biggish data

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (ErinMeetsJohny @ Aug 21 2009, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We got Johny's EAD today and the AP last week...now just waiting for GC approval...Im just so thankful that hopefully he can start working soon. Its funny the day he got the EAD he was also called by a job he applied for and they told him the manager should be calling him back soon...I hope so. We have been applying for jobs for him all week hopefully we will be hearing something soon...

Congratulations! They sure took their time on his EAD/AP, didn't they? I hope you have some luck soon with finding work. Keep us informed, we are rooting for you!

We haven't gotten NOA1 yet, but from looking at the timeline of the other VJ'r who applied for a fee waiver, it still might be okay. Hers took 13 days. USCIS wouldn't help us since it hasn't been 30 days yet (the unhelpful help line). It all makes both of us very nervous.

Otherwise, we are not long away from our move to Seattle and staying busy with stuff related to that.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-21 14:26:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Also hope you're doing well, Dawn. I don't recall, when are you due?

Andy and I haven't gotten our NOA1 yet. Hoping it's because they're processing the stack of papers we sent to prove we need the fee waiver. I told Andy that they should just process the whole case meanwhile to save time.

Still waiting on his SS card, too. And our lease... yeah, the whole waiting thing is making me nervous. Resolution is always good.

Glad to see most people's cases are moving along so well. Looks like Shannon&Nick and maybe Corinthians will be closest to our timelines.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-18 00:42:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Corinthians @ Aug 16 2009, 07:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Aubrey and Koakland...what did you guys do about the birth certificates when you filed for AOS? Translate it yourself or pay someone? What did the translation look like? I can translate Portuguese but I don't know what USCIS wants.

We submitted an international birth certificate. It has multiple language translations, including the German and English. There's some treaty that was signed between a number of countries that it's an acceptable form of verifying birth. We highlighted all the English stuff just in case we get a dumb case worker.

You can translate your birth certificate yourself if you're fluent. You have to provide a statement saying you are.

From the VJ Wiki:

QUOTE

Q. What about translations, my documents are not in English, do I have to have them translated?

A. Technically the answer from the Department of State is:

Translation Requirements

All documents not in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations.

The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the:

Translation is accurate, and Translator is competent to translate.

From USCIS:

QUOTE

Please submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

The certification format should include the certifier's name, signature, address, and date of certification. A suggested format is:

Certification by Translator

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________ Date
Typed Name
Address

USCIS on translations

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-16 21:31:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (ErinMeetsJohny @ Aug 11 2009, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So how long do you guys think it will take to get Johny's EAP??? He got his biometrics done two weeks ago today...we really need his working papers!!
His AOS case just got transferred to California today...hopefully it wont be too much longer!! and now no interview!! YAY!

That's great. Sounds like you won't have to attend an interview.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-11 22:57:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Corinthians @ Aug 6 2009, 06:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aubrey @ Aug 5 2009, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mailed off our AOS package today with a fee waiver request. Tomorrow and Friday we'll be in the Seattle area looking for an apartment, as we've decided we'd better move before we're completely broke. Wish us luck with the apartment hunt and the upcoming job hunt I'll have for something to pay the bills with.

Good Luck in Seattle. Definitely jealous if you can pull that off...

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

We found a place in Renton and so long as everything goes without a snag, we're residents of Renton WA beginning August 31st.

Our AOS app arrived at the lockbox today. Hopefully we find out if our fee waiver goes through soon. If anybody needs one, it's us!

Congrats to Kirstin & Jeremy. That's awesome news. Best wishes on the interview when it arrives. I'm still hoping we're among those who get waived an interview.

Good luck Erin&Johnny!!! I hope you get your approvals very soon!!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-08 16:17:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Koakland @ Aug 5 2009, 09:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Our EAD and AP was approved

Congrats! Glad things are moving relatively quickly.

