ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaJust got fired from job!
Well I hope you get to enjoy your trip to India. Have you considered maybe looking for a job with a western company there so you could stay even longer without worrying?
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-01-31 02:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 January 2011 Filers

Blessed Morning January Filers!

We have another success story...yesterday morning my wife passed her naturalization interview and is now a USA Citizen! :dance:

For reasons I don't understand and didn't question, though we live in Maryland and did our biometrics in Baltimore, we had our interview in Pittsburg! :wacko:. AAm's interview was scheduled for 9:30am, so we drove over to Pittsburg on Tuesday. We stayed at a Marriott and got a free upgrade to the 'honeymoon suite' which was pretty groovy. It had a nice hottub in the room which AAm enjoyed and it helped her relax...cuz she was VERY nervous!

We went to her interview the next morning at 9:30am...by 9:45 she was done, and passed! They didn't allow me to go in with her, but here is the scoop....

First, she had to answer the basic questions: Are you a terrorist? / Have you been arrested? / Are you a communist...etc....

Next, for the English comprehension part of the test, she was handed two pieces of paper and asked to read and then write the two sentences from the papers:
1) The people of the United States are free.
2) George Washington was the first president of the United States

Then she had to answer 10 questions (out of 100) from the civics test:
1) The idea of self government is in the first three words of the constitution. What are these words? (We the people..)
2) What is an amendment? (A change to the constitution)
3) What stops one branch of the government from becoming too powerful? (checks and balances)
4) We elect a US Senator for how many years? (6)
5) The House of Representatives has how many voting members? (435)
6) In what month do we vote for president? (November)
7) Who is the Chief Justice of the Unites States now? (John Roberts)
8) How many justices are on the Supreme Court? (9)
9) Who is the Father of our country? (George Washington)
10)Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. (War of 1812)

AAm had been studying the 100 questions continuously from the time she took her biometrics...so she nailed all 10 questions!

She was then given a piece of paper stating that she had passed! They had a swearing in ceremony later that same afternoon! So, she is done!

I think it was July of 2006 when I sent in the first document for AAm's K1. So, 56 months of immigration is complete! After all that, I can say that this last step was BY FAR the easiest and fastest step in the entire process :yes:

So...we had a great day! Thank you to everyone in this thread and blessings to those who have interviews coming!

Blessings - BishopM

Congrats! A little curious about the civics questions though... If she aced them all, then why was she asked 10 questions instead of 6?
DeeBeeMale02011-04-07 11:09:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 January 2011 Filers
Good luck everyone! Is it my turn yet? :P
DeeBeeMale02011-04-06 13:36:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 January 2011 Filers
Thanks guys! :D
DeeBeeMale02011-04-04 21:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 January 2011 Filers
Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
3. Click "Reply" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list.
4. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list.
5. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size [2]
6. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!
**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**
==============================
N-400: January 2011 Applicants
==============================

