ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaIf all else fails...
YAY Saskatchewan!! What no pictures of Regina!!! After all we are the "Queen City". tongue.gif Unlike the article says it IS a freezing tundra in the winter! laughing.gif But very nice in the spring, fall and summer!! It's above freezing today in Regina! Just two days ago the windchill felt like -30C go figure!!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-04 18:20:00
CanadaMoving this weekend
QUOTE (JillA @ Mar 4 2009, 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (DeadPoolX @ Mar 4 2009, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lawg @ Mar 4 2009, 08:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The next morning we managed to get an early start and had a relatively sane drive until we got to Dallas..... The traffic was horrendous!!! I mean bumper to bumper... even when we got I-45 from Dallas to Houston - there were just insane amounts of vehicles. We drove and drove and then we stopped.... litterally on the road. There was a traffic jam by Huntsville, TX. We sat on the road between Huntsville and Houston for over two hours. We moved a little bit but not much above 10 mph. Lily was screaming at this point. We are trying like hell to just get to the house. Finally we make it to Houston... Little did I know but John decided to take us on the biggest roads he could find in the city... I-45, Beltway 8, I-10!!! I have drove in cities like Edmonton, Saskatoon, Calgary but never in traffic like this..... I was totally nerve wracked! But we made it to the house without a scratch.. Thank God!

Congrats on making it to your new home. Katy is a nice area and you'll have access to Katy Mills Mall.

Overall, I'd say West Houston is the nicest area of the city. If you feel like driving a little ways, stop off at the Galleria, Highland Village or go downtown. You can easily get to downtown using I-10, just stay off the 610 Loop. One word of warning about downtown: Watch out for the MetroRail. For some reason or another, the "geniuses" behind that decided to make it silent and give little-to-no warning that it's moving. There have been tons of accidents involving the MetroRail colliding into cars.

I've lived in Houston my whole life and I know I-45, I-10 ("the Katy Freeway") and Beltway 8 like the back of my hand. Once you get into Houston, the freeways become insane. God, I love that. kicking.gif

I'm sorry you had such bad traffic on the way and that you got stuck between Houston and Huntsville. I hate Huntsville. It's a nice place to blow through at 60 MPH, but it's an extremely depressing place. That might be why the major TDCJ prison system is there.

One thing I've realized about Canadian highways is that the overall speed traveled seems to be a lot lower than what I was accustomed to in Texas. For instance, speeds seem to reach maximum of 80 KM/H, which is about 50 MPH. I'm used to driving somewhere around 80 MPH (roughly 130 KM/H) on the freeway.



Really? Most highways in Canada are 100 KM/H, Alberta it's 110 KM.



I was thinking the same thing, here in SK the speed limit on most highways is 100km some 110. If the limit is 100....everyone around me is driving 110-120...if the limit is 110 they are doing 120-130.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-04 18:40:00
CanadaMoving this weekend
ohmy.gif WOW!! Congratulations on finally making it home!! That is quite the adventure! I hate people who drive like its summer! Hahaha where my fiance used to be stationed in ND it was count the airmen in the ditch every time there was a snow! They have no clue how to drive in snow and ice if you are not from the northern plains!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-04 11:53:00
CanadaMoving this weekend
QUOTE (lawg @ Feb 26 2009, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We are finally moving!!! We planned to leave on Friday morning (Feb. 20th) that ended up postponed to Saturday because of some issues with health insurance etc. And this has been such a hilarious series of unfortunate events I had to share…

We finally get the van loaded (after the guys had to pull everything out of the van to find Hayley’s Birth Certificate that we needed for the border)… We meet my mom for Lunch and head out…. Approx. 1:30.. 20 minutes out of Meadow Lake I realize I forgot my Camera – John races back for it while I continue with the kids…

About 10 minutes out of Saskatoon I notice John’s Van catch a pothole in the road… He pulls over a couple minutes later he is having low tire pressure warnings in his van. We go to Canadian tire they fix it – by the time he drives over to where the kids and I are – it’s low again so he takes it back. Guess what – his rim is bent and they don’t have one that will fit his Van. They seal it and hope it makes the journey. Off we go again…

