A bunch of random questions from an excited Fiance.

[MissPearls 38]

Floridaboundcanuk - A year? Oh good grief. Lol. I feel slightly annoyed at this point that my lovely finance lives in PA and not a state where our file would get sent to the CSC. I don't have a Nexus card, but it might be a good thing to look into. I still a have few trips planned over the course of the next... Year. Sigh. My plan is to not let it become overwhelming, and hoping I stick to that. Visiting is relaxing to me, and it feels more like home, so I hope that mindset sticks with me. I do love how cheap everything is. Have you noticed the price difference in meat and cheese?! It's mind blowing! I will certainly enjoy the idea of Hockey Night in Canada though. it's the little things that will make the transition easier, I think. And I won't mind the 6 months before I get EI, it will just be a nice backup to know that I won't have to settle for a job once I am able to work. That's a refreshing thought. And I'm already researching everything possible. I even contemplating getting my shots done now rather than waiting. Lol.

Moemac59 - I feel I really need to listen to the advice and make sure I'm prepared before crossing the border, and certainly look into a Nexus card. Anything to make thing it easier, is great in my books. Also, I sure hope time flies. This past year has gone by extremely fast, despite it feeling it will never end. If that makes sense, lol.

Another question... How long should it take for us to get our NOA1 text/email? Our I-129F was accepted at the Lewisville office on the 23rd in the morning, and I still don't have anything. As well, when filling out the forms, I filled out the forms for us to BOTH get the notifications, will they do that, or will just be my fiance who is in the US? And, one other thing, it said to make sure the forms were up to date, but the G1145 has a date of September 30th. It did when I filled it out, and it hasn't been updated. Will that cause any issues? Also, where is my NOA1 alert? I'm slightly impatient... Not a good quality when I'm stuck in the Texas office I'm sure.

[thatangela 134]

You must learn patience, grasshopper. This process is all about being patient. As if I thought waiting for him to propose was tough, this is even harder.

Don't worry about hockey. If he has NHL Network, you'll still get lots of games. And with better teams, too. I get to see more Chicago and more LA games when I've visiting in Spokane. If he doesn't have NHL Network, well ... make him get it. Some things just can't be compromised.

Nexus card is $50. Drop in the buck for the convenience of zipping through. I never got mine. I don't cross anywhere that has a dedicated Nexus line, just at the little shithole places out of the way.

Your NOA-1 alert should come in the next couple of days. Then, since you'll get stuck at TSC likely, settle in for five to six months of waiting for your NOA-2.

[MissPearls 38]

Patience, something I have never had, but am going to have to learn I guess. Ugh.

He doesn't have it, but he'll be getting it if he doesn't want unhappy while being unable to work for months on end. Lol. I will need something to cure my homesick and boredom feelings! As long as I get some Vancouver games, I'll be a happy girl.

I fly mostly out of YVR, so luckily a major airport with Nexus lines, and entering back into Canada, I usually end up in Calgary or Pearson, so again, airports that have the Nexus program. I should definitely look into it. I should be able to get it for Christmas if I do it now.

I see people getting them within a day or 2, and mine has been there since Thursday morning with nothing. So I hope it comes soon. To at least know the process is starting and to get some sort of confirmation would be super nice at this point. That way I can settle into the long wait that the TSC is going to make me wait. The REALLY long wait.

[bmc 7]

Definitely get your Nexus card! It's invaluable. My process took over a year and if I had to sit in those land border lines every weekend I visited we never would have made it.

[MissPearls 38]

Well since I probably have quite a few visits ahead of me, I have just looked it into it!

