UK AOS 2009 Thread

[Nik+Heather 121]

I found this document from USCIS (newly released) interesting: http://www.dhs.gov/x.../ni_fr_2009.pdf

32,000 admissions for K1 visas in 2009.

The UK was one of the top 5 countries for "non-immigrant but expected to stay awhile" entries last year.

Now compare those numbers to the 1.1 MILLION people who adjusted status, and you'll see why the K-1s get sort of tripped up, we are only 3% of 'em.

Nigel's aos interview was yesterday on his birthday, it was so easy! We were in the door and no more than 30 seconds from walking through they called our names, asked us about ourselves, looked over our documents and was quite a nice chat and we were in and out in 45 minutes...so easy! They told us to keep our EAD till the green card comes in and to destroy it afterwards (ya right) so we have ours and it was no big deal cause she knew we were still looking for work...so its all good on our end, also Nigel got his drivers license too the day before so we're all in track for stuff...lol..

YAY! Congrats! Did you guys go celebrate?

[MissusM09 1]

Wow a lot has happened. Congrats on job offers and Green Card productions, and driving tests! It seems to be really quiet in here lately AOS-wise, maybe we should pop over to the interview topic in the UK forum and let them know they can come here once they've hopped over the pond.

For job-hunting tips, I would say the biggest thing is to make sure your resume is looking good. Since you have no US references yet and most companies accept applications online now, you want to make sure it really represents you. I had mine checked over by the lovely Magpie ( ) and then again by a professional in my field. She also said that she's noticed British people are very self-deprecating when they speak of their experiences and ability - while Americans are more proud and exaggerate theirs. So act confident in what you've done, and don't put yourself down, because that American that is bragging about their equally limited opportunity will get that job. Also, I would advise getting any kind of internship/volunteer work on your resume as it shows you're doing something with your time here while you wait, and shows you love to work (ha).

I've started my internship and it's going well, just very slow. I feel I can do 10x the work in the time I've been given, but I guess these things go a bit at a time. My supervisor is teaching at a university from September and said she'd love for me to come and work for her then, but the only thing is, it's not paid. I'm really waiting for a paid opportunity to come up so me and hubby can finally move out of the parents (it's been over 10 months now) and start our lives. Hopefully one of the positions I've applied to, or one of her colleagues that apparently really loved my resume will find a place for me.

Elections - I've been following it and I think the Tories are going to get in. I don't know how I feel about that at the moment, so time will tell.

Snowbunnies, those states are surprising to me. Cool though!

Heather, sounds like Nik has finally gotten somewhere. I hope he gets the job that he really likes, I know part of you dies when you feel you've taken steps back in life.

thank you so much. those are great tips, and i've spent all of last week jujing my resume, i have an opportunity to volunteer at the local hospital so i'll take it up.

as for the tories, i think they are going to win too, it was a mistake letting gordon brown take over simply because he's not a statesman.

will keep evry1 posted

Edited May 1, 2010 by MissusM09

[Allie and Nigel 2]

Heather and folks,

Yes we did go out and celebrate! Heck we're still celebrating...lol...the job search is still iffy right now, doing a couple interviews but still no bites yet...sorta disappointing but yet it is the way of the world at this time, thank GOD I can pay the bills...!!

No greencard in hand yet, still in the mail however we got that good ol' "welcome to america" letter yesterday....

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

A most hearty congrats to you two, Allie and Nigel! Sorry I've been a tad scarce all, I've had work training this week, and then was running around trying to sort out things for Knight's new car + tires.

Nik and Heather, got my fingers crossed that Nik will find something he'll enjoy better. Like you said, at least it's bringing some income in for a while until he can find something he likes .

Need...sleep!

Magpie.

[Gemmie 142]

I have an interview on Monday for a psychiatry job (same place I'm doing my internship but it's paid). If I get it, I'll be researching children and teenagers that have suffered psychological issues after trauma (mostly illness, burns, violence), and seeing how the treatment works for them, and such.

I randomly emailed the director of psychiatry asking if he had any opportunities, and he responded within an hour saying he was closing interviews for a position but would be happy to look at my stuff. I sent him my resume, and have been asked for the interview. As I was telling my friends, never doubt the power of random asking. Fingers crossed!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

That's good news Gemmie. Fingers crossed for you because it's time for your big break to roll in. Read up on the director or department and find a place to drop in little nuggets of knowledge about their programs or publishings. He/she will think you're interested and very resourceful.

I updated the UK AOS Timeline with a few dates, added the Missus to 2010 page, and added Jay&Jo.

It's ungodly hot here already. Closer to 100 than 90. Where did our lovely spring go?

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Afternoon all. Just thought I'd drop in on you and say hi.

Since last we spoke, I have:

Got a FOID card

Got Illinois firearms certification

Sooooo, I'm gonna get me a shooter. I decided I needed a hobby; shooting is going to be that hobby. Cool, huh?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Sooooo, I'm gonna get me a shooter. I decided I needed a hobby; shooting is going to be that hobby. Cool, huh?

And you'll really look like your picture there. Wow.

Hey Daymo...good to hear from you. I had to google FOID, as I don't own a gun. I read your FB thing about the ambulance bill. I wouldn't pay it.

[Bob and Patricia 0]

Afternoon all. Just thought I'd drop in on you and say hi.

Since last we spoke, I have:

Got a FOID card

Got Illinois firearms certification

Sooooo, I'm gonna get me a shooter. I decided I needed a hobby; shooting is going to be that hobby. Cool, huh?

