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CanAmCharlotte

Apropos of nothing

By CanAmCharlotte in Canada

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CanAmCharlotte Enthusiast

CanAmCharlotte   0

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

As one of those unusual adults who chooses not to drive a car, I had to get a state-issued photo ID for when I have my naturalization interview (or maybe it's for when I go to the oath ceremony, whatever). I live in the 18th largest city in the US (Charlotte) and there are only a couple of DMV offices that issue this type of ID. The most convenient location closed last week due to government cutbacks.

I showed up today at 1:30pm thinking I may have beat the lunch hour rush. Yeah right, dream on. There were at least a hundred people in the waiting room with no air conditioning that I could detect. There were only five people working at this office and two seemed totally incompetent (another one was just plain nasty to people). I know because I had two hours to watch them work before my number finally came up.

Here's the thing, this was without one shred of exaggeration the dirtiest, oiliest, smelliest place of business I have ever had the displeasure to experience in my entire life. Yuckity yuckity yuck. It was stunning to me that this is a place of business nevermind a (state) government office. When I got home, I removed all clothing and threw it in the wash. The only other government office I have been to since moving here was the Social Security Office and that was only marginally better. Wow, I thought Canadian government offices in Toronto were bad. Those places, altough institutional-looking, are like the Taj Mahal compared to what I just saw. Things can only get worse if the economy stays in the tank. Longer lineups, more dilapidated surroundings, and overworked (and crankier) employees.

Jo-Anne

JillA Experienced

JillA   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Ohmigosh! That's crappy! Any stories people tell of Government experiences though, none of it surprises me. I hope you got your card!

K-1

I-129F sent to Vermont: 2/19/08

NOA1: 2/21/08

NOA2: 3/10/08

Packet 3 recd: 3/25/08

Packet 3 sent: 4/18/08

Appt letter recd: 6/16/08

Interview at Montreal Consulate: 7/10/08 **APPROVED!!**

K1 recd: 7/15/08

US Entry at Buffalo, New York: 11/15/08

Wedding in Philadelphia: 11/22/08

AOS

AOS/EAD/AP filed at Chicago Lockbox: 12/17/08

NOA: 12/29/08

Case transferred to CSC: 1/7/09

AOS Approval: 4/2/09

Biometrics appt: 1/16/09

EAD received: 3/12/09

AP received: 3/13/09

AOS approval notice sent: 4/2/09

GC received: 4/9/09

ROC

Sent package to VSC: 1/5/11

NOA1: 1/7/11

Biometrics: 2/14/11

Approval letter received: 8/1/11

GC received: 8/11/11

Citizenship:

N-400 sent to Dallas lockbox: 3/1/12

NOA1: 3/6/12

Biometrics: 4/9/12

Interview: 5/25/12

Oath Ceremony: 6/4/2012

Kathryn41 Grand Master

Kathryn41   3,205

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

That sounds identical to the DMV office in Forest Park, GA where I went to get my first Driver's License. The wait was in the same ball park as well - people were lined up out of the door and all of the seats were filled and people were standing in every spare space. There were 5 or 6 people working the counter and it was hot! I thought getting a DL in Georgia would be an all day affair. Fortunately, the office a little bit further south of us in Locust Grove is brand new and big. People were friendly and I was able to get my next licenses quickly and without hassle. Maybe you can find another office for next time even if it is a little farther to go.

“...Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?”

.― Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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Another Member of the VJ Fluffy Kitty Posse!

Flames9_RN Grand Master

Flames9_RN   358

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

The DMV's here in VA are nice, but whats up with the Armed Security guards? lol

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

CanAmCharlotte Enthusiast

CanAmCharlotte   0

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

I forgot to mention the silver lining in all of this was that the photo ID I ended up with today is bar none, the best photo of me on any kind of ID I've ever had! I wish I could have it on my passport.

Jo-Anne

thetreble Experienced

thetreble   19

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Unfortunately, you will find many government offices in the US like that. That is the last place the government spends money on, unfortunately, is businesses like the DMV.

"...My hair's mostly wind,

My eyes filled with grit

My skin's white then brown

My lips chapped and split

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh

I've stared at the vast open bowl of the sky

I've seen all the castles and faces in clouds

My home is the prairie and for that I am proud…

If You're not from the Prairie, you can't know my soul

You don't know our blizzards; you've not fought our cold

You can't know my mind, nor ever my heart

Unless deep within you there's somehow a part…

A part of these things that I've said that I know,

The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow.

