January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

2 months? that's pretty long.

On another note, I received my NOA1s for the AOS today. A new waiting game started, but I'm not really waiting at this point. We are together, I like being a housewife, there's still some money on my bank account (not sure for how long though ), so really, I don't feel like I'm waiting for anything. Unless I can't get a driver license with my NOA1. Then yes, I'd be waiting impatiently!

[lucie&damon 0]

2 months? that's pretty long.

On another note, I received my NOA1s for the AOS today. A new waiting game started, but I'm not really waiting at this point. We are together, I like being a housewife, there's still some money on my bank account (not sure for how long though ), so really, I don't feel like I'm waiting for anything. Unless I can't get a driver license with my NOA1. Then yes, I'd be waiting impatiently!

Good news Cécile!

I hope you'll get your driver's licence with this document now!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Rachel, nice invitations! What did you use to make them?

Thank you for the compliments, guys!

Cecile - I used my dad's laser printer to print them, then a nice, sharp scalpel, not scissors, to cut all of the paper and the holes for the ribbon - it makes a much cleaner edge! I wanted a fairly simple design that wouldn't take long to make - and I made all forty invitations in one evening, so I succeeded there. The blue paper was glued using spray mount, and not ordinary glue, for a smoother finish.

The invitations are more of a creamy colour than they appear to be in the photo. And I originally wanted a lighter blue ribbon that matched the colour of the writing, but unfortunately the craft shop ran out of that so I had to settle for the darker blue.

Jeroen - I've had a look at your blog and I love your photos! And what amazing weather you had! Everything looks so crisp and clean. I really love Michelle's dress - it's beautiful (as is she!).

Cecile - sorry to hear of all the problems you're having! The amount they ask us to do is just mind-boggling. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying life - the worst thing must be if one is bored or lonely after the marriage.

[CourtAndGrey 0]

Hey friends! Sorry I've been M.I.A., life has been keeping me busy! As well as my NEW HUSBAND! Hope everyone is doing well. I tried to read through and catch up on all the updates! CONGRATS to everyone!

Just wanted to say to Cecile that our NOA1 is right behind yours for the AOS. I'll be keeping an eye on your timeline and will hopefully follow quickly.

Hope everyone is wonderful and is already or almost reunited with their loved ones!!

2 months? that's pretty long.

On another note, I received my NOA1s for the AOS today. A new waiting game started, but I'm not really waiting at this point. We are together, I like being a housewife, there's still some money on my bank account (not sure for how long though ), so really, I don't feel like I'm waiting for anything. Unless I can't get a driver license with my NOA1. Then yes, I'd be waiting impatiently!

[CourtAndGrey 0]

Congrats on all your updates Sunny! I've thought of you often. How many more sleeps now???

Hey all no pumpkin carving for me yet....dunno if we will this year although daughter been bugging me so we prob will once Gareth arrives.

His visa arrived today no problems so we are sooooo excited! 10 more sleeps!!!

Beautiful invites Rachel! Glad everything is shaping up for you two!

One more month for me now. The days are flying by!

I made my invitations, finally:

Happy Getting Married Day!!! Congrats you two!

Yepz, today was the day.. it is 10.20pm here as I am writing this, we came home about an hour ago and are updating friends and family as we speak (thats why I hop by here too ).

[sunnybear 0]

EEEEEEEEEE getting closer to Gareth's arrival! Getting sooo nervous for him on his travels and just overall the huge change it will be for him! But on the other hand cannot wait to have him here and feel his arms around me!!!! it will all have been worth it then!!! 3 more sleeps!

[Pam&Josh 0]

Yeah!!!

I am so happy for you!!!! don't worry, eveything will be great, and yes, you will be around his arms really soon!!

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

EEEEEEEEEE getting closer to Gareth's arrival! Getting sooo nervous for him on his travels and just overall the huge change it will be for him! But on the other hand cannot wait to have him here and feel his arms around me!!!! it will all have been worth it then!!! 3 more sleeps!

I'm happy for you I agree, it will all be worth when you both are together again, I know it was worth it for me too

And yes!!! I got my Social Security Number (actually I don't know if I should be happy about it, I will have to pay taxes now haha). It took 8 days or so for it to get it at my place, so that went pretty smooth.. I hope the rest goes just as easy ^^

Next stop: Probably the DMV as we'll have to wait for the marriage certificate (we asked an expedited one, still takes about 3-4 weeks, but ok, it beats the 3-4 months wait) so we can file AOS and such.

