Kim, I'm expecting to wake up and read something GOOD!



My countdown is stressful! I am going crazy trying to get things ready, writing papers for my classes, taking exams, working 40 hours a week etc etc... I just can't wait to see Luis! That's what keeps me sane!

I will most definitely tell you guys everything, don't worry about that. haha

Welcome home, Russ!

Still having paperwork issues with the London Embassy, its so depressing this close to getting it and they wont let it go through yet - I sent them BOTH of the affadavits that my future father in law sent me (apparently the one I brought in with me was a copy), and I got a letter yesterday saying the one I mailed in is a copy!!! Cant exactly argue with them and perhaps my father in law got muddled up, but it means I have to get him to do it again and fedex it ASAP to the embassy!! Its so annoying, especially when everyone else is celebrating, and I was soooo looking forward to getting my visa in the mail this week!!

Congrats Russ & Kim.

Alyona received her visa in the mail today. 11 Days and counting.

Gaura, I'm so sorry you have to go threw the pain of more paperwork TWO times over!, but third time lucky right? The good thing is London will probably send your Visa out the day they recieve you Affadivit, so it shouldnt be to far off, keep us updated!. We will all surely be hanging around to celebrate teh Visa arrival when it comes hon!

My passport is finally on its way!!!!!!

I got addicted to checking status of stuff since I started this process and I'm having a blast checking the status of my passport while it travels through Brazil... its in São paulo now.. Aaaaaaaw it feels so nice!!!!


Is it just me? But I can't wait til Kim comes back to tell us about her weekend. I'm sure it'll be one of those heart warming stories!!

Hi-tech, that is good news. She got here visa. Not too long to get to Kharkov, or did she stay in Kiev to pick it up? I will be making my trip in a month plus to Kiev and Kharkov. I am going to have tickets to Raleigh for 2 weeks after the interview. I hope POE goes smooth. Where is Alyona entering at? I am thinking Detroit for us. Such an easy airport over JFK. Iuliia has already moved out of her apartment and is staying with her best friend, Sveta. I told her it was too early for that, but she did not listen. I am trying to work in a boar hunt in Lazova, just south of Kharkov, when I am there. Iuliia is messing up deer season, so I have to do something. I wish that I was in your shoes.

Good morning everyone - how's everyone doing in their process?

I can't wait to hear from Kim!

I leave for Peru tomorrow night - I will go online & let you guys know how the interview goes. It's Thursday at 8am.
Have a great day everyone!

Suzy

Have a safe and wonderful trip Suzy! You must be so amazingly excited!!!

Sending fantastic vibes your way hun!

<3 Jen

Good morning friends.

Yes, my love is here back in my arms where he belongs. It was not easy getting him here as it seems we hit every stumbling block along the way! First, he realized when checking in that he had booked the wrong day and had already missed his flight... after shelling out another $1800NZ for a new ticket he was finally on his way. Upon arriving in LA and going through immigration he found out that he was still on the watch list for having been denied entry last year, so they made him wait around while they cleared that up....tick, tick...tick... Because of this, he had to sprint to his next flight and when he got there the doors were shut. After a bit of begging and pleading they opened the doors back up and let him on the plane to Boston. I was waiting anxiously for him on the other side... pacing the floors of Logan airport B terminal as I had done many times before, just waiting as everyone else exited the plane.. (of course, he was one of the last!).

Once I saw him coming through the doors everything was finally ok again... after all this time, all this struggle, all this heartache we've all been put through all on account of doing things the 'right way'... everything just fell into place. We made it! We almost feel as tho the limbo we've been in for the last year never happened... although it will effect us forever, it's as though it was all just a blur and a blink in time. It was as though we were never apart at all.

We spent the next three days in each others arms just soaking each other up. We returned home on Saturday to welcome home signs posted all over our home by friends... sweet. Yesterday we had a couple of parties to attend and caught up with some others. So it's been a whirlwind but all good.

We go to see the JP on Wednesday night. Still not sure where we'll be married but it will be on October 18th (we think). We've both been just so overwhelmed with this whole process that we want this part to be short, simple and sweet. We'll plan something more for April when his family is here.

I know some of you are still stuck in limbo, redoing this and waiting on that.... it's stressful for sure. But you are all so close and when you're finally 'there'... none of this will matter because you will be where you are supposed to be.... in each others arms for good...and there is nothing that can take away from that. Not even this process.

good luck to everyone with interviews and travel coming up. We'll be around often don't you worry.

Hi Kim

So glad it's all worked out for you. And you're damn right you'll be staying around here - who else am I gonna bug the crap out of with endless questions about the whole AOS thing!!??

congratulations kim & russ !
we just got approved for the visa today the 29th !
and get it in hand oct. 1.
it has been an exausting prosses and realize everyday has been full
of stress waiting and not knowing, and not in control of your own future.
everything is getting put in place and we will be together soon.
best of luck to everybody,
what a great bunch of people here.

