...what a journey thus far...oh boy!!!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Well...where to start...

I'll try and sum it up short form....

I will say, that I never anticipated it being this hard

So I crossed last week...

Got rejected for a Target card, even based on my Canadian credit...something to do with the address etc...they want me to physically fax all my ID's to them, which I don't have time to do...as I'm homeless LOL! Waiting for house to close and I have no computer, all my stuff is in storage.

Went to post office, they had no idea what I was talking about when I said I wanted to 'register' to rec've mail....fine...

Left PA Weds to drive to Fla and kill some time until we have a house LOL! While driving through Maryland to NC I noticed my cell had no reception the whole way...stopped at gas station, tried calling my fiancé collect, could not reach him as he was in meetings. I was driving with my 5 year old and refused to be without a phone. Ended up at an AT&T store down the road....it was a disaster...they tried everything, nothing worked. I was still trying to reach my fiancé, no luck. I couldn't get a new phone, as I have no credit, would not get approved for anything...I ended up having an anxiety attack in the store (I can laugh about it now) I felt so powerless. Did I mention that at this point, my credit cards stopped working at the gas pump cause they ask for a zip code for security verification...and my cards are Canadian. I an then told by phone store that I have to go to Apple store to have them replace the phone. This store was 1 hour away in Raleigh NC...with no other option for a cell, off I went.

I lost 5 hours that day...finally got phone...stayed there over night, left for Fla the next day. As I got closer to Fla, my A/C in my car kinked out...my new car!!!!! Got to Fla, I'm now trying to get my car in to the dealership for service.

My TD Canada trust debut card, gets rejected at select stores, but works at others. No idea why. Took me days to get bank on phone!

I'm having such a hard time accessing my money in Canada!!!!

I cannot sync my Canadian computer to my new American PDA...different licensing...I have lost all my important data and contacts in my phone from back home.

I'm having issues registering my son in school, as they want proof of residency...they are very strict as to the proof they accept...tax returns, utility bills, DMV stuff....so I have to try and resolve this within a month or two to get him in...

Should I stop now?

When I finally got a hold of my fiancé that day after his meetings...I had a complete meltdown on the phone and cried that I just wanted to go home but there is no home! LOL!

On the upside, I did get approved for a Macys card, and after all that drama, I did make it to Disney today, and we had a blast.

Also my fiancé is being very supportive and understanding. He is working very hard to try and get us into this house by the time I return from Fla.

I was one of those people that figured the Canadian to US transition would be a breeze, and I'm starting to feel like the biggest immigrant ever!!!! I worked hard for years to get to where I was in Canada. I had great credit and a career that paid six figures a year. I owned a home and had done well.

I am now an immigrant with none if that, can't get to my money easily and essentially homeless! LOL! Ok, not homeless, but the one bedroom condo my fiancé owns can hardly house 4 people at this point LOL!

I just feel like I had a slew of crappy events that have left me discouraged. The good thing is that my fiancé takes good of us emotionally and financially...but without independance I feel wothless. One other solid thing I have is the strength of our relationship. Failure is not an option and in my eyes, we are in this for life. My fiancé has even said that it is his only main mission, to make my transition as easy as possible and will do whatever need be. So that makes me feel good, and I love him for that. I just feel like a loser cause right now, I can't do anything for myself

Can you believe the bad luck I've had? LOL! I will say this, I refuse to let anything shake me....I'm determined to make this work....but man, sometimes things really test your faith!

I had a serious meltdown 2 days ago...LOL! It was kinda funny now that I look back. The store employees that AT&T thought I was kookoo! Haha!

I really hope things get easier. It's very frustrating!

I'm sure many if you have endured it...I just figured I would share, as you guys can relate.

I will say that even after all this, I am still very excited to be starting my new life with my future husband and am thankful that I am finally here!

I just did not anticipate it being this hard!

Sorry for any typos, it's this dang iPhone that prepopulates words etc...

But Disney rocks!!!!! We did Magical Kingdom today and doing Animal Kingdom tmrw

Did I mention that I drove in tropical storm rains to get here? And that it's supposed to rain all week?! Just thought I'd put that out there! Haha!

I tell ya, someone up there Is really trying to test me! LOL!

[SuperDuper! 230]

PLZ MORE DETAILS!

[What Happened? 4]

Well...where to start...

I'll try and sum it up short form....

I will say, that I never anticipated it being this hard

So I crossed last week...

Got rejected for a Target card, even based on my Canadian credit...something to do with the address etc...they want me to physically fax all my ID's to them, which I don't have time to do...as I'm homeless LOL! Waiting for house to close and I have no computer, all my stuff is in storage.

Went to post office, they had no idea what I was talking about when I said I wanted to 'register' to rec've mail....fine...

