biggish data

London Airports?

You had stated that both airports were a similar distance which is untrue and I was merely trying to point this out as the OP had asked which was closer. I simply stated the fact, I am not trying to prove a point. Which by the way now I have stated the fact you are trying to justify yourself and then try and make out that I am being childish! :no:

Edited by spiritee, 21 November 2006 - 05:20 AM.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-11-21 05:19:00

London Airports?

I too am local. Gatwick is the other side of the M25! Granted that Heathrow is in Middx.

Heathrow to the West End is 16.1 miles and Gatwick is 31.1 miles. If you do not believe me go to multimap, I know what I am talking about. I rest my case!

Heathrow is in Middlesex. Gatwick is on the Surrey/West Sussex border. To central London it takes approximately the same amount of time from both. Plus Heathrow is in a FAR more congested area. Busy busy busy.

Take my word for it....I AM a local.

Heathrow is in West London, Gatwick is in West Sussex. Gatwick is much further from London how on earth are these two similar distances???

For central London, Heathrow is definatly closer.

Well both Gatwick and Heathrow are similar distances from central London. IMO Gatwick is the FAR better airport. Better facilities and in a better area.

Heathrow is on the Piccadilly Line (tube) which would take you directly to London. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express train Line, which runs into Victoria (also in Central London). This is actually quicker than the tube line.

http://www.gatwickex...D-4CC6B80C4BCF}

Neither airport is near the embassy I'm afraid!

http://london.usemba...v/ukembmap.html

These are the stations you would need on the tube. *points up*

Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner are both ON the Piccadilly Line. So you could fly into Heathrow and just get the tube all the way. It would take a while...so make sure you have PLENTY of time!

spiritee

Female

England

2006-11-21 04:50:00

London Airports?

Heathrow is in West London, Gatwick is in West Sussex. Gatwick is much further from London how on earth are these two similar distances???

For central London, Heathrow is definatly closer.

Well both Gatwick and Heathrow are similar distances from central London. IMO Gatwick is the FAR better airport. Better facilities and in a better area.

Heathrow is on the Piccadilly Line (tube) which would take you directly to London. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express train Line, which runs into Victoria (also in Central London). This is actually quicker than the tube line.

http://www.gatwickex...D-4CC6B80C4BCF}

Neither airport is near the embassy I'm afraid!

http://london.usemba...v/ukembmap.html

These are the stations you would need on the tube. *points up*

Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner are both ON the Piccadilly Line. So you could fly into Heathrow and just get the tube all the way. It would take a while...so make sure you have PLENTY of time!

Edited by spiritee, 21 November 2006 - 04:26 AM.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-11-21 04:25:00

I emailed the Embassy on 13th Dec and I am yet still to receive a reply despite putting my case number in the subject line. What would be the next best course of action? Would a telephone call suffice? If so would I need to call the premium rate number?

spiritee

Female

England

2006-12-22 05:42:00

What a journey this has been so far! I finally received P4 yesterday and the interview has been scheduled for 19th Jan 2007! Four days after our baby is due! I emailed the embassy to reschedule the interview and received the auto response. Would it be wise to write to them instead? Has anyone had any success of rescheduling on the telephone?

spiritee

Female

England

2006-12-14 04:52:00

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will wait until I receive P4 then email the Embassy.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-11-29 13:20:00

Hi,

I sent of P3 last month and I am awaiting P4. I am worried in case the interview is scheduled around the time my baby is due (which is in 6 weeks) , is it possible to change the interview date given the circumstances?

Thanks

spiritee

Female

England

2006-11-29 05:39:00

People who are from the UK!!

I also got my passport photos taken at Snappy Snaps.

I'm going to get my passport photo taken very soon (want to do it tommorrow) and was going to do it in a photo booth (I used that for my passport). I've been told that they wont accept a photobooth passport shot - where did you get your passport photo taken? Thanks

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-28 06:09:00

Marriage Cert. for K-1 Interview

I had the same problem! You can order a copy of your marriage certificate online or over the telephone from the General Register Office (0845 603 7788) and it costs approx £27.00 for a copy and takes a couple of weeks to be posted or:
You can physically go to the local registry office of the Borough/District where the marriage took place and pay £7.00 and receive it he certificate on the day.

