After came back from INS district office, my EAD is approved!
On 12/5/2002, I want to Houston District Office again, on 6:30AM, earlier than the first time (12/3/2002, didn't get the number), got talked to an officer on 3PM. -- That's the longest day for me since I've been in US.
By the way, I saw somebody didn't get an appointment number even he is in the line before me. I think my employer's letter helped me to get a number. -- Thank friends in this board give me this idea.
The officer then let me come next week to pick up the card.
When I came home from INS, checked the online message, it says: "You case is approved on 12/4/2002" !!!
I saw mass approval on 12/5/2002. TSC just comes up new processing date. for EAD it's 8/26/2002, which is also my EAD RD. I485 is 11/1/2000 for now -- one month forward.
-- Looks like the officer can't check my case's status, or the message was just updated after the officer checked my case!
Any way, I'll go get the award interim card if the normal card doesn't come.