Bahag-Hari

     After 6 months of unavailable visa priority dates for EB-3 status for H1-B conversion to permanent residence status, some good news is here. In April 2009, the significant backlog in the processing of permanent residence applications for this category has caused visa priority dates to backslide from May 2005 to March 2003 and visa priority numbers were unavailable since then. On September 9, the U.S. Department of State released the Visa Bulletin for October 2009 with new priority cut-off dates for all immigration categories. This means that greencard numbers numbers are available again. The bad news is the priority dates backslides further back to June 1, 2002 for EB-3 category. For those who are waiting for their priority numbers to become current, check your priority dates and find where you are in the process. It may still be a long wait, but we are all already in line. Let us continue living the good life. God bless us all.

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Visa Bulletin

Number 13
Volume IX
Washington, D.C.

VISA BULLETIN OCTOBER 2009

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS

1. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during October. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations were made, to the extent possible under the numerical limitations, for the demand received by September 9th in the chronological order of the reported priority dates. If the demand could not be satisfied within the statutory or regulatory limits, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The cut-off date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. Only applicants who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date may be allotted a number. Immediately that it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a cut-off date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new cut-off date which has been announced in this bulletin.

The fiscal year 2009 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality

2.  Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000.  The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000.  Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620.  The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3. Section 203 of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of immigrant visas as follows:

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent
Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, and any unused first preference numbers:

A. Spouses and Children: 77% of the overall second preference limitation,
of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older): 23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second
preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to “Other Workers”.

Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of P.L. 102-395.

4. INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa demand exceeds the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES.

5. On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); “C” means current, i.e., numbers are available for all qualified applicants; and “U” means unavailable, i.e., no numbers are available. (NOTE: Numbers are available only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.

*NOTE: For October, 2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are available to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01MAR03. 2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are available to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO with priority dates beginning 01MAR03 and earlier than 01JUN05. (All 2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit; there are no 2A numbers for MEXICO subject to per-country limit.)

The Department of State has available a recorded message with visa availability information which can be heard at: (area code 202) 663-1541. This recording will be updated in the middle of each month with information on cut-off dates for the following month.

Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the NACARA, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW cut-off date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002.

B. DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY

Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides a maximum of up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit immigration opportunities for persons from countries other than the principal sources of current immigration to the United States. The Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997 stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually-allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. This reduction has resulted in the DV-2009 annual limit being reduced to 50,000. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.

For October, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2010 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:

Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2010 program ends as of September 30, 2010. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2010 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2010principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2010. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2010 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.

C. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK
CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN NOVEMBER

For November, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified
DV-2010 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:

D. EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers: Pursuant to Section 1 of Public Law 111-9, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on September 30, 2009.No SR-1, SR-2, or SR-3 visas may be issued overseas on or after September 30, 2009. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of September 30, 2009, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight September 30, 2009.

Employment Fifth Preference Pilot Categories(I5, R5): Section 101 of Division J of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, extended this immigrant investor pilot program through September 30, 2009. The I5 and R5 visas may be issued until close of business on September 30, 2009, and may be issued for the full validity period. No I5-1, I5-2, I5-3, R5-1, R5-2 or R5-3 visas may be issued after September 30, 2009.

The cut-off dates for the categories mentioned above have been listed as “Unavailable” for October. If there is legislative action extending one or both of these categories for FY-2010, those cut-off dates would immediately become “Current” for October.

E. OBTAINING THE MONTHLY VISA BULLETIN

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs offers the monthly “Visa Bulletin” on the INTERNET’S WORLDWIDE WEB. The INTERNET Web address to access the Bulletin is:
http://travel.state.gov

From the home page, select the VISA section which contains the Visa Bulletin.

To be placed on the Department of State’s E-mail subscription list for the “Visa Bulletin”, please send an E-mail to the following E-mail address:

listserv@calist.state.gov

and in the message body type:
Subscribe Visa-Bulletin First name/Last name
(example: Subscribe Visa-Bulletin Sally Doe)

To be removed from the Department of State’s E-mail subscription list for the “Visa Bulletin”, send an e-mail message to the following E-mail address:

listserv@calist.state.gov

and in the message body type: Signoff Visa-Bulletin

The Department of State also has available a recorded message with visa cut-off dates which can be heard at: (area code 202) 663-1541. The recording is normally updated by the middle of each month with information on cut-off dates for the following month.