Welcome to shooting sports in Illinois.. possibly the most firearm unfriendly state. But, I won't hijack this thread with political ranting, Soooo, get some training, be safe and enjoy shooting.

Bob

<back to lurking mode>

[Gemmie 142]

Ooooh, go Damo. What are you planning to go shooting at? My FIL hunts almost everyday (deer, turkeys) and I love that he's only caught one deer in all the years he's been doing it.

I had my interview yesterday and I don't think it went so well. The first one lasted for an hour (with the psychiatrist), the second about ten minutes (with a social worker and psychologist) and the third lasted five minutes (with HR) but they had me in the waiting room for over 45 minutes. All in all, I was there for 2 hours and suffice to say, the longer they threw questions at me, the worst my answers became. I think I'm good at reading people, and I don't think they were impressed. But I'm not horribly upset with that as the job seemed to be very different than advertised and it also took me 3 hours to even get there because of train schedules and such. I think I'm going to have to reevaluate this plan on getting a job in the city (the problem is just that all of the jobs in my field aren't out here in the sticks). The only thing making me smile last night was a big cup of coffee and hugs from my husband. I'm coming up with more options as we speak.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

I had to google FOID, as I don't own a gun.

#######!!!???? You're Texan!!! Texans come out of the womb holding a .38 Special!!!!!!!!!

I read your FB thing about the ambulance bill. I wouldn't pay it.

I didn't want to, but like I said, she told me it was Illinois state law, I was accountable, and they'd come after me for it. I wasn't happy, but I just want an end to it.

Edited May 11, 2010 by Damian P

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Welcome to shooting sports in Illinois.. possibly the most firearm unfriendly state. But, I won't hijack this thread with political ranting, Soooo, get some training, be safe and enjoy shooting.

Bob

<back to lurking mode>

Tbf, Bob, it sounds like you're more the Chicago/Cook County resident. Believe me, Southern Illinois is a COMPLETELY different animal!! It's as redneck as any Southern state down here, I assure you! Everyone's gun totin' in these parts.

The only thing we can't do, of course, is the concealed carry thing, (the only state, along with Wyoming, that has that restriction) but I've no intention of carrying anyhow, so I'm not bothered.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Ooooh, go Damo. What are you planning to go shooting at?

Anything that moves!!! Nah, seriously, I'm more in it for shooting at targets and stuff. I eat meat, so it would be totally hypocritical of me to say I'm anti-hunting, but although I may eat the flesh, something doesn't sit quite right with me about delighting in killing a living thing (vermin like rats and the like excepted).

I had my interview yesterday and I don't think it went so well. The first one lasted for an hour (with the psychiatrist), the second about ten minutes (with a social worker and psychologist) and the third lasted five minutes (with HR) but they had me in the waiting room for over 45 minutes. All in all, I was there for 2 hours and suffice to say, the longer they threw questions at me, the worst my answers became. I think I'm good at reading people, and I don't think they were impressed. But I'm not horribly upset with that as the job seemed to be very different than advertised and it also took me 3 hours to even get there because of train schedules and such. I think I'm going to have to reevaluate this plan on getting a job in the city (the problem is just that all of the jobs in my field aren't out here in the sticks). The only thing making me smile last night was a big cup of coffee and hugs from my husband. I'm coming up with more options as we speak.

You're smart; something will turn up.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Huggums to Gemmie -- you're very brilliant and bright, so you'll find what's right for you. Nich's got some good solid advice there. When in doubt, be a pest!

Daymo, move up here to the Alaska. Knight called me this morning to say some grizzly decided to charge a vehicle on the highway, thought better of it (wisely) and ran back into the scrub again. You can more or less shoot anything that moves up here, and I've found I've acquired a taste for game meat...mmmm, beer-moose sausages. People apparently eat bears too, but it's a weird thought for me. Salmon-eating brown bears (the less angry ones) taste horrible, so I hear, but the berry-eating ones (the angry, smaller ones, also known as good ol' grizzly bears, probably angry because they only eat berries) are meant to be tasty.

This is the only other state in the US where you can purchase a firearm in a Walmart .

Knight's going to be getting more hours with his work (yay!) so that means it'll ease things up financially a bit. He gets to start working with a psychopath on Saturday, so that'll be interesting for him. Maybe Gemmie should move up here too...places like Arc of Anchorage and Focus in Eagle River are always hiring, and apparently Focus pays $14 an hour for just an ISP. Case managers get a fair bit more. There's also a need for medical technicians and whatnot up here, particularly child psychologists. But then, there's the whole cost of the move. Well, pooh!

Cats are doing well, poor things had to go through a vet visit yesterday. Cleo just got spayed, so she's running around (stumbling, rather) with a very silly soft cone on her head and it's driving her mad, so she mostly sleeps. Ugh, came to about $250 for their shots and whatnot, and they told me that an IV and painkillers were optional for Cleo. As if I wasn't going to take those! The pound pays for the spaying process, but anything else is extra. Makes me start contemplating pet insurance.

Anyhoo...I ought to be off to work soon. Looks like it's going to rain today, typical of Alaska in winter/summer (spring? What's that?).

Hugs to all!

Magpie.

Edited May 12, 2010 by KnightAndMagpie

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Daymo, move up here to the Alaska

Maybe Gemmie should move up here too...

#### it, let's ALL move to Alaska!!