natarussia

It's not a "movie" really, but it is a series called Brigada or Бригада in Russian. I rented this a long time ago from Netflix, I was glued to it and watched all 5 discs in two days ... each "episode" is an hour long ... great plot, great actors, awesome ending.

I agree with this reviewers comments ... Brigada is one of the most popular Russian TV-series ever made. The company behind the serials has time after time been forced to deny rumours about a second season. The fact is that the TV-serial is that good that it could well had been made for the screen if it wasn't for runtime of 13 hours. The Berlin Film Festival even made an exception from not showing tv productions when showing two of the episodes of this TV-series.

Like many other Russian crime movies Brigada offers a really good soundtrack, but in difference to other Russian crime movies, the sound-track is not filled with the latest Russian rock music, but with nice and placid music. This is by all means the best Russian tv-serial ever and by all means better than the best American productions too.

http://www.ryssland.net/html/film/brigada-...the-lawless.htm

~d

I think the two systems that you are trying to relate are not all connected. Her arrival information would be with USCIS and possibly with state department. The

social security system is not at all connected with these.

That may be your opinion, but I disagree.

Have you heard of the SAVE system:

Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

So, here, the general recommendation is to wait until your fiancée is in the system, which takes a few weeks from arrival. If she is not in the system, SSA will have to do a manual verification with USCIS and that takes a lot longer than just being entered into the system.

Satellite is 100% accurate.

Dwayne

We are still a ways away from all this, but what is required for lifting of conditions and what are the fees associated? They recently went up, right?

2 year GC to 10 year GC - How, and how much?

Hey,

We just went through all this about 6 months ago. For removing conditions you just file the I-751 with the required evidence ...it's a piece of cake and the fees are $465 (plus $80 biometric service fee). You file at the Service Center with jurisdiction over your state of residence.

Here is a pdf of the instructions ... http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-751instr.pdf

And here is the link to the form itself ... http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-751.pdf

Every 10 years thereafter you just file a renewal form I-90 with $290. A biometrics fee of $80 may be included, but in ten years who knows how much it will cost (rhetorical).

Of course, US citizenship would void the requirement to renew.

Dwayne

Over on this thread, 1HappyGuy had some great suggestions on how to prepare for the fiance's arrival. Picking up a hair blower and other "lady" stuff probably wouldn't have occurred to me.

Anyone else have suggestions on how they setup their household to get ready for her arrival? Any special "Russification" things I can do to make her feel more at home? I live in Monterey, CA, and unfortunately the closest Russian food store is (I think) in Santa Cruz, about 45 minutes away. But we do have a great farmer's market that she'll probably love. When we went to the market together in her home town she made me put back an apple I picked up because it was too big. "I think is too big because of chemicals" she said. Don't think she's gonna be too impressed with the produce section at Safeway.

I can suggest you clean things you would never have thought of cleaning ... window treatments, screens, behind the refrigerator, under it too ... but the previous poster is right ... no matter what you do, it won't be good enough and she'll re-do it anyway - LOL ....

The customs people MAY confiscate her makeup ... so prepare for that just in case, get a hair dryer, a teapot, tea (black), iron, ironing board (prepare to have your underwear ironed if you're not used to that kind of thing) ... most importantly ... Do your share and more of the household tasks ... always. Keeping in mind of course to let her instruct you on how she wants it done. Once she is here, she is the boss of the house, and that's just how it will be. Oh and get her a phone card so she can call home ... PM me for a very inexpensiv method of calling (saves tons of money).

Good luck!!!!

Dwayne

I checked those banks myself... well no one so far works for 1% comission... minimum is 2.5% which is a robbery considering transfer of relevant to real estate sums of money. i wonder if any "normal" financial institutions exist there...

obender

I use Ikobo.com myself. We got my wife's Mother a Visa debit card through them (they sent it to her) and we load it up when we need to then she goes to her local bank ATM (they work with several banks) and takes out the money ... no transfer agent, no waiting in long lines and no one to see that she is getting money from abroad. If the mafia found out, they'd want their cut. Bastards.

