ATTENTION JULY FILERS!

[weedebz 0]

just had my phonecall to the boy. Now sitting watching MIB2 and drinking a glass of...yes ou guessed it...californian Zinfandel. To lighten the mood, here's a wee story...

3years ago if someone had told me I'd be stressing over an application for entry to the US I would have laughed so hard. I hated all things American from the over enthusiastic customer service to the we are so much better than everyone else we don't even need to know about the world beyond our shores (unless of course there is oil). I was a Scot proud and happy, albeit a Scot diluted with viking ancestry. When I met Nick online in Feb 2006 when he told me he was from Nebraska I asked if that was a town or a state, I didn't even know New York was a state, i just thought it was a city. I explained I come from a Scottish village...his first response was, do you see sheep?...I laughed, there are more sheep in this village than people. He said he comes from a small town, 49k people...I said I come from a small village, 2k people which shoked him a tad. I explained I went through primary school with only 28 people in my year and in high school I "graduated" with 150 others. He tried to explain how flat Nebraska was, I tried to explain I can drive 20mins east and climb a mountain and drive 20mins west and end up on the coast, up until April I can see snow tipped peaks out of my bedroom window, and we have been known to have snow in May!! He said he'd never seen the sea and at that moment having only known him less than an hour..I told him I'd show him the sea one day. I told him I'd never been outside europe but i'd seen 10 countries, he told me he'd show me america one day. We both kept those promises, I have shown him the sea, he has shown me his wee corner of America. Now I'm still a proud scot taking my saltire that has been signed by friends I've met in 11 countries (a few famous sigs on there too) everywhere but now I also fly the stars and stripes (ok its only 1ft across and my saltire is 4ft) and although I know I'll never agree with alot of things that America currently stands for, I have learnt that alot of americans don't agree either...................(sorry STP) it is a place I am certainly looking forward to calling home!

[tucson_chick 0]

@ debz: that's so romantic!!!!!! *sigh*

isn't it amazing how much all of us grew up in the last year!!!!??? we became so much more mature and international and stuff.

crazy enough, we are already making vague plans about moving back to europe in 2 years....

[missingmykiwi 0]

when clearing immigration at JFK you can ask for EAD stamp that will allow temp work permit. This is however only valid for the 90 days. At least this is how I understand things, please someone correct me if I'm wrong!

Yes that is how I understood it as well and that when we get married we do the AOS thing and they grand him a 2 year work permit or lift the 90 day restriction or something like that.

I think that sounds right. Thank you !!!

Christine

[rae_and_scott 1]

when clearing immigration at JFK you can ask for EAD stamp that will allow temp work permit. This is however only valid for the 90 days. At least this is how I understand things, please someone correct me if I'm wrong!

I think it is key to point this out, that you can ask for it, but I do not believe it is guaranteed that you will get it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong as well... but if you are counting on getting that EAD on arrival to the US, I would plan on having a back up plan, because I do not believe it is guaranteed that they will give it to you.

Debz, your other post was really nice to read. On the romantic side, of course, but also, thank you for realizing that not all Americans agree and are proud of what our image in the world is.

[Jeraly 4]

Hmmm - don't know if we will bother going through JFK if it isn't a guarantee... I know Jeremy is worried I am goign to sit around going stir-crazy but I think I might be swapping US phone numbers with some of my fellow filers and getting a distance phone plan so we can natter on the phone all day about how weird everything is

I don't know if it is the hormones or what but I am getting increasingly nervous about moving - thing is I am trying to put a brave face on it because I don't want it to be misconstrued as cold feet or not wanting to move. I do want top move but I am reeling really anxious and my tummy is turning over every time I think about it. I think now that a lot of us are moving forward I am just feeling the pressure a bit more - it is becoming more real now.

