ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ May 21 2008, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yup, it just arrives without you having to lift a finger. Have you got all your information together yet? The police cert takes the longest I hear (In the Ukraine it can take up to two months), so if not, then you might want to get crack'n on that.

Not yet, but the new police certificate they have just released in the UK takes a maximum ten days to arrive; many people have been receiving it in four-five days. It's only valid for six months, not a year, so I was going to send off for it once packet 3 arrived.

And come on US postal system! kicking.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-21 08:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Good afternoon!

sunnybear - as Blake says I wouldn't think you'd need to send a copy of the entire package, but the original divorce decree is something that is often asked for. To be on the safe side I'd also include the originals of any evidence of your relationship that you sent in, too. It's rarely asked for at the interview but I feel it's better to be safe than sorry. smile.gif

Keeping my fingers crossed for you all this week!

I haven't managed to inquire about vaccinations yet and Alex hasn't managed to send me the affidavit of support yet. tongue.gif I asked him about it this morning and he said, 'I'll send it next week.' That's what he said last week!

Is there anything we absolutely have to do between the NoA2 and receiving packet 3? I mean, if I do nothing, will packet 3 just turn up in my letterbox one day?
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-21 08:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
aravis, Cecile - thank you both so much. smile.gif Hugs are especially welcome! I am feeling a lot more positive right now. Yes; my life in California will be awesome and I will make new friends. I'm determined to make that happen!

Blake - what an amazing post! I really do love this thread; it is so positive and full of words of wisdom and advice. It's hard to express exactly how much this thread has meant to me on my journey. rose.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-20 17:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Just having a mild 'eek do I really want to move to the US?' moment.

I have a couple of really fantastic friends here and I'm worried about having to begin friendships anew. I'm also not looking forward to having to sift through my belongings and work out what I want to sell and what I want to ship. I'm also concerned that items might be damaged or lost in the shipping; not that it'd be a disaster by any means - I don't really have anything precious - but it would be a pain. I have everything nicely set up as it is.

Also - and this is going to be hard to describe - I guess I'm feeling a lack of love lately. Not from Alex, I hasten to add, or from you guys in this thread. Just having a paranoid week where I keep wondering if I'm saying the right things, whether or not I've annoyed someone, whether people are secretly laughing behind my back; I know, it's ridiculous. Being all moody and tearful for no real reason.

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 20 May 2008 - 11:35 AM.

Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-20 11:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
*hugs* I don't really have any words of wisdom to impart, but I do really hope that you all receive your NoA2s soon and that, when you do, you feel able to continue to post in this thread, because you'll be very much missed otherwise!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-20 09:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (Str8upG @ May 19 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey, isn't USCIS supposed to update their timelines sometime this week? I hope CSC opens the floodgates to get going full throttle with us January filers. I'm so impatient now, lol.

I think everyone grows impatient once you're about that 100 mark on Igor's List! I presume USCIS will update their timeline soon, but I really hope they finish off a few more October/pre-October filers first! It must be so incredibly frustrating to drop off Igor's list altogether!

Also: Good luck sunnybear with your interview!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-19 11:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Awesome news, Cecile! Ooh...your own apartment; much, much better than the prospect of lodging with his friends! And you'll get to furnish and decorate it together, too.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-19 10:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Sounds like you had a fantastic time, sunnybear!

Kelly - thank you for your answers. This is all very handy to know! smile.gif

Looks like we'll be getting married on the 27th December. I'd have preferred the 29th but as Alex's mother pointed out that's a Monday and would be more awkward for her side of the family to attend. My family and friends are actually quite excited at the prospect of spending Christmas in California.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-18 18:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Congratulations RagSwat! biggrin.gif

That's another reason I'm quite glad to have a co-sponsor; Alex has only been working full-time for a year and he wouldn't have been able to provide me with more than one year's tax transcript. I was concerned about having enough evidence to show that he could support me.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-17 13:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ May 16 2008, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ May 16 2008, 12:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Gosh! I'm away one afternoon and there are two more pages to read!!


