Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jul 7 2009, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes all the best for tomorrow and tell us how you get on.....We're planning on moving to Portland Oregon, the heat here in the south sux. Oregon is the closest to the climate at home in Auckland so I can't wait. I'm actually missing the rain, it'll be nice to have a storm without the worry of tornadoes!!!! How's the driving going Ana???? I haven't been out in a car to terrorize anyone with my driving since my first practice run round a huge parking lot . We have been looking at used cars in the newspaper/online etc but nothing has popped up yet that is suitable or that hasn't been sold before we can manage to get to look at it. I applied for a job at mcd's and subway last week but haven't heard anything back. How are you getting on at driving and job hunting? This has to be the longest i have ever been unemployed and worry that it is going to take ages to find any kind of job, considering that i don't have any USA job history and that i am not exactly 'young' I actually "love" the weather here in Cali. It hasn't rained since i arrived here in March! which is like a miracle to me When do you plan on moving to Oregon?	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-07 20:58:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Jul 7 2009, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am worried about the part where you have to show proof of ongoing relationship. All we have to bring are photos. We didn't do a joint checking/credit card or anything like that yet since we have no jobs. And we live with and care for my mom so names aren't on the rent. I hope that will be enough Good luck for tomorrow! I wish i could give you suggestions but am in the same predicament as you as far as evidence goes. We only have photos, a few letters addressed to us in both of our names and a joint savings account and that is it. As cdneh said, I don't know why we have to go through an interview again, when we have only been in the country for such a short time. It takes 3 months to get a work permit and then even longer to find a job especially the way the economy is at the moment. How on earth can anyone gather items in joint names in such a small amount of time? It's crazy. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way! All the very best for tomorrow!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-07 20:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Happy 4th July everyone!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-04 12:13:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (ivannnaloveskiwi @ Jun 29 2009, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi everyone, i've been gone for awhile.. just got back from New Zealand.. its was beautiful and loved every minute.. especally being with my true love!!..and i have good new.. everything has been approved and we will be together..he has some loose ends to tie up and will be in the states within the month.. its been a long hard journey.. and i dont think i could of gotten through without all of the help here.. thanks to all who helped with advise. THANK YOU ALL, HUGZ ALL ROUND!! yay!! fantastic news!! Congratulations!!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-30 14:22:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	cdneh: Glad to hear the daughter is fine and the bike made it unscathed too.Congrats on getting the AOS package mailed out. Now you can sit back and let the waiting game begin again Dave_n_Genna: It's a good feeling to know that the biometrics is out of the way. Congrats on getting transferred to Cali! You probably won't have to go for an interview! yay!! Kelzm: The weather people keep saying it is going to get extremely hot in Cali this weekend. I have just come back from a walk to the shops and didn't find it all that HOT but maybe it will be in a few hours time. Is it sizzling where you are? Kim&Chris: Thanks ever so much for your kind words and pointers. I will certainly keep that in mind when turning left or right and to keep the car by the centre line. I think we may start looking at cars next week. I have been doing the practice written tests on the Cali DMV website and have been getting 20 out of 22 questions right, so i will probably be fine doing that part but not the actual driving. Maybe we should swap. I will do your written test and you do my driving!! JK!!! I decided that maybe i should try and see if i can get a job at a fast food place to start off with, to get some USA work experience behind me. So yesterday my SO drove me round to some of the fast food places here and i picked up some job application forms. I was surprised to find that there are 5 macdonalds in this area!! wow! I will fill the forms out this weekend and go back on Monday and hand them back in. If nothing eventuates from that, then there are still more fast food places to try. It's mind boggling to see just how many there are when you actually go out of your way to look for them!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-27 14:12:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Grant: its so wonderful to hear that everything is going well The time certainly flies by doesn't it? Kim&Chris: It certainly took a while for you to receive your AP and EAD and that was only because you gave them a revv up! Not sure what happened to your file but in general i must say uscis have been super fast in approving EADs and APs over the last few weeks. I had a look/read around VJ and it appears that we don't go back to the SSA office to have the conditions removed from our SSN card until we get the AOS (green card) so that will be in awhile i would think. Have you decided when you will go for your driving test? I think i am going to be a way off for that. My SO and I discussed how rusty i am at driving a manual car and my somewhat lack of confidence after not driving for over 3 months and we are wondering if it would be better if maybe we got a cheap old automatic car for me and i build my confidence back up in that. I have had my nz driving licence for over 20 years and never had a problem driving ever. I used to drive 7 days a week. Nothing would faze me so i am very disappointed aswell as surprised that i have lost confidence in driving. Maybe i am a little harsh on myself as i only had my first practice drive last week but i felt i should have done better than i did. I so wanted to be able to have my Cali driving licence before i find a job but not sure now if that is going to work that way.