ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
Just an update: We got approved pending the embassy's receipt of Mark's medical results. biggrin.gif

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-11 08:27:00
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Sep 9 2009, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (imaisha @ Sep 9 2009, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Haha my husband did the same and they chose the US size!


That's funny. I don't think they are too bother there as long as you have a passport pic.


I think it's just that they're so particular about so much of the other stuff, that when it comes to something silly like a picture, we've become conditioned to completely over-think it...know what I mean? wink.gif


Well, I just spoke with Mark...he's just gotten off the tube @ Bond Street. Now he just has to find the doctor's office and wait around for his 3:30 appointment. He's going to stay with some friends in Southampton for the night and then trek back up to London for the interview tomorrow, then head home to Huddersfield.

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-10 08:50:00
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
Ok, folks...one more question for you!


The medical FAQ says: 'the specifications for the photograph are the same as those obtained for the visa' . Does this mean US-sized?




ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-09 10:23:00
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Sep 9 2009, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just going to give you my opinion of the list. The simple purpose of original plus photocopy is so they can look at and verify the original then keep the photocopy for your file. If you don't need it back, then they can keep the original. Example: he wants his birth certificate back, so he has a photocopy for them to file after looking at the original. If you need your W2s back because you didn't save a copy for the AOS affidavit of support, then it's best that he make photocopies to turn in.

QUOTE (ealachan @ Sep 8 2009, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, to review, our complete packet that Mark is taking to London currently looks as follows - if you notice anything missing / wrong / out of place, please let me know ASAP! smile.gif

- Entire I-129F packet - originals
London does not ask for this. Its a VJ suggestion for Mark to have a copy mainly to know what you sent and I think in some cases of people that hardly know each other to study up on all the info about their fiance that the USCIS was given. Hopefully Mark knows how you met and how many times you've gone to see each other and what your job is. You don't need it at the interview.

- I-134 (original) plus check stubs (3 pay periods' worth, all photocopies), tax return (copy from TurboTax), W2's (originals), letter from employer (original)

The tax return printed from Turbo Tax should be the documents that would be mailed in if you were filing by mail. It has nothing to do with the online submission. Form 1040 looks like this http://fasttaxreturn..._form_image.jpg and it should be signed by you at the bottom of page 2. Instead of the 1040, some people with a very simple return have Form 1040A. Other forms some people have depending on their income or investments are Schedule A (you wouldn't have this with standard deduction.) Schedule B (to report any interest paid to you like from a savings account). Schedule D (only if you had big investments or sold stock you owned.)

- birth certificate (original - photocopy needed) Yes Must have his parent's names on it

- police certificate (original - photocopy needed) Yes

- completed DS-156 - original - completed DS-230 + supplemental - original
He mailed these in but can take back-up copies if they happened to lose them (not likely). Not presented at the first window. Just have in his folder "in case".

- G-325A - originals - one for Shelby (US Citizen) and one for Mark (UK Citizen)
Nope. That was part of the I129f and it's in your file and is not taken to the interview.

- I-797 - original and photocopy Not needed at interview. But important to save to send with AOS.

- updated Letter of Intent from Shelby (dated 5/5/09)
No again. London doesn't ask for this either. It's a VJ suggestion and may be needed in the Phillippeans, but not London.

- boarding passes from my trip to the UK to visit Mark in May 2009.
London won't ask for any proof of your relationship. Not needed.


QUOTE
Can anyone see anything we're lacking?


- his passport and appointment letter
- 2 US sized passport pictures. There's places on Oxford St. where you come out to the tube station closest to the Embassy (Bond St Station)
- cash for the visa is efficient because their credit card machine goes down

If you look at the list London provides, that's really all that is needed at the interview. Seriously. Most don't apply to him probably so I will bold what I think a single guy with no arrests, never in the military and has documents already in English will need. Bring photocopies of anything you want back.

Birth certificates (the LONG form that includes the names of his parents)
Adoption certificates
Passports
Marriage certificates
Termination of Prior Marriages
Military records
Evidence of Support (all your I-134 stuff)
Police Certificates
Police Certificates for the United Kingdom
Court & Prison Records
Court & Prison Records for the United Kingdom
Photographs
Translations

He can take anything he wants to the interview. I'm just saying what will actually be looked at. Keep it simple. Men get all flustered with mountains of papers.



