TearsOfBabylon

I get a lot of PM's here in this site...... I really don't know why.  I have a lot of humor in my posts, and sometimes sarcasm, but I get some serious questions asked of me - some involving a sticky situation they are worried about, or something they want to 'paint' in a new light...... But one comes to mind today where a VJ member a few months ago PM'd me asking for advice on what to do.  They likewise got frustrated in the K1 wait - mailed a letter off to CSC withdrawing their 129F petition.  Their letter crossed the letter from CSC with a sharp crisp NOA2 addressed to them.  All the while, the website still showed "RECEIVED".  They then wanted to use their 129F and proceed.  There is an old saying that says when you find yourself in a hole, PUT DOWN THE SHOVEL.  
You're in a hole waiting on the NOA2, it is inevitable that you WILL receive an answer.  Take these peoples advice, or disregard it - it's your choice and your journey to guide, but consider today's news in the March filers - @FutureMrsBennett got her NOA2, and they persevered more than most of us could imagine that we could have.  She had many down days, frustration, aggravation, etc. etc. but today, she is further ahead than if she would have thrown in the towel.
VJ is a great community for support and clarification.  In these 3 pages - I'm pretty impressed with the people we all rub elbows with.......  You're in good hands here.  Hang on - you WILL get there  

Now you got me wondering, haha!
My outfit is new, I am old, nothing blue so far, and I might need to borrow something haha

But I'll carry a special item with me. My dad has died when I was 3,5 years old, and all I have left from him is his hospital diary, which is locked away since I can't stand seeing it, a couple of pics together when I was little, and his dog tags from German army back in the day. 
So I'll carry the tags with me when we get married, for emotional reasons, since my mom said he'd have been so happy and proud!

Well, I have a sapphire engagement ring for something blue, and something old is always easy to find

Thank you so much!  
Have a great wedding and unbelievably happy years together! 

I might check out Davids Bridal. There is one nearby to us who knows maybe I will find something. If not I will go back to my plan of wearing my navy blue paisley dress with a black cardigan and leggings. Thanks guys. I just feel so overwhelmed and yet so happy. My POE is in 10 days. Our tentative Wedding date is November 18th.

Great! Things coming really close!
In Germany we say a wedding outfit has to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. So you're pretty good with the borrowed shoes, hehe!
 
I agree with Olya, if you want one, go check out! I did the same. My compromise thing was bought out of need. I was happy ANYTHING fits, because I'm 5"10 and a 20-22. Bad combo for finding a dress. It was just a nice looking white dress for 160 Euros. But it had no sleeves, and I hate that. So I had to add a little jacket and was hyper uncomfortable. And I kind of wanted something "real" too. 
Check on Davids Bridal. They have a lot of stuff in plus sizes, and they have many dresses in clearance, so you could end up with one way less than 500$. And they're suuuuuper friendly and helpful.
Mine came up to 1000 bucks + 500 for veil and hair thing and a belt + 150 for alternations. Waaaaaaaay above the budget, but on the other hand: It's the wedding!  
And since you don't have to pay a fortune for a big party - go ahead! 
Look online at David's.... you'll get big eyes

 
 
Thank you! And greetings to SLC - we'll fly in on Monday, then grab the family and convoy to Vegas on Wednesday.
We're getting married in the High Roller (biggest giant wheel in the world). It takes 30 minutes for one turn, where we'll have a gondola for us and an officiant who'll do it!
The night time package is 1300 for the very basic pack, day time I think 900 and you can bring up to 10 guests. Every additional guest is 25 bucks. 

But If that's too expensive, there's so many chapels for much cheaper. If you just google Vegas chapels, you'll find a homepage with most of them listed! From zombie to Star Trek to Elvis to the White Wedding Chapel. Much to look!  

Heeeeey Whiners!

Another sign of life from Virginia to those who still know me!

