Kingston,Jamaica

[Mrslwsn]

Suki: We are staying near Maypen, that's about all I know lol. I fly into Kingson Thursday night and I rented a car for the time I am there so he will be there waiting for me with his daughter. My friend told me she went to Dunn's River Falls and it was so packed with tourists that she didn't enjoy herself, so that was what I meant by "touristy". I just figured there had to be places to go where it wasn't packed with people yah know!

Chickie, pls tell me you are not going to be the driver of that car. Jamaica driving is completely different from Canada. You need to be experienced on those rds, especially in Clarendon and other country places. I am strongly warning you against it, because I wouldnt want to hear something happen to you. Especially it is your first time in Jamaica. Have a jamaican drive the car for you luv.

[CharlieD10]

Yup, if hubby is meeting you make sure he drives.  I cannot forget yelling at my husband, "LEFT, honey, left!!" when he was driving in Negril and pulled out of a gas station and continued up the right hand side of the road, haha! 

Mrslwsn, about the TRV for your SIL.  Write a very specific invitation letter, not just the generic one.  Emphasis the date she is expected back at school, and if she pays her school fees in advance, or applied for her student loans, add proof of this to show that she is definitely expecting to return and continue her education, not planning to run off.  Yes, include information that you are inviting her to assist with your husband's settling in and for her to enjoy spending time with your children and family.  The problem with someone who has been denied multiple attempts previously is they will usually keep denying them, so you have to present them with reasons to re-evaluate the decisions made by the previous embassies.

[Mrslwsn]

yea...good advice Charlie...So it's ok to write a letter...should my husband write one as well? Or together? I have no clue if they will give her a visa, but she keeps bugging me about it. She is the last one not able to travel, and I can see how it would feel a way. She is a brilliant girl. Very ambitious n smart, so I know it is irritating to keep getting turned down. When she apply for the uk visa, they questioned why her last name isnt the same as her brothers (same mother diff father)...when she apply for u.s visa they just turned her down straight, and I was sure she would have got that one because it was a summer work program, but I know it is very sticky to get a trv nowadays.

[CharlieD10]

I would write separate letters.  You will have your reasons for wanting her there (help with the kids, someone to show around), and your hubby will have his (a familiar face as he settles into a new life, someone to manage the kids so the two of you can have more QT), so each of you can express your reasons for extending her the invitation to come and visit.  Only one of you needs to present the reasons why she will definitely be returning to Jamaica. 

It would also be good to have a specific itinerary for her stay, to show you are fully aware this is a visit.  By itinerary I mean an outline of the activities you expect to participate with her in, so they see you have a plan and this is not just an attempt to get her there with no planning beyond that.  Something like:
Day 1 - traveling from Kingston/Mobay to Toronto, family dinner on arrival.
Day 2 - shopping and sightseeing in downtown Toronto.
Day 3 - Family day trip to (historic or famous site or wherever)
Day 4 - Dinner with relatives at X's home
Etc until Day 10 -  traveling from Toronto to Kingston/Mobay.

If you are only providing room and board, she should show some funds or demonstrate how she plans to provide for her expenses. 

[Mrslwsn]

should we do this after my husband lands? I think so.

[CharlieD10]

Definitely after he lands.

[lovehasnoboundaries]

Hey!

Good evening all

 @  Suki- ya, it's all in good fun! Because it's a group effort it helps to keep you accountable to one another, if I was left alone I wouldn't do it lol..l have 0 self-motivation when it comes to working out LOL. I'm hoping to lose 15 pounds in the 10 week challenge *fingers crossed* maybe the cash can buy me a ticket to Jamaica haha

The weather here is very weird...windy like crazy today 21 celsius and then I heard tonight is falling to 4??? This morning I saw monarch butterflies and knats flying about, I guess they won't be around this time tomorrow....this can't be good!

*sigh* Missing my boo-- I really hope April is my month to hear SOMETHING!!!!

[Mrslwsn]

Hey!

Good evening all

  @   Suki- ya, it's all in good fun! Because it's a group effort it helps to keep you accountable to one another, if I was left alone I wouldn't do it lol..l have 0 self-motivation when it comes to working out LOL. I'm hoping to lose 15 pounds in the 10 week challenge *fingers crossed* maybe the cash can buy me a ticket to Jamaica haha

The weather here is very weird...windy like crazy today 21 celsius and then I heard tonight is falling to 4??? This morning I saw monarch butterflies and knats flying about, I guess they won't be around this time tomorrow....this can't be good!

