Let me see if I have this understood right, you moved from HI (filed both types of apps with a California Service Ctr?). You moved in Nov (u didn't mention where)...is the area where you live still covered under the CSC?

Have you notified USCIS of your change of address? According to their website, "Customers who have an application and/or petition which has been filed with USCIS but has not yet been decided (also known as a 'pending' case) should notify USCIS of any change of address as soon as possible after moving."

If you have not, here's some USCIS info on the subject and how to do it:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa

USCIS services available to you while case is pending (very useful):
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0000ecd190aRCRD

Definately want to try to minimize any potential delays with your case. Waiting is long enough even when filed perfectly.

LOL Sorry I will clarify. I filed the 130 in Oct to the CSC(lived in Hawaii). Moved in Nov to New Mexico. Called the USCIS myself and told them of the move. As soon as I had an address I also told my Lawyer. Kept in touch weekly with the laywer. Did not hear anything (also found this site) and called the lawyer and told them to send in the I 129 with the proof that the I 130 was sent. She sent it out in Jan. I just happened to call when the actual lawyer answered the phone. I asked about my NOA, that day the assistant emailed me a copy( funny because I had asked her about it the week before!!!) Anyway, looking at the 797's the 129rejection is dated the same as the 130's reciept notice. Diffrent service centers. So I think the lawyer sent it to the wrong one. the 130 went to cali the 129 went to chicago. The laywer had my new address cause you can see in my packet that instead of re printing them they very poorly whited out the old address and wrote in the new one. But it looks as if the address was updated at the service centers cause the rejection notice came to my house and not back to the laywer.

Def sounds like a mix up with the lawyer.

Anyway, dual filings don't promise one will complete before the other. But, some ppl like the feeling of the back up.

We hit a snag during our process, too.

We went through VSC w/i-130. From start to finish was 13 months. VCS approved our app and was to transfer it to NVC. Somewhere in between, they lost our file, NVC never got it and we were left in absolute limbo for about 5 months. Frustrated with lack of help/information from VSC & NVC, I contacted my local congressman's office, who contacted immigration and they were able to get the ball rolling. We resubmitted a copy of our entire i-130 application packet. Bam! everything moved fast. The congressman's office kept regular contact w/me and status w/immigration offices through the rest of the process state side. And, once my husband got here, we made a trip over to see them just to say thank you (they don't accept gifts) in person. I still stop in from time to time, just to say hi. Best of all, they provide FREE immigration support.

I hope all goes well for you from now on. GL and KUP!

Thanks Wendy! We mailed all the stuff off to register our marriage in L.A. this morning...then we're just planning to bug the heck out of everyone at the Turkish Consulate and military service until they give us what we need!

Glad to hear you had such an awesome trip and glad you made it back safe!!

Take Care,
Tanya

P.S. I was reading some old posts on this forum the other day and cracking up to myself when I came to the part about eating fish and yoghurt at the same time...its sooo true! Apparently the same thing goes for fish and milk too...

******************************************************

Tanya, I am so sorry, I didn't realize you and Ozzy were going through this regarding his military service. I hope you will get it resolved soon. I am sure you will, you both seem to be on top of things and waste no time getting done what needs to be done!!!

Thanks Awaterlily. Yes, it was much too long of a separation!!!

[quote name='tanyakaraman' date='Jan 24 2008, 03:24 PM' post='1522505']
Thanks Wendy! We mailed all the stuff off to register our marriage in L.A. this morning...then we're just planning to bug the heck out of everyone at the Turkish Consulate and military service until they give us what we need!

Glad to hear you had such an awesome trip and glad you made it back safe!!

Take Care,
Tanya

P.S. I was reading some old posts on this forum the other day and cracking up to myself when I came to the part about eating fish and yoghurt at the same time...its sooo true! Apparently the same thing goes for fish and milk too...

