MAY 2010

[ValerieA 350]

Any of you who got interview letters: has your dot changed from initial review? Mine hasn't for either the I-765 or the 485.

My I-485 is still at acceptance () and my I-765 is initial review. I tend to think that they should just discontinue the online system until they get the process straightened out with their employees.

[hoppla 1]

Born and raised in Jakarta.

Yes, the landscape is absolutely beautiful and the rest of the world cannot compete with the cuisine, IMO

But I don't miss the dusty streets, perpetual summer + humidity, depressing cardboard shacks, women who rent babies to use for begging, pseudo-democracy, and never-ending religious quarrel. Sigh..

Bali is amazing though, isn't it?

Hahah, but it would appear that you have been to more places in Indonesia than I have

Hubby's never been. Can't wait to take him!!

I know what you mean, I saw both sides when I was there too. Bali is truly amazing though! We were on Sumbawa when the bomb went off in Bali and went straight back and stayed another 5 weeks while most people left, we felt it was right to stay and contribute to the economy since they depend on tourism and people were really suffering. What most amazed me (other than the food, nature, beaches etc.) was people's attitude after experiencing something that devastating, the rest of the world could learn a lot from them.

[hoppla 1]

I love the Swedish system! Wish we could make some much needed improvements in this country along those lines. Doubtful though, especially considering the fear of "socialism." Urgh.

Our friends in Sweden that aren't from there are a little frustrated at the language issue though - I think they're finding it difficult to get a job etc, even though everyone speaks English. But they're taking the free Swedish classes to help.

Your family history is impressive! Love the diversity.

Zimbabwe is now considered a failed state so my husband is thrilled to be here, though missing his family and sick of the waiting. South Africa is great to visit, great for me - but also very difficult for him. So, we'll be living in America for the foreseeable future, which is fine by me.

Yeah, I'm a proud "socialist" We don't see it as socialism over there though.

You're right about the language issue in Sweden, it is ridiculous. Everyone understands and speaks English, still you need to know Swedish to get a job. The free classes are good but often too slow for fast learning people. That would be one of my concerns moving there. Hubby can say maybe..hmm...5 words in Swedish (two of which are Cheers and the name of a heartburn medicine lol) Tell your hubby M'Jambo! That's the only thing I know in swahili, they do speak swahili in Zimbawe right? I used to know more and even a little song

[engineer21 51]

I know what you mean, I saw both sides when I was there too. Bali is truly amazing though! We were on Sumbawa when the bomb went off in Bali and went straight back and stayed another 5 weeks while most people left, we felt it was right to stay and contribute to the economy since they depend on tourism and people were really suffering. What most amazed me (other than the food, nature, beaches etc.) was people's attitude after experiencing something that devastating, the rest of the world could learn a lot from them.

Wow that is really brave of you to stay

I would have chickened out immediately.

Bali people are quite peaceful from what I've seen and heard..

Until that bombing they have managed to stay pretty much uninvolved and unaffected by the political turmoil in the rest of the country.

But the May 1998 Jakarta riots repulses me to this day and is the main reason I 'moved' here in 1999.

[Leigh Ann 8]

Yeah, I'm a proud "socialist" We don't see it as socialism over there though.

You're right about the language issue in Sweden, it is ridiculous. Everyone understands and speaks English, still you need to know Swedish to get a job. The free classes are good but often too slow for fast learning people. That would be one of my concerns moving there. Hubby can say maybe..hmm...5 words in Swedish (two of which are Cheers and the name of a heartburn medicine lol) Tell your hubby M'Jambo! That's the only thing I know in swahili, they do speak swahili in Zimbawe right? I used to know more and even a little song

Haha, I used my friend's computer for a few days, and I learned some very useful words from it. I can't remember the spelling of it now though, but something like fotnot (foot note! I was writing a paper, obviously...) and "velkommen" (Welcome) from the Welcome screen. Totally threw me off using computer shortcuts though, like for bolding, etc.

He speaks Shona so no Swahili for him. They speak English, Shona & Ndebele.

Where is East Africa is your dad from?

That's so weird about the language issue - our friends are frustrated, and also by everyone speaking Swedish even when they know they don't speak it - but they did that to me all the time when they were speaking Shona so I don't feel too bad for them on that point.

Our package was delivered!!!!!!!!

