August Interviews Crew - AOS Journey

Rose416 · January 28, 2011

Sounds like we are all settling into our new lives nicely! I had a couple of weeks of panic, like 'why the heck did I leave Canada?!?!', but California is starting to grow on me (especially this gorgeous January weather), and my husband's patience and support has helped calm my nerves.

Congrats on being approved Wishing! My interview is coming up and I am only just starting to think about it. I am getting a little bit nervous, but feel prepared. I have all of the originals and photocopies of my documents, and proof of our relationship.

Does anyone know how important it is to show proof of Health Insurance? My husband works for a non-profit and it's expensive to add me to his plan. I've gone without insurance for 5 months now, and it is always stressing me out. Is having no insurance a big no no?

Also, I've decided to go back to school. I've been having one heck of a time finding work here. Even bar/restaurant jobs are super competitive in LA. I am competing with actors and models!! I am applying to university to complete my teaching credential, but am nervous about bringing this up at the interview. I don't want them to suspect I moved here only to pay resident tuition to become a teacher! Teaching in Canada is way more lucrative!!

One more question....TAXES!!! I have no US income to report, so I don't think I'm going to file for the US this year. Is this OK? My husband will file his taxes separately. I am going to file for Canada however.

OK. That's all for now! Where would I be without VJ?!?!

Veronik · January 28, 2011

Hi back Rose416,

Gosh, reading you felt like I was reading myself! Same case here, no health insurance still. I don't see why that would be a problem, I mean, it's not a proof that we're not in a relatioship, just that it's too expensive right now! If they ask, just say that you are waiting to find work and either get coverage throuh them or buy your own. That's what I'm doing. We're saving to buy a house, and 400$ a month to cover me would put a big dent in our budget... Especially with me not working still...

I am thinking of going back to school as well! I have to get all my documents translated before I can even try to get my credentials for my teaching degree, and it's gonna be real expensive... I'm thinking of taking Spanish, can't hurt!

As for your taxes, you could get a real nice chunk of money back if you file married jointly... We did, but it was a real pain to file though... There's a thread I started because I was about to go insane, a lot of people replied and I got a lot of good advise, check it out, it might help you guys. It's called "Thread on VJ and IRS website didn't help" or something like that... It's in the Canada forum.

Valerie78, congratulations! Let me know if Orfee is having as hard a time to find a job as I am in Virginia! I'm so upset that there's NOTHING here right now... Sucks big time! Did you get an e-mail for the EAD? I updated the list, but if it's not the right date, let me know!

User .......... AOS sent .... NOAs ...... Bio. App ... AP Result ..... EAD Result .... Inter./Transf. .... AOS Result ...... Card Revd.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

mandaNchris ... xx/xx/xx ... xx/xx/xx ... xx/xx/xx ... ----------- ... ----------- ... ------------- ..... ----------- ..... ------------

Alaba ......... xx/xx/xx ... xx/xx/xx ... xx/xx/xx ... ----------- ... ----------- ... ------------- ..... ----------- ..... ------------

Brenda2010 .... xx/xx/xx ... xx/xx/xx ... xx/xx/xx ... ----------- ... ----------- ... ------------- ..... ----------- ..... ------------

Rose416 ....... 09/25/10 ... 10/08/10 ... 10/28/10 ... 11/22/10(a) ... 11/23/10(a) ... Int: 02/07/11 ..... ----------- ..... ------------

Vero and Chris. 10/06/10 ... 10/18/10 ... 11/24/10 ... 12/14/10(a) ... 12/17/10(a) ... ------------- ..... ----------- ..... ------------

J & J ......... 12/06/10 ... 12/13/10 ... 01/05/11 ... ----------- ... ----------- ... Tra: 01/19/11 ..... ----------- ..... ------------

Wishing ....... 10/11/10 ... 10/20/10 ... 11/12/10 ... 12/21/10(a) ... 12/21/10(a) ... Int: 01/11/11 ..... -Approved!- ..... 01/21/11