That is SO, so helpful...thank you!! He's got everything all together in a folder, and he's travelling 7 hours to get to London, so I think he might just take the whole entire folder, just to be safe...but knowing what he needs to pull out and have on top of the pile for when he gets there is super helpful and definitely will help calm his nerves a bit, I hope. smile.gif

Thanks again!

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-09 09:18:00
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
So, to review, our complete packet that Mark is taking to London currently looks as follows - if you notice anything missing / wrong / out of place, please let me know ASAP! smile.gif

- Entire I-129F packet - originals
- I-134 (original) plus check stubs (3 pay periods' worth, all photocopies), tax return (copy from TurboTax), W2's (originals), letter from employer (original)
- birth certificate (original - photocopy needed)
- police certificate (original - photocopy needed)
- completed DS-156 - original
- completed DS-230 + supplemental - original
- G-325A - originals - one for Shelby (US Citizen) and one for Mark (UK Citizen)
- I-797 - original and photocopy
- updated Letter of Intent from Shelby (dated 5/5/09)
- boarding passes from my trip to the UK to visit Mark in May 2009.

Can anyone see anything we're lacking?



ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-08 15:49:00
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
re: taxes - I use TurboTax, so I printed out the whole 1040 return...the entire deal that gets transmitted to the IRS when I electronically submit my tax return...so hopefully that will cover us? It shows everything...income, deductions (not that I have any outside of the standard one and my student loan interest), etc. I don't think there's anything more complete than that!

re: passport photos - is the Snappy Snaps place right near the embassy? Does Goulds Pharmacy offer anything like that, perhaps?


ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-08 14:50:00
United Kingdomlast-minute interview prep questions - please help!
Hiya folks -

We've got some questions ahead of Mark's interview on the 11th. I've read the FAQ's and lots of posts from people, but we're still unclear on a few things, so I wanted to ask for direct clarification...thank you for bearing with us! star_smile.gif


- Will Mark need a copy of his birth certificate along with his original, or will just the original suffice? If he DOES need a copy, can it be just a photocopy, or does it need to be an official copy?

- For the 1-134, we have photocopies of pay stubs of mine, a letter from my employer confirming my salary, a copy of my 2008 tax return and my original 2008 W2's. Is that sufficient? I fall comfortably above the cutoff, so we need no co-sponsor.

- Mark has 2 copies of his police certificate. Should he bring them both, or will one suffice?

- What exactly are the charges (outside of travel) going to be? Is the visa fee $131 US, or will they accept the equivalent in pounds? There is a courier charge on top of that as well, yes?

- Are UK-sized passport photos ok, or does he need to have US-sized ones?

We might be coming back with more questions eventually, but these seem to be the most pressing ones at the moment.

Thanks so much everyone for your help! Once we get over this hurdle, it's going to be a huge relief! smile.gif
ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-08 14:20:00
United Kingdomthe visa is on the way...now what?
QUOTE (n1dom @ Sep 25 2009, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congratulations! I got approved in London today and am so looking forward to getting off the aircraft and walking through Logan with the envelope too!


Oh cool! We'll let you know how it goes! smile.gif

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-25 15:31:00
United Kingdomthe visa is on the way...now what?
So, now that Mark's visa is being printed and couriered back to him (we should have it in hand on Monday...whew!), what should he expect when he gets the package? There's an envelope he's not supposed to open, right? Is his passport separate from that, so that he can board the plane? What will he go through on this end, once he lands in Boston?

Thanks to everyone for all your help and support!
ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-25 12:38:00
United Kingdomwe did it!
QUOTE (Gemmie @ Oct 15 2009, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congratulations!

I agree, the AOS was MUCH easier. I got a little scared reading posts on here and prepared myself for the daunting task but it was actually better. Not as much evidence to give (all of those little snippets like boarding passes, photos, etc) and more focused on forms. Plus you can relax as you're together.

