MAY 2010

[hoppla 1]

I am also feeling homesick today. I did last Thursday, too. I think I need to stop coming on VJ, or at least stay out of OT. Every time I see a thread about "What do you love about the US" (the one today is why you love being a US citizen) I do the comparison, trying to find just ONE thing that is better here than in Canada. Just ONE. The only reason I am here is because of my husband. Don't get me wrong, I like it here, I am comfortable here, but I haven't found any way that it is better than Canada. Especially Toronto. Even the produce sucks! Here I am, living close to where they grow all the produce, and it is a crappier quality and way more expensive than in Toronto! (I worked for a veg processor before moving here, I know my veggies heheh). The owner of said company had told me this, because Cdn retailers sell their produce at a loss while paying for top quality, but it didn't really sink in until I got here.

OK, I think my rant is over. Sorry. And I am sorry if I offend any USC in here. It's not that the US sucks, it really doesn't, it is a GREAT country. It's just that Canada is so wonderful. And it doesn't help that I haven't been there for 9 months, and I can't go back until I get my green card. This is my first summer I have not gone back to SK to visit my folks. It sucks. And I know I don't have it nearly as bad as many others on here.

I know EXACTLY how you feel!!! I drive people (and my hubby) crazy almost every day by comparing everything to Sweden and complaining about things here. I would leave in a heartbeat if it wasn't for my hubby. Now I'm trying to convince him that we should move in a couple of years I haven't been home in 2.5 years and can't go until I get my GC, well I can't go then either bc we can't afford it

[engineer21 51]

Just got a txt msg: your case MSCxxxxxxxxxx is now updated.

Went to check online and EAD blue dot moved to document production with this message:

On July 22, 2010, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

Yippeeeee!!!!!

Now if only my professors would let me finish my dang research and find a job already..

Edited July 22, 2010 by engineer21

[ValerieA 350]

I just got the card production ordered email for my EAD, also. I did a *facepalm* and used the f-word a lot. I am one week away from my interview. I sincerely believe this process is inefficient. I would have rather not had them working at all on my EAD and working on someone who actually needs one. Because of the way they do things, everyone automatically sends in the I-765.

I should be . I guess I am just in a pizzy mood today.

[Leigh Ann 8]

Congrats on the EAD guys!

It's funny b/c the way that you two feel about Canada & Sweden is how I feel about the US when I'm away for a long time. Totally understand the sentiment - I think home is just always better.

[engineer21 51]

I just got the card production ordered email for my EAD, also. I did a *facepalm* and used the f-word a lot. I am one week away from my interview. I sincerely believe this process is inefficient. I would have rather not had them working at all on my EAD and working on someone who actually needs one. Because of the way they do things, everyone automatically sends in the I-765.

I should be . I guess I am just in a pizzy mood today.

I totally know what you mean. I'm just happy to see any touches because it breaks up the waiting process.

Also means at least for the EAD I gave them the correct documentation and gives me confidence about the rest of the other forms we submitted. Anything USCIS approves makes me happy!

But there are definitely others that need it more than I do ..

I also understand the homesickness.. I haven't been there since 2002. This past few weeks my hubby and I (but mostly me) have been on a desperate mission to locate any Indonesian Restaurant around boston. We drove 4 hours roundtrip last weekend up to NH to try to find one that ended up being closed. Every single one I've found on the internet no longer exist and I just wanted to

[ValerieA 350]

I am lucky that the cultural differences are not vast; but even the liberals here are conservative compared to the conservatives where I come from. Did that make sense? And poutine. I miss poutine. Not that I ever ate it much, being a heart attack on a plate, but still.

Oh, and back bacon. They are being deceived here. What they have is NOT back bacon.

[hoppla 1]

I am lucky that the cultural differences are not vast; but even the liberals here are conservative compared to the conservatives where I come from. Did that make sense?

Couldn't have said it better myself I feel stupid sometimes going through this long and difficult process when we could live in a country where "everything" is free (well, not everything, but compared to here it sure feels like it). Like you, I feel stressed about having kids etc. and here it is sooooo expensive. My neighbor told me that only the delivery of her last kid (back in 90's) was $14,000...#######!!!??? And don't get me started about politics....

[engineer21 51]

Couldn't have said it better myself I feel stupid sometimes going through this long and difficult process when we could live in a country where "everything" is free (well, not everything, but compared to here it sure feels like it). Like you, I feel stressed about having kids etc. and here it is sooooo expensive. My neighbor told me that only the delivery of her last kid (back in 90's) was $14,000...#######!!!??? And don't get me started about politics....

But this is land of the free! Home of the brave!

And American Football is so much fun to watch!

[hoppla 1]

But this is land of the free! Home of the brave!

And American Football is so much fun to watch!

Just tells you that everything is relative I do love the free soda refills though

[Krys & Nova 2]

I am lucky that the cultural differences are not vast; but even the liberals here are conservative compared to the conservatives where I come from. Did that make sense? And poutine. I miss poutine. Not that I ever ate it much, being a heart attack on a plate, but still.

Oh, and back bacon. They are being deceived here. What they have is NOT back bacon.