I'm here now for almost a month, still no regrets, still not homesick (surprisingly, because normally I'm a wuss), and wanted to know how everyone is??
I hope by now all our fellow whiners have at least received their NOA2???

I've flown through this tread and saw many good news!!! Wonderful!!!

@pajobra and  @Kateryna_I CONGRATULATIONS for your approval!!!

@Eric&Olya: Olya, my dear!!! Are you ready to move??

@AnJ Co: Time is ticking for you as well, isn't it? Better make room in the closet, haha.

Anyways, we have set our wedding date for next week now.... it's going to be a wonderful trip with more than 10 people of his family, living in the SLC area. We're gonna be convoying to Las Vegas, have 2 nights to stay and have fun - and of course to get married.

Fuuuuuun up to come!

Have a great time everyone!

Heeeeey Whiners!

Another sign of life from Virginia to those who still know me!

I'm here now for almost a month, still no regrets, still not homesick (surprisingly, because normally I'm a wuss), and wanted to know how everyone is??
I hope by now all our fellow whiners have at least received their NOA2???

I've flown through this tread and saw many good news!!! Wonderful!!!

@pajobra and  @Kateryna_I CONGRATULATIONS for your approval!!!

@Eric&Olya: Olya, my dear!!! Are you ready to move??

@AnJ Co: Time is ticking for you as well, isn't it? Better make room in the closet, haha.

Anyways, we have set our wedding date for next week now.... it's going to be a wonderful trip with more than 10 people of his family, living in the SLC area. We're gonna be convoying to Las Vegas, have 2 nights to stay and have fun - and of course to get married.

Fuuuuuun up to come!

Have a great time everyone!

I'm borrowing a pair of shoes from a friend. She only wore them once because they hurt her feet - but not mine, I've already tried them out
My flight date is Oct 27, and the wedding date is Nov 25 - getting close!

Cngrats on everything I plan to get married in Vegas too can you help with suggestions?

You all are making me wish I had a wedding dress instead of a regular dress. The more I think about it the more I want one even though we are having a small court wedding.  *looks at her bank account to see if she can scrounge up some money* The problem is I am quite plus size. Its harder to find things for me.  *sighs and wanders off into her brain wishing she was skinny*

Oh Becca, mine is just a nicer looking dress, I am planning to wear it afterwards a lot. It costs $34, so nothing super fancy
If you want to have a wedding dress, you should definitely get one. You still have time, and they might be more affordable than you think. Do start looking now! Besides, you've been working hard all summer to save up, now it's spending time I'm sure Chris won't mind.
 

Heeeeey Whiners!

Another sign of life from Virginia to those who still know me!

I'm here now for almost a month, still no regrets, still not homesick (surprisingly, because normally I'm a wuss), and wanted to know how everyone is??
I hope by now all our fellow whiners have at least received their NOA2???

I've flown through this tread and saw many good news!!! Wonderful!!!

@pajobra and  @Kateryna_I CONGRATULATIONS for your approval!!!

@Eric&Olya: Olya, my dear!!! Are you ready to move??

@AnJ Co: Time is ticking for you as well, isn't it? Better make room in the closet, haha.

Anyways, we have set our wedding date for next week now.... it's going to be a wonderful trip with more than 10 people of his family, living in the SLC area. We're gonna be convoying to Las Vegas, have 2 nights to stay and have fun - and of course to get married.

Fuuuuuun up to come!

Have a great time everyone!

All the wedding preparation fun
My dress is super simple and incredibly cheap but nice. And it's in ivory too, by the way
Cant wait to see your wedding pictures!

Hahaha, I feel you!
The 2 weeks before the move were the WORST.