Best say that you have - and then we'll be one,

For we will have shared that same blazing sun." - David Bouchard

J&K Community Regular

J&K   0

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
The DMV's here in VA are nice, but whats up with the Armed Security guards? lol

Agreed! Except no security here...I'm sure if anyone tried to do anything, 50 people would arm themselves immediately :lol:

AOS/EAD

04/07/07 - Sent AOS/EAD to Chicago

04/09/07 - Received at Chicago Lockbox

04/16/07 - NOA Date

05/10/07 - Transferred to CSC

05/30/07 - Case Pending at CSC

06/19/07 - Card Production Ordered for AOS

06/22/07 - Approval Notice Sent for AOS

06/23/07 - Welcome to America Letter received!

06/27/07 - Green Card Received

Removing Conditions

06/03/09 - Sent I-751

06/04/09 - Received at VSC

06/05/09 - NOA1

07/01/09 - Biometrics - Alexandria, VA

07/02/09 - the Lonely Touch

10/29/09 - Approved!

11/04/09 - Card Production Ordered

3dflags_usa0001-0001a.gif John 3dflags_can0001-0001a.gifKrystin = 3dflags_usava01-0001a.gif

3D Flags

thetreble Experienced

thetreble   19

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
The DMV's here in VA are nice, but whats up with the Armed Security guards? lol

Agreed! Except no security here...I'm sure if anyone tried to do anything, 50 people would arm themselves immediately :lol:

:lol:

Word! Where you live and where I live is very similar. haha

"...My hair's mostly wind,

My eyes filled with grit

My skin's white then brown

My lips chapped and split

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh

I've stared at the vast open bowl of the sky

I've seen all the castles and faces in clouds

My home is the prairie and for that I am proud…

If You're not from the Prairie, you can't know my soul

You don't know our blizzards; you've not fought our cold

You can't know my mind, nor ever my heart

Unless deep within you there's somehow a part…

A part of these things that I've said that I know,

The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow.

Best say that you have - and then we'll be one,

For we will have shared that same blazing sun." - David Bouchard

J&K Community Regular

J&K   0

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
The DMV's here in VA are nice, but whats up with the Armed Security guards? lol

Agreed! Except no security here...I'm sure if anyone tried to do anything, 50 people would arm themselves immediately :lol:

:lol:

Word! Where you live and where I live is very similar. haha

You know, it's probably completely 180 from each other in most respects, but even keel when it comes to firearms.

Virginia...open carry state, and home of the NRA (I've been there...boss took me on a field trip) :lol:

AOS/EAD

04/07/07 - Sent AOS/EAD to Chicago

04/09/07 - Received at Chicago Lockbox

04/16/07 - NOA Date

05/10/07 - Transferred to CSC

05/30/07 - Case Pending at CSC

06/19/07 - Card Production Ordered for AOS

06/22/07 - Approval Notice Sent for AOS

06/23/07 - Welcome to America Letter received!

06/27/07 - Green Card Received

Removing Conditions

06/03/09 - Sent I-751

06/04/09 - Received at VSC

06/05/09 - NOA1

07/01/09 - Biometrics - Alexandria, VA

07/02/09 - the Lonely Touch

10/29/09 - Approved!

11/04/09 - Card Production Ordered

3dflags_usa0001-0001a.gif John 3dflags_can0001-0001a.gifKrystin = 3dflags_usava01-0001a.gif

3D Flags

Krikit Grand Master

Krikit   1,165

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted
The DMV's here in VA are nice, but whats up with the Armed Security guards? lol

:blink:

Unfortunately, you will find many government offices in the US like that. That is the last place the government spends money on, unfortunately, is businesses like the DMV.

They don't even have a website! :o

iagree.gif
SapphireDreams Experienced

SapphireDreams   71

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

^^ The DMV here has a website...

I went to the DMV 2 days ago in NYC and waited 2.25 hours to switch my license. I had to STAND IN LINE for almost 2 hours!!! Then I had to wait again after that with a number!! It was crazy! There were only 2 people processing the 2 hours line! It was crazy. And like 20 people processing part 2.

It was definitely an experience!!

Removing Conditions

Sent package to VSC - 8/12/11

NOA1 - 8/16/11

Biometrics - 9/14/11

thetreble Experienced

thetreble   19

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

:lol:

I knew you were in for one, sapphire. I went tot he Newark office to get my license and it took me about the same amount of time. But then..I failed my test and had to go back..again. haha

"...My hair's mostly wind,

My eyes filled with grit

My skin's white then brown

My lips chapped and split

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh

I've stared at the vast open bowl of the sky

I've seen all the castles and faces in clouds

My home is the prairie and for that I am proud…

If You're not from the Prairie, you can't know my soul

You don't know our blizzards; you've not fought our cold

You can't know my mind, nor ever my heart

Unless deep within you there's somehow a part…

A part of these things that I've said that I know,

The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow.

