ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa Approved!!!!!
QUOTE (Oksana81 @ Dec 8 2009, 09:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congratulations, Chris!
It's interesting that CO always asks about a ring. What if you don't have a ring?


I haven't given Katya a ring yet, she didn't mention them asking about it either. My mom had misplaced her grandmother's ring when I went to Vladivostok in May; so I had nothing to give her. She found in over the summer and I plan to present it to her when she lands. But, for the interview she did not have one and it didn't appear to be a big deal.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-08 11:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa Approved!!!!!
Awesome news! glad your interview process went so smooth. smile.gif star_smile.gif kicking.gif
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-08 11:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusStarting our VJ
I checked the USCIS website 2-3 time a day for the entire duration of that wait; despite knowing the general length of the process. Furthermore, I received the packet in the mail before the website was ever updated. So all that website did was add to my neurosis. smile.gif

The time after NOA2 has been a blur. Once NOA2 arrived it went from "she'll be approved sometime in the next few weeks or months, I can clean the house whenever" to "oh ####### she will be here in under 2 months, can I burn down the house and start over?".

Enjoy your time here, it really does go quicker than you think. It feels like last week that I went to Russia to visit Katya, but it's been 7 months. Freaking crazy how time flies.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-10 13:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusKatya was approved!
Yes, it has been well worth the wait; except poor Denis has been sick for over half of his time in America so far. He's doing better now, so it's all good. I'm glad I bought a region free DVD player long ago; because he came with a slew of russian TMNT DVDs.

Katya has spent 4 days cursing the state of my house; at least I assume she's cursing. Cleaning this, rearranging that, throwing out butter from 2008 (holy hell that was scary). She hand washed everything, hasn't used the dishwasher yet.

So much more to think about now, but I'm glad they are finally here.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-15 12:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusKatya was approved!
I didn't sleep a wink as I waited for her to get back from her interview. She was there for 4 hours, they interview was in Russian, her son Denis was not asked any questions, they asked standard questions that have been mentioned here "Where did you meet, when did he see you in person, when is the wedding, what of the engagement, how will you communicate?". No dodgeball questions

Now we wait for the VISA's to arrive. They said a week, but I'm hoping for the 3 days window since she's picking them up in Moscow. I wish I could buy the tickets now, but that's tempting fate and I don't have $1600 to throw around. I'd be more happy if I wasn't so tired.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-07 07:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusits almost time!
QUOTE (slim @ Dec 11 2009, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You really should start. With Russians, there are some good times to be had if you're drinking. It also helps to dull the pain....


Katya doesn't drink much; but I'm 230 pounds of fat Irish-ness; so I do enough for the both of us. That first night in Vladivostok I drank an entire bottle of Stolie trying and calm my nerves; and promptly awoke half naked in a pool of my own vomit on her brother's bed. Yet, she still decided to fly over to America to be with me!

QUOTE (CountingDays)
Ok the continuous freakout has began. Just hung up with them on Skype, next time I talk to them will be after interview.

Please say a prayer for my parents.


Here's hoping everything went well for you and your parents!
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-15 13:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusits almost time!
QUOTE (CountingDays @ Dec 9 2009, 08:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My parents interview (Moscow) is just around the corner and i am starting to freak out. I just have little moments of freaking out here and there but afraid its going to turn into one major continuous freakout once the time gets right there. And of course I wont be able to sleep the night before.
deeeeeeeeep breathhhh


Welcome to the club. I went from pre-interview jitters to pre-arrival jitters. Jitters for everyone!
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-09 23:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusThey are Here
That's awesome news! I hope to be mimicking your adventures in a couple days. I just hope it's not numb-#### cold when she arrives. It's -11 and I have spent the past year and a half proclaiming how much nicer a Denver winter was going to be when compared to Vladivostok. C'mon sunshine!
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-09 11:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow the heck do I find 'real' Russian Groceries/SHops in Denver
I am not really looking for specifics on "Go to Leetsdale and Oneida and look for a shop here"; but more of a general How-to find local Russian shops in any city. Dexknows.com (From Qwest) has proved to be less than helpful. International Market does not necessarily mean "Russian Market". Russiandenver.com has a list of 7 possible shops, and I hope they pan out - but if they don't I'm not sure where else to turn other than Google and hope I can punch in useful terms.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-17 13:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow long does it take to travel from a South Moscow suburb to SVO?
QUOTE (mox @ Dec 9 2009, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My experience has been that taking the metro is going to be her best bet. Traffic in Moscow is unpredictable, and the major roads can be completely jammed up even at 2am.

