ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Canadawhere did you first meet? online vs in person
We met in person, but it was at a meet-up for a travel site I post on. The poster who organized it was his best friend of about 30 years, and she brought him along. That was in 2003, and there was a bit of mutual attraction that neither of us acted on (or realized was mutual) until last year. He did register a handle on the site right after I went home, though, which is how we stayed in touch with each other for the intervening years.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-07-08 11:21:00
CanadaNeed some advice guys
I don't know. Someone here probably knows.

Even assuming they are, I doubt they would be enough, at least not on their own. Maybe in combination with a part time job.

Someone here can probably give you a better answer than I can on that. You might also try asking on the K1 or Foreign Embassy Experience branches if you haven't already.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-07-09 17:22:00
CanadaNeed some advice guys
A lot of folks on here are students, but they get cosponsors. Is it possible for him to go to school part time? Is it possible to wait an additional semester or two until you are here and have completed AOS and can work also?
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-07-09 17:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionIs a rock solid case needed to succeed at K1 visa
Here is a thread someone posted about his fiancee's interview. They had the same issue with language and did get the visa. I realize it's a different consulate, but you might find it helpful.

http://www.visajourn...h...486&hl=Yeli

Good luck!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-07-31 14:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI 134 (Affidavit of support) question
Ugh, sorry, I misread your question. You want to know if you could simplify everything by just relying on your main job. I thought you were just talking about using income alone and ignoring the property. I think you can (same reason -- the main job is enough to qualify), the only thing you might want to consider is that you still need to submit your tax return, and there may be a discrepancy between the two. Maybe that is not an issue (it is not all that uncommon for people to have extra sources of income from temporary side jobs or investments or whatever), but you might want to check into it.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-03-07 17:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI 134 (Affidavit of support) question
QUOTE (pectoangie @ Mar 6 2008, 11:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So ultimate question is, should I just present 1 W2 or present everything? Thanks for your reply!


As others said, you can rely on just your income. I am working on the I134 too, but I don't have the directions in front of me right now. For proof of income, you need more than just a W2. You need a letter from your employer (look at the directions to I134 for exactly what information it has to give--basically your salary and whether you are a permanent employee...there is something else I can't think of, but it spells it out on the form). You will also need copies of your most recent tax return (including your W2) and three most recent pay stubs. If you work for multiple contractors, you might want to give a few pay stubs from each (and a letter from each!). Your consulate may also require three most recent tax returns.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-03-07 17:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-156 question 18 for widowed fiance
Thank you, Krikit.

There are other places where they very clearly ask for information on any previous spouses, regardless of how marriage ended, hence our confusion.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-04-09 10:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-156 question 18 for widowed fiance
I'm sure this has been discussed, but I could not find anything when I searched....

It's possible we are being too ####### retentive about this, but we've gone back and forth as to whether they want him to put the name of his deceased first wife or not. I realize the form is a general form that could be used for someone applying for a tourist visa to visit the US. Given that, I can think of reasons they might be concerned with the name of a previous spouse only if previous spouse is still living. I tend to think it is an oversight on their part and they just did not think to put in "even if divorced, separated, widowed, or anulled."

Anyone else with a widowed fiance---how did you answer this question?
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-04-09 10:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa DENIED!!! I need your help
Oh poo. This got moved while I was trying to reply and now I do not have enough time to retype it. For now, all I will say is I am sooooooooo sorry that is happening to you. I was obviously hoping for a much different update.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2008-05-20 12:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI-134
BlueBonnet, at this stage---sending the I-129F to USCIS---they are not yet looking at whether you have a bona fide relationship. That will come next, when your petition gets to the consulate and your fiance goes for the interview. All they need to see now (aside from the required forms) is proof of three things: (1) you (the petitioner) are a US citizen, (2) you are both legally free to marry, and (3) you have met in person at least one time in the 24 months before you file.