Readers may submit questions regarding Visa Bulletin related items by E-mail at the following address:

VISABULLETIN@STATE.GOV

(This address cannot be used to subscribe to the Visa Bulletin.)

Department of State Publication 9514
CA/VO:September 9, 2009

“Time is a real and constant motion always … rolling us along. Tell me who wants to look back on their youth and wonder … where those years have gone…”

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a song on this blog. Here’s one of the uplifting ones on my ipod. Enjoy!

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I HOPE YOU DANCE - Lee Ann Womack

To access the video, click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTQfERb9HVk

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake
But it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

     Tap water IS healthier than bottled water. I was wondering where the whole idea of putting a price on the earth’s most abundant natural resource and our body’s major composition came from. Whoever it was, it was a brilliant marketing strategy… NOT FOR LONG. People are learning and proving that bottled water is not all it sells itself to be.

     In these times of huge economic downturn, it is so much cheaper to be healthy and remain healthy for as long as we possibly can. Here are a few interesting tips from Yahoo Health: http://health.yahoo.com/featured/34/what-doctors-wish-you-d-do

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By Alyssa Shaffer

You’ve heard it before: Eat a healthy diet, exercise and don’t smoke, and you’ll add years to your life. In fact, one study found that more than half of all deaths from chronic diseases among women could be avoided by following these commonsense strategies. But there’s more to good health than just these basic tenets. “There are many surprisingly simple things you can do to improve your health,” says Michael Roizen, MD, chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic. “It’s up to you to make smart choices on a daily basis.” Doctors give their best advice for keeping you in the pink.

Learn How to Relax
You can’t always control when stress hits, but you can control how you handle it, says David L. Katz, MD, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. The key is to first acknowledge its presence. When you feel the anxiety coming on, give yourself a brief time-out. Do some deep breathing–inhale through your nose for five full counts, then exhale through your mouth for five full counts–until you start to feel calmer. To counteract chronic stress, like a demanding job, build in ways to blow off steam. “Not everyone relaxes by doing yoga or meditating-a brisk walk or smashing a tennis ball might be better,” says Dr. Katz. “Just figure out what works for you.”

Know Your Resting Heart Rate
It could help your doctor identify if you’re at an increased risk of having a heart attack. In a study of nearly 130,000 postmenopausal women with no history of heart disease, researchers found that those whose hearts beat the fastest at rest were 26% more likely to have a coronary event–independent of other factors like whether they smoked or exercised. To find your resting heart rate, spend an extra minute in bed when you first wake up (hey, it’s a good excuse!) and feel your pulse either on your wrist or neck. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2; for best results, do it three days in a row and take an average. If it’s above 75, talk to your doc.

…And Your Waist Size
The larger it is, the greater your risk of heart trouble, finds a recent study from Harvard and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden of more than 80,000 women and men. Researchers blame abdominal fat, which is associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and high triglycerides. In the study, every 4-inch increase in women’s waist size was associated with a 15% higher risk for heart disease–even in people who were at a healthy weight. “A waist size above 35 inches in a woman (and over 40 in men) is a potential risk factor, not only for heart disease but also for other conditions including diabetes,” notes Nieca Goldberg, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine, medical director of New York University’s Women’s Heart Program, and author of Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health.

Respect Your Mouth
Floss and brush daily and you’ll be rewarded with more than just a bright smile. “Your oral health has a major influence on your systemic health,” says Dr. Roizen. “The same bacteria that cause gum disease in your mouth can set off an immune reaction that may lead to wrinkles, heart disease and even stroke.” Several studies have linked periodontal disease to an increased risk of heart disease (some speculate that gum disease may cause chronic inflammation, which can in turn cause swelling around the arteries).

Drink Tap Water
Most bottled water isn’t just expensive and bad for the environment. It also typically doesn’t contain fluoride, which can help prevent tooth decay. Can’t stand the taste of tap? Use a carbon filter, which helps remove pesticide residue and other chemicals.