We get to Regina that night and the “pet friendly” hotel charges a $15 per night per pet fee… so they $100 room cost us $150. We get up and hit the road about 8:30. Three of us all sick with colds! We drive until I phone John and tell him I need to stop at the next town for Gas….. about two minutes later my engine light comes on…. We pull in at the gas station… fill up – restart the van….. now the engine light is on and there is a distinct noise…. I can’t even explain the noise it was so weird! John runs back in to the station and gets some numbers of mechanics to call. He gets one to come out to look at it.. he tells us he thinks it’s the transmission but he can’t work on it for two days…. Tells us to “limp it” to Estevan. We drive about 3 minutes down the road and John stops gets out and says – we aren’t going anywhere – it started slipping 3 & 4th gear. It’s only -44 in the wind so what the heck… lets stand outside and tinker on the van right! John takes it to Canadian tire (with the kids) and I go looking for a hotel. I find one and come back and take the kids to Tim Horton’s.. We waited for 45 minutes. John calls – It’s definitely the transmission (they used their computers) and they can’t fix it. So we go back to the hotel….. The next morning John takes the Van to the local Dodge dealership (at 8:00 am) at 8:20 he calls and tells me they have it in the bay and they are looking at it. Unsure of the cause (the transmission fluid is black). They decide to drain the fluid and flush it. They drain it and find filings….. it’s shot. So they had to rebuild it. Turns out the Torque converter failed and forced Engine oil into the transmission fluid.. blah blah blah This cost about $2500.00 and took until 9:00 Wednesday to fix. So we spent my Birthday in Weyburn… By the way Meadow Lake Restaurants could battle Weyburns in worlds worst places to eat! Even Dairy Queen managed to forget our ice cream on our banana splits!

We finally get on the road yesterday and manage to cross the boarder in 1 hour or so! North Portal had no idea what to do but they did what they thought they needed to do pretty quickly. It was amazing! We drove until Kenmare, ND and had lunch. Then we drove until Carrington and got some gas (I filled my van from empty for $32.00) Amazing huh! We then drove to Jamestown and had dinner (I’m in America and I am not suppose to say Supper!) and after dinner we left and drove to Fargo… The hotel we wanted decided 2 days ago to no longer accept pets so we had to change to another hotel. OMG – Sleeze motel move over! We walk in the room and it smells like Urine! The dogs go nuts running all over sniffing and sniffing.. I didn’t want them to sleep on the floor! It was 10:00 pm and we wanted an early start so we stayed.. at least the sheets were clean!!!

This morning we get on the road… The roads were horrible. Blowing snow and drifts. I kept thinking where the heck are the plows! Well about 10 miles out of Fargo I see this sign saying Christine to S. Dakota travel not advised… Well Little did I know that Christine was the town we came to about 2 minutes later looking for a place to have breakfast – but the café on the GPS didn’t even exist! (6 miles off the highway on very poor roads!) We managed to drive another 45 minutes before we finally give up (the visability was horrible and the drifts were terrible! Turns out they pulled the plows off the road because it had gotten to zero visibility). We pull off at a small town (Mooreton). The Café owner was great – she even let Lily use her grandchildren’s walker. She helped us find a hotel in Wahpeton (about 12 miles away). We drive here slowly and get to the hotel when John’s Engine light comes on in his van! At this point I’m ready to just go jump on the next bus! We checked in and they kindly let us have the room early. John found a mechanic to look at his van and he left. We went shopping at Walmart because we are running out of clothes (we packed for a 5 day journey, not a 7 – 8 day adventure). We meet back at the hotel both John and I got stuck at the same intersection….. we both got out and luckily his warning light is just an issue with ice build up on a sensor or a wire. All fixed!

Now we sit and wait – hopefully the storm ends soon, the hotel has finally cleaned the parking lot but we have a 2 ft high pile of snow behind our vehicles…. So lets all hope we can get out tomorrow! This has been one of the weirdest trips ever, at the rate we are going we drive 1 day – rest 3! Ha, ha, ha! For once the border services / immigration were the easy part!!!!

Hugs to all!

Gail


Oh my gosh! Just think you will be in Texas soon!! Good to hear about Portal as that will be my POE as well, hopefully I get someone who knows what they are doing!! I'm in Regina right now and the windchill tonight is -43!!! Brrrr!!! My fiance was teasing me telling me that where he is in Omaha metro the highs will be in the 30-40's F....I told him you are lucky I am 1000 miles away!!! headbonk.gif I know the route you are taking all too well! Bismarck, ND-Fargo ND along I-94....3 hours of nothing......ahh the northern plains!!! Fargo to Sioux Falls....even worse! LOL....gotta make sure you gas up before you leave Fargo! Anyways, good luck for the rest of your trip!!

minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-27 00:34:00
CanadaWaiting is the not so fun part...
QUOTE (Varba @ Mar 5 2009, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm a patient person, but they've had the paperwork I worked very hard on for almost a full month and haven't even glanced at it yet.