Also, I noticed in your sig that the POE officer at Logan didn't know what he was doing. I wonder if it was the same guy as mine:

QUOTE
He didn't seem to have too much knowledge of the K1 visa and had to look up the instructions - he also recorded me as a F1 visa holder which caused complications later on.


laughing.gif I guess they don't get many K1's in Boston.


Haha...I wonder if he was the same one, too! Mark said he showed him the visa and the guy was like "Oh! Uhhh...hmm. Ok. I need to go find someone who knows what that is." wink.gif

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-15 14:26:00
United Kingdomwe did it!
QUOTE (*julez* @ Oct 14 2009, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrats!

AOS is much easier than the I129F & K1, IMO. Good luck! star_smile.gif


Thanks! We're a little bit confused about the EAD. Can we file that seperately from the AOS stuff and have it come through sooner, or does it have to be filed all at once? Basically, we're trying to minimize the amount of time he's not working, because money will be tight.


ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-14 15:50:00
United Kingdomwe did it!
Mark got here with no problems, and we were married on Saturday! Now for the AOS...~sigh~...seems like the paperwork will never end! wink.gif


ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-10-14 15:25:00
United KingdomAOS filing question
I don't know if I dare to take that risk....thank you for the info, though!
ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-13 14:39:00
United KingdomAOS filing question
What happens if he goes out of status, though? There must be some kind of penalty or something, right?


ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-13 14:30:00
United KingdomAOS filing question
cross-posting this from the AOS boards, in hopes someone might be able to help...

Is there such a thing as filing for an extension to lengthen the time we have before we have to file my husband's AOS application? He entered the country on 10/2 on a K-1 visa. we got married on 10/10, and money has become extremely tight due to some unforseen issues. I don't think we're going to be able to scrape up the $$ for the AOS by the time we need to. Is there any way to extend the time we have in order to file it?

Kind of grasping at straws, I know...

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-11-13 14:16:00
United Kingdomquestion on AOS forms
Hi All -

We're in the process of getting stuff together to file Mark's AOS paperwork (yippee!!), and I have a quick question: Some of the forms seem to be the same as what was in the K-1 packet (ie: the biographical info sheets, and affidavit of support). Can we just use the same ones, or do we really have to fill them out all over again? I think I already know what you're going to tell me...but it was worth a try...wink.gif

Thanks much
Shelby

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-12-14 16:22:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
We got approved, pending the Embassy's receipt of Mark's medical results...so he doesn't have the visa in hand yet, but for all intents and purposes, we're approved...biggrin.gif

Mark said the interview was kind of a non-event. He said the guy asked how we met, then noticed where Mark works and started asking him all kinds of stuff about RPG's (he works at a games shop)...and there was apparently no other mention of me, our relationship, or why he wants to move...LOL Maybe the big fat folder of stuff that Mark brought in with him proved our case without even having to be opened...wink.gif


ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-11 08:20:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
Medical done! Just the interview tomorrow morning, now...eeek! smile.gif

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-10 12:03:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
QUOTE (imaisha @ Sep 8 2009, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ealachan @ Sep 8 2009, 12:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi All -

So, Mark goes to London for his medical and interview on Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th. He's concerned about where to stow his bag while he's at the embassy. Anyone have any suggestions?


http://www.gouldphar...m/ContactUs.asp

It's right up the road. See where it says USA just below the orange circle? That's the embassy. I think my husband payed 5 pounds to leave his cell phone and ipod.


Oh, good! He'll be so relieved...thanks!

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-08 12:17:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
Hi All -

So, Mark goes to London for his medical and interview on Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th. He's concerned about where to stow his bag while he's at the embassy. Anyone have any suggestions?


ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-09-08 11:50:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
QUOTE (Nik+Heather @ Aug 27 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You'll need to show 2008 taxes - Either W2s+ ALL tax return forms OR 2008 Tax transcripts (for free, go to irs.gov to get them) If you're on the edge of not meeting the requirements, then assets or other years' worth of tax transcripts. I sent 2006, 2007, 2008 Just in case, but I don't think it was necessary. If you handily met the income requirements in 2008, the return/transcripts and recently dated employer letter and/or pay stubs should be sufficient.


