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

[Kim & Chris 0]

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

[kiwiana 2]

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.

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

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.

[cdneh 3,112]

Really hot here in Virginia as well. Just come in from shopping and I think I need a nap

I sent our AOS packet off today...we meant to post it Monday but my husbands daughter laid her Harley down on Monday morning, she was cut off by a car just a few blocks from here. We had to wait for her signature on the I-864A. She's basically unhurt except for a bit of road-rash, and a scraped up elbow. Her writing hand She was beside herself about making us wait, but a few days makes no never mind.

The bike is fine..she told me I had to say that

[kelzm 0]

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.

[cdneh 3,112]

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!

[Kim & Chris 0]

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 0]

P.S. Glad hubby's daughter is ok, and congrats for getting your next lot of paperwork sent off

[Kim & Chris 0]

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

[cdneh 3,112]

Walking out the door here gives me the feeling I am trying to breathe through a wet sweater

[kiwiana 2]

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!

[cdneh 3,112]

Yes..I am back in the queue....another blessed queue....

[kelzm 0]

106 here today. Apparently it'll cool down come Monday.

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

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!!

[cdneh 3,112]

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!!

Congratulations! That is great news!