biggish data

QUOTE (ginger1981 @ Sep 15 2008, 12:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congratulations! Enjoy your wonderful new life in hippie land!

Hippie land? Eugene? Never. Lol.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-09-15 13:04:00

Thanks everyone.

The dog is situation is not good. As soon as we got to America he has been staying out late, hanging out with all the wrong crowd, being insolent and the other night we found what we thing is marijuana in his pants.

Just kidding (obviously). He's loving it and I think he'd hate it if we ever left here. He's right at home.

BTW, debby, you mentioned doctors. Do we need to book that appointment ourselves, independant of AOS? I haven't read anything about that on here. Can anyone advise please?

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-09-14 15:58:00

Thanks Guys,

Yeah, all going well. I had a wee bit of homesickness last week I'm over the hump now, I hope!!! Mercedes is at college and I got offered a job for as long as my work visa lasts - which isn't long but the boredom makes me frustrated.

I hope you are all OK and happy!!!

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-09-13 16:10:00

hey All,

Just stopping by to say we got married Tuesday. We did it in Corvallis courthouse so we could get the AOS underway. Now we have to wait two weeks to get the cert and that's us on our AOS journey!!!!

Hope you are all well.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-09-13 15:44:00

Money to the USA

Hi All,

My brother is bringing the reminder of our UK account - about $20k - into the US for us this weekend. And my son is bringing a wedding gift from my Dad which could well be excess of $10k.

My question is this. As they're bringing bankerss draft made out to me so are they safe to do so or they liable to have to declare it to customs?

Thanks.

R

PS Sorry for silence, life is mad. Hope you're all well.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-09-30 17:04:00

Well done to you both .. and all the latest graduates!!!!

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-07-29 10:56:00

QUOTE (Jeraly @ May 28 2008, 05:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then I got my passport and my visa back. I was sooooooo happy. 24 hours later though I was $h1tting myself

This might help you Jeraly ...

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-29 04:14:00

Thanks guys,

And well done Suizie.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-28 07:55:00

You know the story about the young man who arrives in London, it's raining so he goes for one pint in a great pub with great music and company, decent beer, a log fire? Well, gather round and I'll tell thee. The young man in question, his fiance, his sister and her fiancee go to the pub at 4pm, promising to leave by 6pm. Or rather, they say they're going to leave at 6pm but time slips away and they find it's 1am, they are all pretty drunk and have to get up at 6am for a rather important interview. Well, folks, that foolish young man was me.

And so it was, Mercedes and I arrived for the 9am interview at around 8.30am, took our place in the line, hung-over and on about 4 hours of sleep .... which is something I don't recommend. At 9.01am we made it into the embassy, got our ticket (Mercedes came into the Embassy with me) ... Welcome Ticket 5018. And we waited. And waited. And waited.

The waiting room was awash with people and while they were flying through the 1000's, only Windows 1 and 13 were dealing with immigrant visa - the 5000's. I thought I'd get Window 13 for sure but my luck held and, two hours later, I got called to Window 1, huge grin across my face.

The Homeland Security lady was an Asian woman and the more I spoke with her the more I thought she was the Asian doctor from Bentnick mansion's mother. You all know what I mean. She spoke quietly and abruptly through glass, not at you but into the table, and the PA is blasting "Could Ticket number ..." in the background. It doesn't make for a relaxing chat ...

She looked over my documents in the following order ... divorce certificate, police record, birth certificate, finances. She looked at Mercedes' Affidavit of Support and said it was below poverty level (she is full-time student) so I showed her Mercedes' mom's additional support and then my own - house deeds, estate agents letter, letter from bank, etc. After some confusion about where the bank deeds were ("They are there ... in your hand"), she asked if I wanted to self-sponsor and I said "Sure". She said the dates that I gotten wrong on previous visits didn't matter and actually said I had a very interesting education and career ... which she thought was admirable.

Then she brought up the issue of my previous green-card - gulp. She had my original visa application - 13 years later I was shocked to see that - in my file and asked my why I didn't just stay then. I told her the reasons - first she smiled (kindly) when I told her about deaths in the family, then she seemed to get a bit peeved (the glass and noise makes it hard to read emotions) and said "just forget about it". She really did get annoyed that the finger print machine wouldn't read my prints, told me to go get my visa receipt and bring it back to her, gave me my chest x-ray and then sent me back to wait, grin wiped off my face.

By now I was worried. I didn't think it had gone well and seeing the old green-card made me suddenly aware that this wasn't just a formality - this could all go horribly wrong.

It about 15 minutes later I got called to Window 16 (only 16 and 15 were doing 5000s) and I was expecting the worse, as you do ... or as I do anyway. The second interview was conducted by a cool American guy who, shock horror, apologised that I had to wait for so long which instantly relaxed me.

