Dan and Emily are engaged!

One Step Closer...

2008-11-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

Dan got his EAD (Employment Authorization Document) today! Now it's just a waiting game until the Green Card interview and Permanent Residency! Hooray!

Adjustment of Status to Permanent Legal Resident

2008-08-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

AOS Package required contents:

Cover letter listing contents for - Immediate Relative (Spouse) Family Based Adjustment of Status Application. List the major contents of the package (i.e. I-485 and evidence, I-765, I-131,etc).
- G-325a – For DAN
- I-765 – EAD application

Application

Copy of passport

Copy of Visa

2 passport photos

On back: Name & Alien Receipt Number

Mail to:

USCIS

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4120

I-485 – Application to Register/AOS

Mail to:

USCIS

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4120

Copy of birth certificate

Copy of passport with visa page

2 Passport photos

Vaccination supplement i-693a

G-325a

Copy of NOA2- I129f Approval

Copy of Marriage Certificate

Copy of Form I-94

Check or money order for $1010 – payable to U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security

I-864 – For EMILY

Most recent tax return & W-2

Copy of passport

I -864 – For KAREN

Most recent tax return & W-2

Copy of passport

Getting married is like buying a gun...

2008-07-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

You apply for a license...
And then they make you wait three days.

Things to Do in Boston Next Week

2008-07-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

A collection of more to-dos, in the vaguest of chronological order.

Add my name to the lease for proof of RESIDENCY (Asap)
Sort out health INSURANCE add to Emily's account, or get a separate one. (Asap)
Start contacting people about JOBS: (Godine & Sedo done), direct e-mails for: Beacon, Boston Magazine, Liz's company, Crimson Life Sciences, Club Passim, Perseus, Shift Comms, German School, Blink Music & others (Asap)
Get an affordable civil ceremony RING (In the first week)
Apply for marriage license: go to City Clerk's office. Bring ID (passport, birth certificate), and cash (I think $25 if we file in Cambridge). (Asap, by 4th Aug. at latest)
Take a look at the AOS Adjustment paperwork and get applications together (In the first week)
Get a Social Security Number (SSN) (After 2 weeks)
Open a bank ACCOUNT and a joint account (After getting an SSN) DONE

Hopefully most of that can be sorted out before 08.08.08, so that there is less to do then. And I will have a job, I hope! Zaz.

Updated 7/26/08

Movies to see

2008-07-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Feel free to add to or edit this list!

BATMAN - out July 18
X-FILES - out July 25
Indiana Jones - still playing here
Iron Man - may still be playing (Did you see this one? I forget.)
Wall-e

Photos a day

2008-07-09T07:01:00.000-07:00

People look like their dogs I suppose.

Oscar stealing people's seats.

To-Do upon Dan's arrival.

2008-07-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

ASAP, but a minimum of 4 days before the civil ceremony: apply for marriage license. Go to City Clerk's office. Bring ID (passport, birth certificate), and cash (I think $25 if we file in Cambridge).
ASAP, but no more than two weeks after Dan arrives (wait for him to be entered in the system): Apply for Social Security Number. Bring passport, birth certificate, all visa documents, and application form.
ASAP: File for AOS and EAD. Much more on this later.

Wedding Planning - Dispatch No. 4

2008-07-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

Things to do while in EVV 8/20-8/26:

Marriage Counseling with Pastor Joe (3 hours)
Meet with cake decorator Carolyn (about 1 hour)

taste, decide on flavors and design

Meet with coordinator/florist Doug (about 1 hour)

confirm colors, talk about specific flowers

Dress fitting in Owensboro (about 3 hours, with driving time)
Meet with chef Doug to set menu for Rehearsal Dinner (1 hour)
Meet with chef Scott Schymik and Coordinator Andrea at Kirby's to set reception menu (1 hour)
Meet with photographer Lvonne (probably upwards of 1 hour)

she may want to do some photos of us, but mostly she'll want to get to know us and talk about our style

Photos a Day

2008-07-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

A picture of me, now that the digital camera is fixed again, with a slighlty wonky nose and self-cut hair.

Oscar looking relatively coy for a bulldog. His nose is flatter and his hair whiter than mine.

Wedding Planning - Dispatch No. 3

2008-07-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

In the grand tradition of To-Do lists, I give you: Wedding Stationery To-Do List.

