ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsATTENTION JULY FILERS!
I have my entire petition posted on my site, with all the sensitive information redacted of course. Not only does it keep me busy but I like feeling 'connected' to the entire process! It was also a good way for Natasha to be able to see everything. It's difficult to believe you have not made an error someplace, though, no matter how much research (like here on VJ) you've done and how many pieces of evidence to prove your relationship you provide. At some point we all just believe we have done all that we can, and checked over all the information enough, and send in our petition and hope we receive no RFEs!
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-07-23 15:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsATTENTION JULY FILERS!
We July filers are still at the start of our visa journey, shared together in these electronic pages, and I know we all wish one another a speedy processing. I am sure that I, like many of you, and seen some of the recent reports of 'quick' processing timelines and secretly hope that our own visas process just as quickly.

My own site is linked from my profile, and is at Kevin and Natasha.
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-07-22 08:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsATTENTION JULY FILERS!
I see that Jeraly has a website documenting their visa journey. I also maintain a website for my beloved Natasha and I, and I was wondering if any other of our fellow July filers run similar sites... Let's share our stories and our successes, and console one another through the inevitable glitches in the visa process.
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-07-21 23:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsATTENTION JULY FILERS!
I sent my I129F in on July 5, the CSC received it July 6, and they cashed my check on July 10. Unfortunately, the WAC number on the back of the check is completely unreadable, so I'm waiting for the official notice to come in the mail. But is it exciting nevertheless to be in the system finally - and waiting!

Edited by KGSodie, 13 July 2007 - 03:12 PM.

KGSodieMaleRussia2007-07-13 15:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune and July filers - NVC to Interview
I understand all the frustration being voiced but I try an remain positive, and I revel in the small 'victory over the system' celebrations Natasha and I share. Long distance relationships in general, and the visa process specifically, are clearly not for the faint of heart. It's an arduous, draining experience, that's for certain. I just think of the day that WILL come when we are at last together here in my city and when all of this will just be a memory. Somewhere I read once that the most complained about family activity is camping trips (right after they occur) but the shared hardships are almost universally remembered fondly, years later. I think the visa process will be like that - it may seem like it is raining all day every day now and there is nothing to do, but one day Natasha and I will tell our grandchildren about how easy it is for them and how difficult it was for us to be together. And I know there will be a little smile on our lips when we do.
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-12-18 16:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJune and July filers - NVC to Interview
I called the NVC today and learned our petition had been sent to the embassy, also on December 14. DHL says it's in Belgium today, on its way to Moscow. Very exciting! Now I 'just' want to know our interview date!
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-12-18 14:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 & AOS For K1 visa
Spot on advice, CherryXS, though I was of the notion that if AOS is filed for after the I-94 expires, that the I-130 is required. I don't remember why I have this notion, however, and I could easily be mistaken.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-03 12:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsVisa Approved!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-07-03 12:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSo far so good
Sincere congratulations, Chris. It's good to know that you guys are all finally together. I'll be filing the AOS documents today for Natalia and Vika. When do you guys expect to do this? It's the lengthy part of the process, but at least we are all together during this process.

CONGRATS!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-06-16 07:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
QUOTE (Jeraly @ Dec 5 2007, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What if we wanted to refer to earlier posts and things?! I still say we should utilise the chat room on our website from time to time biggrin.gif

I vote for it. What chat room on whose website?
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-12-05 16:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
QUOTE (weedebz @ Nov 12 2007, 02:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jeraly @ Nov 12 2007, 07:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (NavarreMan @ Nov 12 2007, 07:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Toucha toucha touch me, I want to feel dirty!!!

Rocky Horror jest.gif


Lol - that's bad... it just reminds me of my friend who dresses in drag for a laugh (and to take photos in student bars)... He once did that song wearing a leopard print bikini... it was nasty...

*shudders*



oh great....got me singing rocky horror songs now........

There's a light
There's a liiiggghht...over at the adjudicators desk,
there's a liii-iii-iiiggght...hoping my petition is approved neeeexxxt!

Time Warp
it's astounding, time is creeping, maddness is taking it's toll
but listen closly, hopefully not for much longer, but USCIS have control.


