January 2010 K-1 Filers

[SunDrop 59]

Alan, that's awesome news!! I was sorry to read about the situation that you're all facing. It's hard enough to leave loved ones behind, but knowing that they're so unwell just adds to the stress and heartache

Just on an aside, your step-daughter is going to pick English up very quickly indeed! I'm a little confused as to why she won't be able to start school without speaking English, as this would actually be the best environment for her to pick it up really quickly. Or even if it's legal to keep her out of the school system for that long, unless you register her as home-schooled?

Lots of reading picture books together and a little strange sounding, but watching cartoons is a great way to learn. She'll be able to understand a lot more quickly than she'll be able to speak it but I'm guessing we're only really talking 3-4 months. Their language isn't sophisticated enough even as native speakers, to worry about complex vocabulary. Another really cool game to play is 'object naming'. Make up some laminated tags with the names of common household objects, like 'fridge' 'bed' 'closet' etc and using blu-tac (dunno if that's what you call it! lol) separate them into rooms and then go around with her and say the name, help her find the tag and then get her to repeat it when she places it. Lots of clapping and cheers every time she does it and maybe something like putting a jelly bean in a dish for every word she gets, or adding a jelly bean into a dish every time she uses a word by reading it off the tag. You'll be amazed how quickly she reaches more than a reasonable daily quota of JBs lol.

Find some activity groups for kids her age, and enroll her in those. What about something like Brownies or Girl Scouts? Basically seeking out as much social interaction away from her mother tongue as you can humanly occupy her with. She'll be having so much fun, she won't even realise how much she's learning. And with you as her only caregiver while Mom's back with Grandma, reply to her in english first and then translate if necessary. Won't be long before she'll be going "I knoooooooooow. Stop translating EVERYthing!!!" lol

Very excited for you, and c'mon NVC!!

Best wishes,

Tish

[~Johnny~ 27]

Way to go Alan!!! That NOA2 is such a sweet looking document too!!!

We'll pray for you to have a speedy NVC and Embassy trip.

[az110965 252]

Thanks everyone for your conratulations and well wishes for Vanessa, Miranda and myself.

I just got off the phone with her to tell her the good news and I heard Miranda in the background telling Vanessa how happy she is, and asking when she can come here to se me. It was endearing and just one of the many reasons I love these girls.

NVC next, then I'll be off to Costa Rica to do the interview with Vanessa. I'll keep you all updated.

Tonight I'm puting together the 4 poster bed I just had delivered for Miranda's room. It's been a great day all in all. First the NOA2, now I'll get to use power tools to assemble furiniture! Who could ask for anything more? lol.

Alan

[deleted 0]

Alan this is just wonderful news. My fiance *finally* got word today that his passport is ready for pick-up (just 28 days, 21 hours before the interview) but I won't be satisfied until he has it in his hands. It doesn't help that the passport agency is a 12 hour bus-ride, round trip. All he has to do now is get his medical (another 12 hour trip) and then jump the interview hoop (another 12-hour trip) and then pick up the visa (another 12-hour trip). WHY does the gov't make this so stressful on couples in love. I'm just glad that there are people here with whom to bear all this. So Alan -- you're meeting Vanessa and Miranda in Orlando... isn't there a theme park there or two?

[A + M 29]

Greetings all...

Our regularly scheduled daily USCIS rant will be replaced by:

NOA2!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it, but FINALLY I have an NOA2.

Right now I'm sitting (well - trying to sit) in my office but can't manage to stay still...

I tried to call Vanessa but she's in a meeting at work, so instead of leaving a voice mail I'll tell her tonight.

I love you all for standing by me and giving me the support and encouragement to get through this part of the ordeal...

Now on to NVC (Congressman's office called me 1 hour ago to tell me petition has been shipped to NVC)...

Alan

Congratulations !

[~Johnny~ 27]

WooooHooo....! My fiancee passed her medical exam today!!! Thank You Lord!!!

[Lohninck 2]

WooooHooo....! My fiancee passed her medical exam today!!! Thank You Lord!!!

Yay! Congratulations! You deserve it, Johnny! Lots of health and happiness for you and your girl!

[az110965 252]

Congrats Bro...

It's almost over Johnny!

BEST OF LUCK FOR THE INTERVIEW!!!

Alan

[deleted 0]

WooooHooo....! My fiancee passed her medical exam today!!! Thank You Lord!!!

Hey Johnny that's fantastic!! Isn't that such a huge gust of relief when you pass each of these hurdles? Whew!!

If you (or anyone) does not mind a silly question, what would have to happen for someone not to pass their medical exam? I was under the impression that the medical exam was simply a physical that wasn't pass nor fail. Can anyone elaborate? Does the attending physician have the authority to pass judgement if she or he deems the person "unfit"? I ask because my fiance has tattoos and piercings, something that is immediately associated with gang activity where he lives, but he just likes the look -- definitely not associated with any crime organization!