I realize this is normalish.. but still it's no fun!

mad.gif


I am with you on that one! This waiting is pure torture! I heard the song "So Small" by Carrie Underwood today as I was listening to her CD and it is now my theme song for this process...it seems so huge to conquer, now I have to take it a day at a time because you can't take it back after its all over. And like someone else said it will hopefully become a repressed memory... laughing.gif
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-05 21:02:00
CanadaThe Vent
My vent for today: The power went out to the entire house for about a half an hour and of course I woke up because my fan that I usually have on during the day while I am sleeping was off! ( I work night shift) So yeah power came back on but do you think I could fall back asleep? NO!!!! mad.gif Woo hoo! 4 hours of sleep today! Unless I can catch a nap this evening!

But on the upside I got one of my T-4's today! and I have a tax preparer for my Canadian taxes!! Which reminds me still have to send in my darn US taxes soon! Federal I am getting a refund...but state I owed 40 bucks!! GAAAHH!!! wacko.gif

Ah yes Verizon...they SUCK....My fiance just switched to AT&T....he moved due to orders to a new area...where there is actually a choice between Verizon, Alltell and the local phone company (who's cell phone plans only have coverage for about an hour's radius of the previous town/city he used to live in) When I move down I will probably end up getting Cricket or Alltell...I had Alltell prepaid when i lived in the states...I am not much of a talker on the cell phone. A landline will need to be ordered! LOL! I need a good long distance plan to call Canada and not get charged an arm and a leg!!

minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-23 17:46:00
CanadaThe Vent
QUOTE (Udella&Wiz @ Feb 23 2009, 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Isn't this the VENT thread - not the argue about someone's VENT thread?

I tend to read and then leave this one some days. Everyone in here has the right to rant unfettered, no? I see a lot of people arguing when someone is just trying to get something of their chest and a point that's important to them.


I was starting to wonder about that too! What the heck!!

minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-23 12:08:00
CanadaThe Vent
QUOTE (Sprailenes @ Feb 14 2009, 12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I knew I didn't want a bustle either, but I ended up having one. It was pretty much the only dress that didn't make me look like a disco ball, I didn't want beading or sequence either. I wanted them to take the bustle off, but they didn't in the end.


I hated the bustle though, I have pretty big hips and junk in the trunk, so I didn't need a freaking bustle accentuating it. laughing.gif



Hey guys! Thank you for the advice! Our wedding will be most likely in a church so I want a formal dress, just no train and no lace and beadwork on steroids! I wouldn't mind a little bit of beadwork, just not overpowering the dress, but NO lace! Hopefully I will find something soon!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-15 02:58:00
CanadaThe Vent
Well it's Valentines Day everyone! Happy Valentine's Day to everyone and especially those who get to spend it with their loved one! heart.gif rose.gif
Me on the other hand I am very said as this day is a double whammy because it is also our 4 year anniversary of when we started dating and I can't be with him! Next time I will see him is the end of March for 2 weeks...after that visit who knows! maybe not until the summer!! crying.gif ( Shopping for bridal dresses is really starting to frustrate me too! I don't like long trains, lace, tons of beadwork, or that new look with all the bustling on the bottom!! and the sizing is driving me nuts one designer I am a 2 and the next designer a 6 is too tight!! Gaahh!! They need a Davids Bridal in Canada!!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-14 08:21:00
CanadaThe Vent
QUOTE (Krikit @ Jan 30 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
HUGZ. We've all been through it, Minnew. It'll work out. rose.gif


