ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
QUOTE (SapphireDreams @ Nov 5 2009, 10:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ScooterMac @ Nov 5 2009, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
AHHH, I'm leaving for Montreal tomorrow!!

So, out of curiousity....With the I-134, I have letters from both my employers and my bank, my last paystubs from both jobs, my last statement with all the information on my stocks, and my W2s and 1040s for the last two years. I keep seeing mention of "tax transcripts" and "tax receipts".....do I need those? If so, I didn't see it anywhere on the form, and since we're leaving for Montreal tomorrow, I'm kinda panicking. Anyone know?


No you don't need them. We didn't include any of his tax information with our I-134.

Good Luck!!


Thank you!! I'm just worried I'll get up there and they'll ask me for something random that I don't have!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-05 10:15:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
AHHH, I'm leaving for Montreal tomorrow!!

So, out of curiousity....With the I-134, I have letters from both my employers and my bank, my last paystubs from both jobs, my last statement with all the information on my stocks, and my W2s and 1040s for the last two years. I keep seeing mention of "tax transcripts" and "tax receipts".....do I need those? If so, I didn't see it anywhere on the form, and since we're leaving for Montreal tomorrow, I'm kinda panicking. Anyone know?

QUOTE (cdn_gewels @ Nov 5 2009, 10:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OMG... tomorrow is the big day! I'm starting to feel a little anxious!!!


Good luck!!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-05 10:09:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
Spoom and I are heading up on the 6th after I get off work, spending the night in Toronto, and driving to Montreal on Saturday. We're friends with another couple up that way (who live about 15 minutes from the consulate) who are graciously letting us stay with them for the weekend. Yay for saving money and seeing friends (I haven't seen either of them since my MOH's wedding 2 years ago).

Depending on the 9th (interview day!) goes for us, I'll either be driving allll the way back to Erie, PA myself that day dry.gif or staying in Toronto with Spoom again that night. I'm hoping for the latter wink.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-03 11:22:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
QUOTE (darkchilde794 @ Nov 2 2009, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ScooterMac @ Nov 2 2009, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Alas, our company's lawyer doens't allow usage of the word "permanent" when it concerns employees. Will the accept something like "ongoing employment" or does it have to be the specific wording?


I think my fiance's letter was something along the lines of "full time employee since mm/dd/yyyy. He makes $$$." That is enough, I believe.


I'm just concerned because I'm not a full-time employee at either job - I'm a part time "HR Secretary" at one job (my morning job) and I'm the Executive Director of a youth center in the afternoon (part time, usual non-profit style salary). I make enough at the youth center to be above the 125% but juuuust barely. The second job shows that I make more than enough to support us both, but I was just worried that they wouldn't acknowledge it because it doesn't say "permanent" or "temporary" like the instructions say....

<----Chronic worrier.
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-02 10:34:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
I don't know if anyone else has an answer to this, but I'm trying to get the I-134 together, and the documentation says we're supposed to bring letters from employers on company letterhead, and that the letter should state whether we're permanent or temporary.

Alas, our company's lawyer doens't allow usage of the word "permanent" when it concerns employees. Will the accept something like "ongoing employment" or does it have to be the specific wording?
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-02 10:04:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
Holy *(&#$#, our interview is a week from today! kicking.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-02 08:58:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
I'm driving up from the states on Friday night, probably picking up Spoom in Toronto, then we'll drive the rest of the way to Montreal. We've got friends in the area, so we'll be staying with them biggrin.gif If my boss decides to let me have the 10th off work, we'll leave Montreal after the interview and stay in Toronto overnight. If not, I'll drop Spoom in Toronto on the way back home. Y'know, cuz high-stress situations and 11 hour drives to well together.... smile.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-10-22 08:20:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
QUOTE (cjblack @ Oct 21 2009, 08:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
CONFIRMED! NOVEMBER 13 @ 8AM! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Oh god I'm so happy tears and snot are dripping into my morning coffee!


Congrats! and Ew! laughing.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-10-21 08:28:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
QUOTE (Peachey @ Oct 20 2009, 12:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rhiann @ Oct 20 2009, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I get to meet Peachey, Varba and darkchilde!