Mailed off our AOS package today with a fee waiver request. Tomorrow and Friday we'll be in the Seattle area looking for an apartment, as we've decided we'd better move before we're completely broke. Wish us luck with the apartment hunt and the upcoming job hunt I'll have for something to pay the bills with.

Glad to see you're alive, meri.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-05 20:07:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Can someone explain to me what we're supposed to do for AOS in regards to the medical stuff? I'm quite confused. What form(s) to submit, do we have to go to a doctor, etc?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-02 13:26:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Koakland @ Jul 29 2009, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nothing exciting over here to report. waiting for AP and EAD...and AOS too. Jeremy found a job that he really wants to apply for so we're hoping to get the EAD soon.

Hope it shows up soon. We're still waiting on the marriage certificate. Had two scammers send us stuff in the mail trying to get us to buy 'em from them. Today I spent hours filling out stuff for the fee waiver and printing off documents to show we're poor.

My job hunt is still going nowhere fast; apps up the wazoo, with no calls or emails of interest. I told my boss at my PT job that if I don't get more hours soon, I have to get a second job (I think he got the idea that would be the least that would happen, and they're coming up on their busy season with little chance to replace me). So he claims I'll get some more in a few weeks, but I'm not holding my breath.

Andy and I are doing well though, and starting to get adjusted to "normal" as normal could be given our lack of funds. He's going to start studying again when his book arrives in a day or two, this time for Network+. Hopefully he can get that certification or be almost ready to take the test by the time his EAD would arrive. He applied to volunteer at the library but never heard back from them.

Yes, where is Meri? Hmm...

Our thread gets further and further down the page list. Is there another place we can all start posting so we don't get lost?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-29 19:15:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Corinthians @ Jul 25 2009, 04:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just out of curiousity, how many of you guys waited for a SSN before filing for AOS? Do you think it matters?

We have to wait for our certified marriage certificate before we can apply, so we might as well take it to SS and get his card and a new legal name with it. Hopefully that's soon. There was no way to request faster service on getting that certificate. The SS card/number will help with financial mingling, but won't make a difference on your AOS paperwork.

Busy week for us, but things should calm down now. There was much housework, announcement sending, thank yous, getting Andy situated around the apartment, etc to do after being gone so quick after his arrival. It'll be good to feel "normal."

Congrats TeeKol!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-26 01:39:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Shannon ? Nick @ Jul 19 2009, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

we'll be filing AOS etc at the end of this month, my parents have just sent us the money- totally unexpectedly I might add so fingers crossed for a speedy processing

That's great news. Family can be such a blessing.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-20 22:38:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Another whirlwind day. Came home to a sick cat, so we spent the day getting him to the vet, getting groceries, etc. Finally had a restful evening walking in perfect 70 degree weather downtown. Married life is great stuff.

Someone asked (I'm too lazy to go back a couple pages) about our name changes. Andy and I are going to both hyphenate our last names together, since we both wanted the same last name and changing my name mid-job hunt is problematic. I can still use my maiden name on my professional site and such for now much easier with the hyphen, and we both have a little of each other's background in our names this way.

We have to go to the courthouse on Tuesday to get that taken care of.

Hoping it won't take too long to get back our certified copy of our marriage certificate. We want to apply for AOS right away, and have all the doc's lined up except that. We're keeping our fingers crossed on the fee waiver.

Thanks for all the congratulations. We had a great time. My dress got a lot of compliments, but since I didn't get it altered it was an adventure to walk the Vegas strip in it. Still worth it, though. Andy and I agreed that we never had to say "thank you" so many times in our lives with all the people congratulating us while we walked back and forth between our hotel, dinner, and a Cirque Du Soleil show.

The one bummer was that my sister got food poisoning on our wedding day, and ended up back at the hotel instead of our reception dinner. She was so sick she couldn't handle my niece, and ended up having to take my mom with her. It left us with too much cake to try to eat, yet I kept eating anyway and ended up with a sour stomach myself the next day. Haha.

