Marc and Olga

I think I've figured out the code!

AM must mean American Men, and AW must mean American women.

"AM are not animals just because they don't want to submit to the greed and servitude demanded by the AW."

I think this means: American Men beat American Women becuase the women are greedy and demand servitude, when everyone knows it's the woman who has to be the subservient one.

Well, if that's his take on it, no wonder he doesn'tlike IMBRA. Now he wont be able to keep some unlucky girl around as his subservient little slave/power trip.

You're right on the money.

I do agree, verifiable abusive situations are terrible and anyone in these situations must leave them but I do have concerns as to how IMBRA regulates fraudulent use of the abuse "card" (i.e. claiming abuse where there was no abuse)? So far all I have heard/read is that IMBRA not only makes it easier to claim abuse but also tells HOW to become a US Citizen AFTER claiming abuse! (IMBRA 2005, care to answer that for me?)

AGAIN in a truely abusive situation this is wonderful and would have helped my ex upon her arrival with an alcoholic and abusive man (fully documented by the State of Arizona as Child Protection Service became involved), unfortunately this information was not as available in the mid-1990s when she arrived!

I'm wondering if a trip to the Russian Far East would be something worth spending money on or not. I'm sure I'll eventually go there to visit with Elena's mother and grandmother, but I think for the money that we'd have to spend to get there, we may as well go to Bora Bora or something like that. (Plus, there would be no "exit issues!")

I know this has been debated a million times on this site... Visit Russia, or go somewhere more exotic? Maybe it's time for a new poll!

I was very glad that I got to go see Olga's hometown and to meet her family! I will tell you that it was very expensive coming from Tucson ($1700 airfare, $170 Russian tourist visa (could have ONLY been $100 but I was nervous so I paid extra to have it done for me!), $1000 7 nights stay in the пирамида (Pyramid hotel), $1300 (32,600р) spending cash which was far more then I NEEDED but we did spend much more then we probably needed to. I actually took Roubles when I left the USA, I felt it would be easiest that way, no waiting to change my USD.

Note: I left 6,000р with Olga for document translation and other assorted expenses involving the visa process.

now that I think about there is 1 thing I wish I had of purchased, one of those nice Russian fur hats! I did buy some nice fur lined boots there as I ran out of time here before the trip to buy them!

As a side note I tried to find a nice warm winter jacket in TUCSON, ARIZONA in February! I couldn't but I could buy a swimsuit!

Only thing I can think of is:

With or without you - U2

well its different for those of us who dont get to spend over a month at a time with our fiance cos we have jobs

So true!

So you've got four accounts that don't bear interest, then a couple that do?

I've only got one... and I can't even get that one to bear interest!!!

My checking account nets me about $0.01 every cycle!

I have a membership checking account (Wells Fargo) because my employer banks there as well!

My life is simple, 1 checking account and 1 savings...2 banks

They were more interested in my tax return and the letter of employment which I did not have because I am self employed.

This puts me at ease about my situation, thanks Neonred!

Marc, were you in Vlad? What hotel did you stay at, airport transfers, what did you do... etc?

There is a wealth of info on here for trips to Moscow and St. Pete, but not too much for the Far East. I think besides Turbo Guy, you may be the only one to have been in the Far East.

(And Laura K on here somewhere!..... LAURA... WHERE ARE YOU???)

I wasn't in Vladivostok, just the closet airport to my hotel in Nakhodka.

Olga and her parents met me at the airport and drove me to my hotel then we went to their house for my first Russian supper. I felt awful being so tired but they were very understanding!

We did go to Vladivostok for a day and I really wanted to see the US consulate building and some of the historic buildings in Vladivostok, not enough time though.

