ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaMarried in the US while visiting, what next and when?
I will fifth it:) I was in exactly the same situation. Came in Nov, married in Jan (okay a little later than you) had a contract job to get back to by March. I filed 1-130 and !-485 in Feb 11 and had my AP by the end of April. I missed out on a lucrative contract. SO even if you filed right this second, you would probably not get your AP by March. And it is stressful waiting! Plus traveling back and forth on AP when you are adjusting this way can be iffy (I did it only once).
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-25 11:31:00
CanadaLady getting married, will travel. Helps!
Of course you can go and get married in the US. People do it all the time. That's why Vegas is so successful. It is not only for people like me, who elope there on a whim!!! Chinese people marry American people there. Americans marry Canadians. Canadians marry Canadians. Brits marry Aussies. If that was visa fraud they would have shut Vegas down a long time ago.

"The only exceptions to the general visa waiver policy are for those individuals entering the U.S. as treaty traders or investors, as the fiance of a U.S. citizen or as immigrants."

This part is meant for fiances who are entering on K-1, planning on immigrating. Not just your run-of-the-mill fiance. You are entering as a visitor, not as a "fiance." What you do down there is your own business, and the business of the officer at the POE who will decide whether or not to let you in. You are coming back!! Being a fiance is not some kind of legal state! It just means someone said, "hey, wanna get married?" And the other person was like, "Ya, sure." Being a fiance for immigration purposes means you are coming down to the US to get married and then stay there. SO you need a visa for that. Obviously.

It's not that complicated....


bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-27 15:01:00
CanadaGuilty Pleasures
Ohhhh, I have several.

1) The Real Housewives of Orange County. I used to think this was all totally set up and fake. But then I moved to So Cal and realized it is probably pretty accurate. My husband pretends to hate it but watched three episodes with me last week back to back. Hmmm.

2) Froot Loops. Disgusting and so good. There is so little fruit in them they can't even spell fuit correctly.

3)When my husband is away, like right now, I occasionally spend all day in my pyjamas eating Froot Loops, watching the Real Housewives of Orange county and never brushing my teeth. And then I tell people that I went to the gym and then job-hunted all day. Just to clarify, this is only occasional behaviour!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-01-27 13:48:00
CanadaLiving Together
I am finding my husband's odd quirks easy to live with now that I am getting to know his mother more. I am realizing where this all comes from. Why he goes through the refrigerator randomly chucking out stuff he feels has been sitting there for a while, without looking or sniffing or even checking the date. Why he has an obsession about dirty dishes going only on the LEFT side of the double sink. Why he acts horrified if I allow anyone to see me in my (gigantic, even has a hood) bathrobe. Why I must never, under any circumstances, walk barefoot, even at home. Must never sleep with the window open (unless I want to die from some kind of airborne night-disease). Must start popping Amoxicillan from the gigantic bottle of antibiotics his mother brought us from T.J. the second I sneeze.

It's not his fault.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-02-19 01:54:00
CanadaLiving Together
Jill, we are in the same situation—planning our big family wedding having already been legally wed. We call it our "legal engagement." Heheh.

Along with the not being able to "try before you buy," the first year or two has the added stress of immigration, not being able to work and then not being able to FIND work piled on top of the traditionally tough first year bumps along the marriage road. t is a difficult time in many ways. You think everything is going to be fantastic when you are finally together full-time, but it is often...not. You are in a new place, often homesick. learning the ins and outs of living with a new person, and probably tight on money due to the not working thing.

For us, we feel like our family wedding this summer is going to be a huge benchmark for us. It's been a LONG year in many ways, and coming out of it stronger than ever and more in love is something to celebrate!

There are some good things about doing it this way too. No, you aren't living together, but you are spending waaayyyy more time talking on the phone and via email than most couples living together, who maybe spend their first year living together doing...other things. You really can get to know someone that way.

Good luck!!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-02-17 21:18:00
CanadaHometown Canada
QUOTE (Tankgurl38 @ Mar 2 2009, 12:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was born in Vancouver, grew up in Pemberton, BC. Small town half an hour north of Whistler, BC and it was currently the site of a big music festival last summer....Pembertonfest!

I moved up there when I was 4 and the road to Whistler/Pemberton was gravel all the way from Vancouver. Blackcomb didn't exist, the main Whistler Village was just a garbage dump and all Whislter was..was a small village at the base of Whistler mountain with not many people living there. At that time Whistler had one elementary school. All highschool students were bused up to Pemberton, as that was the closest highschool. (to follow up with bluegreen)

I graduated in 1988, big class of 26 of us, and by that time Pemberton had started to grow larger with the over flow from Whistler's popularity. Blackcomb was now an established ski hill, the Whistler Village was no longer a garbage dump and was now growing and established World Class Resort.