Does everyone have their AP and EAD already?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-19 03:10:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Well, I haven't dropped off the planet. I was a tad busy getting married in Vegas!

Pictures: http://www.vegaswedd...m/july/schmidt/

More when it's not so late and I've had more sleep. We were up past midnight every night and up at some crazy early hour every day. More tomorrow!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-18 03:25:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Shannon ? Nick @ Jul 12 2009, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

we've been out of the loop for aaaages! What's goin on with you all??!??!??

I'm (Shan) working now - finally. Nothing special but it's money. We're still saving for aos, but hopefully will have that all filed in the next month... till then Mr. Nicholas is the most amazing perfect stay at home dad there is! Just look at Ryans gummy grinning face! How is everyone else? We see Andy is finally here!!! Congrats!!!!!!!
Are we the last to file for aos??? And is everyone that can make it still up for a 'reunion' next year??

Glad that things are well for you 3! No, you're not the last, at least not so far. Cham (Meri) hasn't filed either, and obviously we haven't since our wedding is in a few days. We'll file as soon as we get our marriage certificate back and his name change court order completed (Nevada doesn't do them when you marry, so we have to pay extra for that

). We decided my name change will have to wait till we're not broke, but his shouldn't wait so USCIS doesn't screw something up.

It's taken a couple of days to feel like this is all even remotely real. It definitely feels good, but it'll definitely be awhile before things feel "normal" again. Almost 10 months of webcam and a half-empty apartment to having him and his stuff here and getting on a plane a few days after he arrives... it's a whirlwind!

I'm outta here for ~week. Looking forward to posting wedding pics for you guys when we get back!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-13 06:46:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Corinthians @ Jul 10 2009, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aubrey @ Jul 10 2009, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

errands.

So that's what they call it in Idaho? Good to hear you guys are fine.

Unfortunately, it really was a bunch of errands today. Bought him a suit for the wedding which took awhile since we had to drive to the next town to do so, getting him a haircut, bank stuff, unpacking, going through documents, etc. Then he passed out at 8pm haha. Poor guy is exhausted. I'm guessing he's gonna sleep all day while I'm at work tomorrow.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-11 01:42:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Just thought I'd let everyone know that Andy made it here safe and sound. He said his POE was smooth and the officer was nice. We'll fill you all in more soon. Today is saved for a bunch of errands.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-10 12:28:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Corinthians @ Jul 8 2009, 05:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aubrey @ Jul 8 2009, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks guys. I told Andy to do his best to look at his I-94 he receives for accuracy. I already know he's going to be a zombie again, so I just hope the people at Salt Lake get it right. He has a really long layover, so he can just take his time at POE and stop for dinner before the last leg.

It's like waiting for Christmas morning when I was a kid.

Salt Lake? Is he coming from Paris? How much of a layover?

It's funny it takes us like a month to get a page of posts.

Hamburg -> Paris -> Salt Lake City -> Spokane.

He has ~5 hours in SLC... which is a lot, but was unavoidable. I'd rather have him there longer than worrying about running to the next plane. I told him to set his watch alarm though, because last time he had a lengthy layover he nearly missed his flight.

These last few hours are making me crazy! I went over a friend's house tonight to try to get my mind off of it. I am just so damn excited!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-09 00:44:00

Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)

QUOTE (Koakland @ Jul 8 2009, 08:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Corinthians @ Jul 7 2009, 05:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aubrey @ Jul 7 2009, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am ridiculously excited! 2 days and 7 hours till he's here, and another week till the wedding. Weeee! I will let you all know how his POE goes. Hopefully they don't "lose" his medical like they have for two of you.

Have him make sure his name is right on the I-94 when he enters, the same as it is on the visa. The POE officer screwed ours up and it has made getting a SSN a hassle.

It is cool that he will be here soon.