Invitations: design and make

Invitation, Reception Card, Driving Directions, Hotel information card, Registry card, Rehearsal dinner invitation, Reply card, Reply card envelope, Cocktail party invitation (night before)

Place cards & Table numbers/names
Menu cards
Ceremony Programs
Weekend itinerary card, directions and city information for welcome bags
Schedule for wedding party
Napkin rings
Thank you cards - design our own?
Cards for pastor, parents & attendants

Photo Flashback, 2006

2008-07-02T05:51:00.001-07:00

Now that my digital camera is working again, here are some lost-in-the-aether photos from Herm and from Coventry 2006.

Silly sunglasses ahoy.

Back in Guernsey: Doing Things

2008-07-02T04:15:00.000-07:00

Done in Berlin

Mailing things: books, jackets, jumpers, clothes
Kündigen insurance stuff (automatic via Helios)
Went to St. Oberholz
Eaten falafel on Oranienstr
Paid pre-requisite excess baggage to QUEasyjet

To Do in Guernsey

Find out temp. possibilities (contacted: OSA, Leapfrog, Dreamjobs, Situations, Firstcall): This needs my housing license/rights to work--DONE WITH OSA/SOURCE
Compare costs of shipping vs. checking extra bags
Go through things and pack stuff to bring to U.S.
Buy a new large checked bag. £20 at sports shop. From £50 at Creaseys
Set aside things to ship to U.S. - Books? Subwoofer? Clothes? Other things
Work out whether I get tax rebates--FILE FORM & WAIT FOREVER - needs all income details from Accent/RBC in order to
Sort out bank accounts (close Lloyds)--DONE & TRSFR TO HSBC
Have a nice dinner with families
Hang out with the boys
Get a haircut--DONE 7.7.08
Get an external hard drive
Walk and play with the Bully--DONE FAIRLY OFTEN
Make sure paperwork is all together
Develop photos (or in Boston?)--DO IN BOS - nowhere develops Ilford HP5
Take photos of Guernsey and people there
Sort out clothes to keep and clothes to get rid of
Look for rings? Size R or 83/4
Check in online from 21/7/08, 13:40

Dan to do: One week and one day to departure from Berlin

2008-06-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

Preliminary list (strictly fun things italicized)

In Berlin

Sort out mailing things: books, jackets
Kündigen insurance stuff
Go to St. Oberholz
Superficially clean room
Spend a day wandering around favorite places (Emily's suggestion)
Eat falafel at Hackescher Markt

In Guernsey

Compare costs of shipping vs. checking extra bags
Have a nice dinner with mum (at least once)
Hang out with the boys
Go through things in room and pack things to bring to U.S. (1 big bag and one guitar)
Also pack or set aside things to ship to U.S.
Develop photos
Take photos of Guernsey and people there
Sort out bank accounts (close one account/transfer money)
Sort out clothes to keep and clothes to get rid of
Consider making money
Get a haircut
Walk and play with the Bully
Think about what to do with guitars
Make sure paperwork is all together

Impending arrival

2008-06-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Now just exactly one month til Dan's arrival... I've settled in our apartment and am just waiting for him to get here and help me decorate and buy furniture.

So, countdowns:

four weeks from Tuesday: Dan gets here late at night
sixish weeks: Uncle Sam wedding
fourteenish weeks: my General Exams
roughly October: Dan receives Advance Parole and 12 month Employment Authorization
189 days from now: the Wedding
171 days from now: our fourth anniversary

That's enough of that. Suffice it to say, I'm excited.

Oh, and we have a church, reception site & caterer, florist, photographer, cake baker, and venue & caterer for the rehearsal dinner all booked. And I bought a dress!

Woohoooo!

2008-06-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Progress! Dan received his visa last week, now has tickets, and will be here in just 35 days! Yay!

Wedding Planning - Dispatch No. 2

2008-06-07T21:14:00.001-07:00

This is what we're thinking for the reception location. Kirby's. It's elegant, beautiful, has a great chef, and is miraculously reasonably priced. It's a pair of mansions (the one pictured is the one on the left) with a large ballroom built in between. the main reception dinner and dancing will be in the ballroom and the bar will be set up in one of the side rooms in the mansion on the right. There are a lot of lovely little corners where people could escape if they want and the whole place has pretty great ambiance.

This is the ballroom. You see the side walls are exposed brick with windows in - they're actually the external walls of the houses on either side. pretty cool. in the upper right of this photo is the dance floor. You see a big mirror at the top middle of the picture? That's where they usually set up the cake.
This is a big mirror in the side room where our bar would be, showing the main staircase of the house. This is a great spot for photos and will be a good deal quieter than the ballroom during the reception. On the website, you can see menus by clicking on the bottom left picture at the center of the page.

