Yay,
Ok I mailed my passport "Express Mail" from Washington state to Buffalo last Tuesday at 11:30 am and it arrived in Buffalo and signed for the following morning Wednesday at 11:30 am.
I enclosed a prepaid "Express Mail" envelope and just checked now and it says it left Buffalo on 9/28/10 at 7:29 PM and is in Seattle right now as of 7:18 am and has to make it's way up to Bellingham for delivery!!! :) Yay!!!
So basically they had it from Wednesday to Tuesday (1 week)
I will go get it on Friday and then come back up because I am not ready to land and can't till my husband can help me. :) So at least it will be with me. :) Then I can for sure get a rental truck. ;)
I wanted to post for those who wonder how long it can take to get it back. :) I know each case depends on the day and who is doing the Visa's but it's an optimistic and positive view. :)
Hooray! I know you'll be so relieved to have that passport and visa in your hand. It's a pretty awesome feeling. :-)
Thanks Sunlight!!! :)
It's actually been a bit overshadowed by all the decisions to make as far as the way to land and to bring it all now or later but after getting this I decided just get it all done now!!! ;) Move it up here and put it in storage till I find a place. One thing at a time. Keep it simple. :) Housing prices are so expensive here so not finding a lot of great choices.
I think I will now go in the morning and will then secure a uhaul and get all that taken care of. :) So it's supposed to be delivered by 3 pm and I will get it in the morning. :) My last border crossing without PR!!! ;) The next one will be landing. Then I will feel sooooooooooooooooooooooo much freedom!!! I think it will open me right up!!! ;) It's like being in prison and finally setting foot outside those walls and barriers!!! :)
Thanks again!!! :)
Congrats Bud! I'll have to check my tracking number too, but it will be a little slower because hubby used Priority Mail...at least I hope they use what we supplied.
Bud what area are you moving to?
Thank you Morphia!!! Depending on where you live priority mail can be pretty quick too!!! I have used priority mail and had it there in 2 days so just depends on where you live I guess. ;) But to know that they got it in and placed back in the mail in a week was good to know. :) I put my lovely immigration stickers all over the envelopes so if any part of it got separated they would be able to match them up. :)
It will come so yes look for it!!! ;) Keep us posted!!! :) Yes they will use what is supplied because I folded the express mail envelope inside the other envelope and I also had my passport in a sealed bubble thick envelope so I think the person at the desk keeps them all together and wants it done too. :) So think positive and it will be here soon!!! :)
I went down to the states today to get my Visa and passport from my mailbox and I have to say I NEVER expected to feel so proud. :) LOL Like I got my Master's Degree or something for 2 years and 8 months of the some of the hardest years of my life. :) I was holding it like a baby and smiling so big. There it was that BEAUTIFUL Canadian STAMP and it says Immigrant and I was just feeling sooooooooooo FREE!!!
All the border agents (even at customs) were so friendly today and I have to say the border sure looks different when they can't keep you out of either side. ;) I did have the usual fear of the unknown but felt like I had nothing to hide or prove because it was all done. :)
I will be landing next Friday October 8th if I can get the storage loaded up and to the border by 3:30 because the export hours are only 8-3:30 or something like that so they definately close at 3:30 and are not available on weekends so that was nice to know.
I asked could I come do the export part and then go pack up my storage and cross and he said no. Once you do the export they must watch the vehicle leave the country. :( SO now I have to figure out how to get 3 vehicles across the border with only 2 drivers. I don't have a tow hitch on my truck and that would cost $180+ and they don't allow the type of trailer I need for my move across the border. :( SO I guess I need to find a motorcycle ramp really quick!!! :) Those are super expensive too for over $200. Not sure where all this money is coming from but nothing can stop me now. :)
Anyway just wanted to say that the grass never looked so green and the sky never looked so blue (it's a sunny beautiful day) than today and EVERYTHING flowed magically and even the customs agents were calling me giggles because I was just so wired and I was shaking a bit inside that building and I could barely fill out the forms. ;)
So I wish you all the same magic of that feeling. To know that you can't be kept out of either country (well unless you commit a crime of course or something) is soooooooooo FREEING!!!!
I have to read through the paperwork that came with my passport and also the export papers he gave me today but I am sooooooooooo excited to get this part over with and then there are more hurdles to cross such as finding work and a place to live. My stuff will be in storage till we can get a new bigger place.
Just wanted to share.... :)
Im so happy for you! Grats!
I wish you guys all the best
Thank you Frenchie!!! I will be thinking of you too and wishing you an easy crossing and positive things coming soon for you both!!! I understand the fear!!! I DO!!!
Even today I had old energy feelings of when I use to have to leave his house on Monday morning to return home for 2 weeks and I would feel so sad and this morning it felt the same as I got up before him and was getting ready to make the trip home and it was surprising how much energy that still holds for me. :( I had to do it though. No one can do it for me so I had to walk through that fear and you will too!!!