You are SO right!!! I miss poutine as well. I know I'm going to miss the year long maternity leave as well. I'm a little concerned about education and health care, but I guess we'll just have to figure it out. Their are days I feel REALLY DOWN (like today), but I am truly lucky to have an amazing husband. I do hope to return to Canad at some point, maybe when we have kids .

Couldn't have said it better myself I feel stupid sometimes going through this long and difficult process when we could live in a country where "everything" is free (well, not everything, but compared to here it sure feels like it). Like you, I feel stressed about having kids etc. and here it is sooooo expensive. My neighbor told me that only the delivery of her last kid (back in 90's) was $14,000...#######!!!??? And don't get me started about politics....

I told my husband what you said about sweden having 6mths off for paternity leave, he laughed and in all his American splender he says. How do the companies continue working if people take 6mths off? I swear, when you are not used to something, it seems so foreign, but I SO think this should be the standard. that way mother and father have time to bond with baby.

Edited July 22, 2010 by Krys & Nova

[ValerieA 350]

I swear, when you are not used to something, it seems so foreign, but I SO think this should be the standard. that way mother and father have time to bond with baby.

You hit the nail on the head. They don't understand how these things can be offered, and still have a robust economy. I have tried to explain that these CAUSE a robust economy, because people must be hired and trained to do their jobs while they are off work, thus putting even more into the economy. It just doesn't translate. Even when I point out how good (comparatively) Canada's economy is right now, they don't get it.

On top of it, if I hear one more time that the US can't afford a health care system like Canada's because they have so many more people, I am going to SCREAM. The more people you have, the cheaper per capita it is! This is not a difficult concept! Healthy people who don't use health care as often offset those with more serious problems! ARGH!

ETA: And people who have health care are more healthy than those who don't. So, if everyone has health care - guess what? Healthy country! Canadians have a longer life span, and lower infant mortality rate, than Americans. This is NOT a coincidence.

Edited July 22, 2010 by ValerieA

[hoppla 1]

You are SO right!!! I miss poutine as well. I know I'm going to miss the year long maternity leave as well. I'm a little concerned about education and health care, but I guess we'll just have to figure it out. Their are days I feel REALLY DOWN (like today), but I am truly lucky to have an amazing husband. I do hope to return to Canad at some point, maybe when we have kids .

I told my husband what you said about sweden having 6mths off for paternity leave, he laughed and in all his American splender he says. How do the companies continue working if people take 6mths off? I swear, when you are not used to something, it seems so foreign, but I SO think this should be the standard. that way mother and father have time to bond with baby.

All Americans ask me that when I tell them about it But it actually keeps unemployment down, because someone else will get that position for those 6 months (1-1.5 year for women). They know when they start that it is a maternity/paternity leave temporary job, but sometimes the company might have another position available after that period so it's a great way to get a foot in. The companies are used to it as you said and it works really well. Another difference is that men and women are more equal in Sweden, so the wife might actually earn more than the man, and it is not frowned upon for men to take paternity leave at all.

You hit the nail on the head. They don't understand how these things can be offered, and still have a robust economy. I have tried to explain that these CAUSE a robust economy, because people must be hired and trained to do their jobs while they are off work, thus putting even more into the economy. It just doesn't translate. Even when I point out how good (comparatively) Canada's economy is right now, they don't get it.

On top of it, if I hear one more time that the US can't afford a health care system like Canada's because they have so many more people, I am going to SCREAM. The more people you have, the cheaper per capita it is! This is not a difficult concept! Healthy people who don't use health care as often offset those with more serious problems! ARGH!

ETA: And people who have health care are more healthy than those who don't. So, if everyone has health care - guess what? Healthy country! Canadians have a longer life span, and lower infant mortality rate, than Americans. This is NOT a coincidence.

WORD!!!

[Young Love 5]

Sorry for getting off topic, buuuut...

I received an email from USCIS stating "card production ordered" for my EAD

:dance:

I'm so happy & relieved & excited & grateful!

[engineer21 51]

Sorry for getting off topic, buuuut...

I received an email from USCIS stating "card production ordered" for my EAD

:dance:

I'm so happy & relieved & excited & grateful!

Haha! Actually you are on topic!

The rest of us were the ones off topic talking about food we miss and health care and such

But hey, ... CONGRATSSS!!!

[engineer21 51]

You hit the nail on the head. They don't understand how these things can be offered, and still have a robust economy. I have tried to explain that these CAUSE a robust economy, because people must be hired and trained to do their jobs while they are off work, thus putting even more into the economy. It just doesn't translate. Even when I point out how good (comparatively) Canada's economy is right now, they don't get it.

On top of it, if I hear one more time that the US can't afford a health care system like Canada's because they have so many more people, I am going to SCREAM. The more people you have, the cheaper per capita it is! This is not a difficult concept! Healthy people who don't use health care as often offset those with more serious problems! ARGH!

ETA: And people who have health care are more healthy than those who don't. So, if everyone has health care - guess what? Healthy country! Canadians have a longer life span, and lower infant mortality rate, than Americans. This is NOT a coincidence.

Not that I did a poll or anything on this...

But it seems to me that most people here are resistant to changes in health care system because they don't want to pay for other people's health care.

That's the impression that I get.