ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomYou know you're living in America and not the UK when...
QUOTE (rkl57 @ Apr 14 2008, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I agree - they need to do away with self-flushing toilets here (the ones that flush when you merely shift your weight) and introduce those "half flush/full flush" buttons (or whatever they are called) like you get in Oz

laughing.gif

I leant forward on a loo at a highway services once and it triggered the automatic flush. The suction noise was so loud and sudden that it made me leap off the loo in fright. I felt like a right prat.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-14 12:11:00
United KingdomYou know you're living in America and not the UK when...
QUOTE (rkl57 @ Apr 7 2008, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Actually it was more of a reenactment of that scene in National Lampoons European Vacation only with less exciting landmarks

laughing.gif

Big Ben... Parliament...
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-07 13:45:00
United KingdomYou know you're living in America and not the UK when...
Hehe, there's a few roundabouts in Iowa. I love how they're plastered with signposts to tell you exactly what to do, but folk still don't quite get it ><

Everyone should get sent to Milton Keynes for roundabout training.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-07 13:09:00
United Kingdomtransfering funds to US
What sort of slice do XE take, roughly? Just curious like.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-10 18:29:00
United KingdomLondon Mayor
Not going to enter a politics debate, but as I notice a Have I Got News For You youtube linked earlier, I'd just like to say that, were I a Londoner, I'd have voted for Brian Blessed. If he was running for Mayor, ahem. biggrin.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-06 13:11:00
United KingdomNotarized letter at the Interview
Ah cool. This does help good.gif
Glad your case was ok, Nicky!
-Shannon
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-15 13:28:00
United KingdomNotarized letter at the Interview
Would she be able to get it notarized at a bank or elsewhere? Not sure who alll are able to be notaries in the UK?
I'm glad you brought this up, because I'm getting all the paperwork together on my end and if something needs to be notarized (or it would at least be a good idea to get it), it would be good to know before I send everything... unsure.gif
Sorry I'm not much help ><


-Shannon
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-15 09:28:00
United KingdomTdap Vaccination
QUOTE (HikerMark @ May 15 2008, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Has anybody had this vaccination at their local GP on the NHS. It is the combined Tetanus, diptheria and pertussis(whooping cough) vaccination now required for everybody aged 10 to 64. Before they only needed Td.

My practice nurse says she can't get it and has referred me to be an outfit called The Master Clinic to see if they can do it. It certainly doesn't appear to be a regular vaccination for adults in the UK but is now recommended for all adults in the US.

Unless others have managed to get it done on the NHS I'll bring proof of my up to date Td to the medical and if they still require the Tdap get them to do it for the £25 they quote on their price list. My practice nurse is already charging me for the MMR.

That's really peculiar, unless it differs from NHS Trust to NHS Trust.

I rang up my GP's office, said I needed jabs for emigrating, we quickly flicked through that list from the Embassy page and decided it was definitely just Tdap and MMR I needed, scheduled an appointment and that was that. Had them about a week later and wasn't charged a penny.

The nurse had a fridge full of MMR, MMR2 (the adult version) and Tdap, as well as other stuff.


Stu

Edited by SMB x2, 15 May 2008 - 12:53 PM.

SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-15 12:52:00
United Kingdommoving to orlando
Is the EAD stamp at JFK guaranteed, very likely or merely possible? I'm still weighing up my options for POE, but as the flights via JFK to my final destination would be more expensive, compounded by high summer prices anyway, I'd rather know the odds.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-17 17:11:00
United KingdomWhen Things Arent As They Appear
I'm so sorry to hear about this. It seems a bit familiar, since I went through something similar with my ex. It's not easy when that trust has been broken, but I hope you guys can work things out and that you (and your child) can be happy no matter the outcome. There's some great advice in this thread. You'll be in my thoughts! smile.gif

-Shannon

Edited by SMB x2, 15 May 2008 - 09:36 AM.

SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-15 09:35:00
United KingdomThe Departure
Aye, that sounded fairly painless. Congrats! smile.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-13 17:14:00
United KingdomQuestion on tax returns?
Thank you! smile.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-20 16:14:00
United KingdomQuestion on tax returns?
Thanks for the info. smile.gif
I posted this in the UK forums to get specific UK embassy answers, since I know each embassy/consulate seems to want something different. Just wanted to see what was really necessary in regards to the tax forms from people who have been through the London embassy. blush.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-20 15:52:00
United KingdomQuestion on tax returns?
Sorry, I'm guessing this has been asked many many times before, but I've looked through the guides and FAQ's and searched some of the other forums, even looked through the London Interview thread, and can't seem to find the information I need (or it's going right over my head, which is entirely possible since this whole process has made me a bit crazy/forgetful/unable to think straight) and I wanted to post this here in the UK forums, since it's kinda Embassy specific (I hope that's ok) blush.gif

I'm getting ready to send Stu everything he'll need for packet 3, the interview, etc... and I can't seem to find a straight answer about the tax returns. On the London Embassy site it says that you only need the latest tax return and that it has to be notarized, but I see in some other places that you should have the last three years returns, even if you aren't self employed like it states on the I-134?
Also, if all I need is the latest tax return, where do I get it notarized on the 1040 and do I need to send the W2's as well?
Again, sorry if all this has been asked before. This whole thing is making me panic about what's needed and what's not (I worry too much) blush.gif
Thank you for any help!

-Shan

p.s. sorry for all the questions, but do I need to send them all my bank statements as well or just the letter from the bank? unsure.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-20 15:31:00
United KingdomVisa Delivered
QUOTE (NickyMcMillan @ May 21 2008, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I do believe my flight with aerlingus, I will be handing my K1 in at Dublin, instead of Chicago. I read somewhere its one of the last flights of the day that does use the US pre-clearance. smile.gif


How does that work, when you get to Chicago? I'm looking at the Aerlingus flights to Chicago, from LHW via Dublin, and they're a good £200 cheaper than the likes of BA etc, although in fairness BA fly direct. I'd rather save the £200, though.

I've been through Chicago a few times, do they funnel you down a different exit if you clear all the immigration bumf in Dublin instead?


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-23 07:36:00
United KingdomVisa Delivered
Congrats!! biggrin.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-21 15:59:00
United KingdomFlight booked!
Congrats, Saffyre smile.gif

I'm waiting for packet 3 to arrive, almost beside myself waiting for the time I can book my ticket.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-25 05:38:00
United KingdomDo we have to notify anyone?
I didn't realise that, I figured I'd have to give that up. Handy to know, thanks!


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-30 07:05:00
United KingdomSMS
That's a handy tip. I was going to have someone at home whilst I was at work, but I'll take the day off if that's the case. Twist my rubber arm, like.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-03 06:54:00
United KingdomBritish passport place of isssuance question
Hmm yeah, mine says IPS. I went with Newport in the end, don't suppose it makes a massive difference smile.gif

Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-03 03:07:00
United KingdomBritish passport place of isssuance question
Just a quick bump, filling out my DS-156 online at the moment (woo, got packet 3 today!).

Are we definitely ok just to put GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND as the option, because if you've sent for your passport in the mail, there doesn't seem to be any indication which of the offices it came from?

As I say, Newport's the nearest, but I can only guess it came from there.

Thanks!


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-02 13:37:00
United KingdomBritish passport place of isssuance question
I didn't notice anything on mine, although I'm guessing it's the office down the road in Newport. Should we pick the closest office, or just go with United Kingdom?


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-16 07:37:00
United Kingdomhi all... new here and in London
Hi and welcome!
I've found traveling Monday-Wednesday tends to be cheaper, but I haven't looked in a while, so that might have changed?

Good luck with everything! happy.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-05-29 10:11:00
United KingdomSlingbox
Just been reading the Slingbox site. Am I right in thinking you're remotely controlling the (say) Sky box, so you'd be picking what channel it's on? I could leave a slingbox connected to my sister's Sky setup but I'm not sure she'd be too enthused about me actually selecting what it decodes biggrin.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-04 15:38:00
United KingdomApproved!!
Congrats!!! biggrin.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-06 18:00:00
United KingdomHi everyone...
LOL Poiteen!Attached File  rotfl.gif   2.04KB   0 downloads I'll take my British guy tongue.gif

Sorry it's a little bit late, but welcome Sunny bear! Good luck on your journey! smile.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-06 18:08:00
United KingdomPregnant and need help
Yikes!
Hmm...I would try one of the state run hospitals or possibly a place like planned parenthood.
I used to live in Dallas and I know there were several clinics there that offered payment plans or reduced fees for uninsured people. I know that's not Houston, but it's still Texas, so I would hope there would be something similar in Houston?

