So after not much delay at all, Neeraj has received his biometrics appointment for next week. We don’t have to go far, which is good, because previously when we lived in Morton, we had to drive two and half hours to Schaumburg (a suburb of Chicago) for Neeraj’s biometrics appointment to get his Green Card.

Now that we have moved to St. Louis, we just have to go downtown, a mere 40 minutes, to get his biometrics done.

So far I have been surprised that this is going so quickly - and touch wood, the process will complete soon.

Once the biometrics are done, then we will wait to see whether they call us for an interview. If not, then Neeraj will get a new 10 year Green Card.

Let’s hope for the latter to happen.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

So the USCIS saga continues again. So after Neeraj had gotten his Conditional Permanent Resident Green Card in August 2006, we weren’t going to have to deal with the USCIS until…….now. Yes, two years later, we are now ready to get the conditions removed, and for Neeraj to have a 10 year Green Card.

The process for the Removing of Conditions is different. You have to wait 3 months before your Green Card is going to expire, for Neeraj, his expires on August 21, 2008. So as of May 21, 2008, we would apply to have the Conditions removed.

We are ready to go back in time. I realized that what I have mentioned so far about the first two days of being in Jaipur (14th & 15th May), I forgot a few things.

American Friends

My family in India were very excited to see my friends that traveled so far to be with Neeraj and myself. When I saw them for the first time on May 14, it was an unbelievable feeling. I couldn’t believe that they were standing in front of me. After chit-chatting for a while, one of them had mentioned if we could go to the nearest Internet cafe to check email, etc… So it was around 10 pm at night and we, my six friends (Dr. & Mrs Katz, Diane & Dan, Jillian, and Beth) and I, walked to the Internet cafe. Now picture this: 6 Americans and myself walking through the gully of Jaipur with everybody and their mother staring and looking at us. It was like if they had never seen a white person before, amazing. This was only the beginning of being in the limelight for my friends. Some people were staring as if they were looking at Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts, who knows what they were really thinking.

Am going to Chicago tomorrow as I have to go to the Indian Embassy for my American friends. I am going to go and get their visa stamping for India done. I have to turn in the passports by 12 pm and I should get them back by 3 pm.

Received some odd news today — we should be happy, but its just now another tension on our minds. Neeraj’s green card (permanent resident) interview date has arrived. Its on 25th May. This interview is crucial for Neeraj to be able to stay in the USA for long-term period. It says on there that you must have an emergency reason (illness or illness of a close relative) in order to reschedule your interview. As you may know we will be India during 25th May time period. We are not scheduled to return to the USA until 3rd June, so now its just another tension on our minds.

Just when life is going smooth, God throws a curveball. :???: Aaise kyon hota hai? Kaise hota hai? Papa is going to talk to my thoujee, and we may consult an immigration lawyer. It says that if the Immigration people don’t accept your reason for not coming to the interview, they can deny your case — which would mean that Neeraj would have no status in the US. As you can see this is a big deal — bahut soch samaj ke decision lena padega.

Will keep an update on what happens.

Otherwise — gas price has skyrocketed to $2.58 per gallon. What a pain — at one time in my lifetime the cost of gasoline was $.99 per gallon. By 2020, the price is going to be around $8/per gallon. Can you imagine?????? Eeks.

What was up with that model and her losing her dress on the ramp of that famous designing show in India???? Yikes. Can’t designer make more secure clothing?? Hadd hai yaar.

Chal chal, kal subah jaldi oothne ka hai. Am waiting for my cousin to send me some photos of the invitation card so that I can yes that everything is written correctly, and they can send it for printing. Haan maharani (that would be me ) ki approval chaiye hota hai. Aakhir main shaadi kiski hai??

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

Weeks go by like days. So let’s not waste any time because there is quite a lot going on.

Job Front

We had a quarterly meeting that I was attending for the first time at this client. My company has about 150 employees working at the client and so all of us get together on a quarterly basis to discuss financials, social committees updates, and future plans. One of the committees was in charge of personnel and were giving out MVP (Most Valuable Player) award to six people (out of the 150). I didn’t think I had a chance because it was based on excellent contribution to your project in the past three months. I had only been at this client for two months. But to my surprise, my name was called second, and I received recognition for my excellent achievement. What a great honor it was to receive the award and a good feeling that my project manager is happy with my work.

Biometrics Appointment - Oct. 29

We have been waiting on receiving some news from the immigration front, and we got it on Monday. Neeraj’s biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment has been setup for the 29th of October. This is one step closer to getting his EAD (employment authorization) so that he will be able to work. We have put his resume up in Monster, and he has started receiving calls from employers too. Slowly the pieces of the puzzle is coming together.

Kill the Chef

Just when we thought we had the venue and menu all set — guess again. I made that fatal mistake that I believed what a chef was telling me. He told me that he could make Indian food, so we made an appointment to have a taste test of the menu that we created. Then he calls me an hour before our appointment that he can’t meet today because he hasn’t made our food. He says that he isn’t able to devote 8-12 hours to make our menu, and boy was I upset. First of all he was really rude when he was talking to me, and second of all, if you didn’t think you would be able to do it then why did you make us waste a whole week on you. :censored: Yes, we waited a whole week because he wasn’t able to setup an appointment until this last Monday. What a waste! I gave him a piece of my mind and told him that I was taking my business elsewhere.