But look: this is your fiancee's country. Even though she's not from Moscow, she is uniquely qualified to travel within her country. Don't try to run her travel arrangements from 5,000 miles away. Of the two of you, she is the most qualified to figure this problem out. Put it squarely in her lap and let her do it. After all, if you were planning a trip through an airport in the US that you've never been to, you wouldn't ask her to plan it for you from Vladivostok, right? smile.gif


The ball is squarely in her lap, and always has been. I'm apprehensive enough of about traveling to NY, I'm not about to offer her advise on Moscow traffic patterns. It was disheartening to see her hopes fade when she realized she'd have to spend another day 'of horror' in Moscow. But she said we'll simply suffer through it and meet up a day later. Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-09 19:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow long does it take to travel from a South Moscow suburb to SVO?
Well she decided to bite the bullet and delay her departure until the 11th. Poor Denis gets to celebrate his birthday by flying for 16 hours! It'sa safer this way, because who knows what might happen at DHL tomorrow morning. She may have to wait until the afternoon to get her VISAs in hand. I'm 'taking a chance' by buying the tickets before she actually holds them; but it's a calculated risk.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-09 16:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow long does it take to travel from a South Moscow suburb to SVO?
Apparently Katya and Denis' VISAs will be at the DHL office tomorrow morning; but she has been told that she can't make it to SVO in under 4-5 hours from the south of Moscow; due to traffic within the city. She is staying with a friend in a city called ?????? (Vidnoye). The DHL office opens at 8am. Google maps shows it takes over an hour to drive from her city to SVO without traffic. There is a Noon and a 2pm flight out of SVO, but she doesn't think she can make it in time. If that's the case, the other option is to fly out of DME, but nothing is syncing up. It's either too early a flight (leaves before she can even pick up the VISAs at DHL), too expensive ($2700 a ticket) , or too long (26 hour flight - layovers in multiple cities for multiple hours).

If she really can't get to SVO for a 2pm flight, our only other option would be to have her leave on Friday the 11th instead of tomorrow the 10th; but neither of us wish to wait a day. However, the more I look the more annoyed I become, because the best option appears to be "wait a day".
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-09 10:58:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDHL Shows Shipment!!
Wonderful news! Glad you get to see her before new years! smile.gif
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-17 12:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSuperstitions
The day I left VVO, Katya bought me an Orange Fanta from a vending machine; and it was chilled. She prohibited me from drinking it until it was warmed up. I was battling a bad could and cough at the time; so it made a bit of sense. But it still makes me giggle in hindsight.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-06-15 12:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusallergic reactions !!!!!! or ???????
I caught an annoying week-long cold from my flight to NY and back. I still have a slight cough, but the past two nights Katya has given me a homemade remedy of honey massaged into my back and chest, but not over the heart; and a small glass of brandy. The brandy was nice, the sticky honey followed by a warm sweater to sleep in was a tad uncomfortable. But either due to the miracle of home remedies; or the possibility the cold ran it's course; I feel better.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-23 16:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusallergic reactions !!!!!! or ???????
QUOTE (AKguy @ Dec 19 2009, 01:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You could always pull a Mathies and do it in someone elses bed. whistling.gif
Sorry John, couldn't resist!


Hey! I resemble that remark!
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-21 21:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIt Started
QUOTE (ZorValachan @ Jul 14 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
NOA1 hard copy came in the mail. So now I feel more official tongue.gif



As did mine. It's dated July 8th, received it on Monday. Now we wait. and wait and wait. and clean the basement, then wait some more.

It's just a piece of paper, but damn if I wasn't giddy when it finally arrived!
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-07-15 18:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIt Started
Congrats!

My check cleared on Friday, so I am about in the same spot you are. I have a lot of money to save, Russian to learn, and a lot do fix/clean with my house; so these next few months should breeze by quickly... I hope. First it was waiting for her to send the paperwork, then it was waiting for UPS to deliver the package, then for the check to clear. Now I wait for NOA1 and 2 and blah blah. on and on. But it will be worth it in the end. smile.gif
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-07-11 16:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusShe'll be landing at 11:30 est
awesome news indeed! :dance:
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-01-15 20:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow many times did you meet with your fiancé before submitting I-129F?
I only met Katya once, for like 10 days, and the entire I-129F process from filing to her landing was a tad over 5 months.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-01-22 23:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusJust got back - The report part 2

Vika feels the same way about peanut butter. She says it is her salty fish, but jellied meat is a close second to the fishy, briny treats in my book. Bread doesn't help with salty fish either.


I've never had this jellied meat, so I think I'm lucking out. I experienced the stinky fish in all it's putrid glory. Please, no one tell Katya about this jellied meat business; it sounds thoroughly unappealing.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-01-29 00:32:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusJust got back - The report part 2

I was in a barber shop quartet once in Skokie, Illinois.


