H1B, H4 Visa

Was surprised to see large crowd outside of consulate(Many parents(B1/B2),H4,F1,H1B aspirants) as it was non F1 seasonal day, Could see most of the faces with nervousness, I was with all smiles, joking and poking fun with my brother(as he was accompanying me) and thinking of that stage when i was in their shoes for first time. Cops were trying to control the crowd to follow discipline in forming Queue's in order to get into consulate as per their time slots.

For some reason(May be because of Monday with too many appointments i think) consulate was functioning an hour late to actual time-slots. Stood in Queue as per the time slot call up formation(Staff was validating DS-160 with passport details and time-slots) and went into Consulate after going through security screening. I was laughing when security guy was frisking as it reminded me a scene from movie(Instead of screening he was almost massaging me). I was guided to sit in a waiting room based on type of Visa followed by going into separate building where interviews were being conducted(I was comparing every instance, place, counters, chairs positioning with my past F1 Interview day(6 and half years ago) at the back of my mind).

Once i entered the building, Unusual number of people being zig-zagged in queues in front of Interview counters(Not what i've experienced to... with my past experience). I just kept my smile, looking at every possible aspirants through reflections in mirrors not matching eye contact as i was feeling for them on many aspects because few of them were preparing answers from a write up sheets. Before Aspirants being interviewed, consulate staff and Officer at a counter were validating passport followed by guiding into lengthy queues.

My Turn assigned to counter by staff verbally as per vacancy in counters.

  
Me: Inner Voice: Okay dude, you got to face a Women Officer again - Let's see how it goes...(She was into early 30's based on her appearance with enigmatic face)

VO: Refused my earlier aspirant in queue who applied for H4 to F1 conversion...Handed over 214b white form(Contrast to what i used to see with a standard greeting card kinda manufacturing when i got rejected 4 times during my F1 Days).

Me: I was observing/listening eavesdropping to every Visa counter visible to me followed by officers line of questioning to which aspirants were answering...There were many women VO's working on that day(Which reminded my first F1 rejection)...I was looking at her face waiting her to make my eye contact.

VO: She was waving her hand at me to come up
Me: Nodding head and waiting for my earlier aspirant to clear the way for me
Me: Walked up ...Good Morning Mam!(Confidently) ...Before i say "how's it going" Her next dialogue
Vo: May i've your passport
Me: Sure...Handed her over the counter
VO: She scanned and pulled my profile through DS-160 - Do you need this "Know you rights Booklet" or you've one?
Me: Yes i would like to have that booklet...She handed it over to me...i said Thanks!
VO: You work for X employer?
Me: Yes Mam!
VO: You Going to MN? (Very little hint in her facial expression as if she's wondering whether i could get accustomed to that weather conditions)
Me: Yes, Actually I am coming from MN (Inner Voice: Why do you wanna en-counter her ego bro)
VO: Was browsing my DS-160 and typing something ...
Me: Inner Voice: Did i Start screwing up my chances...don't worry you just made her aware
VO: Pause for a 15 seconds
Me: Focusing on her face but i was able to hear adjacent counter Q&A in parallel as it was not too far
VO: She made eye contact and asked "So what does your employer do" ?
Me: Stammer ...stammer ...Stammer...Finally let my answer rendered out (Inner Voice: Bro what did you do...Started to loose track)
VO: You work at Client Location?
Me: Yes
VO: Which Client you work for?
Me: Said Client Name
VO: How long you've been working at that Client location?
Me: Said the duration (She started typing while i was answering)
VO: Pause for 30 seconds (May be browsing my Profile Again)
Me: Inner Voice:(Confident guy started to feel the heat)
VO: What is the highest level of your education?
Me: Masters in Computer Science, Graduated from XYZ university in the year "YYYY". (Inner Voice: She just asked level of education ...Wanna make up as much positive as i can)
VO: How much is your salary?
Me: XYZ USD per annum Mam!
VO: Can you show me paystubs/W2's or what ever you've.
Me: I was going through file while she patiently waited for 15 seconds looking at me and file. I Gave her W2's and Tax returns since i started my career.
VO: I don't need Tax returns
Me: Okay...She keenly went through last 3 years and Gross amount i was making...I made her aware about my initial W2's from university days as well since it was not a conventional printout
VO: So, you worked in university as well?
Me: Yes, i worked as Graduate Teaching assistant during my grad school Mam!
VO: Okay...She retuned back my W2's and typing bullet points onto my profile (I could see her face with wondering...Aha kinda expression)
Me: I am sorry ...did i miss my pay-stubs showing you ? (I willfully interrupted her as i gained confidence conveying about my University work)
VO: No i don't need that as i saw your W2's
Me: Okay
Vo: Whom do you report to?
Me: Stammer ...Stammer...Supervisor name not coming out of my mouth as i was amazed with that question
VO: Whom do you report at your employer i mean?
Me: Said Supervisor Name. Inner Voice: What's wrong with you dude ...The most confident Teaching Assistant who used to teach classes to under-grads is stammering for few simple questions...You have it in you bro ...let's pull it up.
VO: How often do you meet in person?
Me: Ducked question by saying "we usually submit monthly status reports and discuss over Skype during sprint planning meetings"
VO: She went on to type while i was answering.
VO: You got your first H1b approval in last October?
Me: My initial approval was in Year "YYYY"
VO: Ohh ...pause for 20 seconds (Inner Voice: Why she's grilling so much dude ...one Male VO in next counter was approving aspirants for every 45 seconds)
VO: She was taking out blue slip(Which includes steps to collect passport - Inner Voice: Sailed through Storm bro) followed by "Your Visa is Approved...You've a great day!"
Me: Thanks and You've a great one too Mam!
Me: While paving the way for next aspirant ...Do you need my old passport?
VO: Nodding head and saying ..No.. not needed.
Me: Okay...Walked away confidently but not forgiving myself with the way i answered few questions although it was a Happy ending.

No Matter how confident an individual can be there will be certain tensed moments which can make or brake a person.

Status look up of Passport:

First Business day, status was changed to "Adminstrative processing".
Second Business day, Status was changed to "Issued".
Fourth Business day, Email notification to collect passport as it is ready for pick up from the destination i choose to get it delivered