Skip the 11 O’clock News
The economy, war, a rainy forecast: No wonder the nightly news can leave you feeling unsettled, which can make it tough to fall asleep. And that can spell trouble for your health. “Getting good sleep is crucial to keeping your entire body running smoothly,” says Dr. Katz. One recent study found that people who got less than seven hours of shut-eye are almost three times more likely to get sick after exposure to a cold virus than those who slept eight hours or more. Other studies have associated poor sleep with everything from obesity to high blood pressure and diabetes. If you can’t doze off without a little TV time, watch something funny–just make sure you turn it off in time to get a solid seven to nine hours of rest.

Volunteer for a Cause You’re Passionate About
You’ll do good not just for others, but for yourself, too. Numerous studies have shown that volunteering has significant health benefits, including reduced rates of depression and greater life satisfaction. And you don’t have to be Mother Teresa: A little giving of your time and energy goes a long way. One study showed that people who did just 40 hours of volunteer work yearly lived longer. It’s also a great way to stay connected to your community. Get a group of friends together and help clean up a local park, visit a nursing home or organize a fundraiser. Socializing has been associated with lower risk of depression, Alzheimer’s, and overall better mental and physical health.

Get Familiar with “C”
As in c-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation (checked with a blood test) that experts think may play a role in the formation of clots that block the flow of blood to the heart. Researchers in the landmark JUPITER study of more than 17,000 women 60 and older and men 50 and older found that those who had normal cholesterol levels but slightly elevated levels of c-reactive protein reduced their risk of heart attack and stroke by taking a statin–meaning that CRP levels may be worth keeping tabs on. However, keep in mind that experts are still trying to figure out CRP’s exact role, and whether or not it directly causes heart disease or is a sign that it’s developing. “Men and women in this age group with normal cholesterol should ask their doctors about CRP,” says Dr. Goldberg.

…And “D”
“Mountains of research show the benefits of vitamin D,” such as lowering the risk of osteoporosis, “but many women don’t know their levels,” says Marjorie Jenkins, MD, executive director of the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health in Amarillo, Texas. And 60% of American women are deficient, whether they live in Boston or sunnier climes like San Diego. (Your body produces D when it’s exposed to sunlight.) Because D is fat-soluble, you can get too much of it–so ask your doc to check your levels before you start taking a supplement.

Treat Your Body as Well as You Treat Your Car
“Just as your car needs regular checkups and oil changes to keep it running in top form, you need to practice preventive medicine on a regular basis,” says Kimberly McMillin, MD, a physician at Baylor Medical Center in Garland, Texas. That means getting an annual physical with a Pap smear; clinical breast exam; mammogram (for women 40-plus, younger if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer); and glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure checks. For more individualized screening recommendations on everything from hearing loss to heart disease, check out the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force’s recommendations.

Reapply Sunscreen-and Make Sure You’re Using Enough
A few dabs of daily moisturizer with sunscreen on your face offers about as much protection as an umbrella in a hurricane. Even when we’re applying it to the rest of our bodies, most of us use only 25% to 50% of the correct amount (about 1 ounce, or a full shot glass). Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Put it on about 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside, then reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily.

Don’t Keep Bedroom Troubles to Yourself
Haven’t been in the mood lately? Tell your doc, and don’t be embarrassed, because low libido is often treatable. “Having a healthy sex life figures into your overall well-being, both physically and emotionally,” says Lisa Masterson, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Santa Monica, California, and a staff member at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked to higher levels of the immune-boosting antibody immunoglobulin, and one Scottish study found that people who had sex regularly (at least once every two weeks) responded better to stressful situations–their blood pressure didn’t go up too high-than those who didn’t. Even simple snuggle time can count: Another study found that frequently hugging your partner can help reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

Think of Your Home as Your Gym
Everyday activities, from gardening to housework, can add up to substantial exercise-and health benefits. In fact, you’ll burn as many calories doing basic household tasks like vacuuming and carrying groceries as you would going for a brisk walk. And every little bit counts. “As long as you’re doing some form of activity for a total of 30 minutes a day, you’ll improve your health,” says Dr. McMillin.

Know Your Family Health History
The genes you inherited play a large role in your risk of disease, so gathering the details of your family’s medical history and sharing them with your doctor can help her figure out which lifestyle habits and screening tests are key to your good health, says Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, an internist and clinical associate professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Take some time to map your family tree–at least a couple of generations back–noting any significant diseases among your siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, great-aunts and greatuncles, at what age they got sick and how long they lived with the condition. You can easily do this online at FamilyHistory.HHS.gov.