Dwayne

I checked those banks myself... well no one so far works for 1% comission... minimum is 2.5% which is a robbery considering transfer of relevant to real estate sums of money. i wonder if any "normal" financial institutions exist there...

obender

I use Ikobo.com myself. We got my wife's Mother a Visa debit card through them (they sent it to her) and we load it up when we need to then she goes to her local bank ATM (they work with several banks) and takes out the money ... no transfer agent, no waiting in long lines and no one to see that she is getting money from abroad. If the mafia found out, they'd want their cut. Bastards.

Dwayne

Dwayne,

thank you very much! Very broad and detailed scope of russian money transfer business...

too bad nothing obvious with less then 1% has come out (I has been silly hoping)

last question if you could answer, is it known by any chance if this 1% rate holds for any large sums of money (order of appartment price there)?

again thanks for knowledgeble answer,

obender

I couldn't say with certainty. I am however, glad I could offer something useful to you.

Dwayne

No, seriously .... any other options for transfers? so far two banks and their conditions were named (thank you!!!)...

Has anybody tried branches of western banks? HSBC just opned in Moscow (presumably with full services)...

Also, does anybody knows if money transfer amounts are limited? Like US customs allows one to bring only 10K tax free...

Thanks!!!

obender

And I forgot to mention Ikobo.com ... they work through many banks within Russia and are reasonable.

Dwayne

No, seriously .... any other options for transfers? so far two banks and their conditions were named (thank you!!!)...

Has anybody tried branches of western banks? HSBC just opned in Moscow (presumably with full services)...

Also, does anybody knows if money transfer amounts are limited? Like US customs allows one to bring only 10K tax free...

Thanks!!!

obender

Money can be sent in Russia by any of 16 different transfer systems, as well as via the Russian Post. The systems can be divided into two main groups: international and Russian. The international group includes Western Union and MoneyGram, as well as Travelex and Ria Envia, which have limited service within Russia. The international systems have the advantage of simplicity and a widespread network of offices: having specified the country and town to which the money is being sent, the sender receives a code that, once it has been communicated to the recipient, allows the recipient to pick up the money at any Western Union or MoneyGram office within a few minutes. The sender pays for the service.

All of the international systems have sliding commission scales: the larger the sum of the transfer, the lower the commission. For a transfer of $500, Western Union takes $29 in commission (5.8%), MoneyGram – $28 (5.6%), and Travelex – $25 (5%). If the sum is larger than $3000, the commission is lower still: 3.6% at Western Union, 3.5% at MoneyGram, and 3.2% at Travelex. In any case, however, the cost of using an international service provider will be more than using a Russian provider.

If the recipient can afford to wait for a day or more, then a Russian money-transfer system might be the way to go. The cheapest offer is from UNIStream or Promsvyazbank, which can both send $3000 with a service charge of $30 (1% of the transfer amount). For the same transfer amount, the Russian companies Contact, Anelik, and STB-Express all charge a 3% commission. The main drawback of these systems is that they all require at least day to send the money, while the Russian Post takes three days.

Several Russian companies – Migom, Lider, PrivatMoney, and Blizko – offer online services. To use these services, however, the sender must know the full address to which the money is being sent, and the recipient can pick up the transfer only at the specified office, making transfers to distant countries difficult.

Hope this helps.

Dwayne

I most certainly agree with you slim ... very unique. And I know your smile is genuine, I know your wife

Natalia

I'm reminded of this every day. (She tells me.)

Awww ... so sweet. See you soon?

Natalia

Good reply slim ... nice debating with you I understand your view and appreciate the history you bring to the themes.

Natalia

You're right satellite. slim and his wife and my family met up not long ago and we love them to death. Great people! This board has been a wonderful resource over the years. Stay well,

Natalia

Do you have anything constructive to add to the comments we were making?

Nope, because I ignore most of that silly stuff. I was just glancing and noticed you were more upset than usual. As far as forum police, lol, I have better things to do with my time.

I've been on this board with my husband for more than 3 years and these discussions prompt friendships if you view them right. Let's be friends

Planing on retiring any time soon? As soon as my wife gets citizenship I can promise you I will retire.

