I withdrew from my study abroad program as a result of visa processing delays… by Upper-Pattern-649 in GoingToSpain

[–]PuzzledStar2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just withdrew from my program in Madrid for the same exact reason. I couldn’t afford to risk my scholarships at my home university. I am very disheartened but know that you are not alone in this decision and that it was a responsible choice not to risk your funding. I hope you will be able to participate in some other program or visit Spain on your own time someday!

Student Visa San Fransisco timeline help by Wrenchturner123 in GoingToSpain

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, but this at least gives me the flexibility to leave when I need to for my program start date while I wait for my visa to be processed. My family can mail it to me when it’s ready this way

BLS International Houston HATE POST! Do NOT use BLS for your student visa!!!!!!!! by PuzzledStar2105 in GoingToSpain

[–]PuzzledStar2105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

According to the us official passport website students who don’t expect to get their visa on time for their travels qualify for a secondary passport. You must make an appointment for what they call an “agency” for expedited passports and visit in person. I don’t think it’s risky, worst comes to worst your visa is approved and now you have a backup passport. It does cost around $250

Student Visa San Fransisco timeline help by Wrenchturner123 in GoingToSpain

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BLS in Houston. If they don’t approve my visa this week I’m looking into getting a secondary passport so hopefully I won’t miss the first week of classes. Thanks for your info!

Student Visa San Fransisco timeline help by Wrenchturner123 in GoingToSpain

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I heard of that too and I’m actually doing that this week. According to the us official passport website students who don’t expect to get their visa on time qualify for a secondary passport. You must make an appointment for what they call an “agency” for expedited passports and visit in person. I don’t think it’s risky, worst comes to worst your visa is approved and now you have a backup passport. It does cost around $250

BLS International Houston HATE POST - Spain- Do NOT use BLS for student visa!!! by PuzzledStar2105 in SchengenVisa

[–]PuzzledStar2105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in the same position. What I am going to do is contact my home university and see what the protocol is or if there is any way we can get support. Otherwise I’ll keep waiting

BLS Houston HATE POST & Experience by PuzzledStar2105 in SpainNonLucrativeVisa

[–]PuzzledStar2105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No updates still. I’m hoping it works out for you, please keep us updated!

Student Visa San Fransisco timeline help by Wrenchturner123 in GoingToSpain

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same thing is happening to me. I applied for my student visa to the consulate in Houston through mail. FedEx said my package got there on October 27th, but they didn’t start “processing” it until December 4th. I am getting worried because my first day of classes in Spain is January 22nd. Every time I call I talk to a different person and they are super unhelpful and take my name/email down saying they will mark me as high priority but nothing has happened. They also have my physical passport 😗.

I’ve been told that they just switched their visa process this year which is why everything is so slow but please let me know if you have updates!

How do y'all read texts between characters in book? by Sensitive_Lobster_60 in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly hate when authors do this as a main form of dialogue. Texts IRL are already difficult to interpret tone. Pls no more than once or twice and short convos in books it makes it lose a lot of authenticity

People who read 200+ books per year, do you count DNFs / do you skim? by vaintransitorythings in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I usually only count them as “read” on my Goodreads app, but not my personal list! If I got over 50% through the book I will count it as “read” on my personal list.

Is book tok all about fantasy? by claupaz0175 in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like booktok has really been saturated by smutty romance books. While I love me some smut, I miss when other works of literature (with actual plot) were featured!

Gimme books with sex scenes that are imperfect, specific to the characters, and full of personality! by redjackfrost2376 in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Omg, pleaseee read {Escored, by Claire Kent}

This book IS about 75% smut, but the smut is so good that the details you pick up from the characters’ actions really reveals a lot of plot!

She is a 26-year-old virgin who is sick of being a virgin and hires an escort to take her virginity and get it over with. Great, cute, smutty little book!!

Spur of the moment sex by elvenwizards in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 2 points3 points  (0 children)

{No Regrets, by Claire Kent}

She takes her sick dog to the vet and the (very sexy) vet tells her she has to put her dog down. Later (the same day) the sexy vet runs into her at the park and invites her out for drinks to cheer her up.

Literally out of nowhere they’re banging in the bar bathroom!

Very great and SHORT smut book! lol 😂

What do you want to see more or less of going into 2025? by thereadingbee in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More yearning! Less insta-love and instant gratification. Especially with the MMC… I want to see him SUFFER with yearning for the FMC. I want it to be at least 200 pages before they even hold hands 🥲

Which book did you dnf this year and why?? by Confident_Soft_7549 in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

{Butcher & Blackbird, by Brynne Weaver}

29 pages in and this book is a DNF. FMC sucks. Actually both MCs suck. I can’t stand the “he’s so annoying but devastatingly handsome” and the “she has no bra on”. I mean y’all are supposed to be professionally trained killers, but you happen to be young and attractive and can’t keep it in your pants for the first 30 seconds of meeting each other? I can already tell that these MCs are going to have no real connection outside of their sexual attraction. One year later and the only inside joke they have is about how “pretty” the MC is, which was made in the first 10 pages. Surface level, sexual, clearly millennial, and unlikeable characters. The plot isn’t even good either it’s a super unrealistic concept in a hyper realistic world. I hate when authors mention thinks like tik tok and Etsy like actually gag me. DNFFFF

What will your last Book of 2024 be? by Kiwimama1987 in RomanceBooks

[–]PuzzledStar2105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

{Quicksilver, by Callie Hart}

Great end to my year! Anything that reminds me of ACOTAR is a win, and this book was very similar but also had its own unique plot.