*sigh* Missing my boo-- I really hope April is my month to hear SOMETHING!!!!

good for yu lhnb- I been fat my whole life so it doesnt really bother me, but in the past years I have made a great effort to eat healthier and I stay the same size since 5 yrs, so at least I dont gain. You can do itttttt!

[CharlieD10]

You can do it, LHNB!  I decided last year to take off a few extra pounds, and I shed even more than I expected once I got a workout buddy.  Even though she is in the US, we use the same programmes to track our results, and we talk each through various challenges and having her along has really helped.  Oh, I also follow a health-fitness-healthy eating-motivational blog, and it helps with daily reminders.  A lot of the motivation is in your own thinking, and once you believe you can, you will start making the right choices.

[Jamgirl]

ok so does anyone hear from Kedeisha anymore... I read back and she was very active in the forum before she got married and now she is not posting anymore... also what about green1074? (hasn't posted since early feb)
Other than those two, I am the only one left from 2011 without an update!  Frustrated to say the least...

I might as well take over for Charlie cuz it lookin like I am goin to be the girl who is here forever, fack!!

Sorry, just gettin to me that I haven't heard anything...  I called my MP last week, just waiting to hear back..  Charlie, do you remember Maple? Im thinkin I might be dealin with the same thing...  i hope not, but hopefully my MP will find out soon...


Please Kingston, put my family back together!

[smokijoe]

Yep, I PM Keds last week, but heard nothing from her.

[lovehasnoboundaries]

good for yu lhnb- I been fat my whole life so it doesnt really bother me, but in the past years I have made a great effort to eat healthier and I stay the same size since 5 yrs, so at least I dont gain. You can do itttttt!

Well it's good you have the eating part down!! Good stuff!!! They say if you do just 15 minutes of cardio a day you will see your weight go down. Thanks for the encouragement, this week I'm trying to regulate my eating..

[lovehasnoboundaries]

You can do it, LHNB!  I decided last year to take off a few extra pounds, and I shed even more than I expected once I got a workout buddy.  Even though she is in the US, we use the same programmes to track our results, and we talk each through various challenges and having her along has really helped.  Oh, I also follow a health-fitness-healthy eating-motivational blog, and it helps with daily reminders.  A lot of the motivation is in your own thinking, and once you believe you can, you will start making the right choices.

Thanks Charlie! Having a partner is a great way to keep up the motivation. I'm gonna see if I can find a blog or something that sounds like a good idea. I will keep you all posted xoxo

[lovehasnoboundaries]

ok so does anyone hear from Kedeisha anymore... I read back and she was very active in the forum before she got married and now she is not posting anymore... also what about green1074? (hasn't posted since early feb)
Other than those two, I am the only one left from 2011 without an update!  Frustrated to say the least...

I might as well take over for Charlie cuz it lookin like I am goin to be the girl who is here forever, fack!!

Sorry, just gettin to me that I haven't heard anything...  I called my MP last week, just waiting to hear back..  Charlie, do you remember Maple? Im thinkin I might be dealin with the same thing...  i hope not, but hopefully my MP will find out soon...


Please Kingston, put my family back together!

Hey Jamgirl, I know it's hard girl this "not knowing" thing puts added stress on everyone. I bet they're working on your file tho and just haven't changed ecas. Have you tried emailing them? I heard in another forum that if you word your email in a way indicating that you want to add/change something to your file they actually have to answer you. I don't know how true that is or not but when I wrote them this is what I said...

"I have additional documents I would like to add to our file showing ongoing contact, however, by mail it will take 3-4 weeks to get to your office. Because I don't know the current status of my application, please advise if necessary, an update would be appreciated."

They responded the next day and told me that the file was in process and I could send the documents by mail.

Try and see...haven't heard from Kedeisha or Green either...who's Maple??

[Jamgirl]

THank you LHNB.

Very hard watching everyone get updates and not receive one myself.  My husband emailed them about 3-4 weeks ago and we heard nothing back.  I contacted MP last week and am waiting to hear back from that.  I guess I could try what you did and forward info from my October visit and my January visit.  Other than that not sure what else.  Except for the fact that am now wondering if I should write another letter going into more detail of our lives.  I did not have this forum to refer to when preparing my app, and I know that I am mostly second guessing myself right now, but there are things that I probly should have addressed that I didnt such as age difference etc...

Oh and Maple was another forum member who might have got thru around the same time as Charlie applied I think...