that's where you can always check the updates. Just click drop down arrow.

1. I downloaded N-400 form and the instruction. 

   just click it and it will automatically download as a PDF file

2. I read the instruction/s
3. Requested Tax Return Transcript through IRS Website. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
4. Answered the N-400 - If you want to change your name this will be the best time to do it because it will be for FREE. That will be on Part 2 no.4
5. After I recheck my N-400 form for bazillion times and drove my husband crazy, I then started compiling all the documents to support my N-400 application. 
6. Made copies of all the needed supporting documents. (my cover letter indicates all the supporting documents I submitted)
7. I made a Cover Letter (I have two different versions but this is the version when my application was accepted without issues) 

   feel free to use this as a guide

8. Visited nearest post office to look for the right envelope for all my documents. Fortunately, the Flat Rate Envelope worked. 
   
9. Printed Postage through my USPS account. It's cheaper when you print it online. Make sure pay extra for "signature required" so you'll have a record that they received it. 
10. February 2017 sent my application.
11. Waiting period.
12. March 08 received a notice that my application are being returned because 1. incorrect fee - I wrote a check for $680 but they changed their fee for 2017 to $725 and 2. I downloaded the outdated N-400 version. All the forms I downloaded are from December 2016. Yup! Be sure to always check the USCIS website.
13. Re-submitted everything on July 2017 with updated edition / version of N-400 and correct filling fee but this time I submitted G-1450 form authorization for credit card instead of writing them a check. 
14. July 20, 2017 received a notice from USCIS that they received my application and it is being processed.
15. July 28, 2017 received a notice from USCIS that I need to appear on 08/18/17 to their Application Support Center. Here is the funny part. I just scheme through the notice and didn't realize that it is just for bio metrics. As you know the second part of the US Citizenship process is you have to pass the interview and the oral examination about US government and history. I thought this was that next part of the process then I'll be US Citizen. So, 08/18/17 came. I was a nervous wreck because I know that my interview is that day and my husband thought so too because I told him so. I am ready though. I studied everything -my N-400 I reviewed all my answers and all questions that the officer will ask regarding US history and government. I went to the Application Support Center super nervous. I went in and the Immigration officer greeted me. Verified my information. We did the finger scan and took my photo then after he gave me a booklet, looked to me and told me to enjoy the rest of my day. I said thank you then I got so confused. I went back to his desk and asked him where will I wait for my interview? He was surprised. He was like oh that wouldn't be today. If you are ready now, you'll ace your interview. He then continue to say that I will receive a separate notice for that. It was hilarious! and get this! the booklet he gave me was a review book which I already studied for. 😅👌
16. Finally the real thing! October 5, 2017 was my interview. 
17. November 17, 2017 I am officially US Citizen.

Remember Rebecca Bloomwood? If you read the book you’ll know exactly who I am talking about. This is not a review about her but this is just to let you know how I had problems with shopping just like her. Yes that credit card debt too. It was cute and fun at first but later on it’s a problem. A problem that you created and so hard to get out of.

I don't know how it came about. As far as I can remember, my husband told me that we will go somewhere once I passed my US citizenship. My eyes was sparkling with joy and excitement just like a kid.What an awesome motivation! To cut the story short I did passed my exam and interview. Yay! I'll blog about it in details soon.

from the resort website

I asked my husband if we will go on a vacation what would he prefer? tropical or in the mountains? he said vacation for him is somewhere tropical (I am super glad he said that). I did my research and weigh the pros and cons. If we go somewhere like Florida, Outer Banks and the like... we will need to drive. I am not okay driving to unfamiliar places, so usually my husband will do all the driving which for me is a no-no because it wouldn't be a vacation for him plus on top of that, I need to factor in cost of the food we will be eating everyday while on vacation (I may need to cook in order to cut that cost -ah no!) and I have my mind set on a week for our vacation.

That's the reason why I venture on "ALL INCLUSIVE" vacation which includes your Airfare, Hotel Accommodation, Airport Transfers (it varies where you book/travel agency but most of the time it is included),  and Food. Access to all Restaurants they have in the resort (it means you already paid for it. Just come with an empty stomach) plus drink all you can. It may be soda or your favorite alcohol drink. I kinda have an idea since I work in travel industry but I really didn't look into it until last year. I always see this Caribbean destination promotions from different travel agency through groupon and also, I heard from my clients about Apple Vacations. I knew it will be perfect for me and my husband. He doesn't need to drive long hours and I don't need to worry about our everyday meal. I started checking their website about last year November 2017. I am not a newbie on finding good deals and I know that the prices changes - depending what time of the day you look and what week of the month you are planning to go (make sure you erase your web history as well to reset all pricing). I played with the dates that gives me a great prices. It took me about two months to finally said that this will be our date. I asked my husband before all this if he wants to be involved in the planning? he said yes and no. 😁😅 It means he just want to know how much is the total cost for everything. I drive him crazy specially the time I was playing with the dates when is the best time for us to go. He was like - I don't know anymore, you said March last time? now May? Lol.  It's HILARIOUS!

I told my husband the set date (Yes set date for reals! LOL)  and the total amount of our vacation so then, we know how much we need to set aside each month. My real plan was just do it on my own through Apple Vacations website once we have the money but I am not at peace with it, not because their website is not legit -not about that! but I feel like, I don't have all the details I need and this is our first Caribbean vacation and I want it to be hassle free as much as possible.

