August 2008 Filers

[Cuchita 1]

Thanks for the tip I will start with the chocolate!

Hey, just popped in to see that everyone is getting sick! Come on guys, give your immune system a kick up the ###, it needs to stay strong!

Seriously though, stress-related problems is completely normal.

Have you all heard of the Fight or Flight mechanism? Most people know about this, it's one of the things you learn about in first year of psychology, how the body deals with stress. It goes into Alert (responding to the anxiety), then Resistence (attempting to fight off the stress via all of those body changes you're experiencing, faster heartbeat, feeling sick in the stomach, headaches, insomnia, etc) and then eventually Exhaustion. This is where your immune system is down from all the high levels of stress that your body is trying to fight off. It makes you feel tired, "empty", anxious, and prone to illness.

There's nothing that can make your stress go away because we don't have control over the immigration process, but you can make it easier to deal with.... eat healthily, get lots of rest/sleep, exercise, learn how to handle "attacks" that you get to recognise... treat yourself on your bad days, and make the most out of the good days. Remind yourself that you have a large support group ready to help, and that each week is one step closer.

Certain foods boost levels of serotonin (happy chemicals) such as chocolate and bananas..

Also, this is a personal tip, but rather than stressing yourselves out further by constantly checking Igor and the USCIS site, remind yourself that you're unlikely to see anything until December. I don't check for updates everyday because the status is the same, and of course I expect that because July is only just getting started!

Until then, you might as well take it easy and keep yourself busy doing pleasant things that you enjoy.

Keep up the optimism, guys and girls!

[maliciant 7]

Diarhea... this thread just took a turn for the worse!!!

I have been kind of forgetful lately... or maybe it's more not attentive... I've had a few occasions where I wore my running shoes to work instead of my work shoes, the other day I managed to make it to the end of the day before I realized I had done it. My sleeping schedule is pretty screwy so that's probably related.

I'm not into checking USCIS that often because I don't expect it to change... but I'm an igor addict... I DO expect it to change, when it doesn't it sucks, one of these times I might have to put my willpower to the test and try to avoid all my K-1 related bad habits... one of them... reading these forums!

[Gemmie 142]

I disagree with the last part, reading these forums is a perfectly healthy thing to do.

Edited November 5, 2008 by Gemmie

[Chris & Mara 0]

Hey now Maliciant don't you go avoid us!

Thanks for the tips Gemmie, I have found that through this I have had extraordinary will power and have not Once, thats right, not at all check my case on the USCIS site..... lol - though given if I had a case or reciept number I would probably have it perminately open on my PC....

As for getting sick, well sadly I am allergic to Spring, and with it in full swing down the bottem of the planet I am not coping to well with that, plus working 2 jobs means Im a bit tired, but give it 3 weeks and I should be fine, December will be here, and I will into the serious count down for Chris' arrival. Only 43 days to go now

[Gemmie 142]

It must be strange having December/Christmas in the Summer...

[Chris & Mara 0]

Piff, I find this whole Summer in June thing odd, I had my 21st in summer, weirdest thing ever!

The other 20 years were celebrated in cold, I am hoping that my 22nd will be celebrated in similar weather.... lol

[Stinkerpotsam 6]

...but I'm an igor addict... I DO expect it to change, when it doesn't it sucks...

And worse...when it goes the wrong direction...mine gained a point the other day

[Gemmie 142]

Silly question but do you still have a Christmas tree, Mara? You're missing all the pretty snow and stuff!!

My timeline is always moving, just moved back a week... it doesn't mean much at all, just that others have joined/added their timelines or whatever. I'm just telling myself that it'll come around 10th - 31st December somewhere.

Edited November 5, 2008 by Gemmie

[Chris & Mara 0]

Yes we still have a tree, lights and all, though ill admit it, ours is plastic......

We do fun things at christmas, open our pressies out in the patio, have a bbq for lunch, etc.

New years is good, we all go up the coast sit on the beach and watch the fireworks they lauch off the barges in the ocean, something I will miss in the States.

[maliciant 7]

I'm more into watching the number of approvals, not the position on the list... I got sick of watching that move the wrong way far too often a long time ago, I do look now and then to see where I'm at... I recently got post 250 mark which seems like a nice goal line... under 200 will be nice, but it's likely to be almost a month away for me.

[Donna-marie 0]

ok chocolate i can handle exercise hmmmmmm have to think about that one think i might b allergic

[Fred N Emilia 0]

I'm more into watching the number of approvals, not the position on the list... I got sick of watching that move the wrong way far too often a long time ago, I do look now and then to see where I'm at... I recently got post 250 mark which seems like a nice goal line... under 200 will be nice, but it's likely to be almost a month away for me.

I agree coz some of those people forget to update their timelines!

[HappyDancer 7]

heya everyone! just finished talking to my dearest. sorry for being absent on you all. I worked the normal shift here in the PHilippines if you can believe that?! my honey was not very happy about it though - no one he loves pinging him throughout the day! LOL

You are right Gemmie and Maliciant - I have lost several pounds off after that month long rest from the hospital. I am now back to stretching and working out. I am also wearing my running shoes all the time when I go to work if I can help it. Chocolate freezes everyday, despite the doctor's warnings. And honestly, it really helped with my stress level. I am feeling so much better now and I have lost so much weight. The effect of stress on me is sudden weight gain. So now that some pounds are shed off that should be a good sign. Also, I went to the pharmacy to get me Vitamin D, E, B complex and some body and spa stuff that I am planning to go ahead start off with before my honey gets here. I want to look really good for him. Weird since I am never the vain type.

I also got myself my own manicure and foot spa kit. I have ugly feet! EEeeeekkkkk. So, I am trying my best to look human when he gets to see me in December!

Fred, maybe you should do a side trip to Cebu when you get here. I would love to be your tour guide.

Thank you for the enlightenment on Igor's list Harsh and Maliciant. There are many more approvals for July guys. I am a member of another forum where I have met Filipinas getting approvals this week who were July Filers. So keep your heads up.

Estadia, I am hoping and praying for your case. Hang in there for your SO.

Two more days guys and it's the weekend.

Me and my officemates are planning to go to a nearby island on the Thanksgiving weekend. I will post pics when I get back. I am sooooo excited!

What are your plans for this weekend?

Edited November 6, 2008 by HappyDancer

[Fred N Emilia 0]

Happy - You lost weight? Me too, I was 146lbs lastweek and now im 139lbs. It takes months for me to gain weight, I'd be lucky to gain a pund in a week.

Cebu? I never been to Cebu, I wish I can go but I am only staying for 2 weeks. I am hoping to have my NOA2 by then. Oh man HAPPY, you have 45 more days to go, you are 10 days ahead of me, i still have 55!

[HappyDancer 7]

yipeeeyaaya! All the more you should drop by Cebu even for just a day or two. I am a specialist when it comes to gaining weight. LOL

Happy dance for me in 45 days! Yebba!

*currently listening to Alicia Keys' If I ain't Got You* I love this song. It pierces the heart. I would honestly drop anything in a heartbeat just to be with my honey. Anything...

Edited November 6, 2008 by HappyDancer