July 2009 Filers

[Jewel-8 21]

...Am I crazy for wanting to call CSC/USCIS to get an update or to check on the file? I mean I recognize the fact that they have not touched it or anything ....but still? Has anyone else thought about calling??? lol

Can I join in ??

I have been reading your comments and getting support from them for over a month guess I'm a little shy

I'm driving my Tamara nuts with phone calls and webcam so maybe I need to speak to some others

Anyone ever been to Alaska?

Welcome T&G. What part of Alaska are you from? My brother and his wife both have strong ties to Eagle River, but I've never been.

As far as CSC is concerned... yeah I'm not loving what is going on either. I dont think calling would help. Maybe sending them some coffee might??

[T&G 0]

...Am I crazy for wanting to call CSC/USCIS to get an update or to check on the file? I mean I recognize the fact that they have not touched it or anything ....but still? Has anyone else thought about calling??? lol

Can I join in ??

I have been reading your comments and getting support from them for over a month guess I'm a little shy

I'm driving my Tamara nuts with phone calls and webcam so maybe I need to speak to some others

Anyone ever been to Alaska?

Welcome T&G. What part of Alaska are you from? My brother and his wife both have strong ties to Eagle River, but I've never been.

As far as CSC is concerned... yeah I'm not loving what is going on either. I dont think calling would help. Maybe sending them some coffee might??

Fairbanks, Alaska

Been to Eagle River several times

I'm a little scared Tamara has never experienced winter before!!!

And the way CSC is moving she will be coming to Fairbanks in December and thats -45F

[Wade+Kristin 0]

...Am I crazy for wanting to call CSC/USCIS to get an update or to check on the file? I mean I recognize the fact that they have not touched it or anything ....but still? Has anyone else thought about calling??? lol

Can I join in ??

I have been reading your comments and getting support from them for over a month guess I'm a little shy

I'm driving my Tamara nuts with phone calls and webcam so maybe I need to speak to some others

Anyone ever been to Alaska?

Welcome T&G. What part of Alaska are you from? My brother and his wife both have strong ties to Eagle River, but I've never been.

As far as CSC is concerned... yeah I'm not loving what is going on either. I dont think calling would help. Maybe sending them some coffee might??

Fairbanks, Alaska

Been to Eagle River several times

I'm a little scared Tamara has never experienced winter before!!!

And the way CSC is moving she will be coming to Fairbanks in December and thats -45F

Even more amusing to think of the fact she might get a winter wedding too! Imagine that, never experienced winter and then may end up married in the middle of it

[M and F 3]

...Am I crazy for wanting to call CSC/USCIS to get an update or to check on the file? I mean I recognize the fact that they have not touched it or anything ....but still? Has anyone else thought about calling??? lol

Can I join in ??

I have been reading your comments and getting support from them for over a month guess I'm a little shy

I'm driving my Tamara nuts with phone calls and webcam so maybe I need to speak to some others

Anyone ever been to Alaska?

Welcome T&G. What part of Alaska are you from? My brother and his wife both have strong ties to Eagle River, but I've never been.

As far as CSC is concerned... yeah I'm not loving what is going on either. I dont think calling would help. Maybe sending them some coffee might??

Fairbanks, Alaska

Been to Eagle River several times

I'm a little scared Tamara has never experienced winter before!!!

And the way CSC is moving she will be coming to Fairbanks in December and thats -45F

Even more amusing to think of the fact she might get a winter wedding too! Imagine that, never experienced winter and then may end up married in the middle of it

I totally want a winter wedding!!

SIGH.

[LoveWaits 1]

I can say from both being an expat living in Germany and having a spouse come here to the US from Germany that its never easy. Takes alot of understanding from both and alot of support. Things you view as normal can be completely abnormal to your new partner, sometimes the most simple things. Funny thing is I lived in Germany so long that when I came back to America in October last year I had culture shock and the States freaked me out, I wanted to get back on the plane to Germany It was mostly the fast paced lifestyle; rush, rush, rush! Shopping 24/7...BUY BUY BUY!

So my suggestion to everyone is create a good support structure, find some sort of support community for your sig., make sure they bring items that may help them cook comfort foods from home that might not be readily available here (you'd be surprised how much that helps and not all things are available everywhere - like corn syrup is not available in Germany), make sure their friends/loved ones back home have easy access to them (ie: Skype, IM or cheap phone). And as you know, driving is essential here in the States, help them get their license as fast as possible so they have some independence.