Be Organized
Keep a list of your allergies and medications (both prescription and OTC) in your wallet in case of emergency. At home, start a health folder and keep a record of the dates and results of your most recent medical exams so you know when it’s time to schedule new ones. Also keep notes of when your prescriptions are up for renewal and whether you’ve had any adverse reactions.

Get Your Flu Shot
Swine flu scares aside, an annual dose of the influenza vaccine will go a long way toward keeping you healthy all year long. “Research shows getting a flu shot decreases hospitalization from so many conditions that can arise as a result of the flu, including asthma, pneumonia and even cardiovascular disease, by 25%,” says Dr. Roizen.

Stretch It Out
A few minutes of stretching a day can greatly improve your overall range of motion, which not only makes everyday tasks like reaching for the top shelf in the pantry easier but also reduces back or knee pain. “We spend so much time today hunched over computers, on the phone or in our cars that we forget to give our muscles a chance to lengthen and relax,” says Dr. Fryhofer. The perfect time to stretch? When your muscles are already warm, like when you’ve finished doing some basic household tasks (vacuuming, carrying laundry or scrubbing the kitchen). Do some simple stretches for your hamstrings, glutes, quads, calves, shoulders, chest and back. Go to WomansDay.com/Stretch for a few.

Don’t Discount Hormone Therapy
If you’re early in menopause (in your 50s), Hormone Therapy (HT) may not be the demon you think, says Dr. Fryhofer. “It’s not for everyone, but for the right person and the right reason, hormones may be the right answer.” In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative study reported that there were more drawbacks to HT than benefits. Today, while some doctors don’t advise using HT long-term, there may be a role for using it short-term to relieve uncomfortable symptoms and boost bone health.

Make Friends with Bacteria
Your digestive system needs “good” bacteria to keep the “bad” kind at bay. Some studies have shown that these positive bacteria (also known as probiotics) can help lower the risk of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and vaginal yeast infections. But you may need more than just a few spoonfuls of yogurt to get the benefits. “Supplements–especially the live version, available in spore form–have a better chance of getting into your gut,” notes Dr. Roizen, who recommends brands like Align or Sustenex.

Go Low-Tech-At Least Sometimes
The constant buzz of your cell, PDA or other seemingly indispensable device can be doing you more harm than good. “It’s a disruption that can add significant stress to your life,” says Alice Domar, PhD, executive director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health in Waltham, Massachusetts, and author of Be Happy Without Being Perfect. If you find yourself paying more attention to your phone than to your family, or your heart speeds up whenever you see that flashing message light, take a BlackBerry break for a few hours (or even days).

by CD Mohatta

(Retrieved from www.ezinearticles.com)

I was reading my old blogs on this website from 3 years ago and decided to pay another visit to the website that gave me my first glimpse at my temperament type at www.kiersey.com. And MY! Have I changed. I went to the opposite side of the spectrum!

In 2006, my results in the Kiersey Temperament Sorter II (KTS-II) identified me as a Healer Idealist. Now, the same test identifies me as a Rational Fieldmarshall. Here’s the description.

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Your Keirsey Temperament Sorter Results indicates that your personality type is that of the

Rationals are the problem solving temperament, particularly if the problem has to do with the many complex systems that make up the world around us. Rationals might tackle problems in organic systems such as plants and animals, or in mechanical systems such as railroads and computers, or in social systems such as families and companies and governments. But whatever systems fire their curiosity, Rationals will analyze them to understand how they work, so they can figure out how to make them work better.

In working with problems, Rationals try to find solutions that have application in the real world, but they are even more interested in the abstract concepts involved, the fundamental principles or natural laws that underlie the particular case. And they are completely pragmatic about their ways and means of achieving their ends. Rationals don’t care about being politically correct. They are interested in the most efficient solutions possible, and will listen to anyone who has something useful to teach them, while disregarding any authority or customary procedure that wastes time and resources.

Rationals have an insatiable hunger to accomplish their goals and will work tirelessly on any project they have set their mind to. They are rigorously logical and fiercely independent in their thinking — are indeed skeptical of all ideas, even their own — and they believe they can overcome any obstacle with their will power. Often they are seen as cold and distant, but this is really the absorbed concentration they give to whatever problem they’re working on. Whether designing a skyscraper or an experiment, developing a theory or a prototype technology, building an aircraft, a corporation, or a strategic alliance, Rationals value intelligence, in themselves and others, and they pride themselves on the ingenuity they bring to their problem solving.

