Busy in May

We just got back from our 1 week all expenses paid :) scouting trip to Seattle to try and get some things organized.  The flight from Toronto to Seattle is about a 5-6 hour trip not counting airport/traffic delays.  The two main carriers that fly there are United Airways and Air Canada, the latter to which I prefer (more on that later).   Driving there from Toronto will take approximately 1 day and 14 hours (4, 156 kms) see google maps:  so I probably wouldn't recommend it...Dad!!!  

We got a rental car from Avis, a yellow-2 door-ugly-as-hell-Chevy-Cobalt and stayed right downtown Seattle at the Hotel Vintage Park a Kimpton Hotel chain.  Quite nice, great Italian restaurant attached and good location close to the interstate. 

The next day we met with a relocation 

representative who gave us some information about things like bank accounts, housing, driver's licensing, etc. and drove us around some different areas, namely Bellevue and Redmond.  We managed to open a bank account at First Tech, a credit union formed specifically to serve those from out of town relocating to work with the big companies in Seattle like Boeing, Nintendo, Starbucks and Microsoft.  Kyle applied for a Social Security number which takes 48 hours, which by then you could go pick up your number and in turn apply for a credit card with First Tech....voila!!  

We also visited a Whole Foods Market, for those who've never heard of them, this grocery chain sells only natural and organic produce, meats and household items.  

Everything is laid out just so and is very $$$.  Other grocery stores in the area are Safeway, QFC, Larry's market, Fred Meyer's to name a few.

Also as part of this blog, I will be documenting my experience as a "canuck" entering the US as part of future reference for anyone else doing the same.

First things first, get my TD status or I-94 which allows me to accompany my spouse who's on a work visa in the US.  We had to get this before we crossed the border at US immigration and it was not a problem.  In addition to filling out the entry into the US form, I also had to fill out a "visa and visa holder" white form.  Proof of marriage certificate is required and Kyle's TN visa which he acquired at the previous visit to the border.  After immigration, we were sent to a mirrored room, which upon entering seemed just like any other waiting gate at the airport.  We were asked to drop off our forms and have a seat as I needed to be fingerprinted.  After about a 30 minute wait, I was called up, my form stamped with expiry date (1 year) and stapled to my passport. 

Apparently I didn't need to be fingerprinted and was told I could not under any circumstances work in the US, yep, I knew that already.  Then the officer informed me that I could try to apply for a I-688 with a letter of employment, but that I would probably be denied.  No harm in trying I guess? will let you know how that goes once everything is settled.  Overall, it took 45 minutes out of the regular check-in time, some people there were waiting longer and cutting it really close to their flight time.

As of now, I don't believe I can apply for a Social Security number, it takes 10 days before you're in the system, I need to have either an I-688 or Tax ID number, hence no credit card for me.  BUT, I have held an American Express credit card here in Canada for some time, very rarely use it since it's not accepted at most places, and heard that I can convert it into a US credit card.  Guess we'll see...   

Here's a pic of me at the Athenian Inn, a restaurant at Pike Place market shown in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" :) also notice my sleepless- in- Seattle- bags under my eyes...