I started this thread on my birthday back in February when I was 30 days after filing and feeling that I was going nowhere fast. With approvals starting over on the VSC side I really felt alone and left out of the excitement. I never imagined that we'd hit the 100 page mark when this started, but when I look back over the last 2.5 months I really see the sense of community and support that makes this website worthwhile. Now this thing has a true life of its own and I'm just happy to contribute. If it wasn't for you fellow journeyers I don't know how I would have made it this far in one piece. What a great birthday present! good.gif

Aw! blush.gif Very well said, Blake - I feel the same way. smile.gif I really hope this month can end with your and other January filers' approvals.

Alex's dad has agreed to be a co-sponsor and Alex is sending me the affidavit of support next week. I've read in the UK forum that often the embassy schedules dates according to when you plan to leave the UK - so, for example, if I say I am leaving in December they may give me a later interview appointment than someone who is perhaps approved after me but planning to leave sooner. I think that's quite a sensible way of doing things myself, although I also sort of wish I could have an earlier interview so I'm then not having to worry about that.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-16 14:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ May 16 2008, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Which thread? It might be fun to join the scrum laughing.gif

No scrum! I re-read what I said and it did come across as rude...I just wasn't thinking. Here. I feel really bad...
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-16 10:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (BigCityDave @ May 16 2008, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh my gosh guys, the end of my journey is nearing....

I just cannot believe it......

Yet I am so nervous that something bad will happen at the interview.

(Sorry off topic, but I am a CSCer)

It's not off-topic! We welcome filers from all months here. smile.gif

I am sure the interview will be fine. I can fully understand being nervous, though! Good luck to you and your fiancée.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-16 10:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Ack, upset someone in another thread completely without meaning to. That's the downside to text-based conversation sometimes, intent is never quite apparent. wacko.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-16 10:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
I believe shes is asking what happens to us specifically - K1 holders. Adjustment of Status, which we are required to file in order to work, gives us a two-year conditional green card, does it not? So I guess that would make us green card holders.

If we don't file Adjustment of Status within the 90 days, we're out of status - does that mean we can technically be deported? I've always been curious...

Happy Friday, everybody! Sunnybear - I hope when you read this that you slept well and enjoy the concert!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-16 09:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Aw! I'm sure we could have all sympathised with you. smile.gif

Hurrah; there are only 50 2007 filers remaining (not counting those outside of the processing time, unfortunately). Not many April or May filers so far...
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 11:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Congratulations Bryant and Aliona! kicking.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 10:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
You're no longer Cecile the Canary; soon you'll be Cecile the Vampire!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 09:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
It was hot last weekend - reached 30 degrees Centigrade - and I hated it and then realised that, d'oh, I am moving to California.

But then I also realised that California has dry, not humid, heat and also their buildings typically have air conditioning.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 09:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ May 15 2008, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wish I could do that as well already.. but... too scared they're gonna find a reason to fire me before I am even gone (that's what they did to others as well before :S)

wow.gif How terrible!

Also - fine, I'll sulk in the corner while you're all getting pregnant. tongue.gif Actually I'll be eager for news and will follow your progress with interest! I'll be tinged green with envy, but I'll do my best not to show it.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 09:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Yes; I'm just ignoring him now! I was just disappointed because I was in the right frame of mind to have a good natter with someone - oh well! Advice is welcome but only when it's sought. He'd be idiotic to think that they weren't issues I was concerned about and had already discussed with close friends and family - I'm not naive!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 09:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Ugh. So I'm talking to an old internet friend and I know he is getting married soon so when he begins asking me questions about the visa and about where I plan to get married I figure he wants to compare stories and swap advice and suchlike.

Instead so far he hasn't answered any of my questions and all he's said, in response to me explaining that we'll be living with Alex's parents and that Alex will eventually go back to school full time is 'I hope you don't stay there too long' and 'I hope he sticks with that'.

Geez, way to come off as condescending and superior. Now I remember why I stopped talking to him. He's only a couple of years older than me. And if he knew me at all he'd know that the last thing I'd do is impose on Alex's parents for too long.

I guess I've grown too used to chatting to people from here who actually know what it's like to be poor and inconvenienced and who have to make the best of a bad situation.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 08:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ May 15 2008, 01:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (MissYoko @ May 15 2008, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I want to give my notice to my boss!


