NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!

[rubyred 0]

i feel completely at home with jordan, like we've always been together... but it's a slow process settling into american life. i like it here - a lot - but it's very very different from nz, and it takes a lot of getting used to. still looking for a job, hoping for something in a bookstore, but no luck yet i think once i find work and settle into more of a regular routine, i'll start finding things a little easier. no homesickness, though, despite this! i think it's because - as corny as this sounds - i truly feel like jordan is my 'home', and that anywhere he is, is where i feel most at home.

[kelzm 0]

Congrats Kim! That's great news, I was wondering if your theory about the touches was going to be proved correct. It's all go now, hopefully you get that consulate appointment asap.

Justine. Good to hear from you, I'm glad everythings worked out for you and Jordan. Best of luck in finding a job soon. Keep us posted on how you go, I'm sure there's a few of us that are a little bit nervous about fitting in with the American way of life.

[yankiwi 0]

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look out Auckland......... here we come!!

YES!!!! I'm so excited for you guys!

Definitely call Dr. Stone, Chris called on a Tuesday and got an appointment for Friday of the same week. They have certain time slots set aside for those appointments so hopefully he'll be able to get in quickly!

YAY!

[yankiwi 0]

no homesickness, though, despite this! i think it's because - as corny as this sounds - i truly feel like jordan is my 'home', and that anywhere he is, is where i feel most at home.

"Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk is my song for Chris, I can't hear it without tearing up. I bet you would identify with the lyrics too!

[cdneh 3,112]

Kim!!! Congratulations !!! Happy happy news!!!

[gshennen 0]

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look out Auckland......... here we come!!

Awesome - great news!!

[amaciar 0]

Hi Everyone

Nic had his interview yesterday. It was probably the strangest hour of my life. The lady we spoke to first was great. She was cheery and was impressed with the way we had put our forms together. We had each set in their own bundle clearly labeled. Basically what happened was we had our case switched to the NZ consulate once the I-130 was approved so we needed all the documentation you usually send to NVC ready and organized. Then after the lovely lady made sure all our forms were in and the correct evidence was there we sat down and waited to see an officer. Now I was thinking here comes the grilling and the intimidated feeling! Nope the gentlemen asked us when we wanted to leave for the US and we answered ASAP and he asked what our plans were. Which we told him and then he explained what would happen once they approved us. So in total we were at the consulate for an hour. The majority of the time we were being told what we needed to do once we entered the US! So Nic was cheeky at the end and asked if we could go have a celebratory drink and the kind man said everyday is an excuse for a celebratory drink He dodged the question but when we arrived back to Palmerston North today we checked to see if our Courier Bag that we gave the Consulate had been sent......sure enough it was picked up today at 2:30. So we are hoping that means all is well and his passport will be back tomorrow with a shiny new stamp on it. Our theory is they wouldn't send out a request for more evidence in our Courier Bag. So the Consulate was heaps better than i thought. Now sure if it helped that I was there with Nic or not but I hope everyone has the type of experience we did. Hopefully tomorrow I am not back on here crying because they sent us some horrible request notice.

RubyRed- I know exactly how you feel but in reverse. My first year in NZed was not always the easiest but by my second year I was feeling like I was home. Just don't let the bad times get you too down and enjoy the differences.

Kim- Great news. Not long now til you are Stateside.

Everyone looking for jobs Good Luck. Nic and I will starting that process near the end of September. We hope to be home in about 1.5wekks and then spend some time with my family. I feel like I haven't seen them in forever! Anyone found any good job search websites?

[Kelvan 0]

Woohoo Kim! I'm so happy for you!

[Crazy & Mad 0]

Kim!!! Congratulations !!! Waht a Wonderfult Happy news This Morning!!!

Woooohoo...After Long time u Got ur Destination

Edited August 14, 2008 by Crazy & Mad

[Crazy & Mad 0]

KIM...All Mashroom VJ Member are Happy and Always With YOu ...

Its Rock n Roll Party time ..Woohoo.

[KimandRuss 0]

Justine, i'm so happy you have that. There is nothing better in this world!