We did go to a museum to the Primore region, an aquarium, dolphinarium, saw the "White House" and a nice monument to the Revolution. (I will try to resize the photos so I can fit them all in my photo album tonight after work or tomorrow)

I never found much on the Russian Far East except an article on the city of Nakhodka and a "walking" tour of Vladivostok. Most of the "travel Russia" sites always mention Moscow or St. P., one book (Lonely Planet's Belarus and Russia) actually mentioned Nakhodka being a nice place to visit to see some cliffs, I don't think I saw these cliffs as when I asked Olga about them she said "if I was there she would show me but it is a little far". Considering we usually just took the bus or walked, we did take a Такси at night, as it was quite cold. I did not mind walking except for all the stairs... everywhere there were stairs! The movie theater we went to had probably 100 steps to it...this is not including the 1,000 steps to get to the theater!

It was nice though we saw a movie that we both wish we had not seen the first time. I had not seen it before and didn't remember much of the previews I had seen of it before my trip, the movie... Brace yourselves!

хостeл (Hostel, Dubbed in Russian)

For those who do not know, this movie is 1) not for the weak (It's a very graphic hack and slash) and 2) REALLY not for Americans traveling overseas! Even with my then limited (still limited, though growing every day!), I knew what was going on! Olga picked it!

The next day we saw a cute Russian cartoon/movie and all was better!

I also scored a Russian version of Windows XP (SP2!) for a very decent price. I had been wanting XP for sometime and I don't mind my little пуск button. Certainly not for the price I paid for it!

I actually bank at 2 banks, 1 saving account and 1 checking.

I plan on submitting statements from both but the savings account (higher balance) is less then a year old I opened it back in October when I first started planning my trip, now I'm using it to save for our future expenses. Currently just under $1,000 and a long way to go before I am confortable with it's balance!

This tends to leave my checking account somewhat lower then 3 digits!

Again, my tax information (I have 3 years of them) shows I make more then enough!

I know I was very nervous upon entry, the rest of the trip was cake though! I stayed in a hotel the whole trip and they registered me with no charges.

I did get my visa through www.russia-visa.com, also. They were quite nice to work with and I had no problems with them (they got it corrected for me) when I discovered a MAJOR error on my visa (My visa said I was born in 1906, I wasn't!)!

The only hassle I had was entering on the tourist visa when the officer learned Olga was going to show me around. She said I should have gotten a guest visa, but as I was staying in a hotel I thought the tourist visa was the visa I NEEDED! Next time I go, I will definately get Olga to get the invitation letter and hope the hotel will register me! That is, of course if there IS a next time, I WILL take another trip next February if our case is still pending.=/

I would love to go more often but as mentioned the prices for hotels are quite steep, I think I paid $130/night!

I never paid any fines of had any interaction with the militsa.

For Katya's interview I just sent photocopies of my two most recent checking account statements. Here is a complete list of what I sent with the I-134:

Checking account statement (2 most recent months, photocopies)

401k statement (most recent quarterly statement, photocopy)

2003, 2004, and 2005 Income Tax Returns (photocopies)

2005 W-2 (photocopy)

Employment Verification Letter (original, notarized)

Paycheck stubs (3 most recent, photocopies)

I like this list!

I worry about my "Employment Verification Letter" since it is to include wages. ($5.50/hour)

I work as a blackjack dealer and earn far more in tips then I am paid by the casino. State law requires 100% of our tips be reported... so on my Tax Forms I am very capable of supporting Olga and myself, in the letter...it may not seem that I am!

I guess I should start saving my bank statements! =O

Also the 401(k) statement I like, I thought of that but, for some reason, did not think it would be usable...even though it is an asset. Will definately include now though!

Спасибо за этот список, JamesT (Thanks for this list, JamesT)

We have been making plans since filing. During my trip to meet Olga in person we priced wedding dresses (even bought one for 7240 Rubles)! Olga kept the reciept though as she needed it to receive the dress after it was ready which was after I left Russia.

In the suppliment about the meeting I mentioned that we purchased a dress and that Olga has the reciept and could/would produce it if needed. (I expect she will take it to the interview!)