Damian... Nich already started an October AOS thread for all of us in that forum so we're all sure to get some great advice there for the next part of the process. We'll be starting on all of that soon enough. I want it done with!

Congratulations Jer!!!

Kim & Russ!!

Congratulations, I'm so happy everything worked out!

Just posted in the March thread... Happy dance required here !!!! I have an interview date - and it's NEXT WEEK!!!!!!! Oct 8 to be precise.... Hopefully Michael will make it here, even if it will cost him a bit to get a ticket at such short notice. I'm so happy that I almost can't believe it... Now let me update my timeline!!!!

Congratulations Raffaela!!!!

That's great news. I'm so nervous about my interview - I hope you guys have an short, easy simple one....

I am so happy for you!!!!! I wish you best Kim!!!! and Suzy!! you have to tell us everything about the interview, ok?

Yes, Kim we are still in the limbo gathering infor for the interview and making the countdown I just want for this to be over!!! it's only two more weeks to go so hopefully i will be in my baby's arms by the end of october

Just one last check in on VJ before we clear off this old computer to donate to the school. And wow, good posts! Call me crazy, but when I was reading Kim's post, I swear in the picture, they were smiling bigger than before. This is making me suddenly so emotional. So many things coming together for random strangers who've helped each other along over the last few months. Have fun Suzy and we'll look forward for some great news in a few days. Kim, just so joyful for you that I can't even say, but you know. Raff!! I told you that you would get to America. It's a great day and I'm so happy. And in 12 hours we leave for the airport to go home. The wedding is still on scheduled for Sunday afternoon...all arranged in a few days from England. Finally found a cake person just awhile ago. Love you great people. See you soon.

OMG I AM SO HAPPY TODAY!!!!!!!

Gosh, it just brings tears to my eyes just to read that, as it felt just the same way for me last time I saw her arrive at SFO.

Can't wait again for it -- for good this time.

Congrats yet again Kim. This is the one that counts.

I'm so happy for you, Kim!

mine is at 8:45am omg im so excitedddd.. so happy!!! so blessed!!! my baby is flying now.. tomorrow is his bday and we will be celebrating this wonderful day together.. Suzy.. we can have breakfast after the interview.. Pasquale hnos.. yummy!!!

Congratulations Kim!! good luck everybody I really wish you the best!!!!!!

jajaja

My flight is at 7 and I get to Lima at 4:15 in the morning.

See you at the interview!!

omg as our interview is tomorrow, i am worrying about one thing that we just found out today... all of his birth certificates, papers from the police, etc are in Spanish... We just found out they have to be translated to English.. Our interview is tomorrow.. Do you think this is going to be a huge problem?

Do ypu have to tranlsate them???? I thought the birth certificate will be useful when you start the process of adjustemnt of status. In that moment, you nedd the bc tranlsated into english. Regarding the police records, I dont think they should be translated since people in the embassy can read spanish.

Somebody can help here!!! I am getting nervous too!!!!




Verito!!! and Suzy!!!!! good luck !!!!!! I am biting my nails here!!!!

I was told by a person in the similiar situation at the medical exam today that they were told that all the papers had to be translated for US records??? I am soo worried now... We called the ministry and they are saying that it takes 5 days per page... OMG.. i dont want to get denied for something like this.................

Verito!!!! did you translate your police records?????

Suzy!!!! did Luis translate his?????

Good morning April....

Everyone take a deep breath.... documents do need to be translated but you can do it. Use this link...

Suzy, you're in Peru aren't you??? Ok girl... fingers crossed for you!

Raff, congrats on the interview. Only happy thoughts now, ok?

'Nich & Nick', welcome home!!!!

We ordered our rings yesterday... so beautiful. They're not sure my band will be in for the ceremony on the 18th but eh, small stuff. My aunt and uncle own the jewelery store so they are using their pull with the vender to see if they can get it there. I'll see if I can't post a pic of them later.

Still flying high

Vicky!!!! Noooo.. I did'nt. I think it is not necessary since my interview will be in spanish.. my fiance is peruvian too!!

RE the translation of documents: I think every Consulate is different. In Naples they accept either English or Italian, and only documents in other languages than those two have to be translated. I'll just translate my birth certificate for AOS, even if I have to ask someone else to sign in my stead (want to avoid any conflict of interest).

Happy thoughts? You bet! Michael is coming on Saturday afternoon to be with me in Naples. I have booked a lovely room in a nice hotel right in the centre of the city, and we'll spend three nights there - our pre-honeymoon! Of course, I don't think any of us can help being nervous before the unknown, but I know that they have absolutely no reason to deny me the visa - on the contrary, I'd say!