======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
UserName.........|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office...|
=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|
CarolineM........|12/31/10.|01/10/11.|01/13/11.|02/09/11.|--/--/--.|03/24/11.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville,FL|
Luis&Susy........|12/31/10.|01/07/11.|01/12/11.|02/02/11.|--/--/--.|04/20/11.|--/--/--.|Albuquerque,NM.|
Matt&Helen.......|01/04/11.|01/06/11.|01/07/11.|02/03/11.|03/03/11.|04/11/11.|--/--/--.|Boston,MA......|
Inrusa...........|01/05/11.|01/07/11.|01/10/11.|02/11/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York,NY....|
Cherry23.........|01/07/11.|01/14/11.|01/20/11.|02/07/11.|03/0?/11.|04/11/11.|--/--/--.|Norfolk,VA.....|
Basab............|01/11/11.|01/17/11.|01/17/11.|02/03/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|
Ashburn..........|01/14/11.|01/25/11.|01/25/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Washington DC..|
Gen&Paul.........|01/15/11.|01/19/11.|01/20/11.|02/14/11.|02/28/11.|03/30/11.|--/--/--.|Memphis,TN.....|
Nigel............|01/15/11.|01/19/11.|01/21/11.|02/02/11.|03/04/11.|04/05/11.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville,FL|Walk-in FP
JJ1028...........|01/15/11.|01/24/11.|01/21/11.|02/08/11.|02/23/11.|04/12/11.|--/--/--.|San Antonio,TX.|
Nanya21..........|01/17/11.|01/25/11.|01/25/11.|02/22/11.|03/21/11.|05/03/11.|--/--/--.|Boston,MA......|
sabnimim.........|01/18/11.|01/22/11.|01/28/11.|02/23/11.|03/06/11.|04/06/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|
Mr2100...........|01/18/11.|01/25/11.|01/14/11.|02/24/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|Walk-in FP
Gsieffe..........|01/18/11.|01/26/11.|01/24/11.|02/15/11.|--/--/--.|03/29/11.|--/--/--.|Dallas,TX......|
Bollweevil.......|01/19/11.|01/25/11.|01/31/11.|02/15/11.|03/28/11.|05/02/11.|--/--/--.|Orlando,FL.....|
jval.............|01/20/11.|01/23/11.|01/24/11.|02/23/11.|03/03/11.|04/06/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|
Bishop M.........|01/21/11.|01/31/11.|01/05/11.|02/25/11.|03/08/11.|04/06/11.|--/--/--.|Washington DC..|Walk-in FP
LvivLovers.......|01/22/11.|01/26/11.|01/24/11.|02/16/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|
xunnprac.........|01/25/11.|01/28/11.|02/01/11.|02/18/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....|
Ricardo4eva2.....|01/27/11.|02/07/11.|01/31/11.|02/14/11.|02/28/11.|03/31/11.|--/--/--.|Memphis,TN.....|Walk-in FP
imen.............|01/27/11.|01/28/11.|02/03/11.|02/22/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Norfolk,VA.....|
NY_IZMIR.........|01/29/11.|02/08/11.|02/14/11.|02/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York,NY....|
karlita..........|01/31/11.|02/10/11.|02/14/11.|03/11/11.|03/26/11.|04/28/11.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia,PA|


================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName.........|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office...|
=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|
Aminah...........|01/06/11.|01/13/11.|01/19/11.|02/10/11.|04/02/11.|05/09/11.|--/--/11.|GrandRapids,MI.|
Kizonzo..........|01/08/11.|01/12/11.|01/19/11.|02/02/11.|03/08/11.|04/12/11.|--/--/11.|Wichita,KS.....|
LKDougherty......|01/11/11.|01/18/11.|01/19/11.|02/28/11.|03/05/11.|04/13/11.|--/--/--.|Phoenix,AZ.....|
fawaz2011........|01/19/11.|01/25/11.|01/28/11.|02/16/11.|04/04/11.|--/--/11.|--/--/11.|Los Angeles,CA.|
BoyanZS..........|01/27/11.|02/02/11.|02/05/11.|02/22/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles,CA.|
RobAndTania......|12/29/10.|01/10/11.|01/12/11.|01/28/11.|02/09/11.|03/14/11.|--/--/11.|Indianapolis,IN|
Yauha............|01/18/11.|01/21/11.|01/25/11.|02/18/11.|02/22/11.|03/29/11.|--/--/11.|Indianapolis,IN|
DeeBee...........|01/24/11.|01/??/11.|02/02/11.|03/17/11.|03/30/11.|04/28/11.|--/--/11.|Seattle,WA.....|



===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName.........|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office...|
=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

john doe.........|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|city ,state....|
jane doe.........|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City,State.....|

Edited by DeeBee, 04 April 2011 - 07:21 PM.

DeeBeeMale02011-04-04 19:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPassport Filers
Got mine today! :D

(Use Courier New, size 2 when adding/editing the timeline)

Filer:.....Date applied:.....City,State:..........Expedited?:.....Date received:
Sand.......01/31/2011........San Diego,CA.........No..............02/25/2011....
F@rsc@p3...02/18/2011........Charleston, SC.......No..............03/10/2011....
ED*Riza....04/04/2011........Clarkesville,GA......No..............05/07/2011....
JeanneV....04/04/2011........Tucson,AZ............Yes.............04/12/2011....
Champi.....04/07/2011........Gastonia,NC..........No..............05/06/2011....
JaTam......04/09/2011........Miami Gdns, FL.......No..............05/06/2011....
DeeBee.....04/28/2011........Seattle,WA...........Yes.............05/11/2011....

