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

[Wooderz 314]

Well I arrived in the US two months ago and got married 3 weeks ago, applying for AOS this week. I must say its been daunting and a rush all at the same time. Has it all been worth it... Yes i would say so. I keep in touch with family almost daily via FaceTime and Skype (If anyone is feeling home sick I would recommend going out and getting a cheap tablet that can run that form of software for me it's been a blessing and I think its pretty much erased any feelings of home sickness) and have started eating breakfast at pretty much any time of the day! My wife hates it when she says "We'll go for breakfast tomorrow" and Im up at 7am waking her up saying "C'mon then lets go" when really she means eat breakfast at lunch time.

On the plane to the US my back tooth cracked and half fell out, it wasn't a problem until 2 weeks ago when I developed an abscess so had to go to the dentist... Now I hate the dentist with a passion as Ive had loads of bad experiences with them, so I wanted one that could offer IV Sedation for this, I found one and he's awesome and I would say that U.S Dentists are way better than the U.K but it is expensive without insurance. Root canal and a crown is costing 1,800$ without insurance and around 500$ with.

I can't wait until I can start driving as everything here is miles apart and thats so different from England. No local bus services so I'd have to walk 8 miles to get the 'local' bus lol so most days I just do chores, walk the dog (who has become my best friend ) whilst my wife is at work but come the weekend we just head out and camp, hike, 4 wheel, bike rides and I love every second of it, shame weekends couldn't be longer!!

Your experience sounds exactly like my husband's except instead of dental problems, he's having back problems. We're now doing daily chiro appointments, which he is loving. They give him massages!

He is doing chores all day and walking the dogs, too. He has to walk them separately because my older dog forgot how to walk on a leash when I moved into my house 2 years ago and I've never been able to get her to walk well again. Once I tried to walk them together and made it 2 houses down before I called it quits and went back home. Too much pulling and getting the leashes crossed.

Then on the weekends we try to do as much fun stuff as we can. He's getting lonely now so I'm glad our honeymoon is coming up next week and then holidays right after. That should get him through to the first part of january when we expect his EAD to be approved.

[JoeyKeano 21]

I haven't really posted much since I arrived in the U.S.

But we got married today! It's a strange feeling that the last few years have built up to this very special day. I'm over the moon.

Now on to A.O.S

[wbeem 568]

We got our biometrics appointment letters today for Monday a week. Less notice than I expected, especially with the holiday weekend coming up. Is it worth trying for a walk in appointment? They have picked the one day that we can't get there (what are the odds?!!) I don't know if there is time to mail back a request for a new appointment without it looking like we missed the scheduled one.

Also, now that I have receipt notices from USCIS with my married surname, could I use these to change my Social Security card into my married name, or should I save the hassle and wait for the EAD to arrive?

[chrismorrison 96]

Our interview is next week. I'm nervous, but I can't explain why. I know everything will be okay, but dang... I freak out easily.

[bonzaigirl 13]

Your experience sounds exactly like my husband's except instead of dental problems, he's having back problems.

He is doing chores all day

Then on the weekends we try to do as much fun stuff as we can. He's getting lonely now.

Awww.. bless his heart. I came here last June and had been adjusting just averagely. I have finally stopped looking for supplies similar to the UK grocers brand that I use , with the same price lol. I've relagated myself to being domesticated and found the chef in me (well my husband says so). Love the weather now in Cali compared to when I came here last summer as it was scorching hot.

Tell your hubby it will get better soon especially once he's got his EAD. I have already started my driving lessons, and have also enrolled in yoga classes which I enjoy more now ( as I've got more time for it). We were lucky though that one opened in the mall near our flat which is about 10-20 minutes away on foot.

We got our biometrics appointment letters today for Monday a week. Less notice than I expected, especially with the holiday weekend coming up. Is it worth trying for a walk in appointment? They have picked the one day that we can't get there (what are the odds?!!) I don't know if there is time to mail back a request for a new appointment without it looking like we missed the scheduled one.

Also, now that I have receipt notices from USCIS with my married surname, could I use these to change my Social Security card into my married name, or should I save the hassle and wait for the EAD to arrive?

You can try scheduling for an infopass. It varies per USCIS office (especially if the one you have is busy ). I had tried going to the SS office once I had the notification for my EAD, but they still wouldn't change my name to my married name, as I didn't have the EAD card, so my SS name remained in my maiden name until a few weeks ago. It only took 5 days until I received my new SS card. This is in California though.

Our interview is next week. I'm nervous, but I can't explain why. I know everything will be okay, but dang... I freak out easily.

Good luck to you I have to wait more, as I've received my NPIW letter last Friday. boohoo.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Our interview is next week. I'm nervous, but I can't explain why. I know everything will be okay, but dang... I freak out easily.

You are NOT nervous!! You got over that freaking out during the K1. I saw it evolve. No going back.

[chrismorrison 96]

Thanks, Nich-Nick. You're right. We got this!

Can't wait to say we were approved (again!).

[chrismorrison 96]

We were approved! Card is in production. You were right Nich-Nick, interview was nothing to worry about!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

We were approved! Card is in production. You were right Nich-Nick, interview was nothing to worry about!

Awwww....I feel like one of my baby birds just flew out of the nest.

Happy for you

[yuna628 9,676]

We were approved! Card is in production. You were right Nich-Nick, interview was nothing to worry about!

Congrats you two! Happy for you both.

[chrismorrison 96]

Awwww....I feel like one of my baby birds just flew out of the nest.

Happy for you

I'll still post around here. I owe everyone at VJ a lot! You especially, your advice and experience is so greatly appreciated.

Congrats you two! Happy for you both.

Thank you!

[ChasUno 101]

Congratulations Chris and Kas! Good to see all going well and approved for you both.

We (I) have my biometrics appointment next week (December 17th). Assuming that is a very straightforward process of just taking finger prints, photos and checking passport? Instructions only state to bring letter and passport.

[yuna628 9,676]

Congratulations Chris and Kas! Good to see all going well and approved for you both.

We (I) have my biometrics appointment next week (December 17th). Assuming that is a very straightforward process of just taking finger prints, photos and checking passport? Instructions only state to bring letter and passport.

Pretty much. It took all of five minutes for us. Longer to drive there than anything else. You have to check in, fill in a tiny form, then get your photo and fingerprints done. You get the form stamped and returned to you and then you're on your way. Absolutely no cell phone though.

[ChasUno 101]

Thanks so much for the heads up Yuna

[JoeyKeano 21]

Sent of our AOS package yesterday. Can't help feeling like we forgot something though. But I remember feeling the same with our K-1 package.