robclews

Well Patrick, an account to savor, I wondered where last weeks pirate references had been leading to, now I know. All I can say is congratulations, good luck in your move to the States, and is there something wrong with Cambridge now, I see from a posting on this thread that there is another Cambridgeite on the way. Lemmings !!!! or in your case, rat leaving the pirate ship

Have a good one,

Rob

dbark

Hi Patrick,

Congratulations! When are you and Ellen off across the pond? There are a couple of questions, if you can bear it ...
1) Did you have to have any extra vaccinations, or were you all up to date?
2) Have you already organized the shipping for all your stuff? This is something I am trying to do right now, and a recommendation is much better than picking one randomly from the Yellow Pages.

Thanks and well done again!

Debbie

Ronald Austin

YEEHHHAAAWWW! Congrats and welcome to the US of A!!

"Patrick" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Background. Ellen and I have been married for 7 years and lived in
    > England for the whole time. We decided (after our vacation in April)
    > that it was time to go back to the USA but because of economic climate
    > we would leave it a year, in the end we got impatient and in September
    > decided just to go for it. Although she was under no obligation to do
    > so, my wife told her boss what we where doing (she works in contracts
    > and they need a lot of time to hand them over) and her boss offered her
    > a job in their head office.
    > Timeline
    > Date__________________Event__________________Day
    > September 2nd__________I-130 Filed _________________________0
    > September 2nd__________Applied for UK Police Certificate _______0
    > September 3rd__________DS-230 Filed _______________________1
    > September 10th_________$130 deducted from Credit Card_________10
    > September 23rd_________Received Provisional Case Number ______21
    > October 1st ____________ Received UK Police Certificate ________ 29
    > October 1st ____________ OF-169 Filed ______________________ 29
    > October 9th ____________ I-130 Approved____________________37
    > October 12th ___________ NOA received _____________________ 40
    > October 26th ____________ Packet 4 arrived ___________________ 54
    > November 14th __________Interview and Medical______________ 72
    > The first bit of advice I have is easy to give and difficult to take but
    > don't worry about the interview and medical, they really aren't as bad
    > as think they are going to be.
    > Preamble - if you only want to read about the day then go to the Day of
    > the interview
    > We decided when we got the interview date that we should go down the day
    > before and stay in a hotel even though we only live 1 hour away and not
    > put our fate in the hands of British Rail, as it happened it was a
    > splendid decision as the Firemen went on strike for 48 hours the day
    > before our interview and some of the tube stations where closed. We
    > stayed at the Radisson Edwardian Savoy Court which was about 7 minutes
    > walk to both the embassy and Dr Phelans. The rooms where small but OK
    > and the breakfast was good. The night before the interview we wandered
    > down near the embassy and found a great Italian restaurant called the
    > "La Genova", highly recommended. As we walked close to the embassy all
    > we could hear was chants of "stop the war" I didn't want to mention it
    > but surely they are 57 years too late! We then went to see the Musical
    > "We will rock you" which is good, we got our tickets from Leicester
    > Square Box Office (lbos.co.uk) for £18 (half price and not bad old
    > seats). Non of these are adverts, if they where crap I would tell you
    > not to use them but as it is they where good - in fact the Italian
    > restaurant was the best Italian food I have had outside Italy and not
    > too expensive (not cheap though)
    > Day of the interview
    > I woke up really early and had a really long shower - I remembered
    > reading that during the medical the doctor will do the 'cough and drop'
    > test so I doubled soaped my genitals to make sure they where extra
    > clean. (For those unfamiliar with the 'cough and drop' test it is where
    > the doctor holds onto your testicles and asks you to cough)
    > I got to the Dr Phelans office at 7.30 and was first there, Ellen
    > decided to stay in hotel until the Medical was over but I didn't have to
    > wait long for others to arrive. By about 7.45 there was a group of us
    > all talking and having a laugh at our fears for the day. At about 7.50
