zed2283

AOS = $325 + $70 biometrics

EAD = $180

AP = $170

no charge for the EAD biometrics

Man!! So $745 in one shot! Do they accept personal checks? And can I write one single check for the total amount?

I'm almost ready to get started on filing AOS for my wife. This may be a stupid question (or wishful thinking), but do I have to pay the amount for EACH application (AOS, EAD, AP) or is that only if filing separately?

AOS = $325 + $70 biometrics

EAD = $180 + $70 biometrics

AP = $170

I assume in the very least that I only need to pay the biometrics once, so that brings the total cost to $745?? Is that right? Or do I get out of the EAD and AP since I'll be sending them all together?

Unfortunately Bogota does not do e-mails. I would call them (at $13 per call) and explain the situation. Another unfortunate thing is that the people who answer the phone have no clue about anything. I highly recommend you go to the guides section here and print out the entire guideline/ timeline portion. Then go to Downloads, and download every form you will need for your fiancee..... e-mail them to her, help her fill them out over the phone, or in person if you're going anytime soon. I knew that the packages would NEVER get to my fiance's house so I faxed a letter asking them to please send the packages to his aunt's house in Medellin (he lives in a small pueblo up the mountain) and within two days, he received his first package (#3)... GOOD LUCK, KEEP US POSTED!!!!!!!

My fiancee's packet 3 got "lost" in the mail as well. I called the embassy a couple of times and finally got them to send another packet. Both of them arrived at her house the same day (so the first one was probably sitting at the local post office or whatever they have down there).

I would definitely call the embassy, and use the international phone number found on the embassy info page. I called using a calling card and was never billed $13 or $15 or whatever they say it is. Also, they only accept phone calls regarding K-1 visas on Wednesdays from 3-4pm local time, and the level of help you receive depends on who answers the phone.

Hope this helped!

yeah, what Z said

Well the "while no figures exist" statement was true in 1997, that is no longer the case, there are now real figures. I've posted elsewhere from the recent paper that cites all the studies showing that the incidence of domestic violence in marriages with immigrant women and USC spouses is considerably higher than average. I'll dig that up again if you want me to. But that's basically irrelevant for the reasons I've mentioned before, . . .you don't need to do an experiment or have hard-scientific data before passing a law.

Congress can just think that there might be a problem and pass a law that they think might address it -- even if it only helps a little bit (they don't have to try and tackle the whole problem). So although you might not think it wiser to try and address abuse in marriages between two USCs (or as some have suggested, all marriages) that doesn't make what Congress did wrong.

Yes, I would be interested to see that. But I think (yes, I suppose I am prejudging) that the data will be highly disputable.

Well I guess I disagree on that one. For Congress to go through all the time and money and whatever else it takes to pass a law that may or not be needed for a problem that may or not exist, and that will cost taxpayers money to implement and maintain in a way that no one seems to have a handle on... well that may be politics as usual, but YES it is wrong.

Chris... I sincerely apologize for hijacking your innocent, fun little thread!

Anything I've ever read basically says that there is no evidence to suggest that these types of occurances (divorces also) are any more prevelant in marriages with foreign spouses than in any other marriage in this country. And I find that to be a reasonable statement.

zed,

Can you consider this? It's nothing to do with marriage, divorce or protecting foreign women(men). It's all about immigration and the American collective 'we' taking on someone we're eventually going to have to pay for.

What if?

Take all the bleeding heart ####### out of it if it doesn't jibe for you---look at it from a cooly practical point of view.

That's a good point, Meauxna, although I disagree that that's what it's about.

Imbra, if you could provide a link to what Congress cited, it would be appreciated. Anything I've ever read basically says that there is no evidence to suggest that these types of occurances (divorces also) are any more prevelant in marriages with foreign spouses than in any other marriage in this country. And I find that to be a reasonable statement.