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-23 19:50:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jun 22 2009, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just got the mail and there it is a brand spankin' new EAD card YAY!! Congratulations. I am soo happy for you !!! I wonder if we had the same person looking at our files today. I too, received an email today saying that my EAD was mailed out on the 19th and when i checked the mailbox about an hour ago, it was there!!! Wow the card is quite flash looking too isn't it? I may go back to the SSA office on Wednesday and see if they do have to take off the DHS authorization notice that is printed on the SSN card or not. Now that its finally dawned on me that i have the EAD card, i will have to start looking for a job which is quite a scary thought. As it will be first job here. I had worked 14 years at my last job in nz, so this job hunting business is going to be very foreign to me. yikes! By the way, have any of you seen the new movie called "the proposal' with Sandra Bullock? We went and saw it last night. I had to giggle to myself about the whole fiance visa (getting married scenario) with uscis that they portrayed.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-22 17:41:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jun 20 2009, 12:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fingers crossed Ana....I live in hope........ I've been driving here all along. All of a sudden, a month or two ago, something must have clicked over in my brain so that I didn't have to think so much about what I was doing, like you'd been driving on the "wrong" side of the road for ever I'll head on down to the DMV as soon as EAD arrives. Keep up the practice Ana, your brain will click over in no time....lol That's good to know that maybe one day the driving on the 'wrong side' will all fall into place. I live in hope! let us know when you receive your EAD. Will we have to go back to the SSA once the EAD arrives and get them to take off the part on our SSN card that says something like ' work allowed with DHS authorization" (can't remember the exact wording off hand)? Dave_n_Genna: Congratulations on receiving the biometrics appointment letter The process doesn't take very long, so hopefully you will be in and out of there, in 20 minutes. The longest part for me was in the waiting room. The actual biometrics took like 10 minutes at the most. cdneh: Yay! It's a good feeling to be able to get that package finally sent off and out of the way. Welcome back to the waiting room	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-21 13:09:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jun 19 2009, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congratualtions Ana..on all accounts Thanks! How's the progress on getting everything together for your AOS package? There is such a lot of things to remember to put in there isn't there?	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-19 22:33:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jul 9 2009, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Would you believe it, I just thought to myself only yesterday, god i miss the rain....lol. Lucky we're hoping to move to Oregon eh....lol Probably early next year sometime, I don't know if the job situation is any better there but I'm sure it's no worse than California. Anyways, I cannot stand another summer of these temps is all I know!!! Economy is no better here in OR (we have one of the countries highest unemployment rates now, about 11-12%). I hhope things are better for us all next year though, when you come up here. Oregon (Portland in general) tends to have wide economic swings...when the country is doing well, its extremely good here (hence the big boom in people moving to Portland in 2006-2007), but when the country is doing poorly, Portland is always hit hard. But Cindy is loving it here. Its very comfortable for her. I still support you moving here Edited by Ed+Cindy, 10 July 2009 - 10:59 AM.	Ed+Cindy	Male	New Zealand	2009-07-10 10:56:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jun 22 2009, 04:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is part of why we hope to move to Portland Oregon early next year. The climate there is more like Auckland but without the humidity, and like Auckland most places don't seem to have aircon, but then hopefully we won't need it most time. Man the humidity here is a killer, I used to complain about the bit we got at home mainly in Feb. It's nothing compared to the severity of it here in Arkansas. Portland is awesome. Move here. I have lived in Portland for 10 1/2 years, except for the 4 years I was in NZ. The Pacific Northwest US is as close as you can get to NZ climate and culture (with regards to people's attitudes, friendliness and laid backness). I won't live anywhere else in the US (and I have been all around the US before). Cindy is liking it so far too.	Ed+Cindy	Male	New Zealand	2009-06-23 11:34:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Congrats!!	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-03 01:19:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	106 here today. Apparently it'll cool down come Monday.	