Now we have to file Supplement 3 for the I-800a because there has been a change in circumstances, basically our first home study was not sufficient to cover our son's profile. I happen to think it did cover his profile, but apparently they want everything spelled out. Anyways, since we are not within the 90 day period preceding the expiration of our approval, we will have to pay a filing fee instead of it being a free, first extension. That is kinda annoying, but I understand why we should just do it now and pay the fee rather than waiting until October. If by some miracle we were to get first approval at the October 3 meeting but we had waited until the beginning of October to file, I think we would have to get the I-800A approval for the changes in circumstances before we could file the I-800. Which could push back our amazingly early travel. :(
I asked USCIS a couple of follow up questions, so we will see what they have to say. On another note, it took them a grand total of 27 minutes to reply to my email today. That is a pretty amazing response time, I think. :) Nice to know you can actually get a timely answer from them.
So, I've decided that I really need to buckle down and learn some Thai. Since Chat will be 2.5 when he comes home, he will understand a lot of Thai and probably have a small vocabulary. It will definitely make it easier if we can have some basic Thai words and questions down. So, I think I am going to order this book.
It looks really good, it is made for self study or classroom study and the website linked above has the option to buy the audio CDs too. The author looks pretty credentialed as well and it is used by this language school, which is also cool because you can do lessons over skype. So, even if you don't live in Thailand, you can still get one-on-one tutoring in Thai. :) Pretty neat.
So learning Thai and reading adoption/parenting books are going to be my goals for when I am in the DC area for training practically the entire month of September. On that note, anyone going to be in that area? :)
*Edited
Since writing this post, we learned that a family who received their referral in March just got their First Approval! This means they are scheduled to travel in September! They will only have had six months from referral to travel! This is the fastest I've seen so far, but some of the other families who have traveled recently had seven or eight months from referral to travel, so it is possible that we could travel earlier than Feb/March. Of course, the other family traveling in September will have waited ten months, so it is impossible to tell. Either way, it is definitely good that we went ahead and updated the I-800A approval now rather than waiting. Even if we have to pay the extra fee and then file again a couple of months later. :( I still think that makes no sense.
*Edited
Since writing this post, we learned that a family who received their referral in March just got their First Approval! This means they are scheduled to travel in September! They will only have had six months from referral to travel! This is the fastest I've seen so far, but some of the other families who have traveled recently had seven or eight months from referral to travel, so it is possible that we could travel earlier than Feb/March. Of course, the other family traveling in September will have waited ten months, so it is impossible to tell. Either way, it is definitely good that we went ahead and updated the I-800A approval now rather than waiting. Even if we have to pay the extra fee and then file again a couple of months later. :( I still think that makes no sense.
7 comments:
That is SO exciting that that family is traveling so fast. I hope it is that quick for you :-) And that books looks great...I say order it and start learning, ha!
I have that book/CD combo and think it helps with tones and pronunciation. It has disappeared somewhere in our house since S came home, otherwise I would offer to let you borrow it. I hope that approval comes quickly for all who are waiting - including your family!
Thanks! I'm glad to hear that you liked it. :) I hope we get First Approval quickly too!
Sa-wat-dee Kah
Congrats on the update.
I think it's terribly irritating to have to pay USCIS extra just to have them do their job, too. That being said, I think it's wise to get all the "t's" crossed and "i's" dotted beyond what you think you need just so there's less chance of a hold-up when all you want to do is go get your little guy as quickly as possible. We had to file a supplement 3 also and it was finished in a matter of days-but we all know that doesn't mean it would be the same for someone else or even for us if we had to do it again.
Are you planning to actually learn to speak Thai or do you just want a basic vocabulary to communicate better with Chat? Looks like a great book for trying to learn to speak the language. Is Robby going to learn any more than the tiny bit he already knows?
I find that I remember foreign languages much better if I have a good foundational structure. So even if I only manage to learn some basic vocabulary, it'll stick better if I understand the structure of the Thai language and some basic grammar. Not sure to what extent Robby is going to study.
We had to do a homestudy update and extend our I-800A extended this summer, hard to believe we have been in the wait process almost two years. Can't wait for y'all to get your little boy home!
Wow, I hope you get your little girl home soon too!
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