    > Angela and Laura turned up (Paul E's wife and daughter) and I shouted
    > out "hello Ange", she instantly shouted back "hello Patrick" although we
    > have never met or spoke to each other ever, so I made her come to the
    > front of the queue (line) and join the group that where already life
    > long friends. For anyone interested some people where in suits, some
    > jeans and some smart casual so dress how you feel you want to dress. At
    > exactly 8 o' clock the doors opened and we all went in, a woman stood at
    > the front and handed out a green folder to everyone and told them to
    > read the instructions, put the medical questionnaire, jab record and a
    > photograph in the folder and hand it back into the front desk.
    > We didn't have to wait too long before the first people where called,
    > the first 4 people called where the 4 girls, the next person called was
    > me. The tannoy system is amazingly bad and you just have to guess if its
    > you or not, I went to the front desk and paid my £125 then went down
    > stairs to the other waiting room. The girls all went through quite
    > quickly then there was a little wait until I was called. First I had to
    > give blood and I am petrified of needles but the nurse was brilliant, I
    > didn't even know I had had the blood taken. I went back and sat in the
    > waiting room, by now almost all the guys had come down. I took this
    > opportunity to check out the infamous toilet and it is worth the wait I
    > can tell you. Its at the end of the hall at the front of the building
    > and when you get there its like something out of Alice through the
    > looking glass as the door is about1/2 the size of any other door in the
    > building. You then enter the toilet (on you hands and knees almost) and
    > the room is an arched shape painted Aluminium, it is truly bizarre and
    > yes I did bang my head on the way out.
    > I was then called in for the X-ray and Medical by the doctor. Paul (the
    > x-ray guy) called me in and asked me to strip to my waist, I then went
    > into the radiography room and had my X-ray, almost as soon as I
    > finished the Doctor called me in. The doctor did introduce herself but
    > I forgot her name. She was excellent, she went through my jab record
    > and then took my blood pressure, listened to my chest and heart and
    > then asked me to lie on the bed. She then felt my stomach and did the
    > cough and drop but not in the traditional way but by applying pressure
    > to my lower abdomen and asking me to cough - the double soap was a
    > waste of time.
    > I came out of the doctors room and was asked to do the X-ray again as I
    > had moved, it didn't take too long for the second one to be developed -
    > he showed me the X-ray and said I was normal - he then clarified it by
    > saying my lungs where normal then wrapped it for me and told me to carry
    > it in my hand luggage to the USA. When I got out everyone in the waiting
    > room said "message from Angela - will you wait for her and walk to the
    > Embassy with her". So I waited for Angela and Laura and on the way to
    > the Embassy swang passed the hotel and picked up my wife. It has to be
    > said that everyone at the doctor's office was really nice.
    > Suddenly the Pirate ship Nawti attacked led by the infamous Pirate Cap'n
    > Brown (with a slight tinge of ginger around the edges) Beard. I drew my
    > sabre and I think they admired my penmanship, one of the pirates
    > remarked it was good enough to go in a gallery. I quickly realised that
    > Art was not the answer and unsheathed my sword. Cap'n Brown (with a
    > slight tinge of ginger around the edges) Beard swiftly attacked, blow
    > after blow after blow, but it was no good, the candles wouldn't go out.
    > He lunged towards me with his sabre gleaming in the sun so I swiftly
    > turned and ran, screaming like a seven-year-old girl as I went.
    > We arrived at the Embassy not long after nine (so the medical had taken
    > less than an hour), of course security was extra tight and there was no
    > sign of the anti-war protesters that where there the night before. At
    > the outer perimeter fencing we had to show the interview letter and
    > passports then had our bag inspected, before that though we had to queue
    > behind a bunch of people who where all turned away as they had no
    > letters of appointment. We then walked around to the front entrance and
    > had to check our phones in and went through a metal detector and had our
    > bags scanned. We then went into the Immigration visa section which