My fiancé' was previously married nearly 20 years ago. The Check list in packet three claims they would like copies of all marriage certificates from prior marriages. This seems to be a problem. According to my Fiancé, as soon as she was issued her divorce absolute 18 some years ago the UK government takes your Marriage certificate. Does anyone have any experience with this situation? Can my fiancé obtain an old copy of her marriage Cert. ? Is it Needed if she has her divorce absolute?

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-10 06:30:00

I was told that the Doctors would forward the X-Ray to the Embassy.

Had I attended the interview whilst I was pregnant I would not have had to have the X-Ray until I did the AOS.

I'm not sure I'm following this statement. Was your medical done before the visa interview at the consulate?

And if your passport was returned to you, then I'd imagine you'd have to get another appointment with them to drop off the xray with your passport.

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-26 15:29:00

Had I attended the interview whilst I was pregnant I would not have had to have the X-Ray until I did the AOS.

Hmmm, does this mean that a foreign fiancee who is pregnant at the time of her medical, must wait for her visa until she is no longer pregnant and able to have her x-ray? What if she is only 1 month in, does that really delay people 8 months?

Just curious.

My passport was returned to me.

No, to the best of my knowledge I was told that once they have received the X-Ray then they will issue the visa.

I believe the 'code' for 221g is 'administrative processing' - basically meaning they need more information before they can issue the visa.

Did they not give you instructions to return once you've had the x-ray?

Then in that case - no worries!!

I wouldn't think you'd need to return to the embassy, either - unless to take them your passport (or did they keep it?).

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-26 15:17:00

No, to the best of my knowledge I was told that once they have received the X-Ray then they will issue the visa.

I believe the 'code' for 221g is 'administrative processing' - basically meaning they need more information before they can issue the visa.

Did they not give you instructions to return once you've had the x-ray?

Edited by spiritee, 26 February 2007 - 10:26 AM.

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-26 10:23:00

I had my interview this morning and I received the blue 221g because when I had my medical I was pregnant and therefore was unable to have my X-Ray taken. This means another trip to the Docs to get this done. I was surprised because I was not asked to produce any evidence that my Fiance had met in the last two years so my highlighting and blacking out 4 ½ years worth of phone bills was a waste of time. I was asked one question and it was not pertaining to the relationship, it was about the one item on my police report.

Has any one else had experience of receiving a blue 221g?

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-26 09:44:00

trying to email Embassy

I had the same message when I wanted to re schedule my appointment and despite putting my case number in the subject line I still did not receive a response. Eventually I mailed the request to the Embassy and within 2 weeks I received a new interview date in the post.

Hi guys,

needing some advice. We've received an interview/medical date for my setpson. We need to postpone it for about a month. I've read through all the messages I could find on this topic and came accross this email address LondonConsular@state.gov. I sent an email tonight requesting a new date and recieved this response almost immediately:

THIS IS AN AUTOMATED REPLY. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL.

Your e-mail was deleted without being read.

This e-mail address is solely for individuals who have been authorized
to contact the Consular Information Unit about a specific matter. This
address is not for general inquiries from the public, attorneys or
agents of record. Please understand our workload does not allow us to
read unauthorized inquiries, but the Embassy has set up several
mechanisms to provide general and personalized guidance.

Highly detailed visa information is available from the Embassy's
website
at http://london.usembassy.gov. Due to our heavy workload, we cannot
respond to email inquiries when the subject matter is addressed on the
website.

We also cannot respond to requests for expedited processing, or
nonimmigrant visa "case status" inquiries which are still within the
estimated time frame given on the website, or by the interviewing
Consular Officer, whichever is longer.

If you still have questions after reading all of the content on the
website, please call the Embassy's Operator Assisted Information
Service
for personalized service. Contact information for the operator service
can be found on this page:
http://london.usemba...visa/index.html.

Is our only option calling the Embassy and spending an arm and a leg on our phone bill? Though what's a few more bucks after all the buckets of money we've already spent on this process! Sheesh!
Has anyone else been able to get an email through to the London Embassy recently? I'm wondering if this is just something they send to everyone and then actually respond to the ones deemed appropriate. From what I've read this is a valid request that should be answerable through email...or maybe that isn't the case anymore.
Thanks in advance for your help, guys. I appreciate it.

~Lani

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-28 04:29:00

What Won't You Miss About The UK?

