Monthly Archives: December 2009
Happy Christmas
Who’s ready for Christmas (or “the holidays”)? We are! I’ve done most of my shopping online this year, which was nice, especially at the end, where shops started offering super-expedited shipping for free if you spend a certain dollar amount.
UPS continues to taunt me, though. Throughout the Christmas season, they’ve promised to deliver by a certain date, then doing crazy things, like saying “The package was left in a UPS facility. Transferring to the city of destination.” Whatever that means.
Then there is the “2-day air” shipping that delayed for arrival. The last bit should arrive by tomorrow, but since half of the shipment is in Lenexa, KS (may arrive) and half is in Pennsylvania (could possibly arrive), it doesn’t seem promising, does it?
I had shipments that sat in the local UPS office for several days, and then they were put on a truck for delivery, normally one package on one day and the next package on another.
Still, it would be interesting to see how many packages transited via UPS over the holiday season. To their credit, everything’s arrived on time so far, and in perfect condition.
Anyway, complaining aside… it’s going to be a nice Christmas. It’s our second Christmas together, but our first as a married couple. It still seems odd (in a good sort of way), this whole “married” thing. I feel like I’ve been married to Ian for ages, and it just became official 20-some-odd days ago.
I guess that’s how things feel when you’re married to your soulmate.
Happy Holidays!
“This is my step-dad, Ian…”
“He is psycho.” She says this in an, “I’m so glad he’s so laid back and funny” sort of way to her friend, Gracie, who is eating with us.
We visited TLK at school to have lunch with her. Lunch included a “hamburger”, chocolate milk, blueberries, iceberg lettuce salad, raw broccoli and orange wedges. School lunch… always interesting.
We sat at a table by the classrooms, instead of in the cafeteria.
Can you guess who said this?
“Hmm… This metal hamburger wrapper would make a great hat to stop the alien messages.”
“Psycho, like I said”, she said, laughing.
Successful Upgrade
Rather than completely trash my blog, I managed to upgrade to the latest version on my own (without having to call 911/Ian). I just had one question… “Is it okay to upgrade my database? I don’t want to screw anything of yours up.” 
It was all fine, and now I can use a template I’ve wanted to use for ages. (yay!)
I’ve also installed a grammar checker which will allow me to type a page of piffle, hit a button, and have it come out looking all professional … and stuff (see?)
I have to say that I like the upgrade in WordPress’ dashboard. It’s much more up-to-date and user-friendly than before.
Cool beans.
And it’s Friday (yay)
Adjustment of Status
Today, the Chicago immigration office will be receiving our Adjustment of Status paperwork.
After arriving in the US with a fiance visa, an immigrant has 90 days to get married to their intended spouse. They have a right to remain in the US, technically, until their landing card (i-94) runs out. In order to legally remain, the “adjustment of status” paperwork has to be submitted.
Our filing involves a request to adjust residence status to permanent, authorization to be hired by an American employer and for authorization to travel and return to the US.
It’s a shorter waiting game than the fiance visa was. We expect everything to be done by the middle of February.
In the meantime, once our paperwork is received and entered, we can start watching it’s progress through the USCIS tracking system. Hopefully, all the paperwork is what they need and there will be no “requests for information” along the way.
Nebraska is officially frozen
I only know because work is closed (rarely happens) and so is everything else. It feels like -14F outside (that’s -25c), and we have a foot of snow that’s blown and drifted overnight. Molly, the little dog, has to be careful about where she goes outside, because the snow is currently taller than her. Good thing the bouncy Golden Retriever is here to swoosh the snow out of the way!