Holy Cow -- a year!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I just realised that it's been a year today since I slipped the I-130 and G-325a's in the outgoing work post. Back then, I had no clue what VJ was and I certainly didn't know anybody else doing something as crazy as thinking about quitting their job and moving 3,000 miles away because it seemed kinda like a good time to try something new.

Although I think the big anniversary (and big long post about My First Year) will come when we've actually been over here a year, I still think: wow. We did this!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

You'll be lifting conditions before you know it!

A chill went down my spine when I realized that wasn't so far away for us - more paperwork! more bleeding of money!

[Jeraly 4]

Ouch - how much does it cost to remove conditions?!

[Krikit 1,164]

Ouch - how much does it cost to remove conditions?!

It's $545 right now. No telling how much it will be by the time we get to it, though. I've been here over a year, but my AOS took a while so I won't begin the process to lift conditions for another 18 months. Actually, I'm not that upset. I know it could be worse. I'm just happy to have the break from the paperwork.

[Jeraly 4]

Yeah - tbh I kinda can't wait to take a break from it all - at the moment I feel liek I am running around like a maniac trying to get everything up together - moving, wedding, visa... it is crazy! I can't wait for some normality but I know even that might take a while - moving to the desert in the middle of summer isn't going to help me relax I am sure!! I just want to give myself a chance to settle in and I don't know how long that will take!

[ajames79 0]

Ouch - how much does it cost to remove conditions?!

It's $545 right now. No telling how much it will be by the time we get to it, though. I've been here over a year, but my AOS took a while so I won't begin the process to lift conditions for another 18 months. Actually, I'm not that upset. I know it could be worse. I'm just happy to have the break from the paperwork.

My husband and I feel the exact same way about the break from the paperwork!!

The time goes by faster then we think huh!! Congrats on making it this far! Continued success for the future!

[Krikit 1,164]

Yeah - tbh I kinda can't wait to take a break from it all - at the moment I feel liek I am running around like a maniac trying to get everything up together - moving, wedding, visa... it is crazy! I can't wait for some normality but I know even that might take a while - moving to the desert in the middle of summer isn't going to help me relax I am sure!! I just want to give myself a chance to settle in and I don't know how long that will take!

For me it took a year. The challenges were a combination of adjusting to a new country and their way of doing things (and talking), and learning to be married. I'm not quite sure which one was harder. Probably sharing my space and accepting that things don't have to always be done my way. I remember my girlfriend calling me and asking if I had any regrets. I said "Sometimes I'd just like to sit on the couch and not have to respond when someone walks by and says something." She said "Oh, that'll come. Give it 10 years."

My husband and I feel the exact same way about the break from the paperwork!!

The time goes by faster then we think huh!! Congrats on making it this far! Continued success for the future!

Thank you, AJames. And the same to you!

I'm sorry, Maven. I feel like I'm hijacking your thread.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

No worries! One of the beauties of VJ.

I mentioned to the boy last night that it had been a year. His response, "Oh. You keep track of that stuff?"

[Jeraly 4]

Oooh - we have a hostage situation here!!

Yeah - I know it will take time to settle - I know I will find it hard and I just want to make sure that I persevere long enough to give things a chance for me to adjust!! This place will be a huge help I am sure

[Krikit 1,164]

I mentioned to the boy last night that it had been a year. His response, "Oh. You keep track of that stuff?"

Men.

Oooh - we have a hostage situation here!!

Yeah - I know it will take time to settle - I know I will find it hard and I just want to make sure that I persevere long enough to give things a chance for me to adjust!! This place will be a huge help I am sure

VJ has been a lifesaver for me. Well, not at first. People were pretty mean. But then a whole pile of really nice people joined and now I have virtual friends! It's weird.

TOTALLY OT but..... I'm online with my sister in West Yorkshire. Well, not online. She's at work and we're emailing. She and her husband arrive in two sleeps! She's doing a last shop this evening and is asking if there's anything else I want. My order's in for:

• Yorkshire Gold tea
• Weetabix honey nut minis
• treacle
• curry ketchup
• stem ginger biscuits, dark chocolate digestives
• Cadbury's, Toffee Crisp, Maltesers
• Everton mints
• Lovely soaps (the kind you wash with. lol)

Is there anything I'm forgetting? Or have I got it pretty much covered?

[Jeraly 4]

Oooh.... umm... any ingredients you need for that recipe book of yours!!! Decent cheese perhaps... mustard? (I hate it - Jeremy loves it)... decent chocolate... ok not very good if you are on a diet but...

[Krikit 1,164]

Oooh.... umm... any ingredients you need for that recipe book of yours!!! Decent cheese perhaps... mustard? (I hate it - Jeremy loves it)... decent chocolate... ok not very good if you are on a diet but...

I asked for cheese but she said no. The last time she was here they specifically asked her about it.... it's banned. I so don't get that. It's going straight into my stomach. How is that a threat?

Oooh.... umm... any ingredients you need for that recipe book of yours!!!

Oh good idea! *runs and gets recipe book*

[Jeraly 4]

As for making friends - I know there are a lot of people on here who are quite opinionated but then they have been around on VJ enough to form these opinions - and to each their own I say!! I think that my July/CSC K-1 group have been lifesavers and we have grown realyl close in the process - I am really looking forward to moving onto the next stage with them all and finding out how we are all getting on (as well as providing ears/shoulders for venting purposes!!!)

Oooh.... umm... any ingredients you need for that recipe book of yours!!! Decent cheese perhaps... mustard? (I hate it - Jeremy loves it)... decent chocolate... ok not very good if you are on a diet but...

I asked for cheese but she said no. The last time she was here they specifically asked her about it.... it's banned. I so don't get that. It's going straight into my stomach. How is that a threat?

Since when has cheese been banned?!?!? Jeremy takes it home with him everytime and I always take some with me when I visit!!! I even got sniffer-dogged once and explained I had cheese in there and the customs person said that was fine and asked if I had any plant life, fruit/veg or meat!!! (Which I didn't so I had to go have my case x-rayed - joy!)

[Krikit 1,164]

As for making friends - I know there are a lot of people on here who are quite opinionated but then they have been around on VJ enough to form these opinions - and to each their own I say!! I think that my July/CSC K-1 group have been lifesavers and we have grown realyl close in the process - I am really looking forward to moving onto the next stage with them all and finding out how we are all getting on (as well as providing ears/shoulders for venting purposes!!!)

Maybe that's the difference. We didn't have any monthly filer groups when I joined. But I ended up bonding really well with the people in the Canada Forum. They're really nice in there.

[Krikit 1,164]

Since when has cheese been banned?!?!? Jeremy takes it home with him everytime and I always take some with me when I visit!!! I even got sniffer-dogged once and explained I had cheese in there and the customs person said that was fine and asked if I had any plant life, fruit/veg or meat!!! (Which I didn't so I had to go have my case x-rayed - joy!)

Maybe it's just this airport? (Orlando)