Still waiting...

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

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.

Leaving on a jet plane

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

Notes on coping with shitty distance issues

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

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

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