He made me swear I was telling the truth in my submission and I duly obliged. He then asked me how I met Mercedes and that was the end of the interrogation. We talked a little about my work (but not in an official capacity, just out of interest really I guess) and then he said that, pending security checks, the visa would be issued in 3-5 working days and that we were already on day 1. I told him that he had just made two people very happy and he said that that was good to hear. With that I went and paid the courier service and we were out of there at 11.42. Job done.

For those of you still in the process, the approval comes so fast it's like you're jumping of a fair ride. You go from 150 RPM to 0 in a split second ... it's all over so quick that it leaves your head reeling and 24 hours later it still hasn't sunk in ... I guess I'll believe it when I get my passport back.

So there you have it. 8 months of worry, 3 hours to conclude. If I never see a DS-230-Part 1 again it will be too soon. Until AOS that is, then the whole crazy ride begins again. Now, on AOS form I-864 Question Six, do I leave that blank or what? Lol.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-28 05:47:00

Thanks Sal,

I'll write the review later today ... it's good and bad ... but I don't think that building has any good factors ... except obviously that they issue visas.

R

QUOTE (Sal and Jay @ May 28 2008, 10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Eli the Barrowboy @ May 28 2008, 10:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes there is word indeed ...

Well we did it ... almost 8 months, lots of frustration and a hellishly long 3 hours in the embassy and we are out the other end.

To be honest, it hasn't even sunk in yet. We are so tired and stressed from the whole affair that when we got back to Belfast last night we just went to bed. I think it will be a few days, perhaps when we get my passport back then we will celebrate.

My sincerest thanks to EVERYONE here that helped answer my dumb ### questions and who posted their thoughts and ideas on the whole process from a UK perspective. Without it we would have been in the dark and we would have felt very alone and vulnerable I guess.

Now, I'm off to write my resignation letter ... ideas anyone? How does that song go, 'take this job and something it'?

Congrats Eli im so pleased for you

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-28 04:24:00

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-28 04:15:00

Just changed the flights to a week later - easier all around - £100 but worth every penny for peace of mind!!!

QUOTE (Eli the Barrowboy @ May 2 2008, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Eli the Barrowboy @ May 2 2008, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One problem, we have already booked a trip to Paris on the 29th and I'm wondering, how long until we can expect my passport back?

One possible resolution is applying for an Irish passport.

Now, maybe Poiteen can help here. It says somewhere on the packet 3 forms, list any countries you have a passport for. I put none as I never got an Irish one. But will applying for one now, which I will have by the time I go for interview jeopardize my interview?

Thoughts?

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-02 08:41:00

QUOTE (Eli the Barrowboy @ May 2 2008, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One problem, we have already booked a trip to Paris on the 29th and I'm wondering, how long until we can expect my passport back?

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-02 07:29:00

Cheers Guys,

Just booked our flights over - Merc is coming with me - and we can stay with my sis and her other half in Primrose Hill. He works in Bond Street and has an 8.30am start so we can travel in with him.

God I'm really nervous.

One problem, we have already booked a trip to Paris on the 29th and I'm wondering, how long until we can expect my passport back?

Life's never simple, eh?

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-02 07:02:00

As luck would have it, M just called and told me I have the interview at 9am on the 27th of May .. I feel sick!!!

R

QUOTE (Eli the Barrowboy @ May 2 2008, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi All,

We are still waiting on the interview date to be set. We sent Packet 3 in on the 16th of April but no word yet. I put down August 1st to move but as M has gotten into her first choice law school with 100% funding and starts on August 15th we aim to be outta here around early July.

Should I call them and highlight this as time's a marching on?

Good luck with all upcoming interviews and congrats to all recent approvals. And I don't know if he's updated yet, but Andy from Milneshine (from the UK) had his interview on Monday and got the visa. We met up in the pub opposite Bentwick mansions after my medical (on Monday too) and got royally pissed to celebrate.

Getting the train back to Stansted from Bond Street whilst dying for a pee and very very late for check-in is no picnic I tell thee!!!

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-02 06:07:00

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-05-02 05:50:00

For All You UK TV Watchers

QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Jan 7 2009, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So you're not a barrow boy at all?? Huh?

Compared to producing for TV, being a Barrowboy is where the real money is!!!

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-08 12:35:00

For All You UK TV Watchers

Hey All,

If you want to see some UK made TV in the USA then watch this ...