Sure. Here's the link to the page of Congressional Record with Sen. Brownback's statment, it continues over a page or two. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/ge...ame=2005_record

Also, the INS commissioned a study for a report to Congress (I think it was in 1997) that, among other things, concluded that "While no national figures exist on abuse of alien wives, there is every reason to believe that the incidence is higher in this population than for the nation as a whole. Authorities agree that abuse in these marriages can be expected based on the men's desire for a submissive wife and the women's desire for a better life. At some point, after the alien bride has had time to adjust to the new environment, to make new friends, and to become comfortable with the language, her new independence and his domination are bound to conflict. The problem, according to Mila Glodava (Glodava and Onizuka, 1994) and Uma Narayan (Narayan, 1995), is largely due to the men's unrealistic expectations. While many state a desire for a submissive wife, they find that such dependence becomes a burden. To provide some relief, the husband seeks ways (friends, activities) that will get the wife "out of the house" on occasion. The resulting independence then angers the husband who manifests the anger on the wife, who may have only been guilty of trying to please her husband." http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/aboutus/reps...ies/Mobappa.htm

Does that help? There was testimony before the House Foreign Relations Committee in 2004 as well. I can try and find that online somewhere to if you want.

Wow... now if I tried to say something with a disclaimer like "although I have no facts, I know this is true" I would take some pretty serious heat. And I say that from experience. "Authorites agree that abuse in these marriages can be expected "???

Imbra, if you could provide a link to what Congress cited, it would be appreciated. Anything I've ever read basically says that there is no evidence to suggest that these types of occurances (divorces also) are any more prevelant in marriages with foreign spouses than in any other marriage in this country. And I find that to be a reasonable statement.

Sure. Here's the link to the page of Congressional Record with Sen. Brownback's statment, it continues over a page or two. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/ge...ame=2005_record

Also, the INS commissioned a study for a report to Congress (I think it was in 1997) that, among other things, concluded that "While no national figures exist on abuse of alien wives, there is every reason to believe that the incidence is higher in this population than for the nation as a whole. Authorities agree that abuse in these marriages can be expected based on the men's desire for a submissive wife and the women's desire for a better life. At some point, after the alien bride has had time to adjust to the new environment, to make new friends, and to become comfortable with the language, her new independence and his domination are bound to conflict. The problem, according to Mila Glodava (Glodava and Onizuka, 1994) and Uma Narayan (Narayan, 1995), is largely due to the men's unrealistic expectations. While many state a desire for a submissive wife, they find that such dependence becomes a burden. To provide some relief, the husband seeks ways (friends, activities) that will get the wife "out of the house" on occasion. The resulting independence then angers the husband who manifests the anger on the wife, who may have only been guilty of trying to please her husband." http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/aboutus/reps...ies/Mobappa.htm

Does that help? There was testimony before the House Foreign Relations Committee in 2004 as well. I can try and find that online somewhere to if you want.

Anyone really who disputes that is in denial. I would go so far as to say the vast majority percentage of older men marying younger women is for this reason. Even domestic mariage between an older man and a younger naieve woman. Once the Woman gets older and more experienced, the control factor (fantasy world) the older man was seeking goes away and the real abuse starts becasue he feels there is a growing power struggle.

Even worse when the American man solely desires a wife strictly from a foreign country because she is younger and/or because she is considered "poor and humble" (a.k.a non-western) and he believes them to be culturaly submissive in comparison to the brass rude American style, he feels there is a greater chance to live the fantasy of control. The girl is more a pet, than a person at this point. Thats when it gets sick. Thats why IMBRA, on many levels, is a good thing, it makes it much harder for the easy venues these people go to, to order a wife/spouse.

Oh and P.S. don't waste time commenting on the un-pc sounding nature of my comparison with older men and younger women. Lets face it, it's rare that there is a brokered mariage between a woman petitioner and a male beneficiary. Although, I would suspect that in many more cases, even if the woman was older the relationship would work out much better. Or at least, the odds of success are much higher in comparison. Heck, I have a thing for older women (they know what they want), I just happened to find someone who I love dearly that happens to be more my age.