[hoppla 1]

Wow that is really brave of you to stay

I would have chickened out immediately.

Bali people are quite peaceful from what I've seen and heard..

Until that bombing they have managed to stay pretty much uninvolved and unaffected by the political turmoil in the rest of the country.

But the May 1998 Jakarta riots repulses me to this day and is the main reason I 'moved' here in 1999.

Well, we figured that was probably the safest place to be. Not a big risk that they would bomb the same place again. They are a very peaceful and forgiving people.

[hoppla 1]

Haha, I used my friend's computer for a few days, and I learned some very useful words from it. I can't remember the spelling of it now though, but something like fotnot (foot note! I was writing a paper, obviously...) and "velkommen" (Welcome) from the Welcome screen. Totally threw me off using computer shortcuts though, like for bolding, etc.

He speaks Shona so no Swahili for him. They speak English, Shona & Ndebele.

Where is East Africa is your dad from?

That's so weird about the language issue - our friends are frustrated, and also by everyone speaking Swedish even when they know they don't speak it - but they did that to me all the time when they were speaking Shona so I don't feel too bad for them on that point.

Our package was delivered!!!!!!!!

Your Swedish is very good The language thing is stupid, really, everyone speaks English unless they are like 85 years old maybe. Also, English is mostly a requirement for all jobs so it really doesn't make sense.

My dad is from Eritrea, which used to be part of Ethiopia until 1991 or 1993. They don't speak swahili either lol I learnt that somewhere else.

Finally package delivered! Yay!

[Leigh Ann 8]

Your Swedish is very good The language thing is stupid, really, everyone speaks English unless they are like 85 years old maybe. Also, English is mostly a requirement for all jobs so it really doesn't make sense.

My dad is from Eritrea, which used to be part of Ethiopia until 1991 or 1993. They don't speak swahili either lol I learnt that somewhere else.

Finally package delivered! Yay!

Haha, thanks. I knew a couple of other things...naughtier words...but I've forgotten them since December.

SO EXCITED the package is delivered! Now just crossing my fingers for the case to be resumed soon!!!

[Leigh Ann 8]

Haha, thanks. I knew a couple of other things...naughtier words...but I've forgotten them since December.

SO EXCITED the package is delivered! Now just crossing my fingers for the case to be resumed soon!!!

My friend just texted me - I need people to stop that until we get the text that it's resumed!

[squirrely 0]

When my husband gets frustrated with the USCIS he suggests that we go live in Sweden, it just sounds so nice I'm from Tijuana so there's no way in hell I'm going back there right now. A lot has changed in the 5 years I've been away to the point where I'd be afraid for my life if I ended up back.

[hoppla 1]

My friend just texted me - I need people to stop that until we get the text that it's resumed!

Haha! I know, they are a little slow though as we know... I didn't get mine until the next day.

When my husband gets frustrated with the USCIS he suggests that we go live in Sweden, it just sounds so nice I'm from Tijuana so there's no way in hell I'm going back there right now. A lot has changed in the 5 years I've been away to the point where I'd be afraid for my life if I ended up back.

Oh wow, yeah Sweden is way safer than Tijuana Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here...but I'm in love, what more can I say.

[Leigh Ann 8]

Haha! I know, they are a little slow though as we know... I didn't get mine until the next day.

I know! I'm just being anxious. Also, they said that the mail is not picked up by USCIS until 4:20, and this package was delivered at 1:15 for them so I'm being overly optimistic.

Oh wow, yeah Sweden is way safer than Tijuana Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here...but I'm in love, what more can I say.

We all do a lot for that, don't we? Going through this process should be enough to prove that, even if it's our home country!

[besaangel 18]

Third, I agree. I would get them in private school, private christian school or home school (my Mom's a teacher too ) But I would prefer moving back to Sweden where all education is free and of very high quality.

I bet they do lol. I had to write a final paper for my Mgmt Info Systems class and decided to write about the need for comprehensive exams for graduating High school students... Very interesting to hear the feedback I received...

[immi267 0]

What does it mean when they say your case has been transferred to the National Benefits Center?

[engineer21 51]

What does it mean when they say your case has been transferred to the National Benefits Center?

It just means that they are the ones who will be reviewing your case.

Most of us doing AOS have been transferred to NBC.

It is also known as the Missouri Service Center (in Lee's Summit, MO)