Some people send additional relationship evidence, others do not. We did include it, because we figured the whole package would be forwarded to the consulate. We sent a few emails (I think five) as well as a printout of the inbox from my hotmail account just to show that we regularly kept in contact even between visits. The emails we printed were ones where we talked about our dog missing him when he went home, planning upcoming trips, or common interests. At USCIS, they don't need to see evidence relationship at all. At the consulate, they really don't need to read the emails in detail (or at all), they just need to see that you did keep in touch in some way.

I should also say this varies considerably from consulate to consulate.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2010-03-09 16:41:00
CanadaI went to a bridal shower yesterday...
No reason you can't use your china just for yourself every now and again. I did not register the first time around, and likely won't this time either (we are combining two households after all!), but I have inherited the china set my grandmother got as a wedding gift in 1935. I can't imagine that I am EVER going to have any reason to use service for 12, so I figured why wait for an occasion that may or may not ever come up.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-15 11:38:00
CanadaI went to a bridal shower yesterday...

She's also having 14, yes FOURTEEN, bridesmaids which 1. is way too many and 2. two of them are the sister's of the guy that is getting married. The two sister's are almost 40 years old and other people in the family are talking about how they are too old to really be included as bridesmaids.


Okay, someone clue me in. Why would women in their 30s be considered "too old" to be included as bridesmaids? The point of having attendants in a wedding is to honor the siblings and closest friends of the people getting married.

By the way, I saw a magazine article that showed weddings with ridiculous numbers of bridesmaids. The most excessive was 38!

Last year I went to a wedding shower that was at the historic trolley building in a park in St Paul, but there were only five friends of the bride in addition to relatives (probably there were a total of 20-25 people there, I'm not sure). Other than that, all the showers I have been to have been in people's homes.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-14 10:52:00
CanadaGood Luck Amy and Brian
Congratulations!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-15 12:04:00
CanadaDeath in the family
I'm so very sorry for your loss!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-17 11:10:00
CanadaCar Insurance tips?
Have you talked to your insurance company? I have no idea how to proceed, but they really SHOULD be able to help you with it (and yes, it may be a matter of talking to a few different people until you find someone who knows what to do).

It may well be better for you to have a single policy covering the two cars for other reasons (ie, lower premiums), and that might be one way to get around the problem. I am not sure about this, but maybe simply adding the car to your policy will allow you around the barrier.

Another possibility is to switch insurance carriers--another company might insure the car before registering it. Many states (like mine) require proof of insurance BEFORE you can register your car, so national insurance companies have to be set up to write policies before the car is registered.

As for having to cart his butt around if you do have to transfer the car to your name (there HAS to be an easier way, but if you do), your insurance coverage is probably "any car-any driver." In most US states that is required by law (though check--it COULD be different). It means that your insurance covers you when you drive any car (such as a rental car) and it covers any person who drives your car (such as a son or daughter or friend who has no insurance because he or she has no car).
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-08-15 12:29:00
CanadaBordertowners UNITE!
Neither of us lives near the border (I live near St Louis, so I'm as far from any border as you can get), but my parents live in Bellingham, Washington, so when we visit them, we will most likely both fly into Vancouver (which is much closer than Sea-Tac) and drive across together. I'm hoping it won't be a problem.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-10 15:25:00
CanadaWhy are people like this....
Eek, not nice! My ex did that to some friends of ours and did not even have the decency to tell them he was going to bail out of helping them.

College kids don't necessarily have classes every day or all day. Another option might be some of those low-cost local moving companies.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-10 15:44:00
CanadaSnow!!!
QUOTE (cartoboy123 @ Sep 13 2007, 09:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Like most places in the south, (Some people will laugh when I say that I live in the south!) we have about 2 "snow" days a winter.


Heh, I'm in the Metro East, and I can vouch for that. St Louis is far enough south for restaurants to serve grits and red velvet cake, and the people who live in some of the rural areas around here sound more southern than midwestern.

