Aloha! Aloha!

Aloha, meaning Hello, and Goodbye.



So, this is our life: I'm unemployed, J is transferring to Manchester UK. To say our emotions are all over the place would be a gross understatement.

We are staying positive about it all...what the hell else could you do and keep your sanity? My being unemployed has provided the opportunity for us to travel a little bit. Remember our Vegas/Grand Canyon trip in August? J's birthday trip delayed due to my work. Well, for my birthday we went to Hawaii! It was a awesome trip (not the 9-hour flight). My facebook friends can see photos from both trips. I've almost completed another semester at the Citadel; evening classes are a bitch. We had discussed a few different plans for me, all of which come back to "will that help us get to Canada?"

One more frustration to add to the idea of re-applying for Canadian PR, is that stupid list of "jobs in demand" I've probably seen 10 listings for accommodations managers on the combined job boards I've been following. This experience was not detailed on application, in part because I didn't think it mattered, and in part because there is no proof of my duties. Just love how managers with no ethics can screw you up. We finally received our refund of application fees.

Re-applying, knowing what we know now, will have to wait.

But, the focus now is getting J to the United Kingdom. We fly in 11 days! No clue as to housing, internet, driving, etc. The only thing we know for sure is the job. Again, coming back to "will that help us get to Canada?" We will be separated until then, or if this bass-akwards country would get their shit together and pass a true bill of rights! We also entertained the idea of just relocating together to UK. But, that's not really what we want. We just want to be together, like any other couple. Work, play, family, love...why is that so difficult to understand?

Two-Year Mark

It has been two years since we began this journey to Canadian permanent residency. Two years ago we were a lot closer to reaching that dream than we are today. Two years ago my only concern was actually making that big of a change in my life. One year ago my only concern was if my breast cancer would prevent our acceptance. Now, I don't know which way to turn, and find myself not wanting to turn at all!

Every angle I view this situation from leaves me overwhelmed with yet another discouraging outcome. Completing that first application consumed me and the spirit with which it was created. Now, it all seems dead to me. Now there are more obstacles in the process although resettlement funds are not one of them. How ironic is it that we have our funds sitting in a Canadian bank waiting for us to live there! I did complete a draft for a new application, but we have not yet received our fees from the first application that was - 'declined for further processing'.

While I'm still mulling over the maze of possibilities, and waiting for our fees to be returned, I have been watching the job market in Canada. I don't see advertisements for job openings in two of the fields on "the list". The two fields I have experience in, but failed to provide adequate details of my duties - because I didn't know it would be so damn important! (see previous rant on this subject below) Now, after reading the fine print on each page of CIC-Canada, those jobs 'in demand' that determined our fate on our first application are subject to change! Without notice! And to make matters worse, they don't want you sending any more documentation than that which is required on the check-list. So you have a minuscule area to detail your work experience and pray that these jobs 'in demand' include something you have experience in.

I guess that it does not matter what line of work you choose to pursue, as long as you have listed experience in a field they deemed 'in demand'. And like I said, two areas 'in demand' are not being advertised. There nor here.

The one positive thing to come from being laid off my last job was being able to take our trip to Vegas that was initially planned for our anniversary, and J's birthday. We had a great time, with no worries to get in the way. Wish we were still there.

2009 Plan B, C, D.....

We are looking at many options and paths. Keeping our focus on staying together is first, no matter what country. As a citizen of the US, it is sad that our legal system had us considering illegal options, ones we hope we can avoid.

For many reasons, Canada is our first choice. So, we are looking at:

1-Filing a request for a judicial review: this may or may not let us introduce additional documentation to support my qualified work experience in the required class. Advantage to this measure would be that we keep our same file number, and original AOR date of processing and all documents considered timely. Disadvantage is that it is costly, attorney fees, and there is no guarantee if we will win. It would, however, give others in the same boat something to build on for further denied applicants.

2-Re-apply with additional documentation: however the experience in consideration on our original application would now fall out of the 'experience within the last 10 years' so it would not be considered. What I must do is show that a position I listed in 2001-2002 was a managerial position. Which by their definition it would be, I just need to get the proof from the current management. Advantage, it would process 'faster'. Disadvantage, we know new US FBI clearances would be required and that's not the problem, it is the time and the expense of re-creating the original set of documents. We don't know yet if our application will be returned to us. All of our certified copies, transcripts, and translations cost money to produce. Remember our original application was what, 155 pages!


3-Explore offer of employment: what makes me uncomfortable about this option is who and what employer? Our original plan was to get PR and request transfers with Marriott International. MI has 5 managed hotels in Canada, and their corporate office is in Mississauga. Since I lost my position with MI earlier this year, transfer is out for me. There are a number of Marriott franchised hotels, but I'm not sure of their desire to go thru the hoops. This will take some time to investigate. Recommendations welcomed.


4-Provincial nominee: I don't even know where to begin with this one. I see that Ontario has a web site dedicated to their provincial nominee immigration process, but it made my head hurt to read it. I would think that since CIC has become so restrictive, that the provinces may step-up their own processes to get more qualified immigrants. Guess I'm on brain overload. Advice appreciated.