Fortunately, there's a travel agency from where I work. I met Rona. She is wonderful. I told her where and when I want to go and guess what? they also work with Apple Vacations. She quoted me the same price as what was priced online but the great thing though, I wouldn't know little details like; I wouldn't need to pay for baggage fee since I am buying travel insurance. When I was doing it on my own, I included baggage fee in my cart on top of the travel insurance purchase. Eek! that saved me about $100. The travel insurance that I am purchasing has a guarantee that even on a day of departure, any decrease in prices via Apple Vacations website or in the resort we are staying in, I'll get that discounted price back to my bank and also, on the day of departure if something happen, just call before the departure time if you can't make it and no questions ask, you'll have your money back. Not that I want this to happen but it always nice to know what to do.

I told my husband about the travel agency and told him I'll do business with them. I forgot to tell you, that they will also hold that price for you, just make a deposit. With me, I just deposited about $500. I made that deposit middle of January since I have a go signal from my husband. Then, in my case they want the remaining amount by April 14. That's good two months to set aside money before the vacation. But hey! my husband is awesome we have the needed money already. So, we paid everything on February 15 and now we are just waiting.

Ah just want to say that I appreciate my husband because this vacation is not debt, it is PAID. It's very nice. I am saying this because during my single hood days I tend to overspend and be in debt. Isn't God awesome? He knows exactly the perfect better half for me.

By the way, Rona really did a great job! Before they swipe my credit card they checked again the price for me if there is any decrease. There was and saved another $100. I am glad I made a right decision to book through travel agency at least now I know enough details regarding our trip.

I will definitely give you all a detailed review for Apple Vacations after our trip and a review about the resort we will be staying. I couldn't wait!


LENZNER COACH LINES
www.coachusa.com

Rona Berdar

email: rona.berdar@coachusa.com
tel#: 412- 3723094


xoxo, Hannah Michael

1. Who wants different tan line? not me. I learned my lesson. I wore this crochet tankini, okay? the bra part no problem because it has a layer to it for the padding but the crochet hanging on my tummy, it has little holes to it. After a long day sunbathing, I remove my tankini and saw my tummy. It has brown spot then a inch or two white spot. That was my whole tummy. It looks like I have a six packs but it's more on -what did you do? If somebody can see it. 😅😅😅 but good thing I can easily cover it up. So, yup! I make sure I'll have even tan line every time! 
2. I like that it covers a good portion of my tummy and the top fits me well.
3. The bra. I don't have to tie it, I just need to hook it. 
4. The price is good. I got a discount for my first order through CUPSHE. 
5. I feel really good in it. That is super important for me. 

I couldn't wait to share some photos and couldn't wait for that day! CARIBBEAN, two more months!

I know that Olive Garden can get expensive but it is much cheaper than Panera Bread. How? When you are in Olive Garden, you can just order “soup and salad”. This means you’ll get unlimited soup, salad and of course their famous breadsticks for only $8. I really appreciate this option especially when you are in a hurry and would just want a quick but healthy meal.

No, I don’t hate Panera Bread. I actually would eat their food everyday, the only downside is their price. I usually order their “Pick two”. So, I’ll get Napa almond chicken sandwich and Thai chicken salad with baguette on the side. Take note that you’ll only get half sandwich but you’ll get a big bowl for salad or soup. I don’t get any drinks and try not to tempt myself to upgrade to get pastry (this is very tough. LOL) but you should try their bear claw - uh yum!!!


Anyway, for Olive Garden I only pay total of $8.99. This is without any drinks. I didn’t include my tip as I don’t count it as cost of the meal. Now, Panera Bread I paid about $11 for just the meal Pick two.
So, if you are going to Panera just to order “Pick two”, better go to Olive Garden and just to do “Soup and Salad”. 👌 

Xoxo, Hannah Michael

I read a lot of practical ways how to start a blog frugally. They are all great but it is not for me. Okay, 1. I tried WordPress too hard for me to understand.  2. Blue host is still expensive for me and complicated. and 3. Just a thought of the things I need to do is discouraging. YAS! I will be so overwhelmed then I will procrastinate ---- to losing interest. You know, analysis - paralysis. Just being HONEST!!! 💁

So, here I am. I am using google's blogger / blogspot. Here are the steps I did to start my blog:-

1. Create gmail account (make sure the email address you created will be the official email address for your blog). Once, you created an account you will see on the top right beside your profile "the google apps" and select blogger.





2. Set up the name you want for your blog and this is the time you can buy a domain directly from google. It only cost $12 for one year and google automatically connects your domain name to your blog site / website.

3. Choose the themes that you would like and you can customized it later on.



4. Sign up for google ad sense. In my case, since I already have an existing ad sense account I just connected it to my new blog. You'll be compensated for this. Just read all about it. It is easy. No cost to have it.

5. Invest on the logo. I got mine from Etsy. I found a seller from Etsy that will sketch anything that you would like. I paid $35. Is it worth it? again YAS!!! 😅



6. Enjoy! I don't have any certain topic for my blog. I just like doing this or  maybe this is just me being random. LOL!

MY TOTAL COST: $47  WOOT!

Hope that helps!