Ramon can officially enter the United States! When we were told everything was in order and they'd be sending his passport with the visa to our house within 3 weeks we were grinning. It felt as if a weight had been lifted and we could both breathe easier. The process wasn't necessarily difficult, but it was confusing and stressful.
Ramon and I handed in our (mountainous)visa application at the consulate here in Santo Domingo on August 21st, 2013. In November, we received news that our application was approved and we had our interview on January 3rd,2014. A packet of information and an essential letter with your interview date is supposed to be mailed to your house. Well waited and waited for it to be delivered, but (surprise!) it never came. I contacted the consulate, and after turning in a circle and jumping though a hoop, they emailed us the information we needed on December 26th. Then it was a mad dash to get government papers, legalize them, translate them, print this, go pay there, get an official medical check up, and overnight papers from the US, all during the holidays.
Wow, thinking back it was one stressful week. I tried to stay calm and think positively. I was a little nervous when we went up to the first window at the consulate, but after they told us everything was in order I felt relieved and knew things were going to work out.
The next steps include English classes, getting a driver's license, buying one-way tickets(!), packing up the most essential items and giving away the rest. It's still 6 months away, but we are so excited!
I get (really)impatient and want the time to fly by, but I was talking with a friend and she reminded me to be happy in the present, don't wish things were as they used to be or hope they'll be better in the future. Just live in the now. So with that in mind I'm going to enjoy the time I have left here. A beach vacation would really help me accomplish this.