What I will not miss:

1. Bad Customer Service
2. TV Licence
3. Council Tax
4. Petrol prices

Okay, so we've had the threads talking about all of the wonderful things regarding the UK and the things we really miss etc etc. How about things you DON'T miss or can't wait to see the back of?

Me? The London Underground and the buses in the Summer months. 100f+ temps, no air at all, clothes all stuck to your legs....ick. Don't miss it AT ALL. The buses were even worse, little greenhouses on wheels, they really were!

So, what about you?

spiritee

Female

England

2007-04-09 13:34:00

Africa: Sub-Saharan

For white men married to African women

How does your husband make you put on a wig to cover your natural hair? This sounds like a control issue as opposed to a race issue to me and I feel that you need to get in control of this situation now because your hair will not be the only thing he will have a problem with.

I recently asked African women on a previous post about an issue that I have with my white husband. I am a Nigerian women with thick (course?) hair. It is normal hair for most Nigerian women. My husband, however, seems to be fixated on long, silky hair like many Ethiopian and Somali women (and even Hispanic) have in our city (Minneapolis). He makes me put on a wig to cover up my natural hair. Nothing else will suffice: no relaxer, no twists, no natural look. Just the wig. I, as I said on the other topic post, am furious.

I would like an honest answer from white men married to African women: Is our hair an issue to you or is my husband being absolutely unreasonable. Please be honest, because I don't want to keeping perceiving him as being ashamed of me if it is something that many white men may have an issue about.

I am hurt and confused and looking for perspectives from women and men.

Thank you.

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-24 13:36:00

Medical yesterday + tip re: photos

Hi,

I will be going for my medical next Wednesday. I am unable to have any shots as I am pregnant and fortunatly I live in London so it won't take long to get to Knightsbridge!

Hi All,

Had my medical yesterday. All went pretty smoothly, though I am £300 poorer after paying for a train ticket to London, the medical (£160) and £60 for a couple of vaccinations. I does seem crazy that this is the only place on the country authorised to do it. A tip for all those still to go through it, if you can get vaccinations through your local doctor in advance, or proof that you have had these, then it'll save you some cash. My doctor didn't have any record of my previous vaccinations and, in the end, I just figured I'd get them done on the day to make sure I get the right ones.

In terms of the medical itself, it is all pretty painless and inobtrusive - they check your vaccinations and, if you want, give you any extra you need. Then a chest x-ray, and then a 10-15 minute examination with a doctor - they weigh you, ask you a few questions about medical history, drug or alcohol abuse, mental health etc. Then they ask you to strip to underwear and socks and give you a once over, checking your back, chest etc. They do take a quick glance at your nether-regions, but no painful insertions of anything cold, so I was pleased with that. ;-) Staff were friendly and efficient, though at the price you pay you would certainly hope they were!

One final tip, I spent most of Wednesday running around trying to get US size photos, as the guidelines sent to me by the embassy said I needed a photo for the medical, and two for the visa appointment, and that these had to be specifically US-sized photos. I went to the only place in Bristol that I knew of to do them, and they were closed, then wandered around the other stores who all said they couldn't do it. Finally found a place that would, but they were unable to have them with me the same day. Eventually I phoned the doctors to tell them that I couldn't get an appropriate photo (my appointment was 1st thing in the morning), and asked whether I could either go get it done afterwards in London, or if I could reschedule for later. They said "don't worry, a normal UK sized photo is fine." Apparently you only need the US-sized ones for the embassy. I did go and get some done though immediately afterwards, so now I should be ready for the big day. Passport Photo Service on Oxford St, near the embassy, were very fast and efficient, their details are in packet 3 that was sent to me by the embassy, though I did wander if I had the right place as their offices look a bit dingy.

So now, barring any nasty surprises from the blood test, x-ray etc, all I need to do is await packet 3 from the embassy. Here's hoping they don't take too long. I'm missing my lady.

Cheers,
Sami

So now, barring any nasty surprises from the blood test, x-ray etc, all I need to do is await packet 3 from the embassy. Here's hoping they don't take too long. I'm missing my lady.

Sorry, that should read packet 4.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-10-20 06:19:00

Mistake on DS230 and D 156 Forms

I have realised that I have made a slight error on the D156 and DS 230 forms which I have sent back to the Embassy. I got the last digit of my Fiances zip code incorrect on the questions relating to where I will be staying when in the US. Do you think this is a major problem and if so do I inform them of this mistake prior to the interview?

spiritee

Female

England

2006-11-03 07:12:00

pregnant during second trip, please help!