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-28 00:57:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Whew. Glad to hear the bike is fine! Also that the daughter is fine too And of course that your forms are in the mail. I'm watching the news right now as the weatherman tells me a heatwave is coming this weekend. 105, Joy.	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-27 00:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	It's not been too bad here lately, it got up to around 86 at one point but now is nicely settled in the 70s. I can handle that! In March we had a heat wave where it was around 105, apparently that's what it's going to be like once summer truly arrives. *sigh*. No aircon in the house either	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-21 16:32:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Well I have lots of news. I haven't been able to see my online status for the I-485 all this time but when I looked today there it was, and when I clicked on it to check out where it's at ......... lo and behold........my case has been transfered to California!!!!!!! I'm so happy I could just you know what......lol. After all the mucking around and delays we've had it's about time I got a bit of good news. I'm not worrying about it anymore, the GC will arrive when it arrives. That means no 2.5hr drive each way to Memphis, and no dreaded interrogation I am sooooo relieved, I tell you, I've been stressing alot about the lack of credible evidence I have that we are a proper married couple. I mean would I have opted for the sauna that is Arkansas in the summertime if I didn't truly love him puleeeease....lol On the job front...... I went for an interview on Wed, it was for a chiropractic assistant and only mentioned admin work in the advert, which is what I'm after, so I thought why not. However they expect you to help out in the therapy room with the patients (involved naked bits ) as well as a few other things that weren't really my cup of tea so I've scrubbed that one. Have sent off another application though for one of the new hotels about to open here. They advertised for all positions so I've applied for a Front Desk position. Will keep my fingers crossed for that one as it's something I've always been wanting to do and the company has hotels all over the country so it might be handy for when we move. The job interview prompted me to go clothes shopping, something I hate, but it feels good to have new stuff in the wardrobe so it was worth it. Also, hubby and I have both gone low/no carb, (not an eating plan I'll be sticking with permanently), to shed the vast amount of flab we've accumulated in the last year and I've lost 3lb in the last few days, (only started wednesday), so it's a start and I feel motivated now which is the biggest thing. We got our tickets to the Dodgers vs Cardinals baseball game in St Louis on the 27th. It's about a 5hr drive each way and an overnight stay so I'm really looking forward to that. Go Dodgers....lol Next thing on the list is the drivers license but I'll get stuck in with the revision of the rules here so hopefully that will go ok How's the driving going Ana. You'll be just fine I'm sure. Have you heard anything about the jobs you applied for yet? The weather has cooled slightly today, only 28c so far....lol Are you still suffering there Cdneh, it's been shocking here for weeks. Congrats Ivannnaloveskiwi, the consulate staff in Auckland really are helpfull and pleasant to deal with, so glad all finally went well for you Well that's about it for me at the moment. Cheers Kim	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-17 12:48:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jul 11 2009, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I haven't had any touches on my I-485 but in todays mail i received a notice letter to appear for an initial interview! The interview is on August 28th. I must say that after reading Lisa&Tims interrogation, I'm not looking forward to it. The only things we have in both of our names is savings account, wedding cards/letters addressed to us and some photos. How can they possibly expect couples to gather lots of stuff in joint names in such a small amount of time??!! I'm still trying to find my feet, looking for job and cheap car etc Kim&Chris: have you heard any news from uscis yet?? Nope...haven't heard a thing. My I-485 status isn't even showing online yet and I don't suppose it will until I ring up and have a ###### at someone. Might wait for a week or so though.....we've got tickets to go to St Louis to watch our beloved LA Dodgers play the Cardinals on the 27th of this month. It would be my luck to complain about no interview date and then get given an apt for the same day as the game.....lol	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-11 17:44:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Ed+Cindy @ Jul 10 2009, 10:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jul 9 2009, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Would you believe it, I just thought to myself only yesterday, god i miss the rain....lol. Lucky we're hoping to move to Oregon eh....lol Probably early next year sometime, I don't know if the job situation is any better there but I'm sure it's no worse than California. Anyways, I cannot stand another summer of these temps is all I know!!! Economy is no better here in OR (we have one of the countries highest unemployment rates now, about 11-12%). I hhope things are better for us all next year though, when you come up here. Oregon (Portland in general) tends to have wide economic swings...when the country is doing well, its extremely good here (hence the big boom in people moving to Portland in 2006-2007), but when the country is doing poorly, Portland is always hit hard. But Cindy is loving it here. Its very comfortable for her. I still support you moving here Thanks Ed+Cindy.......we're looking forward to moving there