January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?

[BlakeandOlha 0]

For myself, I know it is difficult to empathize with a January filer who voicing impatience with a process that is so much shorter than the one I am facing - it may not be "fair" that our processing times are so different, but its also not fair to rain on their parade or dismiss the concerns of the VSC filers.

I'm not a January CSC filer, I'm a February...but I just had to put in my props to you for starting this thread. I keep feeling guilty when a VSC person complains about their timeline and I have to work hard to muster up sympathy. I don't begrudge them their fast timelines, I wish I could have one...but I know that I'm looking at two or three times their wait.

I've seen it done before - You Are Now an Honorary January Filer

[BlakeandOlha 0]

I filed on 12/31, so I'm kinda a Jan filer. I congratulate all the new NOA2's from Vermont, but I still wish it was me too.

Since no one at the CSC was working on 12/31 (of that I can promise you), you can default yourself right into the January group if you want. How are you handling the wait and separation?

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

I know about doing the math stuff When I first entered in my timeline info and I saw Igor's listing I was number 260 on the waiting for approval listing. It's been interesting watching the number go up and down as new people join. Now I'm at 200, but that doesn't mean I won't be at 210 tomorrow. Even though I realize that it doesn't make a bit of difference as to what my ultimate approval time is, I don't like it when my ranking goes down.

With all the waiting involved I've been thinking about ways not to let either myself or Olha to get depressed about all this. I want to redocorate the house - paint, drapes, new carpeting, and all that. Initially I was thinking that it would be good to do all these things before she arrived. I'm starting to think, however, that perhaps that is not such a good idea. I think having her spend time thinking about what she'd like to do, planning how she'd like things to look, and then actually working side by side with me to get it done, will not only give us both something to distract us for the next 6 months, but also give her that sense of immediate contribution to our new "family" when she is here. Once the fun of planning the decorating wears off, my next step is to encourage her to start shopping for her wedding dress, that should extend the good mood for at least another 45 days.

Anybody have any other ideas on how to help our SO's get through this as well?

The decoration is a good idea because that would take plenty of time, but you're right, it is better to do it when Olga gets there. And I can't do any decoration since I'm the foreign one: no need to decorate if I leave my apartment in 6 months!

I've spent time wondering what we'll do for our wedding, I even chose my wedding dress, then I stopped and decided to look for information on the documents I'll need at the embassy. Then, I started thinking of the wedding again (but this time I have a few ideeas!). Next step: gather evidences for the interview. Then, choose accessories for the dress.

I also plan to make a photo album of the people and places I will miss in France. That should keep me busy for a while! But then when I finish it, I'll be happy to have it.

[BlakeandOlha 0]

The decoration is a good idea because that would take plenty of time, but you're right, it is better to do it when Olga gets there. And I can't do any decoration since I'm the foreign one: no need to decorate if I leave my apartment in 6 months!

I've spent time wondering what we'll do for our wedding, I even chose my wedding dress, then I stopped and decided to look for information on the documents I'll need at the embassy. Then, I started thinking of the wedding again (but this time I have a few ideeas!). Next step: gather evidences for the interview. Then, choose accessories for the dress.

I also plan to make a photo album of the people and places I will miss in France. That should keep me busy for a while! But then when I finish it, I'll be happy to have it.

Great idea about the photo album. Olga is also busy collecting and writing down all of her family's receipies to bring with her. I got her a receipie organizer and accessories as one of her Christmas gifts - and encourged her to get receipies from the people she loves there - kinda like being able to bring a part of that over with her. It also gives her a reason to get out to see old family and friends that she might not have seen in a while. The only downside of this is that I'll probably have to finally figure out the metric scale for measurements - which I've been avoiding since the days of Jimmy Carter. Olga's very busy so I don't know how far she'll get with it, but I think something like this will bring out some good stories (As we dig into Aunt Lara's Peach Cobbler).

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

Aunt Lara's Peach Cobbler?

the idea of getting recipes is also a great idea!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I just feel really sorry for those who filed in July, August, September and October who have not yet been approved! I wish them all the best.

I feel in limbo...there's little point in me starting to pack things up just yet, nor is there any point in cancelling phone/cinema subscription, etc. I can't really do anything to prepare! I just have to continue paying off my credit card; I don't want to start shopping for anything until that's done.

I'm really worried about the financial aspect...at this rate I'm not going to afford a wedding dress of any kind, and I'm secretly hoping that my parents will offer to pay some of my moving costs as a birthday present (my birthday's in August - I'm hoping I'll be moving soon afterwards!) I can't exactly earn any more - there's no point switching jobs as no one would employ me for only six months (plus I rather like my job!) Things keep cropping up - and friends and family keep insisting I visit them before I move, although no one's offered to pay for any train tickets! Is this terrible of me? I would never, ever expect to have to rely on my family financially, but I don't earn that much and no one's appearing sensitive to the fact that I'm having to pay for trips to London, a plane ticket, moving costs, and a wedding! Argh!

And yes, Igor's lists are huuugely helpful - thank you very much to the mysterious Igor

Edited February 29, 2008 by Alex & Rachel

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Dr. Zhivago was on TCM last night.....I don't know if Olga has an aunt Lara But I hope so, cause I love peach cobbler.

Rachel, I agree with you about the July, August, and Sept filers - they need to get some CSC Love. Actually, Eli, who has been sitting out there since early July just got approved today - which is great news.

