Immigration Reform?

I have been reading the newspaper articles regarding the Immigration Reform bill that is currently under review in Washington. Although I believe in immigration and diversity, I have to say I cannot get behind legalizing all those who have illegally entered the United States simply because they are already here. In the past 4 years, I (an American CITIZEN) have been required to file applications, pay fees, wait for a USCIS agent to decide my future, and then start the process over again.

Let me just tell you what we had to go through following the legal process. My husband had to leave England and return to India because that was his country of citizenship. According to several attorneys, (both here in the US and England), he would NEVER be approved in a country other than where he held his citizenship post 9/11. Then, I had to file a Fiance' visa application, supply documentation to validate our relationship, and as with EVERY USCIS process, pay the fees. Once this was filed, I had to sit and wait until the application had been reviewed to see if we were approved or not. Thankfully, we were approved. So, the next step was for my fiance' to pay for and pass a physical given by someone authorized by the USCIS. Then, he had to file a large amount of paperwork and go to the consulate for a personal interview. Again, we were required to put our futures in the hands of a USCIS agent to determine whether or not we could be together. Again, we were lucky enough to be approved. (Trust me, that doesn't always happen. In fact, the four people that were interviewed prior to Hari were turned down in India.) Once approved, we purchased an airline ticket and Hari was on his way to the United States.

Once he arrived here in June 2004, we had a whole 90 days to plan a wedding and get married. After the marriage was done, it was paperwork time again. We had to complete the application to change his status from a fiance' to a spouse. This required a mountain of paperwork, fingerprints and a photo. Surprise, surprise! Each process required a fee paid to USCIS. Then, we also had to file another application to request permission for him to work in the US. You got it - another fee! After that, it was time to sit and wait for USCIS to process and approve the applications. Meanwhile, Hari was not allowed to obtain a job.

After 4 months, we received his work authorization and continued to wait for a green card. In March 2005, we were required to attend a meeting with USCIS. At this appointment, we were required to provide documentation, photographs, and substantial evidence that showed we were married for the "right reasons" and that we were legitimately a couple. Then, my husband was granted a green card. With a two year validity, we had a chance to catch our breath and finally start our lives. But wait - that's not all. Because the green card is valid for only 2 years, we are required to apply and have the "conditional permanent resident" status changed. Again, we filed applications, had fingerprints and photos taken and submitted affidavits from friends and family to verify we are a couple. Oh, and don't forget - paid fees! We filed 1 month in advance on the expiration of Hari's green card and received a letter stating the expiration date had been extended for 1 year because USCIS is behind in processing applications. A check on their website shows that they are currently reviewing applications filed in August 2006. Are you kidding me??? No wonder it is easy to say we have no control over Immigation - those who follow the procedures to a T are subject to outrageous waiting periods. It seriously makes me think we should review the budget to see what all these fees are being used for. I think it's safe to say, it is not being used to hire additional staff to review the mountains of paperwork each person is required to file.

Our current status: We are waiting to have the "condition" removed from Hari's green card and given the information on the Internet, this process will probably be complete a week or two before Hari is eligible to apply for citizenship. As of 2009, he can file to become a US Citizen. At that point, we will do more paperwork, have his fingerprints and photos taken again, and pay the FEES!

In case you are wondering why I would be agitated by those who want to grant amnesty to all of the illegal immigrants -- I think they should be required to return to their country of citizenship, file all the required paperwork, complete a physical to verify they are not ill or HIV positive, produce evidence, go through the stress of waiting for approval or denial and pay ALL THE FEES those of us who obey the law have to! In other words, BE CONSISTANT WASHINGTON!

What do I want to be when I grow up?

I have been unemployed since January 11, 2007, and I am going nuts! However, I find when I think about finding a job that I am nervous. I worked for Citibank for 17 years and now, I look at the opportunities for employment and part of me wonders - can I do it?

You know, I was always told, "if you are a good employee at Citibank, you will be an exceptional employee anywhere else". Not to sound arrogant, but I know I was an excellent employee at Citibank. I was dependable, I was flexible and I was willing to step up. But, I knew the Citi World. It wasn't as scary as the unknown. Well, I have a few more months to reconcile this. Until we have settled into a permanent location, all I can do is try to determine what I want to do. There has been some serious consideration to returning to school. There are so many opportunities for advanced education in this area but before I spend that kind of money, (according to the news MN tuition has increased 30% over the past 5 years or so), I need to determine what I want to be when I grow up.

When I first headed off to school, all I wanted to be was a teacher. Unfortunately, this did not work out for a number or reasons. I had zero encouragement from home, my financial situation did not support the student teaching requirement and eventually, I surrendered to a Business Administration degree. So, from teaching keyboarding, accounting/bookkeeping and basic business classes, I ended up performing the skills I intended to teach. If I would become a teacher today, I think I would much rather focus on something that has always interested me and is now important to more than just a select group of people - ethnic studies. In correlation with this area, I think I would like to educate young people about Geography. I am ashamed to admit it, but most of my geographical knowledge has been acquired in my adult years. I know, there are so many things I still do not know, but I can tell you that Egypt is an African country and Siberia truly exists. (It's not just the area by JoEllen where the "problem employees" are banished to.)

Then, there is the segment that I truly enjoy, that could almost be considered a hobby of mine while working for Citibank. Fundraising and Non-profit agencies. It is really rewarding to make a difference in the community and see your efforts benefit others.

During the next few months of "limbo", I will be reviewing my options. If any of you would like to offer your suggestions, I would be more than happy to hear what you have to say. There are many situations where an outside opinion is helpful.

PLEASE HELP ME!