I went for my medical last month and I was 6 months pregnant. I did not have to have the X-Ray or the MMR vaccine. I did have to have the Tetnus vaccine though.

HI to all,

I met my fiance in person last may 2006 and petitioned her last jun2006 immediately when i got back to the USA. it got approved and the NVC sent the approval already (this nov 2006)in MANILA. I went back there last Oct to see her, and afterwards we found out she is now pregnant.

My question is that how will this affect my petition for her? when she goes for her medical exam she will need to tell them that she is pregnant. Will the Us embassy ask for proof that i was there during the month of OCt. Will this delay my petition for her? The papers i have on file is when i was there in May not in Oct. Will they even doubt that i am the father of the baby?

thanks for reading this post, hope you guys can help!

spiritee

Female

England

2006-11-20 15:05:00

Visa in Hand!!

Congratulations Andy!

spiritee

Female

England

2006-12-01 02:27:00

Thanks for the advice, I will definatly look into it.

Is it legal to register the baby twice in 2 diff Countries?

Did you register the baby with the US embassy? so the baby can get a US passport...

Kez

Did you read the info I gave you about Children born outside the US who have a USC parent.... and it is not illegal to register your baby with the UK and the US.... there are 1000's of children in the same situation as yours who have dual nationality as you baby is entitled to...

But hey I am just trying to help you sort out this issue... up to you what you do...

Kez

Edited by spiritee, 18 February 2007 - 01:08 PM.

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-18 13:08:00

Is it legal to register the baby twice in 2 diff Countries?

Did you register the baby with the US embassy? so the baby can get a US passport...

Kez

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-18 12:24:00

The Father is a USC hence the K1 application. My Fiance and I registered the babies birth when he was here in England and we have already applied for and received a British passport so my understanding is that the baby will also need a visa.

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-18 12:01:00

I will be attending my interview for the K1 visa in 8 days time and I had a baby last month. Does anybody know what the process is to add the baby for a K2? I have been advised to let them know at the interview and that they will add the child to the visa. Do I need to take the child’s passport and birth cert? I am also aware that the baby will need to attend a medical. Has anyone had first hand experience of this? Thanks in advance.

spiritee

Female

England

2007-02-18 11:43:00

Do We Have To Inform the Embassy

I was pregnant when I went for the medical and I was not allowed to have the x-ray taken and a couple of the vaccinations. Your fiance writing to the embassy will not speed up the process, just make sure that you take proof of your pregnancy to the medical. ( Despite my obvious pregnant stomach I was still asked for proof)

that I'm pregnant?

Was reading another thread and it said that the fiance had to write to them confirming his knowledge I was pregnant.
Has anyone been through anything similar?????
I'll be about 5 months my interview, have ticked 'yes' on the medical forms....

Oh, when he wrote a cover letter for our I-129, he wrote as part 'I would do anything in my power to have (AlienUK)and (son's name) here by September when our child is born so I can be there for the birth of my first child.'

Would this be enough?

spiritee

Female

England

2007-04-09 05:46:00

Just one easy question

My Fiancee and I have the same situation. I have collected over 350 calling cards which I have used using a free phone number. I have sometimes called my fiancee directly also. I was stressing as we speak more than 3 times every day and I do not feel that the physical evidence of the calling cards will be sufficient evidence. Fortunatly we see each other 6 times a year so hopefully that will count for something.

Hi guys, thank you for all what you do here, it really helps.
I have a question, as always, my baby has to do more documents and our lawyer said that it's better to get checks from telephone company. We talk hours and hours on the phone but she always calls me with using phone cards - Free connect, so it's not an easy task to get these checks from the telephone company.
Maybe you know if it is really necessary to have telephone bills? Sahe is in so stress now. I'm so worry about everything what's going on around us.
So, if you know the truth about it, I would be glad to hear it.
Thanks you again

spiritee

Female

England

2006-07-20 15:21:00

Unusual RFE

This happened to me also. You are not alone. Check out the following link:

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=22693

I got an unusual RFE in the mail today. I filed the I-129F using the new form. Yet I got an RFE asking for the same information that persons using the old form were asked to submit. The questions were the new questions placed on the revised form relating to the IMBRA issue. I was under the impression that the new I-129F addressed the questions contained in the RFE sent to persons who had had used the old form. It seems like everyone now has to submit this form whether they use the new form or not.