Anyone else feeling like this? I know it is prolly normal but knowing other people feel the same and finding out how you are all coping with it would be really helpful!!! I can add a "Top Ten Tips for surviving a move to the US" to my website... get submitting ideas!! We could have one for practical things and one for emotional things I'll get Jeremy to add another page and put a link up later

[English Muffin 59]

Hmmm - don't know if we will bother going through JFK if it isn't a guarantee... I know Jeremy is worried I am goign to sit around going stir-crazy but I think I might be swapping US phone numbers with some of my fellow filers and getting a distance phone plan so we can natter on the phone all day about how weird everything is

I don't know if it is the hormones or what but I am getting increasingly nervous about moving - thing is I am trying to put a brave face on it because I don't want it to be misconstrued as cold feet or not wanting to move. I do want top move but I am reeling really anxious and my tummy is turning over every time I think about it. I think now that a lot of us are moving forward I am just feeling the pressure a bit more - it is becoming more real now.

Anyone else feeling like this? I know it is prolly normal but knowing other people feel the same and finding out how you are all coping with it would be really helpful!!! I can add a "Top Ten Tips for surviving a move to the US" to my website... get submitting ideas!! We could have one for practical things and one for emotional things I'll get Jeremy to add another page and put a link up later

Strangely enough I've found that as the time gets nearer to moving the anxiety actually lessens. A few weeks ago I would barely allow myself to think about the move, I kept putting it to the back of my mind. Every time I thought about saying goodbye to my family I almost burst into tears. But now that I'm just a few days away from going all those feelings seem to have gone and now I'm just really excited.

I think the thought of moving is much worse than actually doing it, if you know what I mean!

Gillian

[Jeraly 4]

I can totally understand that - kinda like when you have to part company - the thought of it and the build up is worse than actually being apart. I think that is just it at the moment - I am worried about getting into the US next month - the wedding is creeping closer and I am nervous about that and when I get back I don't know where we will be living over there or anything... I think once we get a few of the basics covered it will be easier... I just don't want to feel this crappy for the next few months!! What happened to my taking thigns one day at a time?! I was doing so well and I just feel like I have back-tracked to how I used to be!!!

[tucson_chick 0]

Hmmm - don't know if we will bother going through JFK if it isn't a guarantee... I know Jeremy is worried I am goign to sit around going stir-crazy but I think I might be swapping US phone numbers with some of my fellow filers and getting a distance phone plan so we can natter on the phone all day about how weird everything is

I don't know if it is the hormones or what but I am getting increasingly nervous about moving - thing is I am trying to put a brave face on it because I don't want it to be misconstrued as cold feet or not wanting to move. I do want top move but I am reeling really anxious and my tummy is turning over every time I think about it. I think now that a lot of us are moving forward I am just feeling the pressure a bit more - it is becoming more real now.

Anyone else feeling like this? I know it is prolly normal but knowing other people feel the same and finding out how you are all coping with it would be really helpful!!! I can add a "Top Ten Tips for surviving a move to the US" to my website... get submitting ideas!! We could have one for practical things and one for emotional things I'll get Jeremy to add another page and put a link up later

about JFK: i aready made the experience that sitting at home, with a very tight budget, waiting for E. to come home from work, DOES NOT MAKE ME HAPPY. working makes me happy. i will take the hassel and the risk that they don't give the stamp. But as far as I know, they are pretty consistent in granting it. the swapping phone numbers sounds great though!

anybody who isn't nervous about moving must be a miracle!!! Com'on, for most people it is a big step to move into a new city, but within the same country. or to get married. or to quit a job. well, we are doing ALL OF THAT WITHIN 3 MONTHS!!! i would be worried if i wasn't nervous!

and being nervous and anxious DOES NOT MEAN that we have cold feet, honey! it means that we are human beings and that our lives will be upside-down for quite a while.

YES, i want to move

YES, i want to marry him

YES, I WANT.

YES, I AM NERVOUS.

YES, I AM HUMAN!

[Jeraly 4]

Lol - I know - sometimes it is nice to hear it though - you know how you feel and you *assume* everyone else is the same but unless I see people on here positively FREAKING I feel like maybe I am overreacting

Have added a thread in the "Moving Here..." forum about settling in - will add new thread for us July bunch when Gillian moves over She said she is going to have the net for a couple days when she first gets there but then will be laying low a bit as she gets her new house and things sorted w00t!!