I haven't been back there since I graduated high school and I bet I would no longer recognize the small town where I once grew up. Since leaving there I lived in Vancouver, Creston and now Calgary, which is well known for the Calgary Stampede, something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Calgary is the only place during Stampede where the whole town gets into the spirit of the week and everyone dresses up in their cowboy gear for two weeks straight. Odd to not see a suit downtown at all during that time.


Wow, Pembie has changed a lot since '88! But you would still recognize it:)

I love the Stampede! I really want my husband to experience it sometime!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-02 00:53:00
CanadaHometown Canada
I was born in Toronto but moved to Victoria at age 12, so I consider it to be my hometown. I lived in Whistler for the last eight years before coming to the US last year (we live in North County San Diego near the beach, although I moved first to Boulder, CO where we lived until this August). I still have my place and a business in Whistler and the long term plan is to be there 4-6 months a year. I feel pretty lucky to live and have lived in such beautiful places:)

An interesting fact about Whistler is that is actually a pretty large community with quite a diverse population of permanent residents. There are three elementary schools and one large highschool.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-01 23:58:00
CanadaPoints of Entry Contact Information
QUOTE (July09Bride @ Mar 13 2009, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (MrsCat @ Mar 13 2009, 01:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but here ya go. It has the contact information for each POE.

http://www.cbp.gov/x...contacts/ports/


MrsCat,

That's perfect! Thank you SO much! Only bummer is... the port where we (he) wanted to enter isn't listed... I wonder why? It isn't a major POE, but it does exist. Hmmm....

Thanks again!


I had that issue and so I called the closest one and they gave me the correct number. Try that! I also found that many of the numbers for the smaller POEs filtered through to the same person in the end.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-13 20:31:00
CanadaSwitching my Target card to my SSN
Ohhh, thanks Dash tx! I never thought of updating the credit bureaus, I'll make sure I do that too.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-26 00:09:00
CanadaSwitching my Target card to my SSN
Thanks for the input, Carla and U&W!

Udella&Wiz, the reason I had a US report run on my SIN is this: we were applying for a line of credit down here and I asked the banker to run my Canadian credit report using my SIN. They CAN do that. I don't think she totally understood that or something, because she called me back and said, "The only thing that shows up under that number is a Target card". Well, if she had run a Canadian credit report as I had asked, she would have seen a mortgage and a credit card and a car loan and more.

Sooo, I think what happened is that somehow, Target has my SIN entered in the system as a SSN, and luckily it has not tracked to anyone else in the US with the same number. SIN and SSN have the same number of digits. I HAVE seen a discussion on VJ about that happening. I remember one person saying their SIN tracked to a US person who had passed away. I think the way to find out for sure is to have my Canadian bank run my Canadian credit report and see if the Target card shows up.

I have thought about this a lot, and I really think you are right. I don't see how badly one 2 day late payment can affect me, and I think the benefit of having a high limit credit card down here under my SSN would outweigh that anyways. I am betting that as son as I change my card to my SSN, Target Visa will lower my limit, but it is still credit.

I will let people know what happens! I have to mail them copies of my DL and my SS card. Scary.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-25 09:12:00
CanadaSwitching my Target card to my SSN
Does anybody have a clue about this...??sad.gif
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-24 21:14:00
CanadaSwitching my Target card to my SSN
Okay, I know this answer has to be in here somewhere, but I can't find it.

Before I filed for AOS, I applied for and received a Target card using my Canadian SIN. I intended, once I got my SSN to switch it over so I could start building US credit. I thought this was such a glorious plan. I even told everyone here what a glorious plan it was.

Except I just kept forgetting to switch it. In fact I kept forgetting about the card all together. Two months ago, I even forgot to pay it and had a 2-day late payment (I have NEVER done that before).

So now, I do want to switch it to my US SSN. But, I am not sure if that late payment will follow me. Will the credit history from that card follow me? I don't know enough about this stuff to know if the benefit of having that credit on my report, even with one late payment, outweighs the benefit of having a very limited credit history but with no blemishes and just starting a new card with my SSN.

Or, when I switch it, do I just start building credit based on the report from the Target card from that moment onwards? 'Cause that would be great. It is completely paid off and has a pretty high limit.

I am tempted to just leave it as is, since I have actually had a credit report run here using my Canadian SSN, and that card is the only thing that shows up. I think it is just floating around in credit limbo land. I don't know if it shows up on my Canadian credit report.

Does anyone know the answer to my convoluted question, oh wise Canadian VJ credit experts?? If you do, I will tell you where I have found a constant inexpensive supply of Coffee Crisps and Heinz baked beans...
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-22 10:24:00
Canadaliving part time in Canada
QUOTE (Krikit @ Mar 26 2009, 06:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bluegreen @ Mar 26 2009, 01:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We are going to do this too. I still have a house in Canada, which I bought as a happily single lady, watched as it was built and then only lived in for 5 months before being swooped away to the US.