Loved that movie. Probably second behind Dark City as my all time favorites.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-01-28 11:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNews on the petition...
Congrats, the next part should fly by for you, and she'll be interviewing before you know it!
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-02-11 23:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusfriends with Russian wives..
QUOTE (novotul @ Dec 30 2009, 12:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Where exactly is this deli and what is its name?


Elite Deli Fruits & Veggies. I'm the dumb American who comes into the store with hand-written notes from Katya and pointing to her pretty Russian script, then pointing to the product in my other hand and asking if they are the same product.

They are friendly enough folk to the Russian speaking patrons, though I feel a bit intimidated since I can't speak much conversational Russian. I know how Katya must feel all the time now that she's over here.


Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-31 15:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusfriends with Russian wives..
Katya has found 3 or 4 people already in Aurora, Colorado. She actually found one by going into Skype and typing in city/state and nationality. While there were a few dozen names listed, she only contacted one person that way: a lady who had the exact same birthdate; so the Skype thing was sort of a lark.

Her other method has been using a russian-language equivalent of this website. I will have to ask her for the URL when I get home; but it's essentially a visajourney.com for russian speakers. She asked if there was anyone in Aurora; and she had a couple responses.

Her other link to Russian folk has been a nice, if expensive, Deli run by some lovely Russian folk. It's constantly filled with other native Russians and she has struck up a few conversations with folk there. They appeared to be idle conversations; but it is another way for her to potentially meet real folk in our city.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2009-12-29 14:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTime frame for Moscow to send out packets?
I was annoyingly pro-active and started emailing the Moscow consulate, asking questions about the packet as well as hounding for an interview date from them. This was during a period of time where the MOS interview list hadn't been updated for weeks. When we were first approved in November, they listed date/times for september/november interviews on their website. People here had warned that the Embassy might not be timely in their response; unless you hounded them.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-03-18 13:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAoS Interview in May for Katya and I
The I 797-C letter was addressed to Denis (our son) and not to Katya; which was odd. I'm not sure if a separate I 797-C will arrive or not.

My boss wouldn't pay for insurance for Katya and Denis, so I have to pay out of pocket through Blue Cross or some #######. We also share a checking account now. Beyond that, I haven't done much reading about how to prepare this interview. With a date set, I now feel the urge to get prepared.

I slacked off on this process because Katya was doing all of the work. She filled out all of the AoS forms with minimal help from me. It was different trusting someone else with the paperwork. I took so much care in preparing the I-129F, spent hours triple checking before submittal. With the AoS paperwork, I printed out the forms, signed 2 checks, and shipped the package.

I haven't really checked this forum much the last couple months because there was more work to do around the house and less work to do related to AoS. But now we have a date, the May 28th at 8:15am. I'll probably wake up at 6am nervous as hell. I'll spend the next month reading, worrying and fretting about the upcoming interview. Good times. :P
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-04-23 14:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInterview Approval

Congratulations guys! That was smooth and fast!!!

Ditto. Glad everything went well!
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-04-20 12:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusChalk up another for an interview success!
Excellent news indeed! Glad to see another quick interview. :)
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-04-23 14:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMoscow Interview Schedule Online?
I never had the joy of finding our MOS # on the consulate website. From the time we were approved, through her December interview, until after she landed in NYC on Dec 11, the web page still showed September/October interviews. Instead of the web page, I emailed the consulate and they gave us the interview date.. 3 days after I emailed them. Every email I had with the Moscow consulate was answered in exactly 3 days. At least they were punctual. :P
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-02 10:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusIn case you're curious
I must have completely missed every post that guy ever made, as it's all French to me. Does this message board have a 'show posts by user' function?
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-03 12:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator

Do you have a translator lined up?


Not yet. I'm pursuing it this week after other avenues fell through. No less than 4 or 5 of her friends are professional translators, over here on a K-1 Visa; but they won't be able to help for a variety of reasons. I'll be going with an unaffiliated person.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-22 14:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator
3 weeks and a day after the interview, we received the new interview date: 5 weeks out on July 27th. The interviewer said it would take 3 weeks to get our NOA letter, and he was pretty much spot on. I am glad it is only a month wait and not 2 or 3.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-22 11:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator

I didn't think you had to interview for a job like that. Suit and tie? Red nose and big shoes?


