July 2009 Filers

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone!

I just want to screeeeeeam! I just tried to call Knightbridge Doctors in London to schedule my medical and they were soooooo rude!!! I cant believe it! They wanted my case number and took it along with my name, date of birth and phone number. Then the receptionist asked me where I got their phone number from and whether I have recieved my packet from the Embassy instructing me to make the appointment when I said 'no not yet', she totally turned on me and said 'why are you bothering calling?' And 'how do I know that I need a medical if I havent been advised to have one yet??!!!' Omg! I told her we're fully versed on the visa process and want to be organised as possible as we've just recieved our new case number. She was so sarcastic and said 'well, thats not how the embassy works!' Cheek! So now we're no better off and now I may not get an appointment for when Russ arrives over Christmas. Grrrrrrrr! More delays...

Fingers crossed for Kitty on your interview on thursday! Think of yoooou!

Batta try not to worry... everything will all be sorted soon, I'm sure. And Eastern DE dont worry about your mistake, at this stage I dont think it will really matter. You can always clear it up with them at the interview anyway.

Lets try to keep smiling!

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Oh and thank you Jewel-8, that info was really helpful. I think that may be our case on the DHL website, but I'm not sure. I couldn't seem to get it to work, to list all of the packages sent. Just kept saying 'error' on the website. Well, if that was our case it was recieved this morning at the London Embassy. How long till we hear from them now would you say? Is packet 3 the next info we hear or do they send a letter first to inform you that they've recieved our case?

[Musho 0]

Hi everyone!

I just want to screeeeeeam! I just tried to call Knightbridge Doctors in London to schedule my medical and they were soooooo rude!!! I cant believe it! They wanted my case number and took it along with my name, date of birth and phone number. Then the receptionist asked me where I got their phone number from and whether I have recieved my packet from the Embassy instructing me to make the appointment when I said 'no not yet', she totally turned on me and said 'why are you bothering calling?' And 'how do I know that I need a medical if I havent been advised to have one yet??!!!' Omg! I told her we're fully versed on the visa process and want to be organised as possible as we've just recieved our new case number. She was so sarcastic and said 'well, thats not how the embassy works!' Cheek! So now we're no better off and now I may not get an appointment for when Russ arrives over Christmas. Grrrrrrrr! More delays...

Fingers crossed for Kitty on your interview on thursday! Think of yoooou!

Batta try not to worry... everything will all be sorted soon, I'm sure. And Eastern DE dont worry about your mistake, at this stage I dont think it will really matter. You can always clear it up with them at the interview anyway.

Lets try to keep smiling!

Hello my dear VJ friends!

RAchel, it is so cute that you have plans that your dog come to the USA with you! I was so thirled about that, that I even dream about your dog .. it was last night.. but this one was much more younger !

Ohhhh I hate when people are trying to be the smartes, just like that receptionist! Ahhgrrrrr! I hope that everything will be alright!

Dear Batta.. I am so sorry for you!¨I am hoping that soon things about your case will move on faster! !!!

Ileana, good luck with your interview! Yayayaya.. We are expecting good news and all the details !

Take care,

God bless you all!

Azra

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi Azra!

Awww thats so nice of you. Yes our Honey is our pride and joy. Our princess! Lol! We are going out of our minds with worry about her big journey though. She gets herself so stressed out she has seizures sometimes. But we can't bear to not bring her with us.

Here she is... (haha love the American bandana pic. We like to think shes dreaming of her new life in this one...

Also (off topic) we ordered our bridesmaids dresses today! Yay! But... its starting to get to both of us... being apart. Its been 8 weeks already and its so hard. I dont know how you cope - 8 months since you have seen your love, Musho?

How are things progressing? Have Bosnia recieved your case yet? We havent heard anything yet but according to the mystery package that was heading to the London Embassy, it was delivered this morning. Do you know if the consulates send out a letter, saying the case has been recieved before they start processing it?

Hope you all have a great week!

[roughsweet 0]

Rachel,

I can't believe they were so rude to you at Knightsbridge! To me that sounds like it goes against the new rule they just made wanting people to have their medical at least a week before the interview so the results are to the embassy in time. They should praise you for being on top of it, not reject you!!

The arbitrary rules of this process just slay me sometimes!

Anyway... you may know this already. But Russ can call the Dept of State over here in the states for info on your case. It does cost for a call to Washington DC, but it's much much better than the extortion line in London. They will tell him when you've been received and entered into the system, when your P3 is issued, even when your interview date is!

The number is 202-663-1225. Press 1 and then 0.

Hope this helps, and good luck with a swift remainder to your process!

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Rachel,

I can't believe they were so rude to you at Knightsbridge! To me that sounds like it goes against the new rule they just made wanting people to have their medical at least a week before the interview so the results are to the embassy in time. They should praise you for being on top of it, not reject you!!