Perfect. I'm comfortably above the income cut-off, so I'm going to just give him a copy of my '08 transcripts. He has copies of my paystubs from around the time my employer wrote my letter, as well as the letter itself.

Thanks!

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-28 09:14:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
I have a quick affidavit of support question for you guys: I gave my fiance a copy of the affidavit of support form with a letter from my employer stating my yearly income, length of time working here, etc. Do I also need to give him a notorized copy of my 2008 tax return to bring to the interview? I want him to have everything he needs when he gets there, but he's quite nervous about the whole thing and I don't want to overwhelm him with paper if he DOESN'T need it.

Thanks!

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-27 15:33:00
United KingdomPeople between NOA2 and Interview ~2009~
I have a quick affidavit of support question for you guys: I gave my fiance a copy of the affidavit of support form with a letter from my employer stating my yearly income, length of time working here, etc. Do I also need to give him a notorized copy of my 2008 tax return to bring to the interview? I want him to have everything he needs when he gets there, but he's quite nervous about the whole thing and I don't want to overwhelm him with paper if he DOESN'T need it.

Thanks!

ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-27 15:33:00
United KingdomThe 2009 United Kingdom Interview Thread!
Our K-1 interview has been scheduled for Sept 11th. Mark's medical is scheduled for Aug 27th, but he's going to call and try to have it switched to the 10th so that he only has to make one trip down. Either way, we're very, very relieved!
ealachanFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-08-19 10:01:00
United KingdomUK vs England

Think of it this way:

UK = United Kingdom
US = United States

Therefore think of it as Kingdom = States (Each has their own flag to identify don't they?)

Its like me saying that my fiancee is Tennessian rather than American. Each to their own, but I prefer to be British (old tradition etc...)


I see what you are saying.

Scotland is not a 'state' within the UK though. That would happen if all countries were equal, as all US states are deemed to be within the union. There's a long history and a current sociological subtext that ensures a lot of Scottish people don't feel an equal part of the union. (I only speak of Scotland because I am Scottish) States got to opt in to the union right...that is not the same as what happened in the UK.

I don't have an opinion on what people should refer to themselves as. Only what I refer to myself as, and why.

I saw a can of Irn Bru in a store the other day under a Union Jack with the heading 'English Food'. That reminded me of how little people appreciate the distinction :)

Edited by Helen Louise, 12 June 2012 - 05:30 AM.

HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-06-12 05:29:00
United KingdomUK vs England

UK, England, same difference if its England youre talking about as far as im concerned :)



And this is why many Scots avoid using the Union Jack.

Anyway, I put UK on all my USCIS forms. But when I had biometrics in Vermont they asked for 'country of citizenship' and the lady told me that UK or GB wasn't an option. She said it was the country you predominately lived in, so I got to say I was a Scottish citizen.

Your passport says 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'.

LOL... I wonder how many USC would know this? :whistle:


I teach in a high school and I explain the distinction of UK, GB, Scotland, England, Wales and NI to my US students. They are usually very interested.

I wonder how many people back home actually know this......

Edited by Helen Louise, 09 June 2012 - 07:22 AM.

HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-06-09 07:21:00
United KingdomUK Vaccination Requirements

For the United Kingdom ... my husband has no immunization records because he moved around alot.
He is now 36 ... does he need to get all of them re-done or just the ones that are required
for his age group?
From the list of vaccinations required, it looks like he only needs to get the MMR since the other ones don't fit into his age group ...


Did your fiance move around a lot internationally or within the UK?

It might still be possible to get his records. I moved around a lot, my father was in the military. A nurse at my GP was able to locate them when at first she had said there was no record.

Edited by Helen Louise, 21 June 2012 - 10:20 AM.

HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-06-21 10:19:00
United KingdomCan I marry in the UK while on a student visa?

Its crazy! When i read the page i linked to above, i read you cant do DCF if you enter as a visitor. My husband did that but adjusted status to limited leave to remain (which means he can DCF). So i ended up doing crazy amounts of research earlier to find that it will be ok. Because i submitted proof that he can legally live and work in the UK and has been able to for over 6 months. So the visitor thing isnt going to be an issue (fingers crossed!). They certainly dont make it straight forward. Ive read that page at least 30 times before, yet only saw that part today by chance.