I'm fairly certain that, at a minimum, your seltzer skills are tested in all carnie-related interviews. knocing an apple off a donkey's head at 50 paces, making a Gin and Tonic at 50 paces, etc.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-02 19:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator

They have no concept of "customer service"


This is the single most important thing that I need to remember. I can read all of the examples of "fun", "easy", or "quick" interviews, but I must remind myself that I am dealing with the US Government; this is not an interview for a job working the cotton candy machine at a carnival.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-02 13:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator
I was told by our interviewer that I had to provide the interpreter, and it could not be a family member, by blood or marriage. He repeated this 2 or 3 times in the final minute of the 'interview'; I assume to get it into my head that we could not use her mom as a translator. I understand that aspect well enough.

He made no mention of USCIS being able to provide one; though I think omitting that information was simply par for the interview. He clearly didn't want to do me any "favors" (for lack of a better term). For my specific case, I'm almost definitely going to put forth the effort to find my own interpreter and not "rely" on the USCIS to provide one. It wouldn't surprise me if our interviewer took it as a bad sign that I could not find my own interpreter.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-02 10:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator
Pledge and Oath were interchangeable to me at the time I posted, I was still shell shocked over what transpired. Sorry for the confusion. I, too, haven't had to recite the pledge of Allegiance since Elementary school.

I'm still upset over how the interview transpired, but we now have more time to prepare. We can find a good translator who should help Katya feel more comfortable. and then we should nail the second interview. I expect Katya will be able to answer every question without need of the translator, and with that in mind I want to have the same interviewer simply to show him that his initial appraisal of her was dead wrong.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-01 12:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator

I have a motto too - If the interviewer is being a jack@$$, contact their supervisor.

Were you thinking she'd go in there and be OK without a translator? Also, did she do her interview in Moscow in English or in Russian?


Her interview in Moscow at the US Consulate was completely in Russian.

I figured she'd be fine after a couple questions and she calmed down. The more nervous Katya gets, the less understanding of English she posesses. :P I absentmindedly answered the first casual question for her, I said Yes, and was immediately reprimanded for speaking out of turn. I was told I cannot answer for her in a very strict, condescending tone. I figured, fine, this would be a strict interview but Katya can get through it. The question he asked was if she had her EAD cards, which she did. She misheard EAD as EID, or ID, and was confused. We never called the documents EAD, so the correlation was not there in her mind. She had not calmed down and was still visibly shaking. It was at this time he said the interview probably would not continue, due to the language gap.

He asked us to stand and recite the pledge. She paused after he finished, as did I. I was waiting for her to answer first because I knew the test he was running. But I answered first and he stopped the interview right there. She understood the pledge she was reciting, I knew this (and she confirmed my suspicion post interview) - but he had obviously heard enough. He first told me that he was the most senior officer at the Colorado branch, having been there 17 years, then he then gave an example as to why he had stopped the interview. He said that perfect communication was needed between himself and Katya because "If I asked her the question: 'Have you ever been a member of the Communist party or a member of a terrorist group', and she answered yes, I would have to push this button under here and you would be taken away be the people on the floor above me (pointing upwards) and asked questions the entire weekend. You don't want that, bring a translator."


The interview ended then, he apologized to me by name, but not to Katya; and then we left.

I'm more upset at myself for not even thinking of this as a possibility. But it happened, and now I'm left wondering what else will be brought up at the next interview. I'm assuming it will be with the most senior officer again, so I may bolster my documentation further. Get more pictures taken, get joint checks printed (we never write checks, so I never ordered any in her name), put her on my mortgage, water/cable/phone bill, blah blah blah blah.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-05-28 19:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAOS interview rescheduled due to lack of translator
All I can say is boo. Katya could have understood the USCIS Officer if he was willing to talk slower or repeat questions in a different manner. From the start of the interview he made it clear that she was expected to answer his questions; either herself or through a translator. Since I failed to bring a translator, he stopped the interview after 1 question. He was clearly not willing to "work with us" at all; and I suppose I understand. It is a lesson learned and we will bring a translator next time. Of all the outcomes, I did not expect this one. She understand 90-95% of everything we speak about, we rarely have to consult the laptop to translate something. But in an environment such as this, I can see his point of needing perfect communication between all parties involved.

So a 3 week ensues for another form to arrive, with an undetermined wait time after that. And then 4-6 weeks after that for the green card to arrive.
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-05-28 10:41:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCongrats on Your Marriage

Yep. After the relative "ease" of the petition process and the journey over here... the real fun begins after getting married. Usually not for a few months, so enjoy the first couple of months, but after that - fun, fun, fun!


Conga-rats on the marriage!

I'm a scant 6 months into my marriage, but so far is still actually is fun. :P Furthermore, being only 7 months into the immigration process, the easy part was getting Katya and Denis over here. I definitely did not think that at the time, but we luckily had no RFEs or hiccups at all; until they got here...
Jonathan MatthiesMaleRussia2010-06-25 09:48:00