Yardies, at home and a farrin'

[Sbys 0]

Welcome Home Rohan! I'm glad you guys are having so much fun together already

Jamie --- congrats to Andre, I hope he has a great first day

[Yaads 0]

[:[/s]D Hey Everyone! ROHAN IS HOME!!!!!

He came in Friday. He said his flight was wonderful and he wasnt nervous at all. We had a wonderful weekend together. It was awesome. He is so funny and he loves NY. Here is an example...Saturday he went to the track with me to do some excercise, I said ok we need to warm up. He said ok I will warm up now, and bolted the wrong way down the track, smilng and saying hello each time he passed me, then he stopped before me and did some unknown stretches, Even other runners/walkers on the track was looking at him and his stretches After word I told him you did not warm up, he was like I did running around the track ...oh boy. I also had to tell him the goal of excercise is not outrun everyone on the track...it was hillarious. We are having sooo much fun...

I don't know how I missed this the first time through...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! It is the best feeling in the world to have your SO arrive and get to spend time together. I am so happy for you two

[nyseness 0]

Hi everyone

If anyone would like to see photos from my shower try this link:

http://www2.snapfish.com/photolibrary/t_=50702537

email address - jkb919@yahoo.com

password - joanna

Love the pics Joanna and the money tree. I need one of those..

I have a topic starter for you guys. Is your husband/fiance going to apply to become a U.S. citizen eventually? What are the pros and cons of doing so? Tony doesn't want to give up his Jamaican citizenship, but I think I read somewhere that it's really difficult to get dual citizenship.

Also, did anyone know that to become a US citizen, you have to pass a big test about the US government, the Constitution, and US history? I didn't know this until the other day. I went on USCIS website and they have practice tests you can take on-line. I only got 41 right out of 60 questions Some of them are hard!! And I grew up here and I should know this stuff. It seems like it's very hard to get citizenship. They also have to take a test to see whether they can read, write, speak, and understand English. Tony might have some trouble here too with the reading and writing portions.

I'm wondering what everyone else thinks about all this.

I know I'm late but just catching up. We haven't really talked about it but I think he will get his citizenship for the same reason of having to bring over his sibings. His family is real big and close so I couldn't see any other way. Getting your citizenship is not as bad as you think. My parents got there's back in 2000 when Bush took office. They were terrified that something was going to happen. It was funny especially for my dad since my mom's been asking him for a long time but he always said no. He didn't want to be a "sell out". I was cracking up, mind you they been here like FOREVER...

Ok I got a question, I know we have discussed this on this thread before....Who has had to pay for items they brought into Jamaica? What types of items where they and how much did you have to pay?

I am bringing Adrian 2 church outfits and a pair of sneakers, and one of his friends wants me to bring him a pair of timberland boots, I also have some baby clothes for a gift for his sisters new baby. Do you think it will be OK? It is not much just a few things but it is obvious that the shoes and baby clothes are not mine.

Last time I went I had a whole suitcase full of stuff for his family but they just asked me if everything in my suitcases was for me and I said yes and they never even checked...

But when Adrian went through this last time he had 2 cell phones and they made him pay almost $200US before they would let him through and some other guy had some other electronics and they made him pay.

Also has anyone ever brought back Ackee, I think it is illegal to bring back, right?? I am taking my old Food Saver and was going to cut up the Ackee and package it with the Food Saver and put it in my suitcase, I guess if they say anything about me having it I could just act like I didnt know and let them throw it away??

I have been bring things down for people since my first trip to Jamaica. They have never checked my suitcases ever. Many times I bring 2 suitcases down and instrument to donate to the schools. I just tell them all the items are mine. I have brought electronics before too like for example a dvd player and cell phone. Just don't let on that you brought anything for friends and family. They do ask me sternly since I don't stay at a resort.

One of my friends brought me Ackee. He had no trouble caring it up. It was just in plastic ziploic bags. He brought roasted bread fruit back for me too. I think you will be defiantly fine with a food saver.

One luv

Take Care

Joanna - the trick is to say no when they asked. Last time I went down it was Me & my sister w/both of our kids and had like 8 suitcases for one week. The man kept asking us if we were bringing stuff for ppl and we send no. He was like not for grandma, cousins, friend, etc.,we kept saying no and since we occasionally speak w/an accent (not intentional) he thought we were JA'ns even after we showed out passports & birth cert's. It was a mess but I understand they trying to make a buck. Bringing ackee back is okay as long as you freeze it. It's suppose to be cook too but some ppl don't go through the trouble. Also when they ask about bringing food back say no. I brought back a whole suitcase full of food & sorrel and no one didn't check anything.

[Jamaicagyaldat 1]

Okay I just caught up from Friday.

ACKEE--You MUST COOK IT. If you bring it in RAW they will make you through it. If you bring in BREADFRIUT--YOU MUST ROAST IT. Any RAW vegetables, fruit, or meat are illegal. You can BRING IN COOKED FISH. Its good.

Second---US CITIZENSHIP..my Jamaican friend became a citizen and you do have to study but its doable. He is not the smartest and he did just fine! Second, you cant do it until he has been in the country for 5 years.

