LAND DOWNUNDER

[SharynY 2]

thankyou Loke!!

i'm happy but depressed..... i'm no good with waiting lol...............

[Kym 0]

"1. The honeymoon period when all seems new and interesting; very exciting time.

2. A period of weariness from the adaptation to a new environment. During this phase you start to understand that you must work to adapt to a new life. You feel pressure, isolation, irritation, disorientation, and depression or apathy. You can start to eat and sleep too much. You can become upset over trifles. You, at times, feel ill.

3. Period of non-acceptance and resistance of the culture of the new country. You suddenly feel animosity to the USA and are surprised, how Americans can live how they live. You begin to question why you have come to America.

4. New culture starts to make sense; you acquire new knowledge and skills. As you gain confidence, you become more sociable. You start to feel satisfaction that you begin to understand the American culture.

5. Adaptation to new the culture. There is a feeling of comfort. You begin to feel and seek interaction with the new cultural environment. You accept life and conditions of American culture and take pleasure in making the distinctions between your new culture and the old.

The times spent in each stage varies widely among everyone. It has been said that stage 5 probably won't be reached for 5-7 years for most and that stages can overlap each other."

I think I am in stage 2... stage 1 didnt last long I guess cuz I have been here so many times before and for good lengths of time.

One of the things I would have loved is if Eric could have taken a week vacation from work so maybe then I wouldnt have felt so homesick right off the bat (circumstances prior to me leaving my fam didnt help any). Ive had a few bad nights of crying and stuff...I know it will take some time, and not to sound like a Kelly Clarkson song but...I miss my independence.

So if you can take a few days off work from when Loke first arrives, help him settle and maybe that will help some. Im sure Loke drives and it seems almost all Americans have at least two vehicles lol so maybe he wont feel so couped up in the house if he can be out and about when you are at work. Like Erics parents are really nice in taking me to stores but I wish I could go to the store without what I feel is pestering them. Eric works the 2nd shift so we dont really get much done before or after work and not like I expect him to either as he's on the 8th day of his 9 straight days of working. On his days off, Eric takes me to Filipino stores so I can buy snacks and stuff. So maybe look out for Aussie snacks and things of that nature? I know I'll be ordering stuff from http://www.simplyoz.com/ very soon

Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt trade being here w/ Eric for anything but for the USC, dont take it personal if your SO does feel some homesickness. Some ppl adjust very quickly, this has just been my experience thus far.

This was a good read...thanks! That's something I have been thinking about...helping Darryl anyway I can to prevent homesickness...or at least lessen it. (once he gets here that is...IF he ever gets here... )

Good link! He loves his vegemite (sorry, but eewwww ) I've heard tons about Tim Tams...never had any...now I can order some and try them!

[SharynY 2]

yeah i dont like vegemite lol...

i'm a peanut butter fan and thankfully so is my Fiance - he loves the stuff almost as much as i do............

[Kym 0]

Darryl thinks peanut butter is disgusting...WHAT?!? How can anyone not love peanut butter. And when I speak of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...he thinks I am absolutely nuts. Oh wait...I think our jelly is your jello...or something like that. OMG and he doesn't like Reeces peanut butter cups. HELLO??? Peanut butter and chocolate? Need I say more???

I guess peanut butter is not very common in Aussieland?

yeah i dont like vegemite lol...

i'm a peanut butter fan and thankfully so is my Fiance - he loves the stuff almost as much as i do............

[SharynY 2]

its common... but you have your vegemiters and your peanut butters....

if you eat one you most likely wont eat the other.

and i love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...... yummmo!!..... if you want me to give that up then you better shave your head lol... cause i aint giving it up.... its heaven.....

[Rings 10]

LOL Loke hates peanut butter and vegemite both hahaha... I love my picky man

[vylex 0]

Hi Elle,

I hope you get over the homesickness sooner rather than later. Are you working going to get your driver's license anytime soon? I am already thinking about getting some lessons for Vy so she can get around. You are right about homesickness, it's a rare thing for the SO not to feel that at one point or another.

It's cool that Eric brings you to Filipno stores when hes's free. If you two ever go to the NY/NJ area, visit Jersey City. It's little Manila over there LOL.

[CarolineM 0]

Heya Tony. I see your local office is Jacksonville Florida...that's where Stewart and I are!!! Woo!!

Congrats to all the recent approvals and reunions!

[Rings 10]

I would like to let all of you know that if you are Adjusting Status or getting your medical done, there is a new requirement for the TB Skin test. When you do your medical oversea's the doctor only does the X-Ray and not the actual TB Skin Test. This is because the oversea's doctors have not all been made aware of the new requirement which has only recently gone into effect.