    > looks like a branch of HSBC bank but with lots of chairs, we handed in
    > our letters at desk 1 and then sat down. We then waited 2 hours before
    > we where called, this was mainly due to someone who was being denied a
    > visa, she could not speak English and this took a long time to sort out.
    > There is no way of getting a drink or any kind of refreshments in there
    > so if you have kids I recommend you bring drinks and crisps in with you.
    > We all formed up in our little group again and discussed the medical,
    > there was me, Angela and Laura, a girl called Ruth who was going to
    > Houston, a guy called Simon going to Denver, a guy called Steve going
    > to SC and a called Mike going to CA. Angela told us about the doctor
    > doing a breast exam and said she poked and prodded and squeezed them -
    > Ruth was quite unhappy at this as she only got the old 4 touch test and
    > I think she felt let down at not being groped by the doctor, I
    > volunteered to give her an independent breast exam. When I regained
    > consciousness we still hadn't been called. We then brought up the cough
    > and drop test and Angela (who hadn't realised that the doctor did the
    > new technique) started talking about how embarrassing it would be if
    > during the test you got excited. This led to a whole new topic of
    > conversation. The cleanliness of my nether regions, ready for the test,
    > seemed a hot topic as well.
    > At just after 11 o' clock Angela and I where called up at the same
    > time, she was called to desk 4 and I was called to desk 3. The INS guy
    > (called John) started taking my documents in the order on the letter
    > except for my military records. I had everything in the order on the
    > sheet and was pre-empting him by passing the documents before he asked
    > for them so it really through us both when I handed in my military
    > records and he was asking for my Police certificate. He made two piles
    > on the desk, one of originals and one of copies and ticked them off the
    > list as I passed them over. The only slight problem was he wanted proof
    > of Ellen's work but she had forgotten her pay slip, but luckily we had
    > gotten her employer to write a letter about her job offer in Wilmington
    > and it began Ellen is currently employed by us . so that was OK. He was
    > really nice and said everything was in order, gave me yellow slip and
    > asked me to pay for the visa at the window at the back of the room. I
    > paid it and brought back the receipt and he asked me to sit back down
    > until I was called.
    > While I was handing over my documents at desk 4 Angela was busy with
    > the INS guy and Laura (who is about 6 - guess as I don't know) was
    > getting slightly impatient. From the top of the interview desk she got
    > hold of an elastic band and a paper clip and then launched the paper
    > clip over the desk into the INS bit using the elastic band. Everyone
    > who was watching burst out laughing. When we sat back down Angela said
    > she was really embarrassed so to offset that I showed everyone my stars
    > and strips boxers - it was then Ellen's turn to be embarrassed.
    > We then started to be called up, Ruth was called up first and when she
    > finished her successful interview she said she had to come back between
    > 12.30 and 1, it was now about 1110 so we all agreed that once we had
    > finished our interview we would all meet in the pub just up the road.
    > You must remember that I have been absolutely petrified about this
    > interview as I have a conviction for a misdemeanour. I got a conditional
    > discharge (which means if I get caught for something else I will be
    > given a sentence for both crimes) and although I knew I would come under
    > the sentencing clause I was still scared. I was called up next and I
    > thought that the visa was put into my Passport so when I got to the desk
    > and he handed back all my original copies and then my passport you must
    > have been able to hear my heart sink in America - I asked (in a panicked
    > and very high voice) "don't you want to keep my passport to put the visa
    > in" and he said we don't put your visa in your passport. The initial
    > scare panicked me and then I wouldn't let him get on with the interview
    > until he sorted out the conviction query so he went away and came back
    > about 30 seconds later and said that I came under the sentencing clause
    > and not to worry. He then went through my documents slowly carefully
    > packing them in the brown envelope as he went. He did not ask us one