Awwww. Only 5 months. That's so nice that you kept it. I wish I'd kept my house. cray5ol.gif

I know, I am really glad I still have it. It makes me feel like I still have one foot in the Motherland! And I WILL get to live in it again. Oh yes, I will...well, I mean we...
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-26 09:34:00
Canadaliving part time in Canada
We are going to do this too. I still have a house in Canada, which I bought as a happily single lady, watched as it was built and then only lived in for 5 months before being swooped away to the US. I definitely feel like I need to spend a good chunk of time every year back home. I like Sothern Cali but I really, really miss home too. My husband can work from anywhere, so I am working on figuring out a way to do that too. When the time comes, we'll figure out a way for us to make it happen and which country to remain residents of. I think I would be a lot more settled down here if I felt like I was able to still spend time (3-6 months a year) back in the mountains at home:)
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-26 00:33:00
CanadaWhat we do to keep our families close
Facebook is a big one for me too. I was kind of a Facebook cynic before I left, but now I find it really does keep me connected. I make sure I post lots of pictures of what we are up to and comment on everyone else's stuff. I also make a huge effort to call. I'm not realy a phone person so it's hard, but it is totally worth it. Sometimes I get frustrated because t feels like I make all the effort, but then again, I am the one who left.

I also try and really remember to send cards and letters and gifts for birthdays and stuff. Even friends I would not have necessarily done that for in the past (I would just meet them for a b-day drink after work!). I am slowly getting used to the fact that I need to send stuff a month in advance, or they just won't get there.

We are having our Big Fat Family wedding this summer, so I've spent lots of time on the phone with my Mum, sisters and girlfriends who have all been helping out a lot. My half husband (until we have the big wedding, he is only half) grumbles about all the wedding #######, but really, it just keeps us all on the phone chatting and laughing.

But ohhhh, I miss them all!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-25 09:28:00
CanadaRECENT CREDIT APPLICATION AT TARGET A BUST!!!!
I got a letter in the mail from Target Visa today saying they are lowering my credit limit (probably because I just recently took a chunk out of my Canadian line of credit and then had a 2 day late payment on the card—my first ever, I forgot!). It is still under my Canadian SIN. I think they are just being a LOT less cavalier about it than they used to be. So I bet you you will still get one—they just aren't approving on the spot as much as they used to.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-03-24 21:12:00
CanadaLittle Differences Between Canada and the U.S. (Easter Time)
I just bought some hot cross buns at Vons after a four-store goosechase. They came with a choice of, ahem , buttercream or lemon frosting crosses. I picked off all the frosting and they actually tasted okay, candied fruit and all. Yay!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-04-11 20:26:00
CanadaWhat's the best (cheap) way to move your stuff?
QUOTE (suzukiwookie @ Feb 19 2009, 02:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bluegreen @ Feb 18 2009, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We just moved from CO to CA with a Uhaul towing my car on a transporter. Basically it kind of sucks and if there is a way to avoid towing anything I would do it. We did not fill up the entire truck so we "sold" space to someone on Craiglist, which paid for our gas (however, she had boxes that were literally full of rocks, so I suspect we would've spent way less on gas without her stuff. Another story though:). It took forever—we had to drive really slowly over the mountain passes. going downhill is much scarier and more dangerous than going up. I am so glad it was summertime.

One thing I will say, is that the UHaul price is always negotiable! My husband went to a few different Uhaul places until he found someone willing to negotiate. We got the truck for $100 less, including 00 extra miles, and the transporter for the price of a tow dolly. I think we saved about $300. It helped that it was the middle of the month—not "moving" week.


I might look closer to the Craigslist thing.. but I am leery about trusting someone with my stuff. They could very easily dissapear with my things. What kind of arrangement did you make with the Rock Person to guarentee them that their rocks would not be stolen?


She paid us half before we left and half when we delivered her boxes in LA. We should have looked at what she had before we agreed—she had WAY more stuff than she had said and, of course, it was all rocks....well, almost all rocks.

That was her only real "guarantee" that we would not steal her stuff. I think she paid us around $300. It was bizarre—she was very trusting. But, it turned out she was from the Queen Charlotte Islands in BC. She was very sweet, and gave me a beautiful print by a Haida artist. So, even though I think we used a lot of extra gas due to the rocks, I'm glad we did it.

Our Uhaul was VERY heavy. We had all our stuff, our Honda Ruckus scooter (a BIG scooter), her rocks, and a transporter with my car, which was also packed up.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-02-19 19:07:00
CanadaWhat's the best (cheap) way to move your stuff?
QUOTE (JillA @ Feb 18 2009, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (DeadPoolX @ Feb 18 2009, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wouldn't recommend U-Haul. The condition of their trucks are terrible. The trucks move slower than a lawn mower and turns about as well as brick. You might get lucky, but overall, I'd avoid them like the plague.

