lucky FEBRUARY 2009 FILERS

[SomberCat 0]

Oh wow, time really flies by, it was actually in 2006 that they had fried coke. Wooow

Some other interesting fried foods at the State Fair of Texas, aka Fired Food Capital of Texas:

2005 Most Creative Viva Las Vegas Fried Ice Cream

2005 Best Taste Fried PB, Jelly and Banana Sandwich

2006 Most Creative Fried Coke

2006 Best Taste Fried Praline Perfection

2007 Most Creative Deep Fried Latte

2007 Best Taste Texas Fried Cookie Dough

2008 Most Creative Fried Banana Split

2008 Best Taste Chicken Fried Bacon

Hey V, believe it or not, my husband and I were just looking at the list of State Fair foods from Texas and saw that the biggie this year is deep fried butter. Whoa. Not sure what to even make of that. Also, since we're poking around looking at State Fair foods from a state we're nowhere near, it's obviously a really slow Friday night at the Smith house. Look at that, we're old and married already.

I wish I had some big words of advice but I'm at a loss. I'm fortunate in the fact that my husband was more than ready to leave. His daughters are in their 20s so they're on their own, his sister lives an hour away from where he was and his parents are way out in Nova Scotia. When we first started to discuss moving/getting married, I was surprised at how eager he was. Let's face it, he's 50 years old and by that age, most people are pretty stuck in their ways... hell, I was stuck in mine when I was 20 I think. lol Seriously though, he's a perpetual optimist (makes me sick sometimes) and sees this as an opportunity to start a new life that he can't wait to live.

Something Holliday said really rings true - she made an excellent point about trying not to think that just because something is different makes it wrong. I also had to laugh about her cereal comment because when we went to the store for the first time this week, my husband was in hog heaven in the cereal aisle. It was like taking a 5 year old down the aisle. lol People just view things in different ways. For instance, today we ran around figuring out whether he is getting a social security number yet, what he needs to do to get a driver's license, what we need to do to get him on the truck loan (just bought him a new truck today), what we need to do to get him insured, etc. It was quite a hassle and totally different from the way things would have been handled in Canada, but he chose to see it as a challenge rather than a hassle (like me) and we actually had a good time doing it.

Anyway, sorry I don't have any earth-shattering help for you. I'm a cut straight to the chase girl too. Just hang in there and come on here and vent when you need to. I'm sure 99% of the folks out here have the same issues and will totally appreciate where you're coming from. I have to believe that once your husband gets here, things will be great. It will take a little while sure, but he'll make new friends, make new memories and most importantly be with the person he loves.

P.S. My husband says to remind your husband that the beer is really cheap here!

[taj'samericanwife 0]

Yeah they asked for that right after they reviewed my DS-230......I got an RFE for it....which totally freaked me out at first! But then when I read the only things they needed were a fresh new pcc and my AOS stuff.....(and had called nvc and made sure of it) I was good as gold. They also asked for it in my appointment cvr letter too. So yeah, we'll be getting that like a few days before we leave for Islamabad......luckily it only takes my husband less than 1 day to get it each time mahshallah....we already had to get it twice as I made him get it much too early the very first time and realized that uscis didnt require it with the I130....so we did it a second time. Both time it took round about 2000rs and 1 day. So whatever the reason for that is......I'm not worried. Maybe thats just how it is in Sialkot....don't really no though. *shrugs*

Good luck to you guys on getting that pcc!

HEY MUMTAZ, ANY DAY NOW AND THEY WILL MAILING THAT PCC TO MY HUSBAND

HE IS SO NERVOUS AND WORRIED ABOUT THE INTERVIEW. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT? WILL HE BE ON AP? HE LEFT PAKISTAN WHEN HE WAS 19 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES EVER SINCE, WAS A FULL TIME STUDENT WITH A VERY NOBLE PROFESSION. WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 5 YEARS AND MARRIED FOR 2 YEARS THIS COMING OCTOBER, WE HAVE A SON TOGETHER, HE LIVES WITH MY PARENTS...I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER HOLES THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND TO PUT US ON A.P.?

[MumtazG38 1]

Thats the thing Taj, they don't need holes to put Pakistani males on AP.....to be honest there isn't any rhyme or reason to it, there's just the fact that 95% of all males get AP at ISL embassy......but I don't think that it's the same since you'll be going through the embassy in Manilla right? Hopefully AP won't be a big deal for you guys....just make sure he is able to answer all the questions about the two of you, your families and your relationship correctly and inshallah all will go well.

Best of luck to the two of you!!!

