what do you do?

[britbird 4]

Thats a good idea with the university thing, when EAD comes through which would also benefit me greatly if it was able to help towards tuition etc as i know i need to do more schooling in order to become a teacher I did a BA in England but never got round to doing a PGCE so would need to look to what has to be done here....bingo another thing i can do while board out of my mind when everything finally gets approved

You should absolutely check out the local universities and colleges. I started working for one just a month or so after I got my EAD and it's been wonderful! I started out in a job that was way below my abilities, but the nice thing is that my benefits eligibility started accruing right away, plus once you are 'in' you can quite easily (at least in mine) switch departments and move on up the ladder of interesting stuff - and working where there are professors and students doing interesting stuff is pretty motivating. Just to give you some idea: I'm going to graduate pretty soon with a darn good law degree that has cost me (aside from the tuition tax you have to pay, because certain tuition benefits are classified as extra income) the grand total of zero dollars. If you can find an evening program for your teaching skills, and then work during the day to get the credit then I say go for it.

[TheCockyLockies 2]

Alex I sent you a PM .

We should all write down what we do each day... It would be nice to see what others are doing!

So far its 8:51am, I have made myself a egg white omlette, just about to do some pilates. Took my dog out for a walk, and am just about to re arrange my cosmetics in the bathroom before showering and doing my make up .

This afternoon we are going to the VA office to find out about some kinda support for us, and then on to a Body Pump class and do a run at the gym so I can keep fit while here.

I also brought ShaunT beach body insanity to do over 90 days I also have p90x! However currently I am watching Stargate on Hulu and painting my nails.

I got myself P90X too (that was 3 months ago) but gave up after 2 weeks... How are you doing with yours?

Waiting sux! For sure.

[A and J 4]

I got myself P90X too (that was 3 months ago) but gave up after 2 weeks... How are you doing with yours?

Waiting sux! For sure.

I just looked that up and boy do they both seem intense, but defo something to think about, had a look at some results too on youtube so who knows.

[TheCockyLockies 2]

I just looked that up and boy do they both seem intense, but defo something to think about, had a look at some results too on youtube so who knows.

It's pretty good. You should try it. I just need that determination back. Though, there are 2 CDs that I still

regularly use. And yah, I've seen those youtube clips- some good results there. Just one of the ways to kill

time, you know.

[marie09 5]

There is also a habit I have picked up from my in-laws of endlessly browsing Craigslist. I got my skis on there, I got my snowshoes on there, I got my car on there. My boss got a free hot tub! You should check it out for new snowshoes!

Couldn't help but notice that your local office is Sacramento, CA though. Do you have snow there? Maybe Tahoe? You mentioned altitude so I gues that's it.

As for yorkshire pudding. I'm pretty sure that there's something different about the ingredients here. I can't get that to work properly either. Tastes good, looks like a fat pancake. Ooops.

Oooo Craigslist is a great idea, thanks Hudons, will look after my first pay check arrives. Yep you were right by the way we live in Lake Tahoe.

The only yorkshire puddings we've got to work good here were a package mix `Goldenfry' we found in the hispanic aisle of a grocery store one day. Not a grocery store in our town though unfortunately!

I've said this before I think, but universities are outstanding places to work, and you can usually get entry level positions at them (unless you are trying the University of California at the moment, which is in a bit of a predicament). The other benefit is that you may be able to get help with tuition for graduate level education.

Thats a great idea Britbird. I'm going to do an MBA part time in August. I noticed even an entry level administrator (no degree required) makes pretty good money & benefits at a university. I def will keep my eye open for jobs at our nearest university once I have a car. Good to know you found it easy to switch depts too. My husband keeps telling me if it's the right organization starting at any level helps get your foot in the door

[britbird 4]

Thats a great idea Britbird. I'm going to do an MBA part time in August. I noticed even an entry level administrator (no degree required) makes pretty good money & benefits at a university. I def will keep my eye open for jobs at our nearest university once I have a car. Good to know you found it easy to switch depts too. My husband keeps telling me if it's the right organization starting at any level helps get your foot in the door

Absolutely right - I started out doing admin type work (they couldn't quite understand why I wanted the job, but after months of visa/AOS ####### I would have counted paperclips if it meant having a job) and very quickly moved departments. It's a great way of establishing a work history, plus if you check out their tuition benefits you may well be eligible for benefits from other universities too. Not only that, but there are lots of other benefits to be had: the ones with med schools typically have on campus doctors offices, they will probably all have very good gyms, not to mention sports clubs, libraries, visiting speakers, more informal classes, and professional development classes.

[A and J 4]

Absolutely right - I started out doing admin type work (they couldn't quite understand why I wanted the job, but after months of visa/AOS ####### I would have counted paperclips if it meant having a job) and very quickly moved departments. It's a great way of establishing a work history, plus if you check out their tuition benefits you may well be eligible for benefits from other universities too. Not only that, but there are lots of other benefits to be had: the ones with med schools typically have on campus doctors offices, they will probably all have very good gyms, not to mention sports clubs, libraries, visiting speakers, more informal classes, and professional development classes.

Sad day today I had to leave the SO behind as my VWP is due to run out and i have my graduation this weekend, 3 weeks til he is here and hopefully not to long til i get back over there

[Darnell 8,478]

I need something to do, I was going to do my fitness instructing training and was hoping to have my EAD by late January...Not gonna happen. Sat bored all day around his parents house because we cant move out until I get a full time job. I am so depressed sitting about all day, just me and the dog . And no money.

I always suggest:

1. go to a chamber of commerce event / meeting in his city (if you don't know how to find the chamber of commerce, send me a pm with yer city name, i'll find it for you ) - the ones for breakfast and lunch time are the best, imo - anything in evening time is 'just for fun' .

2. attend a local toastmasters guild meeting. (see www.toastmasters.org )

3. volunteer to be a reader at the library for the 'kiddies hour'

4. volunteer at the hospital

whilst ya canna move at the moment, ya can get OUT of the house, nae?

[britbird 4]

Word - there are loads of free things you can go to (unless you live in a village in the middle of nowhere, but even then I'm sure there are some elderly residents for you to go keep company.

Here are a few of the things I did while waiting for my EAD

1) Volunteered with the national parks service (they are great - they have a Volunteers In Parks program. Lots of fun.

2) Volunteered at a local theater/museum.

3) Go to your local university and get a list of all the visiting speakers/lunchtime talks etc. Those are really good. If there are classes you are particularly interested in you could ask to audit them.

Other suggestions which you could do (but I didn't) - go to a local school and see if they need any student reader volunteers, or student tutors (that can be really fulfilling). Volunteer at a local animal shelter. Or go take a cooking or art class - sometimes if you help the teacher out you can get in for free.

And for those who are upset about separation....just think, in a few years time after being hitched for a while you'll actually think a few weeks apart is a healthy thing It's tough right now, but trust me - you'll look back and wonder what all the fuss was about.