legally ET!

[bcmcfish 0]

Yes I am legally an Ailen... but better looking than ET!

We went to Montreal on Thursday for our interview at the US consulate. We stayed in a nice B&B ~ Jade Blue ~ cheaper than a hotel and alot nicer than the youth hostel! It was in an "interesting area" of tacky strip clubs (yuck) in between cute restaurants. Try the Trois Brasseurson Rue St. Catherine for a Flamme... delicious!

Although the B&B was kinda weird, as we let ourselves in and the landlady was nowhere to be seen during the 2 day stay, we could speak to her by phone. It was relatively smooth although their check in system might need a bit of fine honing. A member of staff did appear each day to cook a delicious breakfast for us and the other bewildered but contented guests:) We could park our car for free beside the B&B, although we prayed for large bouncer-like angels to guard it. My poor sister and bro in law got their truck stolen when they went for their interview last year and had to get the train back to Toronto ~ additional extras on finance never great in this process as your little nest egg gets fried by the visa process itself! argh...

Thursday night we sat up watching the season opening game of Bill's beloved superbowl champs from last year ~ the Steelers! They beat the Miami Dolphins in a rather good game. Now before you all think I have been brain washed by my sports mad American husband, this all does make sense, it is in context I promise.

We arose bright and early (OK early, but not so bright) Friday morning walked 15 minutes to the US consulate and had it completely jammy in timing. We walked in and within 2 minutes got on the lift to the 19th floor, got off and were 2nd in line at window 14 to get our number! (right behind our Calgary VJ friend, thanks for keeping us sane!)

So we were in and out in 1 1/2 hours approved. Reading the process on VJ helps lots and makes it all simple, others straggled in rather confused and flustered as we sat calmly~ish. Everyone there was pleasant too, which was honestly a bit of a surprise (except the security guards... they were a little bit tense, but then again in this current climate who can blame them? they're just trying to do their job well).

The interviewer was really pleasant asking * when were we married * where was I born * had I ever been refused access at the border *... then he discovered Bill was from Pittsburgh! HE (interviewer) was Miami Dolphins fan (which could have gone against us had he been a bitter man) and the men talked American football for 10 minutes ~ I kid you not! It was as pleasant a conversation as any in starbucks. I guess we looked like the innocent, law abiding, in love people we are

I cannot believe the majority of my green card interview was about The Steelers and National Football League. For all those who have seen the 1990's movie 'Green Card' there were no "what deoderant does Bill use?" questions, no interest in our wedding and dating photos... zippo!

So yesterday morning (Tuesday) all my paperwork arrived with us in Toronto and we hope to now make firm plans and get ourselves organised to move. So thus ends the chapter of our lives in Toronto Canada and thus begins our new one in The US of A somewhere soonish....

Thanks VJ and although there are some harrowing stories, please do be encouraged that if you are going through this ~ that it can be quick (6 1/2 months) and be done without a lawyer (if you have a straightforward case and your head screwed on). We are done, the nest egg is fried, but we are together and can stay that way now in the USA. The US consulate were nothing but pleasant and kind to us, it doesn't have to be a scary process

All the very best to everyone still in process...

Next up for us, Point of Entry!!! YAY!!!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Well, Congratulations! Your B&B story will be part of your lovely memories about the experience - quaint and a bit quirky, but imminently satisfying:-). Good luck on getting all of the eggs into the right baskets for your move south:-). Do you know yet where you will be relocating?

[bcmcfish 0]

Well, Congratulations! Your B&B story will be part of your lovely memories about the experience - quaint and a bit quirky, but imminently satisfying:-). Good luck on getting all of the eggs into the right baskets for your move south:-). Do you know yet where you will be relocating?

probably the east coast near family:)

[Kath 0]

congrats always nice to hear a good experience on VJ...hope all goes well with the move and you live happy ever after as other Vj's have

take care and good luck for the future

kath

[Married_my_love 0]

Well, Congratulations! Your B&B story will be part of your lovely memories about the experience - quaint and a bit quirky, but imminently satisfying:-). Good luck on getting all of the eggs into the right baskets for your move south:-). Do you know yet where you will be relocating?

probably the east coast near family:)

So you were dcf, right.... but from what you wrote you don't have set plans for where you are relocating? That didn't come up as proving domicile or anything? Just curious

AND CONGRATS!! I am sure you are PLEASED it is over

[laura428 0]

Yay! My husband (your Calgary VJ friend) and I have been watching for your post, hoping that everything went well. We're so happy for you both... cheers and good luck!!

Edited September 14, 2006 by laura428

[Cassie 8]

Congratulations!

[bcmcfish 0]

Well, Congratulations! Your B&B story will be part of your lovely memories about the experience - quaint and a bit quirky, but imminently satisfying:-). Good luck on getting all of the eggs into the right baskets for your move south:-). Do you know yet where you will be relocating?

probably the east coast near family:)

So you were dcf, right.... but from what you wrote you don't have set plans for where you are relocating? That didn't come up as proving domicile or anything? Just curious

AND CONGRATS!! I am sure you are PLEASED it is over

yes, we DCF'd. We applied as residents of Canada, but for where we are going to live I put my parents' house, since that is where we will probably go first, then figure out where we want to live from there. I didn't have to prove that or anything though. In fact, they never asked.