Sending positive vibes your way too!!!! :)
(09-30-2010 11:04 PM)budnspuds Wrote: [ -> ]I went down to the states today to get my Visa and passport from my mailbox and I have to say I NEVER expected to feel so proud. :) LOL Like I got my Master's Degree or something for 2 years and 8 months of the some of the hardest years of my life. :) I was holding it like a baby and smiling so big. There it was that BEAUTIFUL Canadian STAMP and it says Immigrant and I was just feeling sooooooooooo FREE!!!
All the border agents (even at customs) were so friendly today and I have to say the border sure looks different when they can't keep you out of either side. ;) I did have the usual fear of the unknown but felt like I had nothing to hide or prove because it was all done. :)
I will be landing next Friday October 8th if I can get the storage loaded up and to the border by 3:30 because the export hours are only 8-3:30 or something like that so they definately close at 3:30 and are not available on weekends so that was nice to know.
I asked could I come do the export part and then go pack up my storage and cross and he said no. Once you do the export they must watch the vehicle leave the country. :( SO now I have to figure out how to get 3 vehicles across the border with only 2 drivers. I don't have a tow hitch on my truck and that would cost $180+ and they don't allow the type of trailer I need for my move across the border. :( SO I guess I need to find a motorcycle ramp really quick!!! :) Those are super expensive too for over $200. Not sure where all this money is coming from but nothing can stop me now. :)
Anyway just wanted to say that the grass never looked so green and the sky never looked so blue (it's a sunny beautiful day) than today and EVERYTHING flowed magically and even the customs agents were calling me giggles because I was just so wired and I was shaking a bit inside that building and I could barely fill out the forms. ;)
So I wish you all the same magic of that feeling. To know that you can't be kept out of either country (well unless you commit a crime of course or something) is soooooooooo FREEING!!!!
I have to read through the paperwork that came with my passport and also the export papers he gave me today but I am sooooooooooo excited to get this part over with and then there are more hurdles to cross such as finding work and a place to live. My stuff will be in storage till we can get a new bigger place.
Just wanted to share.... :)
I love this post. Its something I could have written if i had landed before you. It hits all the emotions I feel and know that i WILL feel once im approved. Im so jealous of you lol. I want to be in your shoes SOOOON!
Congrats!
Thanks So much Rene!!! You will be here soon!!! I'm not fully here as I haven't landed but the visa feels the same.
I never thought this journey would be so emotional for me either. I hope I don't lose it when I land!!! ;) I may burst into GRATITUDE TEARS!!! :) I know it will feel like WAVES of energy being freed!!!
I hope your day comes super quick too Rene!!! :)
Congrats! Still waiting over here... hubby and I emailed our MP last night. I read that a user on another forum did this to get her passport sent back quickly for travel plans. My MIL is having health issues and I'd think that would trump having to delay a trip to Europe or wherever :) Figured it was worth a shot!
It really is absurd that the NYC office won't see you in person, take your phone calls or answer your emails. When I thought my passport may have been lost in the mail I emailed them and they never bothered to respond.
Instead of starting a new thread with a similar title, I'll tag on to yours :)
Passport is on it's way! Woot!! So they didn't have a problem using the Priority Mail envelope, sweet!
I'm getting SO EXCITED!!! Once that passport in his hands it will feel 100% real!!! It's like waiting for a prize to arrive in the mail!! I want to go run down the streets of Vancouver and cheer lol...
But.. I'll stay cool and calm.. as I'm at work! :P
Dub, I think it's most likely on it's way to you already but because you don't have the return tracking number it's playing with your head. They got yours a couple days after mine I think (can't remember exact day) and the turn around was a week for me and then they will mail it in your envelope and I think you did express mail back so hopefully it should be there either today or if they don't deliver on Saturdays then Monday. I am sure it's on it's way. I'm sorry that your mother in law is now having trouble!!! ;( I think you are being tested to TRUST and have faith. It WILL come!!! I hope today!!!
Morphia I am sooooooooooooooooooo happy for you and hubby!!! I TRULY know how you feel!!! I'm so excited for you!!! Shall I tell my hubby if he sees a crazy lady running all over VAncouver not to worry she's one of us!! :) I say RUN outside and let it out!!! :) EVERYONE yesterday could FEEL and SENSE my joy because they were all so amazing!!! :) Try it!!! ;) You will be glowing!!! :)
Thanks spuds :) I hope it's on the way soon.. I just got scared because I read some places that it's about 2 weeks and then others have to wait over a month. It wasn't in the mail today but the mail does run tomorrow... I'll be happy if I get it at any point next week :)
I am being tested a lot lately in a lot of different ways.. that's why I've not been around as much, but I am happy for all of you and wish you all the best all the time. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.. keep em coming :)
Dub I understand!! It's so hard and we never know because anything can happen with so many variables. That's why I use to never come on the board although I LOVE it here but I would find myself comparing myself and it would drive me crazy so I had to just stay away.
It will be ok!!! Just remember the hard part is over!!!! You have been approved and you have a place to stay while you are waiting. I know you must miss your hubby terribly too. ;(
Stay strong many of us are being tested on many levels right now not just on this part so know you aren't alone and you will SURVIVE it!!! :)