APPROVED!

[Galateia 1]

Or: Get Thee Behind Me, Medical!

Part One: You drag around both copies of the xrays through hell's half acre, even though you don't think you'll need them at the interview, but just in case ... you avoid mangling these large, floppy, pain in the ### envelopes, TWO of them, for the whole time. You're done, approved, on the bus leaving from MTL heading home to Toronto and an hour into your ride you look down at your bag beside you and suddenly wonder ... where are your xrays?

I'd left them at the MTL bus terminal.

The bus driver called MTL, yelled at people in french for 15 minutes, then said they will put them on the express to Toronto at midnight, I can pick them up the next day (aka today). I double-check with TO's people when I get there, to let them know, they will call my host's number when they get it at 6:30 am.

No call. I call them, no envelopes. I call MTL, they say, no envelopes. I let them know what they are for, the ask around ... turns out some dipshit saw that one of them (the OLD one, no idea if the new one is there or not) had a label from the Dr. in London. So they sent them to London! I call London, who said they would have to be shipped from TO to London anyway, so whussup with that, but that they wouldn't be there yet anyway. I'll have to try again tomorrow. Please tell me the AOS doesn't actually need the xray.

As for my errant medical, lost by Canada Post, it brings me to Definition of Irony part 2:

Getting the medical delivered to your house a week late and a half hour after you've already been dropped off to catch the bus.

I was able to find a solution to the medical issue which I cannot get into, but suffice to say that it was legit.

Onto the review:

I stayed at the La Tour, which was clean but cold, despite me cranking the heat. To be fair, I suspect that had more to do with my deathly illness as I'd cranked the heat to 29 and was still shivering, but some spare blankets would have been nice. They were very gracious and accommodating in the odd requests I'd had, including reassuring me that they'd take care of my bag if I was unable to get back before my noon check-out. My bag was fully packed and ready to go anyway, but it was nice of them to agree when I asked. Also, my room had it's own little kitchen! If I had known, I would have brought something like microwavable food or something I could have whipped up there.

The consulate is right down the street from the hotel, but down this little ghetto side street, and it's not clearly marked. If you are coming from the La Tour, stand directly in front of the hotel and look across the street, you will see this giant historic-looking building recessed in quite a ways from the street, flying a bunch of Canadian and Quebec Flags at the sidewalk. To the left of that building is a big fancypants corporate/hotel/bank-ish looking building (the Felix Something Or Other) which goes all the way to the end of the block, if I recall properly. Go down the street to the light so you can cross, so you will be at the corner of a tiny side street and the Felix building (Hey, google says it's Place Felix-Martin 455 Rene Levesque Blvd. West and it does deal with stocks. Woot!) and go down the little dodgy side street, because the Consulate set into the Felix's side that faces said dodgy street.

Hilariously, I had no idea where I was going and in my desperation went into the Felix and asked "Excuse me do you know-" "Where the Consulate of America is? On the side of the building." I think my xrays were a dead giveaway, I bet he gets to answer 85% of his daily questions that way.

I was the 3rd K applicant waiting, the first was Jess from VJ, who is the cheerfullest person at 7:00am in the bloody cold I have ever met. She's also as cute as a button and will no doubt be cementing Canada's reputation as the land of really nice people everywhere she goes in the US. Her Fiance was also a very nice young man who kindly gave the 2nd woman waiting $40 USD in exchange for her $40 Cdn (exchange rate notwithstanding) because she didn't know about VJ and only brought $100 USD with her.

We did the usual drill of security, waiting, elevator, waiting, called up to the windows, and paperwork handing over, where I learned to my surprise that I I needed to bring a photocopy of the frontpage of my passport. I also didn't have the photocopy of my birth cert either, but the nice older man made copies of both. When he looked at my FFIL's 1-394 co-sponsor info, he asked what he did for a living, which I answered. A lot of the stuff in duplicate he didn't need and gave back to me.

He then gave me the paper I took to the cashier's window number 14 and she took my $131 USD and gave me a receipt, he'd told me he was going to go work on my case and would call me up again for my fingerprints and to give him the receipt then, although some people were told to bring it back right away. He took my fingerprints and then sent me away to wait to be called for the interview and to which room.