We may only get snow a few times a winter, but it usually falls a good 4 or 5 inches at a time--and on top of ice. (Granted, this is almost always after they predict we are going to get 6 to 8 inches.) Then it melts in a day or two, and THEN it gets really cold! Actually what sucks is that unlike Arizona or California, it gets cold enough for the trees to all lose their leaves and the grass to turn brown but then unlike someplace colder the snow melts so it really does look pretty bleak and ugly in the winter.

I dreamed of snow all summer too. I actually had trouble adjusting to the heat and humidity here when I moved here from Tucson, Arizona, six years ago, that's how brutal it is.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-13 10:36:00
CanadaFiling I-129F while fiance visiting
Wow, that was fast. Thank you, Krikit.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-14 10:47:00
CanadaFiling I-129F while fiance visiting
Did any of you file the I-129F petition while your Canadian SO was visiting? I'm HOPING this is going to be a moot point. My fiance is going to send me his photos and a few other things I need to file the petition early next week. It SHOULD get to me in time to mail it before he comes to visit the following week, but it may not, and we don't really want to wait until he leaves to file if that does happen.

On question 12 of the I-129F, it asks for the number on your fiance or spouse's I-94 or I-95 form and says it is only inapplicable if they are not here with you when you file. It then asks for the date admitted and the date the visa or admission is valid until. Well, d'oh, Canadians do not have to use an I-94 or I-95 when visiting the US.

You would think that the USCIS people would know the question is simply inapplicable to Canadian spouses/fiances, but, as a friend of mine says, the most dangerous sentences in the English language begin with "you would think...." The purpose of the I-94 or I-95 is to prove a visitor has left and not overstayed their visa. We had to look this up on line, and the site provided an address in Kentucky where you are supposed to mail the departure card portion of the I-94 or I-95 along with proof that you left if for some reason no one takes it from you when you leave. This was accompanied by dire warnings that if you do not do this, you may be unable to re-enter the US because you will be in the system as having overstayed your visa.

I think it should be okay if I just write in the box (on Question 12) "N/A -- I-94 not required for Canadians" and then note that he has a return flight and give the date (although there is not really a specific place for this). But I do not want to take ANY chances.

If any of you have filed while SO was visiting, what did you put for that question? And did you have any problems?

Edited by SonoranSongbird, 14 September 2007 - 10:28 AM.

SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-14 10:23:00
CanadaSpeaking of Pink Doilies....
Okay, so I'm the only one here who did not know doilies were anything other than those paper faux lace thingies you get along with the paper plates and plastic cups and cutlery to make your party look nice despite the disposable dishes? Oh well, learn something new every day. I did know to pass the doily from the left, at least innocent.gif .
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-19 10:17:00
CanadaShould I stay or should I go...
Damn. Now I have the Clash song stuck in my head.

Yes, you can still visit the US for up to six months with visa pending, just as you ordinarily can, but once you file, they may ask to see proof of ties to Canada, and it sounds like you are planning to eliminate those ties. Also, if it takes longer than six months, you would need to go back, and really, having a place to return to is a good idea.

I'd keep the house and job and continue to visit each other as often as possible. One thing we have been doing that you might consider is finding cities that we can both fly to directly to meet up for weekends (not having to switch planes makes what otherwise would be a full day's travel time much more reasonable for a weekend).
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-19 16:29:00
CanadaDoes Anyone Need an Informal Wedding Dress?
QUOTE (Doug n Amanda @ Sep 21 2007, 08:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As I said in another response to someone with problems finding a PETITE wedding dress.....SHUT UP. tongue_ss.gif


Petite sizes are for those of us who are, well, not exactly statuesque, regardless of which size we wear. The term is a little misleading. Of course, I'd love to think all you taller women out there wish you could be 5'1" goddesses. kicking.gif
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-21 11:37:00
CanadaAmanda & Doug Got an Interview!!!
Congratulations and good luck to all four of you.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-24 13:14:00
CanadaOff we go...
Good luck at the interview, Len!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-24 11:30:00
CanadaHopefully he got it put in the mail!
QUOTE (TheATeam @ Sep 24 2007, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, I'm a September filer. I thought for sure I'd be a July filer, and definitely an August filer, if not in July, but that was not the case. Oh well! ~giggles~

Let the waiting begin!