5-Asylum: painful, but an option.

6-Join the 12 million illegals who are already here and live with it!

and so it goes....

We received the letter. Definitely not the one we have hoped for since 2007. Certainly not one we expected since 2008. How did we get here? Where do we go now?

To quote:

The NOC code that you indicate that you have work experience in corresponds to one of the occupations specified in the Minister's instructions, Unfortunately the main duties that you have listed do not indicate that you performed the actions described in the lead statement for the occupation as set out in the occupational descriptions of the NOC and/or that you performed a substantial number of the main duties of the occupation as set out in the occupational descriptions of the NOC, including all of the essential duties. As such, your application is not eligible to be processed.

Really, What the Fuck! We didn't know our admission to Canada would depend on how well I emphasized my job duties from a position I left in September of 1999! And, I do not get a chance to provide more information because I didn't know that it was so fucking crucial to the biggest decision I've ever made in my life! Shit, we sent them over 100 pages of documents, including a copy of a letter of recommendation dated 1983! We are utterly shocked to say the least. What the hell, we have our relocation funds sitting in a Canadian bank! Our potential for employment was very good! We had 72 fucking points.

One ray of hope still keeps me optimistic. The law firm we used to counsel and review our application writes a weekly column on immigration in Canada's MetroNews. I consulted with them, and they are dealing with the same issues of applications being submitted under the guidelines prescribed at the time of application and having the new "minister's instructions" being retroactive, fucking up a lot of peoples' lives to say the least. They said that the minister's instructions include the instructions that their "decision" is not really a 'decision' and therefore not something you can file an appeal on. Bullshit. No one has challenged the rulings, and I have proposed to be the first to request a judicial review of the "decision" that is not really a 'decision'. All I want is the opportunity to give them the information they need to meet the requirements. If it takes a long judicial process to do that, I guess that is our new path.

Otherwise, we re-apply in March 2009, when I have 1 year of full-time experience in NOC code 0623-Accommodations Management. Simple enough, right. Not! Because come next March or when-fucking-ever, they can change the instructions! Cool, yea? Stay tuned. This fat lady is not singing yet! Although she has lost 20 lbs since January. I need a drink....

eCAS Update 6-17-09

"Intake Office Sydney (CIO-S) Eligibility Review Complete"

Now, what does that mean, exactly?
When you click on the link you get a message that
" your application was received and has been reviewed and you have been mailed a letter dated June 11, 2009. Please allow for postal delays before contacting us."

Our hearts are racing now. Approved, with instructions for medicals? or...denied?
We are going out of town tomorrow, can we stand to not be able to check the mail box
for 3 days!!!!!!!!! It would be nice to get good news for J's birthday.

I do still have issues with timing in my life, but usually works out for the best.

One Year and Waiting

It has been a year since our initial application was sent. And, what a year it has been.

After receiving the AOR in January, our only communication has been a response to an email inquiry regarding my change of employment. We were pleasantly surprised at their quick response on how to submit updated information. Once I figure out exactly what my job description is, we will submit it via email.

So, as those of you who have made it to the other side are well aware, we wait. We wait and while waiting we are getting healthy. We started walking, joined a nearby fitness facility, are eating better, making time for us, and J stopped smoking! This waiting has presented "what if" ideas in our head. What if we are denied? What if it is because of this reason, or that reason? What if....

Well, we are going to stay focused on what if we are asked for more information, or for medicals, or for interview. We are going to stay filled with the positives.

Marching on...

What a difference a month can make! It's March already. I must say, that my previous post has to be one of my favorites. Getting our Acknowledgment of Receipt of our application has been a blessing, and a curse. In just one day, I was able to memorize our file number. Now, I find myself checking our status on-line on a daily basis.

So every day I checked our status, I got a bit of hope and a moment to dream of something better coming down the road. The past few months have been a huge emotional roller coaster for both of us. I was laid off from my job at a company and hotel that I absolutely loved. The worst part about it was how it was all handled, with lies and deceit. It was the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my professional life. For J, her mom had a mini-stroke and thanks to this country's wonderful immigration laws, she could not go home to visit her mom without risking loosing everything she has here. Our stress levels for the month of February had to be over the top for sure. But, we made it thru.

J's mom is doing just fine, and has actually inspired J to become more conscientious of her eating habits, as well as mine. We joined a gym that's 3 blocks away from the house so we are both getting 'fit'. Just when we had accepted my unemployed status, and made our budget with unemployment insurance funds, I got a job! And a promotion to boot! (an added +, it is on the list!)

Our gay, bi-national couples will understand when I say we have revised and updated our Plans B, C, D, E, and if necessary F. To think that being a Canadian resident would eliminate all those contingency plans is mind boggling. As permanent residence, we can be a legal couple and have a secure family, we can both work, we can both travel and come home, and so much more. With my new job, we are committed to it for at least 1 year. J's employment, of course, is contingent upon approval, again.

Spring is just around the corner. We hope to get good news with further instructions for our journey north. That good news will drown any crappy news we get on this side of the border.

(I just previewed this post and see that the continuity is whacked, forgive me. New goal, less OCD)