We also stopped at Le Merigot hotel this afternoon to look at their rooms and just see what it looks like. This is the lobby and Blush restaurant and bar ("ultralounge"). It's pretty cool. If people are staying at this hotel, it could be good to go here for the quasi bachelor party.

The next picture is in the bedroom of the presidential suite, looking into the living room. It's crazy. About 2,000 square feet. The master bathroom in this suite has a sauna in it.

The next photo is one of their "three-way" suites. This is the one where Obama stayed a couple weeks ago. This picture is also taken from the bedroom looking into the living room. This suite has one king sized bed (2 people), but they could bring in a couple cots so that the suite would sleep 4. If they did that, it would work out to less than a hundred dollars per person per night. There is also an adjoining standard room (sleeps 4), so that the two rooms could be connected and 8 people could split the $500 price tag. Not too shabby. Anyway, it was crazy beautiful and not badly priced.

For the rehearsal dinner (dinner party with family and wedding party), we're thinking of going to Just Rennie's. It's a beautiful, small private restaurant with a fabulous chef. He'll work with us to come up with an individual menu, but he also has menus on his website (.pdf). Really nice guy and lovely space.

The florist/coordinator we're looking at is Doug at the Olde Salt Box. He used to run a flower shop across the street from my high school. I used to go in and buy myself flowers from him all the time. He's fabulous.

The photographer we're probably going to go with is Lvonne Bennett. Her website is really cheesy and outdated and the sample photos aren't as good as what we saw when we met her. The good thing is she doesn't cost $8,200, unlike one other guy we met with. She's not the cheapest, but she's also not overly expensive and she's really good to work with.

I think those are all the major decisions so far. Let me know if you have any thoughts. I love you.

Wedding Planning - Dispatch No. 1

2008-06-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

Two things to report:

I visited two churches today - Trinity Methodist and Central Methodist (my home church). I think it'll be best (money-wise and comfort-wise) to stick with Central, as it's a known quantity. We know the people involved and Rev. Easley is totally scriptable. He said that we can incorporate whatever we want and change the wording of the traditional service if we want. I'll get you a copy of the service as quickly as I can. Anyway, here are pictures of the church:

There will be Christmas decorations up - garland around the altar rail and wreaths up on the balcony. There will also be candleabras on the pews and candles in the windows (lots of candles). Other decoration is negotiable.

The other thing we looked at this morning was The Old Courthouse Wedgwood Ballroom. It is GORGEOUS. Here are pictures.

This venue is probably the most complicated option - we would have to set up rentals for all the dishes and everything as well as contracting a caterer (which is easy... we have a good caterer in mind who is free that day and has worked in this space lots of times). BUT I LOVE it. It's got like... twenty foot ceilings and it's four rooms in total - there's a double foyer area (with a place to hang coats), and a little crescent shaped room in a bay window. there's gorgeous wood and marble work. BEAUTIFUL.

I'll keep you posted on further developments. We're going to have Chinese food and talk about the option of having a Chinese Rehearsal Dinner (Do you like that idea? It's Jimmy's - that good Chinese place - I think you liked it).

This afternoon we're going to meet with Vicker Photography, and to look at Haub's Steakhouse as another option for the rehearsal dinner.

Visa Visa Visa Visa!

2008-06-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

This morning at about 3:oo AM, Dan woke me from an anxiety nightmare (in which he was denied his visa) to inform me that he had in fact been granted a k-1 Fiance visa! We're officially, really getting married, for real! It was just under four months from filing to approval, so we got really lucky, time-wise. Now just have to:

1. Get Dan a ticket home.
2. Get Dan a ticket to the states.
3. Get married.

Show Time

2008-06-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

Today Dan is finally on his way to his interview in Frankfurt. He has all his documents in order, a little bag with clothes and food, and he took a train this afternoon (early morning my time) to Frankfurt. After a night in a little hotel, he'll report to the Consulate at 9:30 tomorrow morning to have his file looked at and - hopefully - approved on the spot.

I am on my way home to make the first of (probably) a series of wedding planning trips. I have appointments with various officiants, reception sites, caterers, florists, cake bakers, photographers and dress shops. I'm still feeling superstitious, so I'm not making any official decisions or plans until I get the high sign from Dan that all has gone well, but I am getting really excited for all the planning. Updates forthcoming....