Well, best wishes to everyone - weddings, interviews, and the like! If everything goes as it should, I'll be in the US by early November. And I have every intention of cooking a special Thanksgiving dinner for my love!

So???? how was your interview???? i am biting my nails already!!!!!

Hi Kim & Russ,

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soo happy for you both. Finally all the hardwork and wait has paid off well. May your journey ahead together is a smooth sailing..... our prayers are there with you both.

I got my Medicals done yesterday( On my b'day i was getting shots... painful though but worth it ). It went well and today i have collected my reports. They are sealed as need to be taken at the time of my Interview which is on Nov 4th. But the lady who gave me the reports said that everything is fine... I am glad....
Now just got to wait for 30 days before i go my Final interview.... I am so scared..... just anxious .....

Once again congratulations .

Regards,

Awww, thanks !

They should have received the hastily FedExed new affadavit by Tue/Wed, so now begins the 5 working days count down!!! Ahh!! And the continual calling of DOS We have got this one signed with BLUE pen so they cant say its a copy!!! (unless the reject it cos they prefer black pen lol!!)
I really hope AOS isnt as awful about paperwork as this- as any glitches like this in AOSt will delay me getting a job by months probaly - and the prospect of being jobless for any time period over two months is scary (2 months I can deal with- I'll just potter around sorting out my life, spending time on relationships and myself (ie- gym!!), and editing my novel and such just nooo shopping fun over two months and savings start to be used and thats not good!!!

Trying to enjoy my remaining time in London..will miss it when gone so am having as much Fish and Chips as possible (while trying to also stay healthy lol) and trying to ignore the bitter cold that has crept in this week!

I soooo hope I get approved soon its fraying my nerves it is

Congrats to everyone who finally made it past all the crazy border control stuff and into each others arms!!!!!

Sigh...others who HAVENT been through this experience would find it hard to understand this whole thing but I think they should make a movie about all this for us....something to remind us later of what we went through for love and maybe we can have a laugh at it one day......a comic/tragedy/love story type of movie.....the comical compulsive checking for NOA1+2 and the tragedy of lovers apart and the great love stories of people who survive being apart and remain faithful to eachother and their love across the distance and of course the blissful reunions....I can see it now, a new blockbuster, we'd have to name it 'Kim&Russ' (though the resulting exposure may lead to Kim's notrious 'video' being leaked onto YouTube

love to all XX

I can always count on you guys for a laugh!

Thank you for all the congrats. How wonderful it is to see everyone moving along. I'm curious to the outcome of the interviews happening this week so you guys do come in and keep us posted please! We want to hear all about it!

Here's a pic of our rings for those who have asked. My aunt begged and pleaded and her vender promised they'll be in by the night before our wedding. Cutting it close! It's nice that he will be able to slip that ring on my finger after our vows to each other.

As most of you know, in April we're having our big party in our back yard (are you all saving your pennies? ) but we've decided to have this ceremony there as well. We're going to be married at 11am and have a brunch following. Our small intimate ceremony has turned into an event with somewhere between 50-100 people (so far). These are the closest people to us so it's quite alright. More family friends are having a party for us that afternoon at a neighborhood pub as well so it looks like a full day of celebration with the people who love us most. Guess you can't ask for more than that.

Yes, the process is difficult. But, if you let it..... it will teach you some really priceless life lessons.

I absolutely love the rings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations Kim!!!!! i am waiting for Suzy's and Verito's news!!! their interviews are today and i cant wait to hear the good news!!!

Gaura I remember the first time I saw that Video...Ahh the good ol days .

I am spending time in the Rain, to remind me of Scotland

Kim, that one in the middle looks like my engagement ring!, and your wedding band looks like what I was going to choose! , we are following up our wedding with a party also .

Suzy, Verito...come give us that good news!

YEeeeeee.. got approved today!!! and We met Suzy and Luis.. so cuteeee

We were waiting for them at the entrance.. but they stayed longer than us.. Im gonna pm her rite now bc I dont have Luis #..

My interview was so fast and easy.. they didnt ask me any question about our relationship.. When my fiance and I arrived they called me to window 14, then window 11 in order to show my documents and some evidence.. just 3 bday cards and the boarding passes.. We were shocked bc we had a lot of evidence in our bag.. a big photo album, e-mails, phone bills, sprint bills, etc, etc.. and the CO didnt ask me for more.. she said: Its ok with this.. go back and sit down.. finally another CO.. a veryyyy nice old man with a big smile called me to his window and ask me to sign the form 156 and 156k and took my fingerprints.. That's it. We were so excited when I received the pink slip and a big congratulations!


Vicky!!! u' re next chica!!!