If you dont become a citizen you cant vote. In addition, if you ever travel often times you and your husband will be split off in different immigration lines. This can be a pain and can be traumatic. Ive had it happen when I was married before. IF YOU take a CRUISE, the non- US citizen has to get up about 2- 3 hours earlier than anyone else and clear customs for EACH AND EVERY PORT EACH TIME YOU DOCK. US Citizens can just layin bed and get ready and wait for the ship to clear. This also happened and it was a serious pain in the butt as well as eventually you feel a bit disgruntled and hostile. In addition, if your stopped for any reason in another country and one of you is not a US citizen, but married to a US Citizen they can give you a hard time legitatimly. This happened to me in St Martin where my husband was in hand cuffs just for standing by the cruise ship dock waiting for me who was in the bathroom. They thought he was loitering etc. Thank god I was smart enough to bring his passport and green card off the ship. That was the only thing that convinced them to finally let him go. I will tell you this all opened my eyes up to a whole different world. I strongly encourage people to do this because if you are married to a US Citizen they doooooooo harrass you.

[jkb919 0]

Joanna- Glad your babyshower went well. Your interview is right around the corner and soon your boo will be here too.

Joanna, is there something you're not telling us?

Tenika, I'm so happy for you and Rohan. All the best!

Lee

Oh my I didnt even notice that....TENIKA, you better fix that LOL....bridal bridal bridal

Ok Tenkia I see you fixed it!!!!

Tenika, so glad Rohan is here and ya'll are having a great time...enjoy every moment together!!!!

How is everyone today!!! Well I go to work tonight at 6:30pm and getting off early at 3:30am (usually I get off at 6:30am) but I have a lot of last minute things to do before I leave.

Jamie - Hope Andre has a great day at work!!

[AnnTaylor 0]

[:[/s]D Hey Everyone! ROHAN IS HOME!!!!!

He came in Friday. He said his flight was wonderful and he wasnt nervous at all. We had a wonderful weekend together. It was awesome. He is so funny and he loves NY. Here is an example...Saturday he went to the track with me to do some excercise, I said ok we need to warm up. He said ok I will warm up now, and bolted the wrong way down the track, smilng and saying hello each time he passed me, then he stopped before me and did some unknown stretches, Even other runners/walkers on the track was looking at him and his stretches After word I told him you did not warm up, he was like I did running around the track ...oh boy. I also had to tell him the goal of excercise is not outrun everyone on the track...it was hillarious. We are having sooo much fun...

I know its late but ..

CONGRATS JAMIE AND ANDRE on your aol approval

CONGRATS to the now Mrs. Smith. Hope your enjoying Married life

Joanna- Glad your babyshower went well. Your interview is right around the corner and soon your boo will be here too.

Welcome Home Rohan!!! Did he get the famous JFK stamp?

[brownnskinn 0]

[:[/s]D Hey Everyone! ROHAN IS HOME!!!!!

He came in Friday. He said his flight was wonderful and he wasnt nervous at all. We had a wonderful weekend together. It was awesome. He is so funny and he loves NY. Here is an example...Saturday he went to the track with me to do some excercise, I said ok we need to warm up. He said ok I will warm up now, and bolted the wrong way down the track, smilng and saying hello each time he passed me, then he stopped before me and did some unknown stretches, Even other runners/walkers on the track was looking at him and his stretches After word I told him you did not warm up, he was like I did running around the track ...oh boy. I also had to tell him the goal of excercise is not outrun everyone on the track...it was hillarious. We are having sooo much fun...Congrats and WECOME HOME ROHAN!!!

That is funny...We have many of those moments..

Edited May 1, 2006 by Dee&Dav

[Sbys 0]

How many hours now Joanna?! I'm so excited for you, I feel like I'm leaving for my interview

[jkb919 0]

How many hours now Joanna?! I'm so excited for you, I feel like I'm leaving for my interview

48 hours to go and I will be in Jamaica...then 1 week from tomorrow for the interview!!!

We have been waiting for so long now that I cannot believe that is it almost time for our interview finally!!!! I sure everyone of you knows exactly how I am feeling right now

[tenika 0]

[Welcome Home Rohan!!! Did he get the famous JFK stamp?

Yeah he got a stam that says WORK AUTHORIzed, He never had to ask for it

[Jonesie 1]

Photos are up! Check Yahoo

Mindy where are yours?

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

Photos are up! Check Yahoo

Mindy where are yours?

So glad I am no longer in the "incognito club". ohhhh mindyyyyyyy....

[nyseness 0]

Photos are up! Check Yahoo

Mindy where are yours?

Nice pics Jonesie, you guys look great together.

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

Photos are up! Check Yahoo

Mindy where are yours?

Nice pics Jonesie, you guys look great together.

Ditto!!! Thanks for sharing them!

[Yaads 0]

How many hours now Joanna?! I'm so excited for you, I feel like I'm leaving for my interview

48 hours to go and I will be in Jamaica...then 1 week from tomorrow for the interview!!!

We have been waiting for so long now that I cannot believe that is it almost time for our interview finally!!!! I sure everyone of you knows exactly how I am feeling right now

I can't wait...I feel like I am even more excited than you

Are you going to be able to stop in after the interview to let us all know how it went? I don't think we will be able to wait very long

Photos are up! Check Yahoo

Mindy where are yours?

Nice pictures...you look like someone famous but I can't put my finger on who it is...

I am so bad at this picturing thing...you look great but I totally had a different picture in my mind.

I can't wait to see what Mindy looks like. Come on Mindy...you can do it