Aviator56h

Laughing all the way through this. It seems that every so often we get off on the differences our RUB spouses do from what we consider normal behavior in this country. They range from warm drinks of all sorts, that should be served cold, to the food left in pots either on the stove or in the refrigerator. This time we've gone into Walmart and the delightful shoppers there. Please visit the website devoted to shoppers of Walmart for a healthy dose of the outrageous.

Let's face it, we've all experienced actions from our spouse that we consider odd or strange. I'm sure from their perspective they wonder how we are able to survive at all. I like most of you have heard all of the complaints about things in America and how bad it is compared to RUB countries. Some are justified and others are way off. The bottom line is we rejoice with our choice of spouse and take the complaints as just one of those differences that brought us together. As the French say, Viva la' difference!

But, for the newbies here, be prepared for change. After all, you aren't married to an American.

YEAH! It's like "what did I get myself into" (laughing). But, as time goes on, I learning allot about who my wife is. Looking beyond the culture deference's, she's one of a kind and I wouldn't change a thing. But hey, we need a little entertainment with learning each others little pet peeves (lol). We laugh at our culture deference's, but she will see a deferent man when she sees me in my own environment. I'm useless in Minsk for her beside small things. Now, the big test comes when she's in my environment. BUT IM STILL NOT DRINKING THE WHITE MUSHROOM STUFF IN THE JAR !! Noo waaaayyyy !!!

Amy writing for this post (we're both logged on and share an account). We live in a little college town in the middle of Indiana, kind of a "hippie oasis," in a mostly pretty conservative state for sure, but Wal-mart is white-trash central in our town. I don't class rednecks with white trash because people who usually call themselves rednecks are still fairly productive citizens and act like they've got a bit of class in public. They're usually hard working people and I respect them, as long as they aren't the uber-judgmental, racist type. I'm talkin' the trashy chicks with half a dozen ugly, dirty, ill-behaved, stair-step kids in tow who wear dirty pajama pants 3 sizes too small so you can see her nasty thong (ewww), loading their cart down with Cheetos and Mountain Dew. If they have a dude with them, he's got a perpetual plumber's crack and copious tattoos that look like they were done on "the inside" if you know what I mean. They both look like they're in desperate need of a shower and a toothbrush. Their kids are all sticky, loud, and out of control. The toy department is their playground. Wal-mart makes me want to carry hand sanitizer with me and apply it constantly. It also makes me feel twitchy after being in there for longer than, say, 15 minutes. The noise, lights, and crowds really give me a huge headache and make me feel a small amount of panic. Even the super crowded farmer's markets and supermarkets in Russia NEVER caused me so much anxiety as Walrus-Mart. Even with the pushing and shoving, Russians are much better behaved shoppers than people who shop at Wal-fart. The prices and selection are the only reason we go at all, and we try to make it a once-in-awhile thing and get in and out QUICK.

The pushing and shoving thing? That's totally normal and socially acceptable in RUB countries. You just have to be really assertive and quick in crowds, and in situations where a whole group is moving from one form of transit to another, run! You have to be assertive to keep your place in line, too.

I know exactly what your talking about concerning your adventures in wal mart (lol). I'm not putting down rednecks as a lower class people. But in Cajun land where I'm from, we got a few like that. Oh yes, very entertaining watching people shop in Belarus. But, I find that country very social people when you start to talk to them. Of course they roll there eyes at me when they find out I don't speak russian. Heck, that gal in that insurance booth at the Minsk airport sees me coming, she tries to close the booth down as I'm walking to it (laughing). My wife laughs at me because she sees I try to make the boarder people laugh or smile and I go down in flames (laughing). Not an easy task to accomplish there. But one boarder guy is very friendly with me and he has a silly bone to him. All I need is give him a pack of my brand of cigarettes I bring with me? And he's soo nice (laughing).. I also learning NOT TO CLAP for anything over there because now its a law that you can't because they think your protesting

OK, now it's Amy. Your mentioning the Ihop made me remember this commercial from 1969 for Ihop. Prepare to be weirded out!

But seriously, bliny are real pancakes, and they're awesome. We cook them a couple Sundays per month.