Thanks!

[~Johnny~ 27]

Hey Johnny that's fantastic!! Isn't that such a huge gust of relief when you pass each of these hurdles? Whew!!

If you (or anyone) does not mind a silly question, what would have to happen for someone not to pass their medical exam? I was under the impression that the medical exam was simply a physical that wasn't pass nor fail. Can anyone elaborate? Does the attending physician have the authority to pass judgement if she or he deems the person "unfit"? I ask because my fiance has tattoos and piercings, something that is immediately associated with gang activity where he lives, but he just likes the look -- definitely not associated with any crime organization!

Thanks!

Yeah, it's big relief for us. My girl is in the Philippines and they give everyone a strict TB test by means of a chest X-Ray. The Philippines has a history having lots of TB problems so they crack down on this exam. If there is the slightest problem with your X-Ray (like a scar or abnormality) then they order another test called a Sputum Culture test. This one requires you to come back to the clinic 3 days in a row...then they run a two-month culture test and you basically go home and wait for them to tell you that you pass or you fail....if you fail...then you're stuck for another 6 months on medication......and then go back to the clinic and take another X-Ray...and hopefully have no issues..... Sooooooo yeah.... It's usually a pretty big moment to pass the medical in Manila.

Thanks everyone!! Now we have an interview in two weeks...

Edited April 15, 2010 by ~Johnny~

[bainbridge558 0]

WooooHooo....! My fiancee passed her medical exam today!!! Thank You Lord!!!

CONGRATS Johnny !!!!!!

I called NVC this afternoon and my petition is ON IT'S WAY to Moscow TODAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

... and on the subject of calling. This is the second time in 3 days that I have called in the middle of the afternoon ( between 2 and 3 pm CST ) I have gotten through AND spoken to an operator in a total time of 5 minutes !!!! Mid afternoon might just be a good time to call !!

[bainbridge558 0]

Hey Alan ...... any updates ??

[az110965 252]

Yep...

Got a call yesterday from Congressman Kucinich's office telling me that they were able to fast track the petition to NVC. I called NVC yesterday, gave them the case number - petition has already been there and is enroute to Embassy. I assume it'll be there sometime this week.

Vanessa was able to schedule her and Miranda's medical exams for Wednesday (Thanks agin Franc for sending me a copy of Elsie's P-3 as a template for us).

In Costa Rica, the Embassy calls the beneficiary to tell her that the petition is there and for teh beneficiary to pick up the packet 3. Everythign will be done by the time that Vanessa receives the phone call, and right now San Jose Embassy is running about 10-14 days for an interview, so we're hoping fof the 1st week of May.

I'll fly down for the interview, fly back the next day with more of Vanessa's stuff, then 10 days later my girls will be here. I'm flying them into Ft. Lauderdale or Orlando (easier POE), and will meet them right outside of customs. The next morning we'll all fly home together. If everything falls into place, my girls should be here on American soil by May 15th.

Been painting the condo, putting Miranda's room together, etc... Can't wait for them to arrive!

Alan

[bainbridge558 0]

Yep...

Got a call yesterday from Congressman Kucinich's office telling me that they were able to fast track the petition to NVC. I called NVC yesterday, gave them the case number - petition has already been there and is enroute to Embassy. I assume it'll be there sometime this week.

Vanessa was able to schedule her and Miranda's medical exams for Wednesday (Thanks agin Franc for sending me a copy of Elsie's P-3 as a template for us).

In Costa Rica, the Embassy calls the beneficiary to tell her that the petition is there and for teh beneficiary to pick up the packet 3. Everythign will be done by the time that Vanessa receives the phone call, and right now San Jose Embassy is running about 10-14 days for an interview, so we're hoping fof the 1st week of May.

I'll fly down for the interview, fly back the next day with more of Vanessa's stuff, then 10 days later my girls will be here. I'm flying them into Ft. Lauderdale or Orlando (easier POE), and will meet them right outside of customs. The next morning we'll all fly home together. If everything falls into place, my girls should be here on American soil by May 15th.

Been painting the condo, putting Miranda's room together, etc... Can't wait for them to arrive!

Alan

OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[~Johnny~ 27]

If everything falls into place, my girls should be here on American soil by May 15th.

Been painting the condo, putting Miranda's room together, etc... Can't wait for them to arrive!

Alan

That's awesome Alan!! If things right for Wilma and me, she'll be heading across the ocean to LAX on May 13.....VJ won't hear anything from both of us for a while after those dates...!!!

OMG!!! I been spending the weekends cleaning my condo...and trying to make things more appealing..... I'm sure no matter how clean I get things...Wilma will come in and start cleaning again...