Left PA Weds to drive to Fla and kill some time until we have a house LOL! While driving through Maryland to NC I noticed my cell had no reception the whole way...stopped at gas station, tried calling my fiancé collect, could not reach him as he was in meetings. I was driving with my 5 year old and refused to be without a phone. Ended up at an AT&T store down the road....it was a disaster...they tried everything, nothing worked. I was still trying to reach my fiancé, no luck. I couldn't get a new phone, as I have no credit, would not get approved for anything...I ended up having an anxiety attack in the store (I can laugh about it now) I felt so powerless. Did I mention that at this point, my credit cards stopped working at the gas pump cause they ask for a zip code for security verification...and my cards are Canadian. I an then told by phone store that I have to go to Apple store to have them replace the phone. This store was 1 hour away in Raleigh NC...with no other option for a cell, off I went.

I lost 5 hours that day...finally got phone...stayed there over night, left for Fla the next day. As I got closer to Fla, my A/C in my car kinked out...my new car!!!!! Got to Fla, I'm now trying to get my car in to the dealership for service.

My TD Canada trust debut card, gets rejected at select stores, but works at others. No idea why. Took me days to get bank on phone!

I'm having such a hard time accessing my money in Canada!!!!

I cannot sync my Canadian computer to my new American PDA...different licensing...I have lost all my important data and contacts in my phone from back home.

I'm having issues registering my son in school, as they want proof of residency...they are very strict as to the proof they accept...tax returns, utility bills, DMV stuff....so I have to try and resolve this within a month or two to get him in...

Should I stop now?

When I finally got a hold of my fiancé that day after his meetings...I had a complete meltdown on the phone and cried that I just wanted to go home but there is no home! LOL!

On the upside, I did get approved for a Macys card, and after all that drama, I did make it to Disney today, and we had a blast.

Also my fiancé is being very supportive and understanding. He is working very hard to try and get us into this house by the time I return from Fla.

I was one of those people that figured the Canadian to US transition would be a breeze, and I'm starting to feel like the biggest immigrant ever!!!! I worked hard for years to get to where I was in Canada. I had great credit and a career that paid six figures a year. I owned a home and had done well.

I am now an immigrant with none if that, can't get to my money easily and essentially homeless! LOL! Ok, not homeless, but the one bedroom condo my fiancé owns can hardly house 4 people at this point LOL!

I just feel like I had a slew of crappy events that have left me discouraged. The good thing is that my fiancé takes good of us emotionally and financially...but without independance I feel wothless. One other solid thing I have is the strength of our relationship. Failure is not an option and in my eyes, we are in this for life. My fiancé has even said that it is his only main mission, to make my transition as easy as possible and will do whatever need be. So that makes me feel good, and I love him for that. I just feel like a loser cause right now, I can't do anything for myself

Can you believe the bad luck I've had? LOL! I will say this, I refuse to let anything shake me....I'm determined to make this work....but man, sometimes things really test your faith!

I had a serious meltdown 2 days ago...LOL! It was kinda funny now that I look back. The store employees that AT&T thought I was kookoo! Haha!

I really hope things get easier. It's very frustrating!

I'm sure many if you have endured it...I just figured I would share, as you guys can relate.

I will say that even after all this, I am still very excited to be starting my new life with my future husband and am thankful that I am finally here!

I just did not anticipate it being this hard!

Sorry for any typos, it's this dang iPhone that prepopulates words etc...

But Disney rocks!!!!! We did Magical Kingdom today and doing Animal Kingdom tmrw

Did I mention that I drove in tropical storm rains to get here? And that it's supposed to rain all week?! Just thought I'd put that out there! Haha!

I tell ya, someone up there Is really trying to test me! LOL!

Yikes! I thought I had bad luck with being pooped on by two different birds in one day.

You win!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

awwww Pop, that sounds like one rough week! I'm sorry things hard been so trying, but you have an excellent attitude! Remember that things will surely get easier in time, its all uphill from the rut you're in now. I can imagine its difficult going from being a very strong independent woman to a lost immigrant in a big country with different rules and challenges. I will experience it soon enough, then we can cry together! I'm sure I'll shed my share of tears in the first couple months... from what I hear It's a pretty typical reaction.

For now, have a blast in Disney! I'm sure things will work out. Your dedication and devotion to your fiance is an excellent thing and it will surely make every hurdle that much easier.

[TimandJoyce 1]

Sorry you've had such a rough start!! But wow..you're in Florida!!! How cool is that?? Oh..guess it's warm right now.

Sounds like you're smiling through all this, and that's good. Yeah, the credit thing sucks!! I've never tried my card at the gas stations, however the same thing happened to me in New York. I went to pay for my subway ticket with my visa, and when I put it in the machine it asked for a zip code!! I thought.."now this is going to be interesting"...I started with V9N......and it processed!! Maybe it will work for gas too!!

Guess the only way you can access money is through a ATM but the fees are awful!! You don't want to know. Debit cards will work, I got money through one in San Fransisco with my card.

You're computer won't work? Hmmmm does that mean if I buy a laptop, and transfer the things from my current computer over to it, I'll have a hard time accessing it at Tim's house? I've way too much on here to lose.