Heh, me too. Except I will PROBABLY be a September filer (when fiance is here later this week!) and we always planned to file this month but originally thought it would be right after our trip to Minnesota Labor Day weekend (yeah, okay, I know it's weird to have a romantic weekend in the Twin Cities....).
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-25 11:32:00
Canadaan update
I was wondering what happened with the AP. This is much better news than hearing only that you made it in time to say goodbye. I hope I have that much ####### and zest for life when I am 89!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-25 10:01:00
CanadaWondering about Len and Bren
I kind of miss seeing Len's posts.

But I HOPE they far too busy celebrating to go anywhere near a 'pooter until they leave Montreal!
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-26 11:45:00
CanadaLen_and_Bren Happy Dance
Yay!! Congratulations, Len!

Also saw on the other thread that it was/is/will be your birthday, so happy birthday to a fellow libra.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-26 16:36:00
CanadaOff I Go
Have a safe trip and a nice visit home.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-03 09:45:00
CanadaMontreal review and story
Congrats again, and thank you for the update.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-02 10:06:00
CanadaDriver's License
QUOTE (DeadPoolX @ Oct 3 2007, 06:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I believe it varies from state to state (just like how some states allow you to make a right turn on a red light and others don't, although even in states that allow it, it can be revoked at certain intersections for numerous reasons).


Are there any states that don't allow you to turn right on red now? (There is a line in Annie Hall where Woody Allen's character says that the only cultural advantage of California over New York is that it allows you to turn right on red, but of course that's out of date now.) In Washington State, you can go left on red, but only if it is either from a one-way street or to a one-way street. Since I can never remember which it is, I only turn left on red if I'm going from a one-way street to another one-way street.

How well designed traffic systems are varies from city to city in both countries and the road rules and signs probably vary more by state or province than they do between Canada as a whole and the US as a whole.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-04 11:58:00
CanadaDriver's License
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Oct 3 2007, 06:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Krikit @ Oct 3 2007, 07:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey, I had a '72(?) Impala convertible! That thing was HUGE. With the size of parking spaces these days I'm not surprised you hit something. laughing.gif

My friend hit a pedestrian when she took her road test. ohmy.gif



I guess that's an automatic fail huh?

smile.gif tee hee.. I remember a friend of mine in High School hit 2 different pedestrians on 2 different driving tests.. he failed both times. smile.gif 3rd time was a charm though!!


That made me feel better about it. I'd rather hit a car than a pedestrian. For the record, I still don't know how to parallel park. That Impala was really cool. I'd like to get married in one of those at one of those drive-up wedding windows in Vegas and say to heck with inviting anyone to a wedding reception.

I've lived in 6 different states and I think they all made me take a written test but not a road test each time I moved. The pictures got progressively worse, too! There are some differences from state to state or province to province, so that makes sense. The irony in having to take a road test for moving from Canada is you can go rent a car in New Zealand with your Canadian or American driver's license even though their road rules really are different (aside from driving on the left they have some really quirky left turn right-of-way rule).
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-03 10:37:00
CanadaDriver's License
Congratulations, Carla! Woohoo!

Heh, having to take another road test would bring back traumatic memories. I hit a parked car parallel parking the first time I took mine when I was 17. How embarrassing is that? I had to take it again driving something a lot smaller than my parents' enormous 1970-something Impala.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-02 09:42:00
Canada[OT] Well, it didn't take long...
Awww, a little baby! Congratulations.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-09-10 14:43:00
CanadaThanksgiving
QUOTE (cartoboy123 @ Oct 5 2007, 07:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
P.S. I used to joke that one person couldn't say the same thing as someone else....