Now we have gone to my #1 choice for the banquet hall, and this time we are going to make it work. They seem much more professional than the above. Invitations for India have been made and will be sent out ASAP. My mamas and masis are interested in coming for the engagement. Let’s hope that they get the visa (they will show the engagement card as evidence for the visa processing).

Sun Java Certification - Saturday

All the very best my dear Neeraj for your Java certification on this Saturday:!: I know that you will do just great!!!

Everything is going great. Neeraj and I are loving every minute of planning our engagement party. So many things are happening first in our lives, and its just great to be sharing each minute of it together.

Invitations have been designed for our family and friends here in the US, but you will have to wait till tomorrow to see them. Until then, sit in suspense. :grin:

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

I don’t have much time right now because I have to get ready to go to work, I have an urgent meeting to attend. I just received the news, and as many of you know me, when I know something I just can’t wait to say.

Visa is now in our hands!

Thank you so much for everyone who give us your prayers! Neeraj and Poonam will now finally be together in the same country, same state, and the very same city!!!!

More later — I promise a more detailed post. I am just TOOOOOOOOO excited.

It is true, dreams do come true!

Mata Rani Teri Sadaaa Hi Jai!!!!!! Jyoti Wali Mata Teri Sadaa Hi Jai!!!!

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

Thursday is Neeraj’s Visa Interview. The day we have been waiting for is finally here. This is a prayer to Mata Rani. Meri maa murade poori kar dehgi meri aur main wakai main halwa baatungi — sab ko. If God answers our prayers then I will give surely give a treat of halwa to everyone.

This bhajan below sums it the way I am feeling. I want everything to go well and am willing to do to ensure that happens. We need all of your prayers as we face one of the biggest days of our lives.

Follow the lyrics below as you listen to the bhajan sung by Narendra Chanchalji on the right in the sidebar.

Maa Muradein Puri Kar De Halwa Baatungi
Jyot Jaga Ke, Sar Ko Jhuka Ke, Main Manaoongi
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Main Manaoongi, Aaoongi Aaoongi

Santon Mahanton Ko Bula Ke, Ghar Main Karaoon Jagarata
Sunti Hai Sabki Pharyaadein, Meri Bhi Sun Legi Mata
Jholi Bharegi, Sankat Haregi
Bhentan Gaaongi, Main Manaoongi
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Aaoongi Aaoongi
Maa Muradein Puri Kar De Halwa Baatungi
Jyot Jaga Ke, Sar Ko Jhuka Ke, Main Manaoongi
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Main Manaoongi, Aaoongi Aaoongi

Binti Suno Mera Vaali Maa, Khadi Main Banke Sawaali
Jholi Bhado Meri Rani Maa, Ghod Hai Laal Se Kaali
Kripa karo, Ghodi Bhado, Main Dar Pe Aaongi
Main Manaaongi, Dar Pe Aaongi, Aaongi Aaongi
Maa Muradein Puri Kar De Halwa Baatungi
Jyot Jaga Ke, Sar Ko Jhuka Ke, Main Manaoongi
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Main Manaoongi, Aaoongi Aaoongi

Bhavan Tera Hai Sab Se Ooncha Maa, Aur Gufaa Teri Nyaari
Bhagya Vidhaata Jyota Wali Maa, Kehti Hai Duniya Saari
Gaati Tumhara, Leke sahaara, Dar Pe Aaongi
Main Manaaongi, Dar Pe Aaongi, Aaongi Aaongi
Maa Muradein Puri Kar De Halwa Baatungi
Jyot Jaga Ke, Sar Ko Jhuka Ke, Main Manaoongi
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Main Manaoongi, Aaoongi Aaoongi

Krupa Karo Vardaani Maa, Chhaya Hai Gum Ka Andhera
Tere Siwa Mera Koi Na, Mujhko Bharosa Hai Tera
Bhagya Jaga De, Bigdi Bana De
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Main Manaoongi
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Aaoongi Aaoongi

Maa Muradein Puri Kar De Halwa Baatungi
Jyot Jaga Ke, Sar Ko Jhuka Ke, Main Manaoongi
Dar Pe Aaoongi, Main Manaoongi, Aaoongi Aaoongi

Thanks to Govind for the music player link.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

I wanted to write a post yesterday but didn’t get the time. So wishing a Belated Independence Day to my home away from home, United States of America. Many of my thoughts were written last year during this day, but I do hope that there are better things to come for you (America).

So much is going on. As we speak Neeraj is @ Lilavati Hospital in Bandra. He needed to reach @ 7.30 am this Wednesday morning, as he has to have a full medical checkup for his K1 visa interview. He won’t be done with the checkup until around noon. Sab aache se ho jaaye aur mere Neeraj ko koi takleef nahi ho.