Thanks Tanya.

yeah, funny story. I really don't like fish. So one night we had dinner at Yilmaz's sister's house. She asked me (in Turkish) if I liked fish. Of course I said "Evet", she was so happy. Well, at dinner that is what we had. Little fishes with their heads on. Yilmaz started to tell her that I don't like fish. I stopped him immediately and asked him to show me how to eat them. Well, I was starving so I bravely broke off the head, took out the back bone and broke off the tail. They were very good. I ended up eating about eight. For someone who doesn't like fish, that is a lot.

Tebrikler on your NOA!!!

something's wrong with this board tonight..i keep trying to respond to posts and it won't let me!

to respond to wendya: are you referring to the little fish that are abt 3 in long? from the Black Sea? They're delicious!

Yes, they are the ones!!

Sorry I just need to vent.......I am losing my mind over here!! I am trying to stay so busy to keep my mind off this stuff but this is excrutiating(sp?) I think im am rapidly losing my mind. I find my self "speaking" what is running thru my head(lol) wow am I going nuts??? !! And what makes it so bad is thinking about all the other people here going thru the same things... This whole experience is just.... I am blanking out thinking about it. Just the lonleyness, and emptyness, the not knowing is killing. And trying to stay so strong when people ask about how you are---- ( I have visions of throwing myself on the floor and having a kid fit LOL) that just pops into my head hahaha---JUst putting on a smile and say fine and leaveing it at that is best. ANd trying not to break down on the phone with the husband is worse! I cry cause I miss and want him so much then cry more cause I just made him feel so help-less and horriable cause he is not here to fix it!! oh wow this is just so tiring sorry about the tantrum....

Thank you Mina. Yes, I did get your text messages, i hope you got mine ;-) Glad all is moving along for you guys.

Citizenship....ya, he can start this year in October, I think. or is it 3 years from the arrival date? ummm, need to read up on it

Best wishes,
Debbie

It would be very nice if we could stay in touch after all, this process wont end for us for awhile....We will go thru this same thing with my husbands mother .....soooo ;-) How about you guys?

I am so sorry to hear about your problem with military issue tanyakaraman.

Candemir went thru this same issue but he just contacted the Embassy in California, downloaded the application and then sent it back along with his passport (he renewed that as well) and the $$. Back in his hands within a few weeks.

He was called to duty just as he was leaving Turkey to come here, so we had to really get on the ball and make sure the military issue was taken care of. The process has to be done yearly if he wants to go home. When he went back to Turkey last year, everything was perfect. He had the letter with him but no one asked for it ;-)

Best wishes,
Debbie

Hi Everyone,

I had posted this incident in the "OFF TOPIC" Forum, but I thought to also post it here being that maybe someone else has been through a situation like this.

Can anyone tell me how one would have handled this situation at work with a co-worker?

My husband is muslim and he never discusses religion unless it's with close friends and family, but last friday at work someone was curious about the islamic faith and asked my husband a question in which my husband was more then happy to answer when another co-worker came over to talk to them. When my husband left the conversation to go back to finish his work he overheard them laughing and seen one of them making hand gestures about the islamic faith.

Being me I would have confronted that co-worker directly, but instead my husband kept quiet. I feel he should report this incident!

Tough one. This is why civil rights laws are in place.

If it were me, I, too, would take it up with management immediately. But he might put his job at risk by doing so. Employers find ways around the rules.

Or he could say nothing and let it go. Just be mindful in the future not to discuss religion, etc. at the job again.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of narrow minded ppl in this world.

Hi Mina,

I am a HR Manager and working directly with a PR Company as well as Accounting Manager and really it depends on how much he wants to rock the boat. Yes, he can make it a huge issue and go thru the process...file a complaint....possible.... put his job on the line.

I am a convert to Islam...I don’t discuss my religion with anyone also most people wont feel so comfortable to approach me; I am normally a very serious person. I also don’t discuss my personal life or talk chit chat...I don’t do that and am not that type of person.

BUT I have had 1 person at my work that approached me with comments which are totally unacceptable. BUT, I know in my possition..As the only woman in upper management, it would be a problem for me if I proceeded.