You sure you want to meet Varba?? He's strange tongue.gif


Aren't we all?
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-10-20 11:20:00
CanadaMontreal November Interviews
The interview is technically Spoom's tongue.gif But yep, the 9th! I'm so excited!!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-10-20 09:17:00
CanadaTree or not to Tree
QUOTE (Malrothien @ Nov 19 2009, 09:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Inky @ Nov 19 2009, 06:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Malrothien @ Nov 19 2009, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ehh.. I'm up in Canada, so I donno if it will.


What about halmark? we stopped in there today and they had some really nice ones around 8$ which isnt to bad.



I'll have to look - the mall we live by doesn't have one.


Usually around this time of year places like Sears will have a "Christmas" section with a bunch of ornaments. At least, our does.

We usually get little pop-up Christmas stores in unused storefronts in the mall as well that sell TONS of ornaments. I don't know common that is, though.
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-20 07:50:00
CanadaTree or not to Tree
QUOTE (Wyatt's Torch @ Nov 19 2009, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, my Mom has some ornaments that my sister and I made in elementary school as well. And yes, every year they hang on my parents' tree, much to my chagrin. tongue.gif


My folks have a circular picture frame with a picture of the 4-year old me in it.

The 4-year old me in the Christmas pagent at Church. Wearing the "lamb-ears" hat.

I've tried to sneak off with it, not put it on the tree, and even hiding it at the back of branches on the back of the tree, and it always somehow sneaks its way onto the very front and center of the stupid thing *grumbles*
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-19 10:54:00
CanadaTree or not to Tree
We always had a fake one when I was growing up (usually with the bottom half undecorated, so none of the pets broke anything laughing.gif). Once I moved out, I spent three years tree-less, and then decided to buy a small (tabletop) one for an apartment I shared with three roommates. They were all very bah-humbug about it, so it didn't get set up the second or third years I lived with them. I think I (maybe) set it up the last year I lived alone, and it's currently packed in a box in my basement with everything else in the world, waiting to be moved to the new apartment.

I'm being the bah-humbug one this year, and suggesting we don't put up a tree. We have two (insane) cats, and we're already helping various family members decorate their trees. Our "family" Christmas is literally one floor below us, and no one ever comes up to the apartment. We're planning a wedding at the end of January, and I just don't want one more thing to do!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-19 08:16:00
CanadaGood luck today's interviewees!!!!
Good luck!!! good.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-23 08:19:00
CanadaPurses inside consulate
QUOTE (trailmix @ Nov 24 2009, 12:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, another thing people forget is the electronic door lock opener that you use for your car - can't take that either.


Yes!! That's a great heads-up! good.gif I realized after I got there that I couldn't have it, and ran it back to the car while Spoom stood in line.

Wyatt's Torch - it's not just guys...I've never carried a purse a day in my life and I can't imagine myself ever doing so. I carry my wallet in my back pocket, and my car keys and cell phone in my front pockets. I just can't imagine what the heck I'd need a bag for.
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-24 12:46:00
CanadaPurses inside consulate
QUOTE (Wyatt's Torch @ Nov 24 2009, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Whew. I was so worried about this too. I mean...what would I do without my lipstick and mascara?

jest.gif


I'm sure you could always do your makeup in the car laughing.gif

I'm pretty sure a small or reasonably sized purse wouldn't be an issue, they just don't want to have to search through something roughly the size of a backpack. I would make sure, however, that you left home your cell phone, calculator (it's on the door), any other electronics...and honestly, I wouldn't risk nail clippers, nail file, etc.

ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-24 12:04:00
CanadaNew Years Plans?
I'm not sure what we're going to do yet - I have off work from Dec. 23 - Jan. 4!! Well, off work from one job at least (I'll only have to work the one job 3 days).
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-25 09:44:00
CanadaMoving in a couple days
QUOTE (KnJ @ Nov 25 2009, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, not a big deal, but they'll want $6USD for the I-94.


Except they never asked us for that! laughing.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-25 09:30:00
CanadaMoving in a couple days
You pull up to the normal lanes and tell them you need to go inside to activate your visa. You WILL need to go inside. They'll take your passports and flag you over to secondary and the parking area. Don't let the border officer tell you that you can "go ahead and have a great day!" as they tried to do with Spoom!