I've already sent Katia the driver's ed book so she can start studying before she even gets here. I also have the information to add Russian TV to my cable selection ($14.99/mo for those interested), I know where the local Russian community newspaper can be had, where some Russian stores are for things she may miss from Russia, we set her parents up with Skype and I have lots of tissue and a shoulder for her to cry on for all those nights of home sickness.

Probably a lot of common sense in this post but still thought I'd share from my experience.

[Jewel-8 21]

Instead of hearing about the I-129 or seeing Igor's list update today, I have received TWO emails about the government being awesome. First, my 7 year olds passport is in the mail. Second, the career lady at the state university sent out an email to let us know the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency is hiring auditors.

Not exactly what I cared to hear today because we dont need the passport anytime soon and I cant apply for that level of job for at least another semester. I guess when I wish for something to hurry up (ie. the government to get work quicker) I should be more specific.

Love Waits - good tips. My sweetie is moving from Scotland to Salt Lake City. Kind of a big difference. He won't have any pubs to crawl home from.

I think the biggest thing for him will be getting a job. He has great work ethics and gets ahead where he is now. Then he comes home and makes fun of me for spending my work day on Facebook and this forum. He should be fine since the house needs to be painted and the bathrooms remodeled. I'm hoping the improvements and XBox keep him busy until the EAD comes through.

I might try cooking some British dishes, but Im not sure I can make the few things I liked over there.

[M and F 3]

I can say from both being an expat living in Germany and having a spouse come here to the US from Germany that its never easy. Takes alot of understanding from both and alot of support. Things you view as normal can be completely abnormal to your new partner, sometimes the most simple things. Funny thing is I lived in Germany so long that when I came back to America in October last year I had culture shock and the States freaked me out, I wanted to get back on the plane to Germany It was mostly the fast paced lifestyle; rush, rush, rush! Shopping 24/7...BUY BUY BUY!

So my suggestion to everyone is create a good support structure, find some sort of support community for your sig., make sure they bring items that may help them cook comfort foods from home that might not be readily available here (you'd be surprised how much that helps and not all things are available everywhere - like corn syrup is not available in Germany), make sure their friends/loved ones back home have easy access to them (ie: Skype, IM or cheap phone). And as you know, driving is essential here in the States, help them get their license as fast as possible so they have some independence.

I've already sent Katia the driver's ed book so she can start studying before she even gets here. I also have the information to add Russian TV to my cable selection ($14.99/mo for those interested), I know where the local Russian community newspaper can be had, where some Russian stores are for things she may miss from Russia, we set her parents up with Skype and I have lots of tissue and a shoulder for her to cry on for all those nights of home sickness.

Probably a lot of common sense in this post but still thought I'd share from my experience.

Ok so I need to share something with you guys ...Just finished spending my lunch on the phone with him ...and it wasn't that great. Not great in the sense of i could tell something was bothering him but it took a little while to get it out of him. Apparently, everyone he talks to is telling him not to come here. the main issue apparently is that they keep saying how there is no life and all you will do is work. And my theory is - yeah you have to work ...but everyone there keeps filling him with all this negative stuff and it is truly so frustrating. They have their reasons and he assured me that he has decided to come and if he doesn't then he would regret it completely. He is so used to living so comfortably and not worrying about anything ..and in california and much of the states work is our main thing and like you said everything is fast paced.

I tried to tell him that you decide what kind of a life you want ...fast, slow, relaxed or crazy...

ughhhh the closer this process gets the more nervous I am getting...and lovewaits - you said it perfectly ...it is all about making sure there is a support network and comfort things for him... i already got him a cellphone number, i got him his tv channels from back home, luckily i pretty much eat the same things he eats, his church is nearby, i'm certain that he will have all the comforts he needs... it is just that i sometimes hate people!!!! people can be so negative!

i sometimes wish i could be there with him waiting through this process ---instead I am here waiting for my stupid noa2 to determine everything.

i just wish he had a support network that would support him right now and encourage him with positive thoughts.

[Resha 1]

I want to join the group lol ... I need something to occupy my free time before I go nuts! We got our NOA1 on July 9th... Hope everyone here is doing well and not too crazy with the waiting!

[LoveWaits 1]

Ok so I need to share something with you guys ...Just finished spending my lunch on the phone with him ...and it wasn't that great. Not great in the sense of i could tell something was bothering him but it took a little while to get it out of him. Apparently, everyone he talks to is telling him not to come here. the main issue apparently is that they keep saying how there is no life and all you will do is work. And my theory is - yeah you have to work ...but everyone there keeps filling him with all this negative stuff and it is truly so frustrating. They have their reasons and he assured me that he has decided to come and if he doesn't then he would regret it completely. He is so used to living so comfortably and not worrying about anything ..and in california and much of the states work is our main thing and like you said everything is fast paced.

