Sue in the USA

Just a little update regarding the DV lottery. I just checked the Visa Bulletin for July and noticed that they have posted some info regarding the DV 2007.

For the DV2007 KCC has received 5.5 million qualified applicantions. Meaning that the actual number of applications received is even higher. Applications can be disqualified if for example the required photo is not up to standards or the application form was not filled in correctly.

Out of these 5.5 million qualified applicants 'only' 82.000 people world wide received the First Notification letter. There are 50.000 visas available and as always it is expected that a large number of the first 50.000 applicants notified will not pursue the Green Card application after all. Why is beyond me but at this point, the fewer people actually continue with the application the better it is for me and all the others that really do want that Green Card. Anyway, for this reason alone some 32.000 additional applicants received the 1st Notification Letter. From August 15 on the cut off numbers for the DV2007 will be published every month. If I look at the historic data up until DV2005 my number would be up in October already. If I look at last year (DV2006) my number will not be up until December. Let's just hope that DV2006 was the exception to the rule and that DV2007 will follow the same trend as all other DVs before 2006. Personally I just can't wait to move to the USA permanently, so let's hope my American Dream will come true...
For DV2007 some 88 fellow Dutch received a Notification Letter and 57 people from Belgium. The next couple of months are going to be quite exciting for all of us :-)

I just realized that eventhough the title of my weblog is Sue in the USA, I have not posted anything here relating to that subject. That is nothing that relates to me actually being or having been in the USA. I have been to the US on several occassions. In 1990, 1991, 1999-2000, and 2004 I went to Orlando, FL. In 1990, 1991 and 2004 for a vaction. From 1999-2000 for an internship (nope not with Dinsey). In the summer of 1998 I went to NYC and Atlanta. In 2000 and 2005 I went to Los Angeles, CA and in 2001 I went to Tuscon, AZ with a trip to San Diego CA. As you can see I still have a lot of travelling in the USA to do. But I am pretty sure that once I actually live in the US permanently there will be plenty of time for short trips around the country. After all it only takes 6 hours or so to fly across the country so plenty of opportunity to travel during weekends then.

For my next posts I will start writing about my trips to the USA. It might take awhile so keep checking back.

A possibility to move to the US for good...I can tell you that it is never far from my mind. I can't help it, it is such a life altering opportunity that I just can't help but think about it all the time.

For example, this morning I read this post on an expat site about the Dutch:
"French fries can be found most anywhere and the favorite place to find the Dutch is at a French fry stand. If you order “patat met” it is French fries with mayonnaise, which is the favorite of the Dutch."
And the first thing that crossed my mind that my favorite kind of mayonnaise (called Zaanse Mayonnaise which has a bit softer bite and is not as souer) is definitely not available in the US. Ok there are other kinds of mayonaisse which willd efinitely do, but there is no mayonaisse available at the local fast food joint. There will be an abundance of ketchup and dip sauses (ok these are oficially for the chicken nuggets) available but no mayonnaise. And if there is one thing that I do not like it is dipping my fries in ketchup...Well, I guess I had better get used to it then ;-)

Then I started to think about what else I would miss. And basically other than my family and friends I could not really think of anything. So I guess that is a good thing.
I will definitely not miss the Dutch bread. I'm not much of a bread eater and have always prefered the US breads. I might miss the Dutch cheeses a little bit but I am sure I will find a good substitute such as Swiss or Emmentaler or the likes. Plus most US supermarkets have Dutch cheeses as well.

I guess the hard part of my move to the US is having to start all over again. I have to find my apartment, pay deposits and connection fees for the rent, gas, electricity, cable TV, telephone etc. I have a credit card here in Holland but in the US I have to earn my right at a credit card again. It really is like starting over. But in a way I kind of like that thought as well. Plus if I had stayed in Holland I would have moved as well so you need to pay a lot of fees then too.

On the other hand I have a lot of things to look forward to in the US as well. My family and friends in the US. Being able to go to Starbucks and get my Caramel Macchiatto. Having the opportunity to really become a big shot in the fast food or leisure industry. Here in Holland as these industries are not even remotely as big as in the US at a certain point in time you are just kind of stuck at certain positions and you basically have to wait and be very very lucky to advance. This is mainly because the higher management positions in these small industries do not become available that often. The Leisure industry is heavenly depended on seasonal workers and does not have a lot of full time and permanent positions. Fast food? Well we hardly have fast food in Holland. McD only 230 locations, BK 50 locations, KFC about 20 and then there are 30 or so Subways but Subway is mostly managed by the franchisees and does not have a Restaurant Management Program (or beyond) and positions available. So I really hope that in the USA I will be able to advance beyond Restaurant General Manager.
What else, oh yeah cheaper gas prices, affordable cars, Krispy Kreme donuts, Dunkin Donuts, not being the smallest person in a large group of people (Dutch people are too tall). Basically this list is endless ;-)

I really can't wait...