Edited by DeeBee, 11 May 2011 - 12:36 PM.

DeeBeeMale02011-05-11 12:35:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPassport Filers
Glad to see this thread is gaining some traction! :thumbs:

My online status changed to "processing" this morning, checks were cashed a couple of days ago.
DeeBeeMale02011-05-06 11:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPassport Filers
Thanks for your input Sand!

(Use Courier New, size 2 when adding/editing the timeline)

Filer:.....Date applied:.....City,State:..........Expedited?:.....Date received:
Sand.......01/31/2011........San Diego,CA.........No..............02/25/2011....
DeeBee.....04/28/2011........Seattle,WA...........Yes.............--/--/----....

Edited by DeeBee, 05 May 2011 - 12:03 AM.

DeeBeeMale02011-05-05 00:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPassport Filers
Figured there should be a thread for this... Please add yourself accordingly. Feel free to add yourself even if you applied a while ago and already received your passport. Hopefully this will help illustrate how things are moving along at the processing center.

(Use Courier New, size 2 when adding/editing the timeline)

Filer:.....Date applied:.....City,State:..........Expedited?:.....Date received:
DeeBee.....04/28/2011........Seattle, WA..........Yes.............--/--/----....
DeeBeeMale02011-05-04 16:39:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIRS 1722?
From what I could piece together from old threads - 1722 is no longer in use. Even when it was, it was simply a form to determine whether or not taxes had been filed. It sounds as though transcripts are the way to go, so I'll call and request those. Please let me know if I'm mistaken.
DeeBeeMale02011-04-13 21:47:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIRS 1722?

Ok, first when you filed your application, did you send tax returns or tax transcripts?

Here's a sample of tax transcripts.

I guess we sent returns. That transcripts sample is itemized and I know we didn't have anything like that.
DeeBeeMale02011-04-13 19:47:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIRS 1722?
Thanks, I guess I'll just have to call them. I'm confused, what are tax transcripts (as opposed to tax returns)?

Ah yeah just saw your "filing" comment. Does anyone else have some input? Thanks.

Edited by DeeBee, 13 April 2011 - 07:42 PM.

DeeBeeMale02011-04-13 19:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIRS 1722?
Saw this on the checklist... Do I really need it? I already have copies of our last 3 years of joint taxes. Thanks.
DeeBeeMale02011-04-13 19:31:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (Jenn and Fuat @ Nov 25 2009, 03:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We found the receipt and tried every number listed on it.. but they all rejected on the web page saying they were not a valid tracking number. I called UPS and gave them every number we could find on the receipt and they told me the same thing. Fuat called UPS in Turkey, and he told me they used one of the numbers he gave them and confirmed it was delivered but UPS here says they couldn't have done that since none of the numbers are a tracking number.

Called the Embassy and they said they don't show it listed yet... but that it's a big embassy and could take a while to reach their office and get entered into their system. She also said it could be up to 20 days before we get a response.

I just wish we could confirm that the packet reached there... We've made it this far, I can wait 20 days for an interview date to be given to us if we have to, just wish we could confirm delivery.


Track your packet on UPS Turkey by entering your tracking number here.

When I got a receipt from UPS they had put a sticker on it with a barcode and under the barcode there was a 9 digit tracking number starting with 'T' and followed by 8 numbers. For ex. T11223345. Check the receipt again for a 9 digit number and enter it in the above link.
The embassy received my packet on Oct. 5th and then I got an email on Oct. 20th giving me my interview date which is coming up next month.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-25 08:30:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (Jenn and Fuat @ Nov 24 2009, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does anyone know how long it takes UPS to deliver a package from Istanbul to Ankara?

Fuat sent Packet # 3 on Wednesday, November 18th.. according to DOS is has not reached the consulate yet. It's been 3 business days since he sent it ( four if you count the day he sent it). Is this normal?

We don't have the tracking number, so can't check it... I called UPS, but they couldn't tell me if it would take one day, three.. five..