Yes, that video was creapy (lol). Well, my first time in Belarus, after a 17 hour flight and connecting flights, I got there very tired. All I wanted to do is sleep. We went to her moms first and it was morning when I got there. Her mom (I love her mom) offered me some pancakes.. I'm like " assume"!! It smelled good, it looked good. Couldn't wait to eat it. When she piled it in my plate, I asked for the butter and some syrup. She didn't know what I meant about the syrup part, but mom understood when I said maple syrup. But, they both looked at me kinda funny talking among each other in Russian. I figure it was just woman to woman chat..... No, it was more like " what the bang is he doing"!!! I put butter between layes of the pancakes, put a gunk of syrup on them, and took a big chunk of it and put in my mouth. When I did? All that went through my brain was "don't make a face, don't make a face, DON'T MAKE A FACE!!! What I did? MADE A FACE !!! What the...? It did not taste like the pancakes I was burned with. After they seen my face and has to swallow this concoction? They had to laugh at me. There pancakes was made of potatoes mashed into pancakes and fried in butter or cooking oil (laughing).. S, I joke with Alena (my wife) that the very first thing I will do is take to eat a real pancake (laughing)..

[it's Victor from Russia]

And I hear it from Americans who have here places like Steak&Shake, where people eat milkshakes right after burgers with pickles? Before seeing and trying it I always thought that milkshake after pickles will make everybody sick, because in Russia it's being "no-no".

I hate Walmart either! We have superWalmart, and sometimes I have to visit it because it has big selection and I can found items I can't find anywhere else in my city, or sometimes they have great deals, but I really don't like to visit it and trying to leave as soon as I'm done with grabbing item I want. It's mostly about people there - I don't like "Walmart's public", because many of them acting not nice, it's a lot of unattended screaming kids and teens running around the store and playing with display toys or sport goods like basketball balls, and it's the biggest concentration of "trashy" people there among stores in our city, not mentioning that even some of Walmart's employees acting weird and creepy, like staring at you or throwing you bags to your cart like NBA players and acting as it's amusing game for them - it's real experiences. I don't want to tell that everybody in Walmart is weird, but too much of them to enjoy shopping there. I much more prefer to visit stores like Target where I feel myself surrounded with usual normal people.

Amy tried to prepare me to it showing me peopleofwalmart.com, and well, sometimes I see almost as bad views as on this site while visiting Walmart.

You must be at the "redneck" wal mart (laughing). Don't worry, I say 85% of wal marts are like this. Wait, the first time I visit Belarus, I was shopping for food when I went to the produce to get my wife her tomatoes. I GOT SHOVED ASIDE BY A LITTLE OLD RUSSIAN WOMAN 5 FOOT TALL !!! I'm like "WHAT THE HECK WAS THIS ABOUT"? I find people in the grocery stores (just a few of them) are what I called "grocery stor rage" (laughing). My wife seen this happen and just laughed at me. Heck, I pushed back a little at the little old lady (laughing). I got between here and another person (a blond hottie) and wedged her out the way to get my blang tomatoes (laughing). My wife tells me, that's how you have to be. Heck, getting on my connecting flight to Belarus (if they shuttle us by bus to the plane) you better know how to do the 50 yard dash from bus to plane !! They take off out that shuttle bus to that plane like a bunch of wild cats getting chased by a pack of wolves !!! (Laughing).. WOW ! What an experience for my first time.

D'ya think? Alla HATES Walmart (we do not have a super walmart, just a plain 'ol Walmart) and she won't buy anything there except cleaning supplies and .22 ammunition for her rifle and pistol ("best place for bullets")

You can lose her FOR DAYS in TJ Maxx. Bed,Bath and Beyond or the Mall but she does not like Walmart

she was overwhelmed by Lowe's at first and burst into laughter when she saw the "toilet aisle" ("Why do Americans need so many different toilets?")

Speaking of toilets, I like to have there system on there toilets that when you put the seat down? It goes down slowly (laughing). THAT'S AWWSSSUUUMMM !!!!

I made my list where I'm going to bring her first when she gets here.

1). I'm bringing her to an Ihop to taste what real pancakes are.

2). Eat lunch at a Cajun restaurant so she can try our boiled crabs and crawfish.

3). WAL MART !!!

4). Home Depot (first ale? The toilet ale first to see if she laughs too).

5). Our mall

6). Oh yes, bath beyond (she's a totalally a home maker....paka paka paycheck, laughing).

7). Bring her DOWN DE BAYOU to see all those houses on 15 foot in the air (down south because the land is 9ft below sea level, they have to build there homes 9 to 15 foot on stilts down here).