Best say that you have - and then we'll be one,

For we will have shared that same blazing sun." - David Bouchard

JillA Experienced

JillA   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

The DMV here is around the corner, I walked there. It's a nice and tidy office, I only waited about 5 minutes to be served. Unfortunately I got the biggest B1TCH on the planet helping me, she was the devil I swear. I still get mad when I think about how she treated me and I left in tears. Oh well, I got my DL and didn't have to do any tests, so I guess it worked out

K-1

I-129F sent to Vermont: 2/19/08

NOA1: 2/21/08

NOA2: 3/10/08

Packet 3 recd: 3/25/08

Packet 3 sent: 4/18/08

Appt letter recd: 6/16/08

Interview at Montreal Consulate: 7/10/08 **APPROVED!!**

K1 recd: 7/15/08

US Entry at Buffalo, New York: 11/15/08

Wedding in Philadelphia: 11/22/08

AOS

AOS/EAD/AP filed at Chicago Lockbox: 12/17/08

NOA: 12/29/08

Case transferred to CSC: 1/7/09

AOS Approval: 4/2/09

Biometrics appt: 1/16/09

EAD received: 3/12/09

AP received: 3/13/09

AOS approval notice sent: 4/2/09

GC received: 4/9/09

ROC

Sent package to VSC: 1/5/11

NOA1: 1/7/11

Biometrics: 2/14/11

Approval letter received: 8/1/11

GC received: 8/11/11

Citizenship:

N-400 sent to Dallas lockbox: 3/1/12

NOA1: 3/6/12

Biometrics: 4/9/12

Interview: 5/25/12

Oath Ceremony: 6/4/2012

thetreble Experienced

thetreble   19

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)
The DMV here is around the corner, I walked there. It's a nice and tidy office, I only waited about 5 minutes to be served. Unfortunately I got the biggest B1TCH on the planet helping me, she was the devil I swear. I still get mad when I think about how she treated me and I left in tears. Oh well, I got my DL and didn't have to do any tests, so I guess it worked out

Boy oh BOY you should see our DMV workers. Their idea of "work appropriate" clothing is jeans down to their knees and Sean Jean/baby phat wear. hha

Edited by thetreble

"...My hair's mostly wind,

My eyes filled with grit

My skin's white then brown

My lips chapped and split

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh

I've stared at the vast open bowl of the sky

I've seen all the castles and faces in clouds

My home is the prairie and for that I am proud…

If You're not from the Prairie, you can't know my soul

You don't know our blizzards; you've not fought our cold

You can't know my mind, nor ever my heart

Unless deep within you there's somehow a part…

A part of these things that I've said that I know,

The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow.

Best say that you have - and then we'll be one,

For we will have shared that same blazing sun." - David Bouchard

JillA Experienced

JillA   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
The DMV here is around the corner, I walked there. It's a nice and tidy office, I only waited about 5 minutes to be served. Unfortunately I got the biggest B1TCH on the planet helping me, she was the devil I swear. I still get mad when I think about how she treated me and I left in tears. Oh well, I got my DL and didn't have to do any tests, so I guess it worked out

Boy oh BOY you should see our DMV workers. Their idea of "work appropriate" clothing is jeans down to their knees and Sean Jean/baby phat wear. hha

:lol: You know that reminds me... I thought postal workers had to wear uniforms of some sort... but my postman wears cut-off jeans and a tee-shirt! So wierd!

K-1

I-129F sent to Vermont: 2/19/08

NOA1: 2/21/08

NOA2: 3/10/08

Packet 3 recd: 3/25/08

Packet 3 sent: 4/18/08

Appt letter recd: 6/16/08

Interview at Montreal Consulate: 7/10/08 **APPROVED!!**

K1 recd: 7/15/08

US Entry at Buffalo, New York: 11/15/08

Wedding in Philadelphia: 11/22/08

AOS

AOS/EAD/AP filed at Chicago Lockbox: 12/17/08

NOA: 12/29/08

Case transferred to CSC: 1/7/09

AOS Approval: 4/2/09

Biometrics appt: 1/16/09

EAD received: 3/12/09

AP received: 3/13/09

AOS approval notice sent: 4/2/09

GC received: 4/9/09

ROC

Sent package to VSC: 1/5/11

NOA1: 1/7/11

Biometrics: 2/14/11

Approval letter received: 8/1/11

GC received: 8/11/11

Citizenship:

N-400 sent to Dallas lockbox: 3/1/12

NOA1: 3/6/12

Biometrics: 4/9/12

Interview: 5/25/12

Oath Ceremony: 6/4/2012

 
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