like you wouldn't believe......I'm sure like home, it's just what you make it	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-10 16:42:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jul 7 2009, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jul 7 2009, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes all the best for tomorrow and tell us how you get on.....We're planning on moving to Portland Oregon, the heat here in the south sux. Oregon is the closest to the climate at home in Auckland so I can't wait. I'm actually missing the rain, it'll be nice to have a storm without the worry of tornadoes!!!! How's the driving going Ana???? I haven't been out in a car to terrorize anyone with my driving since my first practice run round a huge parking lot . We have been looking at used cars in the newspaper/online etc but nothing has popped up yet that is suitable or that hasn't been sold before we can manage to get to look at it. I applied for a job at mcd's and subway last week but haven't heard anything back. How are you getting on at driving and job hunting? This has to be the longest i have ever been unemployed and worry that it is going to take ages to find any kind of job, considering that i don't have any USA job history and that i am not exactly 'young' I actually "love" the weather here in Cali. It hasn't rained since i arrived here in March! which is like a miracle to me When do you plan on moving to Oregon? Would you believe it, I just thought to myself only yesterday, god i miss the rain....lol. Lucky we're hoping to move to Oregon eh....lol Probably early next year sometime, I don't know if the job situation is any better there but I'm sure it's no worse than California. Anyways, I cannot stand another summer of these temps is all I know!!! Haven't been for the driving test yet but it's looming on the horizon....I'll keep you posted. I spent days last week updating my cv so it's condensed down and U.S friendly. I sent it off to one job on Monday (for a chiropractic assistant), and I accidently applied for another job online today with UPS as a package handler.....I was checking out the questions for one of Chris' kids and had to fill in the first page in order to get to the second and before I knew it, I'd applied.........lol, oh well, you never know. After listening to Lisa and Tim's account of their interrogation....I mean interview..... I'm fair crapping myself to be honest Damn I wish I'd been transfered to California.....lol	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-09 22:37:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Yes all the best for tomorrow and tell us how you get on.....We're planning on moving to Portland Oregon, the heat here in the south sux. Oregon is the closest to the climate at home in Auckland so I can't wait. I'm actually missing the rain, it'll be nice to have a storm without the worry of tornadoes!!!! How's the driving going Ana????	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-07 20:37:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jul 7 2009, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Jul 8 2009, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Jul 7 2009, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Jul 8 2009, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Jul 6 2009, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ivannnaloveskiwi @ Jun 29 2009, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi everyone, i've been gone for awhile.. just got back from New Zealand.. its was beautiful and loved every minute.. especally being with my true love!!..and i have good new.. everything has been approved and we will be together..he has some loose ends to tie up and will be in the states within the month.. its been a long hard journey.. and i dont think i could of gotten through without all of the help here.. thanks to all who helped with advise. THANK YOU ALL, HUGZ ALL ROUND!! Congratz! Okay so we have our interview tomorrow to finalize the green card. Anyone have any advice? We are so so nervous and freaking out. I honestly don't know what to do if he got deported, he is my life. The notice is enough to scare us. It goes on saying how if you don't bring this or that it will result in automatic denial. I'm just a mess right now. Oh for those of you working up to this point, I hope you have a copy of your birth certificate, you will need it. That was the slump we almost fell into. He only brought one certified copy with him from NZ. So I hope they don't intend to keep it. Also, sorry I have not been able to get on as much. It's been so hectic here trying to find us both jobs and then other bad family news with my mom getting sicker I hope you all are doing better than us and is surviving this heat. I definately want to move or at least get a pool lol this 100-degree weather is killing me lol. I was born here and I still can't stand it. Plus jobs in California are slim. We were thinking about Oregon but not sure job outlook or anything. But it'd definately be cooler, that's for sure. Good luck to you all! I wish I had some sage advice to give you...but all I can do is send positive thoughts your way and big *hugs* We're doing okay so far..just filed for AOS and behind most everyone else. Surviving the heat ...just I am worried about the part where you have to show proof of ongoing relationship. All we have to bring are photos. We didn't do a joint checking/credit card or anything like that yet since we have no jobs. And we live with and care for my mom so names aren't on the rent. I hope that will be enough I don't know what they want from people...I mean it's clear we have hardly more than just arrived in the country..I wonder they interview K1's at all I do. We have a joint bank account, and some mail addressed to both of us here, some from friends and some from the bank ( I save everything) but we live rent free in a flat at his daughter's