If you want to drive and use a truck, I'd suggest renting a van or SUV from Budget. That's what my wife and I did. Granted, we drove from Edmonton to Vancouver (which isn't nearly as far as you're traveling), but the vehicle we rented was very large, could fit a ton of stuff, and was much nicer to drive in than any U-Haul truck.

UPS and FedEx are expensive, but if you're shipping anything and want it there quickly (and intact), I'd go with FedEx. UPS broke some of my DVD cases, all of which were hard plastic. The DVDs themselves were okay, but the fact remains, it takes a lot of force to break one of those hard plastic cases.

Unless you sell most of your stuff or send only a few items by FedEx (or UPS, if you really want to), it'll cost more than $500 for the entire thing. Renting a vehicle, whether it's U-Haul or Budget, will be pricey.


True, BUT Uhaul recently changed the regulations due to accidents/complaints. For long-haul trips, the truck cannot have over a certain mileage, for example 60,000. Once it hits that number, they retire the trucks to local moves. Usually the trucks being used for long hauls are in better condition.

I was scared of Uhaul too due to all of the horror stories but didn't really have another option for a one way move that we wanted to handle ourselves. It was a good truck though with no issues, maybe we got lucky.


I have to agree–our Uhaul was nice and new and didn't have many miles. But it was still a truck packed to the gills towing a car, so of course it was slower than a nice SUV:) Maybe we got lucky too, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the condition. And the mileage, considering we were carrying boxes of rocks.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-02-18 16:14:00
CanadaWhat's the best (cheap) way to move your stuff?
We just moved from CO to CA with a Uhaul towing my car on a transporter. Basically it kind of sucks and if there is a way to avoid towing anything I would do it. We did not fill up the entire truck so we "sold" space to someone on Craiglist, which paid for our gas (however, she had boxes that were literally full of rocks, so I suspect we would've spent way less on gas without her stuff. Another story though:). It took forever—we had to drive really slowly over the mountain passes. going downhill is much scarier and more dangerous than going up. I am so glad it was summertime.

One thing I will say, is that the UHaul price is always negotiable! My husband went to a few different Uhaul places until he found someone willing to negotiate. We got the truck for $100 less, including 00 extra miles, and the transporter for the price of a tow dolly. I think we saved about $300. It helped that it was the middle of the month—not "moving" week.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-02-18 11:58:00
Canadajust got married don't know what to do please help
QUOTE (donnanguyen @ Dec 2 2008, 12:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
so i just read another option is to go see the consular and they said that would be 1-2 weeks to get a green card!!! i live in vancouver so should i go to the consular in vancouver or does my husband need to go to the consular in san francisco?


Direct consular filing is for when both the citizen and non-citizen reside outside of the US and both want to come back to live. They can often file directly with the consulate in that country.Like, if you and your partner both lived in england and wanted to come to live in the US, you would go through the consulate there. But it takes more than 1-2 weeks and is not an option for you, as you are both in the US.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-12-01 23:58:00
CanadaDoes anyone know if Neo Citron is available in the USA.
QUOTE (Krikit @ Oct 9 2008, 10:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I buy extra strength in everything. laughing.gif


Heheh.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-10-09 18:19:00
CanadaDoes anyone know if Neo Citron is available in the USA.
QUOTE (zyggy @ Oct 6 2008, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have boxes of both and checked the active ingredients. They are both the same as follows:

Adult Colds and Flu:

Pheniramine 20 mg
Phenylephrine 10 mg
Acetaminophen 325 mg

NeoCitran and Theraflu are one and the same... so you can buy Theraflu with confidence.


It's the extra strength one that has the different ingredient:) But it is probably all mental anyways...
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-10-09 09:16:00
CanadaDoes anyone know if Neo Citron is available in the USA.
QUOTE (bluegreen @ Oct 6 2008, 12:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have to chime in too! My US husband is now obsessed with Neo Citran, and insists on having some whenever he feels the *slightest* inkling of a cold. He gets my mother to send it from Victoria. He is slightly, just slightly hypochondriac:) Theraflu is not the same. I think it is because Neo Citran contains some kind of decongestant medicine that is banned by the FDA for over the counter here in the States. The ingredients are not the same, I remember comparing them, although I can't remember what the name of the additional medicines were in the Neo Citran.

I think that's why many over the counter decongestants don't work at all the the US. I buy Sudafed at home now and save it for my rare colds and hubby's frequent "man flu" episodes.


I just checked this out and I think the ingredient is pseudoephedrine, which is in Canadian Sudafed and the extra strength cough cold and flu Neo Citran. It has been replaced by phenylephrine in Theraflu and other US decongestants, because you can use it (the pseudoephedrine) to make meth. Anyways, whatever it is, or maybe it is all mental (which most medicine probably is anyways:), my hubby is convinced it is better. I think you can still buy Claratin, which contains pseudoephedrine, but you have to ask the pharmacist for it and they keep a log to make sure you aren't buying it in massive quantities. I am not positive about this though.