Valerie78 ..... 11/17/10 ... 11/24/10 ... 01/18/11 ... ----------- ... 01/28/11(a) ... Tra: 01/18/11 ..... ----------- ..... ------------

nickbits ...... 09/16/10 ... 09/24/10 ... 10/28/10 ... 11/16/10(a) ... 11/16/10(a) ... Int: 12/13/10 ..... -Approved!- ..... 12/23/10

Tater&####### .. 10/08/10 ... 10/19/10 ... 11/09/10 ... 01/11/11(a) ... 01/14/11(a) ... Int: 03/03/11 ..... ----------- ..... ------------

ken and kate .. 11/15/10 ... 11/23/10 ... 01/06/11 ... --- N/A --- ... ----------- ... ------------- ..... ----------- ..... ------------

Alright, have a good weekend everyone!

Tater&Bugger · January 28, 2011

I'm thinking of taking spanish classes, especially with the move to AZ I think it can help me find work there. Justin is going to school in AZ though so I should probably do it before because I need to work full time there.

Veronik · January 28, 2011

I'm thinking of taking spanish classes, especially with the move to AZ I think it can help me find work there. Justin is going to school in AZ though so I should probably do it before because I need to work full time there.

Yep, Spanish in Arizona is probably a very good idea! I have a friend who lives in Flagstaff, and he says it's a must for some employers.

Tater&Bugger · January 28, 2011

I wish my French was useful in the US LOL... I might try to get a job with an airline though. At least there is an airport in Phoenix, unlike where I am now haha.

Veronik · January 28, 2011

There's actually a lot of schools around this area that have French as a second language... In the US speaking French is exotic :lol:

knnth · January 28, 2011

EAD card is being printed! It may take up to 30 days to get here, but do I have to wait until I physically have it in my hands before I work?

Rose416 · January 29, 2011

Thank you for the advise Vero. I will read your forum and make sure we file as a couple. More money is fantastic!

Spanish is a great idea! I have been studying on my own and find it so easy, especially with a previous knowledge of French. I'm in California and there are lots of Spanish speakers meeting up for conversation clubs. There might be something like that where you are. Good luck getting your documents translated. It might be worth the expense in the long run. It just seems like immigration adds on so much extra cost. I have to pay to have my university transcript 'authenticated' for California schools, AND I had to pay to have my biometrics taken again for admission. So much bureaucracy.

Tater, Arizona will be a nice move. Weather will be gorgeous! I never used to get why west-coasters complained about east-coast weather so much. I was like, 'there's no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing', but now, living in California, I understand completely. Our worst weather consisted of one week of rain.

I'm studying for my CBEST exam right now. It's a teaching subject matter equivalence test I have to take before being accepted by my school. I hate math, always did, and now have to force myself to study it. UGGH!!!

Hope you all manage to have a better weekend.

Rose416 · January 29, 2011

Wishing, I applied for my SSN in my married name and it took about 6 weeks for it to arrive because of security checks. It sounds like you did the right thing by going back there. Apparently we all have to return to have our Social Security conditions removed. Right now mine says 'valid for work with DHS authorization'. When I have my Green Card I can go back and have that removed. The number won't change.

nickbits · January 29, 2011

Get health insurance. I was in the hospital last month for a week or so and the bill was just under 100k. And make sure you FULLY understand the policy.

Rose416 · January 29, 2011

That is a grotesque number Nickbits! You have insurance, right? I know I am playing with fire, and I plan on getting insured soon. I'm looking into getting covered for emergencies only. When I become a student I can use the school's doctor and dentist for everything else.

Anyone know of any reasonable insurance plans covering emergencies only?

nickbits · January 30, 2011

I have insurance but was taken to an out of network hospital. Right now the hosptial is appealing the insurance to pay the bill. As of right now there is a balance due of about 70k.

That's why I said make sure you read and understand your policy. And I thought last year was expensive with all the immigration and wedding stuff :S

Edited January 30, 2011 by nickbits

Veronik · January 30, 2011