I just sent them my notice! now everything is really becoming true! in 3 months I won't have a job anymore. star_smile.gif

kicking.gif Exciting stuff! biggrin.gif I can't believe it's really happening, either!

I'm not going to walk to the doctor's surgery today because I am so stiff and sore from working out at the gym. But Alex can't send me all of the papers until next week anyway, so I have a little time. smile.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-15 08:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Awesome! good.gif Aw, and I bet your daughter is going to love having little brothers and/or sisters. luv.gif

I've said to Alex I'll give him until I'm 30, and then we're trying for a baby no matter what. tongue.gif

Also, I had another look at your photos and your tattoos really are amazing - I thought your sleeve was part of your top! I obviously needed to wear my glasses. wink.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-05-14 18:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Good to hear Peter has his visa, Cheryl! good.gif

QUOTE (sunnybear @ Jul 17 2008, 06:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ooh good on you Rachel clearing out your stuff! Gareth shipped I think close to 18 boxes of stuff along with a bed haha! Think it cost him just under 1000 pounds. He used ummm Atlantic something or other....

Ughh I got the worst cramps today and do not want to be at work! Gotta love it aye?

I am so checking USCIS constantly to see if they have put July's processing dates up yet....as soon as they do I am calling AGAIN.....at this point Gareth and I are just hoping and praying to be together for Thanksgiving this year!

Tomorrow I get to have it off my mind a bit as Gabby's Grandma is keeping her over night so I am headed out on the town with a girlfriend of mine since it is our towns 2nd annual Bike Time weekend. Can you say Beer tent galore? heh heh....Gareth is all worried i am gonna pick up a hairy biker LOL tongue.gif

Well hope all are doing well here!

*huuuuugs*! I'm doing fine! With you on the cramps, though - ugh!

Still keeping my fingers crossed for you and Miss Yoko. smile.gif

QUOTE (sunnybear @ Jul 17 2008, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
On happy news front we ordered my engagement ring finally!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I hope it is as gorgeous in person as it looks online! I am in love with it. Center stone is a diamond they have made blue and then white diamonds on the side set in white gold. I LOVE it! Gareth doesn't want me to wear it until he is here to put on my finger but I told him that is not fair as I am sick of people looking down at my empty finger when I say I am engaged LOL....what do you all think? haha He said I will prob wear it then take off day he gets here and stick inthe box LOL....said "Maybeeeee" hahah....
Ooooh and I will post a pic of it hang on....

That is a beaaaaautiful ring! biggrin.gif I love the blue! (Hurrah for having a blue stone! Mine's sapphire, though). I wouldn't be able to wait to wear it, either!

QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Jul 17 2008, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The first two moves, not so fun... The last move, fantastic. I'm happy things are moving forward according to plan.

Yes! And thank you, Blake. Here's hoping the next couple of months pass quickly!

QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Jul 18 2008, 01:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello everybody! I am stuck at home today: I am waiting for a package that Bryan sent me, it contains everything for the co-sponsorship of his parents. It is supposed to arrive today and it will require signature, so I'm not going to leave home. Sadly they usually deliver the mail in the morning, not the afternoon. So I'm a little skeptical. I'll probably receive it tomorrow.
On a lighter note, I got my wedding dress back from the seamstress yesterday!!! I didn't take any pictures, so, sorry you won't see it now. It feels so good to finally have it with me! And I found a dress that will be perfect for the party/reception after our courthouse wedding, so, yeah, yesterday was a good day (also, beach the afternoon and dinner with my best friend the evening). next steps: sorting all my stuff and find out how to bring everything to the USA, and I need to find a veil too... I don't have any accessories for my dress...
Enough talking about me!

Sunny, this is a beautiful ring!!! Lovely!

Rachel, congrats on moving to your friends' house! For me, it has been hard to get rid of things. I am going to try to bring everything inside two suitcases, nothing more. What a challenge!

WaitForever, you should just call the embassy and tell them the truth: that your fiancee was visiting you at the time she received their package and that you had it forwarded to your place but that you haven't received it yet. You are probably not the first person who did this, in the same case scenario, I am sure we would have done the same thing.