Another piece of advice - not sure if you can control this but the POE officer wrote something that looked like "K4" instead of "K1" on the I94. It delayed Jeremy's ssn process for 3 weeks. By the time SSA checked with DHS it was too late to get a CA ID. Now Jeremy has to wait for the EAD. Just something to look out for. So close!!!!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-07-08 12:23:00

What should I do?

In such an extreme case, you may want to consider contacting a lawyer and trying to get one to take you pro-bono.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-06-22 00:23:00

Fragen zum Invterview/Konsulat

QUOTE (donandjacky @ Jun 10 2008, 11:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ich bin zwar nicht Deutsche wollte aber trotzdem antworten... Wir haben die DCF Route gewaehlt und ich weiss, dass das auch in Deutschland moeglich ist und das geht relativ schnell. Bei uns ging das ganze 1 Monat. Nach der Hochzeit bewirbst du dich direkt beim Amerikanischen Konsulat in Deutschland (dein Ehemann muss dabei allerdings anwesend sein soviel ich weiss - im DCF Forum hats einige Deutsche, die dir sicher gut Auskunft geben koennnen). Wenn die Petition genehmigt wird erhaeltst du ein CR1 Visum mit dem du in die USA einreist und am POE (Port of Entry) den "Green Card"-Stempel in den Pass bekommst. Die "richtige" Green Card folgt dann wenige Wochen in der Post.

I am not German but still wanted to answer ... We have the DCF route gewaehlt and I know that in Germany is possible and this is relatively fast. We went the whole 1 month. After the wedding you have to apply directly at the U.S. consulate in Germany (your husband must however be present as far as I know - in the DCF Forum hats some Germans who you certainly well as information. If the petition is approved, you receive a CR1 visa with which you entry into the United States and POE (Port of Entry) the "Green Card" stamp in the passport can get. The "right" Green Card then follows a few weeks in the post.

I'm not currently living in Germany, so from what I read I thought we aren't eligible to use the DCF process. Is there away around the 6 month residency requirement that I'm not aware of? I couldn't find anything about it reading through the DCF forums except a blip in the guides: "Note: There may be a few rare cases where a non-resident US Citizen overseas may be able use the DCF procedure. For more information please visit the DCF Forums Section."

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-06-10 14:54:00

Fragen zum Invterview/Konsulat

My dear fiancé left out that I don't speak German :

, but more importantly that he started the whole student application thing prior to our engagement. I'm not sure that would make any difference at the interview in our favor... ?

Also, we're still waiting on the documents before we can set up the interview... can anyone give us an idea of how long it may take to get an interview when he's ready? We already know the processing times link for once the interview is completed.

Thanks so much!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-06-03 12:30:00

Obtaining documents questions - Germany

I'm going to bump my thread again, because I still need help on the military records. What did others use for this, and where did you request them? I know my SO can't be the only one who served, given the mandatory service in Germany...

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-09-23 18:24:00

Obtaining documents questions - Germany

Thanks for the information so far. I'm still hoping someone can help me find out how to obtain the military records. Since there's required service in Germany for males, I'm guessing someone here on VJ can help me, please!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-09-20 09:30:00

Obtaining documents questions - Germany

These won't be needed for several months, but I want to at least know how best to obtain the documentation needed from packet 3. I found the packet 3 list (http://germany.usemb..._documents.html), but I'm not clear on where to obtain some of the items & have a couple questions.

* Birth certificates
- Does my German fiancé need my birth certificate?

* Police certificates (it says "Police certificates are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years or older; if the applicant * is living in their country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 months * lived in a different country for more than 12 months * was arrested for any reason, regardless of how long they lived there ")
- Does he need one if he has no criminal record and has only ever lived in Germany?

* Military records
- Does anyone know the best way to obtain these? My fiancé has some papers from during his draft service, but they don't look comprehensive. I'm curious what others have used for this requirement and how they obtained them.

* Vaccination Requirements (pdf)
- He's got some sort of booklet with his vaccination records; is that sufficient proof of his current vaccinations?