I got the Nice Guy Who Looks Like a College Sports Hero, and my whole interview must have lasted three minutes, if that. Half of that time was spent shop-talking about my thesis, because who knew that Mr. NGWLLACSH was a fellow Uber-Geek who has a degree in Ancient Greek?! (Rock on, Brotha!) He then said something I didn't catch and "You'll get it in about a week."

Me: "Say what? Does that mean I am approved?"

NGWLLACSH: "Yep."

Me: *sputter* "That's it? Don't you have to ask me skill-testing questions?"

NGWLLACSH: "Not in clear cases like yours. We save the difficult questions for the people who are *impression of iffyiness*"

Me, in a moment of utter ####### WAS I THINKING CHRIST ON A POGO STICK: "Well, with Canadians I guess it's obvious we'd only be going for love"

Me: *OMG DID I JUST INSULT THE USA TO THE FACE OF THE MAN WHO IS APPROVING ME TO GO THERE?! *

Me, trying to backpaddle my foot out of my mouth: "I mean, it's not like we're from a war-torn country or something ... "

NGWLLACSH: "Exactly, Canadians don't have 'Motivation' to immigrate."

Me: *refrains from openly wiping forehead, rattles off a tons of thank-yous, and skedaddles*

Me and my big mouth.

When I came out (Jess was the first approval of the day, I was the second) and I gave the thumbs up and the two women who were in the first set of 4 with us asked if I'd got it and I said "Approved!" and did a little dance of glee a whole bunch of people there waiting clapped and cheered for me ... it was really strange?

A girl behind me was talking about VJ when we were waiting, right before I left I asked her about it, and we had a moment of "Thank god for VJ!" I referred the other two women to VJ for their AOS.

The 2nd woman in our group hadn't been called for her interview yet when the 4th girl was called, and she was convinced it meant that she was going to be rejected. I told her at the time that it was probably because she was divorced and they had to go through extra paperwork, but looking back I think it was because she was an Italian Citizen even though she'd been a Resident of Canada for over 30 years. I wonder what happened to her ... also the 4th girl in our group apparently got The Nasty Lady, because I overheard her giving the girl #### for her pictures of her "Engagement Ceremony".

Now, call me Canadian, but I am aware that other cultures have formal traditions such as engagement ceremonies, and not to be racially profiling anyone (Sorry second Jessica if you are reading this, I do not mean it in anything but an indication of how dumb this woman was being!) but it wasn't a huge jump to picture this girl from a culture that may have such traditions. If there were fancy outfits involved, I fail to see how it is different than any other engagement party thrown by a family for the impending couple. The fact that she was being given ####### about it looking like a 'wedding' and refused to accept her explanation seemed pretty unpleasant to me. If I had an engagement party in his parent's backyard in the summer and wore a white sundress, would I be getting the Spanish Inquisition?

Anyhoo, off I went, left a voicemail on my fiance's cell because it was 8:30 am his time, and went back to my hotel room and slept until noon. Hung out in the cafe attached to the hotel while I had lunch, and then headed off to the bus terminal, which is only a $6-7 cab fare away. Woot!

Yeesh this was long. If you lasted this long and still have questions, fire 'em my way.

APPROVED!!!! :dance:

Edited February 8, 2008 by Galateia

[Sand 5]

Congrats

[Earmuffs 1]

my xray is some where in my closet, I wouldnt sweat it...

[MoonlitCherri 0]

I love your Journey! LOL!

Congratulations!

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Or: Get Thee Behind Me, Medical!

Part One: You drag around both copies of the xrays through hell's half acre, even though you don't think you'll need them at the interview, but just in case ... you avoid mangling these large, floppy, pain in the ### envelopes, TWO of them, for the whole time. You're done, approved, on the bus leaving from MTL heading home to Toronto and an hour into your ride you look down at your bag beside you and suddenly wonder ... where are your xrays?

I'd left them at the MTL bus terminal.

