Consulate Maps

So, I've wanted to do this for awhile: draw the inside of the consulate in Montreal. I hadn't found anyone who had done it when I was waiting for my interview, and I wish I had so I can get the gist of what I'd be seeing, so it'd be easier to find my way around. Well, I finally got around to doing this for another VJ member (whose interview is tomorrow, good luck!) and thought I'd post them here as well to share with everyone!

They can be found here or scroll down to see them in this post. Keep in mind, you'll have to click on them to maximize it to see it much better.

The first three pictures are to show you better where you will be lining up. The last two are hand-drawn maps of the inside of the consulate. There is no guarantee on stuff scaling in those last two pictures XD

The main street (running ~ north/south) is Renee Levesque. They have doors on that side, but those aren't the ones you want. On Saint Alexandre (running ~ west/east) are the doors where you want to line up. The 1 is where the first person would be, 2 where the second person would be, 3 where the third person would be, etc. So, when facing the doors, the line extends to the left.

A closer view of the consulate. Again, 1 is where the first person is, 2 where the second person, etc etc.

Front view. Numbers again are for the line, leading off to the left. Stand as close as possible to 1 and the doors. 

This is the first part of the consulate, entering through the doors at 1. You then move through a security checkpoint and through a scanner, at 2. You're then directed down a long staircase, at 3. You arrive in a large room, at 4, with a telephone, picture booth, and lots of chairs surrounding the elevator. At 5 is the elevator. When you enter, stand at the far left corner, marked by the X. Maximize the picture to see more details. 

View of top floor where the documents are handed in and interview takes place. You enter by the elevator at 1. The secretary is there to greet you and show you where to line up (follow red arrows). At 2, you'll one by one go up to a window where you get a number (C1 means you're first). You then sit down in one of the chairs. At 3, you hand in all documents (AOS package, certificates, medical results, etc). You also get your fingerprints done here. After sitting back down, you'll then be called to one of the interview rooms at 4. Once all finished, you leave back through the elevator and out the consulate. 

It'd probably be best if you read my review as well, to know more specifics about the process. These pictures (and short descriptions) are just to give a layout of the place, not the exact details. Hope these pictures (specifically the last two) help everyone going through the consulate in Montreal! If you want to know more, don't hesitate to ask here!

~Lindsay

Taxes Update

Well, sometime last week, Ben got our tax refund deposited into his bank account. He then sent me $750 (which I'll be using for my eventual plane ticket to Canada).

And I have yet to file my Canadian taxes *bonk on the head*

~Lindsay

Updates

Wow, no new posts since October! Just thought I'd write something short to keep everyone updated!

As of two days ago, I've been working at Target for 7 months now! Second longest job I've ever had XD I believe sometime soon, after annual reviews are done, I'll be receiving a raise, so I'm excited for that of course. Not sure how much extra I'd be getting per hour, but who cares, it's extra money! Also, a few weeks ago, I was finally eligible to start a health plan through work, so I'm working on that and trying to figure out what I need/want. I'll update later on about that once I actually get it.

School's going great as well. After the first semester, CIS (Computer Information Science) students decide which track they want to do in the program. I was originally just going to do Programming, but I found out that the Web Design track would just be an additional 6 classes along with all the programming classes (since the two tracks are so similar), so I decided to go for both! So in May 2013, I'll get two degrees from this school, Programming and Web Design! :)

And, of course, it's tax season. Ben and I filed our US taxes a few weeks ago by snail mail. Tried doing it online, but it kept giving us errors when confirming our identities through either an IRS pin or last year's AGI. So, instead of getting our refund within a few days, it's going to take a few weeks instead. Oh well. But, it'll be worth it as the expected refund is $2925! Most of it coming from my school tuition!

Also, my uncle is FINALLY going to marry his long-time girlfriend (now fiancee) this coming June, so I'm planning a one-week visit to Canada. My first time going back since I moved to the US. I'm pretty excited! I'll be using a portion of the tax refund to pay for my flight :) And I'm thinking of getting some pink highlights put back into my hair while I'm there. I miss colour!

Anyways, I believe that's all the updates I have. Hope everyone is doing well!

~Lindsay

Driver's license

So back in June after I got my SSN, I went to the DMV here in town and tried applying for a driver's license. Since I had a valid Canadian driver's license, I wouldn't need to take the written or road test, just the vision test. Well, after waiting about 2 hours to get called up, I was only up at the counter for about 5 minutes since I completely failed the vision test. The lady asked me how long I've had my glasses for and told her I've had the same ones for about 7 years. She suggested I go get an eye exam, get new glasses, and come back to try again.

So, since I knew an eye exam and new frames/lenses would be expensive, I waited until I had a job so I had the money to afford it. As you all should know, I got a job in August. I procrastinated for a few weeks (as is usual for myself XD), but since October 10th was coming up (my birthday!), my Quebec driver's license was going to become invalid as we have to pay an $80 fee each year to keep it valid. So, now I had a deadline. I got my eye exam done September 29th. Then went back the next day to pick out frames and choose what lenses I wanted. On October 5th, I got a call saying my glasses were ready. The next day, after my class was finished at school, I biked to the DMV. This time around, no one was there! I just had to fill out the form, and I was brought up immediately. About 20 minutes later (after successfully passing the vision test), I had my new South Dakota driver's license in my hands! And I thought I would have to wait a week or two, like I had to with Quebec. But nope, it was available right away!

Anyway, here's a picture of me with my new driver's license :D

Credit card

So, on September 1st, I went to my bank to apply for a credit card. Sometime in July (I think it was), I had gone to my bank to apply for a credit card, but was denied since I didn't have a job. Anyways, I went again less than 2 weeks ago since I had a job. Plus I was applying for the college credit card, and because I'm in college, I thought I'd have a better chance of getting it. Anyways, checked the mail when I got home from school just a few minutes ago and discovered a letter from my bank. I was approved!

The process of applying for a credit card was simple as I already had an account with my bank (checking + savings account), so they had most of the information already on hand (like my SSN). All they needed was my work and school information and that was it. I was expecting to be asked for proof of enrollment in school, but wasn't asked at all.

Glad to finally have an American credit card! :)

~Lindsay

Orientation and training

Well, I finally had my orientation and training at Target two days ago on Wednesday from 9am to 5:30pm. The morning was spent watching orientation videos. Then a tour of the store. The afternoon consisted of cashier training. Training only lasted about an hour or so, and then I had real experience dealing with guests! I think I did a pretty good job as the first time using a cashier.

I'm going back tonight from 4:15 to 8:15 for food training, as I'll be working in both the restaurant and as a cashier.

Off to make more money! :D

~Lindsay

Job

So, about 2-3 weeks ago, I applied for a job at Target. Then about a week later, I got a call to come in for an interview last Thursday. Had a double interview! Then I believe it was a day later when Target called, asking to come back in today. No word on whether hired or not, so didn't know what to expect.

Turns out it was just to talk about being conditionally hired. Have to have a drug test within 24 hours, pass it as well as background checks, and then I'm hired :) Then I'll have orientation either next Wednesday or the Wednesday after. Then I'll finally have a job!

I think those background checks won't be a problem. After going through all the background checks in this immigration process, this will be easy :)

~Lindsay