* Medical Examination (pdf)
- Did anyone have there's done the same day as the interview or after it? My fiancé is in Bremen and it's a royal problem to get him to the listed physicians. I'm hoping he can schedule it for the time he's interviewed in Frankfurt.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-09-19 19:25:00

K1 Germany

Many of us here. Greetings to you! Are you planning on filing your K1 soon?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-07-22 13:29:00

How to change German passport to married name

You can get an updated passport from the nearest German Mission, which in your case is in Houston. You have to apply in person, as they require fingerprints be taken at the time of the application.

Houston German Consul General

Passport info

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-08-17 21:49:00

Advice on Short-Checking Trip to Europe

QUOTE (familyguy @ Sep 9 2009, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Check in online - problem solved.

Even with online check-in, for an international flight they will require that an agent see his passport.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-09-12 02:14:00

Documentenwahnsin

QUOTE (Sonja1964 @ Nov 1 2009, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hallo zusammen,

ich hätte einmal eine Frage an euch.
Wir sind jetzt bei dem Status mit den DS-230 Papieren und ich blicke da gar nicht mehr durch,
was sie bei der NVC alles wollen. Ich dachte immer, dass eine internationale Geburts-oder Heiratsurkunde reicht.
Jetzt müssen wir die ganzen Papiere nochmal schicken.
Mein Mann und ich sind auch schon jeder einmal geschieden. Weiß da jemand ob ich die original Scheidungsurkunden
schicken kann oder ob ich da einen extra Stempel brauche von einer deutschen Behörde?
Es zieht sich bei uns entlos hin. Jetzt sind haben wir uns schon seit letztes Jahr im August nicht mehr gesehen
und die Nerven liegen blank.

LG Sonja

My German hubby tried to translate for me. (Mein deutscher Ehemann hat das für mich übersetzt.) Not sure how much English you understand, if any... but my German is terrible. PM if you need it in German (Schick mir eine private Nachricht wenn du das in Deutsch brauchst.) Generally people here respond quickly if they can read it (in English).

If you got an RFE (request for evidence) for the international birth certificate... try highlighting all of the English on it and send it again. Same for international divorce stuff, if that's what you had. Otherwise you need to provide a translation into English (see the guides) along with the original.

Your original divorce paperwork should be fine as long as it's official and has the seal. I sent in my divorce decree and didn't get anything special.

There's an example form of the DS-230 on VJ. There's examples of most documents here.

The distance and time apart is hard, and my husband and I have been there. Hang in there! Skype and webcams helped us SO much along with mailing cards and little surprises.

I hope that helped a little. Let us know if we can help more!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-11-07 14:20:00

Calling Germany

That's what we use, too.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-09-22 21:01:00

Oh, I absoultely agree on the language topic Nina+Matt!

Believe me, I WANT to learn all the German that I can! Especially while living in Germany. Because I know once we move back to the states, it will not be as easy for me to continue learning. It's just NOT easy to learn at all. I think that a lot of adults have trouble learning new languages. I feel lucky to have at least taken two years of Spanish in high school. I don't practice my Spanish so much anymore (because I'm learning German), but I believe by me learning that language, it made me more adaptable to learn more languages in the future.

What really sucks is, like I previously mentioned, I have learned all of my German on my own. I want to go to school, but it's either too expensive, or gets cancelled on me! arggg. So frustrating! Anyways, I've learned A LOT of German other ways.. In my house with my husband and stepchildren.. On the women's fastpitch softball team that I play on.. And while working my previous mini-job, and the new job I just started today!

Use Rosetta Stone. I went through French I and it was a breeze. Like playing a game (not boring/frustrating like books and CDs). When we have the dough to dish out for the full language pack, it will be how I acquire my German skills.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-03-02 16:11:00

Well, first and foremost, you will need to learn German.