Edited by ScooterMac, 25 November 2009 - 09:23 AM.

ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-25 09:22:00
CanadaMoving in a couple days
QUOTE (Inky @ Nov 24 2009, 06:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I crossed ! they never looked at my item list nor did they look in the truck!

Go in the regular car/truck entry lane - NOT THE BIG RIG LANE heh.. my mom did that.

Have a list of the contents of the truck, they never asked me for it but Its good to have it incase they do! I numberd the boxes and listed the contents in general like Box 12 - Dishes etc.

I crossed at BWB - bluewater bridge.


What Inky said. We crossed at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo and the officers didn't look at the items list or the u-haul. We had all our documentation (because we're neurotic, not because it's necessary), the "DO NOT OPEN" envelope, and all his paperwork for the car we were importing.

If someone behind you is pulling/driving the uhaul (we drove the imported car, my folks towed the U-haul), make sure you go first and let the officer know the person behind you has your "stuff"

Good luck! good.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-25 09:18:00
CanadaGot married last Friday! About time.
QUOTE (Peachey @ Nov 25 2009, 12:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Pics or it didn't happen... lol j/k

congrats!


laughing.gif

Congrats! kicking.gif

ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-25 12:34:00
CanadaHappy Thanksgiving!
We got to give guided tours of our apartment all day yesterday, since the big family dinner was downstairs. Thankfully, we had it all nice and cleaned up because we were expecting it smile.gif

Set the date for my bridal shower, picked wedding music and talked about decorating and flowers and stuff (My aunt's our church's organist). Had some AMAZING food, and then went into town to hang out with our friends.

What a great day good.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-27 09:07:00
CanadaHappy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone smile.gif We're going to my grandparents house for dinner, and my brother's bringing my niece up for the weekend.

We'll actually *have* internet access this weekend (hopefully). The cable people are supposed to be there at noon, let's hope Spoom wakes up in time to answer the door!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-25 07:32:00
CanadaChristmas Presents...whatcha going to buy?
I can post at least part of Spoom's, since he already knows about his "big present" - I got him a GPS for his car, since he'll be driving around in his new town in the next few weeks (hopefully)! I always, always, always overdo Christmas, with him and with my family (and my godchildren). I just love finding stuff people will like and watching their expressions when they open it biggrin.gif I'm trying to scale back and budget more this year, because our wedding is in January (and because Spoom doesn't like the idea of me taking on a 3rd job just to buy Christmas presents *lol*), but I love buying stuff for my friends/family.

This will be our first Christmas together, and I'm super excited about it - I don't think we'll set up a full tree or anything (kitties love to nom on Christmas trees), just excited to spend Christmas together smile.gif Since he'll have activated his K-1, his parents will have to come here to visit...so we'll spend Christmas with my family this year (our big family gathering is - conveniently - down the stairs and to the right...no shoes/coat required!).

And after Christmas, it's only 29 days til our wedding kicking.gif

ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-02 09:09:00
CanadaC Lettered xmas gift--Under $20 in total ideas?
Candles! good.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-23 08:22:00
CanadaWe got our Interview Date!!!!
I'm a couple pages late to the party, but CONGRATS!!!!! good.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-04 07:49:00
CanadaContinuation of customs officers killing our trip... passport questions
QUOTE (trailmix @ Dec 10 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
But anyway, if you are looking for someone here who went to the border, was denied entry or questioned and turned back and then later was able to come in, I seem to vaguely remember someone doing that recently.

On the other hand, without strong proof of ties to Canada - his chances of getting back in are pretty slim.

The absolute bottom line is - it is 100% up to the border guard you get on the day he tries to enter, regardless of what you do beforehand - even if he gets a visitors visa there is absolutely no chance of a guarantee.


Spoom was turned away from the border 3 times in one day (long long ago, in a detroit tunnel far far away). He returned a week later or so, and presented them with every possible tie to Canada he could find, as well as american cash (I forget the amount, it was on the sheet the border guard gave him) and they let him in.

It's all about your proof of ties to Canada and the border guard's attitude.