Thank you Krikit for listening! I hope everything will work out okay, I am just overthinking everything and driving myself nuts! I am worried our case will get held up, which I won't know until it comes, but I am worried because of his job requires a TS clearance and hoping we don't end up in extra checks or something like that. His commanders told him that it will not affect his ability to get a clearance, but will USCIS put us in extra processing time?! Ok whew I need to relax! I won't make it through this process if I am like this! *deep breath*
minnewFemaleCanada2009-01-30 14:56:00
CanadaThe Vent
Well I am not sure if this qualifies as a Vent or Off-Topic but here we go!! I am in the U.S right now visiting my fiance, he just PCS'd with the AF and it is my first time seeing the new city/area we will be living in! I am totally in love with it! We set up the place together! went furniture shopping and unpacked a million boxes! It feels like OUR home! I am having a hard time with not going to be able to see him for at least another 3 months, maybe more! My Vacation Leave is gone! It's no longer a 4 hour drive to see him, more like 15 hours! The wedding planning (or lack thereof) is starting to bug me too! Can't exactly plan without a date! I don't want to pick a date and put money down and not have the bride show up!! But yet I feel like I am being pressured from family to start when I won't have a date, and I have no idea how many people will RSVP due the the fact that over 90% of the guests will be from out of town! It will be a small wedding to begin with 50 or less. His family wouldn't allow a JOP wedding followed by a church wedding so now not only will I have immigration stuff to deal with, then once I get my visa I gotta plan a wedding in 6 months!!! Ok vent done! Gaaaaahhh!!! crying.gif
minnewFemaleCanada2009-01-30 12:32:00
Canadawhat did you all do today?
QUOTE (JennaLyn @ Mar 9 2009, 08:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (minnew @ Mar 8 2009, 08:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just got back from the U.S for a weekend visit! The visit was productive as I found my dream wedding gown and accessories! Had to pay sales tax at the border but ah well!! Very bad day to be driving as it was blowing snow, swirling snow, visibility sucked, -25 windchill and all!! uggh! Of course couldn't use cruise control so my right foot is sore! Too bad I couldn't see my fiance when I went down as it would have been a 15 hour drive.. sad.gif but I got to see some friends!



Yaaay for finding your dream wedding gown..but good lord, that weather is insane!! I'm glad you made it back ok..

how was the watchmen? I want to go see it, but my boyfriend suggested I read it first..


Yeah I had never even heard of it before and ended up going to see on Friday in the US....it was waaay too long! Not my cup of tea!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-09 12:45:00
Canadawhat did you all do today?
I just got back from the U.S for a weekend visit! The visit was productive as I found my dream wedding gown and accessories! Had to pay sales tax at the border but ah well!! Very bad day to be driving as it was blowing snow, swirling snow, visibility sucked, -25 windchill and all!! uggh! Of course couldn't use cruise control so my right foot is sore! Too bad I couldn't see my fiance when I went down as it would have been a 15 hour drive.. sad.gif but I got to see some friends!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-08 19:36:00
CanadaAfter it's all over question..
QUOTE (Varba @ Mar 9 2009, 09:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm cooking up ideas for the honeymoon, after this giant mess people call immigration is over and we're finally together (horay!).

My question is, I know that during most of the parts of this process there are restrictions on where my wonderful fiancee can and can't be.

After we're married, are we allowed to leave the US for our honeymoon?

I have good ideas cooked up, but it might be nice to be able to leave the country too (we love to travel).

Thanks in advance.



There is always Hawaii!! As long as you don't have any stopovers in Canada or Mexico! I think there have been people who have taken cruises to Hawaii as well because USC do not need passports to go to Hawaii!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-09 12:00:00
CanadaHometown Canada
Regina, Saskathewan- known as the "Queen City." The only thing that popped into my head was Sandra Schmirler, although she was not born and raised in Regina, she was from a small town of Biggar and eventually moved to Regina. Her curling team won three Canadian curling championships, three world curling championships and a gold medal in the 1998 Winter Olympics. Unfortunately she passed away at the age of 36 of lung cancer, but her legacy lives on. The South East Leisure Centre in Regina was renamed the Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre as she had worked there before her passing. Speaking of which the Scott Tournament of Hearts has been on this weekend! Can't get my father away from the TV!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-01 14:40:00
CanadaWhy do I feel 2 inches tall
I still have my JC Penney card from when I was in the US studying...definitely holding onto that as well as my Wells Fargo Checking and Credit Card so that I will at least have that when I move again for good! My parents got a Herbergers card no problem and of course use it every chance they get shopping in the US! Wait until mom sees Younkers! I will never get her out of the mall before closing...LOL....
minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-16 12:41:00
CanadaEmbarrassing Moments
Well I have had alot of embaressing moments in my life thus far, but I would say the most recent one would probably be when I met my fiance's grandparents for the first time 2 summers ago at his parents house. I am not sure how we got on the topic of video games, but I think WoW came up somehow and his grandma said that those games can make people turn into athiests...Well me not knowing that her son(my fiances uncle) did turn into an athiest I put my foot in my mouth when I said well its just a video game, it can't MAKE you not believe in God. Well I guess in her view it did and she said well my son is and its due to those games and I pray for him every day. I kept on thinking to myself at that moment, Why didn't you tell me about your uncle? Gaah!