Man I sound like a cold medicine junkie. Ultimately, I think the good old hot toddy is probably the way to go!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-10-06 00:54:00
CanadaDoes anyone know if Neo Citron is available in the USA.
I have to chime in too! My US husband is now obsessed with Neo Citran, and insists on having some whenever he feels the *slightest* inkling of a cold. He gets my mother to send it from Victoria. He is slightly, just slightly hypochondriac:) Theraflu is not the same. I think it is because Neo Citran contains some kind of decongestant medicine that is banned by the FDA for over the counter here in the States. The ingredients are not the same, I remember comparing them, although I can't remember what the name of the additional medicines were in the Neo Citran.

I think that's why many over the counter decongestants don't work at all the the US. I buy Sudafed at home now and save it for my rare colds and hubby's frequent "man flu" episodes.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-10-05 23:48:00
CanadaHomesick
QUOTE (Reba @ Nov 5 2008, 07:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thetreble @ Nov 5 2008, 07:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I need to pay your gran a visit, Reba! My gran also used to make shortbread when I was a kid. So good. I haven't had bangers and mash in awhile, or beans on toast. I eat cheese on toast pretty often still though.

funny to see how many of you guys have parents of British decent! Makes me smile smile.gif



I make beans on toast all the time! James asked me the other day if I wanted beans for lunch I said "nope, can't. There's no bread" He said "how 'bout biscuits" "nope, need bread for toast. can't have beans without toast. its sacrilege er sumthin" laughing.gif He just doesn't get it sometimes.

I need to order some beans without HFCS though. Bush's are ok, but I prefer without the HFCS. Too lazy to make my own of course.


Ohhhh, you should check out the unbelievably long and spirited discussion I started months ago on the UK forum. I am too lazy to find it right now (and it is not truly THAT interesting:), but I could not believe it was such a hot topic for at least a week. I get Heinz beans from Cost Plus for my beans on toast. They only have them sometimes, so when I see them I buy them all. I can then happily munch away on my non-HFCS beans on my non-HFCS bread....Wow I am getting so high maintenance!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-11-05 19:30:00
CanadaHomesick
QUOTE (Reba @ Nov 4 2008, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thetreble @ Nov 4 2008, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Any who, I know what you are saying about losing your identity. I defined myself as Canadian and British for the most part. I try to buy my tea online and british sweets when I can, but it's not the same as having my mum brew me a cuppa after dinner. Ya know? There is such a big British backing in Canada that no matter where you turn, you usually can find someone of British decent.



I totally get that! A good cuppa just isn't good enough unless somebody else makes it for you! Or you steal theirs. wink.gif James thinks I'm a freak because I drink tea hot blink.gif Personally, I think *he's* the freak for drinking it cold and so dang sweet! laughing.gif

speaking of which...I think I'll put kettle on. Anybody for tea? I've got a nice big pot, and no one to share it with


YES!! I'd LOVE a cup. I don't think my husband gets the tea thing yet. He DID bring me a cup in bed on my birthday, but otherwise will not make it. Making a cup of tea for someone who is either: hot, cold, tired, thirsty, stressed, celebrating, going to bed, waking up, sad, content...etc is LOVE! I burst into tears when I visited home for the first time and Mum said "Oh! You're home! Let me put on the kettle!"

I go to Cost Plus for my PG Tips. I had to search far and wide for an electric kettle with an auto switch-off that I liked.

Thetreble, I am similar to you—the child of English immigrants, and have grown up very much between the two countries. I identify equally with both cultures. I do feel a bit like I am missing the things that make me, "me". I don't recognize "myself" in anyone or anything I see here...although now we have moved to and California and out of suburbia it is a million times better. I am starting to make friends, and am trying not to be swayed by their fascination with my "cute" habits that make them laugh (drinking tea, turning off the tv when people visit, eating at the table, saying "sorry", putting my knife and fork together when I'm finished eating). Making friends is also helping me see that these differences are not exactly Earth shattering or terrible, and I can still hold onto my own ways of doing things if I choose. I am not going to die if each friend I make is not 100% after my own heart. This is taking me a while to learn though...

At the same time, I don't want to be like my Mum, who was so very homesick for years and was very reluctant to adopt ANY Canadian attitudes or traditions. I think that she felt that learning to love Canada would make her less English. She has, over the last 10-15 years, really changed that attitude and is a lot happier. So I try really hard not to always be like, "oh, in Canada, we do it like this. And in Canada, the [chocolate, health care, etc] is soooo much better. That is why it is so awesome to vent about it all here!!
bluegreenFemaleCanada2008-11-04 21:25:00
CanadaUSC crossing border into canada w/ misdemeanor drug charge
Thank you thank you! Once I have the precious info I definitely describe the route that my irresponsible friends elect to take:) I am not sure if attendance at our wedding will outweigh the expense and bureaucracy inherent in the process (and I don't think there is time), but hopefully they do it so we can all see how it works. Heh.
bluegreenFemaleCanada2009-06-12 19:49:00
CanadaJust got my permanent resident card in the mail!
congratulations. i cant wait to be at that stage!! Everything will be over....
katej0203FemaleEngland2008-08-23 18:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual American/German Citizenship (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung)
I applied for my "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" in August of last year and was approved 4 months later.

