RL update
Ooops, I haven't been around for a while, have I?
Life's pretty much been the same old, same old. We're still working on the transfer and quite honestly, this is some stress I'd rather be done with sooner than later. To my current knowledge, the USCIS has requested further evidence and the lawyers now need to prove that I'm the right person and that this visa is needed for me. I'm concerned that the visa is going to be denied and it's stressing me the fuck out. I'm probably over-thinking it all and maybe it's even normal for the USCIS to first turn everything down and then approve in the second step, but I don't know, it's stressful. I've already scheduled my interview at the embassy after filling out form after form. My start date has been pushed back because it's simply not going to work out with the paperwork and we might have to push it back even further, depending on what and when the USCIS decides.
I've had plenty of discussions with New York and my local HR and then back and forth and it's all not like it should be. This entire process is incredibly tiring and nerve-wrecking and the uncertainty of it all is killing me. With my original start date at March 7, my last day at the local agency would have been the upcoming Friday. My local HR was having huge issues with that, as did all my team members and superiors. It was a huge disappointment to see how again I was the one negatively affected by my company's poor planning and how they were ready to withdraw support. They've known since before Christmas that I accepted the job in New York and what my potential start date would be. In fact, NY HR discussed the start date with my local HR and only after they had come to an agreement, NY even made the job offer. All the while my local HR was aware that my successor wouldn't be starting until April 1. It took them several weeks to realize that there would be a gap because the only person being able to do the job (i. e. me) is gone before the new person comes. They've been on a relatively risky strategy ever since my supervisor left, counting on me not to be sick or need a vacation or slip on the ice and break my leg and I was really disappointed to see that apparently all I've given to this company in the past 12 months apparently wasn't enough.
My interview at the embassy is scheduled for March 11 and my new start date is March 14. This is obviously not going to work. I called the embassy on Friday because I read on their website that in special cases, it is possible to schedule emergency interviews. The man I spoke to was very lovely and told me that in my situation, we'd have to schedule such an emergency meeting and that I should call back as soon as my petition has been approved by the USCIS. Argh! As I said, it's all still incredibly stressful.
My weight loss continues to be amazing though. It's a good thing because it gives me the feeling that at least something in my life is going right right now. It gives me the feeling of having control over something. Last Tuesday on my weigh in day, it became official. I have lost 6 kilos (13 lbs) ever since I started doing Weight Watchers 5 weeks ago. It feels pretty amazing. The numbers are great, but what I'm really striving for are the little successes. Where you notice Oh, my body has changed positively. Like, I can pull my favorite pair of jeans over my hips without having to open the button or zipper. I can also fully close a dress again that I haven't worn in over 7 years. I've been receiving first compliments and it's generally just a really, really great feeling.
I've been talking about my weight loss quite a bit over at my tumblr, in case you're interested.
And for the fellow Germans, Tchibo currently offers Ursula Karven's yoga DVD Yoga Del Mar 2. If you thought about buying it, here and here are my reviews.
I feel like I've been gone forever and I don't really know what's going on with you guys anymore. I hope everybody's fine! ♥
Life's pretty much been the same old, same old. We're still working on the transfer and quite honestly, this is some stress I'd rather be done with sooner than later. To my current knowledge, the USCIS has requested further evidence and the lawyers now need to prove that I'm the right person and that this visa is needed for me. I'm concerned that the visa is going to be denied and it's stressing me the fuck out. I'm probably over-thinking it all and maybe it's even normal for the USCIS to first turn everything down and then approve in the second step, but I don't know, it's stressful. I've already scheduled my interview at the embassy after filling out form after form. My start date has been pushed back because it's simply not going to work out with the paperwork and we might have to push it back even further, depending on what and when the USCIS decides.
I've had plenty of discussions with New York and my local HR and then back and forth and it's all not like it should be. This entire process is incredibly tiring and nerve-wrecking and the uncertainty of it all is killing me. With my original start date at March 7, my last day at the local agency would have been the upcoming Friday. My local HR was having huge issues with that, as did all my team members and superiors. It was a huge disappointment to see how again I was the one negatively affected by my company's poor planning and how they were ready to withdraw support. They've known since before Christmas that I accepted the job in New York and what my potential start date would be. In fact, NY HR discussed the start date with my local HR and only after they had come to an agreement, NY even made the job offer. All the while my local HR was aware that my successor wouldn't be starting until April 1. It took them several weeks to realize that there would be a gap because the only person being able to do the job (i. e. me) is gone before the new person comes. They've been on a relatively risky strategy ever since my supervisor left, counting on me not to be sick or need a vacation or slip on the ice and break my leg and I was really disappointed to see that apparently all I've given to this company in the past 12 months apparently wasn't enough.
My interview at the embassy is scheduled for March 11 and my new start date is March 14. This is obviously not going to work. I called the embassy on Friday because I read on their website that in special cases, it is possible to schedule emergency interviews. The man I spoke to was very lovely and told me that in my situation, we'd have to schedule such an emergency meeting and that I should call back as soon as my petition has been approved by the USCIS. Argh! As I said, it's all still incredibly stressful.
My weight loss continues to be amazing though. It's a good thing because it gives me the feeling that at least something in my life is going right right now. It gives me the feeling of having control over something. Last Tuesday on my weigh in day, it became official. I have lost 6 kilos (13 lbs) ever since I started doing Weight Watchers 5 weeks ago. It feels pretty amazing. The numbers are great, but what I'm really striving for are the little successes. Where you notice Oh, my body has changed positively. Like, I can pull my favorite pair of jeans over my hips without having to open the button or zipper. I can also fully close a dress again that I haven't worn in over 7 years. I've been receiving first compliments and it's generally just a really, really great feeling.
I've been talking about my weight loss quite a bit over at my tumblr, in case you're interested.
And for the fellow Germans, Tchibo currently offers Ursula Karven's yoga DVD Yoga Del Mar 2. If you thought about buying it, here and here are my reviews.
I feel like I've been gone forever and I don't really know what's going on with you guys anymore. I hope everybody's fine! ♥