Also, got our NOA1 less than half an hour ago. The text at least. Can't wait to hold the paper copy in my hand next week when I visit!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

You'll miss Canada, but that's ok - or you'll miss family or both....all ok. It helps to have family plan to visit after the initial wedding and adrenaline wears of about 3 months in. It may or may not suck while you're waiting to work. If you can drive and volunteer that helps.

in my opinion - we're (Canadians that is) are no different than someone who's traveled farther to get here....the US and Canada are different. Right now before you move you'll be noting all the similarities every time you visit him. Once you move all of a sudden the differences will be glaringly obviously because now you're here to stay The ketchup will suck, there's no Tim Horton's... everything is so stinking American and the flags, OMG the flags are everywhere! Even though you hated CBC you will now give anything to watch just one Rick Mercer special on CBC You'll want to order the Red Canada mitts for no reason from HBC (ps Americans don't say 'mitts')

I laugh at all this now, but I had a few meltdowns early on before the first visit back home...I miss my family like crazy always and I visit back home many times a year....even though I am here to stay and love my husband dearly.

My husband is 8 yrs my senior, age isn't a problem for Canadians

[moemac59 193]

Definitely get your Nexus card! It's invaluable. My process took over a year and if I had to sit in those land border lines every weekend I visited we never would have made it.

I agree bmc!! I remember coming back from Canada last year on the September weekend and the wait at Rainbow bridge was 5 hrs. Thank god I had Nexus because I used it at Whirlpool (which is NEXUS only) and zipped right thru there no problem,

I remember thinking that the K1 was taking forever but now here I am about to file my ROC application next week and cannot believe how fast the time has gone by since I came to the US. It seemed like forever ago since K1.

[thatangela 134]

I've spent so much time in Spokane over the last four years that there's really not much left in Canada for me to miss, outside of Aero bars and all-dressed chips. I've been living away on the other side of the country from my family for almost 20 years, so missing them isn't really a factor. Two years ago, I moved away from my friends in Calgary for work, so missing them isn't really a factor. Several of my friends have moved away from there, too.

My closest friends are now in Spokane, so the biggest transition I'll likely experience is going back into job-search mode. Which I hate.

And getting used to cheap gas, beer and wine. But I don't foresee that as being difficult. More like halle-freakin'-lujah.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Always sticker shock when one goes into the liquor store back in Canada!! Its pretty sad when I can get Molson Canadian and Moosehead cheaper in Nicaragua than I can buy it in Canada,lol

[thatangela 134]

Haha ... I took him home to Nova Scotia a few years ago to meet my family. He almost dropped of a heart attack at the cost of a 2-4.

[moemac59 193]

Always sticker shock when one goes into the liquor store back in Canada!! Its pretty sad when I can get Molson Canadian and Moosehead cheaper in Nicaragua than I can buy it in Canada,lol

I agree with you. I went back to Canada a couple of weeks ago and picked up a couple bottles of wine and almost had a heart attack when I went to pay for them. You forget how cheap booze is down here.

[LiliBurd 85]

Praise the lord for cheaper wine!!! I can't wait

[MissPearls 38]

The alcohol there is just insanely cheap. That was my biggest shock moment. Coming back to Canada and buying it always saddens me just a little. It is SO cheap. The wine, the beer, the liquor... Everything is much cheaper. Lol. I find I drink far more there than here now...

Does anyone know how long before my medical I can get my shots done? I mean, can I plan well in advance and get them done now? Same with the police report, it's clean, and I don't anticipate committing any crimes in the next 8 months...

[Flames9_RN 358]

Go ahead and get the required vaccinations now........Police cert is usially a very easy 1 to get--especially if you have never had a criminal record...I would wait a bit for that...but it has to be within a year...so up to u.

Good beer is even cheaper here in Ecuador,lol My liver hates me!!

[moemac59 193]

The alcohol there is just insanely cheap. That was my biggest shock moment. Coming back to Canada and buying it always saddens me just a little. It is SO cheap. The wine, the beer, the liquor... Everything is much cheaper. Lol. I find I drink far more there than here now...

Does anyone know how long before my medical I can get my shots done? I mean, can I plan well in advance and get them done now? Same with the police report, it's clean, and I don't anticipate committing any crimes in the next 8 months...

When I had to do my police cert in TO it took about a week to get it. I did my vaccinations in January of 2012 and then did my medical the week before my interview in April of 2012.

Maybe once you have your interview scheduled then you can schedule your medical for the week before?