Anyway, my overall point was not to get upset over what anyone says on here.

hahaha .. no not planning on retiring ... I hear you, but I wasn't really upset ... I was just poking and playing. No harm intended.

Friends?

Natalia

You have to keep in mind, all of us on this forum (and VJ as a whole) have gone through a pretty unique process of mate selection. I don't know if the success rate is higher for international marriages, but I would reckon that going through all the BS of the immigration process would make couples a little more likely to stick together. And, just about all of us on here are a little bit more on the romantic side due to the waiting, longing, perservering of the VJ process. That makes our smiles more genuine!

I most certainly agree with you slim ... very unique. And I know your smile is genuine, I know your wife

Natalia

You know, you write like you're trying to win an argument and as though you know everything about everything.

Chill out, it's a public board. If you disagree with something voice your opinion like I do.

Um, that's what I did Mr. Big; voiced my opinion because I disagreed. You must have missed that part. And who are you anyway? The forum police? Do you have anything constructive to add to the comments we were making? Or do you just like to step in between two friends for no reason (slim and I and our families are good friends). So, oh wise one, "let 'em play" as they say in sports.

Last I checked, slim was able to handle himseld quite well in any discussion, but thanks for looking out for us anyway.

C'mon, argue, boast, show your machismo ... it makes a man feel more like a man, especially in a room (or forum) full of women they will never sleep with. I've been on this board with my husband for more than 3 years and these discussions prompt friendships if you view them right. Let's be friends

Natalia

I disagree on this as regards a point. If a man is sucessful and educated he may have more opportunities to explore the world and its options, therefore may realize, being educated, that there is a lot of money to be made by the American who chooses to bet on Russia and its growing economy. That is true is business and love. Just an alternate view.

Natalia

Very true, but rich guys here already have the luxury of living the life a poor American, such as myself, would be able to live in Russia. And since most guys won't go out for hamburgers when they have steak at home, they stay here.

You know, you write like you're trying to win an argument and as though you know everything about everything. You claim to know what "most" guys would or wouldn't do and even though you claim to be poor, you know what rich guys will or won't do in a situation. In your posts, you are claiming to know what "all" or "most" or "everyone" would do in a given situation. Just speaking about your own experiences would make your statements more acceptable to others, but since you are not rich, you can't know what ALL rich people do or think. And anyway, aren't rich people only living a facade and not really rich, happy, or living in luxury? I think it was something like that

If you can, speak from the first person and from experience rather than from a generalizing point of view. Your statements might be true for you and only for you. They are certainly interesting. Sorry, I just question everything and that makes me more inclined to see exposure in an argument. Perhaps you should go to law school and become a lawyer ... even an immigration lawyer ... we all know we could use one that is able to argue with USCIS.

Natalia

Of course, if said man is reasonably successful and educated, they probably have little interest in either moving to Russia, or marrying someone there.

Point well made. I have all of the desire, but none of the education or success! I'm living proof of your example.

I disagree on this as regards a point. If a man is sucessful and educated he may have more opportunities to explore the world and its options, therefore may realize, being educated, that there is a lot of money to be made by the American who chooses to bet on Russia and its growing economy. That is true is business and love. Just an alternate view.

Natalia

Funny Brad. The Americans I know are happy and it is not a facade. "Always" is not true, not is is everyone. Maybe what you say is just about you darling. The happy person is content with herself and is not concerned with somebody's idea about an American dream. Being polite is a virtue, being a gentleman is a virtue and in my opinion is nothing to do with tricking anyone into thinking something about you that isn't true. When I say "hi" to someone it is just a greeting, an acknowledgement of shared humanity, that's all, nothing else behind it. Of course, beware the con-man, but I can't live life thinking everyone is really unhappy and is only pretending to be nice. People are good.

Where can one get one of those money trees you mentioned?

Natalia

You have to remember, you have a biased opinion because you really are happy! There are people out there, a lot more than are willing to admit it, that have a lot of problems and issues that make them unhappy..... yet they smile in all of their pictures! Walk into any American home and you will see a family photo of mom and dad with the kids, maybe even the poodle, and everyone has $#!T-eatin' grins on their faces. Yet they hate each other! Kids fight, mom cheats on dad, dad beats mom, etc., etc., etc. But they're smiling! Because they're H-A-P-P-Y!!!!

