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Kingston,Jamaica

longdistanceloves

Hero Member
Oct 4, 2012
385
12
Category........
Visa Office......
Kingston
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
October 18, 2012
AOR Received.
January 24, 2013
Passport Req..
January 24, 2014
VISA ISSUED...
February 21, 2014
LANDED..........
February 23, 2014
CdnandTrini said:
Hello all of my beloved POS & Kingston JA friends!!! :D We are HOME and "landed" safe and sound in spite of the snowstorm and thank you all so much for the well wishes and support and shout outs!!

I have been offline since Thursday partly no internet access but mostly busy with final departure/post landing activities with hubby, so I will catch up with everyone personally a bit later, but for now here is the official landing story.

Hubby slept for only one hour on Friday night as he was going down to the wire with sorting his household items and packing things in storage and although he might not admit it, he was s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d...........I eventually fell asleep by virtue of exhaustion but only completed a few hours sleep myself due to excitement and anticipation.

A quick re-cap, hubby and I met May 1st 2008, did the long distance relationship, got engaged Feb. 2011 and married Jan. 2013. We were refused TRVs 4 times during our 6.5 years together so all of the travelling was me going to Trinidad. So he was never in Canada (he has only ever travelled to St. Vincent and Tobago) has never met my family or friends in person and none of my family/friends side was able to be in Trinidad for our wedding.

So now, finally after years of phone cards, Skype dates, e-mails, instant messages and one way travel, I am beyond thrilled to finally be able to bring my husband home to the place he has only seen virtually, via a computer screen!!! Of course, we were late getting to the airport, instead of being there 3 hours before the flight we arrived with less than an hour to check in and board. The flight was a bit delayed as the pilot had to file a new flight plan for approval due to the snowstorm in Toronto. So we left Trinidad about 30 minutes behind schedule and ended up flying for about 6 hours instead of 5 (or slightly less) which is what it usually takes. We had 4 large fully loaded suitcases and 2 carry-on bags. Because we each have our own homes and are keeping hubby's home in Trinidad we decided that he did not really need to have goods to follow (the B4 forms) to bring any significant household items with him.

Hubby was very sad to be leaving his home and I am glad to say that I was aware of how conflicted he would be and for the most part, I did not take it personally that he was having these feelings of loss. Would I have liked to have seen a bit more excitement from him......to be honest yes, but in knowing my husband I also know that he is not really exuberant before something happens, his reaction comes afterward. So God gave me some grace to be patient in that area and I was grateful for that.

The flight was good, we ended up sitting with a Trini lady who had immigrated to Canada years ago so we chatted with her about what he might expect with this process. He napped off and on during the flight but was wide awake to watch the plane land in the midst of the flying snow. The snowplows had just come out to clear the tarmac so we had to wait on the plane until they cleared the snow from the gate where we were going to deplane.

As we were exiting the plane it was very chilly so he got his first blast of cold air there!! The airport was pretty busy and there were quite a few people needing to make connecting flights so they were prioritized through customs before the rest of us. It took about 30 minutes to get through this line up - we went to the visitors line as directed, when a person is landing they are not officially a PR yet, so we were told.

Then off to immigration, again very busy with a long line up, we were about 45 minutes here and when it was our turn the officer joked with my husband about why he was leaving a nice warm country like Trinidad to come to this weather. Being at the actual immigration counter was about 10-15 minutes and then off we went to get our bags which were all conveniently off the luggage carousel and together. I grabbed a porter, there were no self serve buggies available and we pulled out our warm shoes from one of the suitcases and changed out of sandals into those. No coats though, we both were wearing sweaters.

Then outside to grab a cab, which ended up being chaotic due to the weather as the airport allows all cabs to come in whereas normally airport taxis have to follow stringent guidelines and flat rates. Hubby wants this part of the story to be told to all of you - when the first cab (a car) came we were told they would not take us as we had too many bags :mad:...what??? We were told we HAD to take a van and pay extra for it, because it was a van and so I started "arguing/haggling" with the cab driver and the guy managing the taxi pick-up area while hubby's teeth were chattering behind me until finally he said "quit debating and pay the man, I'm freezing!!" :p.....lol....lesson one of landing with your husband from a warm climate.....

Driving home from the airport the plows had still not been out on the highway so hubby's eyes were BIG as he watched the snow falling and the other drivers navigating the roads (remember hubby is a cab driver/tour guide by trade in Trinidad, that's how we met!!). Get home and the cabbie will not pull into the driveway as he is afraid he will get stuck in the snow so he stays on the road and will not help with the luggage as he has a "bad back"!! ??? So I run in the house, grab a huge coat that my brother left for my husband, take it out to him and hubby traipses all of our luggage through the snow on the driveway. After we get in the house I say to him, what do you think of the snow (his first time ever seeing and experiencing it) and he says "I was surprised that I sank into it, I thought I was going to be able to walk on top of it" :D

So that night, he met my mom in person and she had prepared some delicious food for us and a few other treats (including champagne ;)) so we had a great visit with her and then headed to bed.