PLEASE NOTE AND BE AWARE

Because of that dude that came back to America with TB, the National Center for Disease Control has issued a new medical requirement for all immigrants that have to submit an Adjustment of Status. When you submit your medical information, you will get an RFE for the TB Skin Test. I called and confirmed this with both the USCIS today as well as the local USCIS Civil Surgeons here in Colorado (I called 7 of them)

The X-Ray is not enough so if you can get back to your doctor before your interview for the TB Skin Test, then I recommend it. You will definately need a copy of that for your Adjustment of Status when you are in the states.

HOW WE ARE FIXING OUR PROBLEM

I called so many because I was having trouble finding a USCIS Civil Surgeon here in Colorado that would only do the TB Test alone (Other states may not have this issue) Most of them stated that Loke will have to do the entire medical again. I finally found one doctor who may meet with us on Monday to see if she can transcribe our DD-3025 medical report onto the I-693 that is required for the AOS. She is going to give him the TB Skin Test either way.

There has been a ton of RFE's for this so if you can keep a step ahead on it then you will be okay, but trust me on this one.

Jezz, you should probably take the steps Loke and I have taken if you can.

The TB Skin Test is not painful, but it is a 3-4 day process.

[Kym 0]

So can Darryl get the TB Skin Test before he leaves Australia and we use it for the Adjustment of Status???

BTW, he rec'd his packet 4 today. He did get his interview date before all this APEC mess and I'm sure that is because we had a Congressional Inquiry in place already....we've run into heaps of problems already. I was so happy when he called I cried! We may get to have our Oct. 6 wedding afterall!!! I'm just happy.

I hesitated to say anything...I don't want to seem as gloating...I know there are others that have to wait for a ridiculous amount of time and I am so sorry for that.

I'm sure I will have some interview questions...but for now, I am going to read up on every little thing on the interviews in Sydney. (I'm still quite paranoid). Any suggestions?

According to my timeline...the interview ONLY took 383 days from filing

I would like to let all of you know that if you are Adjusting Status or getting your medical done, there is a new requirement for the TB Skin test. When you do your medical oversea's the doctor only does the X-Ray and not the actual TB Skin Test. This is because the oversea's doctors have not all been made aware of the new requirement which has only recently gone into effect.

[Rings 10]

So can Darryl get the TB Skin Test before he leaves Australia and we use it for the Adjustment of Status???

BTW, he rec'd his packet 4 today. He did get his interview date before all this APEC mess and I'm sure that is because we had a Congressional Inquiry in place already....we've run into heaps of problems already. I was so happy when he called I cried! We may get to have our Oct. 6 wedding afterall!!! I'm just happy.

I hesitated to say anything...I don't want to seem as gloating...I know there are others that have to wait for a ridiculous amount of time and I am so sorry for that.

I'm sure I will have some interview questions...but for now, I am going to read up on every little thing on the interviews in Sydney. (I'm still quite paranoid). Any suggestions?

According to my timeline...the interview ONLY took 383 days from filing

First off... CONGRATULATIONS and you were all worried

Yes he should get the TB Skin Test if he can. He really needs to try to get a copy or keep a copy of all the medical documents and the vaccinations for use in the Adjustment of Status. Loke's doctor gave him copies willingly, but he did have to ask for them. If Daryl can get the TB Test done and get copies of it, then it will prevent you from going through what Loke and I will have to deal with when he gets here. He MUST get it done at a USCIS Civil Surgeon though.

If you do not have copies, then you may have to redo the medical when he is here in order to Adjust Status and that will be another pain in the ####### and additional costs.

[SharynY 2]

damn...

so i should give Dr waks a call.............

[Kym 0]

First off... CONGRATULATIONS and you were all worried

Yes, I was all worried. I honestly didn't know that a congressional inquiry went to the Embassy's as well. I thought they stopped once the I-129F petition was approved. I contacted the congressional aid that I had been dealing with the other day and she was going to send an email to the Embassy. Which did give me a glimmer of hope! In the meantime, I've just NOT been sleeping.

[Rings 10]

I would call him and try to get the copies of your medical and the TB Skin Test. He may argue that he already did they X-Ray, but you should explain that it is not enough and that they are requiring the Skin Test in conjunction with the X-Ray.

[SharynY 2]

he sent all my medical stuff directly to the consulate and gave me a copy of my vaccination sheet that he signed off on for the AOS...

now i just have to find his phone number..........

kym i'm glad you got your interview early............ mine is definately 10th october as per the consulate email..... bugga........oh well...

Edited July 13, 2007 by sharyna