I agree IMBRA sucks, because it's delaying everybody's process. But I also agree it has one benefit: why do us foreigneirs have to show the police certificates and prove this and that while the USC don't need to? I think it's more than fair. If you need proof we are not lying about our past and we're not murderers, rapists, etc, why should the rule apply only 1 sided?

I believe the reason the government demands foreigners to have to show police certificates is to keep criminals out of the USA. Let's not pretend that they had the USC's welfare in mind. Do you really think they did that to keep us safe from abuse? Now the USC has to prove he/she is innocent of any crimes to solely protect the foreign spouse. They never really cared about "us" or that we may end up with a wife/husband who was at one time a prostitute or who once dealt drugs. The reasons for the criminal checks are different for both sides. Just my opinion.

Again well said, and I agree. It is very one sided with how these laws are being made and it goes to show how xenophobic America has become.

I M B R A

Imbicilic Magistrate Bought, Re-election Always

Again wow... and people accuse ME of sweeping generalizations. I would absolutely dispute this and in no way am I in denial about anything. The citings in the Congressional document were horrible, but I saw no dates, no numbers, or anything else. Unfortunately, you could make a list 100 times as long involving domestic spouses.

"just because one woman got murdered"??? You don't really think that's why it was passed do you? Please don't make me repost the horror stories of murders, rapes, and child molestations that Congress cited. Did you not see that in the last 10 years, over 30,000 "battered spouse waiver" self-petitions were filed by immigrant women and children who were subjected to abuse by their USC sponsor spouses?

Imbra, if you could provide a link to what Congress cited, it would be appreciated. Anything I've ever read basically says that there is no evidence to suggest that these types of occurances (divorces also) are any more prevelant in marriages with foreign spouses than in any other marriage in this country. And I find that to be a reasonable statement.

I think the main flaw with the argument that IMBRA was concealed, hidden, etc. is that it assumes that 531 lawmakers didn't know what they're voting for. I would challenge anyone to show me where a single representative or senator who voted for passage has admitted (a) that they didn't know IMBRA was incorporated into the VAWA bill, and/or (B) had they known that, they would not have voted for it. I don't think you can assume that these lawmakers don't know what they're voting for. In fact, I think you should assume just the opposite, that they know exactly what they are voting on.

The idea of amending different pieces of legislation to each other is commonplace. Congress (both parties) does it all the time -- sometimes for efficiency, and sometimes for political reasons (remember the Republicans tacking on the ANWR drilling amendment to the money for Iraq bill?)

And, various senators (both parties) spoke on the senate floor (before passage) about IMBRA and why it should be supported. It's all in the Congressional Record (the various anti-imbra website have villified these senators and can point you to their statements). So I just don't think that the argument that the evil feminists put one over on the Congress really holds much water.

Keyword on evil feminists here. Not the real feminists who actually do good for people on not their own continued gain (monetarily/politicaly).

With that, you have the nail, and almost hit it on the head. (I am not republican either by the way, I see both sides for what extremes they can take and how it is wrong either extreme) But I want to make the point though that many times laws are encapsulated into another when they strategicaly know the law in which it is now hiding is will force many to vote for "yey" on the bigger law because it would be "political suicide" if they didn't. Or the bigger law is so important to pass as soon as possible that the collateral damage of the deviously placed smaller bits becomes somewhat artificialy acceptable. Sometimes it just even comes right down to pay-offs and political favor trading.

It is fact that some of these guys truely never read over the laws. They just go by what others say or their political party leader "recommends" (forces, depending on who you talk to), or the vague descriptions they hear from one extreme or the other in their debates. Realisticaly, do you seriously believe that people of this calibur would ever admit they didn't know the full details of the law they voted on? Not likely. They want to keep the easy job.