Rationals are very scarce, comprising as little as 7 to 10 percent of the population. But because of their drive to unlock the secrets of nature, and to develop new technologies, they have done much to shape our world.

Rationals at Work
As a Rational, you seek to acquire and apply expertise. You thrive in an autonomous and intellectually stimulating workplace, working alongside other competent people, pursuing knowledge or creating systems. Your core need to follow the driving force of your own intelligence leads to particular career challenges. For example, recognition of your expertise may lead to your being put “in charge” of other people, as a manager, when you might prefer to remain immersed in projects of your own.

Curious and imaginative, you are happy when you have the opportunity to explore the universe of ideas. You do not usually seek leadership positions and prefer independent work to teamwork. In your ideal job, your superiors create a structure, provide you with resources, set some general expectations, and let you loose. Inasmuch as you are not particularly goal oriented, your ideal job situation provides you a sort of private enclave where you can work autonomously. Like other “creatives” (scientists, computer engineers and even writers and designers), you work best when you can deliver your work products–rather than yourself or your process–to others.

Rational Portrait of the Fieldmarshal (ENTJ)Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition it is marshaling or situational organizing role that reaches the highest development in the Fieldmarshal. As this kind of role is practiced some contingency organizing is necessary, so that the second suit of the Fieldmarshal’s intellect is devising contingency plans. Structural and functional engineering, though practiced in some degree in the course of organizational operations, tend to be not nearly as well developed and are soon outstripped by the rapidly growing skills in organizing. But it must be said that any kind of strategic exercise tends to bring added strength to engineering as well as organizing skills.

Hardly more than two percent of the total population, Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, they simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that they have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are - to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.

They cannot not build organizations, and cannot not push to implement their goals. When in charge of an organization, whether in the military, business, education, or government, Fieldmarshals more than any other type desire (and generally have the ability) to visualize where the organization is going, and they seem able to communicate that vision to others. Their organizational and coordinating skills tends to be highly developed, which means that they are likely to be good at systematizing, ordering priorities, generalizing, summarizing, at marshaling evidence, and at demonstrating their ideas. Their ability to organize, however, may be more highly developed than their ability to analyze, and the Fieldmarshal leader may need to turn to an Inventor or Architect to provide this kind of input.

Fieldmarshals will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives. They are tireless in their devotion to their jobs and can easily block out other areas of life for the sake of their work. Superb administrators in any field - medicine, law, business, education, government, the military - Fieldmarshals organize their units into smooth-functioning systems, planning in advance, keeping both short-term and long-range objectives well in mind. For the Fieldmarshal, there must always be a goal-directed reason for doing anything, and people’s feelings usually are not sufficient reason. They prefer decisions to be based on impersonal data, want to work from well thought-out plans, like to use engineered operations - and they expect others to follow suit. They are ever intent on reducing bureaucratic red tape, task redundancy, and aimless confusion in the workplace, and they are willing to dismiss employees who cannot get with the program and increase their efficiency. Although Fieldmarshals are tolerant of established procedures, they can and will abandon any procedure when it can be shown to be ineffective in accomplishing its goal. Fieldmarshals root out and reject ineffectiveness and inefficiency, and are impatient with repetition of error.

Hillary Clinton, Napoleon, Margret Thatcher, Carl Sagan, Bill Gates, Golda Meir, Edward Teller, George Benard Shaw, and General George C. Marshall are examples of Rational Fieldmarshals.

This news is for foreign-trained Occupational Therapists in the United States who are working on converting their H1-B visas (work visa) to permanent resident status (greencard).

According to Immspec.com (U.S. Immigration Forms Processing Service for Foreign Nurses and Pharmacists), a company that describes itself as “an in-house immigration administration support specialist”, the Visa Screening program is decribed as follows:

Visa screening program verifies that the education of an alien healthcare worker seeking job in the United States is equivalent to that of his/her US educated counter part

An overview of visa screen certification:

U.S. immigration law now requires that healthcare professionals (except physicians) qualified outside the United States complete a screening program in order to qualify for certain US working visas. VisaScreen™, also known as Visa Credentials Assessment, enables healthcare workers to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure compliance with the government’s minimum eligibility standards.