Another thing to remember is most Americans are in debt up to their eyeballs because they have to live this life of "showing off what they're worth" to go along with their happiness. "Not only are we happy... but we live in this huge house and have this really nice car. Every year we take vacation to Hawaii and have a huge Christmas together because we all love each other so much." But, just like the family portrait, it's only an illusion of happiness .

You know what it's like to live in a small apartment with almost no furniture and nothing extra.... but to be together and be completely happy. For me, that's my American Dream. To be happy with what we have and with whom we can share it.

When most people put all that effort into getting that big house and nice cars and then realize there's no money tree in the back yard, their American Dream is shattered because they've sacrificed being happy along the way in pursuit of the Dream. Living happily is what makes the Dream come true, not achieving the Dream and then trying to live happily ever after.

By the way ... just because I'm happy does not mean my opinions are any more biased than yours. Even though I am a woman, I CAN think rationally when compared to the male mind. What makes your opinion less biased? You are NOT happy? You are a man? You are able to know how all people think? If you were not happy then your opinion is biased the other direction.

Funny Brad. The Americans I know are happy and it is not a facade. "Always" is not true, not is is everyone. Maybe what you say is just about you darling. The happy person is content with herself and is not concerned with somebody's idea about an American dream. Being polite is a virtue, being a gentleman is a virtue and in my opinion is nothing to do with tricking anyone into thinking something about you that isn't true. When I say "hi" to someone it is just a greeting, an acknowledgement of shared humanity, that's all, nothing else behind it. Of course, beware the con-man, but I can't live life thinking everyone is really unhappy and is only pretending to be nice. People are good.

Where can one get one of those money trees you mentioned?

Natalia

You have to remember, you have a biased opinion because you really are happy! There are people out there, a lot more than are willing to admit it, that have a lot of problems and issues that make them unhappy..... yet they smile in all of their pictures! Walk into any American home and you will see a family photo of mom and dad with the kids, maybe even the poodle, and everyone has $#!T-eatin' grins on their faces. Yet they hate each other! Kids fight, mom cheats on dad, dad beats mom, etc., etc., etc. But they're smiling! Because they're H-A-P-P-Y!!!!

Another thing to remember is most Americans are in debt up to their eyeballs because they have to live this life of "showing off what they're worth" to go along with their happiness. "Not only are we happy... but we live in this huge house and have this really nice car. Every year we take vacation to Hawaii and have a huge Christmas together because we all love each other so much." But, just like the family portrait, it's only an illusion of happiness .

You know what it's like to live in a small apartment with almost no furniture and nothing extra.... but to be together and be completely happy. For me, that's my American Dream. To be happy with what we have and with whom we can share it.

When most people put all that effort into getting that big house and nice cars and then realize there's no money tree in the back yard, their American Dream is shattered because they've sacrificed being happy along the way in pursuit of the Dream. Living happily is what makes the Dream come true, not achieving the Dream and then trying to live happily ever after.

Life without dreams of a better life is not much of a life in my opinion. I happen to know you and your wife, so I know you are happy and you know that I am too. But I also know there are people like the one's you write about. I just believe that people are proud of their families even if they disagree with each other and fight sometimes. All families do that, even Russian ones. All people aren't living a con. We smile in our photos because we are happy to share the moment with each other. I understand your point of view, I just don't have to agree.

Мир,

Natalia

Basically, you guys are reenforcing my point here.

If you have true love with someone, it doesn't matter where they're from or how you met. However, you should be able to honestly say to yourself - "Is she doing this because she loves me, or is she doing this because she thinks it's going to open some doors for her?"

I'm not implying Russian women all worked in a factory for $100/month before being "rescued" by their American benefactors. (Although that is what most Americans think. They also think every Russian woman is a mail-order bride and every guy with a Russian wife is a loser that couldn't find a woman willing to marry him here.) What I am implying is if you've met a woman one time and have been e-mailing her for six months and are now going through the visa process, you better be darn sure that she's doing it for the reasons stated in the posts above, not just for the "shot at love with someone", that someone being several years older, several times richer, and in a country where she has a chance of meeting several more guys willing to take her on and pay all her expenses while she does whatever she wants.