I also agree that this is a very expensive process. I believe that rather than run all over getting together with friends and family - have them all come to you for a party or something. Even better, make it a pot-luck so they can each bring food as well. We all have to watch out pennies at this time, especially for us USC's as we watch our exchange rates plummet. Argh! is right.

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

Rachel, this is not terrible of you. Yes the process is very expensive and having to spend money for other things (such as visit friends and family) sometimes sounds unaffordable, and people don't get it.

As for the dress and the wedding, I don't want to spend a lot (I say "I" instead of "we" because I have more money than my fiance, so I know i'll be the one paying, even though that won't make much difference once we're married). The process is expensive enough, and like you I won't have an income for several months once in the US. We'll probably do only a small ceremony. Like exchange our vows in front of people we know and then have an appetizer, or cakes, something simple. There won't be a big dinner, decoration will probably be very light, etc. And the fact that we can't choose a date yet doesn't make it easy, so let's keep it simple.

For the dress, you can look online. I found a beautiful dress on ebay, it was cheap. I sent them my measurements and now I'm waiting. Of course, as long as I don't get it, I'm still afraid it's not going to fit, but I know someone who will fix it for me if there's a problem. It's not as wonderful as going to stores but that is still an option.

Dr. Zhivago was on TCM last night.....I don't know if Olga has an aunt Lara But I hope so, cause I love peach cobbler.

never watched Dr. Zhivago, that's why I didn't know aunt Lara! though I looked for peach cobbler on google and it looks tasty.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Thank you, Blake and Cecile! Yes, I'm trying to persuade my friends and family to visit me - although most of the time they want me to visit for birthday parties and the like! My dad's 50th is next month and he's having a huge party next weekend in my home town plus he wants immediate family to attend a concert in London for his actual birthday! Still, I'll get to see many of my relatives at the party, and after all, I was visiting Alex this Christmas so did not get to see them then.

Our wedding will be cheap and small(ish) - many of my friends and family are prepared to fly out, which is very sweet of them, but also has me worrying about the number of people who'll be attending! I'm envisioning lots of home-made food and decorations (I've learned how to make lanterns from willow and tissue paper recently, I'm really tempted to make some). I think I shall have to look at ebay.

Yes - the exchange rate does indeed suck. I know Alex would be happy to help with some things but, like you, Cecile, I'm the higher earner (by a narrow margin) and he needs to save all he can for the months when I'll be unable to work.

Dr. Zhivago is one of my mother's favourite books, and she has a dog called Lara...does that count for anything?

[Badrs Love 0]

I filed on 12/31, so I'm kinda a Jan filer. I congratulate all the new NOA2's from Vermont, but I still wish it was me too.

Since no one at the CSC was working on 12/31 (of that I can promise you), you can default yourself right into the January group if you want. How are you handling the wait and separation?

The wait is awful, but thankfully I'm flying out on March 4th to spend 3 weeks with my baby. And then hopefully it won't be much longer after that that he'll be coming home to me.

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Dr. Zhivago is one of my mother's favourite books, and she has a dog called Lara...does that count for anything?

Lara was Zhivago's long time love, ahem... and mistress. I don't think she was anyone's aunt. I just picked a name and there you go. Great movie and Pasternek wrote a great book - tragic love story. It was actually banned in the old Soviet Union. Go rent it, you'll enjoy it. And yes, it all counts for something.

My wedding will be cheap and smallish too - nothing wrong with that at all. Tasteful doesn't have to mean expensive, nor does the money you spend indicate your degree of love for one another. That might be what the bridal mags tell you, but they're supporting an industry. Your lantern idea is great - just have fun and don't try to live up to other people's expectations - just you and your man.

[BlakeandOlha 0]

I filed on 12/31, so I'm kinda a Jan filer. I congratulate all the new NOA2's from Vermont, but I still wish it was me too.

Since no one at the CSC was working on 12/31 (of that I can promise you), you can default yourself right into the January group if you want. How are you handling the wait and separation?

The wait is awful, but thankfully I'm flying out on March 4th to spend 3 weeks with my baby. And then hopefully it won't be much longer after that that he'll be coming home to me.

Congratulations, I'm trying to save for all the moving, wedding, etc., etc., expenses - but I know I'll have to give in at some point to go see her. I miss her very much. Three weeks with your SO is great! I am very happy for you.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

The Soviet Union banned some of the best books! Considering several of my favourite authors are either Russian or Ukrainian I shall have to read it one day. And then watch the movie.

Thank you for being so positive to everyone, Blake! You're doing a fantastic job keeping us January filers together.

And, aw, I received a letter from my paternal grandpa today - he's never written before, and he doesn't speak much, but last year when I was visiting I looked through the book he'd compiled on his WW2 experiences, and discovered that during that time he had spent a few months in America, and when this was mentioned to him he became very enthusiastic and enamoured; it was obvious his time spent in the US had meant a great deal to him. He sounds really delighted that I am going to be moving there!

Badrs - have a fantastic time with your fiancé! I'm quite jealous!

[aravis227 1]

The only downside of this is that I'll probably have to finally figure out the metric scale for measurements - which I've been avoiding since the days of Jimmy Carter.

www.onlineconversion.com is your friend!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Living in the UK can be hard - we give our height in feet, our weight in stones, measure small distances in centimetres and metres but long distances in miles. Food in the supermarkets is usually weighed in grams and kilograms but when I cook at home I use pounds and ounces. Phew!

I use online conversions all the time!