I guess I should ask whether anyone else who submitted the new form received an RFE requesting the same info that persons using the old i-129F had to submit. If so, then what was the use of producing a revised form with the additional questions and then asking for them to be answered again?

spiritee

Female

England

2006-07-25 12:23:00

K1 Visa Attorneys

Hi,

In answer to your question I suggest that you register with this website http://www.aila.org/
They were very useful and put my fiancee in contact with an immigration attorney where he lives.

Good luck I pray you find an attorney soon.

S.

I am meeting my fiancée in Manila in two weeks, when I get back to the USA, we need to select an Immigration Attorney to help facilitate and assist us in our K1 Visa application processes.

Who has experience with a Visa Attorneys bringing their Fiancée to US from Philippines? Who has been satisfied with their attorney, and who has been disappointed?
We are looking for support, from start to finish, until she is here with me in the USA.
I need Attorney and Firm names and recommendations!

Thanks in Advance, and wish us luck!

Robert

spiritee

Female

England

2006-08-20 16:43:00

crossing borders while 129F is being processed.

I did not have any problems at all.I just returned from visiting my fiancee in the US from the UK. At the POE I was asked who I was visiting and I told them and then the officer stamped my passport.

while the 129F is being processed, is there any way that the alien applicant can cross the border? or is it only the US citizen who can cross? are there any exceptions (if you have extenuating circumstances) that the alien can cross? ie: the US citizen's fnancial situation (can't take off work), major health issues (going in for surgery), etc.
thanks!

spiritee

Female

England

2006-08-22 12:51:00

Feel like I could cry...please help

I am in a similar situation. I am in the UK and expecting in January. We filed the K1 through VSC in June using the new form and still received an RFE which has a receipt date of 21st July. Despite our Lawyer advising me to come the AOS, we decided to go the K1 route, now we wish we had not as I will be unable to fly past 34 weeks which means I may have the baby here if I am not approved soon. All we can do is wait and be patient and I suggest you do the same. Good Luck.

This is a great site and I've been playing around reading things forever but now I have a question...I am an American and my fiancee is British. We are expecting a baby in March and want to live permanently in the USA. He's currently in the UK and we're thinking that the K-1 visa is the best way to bring him over. The problem is that it can take a long time and we want him to be here for the birth and preferably a little before and after. My question is this: if we apply now can he travel over here in and around March to be with me? I know he'll have to go back for the interview and to process the rest of the visa stuff, but is it possible for him to still come visit? an alternative for us was the illegal thing of him just coming over as a tourist and us getting married but then I was afraid when we tried to apply for the spousal visa they would deport him. I am going back to the UK in September until December and although we've only been apart for a few weeks (I had to see my US obgyn) we're both already hating that he is missing out on some of the pregnancy. There's no way I would want him to miss the birth. Anyone got any ideas?

spiritee

Female

England

2006-08-28 17:32:00

WE'VE BEEN APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Good luck on the rest of your journey.

I'm sorry I can't write much. 10 minutes after reading a few times "this case has been approved" and I'm still shaking.
BUT, I want to share this great joy with you guys, which were so supportive during this horrifying 6months.
WE are finally approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got NOA2! I feel like jumping all over my house now!!!

I wish so much the ones are still left behind will get their well deserved approval SOON!

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-07 14:54:00

Yes my Fiancee and I waited for the same things. We wanted to make sure that we were right for each other too it's not as if we see each other every day although we speak every day on the phone, it’s not like I would be going just around the corner its 4,000 miles away in a different Country it’s a big step to take, when these things are rushed and are not planned properly they have less chance of survival.

Also we have been saving so that we could pay for the Lawyer for this process and also to ensure that when I get there we are not struggling financially as that could add a strain to our early marriage and my adjustment.

Congrats for filing! Why'd you wait so long?

'Cause we only got engaged on August 20th. Just wanted to be sure we were right for each other, I guess; we've been trying to treat our relationship as normal and not 'long-distance-must-rush-to-be-together.' Plus, we wanted to be in a good financial situation once he moved here, and he's taken a better paying job so he can squirrel away some cash over the next year so we don't have to eat rice & beans (I meet the poverty guidelines, but just barely.)