It's not so bad, as long as you're doing the singing and it's not just the voices in your head......
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-12 16:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
QUOTE (StillThePrettiest @ Nov 11 2007, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
23 for the week now... a late surge has kept CSC from comPLETE ignominy wink.gif


Igno.., igno.., what? Something to do with iron? (tongue FIRMLY in cheek)
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-12 14:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWaiting for a NOA2 from CSC for your I-129F?
The endless waiting is quite the bummer, and I know we all just want our NOA2s so that we can then switch our griping to how long it takes our cases to make it to the NVC! Progress is progess, I suppose, even on the griping front!
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-11-07 18:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsfirst touch
Yeah, our I129F petition only received its first touch on the same day it was approved, so touches don't necessarily mean anything. The theory is that whenever one of the USCIS office monkeys pull your file, your petition has the access date changed (i.e, 'touched') but it would appear that sometimes this doesn't happen, or that your petition isn't scrutinized until they work it from start to finish so your first touch is approval (or RFE).

Good luck, and don't worry!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-10-31 16:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsnoa2!!!!!!!!!!!
Many happy congratulations!
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-12-23 13:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaVisa Issued!!
Many hearty congratulations!
KGSodieMaleRussia2007-09-17 12:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhere is your fiance/spouse from Egypt?
Russia/Nebraska.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-12-22 17:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 RECEIVED.!!
Mabruk and Congratulations! We'll be going through the Casa consulate too, insha allah, so I'll be following your case closely! We filed in December........
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-01-16 16:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsInterview re-scheduled
Bummer! Well, I guess now he has more time to prepare?? I was amazed at how fast he got everything done! Good luck!

dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-19 19:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWe got our NOA2 today!

Thanks everyone for the congratulations! And good luck to Rachel, Kenza and Jayme! and everyone else who is waiting for anything! I'm so happy!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-03-12 23:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWe got our NOA2 today!
Lhumdullah! I received in the mail today our NOA2, dated March 3, 2009. We filed for our K1 on December 5 (received NOA1 dated December 8). Woo hoo. The California service center has been processing in fits and farts (what is the saying, spurts and starts?) for the last couple of months, so I was resigned to waiting another month or so, as we were 62 on Igor's list. But hooray!

Now it's time to wait for the letter from the consulate, and to picking Rachel's brain to see how Houcine's interview goes!

Good luck to all of you in whatever stage of the process you're in!

Rebecca
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-03-09 16:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWoot -- K-1 approved.
Congratulations! and good luck! (we'll all need it!)
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-03-13 00:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDecember 2008 K-1 Filers
Dyoon - there's nothing I know that you can do to speed up the process, but try to be patient! I filed December 5 and just got my approval, so you should be at least 10 days after that. And there are still people who filed in September who are waiting, the poor things.

Good luck, and fingers crossed you'll get your approval soon!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-03-12 23:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDecember 2008 K-1 Filers
Hooray! We got our NOA2. Dated March 3, 2009, although I received it today. Oddly, when I check the USCIS page, it isn't updated for my status. I had signed up for email alerts too, but received nothing. No matter, I have the beautiful I-797 Notice of Action and it reads "The above petition has been approved." Music to my ears!

So it took 85 days! We filed on December 5, and received our NOA1 on December 8.

Good luck to all of you still waiting!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-03-09 16:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDecember 2008 K-1 Filers
Hip hip hooray, Bob and Pat! Good luck with the interview!! And fingers crossed for a spring wedding!!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-27 14:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDecember 2008 K-1 Filers
I've been thinking the same thing! What's going on over there?? Hurry up CSC!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-13 22:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDecember 2008 K-1 Filers
QUOTE (minnew @ Jan 15 2009, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (dimanuni @ Jan 12 2009, 05:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi, we filed our 129F on December 5, 2008, and were issued NOA1 as of December 8, 2008.

I read that some November filers in California received their NOA2s this week! Yoohoo, fingers crossed!

Good luck to you all....

Rebecca


Hey there dimanui! I noticed that you are from Omaha! I will be relocating to the Omaha area once my K-1 visa is approved! I am going to be visiting the area for the first time next week with him! I hope the people will be friendly and easygoing! I am so excited to see our (his) future home! Anyways, I better get all my ducks in a row here for the POE, ha they should know me by name by now, but you never know!