Does anyone have a general idea... should I be concerned that it's not there yet? I have a vivid imagination of it getting lost smile.gif



I sent my packet by UPS from Istanbul on Oct. 3rd and it arrived at the embassy on Oct. 5th. He should have been given a tracking number at the UPS office.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-25 00:35:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (enraptured @ Nov 21 2009, 12:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi all,

ive posted in here a few times but havent really gotten a lot of advice sad.gif but i do have one question that im hoping people will help me with: recommendations for travel agencies in turkey, preferably istanbul, that i can buy a cheap ticket to the US with for my husband. there are no direct flights to the US from damascus, so he would have to go through their IST or Amman anyways. I got screwed this summer flying with Turkish Airlines and want to look for another possibility. Thanks a mil!



Hi!

Have you tried travelocity or orbitz? They list all the major airlines and that is usually where I find the best deals. I use travelocity a lot. It is also worth it to check the home sites of the major airlines after you see what travelocity has to offer because on rare occasions the prices on the airlines own site are cheaper. So if the cheapest listing on orbitz or travelocity is delta airlines or one of it's affiliates then be sure to check the prices on their site to before you book. Travelocity also allows you to pick a travel route and sign up for email updates when the airfare prices to that destination go up or down. When is he flying to the states? The prices will be high now thru the new year because of holiday travel.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-20 22:49:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (ErikaAndHamit @ Nov 20 2009, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
internetkafe...I see you live in Phoenix...we have been driving every few weeks to try a new Turkish restaurant in Phoenix...we don't have any Turkish restaurants here in Tucson...just got back form Med Fresh Grill in Tempe and it was very good! Efes was 50/50 Arabic/Turkish...ok and not worth the money! You know of any other restaurants?



I've been to Tucson before. Isn't that where Saguaro National Park is near? I remember exploring a cave there. The adobe style houses I saw in Tucson were so cute. When I go home I think I will take some of those seasoning packets home with me that tell you which fresh ingredients to buy to make the different Turkish kababs. Wish I could take some Baklava with me too but I'd probly eat it all on the plane ride home. blush.gif
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-20 04:16:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Ok, I just emailed the American Hospital and in case it helps anyone, this is their response:

QUOTE
We will be pleased to welcome you at our Medical Check-Up Unit. First of all we would like to inform you that our hospital is located in Istanbul. Your embassy appointment will be held at the United States Embassy in Ankara. If you visit our hospital on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you can obtain your results the day after the examination at 16:30pm. However if you visit on Friday or Saturday, you will be obtaining the results on Monday at 16:30pm.



Our medical check-up consists of blood test, pulmonary x-ray, general doctor's evaluation and completion of missing vaccines.



Cost of this procedure varies from 350TL (240 $ in today's exchange rate) to 750TL (510 $) depending on the missing vaccines.



Once you decide the exact date of your preference, please let us know, so that we can check its availability for you.



While coming to hospital, you will need to bring your passport, 1 photo, embassy documents, case number and previous vaccination records if possible. (After evaluation, our check-up doctor decides which vaccines should be completed)



Please note that you do not need to be fasting prior to this examination.



If you have any questions, or if you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.



We are looking forward to hearing from you.



Best Regards,


I just emailed them again to ask if they were familiar with Iranian military vaccination requirements since they didn't answer that question.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-20 03:35:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (ErikaAndHamit @ Nov 20 2009, 01:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (internetkafe @ Nov 19 2009, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No need to worry, it costs around 200-300 at most all inclusive. I visited the doctor in Kavaklidere, close to Tunalihilmi/Kugulu Park.I do not remember the name of the doctor. You can tell the receptionist and the doctor (both) that your husband received all the vaccinations available in the Navy.They will still vaccinate (a few) and it will cost less than 300 in total. That was my experience anyway.



I thought for a K1 that vaccines are NOT necessary, only before AOS...well, when Hamit went, the doc talked him into it anyway....the total cost was 250-400 I don't remember, but certainly not more! If he had any vaccines before he will need proof so the doctor can write that in the documents....your word that he has had them before doesn't matter, unless in Turkey they can somehow check this? I don't know...anyhow, it wasn't more than an extra $100 for the vaccines and he had ALL required ones for AOS...so hope this helps!