Edited by spiritee, 09 September 2006 - 09:47 AM.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-09 09:46:00

I feel the same. My Fiance and I have been together for over 4 years now and are fortunate enough to see each other more than six times a year. That is why I can be patient and ignore the process because I know that we will eventually be married.

Good luck on your journey!

Ahhh yes, this must come up again.
It must mean I'm not worthy of being upset at the process.
Forgive me.

Cass (bebop the great)

Not that it matters, but bebop hadn't even met her fiance till a month after you filed, Rob.

I find that very hard to stomach when most of us have been struggling with immigration for many months/years.

*leans on a walking stick.... clump, clump

Girl, I have two sets of primary evidence older than your relationship. Pri-ma-ry! Back in my day we had to deliver our petitions by hand, uphill both ways in the snow, and there was none of this fancy P-D-F to fill it out for you! no sirree!

All of which means nothing, of course; you are entitled to a whining day just as much as anyone.

I'm having fun at the moment trying to explain patiently to relatives that I can't plan the wedding until I know more how long it's going to take. Crazy aunts.

I'm trying to look at it like this. My fiancé and I have been together for nearly three years now. What's changed? Nothing, except someone else has some paperwork; day to day hasn't changed at all. It's not like we wouldn't have been talking on the phone instead of being together anyway, so I'll just try to be patient and ignore the process until they need more info from me.

Edited by spiritee, 09 September 2006 - 09:38 AM.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-09 09:37:00

Exactly, as mentioned in one of my previous posts everyone has hard times and problems in life, people just choose to deal with it differently. You either look at the glass half empty or half full.

If you read my initial posts I was actually trying to point out to be patient and positive about the process because that is what it is a process and there are months of it to come and no amount of complaining is going to change that and it just eats at you instead.
My first post was : “Don't be jealous, not everyone at VSC gets a speedy approval to presume this is ridiculous. My petition was received by VSC in June and I still have not been approved. I am not jealous I have realised that there is nothing I can do to speed up the process but be patient.” I do not think there is anything unreasonable there yet Kirsten felt that I should not post on here and keep my comments to myself.. LOL quite ironic since this is a forum!

I thought the purpose of the message boards was about the whole K1 Visa journey not personal problems but I thought wrong, so when I read yet another personal sob story from Kirsten I felt to comment. Now I can sympathise with someone who has been waiting seven months for an approval as that is longer than the time the USIC said they will deliver, but after one month, I simply find it hard to swallow.

Anyone going through this process is the same by reading some of the self centred posts I can now see why some feel like they do.

I wish you all the best.

I totally agree. spiritee you sound like you are singleing out people to lash out at. Everyone has hard times, me included. we've had our gas turned off a couple times. and ate beans for weeks. lol i certianly dont consider myself worse off then others,noone here is saying they are. People here are just sharing their experiences, thoughts, fears,hardships ect... Kristen seems like a very nice person, as do you, but you are carrying a chip on your shoulder about her. Kristen i would love to have a yard sale lol i'd sell everything i own if it meant having the money it takes to finish this process. In Japan they dont have yards(unless you consider the plower pots placed in rows out front of the house a yard) lol infact when they get rid of things they usually buy a cetain sticker form the store and place on the item then call the people to come get it. when the truck comes they come to your door and collect the fee to take it away. the things they throw out so easily here you wouldnt believe! i could make a fortune selling it back home or on ebay lol. usually the foriegnors scavenge it up for their own place before the truck comes to get it. anyway back to the main point..... its ok to vent,rant,complain,cry, and all here but to personally attack anyone for it isnt nice. let's be a little more supportive. Christine your post was right on the money!

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-09 04:50:00

Please I have been there the before but I had faith and prayed not complained endlessly as I knew that there was someone else who was far worse than me. So do not assume anything. I guess you have never visited a third World Country and seen how people live I have and trust me it's a humbling experience and those people do not complain they make do.

Kirsten,

Another day, another sob story... Yesterday was no approval in a month and today is no money maybe no food! gosh whatever could it be tomorrow! oooppps sorry I forgot tomorrow is the yard sale..

Please there are people in the World who are really starving your problems are minor! How much more pity are you seeking?

Lucky you, Spiritee. You've obivously never had to decide whether to have the electricity or the gas cut off, whether to pay the rent or buy food.