The bus driver called MTL, yelled at people in french for 15 minutes, then said they will put them on the express to Toronto at midnight, I can pick them up the next day (aka today). I double-check with TO's people when I get there, to let them know, they will call my host's number when they get it at 6:30 am.

No call. I call them, no envelopes. I call MTL, they say, no envelopes. I let them know what they are for, the ask around ... turns out some dipshit saw that one of them (the OLD one, no idea if the new one is there or not) had a label from the Dr. in London. So they sent them to London! I call London, who said they would have to be shipped from TO to London anyway, so whussup with that, but that they wouldn't be there yet anyway. I'll have to try again tomorrow. Please tell me the AOS doesn't actually need the xray.

As for my errant medical, lost by Canada Post, it brings me to Definition of Irony part 2:

Getting the medical delivered to your house a week late and a half hour after you've already been dropped off to catch the bus.

I was able to find a solution to the medical issue which I cannot get into, but suffice to say that it was legit.

Onto the review:

I stayed at the La Tour, which was clean but cold, despite me cranking the heat. To be fair, I suspect that had more to do with my deathly illness as I'd cranked the heat to 29 and was still shivering, but some spare blankets would have been nice. They were very gracious and accommodating in the odd requests I'd had, including reassuring me that they'd take care of my bag if I was unable to get back before my noon check-out. My bag was fully packed and ready to go anyway, but it was nice of them to agree when I asked. Also, my room had it's own little kitchen! If I had known, I would have brought something like microwavable food or something I could have whipped up there.

The consulate is right down the street from the hotel, but down this little ghetto side street, and it's not clearly marked. If you are coming from the La Tour, stand directly in front of the hotel and look across the street, you will see this giant historic-looking building recessed in quite a ways from the street, flying a bunch of Canadian and Quebec Flags at the sidewalk. To the left of that building is a big fancypants corporate/hotel/bank-ish looking building (the Felix Something Or Other) which goes all the way to the end of the block, if I recall properly. Go down the street to the light so you can cross, so you will be at the corner of a tiny side street and the Felix building (Hey, google says it's Place Felix-Martin 455 Rene Levesque Blvd. West and it does deal with stocks. Woot!) and go down the little dodgy side street, because the Consulate set into the Felix's side that faces said dodgy street.

Hilariously, I had no idea where I was going and in my desperation went into the Felix and asked "Excuse me do you know-" "Where the Consulate of America is? On the side of the building." I think my xrays were a dead giveaway, I bet he gets to answer 85% of his daily questions that way.

I was the 3rd K applicant waiting, the first was Jess from VJ, who is the cheerfullest person at 7:00am in the bloody cold I have ever met. She's also as cute as a button and will no doubt be cementing Canada's reputation as the land of really nice people everywhere she goes in the US. Her Fiance was also a very nice young man who kindly gave the 2nd woman waiting $40 USD in exchange for her $40 Cdn (exchange rate notwithstanding) because she didn't know about VJ and only brought $100 USD with her.

We did the usual drill of security, waiting, elevator, waiting, called up to the windows, and paperwork handing over, where I learned to my surprise that I I needed to bring a photocopy of the frontpage of my passport. I also didn't have the photocopy of my birth cert either, but the nice older man made copies of both. When he looked at my FFIL's 1-394 co-sponsor info, he asked what he did for a living, which I answered. A lot of the stuff in duplicate he didn't need and gave back to me.

He then gave me the paper I took to the cashier's window number 14 and she took my $131 USD and gave me a receipt, he'd told me he was going to go work on my case and would call me up again for my fingerprints and to give him the receipt then, although some people were told to bring it back right away. He took my fingerprints and then sent me away to wait to be called for the interview and to which room.

I got the Nice Guy Who Looks Like a College Sports Hero, and my whole interview must have lasted three minutes, if that. Half of that time was spent shop-talking about my thesis, because who knew that Mr. NGWLLACSH was a fellow Uber-Geek who has a degree in Ancient Greek?! (Rock on, Brotha!) He then said something I didn't catch and "You'll get it in about a week."

Me: "Say what? Does that mean I am approved?"

NGWLLACSH: "Yep."