If I'm not being clear here, I'll try to sum it up. I believe most women are doing it for love. I believe most of the guys are too. That said, most of the guys are getting "better" wives than what they would get here in the U.S. with American women. Most wives are getting "better" husbands than what they would get with Russian men. However, there are women out there willing to marry men they have absolutely no interest in simply to propel themselves into a higher standard of living. YOU COULD BE ONE OF THOSE GUYS!!! Ensure you're not. Take the time, be honest with yourself, and go with your gut. There are so many good women out there. Find one. Don't just choose the youngest and best looking one that will talk to you. Actually take your time and make sure you're both in it for the right reasons.

Well ... how did you find out what most Americans think? Just curious how you can qualify that statement. The one's I've met are not as sterotypical and cynical as the ones you know apparently. This forum has such potential to bring people down and give them bad information. Don't just take the time to be sure of the man or woman you are choosing ... also choose the posts on this forum that you listen to carefully and better still, talk to people, real people, face to face. How often do we hear good news on about any of these relationships in the press or media. The authors here do the same things as the media who feed them .... they write about the bad experiences, so those are the ones that we use to reference statements like "most Americans". I say to not believe me or slim or anybody else ... believe yourself and do some searching for the real love stories ... there are so, so many.

I disagree the men and women are getting "better" wives or husbands than they would find here in America or in Russia. By saying that, you discount the marriages in America and Russia as less than wonderful. American and Russian women are equally able to make a good wife, is is, in my opinion the inability to communicate or to control an American woman that the American men don't like. And Russian men, for the record, can be absolutely wonderful if there were only enough of them to go around. American men are no great prize, nor Russian women. Also, statistically, more Russian women find husbands in Germany, Sweden, Norway and England than do those in America. I received emails and wrote to men in all of these countries, but my prize happened to a) speak my language and B) be a wonderful man. As a side note, he lived in America.

Natalia

looks like you still happy together:)

Americans always "look" happy. We're also always concerned with you - "Good morning. How are you today?" And so on. Politeness. It's all part of the facade that must be present to convince others we're living "the American Dream." (Which does include the money tree in the back yard of your house in the suburbs with the white picket fence.)

Funny Brad. The Americans I know are happy and it is not a facade. "Always" is not true, not is is everyone. Maybe what you say is just about you darling. The happy person is content with herself and is not concerned with somebody's idea about an American dream. Being polite is a virtue, being a gentleman is a virtue and in my opinion is nothing to do with tricking anyone into thinking something about you that isn't true. When I say "hi" to someone it is just a greeting, an acknowledgement of shared humanity, that's all, nothing else behind it. Of course, beware the con-man, but I can't live life thinking everyone is really unhappy and is only pretending to be nice. People are good.

Where can one get one of those money trees you mentioned?

Natalia

you guys are funny.you sound like in Russia we die with no food .I had very good career stable job and good family.and I have good looks so could easy find any men whether in Russia or anywhere else.Its all about Love.Or am I wrong?If you think women want marry you guys because of a better life you must have a very low self-esteem.why would you want to have something to do with a women that wants you just for a better life?Why not just find an american lady that already has that"better life"?

Hi Kotenochek,

I think you are right. Many American men have a belief they are doing a Russian woman a favor by bringing her here for marriage. Truth is, it is NOT that the man is American ... it is that he is a good man for a good family and future. I told my husband, it doesn't matter if you are from the moon or mars or even America. You are a man that rings true in my soul and of all the other girls I know that have searched for a husband, the same is true.

American men should learn the phrase "Красна изба не углами, а пирогами". It basically means, "A beautiful cage does not stop the bird from being hungry". They may also want to realize, the risk taking is by the Russian woman ... she leaves her family, friends, comforts of familiar territory and language to come to America or where ever the man may be and start a family. For me, it was becasue of true love that I had waited all my life to find and for most Russian women that I know, this is the same truth.