Hypothetically speaking, "when" you move here, you would have to go to your local Landesamt and apply for a "Residence Permit" (Aufenhalstitel) which allows you to live here with your German spouse. When you are married to a German Citizen, you will typically get a Work Permit attached with your residence permit, which is what I have.

Here are a couple of links that may be helpful to this conversation. My husband and I have looked into this ourselves before deciding on his move to the U.S. We still consider a move to Germany at some point. My German is zero right now, but I have two university degrees so we figured I would do OK if I picked up some basic German before heading over. Regardless, this isn't in our cards for many years, at the least. Hopefully the info helps though.

http://www.integrati...ug-flyer-en.pdf -- page 2 lists the exceptions to the German language requirement. Note that 1) university degree and 2) being a U.S. citizen both exempt you...

http://www.toronto.d...er__spouse.html - basic information (not detailed) about how to get a residence permit

Edited by Aubrey, 25 February 2010 - 07:27 AM.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-02-25 07:26:00

Let's try to revive our little thread here a bit, shall we?

So, how are the German SO's enjoying the big health care debates? I taught my husband about filibusters recently... I think he found it disturbing how inefficient things can be in the Senate.

Did anyone attend Oktoberfests last month? We went to one nearby. Let's just say that it was redeemed only by it's good beer!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-11-21 18:19:00

QUOTE (panterchen @ Sep 14 2009, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ohh I haven't been on here for quite some time. Was busy adjusting with work and moving, moving, moving...

Anyways...I found that baby question quite interesting. We are not planning on one yet but, of course, I had been thinking about it with regards to being so far away from home (I am the German who just received her GC here).

I assume you are the USC in Germany? Hmm... I find it quite interesting that you say you would want to have your baby born over there. Just from a family standpoint and where I would feel more comfortable I would probably want to go home (to Germany) to give birth.

Even though my English is close to perfect and I am sure medical service is great here as well (if you can afford it), I just would feel more comfortable in my own culture in such a special situation. I definitely would want my family (esp. my mom) to be there to help me with any kinds of concerns I have (because after all she has been through all that). I think my plan is going to be to become pregnant here in the US, stay as long as possible, and go to Germany maybe 2 months (can you fly while being pregnant) before the baby is born...

You may have trouble getting permission to fly in your last trimester. Something to check into before you make too many plans.

So... how many of you have plans for a local Oktoberfest? We're making plans to round up jundp and her German hubby (maybe others too?) to a nearby fest next month. I grew up going to stuff like this in central Texas and miss hearing a good oompa band!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-09-18 08:32:00

Sorry to go slightly off topic, but this seemed like the right group to ask...

For those of you who married your German spouse in the U.S., did you (and if so, how did you) notify Germany of your marriage? And how did you notify Germany of your name change? Obviously we will not be able to attempt this in person since we are K1.

Thanks in advance for your help! I don't want to overload my SO with anything else than he already has with his upcoming move, and he is feeling a bit overwhelmed with his bachelorhood ending.

I'm sure that planning a trip to Las Vegas a few days after his arrival is causing that, haha. But at least that way some of his family can attend! The only bummer is that I doubt we will be breaking any china in a LV hotel room for a Polterabend.

And

how many of your German spouses say "It's just not possible" as a regular phrase? JundP & I have that in common already with our German SO's... so I'm curious just how common that is!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-06-22 01:30:00

QUOTE (trillium13 @ Jun 15 2009, 08:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pedroh @ Jun 15 2009, 05:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

katzenzungen!!

Asked hubby what that meant-when he gave me the literal translation...

Then he showed me this:

Looks yummy!

This thread is getting disturbing

: I'm not sure what a lot of these products are but I'm hoping they're more innocent than the picture portrays.