8). Last but not least, let her drive my dodge dully quad cab truck (this I can't wait to see because she's the only woman I know who can back a car up in very tight spots only using the mirrors).

Chad

Maxim can eat things that if I eat I will not leave the bathroom for days. Russians have iron stomachs or something

I agree !!!

Funny how deferent our cultures are. When we first met, she did not understand my since of humor. She used to look at me like a puppy with its head turning and looking at me funny. Now, she's slapping me back with my own since of humor and we're going tic for tac (laughing). But when it comes to food? I have to agree with her about all the preserved processed food here in the US. But wait tell she steps in a super wal mart store (laughing). She be missing in action !! FOR DAYS !!!

It's cream cheese everyday for her although she does like cottage cheese. btw mud bugs...yikes!

I think RUB gals may take it one step further.

Iv'e seen them leave plenty of food out over night or in the fridge uncovered over there and it didn't seem to bother them, yet a few preservatives on the labels here and it's "look out" !

She's had that mushroom Alfredo sauce plenty of times but she had to pull an attitude last night for whatever reason. I don't know why I posted this but it p*ssed me off that much. No other reason to say no to eating it other than to be a...you know what.

Yes, mud bugs (most people call them) but its crawfish and you boild them and its mostly the tail that has the meat, but us Cajuns suck the heads because of the crab boil mix (very spicy) in them. When I'm in Minsk, she lets me pick what I want to eat. I can say this, they have some ham there that's taste better than I find over here in the states, and I love there ice cream there. My girl can cook. Most I do eat and I enjoy (I just don't ask what's in it have the time, laughing). I also cooked for her some good old fashion Cajun red beans and rice. She loved it. now she made a list of Cajun food she wants to try when she gets here (I told her she will get fat doing so, laughing).. Can't wait to show her how we eat boiled blue crabs (lol).

Chad

She won't ever give a straight answer because that might admit to me being right and lord knows we don't want that to ever happen. Everything around here that goes wrong is my fault...even the weather.

btw I did slurp that pasta with the sauce.

How much cottage cheese does she keep in the fridge? (Laughing). My wify eats cottage cheese everyday. Oh, I seen that jar with milk and mushrooms, and I thought like "WTH"? No way I'm drinking that !! But then again, we over here in Cajun land eat mud bugs (crawfish) and other stuff that might make them gag too (laughing), should of seen the look on my wife's face when I told her how we eat crawfish by taking the head of the crawfish and sucking the joice out (laughing). PRICELESS !!!! (Laughing).

Chad

Okay, to anybody interested concerning the multi visa that you can use 90 days within a year. Go "long term" on that app. It's a little bit pricey, but better. I figured out what I did wrong on my app. I put "short term" multi and that wasn't what I thought it was. REYAN, YOU WAS RIGHT !! I just corrected my app before they processed it. Good to go now.

Again, there is a short term multi-entry visa good for 90 days and also a long term multi-entry visa good for 1 year (can only stay maximum of 90 days total for the year). You need to find out which one you/company applied for. They probably only applied for the short term multi-entry one for you, which is why they said you have to use it within 90 days.

What kind of visa do you need?

The most commonly used visa is the short-term visa. These are valid for up to 90 days and suitable for:

•business travellers

•students

•private travellers on family business

Short-term visas can be single, double or multiple entry, depending on requirements.

Tourists usually receive a short-term group visa via their travel agency.

Long-term visas are usually valid for one year and allow multiple entry to Belarus. They are suitable for:

•frequent business travellers

•private travellers wishing to stay longer in the country

http://www.belarus.by/en/travel/travel-visas

Oh, I did the short term multi, I should of done the long term multi then. BLING !!!!!

This all depends if you got issued a short term or long term multi-entry visa (check out the visa expiration date - the company you used may only have requested a short term multi-entry visa because those are easier to obtain), but both visa types would limit you to only 90 days max stay per year. I ran real close to this limit when I first visited my wife using a few short term double-entry visas.

http://www.mfa.gov.by/en/visa/ffb336c540132473.html

That's what I was doing for a few times the short term visits, but it at over $300.00 every time, she figure just do the multi visa instead. I work on the water so there people depended on me to relieve them at crew change, so I try to visit every 3 months between my hitches on this boat. I just sent out for the multi visa and I assume I can use only 90 days with in a year, right??