Hi Minnew - I just relocated to Omaha myself (after the Peace Corps for three years), although I lived here as a kid. The people are VERY NICE and everything is very convenient (if you have a car). I'm assuming you're a military couple (cuz you mentioned your fiance PCS'g), my dad is retired air force and the community here is great. Certainly at least slightly better than North Dakota must be!

Good Luck and I'll friend you so we can keep tabs on one another!
Cheers, Rebecca
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-01-21 00:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDecember 2008 K-1 Filers
Hi Bob & Patricia - thanks for letting me know we're visa application twins. I'll keep my eyes on your guys to see how we progress! And I hope we don't need any Congress-critters!

Good luck again! Rebecca

QUOTE (Bob and Patricia @ Jan 13 2009, 04:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (dimanuni @ Jan 12 2009, 05:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi, we filed our 129F on December 5, 2008, and were issued NOA1 as of December 8, 2008.

I read that some November filers in California received their NOA2s this week! Yoohoo, fingers crossed!

Good luck to you all....

Rebecca


Hi Rebecca,

Your dates match ours. We priority mailed our 129F on Friday Dec 5th and our NOA1 was issued on Monday the 8th.

I also saw some November and October filers in the the NOA2 list this morning. I was going to write them and ask what Congress-critter they had in their back pocket. wink.gif

Thanks for the good luck wishes and back at ya,
Bob & Patricia


dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-01-14 17:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDecember 2008 K-1 Filers
Hi, we filed our 129F on December 5, 2008, and were issued NOA1 as of December 8, 2008.

I read that some November filers in California received their NOA2s this week! Yoohoo, fingers crossed!

Good luck to you all....

Rebecca
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-01-12 18:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFinally the Visa in the hand !
Mabruk! I'm so jealous! We interviewed April 29 and are still in AP. #######?? But good luck to you!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-06-09 19:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportshe got the call?????
Maybe he's getting his visa now?? Although they should have realized they already had his passport! Good luck!

Hi guys,,,

Azzeddine got the "call" today... but its was not the call we thinking we would get... They called this morning and told him to return next WEDNESDAY, well he asked them if would be ok to come on Monday cos he will be in Casa for some business. They told him that would be fine, he then tried to ask if he will recieve his visa and the guy did not know "DUHHHHHHH"y he did not know... the guy just said "maybe it is for your second interview?"
So Azzeddine just accepted his response , then after a hour of my unsettled worries , he said "honey do u want me to call them back" well of course LOLOL
so he got different guy!! Azz asked what he should bring to the appointment and the guys said bring your passport DUHHHHHHH again,,,, they took his passport last week........... and the guy said OHHHHHHHH then just come with nothing.. So he asked what is the appointment for and the guy" maybe the second interview"
So now what do I think of this all this....
email from them said Administrative Processing ....

i am soooooooo confused...... i thought if they take the passport it mean visa however i know they can do what they want...



ANY THOUGHTS? :blush:


dimanuniFemaleMorocco2010-03-05 20:51:00
Middle East and North AfricaWe are now in Texas as of January 20th
mabruk to you both and tell Farid, "Marhabebik l mirikan"!!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-01-27 00:17:00
Middle East and North AfricaInternational transportation/relocation/moving from Morocco To USA
Hi, I don't know if you're already over here (I hope you are!) But if not, I recently moved back from Morocco and simply mailed the stuff. You can mail boxes of up to 33 kg at La Poste. I sent one of 27 kg and it only cost me about 1700 dirhams. And I received it within a month. In total I sent 5 boxes, some of which I got in two weeks and one took a month. Anyway, good luck!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-01-31 02:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaAdvice needed
Tell her to bring with her ras el hanut (a mix of 37 spices) and helba (which is fenugreek, they use it in refeesa, or tride - the most delicious food in creation) cuz they're either unavailable or uncommon here.

You should be able to get everything else here, although it'll all be probably cheaper in Morocco. You can also very simply make preserved lemons, it just takes lemons, water and salt! I have a recipe if you want to make it before she comes, as it takes a week to preserve. She'll be impressed with you!