When we inquired about it they said that he did not have 'resident' status since he was on a student visa that then became a post grad visa. He was never given 'leave to stay'. His post grad visa was only 2 years long. If we'd married there and he was given leave to stay through me then we could have filed DCF. I don't have any experience with DCF. but I know that you need to be allowed to reside there in order to file. My husband didn't qualify because his time was capped at 2 years (post grad).

When I applied (2010) you also had to get Home Office approval to marry (they scrapped that) which would have added time to our journey so we just went with a K1.

The rules change so often too...so my experience, although fairly recent, may be quite outdated now...more so than I am aware.
HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-06-26 16:48:00
United KingdomCan I marry in the UK while on a student visa?

Yes Helen Louise is correct about DCF. Ive done a bit more research for you and since you entered on a student visa, you have to file with the Chicago Lock Box. http://london.usemba...i130filing.html



I only know because my husband (then, fiance) was on a post grad visa in the UK and we weren't eligible for DCF. So we decided to get married here in the US (on a K1). Funny how the bureaucracy of this process has an impact on so many decisions!
HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-06-26 11:16:00
United KingdomCan I marry in the UK while on a student visa?

Hi all!

I was directed here from another thread in the CR-1 forum; maybe you all can help.

I entered the UK on a student visa in September 2011; it expires November 2012, and I have a return ticket to the US booked for October 16. I met my British citizen fiance while on my course here, and we recently got engaged. We are planning to move back to the US.

We had originally planned to file a K-1, but it is now seeming that the CR-1 would be a better option for us. I'd like to be legally married here in the UK as soon as possible so that we can begin the CR-1 process.

My question is: can I be married in the UK while on a student visa? Do I need to adjust my status or apply for a marriage visa? I don't want to move here, so I'm hoping the British government will be generous and just let me have a nice little legal marital event and let me go on my way.

Thanks for the help everyone!


There used to be a law which meant that foreign residents had to apply for permission to marry in the UK, even if they weren't planning on staying. But that law is no longer in effect (as of last year). You do have to 'give notice' that you will be marrying. You can read up on it here: http://www.ukba.home...ip/eligibility/

I don't think you can apply for DCF, as the previous poster says, because a student visa does not give residency in the UK. And you have to have held residency for 6 months in order to apply for DCF.
HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-06-26 07:30:00
United KingdomNutrition Degree transferable?

My boyfriend is looking into moving to the U.S.(I'm a U.S. citizen) but he is not sure whether or not to get his masters in nutrition. We have looked around and it seems that according to eatright.org he needs to get his masters in order for it to transfer. Because when he gets his masters he becomes registered with the Dietitians Board of the Health Professions Council in the United Kingdom, which is recognized by the U.S.

Does anyone know if just a basic bachelors is accepted as well? He will have a bachelors in Nutrition and Dietetics, with a focus in sports nutrition. His masters would take two years, and be more costly as there is less aid given to graduate students. This may sound silly but we've had enough of long distance and another two years can be done, but we would prefer to find another way.

Thank you for your help. :D


I was investigating whether a US license (not dietitians license) would transfer to the UK and I found my local university most helpful. I suggest contacting them. He can do his masters in the US at some point too, he doesn't have to do it in the UK.
HelenBradleyFemaleScotland2012-07-30 16:03:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaIt's snowing in Buenos Aires for the first time in almost a century!!!
Wow! Nice! Very Nice! Thank you for posting these cool photos of a great city coated in white.
I just read about the snow on a ticker at the bottom of a cable news show and now I see photos. Very cool!
Now I have to sent winter greetings to my Porteno friends!
And a white wonderland greeting to you!
Robert
hamburgapplesMaleGermany2007-07-10 07:07:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaNew Kids On The Block
Hello everyone,

Just wanted to say how overwhelming this process seemed at first..until we started to read about the experiences of real people. We've only just begun but we are hopeful this journey will be a smooth one for us. Good luck to all of you!