The exploitation and passage of laws is extreme and it causes things like this to happen all the time. Unfortunatly, most of the detrimental stuff comes from the liberal side in multiple disguises. They have mastered the art of encapsulation much better than the conservative side.

Yes, this is a common practice and, unfortunately, probably the only way that anything gets done on Capitol Hill. That's why the presidents have asked for the line-item veto so many times over the years (like many governors have).

IMBRA is simply one more stupid thing you can thank the feminists for.

LOL! Do you even know what feminist means? I doubt it. I think you meant government. Feminism is about equality not female superiority. The last time I looked under my hairy armpits, I found out that there are a lot of women (as well as men) inconvienced by IMBRA.

I hope your wife meets a few "feminists" when she gets here. Or do you plan to just knock her up and chain her to the stove like all good southern boys?

...."all good southern boys" was an example of your gross generalizations. Not the way I really feel. Offensive, eh?

No, Mrs Whizz, I don't find that offensive at all. I'm not all sensitive like the rest of the goofballs in this country. I think everyone is entitled to express their opinions and beliefs. Maybe "feminist" wasn't the right word and "liberal" was. I don't know. But look at all this ####### everyone has to go through over IMBRA just because one woman got murdered. Now I'm not saying that that's a small thing, because clearly it's a terrible thing to have happened. But to take one awful instance and translate it into what we've got now is way more than just overblowing things. Maybe you call it government, but I call it feminist/liberal foolishness.

IMBRA is simply one more stupid thing you can thank the feminists for.

Congratulations and good luck!!

I can relate too. Even after we knew the interview date (which was a month away at that time) she still wanted me to come see her because she couldn't wait anymore (it had been four months since we'd seen each other and you'd have thought she was going to keel over dead).

I tried very hard to explain to her the financial side of things (I had been to visit her four times last year) and that money doesn't grow on trees. But she's young and until you've worked, earned money, and paid bills, you really don't have a good idea of it's "value" (I didn't, anyway). Let's just say it caused a fair amount of tension over the course of our relationship.

Anyway, since she's been here (a week and a half now) I've tried to explain the finances to her, show her this is how much money we've spent, this is how much money I owe the credit card people for visiting Colombia five times in the last 15 months, and this is how much we have for the rest of the month. It's going to be slow going, I think, but we'll get there.

All that said, I would definitely start to shift the financial burden away from you. She needs to learn sometime, and you being her sugar daddy isn't going to get you there anytime soon.

And oh yeah (edit starts here) she didn't have a clue in the visa process and hardly a hand either. I just kept her updated once in a while and she sent me the stuff I needed her to. In our case, the language thing just would have been too much to overcome. Now once she got packet 3, then she took care of everything after that.

Hey Peter, that web address just goes to the main page. What do we do after that??

-Zed

Yeah, my novia had her interview last week and it was a piece of cake. I posted it on the regional forum and the Bogota embassy reviews.

Shon - LMFHO!! You were inspired here girl!

As for the topic - yeah mine was in the army (so he's a 'real man' not a limp-writsted liberal) - he can cook and clean and look after himself and his kids - he's not some sad act momma's boy who needs to be shown how to work the microwave or the washing machine, and he doesn't expect a mother instead of a wife

Ok, I am offended at this generalization that all army men can cook, clean, aren't momma's boys, and are, in fact, "real" men.

My novia had her interview today and the K-1 visa was approved. She said that the whole thing was very easy and that the people there were very pleasant with her. A few comments:

I had sent her English-version documents already filled out (the papers from the embassy said that they can be in either English or Spanish). Well today they told her that turning in the English version would slow things down, so they gave her documents in Spanish to fill out.

About an hour after turning in all her documents they called her up to talk to the consul. Olga said that she was a gringa and that her Spanish wasn't very good. The lady made a joke, which put Olga at ease. She then asked the following questions:

How did you meet?

When was the last time you saw your novio?

How many times have you seen him?

