January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?

[Levi_Heather 0]

I wonder if that was just a standard reply they give? Not what it will actually be.... I would expect it to be close to others around your own timeline. The way they do things seems so random sometimes. I really don't understand some of it. I hope you find out something more soon and thats not as long as they say I've felt totally stressed through this whole thing and can't wait for it to be over!

[WaitForever 0]

I wonder if that was just a standard reply they give? Not what it will actually be.... I would expect it to be close to others around your own timeline. The way they do things seems so random sometimes. I really don't understand some of it. I hope you find out something more soon and thats not as long as they say I've felt totally stressed through this whole thing and can't wait for it to be over!

you guys were lucky that you are going through Vancouver. Seems like at every turn we get the short end of the stick: We had to go through CSC, then Canada Post lost our Packet 3, and now this. Feels like every time we try to expedite things or even ask whats going out we get slammed down. We are both feeling so beat up and exhausted by this process. Do you think that's part of the plan - to try and test us to see if the relationship is strong enough - or maybe just petty power tripping? I'm thinking its the latter.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Also - YAY! SMS just texted me to say that my visa will be delivered tomorrow! Right on time!

Congrats!!

btw... SMS texted you? Isn't a text also a SMS? hehehe

It is (in America!). That confused me at first when I read about it elsewhere. But here it stands for Secure Mail Services - they're supposed to deliver me my visa in person.

you guys were lucky that you are going through Vancouver. Seems like at every turn we get the short end of the stick: We had to go through CSC, then Canada Post lost our Packet 3, and now this. Feels like every time we try to expedite things or even ask whats going out we get slammed down. We are both feeling so beat up and exhausted by this process. Do you think that's part of the plan - to try and test us to see if the relationship is strong enough - or maybe just petty power tripping? I'm thinking its the latter.

Probably the latter. So sorry you're having so many problems; hope it gets a little better very soon.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Searching for cheap flights:

Gatwick > Houston > San Jose for £360 on the 18th November! There's a four hour layover at Houston (plenty of time to go through customs) and I'd be flying with Continental Airlines.

...anyone see a catch? It sounds pretty much ideal, but I don't believe I've ever flown with Continental.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Searching for cheap flights:

Gatwick > Houston > San Jose for £360 on the 18th November! There's a four hour layover at Houston (plenty of time to go through customs) and I'd be flying with Continental Airlines.

...anyone see a catch? It sounds pretty much ideal, but I don't believe I've ever flown with Continental.

I have, the last time I was out there in July in fact, and have had no issues at all. It's United you want to avoid (presuming you expect to find your luggage waiting for you at your final destination )

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Haha, I did lose my luggage once and I believe I flew with United then!

Thanks Damian. I may just book that flight, then!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Woo! Visa arrived.

Gah. They DO use the passport photo of you for the actual visa. It's ghastly, really, truly hideous. It's going to upset me every time I see it now!

Warning to all: Make sure you have a decent passport photo taken!

Edited August 22, 2008 by Alex & Rachel

[Gemmie 142]

Which version of the passport photo? The one you gave at London?

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Yup!

I'd paid far too much for some terrible photos (that the woman didn't let me look at before printing off...) and was debating having them taken again, but in the end I felt it would be too much hassle.

So just make sure you like the passport photos you submit to the embassy!

[Gemmie 142]

Will do!

Though your visa will be void upon entry anyway... it's not like your greencard photo or anything.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

True - but it's glued to a page in your passport!

Oh well - I am renewing my passport as soon as I enter the States.

It's a very small gripe, I realise, and of course I am happy I have my visa! Bad photos just irritate me more than they really should.

[sunnybear 0]

True - but it's glued to a page in your passport!

Oh well - I am renewing my passport as soon as I enter the States.

It's a very small gripe, I realise, and of course I am happy I have my visa! Bad photos just irritate me more than they really should.

I am LMAO over here cause Gareths photos are quite bad....I tell him that is why they did not let him in last December as he looks like he is on Americas Most Wanted list or something in his pic..doesn't help they don't let u smile haha! But yeah then he said he called the guy to order some more of his and the guy at the shop was all "Oh you were that sinister looking bloke right?" LMFAO.....so yeah I am sure yours isn't THAT bad Rach heehee

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Also - YAY! SMS just texted me to say that my visa will be delivered tomorrow! Right on time!

Congrats!!

btw... SMS texted you? Isn't a text also a SMS? hehehe

It is (in America!). That confused me at first when I read about it elsewhere. But here it stands for Secure Mail Services - they're supposed to deliver me my visa in person.

lol, not only there, also over here in the Netherlands, Belgium and many other countries... you Brits are being against the stream again, just like that silly left side driving of you guys hahaha

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Searching for cheap flights:

Gatwick > Houston > San Jose for £360 on the 18th November! There's a four hour layover at Houston (plenty of time to go through customs) and I'd be flying with Continental Airlines.

...anyone see a catch? It sounds pretty much ideal, but I don't believe I've ever flown with Continental.

I don't really see a catch but the 4 hour layover (lol, I have a 1.5 hr layover only) might make things already a bit cheaper and, yeah, continental is usually cheaper than BA or KLM normally. I don't know about their quality or anything tho, I usually only fly KLM (or NWA as it is their partner) and BA.

Woo! Visa arrived.

Gah. They DO use the passport photo of you for the actual visa. It's ghastly, really, truly hideous. It's going to upset me every time I see it now!

Warning to all: Make sure you have a decent passport photo taken!

Congrats!!!

And lol.. I know about the picture.. I'm not too happy about my own picture either lol.. oh well, it will only be in my passport for 2 years, then I'll need a new passport hehe

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I usually fly United or American Airlines - whatever is the cheapest!

I've not had any real problems, other than the Chicago night fiasco, but it wasn't exactly the airline's fault that tornadoes struck. The lost luggage was as a result of that.

Talking of we Brits being against the stream - *ahem* may I remind you what we are all speaking here? English sure wasn't named so for America! Calling it a text makes more sense than SMS anyhow!

Hurrah, I am not alone - Gareth, Jeroen and I can all be terrible passport photo buddies. I don't look evil; the lady who took my photo just managed to give me a triple chin and greasy cheeks (love the flash!) and a man-jaw (odd upwards-angle, you can see up my nose).

BTW cross fingers Alex should be getting a raise at his review next month! I'm suspicious of his work. Apparently three co-workers have dubbed him the 'sexier Harry Potter' (#######?!) and now another co-worker has put in a good word for him recommending that he be given a big raise. I am glad, but also find it very strange.