Edited September 5, 2009 by MumtazG38

[taj'samericanwife 0]

how i envy all the feb filers who are spending this long weekend with their husbands =(

[nurse1967 287]

how i envy all the feb filers who are spending this long weekend with their husbands =(

Girl don't feel bad I am in the same boat with you

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

how i envy all the feb filers who are spending this long weekend with their husbands =(

Girl don't feel bad I am in the same boat with you

ditto

[vareska 3]

how i envy all the feb filers who are spending this long weekend with their husbands =(

Girl don't feel bad I am in the same boat with you

ditto

ditto^2

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

how i envy all the feb filers who are spending this long weekend with their husbands =(

Girl don't feel bad I am in the same boat with you

ditto

ditto^2

ditto to the 2nd power???

[nurse1967 287]

I think that would be ditto squared!!!

[MumtazG38 1]

I think that would be ditto squared!!!

LOL!

Anyone know why the heck nvc is taking so long to forward my case to ISL embassy? It's been 6 days now and they still haven't sent the file out yet!!! Is this how long it took for everybody or is it just me the nvc is trying to depress to death? I'm praying they'll forward it by the 7th....making it a whole week of laziness on their part.....otherwise I'm just going to lose it completely (i'm sure you all can tell i'm already on the brink of insanity....).

I've been calling the ISL embassy like a mad women for a week now.....and they're ALWAYS BUSY!!!!!!!! Not once have I been able to talk to anyone out of the 500 times I've called!! I'm just so frustrated!!! How am I supposed to request an earlier interview date if NO ONE CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've emailed them daily at PAKIVINFO@state.gov(the email that they say to use for quicker service - NOT!) for the passed 6 days and have gotten nothing from them as of yet, honestly now.....a single reply of an email(which they claim is supposed to be faster service)can't be that difficult!!! I requested them to reschedule for an earlier date is all.....they could at least have the courtesy and decency to simply reply with a yes or no for GOD'S SAKE!

I wish I could calm down....and it could be my hormones driving me up the wall like this for all any of us knows.....but damn I'm just so depressed with the whole "no progress" I've been having with our case for the past few weeks. It feels like I'm already in AP....and dealing with the oh so dead DOS......I shouldn't have to feel like that so soon.....it's not fair! We haven't even had our interview yet.....

Sorry....totally venting....

Edited September 6, 2009 by MumtazG38

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

I think that would be ditto squared!!!

LOL!

Anyone know why the heck nvc is taking so long to forward my case to ISL embassy? It's been 6 days now and they still haven't sent the file out yet!!! Is this how long it took for everybody or is it just me the nvc is trying to depress to death? I'm praying they'll forward it by the 7th....making it a whole week of laziness on their part.....otherwise I'm just going to lose it completely (i'm sure you all can tell i'm already on the brink of insanity....).

I've been calling the ISL embassy like a mad women for a week now.....and they're ALWAYS BUSY!!!!!!!! Not once have I been able to talk to anyone out of the 500 times I've called!! I'm just so frustrated!!! How am I supposed to request an earlier interview date if NO ONE CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've emailed them daily at PAKIVINFO@state.gov(the email that they say to use for quicker service - NOT!) for the passed 6 days and have gotten nothing from them as of yet, honestly now.....a single reply of an email(which they claim is supposed to be faster service)can't be that difficult!!! I requested them to reschedule for an earlier date is all.....they could at least have the courtesy and decency to simply reply with a yes or no for GOD'S SAKE!

I wish I could calm down....and it could be my hormones driving me up the wall like this for all any of us knows.....but damn I'm just so depressed with the whole "no progress" I've been having with our case for the past few weeks. It feels like I'm already in AP....and dealing with the oh so dead DOS......I shouldn't have to feel like that so soon.....it's not fair! We haven't even had our interview yet.....

Sorry....totally venting....

In the subject line did you put your case #???? I sent emails too before my case got to the embassy, with my case# in subject line - but they did not respond until they had case in hand. Since then I rarely wait more than 24 hours (except on weekends) before they answer. I think the keys are 1. they won't respond until they have your case in hand and 2. put the case number in the subject line.

Sorry, I'm sure this is what you wanted to hear - patience is all you can have. I think too being very sweet and understanding in the emails help. They get plenty of raving mad women emails and phone calls.

Just my experience.

[MumtazG38 1]

Yeah definitely put my case number in the subject line....and I did try my best to sound nice and sweet for them too....sucking up never hurt lol.