Why do you want to get married? (I'm sure LisaD and TracyTN think this was a very good question!)

Where does he live?

What does your family think about you leaving for the US?

When did he buy his house? (she didn't know the answer and the lady said that was ok)

Do you have any friends/relatives in the US and where do they live?

Those are all the questions I can remember her telling me. She then asked Olga if she had any proof of the relationship with her and Olga told her what she had. She said the lady looked through about half of it (we had lots of pictures, my phone bills, flight itineraries, etc.) and then told her she was approved. She arrived this morning a little before 7am and was done at 11am. She's supposed to go back tomorrow at 4pm (as has been previously documented here on VJ) to pick up the paperwork.

My novia had her interview today and the K-1 visa was approved. She said that the whole thing was very easy and that the people there were very pleasant with her. A few comments:

I had sent her English-version documents already filled out (the papers from the embassy said that they can be in either English or Spanish). Well today they told her that turning in the English version would slow things down, so they gave her documents in Spanish to fill out.

About an hour after turning in all her documents they called her up to talk to the consul. Olga said that she was a gringa and that her Spanish wasn't very good. The lady made a joke, which put Olga at ease. She then asked the following questions:

How did you meet?

When was the last time you saw your novio?

How many times have you seen him?

Why do you want to get married?

Where does he live?

What does your family think about you leaving for the US?

When did he buy his house? (she didn't know the answer and the lady said that was ok)

Do you have any friends/relatives in the US and where do they live?

Those are all the questions I can remember her telling me. She then asked Olga if she had any proof of the relationship with her and Olga told her what she had. She said the lady looked through about half of it (we had lots of pictures, my phone bills, flight itineraries, etc.) and then told her she was approved. She arrived this morning a little before 7am and was done at 11am. She's supposed to go back tomorrow at 4pm (as has been previously documented here on VJ) to pick up the paperwork.

My novia had her interview today and the K-1 visa was approved. She said that the whole thing was very easy and that the people there were very pleasant with her. A few comments:

I had sent her English-version documents already filled out (the papers from the embassy said that they can be in either English or Spanish). Well today they told her that turning in the English version would slow things down, so they gave her documents in Spanish to fill out.

About an hour after turning in all her documents they called her up to talk to the consul. Olga said that she was a gringa and that her Spanish wasn't very good. The lady made a joke, which put Olga at ease. She then asked the following questions:

How did you meet?

When was the last time you saw your novio?

How many times have you seen him?

Why do you want to get married? (I'm sure LisaD and TracyTN think this was a very good question!)

Where does he live?

What does your family think about you leaving for the US?

When did he buy his house? (she didn't know the answer and the lady said that was ok)

Do you have any friends/relatives in the US and where do they live?

Those are all the questions I can remember her telling me. She then asked Olga if she had any proof of the relationship with her and Olga told her what she had. She said the lady looked through about half of it (we had lots of pictures, my phone bills, flight itineraries, etc.) and then told her she was approved. She arrived this morning a little before 7am and was done at 11am. She's supposed to go back tomorrow at 4pm (as has been previously documented here on VJ) to pick up the paperwork.

My novia had her interview today and the K-1 visa was approved. She said that the whole thing was very easy and that the people there were very pleasant with her. A few comments:

I had sent her English-version documents already filled out (the papers from the embassy said that they can be in either English or Spanish). Well today they told her that turning in the English version would slow things down, so they gave her documents in Spanish to fill out.

About an hour after turning in all her documents they called her up to talk to the consul. Olga said that she was a gringa and that her Spanish wasn't very good. The lady made a joke, which put Olga at ease. She then asked the following questions:

How did you meet?

When was the last time you saw your novio?

How many times have you seen him?

Why do you want to get married? (I'm sure LisaD and TracyTN think this was a very good question!)

Where does he live?

What does your family think about you leaving for the US?

When did he buy his house? (she didn't know the answer and the lady said that was ok)

Do you have any friends/relatives in the US and where do they live?

