When I have applied for my so called I-485 application, I had to complete medical examination at USICS approved doctor and submit along with. These tests include MMR. TB and couple more and since my wife was pregnant one of the test/vaccine was not given to her and the same is mentioned in the application. I am well aware that this test would be due any time after the pregnancy. This happened in August 2007 and we were through the pregnancy in January 2008. I don’t know why but I have completely forgot about the pending test.

I sent my family to India on June 21 2009 and before their departure date I was talking to Sridhar and recalling the fact that the test is pending and what shall be done if the request from USICS is received. Guess what, I just received the request for initial evidence or RFE requesting the remaining tests for my wife.

These are the following option we were working on.

Option 1: Since I have only 30 days to send the reply, bring only my wife to USA for a week time and complete the tests. Costs me $1200 for round trip.
Advantage: I get to see my wife.
Disadvantage: Our kids have to be alone with grand parents for a week to ten days.

Option 2:Bring all of them and they will be here till my vacation time and we all go together and return as per schedule. Costs me $2200 for all of them.
Advantage: Get to be with the family totally
Disadvantage: Expensive.

Option 3: Change the return dates of the current tickets and bring all of them here and cancel my vacation and live happily ever after. Costs me $600 to change the dates.
Advantage: Get to be with my family.
Disadvantage: I get to cancel my vacation and my parents will be upset.

If I had planned the test or at least thought of this well in advance their vacation, I would have been free of these brain storm and money. At the end of the day, I did learned a good lesson. As you have all guessed, I may be going with option one but would have saved a lot of money.

I always believed in having some time for self each and every day. When I sent my family to India for a long trip (3 months), had many plans for myself.  I am all by my self and free to do many and any thing(s). These are the list of thing I wanted to do during this free time.

1. Loose weight.
2. Work on certification
3. Go out to woods and work on my dream photographs.
4. Save Money.

It has been a month already and this is what I have accomplished, exactly in reverse.

1. Gained weight
2. No progress on certification
3. No photography
4. More expenses

I have been trying to straight my thoughts and finally end up on the couch with Netflix. I am not sure how many movies I have watched. For example, last Sunday I watched Netflix for 12 hrs. So far I have cooked only couple of times and most of the times eating out side and gaining weight. Had an opportunity to do hiking couple of times with Aravinda, Netflix/TV made me step back. I was never been lazy except these days. Trying to realize the need for family and kids once you got used to that.

When my family was with me, I was literally able to find time for my self no matter what I do for them. Now, I have all the time with me and no time to accomplish my goals.No matter how long you are on phone, web cam or chat, there is no substitute for being together.

Lesson learned : Never sent your family for more than a month (when you have kids).
Truth discovered: Once you have completed a stage of your life, you can never go back.

While writing this post I was getting my senses back, getting confidence that I will go through this tough time and reach/attempt my goals. Wish me luck.