US Immigration: Our love/ hate relationship

In light of recent events and letters threatening permanent residency denial, I have put all of my university report writing skills to its best use yet.

One disappointing decision letter, many tears and hugs, one MacBook Air, my knowledgable brain and eight hours later and we have one kick-ass letter to immigration.

And I have some idea of how I got here, but here I am in the midst of a very interesting love/ hate relationship with US Immigration particulars.

Two months ago we could've kissed the immigration officers that granted my Advance Parole so I could go to Canada and re-enter the US for my final interview. We were going to bring champagne and let it flow from the ceilings.

Who knew that we would then receive such disappointing news from the same people. In the words of parents everywhere, 'I'm not angry, I'm disappointed'.

I mean, really. You're really doing this now. Like I said, love/ hate.

I want to believe you can fix this, Mr Immigration. Let me love you again.

A Christmas movie isn't a Christmas movie without some serious Christmas spirit

Christmas is one of the best times of year. Not only because I get to drag a huge tree into the house and play with glitter glue but because I have an excuse to watch a tonne of Christmas movies.

My favourites include The Grinch, Home Alone 1 and 2 (not 3), A Christmas Story, Scrooged and It's a wonderful life.

They are great Christmas films because they have Christmas spirit. They are stories about characters who have lost their Christmas spirit or have forgotten what Christmas is really about. The film takes you on a journey of their transition from Christmas 'Grinch' to realizing what Christmas is really about. You see the characters Christmas mentality shift. It's great, I love it.

The Grinch hates Christmas and thinks the Who's down in Whoville only like Christmas because of the presents they receive. But Cindy Lou shows him the true meaning of Christmas and his heart grows and he no longer hates Christmas and the Whos.

Kevin McCallister in Home Alone is a spoilt kid who wishes his family would disappear so he can spend Christmas alone. He is left at home by accident. Who says wishes don't come true. He realizes that his family isn't that bad and that he loves them even though Buzz is a gross, pain in the butt. He befriends the local 'caretaker' and realizes he has a pretty great family. Hence, realizing Christmas is about family and how much he loves his own.

You get the point I'm trying to make. Christmas movies like Jack Frost with Michael Keaton, The Santa Clause with Tim Allen and Christmas with the Kranks do not fit my Christmas movie criteria. Trying to 'skip' Christmas so can have a break from it but then realizing you can't because the people around you are throwing parties and buying cookies doesn't equal Christmas spirit, like in Christmas with the Kranks. And becoming Santa Clause because he fell of your roof and died doesn't mean you have automatic Santa spirit. You're just delivering presents not showing your son the real meaning of Christmas, Tim Allen.

So I have rid myself of those films. And if I have to watch The Grinch every day of December until Christmas so I can get my fix of true Christmas spirit, I will.

And in the words of The Grinch, those terrible Christmas movies can 'pucker up and kiss it'.

US Immigration: What's love got to do with it?!

With the possibility of facing possible Permanent Residency denial, I ask US Immigration 'whats love got to do with it'?!?

Heading into our final interview my hands were sweaty and my voice shaky. All of the interview horror stories were spinning in my head. Dammit, what color was Anthony's toothbrush again, what did we eat the night of our wedding?

Our interviewer immediately realized we had very recently, within the last couple of weeks moved out of the US to temporarily reside in Toronto, Canada. We were told this wouldn't be an issue and had relevant documentation as proof. Didn't matter.

We weren't asked any specific details about our relationship, how long we knew each other, was I a criminal creep.

He said our application wasn't looking good and we were facing probable denial simply due to the fact we were temporarily out of the US.

So residing in the US and buying up all the US, Walmart, Coca Cola goodies is what gets me my permanent residence? Apparently love has nothing to do with it.