Any February 2012 filers?

[dagnylet 0]

When you first log into your account at USCIS, the first page is your "portfolio" with all of your active cases listed. In the listing for your I-129F, there is a date listed as "Last Updated." If this date is changed (without any change in your case status), that is a "touch." From what I can tell, a "touch" is indicative of exactly nothing as far as predicting approval, so it doesn't seem worthwhile to worry if you don't have one or never do. My "Last Updated" date is the day that they sent the NOA1 text/email.

Thank you Joy & Aaron! I want to be with my Sweetie soon that's why I want to see some movement on our application, be it material or trivial update

[R&RM 11]

Hi everyone,

I like the idea of introducing ourselves so I thought I would add my intro as well...I'm Rose, I'm the beneficiary. I'm from Kenya. My fiance is from Idaho, however, he currently lives in Shanghai. He will be moving to the US in the next few months (prior to my visa interview). I have to say I am a little bit jealous of those of you who have their beneficiary in the US (or you are the beneficiary in the US) because I do worry that my fiance's being away from the US will impact our application somehow. Besides that, it's going to be a lot complicated for us to settle down in the US because he himself will be readjusting to the US and I will be entirely new to it. As if that's not complicated enough, I have a 6 year old son! In the meanwhile, I am doing what I can to take things one step at a time and to get that precious NOA2 before allowing myself to worry too much. I am interested, however (for those of you who live in the US) in hearing your views about "best" and "worst" states to live in. I know that is a highly subjective matter but I am curious all the same. Of course what is going to really impact where we live more than anything is where employment rates are high. My fiance's in IT and I'm in non-profit/communication. I've heard that the IT industry hasn't been hit too bad but I'm not on the ground to know that for a fact. Idaho is an option but quite frankly not our first choice. For those who want to know more about me, I've outlined our basic relationship timeline below.

Great walking with you guys on this journey...1 month down! Hopefully we make it to NOA2 in 4 months max. Good luck everyone!

[afoyoswa 178]

Welcome, Rose! You've certainly traveled a lot! I'm so jealous that you could get a visa to visit the US ahead of time. How did you like it?

And as for locations in the US that are better/worse, of course I am partial to Boston, but you may not like the weather. A lot of people also seem to like the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland) and the mid-Atlantic (DC, Baltimore, etc.), and NYC is great as well (but very expensive, of course). Other than Boston, I've also lived in North Carolina (western) and Florida (central). I don't have much experience at all with the center of the U.S., so hopefully someone else can chime in! A lot of people seem to be currently moving to NC, but more to the central ("RTP" or Research Triangle Park, a.k.a. Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) part, and I understand that there is a lot of job growth there. I haven't lived in that area, but the weather is less extreme than New England and (supposedly) the people are friendlier. As for Florida, I didn't enjoy being surrounded by vacationers all the time, but your mileage may vary. Both of those last two locations are your fairly typical American suburban settings where residential areas are far removed from everything else you need, and you will need to drive and have a car to get your basic necessities (with the exception of a few very small areas in the city centers). What kind of setting/lifestyle are you looking for?

And how is everyone else holding up? I'm spending (way too much) time watching Igor's List and eagerly awaiting the day that approvals start to pop up in the February group of Vermont filers: anyone else?

[StarGirl 13]

I am interested, however (for those of you who live in the US) in hearing your views about "best" and "worst" states to live in. I

Hi, Rose

My fiancé lives in Georgia, Peach State. I've also spent several years there, and I can say I am totally in love with this state. It has this laid -back, warm, cozy atmosphere. I am originally from Russia (with these bitter cold winters) so mild GA winters, hot summers, and gorgeous springs and falls are mostly welcomed by me! I traveled to Northern US few times, and it's not my thing (( I love living in South, but just like you said - that's the matter of personal preferences.

[StarGirl 13]

And how is everyone else holding up? I'm spending (way too much) time watching Igor's List and eagerly awaiting the day that approvals start to pop up in the February group of Vermont filers: anyone else?

LOL.. let's see, I have VJ as well as USCIS websites on speed dial in my Internet browser. So, the very first thing I do in the morning is checking all the updates. Igor's list is saved in my favorites (it has had about 50 visits from me just in past week).. Can that thing move ANY slower?!?!?! so yeah, I am having fun .. Can hardly imagine what it will be like closer to the estimated NOA2 day.. and oh gosh.. THE INTERVIEW!

[R&RM 11]

Welcome, Rose! You've certainly traveled a lot! I'm so jealous that you could get a visa to visit the US ahead of time. How did you like it?

And as for locations in the US that are better/worse, of course I am partial to Boston, but you may not like the weather. A lot of people also seem to like the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland) and the mid-Atlantic (DC, Baltimore, etc.), and NYC is great as well (but very expensive, of course). Other than Boston, I've also lived in North Carolina (western) and Florida (central). I don't have much experience at all with the center of the U.S., so hopefully someone else can chime in! A lot of people seem to be currently moving to NC, but more to the central ("RTP" or Research Triangle Park, a.k.a. Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) part, and I understand that there is a lot of job growth there. I haven't lived in that area, but the weather is less extreme than New England and (supposedly) the people are friendlier. As for Florida, I didn't enjoy being surrounded by vacationers all the time, but your mileage may vary. Both of those last two locations are your fairly typical American suburban settings where residential areas are far removed from everything else you need, and you will need to drive and have a car to get your basic necessities (with the exception of a few very small areas in the city centers). What kind of setting/lifestyle are you looking for?

