Post Embassy Drama, UK VJer 'Life In The USA' Edition.

[2ndMessiah 184]

Haha haters gonna hate

Root beer float ewwwwwwww. definitely makes me a hater.

[Owen_London 65]

The Blue Bell attachment is because it started at the little creamery right here in Texas and the Homemade Vanilla tasted so much like real actual homemade ice cream we made in the back yard with the old hand crank ice cream freezer. So much better than any Ice cream on the market at the time. So it became OUR ice cream. To my grown daughters, it has been at every birthday party, required if you baked an apple pie, and was always a treat offered at the grand parents house.

We got a little nostalgic yesterday. Leaving the HEB my daughter said "I got a pint of Cookies and Cream because that was my childhood favorite. I always got that when Dad took me to Bucees to get ice cream."

Me: "I didn't know you and Dad did that."

Her: "Oh yeah, all the time". (Her wonderful Dad is now deceased.)

Later she sent me a text saying "I wish Granddad was still here so we could have a Blue Bell and Coke frosty together one more time.

It represented tradition and emotion and was taken away. Now we celebrate the return of a very old friend.

Sure, I understand that viewpoint.

What I struggle to understand is why, for so many people, that is not affected at all by the listeria outbreak, including three deaths, with listeria found at all three Blue Bell sites. I could understand "Their ice cream had listeria, but I trust they have improved hygiene now" or " Their ice cream had listeria, but the risk to me is too small to worry about", but for most, the "but" isn't there. Why has this not created a fear of food poisoning, or a problem of trust?

[Wooderz 314]

Sure, I understand that viewpoint.

What I struggle to understand is why, for so many people, that is not affected at all by the listeria outbreak, including three deaths, with listeria found at all three Blue Bell sites. I could understand "Their ice cream had listeria, but I trust they have improved hygiene now" or " Their ice cream had listeria, but the risk to me is too small to worry about", but for most, the "but" isn't there. Why has this not created a fear of food poisoning, or a problem of trust?

As a Houstonian, maybe I can answer representatively. I think for those of us who grew up with blue bell and only blue bell, it's part of our culture. Being so close to where it was made in Brenham just an hours drive away, lots of us toured the factory as children and like Nich said, it's all we grew up with. So maybe for us, it's sort of like defending our own. We're supporting our local business. Does that make any sense? I guess having such a strong opinion about a brand of ice cream is hard to relate to. Even typing it out feels kinda silly to me.

That being said, though I do love some blue bell, I'm not entirely sure that I'll be buying any for a while. Less because I'm afraid they will repeat past mistakes but because the brand took a hit in my personal opinion having had this outbreak and positive tests of listeria long before anyone died. I've been forced to buy other brands and they're good too!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Sure, I understand that viewpoint.

What I struggle to understand is why, for so many people, that is not affected at all by the listeria outbreak, including three deaths, with listeria found at all three Blue Bell sites. I could understand "Their ice cream had listeria, but I trust they have improved hygiene now" or " Their ice cream had listeria, but the risk to me is too small to worry about", but for most, the "but" isn't there. Why has this not created a fear of food poisoning, or a problem of trust?

I trust Blue Bell that they have gone above and beyond to clean up their hygiene. They didn't opt for a quick fix. It's been what, eight months?? It is a fierce loyalty and faith I can't explain. Much like some people can't explain their faith and loyalty to sweet baby Jesus in a modern scientific world.

[2ndMessiah 184]

I trust Blue Bell that they have gone above and beyond to clean up their hygiene. They didn't opt for a quick fix. It's been what, eight months?? It is a fierce loyalty and faith I can't explain. Much like some people can't explain their faith and loyalty to sweet baby Jesus in a modern scientific world.

Indoctrination.... Root beer tastes like the mouthwash dentists used in the UK. Children associate dentist with pain. Dentists use mouthwash. Root beer bad...... or so I have read.

[ChasUno 101]

Hi all,

Now that we've found and are in the process of buying a house down here in FL, I have time to concentrate on getting the AOS documents ready and filed.

I have a quick question regarding the I-131 "Advance Parole" travel document. My partner and I have the opportunity to go to Cuba in January (he knows a choir going over there to perform), and going by other's timelines I think it's highly unlikely that my AOS will be completed by then. Looking up the instructions for the Advance Travel Document (I-131), page 4 section 3 (a) 1, for those going through AOS via I-485, it appears that the only valid circumstances for travel appear to involve: "you seek to travel abroad "for urgent humanitarian reasons", or in furtherance of a "significant public benefit" , which may include a personal or family emergency or bona fide business reasons.

I suspect that the answer is "no" to travel outside the USA for a vacation during the AOS process, even if it involves my partner attending and possibly performing as part of this choir. However, I thought I'd ask others just in case anyone else HAS travelled abroad under similar circumstances during their AOS application.

At the end of the day, getting through the AOS smoothly is the most important issue and I in no way wish to jeopardise that. Just curious if they are as strict about conditions for travel as per the instructions.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

AP travel will be approved for a k1 with no reason or specific date,

[Gary & Aubrey 23]

Do any of you guys actually look back on the time from proposal to spouse to now and end up feeling really chuffed with yourself?