The next day we had a nice leisurely breakfast and headed outside for the snow shoveling of the driveway. Ours is pretty big and hubby and I tackled it together - he was a natural!! I took pictures of him with his shovel and his big coat, hat, gloves, boots - you would have thought he was born and raised in the snowbelt Grin. A little later he called him mom and brother to let them know he arrived and I heard him say, "wow, this place is beautiful, first class and top notch and COLD!!! Cool". Then later we started to do a bit of unpacking, some laundry and reorganizing of cupboards to accommodate hubby's stuff. We did some shopping and I took him to a few West Indian specialty shops to get him some of his familiar spices and sundries and then my son came over to see us and meet his "stepfather" in person. My daughter called; however, she has the flu so that meeting will likely happen next week and we received calls/e-mails from other family and friends welcoming him here and asking about his reactions to his new home.

Yesterday we both got haircuts and did more unpacking (unbelievable how much stuff 4 suitcases can hold) and today we went and got his SIN number. I have been driving him around to show him the neighborhood, main intersections and a few landmarks so he can try to start getting his bearings a bit. Before he left Trinidad he got his international drivers permit which is valid for a year, but I am not letting him drive yet and he seems to be fine being the passenger for a change - although he is an annoying backseat driver!! But what can I expect from a Trini cabbie?!! :p

We are both still pretty tired and have our sleep schedules messed up but I think that will sort itself out soon. It is almost surreal to see my beautiful man moving about the house doing things I could only imagine over the years and being able to just be a normal couple without the immigration stress/pressure on our heads is truly amazing. We have some other appts. scheduled this week along with a few social events with friends and then Christmas. I am truly thankful to God, my friends and family and all of you on this forum who helped me keep my sanity (for the most part!) during this process. The one piece of advice I want to give to those of you still waiting is for you and your spouse to be realistic with your expectations and not think that your life will be perfect the minute you are together after landing. If you can be patient and forgiving with each other that is so important - the stress of this process almost drove my husband and I apart on a few occasions, even as we prepared to come home together recently. Just realize that each of you may have some moments and moods where you will want to throw in the towel but DO NOT. Ride the choppy waters together, pick your battles, apologize quickly and sincerely and HUG it out. :-* I am so enjoying hugging it out........many blessings and prayers for all of you to be persistent and endure as individuals and in your marriages. Love Mr. & Mrs. CdnandTrini.
C&T Super great landing story! thank you for sharing the whole story. It was great sad, funny, exciting, scary... I wish you guys all the best.
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
sammystorm19 said:
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Glad you both made it home safe. Hope to see you check in from time to time. So happy for the both of you :)
Hi sammystorm19 and thanks for the good wishes. :) For sure I will be checking in on my JA friends, couldn't have made it without them and my POS peeps this year. SERIOUSLY. This process requires some diligent prayer and support. Blessings my dear.
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
Mrs. Parkin said:
Oh my gosh. CdnandTrini!!!!!!!!! This was my first experience reading a Landing story...and I bawled...like unstoppable stream of tears from the moment you said 'he was wide awake to watch the plane land in the snow" - I am able to picture my sweetie doing the same thing! Also, laughed out loud (all of these emotions while at work.. ::)) when he told you to stop haggling - oh man..This was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing! I loved every second of it!

Not sure how my co-worker felt as she walked by my desk and I am sitting here smiling and wiping away tears lol she was like 'everything alright?' and I said 'oh! haha yes...I just read a great landing sto..nevermind! I'm great!' haha! Duh, of course she wouldn't know what a landing story is...
Mrs. P. you are too cute!! :-* I will be popping by every now and then to check on my JamFam sisters and brothers so you need to keep on imagining those sweet moments with your honey. It will get you through some tough moments and they will happen!! Many blessings my dear.
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
chickie72 said:
@ Cdnandtrini.....awesome landing story, so glad everything turned out ok and welcome to Canada mr cdnandtrini.......I love landing stories!!!!!!!!


Good morning all.......HAPPY HUMP DAY........7 days until Christmas....is everyone ready for it? My best friend is alone for xmas also so we decided we are going to go to Niagara Falls for 2 days on Christmas and Boxing Day, drink some alcohol, hot tub and movies should get us through this holiday. I am actually excited now for Christmas!