Other essentials (as noted by other people!), but I've provided the translations as we used in the Marrakech region:
cumin [kamoon]
paprika [hamira]
cinnamon [karfah]
turmeric [quekoum]
yellow food coloring (powdered, they always call it saffron [zafron] but what they use in morocco is actually just powdered food coloring, not real saffron - for some reason moroccans think normal chicken color is gross and want to color it yellow)
fresh garlic cloves [touma]
fresh ginger [skinjbir]
black pepper [bsar]
kosher salt [mlha]
olive oil [zit zitune or zit l ooud]

also, pick up dried lentils, fava beans, chick peas, a couple of small cans of tomato paste. And fresh yeast (the kind of have to refrigerate) if you want her to make fresh khubz! ( bread)
Oh, and for sure FRESH parsley and coriander.

Good luck and have fun eating! Yum, I'm sooooooo jealous. And if anyone wants to send me leftover melwi......... yes.gif
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-03 20:25:00
Middle East and North Africai was had my interview at 27/01/2009 they gave me 221(g) of financial taxes income
Hi Pat-Yass and everyone who responded:

I'm just curious, in your original interview packet, the consulate DID NOT ask for any financial information? Or what financial information did they request?

I'm hoping we get our NOA2 and therefore the interview in the next few months and want to be prepared!

And good luck!

Shukran jazilan!
Rebecca
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-08 00:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow long to get Moroccan passport in Morocco?
Thanks, that's what he said. He's from Zagora and apparently knows everyone there. He told me it'd be no problem, especially if he greases the wheels a little! So that's good news!

Shukran jazilan u thellau f raskum!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-19 21:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaHow long to get Moroccan passport in Morocco?
All of you Moroccans---

How long did it take you to get a passport issued in Morocco? My fiance thinks it will take him only a couple of weeks because that's how long it took him to get his driver's license. It took 5 months for me to get my carte de sejour (residency card) when I was living there, so I'm worried it will take him longer. He wants to wait until we get our NOA2 before he applies, because he has to travel to Zagora to get it.

Thanks!
dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-19 19:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaDentist in Morocco
I went to the dentist yearly while there in the Peace Corps. There are dentists in Rabat and Marrakech (and probably in the other big towns) who service the foreign community. I can try and get you the name of those I used, if you want. I was always very happy with my cleanings. And a fellow volunteer in her sixties had crowns/root canals/whatever - harder type stuff and was pleased.

Just don't go to the "dentist" who advertises with a hand painted sign showing teeth in some little po-dunk town. You can view their credentials and make sure they're actually dentists and not just tooth pullers.

I also had yearly x-rays done in Rabat. Again, very nice. Modern. Just everything is in French! Except the dentists, since they were PC recommended, they all spoke English. and arabic.

Good luck!


dimanuniFemaleMorocco2009-02-22 22:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian wisdom from Natasha
First off, thanks to all the serious posters with actual helpful thoughts and experiences to share (no, I'm not talking to you, SCII).

Ignorance and hypocracy on parade! I love how trolls like seanconneryii (I just call em like I see em) are so hypocritical in their writing. I have a particularly NASTY pet peeve - people who like to live by one set of rules, while expecting everyone else to live by another.

And I can, of course, back this up with concrete examples from this very thread:

"A very self-serving comment...and very sideways. But you are, after all, American. What can we expect?" and "I don't do personal attacks or counter attacks on someone's Russian girlfriend or wife" I have more examples of this later, too, or now even: "You sound like a feminist propagandist. "

"My hope is there is room for more then one truth or reality or mindset on the forum. I hope we can speak honestly and openly and argue and wrestle with issues as gentleman and ladies. If people can't take an opposing view of the world, don't post on a thread you can't handle." This is actually mostly right and demonstrates some clear thinking - up until the end. I began this thread, and so I feel obligated to 'defend' it. My original post was intended (clearly and obviously) to be personal, humorous observations. You responded by assigning me labels: "Your nice boy PC comments reveal you know very little bout the Russian culture which you claim to honor." "If we act as silly boys" "Or are you just another funny boy?" "they'll carry your testicles around like oranges in a grocery bag" Any of these read to anyone else like 'personal attacks? And yet, as copied above, seanconneryii "don't do personal attacks". Of course you don't - different rules apply to you! I should not post if I cannot handle it, and I shouldn't say anything bad about you or anyone you care about, but you are free to rant and rave and label and spout your Bubba mentality all you like? Which is it?