I can tell you that this was a BIG issue for me when I came back from Germany. I've always told friends and family here that the big difference between the US and Europe is in America we live to work, and in Europe people work to live. To give you an idea, I had 6 weeks paid vacation from Day 1 of my job in Germany plus 29 public holidays a year. Add that all together and realize how much time you get for yourself I've been back now almost a year and I'm still not use to working so much. I really really miss being able to take 3 or 4 weeks off in summer plus all the little holidays here and there. So sorry to say, it will be difficult for those coming from Europe... but there are also many positives to balance things out not to mention your love for one another. There is a much better selection of sports/fitness here than I had overseas. I gained almost 20lbs over there, okay the great beer didn't help but it was so complicated to join sports/leagues. Here I have endless opportunities and all are very affordable. The US is a melting pot so there are communities for just about every corner of the globe in most major cities, you can't find that so easily in Europe.

Just be realistic about everything, prepare for the things you know will be difficult and work through them together. Its about all I can say. My big problem has been everyone in Russia telling her how great America is and what a paradise and all this nonsense. I keep telling her all the bad things and not to listen to these people (She always says; "You want me to come or not?" ). I just tell her straight up because I don't want anything to be a shock, either good or bad. I guess the big things that are important for us that I've tried to explain is our healthcare (this will be a shock for Europeans as well, unless they had private insurance) and education. She has a gifted son, very smart boy and I know the public school in my area isn't up to challenging him...but we've already selected a private school hopefully.

[M and F 3]

Ok so I need to share something with you guys ...Just finished spending my lunch on the phone with him ...and it wasn't that great. Not great in the sense of i could tell something was bothering him but it took a little while to get it out of him. Apparently, everyone he talks to is telling him not to come here. the main issue apparently is that they keep saying how there is no life and all you will do is work. And my theory is - yeah you have to work ...but everyone there keeps filling him with all this negative stuff and it is truly so frustrating. They have their reasons and he assured me that he has decided to come and if he doesn't then he would regret it completely. He is so used to living so comfortably and not worrying about anything ..and in california and much of the states work is our main thing and like you said everything is fast paced.

I can tell you that this was a BIG issue for me when I came back from Germany. I've always told friends and family here that the big difference between the US and Europe is in America we live to work, and in Europe people work to live. To give you an idea, I had 6 weeks paid vacation from Day 1 of my job in Germany plus 29 public holidays a year. Add that all together and realize how much time you get for yourself I've been back now almost a year and I'm still not use to working so much. I really really miss being able to take 3 or 4 weeks off in summer plus all the little holidays here and there. So sorry to say, it will be difficult for those coming from Europe... but there are also many positives to balance things out not to mention your love for one another. There is a much better selection of sports/fitness here than I had overseas. I gained almost 20lbs over there, okay the great beer didn't help but it was so complicated to join sports/leagues. Here I have endless opportunities and all are very affordable. The US is a melting pot so there are communities for just about every corner of the globe in most major cities, you can't find that so easily in Europe.

Just be realistic about everything, prepare for the things you know will be difficult and work through them together. Its about all I can say. My big problem has been everyone in Russia telling her how great America is and what a paradise and all this nonsense. I keep telling her all the bad things and not to listen to these people (She always says; "You want me to come or not?" ). I just tell her straight up because I don't want anything to be a shock, either good or bad. I guess the big things that are important for us that I've tried to explain is our healthcare (this will be a shock for Europeans as well, unless they had private insurance) and education. She has a gifted son, very smart boy and I know the public school in my area isn't up to challenging him...but we've already selected a private school hopefully.

Thank you so much for your comments. I am going to talk to him again tonight. You said it exactly - it is the vacation and time off that we don't get here. I'm not up for a vacation until i work for this company for 1 year and then i only get 2 weeks!! hahaha. But you are right there is so much more flexibility with other things and certain securities.

i told him the same things you mentioned and said that of course - nowhere is perfect but at least we have each other

we all have to have yearly get togethers! seriously!

[M and F 3]

Ok so I need to share something with you guys ...Just finished spending my lunch on the phone with him ...and it wasn't that great. Not great in the sense of i could tell something was bothering him but it took a little while to get it out of him. Apparently, everyone he talks to is telling him not to come here. the main issue apparently is that they keep saying how there is no life and all you will do is work. And my theory is - yeah you have to work ...but everyone there keeps filling him with all this negative stuff and it is truly so frustrating. They have their reasons and he assured me that he has decided to come and if he doesn't then he would regret it completely. He is so used to living so comfortably and not worrying about anything ..and in california and much of the states work is our main thing and like you said everything is fast paced.