Blake, (not sure I answered you when you wrote your post) that ex is a jerk! I'm glad everything is back to normal now.

Hurrah for finding a dress for the party! I'm so putting off shopping... tongue_ss.gif

Two suitcases would be a miracle! ohmy.gif I'm not too concerned about fitting all of my clothes in one suitcase - that is doable - but I already think I've made enough sacrifices regarding books and DVDs. smile.gif I'm not planning to unpack at least 8 of the boxes at all - the contents I all want to keep, and I think the few hundred pounds of shipping is worth paying to save the hassle of selling/re-buying.

It IS good to get rid of things, though, and to see your possessions slowly condense down. Good luck! I'm going to be doing more sorting this weekend. After I thought I'd 'cleared' my room I still managed to pack another 5 bags yesterday. wacko.gif Mostly food/toiletries, but still!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-18 09:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
I've moved into my friend's house. That's the first of three moves I'm having to make this year. wink.gif

I figure that with each move, I can clear a little more stuff. I was doing really well - I condensed all of my books, DVDs and games to just eight 2.2 ft3 boxes. I've put three sacks of books (all decent quality, as I keep my books nicely and don't bend the corners or edges), so about 100 in all, in the charity book box. I put a huuuuge sack of clothes - I threw out absolutely everything I haven't worn in the past three months - in the charity clothing box and I've got another huge sack of ornaments, jewellery boxes and knick-knacks in the boot of my friend's car, again ready to be sent to a charity shop. It's all really lovely stuff, but it's stuff I really can't afford to take with me. I also threw out two sacks of rubbish and a sack of paper recycling.

However even with all that gone my remaining clothes, toiletries and kitchen ware (I have a few sets of really lovely glasses I'd like to keep) took up another eight small bags or so, so I have to work on getting that sized down, too. wacko.gif I'd ideally like to end up with no more than ten boxes and a suitcase. I reckon that'd cost around £300-400 to ship (about 22 cubic feet) which may be doable.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-17 03:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Booked my medical for the 13th August, day before my interview. smile.gif

The girl was almost too efficient - she picked up the phone before it even rang once and I was taken completely off-guard! Then she raced through booking my appointment and when I tried to confirm the time she had already said bye and put the phone down. Ah well, it's either 10 past 10 or 10 to 10, so I'll just make sure I get there early. smile.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-16 04:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Congratulations Cheryl! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Jul 15 2008, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well we have our date set for September 10. We've had a very eventful (not in a good way) week last week. After 6 years the ex showed up and threatened to cause all kinds of problems. But that situation has been resolved - something about abandoning your wife & child at birth and not providing any support, ever, tends to quash any argument the son of a b.... might have. That, plus the decree of sole custody, sent him packing back to the hole he crawled out of. Everyone's fine, just a little shaken. wacko.gif

Believe me, both of us are looking forward to Olga and her son getting the heck out of there.

We'll be dancing in the streets on that day!!!!! kicking.gif

I am sorry for all the stress you and Olga have gone through! *hugs*

Thank goodness he is out of the way now! Not long to go now - I am preemptively crossing my fingers biggrin.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-16 03:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (CourtAndGrey @ Jul 15 2008, 12:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Jul 14 2008, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am so relieved! Packet 4 arrived today. biggrin.gif My interview is the 14th August.


Yay Rachel!! I am already sending happy thoughts to you for the 14th!

As for us, Greivin is here and we are loving life together. We flew in last Saturday and all went well at the airport. He has been here over a week now and is getting settled quite nicely. We couldn't get the EAD so for the time being, he will be doing random jobs around the house and other things for friends and family to help bring in some extra money. We will make it though, at least now we are together, and more than anything, I am just thankful for that.

Good to hear everyone else's updates. Sunny, I think of you daily! Hope this last touch meant something great!

Thanks Courtney!

I'm so pleased he's settling in well! It's also good to hear he's working, however casually - that'll go a long, long way towards staving off boredom and homesickness. biggrin.gif

QUOTE (dbears @ Jul 15 2008, 04:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
CONGRATS to Jeroen and Rachel for getting the interview date. Your interviews are only 2days apart.. maybe that is a good sign that you will both be approved without question. good.gif good.gif good.gif

Good luck to those who are still waiting and for those who will have medical and interview soon.