Making the Monkees - Smithsonian Channel - Saturday Night at 8pm Eastern

Making the Monkees

I have a vested interest as I produced this ... in the UK (before USCIS try to deport my ###)

Edited by Eli the Barrowboy, 07 January 2009 - 02:17 PM.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-07 14:16:00

Poiteen,

Is that Croagh Patrick? I'm still sore 6 years after climbing that bad boy!!! I'm from the Fermanagh/Lietrim border so we were only 1.5 hours from Westport.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-20 00:13:00

QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Jan 15 2009, 05:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eli the Barrowboy: Dave (my husband) says we owe you a pizza

got a PERSONAL CALL from the USCIS ombudsman's office this morning, telling me that my EAD was approved today and the card had been ordered

I'm to allow 'at least fourteen days' for the delivery of said card, and can call them back if I have any problems or further questions

so thank you, SO MUCH, for the tip; it really worked (that, and I'm now a month outside their quoted processing times

)

Brilliant news, just fantastic.

Mine arrived on the 17th - so 9 days after approval.

BTW, I wouldn't like to condone any iffy activity but the job that I had offered accepted my USCIS email as evidence I was authorized to work. And they needed the number on the card - well should you need it, it's the same as the receipt number for the EAD - MSCxxxxxxxxxxxx whatever.

Anyway, so glad for you. I just logged in here now to see if there was any word from you.

God love that Ombudsman.

R

PS Mine's a Guinness flavored Pizza.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-20 00:08:00

Thanks Poiteen,

Keep us informed STP!!!

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-10 17:50:00

QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Jan 9 2009, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

did it have to be the USC who writes to the ombudsman? or does it not matter?

No, I think it has be the beneficiary as they are receiving the benefit.

Bang them off an email and fingers crossed you'll get some good news.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-09 17:26:00

Hey Stilltheprettiest,

We got informed yesterday that I got my EAD and AP ordered. What a relief, let's hope it's your turn next.

Get on to the ombudsman office - that's what seemed to do it for us. Their email address is CISOmbudsman.Publicaffairs@dhs.gov.

They responded to me in a very few hours saying ...

"Thank you for informing our office about the delay with your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) application. We understand how important it is for you to receive your EAD on time. Your email indicates that you filed in early October. Our records show that you filed October 9, 2008. USCIS has 90 days to process EAD applications and it is still within processing times. However, it will reach beyond processing times in a few days and we understand the importance of being able to work and support your family.

We are going to look into your case directly and follow-up with USCIS. You should receive a response shortly from USCIS. Please allow sufficient time for us to look into your case. If you do not hear anything in a week, please email our office again.

The CIS Ombudsman has made a recommendation that USCIS process all cases within 90 days. Please visit our website to read our Recommendation #35 at: http://www.dhs.gov/x...orial_0769.shtm "

I hope this helps and all the best.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-09 13:22:00

QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Jan 7 2009, 05:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

oh, you said it... we don't intend to stay more than a few years, and then hopefully we'll be off back to Europe, but for many people this is their new homeland, and what a welcome! I was saying to Dave already - such a great idea on the behalf of the government, to ensure that these new arrivals live in a state of anxiety, anger and depression for their first year... great to add to the stresses of moving and leaving family and friends, giving up jobs etc, as well as adding stresses to new marriages, putting a US citizen as well as a newcomer under financial stress, etc etc
oh, this couldn't do the job better if they planned it that way

is what I've got a service request? the thing with the 45 days? if not, how do I go about getting one?

Hi StillThePrettiest,

Re: Service request. I called the USCIS and got through to a "real" person. She said that as I was approaching 90 days since the EAD started processing she would put through a service request. Anyway, as you know they came back and said that as we had had an RFE, we'd have to wait

Make sure you get a reference number - that way if they don't respond it will be easily found in the system and from what I've read they'll flat out deny they ever spoke to you if you don't have the number.

I've written to the Ombudsman today. We aren't in REAL financial dire straits but I can't say to them that I'm going to go nuts if I don't work. But the Mrs is back to Law School Monday and has $1k worth of books per semester to buy. Plus, as she is full-time in school we have no income whatsoever until I get out and start earning a crust. On top of that, the money we are living off was from my house sale in Ireland and was all I had in the world to give to my kids when I jump off this mortal coil so it's extra sad to see it dwindling to a meager pile. Just lucky we moved when the dollar was $2.02 to the GBP.

The congressman's office called yesterday and said I'd have to wait it out because of the RFE and I went off at the poor girl, all this animosity is really building up and I'm starting to think about what I gave up to come here.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-07 13:36:00

They didn't resume on ours until November 20th. I'd definitely go off at them. When I submitted a Service Request they were back to me in 2 days.

This is a real welcome to America isn't it?