Chad

Hey chad, what date, I am going January 25th, i can't make it to her interview, I used all my time visiting her this year

Leaving on the 12th of January and coming back on the 22nd of January. Not staying long, I have to get back to work on the 24th. Question, I did a multi visa this time. The place I did my visa said I have to use the 90 days IN 90 days to be good, but the way my wife tells me that the multi visa is good for 90 days within a year (up to 90 days within a year). Have you done a multi visa? I believe the later because the other way don't make since (laughing).

Chad

tonight me and my wife are talking about her interview

she doesn't speak that good of english

but when we made plans

I told her to make 4 passport photos

I forgot

two are required to make the Schengen visa

so luckily

we caught this and she will make two more

before she leaves on Monday

that and get about 100 dollars in Polish money

I guess, i am not named clueless for no reason

Skinny

Let us know how it went. I'm heading to Belarus this January and Hopfuly my wife and I can finish up on all the paperwork for the 130 pitition. I'm still paraplexed by all the paperwork and cow hurdling (per say) the people have to go through to get thus stuff done (laughing). Are you going with her to the interview?

Chad

When she reads this, you're dead, I'm pretty sure of that! Kidding!

Anyhow, good luck and hope all goes well!

I'm her entertainment on a rainy day

Hi,

I hope this trick will help address your confusion. Remember, you are the petitioner, your relative is the beneficiary.

1. Petitioning for your wife: When reading out the questions about the relative/alien relative, read it out by replacing relative/alien relative with "wife".

Example for 17C: List husband/wife and children of your relative --> This means "List husband and children of your wife" --> of which you write down your name (because you are the husband of the relative being petitioned) and the names of your wife's children

2. Petitioning for your stepson: When reading out the questions about the relative/alien relative, read it out by replacing relative/alien relative with "stepson".

Example for 17C: List husband/wife and children of your relative --> This means "List husband/wife and children of your stepson" --> of which you write down NONE if your stepson is not yet married and has no children. I am assuming he is not married and has no kids yet because he is only 15 years old, right?

Lastly, always listen to your wife's instructions. Just kidding! I'm being biased

Good luck!

I listen to her while I bow down at her feet begging "please, don't hurt me" (laughing). Never, NEVER argue with a woman !!!! Specially a female lawyer. I tell guys there's two very important things to remember when dealing with wives. 1) when she's getting snippy at you? Just say "yes dear" as you slowly walk backwards trying to find a door to get out, BUT, DO NOT LOOK HER IN THE EYES WHILE YOU DO THIS !! 2) if she's looking at herself in a full length mirror and she asks you "does my butt look big?" DON'T ANSWER IT !!! It's a trick question that has no answer that will work !!! It's best to not let her know your in the house if she's in front a mirror. Sneak out as soon as possible !!!! (Laughing).

Yes. Each petition must stand alone, if separated. Yes, definitely provide a photocopy of the marriage certificate and translation, if applicable with each petition. The original marriage certificate and translation will go in at the NVC stage, not now.

Thank you

Chad

Okay, I understand this part now (17 C). Now for the next question that just got thrown in by my wife just morning. Right now, she's on her end getting all her paperwork needed. Her question she wanted me to ask VJ'ers is "Do we have submit copies for every pitition?" For example, our marriage certificate? Does she make two official copies with translations for every pitition?

Chad

First, you must understand YOU are the petitioner. On each petitioner, the beneficiary is YOUR alien relative. Your wife has a husband, YOU and a son. Your stepson has no spouse or children, so answer none. If you were filing for your mother, her husband would be (hypothetically) your father and YOU would be your mother's son. Get it?

This is incorrect. Assuming the stepson is unmarried, the answer for 17C on the petition for him will be "NONE" as he has no spouse or children.

See how confusing this thing can be???

Okay, let's see if we all can get on the same page.

Petition "A" is for my wife.

Line 17 C asked "list husband/wife and all children of your relative" I assuming its asking for my wife's name, our daughter and her son (which her son is 13 years old). Where it says "relationship"? I also assuming its asking how there all related to me (example: her name, relationship? Wife, date of birth xx/xx/xxxx, country of birth: Belarus) stepsons name, stepson, xx/xx/xxxx, Belarus. Our daughters name, my daughter, xx/xx/xxxx, Belarus. Would this be right they way I show it in this message?