Here's my timeline:
08/03/2009 submitted application to German consulate in L.A.
09/01/2009 the Bundesverwaltungsamt in Cologne received my application
11/20/2009 approval letter was issued
01/29/2010 picked up certificate at German consulate in L.A.


By the way, I did not hire a lawyer and handled all the paperwork myself. My ties to Germany: family, friends, regular trips to Germany, German bank account, German high school diploma, MA degree from German university. My main reason for becoming a US citizen: I'm an only child and will either have to sponsor my parents in order to take care of them or will have to move back to Germany for an extended period of time (both scenarios would require me to be a US citizen).

Good luck!
SilkeFemaleGermany2010-02-11 19:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInterview Experience - Lawrence, MA
Congratulations!
SilkeFemaleGermany2010-06-22 12:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 JANUARY 2012 FILERS

Still no interview date for me. Posted Image
I did get a notice that my case was placed in line for an interview and I assume my fingerprints were waived since I took them less than a year ago for my removal of conditions.. but I am anxiously waiting for the Interview letter! Updating my status for fingerprints.



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**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

=================================
N-400: January 2012 Applicants
=================================


======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
UserName...........|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
Miguel123..........|12/27/11.|01/03/12.|01/03/12.|01/20/12.|03/19/12.|04/26/12.|--/--/--.|Houston, Tx.........|EB: 01/12/12
DeathStrike_1......|12/28/11.|01/02/12.|01/04/12.|02/02/12.|03/19/12.|04/24/12.|--/--/--.|Orlando, FL.........|
Sib................|12/30/11.|01/05/12.|01/03/12.|Waived...|03/13/12.|04/18/12.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|
zebra212...........|12/31/11.|01/07/12.|01/06/12.|02/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.........|EB: 01/27/12
DeathStrike........|01/04/12.|01/10/12.|01/13/12.|01/25/12.|03/19/12.|04/23/12.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|
Pinktulips2012.....|01/04/12.|01/11/12.|01/10/12.|02/07/12.|03/02/12.|04/02/12.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN.........|
Notscenenough......|01/06/12.|01/11/12.|01/09/12.|01/26/12.|03/26/12.|04/26/12.|--/--/--.|New York City, NY...|EB: 01/18/12
Pandawars..........|01/06/12.|01/12/12.|01/09/12.|02/02/12.|02/11/12.|03/19/12.|04/18/12.|Boston, MA..........|EB: 01/27/12
Waithatter.........|01/09/12.|01/13/12.|01/12/12.|Waived...|03/17/12.|04/19/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
Derpina............|01/10/12.|01/18/12.|01/13/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA.........|
Ree................|01/10/12.|--/--/--.|01/13/12.|02/01/12.|02/21/12.|03/21/12.|04/19/12.|Buffalo, NY.........|EB: 01/31/12
Nelly228...........|01/13/12.|01/20/12.|01/19/12.|02/07/12.|03/19/12.|04/18/12.|--/--/--.|New Orleans, LA.....|
Blessed N Favored..|01/15/12.|01/23/12.|01/20/12.|02/17/12.|03/09/12.|04/10/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
Fuzzymiss..........|01/17/12.|01/25/12.|01/23/12.|02/15/12.|03/08/12.|04/12/12.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA..........|
Corishman..........|01/17/12.|01/26/12.|01/23/12.|03/08/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA....|
New2009............|01/17/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.........|
USA82..............|01/18/12.|01/26/12.|01/20/12.|Waived...|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Hartford, CT........|
Jade_arm...........|01/26/12.|02/01/12.|01/30/12.|Waived...|03/12/12.|04/16/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
SiteDirector.......|01/30/12.|--/--/--.|02/10/12.|02/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Raleigh, NC.........|
Rylee..............|01/30/12.|02/03/12.|02/03/12.|03/05/12.|03/12/12.|04/16/12.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN.........|