Hmm, in that case I can't say I am very thankful to have a loving, wonderful fiance who, unlike the last one, really truly cherishes me and who I feel like I can really be myself around and say anything to, even though of course I am.

Not sure I should say I'm thankful for the Phillies getting into the playoffs, either, since they are about to get their collective butts handed to them by the unsinkable Colorado Rockies.

This may seem a little bit maudlin, but it's what I have been thinking of lately. One of my parents' two sweetie-pie puppies died Tuesday morning of lymphoma. My heart is really aching because this dog just LOVED to petted and I will never again be able to pet his beautiful head and my fiance will never be able to meet him at all. But those two dogs were there when my life was at its lowest point (I had to move back in with my parents at 33 after leaving my ex while living overseas in a country where I knew few people and barely spoke the language). The waggy happy tails and expressions of sheer joy just at seeing me come into the room was a major ego booster when I really needed one. And the sweetie-pup I have now, too, gives both me and my fiance so much love. I'm really thankful for the love of good dogs, too, because they really have enriched my life.

Obviously I'm thankful that I'm marrying a man who can handle my soppyness.....

The other things...having a good job, nice house, opportunities to travel...that's all just bonus material.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-05 14:45:00
CanadaUsing the Vancouver Airport to visit Bellingham
3.5 hours is ridiculous. Visiting my family is stressful enough without that! He'll just have to fly to SeaTac. When I managed rental properties in Whatcom County and out-of-staters called about renting a place because they were moving to the area, my mom told me to tell them it always rains and forget to mention how beautiful it is. This is why.

Anyway, thank you for the replies. If not for the extra scrutiny we might be subjected to with the visa pending, it would not have occurred to me to think twice about either of us borrowing my parents' car to go to Vancouver for dinner. Someday when we are visiting my parents after we're married, knowing this is going to save us an huge hassle.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-04 10:39:00
CanadaUsing the Vancouver Airport to visit Bellingham
We are planning to visit my parents in Bellingham, Washington, for US Thanksgiving so he can meet them for the first time. My fiance will most likely fly into Vancouver, which is much closer than Sea Tac and probably less expensive. I may be able to fly directly into Bellingham this time, otherwise I too will fly into Vancouver. I have a few questions about traffic back ups and border crossing issues since I think there are a few people here from that area.

How bad is the traffic jam at the Blaine border crossing normally around Thanksgiving? (My parents once took me to White Rock and we waited for over two hours--that is not the norm, is it?)

If we use the Sumas/Abbottsford crossing to avoid the traffic jam, are they likely to interpret this as shopping for a friendlier crossing (ie, might they think we are trying to avoid being denied as opposed to just trying to avoid sitting in a ridiculous traffic jam)?

If I pick him up at the airport in my parents' car, is there any reason for the fact that I'm driving a car that is obviously not mine to cause any additional hassles at the border? I do have the same last name as my mom.

Is there any reason to worry about me (USC) being denied entry into Canada if my return flight is from Vancouver?

When does the requirement of a passport for a land crossing go into effect? (In case my mom picks him or both of us up at the airport--I'm not sure she renewed her last passport.)
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-03 16:20:00
CanadaComments re:Ron's interview
Yeah, what they said. cool.gif

I do not know your whole story since I've been here a bit less time than some others, but I know you've been given a harder time than many of us have, and you've been happy for other couples when they've gotten their visas and frustrated for other couples when they've had to wait or confronted obstacles less difficult than the ones you've encountered. There is absolutely nothing for you to apologize for.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-04 10:53:00
CanadaMarriage Date on I-129F Form
QUOTE (~Laura and Nick~ @ Oct 10 2007, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Safiya..lol that's what I thought.
It's not on the actual form..I was just going to put it in the affidavit that I write with the intent to marry. I wanted to change the title of this post but it wouldn't let me.
Thanks so much!
good.gif[/color]


I did not see this before I posted. Ignore the part where I said I assume you mean the statement of intent. I have about four different windows open right now.
SonoranSongbirdFemaleCanada2007-10-10 14:13:00