I had a really hard hitting (in the best way) moment today when I accepted my first stateside job offer, about a week after officially getting the authorisation and I had this massive rush, almost a play by play of everything we've gone through with our 8 month K1. To visiting the states, meeting families, paperwork, getting married. Right the way through to my pen hitting that employment contract.

I don't know about you guys, but when I look through what has been arguably the hardest time I've ever had, I'm just really happy and proud of both Aubrey and I for getting through it and being where we are.

I know this is a bit off topic but I wanted to share!

-Gary

[-Shana- 152]

Do any of you guys actually look back on the time from proposal to spouse to now and end up feeling really chuffed with yourself?

I had a really hard hitting (in the best way) moment today when I accepted my first stateside job offer, about a week after officially getting the authorisation and I had this massive rush, almost a play by play of everything we've gone through with our 8 month K1. To visiting the states, meeting families, paperwork, getting married. Right the way through to my pen hitting that employment contract.

I don't know about you guys, but when I look through what has been arguably the hardest time I've ever had, I'm just really happy and proud of both Aubrey and I for getting through it and being where we are.

I know this is a bit off topic but I wanted to share!

-Gary

I know what you mean! Maybe not in the exact same way, but I'm so proud that I've gone through this immigration process by doing everything myself (through meticulous research and lots of questions on here!). I remember being in England and wanting to desperately be over here starting my new life, and now I'm here and I couldn't be happier! It's great to finally have a life together now where we're in the same place and there are no more long breaks for us in our future.

[ChasUno 101]

AP travel will be approved for a k1 with no reason or specific date,

Thanks as always Nich-Nick. So once I get the combined AP/ EAD card I can leave and return from the USA as I please without having to give any reason or specific dates?

Also another question for those that have applied for their SSN. How long did you have to wait to be issued with your card and number? I've now been waiting over two weeks, and the chap at the SSA said I should have it within two weeks (give or take a few days to take into account the Labor Day weekend). However, on checking the information sheet he gave me, it said it could take up to four weeks. How long have people had to wait for theirs?

[MSCastillo 27]

So i applied for my ssn last friday and after reading up and thankfully to all the information on here i managed to breeze through it

The guy who i had to speak to had no idea what a k1 was he went "i think I've heard of one of these before but ill just look it up online"

after i explained it to him he just looked it up and bam all done not much hassle at all really thankfully!

hopefully the rest of the processes are just as easy

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks as always Nich-Nick. So once I get the combined AP/ EAD card I can leave and return from the USA as I please without having to give any reason or specific dates?

Also another question for those that have applied for their SSN. How long did you have to wait to be issued with your card and number? I've now been waiting over two weeks, and the chap at the SSA said I should have it within two weeks (give or take a few days to take into account the Labor Day weekend). However, on checking the information sheet he gave me, it said it could take up to four weeks. How long have people had to wait for theirs?

What I meant is K1s are generally approved for the AP card without having a specific travel date or reason that has to pass muster. The new form looks a bit intimidating. Ask that question in the AOS forum for input. Or maybe the Work and Travel forum http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/115-working-traveling-during-us-immigration/

Once you have a card it is used to get back in the country over and over if needed. No permission per trip. Travel to Cuba is still an iffy subject, is it not?

SSN usually takes a week. Maybe yours was actually put in for manual verify??

[rob999 51]

Thanks as always Nich-Nick. So once I get the combined AP/ EAD card I can leave and return from the USA as I please without having to give any reason or specific dates?

Also another question for those that have applied for their SSN. How long did you have to wait to be issued with your card and number? I've now been waiting over two weeks, and the chap at the SSA said I should have it within two weeks (give or take a few days to take into account the Labor Day weekend). However, on checking the information sheet he gave me, it said it could take up to four weeks. How long have people had to wait for theirs?

Got the number the next day. A week for the card. Did you try to go back to the office to get the number from them? I haven't used or shown the SSN card to anyone yet (seems to be very rarely needed), only gave them the SS number.

[yuna628 9,676]

For those who applied for a SSN: how does he answer on the form: does he select legal alien not allowed to work or legal alien allowed to work?

[ChasUno 101]

For those who applied for a SSN: how does he answer on the form: does he select legal alien not allowed to work or legal alien allowed to work?

We checked "legal alien not allowed to work", though apparently the SSA agent told us that according to their records I AM allowed to work. I think this is because unlike the ESTA, which clearly states the holder is NOT allowed to work, a K1 once adjusted status to LPR can work and doesn't have a specific restriction on their visa. But I still need to apply for and get the EAD first before taking employment.

I'm still waiting for my SSN too, after over two weeks since applying. Just rang the SSA earlier today and they said it might take up to 4 weeks before I get it, apparently because it's my first application and I'm not (yet) a permanent resident. They said they had to send the info. to DHS first for clearance, and once they get it back they will issue me with a card and number.