This is the email I sent:

To: pakivinfo@state.gov

Sent: Friday, September 4, 2009 12:04:01 PM

Subject: ISLXXXXXXXXXX, Syed Haseeb Akhtar Gillani 01/03/1988

INQUIRY:

NVC Case#: ISLXXXXXXXXXX

Petitioner: Amna Bukhari - 01/08/1989

Beneficiary: Syed Haseeb Akhtar Gillani - 01/03/1988

Inquiry: Please reschedule interview for earlier date. Due to pregnancy/medical emergency.

My name is Amna Bukhari and I am the petitioner for case number ISLXXXXXXXXXX, my date of birth is 01/08/1989. The beneficiary's name and date of birth is Syed Haseeb Akhtar Gillani 01/03/1988. I would like to request an earlier interview date with the Islamabad Embassy because I have come to Pakistan and plan to attend the interview together with my husband (the beneficiary)and must return to the U.S as soon as possible because I am currently pregnant and must be able to fly back to the U.S the soonest possible, otherwise the PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) will not let me travel in my late pregnancy. I have called many other airlines like Emirates and Etihad Airlines but they all are saying the same, that they will not let me travel so late in my pregnancy. Please try to understand my emergency and please reschedule our interview for an earlier date, preferably one in September if you have any open slots or cancelations. I do not at all mean to be rude, and can understand the embassy's tight scheduling and limited slots, but I humbly request that you please take my situation into consideration and give us an earlier interview date, preferably in September if you can please manage it.

I have tried several times to call the embassy at this number (0512082700) but I am only able to reach a greeting message which keeps telling me to either call again later or email my inquiry to "PAKIVINFO@state.gov" for faster service. I humbly request that you please take my situation into consideration and please get back to me soon with your decision. Thank you.

Original Interview date given by NVC:

October 16th, 2009.

NVC Case#: ISLXXXXXXXXXX

Petitioner: Amna Bukhari - 01/08/1989

Beneficiary: Syed Haseeb Akhtar Gillani - 01/03/1988

Inquiry: Please reschedule interview for earlier date. Due to pregnancy/medical emergency.

I think that was nice and sweet enough...?Although, I can only hope they'll ignore the bad grammar and slightly off spelling...but it was seriously late at night and I was pretty sleepy and fed up with them not answering my calls!

But I guess it really doesn't matter seeing as they won't be answering any emails until my case is forwarded to them right? JEEZ. Ah well....I should just shuttup and be happy I have my interview date and will be going with my husband which is quite lucky seeing as many couple are unable to do that unfortunately. So, that's definitely a plus to look forward to IA!

Just another question....should I have my husband take his medical now...or should I have him wait till it's nearer to the interview?

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Sounds great!!

Yes start getting the medical done now. ESPECIALLY since you may get an earlier date. I think medicals are good for like 90 days maybe even more.

[taj'samericanwife 0]

JUST 18 MORE DAYS TIL OUR INTERVIEW NERVOUS NERVOUS NERVOUS!

And tomorow's my first day as a real nurse...i just got off orientation for a whole week and tomorrow I am hitting the floor! really nervous about this and I hope I don't kill any patients on my first day...hahahaha! I have to really keep this job because I have already asked for an employment letter from them and that is my main affidavit of support for my husband since my taxes last year did not make it to the above 125% poverty line (only because i started working in august 2008)

anyway my husband's police clearance is ready! this I am very thankful for! all they have to do is send it either through dhl or fedex, which do you think is faster you guys to get it in time before the 25th of sept.? the police clearance is coming from pakistan to philippines?!

[Ioana 0]

Hy,

I ve been in the USA for the past 2 weeks.

It feels to me that I am here forever...not in good way,though...but I 'm feeling very anxious and I am really homesick.

Now ,my husband,has taken me to a trip from Connecticut to Miami...now we are in a hotel room.

We have the kids with us.

Everything is beautiful here ,but it's not my home and I am not sure I can stay to live here..I feel like I am suffocating here ,I am feeling very sad .

Ever since i came to the USa I have nightmares...I feel so sorry for my husband because he wants me to like it here ,and I can't relax...now I 'm begining to appreciate more my country ,my home,my parents...

In 14 days taht I stayed here ..I already bought airline tickets to Romania twice..and than I canceled them becuase my husband wouldn't come to romania with me and the kids...I had such bad days and nights....I quralled with my parents in law...very badly...

I just want to go back home to Romania..but my husband doesn't want to come with us...I don't think I can stay here...it's worse than a pain that one feels when someone dear dies..it's worse thab the days when I was alone without my husband .

I Like it here only as a vacation...but not as my home.

My husband says that he suffocates in Romania and doesn;t like that country....I don't like to live in this country...I am really scared that our relationship can get bad...and I do love him so much...but I am so in pain in this country..and I just wanna be home.

Edited September 8, 2009 by Ioana