house...so its going to be hard for us to show this too. Tell me about it, hubby has no rental agreement for the house, one of those blokey handshake deals, he mistrusts banks so the bank account is in my name only. When we got married there was only Chris, myself and the JP. I got him to take a couple of pics, but we weren't in proper wedding garb so I don't know what we're gonna do. I'm about to put all our pics from when we first met till now in a scrapbook style album and cross my fingers. I did just get a joint walmart money card so the statement should have both names on it. I really hope that's gonna cut it. God if you were seriously trying to rip the system off you could still get all the info they want no problem, so I don't know how it proves anything to be honest	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-07 20:30:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Congrats Ivannaloveskiwi And happy 1st Independence Day to all of you	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-07-04 07:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jun 23 2009, 07:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Grant: its so wonderful to hear that everything is going well The time certainly flies by doesn't it? Kim&Chris: It certainly took a while for you to receive your AP and EAD and that was only because you gave them a revv up! Not sure what happened to your file but in general i must say uscis have been super fast in approving EADs and APs over the last few weeks. I had a look/read around VJ and it appears that we don't go back to the SSA office to have the conditions removed from our SSN card until we get the AOS (green card) so that will be in awhile i would think. Have you decided when you will go for your driving test? I think i am going to be a way off for that. My SO and I discussed how rusty i am at driving a manual car and my somewhat lack of confidence after not driving for over 3 months and we are wondering if it would be better if maybe we got a cheap old automatic car for me and i build my confidence back up in that. I have had my nz driving licence for over 20 years and never had a problem driving ever. I used to drive 7 days a week. Nothing would faze me so i am very disappointed aswell as surprised that i have lost confidence in driving. Maybe i am a little harsh on myself as i only had my first practice drive last week but i felt i should have done better than i did. I so wanted to be able to have my Cali driving licence before i find a job but not sure now if that is going to work that way. Hi Ana............. Yes I came to the same conclusion about SSN, hopefully GC won't be too far away As for the DL, I think I'm going to study the rode code here for Arkansas and do a few of the online sample tests and not tell anyone, then I'll get Chris to quietly take me for my license. I'm not so much worried about the driving, his two boys went for theirs earlier in the year and they just make you drive around the block and that's it. I'm more concerned about the written test cos they have a few different rules to us, hence going for it on the quiet so his boys don't know if I flunk.....lol I've only ever owned manual cars, have driven the odd automatic but prefer a manual. I'm glad Chris' car is an auto though as shifting gears with a different hand was one major thing I didn't have to worry about while concentrating on staying on the other side of the road to normal. I would really recommend getting that cheap automatic if I was you Don't be too hard on yourself, I was lucky as I got to drive here briefly when I came over last year for a holiday. Also where I am is like driving around Hamilton but with better signposting....lol ....a bit more semi rural than Auckland peak hour too....lol. Last year we went to San Francisco while I was here and there's no way I would have driven there, so like I said, don't be too hard on yourself. Main thing to remember is to keep your side of the car by the centre line.......and when turning, it's right tight and left wide, Just take it slow and you'll be fine. Get that auto and head out somewhere semi rural to practice and you'll be away laughing	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-27 10:22:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	P.S. Glad hubby's daughter is ok, and congrats for getting your next lot of paperwork sent off	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-27 09:51:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jun 27 2009, 08:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Heatwave....sheesh..I've already had enough of that! I sat out last night for a bit and watched the crazy lightening, it was pretty much constant and looked more like someone with a strobe flashing it. My husband says it's heat lightening, but I've never seen the sky lit so constantly. Didn't worry the fireflies! Lol ......I hear ya Cdneh Temps here have been sitting around the 100 mark (37c) for a couple of weeks and today are supposed to be 101 (38.something)!!!!!!! and that's with the worst humidity I've ever encountered, seriously walking out of the front door, even at night is like walking into a sauna. In fact we've had the whole shooting match here bar the tordadoes Middle of one night recently the lightning woke me before the thunder started, through the closed blinds, and through my shut eyelids It was constant like an arc welder just not quite as bright........best electrical storm I've ever been through I can tell you And i saw my first fireflies recently too....pretty little things	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-27 09:42:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Ed+Cindy @ Jun 23 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jun 22 2009, 04:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is part of why we hope to move to Portland Oregon early next year. The climate there is more like