Ah, and as for nice weather, you might wanna stay out of Hawaii at the moment.. it has been raining for two days.. bleh rain season :/ (and the crappy part about the rain is that we had our 'small' wedding party (looking into the register, I think there was over 60 people (there goes keeping it small hahaa)) yesterday evening while it was so wet, and we held it outside lol... oh well, the garage was big enough, there was a tent and the side of the house is also completely covered by something so people didn't had to get wet, it was pretty nice yesterday)

[sunnybear 0]

Man oh man 2 more sleeps! Haha I am gonna be a mess tomorrow I reckon with excitement!

I told Gareth we will plan a trip to the UK in 2010. I really want to make it a priority we got back every other year to visit family and friends there....most likely tax return will cover this every other year haha. He seemed super pleased about it as I know he is getting sad leaving his family and friends and only life he has ever known!

Are any of you thinking of when you will get chances to visit "home" ?

[MissYoko 4]

Hey guys!!!

OMG just some more days and Gally and I we will fly finally to Chicago!

Tomorrow I'll cut my internet and cellphone. Wednesday at the morning the movers come, at the afternoon i'll give my key back to my landlord and at the evening Gally and I we will sleep at a hotel to the airport.

Then, Thursday morning we have our flight!!!

I'm excited, stressed etc!

In our case we got 2 brown sealed envelopes, one for me one for Gally.

Thank you Cecile for your sweet comment

Sunny, for us travelling back to France will be often and asap 'cause Gally has to visit her dad.

So, we will ask to expedite our AP 'cause I got a court order about Gally's visits to her dad. I hope it will work fine.

Hugs and kisses to you all

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Are any of you thinking of when you will get chances to visit "home" ?

I made a promise to my daughter that I would come back at least once a year so I'm sure gonna try to make that happen also. Depending on if I get the AP on time, I will fly back in February for my moms 60th birthday and go another time after (or during) summertime again.. if the AP does not come on time, then I will only go during or at the end of the summer.

Besides this, I'll also make sure that I always have enough money ready in case something happens back home so I can fly back if needed.. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if, for example, something happens to my closest relatives and I can't be there for them.

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

Are any of you thinking of when you will get chances to visit "home" ?

My plan was that next year (2009) my parents come to the USA, and the year after I (or we, depending on how things work with jobs, vacation time, etc) would go back to France for a week or two. So that would be 2010. I don't want to go back to France to early because I want to make my life here first. And then, maybe I'll go back every two year or so.

[Pam&Josh 0]

Are any of you thinking of when you will get chances to visit "home" ?

I made the promise to come back every year in my country. This year,I want to come back before next summer! It is very important to me, I am really close to my family, and my sister just gave bith a week ago!! I want to see my 2nd nephew! and I want them to know that even if I am far away, I am still their aunt, and I will be always here for them.

Like Jeroen, I will always make sure to have some money on the side, like that, if anything bad happen, I will be able to go on the next plane.

Leaving away from your family isn't easy everyday!! I've never been "homesick" since I arrived, I love being here with my love; but it is true that I felt sad to do not be able to be here for the birth of my nephew! That event really made me realise that now, this is how it will be! Thanks internet and skype by the way!

[CourtAndGrey 0]

Greivin and I hope to have a second house in Costa Rica. We want to be able to spend a month or two out of every summer down there. We know it's asking a lot from a job, but that would be in a perfect world.

Plus, for all those other months we are here, our friends can use the Costa Rica house for vacations! Anyone wanna make a reservation?

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Are any of you thinking of when you will get chances to visit "home" ?

My plan was that next year (2009) my parents come to the USA

lol thats another thing i have to keep in mind.. i want to get my mom, sister, her bf and kid and my daughter to Hawaii either 2009 or 2010.. kinda depending when we will redo the whole wedding.. thing is, I will have to pay for their trips lol.. gonna be a costly wedding :S

Leaving away from your family isn't easy everyday!! I've never been "homesick" since I arrived, I love being here with my love; but it is true that I felt sad to do not be able to be here for the birth of my nephew! That event really made me realise that now, this is how it will be! Thanks internet and skype by the way!

It's like I hear myself speaking... I thought I would be homesick but I haven't been homesick since I am here, it is so weird.. and congrats with your nephew... I got myself a new nephew too since about a week or so (and like you, I too cannot see him IRL ).