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-06 22:47:00

QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Jan 5 2009, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what did you do to get your service request lodged? I've been waiting longer than you (not by a lot though) and also had the tax-return RFE, so we're in a similar situation

When did they resume processing on your case?

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-06 15:28:00

QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Jan 5 2009, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what did you do to get your service request lodged? I've been waiting longer than you (not by a lot though) and also had the tax-return RFE, so we're in a similar situation

I just called and they did it for me as I was approaching the 90 day mark. But they emailed me two days later to say that as I had had an RFE it would be 90 days from the date that they started re-processing.

Good luck to you - I'm pulling what's left of my hair out - another 43 days until they legally have to give me a EAD or kick me out of the country/give me another RFE.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-06 15:19:00

Hey how are all you guys going?

we are stuck in no EAD hell ... and I do mean hell ... up in October.

First Christmas away from home was a bit weird but not too sad, I think I was expecting it to be worse.

Anyway, hello all.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-01-05 18:48:00

Car Insurance

QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Sep 19 2008, 12:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But they say will review after first year..

It's ####### isn't it ... really #######!!!

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-09-18 18:08:00

Car Insurance

Hi guys,

Anyone been having any joy getting car insurance? Cos I only got my Oregon license last month they say I'm a new driver. I had 15 years plus no claims in the UK. Any insurers willing to consider that? The premium here is freakin' enormous - 7 times my UK insurance.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-09-18 17:59:00

THAT miserable receptionist at Bentick Mansions

Never mind the receptionist, is the evil Asian lady still a doctor there? Scary!!!

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-03-20 17:46:00

Oh Baby baby

Cheers Guys, Most have applied for over 200 jobs by now and 2 interviews ... both came back saying I was over-qualified. Bummer. Still, something's gotta give.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-05-20 15:05:00

Oh Baby baby

Hey Guys,

Just to let you all know that Mercedes is expecting a baby later this year. Once the initial shock of the whole thing wore off we are very excited about it all.

So I have about 6 months to find work that includes benefits, otherwise we are homeless and I'm delivering the baby ... which funnily enough happened to my friend last week ... his wife woke up pushing and he delivered a 9Ibs 9oz baby there and then ... but it was in Donegal ... they are made of strong stuff up there.

Hope you are well, just thought I'd share the happy news.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2009-05-20 11:41:00

17 year old custody issues

Thanks everyone,

I had no idea that a notarized letter would suffice ... and her mum is probably going to attend the interview anyway as my daughter has never been in London before.

R.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2010-03-30 09:41:00

17 year old custody issues

hi All,

So we are applying for my 17-year-old daughter to come live here in the US and we already got her NOA2 in a record quick 2.5 months.

Actually, as much as I want my daughter to be here, we do want things to go a bit slower ... and here's why!!!

My daughter is 17, 18 in late June. When her Mum and I broke up we never had a custody ruling as such ... the kids lived with their Mum by agreement with the judge and I had unlimited access, etc. That said, custody in the UK ends at 16 so would have been null and void by now anyway.

So, I know that if she goes for an interview as a 17-year old there will be the custody/permission from her Mum issue. We have nothing to say whether my ex or I had custody which my lawyer confirms. She also confirms we can't go to family court to get a judge to assign me custody as 17 is too old for a judge to pass down any ruling on.

We figure if we wait til she is 18 for her interview by delaying the return of the next round of papers, then custody won't be an issue.

Her Mum says if it happens before June that she will go with her and give whatever declarations she has to in the embassy.

Bit of a bind, eh?

Does anyone have any similar experiences and what was the outcome?

R.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2010-03-29 23:02:00

Official HPV Vaccine/New Police Certicate Thread

"Didn't they have info about the new cert in Packet 3??"

Nopes. Nadda. Not a thing about it.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-04-23 08:06:00

Official HPV Vaccine/New Police Certicate Thread

My new Police Certificate arrived today.

If I didn't have access to the net for whatever reason and went by the literature they sent me on packet 3, I'd have never known about this.

No packet 4 yet but it's early days.

R

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2008-04-23 06:01:00

Health care reform, anyone?

My philosophy is this: if I dial 9-1-1, whether I need the police, the fire department, or an ambulance, I shouldn't be worried about having to file bankcruptcy. Imagine you have a fire, call 9-1-1, and they ask you what fire insurance plan you have? Or you have a burglar in your house, call 9-1-1, and the police dispatcher asks you about your police protection plan?

Dude - you need to talk to someone at AIG, you're gonna be a rich man with this acute thinking.

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2010-04-11 23:33:00

Health care reform, anyone?

So much for the entrepreneurial spirit of the USA.

You are so right fellow Pixies fan ...

Eli the Barrowboy

Male

United Kingdom

2010-04-11 23:29:00