Auckland but without the humidity, and like Auckland most places don't seem to have aircon, but then hopefully we won't need it most time. Man the humidity here is a killer, I used to complain about the bit we got at home mainly in Feb. It's nothing compared to the severity of it here in Arkansas. Portland is awesome. Move here. I have lived in Portland for 10 1/2 years, except for the 4 years I was in NZ. The Pacific Northwest US is as close as you can get to NZ climate and culture (with regards to people's attitudes, friendliness and laid backness). I won't live anywhere else in the US (and I have been all around the US before). Cindy is liking it so far too. Lol....I saw you guys on the Kiwis in Portland site which I joined a while back. Thought it might be good to speak with others about places to live/work etc when we make the move. Chris told me he thought the climate was pretty similar to Auckland which is why we opted for it, plus he's driven a truck all over the US and really likes the area. He's originally from California & I think he's had a guts full of the few years he's spent here in the Arkansas heat and humidity Kim	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-23 13:48:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jun 22 2009, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I was thinking about this, I worked at my last job in NZ for 16 years. I can do the same sort of thing here, as my qualification in USA based. Just not sure I want to I know what you mean, the company I worked for at home is an American company but it would be a good oportunity for a change.....maybe....lol. Mind you, the way the employment scene is at the moment it might be a case of whatever you can get Edited by Kim & Chris, 22 June 2009 - 09:22 PM.	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-22 21:20:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jun 22 2009, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jun 22 2009, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just got the mail and there it is a brand spankin' new EAD card YAY!! Congratulations. I am soo happy for you !!! I wonder if we had the same person looking at our files today. I too, received an email today saying that my EAD was mailed out on the 19th and when i checked the mailbox about an hour ago, it was there!!! Wow the card is quite flash looking too isn't it? I may go back to the SSA office on Wednesday and see if they do have to take off the DHS authorization notice that is printed on the SSN card or not. Now that its finally dawned on me that i have the EAD card, i will have to start looking for a job which is quite a scary thought. As it will be first job here. I had worked 14 years at my last job in nz, so this job hunting business is going to be very foreign to me. yikes! By the way, have any of you seen the new movie called "the proposal' with Sandra Bullock? We went and saw it last night. I had to giggle to myself about the whole fiance visa (getting married scenario) with uscis that they portrayed. Congrats to you too....... better late than never for me, not bad considering I put mine in two months ahead of you.......lol I was at my last job in NZ for nearly 13yrs so I'm not looking forward to job hunting either. I've seen the shorts for "The Proposal" and it looked funny so I put it on my netflix list, (I like Sandra Bullock but Chris doesn't). I had a wee chuckle to myself when I heard the whole immigration thing in the shorts too Still can't see my I-485 online though .....lol Ana you know what comes next don't you..........the dreaded driving test.....lol	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-22 18:13:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Just got the mail and there it is a brand spankin' new EAD card	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-22 13:34:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I just got an email from CRIS saying that my EAD aproval was mailed out on 19th Jun, so it should be here anytime #######!! now i've gotta get off my rear end and look for a job, haven't had to do that in 13yrs	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-22 12:32:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jun 21 2009, 04:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kelzm @ Jun 22 2009, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's not been too bad here lately, it got up to around 86 at one point but now is nicely settled in the 70s. I can handle that! In March we had a heat wave where it was around 105, apparently that's what it's going to be like once summer truly arrives. *sigh*. No aircon in the house either We had a bit of a heat wave about then as well. There was snow the night I arrived, and within weeks it was that hot. Lately we are getting nearly daily thunderstorms, plenty of lightening and thunder, but no so much rain. Just as well, as all that does is make it muggier. This is part of why we hope to move to Portland Oregon early next year. The climate there is more like Auckland but without the humidity, and like Auckland most places don't seem to have aircon, but then hopefully we won't need it most time. Man the humidity here is a killer, I used to complain about the bit we got at home mainly in Feb. It's nothing compared to the severity of it here in Arkansas. Everyone at home is complaining of the cold but I've got my own pity party going on so I'm not really feeling it for them	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-22 06:55:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jun 21 2009, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jun 22 2009, 06:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's good to know that maybe one day the driving on the 'wrong side' will all fall into place. I live in hope! let us know when you receive your EAD. Will we have to go back to the SSA once the EAD arrives and get them to take off