NEWSFLASH! Some people here have had to make that kind of decision. I'm one of them.

Everything is relative. When you lose a relative you mustn't cry; don't forget people who have lost their whole family in a tragic accident. Don't be so ridiculous.

How you can compare waiting more than one month for a Fiancé visa to a person loosing their whole family in a tragic accident. Now who is being ridiculous?

Kirsten,

Another day, another sob story... Yesterday was no approval in a month and today is no money maybe no food! gosh whatever could it be tomorrow! oooppps sorry I forgot tomorrow is the yard sale..

Please there are people in the World who are really starving your problems are minor! How much more pity are you seeking?

Lucky you, Spiritee. You've obivously never had to decide whether to have the electricity or the gas cut off, whether to pay the rent or buy food.

NEWSFLASH! Some people here have had to make that kind of decision. I'm one of them.

Everything is relative. When you lose a relative you mustn't cry; don't forget people who have lost their whole family in a tragic accident. Don't be so ridiculous.

Edited by spiritee, 08 September 2006 - 12:38 PM.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-08 12:37:00

Kirsten,

Another day, another sob story... Yesterday was no approval in a month and today is no money maybe no food! gosh whatever could it be tomorrow! oooppps sorry I forgot tomorrow is the yard sale..

Please there are people in the World who are really starving your problems are minor! How much more pity are you seeking?

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-08 08:43:00

"None of us chastise you for NOT getting upset."

Sorry I must have misread some of the posts! I have been told to keep my opinions to myself.. LOL Which is ironic considering this is a Forum.

Do I think the process sucks?? Of course I do but as I said earlier there is nothing I can do about it so I think optimistically.

Anyway, I wish you all the best on your journey.!

Yeah, but sometimes you just gotta rant. And on Tuesday, the day after having to have an airport good-bye, if I didn't get out my feelings to people that understood me, I was going to fling myself out my office window.

I agree everyone deals with it differently, so why chastise those of us who choose to work ourselves through the situation in this fashion? None of us chastise you for NOT getting upset.

Cass (bebop the great)

I am not angry whatsoever, have I complained once? In life I have learned that some things you have to accept as you cannot change them I make the most out of a situation and this is one of them. There is nothing I can do to speed up the process so I refuse to let it consume or depress me, but instead focus my energy on the positives and have faith. I guess as Uling said, everyone has different ways of looking/dealing with things

Patience is a virtue

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-07 09:49:00

I am not angry whatsoever, have I complained once? In life I have learned that some things you have to accept as you cannot change them I make the most out of a situation and this is one of them. There is nothing I can do to speed up the process so I refuse to let it consume or depress me, but instead focus my energy on the positives and have faith. I guess as Uling said, everyone has different ways of looking/dealing with things

Patience is a virtue

Let me try one more time. I'd really like to think there's a way to make myself understood...though that means, spiritee that you will have to move beyond what I think is a very sensitive spot for you so that you can truly hear what I'm saying. We're all sensitive right now. That means we all have to work extra hard. Me included. So here goes...

Ready4one, I was not lashing out I was responding to someone saying that I should keep my feelings to myself and not post!

If that's what you got from what I said, then I think you're really misunderstanding me. I have no problem with you expressing your feelings, spiritee. I simply have a problem with you implying or telling others that they do not really have a right to theirs. Like I said, feelings are feelings, and everyone is entitled to theirs--and to the respectful expression of those feelings. I think I did that. I said, "Hey, I'm delighted for these people. I congratulate them personally. At the same time, I get this sinking feeling thinking about what my own timeline is going to look like." I think that's normal. All I'm gonna say.

When we entered the K1 process we knew it was going to be a long ride so expecting an approval after a month would have been silly. Jealousy is an ugly thing and just because others are getting approved does not mean a thing, be happy for them your time will come.

I, too, knew that this could be a long ride. I didn't expect approval in a month, either. I think that's why it was such a shock to the system when I started seeing other people receiving those sorts of speedy NOA2s. Again, it wasn't that I wasn't happy for those people. I absolutely WAS and AM! But you can be happy for someone else and sad for yourself at the same time. Differing feelings coexist within the same person all the time. I think it's o.k. to be honest about that. I'm not bashing anyone. I'm supporting a whole lot of Vermonters and anyone else who gets approvals. I always send a personal message to say, "WONDERFUL! FANTASTIC! CONGRATULATIONS!" with lots of happy emoticons. Go back and look. I'm not the guilty party you're accusing me of being.