    > question, not even about my conviction, he was very nice but I was
    > slightly put off by the blood trickling from the paperclip embedded in
    > his forehead. If I hadn't been a royal pain in the arse about the
    > conviction it would have taken 2 minutes as it was it took 4. He then
    > told us the same as he told Ruth.
    > We went to the pub and there was Ruth at the other end of the bar so I
    > ran through the bar screaming with my arms outstretched, by the time I
    > got to the other end of the bar Ruth had decided she better prepare
    > herself and the panicked look on her face was replaced by a smile and
    > she opened her arms ready for the hug. When Angela appeared at the door
    > she got the same treatment, so did Simon and Steve. We all swapped email
    > addresses in the pub as we had had such a good time making each other
    > laugh and keeping our spirits up whilst waiting. 2 beers later we all
    > set of as a gang back to the embassy, when we got to the security guard
    > we said that we have come back for our visa's, the guard then said that
    > there was no way he could let us in to get them so Ruth jumped on the
    > guy giving him a really big hug saying let us in - it was really funny.
    > He let us in (I think he had to in case I jumped on him and gave him a
    > hug, btw the armed police at the entrance just laughed when Ruth did it)
    > and we went through the same rigmarole as before to get in, when I got
    > in the guy behind the desk watching us come in pointed at me and said I
    > had already been called. I went to the desk and was asked to check my
    > details on the visa and then I was free to go if it was all OK. It was
    > fine so I went over to the chairs to say goodbye to everyone and it
    > became a huge hug fest with everyone hugging each other, we had all
    > bonded together and all helped each other through the day so it was
    > truly emotional.
    > Before we caught the train Ellen and I went to Leicester square (to the
    > China town part just behind it) and had a wonderful Chinese meal in the
    > Golden Dragon - I highly recommend it if you are in London.
    > My bits of advice to everyone.
    > Don't worry too much, everyone there had a "guilty secret" that they
    > thought would exclude them but they all told the truth and where fine
    > (as the song goes the truth will set you free)
    > If you have children take some drink and crisps, it's a long day and
    > there is nothing in the embassy.
    > Take Rogers advice and take a brolly as it rained all day.
    > Take a big-ish bag for the brown envelope, we just took a nap-sack and
    > we the envelope wouldn't fit in it so we where wandering through rainy
    > London with this envelope stuck up my coat.
    > You don't have to double soap
    > Try not to kill too many of the INS people with a rubber band and
    > paperclip weapon.
    > I asked the K1ers what questions they where asked and it seemed pretty
    > routine - where, when and how did you meet - has your fiancé ever been
    > to the UK, what is your fiancés date of birth and how long is your
    > penis. (Sorry, I made one of those up, they didn't really ask the
    > fiancés date of birth)
    > The neighbour who was looking after our cat and rabbits decided to
    > show our house to a friend of hers while we where in London. So when
    > we got home (we kept drinking on the train so it didn't really sink
    > in at first) she greeted us with the news that someone wanted to buy
    > our house - I rang her (which could have been a bad idea) and she
    > agreed on the price which we had planned to sell it for. Remember
    > that we had not put the house on the market, as we did not have the
    > visa, or asked our neighbour to look for buyers so without even
    > trying we have sold our house. A visa, a house sale and Peking duck
    > all in one day - life is great.
    > Ellen has been asked to start work in March so we are going over in
    > January to house hunt and then come back to finish off here but it is
    > all going swimmingly at the moment. God Bless you all for your help and
    > support, I have to give special thanks to Rita, Scarlett, Roger, Lisa,
    > Kate, Stu *, Matt and others far to numerous and gorgeous to mention. To
    > those have still to go through this Good Luck and God speed and don't
    > worry too much as everyone is really nice and friendly.
    > * - I wrote this in word and the spell checker wanted to change Stu to
    > stud - is there something we don't know Stu.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Patrick

