UK AOS 2009 Thread

[Gemmie 142]

So glad to hear he doesn't have to take the Dubai job, now he can stay with you. And you also have Ellie to meet up with (if it's not too far - the same state is at least doable) when you're in need of another Brit. You're so lucky to move to Florida, all that fantastic weather and cheaper costs too (then again, I don't know how much cheaper it is than where you are now).. it sucks that you're not having luck with the job front either, but a move might be just what you both need to give you a boost there.

I've been told by my friend who works at the Children's Hospital that she'll give me some psychology work to do from home (she's a psychologist and researching currently) while I wait for a paid job - and is also helping me re-do my resume and handing it out to all the staff at the hospital - and also at her husband's work (also a psychologist). I'm so happy. We're both from Swindon UK, we both moved to Boston, we both pursued psychology careers. I just can't believe how fate has led us together.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Gemmie, we are feeling you on the job roller coaster. Not a lot of replies, but a couple of nibbles - Nik's had two interviews and feeling upbeat about them after they are over, only to be let down a couple days later. At least so far the interviews have given him a reply, so we aren't left wondering. There are just so many people out there. But no really good matches yet, so at least it's "just a job" being missed instead of a dream job.

[Allie and Nigel 2]

Gemmie, we are feeling you on the job roller coaster. Not a lot of replies, but a couple of nibbles - Nik's had two interviews and feeling upbeat about them after they are over, only to be let down a couple days later. At least so far the interviews have given him a reply, so we aren't left wondering. There are just so many people out there. But no really good matches yet, so at least it's "just a job" being missed instead of a dream job.

Yup, we're the same way, just started putting applications out, so hopefully we'll get SOMETHING...the health care out here's so expensive I'm out 400/month so I may have to take some extra shifts to make up the difference soon...real big pain in the #######!

[Gemmie 142]

I hear you. I keep being told that most companies already know who they're going to hire before they send out the notices, but they have to do so for legal reasons (which explains why Harvard just pulled out when I chased them for interview). That gives me lots of faith.

Edited April 6, 2010 by Gemmie

[Gemmie 142]

I've been given the internship at Children's Hospital Boston. I'm working with a psychologist and her research on young women. I've been given loads of work to do, and she says if everything goes well (meaning I'm not bad at it, and enjoy it), I can come and work for her afterwards with her other projects, and also help the BA students. I think it's rude to ask if she means a "proper paid job", but I assume she does. It's a really good opportunity for me to find out if this is the career for me and if it leads to a legitimate job, it has an amazing benefits package (health, dental, vision, child care, even pets!) either fully or mostly paid. 30 days paid vacation a year. 7K towards any education I want to take. I'm very lucky if this leads to a permanent job. The only downside is that I would have to travel 2 hours each way to get there. I would say it's worth it!

Keep up hope those of you that are looking. It sometimes feels like an uphill battle but you will get there.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Congrats Gemmie! What wonderful news, after searching for so long. The two hour journey might be poo, but considering the benefits...woohoo! I can't believe it covers pets, too...and it's so expensive out here to get them looked over.

Hugs to you guys still looking -- I know something will show up! Everything seems to work out in the end in its own funny way. I might have been working at Sears if I hadn't had that call just a few days before my orientation. I don't know if you guys have tried credit unions yet, but they're nicer than banks and I love my job where I'm at. Mine's hiring all the time, but it's not out there in the lower 48. It also really depends on the branch -- my team is really focussed on helping out the people with the not-so-nice scores and working with them to fix it. We don't focus on the sales, just on doing a good service to people. Any bonusses we get are a nice add-on. My manager is a bit of a numbers man and a bit sales-minded, but hey -- as long as the results come through, all's well and good.

MJ! It's been forever -- lots of big changes happening for you. My hubby would love to live in Florida, just for the heat...poor guy, he's stuck out here now because of me.

People apparently aren't very good, might I add, at saying "we're not hiring you". Some people don't even respond. Understandably, they have a pile of applications to sift through, but knowing there's a human being on the other end should motivate them enough to send a letter saying "sorry, we don't want you right now".

Hugs! I have to be off to a half-hour meeting...it's a bit poo that I have to go all the way into Eagle River for that, but it's a gorgeous day and I'm going to enjoy the drive. Weee, all the snow's breaking up and the temperature feels like England!

Magpie.

[MARM 7]

Magpie and Gemmie, so glad that things are looking good for both of you!

My husband received the GC in the mail today, fancy looking thing it is!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I finally filed the tax return today. Woohoooo!!! It's been done since February, but I wanted to add the donations we took to the charity shop during our move just to bump up the itemized deductions a little bit.

Yay MARM on the arrival of the fancy card. It has all the presidents and state flags, Statue of Liberty, and other things.

Gemmie---Yikes! Two hours each way??? That is going to get old. Hope it works out for you.

