biggish data

QUOTE (pedroh @ May 3 2009, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yup..

we are Das Sachsenhäuser Duo

we even cater to our own events... mettbrotchen tostadas, guacamole mit musik, rippchen en salsa verde, handkäse nachos

Now you're making me hungry, too! So cruel!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-05-03 18:36:00

QUOTE (pedroh @ May 3 2009, 12:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ms. Squirrel @ May 2 2009, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just wanted to drop in and say hello. I live in Frankfurt and my bf in Charlotte and we travel back and forth. Luckily we are able to see each other quite often - he comes over three times a year and I go over there three times. That all adds up to around 10-12 weeks a year.

We are going to continue the LDR thing for a few more years. It's hard, but we an do it.

I'm a Mexican, soon to be married to a German

best combination ever

Something about that statement makes me think of accordians...

(fyi I love Mexican & German cultures despite the accordian hehe)

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-05-03 10:59:00

QUOTE (Betti @ Apr 28 2009, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am born and raised in Germany as well. I grew up in Oldenburg and lived the last 3 years in Bremen, which is both in the north of Germany. Bremen is about an hour away from Hamburg.
The Americans I meet always seem to have been to the South, nobody ever goes to the North. I wonder why that is...only because Munich is so popular?

The North is pretty flat and the Wadden sea is amazing! It's worth a trip...

We plan to visit next year in summertime and then hopefully every other year or so.

My SO has been living in Bremen for almost 10 years (moving soon). I thought it was a really beautiful, interesting city. I never got to see any of the typical tourist sites around Germany, just Bremen, Bremerhaven, and Cuxhaven. We hope in the future to explore more of Germany and Europe in general, as he hasn't seen as much as he'd like to yet and I've only been there to meet his family and friends. It's funny, he's seen more of the U.S. than Europe now!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-04-28 18:29:00

QUOTE (panterchen @ Apr 23 2009, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nina+Matt: Thanks a lot! I didn't know. I am still registered in Germany as of now but plan to change that as soon as I have the GC. So I would have to register the marriage also at the German embassy?? I will need to read up on this.

As for my alcohol post: I have noticed two types of people here in the Midwest.
a) very very very religious aka non-drinkers and sometimes they are against alcohol completely

religious, yeah/neay...drinking every now and then

I just know that some of my husband's extended family didn't like us drinking so much at our wedding (but it wasn't too extreme like we couldn't walk straight anymore). Well, my family drinks a lot at special occasions like our wedding and everyone had a great time!

Must be the area that you're living. I've lived and traveled throughout the U.S. and haven't come across that general attitude. It's common to drink at dinner, go with co-workers and friends to the bar, and even invite a potential employer for a cocktail. I think the wedding drinking thing is a family-specific issue, as I've seen it both ways (dry weddings except champagne toast, and full-bar drinking heavy ones). Perhaps the most noticeable difference is that many many Americans drink lots of cheap, crappy beer.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-04-23 23:01:00

QUOTE (Wacken @ Apr 20 2009, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL, now that I've thought about it, for balance, here are some things my husband complained or said to me about the US:

1) People are pointlessly polite. Like they say 'excuse me, sir' when they walk or have to get by you.
2) The weeks begin on Sunday. This causes confusion in our household when I mean next week starting Sunday and he means it starting Monday.
3) I was definitely right, Indiana is lacking in a lot of ways, in his opinion.
4) The roads are #######. Every pothole seems to burn into his soul.

That's funny that #1 was a complaint. My SO was surprised but really got to like how friendly and polite everyone has been (especially in my little town). The gravel roads in some places freaked him out and that there was not a shoulder everywhere. The grocery store service -- not having to bag stuff yourself (and having bags at all), and the lack of full and complete required recycling -- I think that one especially is going to take a long time to adapt to.

But there's other cultural differences, that I agree, can be more subtle. I'm familiar with the "professional student" thing that Wacken is talking about. I'm sure if school were as cheap here then we'd have that issue, too. The lack of real holidays off here, the job application process -- well, there are more than a few we've noticed and caused confusion. I'd say there's more cultural differences than may be overtly obvious.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-04-20 20:07:00

QUOTE (Eveline @ Apr 15 2009, 03:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Philosykos @ Apr 14 2009, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am the German part of the couple, but I would like to join this thread! I also find the "German German thread" a little exclusive, because the conversations seem to revolve around the details of the daily lives of the members who all seem to know each other very well. There is nothing wrong with that, but I don't get into reading it. Maybe I will once I've moved to the US and miss my compatriots! For now, I am much more interested in reading a German-American thread.