A moment that has been embaressing thus far and I am sure will be embaressing on our wedding day is when the story of diamond for the engagement ring comes up! Long story short, it was a gift from his mother, his mother had the diamond in an anniversary ring given to her from his father. It came loose out of the setting and his mother accidentally vacumned it up. She had to tear apart the vacumn bag for the diamond. When I went to visit him before we got engaged I saw an envelope sitting out by the TV stand and it said KEY on it, it appeared to be empty and I threw it in the garbage! Well I guess it had the diamond in the envelope! We had dinner that night and when my fiance went to scrape his left over dinner in the garbage he saw the envelope in the garbage and had to reach into the garbage to get it out! He had to wait 3 months until we got engaged to tell me this and I felt like a total tool knowing that I almost threw out the diamond that was going to be mounted on my beautiful ring!! 2 women have almost lost this diamond! LOL!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-12 03:49:00
CanadaStudent Loans
QUOTE (Peachey @ Mar 13 2009, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (minnew @ Mar 13 2009, 02:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't have personal experience on that one, but from what I am told you can still pay them off while in the U.S. I have student loans as well, and car loan payments through GMAC and I hope as long as I keep my canadian bank account I will be okay. I will definitely be looking into using customhouse that many other members have mentioned and used to transfer money back and forth between U.S and Canadian accounts.


Good luck with your car payments. if GMAC is anything like Nissan Canada Finance you will have to pay off your car before moving. Or pay it off with them at least. Or if GMAC does what Nissan does and can allow for special conditions.

I explained to them that I will still keep my CAD bank accounts and they were still like "NOPE! Can't". The reason behind it is that if you ever default on your payments they don't have jurisdiction to seize your car if it's in the USA.

Anyway, sorry for the tangent. I plan on keeping on playing my student loans through my CAD bank account.


I haven't contacted GMAC directly on permanently importing, but it looks like I need to, as it may be different. When I was in the U.S, my last year under OPT(1 year of work authorization) of F-1 visa I had to import my car temporarily and was able to get a compliance letter. I had to import my car because I was no longer technically a student as I was working but still under a student visa. The only information I found under the GMAC website was that you had to give up the vechile if under a lease. It's only a year and a half old! I still owe more than I would get by trading it in or selling! Grrr!

minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-14 06:21:00
CanadaStudent Loans
QUOTE (July09Bride @ Mar 12 2009, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My fiance still has some student loans. What happens when he comes over here to the US? Can he keep paying on them as long as maintains his Canadian bank accounts or will he need to pay them off asap??


I don't have personal experience on that one, but from what I am told you can still pay them off while in the U.S. I have student loans as well, and car loan payments through GMAC and I hope as long as I keep my canadian bank account I will be okay. I will definitely be looking into using customhouse that many other members have mentioned and used to transfer money back and forth between U.S and Canadian accounts.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-13 01:53:00
CanadaWell... here we go!
Congratulations and good luck!!!!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-16 18:46:00
CanadaGOT AN EMAIL BACK FROM MONTREAL WOO WOO!!!!
QUOTE (mb_2_az @ Mar 12 2009, 06:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow, I'm actually feel POSITIVE for the first time in weeks after seeing all of the progress that the rest of you are making. My lawyer emailed the Consulate on Tuesday the 10th, and was told that we too were in the queue for the interview - and that we would be notified of our date within the next 3-12 wks. This is a much brighter answer than the 4-6 months they told ME a week earlier!!

I did have one quick question to ask - when you email the consulate they always send that initial "blanket " response right...? Well when you read the Q's & A's it states the following:

All visa interviews for Immigrant Visas take place at the U.S. Consulate
General in Montréal (except for "K" visas for residents of British Columbia,
Alberta, Manitoba, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories, which take place
at our Consulate in Vancouver).

Just curious... is anyone on here from MB... AB etc...? I'm from MB and my interview is going to be in Montreal according to my case # that begins with MTL - anyone happen to know why they have changed this? When you go on the DOS website, Vancouver seems to process things much faster than Montreal.