Final Pre-Interview To Do

2008-05-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

Medical Monday & Tuesday:

DONE: Get a final vaccination from the far-away doctors' office (varicella: medicine costs €56; previous vaccine medications cost €65 total. Doctor costs €50. In cash. Damn you health insurance.)
Have proof of vaccinations sent to Dr. Erbenich's office at the Krankenhaus Waldfriede. Only then can they process and fax my results to the Frankfurt US Consulate. This can be a copy of the Impfpass (cost - yes, there's a cost - €3) faxed to their office with my case number etc. [Need to phone to check this.]

Rest of week re-organising:

Pay for the interview online (cost €86,09) and get an electronic receipt (wichtig)
Get copies of the NOA2 and fiancee letter of intent
Copy police reports, passport ID page and check whether other copies are needed.
Check all interview documents and ensure they're marked and copied sufficiently.
Get info on Frankfurt (getting to/from places etc.)

Meanwhile feign interest in work and try to do these things whilst working 9 - 6.

Another random photo

2008-05-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

The yard in springtime

Updatables

2008-05-16T14:08:00.001-07:00

Despite wondering at the hundreds of Euros the last few stages of the process cost, I nearly, almost, tasteably have a K-1 fiancé immigrant visa!

Last steps:
A medical at the hospital in Berlin-Zehlendorf at 10.30 am on Tuesday 20th May (1 morning off work!)

For this I need 1, or 3, passport photos (depending on the source), my passport, my case number and my vaccine records.
When I leave the venerable Dr. Lothar Erbenich, I need to take with me a DS-3025 form (vaccine follow-up on adjusting status) and my chest X-ray (which goes on the plane with me

The Visa Interview at the Frankfurt US Consulate at 9.30 am on Tuesday June 3rd (2 days off work! But lots of train time and a hopefully cheap place to stay.) Details for that coming soon.

Approximately a week later I will finally, actually, tangibly have a K-1 visa delivered to my very door. Or at least to my postbox.

Random photos

2008-05-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

New apartment!

2008-05-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

Cracked out video from the McDonald's drive-thru.

A tour of our new house!

Wedding Plans getting off the ground

2008-05-04T16:32:00.001-07:00

Now that the Visa seems to be out of our hands for the moment, we've begun talking turkey about the wedding. We spent much of today and yesterday hashing out our basic preferences for format and timing.

Tentative Decisions:

Pending the approval of a few very important guests, we're looking at a Christmastime wedding (for the ease of our traveling guests who need to book time off, as well as for the bride herself, who can't easily get time off during the fall semester and would be hard pressed to find time to plan in the summer).
We're looking at having an early ceremony (noontime) and champagne and cake reception directly following, then a very intimate dinner later on.
As for the ceremony, we want to work within the basic "traditional" structure of the wedding, but to really personalize the readings and music to reflect our interests and beliefs.
We want to try to incorporate some Irish elements (maybe some traditional Irish vows or readings - I already have an Irish hanky to carry down the aisle with me) into the ceremony.
We're looking for a reading in German, to be read by a German, in addition to another literary passage in English.
Trying to start thinking about music to incorporate: I've got very definite ideas of the kind of music I'd like to involve - Bach for processing, maybe some Beethoven (Pathetique) or Chopin (a Nocture), and, for Dan (and because I like it), "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence."

Domestic Fantasies: Plants

2008-05-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

I bought these succulents...
To plant with this one in this bowl.
Pretty pansies.

Pink Petunia.

Cool lupines with water drops.

Lucy hanging out under the herb table.

Progress!

2008-05-01T08:19:00.001-07:00

I-134s have been sent off. Dan's just waiting on one more bit of paperwork (medical records) and I have to send the NOA2, which I forgot to include and we'll be all set and waiting for the Interview date!

Developments

2008-04-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well, we're getting closer to choosing a date (Christmas-ish?), and we're in the last stages of the k-1 process. Left to do:

Emily: finally complete and send I-134, documentary evidence, etc. (by Monday)
Dan: fill out and send DS-230 I, DS-156, DS-156k, DS-157

fill out and return Document Checklist - Request Interview

receive appointment and go to interview, go to medical exam

quit job, visit mother, come to Amurka already

I'm getting excited to start planning the wedding, but I'm even more excited to just have my Sparky with me in our happy new little home.

News news news...

2008-04-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

I-129f packet was received by the Franfurt Consulate on April 17. They're sending Dan Packet 3 (Instructions) tomorrow, if we're able to get the address corrected in time. (eep!)

Other big life decisions are perking along. The apartment hunt is in full swing and we're talking a lot about wedding stuff. I expect this will continue as my parents are in town this week.

My (and my parents') I-134 package will be on their way to Germany by the end of this week at the latest.