"If I know only one thing about Russian women, it's that they expect men to be the leader of the family...no compromising...that's an American creation to appease immature people...be the leader. Russian women don't want nice boys they want strong men. if you can't stand in that space, she'll not honor you." Contrast this statement by SCII with this one by him: "I don't know her or particularly care about her comments about me..someone she does not know." So, SCII understands what Russian women want and the rest of us are just poor ignorant fools doomed to failure - even though he doesn't care what a Russian woman actually thinks and believes, because 'she doesn't know him'. Well, you don't know me or my Natasha, either, but that didn't prevent you from making this comment: "And i suspect she's been heavily influenced by Kevin's "helpful" translations." Of course! I would naturally alter what SCII said to suit my own devious purposes, but such an accusation should never be directed against SCII. For the record, Natasha reads this forum OF HER OWN VOLITION. She found this thread ON HER OWN and did all the translations BY HERSELF. I wanted very much for her to post her original Russian words, since her English is still poor, but she INSISTED that I only post the English version. We worked TOGETHER on cleaning up the English translation, making several revisions until she was satisfied that HER intent was intact.

This is also a gem: "As far as my wife is concerned, I say to all posters...mind your own business. Expressing general thoughts, philosophies or experiences is open to discussion...my relationship with my wife is off limits. That's my boundary. End of story." Ooooooo, how so very final! Earlier in the same post, SCII said this: "I don't do personal attacks or counter attacks on someone's Russian girlfriend or wife (except maybe Satellite's alleged wife)". So, one set of rules for SCII's wife, a different set for someone else.

"I know the concept is hard for American women to grasp...that sex isn't necessarily done by taking a vote." So when IS sex done - whenever the man says, according to SCII of course: "If a man wants sex when is wife is cooking dinner, she stops cooking and heads to the bedroom." What if the woman says "no"? She has to perform anyway? How is this different from rape? Can a husband not rape his wife? If the sex is only good for the man, then the sex isn't good to start with.

"But I hear Russian women say they want to be rid of Russia. They want new life..a new way. " Natasha doesn't want this - she just wants to be loved and respected and cherished for who she IS as a woman. She only came to this country because it is where I live and make a living. If the visa didn't come through, I'd have moved to Russia (if allowed).

This whole post is PRICELESS: "you are showing a gender and generational disconnect (most Russians are not young campus intellects like yourself sitting around a pub and being cool and discussing the equal rights amendment) and your PC woman's advocate stance is better used in the USA where women like to assume the victim role even as they succeed and prosper and achieve.

Russian men are Russian men and Russian women serve them..that's the current system. If you don't like it, talk to Putin. i don't hear Russian women complaining as they're willing participants. The tradition is passed from mother to daughter and Russian moms are strong forces in Russia. Why not? There's 15 women to one man. I'd say the men can pick and choose and make up the rules...which they do with a strong hand. Russian men are hard and tough and dominant...deal with it.

You what to revise history and worship young Russian men...ok, have fun...but it's bull. In Russia it's is, indeed, a man's world and women accept it as correct because in their world men are the stronger sex...the leaders...the head of the family. They don't realize anything is wrong. It is normal. If you suggested to them that their husband raped them, they'd look at you like your crazy.

You've got a lot to learn. A lot. And you need to loose your American "glasses' and see things as Russians see them. It is a land of scarcity, not abundance. People do many things to survive. Don't look down your American nose. Respect their ways and leave your own female baggage at home. Life in STB is not everyday Russia.

You don't like the sounds of that...what can you do? I think you'd do better hanging out in the USA where you and your sisters have a better deal going on. But if you embrace Russia, don't spin it, flower it up, or shame men for doing what Russians do."

Whew, a lot to digest. I like how he rants about how things are in Russia. Of course, it's in direct conflict with his rants earlier about how Russian women need to GIVE UP Russia and do everything the superior American way, but hey - one set of rules for SCII, another for the rest of us: "Let us not import Russian ways but offer our women and children the gift of our culture and ways." Again, which is it, SCII? You say the man should ACT like a Russian man because that's what the Russian woman secretly wants - but you also say that they need to 'not import Russian ways'. Which is it? Make up your mind yet?

Chuckles nails it on the head with "I can't put your thoughts together. They tend to conflict.