Me: *sputter* "That's it? Don't you have to ask me skill-testing questions?"

NGWLLACSH: "Not in clear cases like yours. We save the difficult questions for the people who are *impression of iffyiness*"

Me, in a moment of utter ####### WAS I THINKING CHRIST ON A POGO STICK: "Well, with Canadians I guess it's obvious we'd only be going for love"

Me: *OMG DID I JUST INSULT THE USA TO THE FACE OF THE MAN WHO IS APPROVING ME TO GO THERE?! *

Me, trying to backpaddle my foot out of my mouth: "I mean, it's not like we're from a war-torn country or something ... "

NGWLLACSH: "Exactly, Canadians don't have 'Motivation' to immigrate."

Me: *refrains from openly wiping forehead, rattles off a tons of thank-yous, and skedaddles*

Me and my big mouth.

When I came out (Jess was the first approval of the day, I was the second) and I gave the thumbs up and the two women who were in the first set of 4 with us asked if I'd got it and I said "Approved!" and did a little dance of glee a whole bunch of people there waiting clapped and cheered for me ... it was really strange?

A girl behind me was talking about VJ when we were waiting, right before I left I asked her about it, and we had a moment of "Thank god for VJ!" I referred the other two women to VJ for their AOS.

The 2nd woman in our group hadn't been called for her interview yet when the 4th girl was called, and she was convinced it meant that she was going to be rejected. I told her at the time that it was probably because she was divorced and they had to go through extra paperwork, but looking back I think it was because she was an Italian Citizen even though she'd been a Resident of Canada for over 30 years. I wonder what happened to her ... also the 4th girl in our group apparently got The Nasty Lady, because I overheard her giving the girl #### for her pictures of her "Engagement Ceremony".

Now, call me Canadian, but I am aware that other cultures have formal traditions such as engagement ceremonies, and not to be racially profiling anyone (Sorry second Jessica if you are reading this, I do not mean it in anything but an indication of how dumb this woman was being!) but it wasn't a huge jump to picture this girl from a culture that may have such traditions. If there were fancy outfits involved, I fail to see how it is different than any other engagement party thrown by a family for the impending couple. The fact that she was being given ####### about it looking like a 'wedding' and refused to accept her explanation seemed pretty unpleasant to me. If I had an engagement party in his parent's backyard in the summer and wore a white sundress, would I be getting the Spanish Inquisition?

Anyhoo, off I went, left a voicemail on my fiance's cell because it was 8:30 am his time, and went back to my hotel room and slept until noon. Hung out in the cafe attached to the hotel while I had lunch, and then headed off to the bus terminal, which is only a $6-7 cab fare away. Woot!

Yeesh this was long. If you lasted this long and still have questions, fire 'em my way.

APPROVED!!!!

Thanks for relating your experience at Montreal. You got approved, that's all that matters and you got MG (movie voice guy) who does indeed look like a movie version of a sports hero or resembles Matthew Modine, depending on who you ask. Mom calls him the Mormon guy because he looks like what everyone's idea of a Mormon looks like. Since you were getting approved, MG figured you could b*tch about the US, just like a real resident. Special thanks to you for the extra info on MG's education, you can bet all those VJers going for their interviews in the satrapy of Canada will start memorizing Anabasis as soon as possible. I wonder if MG knows the distance to the Metro in parasangs. You lucked out. B*tch de Torquemada has screwed over too damn many people for it to be coincidence. Congrats!!!!!!

BTW, Have you remembered to give thanks to Saint Lenina?

Edited February 8, 2008 by IR5FORMUMSIE

[Carlawarla 1]

That was an informative and humourous posting! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your approval!

Edited February 8, 2008 by Carlawarla

[T.O_2_FL 0]

Congrats!

I hope we get Movie Guy too! he he he

[Ron/Sharon 0]

Congratulation,love your twist on the interview. I hope you get your x-rays with no more problems. I'm sure your glad you didnt get Debbie the ####### of Montreal who I'm sure the the girl with the engagement photos got, she is one lady that should not be in the position she is in. For those yet to go through Montreal Debbie is or was the slightly heavyset, caucasian blond woman with as you read above with an attitude when I went through there.