It's all coming together!

Things to do - stolen from visajourney.com

2008-04-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

Things to send to Dan:

A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one).
Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.
Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F).
I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is notarized (by a US Notary Public), with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all.
You will likely need at a minimum (for the above form) two to three of your most recent pay stubs and a signed letter from your employer listing you job title, start date, your salary, and the status (full-time) of your position. Begin collecting these ASAP after your NOA2 arrives. You will also probably want to include other evidence such as your banking information and other assets as required by the I-134. Specifically you will need at least 2 of the 4 options mentioned in Section II-Supporting Evidence of the I-134. See this FAQ for more tips and ueful information on the Affidavit of Support Form.
A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail.
Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, etc from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 date-now).
Examples: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

Things for Dan to do:
Packet 3 - sent to Dan from Consulate includes:

Cover letter with case number
Form DSL-1076: visa instructions for fiance(e) nonimmigrant visa applicants (checklist)
Form DS 156 - generic nonimmigrant visa application form
Form DS 157 - supplemental nonimmigrant visa application form
Form DS 156k - fiance visa application form
Form DS 230 part 1 - application for immigrant visa and alien registration
Information regarding the medical examination: Medical Examination Information with list of panel physicians in Germany and Vaccination Requirements chart
Form OF 167 (Evidence which may be presented to meet the public charge provisions of the law) -- not sure what this is... have to do more research.

After Packet 3, Dan sends the following back to the consulate:

a photocopy of each page of your passport
one passport style picture (attached to Form DS 156)
Form DSL-1076: visa instructions for fiance(e) nonimmigrant visa applicants (checklist)
Form DS 230 part 1
Form DS 156 (needs one passport photo attached)
Form DS 157
Form DS 156k (the checklist says to return this one as well – however it needs to be signed in front of a consular officer)
Form DS 156k (the checklist says to return this one as well – however it needs to be signed in front of a consular officer)
Your Passport (must have at least 6 months validity beyond the issuance date of the visa) (Pls note: if yours is to expire soon – apply for a new one well ahead. Currently it takes 4 – 6 weeks to obtain a new one. Cost: €26, you’ll need 1 passport picture German style)
Your birth certificate or a certified copy (maybe also get extra certified copies?)
Police Certificate (each applicant aged 16 yrs or over is required to submit a police certificate from the police authorities of each locality of the country of the applicant’s nationality or current residence where the applicant has resided for at least twelve months since attaining the age of sixteen) (Pls note: it currently takes 1 - 2 weeks to get this for Germany; it costs € 13)
Photographs (as described in packet 3)
Evidence of Support (as per Form OF 167 or I 134)
Evidence of Relationship (e.g. letters, photographs or other evidence of your engagement)
€ 4,25 in stamps (envelope to be self-addressed will be provided) - you'll want to double check the required postage
You also need a passport photo for your medical exam
And you need your vaccination record from your doctor in Guernsey (probably should get a copy of all your records)

Anyway, that's it, I think. Hopefully this will all go quickly. This timeline is very similar to ours.
Just to give you an idea of how the next few weeks might go. We should start moving very quickly on these things! So exciting!

I129F Approval!

2008-04-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

Just a few hours ago, Emily received an Approval Notice for our I129F application.

Though it's not the visa in hand, this is most of the waiting done and is thus pretty amazing. It hasn't quite sunk in, so any more precise descriptions of how amazing are difficult to come up with.

This basically means that I have approval to attend an interview at the consulate in Frankfurt, the time of which they will determine after I have 'informed' them that I have all the information required. Though it will mean legal negotiating to get police reports (polizeiliche Führungszeugnisse, anyone?) in Germany, that's pretty small beans all in all; it also seems to take only a few weeks on average between requesting the interview and receiving a date, which means (I really hope) less than a month to attend the interview. If approved, the visa comes back in my passport a few days later.

Now as long as they give me the visa in Frankfurt. If I avoid the phrase "damn Yankees" and keep all my documents I think I'll be fine. Meanwhile, I have to get busy with police reports, changing my address with USCIS and doubtless other things I've forgotten.

Mental air-punch.

Still waiting...