Happy trip to those who will be flying to the US soon.

and For those who have been united, may happiness continue to fill your days.

BLISSFUL MARRIED LIFE AHEAD!!!

Thank you, Gaye luv.gif

Cross fingers we'll both shift a few pounds before the wedding! good.gif I haven't gained any...but I could still do with losing some!

QUOTE (lazulineiris @ Jul 15 2008, 05:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Alex & Rachel)
I've been stressing out and then comfort eating chocolate, d'oh!
Snackoos, darling? wink.gif

Many congratulations on securing an interview date!

QUOTE (dbears @ Jul 14 2008, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
[i could realate with this... been telling myself that i need to lose weight and start exercising but yeah, stress do make you eat more... and faster.. wacko.gif .. i don't know how i am supposed to lose 10pounds in the next 2months. unsure.gif
Just drink a lot of water, and try to exercise for at least 25 minutes everyday. Just.. put on some music and.. dance. It's fun, it's easy and, best of all, it's free. Or.. An hour of walking is pleasant, and doesn't feel high impact like, say, cardio at the gym or something [And walking is free! ..I'm cheap, I guess]. 10 pounds in 2 months can be done - I've faith in you. biggrin.gif

Hehe - yay! Someone recognised where my avatar was from. wink.gif Ema doesn't gain weight though, the lucky girl!

And thank you - I shall certainly try to justify your faith in me. wink.gif

QUOTE (lazulineiris @ Jul 15 2008, 05:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh, my goodness, you guys!

I just received an e-mail from one of my friends [who isn't on this forum] letting me know that she received her NOA2 for her January petition! Ooh, I'm so excited for her!

Crossing my fingers that everyone who is still waiting will hear good news this week!

Congratulations to your friend! I'm really hoping more stragglers can be approved very soon.

QUOTE (hawkeye52 @ Jul 15 2008, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What's up everyone? It's been a little while since I last dropped in. I've been moving this past week, beginning to get our new place in order before Valerie comes down. So I called NVC on Friday (7/11) and asked them if they had received our file yet, because I hadn't heard anything yet. They said that they had received it on Tuesday (7/8) and sent it out to Vancouver on Wednesday!! I coudn't believe it! Things are really moving fast now. Such a change of pace, and we couldn't be happier. I think typically it takes 2-3 business days to get there, so hopefully Vancouver will send it out sometime this week! That would be great. The sooner the better. We have our wedding planned and booked for October 3. Still 2 1/2 months out, but it'll feel a lot better once that visa is in hand! Any idea on how long it takes for an interview date after returning packet 3?

Sunny, hang in there! Whenever I log onto VJ, your timeline is the first thing I look at. You started this whole process the same time as Valerie and I, and you were so supportive when we were just waiting and waiting! I'm sure it'll be very soon.

Good luck to the rest of you January filers who are still waiting for that special notification.

I'll echo those good luck wishes!

I've no idea how long Canada can take - but you should be able to do a search for Canadian timelines. Glad to hear things are moving along nicely! I'm sure you'll be able to make an October wedding. smile.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-15 03:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (Pam&Josh @ Jul 14 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes Rachel! You must be pretty excited!! You who were afraid to ask your parents....and now you're moving in!
That's the beginning of the end somehow... How long are you going to stay over there before you go to Alex?

You're better than me, going for a run! I was supposed to lose weight before my wedding...instead I've been stressing out and then comfort eating chocolate, d'oh!

I'm staying at a friend's for six weeks, then I'll move in with my parents and stay with them for a month or two. kicking.gif

I am so relieved! Packet 4 arrived today. biggrin.gif My interview is the 14th August. I also spoke to my housemate; she was a little upset earlier but now things have been all sorted out and she has said she won't charge me rent for August (once I have moved out) even though I didn't give her a full month's notice of my leaving. So I'll hopefully have more money.

Had a lovely evening; watched a film with my girly friends and ate delicious chilli tortillas.

QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Jul 14 2008, 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Jul 14 2008, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well...looks like this week will be a quiet week, with what Cecile being away now too! I hope she is having a lovely time with her family and old friends!

I'm having a lovely time, except that I caught a cold sad.gif so my throat is sore and I have a headache. And today is a very busy day on the roads, so it's better to stay at home.

Aw no! sad.gif Feel better soon. heart.gif

QUOTE (sunnybear @ Jul 14 2008, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for all the positive vibes you guys! Please keep them headed my way! Just found out I now have to pay 200 a week in daycare until school starts in September too! Just another nail in the coffin so to speak as I wouldn't need to be paying any daycare if Gareth was here already sad.gif GRRRRRRRR. I so want to plan more wedding stuff too and I feel I cannot even do that as now it is becoming more likely we can forget about a fall wedding!
So frustrated and just want our approval sad.gif

I'm keeping shoving those positive vibes your way! Hopefully this week shall be your lucky week!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-14 17:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Thank you for the update Blake! I eagerly await your update when you have the time. smile.gif

Well...looks like this week will be a quiet week, with what Cecile being away now too! I hope she is having a lovely time with her family and old friends!

Alex has moved into his new apartment so he does not have the internet yet.

I had a lovely weekend - met lots of new people and yesterday the weather was good enough to go for a walk around a reservoir (we didn't even wear our coats! *gasp*). I'll be moving out this week myself. Have to ask my boss about boxes today so I can pack tonight.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-14 03:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
yes.gif The world is a wonderful - and beautiful! - place.

Jetskiing sounds like great fun, Jeroen - I'd definitely be doing that! Aah, I've never seen a bad photo of Hawaii. I'll definitely have to visit one day. smile.gif

Oh - and it's my and Alex's two year anniversary today! star_smile.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-11 09:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
That is a lovely-looking coastline; plenty of sand and with a couple of fairly sheltered beaches! biggrin.gif I hope it's sunny for you next week.

Alex's mother is buying us a really lovely bedframe as a combined birthday/wedding present, and she's also purchasing a rather special deluxe mattress (we have to pay her back for that, although not until I get a job).
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-11 06:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Oh wow, things are moving quickly now! Enjoy your last day of work, Cecile. I'd love for the next week to be hot and sunny, too! Very miserable here. Alex keeps telling me how hot it is in California and it's hard to believe.

I hope you have a wonderful time with your family! I grew up by the sea and I live far away from it now (well, as far away as you can get in the UK) and I've not found it too hard; I may not have the beaches close by but I do have some lovely countryside. I hope it's the same for you and that you grow to love the countryside wherever you are going to live and do not find you miss the ocean too much.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-11 03:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Poor sunny, I bet! sad.gif

QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Jul 9 2008, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good morning everyone

So apparently Bryan's parents will be co-sponsors if needed. I just sent them a long email explaining everything and telling them what documents they have to gather (Bryan called them, they said they were ok, and then he asked me to explain everything to them). I doubt we'll have everything on time for the interview, but worst case scenario, I will send them the co-sponsors documents as soon as I get them, so it will only delay things by a few weeks.
Today I have a feeling that we will be fine without a co-sponsor. But we'd better be prepared in case my feeling is wrong.


Where did Blake go?

HOPEFULLY he's just busy with work again and/or organising things for Olga's arrival. smile.gif

That was good of his parents! And I bet that even if the documents were required it wouldn't delay it even that long...sometimes embassies will accept faxes of documents, too. smile.gif

I believe I've mentioned my accident-prone sister here before; the one who is always losing things/having things stolen/getting into scrapes that are never entirely her fault. Anyway, latest story (I can't ring up my parents without hearing of yet another escapade) is that the other night my mother received a phonecall. My sister had been to a concert in Belgium and was able to get a lift back to Tunbridge Wells but had no money to get back to my parents' (100 miles away); could my mother drive out and meet her? The reason she had no money? She'd snapped her credit card. How had she snapped it? By sitting on it. laughing.gif

QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Jul 9 2008, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
lol.. cécile, you are right.. I am a stresser lol xD

I just got home and found packet 4 in the mail with my appointment for the interview (have to call for medical tomorrow morning)... lol, even the customer service said they couldnt have had it but still they seem to have got the mail with my checklist biggrin.gif