Hi Scarlett,

thanks, when a writer praises you its nice - makes you feel all warm inside. We have a queue of people wanting the rabbits (they are so cute and cuddly and tasty). Harry (cat) was my wedding present to Ellen because when she moved here she gave up her cat in America so he is coming with us.

Hi Rita,

Thanks for everything, I have posted this experience already and it was on there quite quickly

http://www.kamya.com/interview/intro.html

Hi Shanna,

If you are doing a I-130 then it is $335, so the total for the day was medical £125 and interview $335. Even though there are two of you your medical will be £90 - I tried to tell them I was pregnant to get the £35 discount but it didn't work.

Hi Cindy,

I am not worthy of being compared to Bill

Hi Leslie, Sarina, Daizey, Patrick \ and Pimpbot,

Thanks for your support (don't hold your breathe for UUnet)

Hi Dee,

Good Luck to you, she has already said we are going shoe shopping today.

Hi Rob,

There is you, me, pimpbot and denverkid - Cambridge is the best city I have every lived in as well!

Hi Debbie,

corresponded privatley

Hi Ronald

Thanks

In fact thanks to everyone, this site has made the whole process easier to bear and you guys are great

Patrick

ukemigrant

Hi Patrick. Right riveting read that. I'm glad to hear another angel got their wings.

Cheers, Sam.

Tiff

Congrats Patrick!

You writing of the events was superb! I know the process is nearing its final stages and I hope you will not forget about us around these parts. You humor and whit has been a pleasure

I just love the "british" sense of humor you all have.

Best of luck to you and the Mrs.


P.S. Cambridge is by far the BEST city I have ever traveled to, can't wait to visit again

Harry

Patrick,
Congratulations, and good luck with the move and new life! The only thing is...I'm jealous that my day at the embassy was nowhere near as interesting as yours was!

-Harry

ruby

Congrats!!!! Patrick!
As I am typing this my Fiance is making the trek to London for the interview tomorrow, the 18th!! He's taking the bus and staying overnight, to make sure he's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Will keep everyone posted on the results...........
Best of Luck to All......
If we want the rainbow then we have to experience the rain first.

Pete

Fingers Crossed Ruby.. Good luck to both of you for tomorrow..
I'm travelling down to London tomorrow PM to stop overnight with my Sister..
Then catch the 6am train to Waterloo and then the tube across to Marble
Arch.
.
Pete

"ruby" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Congrats!!!! Patrick!
    > As I am typing this my Fiance is making the trek to London for the
    > interview tomorrow, the 18th!! He's taking the bus and staying
    > overnight, to make sure he's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Will keep
    > everyone posted on the results...........
    > Best of Luck to All......
    > If we want the rainbow then we have to experience the rain first.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

ruby

YES YES YES!!!!!!!!! We got the VISA!!! YiPpEe!!!!!!! Whew! So happy when he called from London, laughing, crying, shaking!!! Wow! After all these months! Thank U to all on here! I wish all of you the very best. This is really a process that will teach you "patience"!!!!! Whether you want to learn "how" to have patience or not! lol Next step.....getting those airplane tickets!!!!!
Take Care All!

Folinskyinla

Patrick:

Congratulations. I long trained my "Word" program to accept my name without hicupping. In any case, my last name is a classic misspelling by the idiot at Ellis Island on February 22, 1912 when the SS St. Paul out of Southampton landed in New York. [Grandpa Ruben had a 7 year sojourn in London -- I did a "Freedom Of Information Act" request on his immigration records and it was quite interesting. BTW, my grandmother stated under oath when she became a US Citizen that she had "three sons in the U.S. Army." I have a formal portrait of Dad and Uncles from 1942 in uniform and two of them are in sailor suits. I often conjure that one up when an INS blowhard starts talking about "fraud."]

Also, I'm sure it was inadvertent, the Consular Officers in the embassy would be insulted if they knew you referred to them as working for "INS." [Although it now looks that in the future there will be a "Homeland Security" Commisar in each embassy with the power to veto Consular Officer grants.]

Again, congrats.

katesuiter1

Never heard this saying before. And never a truer word spoken!!!!
Kate. xx

Patrick

Its on a TV show called the office, the whole monologue is

"if you want the rainbow you have to experience the rain. Do you know which famous philosipher said that? Dolly Parton - yeah, she's a genius, and people only think she's a pair of tits!"


Patrick

(it is a saying in its own right - I made it look like the saying only exists on the tv show)

simon bland

Sorry to not have responded sooner, but have been away for a few days and am now catching up on my reading, anyway....

Congratulations, on your Visa, from another ex Cambridgeite, and good luck with the move. Don't forget this forum, your posts are always very amusing.

Simon

ruby

This is amazing!.....Monday my fiance gets the Visa, Thursday he buys plane tickets, Sunday he arrives in the US, and Monday I go in hospital for major surgery!! What a week this has been! I am so happy that he will be here with me to see me thru this.....Yippy Skippy! Having the love of my life by my side will help me alot!