I had another top employee approach me with why I was not eating pizza at a Company Pizza party. I made a simple statement that I do not eat pork. He said to me, Oh...your husband is Muslim right? I said yes, and he continued on to TRY to tell me how Muslims where and what they believed in.....I quickly and firmly said: I will NOT discuss my or my husbands religion with you and walked away. In doing this, he understood he was not welcome to discuss this issue with me and that I was offended.

I know my company and how we terminate and also how we build the file to do so legally. SOoo in time, it happens if the employee makes a little mistake a few times it will lead to a quick termination. I deal with issues daily.

This government has made it very difficult for Muslims...inflecting hate across this land...Dead Truth People!!

So Mina.....It all depends.

Legally, yes He can proceed and report it. The company can feel as he is a threat and walk softly until a reasonable reason comes for a quick termination...Sorry, this is fact. AND on the other side he can always file a law suit in rebuttal…OR the company can give a warning the other employee ….done…..BUT not for the 2 involved.

Ya, we have laws to protect people and on and on and ….some people believe firmly in these laws and the freedom and so on…Fact is it happens daily, no one is untouchable and nothing is free ;-) All comes to an end.

Ahh….I have talked too much and gave too much of my opinion.

Take care and BEST wishes to you both.
Peace.!
Debra

We understand Merk I myself had a very hard time, depressed big time! I started a thread when I first begin this process, some of the original people are now in this thread and we have supported each other throughout this ordeal.

I was deeply affected.... In every area of my life. I know the pain this process caused me and you have lots of support.

Hugs!
Debra

your baby is just so lovely awaterlily

I do miss this age with all of me.............miss miss as my girls are teenagers

Thx Debra - she's at a wonderful age. Crawling, standing, etc. As she's reaching milestones so early we expect her to begin walking very soon. She's a blessing.

All-

Since I'm on the topic of the baby, DH and I have talked about getting dual citizenship for her. What I wonder - is it really advantageous in doing so? It's not like we'll be going over there a lot - perhaps once a year - at least, in the forseeable future.

I'm interested in info and thoughts on this...TIA

Tough one. This is why civil rights laws are in place.

If it were me, I, too, would take it up with management immediately. But he might put his job at risk by doing so. Employers find ways around the rules.

Or he could say nothing and let it go. Just be mindful in the future not to discuss religion, etc. at the job again.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of narrow minded ppl in this world.


Tell me about it Awaterlily, yes there are alot of narrow minded ppl in this world!

My husband did went ahead and reported this incident to his supervisor and believe it or not he said they have been treating him a little better now

Thanks for your input in this matter

Mina

Hi Mina,

I am a HR Manager and working directly with a PR Company as well as Accounting Manager and really it depends on how much he wants to rock the boat. Yes, he can make it a huge issue and go thru the process...file a complaint....possible.... put his job on the line.

I am a convert to Islam...I don’t discuss my religion with anyone also most people wont feel so comfortable to approach me; I am normally a very serious person. I also don’t discuss my personal life or talk chit chat...I don’t do that and am not that type of person.

BUT I have had 1 person at my work that approached me with comments which are totally unacceptable. BUT, I know in my possition..As the only woman in upper management, it would be a problem for me if I proceeded.

I had another top employee approach me with why I was not eating pizza at a Company Pizza party. I made a simple statement that I do not eat pork. He said to me, Oh...your husband is Muslim right? I said yes, and he continued on to TRY to tell me how Muslims where and what they believed in.....I quickly and firmly said: I will NOT discuss my or my husbands religion with you and walked away. In doing this, he understood he was not welcome to discuss this issue with me and that I was offended.

I know my company and how we terminate and also how we build the file to do so legally. SOoo in time, it happens if the employee makes a little mistake a few times it will lead to a quick termination. I deal with issues daily.

This government has made it very difficult for Muslims...inflecting hate across this land...Dead Truth People!!

So Mina.....It all depends.

