Saturday, April 26, 2008
H-1B Notice
Just received an email from the company's lawyer saying that they received a notice for my H-1B application, which means I was selected by USCIS in the lottery process! I was really surprised that they actually used premium processing for my H-1B application. Nevertheless this is great news for me, and once I settled down at work I can start thinking about green card..haha!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
USCIS runs random selection of H-1B
As title, press release here.
Basically people with advanced degrees are selected first. We can expect notice from USCIS no later than June 02. If you applied for premium processing, the 15 day starts from yesterday (4/14/08). Good luck everyone.
Basically people with advanced degrees are selected first. We can expect notice from USCIS no later than June 02. If you applied for premium processing, the 15 day starts from yesterday (4/14/08). Good luck everyone.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Number of applications for FY 2009 H-1B
USCIS just released the preliminary number for FY 2009 H-1B applications.
Press release
There are 31200 applications for H-1B advanced degree, and 163000 total applications. So if you are applying for H-1B advanced degree, chances are still pretty good (over 70%) that you can get H-1B visa, otherwise if you are in the STEM fields, better luck next year.
Press release
There are 31200 applications for H-1B advanced degree, and 163000 total applications. So if you are applying for H-1B advanced degree, chances are still pretty good (over 70%) that you can get H-1B visa, otherwise if you are in the STEM fields, better luck next year.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Bad news: H-1B quota reached
USCIS just announced that the FY 2009 H-1B cap has been reached after only 7 days. What is surprising is that even the additional 20000 quota reserved for people with advanced degrees (MS/PhD) from US universities has also been reached. Consider that these 20000 quota didn't get used up until 4/30/07 last year, this is bad news for us since we now face lottery as well. My application was submitted on 4/3, hopefully I can get it this year, else it's a pain to continue trying for H-1B even with the OPT extension.
Press release
Press release
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Garmin nuvi GPS system price drop @ Amazon.com
Looks like they are trying to get rid of those units before they introduce new ones. Right now you can have the following Garmin nuvi 360 or 660 GPS navigation systems for cheap at Amazon.com. Both are very good units.
nuvi 360 @ 232.99 (from beach camera, Amazon ones is 239.22, but you can combine it with the Amazon visa card coupon)
nuvi 660 @ 320.64 (from Amazon.com), this one has 4.3" wide screen.
Both has north america map and bluetooth.
nuvi 360 @ 232.99 (from beach camera, Amazon ones is 239.22, but you can combine it with the Amazon visa card coupon)
nuvi 660 @ 320.64 (from Amazon.com), this one has 4.3" wide screen.
Both has north america map and bluetooth.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Breaking news: new OPT extension and H-1B cap gap extension ruling
DHS just had a press release on OPT extension and H-1B cap gap ruling that impacts a lot of foreign students.
Press release
For the whole ruling document check here
Additional Q&A here or here
Basically, if your company (or the company wants to hire you) is enrolled in E-verify program (check here), the following applies to you:
1. If you have a Bachelor, Master, or PhD degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), you are eligible to apply for a 17 months OPT extension after your current 12 month OPT expires.
2. This is for ALL degrees. If you are currently working and has applied for H-1B petition during the acceptance period (starts at 4/1 every year) but your OPT expires before 10/1 (so called H-1B cap gap), you are eligible for the cap-gap extension and can continue to work regardless of your OPT status until the following:
2.1. Your H-1B is not selected by the USCIS, then your extension automatically terminates when USCIS announces the completion of the random selection of H-1B applications.
2.2. Your H-1B is approved, in which case you can continue to work until your H-1B kicks in (10/1 the same year).
All in all, this is great news for foreign students, especially for those in the STEM fields since you don't have to worry about H-1B too much now that you have more chances of getting a H-1B.
Press release
For the whole ruling document check here
Additional Q&A here or here
Basically, if your company (or the company wants to hire you) is enrolled in E-verify program (check here), the following applies to you:
1. If you have a Bachelor, Master, or PhD degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), you are eligible to apply for a 17 months OPT extension after your current 12 month OPT expires.
2. This is for ALL degrees. If you are currently working and has applied for H-1B petition during the acceptance period (starts at 4/1 every year) but your OPT expires before 10/1 (so called H-1B cap gap), you are eligible for the cap-gap extension and can continue to work regardless of your OPT status until the following:
2.1. Your H-1B is not selected by the USCIS, then your extension automatically terminates when USCIS announces the completion of the random selection of H-1B applications.