================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName...........|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
Rodgieslove........|01/02/12.|01/??/12.|01/??/12.|02/08/12.|02/??/12.|03/19/12.|03/19/12.|Seattle, WA.........|
DAndy127...........|01/05/12.|01/12/12.|01/11/12.|Waived...|03/12/12.|04/17/12.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL.........|
HuffyTheSlayer.....|01/05/12.|01/13/12.|01/12/12.|02/02/12.|02/10/12.|03/19/12.|--/--/--.|San Bernardino, CA..|
Raul y Karla.......|01/14/12.|01/20/12.|01/17/12.|02/07/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Last Stand.........|01/14/12.|01/24/12.|01/23/12.|02/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Mary'n'Ev..........|01/16/12.|01/23/12.|01/23/12.|02/08/12.|03/19/12.|05/03/12.|--/--/--.|Kansas City, KS.....|
Pepper.............|01/17/12.|01/25/12.|01/24/12.|Waived...|03/22/12.|04/25/12.|--/--/--.|Denver, CO..........|
Rosie74............|01/20/12.|01/26/12.|01/23/12.|Waived...|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA.......|
Manias.............|01/22/12.|02/02/12.|01/30/12.|03/30/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Honolulu, HI........|
JK0926.............|01/23/12.|01/27/12.|01/30/12.|02/13/12.|03/17/12.|04/23/12.|--/--/--.|Omaha, NE...........|
SerenityNOW........|01/24/12.|01/31/12.|01/26/12.|02/22/12.|03/06/12.|04/12/12.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA...|
Wackodacko.........|01/24/12.|01/31/12.|01/26/12.|02/22/12.|03/16/12.|04/19/12.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA...|EB: 02/14/12
Calibound..........|01/24/12.|01/25/12.|01/27/12.|02/21/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|EB: 02/15/12
Cwaf...............|01/26/12.|02/02/12.|02/03/12.|--/--/--.|03/17/12.|04/19/12.|--/--/--.|Indianapolis, IN....|
KathrynP...........|01/27/12.|02/02/12.|02/01/12.|Waived...|02/29/12.|04/04/12.|--/--/--.|Portland, OR........|
Bayojona3131.......|01/28/12.|02/03/12.|02/08/12.|02/28/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
TiJay..............|01/30/12.|02/03/12.|02/06/12.|02/24/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|EB: 02/17/12


===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName...........|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
Ruffie.............|01/06/12.|01/20/12.|01/12/12.|01/03/12.|03/08/12.|03/15/12.|03/15/12.|Frankfurt, Germany..|
Nanitao............|12/28/11.|01/11/12.|01/21/12.|Waived...|03/08/12.|03/21/12.|03/21/12.|Newark, NJ..........|






Rosie74FemaleItaly2012-03-28 08:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 JANUARY 2012 FILERS
Updating my NOA date :)

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
3. Click "Reply" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list.
4. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list.
5. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size [2]
6. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

=================================
N-400: January 2012 Applicants
=================================


======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
UserName.................|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
DeathStrike_1............|12/28/11.|01/02/12.|01/04/12.|02/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Orlando, FL.........|
Sib......................|12/30/11.|01/05/12.|01/03/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|
DeathStrike..............|01/04/12.|01/10/12.|01/13/12.|01/25/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|
Pinktulips2012...........|01/04/12.|01/11/12.|01/10/12.|02/07/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN.........|
Notscenenough............|01/06/12.|01/11/12.|01/09/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York City, NY...|EB: 01/18/12
Pandawars................|01/06/12.|01/12/12.|01/09/12.|02/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA..........|EB: 01/27/12
Waithatter...............|01/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
Derpina..................|01/10/12.|01/18/12.|01/13/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA.........|
Ree......................|01/10/12.|--/--/--.|01/13/12.|02/01/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Buffalo, NY.........|
Nelly228.................|01/13/12.|01/20/12.|01/19/12.|02/07/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New Orleans, LA.....|
Blessed N Favored........|01/15/12.|01/23/12.|01/20/12.|02/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
Fuzzymiss................|01/17/12.|01/25/12.|01/23/12.|02/15/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA..........|
Corishman................|01/17/12.|01/26/12.|01/23/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA....|
New2009..................|01/17/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.........|
Jade_arm.................|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
SiteDirector.............|01/30/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Raleigh, NC.........|
Rylee....................|01/30/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN.........|


================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName.................|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
DAndy127.................|01/05/12.|01/12/12.|01/11/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL.........|
HuffyTheSlayer...........|01/05/12.|01/13/12.|01/12/12.|02/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Raul y Karla.............|01/14/12.|01/20/12.|01/17/12.|02/07/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Last Stand...............|01/14/12.|01/24/12.|01/23/12.|02/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Mary'n'Ev................|01/16/12.|01/23/12.|01/23/12.|02/08/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Kansas City, KS.....|
Pepper...................|01/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Denver, CO..........|
Rosie74..................|01/20/12.|01/26/12.|01/23/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA.......|
SerenityNOW..............|01/24/12.|01/31/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA...|
Wackodacko...............|01/24/12.|01/31/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA...|
Calibound................|01/24/12.|01/25/12.|01/27/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Cwaf.....................|01/26/12.|02/02/12.|02/03/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Indianapolis, IN....|
KathrynP.................|01/27/12.|02/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Portland, OR........|
Bayojona3131.............|01/28/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
TiJay....................|01/30/12.|02/03/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|