2008-04-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

Despite some exciting developments the last couple days (none of which have to do with the visa), I'm still generally discontented. We filed two months ago tomorrow, which feels like a very long time. Of our "cohort":

K-1 Visas, I-129f filed in Vermont, Beneficiary from UK, filed between 01-01-2008 and 02-08-2008:
22 total pending files - 15 with NOA2

K-1 Visas, I-129f filed in Vermont, Beneficiary from anywhere, filed between 01-01-2008 and 02-08-2008:
100 total pending files - 67 with NOA2, 2 with final visa approval

All numbers are according to visajourney.com, which has a tiny sample size, but is relatively helpful nonetheless. It at least has a placebo effect. VJ says our I-129f should be adjudicated by May 14, or we should start bothering them. That's not soooo far off now.

On that lovely website, I found another couple very like us. Filed only a few days before us in Vermont, beneficiary (man) is from the UK, but is living in Germany. Their I-129f has been approved and their case has already arrived in Frankfurt at the consulate. This is a little jealous-making, though I am happy for them. *sigh* I suppose our time will come.

Not that I'm obsessing or anything.

More waiting

2008-04-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Today is day 57 since we got our NOA 1 (notice of receipt by the USCIS). There was (according to visajourney.com) a big burst of approvals about a month after our filing time and out of 21 people with similar profiles to us (filing at Vermont, UK citizens, filing around the same time as us), 15 have been approved. Only one has an interview date.

Nothing has changed in about two weeks, as far as I can tell. This is very disappointing, since it looked like everything was going so quickly, and I'm really REALLY hoping that we'll hear something soon. Meanwhile I'm beginning to be nervous about the other parts of the process, but I guess that's a pointless worry until we hear something either way from the Vermont Service Center.

Our fantastic visit last week, though, did help. I just hope that we have an approval before we have to schedule another visit! I'd rather save up that money and use it for better things, like an apartment or wedding or honeymoon.

On the wedding front: we're discussing possible venues and talking about whether to have the big event in Evansville or Boston. Cost and familiarity would suggest Evansville would be the best choice, but Boston is where we've had a shared life. But vital members of my family may not be able to travel to Boston... so many things to think about.

Still in Berlin...

2008-03-28T04:49:00.000-07:00

...and still very very happy, but extremely, excruciatingly impatient. 49 days and counting. Average approval right now for people who applied with us is 40 days. Bad bad bad. That's us in St. Oberholz, my personal favorite cafe, perhaps anywhere, now that Paradiso is gone.

Status Update

2008-03-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

EEJ in Berlin! Still no touches or anything from USCIS since 5 March.

44 Days and counting.

Leaving on a jet plane

2008-03-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to hop on a plane to go see my love is just about the happiest think I can imagine.

Birthday 2008: Where is my mind? Glory Bound.

2008-03-20T01:26:00.000-07:00

I don’t believe in perfect moments, but the occasional imperfect convergences are as close as life gets.

Birthdays have—with little exception—been rather non-eventful, but that has been fine by me. The tendency to build up events in one’s head for them to not meet expectations is potentially dangerous.

Today I turned 24, and—as nonsensical as it is—maybe that added to the way everything fitted together. As though, even in my internal world where the only absolute is that there are no absolutes, I was somehow certain that any doubts I might have about what I was doing, what I had done, and what I will be doing in the future vanished in the synthesis of several things.

Making it home, I walked down Norweger Straße, which here runs the course of the old Wall, for the first time since daylight savings began it was still light as I reached the house.

Leaving the S-Bahn my ears were accompanied by Marty singing Glory Bound which, as I got onto Norweger Straße, changed into The Pixies’ Where Is My Mind? At once it combined both the beginning of our relationship, as well as the present.

And the songs made me smile in spite of work being mundane, and that I felt more certain about things than before made me smile in spite of all the things I have left to do here, and that it was still light reminded me that you will soon be here, and that we may even have half of our process done by the time that you leave.

I can settle for imperfect convergences.

Status Update

2008-03-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

I-129f was received by Vermont Service Center (USCIS/Homeland Security) on 8 February 2008.

We were last "touched" on 3 March 2008.

39 Days and counting.

Fungus on the Mill River

2008-03-18T08:25:00.001-07:00

The flash makes for a rather horror-movie-like blue value, but the orange and yellow of this fungus - I think it's a Laetiporus sulphureus caught my eye. The blue haze caused by the flash plays up the bright color of the fungus, but it's also not unlike the dusky hue the woods took on that afternoon of one of my happiest days ever. We had been walking and talking and taking pictures all along the way and I knew that we would make it. I could wax poetic about brightness in the dark, but then I'd be likening our burgeoning happiness to a chunk of fungus
growing on a dead tree. It doesn't seem quite fitting.

The Laetiporus sulphureus is also called the "chicken of the woods," as it is apparently edible and very common. It grows on dead and decaying wood, in the summer and fall, usually. It also apparently has a strong, fungusy smell and a pleasant sourish taste. It doesn't quite work as an analogy, you see.