That's how I'm assuming there asking on this I-130. Petition "B" is going to be for my stepson. So, how would I do this on line 17 C? Just him in line 17 C?

Chad

The names that will go there are yours, your wife's, his biological father's name (if known), and any siblings he may have.

Thank you very much.

Chad

I know I have to do a pitition for each my wife and my stepson. What confuses me is that for one, line 17 C what there asking for. Ok, now after asking y'all, I know what to do. Now, when I do the pitition for my stepson, what would I put in line 17 C ? It's not hitting me yet as what to do. Maybe it will click when my wife throws another crack shot at me (laughing). I'm never was the person to do paperwork like this, and my brain shorts out on stuff like this as important as it is, I DO NOT WANT TO MESS THIS UP.

There's one other thing that I hope want confused the people who looks at the petition, over here in the states, we have three names. Over there, they just use two. After we married, I just told her to add my last name to her last name and she put a " - " between her last name and mine. I suggested this because she's a lawyer over there and it would be easier for her (or others from her country) to recognize she's still the same person (as best I can explain what I'm trying to say). Well, she also told me she uses her dad's family name at times. So, I'm wondering if all those names will confuse the heck out of the people that looks through these petitions.

Chad

Wrong, the "relationship" is to her.

Yes, you must file a separate petition for your stepson. However, you can only do so if you married your wife prior to his 18th birthday.

He just turned 13, so we're ok there. I kinda wish they give details (extream details) on how to answer them apps for people like me with A.D.H.D. (Laughing).

She is correct, you list yourself, your daughter, her and son.

Damn, she wins another one (laughing). So, on that line I put me, my stepson and our daughter and the "relationship" to me, right? And as far as the putting last name first, I can just put first, middle and last? Those little tidbits confussed me. I want to make sure we get it right the first time.

So, this pitition I'm doing is for my wife,, then I have to do a seprate pitition on my stepson, right? We already did the paperwork on our daughter and she already has her US passport, so we don't have to do a pitition for her.

Chad

I'm starting the process of filling out the I-130. There's a few questions that seems strait forwards, but not to me (lol)

On line 17 section C

What exactly they want to know? My wife says just put me, our daughter and her son (and there relationship to each other), but I think there asking to put her, our daughter and my stepson and there relationship between me and them. Which is right? Her or me?

When I type in our names, should I start with our last names first through out the app? Or ? Also, if I type our last names first, should I put a comma to separate our last names from the rest? (Example: last name> xxxxxxxx, first name> xxxx middle name> xxxx).

When I put her LONG DANG phone number on line on line 19, I put it as it is on my phone with the + and - and ( ). It does not show the whole numer as it would be seen as a whole unless you scroll side ways to see it whole. Is this ok? I tried two deferent ways and its always the same.

More questions as they come up.

Chad

From what my fiancee told me, the apartment has to have the exact same name as the passport or there is a danger of losing it in the future. She says its simple enough to change the name of property papers but it takes a few weeks and of course this would have to be done after she changes her passport. I don't really know the answer either yet but you may want to look into it before it's too late.

My wife also has property that she has that she started building on (just the slab foundation). What she told me was that if she doesn't build (or do something on that land) in 3 years, the government takes it without giving you any money for it. She wants to sale it, but not making any progress doing so to start advertising it. Her flat is a new building they put up on the east side of town not far from there library and we just finished building everything in it this year so she had a place for her and and the baby. I wonder if she knows something about the name game when it comes to changing names. She should know, she's a lawyer over there (lol). I hate to see our hard earn money go to waste that we put into the place.

Capt: chad

The wife changed her last name and got a new Belarusian passport the same week we were married. It was a breeze. That was a CR1 visa though so not sure how it works with the K-1.

My wife went make her new passport last week in Belarus. All she did was add my last name. In Belarus, they don't have middle names like we do in the states (from what she told me), so, we put her last name as her middle name and her last name as mines (sure name I guess you can say). I sure hope by doing this early that it won't hurt us with the other stuff later. Now I'm wondering about her new flat she has that if she was in the states later on,, will she loose it? Y'all brought out an interesting issue we might not know about.

Capt: chad

It wasn't an American who made the film, so why there attack us? When I first read about this, I read that it was there own who made this film, not any Americans. Everybody in this world is starting to hate us. WHY?