what's next?

[noura 0]

OK, I've been around long enough, I should know... but I don't - or at least I can't find it. So, please, someone enlighten me! What's the next step I should be preparing? I sent K1 pkg on Monday, April 24 and am waiting for acknowledgement/NOA1. I'm assuming that should be coming any day now, but I want to start preparing for the next step of the journey.... what to do? what to do? I'm trying to get caught up on taxes and get all that info together for "support" info, but I'm a little confused on it all....

enlightenment, please, my ME/NA friends? Shokran buzzef in advance!

Noura

[sarah and hicham 3]

Hey! I'm still waiting for my NOA2 (anytime now I hope), and as far as I can tell you can't do much as far as your I-134 or bank statements etc. because they need to be as close to the interview date as possible. I did however make a photo album for Hicham to take to his interview and I have started to gather and make copies of plane tickets, emails, phone bills etc. as evidence of an ongoing relationship. Otherwise I don't think there's too much to do. We're in the same boat! The first two months went by really fast after our NOA1 and I hope they do for you too.

Good luck,

Sarah

[noura 0]

thanks Sarah.... as far as the photo album goes, I've sent Said some pics, but all the ones from this last trip he has saved on a flash drive and is going to print from Maroc... should I compile an album to send to him instead? I have 2 albums here from my trips that I show to my clients and friends... shall I send that to him instead? also, for the other documentation, i'm sending him a complete copy of the K1 pkg contents as well as all the originals he might need for the interview (my birth cert, divorce decree, etc). He is also saving chats and emails on the flash drive to print if needed. Any advice is appreciated. I figured this is a time I just have to wait out... but it seems like I should be doing something besides obsessively checking my bank acct to see if the check went thru yet

Good luck to us all, huh!

Noura

[sarah and hicham 3]

Hey Noura,

About the photo album- Hicham has pictures on his computer as well, but I had most of the prints and everything else on cd's. I printed out what I needed from the cd's, gathered all the pictures, and wrote the names of people in the pictures, when, and where they were taken on the back of them. I got a photo album that has space next to the photo so I also wrote those things next to the picture as well so it's easier than taking them out of the page. Said could do it, I just did it for Hicham because it's easier for me to print them, cheaper, and I enjoy doing that stuff wheras he does not. He doesn't particularly like those types of responsibilities so I did it for him and took it with me on my last trip over there. I don't think you really need a photo album but I made one just to be more organized and make it easy for Hicham to show photos in the interview! I hope that helps! I would probably just send one album though and not several. I think in all we had about 50 or so pictures in the album.

As for sending the complete I-129F I haven't sent it to him yet. I'm waiting for the NOA2 to get everything together and I'm going to go for his interview so I'll just take it all with me.

K good luck, the time will fly the first two months I promise

Sarah

[kerewin21 2]

Noura, it looks like you've thought of everything. Just put aside all that stuff that can "prove" your relationship and ride this out. This is the part where you just have to sit back and wait for a while.

Sharon

[noura 0]

Noura, it looks like you've thought of everything. Just put aside all that stuff that can "prove" your relationship and ride this out. This is the part where you just have to sit back and wait for a while.

Sharon

thanks Sharon, that's what i was afraid of - LOL! As for "early parole" and all that... i know it's early to think about, but how/when do we do this? i guess i'm getting ahead of myself!

Noura

[kerewin21 2]

Just keep busy and the interview will creep up on you before you know it!

[amal 4]

Yeah this is definitely one of the hardest parts of this whole Journey coz there's nothing to do but sit and wait. The best thing to do (well at least for me) is to keep busy. The more your mind is busy on other things, the faster the interview will come. Good luck.

OH, about pictures, We had a photo album also. Compiled of around 50 or so pictures. They definitely want evidence of a relationship before and afte the marriage so anything you can save from ur conversations and any gifts, cards, letters you can save will be helpful. I took pictures of all the gifts he sent to me and I scanned them and emailed them to him. That seemed to work just fine (and it was a whole lot cheaper than mailing)

amal

[~ Karima ~ 0]

Noura, I have an index of everything I sent to Simo. Let me know if you want it I can send it to you. This IS the hardest part, sitting and waiting. I started putting everything together about a month and half in to it, that way by the time I got the NOA2 I was not in a mad rush.

[Dixie_Peach 1]

Noura, I have an index of everything I sent to Simo. Let me know if you want it I can send it to you. This IS the hardest part, sitting and waiting. I started putting everything together about a month and half in to it, that way by the time I got the NOA2 I was not in a mad rush.

carrie... i'm not noura... but, i think that if you put your index here for others to read, it would be a big help...

*hint hint: like a big help to me too! lol*

i know that simo will get that visa any day now!!! i have been praying for that!!! please make sure to keep us all updated to your progress...

noura.. i didn't mean to take over your thread... my apologies... i was just wanting to compare what i have gathered together and compare it to ya'lls...

Lynne

[noura 0]

no problem, lynne! and carrie... yes! yes! please send it on... either posted here or email me (or both) and I would soooo appreciate it! did you finish your move yet? i can't wait to hear simo's buying his ticket!!! wooooooooohoooooooooo!

Noura

[~ Karima ~ 0]

Oh GOD how I wish he was buying his ticket already, but nothing yet . Yes, I got moved yesterday finally . It's only temporary for few months until Simo and I decide where to live (here or closer to family).

Ok ladies, here is the stuff I put together in the book for Simo. You can revise it to fit your needs and will need to add any divorce papers (if you have them). He had all this in one big book and then the photo album. I know it might seem excessive, but I wanted him to have everything I had and anything they could possibly ask for. Hope it helps.

Table_of_Contents_for_Interview.doc

PS. Simo said if you have many pics, it's better to put them into 2 smaller albums rather than one big album so they will fit in the window at the Consulate.

[noura 0]

thanks so much Carrie! Said and I really appreciate it... I sent it on to him also. I may be getting more detailed info from you later. And thanks also for the tip from Simo! Hope you get a little rest this weekend amongst the boxes Wish I was there to help you unpack!

Noura

[Dixie_Peach 1]

noura... carrie... i am so thankful for you guys!!!

carrie... i agree with noura... wish i was there to help ya unpack... we would make a girls time and just hang together...

i just want you guys to know that i genuinely treasure the information that you pass along... and the support that you offer...

thank you for letting me be there with you guys too!

noura.... you rest up for tomorrow!!!

carrie... you rest up tonight... don't try to overdo it... all of that will be there when Simo gets here to help ya... i say only unpack what you need the most... and leave the rest for when Simo gets here and you decide where you want to live...

love ya both! you are both to me!

ps: pls pass along to Simo and Said "Salaam Alaikum"... and I hope that they have a wonderful weekend also!

*hugs*

Lynne

[myfellah 0]

Noura, you just get to wait and wait, but hopefully not too long. These ladies that are in the same phase as you right now are giving you such wonderful advice. You know I never kept a copy of our I129F and so happy they never asked for it. I sent the original out right along with the 325 the night I received it back in the mail from Abdou. Where was my mind. Of course I hadn't found VJ at that time either and was just so very anxious. So far we've made it without having to produce it yet. You're going to fly through this process !!

Doreen