Correct me if I am wrong but it does state on the Vancouver consulate website that all applicants for K-1 visas who reside in BC, AB, SK, MB, YK and NWT would go through Vancouver?
http://vancouver.usc...cument=applying

Fiancé(e) Visas
The fiancé(e) visa process is currently taking approximately a year from the time the petition is filed until the time a visa can be approved. The Consulate strongly recommends that you plan accordingly and do not make any specific wedding plans until after the visa is issued. Petition approval by USCIS is not a guarantee of visa issuance. Applications must be mailed to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States. Once approved, the USCIS will forward the petition to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will electronically transfer the approval and forward the approved petition to our Consulate for processing. The Consulate will then send out a packet of instructions to the fiancé(e) with detailed instructions on the documentation that they will need to provide, how to arrange for the medical examination, and how to set up an appointment for the visa interview.

The Consulate in Vancouver processes fiancé(e) cases for citizens of Canada, or aliens who are permanent residents. Individuals in Canada on student and/or employment authorization will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such individuals must be authorized to remain in Canada for a continuous minimum period of six months (from the time the approved petition is received at the Consulate). Applicants must also be residing in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon or the Northwest Territories. All other applicants in Canada are processed at the U.S. Consulate in Montreal.

I think it is possible they sent your petition to the wrong consulate?? The only reason they should have sent it to MTL is if you are CR-1 visa?



minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-14 07:04:00
CanadaHow did everyone meet their american/canadian significant others?
Well my story is a bit different, we did meet online but it was a friends' site called Tickle. I was in the U.S. on an F-1 visa from 2002-2008, I met him online in late 2004, chatted online got to know each other for about 3 months and finally had the guts to meet him in person in February 2005. I had just broken up with a guy I had been dating so I was kind of heart broken but he was really sweet about it, I guess you could said Feb 14th is our anniversary as he brought over chocolates, flowers and a big teddy bear to cheer me up! That's when I started falling head over heels! I knew he was something special when he talked online through messenger we just "clicked" way better than the guy I was dating at the time but I didn't want to admit it! LOL We have been together ever since! I lived with him for almost a year, I know what he's gonna be like to live with after we get married! LOL! Too bad we didn't marry and file AOS while I was in the US, but we just were not in the right place to do it, too many other things going on!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-02-08 13:43:00
CanadaNOA2
Congratulations!!!! I just found out today that we got approved too!!

Edited by minnew, 23 March 2009 - 11:27 AM.

minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-23 11:26:00
CanadaApplying for AoS
QUOTE (July09Bride @ Mar 30 2009, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We will have about 30 days between the time my Canadian fiance enters the US and the day we get married. Can he apply for the Adjustment of Status prior to the wedding (since he isn't changing his name) or do we have to wait until after the wedding? blink.gif


You have to wait until after because you need a copy of your marriage certificate in the AOS package.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-30 20:18:00
CanadaPassport Renewal
QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Apr 2 2009, 08:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The passport number is definitely different. I just compared my old one with my new one... What I did, was request my old invalidated passport back when I went to renew just in case anything came up at the interview about my passport numbers being different on the original petition.


Thank you for the information Hugglebuggles!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-02 21:45:00
CanadaPassport Renewal
QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 2 2009, 08:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (minnew @ Apr 2 2009, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (flames9 @ Mar 26 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ya, I belive in person is the best


Hey Flames9 I just had a follow up question for you. I am going to be requesting a new passport next week due to wanting a new passport for the visa to be put into. Does the passport number change when you receive your new passport good for 5 years? Or does it stay the same?


Ya know, I have no clue,lol!! I was actually wondering that myself the other day! I would think it would stay the same???? As that # is the System??? I honestly don't know, I'm sure someone else will pipe up!! I have never kept any of my old passports, but I did request my old one back this time


I was thinking so too! Kind of like your SSN number which I have, since I went to school in the US. I hear that doesn't change when come in the US with K-1 and go to SSN office to update. Hmm, well I guess we will see who gets their passport back first! tongue.gif I guess when I go to the passport counter next week I will make sure to ask and I'll let ya know!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-02 21:41:00
CanadaPassport Renewal
QUOTE (flames9 @ Mar 26 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ya, I belive in person is the best


Hey Flames9 I just had a follow up question for you. I am going to be requesting a new passport next week due to wanting a new passport for the visa to be put into. Does the passport number change when you receive your new passport good for 5 years? Or does it stay the same?

minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-02 21:06:00
CanadaPassport Renewal
Yeah I am hoping that it won't take too long either! I would really like a May interview in Vancouver but I have to wait to renew it in person until I return from Omaha the first week of April, which supposedly will take less time.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-26 15:08:00
CanadaPassport Renewal
Thank you Flames for sharing your experience!!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-26 15:03:00
CanadaPassport Renewal
We just received our NOA2 and if everything goes well I would hope to have my K-1 interview in Vancouver by the end of May. I have a question about my passport though. We plan to get married this October 2009 and I would not be entering the US until late September 2009. Therefore filing AOS by end of October or early November. My passport is set to expire in June 2010, I would rather not have to do a renewal process while on my conditional GC or still waiting for AOS interview. Can I apply to renew my passport with 1 year and 1-2 months still left to go on the passport?