Legally, yes He can proceed and report it. The company can feel as he is a threat and walk softly until a reasonable reason comes for a quick termination...Sorry, this is fact. AND on the other side he can always file a law suit in rebuttal…OR the company can give a warning the other employee ….done…..BUT not for the 2 involved.

Ya, we have laws to protect people and on and on and ….some people believe firmly in these laws and the freedom and so on…Fact is it happens daily, no one is untouchable and nothing is free ;-) All comes to an end.

Ahh….I have talked too much and gave too much of my opinion.

Take care and BEST wishes to you both.
Peace.!
Debra


Thanks for your input too Debra,

As I had mentioned to Awaterlily, my husband did went on to report this incident to his supervisor and things have been a little better for him at work now, interesting enough of the outcome of this situation when he was expecting the worst to happen!

What a country I tell you, you never know what this kind of discrimination feels like until it hits so close to home with your loved one, interesting enough I had never discussed religion or politics with any of my co-workers and I prefer it that way!

Thanks again for sharing your opinions,

Mina

We rec'd the biometrics appt. letter - 2/14
Yay!

Congratulations now on to a quick finish






Great to hear everything went a-ok Mina

INFORMATION LINKS TO CITIZEN TESTING


http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments...zation_Test.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-685.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/100q.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/reading_vocab.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/writing_vocab.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/Comparison.pdf

Thx for posting the quick links, Debra

My husband had the biometrics appointment this morning. Got there abt. 15-20 minutes early. Lobby was empty. They took him in immediately - we never even sat down. Finished in abt. 15 minutes!

!!!

Great, glad everything went fast and smoothly for you both!

Mina

I would like to wish all the Turkish/American couples a Happy Valentine's Day!

That is wonderful news!!!! Tebrikler!!




Thank you Mina!! Happy Valentine's to you too!!

I meant to post in this thread, but accidentally created a new topic, so here it is again...

Hi everyone. As you probably know, all Turkish males must complete their mandatory army duty. My fiance has not yet done his service (he was able to delay due to attending University), but will be eligible late summer/early fall 2008. We filed for our K1 in November 2007 and we are worrying that if his visa is not approved in time he will not be allowed to leave the country due to the fact that his army service delay is coming to an end and he must enroll. Does anyone know anything about this? Will they physically prevent him from leaving the country? Of course we don't want to create a situation where he isn't able to return to Turkey in the future.

If anyone has any experience, advice or insight into this matter I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you so much!

~Julia

CONGRATULATIONS



should be anytime now ;-)

Merhaba,

I just responded to your message but here is some other info for you. This is the Consulate my husband went thru for his military issues and to renew his passport. They will help you. We did it all in under 3 weeks by mail.



Military Services Department

Turkish Consulate General

6300 Wilshire Blvd. Suite2010

Los Angeles, CA 90048

Tel. (323) 655-8832

Fax. (323) 655-8681

website: www.e-konsolosluk.net

Mmmmm yes, hamsi! I first tried them in a restaurant in Instanbul and loved them! We actually found them (frozen) in a Turkish market in Peterson, NJ (that town has the most awesome Turkish/Middle Eastern section with many markets, halal butchers, barber shops, restaurants, etc!!) and cooked them at home! You can eat them just like french fries - heads, bones and all. It took a while for my kids to work up the nerve to eat fish heads, but they loved them too.

That was the dinner when I started to pour some milk for everyone and got a panicked look and quick advice that you can't drink milk with fish (or it could end badly for you)!

Sorry for the late reply. I haven't visited the board very much lately...things have been crazy with my schedule the past few weeks! We did finally get the military issue resolved. We sent our info to the consulate in Los Angeles to register our marriage, then waited a few weeks, then Ozzy returned to the consulate in New York last Wednesday (we got so many conflicting stories from embassy representatives as for what documentation we needed to send, etc., that we thought it better to just go there in person with *everything*) and he was able to postpone the military service, I believe for 2 years. So that is a huge relief! We are planning to return to Turkey in late March (with my 13-year-old daughter) and didn't want to have to worry about him being detained at the airport or anything. I'm glad to hear that your husband had no problems...hopefully that'll be the case for us as well.