the part on our SSN card that says something like ' work allowed with DHS authorization" (can't remember the exact wording off hand)? Dave_n_Genna: Congratulations on receiving the biometrics appointment letter The process doesn't take very long, so hopefully you will be in and out of there, in 20 minutes. The longest part for me was in the waiting room. The actual biometrics took like 10 minutes at the most. cdneh: Yay! It's a good feeling to be able to get that package finally sent off and out of the way. Welcome back to the waiting room I wondered about going back to the SSN offcie again afterward...I dunno what we are meant to do there. Thanks...I'll wait with everyone in here. It's home Lol ...home is right Ana I never thought about the SSN card, good point. Will have to check that out. Anyone else suffering with the heat here......the rest of this week is supposed to be 38 deg, I can't bear to leave the house	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-21 14:24:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jun 19 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Today my SO took me for my first driving practice here. First time i have driven a manual/stick shift in like over a decade! Took me a while to get the hang of it. And it feels 'odd' sitting on the left side of the car to drive. I wasn't brave enough to start off on the road so i drove round this huge parking lot! It made me feel like a teen of long ago learning to drive all over again. When we got home, i was very surprised to find a letter from USCIS for me. It was my AP!! I haven't been able to view the AP case status online at all, so was not expecting to find the AP document in my mailbox (two copies) I must say, USCIS have been working pretty quickly lately, churning out the approvals, which is very good to see! let's hope they can keep it up with the AOS!! Kim&Chris: Maybe they changed it to the 17th as that is the date that they physically mailed it out??! let's hope so!! Fingers crossed Ana....I live in hope........ I've been driving here all along. All of a sudden, a month or two ago, something must have clicked over in my brain so that I didn't have to think so much about what I was doing, like you'd been driving on the "wrong" side of the road for ever I'll head on down to the DMV as soon as EAD arrives. Keep up the practice Ana, your brain will click over in no time....lol	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-19 23:00:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (ivannnaloveskiwi @ Jun 29 2009, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi everyone, i've been gone for awhile.. just got back from New Zealand.. its was beautiful and loved every minute.. especally being with my true love!!..and i have good new.. everything has been approved and we will be together..he has some loose ends to tie up and will be in the states within the month.. its been a long hard journey.. and i dont think i could of gotten through without all of the help here.. thanks to all who helped with advise. THANK YOU ALL, HUGZ ALL ROUND!! Congratz!	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-07-06 14:45:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Went to the Biometrics yesterday and it was all smooth. Got a notice in the mail today that our case was transferred to California and we will be contacted with their decision. Still REALLY hot here in Illinois.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-06-26 12:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jun 22 2009, 01:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just got the mail and there it is a brand spankin' new EAD card Congrats! Genna is hating the heat here... but then so am I! She had a taste of it last summer though, so she knew what was coming. She also loves the fireflies.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-06-22 14:23:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	We called the USCIS about Genna's Biometrics letter, which we felt was a bit late in coming, and they were generally vaguely helpful I suppose... saying "It could take some time." Anyhoo, we finally received the letter today 6/20, and her appt is on Thur 6/25. More progress, Yay! The story about the Passport and the English language made us both laugh.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-06-20 18:39:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jul 8 2009, 05:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We are right here sending positive thoughts....please let us know how you went? Well that was a bit scary. We get there and we have to go through a security check. Seems normal but then the guy says no phones with cameras. So we had to walk back to our car, which took 10 minutes one way, so that wasted 20 min. Good thing we came early. We get to the room and there is the window to check in but instead of a person greeting you, you are greeted by blinds and a note that says to place your appointment notice in the window and have a seat. Did they not want to look at you? I thought that a bit odd. They were late. Also while I was waiting, I ended up finding a couple of bugs crawling around on me. I don't know what it is but bugs are attracted to me and I am SO not a bug person. I tried to freak out in a calm manner when I found them on me lol. Anyways, our name finally called, we head back there. It seemed like an interrogation almost. First, she assigns us seating and does so sternly, almost rudely, and asked to see our ID's. She called my husband by name but then was like 'what's your name' to me. >.