My parents just applied for their passports a few months back and received their passport within 2 weeks, I hope a renewal process would be that fast, but I am worried because of the new passport law going into effect June 1st.


If anyone has any insight or experience it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

minnewFemaleCanada2009-03-24 06:32:00
CanadaAOS Approved!!
QUOTE (JillA @ Apr 7 2009, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OMG Glen just called me.... my AOS approval came today... saying my green card is being mailed.... April 2nd it is dated.... I can't believe it as I only applied in December.... I hope this won't cause trouble for me using my AP tomorrow morning. I'm so excited!!


WOO HOO! Congratulations!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-07 20:54:00
Canadaconfused with my medical result
QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Apr 9 2009, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (SapphireDreams @ Apr 9 2009, 09:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Apr 9 2009, 10:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah I'm a little confused about the whole AOS/Medical thing. I know as a K-1 we don't have to get a new medical done, but we need a form that we don't have... the I-693A or something like that? And we need to find a civil surgeon that will fill out the form without actually charging us to get a new medical done? I've head that some people get away with just sending in the vaccination supplement form from the medial... but what if you have a shot that isn't completed yet because of time constraints (ie. Gardisil). I'm assuming you need to prove you completed the cycle for AOS? Bah. Confusing. The concern here is that I can't actually get my last shot until mid-august (It's due on the 6th but that's the day of the wedding! so after the wedding and honeymoon), so that would give me a grand 3 weeks to put the medical forms together before my 90 days run out. Am I pushing it a little?


I'm pretty sure there is a civil surgeon in Texas that you can send your vaccine worksheet to and he will transcribe it for like $20 or something like that. I have to do a search and try to find the info. I'm pretty sure you give him the copy of the vaccines you get at the medical (they give you a copy to keep).

You can always get the Gardisil shot a week or two before it's due as well. Doesn't have to be exactly on the date.


True... I'm just scared there will be some funky adverse effects and I'll be walking down the aisle on my wedding day with a giant rash on my right arm... Have you finished the cycle yet? Any weird side effects? The only thing I've had is a sore muscle on the arm where the injection was. I wonder if its better to get it earlier than you should or a little late. I was a week late on the second shot but that was the Dr.'s fault (she's always on vacation, must be nice...)

But I'll look up that doctor, thanks! I don't even have the visa yet so I think I'm jumping ahead of myself a little... But I like knowing what to expect next.


I just finished my 3 shots of the Gardisl vaccine, and I did not have an adverse side effect, besides being a bleeder and my arm a little bit sore. The only thing with the third one was that I left the bandaid on for a few hours afterwards and had a nice imprint of it on my arm for like 3 days!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-10 01:39:00
CanadaChoosing and some questions...
QUOTE (July09Bride @ Apr 10 2009, 08:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ashenflowers @ Apr 10 2009, 10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (flames9 @ Apr 10 2009, 06:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ashenflowers @ Apr 9 2009, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello!! Welcome smile.gif
I'm new too, and over the past couple months had been debating back and forth over what route to take. I'm also from Ontario, and my b/f lives in California. We thought about me just going there, getting married, and filing for AOS, but after some great feedback here, and some further research, we are going the K-1 route. As people have already said, going there without a visa with the intent to marry and stay is totally illegal and visa fraud, and you really have to think about whether it's worth the risk of being deported! All in all, in the future, once you ARE there and settled, I think it'd be much nicer knowing you did things the 'right' way.

Good luck to you, whatever you choose smile.gif Keep us updated on how things go! It sounds like your time lines and my time lines are quite similar (though we'll be processed at different centres). I'm hoping to be able to move around Christmas time, or shortly before or after (to avoid the insanity of traveling at Christmas. lol) *crosses fingers*



Going to the USA and getting married if fine, as long as u head back to canada when ur time is up


True, but it seemed pointless to drop everything in Canada to go to the US and get married only to not be able to stay anyway... either way you have to leave the US and be in Canada at some point, so with the K1 you can start the paperwork process right away if you're not already married. That was my theory at least. Get this ball rolling... lol We can visit each other in the mean time.