Gosh you don’t even know her, from what she has written on here I do not perceive her as that only irrational and impatient and jealous. Her opening line to me was “ As for you” !!

I wrote "as for you" only because I had just written to Rebeccajo and was trying to differentiate between two thoughts to two different people. I thought it would all end up in the same post, but others ended up posting in between my two thoughts. It therefore came across as condescending in a way I didn't mean it to be. I see now that it was a poor way to begin. I apologize for an opening that must have felt inflammatory.

ready4ONE is my filing buddy. And I consider him my friend. I think he understands me. If you don't want to listen to him as a character reference, I guess you don't have to. I can't make you. Neither can he. But I do appreciate beyond measure his words in my defense: “Kirsten is, in my experience, a kind and thoughtful person”

Thank you for your comment, but if you honestly believe that I care how others perceive me you are truly mistaken.

I think that may be a big part of the problem here. If you don't care how others perceive you, then I'm guessing you're not working that hard to communicate. You're just spewing. And that doesn't really work in an environment like this. We need you to care at least a little how you're coming across. I'm going back and looking at what I said and did in an effort to make this all right. I need you to do the same. It's a two way street. Can you do this with me?

I tell it how it is and lets be realistic here, there are people who have been waiting for months to be approved so one month is nothing to complain about.

Well, you're telling only part of how it is, spiritee. And that's fine. But people like Cass and myself were politely expressing another part of how it is. You seemed to indicate that we didn't have a right to express that part. It felt very much like I was being told that until I've been in line for ages and ages, I'm expected to just put up and shut up. That doesn't feel much like a supportive community to me...and I think that's what VJ is supposed to be...supportive.

Again, regardless of filing date, we all have our situations and our feelings. There's nothing wrong with that. I applaud Cass for having the courage to say out loud what she was feeling in a way that I and many others could relate to and understand. If you don't understand, o.k., but I really don't think it's fair or realistic to expect that we shouldn't be allowed to say where we're at. Again, I haven't seen my fiancé in seven and a half months now. That's already a long time, and I'm just at the beginning of the filing process. It is depressing for me. I have no way to get to him for visits...nor he to me. It's very hard. Please try to understand. It sounds like you are in a very difficult situation, as well. It must be terrible to be pregnant and be without your partner. I'm really very sorry. Let's support and hear each other in our respective situations rather than escalating a conflict.

Well excuse me, I was not making a smug comment I merely think that at this early on in the process to be complaining is rather pointless when there have been people waiting for months.

Again, I don't think it is pointless to feel any way at all. I think feelings are feelings, and it's o.k. for people to feel what they do about their particular situation--and to express those feelings and experiences in a respectful way. I believe I did just that.

I am five months pregnant but I do not have time to ###### and waste energy complaining about the process as I recognise that I am dealing with bureaucracy and my complaining is not going to speed up the process. You are telling me to keep my comments to myself yet you are on here complaining because you have not been approved in a month! Please get a grip, and trust me I can bet that 95% of the people on here have problems that is life.

Again, your situation must be very difficult. I can understand that you must have a very hard time yourself going through this process. I never asked you to keep your situation to yourself--or your feelings. I only respectfully asked you to keep to yourself comments which seemed to deny others the right to express what they were thinking and feeling. Everyone else has a story, too...and feelings about that story, feelings about what is going on with USCIS right now. We all relate to it in different ways. As long as everyone stays respectful, then I think everyone should be able to talk and express what they're experiencing, regardless of the amount of time they've been "standing in line."

I am not a jealousy-ridden monster. I am not standing on the side-lines booing when people get approved. I'm standing and cheering with everyone else. And I'm only temporarily discouraged, a point I've tried to clarify again and again. I always bounce back. I'm a very strong woman that way. Please don't make me out to be something I'm not. The picture you're trying to paint is neither accurate nor fair.

I hope this post helps to alleviate what I'm perceiving as a lot of anger in you. My intention is not to create enemies here. I certainly don't consider you an enemy. I think there are simply some communication issues occurring. I hope you'll work with me to iron them out. If you don't, then I guess that's your choice, too. In any event, I wish you the best in your journey.

spiritee

Female

England

2006-09-07 09:22:00