Archive for February 2008

“Card Production”

Thursday, 28 February 2008 Personal One comment

“Card Production Ordered” and “Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident” might not mean much to some, but it means so much to me today.

Well, it’s been a long, long, trip, but today, the Burden family received their AOS (Adjustment of Status), I485 approval, commonly known as their green card. It’s all a bit overwhelming right now as we take it all in, but, as you can imagine, it now opens many doors of opportunity for us. It doesn’t mean we’re going to stay in the USA indefinitely, but it gives us a great deal of freedom and breathing space.

For those of you who aren’t aware, when you work in the USA, you’re granted a working visa. There are many types, but ultimately you’re normally tied to a sponsoring employer. There is little wiggle room. The green card ultimately gives you travel without restriction and opens doors.

The two and a half year journey has been long (but not as long as some of my friends who have been waiting upwards of eight to ten years). It certainly makes me thankful in relation to others, and it also makes me appreciate the privilege of being given this permission to reside in the US.

Just to give you a taste of what we’ve been going through, take a look:

  • June 2005, obtain working visa (L1-A) at the US Embassy in London
  • August 2005, arrive California, green card process begins
  • Immigrant Worker Petition (I-140) filed – the first step in the green card process
  • Worker Petition approved 22 November 2006
  • 16 January 2007, medical performed
  • 23 March 2007, Adjustment of Status (green card application) filed with USCIS
  • 25 May 2007, Biometrics and fingerprints taken
  • 15 June 2007, EAD (employment authorisation documents) received
  • 22 June 2007, Advance Parole I-795 received
  • January 2008, saw some progress in my case
  • 28 February 2008, green cards approved

Being immersed in this process has been a very interesting one and I think I’ve become a mini-immigration attorney in some respects! I think I now have a pretty good understanding of the whole process!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Permanent_Resident_Card

California Roadtrip

Friday, 22 February 2008 Gaming, Travel No comments

If you had some friends who said, “Do you fancy having our spare Panasonic 42″ Plasma HDTV?” You would jump at the chance wouldn’t you? Well, I did, but unfortunately the TV was in San Diego and I’m in the Bay Area.

On Wednesday I had my chance. I was down in San Diego for business, so I thought, let’s grab it and drive it back in a day - it’s only a 400 mile flight and a 520 mile drive. Should be easy… Oh, how wrong I was… it’s a very, very, long trip to do with little sleep…

I’m not exactly Jack Bauer, but here was my 24…

My route can be seen here.

 

Wednesday 4.30am

Got up, got to San Jose Airport, flew to San Diego.

8.00am

Picked up hire car

8.40am

Arrived at our San Diego office for a planning session

6.00pm

Left the office to return hire car

6.30pm

Picked up private hire car (offered a Hummer, but said no) and hot footed it over to La Jolla to pick up the telly

7.00pm

Road trip begins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.41pm

Denny’s, South LA. Lots of coffee and coffee to-go.

 

Thursday 1.00am

Lost Hills, CA on I-5. 210 miles from home. A long road with nothing to see and one petrol station.

 

2.29am

Los Banos, CA on I-5, 107 miles from home.

 

4.30am

Arrived home

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