Also, for the record, this site is very useful for identifying fungi. This one, too.

K-1 To Do

2008-01-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

Gray = done

Need to write a check: Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment.
Need to write: Cover Letter. Should include a description of what you are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.
DONE: Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance.
Need to write: Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F.
Need to write: Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance) certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the US on a valid K-1.
Need to gather and organize: Proof of having met in past two years.
Copies of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing your file.
Do you have your flight itineraries or booking confirmations online? Send them to me?
Also please scan/photocopy and send me all relevant pages of your passport.
I can organize these: Color Photos of you and your fiance together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photos. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a company such as kodakgallery.com. You can also make duplicates of photos at your local photo store (Walgreeens, CVS, etc). Place photos in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photos back.
The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt
Should select some emails to send. Also do you have any of my letters with postmarks? I think I have a couple of yours.
Also, I have the original engagement ring receipt. (Cleverly,) I had them put both of our names on it.
DONE: G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated.
Have to have one taken: One passport-type photo of the US Citizen.
Need to figure this out: G-325A (all four pages) filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated.
DONE: One passport-type photo of the foreign fiance(e).
Still waiting for my mom to send me this: Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

14 January 2008: Snow Day photo EXTRAVAGANZA

2008-01-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

This is what I woke up to this morning:

Thayer in the snow.

The snow was that really sticky kind that coated the trees. When I stood under the tree, there was this weird light. It felt almost like being in a lighted tent. Shaded, but somehow emitting or reflecting a weird light. Beautiful.

Memorial Church in the snow.

Flowers and snow.

13 January 2008: What I want right now...

2008-01-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

Hendrick's Gin with a cucumber garnish...mmmm. (Daedalus.) (Also a random old photo.)

12 January 2008: More ME

2008-01-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

A random picture to make up for me not taking pictures.... Me on my birthday at Dali.

11 January 2008: This is how I feel when you're not here

2008-01-14T20:02:00.000-08:00

Dopey and Sad.

2008

2008-01-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

New Year's Resolutions:

◊ Be healthier & happier. The behemoth of unhealth starts creeping up around about now. I feel. I have to ensnare the behemoth of happiness with some kind of bush trap involving Gummi Bears.

◊ Family & friends. Visit when I can, & keep in touch when I can’t. Since they are strewn across the face of the Earth.

◊ Indytime. Make sure we’re also in touch & know wassup when we’re not in the same place. Be more organised about that & it will be less frustrating. (In some ways).

◊ Work harder at achieving personal ambitions. As I’ve worked out what some of these might be, I can focus on getting there, whether it be writing or music, or some combination of current interests. If only I become a pulp icon then I can write about myself & the pulpcycle of modernity will be complete. Muahaha.

◊ Focus better on everything. Other people’s needs, one’s own needs, as well as work & life & the things I need to do. Become less unlinear (see above).

◊ Have a wicked awesome year. Get married, have fun, do work unstressedly. Maybe get a Colin.

10 January 2008: Color

2008-01-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

It's a very very depressing gray day, so I thought a picture of something colorful might help. These are tulips that Wiebke brought me the day she left. Very sweet. Anyway, we've had weird weather the last couple days. First there were a few really warm spring-thaw kind of days... days in the sixties where all the snow melted and left mud and mess everywhere. Now it's a "potential nor-easter" and it's been cold, gray, and pounding rain all day. Very cheerful.

I wish you were here.

9 January 2008: Modern Pastry

2008-01-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

I love this wall at Modern Pastry, with the rough brick showing behind the shiny glass shelves and shiny foodstuffs.

8 January 2008: Il Panino with the girls

2008-01-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

Here's me at Il Panino. Good food, as you know. Do you see that gorgeous ring on my finger?

7 January: The Laughing Mar

2008-01-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

I almost named this one the laughing gnome, but thought Mar would take that personally. This was in Park Street Station and I liked it.

6 January 2008: Next year in Northampton...

2008-01-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

...we'll finally go to the Tunnel Bar. I think we missed it both times we've been there so far. Also, I have a different, cheaper, better place for us to stay next time! I like taking little trips with you... Northampton in October was so fabulous...

5 January 2008: Politics at the pub

2008-01-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

This fun banner was hanging outside Packard's, Northampton's sort of divey townie bar, which I frequented my senior spring because of their cheeeeap cocktails.