Good luck good.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-11 08:21:00
CanadaDress for Interview
I wore black dress pants and a sweater, along with my leather jacket (it was COLD that morning!). I did wear my sneakers though - realized I didn't bring dress shoes to Montreal after I got there, and was in no mood to go shopping for them.

Just to echo other people - you don't have to look like you're dressed for a State dinner or anything, but I'd think it'd be beneficial to look like you put a little effort into it.
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-15 07:59:00
CanadaHoliday Hoopla...the good, the bad and the ugly...share stories, ideas, recipes etc
I was late into the whole "Santa isn't real" thing too...my cousin told me when I was 10 or so, and I stayed up late that Christmas eve to see if my cousin was lying. I saw my dad carry all the presents from their room to the living room with "Santa" on the tags. To my dad's credit, he waited until 2 or 3am and check to see if I was "asleep" first. I never told them I knew, I think they just assumed at some point I figured it out.

We get presents from "Aunt Edna" and "Uncle Jake". Apparently, in the late 70s during one of their first Christmases together, my dad had asked for an album he knew my mother wouldn't buy him. She didn't, and when they were opening packages together on Christmas morning, she was surprised to see it turn up in his gift pile. He'd bought it for himself and given it as from "Uncle Jake". This happened every couple years until my brother and I were kids, when "Aunt Edna" showed up on the scene. My mom wanted the toilet seat replaced in the bathroom, so she gave dad a toilet seat from "Aunt Edna". The next year, "Aunt Edna" and "Uncle Jake" started giving us kids presents as well. Stuff from "Aunt Edna" is always practical and usually a necessity, and stuff from "Uncle Jake" is usually the fun stuff. We get presents from our parents and our pets as well.

After reading that last paragraph, I think my family may potentially be crazy.

We do the "big" family celebrations - Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter - at my grandparents house. Thankfully, this year, we live in their upstairs apartment....cuts down on travelling time! We usually do Christmas night at my parents house, as my brother and SIL have a kid and do Christmas morning in Pittsburgh as a family.

The "big" celebrations include about 20 people, and it's usually chaos. Good times smile.gif At least this year we can finally escape upstairs to our apartment and lock the door!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-11-24 08:59:00
CanadaMontreal Interview Review - December 18th, 2009
Good luck!! Can't wait to hear the good news smile.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-17 10:26:00
CanadaPOE Review
Congrats on the move and the wedding!! Sorry you had to deal with McFail/Mcn00b...at least he didn't try to send you on without activating your visa! :D
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2010-01-04 08:10:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (trailmix @ Dec 23 2009, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey, I think you are on to something there La Souris - Santa delivering green cards would be very nice!

So my Husband's blackberry arrived yesterday - Telus is fast getting the phone delivered, ordered Saturday, arrived yesterday! So last night he gets home and we are going to activate the phone online - seems simple enough. If you activate online the fee is $10, $35 if you activate via phone blink.gif

Anyhoo, we are trying to put the sim car number in - but there are A LOT of numbers on this phone and box. Finally we try one and it says - this phone is already activated. Hmm, we play around with it a bit more - long story short, we call Telus and the phone is already activated.

Honestly, i'm glad I don't have that phone, it doesn't look like fun to me, it looks like work, setting everything up. I have never had a cell phone.


If he got his blackberry yesterday, he's lucky he wasn't part of the outage! All my friends on fb who update from their blackberrys were heated yesterday because their e-mail and bbmessenger were down.

I did tech support on them for a little over a year...they're a fun toy, but nothing I'd pay that much for monthly.
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-23 10:33:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
Morning all!

Today's an exciting day for us! Exactly one month til the wedding, 2 days before Christmas, and my last day of work til Jan. 4th!!! We also had my Matron of Honor call last night and ask if they could stay over at our place tonight on the way to visit her parents (we live a little over halfway between) so I get to see them too smile.gif

T-minus 11 hours until Christmas break. The countdown begins!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-23 08:20:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
we've got some "renegade snowflakes", but nothing heavy atm. Supposed to get 1-3" today.

Also, holy #######, Spoom's been here for a month already. Gosh, time flies!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-21 13:13:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (Wyatt's Torch @ Dec 21 2009, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's cold outside...there's no kind of atmosphere
I'm all alone...more or less...
Let me fly far away from here
It's fun, fun, fun
In the sun, sun, sun...