That is right. The thread was started back in early 2005 so we kinda got to know each other over the past four years. When all the visa stuff is over, there's not much left to talk about than recipes, travelling and children. Also, a lot of the members there had babies, met each other in person etc...so it's more of a family kinda feeling which might be a little off putting when you first find the thread. I have actually never thought about how other people might feel when they read it first but you are definetely right.

As for Americans learning German....my husband tries so hard but he mixes things up a whole lot. I think he speaks a little more German than our 2 year old son but it's a struggle for him. I don't speak much German to him because there is just no need for him to really learn to speak the language. Both my parents speak English, we live in America and my English is good enough to get through everyday life.

Ah, well that's pretty fortunate about the language issue. My future father-in-law has some broken English skills (he tries, just hasn't used it much in so long), but my future mother-in-law doesn't know any. It's a major thing to breach. I've never been great with languages, and right now my plate is too full to even make an attempt. But it's on the agenda, if nothing else to give my Schatz a break when his mom tries to take over everything when we visit.

Folding his clothes, trying to pack for him, reminding him where to find plates in the house he grew up in... poor guy! But anyhow I find it a hard switch for me to make, as all the language comparisons I try to make only make it more difficult (Spanish, Ancient Greek, little French). Ugh. =/

Someone further up mentioned being laughed at when they spoke -- I got that a couple times too, but not just with German. I think it gets better the more you speak up, even if you say things wrong. Give yourself a break, though, speaking is always the last to come.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-04-15 22:29:00

QUOTE (Eveline @ Apr 14 2009, 05:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was wondering what the 'bash the German Thread' thing was all about. There's another thread a little further below here...same topic.

If you write in english, we'll answer in english..if you never write again then we will just continue in German. After all though...everybody is always more than welcome to post in the German thread.

I don't have a beef against any particular person over in the German thread. Just saying that it's an English-based website, so it's not exactly inclusive to have a German-based thread. It excludes many of us with German SOs who don't have adequate German to join there. It's exclusive by its nature. Many of those very same people respond in other threads in German when the prior posts are written in English, even. That's why I use the term "intolerance" regarding English use by many people from that particular thread.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-04-14 09:47:00

QUOTE (cassi9879 @ Apr 12 2009, 08:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aubrey @ Apr 12 2009, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My fiance liked anything with chocolate on it. And never had cool whip before. Oh, and Dairy Queen brownie earthquakes. Try those?

Those have all been put off limits because of his cholesterol....

How about fruit smoothies (fruit + non-fat yogurt + juice)? There's quite a few recipe books you could purchase (I have one myself). My German man loved those, too. You can also make chocolate ones using hershey's cocoa powder or syrup without adding cholesterol (like chocolate, banana, milk, yogurt).

Edited by Aubrey, 13 April 2009 - 01:42 AM.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-04-13 01:41:00

Okay, I'm not married yet, but don't count me out. It's coming soon (hopefully this summer). My future in-laws speak little or no English, and I speak no German (kinda busy atm to be learning it). I always have felt left out of the German thread because they have no tolerance for English speakers.

My fiance liked anything with chocolate on it. And never had cool whip before. Oh, and Dairy Queen brownie earthquakes. Try those?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-04-12 22:02:00

German-American K-1 couples

Yes! Andreas and Aubrey are both in this area too, and are in fact good friends of ours. Andreas is from Germany (Bremen?!) too.

Yarrr... I haven't gotten to attend a "kraut night" yet with all the area VJ'rs, but nod to my good friend jundp! My husband Andy most recently lived in Bremen and his family is from Cuxhaven. I'm sure he'd love to meet some more new German friends, as long as he isn't forced to eat kraut... (what a crazy thing for a German not to like sauerkraut!).

Andy's family has shipped a few care packages to us, and they said the post office shipped stuff for flat fees for certain box size ranges after a certain weight. A couple of the boxes were heavy-ish but not overly expensive. They did take a month or more to get here though. They also brought an extra suitcase packed full of his stuff when they came for our wedding (since you're still allowed 2/person for international flights, and they only needed one each). He has quite a few things he couldn't take, which will have to wait until we can afford a visit to bring it back with us.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-01-15 03:43:00

Immigrating to the U.S. from Germany

Hi guys!
I will be moving to the Staates in end of Mai (K1 visa).
I was wondering, what should I do with my place of residence in Germany. Is it necessary to give any notice of departure? Should I inform any public authority that I am immigarting to the U.S.?
Is this necessary? What consequences does it has?

thanks for your answers.