Ron

[Flames9_RN 358]

congrats!!

[Galateia 1]

Thanks for relating your experience at Montreal. You got approved, that's all that matters and you got MG (movie voice guy) who does indeed look like a movie version of a sports hero or resembles Matthew Modine, depending on who you ask. Mom calls him the Mormon guy because he looks like what everyone's idea of a Mormon looks like. Since you were getting approved, MG figured you could b*tch about the US, just like a real resident. Special thanks to you for the extra info on MG's education, you can bet all those VJers going for their interviews in the satrapy of Canada will start memorizing Anabasis as soon as possible. I wonder if MG knows the distance to the Metro in parasangs. You lucked out. B*tch de Torquemada has screwed over too damn many people for it to be coincidence. Congrats!!!!!!

BTW, Have you remembered to give thanks to Saint Lenina?

I suppose bribing him with some drachmas wouldn't fly, either. You could try letting out a 'pheu, pheu' here and there if you really want to sound pitiful, I guess.

I honestly wasn't trying to knock the US, just rationalize why my interview was over before I had the chance to prove anything. He also remarked that my guy is a 'smartie' when I answered what my guy is doing his PhD on. I didn't preen, I swear ... okay, maybe a little. He asked how we met, and I had to explain why he filed from TX though I stayed with him in KY (prompting the school question), and where I was planning on working in the US. I explained that I'm working at a call centre now to pay off my loans during this process, and that since I'm finishing my second month in a row at the top of my team, I don't foresee any issues with getting hired at the call centre down the street from our apartment. Then I'll be looking for a better paying job once my thesis is submitted, that prompted an explanation on how I'll graduate at a distance once it's in. He asked about marriage plans, I gave him the May 1st goal we're shooting for, including our court house marriage so we can get cracking on the AOS and worry about a full-out wedding later when we can afford it.

I also never got to mention that my guy is going to be working for the Air Force, I'm sure that would have scored us some brownie points, but I guess it wasn't necessary. I think the fact that his dad was our co-sponsor also helped our case, because his family has obviously met me and approve of the relationship as his dad is putting himself on the line for us.

What boggles my mind is that I didn't need any of the proof we had of our ongoing relationship, as it's been over a year since I got packet 3 due to all the interview delays. Here I was all psyched to build our case and ... some chit chat about chorals delivered in song later and I'm out the door, already approved.

I'm dying to know what happened to the second Jessica and whether the Nasty Lady decided to claim cultural intolerance and block her due to that engagement ceremony. I hope she comes here and lets us know.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Hilarious review...congratulations!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

amazing review! LOL I loved the read.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SpiritAlight 1]

Congrats Galateia!

I do hope your x-ray gets found and taken care of and back in your hands soon.

You sure made me laugh about your COs background and all that nervous conversation. Ha!

AS for traditional engagement parties, had both my sweetie and I lived in Montreal my Greek-Canadian parents would have thrown a doozy.

That's just what they do.

It is as big as a wedding and full course meals and dancing and et al.

Thank goodness we got off with a smaller "let's go out to a nice resto" with some of their friends and only ate and drank until we couldn't move anymore.

"Garcon! Wheelchair, please."

Why would she be getting shite from her interviewer about it?

Was she jealous she had never even hear of such magnificent things?? Hmmmm....

[trailmix 77]

Great review Galateia and congratulations

Me, in a moment of utter ####### WAS I THINKING CHRIST ON A POGO STICK: "Well, with Canadians I guess it's obvious we'd only be going for love"

Me: *OMG DID I JUST INSULT THE USA TO THE FACE OF THE MAN WHO IS APPROVING ME TO GO THERE?! *

Edited February 8, 2008 by trailmix

[kimmbo 0]

You know Im so happy for you!! Hows your finger?!..LOL.. wonderful review! and so glad you got Movie Phone Voice Guy!..LOL...I still dont understand why they even say to bring the darn Xray, it is a pain in the booty! I think were gonna frame my husbands and put it in his office..just for the heck of it..LOL

Congrats my friend!