Good luck, Congrats on the baby and I'm sure everything will be fine!
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-06 17:49:00
United KingdomStudent Loans
QUOTE (Jeraly @ Jun 11 2008, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No I don't sad.gif Sorry - but it is worth calling them - I found them really helpful smile.gif


Heh I did yeah, they told me the stuff I posted earlier in the thread. I gotta be honest, it wasn't all that helpful laughing.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-16 16:01:00
United KingdomStudent Loans
I don't suppose anyone else has a pre-1998 loan they're taking with them? I'm pretty sure I need to fill out forms once I'm in the US and not before (and subject to a different deferment cut-off, by the sounds of it), but safety in numbers and all that.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-09 16:43:00
United KingdomStudent Loans
I rang the SLC this week to let them know in advance that I was moving. She seemed to be under the impression that I would need to start paying back my loan once I'd passed an earnings threshold of £12,000, when in the US. This caused me to raise an eyebrow because I'm on the pre-1998 loan which, at present, requires me to be earning above £25,000 before I need to start payments. I'm hoping she was referring to the conditions of the post 1998 loan, which I think folk need to start paying back through their wage packet after £15,000?

Anyway, the upshot is, I need to fill out a form and mail it to them AFTER I've moved to the US, at which point they'll talk about repayments or deferment I guess.

Here's the pre-1998 page I was told to visit, which has the forms:

http://www.direct.go...e1998/DG_066238


Thankfully, I'm deferred to November, so have a bit of time to sort this after I move.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-07 18:12:00
United KingdomJust Got My Visa!! Yay!
Congrats!
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-13 05:21:00
United KingdomWedding Song
Our song will be all the little noises of the courthouse. whistling.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-01 09:22:00
United KingdomWedding Cakes
LOL! Stu and I were just talking about our wedding cake the other day and looking around for some ideas.
The ones in this thread so far are really awesome (I love the Discworld one!)!

These are some of the ones we found:
Corpse Bride Cake
Anime cake

We haven't decided on anything officially yet, but we're both totally anime/gaming nerds, so the idea of a really nice cake with our favorite anime couple on top like the Bleach one in the second link appeals to us.

Edited by SMB x2, 06 June 2008 - 05:58 PM.

SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-06 17:58:00
United KingdomHad my medical in london on Monday
QUOTE (Sal and Jay @ Jun 25 2008, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Woohoooooooooo just got an sms message visa will be delivered tommorow morning. Im so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! kicking.gif


Congrats!! biggrin.gif

Must be so relieved after all that with the medical.
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-25 12:02:00
United KingdomHad my medical in london on Monday
QUOTE (Sal and Jay @ Jun 18 2008, 09:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Omg, omg I cant believe it my results were totally clear and no treatment needed, my doctor is going to write to Knightsbridge doctors today to tell her it was totally clear.


Congrats!! I'm so glad it all worked out in the end biggrin.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-19 01:39:00
United KingdomHad my medical in london on Monday
Sending you good thoughts and hope you hear something soon!
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-15 11:22:00
United KingdomIs it worth calling?
QUOTE (davidr1534 @ Jun 26 2008, 09:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
After not hearing anything back for several weeks I started worrying and got my fiance to call the American number (the cheaper one) who told me that the embassy only processed things and organised an interview when they got the medical results.


Just to confirm, I was given my interview date today (from calling DoS) and I haven't arranged a medical yet.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-27 10:08:00
United KingdomIs it worth calling?
That's interesting, they specifically state on the checklist that it's not necessary to arrange the medical before, but that it would speed things up (as you can only be granted the visa pending medical results).

Lot's of other people have done it this way too, apparently. I'm doing the same, as getting to London twice is by no means cheap these days.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-26 15:36:00
United KingdomCalling DOS
They can also use the petitioner's SSN to look up the status of the case, Shan tells me. That's how she looked it up the first time, as she didn't have the LND number to hand.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-30 07:21:00
United KingdomPacket 3 form queries
No, you don't attach your pictures to the form. I don't have the forms with me now, but I'm pretty sure that's in an "for office use only" type section. I expect the Embassy officer will want to verify the pictures are ok before sticking them to the forms.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-06-30 10:13:00