Those are all the questions I can remember her telling me. She then asked Olga if she had any proof of the relationship with her and Olga told her what she had. She said the lady looked through about half of it (we had lots of pictures, my phone bills, flight itineraries, etc.) and then told her she was approved. She arrived this morning a little before 7am and was done at 11am. She's supposed to go back tomorrow at 4pm (as has been previously documented here on VJ) to pick up the paperwork.

My novia had her interview today and the K-1 visa was approved. She said that the whole thing was very easy and that the people there were very pleasant with her. A few comments:

I had sent her English-version documents already filled out (the papers from the embassy said that they can be in either English or Spanish). Well today they told her that turning in the English version would slow things down, so they gave her documents in Spanish to fill out.

About an hour after turning in all her documents they called her up to talk to the consul. Olga said that she was a gringa and that her Spanish wasn't very good. The lady made a joke, which put Olga at ease. She then asked the following questions:

How did you meet?

When was the last time you saw your novio?

How many times have you seen him?

Why do you want to get married? (I'm sure LisaD and TracyTN think this was a very good question!)

Where does he live?

What does your family think about you leaving for the US?

When did he buy his house? (she didn't know the answer and the lady said that was ok)

Do you have any friends/relatives in the US and where do they live?

Those are all the questions I can remember her telling me. She then asked Olga if she had any proof of the relationship with her and Olga told her what she had. She said the lady looked through about half of it (we had lots of pictures, my phone bills, flight itineraries, etc.) and then told her she was approved. She arrived this morning a little before 7am and was done at 11am. She's supposed to go back tomorrow at 4pm (as has been previously documented here on VJ) to pick up the paperwork.

Heh heh... you guys crack me up.

But seriously... what's the big deal about putting the seat down? Would someone please explain that to me?

Here's my thoughts on that one...if it's just me and him and it's our personal bathroom I don't really care...I mean there's no reason why he should always have to put the seat up! This is as long as nobody will be walking through there. Any guest-accessible areas will need to have the seats put down for aesthetic reasons!

So then it's not really just the seat, but the lid too?

Heh heh... you guys crack me up.

But seriously... what's the big deal about putting the seat down? Would someone please explain that to me?

Glad to hear it! But just wait until those old-fashioned, bigoted, oppressive American men get a hold of you!

wah? What are they going to do...take me away from my husband????

My mistake. From the way you worded your post, I thought it was your husband who was pointing out that he was a foreign spouse and happy with his American wife. I didn't realize it was you speaking for him (but I should have guessed).

Your screen name may be recently registered, but there's something somehow familiar about your style of phrasing....

Anyone seen Sriniv lately ?

Good try! But, no I'm not Sriniv. I am an oldtimer but one who ain't as prolific a poster as many of the oldtimers hanging around VJ.

Well, my SO has been here for a year and a half and we are doing pretty good except for a yelling match here and a screamiing episode there

Other than that, we've bought a new house which we both love. Myself got promoted which turned out to be a bane rather than a boon. Job got more demanding but have learned to adjust overtime.

So, all in all, things are as peachy as they can get!!

A year and a half later we are strictly abiding by "Cleanliness is Holiness" doctrine. That means we do our laundry every day or every other day despite 17 years age difference. Can't hold myself back from boasting.

And we do organic laundry. No man-made chemicals involved... no viagra, no cialis

This is uxorious reporting from somewhere in the U.S. of A.

Heehee…. it was just a little WOM humor, mostly inspired by your screen name and your use of the word “empirical.” Actually, your posts were not laced with nearly enough obscure references to vertically-challenged Indian generals, and how their stunted statures inversely impacted the rise and fall of Indian and Pakistani politics and history, for me to seriously consider you to actually be Sriniv.

Errr… I’m glad things are working out happily for you and your lady. However, TMI.