VisaScreen™ program is administrated by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), which is a division of CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools). Candidates who successfully complete this program receive a VisaScreen™ Certificate. This certification authenticates that the foreign national’s education, license, training, and experience are comparable to that of a US healthcare professional.

Visa screen certificate can be presented to a consulate office, or in the case of Adjustment of Status, the Attorney General, as part of application process of an occupational visa. The visa screening program normally involves licensure verification, educational credentialing, English language proficiency testing (TOEFL, TSE, TWE), and a predictive exam (CGFNS Certificate).

The healthcare professionals who are required to obtain a VisaScreen™ Certificate before they can get an immigrant visa or permanent residence (“green card”) include occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, speech-language pathologists, medical technicians (or clinical laboratory technicians), medical technologists (or clinical laboratory scientists), and physician assistants. With respect to the green card process, the VisaScreen Certificate is not required for an employer to file an I-140 immigrant petition on behalf of a foreign national to sponsor them for lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card). However, once the I-140 immigrant petition is approved, the beneficiary and foreign national must obtain the VisaScreen Certificate before they can be issued an immigrant visa.

To satisfy all federal screening requirements, a VisaScreen™ evaluation includes:

Educational Review:

To make sure that the candidate’s education:

• Meets all appropriate, statutory and regulatory requirements for the occupation the applicant intends to practice.
• Is equivalent to that of a U.S. graduate seeking licensure.

Licensure Review:

To assess initial and current licenses, provided directly to ICHP by the issuing/validating institution, to confirm the applicant has completed all practice requirements and has no encumbrances.

English Language Skills Assessment:

To confirm that the applicant has reached a level of competency in oral and written English by submitting passing scores on a test approved by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Education.

(Take a look at the passing scores you will need to obtain - English Passing Scores)

Healthcare workers other than nurses do not need the NCLEX exam or CGFNS Certificate in order to apply for the Visa Screen Certificate.

For foreign-trained Occupational Therapists working in the United States, there are 2 agencies authorized that may issue the Visa Screen (valid for 5 years only)depending on the state where the educational credentialling is processed — the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and the CGFNS/ICHP. For example, in the state of New York, the educational credentialling agency is CGFNS/ICHP, whereas the states of Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma, visa screening is done through the NBCOT. The difference?

NBCOT: Visa Credential Verification Certificate (VCVC)

Access the link at: http://www.nbcot.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=263&z=50

1. All first-time and renewing applicants are required to have passed the national certification examination for occupational therapists.  Required within 1 year of passing the NBCOT.

2. First-time applicants are required to pass the English language proficiency tests (TOEFL, TSE, TWE or TOEFL iBT).

3. Renewing applicants, however, are not required to take the English language tests PROVIDED that they have not lived outside the U.S. for 3 consecutive years within the last 5 years prior to the renewal date.

4. Initial Certificate fee processing is $300.00 and certification renewal fee is $150.00

CGFNS/ICHP: Visa Screen Certificate

Access the link at: http://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/vs/

1. All first-time and renewing applicants are not required to pass the national certification examination examination for occupational therapists. Required for applicants currently processing immigration adjustment of status, who wish to be admitted, re-admitted, or extend their stay in the U.S. on or after July 26, 2004.

2. First-time and renewing applicants are required to keep their English proficiency test scores current (TOEFL, TSE, TWE or TOEFL iBT).

3. Initial certificate processing fee is $498.00, and certification renewal is $250.00.

NOTE: English proficiency test result validity is 2 years from examination date.

     NO is a powerful word. There is no other two-letter word in the English vocabulary that is a statement in itself,  that can provoke a wide range of emotional reactions from anyone. For instance, tonight I received an interesting email from a stranger. It was essentially asking me out on a date and commitment at turbo speed. It’s so funny because of all the signs in the zodiac, there is no sign worse than Taurus when it comes to taking their sweet time in relationships. So I wrote him back and told him quite candidly that he was much better off directing this amorous energy somewhere else. On hindsight, I could have said it a little less harshly. Lesson learned: sugar-coating.