And about the unreal thing... I still have a hard time realizing. I was suuuuper calm about wedding and stuff... now that we've booked our location, figured out how many of the family will follow us to Vegas and what else we can do there set me on super excitement for a day, and now I'm back to unreal lol 

Imagine, I even dumped my dress I got as a "better that than nothing" compromise in Germany for a dream in Ivory from David's Bridal... and during the final fitting I realized my "they'll be fine 100%" shoes I brought from Germany SUCK lol So.... ordered new shoes lol 

I guess I'll have driven Scott crazy soon, hahah

Hi Bine, nice to hear from you! Wow, almost a month, time flies indeed
I am not ready to move Only my things are packed, but the kids' stuff is still waiting for its turn. My son has been sick for more than a week, and my daughter had a birthday party last Saturday, and my friend came to visit me from Russia, and I am sill working, and taking driving lessons (I know, the timong is perfect), sooo... Well, there's still time, and Eric is coming on Sunday to help me.
By the way, we are officially the slowest-thinking couple ever. Today we were making plans for the first couple of days after our arrival, very detailed, and then suddenly I asked him: "Does it feel like talking about something realistic?" - "Nooo!"  And I have the same feeling, I don't know when we are going to realize that it's actually happening

Heeeeey Whiners!

Another sign of life from Virginia to those who still know me!

I'm here now for almost a month, still no regrets, still not homesick (surprisingly, because normally I'm a wuss), and wanted to know how everyone is??
I hope by now all our fellow whiners have at least received their NOA2???

I've flown through this tread and saw many good news!!! Wonderful!!!

@pajobra and  @Kateryna_I CONGRATULATIONS for your approval!!!

@Eric&Olya: Olya, my dear!!! Are you ready to move??

@AnJ Co: Time is ticking for you as well, isn't it? Better make room in the closet, haha.

Anyways, we have set our wedding date for next week now.... it's going to be a wonderful trip with more than 10 people of his family, living in the SLC area. We're gonna be convoying to Las Vegas, have 2 nights to stay and have fun - and of course to get married.

Fuuuuuun up to come!

Have a great time everyone!

Heeeeey Whiners!

Another sign of life from Virginia to those who still know me!

I'm here now for almost a month, still no regrets, still not homesick (surprisingly, because normally I'm a wuss), and wanted to know how everyone is??
I hope by now all our fellow whiners have at least received their NOA2???

I've flown through this tread and saw many good news!!! Wonderful!!!

@pajobra and  @Kateryna_I CONGRATULATIONS for your approval!!!

@Eric&Olya: Olya, my dear!!! Are you ready to move??

@AnJ Co: Time is ticking for you as well, isn't it? Better make room in the closet, haha.

Anyways, we have set our wedding date for next week now.... it's going to be a wonderful trip with more than 10 people of his family, living in the SLC area. We're gonna be convoying to Las Vegas, have 2 nights to stay and have fun - and of course to get married.

Fuuuuuun up to come!

Have a great time everyone!

WE ARE APPROVED!!!!!! 
 
Had my interview today at 8 am. 
Arrived at 7:15, was the first in the line and by 8.30 finished. 
Interview itself took about 5 minutes, 5 quick questions and done. 
 
This is such a relief! Still can't believe in it! Looking at approval notice paper received after interview, you know, just in case, from time to time 
Thank you guys for being such a great support! 
 
Wish everyone else who's waiting to get their approvals as soonest and reunite with beloveds! 
 
P.S. POE is planned on mid November, hopefully! 

A P P R O V E D  
 
Thanx y'all for such great support!  I'll write a intreview review later, but we were spot on, absolutely no difficulty. 
 
Next up:
POE 27 Oct
Wedding 11 Nov
 
 

Okidoki, we'll do so!
Thank you for helping out!
 

You welcome and greetings from Texas 

You should try to talk to the base lawyer and see if you can get an expedite.
 
If not, you should be ok. Just remember to update your address with uscis. There is an option to check if you're military or military family. 

Oh. I should mention that the expedite would only be possible once you already have orders in hand. Since they need to be presented. 

yes,you can.
 
I had a few British pounds currency notes when i came to the states and i walked to my bank and they gladly accepted it and exchanged them to the current exchange rates for that day.
 
My bank was a Wells Fargo Bank.