Come Kingston! only a few days left to give out some good news......our spouses won't make it back in time for xmas but even if I heard PPR today, that would be the best present you could give hubby and me! Spinning the Wheel of Foreign.....who's nextttttt?
Thanks for the good wishes and welcome Chickie :-* Praying for all of the 2012 folks to get those PPR calls! I am happy you have a plan that you are looking forward to for Christmas my dear. Many blessings to you, hubby and kiddies for the New Year. :D
 

Kadi27

Hero Member
May 13, 2013
615
26
GTA
Category........
Visa Office......
Kingston
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 9, 2013
Doc's Request.
April 15,2014 (Originial Birth& Marriage Cert)
File Transfer...
March 4, 2013
Med's Done....
November 2012/Re-Med & PC April 15/2014
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
May 7, 2014
VISA ISSUED...
May 30,2014
LANDED..........
Soon by the grace of God
Mrs. C&T (I have to put your title now because hubby is home ;) ) your landing story was beautiful; I could picture everything.

I am soooooo happy for you and the hubs; you have been an awesome support on both forums; and I know you will definitely pop in to continue supporting us.

Nuff love :-* and all the best on your new journey :D
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
Ninirae said:
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

OMG!!!! I think I am going to have the same teary eyed fit when I read Nev's landing story... and to be honest... I'm SO glad you put in there about everything not being perfect. We need to be open, honest, and see the world without our rose colored glasses on!
:-* Thanks my girl........it is a bit of a challenge sometimes for both partners, the sponsor needs to be aware that when your spouse lands (for those who have never been here before) he/she is almost totally dependent on you, and you may feel a bit overwhelmed and they may feel that they "gave up" their life to be with you and that can make them feel overwhelmed.

Example, back home in Trinidad my hubby is a tour guide/taxi driver and knows every square inch of his country. Whenever I travelled there I would not drive as the drivers are crazy and the roads dangerous, even though in Canada I am a very confident, experienced driver. So hubby used to tease me and say how he will be driving his first week here, blah, blah, blah and he was so arrogant in thinking that, it used to make me MAD!!! So today I heard him talking on the phone to one of his friends (he never says this stuff to me directly though!) "....ummmm yeah, I can't drive yet until I get the lay of the land, maybe in 6 months or so"......I was shocked :eek:.....

He can actually technically drive now as he has an international driver's license, but to hear him say that he was going to wait - and for almost 6 months - was a big wake up call for me to make sure I stay very attuned to him here, as my husband is a total alpha dog and bossy when he is home in Trinidad!!. So no matter how well you know each other it is a totally different dynamic going through this journey. I love the landing stories too and am very interested in a "post landing" support thread as well. I think we will need it!! Many blessings.
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
Need to be with Hubby said:
This was beautiful. Congratulation and good luck with your life together.
Thank you so much for the kind wishes @Need to be with Hubby and hang in there!! Many blessings for a 2013/2014 approval!!!
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
frankfield said:
Heartfelt, moving, honest, mature, exuberant, lovingly considerate... I love it. All the best in your new life.
;) Thanks for the good wishes frankfield.....I almost referenced some of your prior posts on here about how things are not always a bed of roses!! Actually when I was in Trinidad with hubby I read your posts about how couples fight and I was tempted to add my own. Let's just say my bags got packed 3 times to leave early, twice by me and once by hubby!!! :p By the grace of God, we worked it out, thankfully.

Many blessings and by the way I have appreciated your unique perspectives in some of your posts on several occasions.
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
oneandonly said:
Congrats C&T what a awesome landing story it touched my heart. Thank you for the well ended info. All the best and check in with us all. Take care blessings
Hello my dear O&O :-* and thank you for the well wishes. Of course I will be checking in, my JA girls kept me going during this torture so I am looking forward to reading all of your landing stories!! How are you holding up? Blessings.
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
longdistanceloves said:
C&T Super great landing story! thank you for sharing the whole story. It was great sad, funny, exciting, scary... I wish you guys all the best.
Thank you so much for the good wishes ldl......I wanted to make it as detailed as possible because I knew how much I looked forward to every little scrap of information when reading the stories of others :D! Especially when the spouse has never been here or out of his/her own country. Many of the couples here met while their husbands were here working or visiting and that is a different perspective. 6 and a half years ago when I met my hubby, within 3 days of meeting him, I let him know that if there was future for us together it would have to be here in Canada not Trinidad. Having said that, I am very careful to check in with him and remind him that he can visit there whenever he likes (after PR card and health insurance kicks in, in our case OHIP) and I am happy to host his family and friends if they want to visit us. Many blessing for you and your hubby my dear.
 