[mikey78 6]

Yeah, that sounds really familiar...I was in a similar situation when I decided to take one semester of college in the US (while still waiting for my GC in family-based F1)...and I guess not even getting rejected for green card would hurt as much as being denied a TARGET card!

What saved my existence back then was my New York State ID and the fact that my mum made me open a bank account when she decided to petition for me. Luckily, I also had SS# which I got right before they changed the rules and even though it read 'not valid for employment', it was a life saver. Without SS# you simply do not exist...

No need to feel like a complete immigrant You are experiencing problems related to moving-to-another-country...Imagine if, on top of everything that happened, you wouldn't speak English fluently, or had a heavy accent...occasional 'eh' is considered simply cute

Cheer up, soon you will be taking the oath of allegiance

[Flames9_RN 358]

sorry it isnt going well!! But it wil get better!

And to the above poster--not everyone will go one to get their citizenship!!

[trailmix 77]

Aww poprocks - sounds like a heck of a week!!

I know you are trying to stay upbeat, but I also know how frustrated and upset you probably really are - good for you for staying upbeat - what else can a person do!

You bring up a very good point about Canadian credit cards - don't think I have seen it mentioned here before - however it is important to get your Canadian cards changed over to an American address before you leave Canada.

I hear you on the phone - we had out Canadian phone with us, I noticed in like Wyoming that we had zero reception - but sometimes we would. So we stopped and bought a phone at Walmart - long story short, that phone never worked and when our car did break down in Tennessee - thankfully we had that Canadian phone!

Anyway poprocks, hang in there - things will get better.

TimandJoyce - you will have no problem with your laptop.

[Sprailenes 47]

Awww Poprocks, it will get easier! You have a lot of things on your plate and I understand about the school stuff, and having to show a proof of address and stuff. You will get it done though, it's only June you have LOTS of time.

With the rest of the stuff, it sucks that you had to endure all that stuff a week into your arrival but it will only make you stronger for the rest of the journey right and you have a credit card here now which is awesome... you've gotten further than most people who have been here a couple of months. Keep your chin up chicka.

[Krikit 1,164]

Wow. Sounds like you've had a rough time. While I was reading your post I was thinking that it was almost identical to the type of things I experienced. I hated hated hated that first year here. I was so miserable with all the roadblocks and speedbumps I hit. Good thing my husband is a patient man or I'd be back in Canada telling you to get the hell out of there. j/k

I know how hard it is, Poprocks. And I feel terrible that you're going through it. The nice thing is that it does get easier until you finally reach the point where you're comfortable again, but it's a heck of a ride to get there. ((((((((((((Poprocks))))))))))))))))

Enjoy your time at Disney. It's typical at this time of year for the afternoon rainshowers. (We're in the rainy season now.) Best to get out early in the morning before the rains come, and then back out again in the early evening when they've stopped. Don't forget the sunscreen! lol

[TimandJoyce 1]

TimandJoyce - you will have no problem with your laptop.

Thanks trailmix! Good to know!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Enjoy your time at Disney. It's typical at this time of year for the afternoon rainshowers. (We're in the rainy season now.) Best to get out early in the morning before the rains come, and then back out again in the early evening when they've stopped. Don't forget the sunscreen! lol

There was quite the rainshower, or two, or three, when Tim and I were at Epcot last October! It was rather funny watching everyone run for cover!!

We had gone for dinner in "Italy" and stayed in the restaurant longer than normal, only because it was a lot drier than outside!

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

wow what a story. that about the pda not being able to sync, a good point to remind people about in the future when they come here to have that data backed up somehow.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I have an iPhone. I found out (now after all this) that Canada and the US have different licensing for their applications etc... So I got a new US iPhone, and tried syncing it with my Canadian iTunes. Well it caused the phone to lock up and I had to get of replaced. They also detected a US phone trying to download Canadian content and froze my apple account and because my fiancé got me the phone, it froze his account too. It's been crazy!

I fund out now, that all the Canadian apications I paid good money for, are no good to me in the US. I am starting from scratch and have to manually rebuild all my data and contacts.

I did manage to get the Macys card, and I have an Amex, that should make it easier to get a US Amex....I'm also gonna try for a JCP card, and rely on those 3 for building credit.

When I return from Fla I'm gonna try dealing with SSN office. I hope that goes well

[TimandJoyce 1]

I have an iPhone.

Ahhh those crazy iPhones!! I have no idea about technology. I'm guessing that Tim will just get another cell phone on his account for me. He's on Verizon. I don't have one myself....yes ...I know....I'm not in the real world, LOL, but he doesn't have a land line...so, guess I'll either get one, or just keep using his when I want to talk with someone. Probably be cheaper anyway to keep to one.

cool about Macy's!! There is one in Columbia, and I probably won't be there a whole lot, but if they like me enough, it's a start! Maybe I can get the TJ Maxx. Sure doesn't hurt to apply for any of them does it? Worst case, they say, no, not right now.