      Saying “no” to someone can be a real challenge in that it is almost easier to say “yes” because of the sheer number of people you need to please. In marketing and sales, you almost have to be the optimistic pollyana-type to get people to buy your product. It could be extremely difficult to sell anything and still keep the air of integrity about you. Just as so, it is just as difficult to tell the truth and make money.

     Can you pick up and transfer my 500-lb patient without help? No.

     Can you work weekends? No.

     Can you fake my medical test results to qualify me for a disability check? No.

     Would you tell on me if I never showed up for work and charged for work I didn’t do? No.

     Essentially, what is being asked is : Would you lie if it meant you could upset a lot of people if you told the truth?

     According to an article written by Sridhar Ramanathan for the Aventi Group Consulting Services, “when you say ‘no’, you are actually saying ‘yes’ to something more important to you.” In saying no, you are making these implicit commitments explicit.  In saying “no” to working weekends, I’m saying “yes” to more time to rest and prepare for the coming week. In saying “no” to transferring a 500-lb patient by myself, I’m saying “yes” to protecting my own spine and more years of employability. In saying “no” to faking documentation, I’m saying “yes” to honest work and protecting taxpayers’ money from people that abuse the system. In saying “no” to irresponsibile work ethic, I’m saying “yes” to cost-effective management and the possibility of professional growth.

      In both the business and professional world, relationships make the engine run. Office politics and personal life are the two threads that are not supposed to interweave. What was the famous word? “Compartmentalizing” - Nothing personal. Just business.  We don’t have to be friends. We just have to work together. Many friendships were made and broken over this tenet. To be honest, I don’t know which one is better: a friendship that is born of business or a business that is born of friendship. I for one have given up on a few friends for the sake of business and personal growth. I can’t say it didn’t benefit me in the long run. I said “no” to a few friends and said “yes” to dozens more. Of course the path is littered with blocks - and nothing is more destructive than staying in your comfort zone because you are afraid of losing your friends. In the Filipino culture, it is called ”crab mentality”. This mentality, also known as “crab in the bucket syndrome”. Wikipedia describes this as follows.

Crab mentality (sometimes also described as “crab in a bucket syndrome”) describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you.” The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Singly, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless “king of the hill” competition which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt “pull down” (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of jealousy or competitive feelings.

This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in reference to individuals or communities attempting to “escape” a so-called “underprivileged life”, but kept from doing so by others attempting to ride upon their coat-tails or those who simply resent their success.^[1]

It describes a selfish and desperate lust to pull other people down, denigrating them rather than letting them get ahead or pursue their dreams. It is an unwillingness to allow someone to get out of dire or bad life situations, often being foiled by friends and family members who keep sucking them back in. This trait can strike at several levels of life, like in office environments, particularly on promotion. It is a reflection of the famous saying “we all like to see our friends get ahead, but not too far ahead.”^[2]

     A few months ago, I decided to quit my PRN job at another hospital in my town. It was a hectic time for me. I was finishing my paper for my master’s and I was scheduled to do my presentation in Boston, MA so I could not possibly commit my weekends to work when I already had so much work to do. The director cold called me on my phone for a meeting. The tone was threatening, I could very well lose my job there. It was a tough choice. My weekend job or my master’s. Looking at all my cards, I was better off with restful weekends and more time to study. Needless to say, I resigned because I wanted to grow. And I can’t do that in an environment with people who have the “crab mentality”.

     To summon the courage to say ‘no’ when the pressure is high is a daunting task that requires some skill and considerable self-confidence. But it has the power to pave the path to self-actualization. In Maslow’s heirarchy of needs, a person becomes self-actualized only after he has satisfied and mastered his more basic needs: physiological (breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis, excretion), safety (security of body, of work, of resources, of morality, of the family, of health and of property), love/belonging (friendship, family, sexual intimacy), esteem (self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others, respect by others). A person who has reached self-actualization has a good sense of morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem-solving, lack of prejudice, and acceptance of facts.

     The hallmark of self-actualization is the ability to accept defeat and move on. If you fail, you fail. Keep going. Life is not a race or a competition. It is a journey. If you lose a few friends along the way, those are not your real friends. You can find so many other like-minded people somewhere else. Practice the art of saying ‘no’. Even better, practice saying ‘no’ NICELY… with a smile to take the sting away.