4 January 2008: Me Me Meeeee

2008-01-10T13:11:00.001-08:00

Here's a weirdly skinny-looking picture of me at the Haymarket. I was drinking a smoothie called a "spanking." I do love ordering those. "Yeah, I'll have an espresso and a spanking, please."

3 January 2008: Snow at Smith

2008-01-10T13:02:00.000-08:00

This was just after we arrived at Smith. It was my favorite time of day and the light was just perfect. I love how the light in the afternoon there turns everything rosy and yellow. Beautiful. That's the greenhouse and, beyond it, the pond.

Resolutions

2008-01-03T12:03:00.001-08:00

Here's my annual list of New Year's Resolutions, most of which I will inevitably break:

Really be in better touch with my friends and family. This is a resolution I make every year, but this time I *really* want to make it happen.
Work much harder. With my work load for the next semester, I really need to.
Find a balance between work and play that satisfies both needs. Last January: too much work. From February through December 2007: too much play.
Be cleaner and more organized. I'm tired of my room stressing me out and never having clean dishes.
Pull together my image. Be more well-groomed and less slovenly-grad-student-like. I've let my wardrobe slip and haven't cared very much about my appearance for a leeetle bit too long.
Don't get to swept up in the wedding planning and visa anxiety. Bad bridezilla tendencies!
Work on professional goals: write/publish articles, apply for conferences.
Be a better teacher and proctor. Stop letting these things slide.
Be financially responsible. I'm po' and tired of it.
Be healthier: this means eating better, working out, seeing the doctor when I need to, sleeping plenty, not drinking too much, etc. etc.

2 January 2008: Another place I wish you were with me

2008-01-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

Grendel's for dinner tonight. Yummy and cheap. Good beer. I had a turkey burger (The Natural Disaster) and a Cambridge Amber. Yum.

1 January 2008: A new Paradiso!

2008-01-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

So! Today, Wiebke and I went to sit in a cafe and read after brunch today. We tried to go to Dado, but it was closed (New Year's Day), so we went to Algiers instead. I don't think we've ever been there together and I hadn't been there in about four years. Anyway, we walked in and went upstairs (I'd never been upstairs before). It's absolutely beautiful in there and I don't think it's as expensive as Paradiso was. The best thing, though, is that when we walked in, I saw ALL the old Paradiso regulars there. We sat right next to the funny old guy who always wears a little flat cap and crazy obviously designer clothes that are shabby even though they're clearly quite expensive. Anyway, it's a fabulous fabulous place and I think I have to go there every day. It really made me feel so much better about the coming year, because I have a regular place to go! I can't wait to take you there.

31 December 2007: Wiebke and Liz!

2008-01-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

This was actually today, the 1st. Brunch today at Zoe's. I had a delicious sandwich and soup.

30 December 2007: Puppies, obviously

2008-01-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Blurry puppies. Not much of interest to take pictures of recently. I'll try to do better from now on.

29 December 2007: Drive to Louisville

2008-01-01T19:00:00.000-08:00

It was lovely weather, as you can see. Like the barn, though.

28 December 2007: Lemons

2008-01-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

Nighttime in the Jones kitchen. I just liked how the lemons looked in this light.

Notes on coping with shitty distance issues

2007-12-27T23:07:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning a series of posts listing my coping mechanisms for when we're apart.

Think positively.
Talk about us often and optimistically.
Make imaginary plans for fun future things in my head.
Repress the fact that I've been counting our hours apart since Sunday.
Watch lots of movies.
Eat disgusting amounts of chocolate.

If you come up with any to add, please do.

27 December 2007: Missing Monkey

2007-12-27T23:03:00.000-08:00

Your puppy and I miss you. Didn't see anything interesting today, so this is all you get. I love you.

26 December 2007: Birds on a Wire

2007-12-27T22:58:00.000-08:00

Snapped this on my way home from downtown, where I had coffee and a glass of wine with my curly-haired friend, C. All the birds lined up on the wire reminded me of that animated short film where the birds are all lined up on a wire, obviously. When they take off they sort of swarm around in these weird clouds of squawking.

Puppy hoodies: 25 December 2007

2007-12-25T21:17:00.000-08:00

Puppies in tiny hoodies... Merry Christmas, baby.

Christmas Chaos: 24 December 2007

2007-12-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas chaos... you can be happy you missed this part.

Christmas Turkey: 24 December 2007

2007-12-25T21:13:00.000-08:00

Here's a lovely seasonal photo of our resident wild turkey, Wilson, a.k.a. Rodan. The creepy lighting is the result of a ridiculous full moon.