7240 rubles at the time = ~$280USD

Furthermore that was a very akward day as I waited in the "waiting room" as many mothers and daughters came in and shopped...a couple came in but quickly left... I was the ONLY man in this building except for the 2 seconds the couple walked in and out!

I got the same thing today and crazy thing is they received my RFE at 11:39 this morning according to my receipt confirmation.

Crazy isn't it?? At least we know they are doing something...even if they are behind the times....

I wonder if the update didn't have something to do with them receiving the RFE as they should have received mine today... *still mumbling about the confirmation*

I JUST received email notice on a status update:

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status:

On June 23, 2006, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence or information in this case. The notice explains in detail what additional material is needed. If you have questions about the notice, what is required, or if 30 days have passed and you have not received the notice. Please contact the service center where you submitted your application during business hours.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision or advice from USCIS within the projected processing time frame*, please contact the National Customer Service Center.

National Customer Service Center (800) 375-5283.

Wonder what is so odd about this? See my timeline below...

Now I am still kicking myself in the rear over the lack of thought to use delivery confirmation.

Also I look forward for some help from them in passing the consulate interview, but I'm sure there is a thread somewhere for that too.

Barry2005...

There is, in the Russia regional section of the forums!

I (rather Olga) found the questions listed in this thread helpful. Of course, it may not be needed or there may be questions asked not listed there but certainly a great place to start!

I agree with slim, I'd try horse given the opportunity, and Venison is good, had an chance to try that when I was younger!

I went to Russia expecting to try many new and different foods, I tried many interesting foods and liked all of them except Red caviar.

Borshch (beet soup) and pelmeni (meat dumplings) were amoung my favorites!

OMG little off topic but I miss a soft drink from there also (technically it is Korean)... MILKIS, Hey coca-cola, pepsi...some soft drink company....GET ME MILKIS!

Just looked at our NOA1, there is not even a place for A#.

We got our A# on the IMBRA RFE though!

Sling, I agree 100% with Workin! Relax, go, have a good time and MOST IMPORTANT... BE YOURSELF!

Olga and I had a small problem in translation (before my trip) and the reply I received from that small error, which was my fault 100%, I said nights and SHOULD have said evenings. At that point I knew Olga was the one for me as it tore my heart to think of life without the person I grew to love through our letters.

That was all before my trip, my trip to visit Olga only solidified my feelings which I will share now, but first I worry when I hear visiting my girl and tourist visa! You WILL understand!

I went to Russia on a tourist visa but at immigration control, when question by the officer I was told "wait here" (no one else was waiting there!) and the officer left for a few minutes, my nerves went haywire! When the immigration officer return she informed me that I SHOULD have gotten a GUEST visa to visit Olga! I heard those words and they sounded like too bad, so sad, bye bye! It wasn't!

Now let me tell a bit about my trip TO Russia as I love to share it:

After a 2 hour flight to LA, 7 hour layover IN LA (UGH!) a 14 hour flight to Seoul, 3 hour layover in S. Korea (WHY OH WHY could I not have the 7 hour layover HERE!?), a 3 hour flight to Vladivostok then the mess of Passport control, Immigration control (see above), and customs (the best part of my arrival), this was where I first saw my angel peering through the door and that was what I thought from the first sight of Olga in person...My Angel.

I did not jump on that too seriously though as I did have one heck of a trip and was quite tired. Though the next day, when Olga arrived at my hotel room and I opened the door to see My Angel standing there looking all angelic, I knew without even the slightest doubt!

Marc

I started with Living language but (I admit) I did not devote enough time to that, even went back to it but I have really not enjoyed it.

I have the complete pimsleur set (1, 2 and 3), I won't go into details but it was the least I have spent on any Russian language material! I really do like it but the reading/writing part worries me!

I also bought many children's books, букварь and большая книга малыша (the latter was purchased during my trip).