===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName.................|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
Ruffie...................|01/06/12.|01/20/12.|01/12/12.|01/03/12.|--/--/--.|US Consulate, Frankfurt, Germany........|
Rosie74FemaleItaly2012-02-04 09:22:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 JANUARY 2012 FILERS

Yay!!!! Welcome Aboard Rosie!!! Glad to have you! :D


Thank you! :) Good luck to all of us!!
Rosie74FemaleItaly2012-01-26 17:06:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 JANUARY 2012 FILERS
Adding myself to the list. Package sent on 1/20 to Phoenix!! Posted Image

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
3. Click "Reply" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list.
4. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list.
5. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size [2]
6. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

=================================
N-400: January 2012 Applicants
=================================


======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
UserName.................|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
DeathStrike_1............|12/28/11.|01/02/12.|01/04/12.|02/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Orlando, FL.........|
Sib......................|12/30/11.|01/05/12.|01/03/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|
DeathStrike..............|01/04/12.|01/10/12.|01/13/12.|01/25/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL....|
Pinktulips2012...........|01/04/12.|01/11/12.|01/10/12.|02/07/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Memphis, TN.........|
Notscenenough............|01/06/12.|01/11/12.|01/09/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York City, NY...|EB: 01/18/12
Pandawars................|01/06/12.|01/12/12.|01/09/12.|02/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA..........|
Waithatter...............|01/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
Derpina..................|01/10/12.|01/18/12.|01/13/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA.........|
Nelly228.................|01/13/12.|--/--/--.|01/19/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New Orleans, LA.....|
Blessed N Favored........|01/15/12.|01/23/12.|01/20/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX..........|
Fuzzymiss................|01/17/12.|01/25/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA..........|
Corishman................|01/??/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA....|

================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName.................|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
DAndy127.................|01/05/12.|01/12/12.|01/11/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL.........|
HuffyTheSlayer...........|01/05/12.|01/13/12.|01/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Raul y Karla.............|01/14/12.|01/20/12.|01/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Last Stand...............|01/14/12.|01/24/12.|01/23/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.....|
Mary'n'Ev................|01/16/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Kansas City, KS.....|
Pepper...................|01/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Denver, CO..........|
Rosie74..................|01/20/12.|01/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA.......|
SerenityNOW..............|01/24/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA...|


===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName.................|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.........|
Ruffie...................|01/06/12.|01/20/12.|--/--/--.|01/03/12.|--/--/--.|US Consulate, Frankfurt, Germany........|




Rosie74FemaleItaly2012-01-26 17:00:00
CanadaMontreal Experience
:blink: That's terrible. Almost makes me ashamed to be a Canadian. French Canada and English Canada don't get along for some reason and I think people take it out on english people of any kind. I am sorry you had to go through this and I'm not staying in the city at all after hearing that. I'm staying on the outskirts and driving down or getting a bus or something. Thanks for the warning and I'm sorry it happened to ya. Trust me not all Canadians are like that! I've heard horror stories about Montreal before and Quebec in general and I'm just sorry that some of it seems to be true.
calidreamer80FemaleCanada2006-06-08 15:17:00
CanadaAirport Experience
Thank you soooo much for sharing. I'll be leaving out of Toronto when the time comes so it helps to know you had a smooth transition. Good luck on your life in america :thumbs:
calidreamer80FemaleCanada2006-06-13 17:19:00
CanadaNext Step
Don't they need to see proof of an noa2 or something? I live in a small town with a local police department do i go there or are there forms I can send away for?
calidreamer80FemaleCanada2006-07-13 19:54:00
CanadaNext Step
Hey guys

When should I send away for the criminal background check. Should I wait until I get the next pkg from uscis? I'm sooo confused about what to do for the next step. Can someone clear it up for me? Thanks a million. I read the guides but I'm still confused :lol:
calidreamer80FemaleCanada2006-07-13 19:47:00
CanadaPLEASE HELP ME!
Ok, I am seriously panicking here. I have no idea what to do for the next step since I got my noa2. I've been hearing countless different things from ppl on here and its got me in a tither. Time is closing in on me and I need to know what to do. The guides are not giving me any help whatsoever and I'm about to have an anxiety attack. I need answers to two questions...

1) Do I need to get a security check? Do I wait for the consulate to instruct me to do this or do I go now and get it? I'm not even sure if I need to get one because I've heard I do need to get it and I've heard i don't need to get it. :wacko:

2) I need a long form birth certificate right? Where do I go about ordering those as I understand it takes some time to get them through the mail?

ARGHHHH. PLEASE HELP ME GUYS. Everyone was so supportive when I was waiting for my NOA2 but I have found the answers are less than forth coming now. I thought things would be easier from here on in. I could probably step back and chill OUT but I really don't want to screw this process up!!!

Thanks
Sarah
calidreamer80FemaleCanada2006-07-18 00:32:00