The arbitrary rules of this process just slay me sometimes!

Anyway... you may know this already. But Russ can call the Dept of State over here in the states for info on your case. It does cost for a call to Washington DC, but it's much much better than the extortion line in London. They will tell him when you've been received and entered into the system, when your P3 is issued, even when your interview date is!

The number is 202-663-1225. Press 1 and then 0.

Hope this helps, and good luck with a swift remainder to your process!

Oh thank you sooo much roughsweet! No we didn't know that! We'll do that tomorrow! Yay! I love VJ! You're all amazing!

[Colleens 40]

I had my medical today in Montreal. It was pretty quick. The doctor asked about 20 basic health questions, then checked my blood pressure, checked the glands in my neck, listened to my heart, lungs and abdonmen. Then they took 2 vials of blood and I had the chest x-ray and that was it. The only thing that was a bit of a pain is that they didn't have a radiologist in the office today, so I had to go to a clinic to get my x-ray. And being my luck I got there just before lunch so I had to wait for about an hour or so to get it done. Then when I came home I had a missed call from Citizenship and Immigration with no message left!!!! I called DoS and they said everything for my case has been recieved and it is just pending an interview.....hmmmmm!

[NewYorkSydney 0]

Hey All,

My visa was approved this morning...

It was very simple and easy and the whole thing took at most no more then 40 mins. I got there at around 10.15am for an 11am appointment. I was called to the first window in a matter of minutes to pass over my passport, receipt, pics and envelope. Then asked to sit back down for 5mins. I was then called for finerprints. The actual interview took no more then 5 mins and the questions I was asked are as follows. I was actually out of there before the 11am interview time.

- How did you meet

- Has your fiance been out to visit you

- Have you been to the US

- How long was longest stay in the US

- How are you planning on getting married

- When do you intend to leave for the US

- How many times has your fiance been to Australia

All fairy simple and then had to sign the document stating I intend to marry within 90 days and declare that all I have said is the truth.

I also asked how much time should I allow at customs in LAX as i will be heading to NY and she said that I should allow atleast 3 hours to do the other set of interviews at POE.

What a relief this is all done now.. I will be heading to the US towards the end of feb 10

Good luck to all those that have interviews coming up

Carol

[Batta 6]

Hey All,

My visa was approved this morning...

It was very simple and easy and the whole thing took at most no more then 40 mins. I got there at around 10.15am for an 11am appointment. I was called to the first window in a matter of minutes to pass over my passport, receipt, pics and envelope. Then asked to sit back down for 5mins. I was then called for finerprints. The actual interview took no more then 5 mins and the questions I was asked are as follows. I was actually out of there before the 11am interview time.

- How did you meet

- Has your fiance been out to visit you

- Have you been to the US

- How long was longest stay in the US

- How are you planning on getting married

- When do you intend to leave for the US

- How many times has your fiance been to Australia

All fairy simple and then had to sign the document stating I intend to marry within 90 days and declare that all I have said is the truth.

I also asked how much time should I allow at customs in LAX as i will be heading to NY and she said that I should allow atleast 3 hours to do the other set of interviews at POE.

What a relief this is all done now.. I will be heading to the US towards the end of feb 10

Good luck to all those that have interviews coming up

Carol

Congrats ... Hope you will enjoy your life in USA.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayer..

[kitty23 0]

Congratulations NewYorkSydney!!! Good luck with your new life in the US! I wish you a smooth adjustment!

I am so sorry for what you have to go through Rachel! I hate people patronizing others just because they can. One of these days I will ask one of them if they are getting paid extra just to be abnoxious! Awwwww, your doggie is so cute!!! I want to get me one just like that when I get to US. We already chose a name for it - Dexter!

Coleen, good luck! I keep my fingers crossed for you too!

Thank you so much Azra! Have you scheduled your medical already?

Sending lots of good vibes for you Batta! Hope everything will sort out soon.

Keep you all in my thoughts and prayers,

Hugs to all,

Ileana

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Congratulations NewYorkSydney!!! Good luck with your new life in the US! I wish you a smooth adjustment!

I am so sorry for what you have to go through Rachel! I hate people patronizing others just because they can. One of these days I will ask one of them if they are getting paid extra just to be abnoxious! Awwwww, your doggie is so cute!!! I want to get me one just like that when I get to US. We already chose a name for it - Dexter!

Coleen, good luck! I keep my fingers crossed for you too!

Thank you so much Azra! Have you scheduled your medical already?

Sending lots of good vibes for you Batta! Hope everything will sort out soon.