[Italy2LA 0]

Hey you guys! We filed at the end of June and it was received on July second (Can we be down?). We are waiting to get our packet from Naples. Currently I am sitting in my fiance's living room outside of Venice Italy going bananas because it seems we should have gotten something by now and from what I've read on these forums the folks at the Naples embassy are on a slow roll, Yikes! Any advice as to how we can at least get info from them about if they've received the Approval from NVC (which was mailed to them on DEC 14th) without calling their 1.50 Euro a minute hotline? I know how long I have had to wait in cue in the states and the thought of racking up a bill in Euros is...well...bananas.

Kind regards,

Sonia

[Jeraly 4]

Am I right in thinking you are going to be in SoCal? AND you have a FFVIII avvie?!?! What part of SoCal will you be in? Really properly LA? What part? I'm going to be about 90 mins away from LA but it's nice to know I won't be alone there!!!

[Bforbarree 4]

Hey you guys! We filed at the end of June and it was received on July second (Can we be down?). We are waiting to get our packet from Naples. Currently I am sitting in my fiance's living room outside of Venice Italy going bananas because it seems we should have gotten something by now and from what I've read on these forums the folks at the Naples embassy are on a slow roll, Yikes! Any advice as to how we can at least get info from them about if they've received the Approval from NVC (which was mailed to them on DEC 14th) without calling their 1.50 Euro a minute hotline? I know how long I have had to wait in cue in the states and the thought of racking up a bill in Euros is...well...bananas.

Kind regards,

Sonia

Yes, I believe you can call the Department of State 202-663-1225 x1 x0. I used Skype to call fom the UK.

[Bforbarree 4]

hi all!

@ christine: inlaws suck. period.

@ debz: it will be fine!!! you will pass the interview with glory!!!

@ all: i already shipped a good deal of my stuff with UPS. DHL ships 20kg for 62€ to the US. not bad. i will probably pack one more box with books and that's it!

i will have my medical in frankfurt on friday yai - yai!

abt JFK: here's the deal: i called several airlines, and it is crazy expensive to redirect a regular flight (for example with british airways, lufthansa or delta or united) via JFK. here are the numbers:

STR-TUS: € 700

STR-JFK-TUS: € 2000

STR-JFK: € 500 + JFK-TUS: 250€ = € 750

The sales-lady from lufthansa told me that the easiest way would be to buy 2 seperate tickets.

1) Germany --> JFK

2) JFK --> Arizona

That means that I will have to recheck-in my bags and stuff, and that i will have to pay overluggage for the second flight, as it will be a national flight with only ONE bag allowed, but even that will be €1000 cheaper!!!!

CRAZYNESS!!!! now i understand why so many people don't fly via JFK.

But for me, it seems worth it. even if one gets married right away, it will take 3 months to get the stupid EAD papers. with the stamp in the passport and a justice-of-the-peace-wedding the day after arrival, one should be able to work right away. we just really can't afford to live on one sallary for 3 months, plus the cost for moving and the AOS. plus: i want to be able to be active, to earn my own money, and to meet people!

hope things work out the way we plan....

That is quite an increase! I also hate not being able to work so I understand the impetus, but in my mind...if the permit is only good for 90 day and the additional costs are X...how may of those 90 days will it take to earn that additional cost back? How many of those 90 days to settle in? How many of the 90 days will it take to find the job you want? Say a week (or two)? Then there are your wedding/honeymoon plans. Really you might only be looking at 6 weeks of lost income (perhaps less) if you do not go thru JFK to get the work permit.

Just my thoughs....

[Jeraly 4]

We're still looking at all the options but that is well thoguht out - have just copied and pasted as dutiful gf to my OH so I can see what he makes of it I'm more concerned for my poor cat as well - I don't want her cramped up any more than she has to be

[*julez* 124]

We're still looking at all the options but that is well thoguht out - have just copied and pasted as dutiful gf to my OH so I can see what he makes of it I'm more concerned for my poor cat as well - I don't want her cramped up any more than she has to be

Speaking of poor cats, Aly, my poor Jasper became suddenly ill. I took him to get checked out Thursday and again Saturday and there was nothing that could be done for him. Needed some massive surgery and chance of susrvival was only 20%. So, I had to have him put to sleep. I am absolutely gutted. Even though I'd only had him just 2 weeks I loved that little guy so much. I'm really depressed.