Yes, I understand woman don't want a man who turns to jelly at every crisis. They don't want to initiate everything. I get it. Or rather, I got it. Are you taking it to the extreme to play devils advocate? It just seems like you are pontificating without purpose. I get the feeling you are just trying to get a rise out of people."

Here's a GEM from SCII: "You interjected yourself into this discussion uninvited...so take your medicine like an adult. " Um, point of order, Mr. SCII - earlier, you said "If people can't take an opposing view of the world, don't post on a thread you can't handle." So, she has to be quiet because YOU can't handle it? But you can spout whatever NONSENSE you want? For that matter, I began this thread so I suppose it's mine - and I pronounce your ENTIRE WORLDVIEW unwanted, and you can consider yourself 'uninvited' now.

Kudos to Don E too for pointing out some of the contradictions and logic flaws in SCIIs 'thoughts'. Excellent work!

LvivLovers: Natasha did that too! She didn't spend $1500, but probably about $250 on various 'flowers' and medicines.

Back to SCII: "Anyway, I think I am also an "orange" among many "apples" as I am already married to a Russian woman while most posters are in a K-1 fiancee situation. I have also widely traveled in the FSU with visits to Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Latvia so I've lost some of that fantasyland energy that Russia is such a cool place and gee whiz I have this really unique situation." I've been to Russia for a little more than 2 months total now - not an impressive number, perhaps, but more than a tourist. I lived as a Russian with Russians, and I'm not a gen-xer at all, at 46. I have no direct 'point' her, just sharing. I'm curious about something though - the implication here is that SCII's K3 and already married status gives him clearer insight than us K1 people. Um, is your wife with you now, or is she still waiting for her visa? Your timeline only shows your marriage date, and I REALLY don't want to go wading through all of your posts elsewhere to try and figure it out. My Natasha is here with me now. Again, I'm just sharing. No point.

"If a poster makes global statements like "all women are like that" then I'll call someone on it, especially if it's offered flippantly." I don't believe I have made any general statements, only personal and specific ones - but you seemed hell-bent to call me on them anyway. I'll also quote you back to you again: "Oh...you're a sociologist I take it? Most women huh? Great, when do we get to read your research paper? Can't wait...Dude." So, if someone makes a 'global statement' you like to take them to task on it. Your reply implies that your thoughts and statements are the global truth. So, when can I read YOUR research paper?

And, finally, from SCII: "Well, since you're our resident sociologist, I'll point out that your "valuable" global statement about "all women" makes you something of a hypocrite." I'll let this statement stand on it's own "merits", where it can bask in the glow of everything else in this post.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-04-17 12:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusRussian wisdom from Natasha
I had Natasha software-translate this entire thread, and then she typed her response (primarily for seanconneryii). We then software-translated it back into English, and then did some manual cleanup and editing. The result is below. It's not perfect, but I think her meaning is relatively clear and intact:

Thanks to everyone who answered this post about what we find amusing in our life. Everything is really sometimes very humorous for us. I too sometimes do not understand the American life, but I study.... I am very entertained by what I have seen, such as the dresses for sale in the American stores even though the women I see almost always wear only jeans or shorts. Or when I see people in the street when it is cold and they wear shorts or a short-sleeved shirt how I can see that they are clearly cold. Or why going for a walk or to visit friends must be planned in advance. But I love this country and I respect it's traditions and I attempt to combine the traditions of Russia and America, though I shall forever remain a Russian woman.

seanconneryii, you think that the Russian woman wishes to be oppressed or to compete with you to see who is the stronger personality? NO! Each woman wishes to find love and be the favorite of their man. In marriage what is important is LOVE and RESPECT and PARTNERSHIP, but NOT war and games to see who is the strongest. If you love the person you will accept all their advantages and prosperities and culture and will not try and force them to change. Each woman is convinced that having arrived in the country of their groom that they will support their man and receive their support, but not one of us wishes to be transformed into a silent doll or a sex slave at the requirement of the man! Why do you think that by making a woman subservient through your force that a woman will consider you as a man? Most likely she will be afraid to come to you or respect your words. It is sincerely a pity to me and I very much hope that your woman is able to resist you so that you do not crush her spirit by the force of your desires. And yet your balls shall remain in your hands.
KGSodieMaleRussia2008-04-16 18:07:00