- Adam

Yes, you do need to let Germany know you will not be living there. My husband did so before he left. I don't remember the process, but I don't think it was complicated or time consuming. I'll ask him to post when he gets home from work and explain it to you.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-02-23 06:58:00

K1 Denied - Please Please HELP!!!

From what I've read around VJ, you should have received a letter stating why she was denied at the consulate. Did they want more evidence of the overall relationship or of an ongoing one?

What I'd recommend is that you gather your evidence you submitted originally with the I-129F (what you listed), and go to the next interview WITH her while you are there. That should provide all the proof they need. Don't wait until you return to do it again.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-07-31 11:41:00

Approval Notice sent(NOA2)

Congrats! Looks like California really has picked up the pace!

Good luck on the remainder of your journey.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-08-05 02:09:00

Specific requirements of Cosponsor???

Both you and your co-sponsor will need to provide the appropriate documentation to prove your finances. It's stated in the guides here. "If there is a co-sponsor, both the US fiance and the co-sponsor will EACH have to fill out the affidavit I-134 or I-864 and EACH will have to provide supporting documentation."

Be sure to read the guides and tips, as well as the I-134 instructions, to make sure you're collecting all the needed documentation (employment letters, etc).

Edit: For clarification, the I-134 is not required until the EMBASSY stage (not at your initial filing of the I-129f).

Edited by Aubrey, 04 January 2009 - 01:56 PM.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-01-04 13:55:00

Change in I-134 Form

QUOTE (pushbrk @ Dec 23 2008, 10:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Aubrey @ Dec 23 2008, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Captn Ewok mentioned in the site discussion he was going to contact them regarding the discrepancy. I had the new form notarized as an addendum last week (on a separate page, before I realized it was a new form). But I will tell you the notary was reluctant to do even that since there was no place on the form, and said she couldn't notarize below my signature on page2 or it would be equivalent to her also signing the oath.

The list on the USCIS page indicates the old version is still accepted though, so perhaps that's the best route for now. It's too late for me, since it's been sent off with the pseudo-notarization.

A description on a web page is not the form or the form's instruction. Either the old or new form will work. Until USCIS updates the web page, there's no danger to simply disregard the discrepancy and use the new form according to its accompanying instructions.

Had you carefully read the instructions that came with the form you used, you would have known not to bother with a Notary, as it is clearly stated in those instructions.

I didn't even realize there was a new form until I got home, and was confused myself why there wasn't room on the form for the notary. I carefully read the instructions back in July for the form. Nobody else in my July filer group realized there was a new form, either.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-12-24 12:48:00

Change in I-134 Form

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2008-12-24 01:03:00

Police Report

QUOTE (thymbo @ Jan 20 2009, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does the US Citizen need to send a police report on themselves with the k1 application...any ideas pls

Nope.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2009-01-20 23:10:00

darkchilde, you are tiny! If you're fat, then I'm obese.

And I just found out, after swearing off chocolate...my skin cleared up.
I want chocolate. =(

I agree. Denial diets don't work anyway, since they're not sustainable. Lifestyle changes are better. Eat your chocolate, just control your portions. I have no control over sweets if I see them, so I have my husband hide them from me until I want a little. He brings me a few pieces and I feel better. No more binging on junk. Also, I do find that better quality chocolate makes me want to eat less, because it is just soooo intense. 70% or 80% cocoa. Not many people can eat a lot of that at once, but a little is so yummy!

The other thing about chocolate... it can improve your mood (clicky here for explanation)! So a little is really not so bad.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-03-12 14:52:00

I'm with you there ashen
I havn't exercised for the last 3 days... I just can't bring myself to exercise lately.
It's so frustrating... I lose determination on things just way too easily.

I think what makes the exercise thing so hard to keep up with, at least for me, is that I'm stuck doing it myself. It would be easier with a workout buddy - that way each person can motivate the other when they don't feel like it. The other factor that's kept me from doing it regularly was being so tired all the time. But I am so happy, my husband started a great job and also no longer has to work night shifts, so my sleeping habits are becoming regular again. I know I will have an easier time keeping it up now.

The last couple days has been crazy on my progress though. I'm down about 5 pounds since I started, but quit exercising for about a week from complete exhaustion and chronic migraines. Now that's over and the last couple of days have been CrAzY with having just 1 car and preparing for my own interview (I ran around literally all day yesterday reworking my design portfolio and getting prints, ugh). So I broke form and had a glass of wine last night (drinking my calories!) and then had taco bell for dinner. Then today I skipped lunch for 2 rice cakes... I was too busy to eat. Those little setbacks really add up, and it sucks! I want to fit back in my old clothes again!