We're taking the plunge

After much deliberation we have decided to buy a home! We found a realtor - or actually he kind of found us, but we really like him. We went through 4 townhouses - 3 previously lived in - 1 brand new. That was it. It was perfect and DR Horton seems happy to sell it to us.

Now, the circus begins. Looking for a mortgage makes me wonder if Henry Ford had something with his "you can get any color as long as it's black" concept. Wouldn't it be awesome if there was only one mortgage lender and they were ethically and legally required to give you the best possible deal no matter what? Yeah - I know - snap back to reality. Hey, a girl can dream. I feel like I am shopping for a used car. However, with a used car I am an educated consumer. With the mortgage, I feel vulnerable and like a babe in the woods. My husband has informed me it is time to change my perspective. I am not longer the customer service rep that Citibank has trained me to be. I need to become the unflinching consumer that needs to be pleased. (This may be a tough change for me.)

I know one thing. I am unemployed and there are days that I work harder managing our lives than I ever did at Citibank. Sistah is workin' it! You know the saying, "timing is everything". It might not be advisable, if you are able to avoid it, to not buy a timeshare, have your husband change jobs, relocate, purchase your first house, shop for appliances, and find temporary accommodations all in the same month, at the same time. This is the juggling act of the circus. Note to self, don't let the balls drop - there isn't a time limit for this performance like there was in gym class.

Speaking of gym class . . . that reminds me of grade school, which reminds me of many things (not all pleasant memories) but lately all I can think about are those "soy burgers" the ladies in the hair nets used to serve us. I have been dying for one. Does anyone know where I can find one?

With that, I have some phone calls to make - peace out!

Trunk Monkey Compilation

How sad is it when your 60 year-old brother has to show you "what's cool"? Hope it amuses y'all like it did me.

We got one . . .

We waited so long. We didn't know if the day would ever come. We wish to thank all of those who tried to assist us in our efforts. On April 26, 2007, our long wait and anxious anticipation came to an end.

WalMart is now another of my BFFs. Why, you ask?

WHEE ! ! !

We got a Wii

GOODBYE Saint Cloud!

Since our return from San Francisco, our life has not been standing still. Just a few days after our return, my husband interviewed for a new position with Cognos. I knew he was serious about the position when he studied information and mentally practiced interview responses for the entire drive and never once complained about my driving or long it was taking us to get there. After a 4 1/2 interview, we were left to wonder if they were interested in hiring him or not.

Not to be pushed from the spot light, I received my first subpoena. I was summoned back to Sioux Falls to testify in front of a grand jury.

One and a half weeks after the interview, it was no surprise to me when Cognos called and offered Hari the job.

As a result, we will be moving! Now, y'all know how much I hate moving! I have moved 3 times since I married my husband. Prior to that, I had lived in my ghetto apartment for 9 1/2 years. But I am so happy to be leaving Saint Cloud moving seems like a small price, and the new job includes relocation.

Relocation means the "Moving Crew" from Sioux Falls will not have to hide from us, put our calls directly to voice mail, or pretend to be maimed. It means we have the money to hire a moving company. I am asking the "Moving Crew", the "Moon Crew" and any one else who will to cross their fingers and say a prayer that this experience will be much more positive than my last encounter with hiring a moving company. Just to let you know, that experience resulted in the subpoena mentioned above.

I didn't waste my time unpacking too many boxes when I got to Saint Cloud. (And you thought it was laziness.) It was just preparation for the next phase of our live!

With the job accepted and the move on the horizon, we sat down to make another decision. To rent or to buy. Some of the points to ponder:

• Are we ready for the responsibility of a home?
• If we rent, can we handle moving again in the near future?
• Which suburb of Minneapolis is the best to live in?
• Can we afford to buy a home?
• Is it near a bus route?
  

Hari's job is in Bloomington. You got it - that Bloomington. The home of the famous Mall of America. In fact, his office is just one crosswalk away. But if you are familiar with the Minneapolis/St Paul area, you know that working in Bloomington gives you at least 8 choices of communities to live in that are about a stone's throw from the famous shopping Mecca.

Decisions . . decisions . . decisions

Thank God for Kinkos!

Kinkos is my new BFF! Not necessarily because I chose it, but because I have had to visit there every day for the last two weeks or so. I have been copying documents, faxing information and sending some items FedEx. While standing at the counter the other day, another sign caught my eye.

PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS

Kinkos takes passport photos. Not only do they take them in a semi-private area of the store, they allow you to review your picture before it's printed. That's right - you choose if it is acceptable or needs to be done again. Upon this discovery, I paused and enjoyed the Hallelujah Chorus that was my private concert! I found it. The answer to my picture crisis.

So the next day; I fixed my hair, picked out the perfect accessories and put on my favorite sweater. A last check in the mirror, lipstick in my hand (for touch up), and I was off to Kinkos. When I got there, I was the only customer and it became my own private photo shoot. Let me tell you, Ms. Kinkos knew what she was doing. She snapped my picture, brought the camera over for review and to my shock and amazement, the first and only picture was awesome! Now that was how the passport photo process was supposed to be.

I trotted to the counter, all smiles, and waited for my photo to print. I paid my bill. (Double that of the discount grocery store that gave me the photo from Hell, but worth every penny). Took my little folder with the two 2X2 inch photos and headed home to complete my application. Now, I just need to wait for the Government to respond. Thank goodness there are no immediate travel plans. The application and my beautiful photo have been sent off to the National Passport Center.

Yippee! I will be able to travel again. I will be able to flash my passport with an awesome photo!

I am now able to put the Cash Wise Grocery experience far, far behind me.