The Kyiv Beat......

[zqt3344 21]

Don

Admire your conversion to Ukrainian Orthodox and your strong support of it and if it makes you happy then great, why would I or anyone care or deny it from you, go for it, it still will not change a thing in Ukraine. I do agree with you govt is govt and yes they do cause a lot of problems or more than necessary at times in the world, think about what you said, people themselves are normally just fine to live side by side and get along with one another, and you for example come from USA and a democratic form of government and way of life with freedom of religion to pursue, yet you have been able to meet and fall in love with someone from another part of the world and with a different religion and culture and government, yet you and your spouse to be are living side by side or yet you were able to be taken in by her family and friends and get along THUS it is usually a person's government(or elected leaders) that dictate or make decisions for the masses and go to war or force some other type of behavior upon the masses, for example look around at all the different world governments and the problems caused, like communism for example. Well I have been in a few churches in Ukraine or actually more than a few. You just validate what I just said.

I do not know you tell me? Did not really notice many Ukrainians going to church or really being involved in any religion so to speak, was told that it was discouraged and forbidden for many years under Communism so just my observation from watching what goes on there. Besides religion is religion, meaning it causes more problems for the world than it fixes and instead of uniting people it seems to divide them more and more.

Obviously, as either an atheist or agnostic, you would not be going INTO the churches to see the Christians in there. I have been in the churches and seen a faith that has survived 70+ years of Godless communism. I have seen a church in Evpatoria that was turned into a sports club by the communists. They had painted over the beautifully painted icons, but you could still see the icons thru the paint. This church, as well as many others throughout Ukraine, are being restored to their former glory, even though the economy of Ukraine is not very good. For myself, I would paraphrase you and say "government is government, meaning it causes more problems for the world than it fixes and instead of uniting people it seems to divide them more and more".

Don

[zqt3344 21]

Mariya:

Hi, how did your flight schedule work out? Hopefully everything is ok for your travel to USA. Good luck.

Fwaguy, zgt3344--- THANK YOU..

So I need to get ready for that flight to US morally first as I gonna go through all that with my little son (1 year old) by myself. I am definetely not looking forward to that day though I want to see my husband very much..

And I guess that I'll try to choose a flight with at least 2.5 hrs between the connecting flights in USA Again I appreciate your good advice.

[Kharkov_Natalie 0]

ONE MORE QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN EVERYONE POST HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR YOU TO GET PASSPORT AFTER THE INTERVIEW DATE

I hope it won't take as long as 10 days and if it's possible to track it online or by calling to the courier company?

We interviewed on Feb 21 (Thursday) and received our visa on Feb 25 (Monday). So, it only took us 2.5 working days. I think when you get it depends on when you have your interview. I have heard that they only make visa once or twice a week and then send them all out at once, but I am not sure how accurate that is. My sister-in-law went through the process last June and she received hers in 7 days.

Hope that helps!

[Mariya 0]

Mariya:

Hi, how did your flight schedule work out? Hopefully everything is ok for your travel to USA. Good luck.

zgt3344,

I have not bought the tickets yet. Have my interview tomorrow. Though I looked for flights already. I did not want to fly via JFK 'cause they say it is pretty busy. But it is the shortest way to get to Nashville:

KBP-JFK-Nashville. So I guess I'll go for it.

Edited February 26, 2008 by Mariya

[Mariya 0]

Natalie,

Congrats on your smooth visa journey! Well done!!

Edited February 26, 2008 by Mariya

[zqt3344 21]

Mariya:

Hi, how did your flight schedule work out? Hopefully everything is ok for your travel to USA. Good luck.

zgt3344,

I have not bought the tickets yet. Have my interview tomorrow. Though I looked for flights already. I did not want to fly via JFK 'cause they say it is pretty busy. But it is the shortest way to get to Nashville:

KBP-JFK-Nashville. So I guess I'll go for it.

Sounds like everything is moving right along for you then. Good luck on interview, it will be piece of cake for you. Just try to find a flight that gives you about 2.5 hours in between landing in JFK and departing on to Nashville and you should be fine, also the winter weather is about over so delays will get less in coming months a little.

[Mariya 0]

Guess what?! I did not get my visa yesterday.

They said that my husband is making enoughg fro two but NOT enough for three people.

Said that he has to find a co-sponsor now..

[zqt3344 21]

Oh sorry about that, did not know there was three of you in family now. Well get husband to get on finding an co sponsor and get it done asap back to them so you can get your visa. Good luck.

Guess what?! I did not get my visa yesterday.

They said that my husband is making enoughg fro two but NOT enough for three people.

Said that he has to find a co-sponsor now..

[Mariya 0]

Well.. there were and are three of us -our son, husband and I. But my husband called NVC and they told him he does not need a co-sponsor as he makes enough to support one immigrant as our son is Amrerican citizen..

[zqt3344 21]

Hate to hear that, sounds like you got misinformation somewhere along the line, and the run around for no reason.

Well.. there were and are three of us -our son, husband and I. But my husband called NVC and they told him he does not need a co-sponsor as he makes enough to support one immigrant as our son is Amrerican citizen..

[Mariya 0]

Hate to hear that, sounds like you got misinformation somewhere along the line, and the run around for no reason.

True.. Dan (my husband) called NVC twice asking if he needs a co-sponsor. They said "NO" ..

then at the embassy they said "YES"

Dan told me: "I could have showed more money for last year had they told me the correct info"...

Anyway I am not upset anymore. Dan just needs to "dig out" a co-sponsor somewhere .

I am sorry if I talk weird as I just translate some idioms from Russian.

Edited March 2, 2008 by Mariya

[John and Luda 0]

Luda had her interview today and was approved. Needless to say, we are both extremely happy and looking forward to being together. I have asked Luda to summarize her interview experience to share with other Ukrainian VJ members. I will place it in the embassy review section as soon as possible. Good luck to all other VJers no matter what visa type or stage you're in.

[natashenika 0]

Luda had her interview today and was approved. Needless to say, we are both extremely happy and looking forward to being together. I have asked Luda to summarize her interview experience to share with other Ukrainian VJ members. I will place it in the embassy review section as soon as possible. Good luck to all other VJers no matter what visa type or stage you're in.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[etripke 0]

Luda had her interview today and was approved. Needless to say, we are both extremely happy and looking forward to being together. I have asked Luda to summarize her interview experience to share with other Ukrainian VJ members. I will place it in the embassy review section as soon as possible. Good luck to all other VJers no matter what visa type or stage you're in.

Congrats John.

Best of luck to both of you! Did they give a timeline on receiving the passport back? March 9th is only 6 days away, and unless she has the passport in hand today you'll be tough pressed to make that date.

My wife interviewed on a Monday also, I think we were very lucky to get the passports back on Thursday of the same week. Not trying to scare you or your fiancee, but 6 days from the Interview is VERY tight.

Good luck.

[Mariya 0]

Luda had her interview today and was approved. Needless to say, we are both extremely happy and looking forward to being together. I have asked Luda to summarize her interview experience to share with other Ukrainian VJ members. I will place it in the embassy review section as soon as possible. Good luck to all other VJers no matter what visa type or stage you're in.