Hi April,

What a fun thread this is now. Lot's of activity instead of just checking Igor's list. So sorry you got delayed Gaura. Hope you get your "docs in a row" soon. (that was a little pun, but may not translate well in this international group)

Well we are home in the US We got in Tuesday evening exhausted. We had 6 heavy pieces of luggage that I mostly pushed and toted because of Nicks broken bones and arm in a sling. We still haven't finished unpacking it all, but we have a marriage license...and the cake finalized with the bakery lady...and a fresh haircut for me...and groceries. I never had a chance to restock the refridgerator after having to throw everything out after the hurricane and no electricity. Then I took that unplanned trip to England for 10 days. Poor Nick woke up his first morning living in America and said, "I'm hungry" and all I could offer him was hurricane rations..."do you want peanut butter crackers, vanilla wafers, or tuna?" We aren't sweating the small stuff and are so happy.

Congratulations Abe and Verito. Where is Suzy??? I want to hear the scoop.

Congrats A & V!!!!

Suzzzzziiiiieeeeee ..we're waiting????

Welcome home mama Nich! I can't imagine it would have been fun lugging all that home... been there, done that... not fun! Perspective is truly a blessing... Somehow I think this weekend is going to be that much more special because of the trials you've faced. I will be thinking of you both on Sunday. Congratulations my friend.

I love hearing all of the good news here! Keep it coming folks!

Congratulations Verito!!!!!!!!!!! I am very happy for you!!!! i hope I am the next one..only seven days for the interview!!!!

Hi all!! I'm so glad to hear all the good news! Congrats!!

I've been oober busy with school and just trying to stay sane! We have all the paper work ready to go to send to London, but we've been delayed due to lack of money. We don't want to send in the papers or make a medical appointment until we are sure we'll have the cash. I'd hate to have it all planned out and then things go squash to lack of cash. So we're sad for the delay but we know we'll be together eventually!

I have a question though...How long will our case stay I guess active between Packet three and Gareth sending in the paperwork? We'd hate to lose all our progress due to the money situation! If it will still be ok after a month, we should be good. If not we're gonna have to do some major begging and write a lot of IOUs. If any of you know the answer, please get back to me. Just to ease mine and Gareth's stress. Thanks!

And again congrats to all! I can't wait for my love to be back in my arms!!

Stephanie

OK so here it goes

Everything went well, the visa was approved! We´re just waiting for it to come DHL.

The problem is that it might not come before I leave. We´ll have to see what happens b-c we wanted to leave together.

We had an interview in a little room and it was very easy they asked us questions and we answered them. Then they asked me to leave and asked Luis a couple of questions.

Everything good, I´m so happy.

I´m on somebody else´s computer so I can´t stay long, but I promise I´ll give details later on!

Thanks for all of your help guys!

and Congratulations!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!! I am very happy for you!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!

Tomorrow is the big day. Alyona arrives in Dallas.

CONGRATS SUSITA & LOUIS!!!! Am so happy for you two!!!!

HiTech, glad to hear your wonderful news as well!!! Hope your love arrives home safely!!!!

First off, congratulations to everybody, and sorry for the delay! Michael got here safely on Saturday afternoon, and later today we're leaving for Naples. Medical will be tomorrow morning, and interview on Wednesday at 10 - though it may be that I'll have both tomorrow, as it seems to be happening quite often. In any case, we're going to spend three days there, enjoying the local pizza and delicious pastries. This morning, as a sort of good wish, I made pancakes for breakfast, so Michael will be able to tell the CO that I can even cook American specialities! I'll report back on Thursday, when we finally get home - hopefully with visa in hand.

Congrats Susie! Bet you are both still celebrating eh!? hehe.

Goodluck Highway, have a fabulous time together! and make sure to inform us as soon as the good news comes!, well as soona s you can after all the celebrations ! I could use some Italian made American pancakes now!

Aww, yay! I'm so glad to hear it, Suzy.

Here's hoping you guys get to fly back together! *fingers crossed*

Muy bueno Susita.

Guess what? We are married!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh - I GOT MY VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Totally wasnt expecting it today- the couriers said they warn me the day before they delivered....and I walked into work...and it was THERE....the guy didnt follow the protocol of asking for ID ect cos he'd been to my work before to pick up my passport so he knew I worked there, so just left it with a co- worker!!!!!!!!!!!! Total shock!!!!!!!!!! Well, co-worker knows know but shes a gem and wont tell the boss until i give my notice which will be at the beginning of Nov,as Im only at the end of Nov. OMG OMG OMG lol, its REAL, its in my hand...all that waiting and I actually HAVE it...almost a let down hehe....They should have fireworks that come with the pack just to make it more of an event....

Now the terrifying reality of leaving my life, job, country for a distant land can REALLY being oh, and I can open that celebratory bottle of wine I've had saved up for about 3 months!!!!!!!!!!