2.2. Your H-1B is approved, in which case you can continue to work until your H-1B kicks in (10/1 the same year).
All in all, this is great news for foreign students, especially for those in the STEM fields since you don't have to worry about H-1B too much now that you have more chances of getting a H-1B.
Amazon discounts with Amazon Visa card
Just received an email. I am not sure if its account specific. If you use Amazon VISA then following discounts can be obtained:
$20 off $200 on electronics, computers and cell phones: 2IK9E6R8
10% off $50 on music : CDJLXT8U (Limit $20 per customer)
$5 off $50 on DVDs: DVD5BFHR
Limit one offer of each type per household.
$20 off $200 on electronics, computers and cell phones: 2IK9E6R8
10% off $50 on music : CDJLXT8U (Limit $20 per customer)
$5 off $50 on DVDs: DVD5BFHR
Limit one offer of each type per household.
Sprint SERO cellphone plans
SERO stands for Sprint Exclusive Referral Offer, which is probably one of the best cellphone plans you can find if you don't mind Sprint.
SERO has three plans:
500min for $30/month, 1250min for $49.99/month, and 2500min for $99.99.
All plans also come with the following:
Anyway, you can go to http://www.sprint.com/sero or call 1-888-882-4030 and use the following emails with a valid Zip code to order
savings@sprintemi.com <- generic email, doesn't work for phone order
tristan.kime@sprint.com
Personally I perfer to call in and order since there's less of an chance for Sprint to screw up your order (they do quite often), if you need a sprint employee email, just google.
SERO has three plans:
500min for $30/month, 1250min for $49.99/month, and 2500min for $99.99.
All plans also come with the following:
- Unlimited Nights & Weekends starting at 7pm!
- Domestic long distance
- Unlimited Mobile to Mobile
- Unlimited Web/Data Access
- Unlimited Picture Mail (with compatible devices)
- Unlimited text messages until 5/31/08 (they kept extending it)
- Unlimited roaming
Anyway, you can go to http://www.sprint.com/sero or call 1-888-882-4030 and use the following emails with a valid Zip code to order
savings@sprintemi.com <- generic email, doesn't work for phone order
tristan.kime@sprint.com
Personally I perfer to call in and order since there's less of an chance for Sprint to screw up your order (they do quite often), if you need a sprint employee email, just google.
How to feed newborn baby
An experienced nurse told us this way, and it seemed to work well.
1. Burp the baby first.
2. Start from one side of the breast (side 1), feed the baby for about 15 minutes.
3. Burp the baby good and/or exchange diapers in between if wet or pooped.
4. Start on another side of the breast (side 2) for another 15 minutes or so.
5. Burp the baby again.
6. If the baby still feels like eating, feed him on side 2 for a few minutes
7. Next time start from side 2 first.
During daytime, we can feed the baby once every two hours, during night time we can wait a bit longer so the baby can adjust. If the baby cries in between, burp or rock him, or change diapers, or use a pacifier.
1. Burp the baby first.
2. Start from one side of the breast (side 1), feed the baby for about 15 minutes.
3. Burp the baby good and/or exchange diapers in between if wet or pooped.
4. Start on another side of the breast (side 2) for another 15 minutes or so.
5. Burp the baby again.
6. If the baby still feels like eating, feed him on side 2 for a few minutes
7. Next time start from side 2 first.
During daytime, we can feed the baby once every two hours, during night time we can wait a bit longer so the baby can adjust. If the baby cries in between, burp or rock him, or change diapers, or use a pacifier.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
潤餅
from 聯合報, 做為以後參考用
欣葉餐廳（台北市雙城街40-1號，02-2596-3255，1條80元）
萬福號（台北市重慶北路2段29號，02-2556-1244，1條40元）
健民潤餅（桃園市民權路104號，03-332-4313，1條40元）
郭家潤餅（新竹市城隍廟北外側攤位，03-522-2285，1條35元）
金得春捲（台南市民族路3段19號，06-228-5397，1條30元）
欣葉餐廳（台北市雙城街40-1號，02-2596-3255，1條80元）
萬福號（台北市重慶北路2段29號，02-2556-1244，1條40元）
健民潤餅（桃園市民權路104號，03-332-4313，1條40元）
郭家潤餅（新竹市城隍廟北外側攤位，03-522-2285，1條35元）
金得春捲（台南市民族路3段19號，06-228-5397，1條30元）
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