< Then we had to raise our right hand and tell the truth, then we could sit, she said. She ended up asking a series of question, and my poor husband got some of them wrong . The poor guy was so stressed out. The first question was why do you want to live in the US, why not NZ. He didn't know what to say to this besides he wanted to marry me and such. Other questions were were was I born, my mother's maiden and middle name, the date we got married (one of the ones he got wrong), where we got married, why we chose a small ceremony, she asked me what his parents names were and where his father was born, asked also how we met and such and who proposed to who. After the interrogation she asked to see copies of my birth certificate and the marriage one and my ID. Then she asked for anything that had both of our names on it. I gave her rent receipts and a copy of a wedding check that was written out to both of us but she wanted more. I am glad the whole thing is over. The lady seemed nice a couple times and then stern the other times. She seemed like she was going to approve it but didn't say for sure. She said we'll get a notice in the mail saying if we're approved or not. I was under the impression we would find out =(. Well the hubby and I are going away on a trip to Lake Tahoe for a couple days so I have to get packing. But I wanted to share our experience. Hope it goes better for you guys. It felt more like an interrogation than interview to me. I felt like a criminal lol. Talk to you all soon!	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-07-08 16:37:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jul 7 2009, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Jul 7 2009, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes all the best for tomorrow and tell us how you get on.....We're planning on moving to Portland Oregon, the heat here in the south sux. Oregon is the closest to the climate at home in Auckland so I can't wait. I'm actually missing the rain, it'll be nice to have a storm without the worry of tornadoes!!!! How's the driving going Ana???? I haven't been out in a car to terrorize anyone with my driving since my first practice run round a huge parking lot . We have been looking at used cars in the newspaper/online etc but nothing has popped up yet that is suitable or that hasn't been sold before we can manage to get to look at it. I applied for a job at mcd's and subway last week but haven't heard anything back. How are you getting on at driving and job hunting? This has to be the longest i have ever been unemployed and worry that it is going to take ages to find any kind of job, considering that i don't have any USA job history and that i am not exactly 'young' I actually "love" the weather here in Cali. It hasn't rained since i arrived here in March! which is like a miracle to me When do you plan on moving to Oregon? Anyone know if the job market is better in Oregon than California? My hubby has applied pretty much everywhere. We thought he was going to get on at taco bell but the lady gave him the run around. I'm thinking of trying a joint savings but that might look suspicious if I do that right before. Just he has no income so we didn't think to do it before. Plus, don't you need ID to get your spouse on your account? When we tried to get him an ID before they said he can't because he doesn't have a green card. I'm at a loss here. We're going to have my mom write out some rent receipts since we do contribute here. And I am going to bring wedding cards addressed to us both and a check to both our names. Plus my mom is coming with us since she is sponsoring him. So I am hoping this will be enough >.<	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-07-07 23:13:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jul 7 2009, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Jul 8 2009, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Jul 6 2009, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ivannnaloveskiwi @ Jun 29 2009, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi everyone, i've been gone for awhile.. just got back from New Zealand.. its was beautiful and loved every minute.. especally being with my true love!!..and i have good new.. everything has been approved and we will be together..he has some loose ends to tie up and will be in the states within the month.. its been a long hard journey.. and i dont think i could of gotten through without all of the help here.. thanks to all who helped with advise. THANK YOU ALL, HUGZ ALL ROUND!! Congratz! Okay so we have our interview tomorrow to finalize the green card. Anyone have any advice? We are so so nervous and freaking out. I honestly don't know what to do if he got deported, he is my life. The notice is enough to scare us. It goes on saying how if you don't bring this or that it will result in automatic denial. I'm just a mess right now. Oh for those of you working up to this point, I hope you have a copy of your birth certificate, you will need it. That was the slump we almost fell into. He only brought one certified copy with him from NZ. So I hope they don't intend to keep it. Also, sorry I have not been able to get on as much. It's been so hectic here trying to find us both jobs and then other bad family news with my mom getting sicker I hope you all are doing better than us and is surviving this heat. I definately want to move or at least get a pool lol this 100-degree weather is killing me lol. I was born here and I still can't stand it. Plus jobs in California are slim. We were thinking about Oregon but not sure job outlook or anything. But it'd definately be cooler, that's for sure. Good luck to you all! I wish I had some sage advice to give you...but all I can do is send positive thoughts your way and big *hugs* We're doing okay so far..just filed for AOS and behind most everyone else. Surviving the heat ...just I am worried about the part where you have to show proof of ongoing relationship. All we have to bring are photos. We didn't do a joint checking/credit card or anything like that yet since we have no jobs. And we live with and care for my mom so names aren't on the rent. I hope that will be enough	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-07-07 18:07:00