I haven't seen Red Dwarf in about a decade! It was always so hilarious.


My buddy back in high school had the whole series on VHS. We sat down one summer and watched the entire thing. He bought me tapes for my birthday, christmas, etc. so I have a few of the 3-ep vhs tapes rattling around here....but nowhere near the whole series.

Spoom's only seen bits and pieces of it, and hasn't decided if he likes it yet. The whole show just cracks me up.
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-21 10:46:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
Santa brought presents for us this weekend too - Spoom got DJ Hero for the Wii, a book he'd asked for, and the first season of True Blood (we're both TB fans). I got A wii-mote and nunchuk, a book by the Dalai Lama, and (backordered) the entire SERIES of Red Dwarf. I put it on the list as an afterthought, and figured no one would actually buy it. Hurrah! Now I can torment Spoom with days of british comedy tongue.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-21 10:05:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (Rhiann @ Dec 21 2009, 02:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My fiance's one cat sits in the sink sometimes. Who knows why.


Both my cats love the sink. The kitchen sink, the bathroom sink...even the bathtub! One of the cats will even continue laying there after you turn the water on laughing.gif


QUOTE (Carlawarla @ Dec 21 2009, 07:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Good morning! Hope everyone had a good weekend!



Ooooooo that's yummy lookin!

ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-21 08:29:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
Morning Carla! Have a great time tonight at the game!!! We'll wave if we see you on TV laughing.gif
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-15 08:31:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (charles! @ Dec 11 2009, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>


since carla's gone, i guess i'll do the coffee today.


Coffee's good on a snowy day like today! I only wish they'd have cancelled school earlier, so I could've slept in and THEN had coffee!
ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-11 09:28:00
CanadaOff Topic Part Trois
QUOTE (lgg @ Dec 10 2009, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
can't even imagine in this day and age with younger people saying stuff like that and it getting all out of hand.
Man.


QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Dec 10 2009, 03:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think you'd be surprised! My little sister had some issues with this a few years back. She was 12 years old at the time, and a "friend" and her were talking about a girl from school they didn't like, and I guess in passing my sister said something she shouldn't have about wanting to kick the girl, or smack her, or something stupid kids say when they're angry. Well long story short, my sisters "friend" and her got in a fight, she showed the girl they were talking about a transcript of the convo, the girls mom read it and called the cops, and they came down to the school and were going to arrest my sister. She shouldn't have said it, no, but she was a kid and didn't realize it could come back around. She had never really been in trouble her whole life, straight A's, the whole bit. In the end cooler heads prevailed and they let her off with a warning, but it goes to show you how things you put out on the internet can come back and haunt you! I know its a different situation, but I was really surprised by the cops willingness to take action.


I keep trying to make the kids I work with understand that A] Threats aren't funny, or joking, they're threats....and B] anything you say to anyone anywhere on the internet can later come back to haunt you. Our school (and my youth center) have a close-to-zero-tolerence rule for threats/threatening behavior - the only exception I can think of is when the kid is obviously joking with their friend/sibling/cousin/etc. - and even then they're warned about it.

I had a kid towards the begining of the school year who got mad at me and told me if he came in the next day and [insert whatever he was mad about that day] happened again, he was going to kick my @$$. I told him not to bother coming back the next day. When he came back at the start of the next week, he and I had a nice little chat about why it wasn't appropriate, what the consequences could've been (if he'd said that to a teacher he'd be suspended, if he said it to an employer he'd be fired, if he said it to a cop he'd have been in a WHOLE lot of trouble...) and that he was never to threaten anyone on our property again. I've caught him correcting other students since then, trying to keep them from getting kicked out too smile.gif

Tweens and teens don't understand that the internets are forever. They post all kinds of pictures/blogs/information about themselves that I wouldn't ever have dreamed of posting online. We've done a few online safety programs and I talk to kids as they post things that they shouldn't. I'm reasonably certain most of these kids' parents don't know that they have a myspace, and certainly don't check up on them if they do know. You should SEE what some of these kids post!

Edited by ScooterMac, 11 December 2009 - 08:46 AM.

ScooterMacFemaleCanada2009-12-11 08:45:00