Holiday.....Celebrate.....

It has been so long since I have written a blog! So much has happened since I wrote last. In the last two weeks, I have been to Montreal and back, moved from a 2 bedroom apartment that I share with my mom to a one bedroom that she moved into. (I am currently sleeping on a mattress in the living room). But let me break it all down. Let's start with the Montreal trip.

Jim and I had arranged to take flights to get us to Toronto (me coming from Windsor, Jim coming from Minneapolis) and then getting on a connecting flight together to Montreal. After a downpour the morning we left, the skies cleared and both Jim and I arrived safely in Toronto. Once we got there, we were just about to board our plane to Montreal when they announced that there was a mechanical problem and the plane was not usable. They explained that another plane was available but we would be delayed. This gave Jim and I more time to catch up and relax before our flight, but it also meant we wouldn't be getting to Montreal until very late.

Once we arrived in Montreal, we hopped in a cab and made it to our hotel in no time. Montreal is predominantly a French speaking city and even though French is one of Canada's official languages and I took it in school as a child, I was worried my VERY rusty French would be a problem. Luckily, because Montreal is also such a tourist area, we had no problem at all. It was really cool though, to still be in Canada and have people all around me speaking a language I barely understand.

Anyway, we awoke bright and early the next day to get the most out of our only full day in Montreal. We headed to Notre Dame Basilica in the heart of 'old Montreal'. This church was the most beautiful church I have ever seen. The artwork and the sculptures were breathtaking. After we spent some time visiting and praying in the church, we headed to the rest of Old Montreal. As we walked on the cobblestone streets, it was extremely hard for me to feel like I was still in North America. Montreal has a very European feel to it. It was very beautiful. After a day of walking, touring and eating poutine (fries covered in gravy and cheese curds-invented in Montreal) we headed back to the hotel via the subway system for a nap. We managed to get back just in time because it started to rain. We decided, because of the weather to just eat at the restaurant at the hotel. We had a nice leisurely dinner and then decided to just call it a night since we had to be up bright and early for our interview in the morning.

The interview was scheduled for 8 a.m., but everything I have read said to be there as early as possible. I decided we needed to get there for 6:45a.m. We did manage to arrive by that time, and to our surprise there were two people already there. After waiting for 45 minutes (and Jim complaining he didn't get to eat breakfast!) we were let in the building. As they let us in we had to go through security and we then had to wait by and elevator to go up to the 19th floor. They packed the elevator full of people, but we still managed to be the third people out of the elevator. We were given a number and were told to go and wait. We got C3, and we were actually called to our window first. At the first window we had to give them a bunch of forms that we brought along. (My passport, medical, my long form birth certificate, my police clearance, the forms Jim filled out proving he could support me etc.) After we were done at that window we had to sit back down for our actual interview. We waited about 30 minutes and were called to another window, but more secluded. We were sworn in and asked the following questions:
1. (to Jim) I assume you are the petitioner? What do you do for a living?
2. Where do you live?
3. (to me) What do you do for a living?
4. Where do you live?
5. How did you meet? (we told them online) What website?
6. When did you meet online? When did you meet in person and where?
7. (to me) Have you ever been to Minnesota?
8. Have you ever had any trouble crossing the border?
9. Ever any trouble with the law?

And that was pretty  much it. The interviewer typed a bunch of things into his computer and told us we were approved and gave me a "Welcome to the USA" letter. We were so excited! We were walking out of the consulate  by 9:30. We decided to celebrate by getting some food :) We had to fly home at 5 p.m. that day, so we only really had a chance to eat and explore a bit more. We flew back to Toronto and parted ways. We will be SOOO happy when we don't have to say goodbye to each other anymore!

Two days after returning home, my mom and I moved out of our apartment. We managed to move on the hottest day of the year. I swear it was 120 degrees outside. We managed to get in to her new place and try to get settled, but it took over a week to get phone, internet and cable. So talking to Jim this past week has been a challenge. But yesterday, on my birthday I finally got the ability to use the internet at home!

Today, I received my passport back with my visa printed on it! It is official! I am good to move to the USA and get married! All of the months of uncertainty are over and now I can just focus on marrying the most amazing man ever!

Le coeur de Montreal....

Today is my day off from work. Good thing, because today is when I have to do the bulk of my packing. Nope, not my packing to go to Montreal for my interview, but to move forever. You see, my mom is moving from our two bedroom apartment to a cute little one bedroom apartment. She got the apartment July 1st, and we have this one until July 31st, so I had plenty of time to slowly get rid of my belongings.

Then, we started to look at all of our weekends coming up. We have something going on every single weekend except this coming one. So, we decided to get the help we needed to move, we were moving on the 7th. The problem is, we decided this just last weekend. I leave tomorrow for Montreal until Thursday. So, although I have done little bits of packing the bulk of it has to be done today. It will be some tight quarters for a couple months in the one bedroom apartment but that is ok.

It is really hard to part with some of my stuff, but when you are moving 12 hours away, you can't bring every pair of jeans that don't quite fit anymore but you hope against hope they will one day. Lots of my clothes will be donated to those less fortunate so I feel good that someone will be wearing them!

I have been so busy with this move, I haven't really had time to be nervous or stress over Montreal. This is probably a blessing in disguise. Jim is coming with me, so we will be able to have one full day of sightseeing. Doesn't sound like a lot, but since neither of us have been to Montreal before, it is better than not seeing any of it at all. My interview on Thursday is at 8 a.m. I belong to a website called visa journey and it is basically a message board type place and people who are going through the same thing can share tips and information. Everyone on that site says you need to get there to wait in line by 6:45 a.m. We got a hotel that is a short walk to the consulate, so we will be getting up bright and early on Thursday for sure. They schedule a lot of people in the same time period so if you don't arrive early you could be waiting a very long time. Pray for us, that everything goes smoothly and we get approved.

I remember when we first started this process after getting engaged going to Montreal seemed SO far off in the distance, and now it is about to be here! I can't believe it! Time has flown!!! With only 89 days left to the wedding it is about to fly even faster!

Oh, and by the way, the title of this blog means "The heart of Montreal". :)