I can tell you that this was a BIG issue for me when I came back from Germany. I've always told friends and family here that the big difference between the US and Europe is in America we live to work, and in Europe people work to live. To give you an idea, I had 6 weeks paid vacation from Day 1 of my job in Germany plus 29 public holidays a year. Add that all together and realize how much time you get for yourself I've been back now almost a year and I'm still not use to working so much. I really really miss being able to take 3 or 4 weeks off in summer plus all the little holidays here and there. So sorry to say, it will be difficult for those coming from Europe... but there are also many positives to balance things out not to mention your love for one another. There is a much better selection of sports/fitness here than I had overseas. I gained almost 20lbs over there, okay the great beer didn't help but it was so complicated to join sports/leagues. Here I have endless opportunities and all are very affordable. The US is a melting pot so there are communities for just about every corner of the globe in most major cities, you can't find that so easily in Europe.

Just be realistic about everything, prepare for the things you know will be difficult and work through them together. Its about all I can say. My big problem has been everyone in Russia telling her how great America is and what a paradise and all this nonsense. I keep telling her all the bad things and not to listen to these people (She always says; "You want me to come or not?" ). I just tell her straight up because I don't want anything to be a shock, either good or bad. I guess the big things that are important for us that I've tried to explain is our healthcare (this will be a shock for Europeans as well, unless they had private insurance) and education. She has a gifted son, very smart boy and I know the public school in my area isn't up to challenging him...but we've already selected a private school hopefully.

You know what it is too - I was not born here ... I came to the states when I was 10 years old - so I keep putting myself in his shoes based on my own experiences but I have to remember that everyone will end up with their own impressions and experiences. So I know I have certain things that I think may be an issue for him by moving here but perhaps I may be totally surprised and what bothered me when I moved here may completely be a nonissue for him!!!

All this therapy today and still no progress on IGOR!!!!! uggggghhhhh

thank God there is no quota as to how many times someone can post in a forum!!! hahahaha sorry everyone

[Jewel-8 21]

Ok so I need to share something with you guys ...Just finished spending my lunch on the phone with him ...and it wasn't that great. Not great in the sense of i could tell something was bothering him but it took a little while to get it out of him. Apparently, everyone he talks to is telling him not to come here. the main issue apparently is that they keep saying how there is no life and all you will do is work. And my theory is - yeah you have to work ...but everyone there keeps filling him with all this negative stuff and it is truly so frustrating. They have their reasons and he assured me that he has decided to come and if he doesn't then he would regret it completely. He is so used to living so comfortably and not worrying about anything ..and in california and much of the states work is our main thing and like you said everything is fast paced.

I can tell you that this was a BIG issue for me when I came back from Germany. I've always told friends and family here that the big difference between the US and Europe is in America we live to work, and in Europe people work to live. To give you an idea, I had 6 weeks paid vacation from Day 1 of my job in Germany plus 29 public holidays a year. Add that all together and realize how much time you get for yourself I've been back now almost a year and I'm still not use to working so much. I really really miss being able to take 3 or 4 weeks off in summer plus all the little holidays here and there. So sorry to say, it will be difficult for those coming from Europe... but there are also many positives to balance things out not to mention your love for one another. There is a much better selection of sports/fitness here than I had overseas. I gained almost 20lbs over there, okay the great beer didn't help but it was so complicated to join sports/leagues. Here I have endless opportunities and all are very affordable. The US is a melting pot so there are communities for just about every corner of the globe in most major cities, you can't find that so easily in Europe.

Just be realistic about everything, prepare for the things you know will be difficult and work through them together. Its about all I can say. My big problem has been everyone in Russia telling her how great America is and what a paradise and all this nonsense. I keep telling her all the bad things and not to listen to these people (She always says; "You want me to come or not?" ). I just tell her straight up because I don't want anything to be a shock, either good or bad. I guess the big things that are important for us that I've tried to explain is our healthcare (this will be a shock for Europeans as well, unless they had private insurance) and education. She has a gifted son, very smart boy and I know the public school in my area isn't up to challenging him...but we've already selected a private school hopefully.

You know what it is too - I was not born here ... I came to the states when I was 10 years old - so I keep putting myself in his shoes based on my own experiences but I have to remember that everyone will end up with their own impressions and experiences. So I know I have certain things that I think may be an issue for him by moving here but perhaps I may be totally surprised and what bothered me when I moved here may completely be a nonissue for him!!!