Am I the only one here who doesn't like hamsi?

It's a big joke among me and my fiance's family because one of the first times I visited them they served hamsi and kept loading them on my plate, and ofcourse, wanting to make a good impression and be a polite guest, I ate them all. My father was also with me, who does not like fish at all, and he was creating "little fishy sandwiches" as he explained, in order to get them down. It was pretty funny. I didn't tell my fiance until several months later how I really felt about hamsi and he got a kick out of it, telling me he didn't like it either.

Don't feel too bad about it Julia, because I also didn't care much for them either!

The thought of also eating the heads was gross enough for me that I made faces just seeing my mother in law eat them right in front of my face with so much gusto! and all my husband did was laughed Don't think I want to tried them again cause once was enough for me!

So how is Everyone else doing these days? Greetings and Blessings to Everyone!

Mina

Hi Mina. How are you? Everything is same for me. Still waiting.

Hi Tanya, so happy that you got the military service sorted!! Tebrikler.

Merhaba Julie. Nice to see you. Yes, the little fishes are a little gross. And I know what you mean. Yilmaz's sister was creating a nice little pile that she gave me, and I bravely ate them. I too really don't like fish either. Only Lobster, shrimp and scallops. That is about the extent of my fish eating. So, I too was shocked to see a whole fish, but trying to be a good and polite guest, I too bravely ate them. It wasn't as bad as I feared, but I wouldn't choose to eat them again.

iyi gunler everyone!!

Hi Everybody


Wow it has been quiet here lately, so where has Everyone gone?

Wendy, so nice to see you again and I am so sorry that you are still waiting, hopefully your case will start moving along soon!

Julia, How are you also doing? Sorry I have been kind of busy with work again as of lately, but I hope to be able to speak with you soon!

Debra, hope you're not working too hard and can take a break soon, you certainly need a vacation

Well I hope that all is all is well with all the Turkish/American couples and that someone is soon to receive wonderful news on their process, please post them soon so that we can share in your joy

Blessing to All,

Mina

[b]Hi All!

Wow! I haven't been on here in quite a while! Took me almost an hour to read all the posts and catch up! So glad to hear good news and progress from most of you and for those of you still waiting for your loved ones keep the faith and all will happen before you know it!

Resul and I are doing great. He finally received his drivers license in Dec. and now loves to drive! He never drove in Turkey and was afraid to drive here. And he finally got a car and is in heaven! He switched jobs in Dec. also and is working for Whole Foods. He feels it's a good company to work for, but like most of us he wishes he were making more $$$... So now that he can drive and has a car he can start looking for a better job.

As for me... Nothing too exciting! Healthwise doing great since my gastric bypass in Sept. It's now 6 months and I'm down 100lbs. The weight loss has slowed down considerably as expected, 5-10lbs a month now. We also joined a gym in Jan. and Resul and I go 3-5 nights a week which has contributed in the weight loss slowing down due to building up muscle mass that I have lost over the 6 months. But losing lots of inches!

Speaking of Hamsi! I read some posts! I do not eat anything from the sea! Can't stand the smell! We too go to the Turkish market in Patterson and he bought those frozen Hamsi! Well! I wanted to die when I came home and walked into the house smelling of fried fish! He fried up the whole package, heads and tails piled high!!!!!! I actually had to leave and come back an hour later! He said if they were fresh it would not smell that bad! Of course he tried to get me to eat one , but I'm not as brave as the rest of you!

That's all that's going on with us for now! We hope to go to Turkey sometime this year, but no dates yet...

Hope the rest of you are all doing well and have a wonderful Spring!

~Debbie

Merhaba Mina,

Yes, we have completed year end

Rest.....what is that, lol...........we always seem to fill our time doing something ;-)

Take care,
Debra

wow........you have accomplished so much..!! Congraulations

just dieing to see new photos.