Thank you Kel!

Tiara, thanks for the great info! Hopefully I can get the new case number by late Friday night and Russell can call (nz) Monday to make his appointment for later in the week. It's a 4 hour drive for him from Opotiki so his father and brother will join him for a mini-golf championship game in Auckland! He's quite looking forward to it!

Thank you cdneh... your turn!!!

Thank you Grant.

Amy, Thank you for the detailed description of your interview! Congratulations! Soooooo excited for you! So you gave the Consualte a courier bag to deliver the visa??? I ask because it's such a drive for Russell. He was just going to drive in 2 days later to pick up his visa because he lives in a rural location but he will pay for overnight shipping if they will send it! As long as it doesn't take more than a couple days! btw.. did you know your timeline lists your Consulate as Armenia??? Oh.. and I am stateside. My kiwi's coming to me.

Thank you Kelly!

Ooo thank you for the animated congrats C&M!

Finally got to talk to Russell at 5:30am est... 9:30pm nz... almost 12 full hours after our approval! Someone stole his cell phone this week so i'm unable to just contact him when I want. Ironic, no? Anyway... we are both riding so high right now! In just a matter of weeks he'll be back home where he belongs!

thanks again!

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

WOW, congratulations, that's great!!

[KimandRuss 0]

Michelle, I dont know if you're talking to me or amaciar but thanks anyhow

I'm sorry you're missing Rob so much. It sure is not easy being apart for so long, I know. We've had just 3 weeks together in the last year and I ache every single day to have his arms wrapped around me.

Unlike some folks, we can't just hop in the car or onto a plane for a few days so all we can do is wait.. and hope.

Do try to stay as busy as you can. Get as much time together as you can. Prepare all you can for the next steps. Above all else..dont lose focus on the prize!! What has kept me going is that glorious moment he walks through the doors at Logan and I leap into his arms again. That thought alone has carried me through the toughest of times.

[gshennen 0]

Woohoo - well done amaciar!!

Thanks for the description of the interview, it seems that they pretty much all go well at the Consulate, so it bodes well for the rest of us.

Kim - yes you take a courier bag with you to the interview, and they courier your (well Russ' passport and the other envelope back to you). I just got out the instructions (because we had forgotten all about the courier envelope - so I will zap out and buy one soon).

I have seen three interviews in person while we have been at the consulate, two went very well, and seemed like a formality, and one went not so well. The one that went not so well was because the people were very unorganised and did not have a lot of the documentation that they were meant to have. The lady at the consulate was very nice to them and was trying to help, but the couple seemed to get angry (it was their fault). I guess they were just very frustrated, which is understandable. But it shows that it is important to have your paperwork all completed, logically labeled, and make sure that you have read the instructions very very carefully.

Hope everyone else is making progress - it seems a positive week for us Kiwi's trying to get over there.

As far as my job hunting is going, I am making slow progress. The best thing is that one company that I approached (probably in the top 3 desirable companies) is showing quite an interest. I was very cheeky, and approached the President of the company, who I have now traded a few emails with, and he has sent my resume and supporting documents to a number of his managers, with a nice note to them urging them to consider me. His email said that I had a very interesting background story and had very interesting experience. Thier HR manager has also been in touch with me a couple of times too, and has said that their are 4 potential positions that I may be suited for (3 in San Francisco, and one in Santa Clara).

After the interview next week I'll start applying for actual jobs, and get in touch with recruitment agents (I have a list of them ready to approach).

Cheers

Grant

Cheers

[kelzm 0]

Kim - Make sure you have Russ buy an A4 sized (large) courier bag. I had a smaller one and had to run back down stairs to get the bigger size. From what I've seen they're pretty speedy about getting it out to you and you can track and trace to see when it's left the consulate.

Today I'm handing in my resignation at work - 1 more month to go. The house has been settled and money is on its way to my bank. I'm about to take my son for long weekend in Rotorua and have weekends full of family dinners and meeting up with friends. Time's flying! It's great to see things progressing along for so many of our Kiwi couples.