That's why we went the K1 route... be apart while engaged instead of apart while married. That route sounded good at the time... I'm really starting to think we should have gone another route for our particular situation. But, we're doing K1 and we're sticking with it. We're so stinking close; it's insane to change now! headbonk.gif


That is exactly why we chose the K-1 route too, kind of sucks that I won't be able to work for 3 months but thats why I've got plenty of time in Canada to prepare for that, and EI sure will help too.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-10 10:38:00
CanadaHow long after interview do you wait to move to US?
QUOTE (chadlaure @ Apr 10 2009, 06:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (minnew @ Apr 10 2009, 02:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Did I mention the cost of travelling to VAC and AOS? plus 3 months without a job!


What is VAC?
Can't you ask for a work authorization at POE?


VAC is Vancouver Consulate

Most POE's do not give the work authorization stamp with a K-1 visa anymore, although JFK might still, not sure. Even though K-1 is technically work authorized, most employers won't hire you without an EAD and SS number to work. If you apply for an EAD as soon as you enter the country before submitting AOS it costs you money and is a waste, because by the time you receive your EAD your K-1 visa has hit its 90 day expiration. If you apply for EAD, as well as advance parole with AOS its included in the $1010 fee.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-10 10:45:00
CanadaHow long after interview do you wait to move to US?
The plan for me is to have my interview in late May or early June and not do POE until late September. This will give myself and my fiance enough time to finish preparations for our wedding in October and send out invitations of course. It will be a pretty small wedding (80 tops) and most everyone that is coming already knows the tentative date. (Thank goodness for rescheduable venues) The more in depth we get with the planning the more and more a civil wedding looks like a better idea, which was our idea from the beginning * sigh* families!! Did I mention the cost of travelling to VAC and AOS? plus 3 months without a job!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-10 01:34:00
CanadaShould I stop the process?
QUOTE (JillA @ Apr 9 2009, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
EasyT,

Just to note this part you said:

"Clever one that she is, she saw that the NOA2 is good until Sep 09, she said she could schedule the interview in Sep 09 and then have 6 months to enter the USA which would give her until Mar 2010."

She can't "schedule" The interview, it's not your choice. They assign you the interview date, you don't get to pick it.


Hi there! I don't mean to jump on your thread I just wanted to point out that the new Vancouver checklist has a spot where you can put preferred appointment dates, still does not mean it will be granted.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-10 01:55:00
CanadaAnyone miss R-R-R-R-OLL UP THE RIM???
QUOTE (Texanadian @ Apr 10 2009, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No, I never liked Roll up the Rim.

1) I would order a coffee to drink in the store. So they would give me the coffee in a mug and then give me an empty plastic cup to roll up the rim. After that, it would go straight in the garbage. What a waste of plastic.

2) I think I won one doughnut once.

3) People in BC never win the major prizes. All the big dollar items go to people in Ontario. Tim Hortons did this on purpose.


I agree with you on that one, people in SK never win anything either! I do drink Tim Hortons though, this year I won 3 coffees and 1 donut.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-10 11:55:00
CanadaHappy Easter!
MMM those look good! Thank you! Happy Easter to you as well!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-12 01:02:00
CanadaDS-156/DS-160
I don't think they would, the Packet 3 checklist is on the Vancouver consulate website to download, and I guess Vancouver is using the DS-156 instead of the 160. I am still waiting for my Packet 3 letter from Vancouver, which recently I hear just says to go to the website and download Packet 3.
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-11 16:20:00
CanadaWedding Invites (just a funny story, not a Q)
QUOTE (ashenflowers @ Apr 13 2009, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, a co-worker of mine is getting married this summer. We'll call her 'E'. E's soon to be hubby's brother's sister.. lol (so sister in law technically... we'll call her 'B' )... well, B's kids are going to be the flower girl/ring bearer for E's wedding. Today apparently B asked E if E would invite one of B's friends (who are COMPLETE strangers to E) to the wedding so that they could bring THEIR kids so that B's kids would have someone to play with..... laughing.gif

This comes to mind...


Wow are you serious? That is horrible! How lame! You did say kids right? Oh my goodness if they have a sibling they already have someone to play with!
minnewFemaleCanada2009-04-13 20:10:00