The holy Envelope...

Hey,

yesterday I picked up my Visa at the post office. On my way home I couldnt stop to stare at this big envelope. When I got home I opend it very carefully.

The first thing that I grabbed was my Passport. This Visa foil looks really cool. Of course I checked if all the info on there was correct and found a little mistake. Unfortunately, they spelled Erics middle name wrong, so I was worried a little. So I sent a email to the Consulate to make sure that I wont have any problems when arriving in the U.S. 

The Consulate answered back very quickly and told me that there will be no problem.

Then I took out the holy envelope aswell as a small white evelope. On both it says "DO NOT OPEN!" .

I checked the holy evelope, to make sure its not broken or anything. At the Consulate I was told that this evelope will have a missing corner... but mine is fully closed and sealed.

Now, both sealed evelopes are in my suitcase so it cant get damaged!!

On Sunday, I already started packing. 

I´m counting the days till I can leave. I cant put in words how excited I am to be with Eric so soon!!

I still have to do a couple of things till I´m leaving, so I keep myself busy, which is good cause the time goes by faster and soon I´ll be sitting on the plane!!

That´s all for now but I´ll be posting very soon!

Laura

The Interview!!

Hey Hey...

as you all know, I had my Interview on Friday.

I can tell you, I´ve never been so nervous and excited in my entire life as I was that morning. 

My stomach hurt so bad and my heart was pounding!! 

I actually had the appointment at 7.45 a.m. However, I arrived at the Consulate around 7 a.m.

So I waited in line. There werent a lot of people there, just one Lady was ahead of me!

At first I had to go to a Window, where I had to show my passport to a man! He checked if I was on the list and gave me a number. Then I had to pass a police officer. He asked me if I had a phone with me. You´re not allowed to bring any electronic things, such as phones, laptops, Ipods, Cameras etc. with you!

Then I had to go to the security. Its like the security at the airport. Then I had to go to another building! I walked through a lobby and into this huge hall! There was a little Info desk! I went there and showed my number to a young man. He was American but spoke awesome German. He told me to take a seat at the pink wall and then will be called by counter 23. 

There were 299 seats in the hall with 23 counters! All employees were behind windows. You had a microphone in front of you and a speaker hanging on the wall!

So I sat down next to the pink wall and was waiting. The wait seemed so long and the nervousness didnt want to dissapear. After a while I had to go to counter 23. A nice Lady was waiting for me. I had to give her the paper that we paid the visa fee, a passport picture and my passport. She also gave me a note that said how to bring in order my documents.

So I went back to my seat where I started to bring in order the documents, when I had to go back to counter 23. She forgot to ask me if I got the medical done and gave me back the passport picture cause they had too many of me.

After another wait, I had to go to counter 21! First I had to write down Erics name on a form, correct two forms cause I somehow forgot to put the city in Erics adress. Then I gave her the documents. I also had to write my adress on a big brown envelope and put the stamps on it.  Then we quickly checked back all my information and she explained everything about the visa. The visa is coming in a big, brown envelope, where my passport will be in and another envelope with a missing corner and a seal! She said I´m not allowed to open this evelope or damage it in any way! When I arrive in the U.S. I have to give it to an Immigration Officer, just they are allowed to open it! Then she gave me a Book called "Welcome to the United States - A Guide for new  Immigrants". It has alot of good info in it!

Then I had to wait again. This time it felt like I waited for hours. I knew this is the most important part! I couldnt sit still. After a while I saw a Lady on counter 17 and they called my number.

So I went to counter 17. A nice, older lady was saying hi to me and then she already started her questions.

She asked: Where is your fiance right now, when did we meet, when did we meet in person, how long did I stay,  has he ever been to germany, has he met my family yet, have I met his family, are his parents still alive, how many sisters does he have, are they still living at home, does he have any kids, do I have any kids, how do we want to get married. Then she asked me how I learned such good english and I told her that I basically taught it myself. After all the asking she went through all the documents, especially Erics Bankstatements and employment letter. Then she said "Well we´re just waiting for your medical record and you´ll have your visa in 7 to 14 days. Good luck"

That´s it... I did it. On the way out I took a deep breath and there it was.... the smile on my face. As I came outside to my mom I was jumping around and started crying. I was so relieved. Actually it wasnt that bad. The whole staff was so nice and made me feel very comfortable!

Now, two day later I feel great. I´m just really relieved and I´m looking forward to be with Eric in 3 weeks. The whole waiting was worth it cause now I´m just happy to be with him soon and to get married to the most awesome man!! 

So right now I´ll try to enjoy the last weeks here in Germany as much as I can and try not to be too sad about me leaving, cause I know what I´ll do this for!! 

Talk to you soon!

Laura

The medical!

This morning I left around 9 a.m. to get my medical done. When I arrived at the doctors office it was around 9.30 a.m. 

The nurse gave me a number and told me to go upstairs and wait there. After 5 minutes another Lady and gave me a Form to fill out. After a while I had to go into an office. The Lady explained to me that I have to come back in after I´m done with everything cause I need to pick up some paper that I´ll need for the AOS process later. She also told me that I´m going to get a disc with an xray picture of my lung! After that I gave her my passport, my vaccination record, a passport picture and paid. Then I had to go downstairs to pee in a cup, my blood was taken and the xray of my lung. When I was done I went back upstairs. A very nice doctor was waiting for me. She asked me some questions, checked if I´m healthy, and if my eyes are okay and thats it. I went back to the office to get the paper and the disc. Everyone wished me all the best!! So I was done after about half an hour. 

I also met a girl there. She first talked to my mom while I talked to the doctor! When I came back I asked her what Visa she applied for. She said K1, so I asked where she´s going to go and she said she´s moving to the Boston area. So I found a new neighbor today :)

Tomorrow is the big day! The Interview! 

So right now I´m going to take a shower, check all the documents once again and then go to bed. The night will be over by 5 a.m.

So I´ll talk to you after the Interview!

Laura