, he will more than likely have to quit that job when that runs out and won't be re-employable until his actual EAD is issued alongside his AOS application.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-09-26 19:15:00
United KingdomWhere in the UK are you from?
Born in wonderful Stamford-Le-Hope, Essex. Moved to Harrow in North West London when I was 4. I spent 3 years at University in Eastbourne and Lived for about 9 months in a wonderful flat in Stamford Brook (Near Chiswick, West London).

:)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-05 21:20:00
United KingdomMaking the adjustment easier..
Fox soccer channel shows at least 2 premiere league games on Saturday and Sunday. Setanta's residential package at the moment is only available on sattellite (not cable TV). I plan to switch when we get a house so I can keep up with the rugger !!

I've given up on sausages. The closest I can find to fresh pork bangers are fresh made pork bratwursts but they are still not quite the same.

Thanks for the Guardian link !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-01-08 14:29:00
United KingdomAny Brits Hnkering For Some "Real" Bread ??
I'm glad that a few of the brit members will be giving it a try. After eating it for a couple of days the only thing I think I would change would be to use a teeny bit less salt than the recipe suggests. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't taste like it was made with play-dough or anything like that but I think that a slight reduction in the salt content would make it EVEN better.

I hope you all enjoy it as much as have / am.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-29 12:27:00
United KingdomAny Brits Hnkering For Some "Real" Bread ??
Well your image isn't a million miles from the truth really Rebecca....

I love food, always have, and while there are very few things that I can't buy or easily recreate out here in the corn fields, the lack of what I would call decent bread has been a bone of contention for me since day one. I don't need to eat bread every day but when I do I don't want to have to smother it in stuff to hide its taste which is where I find myself with most of the store bought bread I've tried. Now I've found this recipe I know that with a few hours to spare on a weekend, I can produce great tasting bread that will last me for the week ahead.

Next weekend I plan to fill two slices of the aforementioned bread with a couple of rashers of irish bacon from the local British Grocery store and a fried egg and forget about the world for the 2.5 seconds it will take me to devour it !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-27 20:11:00
United KingdomAny Brits Hnkering For Some "Real" Bread ??
oh...

ummm... Nope. No bread machine for me. I worked that dough with my own fair hand. Let it rise to about twice its original size on the first rise, then whack all the air out of it and knead it again before sticking it into the loaf tin. Let it rise again until its up to the top of the tin and then put it on the middle shelf of the oven, pre-heated to 450 and bake for 35-40 mins. When you turn it out of the tin onto a wire rack for cooling, tapping the bottom should produce a sound like its hollow. If it sounds dense then bake it for a while longer.

I've sliced our loaf up already and will then store some of it in the freezer (defrosting pieces as and when we need them) while some of it will juet be kept in a ziplock bag and dealt over the next day or so.

It bakes with a yummy crusty crust all the way round and with some real butter on it I think was about as close to bread heaven as I've got since arriving in the US. I almost wish it was 6am tomorrow morning already so I can toast some up and smother it it butter and smuckers strawberry jelly, all washed down with my regular morning cup of PG-Tips !!

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-27 18:48:00
United KingdomAny Brits Hnkering For Some "Real" Bread ??
WOW...

I've just finished scoffing two slices of a home made loaf I just made and I can categorically state that this tastes EXACTLY like bread I used to buy from Sainsburys !! I make no bones about it... I HATE american bread... I can't stand it so I finally stopped moaning and decided to try and make my own. A couple of weeks ago I tried a recipe that my Mum uses and while it was Ok, it still didn't taste like I wanted to. Enter Delia Smith !!... I just made this recipe for plain white bread and it is FANTASTIC !!

Makes 1 large or 2 small loaves

Ingredients

24oz white bread flour, plus a little extra for the top of the bread (Available in any grocery store)

1 level tablespoon salt, or less, according to taste


1 level teaspoon easy-blend dried yeast (This worked out to be about half a packet)


1 level teaspoon golden caster sugar (I used white sugar as I didn't have any golden caster sugar. I've been very critical of the sugar in bread thing since arriving but I am now convinced its the mixture of the sugar and salt that makes it taste like I wanted it to !! :))

about 15 fl oz (425 ml) hand-hot water



All the ingredients are available in US stores and I'd gone from raw ingredients to bread in my belly in under 3 hours (Thanks to the humidity outside on our deck !!).

I cannot reccommend this recipe highly enough for any expat out there who craves some good crusty bread.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have / am / will be again shortly !!

Mark :)

Edited by luv2teach77, 27 August 2006 - 03:31 PM.

luv2teach77MaleEngland2006-08-27 15:29:00
United KingdomUK Citizen working in the US
Unless you are looking to work in a field where your educational credentials are of high importance, then I am sure that your experience will be taken into account.

After speaking to a number of recruiters when I was looking for IT jobs, they told me that employers look favourably at people with in job and related experience. Someone can have a handful of certificates and a degree but unless they have any experience applying that book learned knowledge to real world situations then an employer won't have much confidence in their skills.

They key is to impress on any potential employers that while you might not have gone to college or got a degree, you have been doing what you've been doing for x number of years and you do what you do well. Confidence in your own skills and ability goes a long way in giving others confidence in you !!

Best of luck

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-02-05 11:41:00
United KingdomOne more milestone
Tracy,

I don't stop in here as much as I used to but I'm glad to see that you are progressing on your own visa journey after supporting so many others through theirs. Once that NOA2 arrives your feet will hardly touch the ground and before you know it Chas will be arriving in the good ol US of A.

Best of luck for a speedy conclusion to your journey.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-02-27 10:07:00
United KingdomOn the way!
Congratulations to you both Tracy !!

I can still remember the mixture of nerves and excitement when we found out that our case was on it's way to London. I pestered the hell out the Embassy for packet 3 once I knew it had left the NVC and the once packet 3 was back at the embassy I pestered the hell out of them for an interview date.

It's all downhill from here... before you know it you'll be together on this side of the pond and that whole stage of the visa process will be behind you.

Enjoy your trip to England too. Sounds like the weather is getting better. We'll be back for 3 weeks in July and August so I'm hoping for a hot summer also!!

Best of luck for a speedy path through the Embassy.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-04-09 13:15:00
United Kingdommissing London
I miss having a city like London on my doorstep but I get to commute to a decent sized city every day for work so I still get my fill of traffic and road rage. I think the thing I miss the most is regular gatherings with my friends. It didn't have to be a crazy drunken 3am night out in central London. I was just as happy with a couple of beers and some general banter in my local pub on a wednesday night. I miss summer afternoons at the Pitcher and piano in Richomond drinking jugs of pimms. I'll be back for 3 weeks in the summer and I'm really looking to a short return to what used to be normality for me. I love my new life here but occasionally I do hanker for elements of my old life back in Blighty.

Mark :)
luv2teach77MaleEngland2007-04-25 08:13:00