Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my third installment. Let me fill you in with what’s been going on since.

Living conditions are still great. Although there is currently a bus strike happening (I thought only Vancouver was wimpy about their union policies) I have re-learned driving a standard car and can comfortably cruise around in Sarah’s car through the twisty highways of Minnesota.  For the most part, I am eating healthy. Sarah and I have tried to keep being as creative as possible with our meals.

Speaking of Sarah, her and us are doing really well and are learning more about each other every day. For instance, I think Chef Boyardee cooks better on the stove. Sarah insists it doesn’t make a difference if it’s done in the microwave. I then gently remind her that I’ve seen an entire episode of Iron Chef. She doesn’t appear convinced, but I think deep down she knows it tastes much better using the stove-method.

Last week, I helped out at a worship concert that Andrew and Matt promoted. Andrew and Matt (who also lives in the house) are business partners in their own company Echo Ministries. We’ve worked out an arrangement that having me help out with their concerts as much as possible will aid in subsidizing some of the living costs (to keep my rent down).  The concert last week was Shane&Shane (with special guests Ginny Owen [excellent!] and Shaun Groves).  My role was very, very important: security. Basically, I walked around the church with a walkie talkie (that I didn’t use even once!) and made my rounds throughout the building. Of course, one of the rooms I checked on continually was the one that housed the peanut M&Ms. Mmmmm….

Sarah has been raking in the freebies at work. Since being here she has won tickets for: Driving Miss Daisy play, dinner for Four, tickets to the College Hockey playoffs, Cirque Dreams (Cirque de Soleil), and two free passes to the absolutely phenomenal movie: Standing Tall with The Rock. (end sarcasm).  It’s been great getting to do all these things around town that we normally wouldn’t pay for (or could afford).

This last week as been very busy.

Just over a week ago, I helped out with The Upper Room for the third time with a video they wanted done. The last two times I helped out, technical glitches prevented my from having the video done beforehand and required extra work on the day off the service to make sure everything was ready to go. This time, however, I knew the limitations and was ready to make sure I was ahead of the game.

Nope. Not going to happen.

In my attempt to show off my alternate personality as supreme-nerd-wannabe, I attempted to fix a minor issue with the computer that runs the presentation software and was stressfully met with horrible results (for fellow geeks: BSOD). Time was ticking and I could not get the computer to work. Period.  What a horrible twist of fate, that I should ruin the one computer that needs to be running perfectly in just a day and a half, all while working at a job where I’m a candidate.

So, I rolled up my sleeves and began working as quickly as I could. The short version of the story is that I got the thing going again. The nice part is that it’s running smoother than it did before. The video was completed on time and people said they really liked it. So it all worked out in the end.

Monday: I had applied in the paper for a part-time, entry level Help Desk position at the Minnesota Heart Clinic. Since I had experience in Health Care, their attention was grabbed and I was called in for an interview. I was there for about an hour and things went really well. They seemed to like what I had to offer. At the end of the interview, I brought up my immigration status and they simply nodded; they’ve hired employees all over the world. I left and should hear from them early next week. Initially, I hadn’t planned on taking the interview seriously (because it was only parttime), but before I left the house to go to the interview, I realized that it might be possible to get into the country working for this company (because my education is sufficient for it) and then once Sarah and I get married and my status changes, I could look elsewhere. Later that afternoon, I received a call from the Upper Room search committee and have an interview on Thursday, April 1.

Tuesday: Tuesday was the big day with an immigration lawyer. Sarah and I went downtown to meet with Mr. Dinesh Shenoy (we call him Dishwash). A very friendly man and also quite knowledgeable. He took the entire hour and asked us a lot of questions to see where we were coming from. I told him about both the Upper Room position and the new Minnesota Heart Clinic position. I don’t have offers from either, but I wanted to see what he thought of my chances, should I get any. We then talked more about the TN Work Permits. Below is a summary of how they work. I’ve probably told most of you, but if you’re at all interested, read on. If not, skip past it – you won’t hurt my feelings.

Our Situation with TN Work Permits and H1-B Visas Every year there is a set allotment of H1-B visas given out by the US government (I think it might be around 70,000). This pool becomes available in the fall and are used up by spring – a very short window. Unfortunately, the pool has been depleted for this year. On top of that, the application process can take about 3-4 months (unless you pay the $1000 USD processing fee, in which case it’s about 2 weeks). The long and short of it is that this isn’t an option for me. Besides, the salary of the Upper Room position isn’t high enough to qualify. That leads us to TN Work Permits. Under NAFTA, there are 61 job categories under which professionals can get a TN work permit. These are great because you can get one instantly at the border for a fee of $50, provided you meet the qualifications. Since this is an entry for Professionals, the qualifications are a combination of associated education with x-number of years of experience. When you go through the border (or apply via mail), the person who reviews your case makes a decision as to whether or not the evidence you provide proves that you meet or exceed the criteria. If you do, you are granted a TN permit, good for one year. If denied, you must return to your home country and either gather more evidence or find another way of entry.

 For potentially working at the church, I have a very weak case for a TN permit. This is because I don’t have the necessary education nor do I have the 3 years of paid experience (3 years based on full time paid employment).  For the job as a Help Desk support person, I have a better shot, but it’s not sure-fire. I have the necessary education, plus I could pull together the 3 years experience. The problem is with the description of the NAFTA category. The job description needs to match the Systems Support Analyst. If not, I probably wouldn’t get authorization.

 So that’s where it stands right now. It’s not terribly encouraging, but I know things will work out in the end and that God has everything in control (which is nice because Sarah and I often feel helpless). The third and final option, of course, if immigration based on marriage. We’re getting married eventually, so we might just have to wait for that rather than having me enter the country with a job.

 Holy cow. That’s a lot of update. I’m very sorry for blah-blah-blahhing all this time. Not terribly exciting, but thank you for reading it all.

 Also, as always, thanks to everyone who responded to my last email. I try my best to reply to all of them, but I missed a number of people and to each of you I apologize.

 And now, we shall conclude our lengthy time together with some fun, fun media. I hope all is well. Thanks for your ongoing support and prayers!

 God bless,

 

Michael

 

 

Sarah and I and our culinary masterpiece. Strangely though, it doesn’t look anything like the cookbook picture.

 

Being kids again and licking off the icing….or maybe my tounge is stuck..?

 

Before my interview. I had to work for 45 minutes to unstuck my face before it though.

 

If Pouria owned a store (besides Shenasi Carpets)

 

Last night I came home around 12:30am to find Andrew sleeping like a baby, at the top of the stairs! I can’t explain it and neither can he, actually.