Tonight we're going to a Little League baseball game. The little boy next door plays and we went to his game once. So today he asked if we're coming tonight. The neighbor kids in our new neighborhood seem to be quite taken with us. They run over if they see us out, or ring the doorbell if we're not. One of the two year olds adores my hubby and runs with her arms up when she sees him so he will pick her up. They are all fun.

[lovelyalex 99]

Hi guys and girls, hope you are all doing okay? thats great news about your job Gemmie! I've put the job searching on a slight backburner for now, as I have to really get my ####### upto Concord and take my driving test again before I start accepting any jobs down in Mass, let alone get to the interviews (if any!) Which is annoying. Not that I had much bites for the stuff I applied for. I had my first real experience with American Healthcare last week, I went in for my endoscopy. Everything seemed okay and my ulcer is healing nicely, which was to be expected given my insane prescription I am taking, and now I wait for a biopsy result (no offense America but if it brings up anything slightly dodgy I am going back home to the NHS). The hospital itself was super nice, and the staff were great. I even woke up to a little can of ginger ale, which I love. Although given how much my husband and I pay towards our insurance contributions, it should be gold star service. I'm also learning to dabble and shop around for our prescriptions at various pharmacies, etc. Madness.

[Allie and Nigel 2]

Yes, we're still trying to find work, mind you we haven't had our work authorization for long...I'm trying to get Nigel to study up on his drivers license stuff..he's not bad driving...I keep telling him its 60% confidence 40% ability! I hate driving 30 minutes to a paid job, don't know about doing 2 hours each way just for a flipping internship..no offense but that's insane!

[Lisa and Ian 7]

I finally filed the tax return today. Woohoooo!!! It's been done since February, but I wanted to add the donations we took to the charity shop during our move just to bump up the itemized deductions a little bit.

Yay MARM on the arrival of the fancy card. It has all the presidents and state flags, Statue of Liberty, and other things.

Gemmie---Yikes! Two hours each way??? That is going to get old. Hope it works out for you.

Tonight we're going to a Little League baseball game. The little boy next door plays and we went to his game once. So today he asked if we're coming tonight. The neighbor kids in our new neighborhood seem to be quite taken with us. They run over if they see us out, or ring the doorbell if we're not. One of the two year olds adores my hubby and runs with her arms up when she sees him so he will pick her up. They are all fun.

Nich - Yay on filing your taxes! We're still waiting for the IRS to acknowledge they received ours (mailed about 3 weeks ago), but Nebraska says they're working on our state return.

The government moves slowly everywhere. Ergh.

Gemmie - I agree that 2 hours is a long way to travel each time. How many days a week do you have to do this?

Marm - Congrats on the shiny new greencard. Fast in comparison, wasn't it.

[lovelyalex 99]

oh I forgot to say that we did our taxes too and got a hefty refund. I then went back and looked through my husbands taxes for 2008 and managed amend them (legally!) in our favour too and am expecting atleast $2000 back! Wooop!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Well, I just got back from a weekend's camping yesterday, and there was something in the mail from USCIS. Now seeing as I only put the petition in the mail a month ago, and only received NOA1 in the mail a little over 2 weeks ago, I assumed it was too soon for biometrics, and as such, had to be a RFE. Well, it was neither.

Upon opening the letter, the first piece of it that I saw said "Date decision made: 04/07/2010." And I knew something was either very good, or very bad. It was very good. Unbelievably, only a month after filing, I am now a permanent, legal, unconditional resident. No RFE, no biometrics, (I paid for the them, but I think I can let that slide ) no interview, no nothing. Just super-fast approval.

Normally, the "happy dancer" emoticon would be in order here, but given the circumstances, I feel a quiet smile and a nod and a wink to the heavens is far more appropriate.

[Gemmie 142]

Good news on getting through ROC quickly, Damian (I read that post with a stopped heart!). I think it's the least that could happen after everything. Are you going for citizenship in the future?

Well done on the tax refund, Alex (we were pleasantly surprised at our $1000 and shoved in straight into savings). I hope the biopsy results come back positively.

I understand the 2 hour travel is insane for an internship. She's giving me work to do from home, so I don't have to go on site. My concerns are that: 1- If I do get the job permanently, I don't know what I'm going to do about the travel. I have to take the train, then the subway and then a walk. Maybe there's a way I can work from home a lot, we'll see. 2- She said the background research for my project is about 25-30 pages long. I know from my university dissertation that it takes months to do that, and I'm not so high on working unpaid for a few months. Me and Bill REALLY want to move into the apartment we've picked, and that means me being paid full-time. Plus we're in need of decent health coverage and financial stability.

We'll see. At the moment I'm just pleased to have an American reference and some experience to put on my resume, especially since it's in my field. I'm going to be speaking with her often and if everything goes well, I'll speak to her about the possibility of being paid and working on a permanent basis.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Good news on getting through ROC quickly, Damian (I read that post with a stopped heart!). I think it's the least that could happen after everything. Are you going for citizenship in the future?

Thanks, chick. And yes, I shall indeed be applying for citizenship come 2014.