And how is everyone else holding up? I'm spending (way too much) time watching Igor's List and eagerly awaiting the day that approvals start to pop up in the February group of Vermont filers: anyone else?

Thanks for writing back! I appreciate the feedback. I guess the thing that surprised me most was how much there are still large undeveloped areas in the US (I saw Idaho, Missouri, Kansas and Tennessee) but then again that I'm sure was just because those are not exactly big-city states (though I know if I had seen more of Tennessee maybe I would have felt different). I did like that it's nice and clean and at least people are not outright mean (really wasn't sure what to expect given the varied racial tales the US is known for). I have to say I myself have a bias for Boston just because I also like the schools there and I am interested in doing my master's so Boston very much makes the list. I guess to me, the ideal place is where the city's not so big it's impossible to have a sense of home or so small that you can't breathe without your neighbor wanting the entire 411 about it. Education is important too, a good school for my son and me. Thanks again, I will save your notes and refer back closer to a time of decision-making. Soooooooooooo miserable about being away from my sweetheart. We are lucky we got to have 7 months in one city but then that is also what makes it so much harder because we had got used to seeing each other every day and having an actual real time relationship...so hard to just go back to chatting and phone calls.

Definitely spending too much time tracking things here too. I keep telling myself I shouldn't allow myself to look at the progress of things except once a week but that's not going great. I have never been so thankful that I am currently homeschooling my son or I think I would really lose my mind to have all those hours to think about how many more months we have to go. Here's to another day down!

[R&RM 11]

Hi, Rose

My fiancé lives in Georgia, Peach State. I've also spent several years there, and I can say I am totally in love with this state. It has this laid -back, warm, cozy atmosphere. I am originally from Russia (with these bitter cold winters) so mild GA winters, hot summers, and gorgeous springs and falls are mostly welcomed by me! I traveled to Northern US few times, and it's not my thing (( I love living in South, but just like you said - that's the matter of personal preferences.

Hooray for Georgia! My sister visits sometimes and she seems to have the same great impression of it. I also met a couple from Georgia (she was white and he was half-black and half-Korean) and they said Georgia was the best, a lot of diversity so not much in interracial problems. Thanks for your feedback!

[JerseyDomRep 4]

February Filer here this is driving me insane. Filed 2/8 and received NOA1 on 2/10

[dagnylet 0]

February Filer here this is driving me insane. Filed 2/8 and received NOA1 on 2/10

[JerseyDomRep 4]

LOL.. let's see, I have VJ as well as USCIS websites on speed dial in my Internet browser. So, the very first thing I do in the morning is checking all the updates. Igor's list is saved in my favorites (it has had about 50 visits from me just in past week).. Can that thing move ANY slower?!?!?! so yeah, I am having fun .. Can hardly imagine what it will be like closer to the estimated NOA2 day.. and oh gosh.. THE INTERVIEW!

If your dont mind me asking what is igor's list.

[StarGirl 13]

If your dont mind me asking what is igor's list.

here is the link for you http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

to the right side you will see NOA1 dates that are being processed at this moment by service centers. As far as I understand the data is taken from VJ members' timelines, so accuracy of the list really depends on how well we are updating our timelines. It's not official by now means but at least SOME information at what part of waiting we are.

[KTandTommy 31]

Made it to Florida last night... was so awesome to see Tom waiting for me after a long & dangerous drive! (we drove right through a severe thunderstorm with tornado warnings in Michigan... scary stuff!!)

No questions at ALL at the border, maybe because I was travelling with my parents. The only thing they asked was for me to take my glasses off so he could match my face to my passport LOL.

[Fight for Love 98]

I just mailed my I-129F package this morning! So happy to have that (small) part out of the way. I know Heather K. started the thread below about mailing hers 2 days ago: anyone else?

I mail mine on Feb 25. USCIS got it on Feb. 28 and the NOA1 dated march 1. Hopefully I didn't miss anything. I read other post some filer got RFE for not including birth certificate (fiancé) and all pages of their passport. In my case I did include my fiancé birthcert. But I didn't send ALL the pages of my passport and include the copy of my naturalization...goodluck to ALL Feb'2012 Filers!!!! :dance:

[StarGirl 13]

Made it to Florida last night... was so awesome to see Tom waiting for me after a long & dangerous drive! (we drove right through a severe thunderstorm with tornado warnings in Michigan... scary stuff!!)

No questions at ALL at the border, maybe because I was travelling with my parents. The only thing they asked was for me to take my glasses off so he could match my face to my passport LOL.

YAY for time with loved ones!!!

[Z&A 2]

Made it to Florida last night... was so awesome to see Tom waiting for me after a long & dangerous drive! (we drove right through a severe thunderstorm with tornado warnings in Michigan... scary stuff!!)

No questions at ALL at the border, maybe because I was travelling with my parents. The only thing they asked was for me to take my glasses off so he could match my face to my passport LOL.

Happy for you guys Enjoy your time together!

Miss my baby so much! More and more every day.