Again all that stressing for nothing... when am I going to learn :S

Hurrah! kicking.gif

Now I just hope that my Packet 4 arrives!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-09 08:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Woo more Bay Area people! kicking.gif

Alex has a car so I won't be too worried about lugging around groceries - if I did need to shop for something and he was at work I'm sure it'd be small enough to pack into a backpack. smile.gif There is some good public transportation in San Jose, just not around where we'd be living! I like walking, though, so honestly I'm not too worried (although you can bet I'll be staying out of the midday sun when it's spring/summer - I learned my lesson after nearly suffering from heatstroke the first day I was there!), and once I get my license I'll be able to share the car with Alex when needed.

It's a pity that the Bay Area in general is so expensive - I've walked/spent time in San Jose, San Francisco, Fremont and a couple of the other cities in the area and I think it's a great place to live; I'm really looking forward to moving there! Plus most of Alex's family is scattered around the Bay Area so wherever we will be we shan't be too far from relatives. smile.gif

sunny - you shall definitely hear something by winter time! I declare it so! tongue.gif

Cecile - yes, it was horrible! Never again...
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-08 14:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Thanks sunny!

Yes - there is just one room. Alex drew a VERY rough plan:

http://images.flying...;/basicplan.GIF

laughing.gif But you get the idea. I THINK the bathroom is at the front of the apartment and the kitchen at the back. From what I can tell only the kitchen and bathroom have windows so another concern is how dark the main room gets, but as it is painted white and seems to have a bright light I guess it shall be okay. It's still an amazing price for the area so I can't complain!

We're considering getting a loft bed which would give us more space for a desk/sofa and bookshelves.

Alex says the main room is bigger than his bedroom and if we were living at his parents' we'd be paying only slightly less for just his bedroom.

It'll be a squeeze but I've lived in much worse places. I managed to stay for nearly an entire year in a 6' by 6' (about 1.8 x 1.8 m!) room that had a bed with a holey mattress and peeling wallpaper...
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-08 05:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Jul 8 2008, 10:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the three year transcript thingie... someone who just started out working cannot have 3 years of tax transcripts, I'm pretty sure they know this too. If you can show his recent paystubs, they might be very well ok with it smile.gif

yes.gif

I shouldn't be too concerned - you have plenty of evidence of his current salary. I, too, have seen a few people approved whose fiancés have only been earning 125% of the poverty line for a year and who did not have co-sponsors.

I do have a co-sponsor mainly because Alex only had one tax subscript; that was the big problem for us.

*hugs* Cecile - I'm sure you'll be fine!
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-08 04:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Eep!

Obviously we've taken on a co-sponsor as added security, but there won't necessarily be a problem. Hopefully they'll take into account Bryan's age (assuming he's still fairly young). I'd probably take lots of evidence to show that this current job is stable and that his income is guaranteed - what do you have so far?
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-08 03:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Thanks guys!

It's not actually the apartment that Alex was originally told about - that was a wee bit smaller and had no dividing wall between the main room and kitchen. It also had much older appliances. Fortunately the woman who was going to take this apartment has been dillydallying and so they've given Alex first pick instead.

QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Jul 8 2008, 09:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As long as you can walk to a grocery store and a few other different places, that should be fine. If it was 15 miles away from the closest store, you may have some problems...

Indeed! I may be looking at an hour, hour and a half's walk but that's still perfectly doable.

There are things we won't have, like a washer/dryer, but Alex's parents are close enough that we could take a car load of laundry to their house once a week. And they've said we are always welcome round for dinner if we want to save money on food! smile.gif
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-08 03:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?
Exactly! biggrin.gif And it's not as if we have any furniture yet with which to fill the place up. wink.gif

It's a single-storey dwelling and is quite rural, too, so we won't be disturbing anyone. whistling.gif

Then again the remoteness of the place concerns me a little...those first few months when I have no car and no job may be a little tough. But I'm pretty fond of walking so that's a bonus. Alex's parents live 5-6 miles away which isn't too far.
Alex & RachelFemaleEngland2008-07-08 03:10:00