If we all wanted was a young beautiful man, we can most certainly find that in Russia. Russian men are like none in the world. What is good, is very very good, what is bad is also very very bad. Why do we look for husbands on the Internet? In my city, there are 1 man for every 15 girls and the good ones are taken very young. In big cities perhaps it is different, but in the small towns, we lost our men to war and alcohol and depression and those small towns never recovered. Before the wars, when Russia was a stronger country, we all had jobs, we all had good families and most of us, even in the most difficult times, would have felt the need to find a husband from somewhere else. Learing history before insulting a cultures women would do most men a lot of good.

I am fortunate. My husband has a Russian mother, so he understands me, even when I don't sometimes. He knows there are some things in life that just need time and patience. I truly hope that all the women here are blessed with a good, caring, honest man that puts family before himself. As for the men, perhaps understand this ... If the woman has taken the risk to leave everything for you ... maybe, just maybe, you have something to offer her and she has something to offer you. It is not a one way street.

Natalia

Men are not all immature punks looking to get the hottest piece of ### they can find ... most are happy to find a woman that they can fall in love with and vice versa.

I agree in part. Those other men live in San Francisco and are looking for other men

Oh my God ... that's hilarious!!! Amazing what a nice dose of levity can do for a forum.

Thanks!

Darling, Moscow is not Russia!!! It's not like this everywhere, especially now. It's far more liberal, in Moscow too, BTW. You can play in a casino dressed in shorts and carrying your cash in a plastic grocery bag.

In clubs in small towns, as always, if you know the people who know the people who kill the people, you get in anywhere.

American face control makes more sense to me. I got in many private parties for free and not being on the list just by looking cute and acting cool.

City Cat you are so right ... American face control is so much easier to manage ... dress sharp, look sharp, act aloof .. you're in.

Russian night clubs have security/bouncers at the front door to control entry, just like here in the U.S., except their personnel have an added task - feis kontrol. (Face control.)

Face control literally controls the faces going in the doors.

Guys look like thugs/hooligans/skinheads? FACED!!! "No. You cannot come in." Guys look broke or like bums. FACED! "Not tonight guys, the club is full." (As people are going in anyway.) Guys look too Caucasian/African/non-Russian? FACED! "Get the f#@k out of here!"

Girls are too ugly/fat to be in there? FACED! "Can't come in tonight." Girls are with too many guys? FACED! "Sorry, club's full."

And so on and so forth.

It kind of sucks on the one hand (I got FACED several times while in Moscow, my buddy and I both had shaved heads and everywhere we went they thought we were skinheads. Only after being "vouched in" by Russians or busting out American Passports and several hundred bucks did we get in.) but it's kind of nice on the other. Going to clubs here and getting trampled by Muffaloes doesn't happen there. There's also no worry about accidentally stepping on someone's shoes and getting shot. So, the end result is you have a bunch of well-dressed guys with money to spend and a bunch of gorgeous women to keep them company and the whole group is more interested in polite conversation, drinking, smoking and dancing than in getting wasted and getting into a fight or going home with whatever is available. (- See aforementioned Muffalo.)

Darling, Moscow is not Russia!!! It's not like this everywhere, especially now. It's far more liberal, in Moscow too, BTW. You can play in a casino dressed in shorts and carrying your cash in a plastic grocery bag.

In clubs in small towns, as always, if you know the people who know the people who kill the people, you get in anywhere.

American face control makes more sense to me. I got in many private parties for free and not being on the list just by looking cute and acting cool.

American face control sucks! "You've got $5, you're in." Of course, Moscow, rest of Russia, U.S., anywhere in the world, hot chicks acting cool are going to get in clubs for free. That's just good business.

I was begging my fiancee while in russia once, to take me to a nightclub - she didnt and her reason..there are too many cute girls looking for guys there..so dont want to throw you to the vulture-fest

and by the way I was told..another reason for not getting into a nightclub in Russia....showing up in sneakers

Moscow is not Russia ... Moscow is completely different than the smaller cities and towns. Going to a club in Naberezhnye Chelny near Kazan does not have any of that pompous ####### ... it's a club .., you can pay, you get in. If you are with a woman, the other women leave you alone and other guys leave the woman you are with alone ... again ... Moscow is doing it's best to be its own entity.