Is that 200-400 in dollars or TL? I'm sure for us it will be on the higher end since we can't get his medical records and they won't take our word for it. We will take his military ID and hope they are familiar with Iranian military vaccine requirements. sad.gif
We'll be going to the American Hospital in Istanbul so I hope it won't cost more there than at Dr. Ungan's office in Ankara. My printout doesn't list the names of the doctors at the American hospital or an email addy so I'll have to go to their website and try to find an email addy to ask if they are familiar with which vaccines my husband has already had for his military service. Thanks for all who replied. good.gif
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-20 00:25:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Does anyone know how much each vaccination will cost and which one's they require? I have a printout for the medical that they sent me with the interview schedule and it says that blood tests are $60, x-ray is $45 and physician is $70. So that's $175 and then add to that the cost of the vaccines. It says each vaccine can cost anywhere from $5 to $200 depending on the vaccine. My husband was in the Navy so he had to have his last round of vaccines when he joined but he has since lost all his medical records so it looks like he will have to get a lot of shots that he has already had again. I'm worried about the cost if some of the vaccines are going to cost $200. ohmy.gif sad.gif
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-19 07:20:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
I never got a letter, just an email informing me of the interview date and what to bring.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-11-04 12:48:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (tanyakaraman @ Oct 30 2009, 07:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Click on my timeline and scroll down a bit....there's a pretty detailed account of our interview on there. Definitely practice beforehand. The questions might be different, but he'll get a good idea of what to expect. Try to put yourself in the interviewer's shoes and look at your relationship from that perspective...its a good way to anticipate what things they might ask about. good.gif

Best of luck!
Tanya


QUOTE
Some tips for other people going through the interview at Ankara:
1. Dress nicely (we did and we honestly felt that it helped in how we were treated/perceived)
2. Be prepared with your answers. I printed a list of sample questions from the US embassy website and we went over them prior to the interview. I feel this helped us in knowing what to expect.
3. Be affectionate...not overly of course, but hold hands, etc. You are engaged after all!
4. Be positive and confident. Unless there is a honest to God problem, I think most people get their visa, if for no other reason, just because the American citizen is asking for it.
5. Go together if at all possible. I watched several people whose interviews appeared to go well get turned down for lack of evidence of a relationship. Alternatively, I saw interviews go incredibly badly but the couple was there together and the visa was granted. If you can't go together, send lots and lots of evidence!

Good tips in your timeline. good.gif
By "dress nicely," do you mean a suit and tie? I will definitely wear a skirt and blouse but should Hubster wear a suit or would khaki pants, button up shirt and a sweater be ok?

Edited by Der Bücherwurm, 31 October 2009 - 12:38 AM.

Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-10-31 00:37:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (Jenn and Fuat @ Oct 28 2009, 06:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh.. just thought of another question. I am filling out all the forms for him, as I know many other people have done, but someone told me that I should NOT list myself on the DS forms as having assisted in completing them.. and just have him sign them. Well, I could understand this if we were filing for a visitor visa.. but why not this time? He is obviously intending to come here to stay with me, so why wouldn't I want to list myself on the forms as having assisted in preparing them? Yes, it was a red flag on our first visitor visa application, but I don't see the problem with it now.

It would be obvious he didn't do it anyway, as I don't have Turkish characters on my keyboard and the "i" in his family name would be wrong.. as well as a few letters in the addresses.

If that is going to cause an issue I will download a Turkish Key board and use the Turkish Charachters instead of the English ones.



I'm living in Istanbul with my husband and we have our interview scheduled for Dec. 15th. I filled out all the forms except where his signature was required. I put my name and status as his wife where it asks who filled out the DS forms. We are living together so it isn't like I didn't verify everything with him. I don't know if we will be penalized for that or not. I would think they would have contacted us about it before scheduling the interview if it were a problem. I will post here after the interview to say how it went and what they asked in case it might help somebody else out. Good luck.

Oh, I have a question too. For those that have already had the interview could you post some of the questions they asked so the rest of us can be prepared. I've heard the embassy staff can be rude and are cracking down on requirements so I'm a bit nervous.




Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-10-28 02:05:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
So our DCF interview at the Ankara embassy has been scheduled for Dec. 15th. I'm wondering how likely we are to get the visa the same day? The contract for our apartment is up on Dec. 19th and we have to give our landlord a months notice before we move out. How many have gotten their visa the same day or week as the interview?
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-10-21 01:16:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Hi, all. Just a quick question. I just dropped my packet off at UPS this Saturday. I'm wondering how long before the tracking number will be in their system so I can track the whereabouts of the packet to make sure it arrives?
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-10-05 00:57:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (enraptured @ Jul 18 2009, 04:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is why I want to confirm....this list says this. I can ask hubby to go to Turkey to get a certified copy, but we really don't want to go through the hassle. He is at a job that he can't just leave. My cousin however lives in Ankara and I am wondering for that reason if any old person can just waltz in one of these offices and ask them for a certified copy of my marriage?