All this therapy today and still no progress on IGOR!!!!! uggggghhhhh

thank God there is no quota as to how many times someone can post in a forum!!! hahahaha sorry everyone

Just remember that nothing is ever permanent. Let him know that living in LA is the immediate goal, but it doesnt have to be like that forever. Maybe you two can plan to move back or retire to an area similar to what he is use to in 10-20 years.

I have been in an ornery place with my fiance lately too. It's hard being so far away and occasionally I let things get to me. It will be good experience for when we are married if we have little disagreements now. He keeps telling me to stop torturing myself and him with the Igor's list obsession and wanting him to tell me when he plans to be here. So I just need to keep that quiet for awhile

[Jewel-8 21]

I think it was LoveWaits that had a theory that CSC goes quiet for awhile and they must be doing the background checks with the FBI, then BOOM a huge period of approvals. It might be a slow week because they are getting a bunch more work done to get July files to the point of being ready for adjunctation. :D

[M and F 3]

Ok so I need to share something with you guys ...Just finished spending my lunch on the phone with him ...and it wasn't that great. Not great in the sense of i could tell something was bothering him but it took a little while to get it out of him. Apparently, everyone he talks to is telling him not to come here. the main issue apparently is that they keep saying how there is no life and all you will do is work. And my theory is - yeah you have to work ...but everyone there keeps filling him with all this negative stuff and it is truly so frustrating. They have their reasons and he assured me that he has decided to come and if he doesn't then he would regret it completely. He is so used to living so comfortably and not worrying about anything ..and in california and much of the states work is our main thing and like you said everything is fast paced.

I can tell you that this was a BIG issue for me when I came back from Germany. I've always told friends and family here that the big difference between the US and Europe is in America we live to work, and in Europe people work to live. To give you an idea, I had 6 weeks paid vacation from Day 1 of my job in Germany plus 29 public holidays a year. Add that all together and realize how much time you get for yourself I've been back now almost a year and I'm still not use to working so much. I really really miss being able to take 3 or 4 weeks off in summer plus all the little holidays here and there. So sorry to say, it will be difficult for those coming from Europe... but there are also many positives to balance things out not to mention your love for one another. There is a much better selection of sports/fitness here than I had overseas. I gained almost 20lbs over there, okay the great beer didn't help but it was so complicated to join sports/leagues. Here I have endless opportunities and all are very affordable. The US is a melting pot so there are communities for just about every corner of the globe in most major cities, you can't find that so easily in Europe.

Just be realistic about everything, prepare for the things you know will be difficult and work through them together. Its about all I can say. My big problem has been everyone in Russia telling her how great America is and what a paradise and all this nonsense. I keep telling her all the bad things and not to listen to these people (She always says; "You want me to come or not?" ). I just tell her straight up because I don't want anything to be a shock, either good or bad. I guess the big things that are important for us that I've tried to explain is our healthcare (this will be a shock for Europeans as well, unless they had private insurance) and education. She has a gifted son, very smart boy and I know the public school in my area isn't up to challenging him...but we've already selected a private school hopefully.

You know what it is too - I was not born here ... I came to the states when I was 10 years old - so I keep putting myself in his shoes based on my own experiences but I have to remember that everyone will end up with their own impressions and experiences. So I know I have certain things that I think may be an issue for him by moving here but perhaps I may be totally surprised and what bothered me when I moved here may completely be a nonissue for him!!!

All this therapy today and still no progress on IGOR!!!!! uggggghhhhh

thank God there is no quota as to how many times someone can post in a forum!!! hahahaha sorry everyone

Just remember that nothing is ever permanent. Let him know that living in LA is the immediate goal, but it doesnt have to be like that forever. Maybe you two can plan to move back or retire to an area similar to what he is use to in 10-20 years.

I have been in an ornery place with my fiance lately too. It's hard being so far away and occasionally I let things get to me. It will be good experience for when we are married if we have little disagreements now. He keeps telling me to stop torturing myself and him with the Igor's list obsession and wanting him to tell me when he plans to be here. So I just need to keep that quiet for awhile

Thank you Jewel

[T&G 0]

I want to join the group lol ... I need something to occupy my free time before I go nuts! We got our NOA1 on July 9th... Hope everyone here is doing well and not too crazy with the waiting!

I think I lost my mind 2 weeks ago

Thats why I joined this forum so I could try and find it again

Igor is onstrike today!