Keep you all in my thoughts and prayers,

Hugs to all,

Ileana

Aww thanks Ileana! I know, she was so rude. I guess we just have to sit tight and wait for packet three now, but I'm dreading calling her back. The attitude... shes just a receptionist lol! But yes, labradors make the most wonderful companions. And such cute little puppies. I wont deny it, they are such hard work and dont mature for about three years but the returns are a million times over. Our Honey is such a loving dog. She'd protect us in a heartbeat!

And CONGRATULATIONS NewYorkSydney!!!! We're sooooo pleased for you!!!!! Wow! What a relief! You can start to relax now and continue your wedding plans! Congrats again!

Edited November 17, 2009 by RUSSandRACHEL

[Batta 6]

Good morning all,

Hope you all going to have a wonderful day...

Rachel...don't stress over a rude lady... there is more worse stuff to stress about...

Kitty... hope all is going well with you.. nothing left keep you in my prayers.

I am staying positive after he decided to deal with this case.. he told me not to respond, call or do anything without talking to him. He is getting worried about me for the stress level I am enduring because of this wait.

Cannot wait to see him on 26th...

Regards

Batta

[EasternDE 35]

Last time I went to the USA, I went to the vet' to check my little ferret, she was more than 6 years old and she hasn't seemed very well for a while, and I wanted to make sure before I'd leave her to a friend for two weeks. It was making me very anxious, because I doubted she could survive such a long trip. 6 years is old for a ferret.

Finally the day before I was supposed to fly, I headed to the vet.

She had cancer... Vet said she could hope to live for 3 months max with heavy medication.

In a blink, I had to make an horrible decision. I couldn't leave her to my friend like that, with the medication.

It was during the summer, it was getting hot, and I could see she was suffering.

So I decided to put her to sleep.

It was my last day at work before vacation and I was supposed to finish and close a lot of files...

All I did was crying all day long... Then I went home, and I started to dismount her cage and put away all her stuffs.

I managed to cut myself very badly...

On the way to the airport, I was still crying...

I managed to loose my little neckband cushion thingy in the gates waiting room, more crying...

I was the last one to get into the plane (because I tried to find my neckband back....)

The air hostess said "I've got a good news for you! you're upgraded to business class!", MORE crying!

We're here now, but speaking for myself, it's been more than a year I'm planning this journey, and I started to plan it thinking she would come with me...

I really hope you'll be able to manage a fine journey for your dog, Rachel, it's important.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Last time I went to the USA, I went to the vet' to check my little ferret, she was more than 6 years old and she hasn't seemed very well for a while, and I wanted to make sure before I'd leave her to a friend for two weeks. It was making me very anxious, because I doubted she could survive such a long trip. 6 years is old for a ferret.

Finally the day before I was supposed to fly, I headed to the vet.

She had cancer... Vet said she could hope to live for 3 months max with heavy medication.

In a blink, I had to make an horrible decision. I couldn't leave her to my friend like that, with the medication.

It was during the summer, it was getting hot, and I could see she was suffering.

So I decided to put her to sleep.

It was my last day at work before vacation and I was supposed to finish and close a lot of files...

All I did was crying all day long... Then I went home, and I started to dismount her cage and put away all her stuffs.

I managed to cut myself very badly...

On the way to the airport, I was still crying...

I managed to loose my little neckband cushion thingy in the gates waiting room, more crying...

I was the last one to get into the plane (because I tried to find my neckband back....)

The air hostess said "I've got a good news for you! you're upgraded to business class!", MORE crying!

We're here now, but speaking for myself, it's been more than a year I'm planning this journey, and I started to plan it thinking she would come with me...

I really hope you'll be able to manage a fine journey for your dog, Rachel, it's important.

Awww EasternDE I'm so sorry. That must be heartbreaking. I'm so sorry... Thats awful!! Russ works with animals aswell - including ferrets and he says that they are such sweet creatures. So mischevious - they move their plastic house during the night to try and make there way out of the cage haha! But I'm sorry for your loss.

And thank you for your concern but Honey is like a child to us. We have to bring her with us and she loves Russ just like she loves me. I know its incredibly stressful but shes a young dog still and unbeknown to us, the transportation of animals is something totally normal to many dogs and the cargo department... just look at Crufts dog show... So, whilst we are very very anxious about the process of taking her, I know she will be ok. I met a woman who previously worked for Continental (who we'll be flying with) recently and she has assured us both that they really do take care of the animals well... temperature control etc... Its so unfortunate that your poor baby didnt get to make the journey with you... Im so sorry. But the journey with Honey is just something we have to get through. Its just something we have to get on with. I'm dreading it to be honest though.

[kata&rob 2]

Got a call from the embassy today. They already scheduled my interview for Dec.3 . Everything is going soo fast now... Starting to feel a bit stressed out and nervous.... But thankfully my finace will come to the interview with me.

In a way its good to live in a small country ( no long lines for interviews ).

Good luck people... )