On a side note: NVC sucks! Sucks sucks sucks....talked to them twice already.....I don't think these people know anything? Just read from placards or something?!?! I always get different answers from people....

So, that's why I'm here....

Thanks....



I wouldn't be surprised if they would give a copy to your cousin. Government offices can be a bit disorganized here. Maybe you could email her your ID and a letter giving permission to show them.
I must say the consulate and embassy here have some of the rudest staff and poorest service of any country I've lived in or traveled to. The consulates in Germany and Norway...heck even Dubai were better. unsure.gif hmmmn. I really hope they don't read VJ. tongue.gif
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-07-18 16:41:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (enraptured @ Jul 18 2009, 12:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I thought I'd need to send in my original marriage certificate to NVC? Wouldn't this then be sent to the embassy when my husband gets his interview scheduled? He has a translated/notarized copy of our marriage certificate right now, and I have the original aile cuzdani...



I'm doing DCF in Ankara and the directions I read said to include the original marriage certificate along with a photocopy and they will return the original at the interview and keep the copy. I might call again on Monday to make sure because I'd rather not send the original if I don't have to.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-07-17 16:59:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Hello all. To those of you that did DCF thru Ankara: Did you mail your I-130 packet in or take it in person. I don't want to book an appointment at the embassy just to take the long train ride from Istanbul to Ankara just to drop off the packet and turn right back around. But I'm also worried about mailing such sensitive information thru the postal service. I would freak out if it got lost in the mail. Did anyone else mail theirs in? Maybe I will send it via UPS. I'm sure the consulate in Istanbul wouldn't send it for me.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-07-07 00:16:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Do any of you know anyone that would be interested in writing some website summaries in Turkish, for payment of course?
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-05-29 08:35:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (enraptured @ Apr 1 2009, 07:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My husband is Syrian and I am American, however. I am guessing that just because we got married in Turkey, the interview would be there...am I correct in my ruminations? Also, would they be ok with me being there when he gets the interview (hopefully sometime soon?!)

Thanks smile.gif



Oh, you're here. It doesn't really matter that you married in Turkey. His interview will be wherever he has residency. If you both move to Turkey then yes, the interview will be in Ankara. If he stays in Syria then that is where he will interview. For DCF you are both supposed to have residency in the country from which you apply. Also, you are supposed to have held residency in that country for 6 months before you apply for DCF.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-04-08 00:58:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (miamiwife @ Mar 2 2009, 01:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Filiz,

Thank you for your prayers. I am starting to lose hope, you know? I don't know why this is taking soooo long. It has been 19 months that we have been waiting for the K-3. I wonder if this will ever end. I would like to see you in the summer too.

Sibel



19 months! Good grief, does it really take that long? Now I'm worried it will take 2 years for us since relations aren't so good between the US & Iran.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-03-07 04:44:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
I just want to ask a 'hypothetical' question. What would you do if you were living in Turkey and your husband was being sort of blackmailed by a fellow countryman that was angry that you didn't want to start a business with him as partner. Who would you talk to? Keep in mind that the 'blackmailer' has contacts back in their country that are hassling your husband's family?
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-22 00:52:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Turkey has protectionist policies that place high tariffs on all imported goods including alcohol. So that makes anything foreign cost more. Hence you pay 9 lira for a box of granola bars. I haven't liked the Turkish champagne I've tried which was around 30lira. I've found white and red Turkish wines that range in price from 5 lira for the cheapest ones on up to 30lira or more. Imported wines of course cost more. Liquor like Bacardi rum, Baileys, etc will cost you 40-50 turkish lira. A six pack of beer is about 15-20 Lira. And of course you pay more at the Restaurants than you would at the liquor store. It would definitely be expensive to be an alcoholic here.

Edited by Hoomsfuturewife, 19 February 2009 - 03:25 PM.

Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-19 15:24:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Note to self...and everyone else: Quit being so curious about strange foods, especially when they come in a toothpaste tube. hehehe

Ayran to me is tolerable but I'd rather just have water or wine with my meals. I just need to quit buying the cheap wine and try one of the more expensive Turkish wines to see if it tastes better.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-19 12:36:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (tanyakaraman @ Feb 18 2009, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Haha that's funny Wendy! I don't iron either. I was forced to iron the family's clothes when I was growing up and I guess I rebelled from it LOL. I only buy wrinkle-free clothes for myself and if something does happen to wrinkle, I will re-wash it or throw it back in the dryer. I didn't even own an iron when Ozzy arrived....we had to buy one special just for him, and he is the only one who uses it!


I don't own an iron either.
Be glad you never lived in Scandinavia. They even iron their bedsheets! wacko.gif I don't get the point. You cover them with a comforter so nobody sees them anyway and they get wrinkled 3 minutes after getting in to bed. Waste of time. There are so many other things you could be doing in the hour it takes to iron bedsheets and pillowcases.

PS-What's the most disgusting Turkish food item you ever ate? I bought this fish pate that comes in a tube, sort of like a toothpaste tube. It was made out of pureed sardines and other stuff. It was so disgusting...sort of like vomit in a tube. *blech*


Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-19 01:06:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
Lol. PMS and toilets that are more like holes in the ground. Boy, was it a shocker for me the first time I walked in on one of these holes behind a stall with no TP or spray hose, no way to flush and only a cup under a faucet. I was really confused/disgusted by the 'measuring' cup. I walked out and decided to hold it til we got home. ohmy.gif blink.gif dead.gif
In Dubai they have proper toilets with a spray hose attached to the wall for you to wash your bum with and TP for you to dry with.
In Iran they use the hole in the floor toilets like in Turkey. Only old people and the handicapped have the proper toilets installed in their homes.
Once we make it to the states and have a place of our own I will look into installing one of those spray hoses like they use in Dubai for Hoom.

Edited by Hoomsfuturewife, 16 February 2009 - 02:39 AM.

Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-16 02:35:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (Mina76 @ Feb 15 2009, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, I have to agree with cami on how Sex ed is a sorry topic there!

I also had my monthly friend come during one of my visits to Turkey to see my husband (when we were first engaged) and whispered to him that I just got my period. So we go out to pick up some products and as soon as we get to the checkout point he tries to hide the package and after the cashier ring it up and he then quickly bags it so no one sees it, geez!

Even in a casual conversation, when asking about a pregnant friend's sex of the baby will make him react and say "don't say sex in public!" Ohhh pleaseee!

Yet, it's ok for women to go topless at their beach resorts like the one in Bodrum, Turkey!!! sorry, but there is way too many hypocritical double standards if you ask me! dry.gif


I'm sure I'll get reamed for saying so but that's pretty typical in muslim culture though. I've lived in Germany, Norway, Dubai and now Turkey so I'm familiar with the way muslim immigrants are in Europe and how muslims in the GCC are and am now learning how Turks are in their own country. When I lived in Europe I would quite often hear muslim men talk about what whores western women are. Yet at night they would wander the streets whistling at girls and go into to bars looking for a white girl to screw. The muslim girls would look down their noses at western women because they had their brothers coming home telling them how slutty western girls are and how much better the girls from back home are. Then you go to Dubai and you find out there are underground clubs for picking up women, polygamy is the norm as is visiting as many 'temporary wives' as you can afford. Once when Hoom and I were having dinner here with some of his Iranian acquaintances the women started talking about cheating and how it's worse when a woman cheats than when a man cheats. Hoom was the only one that said it's equally bad when either cheats. Generally speaking, I'd say muslim men are far sluttier than any western men or women they just make themselves hypocrites by trying to hide/disguise it. I always thought christians from the deep south were hypocrites when I was a teenager. I was disappointed to discover they're not the worst offenders.
At least Turks try to keep their government secular though. They have Arabs and Iranians beat in that department.

Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-15 12:11:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (camistanbul @ Feb 15 2009, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have had to literally search for tampons in Istanbul (it's easier now than when
I first lived there)... because everyone associates tampons with loose women. Ugh. :-( Sex ed is certainly a sorry topic there....
*sigh*


huh.gif

Tampons = loose women

blink.gif

Why do they figure that? Weird. I was thinking Turks were a little more advanced than Arabs. I've noticed it is much easier to find pads than tampons though.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-15 09:47:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (camistanbul @ Feb 15 2009, 08:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hoomfuturewife --

You should be able to find most things you'd want in America in Istanbul at a large Migros (MMM Migros) or large
Carrefour markets. I know even the supermarket in Cevahir (in Sisli) has bacon and lots of other foreign goodies
like tacos and whatnot. If you're looking for something in particular, I think the only thing I had a difficult time
finding in Istanbul was fresh cilantro. My husband was interested in making sushi, so we even found a Japanese
mini-market in Etiler, so really... you can find pretty much everything you'd need if you know where to look! You
can also find a lot of foreign foods in the Macrocenters in Akmerkez and Kanyon shopping centers. smile.gif

Good luck!


That's the problem. I don't know where to go. I've only been here since the end of December. I'm going to have to go to one of those expat meetings organized by a FB group I've found and hit them up on where to go. I live in the Bakirkoy section of Istanbul. I've been to several different Migros stores and to the Carrefour that is next to Bauhaus but the only American products I've seen are Peter Pan Peanut-butter (at 8 lira a jar! wow.), cereal, sodas and granola bars. After a lengthy treasure hunt I finally found a Migros that sells basil but it is cut basil. They don't sell the whole basil plants or the dried basil. Will have to visit a plant store sometime to check there.

There's no way I'm going back to Dubai just for the variety of foreign products (I'm really missing the Indian food though I did find some kind of curry sauce the other day.) in the supermarkets but I find the supply/variety of foreign goods lacking here in Turkey. I will adjust and gradually learn to make Turkish meals. I went through the same in Norway. They are also very protectionist and have similar import laws that make foreign products limited and very expensive. It will be easier for me here though since Turkish food isn't as bland as Scandinavian food and there are loads of German products at least that I am familiar with from when I lived in Germany. Oddly the greatest variety of spices I've found is at the Grand Bazaar that caters to tourists. They sell so many teas, spices and other things that they market as being traditionally Turkish but if you go to any Turkish market you won't find any of those things. laughing.gif Hmmm, that's a great idea. Off to pester the Hubster about going to the Bazaar to bargain for those hard to find spices today. kicking.gif
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-15 00:15:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Just Turkish
QUOTE (JULIAFERNO @ Feb 14 2009, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I lived in Turkey for 5 months - Istanbul for a month and Kirikkale, about an hour outside of Ankara for the other 4. Most of my cooking I did with common foods you can find anywhere - rice, cous-cous, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, beans, chicken, beef, eggs, cheese, etc. I also learned a lot from my fiance. There weren't any foreign markets in Kirikkale, but I'm sure you could find some in Istanbul. Try visiting the site www.mymerhaba.com and asking around on the forums there. Here's a link to a Turkish recipe website that I like a lot - everything is in English. http://www.turkishcookbook.com/ I just made lahana sarmasi (rolled cabbage leaves) and biber dolmasi (stuffed peppers) the other week and they turned out pretty good. Turks have a spice that is a lot like the spice we use to season taco meat...not sure what it is called though. You can find soft tortilla shells/wraps in some stores (try Migros) and you can always make your own salsa. You can make pretty much anything from scratch. I couldn't find brown sugar to bake cookies...but I made my own w/ white sugar and a little molasses - worked great!



Thanks for the links. I'll definitely check out that recipe website. Are they authentic recipes or the Americanized versions? The good thing about Turkey is i'm forced to use more fresh produce and make proper meals from scratch instead of relying on pre-packaged #######. However, more than anything I want to find maple syrup for the Hubster. biggrin.gif I bought some Eggos and maple syrup when we lived in Dubai and he got addicted. I've found waffle makers here so I could make some home-made ones using a Norwegian recipe I have, but I can't find any syrup here. Poor Hoom. He might have to wait a year to have proper waffles. Me, i'm fine just making a pit-stop at the bakery to pick up some baklava, yummy. I don't know why he likes waffles with syrup so much better than baklava which is originally a Persian invention. He says he'd be fine having waffles and pizza every day but I'd like a little more variety.
Der BücherwurmFemaleIran2009-02-14 01:22:00