You girls kill me. Not only do you belittle and insult those of us males who disagree with you, but then you completely ignore, discount, or even make fun of the eloquent posts of several non-American women who have posted similar opinions... or who at least have offered their own remarks from the "outside." I guess the views of these women don't matter either because they come from "archaic" countries and have been oppressed for so long that they really can't think on their own like you liberated, empowered, know-it-all b*tches. Yes, I agree with what someone said many posts back, that you've done a very good job proving our point for us. I don't think one of us has a problem with our SO's changing and growing, but I hope to God that none of them turn into you. Just like I hope all those foreign men of yours know what they're getting into.

As for you, buddy. It is no surprise to me that a person who apparently regards the women of the world as being categorized into different “breeds” dependant on national origin -- and actually believes that said “breeds” could possibly be indicative of individual personality traits, or their level of devotion to their husbands and children -- would use a term like “b*tch” to address them. As others have so perceptively pointed out, such sour generalizations of American women are based solely on the generalizer's own failures to establish a lasting relationship with one. What you haven’t realized (or admitted to yourself) is that such a pathetic defense mechanism speaks a lot more about YOU than it does about them.

You conveniently ignored all the posts from men in this thread, specifically American men, who vehemently disagreed with your assessments, and instead (tellingly) turned your wrath once again toward the women who dared to express dissenting opinions.

And since you brought up the subject of foreign husbands of American women…. I would like to point out that my husband is from a FAR more traditional and conservative culture than either you OR your fiancée. But he would never, ever use such a term as you did in addressing a female. Unlike you, he treats all women with the utmost respect, referring to them as “ladies.” Even if they didn’t happen to agree with him. You would do well to take a page from his book. (Not holding my breath for that, though.)

Oh ok, so now I'm the bad guy for using a mean word? Go back and look at some of the posts from the women.

I absolutely respect that your husband is the way he is, and yes I do try to act the same way (although I obviously fall short). But it is interesting that he comes from a FAR more traditional and conservative culture than WE do. But I guess it wasn't growing up in a culture like that that helped him become the respectful man he is today?

A year and a half later we are strictly abiding by "Cleanliness is Holiness" doctrine. That means we do our laundry every day or every other day despite 17 years age difference. Can't hold myself back from boasting.

And we do organic laundry. No man-made chemicals involved... no viagra, no cialis

errr...ok... so?

and now...

I don't think one of us has a problem with our SO's changing and growing, but I hope to God that none of them turn into you. Just like I hope all those foreign men of yours know what they're getting into.

oh dear....

Foreign man happy and content 2 1/2 years into the marriage and 1 year here...thanks very much for your concern though...

Glad to hear it! But just wait until those old-fashioned, bigoted, oppressive American men get a hold of you!

You girls kill me. Not only do you belittle and insult those of us males who disagree with you, but then you completely ignore, discount, or even make fun of the eloquent posts of several non-American women who have posted similar opinions... or who at least have offered their own remarks from the "outside." I guess the views of these women don't matter either because they come from "archaic" countries and have been oppressed for so long that they really can't think on their own like you liberated, empowered, know-it-all b*tches. Yes, I agree with what someone said many posts back, that you've done a very good job proving our point for us. I don't think one of us has a problem with our SO's changing and growing, but I hope to God that none of them turn into you. Just like I hope all those foreign men of yours know what they're getting into.

Wait... so you didn't go to the interview... in LIMA?? Isn't Lima one of the interviews that the USC supposedly MUST (officially or unofficially) attend?

And also... congratulations!!!!

Certainly there are things to consider. I will not be going to my fiancee's interview next week. For me it was a matter of the cost of the trip (I'm still trying to pay for my 4 visits last year!) plus the vacation time I would need to take. I felt like those days would be better spent after she's here, or if we are able to go back and visit her family later this year.

Of course, if you officially or unofficially "have" to be there, then I guess there's really no choice. But I have spoken with several people whose wives went through the embassy in Bogota by themselves without problems. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trying to have faith that we've got everything in order!