What is quark?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-06-16 02:12:00

QUOTE (jundp @ Jun 11 2009, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Betti @ Jun 10 2009, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ugh, Nutella and cheese just sounds disgusting to me.
At the party we also had potato salad, fresh amber rye bread from the farmers' market and some selfmade Obatzda (bavarian cheesecream made of brie or camembert, creamcheese, butter, onions and herbs...so good!) Everybody loved it! :-)

Betti, that picture will make P very happy

On a side note, since we're talking food, I can't wait for our wedding/birthday/reunion party this summer. Maybe I'll finally get my quarksahnetorte wedding cake!

Oh and Nina...I love celery and peanut butter! Apples and PB too.

Did you know that's the best treat to catch a skunk with (apples and PB)? It sure is good, though.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-06-11 19:24:00

QUOTE (Wacken @ May 27 2009, 08:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

UoP is expensive, $315-$515 per credit hour. I was looking around in their course offerings, but it doesn't look like they offer any foreign languages. Also, if you are going to spend money on credits, might as well get them from a regionally rather than nationally accredited university, like the University of Maryland (which does offer German), but that is also not cheap.

I've used Rosetta Stone previously for a different language, and I think it's great. After that you'll definitely need to practice your conversation. There's lots of avenues, but the most entertaining to me seems to play online games with German folks. I've met many of them in several games, such as World in Conflict and Guild Wars.

My father swears by the Berlitz school, which he took for Spanish. The in-person classes spoke natively from day 1, and focus only on conversation skills.

I'm sure there's something out there that will work better and less expensively than going to a university. I personally haven't had the time on my hands to work on my German, but nothing could be harder than Ancient Greek which I took at UT. So I'm not too worried. lol

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-05-28 21:05:00

QUOTE (Wacken @ May 23 2009, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (jundp @ May 21 2009, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

However, he will NOT eat American chocolate.

My husband will whine about it in bar form, but he'll eat it if it is there. The only thing that is a no go is any combo of chocolate with peanut butter. He does have a place in his heart for York Peppermint Patties.

Besides that, I can't think of much that he originally expressed disgust for that I eat that he won't eat now. Sometimes he'll complain about things and within days, I'll see him eating it up with no suggestion from me at all. I'll ask #######? and he'll just say he doesn't get it either and keeps eating. He still doesn't like real maple syrup, but is all about the fake #######. Working on that.

Interesting. Andy loved PB+Chocolate, and peanuts+chocolate. I think he's in withdrawl. haha

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-05-23 23:59:00

QUOTE (jundp @ May 20 2009, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Case in point regarding cultural differences: the other night P informed me that the dinner I had cooked was devoid of flavor and terribly tough. Now it's funny, but at the time I was PISSED!

When I told him it hurt my feelings he said "well, if I don't tell you then how will you know not to cook it again?" Note: he cooks too and he has no problem sharing household chores, so it's not a macho thing...he just is much more blunt than I am.

Sounds familiar. Dish after dish, something got pushed to the side of the plate with some note about why it "doesn't taste." I basically told him he'd better get over it or he'll starve (I'm a very healthy eater).

He was pushing aside all the vegetables. His family was incredibly shocked at his family reunion a few weeks back when he was suddenly eating vegetables for the first time in his 29 years.

Can't wait to subject him to SALADS.

But he has become addicted to peanut butter. And enjoys sandwiches instead of just eating "toasts" (with meat/cheese on them).

What new foods do you all find your German spouse enjoys? And hates?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-05-21 11:25:00

QUOTE (jundp @ May 11 2009, 10:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We don't use Skype anymore now that P's here. Huh. We should. I don't even know if his parents have a web cam. We should check on that.

I'm SO EXCITED now that we're down to less than 90 days until we leave. Except we haven't gotten my daughter's passport yet. I can't get it until her dad sends me a notarized form granting permission...grrrrrr!

Yes, you definitely should! Andy is already making plans with his father for regular webchat sessions. Neither they nor us can afford the international calls, and having the webchats will definitely make everyone feel a little closer. He used Skype to call them every week during both visits to the U.S. just to call their home phone, since it was so inexpensive (.02 cents/minute U.S. -> Germany).

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-05-12 02:02:00