Mars.
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-08-13 19:34:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaPositive Vibes
:lol: I am so happy for you. My fiancee is in Kingston now, had to got to Spanishtown for inpediment of marriage certifcate. Turned in ds230 awaiting packet 4. How long did it take them to contact you for packet 4? :huh:
[/quote]

Either my postman is stealing my mail or he is too lazy to deliver it. Either way I am going to give him a piece of my mind. I had to get the forms from the embassy myself. You just show up between 7 & 11 TUE -THUR at the embassy and tell the guard you need to go to the information window. They look at you as if you are a piece of ####### and then grudgingly let you in. Leave your cell phones, pagers, calculators, umbrellas and all sharp, pointy things at home or in the car.

Good luck to you and thanks for all the well-wishes guys.
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-10-23 18:42:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaPositive Vibes
I actually requested Dec 4th because Jay wants to eb there with me. I was told that it was possible and would be confirmed to me this week. So I have to check back. I have found that once you get past those security guards (Lord help you if you have the wrong coloured form or present yourself before them at the wrong time of day) that the staff there are quite pleasant and helpful.
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-10-22 20:19:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaPositive Vibes
Just wanted to big up all my Yardies (cause oonuh done know) :P and to thank everyone for their input on this site. It's such a wonderful resource. I'm feeling really prepared and positive about my upcoming interview. Hope all goes well for everyone else at my stage also.
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-10-22 19:37:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaKingston Embassy
Another VJer just got the wonderful news this week. The move is in December. I intend to call them next week.
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-10-28 18:35:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaKingston Embassy
So who else has had their interview dates postponed to January because the embassy is moving? Still waiting for them to confirm our date.

:(
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-10-28 18:08:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaHow long are the results of a medical valid for?
It's us again guys,

For the purpose of a K1 interview, how long in advance can the medical be done? If the interview date is postponed for a month or 2 will the beneficiary have to do the medical all over agin?

Thanks in advance for your advice,

Jay & Mars.
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-11-05 19:42:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaNo place like Yard
Sup Yardies and Massive?

Just had to share a funny story. I got my interview date for Dec 4th - Woo hoo- and with the medical coming up I thought i'd try to get my photos taken. I work in New Kingston and have really long days so I thought I go around to the Embassy (yes, the US embassy) and have one of those street-side photogs take my pics.

There was this big belly dread with one of those old time cameras hanging around his neck. Apparently he isn't a photog but the most obvious attention-grabber for the real guys who operate a wooden stall studio further down the sidewalk. I was led to them by Dreadie, after negotiating a price for 6 pics with him. He held up a white sheet behind me while one of the others position my head with not so clean hands and took my mug shot with a digital camera.

They are very enterprising, that lot, they have a printer - an honest-to-goodnes HP printer hooked up to some kind of fancy looking car battery. Unfortunately, the battery needed charging. Junior unplugs the printer and sprints off down Oxford Road with it and disappears for a good 15 minutes with Dreadie cursing and swearing the whole time about how Junior is spoiling his business. Another set of dreads in the bun and cheese stall further up wind are smoking weed and killing me with second hand smoke. All the time I'm thinking"Yep, I've failed my medical after this".

Finally Junior sprints back with the printer and runs off my pictures. I look like ####### - I know that. But there is this big red spot right beside my head in all six of them. Apparently there's a big stain on the sheet that was used as a backdrop. I mean, after all the money they extort from those poor VJ'ers who turn up for interviews without pics, you'd think they could go to Pablos and buy piece-a white claat?

Now after all that sprinting and waiting and loss of business, neither Dreadie nor Junior want to take my pics over again - and they have already pocketed my $1000.00. They argue that my face is clear in the pic, what does it matter if there's a red blotch beside it? I had to dig deep down and find the Buttu in me to match their fierceness and hold my ground. I'm quite a soft-spoken lady and not very believeable when I try to "ack ghetto on people's a$$es " as my girlfriend from Jersey would recommend. Somehow though, I got through to them.

I'm happy to say, I now have a perfect set in my purse and 5 days to detox for my medical.

Thanks for reading! One love!
JayandmarsFemaleJamaica2006-11-07 22:02:00