Archive for January 4th, 2008

USCIS Updates Guide for New Immigrants

Posted by on Friday, January 4th, 2008 @ 6:25 pm in Lifestyle, Miscellaneous.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announces the release of an updated version of a popular booklet intended to provide settlement and integration information for new immigrants.

WASHINGTON (Dec. 11, 2007) - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today released an updated version of Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants. This popular booklet includes essential information to help newly arrived immigrants settle into the United States.

The new Guide includes important updates since it was first introduced three years ago, including new online tools for USCIS services and essential information from the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal, state and community organizations. By proactively disseminating this resource to new permanent residents while they still live abroad, USCIS is able to reach individuals at the earliest stage of immigrating, and provide them with a vital head-start on integrating into their new country.

In addition to settlement and integration information, the Guide contains an introduction to the U.S. system of government, a section on rights and responsibilities and information on how to obtain citizenship. It also has information about finding a place to live, getting a Social Security number, getting a job, registering children for school, finding healthcare, locating English language and adult education classes, preparing for emergencies, and finding community organizations that assist immigrants.

To reach as many immigrant groups as possible, USCIS added Polish, and Urdu translations of the Guide, making it available in English and 12 foreign languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. According to the 2000 Census, more than 32 million individuals in the United States speak one of those foreign languages.

The Department of State will provide immigrant visa recipients residing abroad with a brochure containing instructions to call the USCIS forms line (1-800-870-3676) to request a free hard copy of the Guide in English, Chinese or Spanish.

All translations of the Guide and other resources for new immigrants are available to download for free from the USCIS website.

Source: USCIS

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Photohunt : Delicious

Posted by alohapenny on Friday, January 4th, 2008 @ 5:51 pm in Personal - International.



This is the first time I joined the and the theme for this week is delicious. Now, I'm no vegetarian but something about buttered veggies gives me the happies! Hey I rhyme. :D

For more info on the mechanics of photohunt go here.

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Taj Minar

Posted by Batang Yagit on Friday, January 4th, 2008 @ 12:19 am in Personal - Philippines.

I was (again) lucky to avail the free lunch from Taj Minar last December 29, 2007. It was the second leg of the Davao Food Trip organized by Kuya Blogie of Ang Dabawenyo.

Taj Minar, a new fine dining Indian Restaurant, is located at Damosa Gateway. The food monsters present were Ate Ria, Kuya Blogie, Kuya Migs, Kuya Tianx, Kuya Doms, Miss Ria, Miss Maita, Kim and Tiara.


Mr. Zafar Khan, the owner of Taj Minar, seems happy with our presence.

For starters, Mr. Khan served us with Papadam, a taco-shell-like piece of crust with lots of spices. The taste was good but the grease is unforgivable. Mr. Khan said that the grease used is healthy since it's from pure vegetable oil.



Biryani Rice and Vegetable Curry


Mr. Khan served chicken curry, spiced vegatables ang long-grain rice for the main course. I love them all. The vegetable was good. The flavor of the spices were new to me and I love them. I finished two servings of the Chicken Korma (the chicken curry) because Ate Ria was not able to finish hers.

For the dessert, he served us with Carrot Halwa and Chai.

As a conculsion, it is my first time to taste Indian food and I love it. Considering that the restaurant is of fine dining type, the prices are not expensive. The place is also good.

For more information about Taj Minar, you may visit them at Damosa Gateway, Mamay Road, Lanang, Davao City or call them at 303-4320.

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