CdnandTrini

Champion Member
Mar 31, 2013
1,611
75
Visa Office......
Port of Spain
App. Filed.......
Feb. 7, 2013
AOR Received.
Sept. 10, 2013 and "in process" Sept. 24, 2013
File Transfer...
March 28, 2013 (sponsor approval confirmed)
Med's Done....
Jan. 18, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Oct. 7, 2013 - Thank you Jesus!
VISA ISSUED...
Nov. 4, 2013 - Thank you Lord
LANDED..........
Dec. 14, 2013 - Praise God. PR Card Feb. 14, 2014
Kadi27 said:
Mrs. C&T (I have to put your title now because hubby is home ;) ) your landing story was beautiful; I could picture everything.

I am soooooo happy for you and the hubs; you have been an awesome support on both forums; and I know you will definitely pop in to continue supporting us.

Nuff love :-* and all the best on your new journey :D
Hello my dearest Kadi and thank you for that :-*!! Of course I cannot leave the POS & JA folks - we must stand united in the face of those dismal processing times posted for both of our VOs. Although it was very enlightening to me to read the stats posted recently by another member (scotchy) re: the volume of applicants in family class through Kingston. So CIC - GIVE THEM MORE HELP IN JA!!!!!! :eek:

How are you making out missing your bambino? Thinking of you for that and praying for fast processing on your file. Many blessings
 

oneandonly

Champion Member
Nov 9, 2012
2,321
35
CdnandTrini said:
Hello my dear O&O :-* and thank you for the well wishes. Of course I will be checking in, my JA girls kept me going during this torture so I am looking forward to reading all of your landing stories!! How are you holding up? Blessings.
Aww thank you C&T your a huge support to this thread and POS your truly an amazing person hopefully that get together that your planning happens so we all can meet when you and hubby get settled. I am doing okay by the grace of God he sure is getting hubby and I through these weeks. The waiting to receive back the passport isn't any different than still waiting for Kingston to send a PPR but I'm blessed I reached this far. Hubby will soon be back home.
 

Mrs. Parkin

Hero Member
Nov 13, 2013
323
17
Category........
Visa Office......
KGN then POS
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
October 1, 2013
Doc's Request.
October 30, 2014
AOR Received.
December 9, 2013
File Transfer...
October 17, 2013
Med's Request
Extended
Med's Done....
September 3, 2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
October 30, 2014
VISA ISSUED...
November 26, 2014
LANDED..........
Dec 1, 2014
C&T any chance you would share one of the pics of you two shovelling?? :D:D
 

Ninirae

Hero Member
Nov 1, 2013
854
33
123
Brampton, ON
Category........
Visa Office......
Kingston, JA
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-05-2013
File Transfer...
18-06-2013
Med's Done....
07-03-2013
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
31-07-2014
VISA ISSUED...
25-08-2014
LANDED..........
10-09-2014
CdnandTrini said:
;) Thanks for the good wishes frankfield.....I almost referenced some of your prior posts on here about how things are not always a bed of roses!! Actually when I was in Trinidad with hubby I read your posts about how couples fight and I was tempted to add my own. Let's just say my bags got packed 3 times to leave early, twice by me and once by hubby!!! :p By the grace of God, we worked it out, thankfully.

Many blessings and by the way I have appreciated your unique perspectives in some of your posts on several occasions.
I got to experience last night the whole "I am Jamaican, hear me roar" and "Jamaica is my home and NOBODY including my WIFE can make me leave" and also the wonderful "I will NEVER change to suit a different society. NEVER! And if any people don’t like it, them can go s*ck their muda”
Please note that this all stemmed from me telling him the landing story and asking him how he feels about leaving Jamaica and to be very honest about it.... and so the rant began. The entire time he was ranting, I sat quietly just staring at him (we were Skyping). Once he finally became quiet, he looked back and me and said “what?! Gwan, seh sumn about it.” I just kept looking at him until he finally broke out laughing and admitted that he just relistened to that entire conversation in his head and realized how he sounded.
We then went forward with him apologizing to me and him being more understanding and asking about how often we will travel and is he able to call home as soon as he arrives in Canada to let his mother know he has arrived safe and so on and so forth.

C&T, all I could do was repeat in my head “don’t take it personal, don’t take it personal” lol

The good news is, he is FINALLY opening up about his fears and anxieties about leaving the only place he has ever known. This man actually thought I was going to drop him in Canada and just leave him to fend for himself. I couldn’t believe it!!!! I am his only person in Canada. Me and my family, is he insane! But I do understand his fears now because of your landing story.

I know I have ranted and vented a bit today, but I am wanting people to know that just because other people like to pretend their marriage is a bed of roses, lets be honest, we all have our thorns and that’s what makes it worth it in the end.

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!!!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*