I bought many movies on my friend, eBay including Kidnapping Caucasian style (english title), Prisoner on the mountains(english title), ночной дозор (which was playing in a local (Arizona) theater when I left for Russia in March!), гарфилд (the american garfield movie dubbed in Russian..sadly this is region code 5 (Russia) so until I can buy a region free DVD player... =( ).

Music, Olga picked out several CDs for me to listen to while I was in Russia, I have listened to these almost non-stop since I returned! =)

I am currently devoting much of my time to Pimsleur (at least half an hour each day but I have repeated the lessons more then I probably need to) , I figure writing will come...in time. I have a good working knowledge of the alphabet but there are some rough points (ш,щ, and ы).

I have lesson 1-1 at 100%, 1-2 at about 99% and 1-3 at about 90% 1-4 is about 60%. =O

Also, I took Elementary Russian 101 but found I was quite bored in this class as it was VERY basic and I already had a decent knowledge of the alphabet which is what 90% of 101 covered! Furthermore, due to schedule conflicts with work and sleep I cannot take 102 at this time.

My instructor did mention a good Russian - English/English - Russian Dictionary by Kenneth Katzner which I purchased 2 copies of, 1 for me, 1 for Olga. I had it throughout my entire trip but only needed it about 3 times.

I bought a software translator on my trip that, according to Olga is great! Problem was, it requires a Russian version of Windows, which I also bought! =)

(More specifically the translator is looking for a FSU "code page" which I could probably (now) set up in my old Win2k)

These last 2 items work well with my Russian/English keyboard and some slight technical knowledge (how to set shift-alt to switch from English to Russian and back, this took some time to work out with basic Russian knowledge and a Russian version of windows!

That is my 2 k(opek)

Marc

I will just say in my 8 days in the Russian Far East...I saw little boys such as that one smoking, but not once did I see any grown man OR woman giving "raspberries" to ANY child, boy OR girl!

If I had of, I certainly would have thought it strange and I believe Olga would have also!

I did see a "cat" fight on the bus...that was interesting and strange (not a good strange, either!) at the same time. I also saw a very grumpy old woman mopping up the mud as the people walking in brought more mud for this woman to mop...I suppose that is why she was so grumpy.

Again: in my 8 days in the Russian Far East, not once did I see any grown man OR woman giving "raspberries" to ANY child, boy OR girl!

Or the *gag* bedroom eyes, Putin seems to be sending that boys direction!

Nice that lots of people chimed in with SVo, but I believe VVO (Vladivostok Airport) is quite some distance.

VVO, Nice airport, had to fly there to meet Olga in person! That was the best week of my life...also the most expensive and worth every USD!

From VVO either Vladivostok Air or Korean Air and that would depend on when she left... Vlad Air departs on different days then Korean air.

I flew Korean Air.

Please note that I did not say "ALL"... but IMO if even 1 RFE went out for someone with a May date before a March date then it's one too many.

This is why I was surprised (but quite happy) to see the USCIS envelope in my mailbox this afternoon!

/comfort to all who are still waiting those RFEs!

I forgot to mention, I phoned USCIS about this and asked about all 3 questions, the lady I spoke with was quite shocked that there was not a NONE option!

PUT IN A DARN NONE OPTION!

Ok, I filed with California!

NOA1 reciept date: 05/03/06

IMBRA RFE received today! (06-29-06)

I actually used an addition sheet because there is no way to actually answer the second question if you had not been convicted of any of the listed crimes. I did this as my understanding is you MUST answer ALL questions.

Also I met my Olga through a website that, I guess, could be considered an "International Marriage Broker".

I checked yes and added the information about meeting on a website and included the name of the agency that runs the website.

Since I used the additional page, I added that I had not been convicted of any of the listed crimes (and listed them) and added for 3, n/a.

I just remember when filling out the I-129F, answer all questions, use None or N/A, so I just answered all 3 questions.

Stupid me though, I sent mine USPS ut forgot the confirmation

Also checked status, no change since 05-03-06, so I think the online status update is NOT a priority!

Also no emails about said RFE.

Marc