While I'm not "huge" (the Wii Fit tells me I'm "normal" but I'm close to that overweight line), but I am not thin and healthy anymore. I was always the slim one my whole life (my ex-husband even called me "skinny lou" as a hillbilly nickname), and I still have clothes from 5-6 years ago that are size 4 and 6. Now I'm 10/12, and I hate it. The flub on my stomach, the extra weight I can see in my chin, and BLECH.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-03-05 19:03:00

It's pretty hard for me to do anything except the Wii Fit.
We have no exersise equipment, we can't afford a gym membership and I dont have running shoes

I can't really look into anything else until one of us finds a job.

I am in the same boat with the no money problem. I have a Wii Fit, too, but have to say you definitely do have low cost/no cost options without realizing it.

I think the strength training on Wii Fit it is decent, but the cardio is just not enough unless you modify it with weights (I use a $5 set of 1 lb wrist weights for the boxing) or an aerobic step (such as this one. Even the strength training could use a boost with a resistance band. I know you can find them cheap at Walmart or Target.

For Wii Fit alternatives/no cost: what about your local library? I was just at mine and they have a ton of workout dvds to check out. I picked up Dancing with the Stars weight loss training, and I can renew it for up to a month. You should look into your library for more choices.

Also, never forget you can run in place with weights to make your indoor jog more intense -- water bottles, books, a sack of flour... it might sound silly, but you definitely CAN step up your workout for cheap/free if you think outside the retail box. You can do it!

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-02-25 20:05:00

Wow, this thread went from positive and helpful to disgusting and awful in less than 24 hours. Showing pictures of unhealthy foods and disgusting pictures of meats is NOT support for weight loss.

:ot2:

Please? Pretty please? It was bad enough to have unfortunately walked down the candy isle at the store today and have to pull myself away wanting some.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-02-24 16:08:00

Hubby came home with regular instead of whole wheat pancakes. Ugh. We are too poor to throw them out, and it is too time consuming to make two kinds. Those little things really add up, and I get so frustrated that money inhibits my progress. Can't afford egg substitute or to throw out all the yolks -- so I'm stuck with the fat of the whole egg. I think he was frustrated with me though for buying whole wheat bread for myself, which costs twice as much as white, no matter what brand/no brand you buy.

Overall my calorie consumption this week isn't too bad, but I'm definitely getting more fat intake than I'd like. Days I'm too tired to do cardio, I do a small set of strength training stuff that spark recommends. I haven't weighed myself in days, so no idea on progress. But I definitely am doing more than I have in months, so that's good.

What is the deal with the cabbage soup thing? What am I missing?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-02-24 09:36:00

Is there an option to enter your own food? I use Calorie King, and they have t hat option. Most stuff has nutritional info on the back.

I also read today on my Ck that if you guesstimate what you're eating, you're probably eating more, therefore not getting an accurate calorie count.

Yes, sparkpeople lets you enter your own food. I guesstimate stuff like veggies, because it's hard to accurately measure how much I throw into my eggs, for example. There is just not enough time to measure everything. It also has a pretty cool database of food recipes, even for vegetarians (Yay!).

@ Darnell: Yuck, how do you stand eating just that? Especially steamed tofu? I'm a vegetarian myself, but can't stand tofu unless it's marinated and cooked to firm. Have you thought about eating edamamme? Same protein, same ingredient, but tastes way better imo.

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-02-23 07:05:00

I totally relate to the spouse not wanting to eat fruits and veggies. When I met my husband, he refused to eat almost any veggie or fruit at all. It's so hard for especially because I'm a vegetarian! I get so tired of eating the same thing over and over. He HATES beans, and well, that's the only protein I can afford right now besides eggs and PB. He will eat peas, diced carrots (only if they are super soft/overcooked), corn, tomatoes, and spinach. Fruits he is better about, but we can't afford much in that department -- pineapple was the only thing he ate though before I met him... on his pizza.

I haven't exercised since my last post (what, 3 days ago?). This is the problem I struggle with most with exercising. It is not a lack of motivation, but the combination of recurrent migraines and fatigue. One or the other has stopped me in the last 2 days. It's not the fatigue you get over after getting your heart rate up either. My husband's working graveyard shifts, and I'm suffering major insomnia as a result. At least I've been good on my eating habits -- keeping my calories at 1700 or so, according to SparkPeople. Does anyone else suffer from these problems getting in the way of exercise? What do you do?

Aubrey

Female

Germany

2010-02-21 02:22:00