So glad to hear all is going well for you both....sounds like Resul is enjoying driving ;-)

Take care,
Debra

Thanks Deb! I really don't have any new photos! I keep saying I need to take some, but forget and more time slips on by! Congrats on the 10 year green card to you and John!

JUST AN UPDATE........
Ismail and I are still doing the NVC thing. He has emailed the choice of agent, it was accepted and I have sent in the AOS bil(70$) We are waiting to hear the next message on the phone from the NVC. We are using the shortcuts trying to speed things up as fast as poss!!

Hey All,

All is going well here. The baby keeps us busy these days now that she's on the verge of walking. I can't believe she'll be 1 in a few months! And my husband's 2 yr anniversary is this month (since entering US as a legal alien). Where does the time go?

He's still working at the same place, getting his essay together for grad school (taking our time on this). Since the essay is the last piece, he hopes to begin classes in the fall.

Nothing really new with me.

BTW anyone know where we can buy Taris Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the US? DH's parents brought us a 2000 ml tin when they came to visit last summer and it's just about gone. It's the best olive oil I ever had! I didn't see any on yiyelim.com or tulumba.com.

Looking forward to Spring! We've got so much snow here.

Oh BTW, for those of you honing your Turkish cooking skills, I found THE BEST Turkish cookbook and I highly recommend it.

It's called "The Complete Book of Turkish Cooking" by Ghillie Basan. 150 recipes with 200 photos. Recipes are very easy to follow, and offers step-by-step illustrations.

She also has a website and posted several recipes (w/o pics).

I know we all love Binnur's web site & recipes, but there are times I wish I had a book on hand that had pics to walk me through the process.

!!! I bought the Classic Turkish Cookery one... I have been trying to expirement ( I will try anything, but even I had to admit it was just awful and had to be thrown out) but not like I should. I guess I will need to go thru the book and at least be able to make maybe 5? of the recipes. And not just be able to make, but make sure they are able to be consumed!!! LOL Hopefully I will have them down be the time he gets here!!!

Hi Everyone! I enjoy reading all of your updates, especially as I am somewhat new here and just started the K1 process in November. I have a feeling our NOA2 is around the corner as CSC is finishing up October filers and moving onto November now. Insallah!

I'm dreaming of the day I can join you all in saying, "I can't believe Onur has been here in the States for 2 years now." Right now it all still seems like a bit of a fantasy and I'm plagued with all of the "what ifs," but I try to keep my mind free of that and just focus on the next step of the process.

I'm going to Turkey in less than 2 weeks - March 22 - April 1st. Hooray! It will have been 4 months since I saw Onur. Just too long!

Take care!

Iyi gunler,

Julia

Hi Julia,

How wonderful that you are going to Turkey to see your love, have a wonderful and safe trip!


Yes, even 4 months of waiting to see him seem like 4 very long years, we all understand very well how that is and how it was for most of us before too! At least you will still be able to visit him while your case is pending.

Just keep busy with the process and here with VJ and before you know it Onur will be here in the US with you

Mina

Hi Julia...hope you'll have a great time in Turkey! What city(ies) will you be visiting? We are returning for a visit next week also (March 20-27) and will be spending time with Ozzy's family in Istanbul as well as Antakya. I remember just this time last year we were going thru the K1 process and it all seemed like such an unlikely possibility. I guess I really didn't completely believe it would happen for us until Ozzy stepped off the plane this past September...so just keep the faith, you'll get there too

Wendy...how have you been? Any word out of Athens?

Thanks for sharing that cookbook Awaterlily! It sounds great. Even though Ozzy does most of the cooking at our house these days (I am working semi-full time and doing my nursing clinicals in the evenings and he is just home more than I am right now)...I guess it would be nice if I learned how to make some Turkish dishes other than coban salatesi

Congrats to everyone who has received recent approvals! We're keeping our fingers crossed for Ozzy's green card approval...we should be hearing from USCIS any day now...

Take Care All,

Tanya