John and Luda
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Posts posted by John and Luda
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Luda had her interview today and was approved. Needless to say, we are both extremely happy and looking forward to being together. I have asked Luda to summarize her interview experience to share with other Ukrainian VJ members. I will place it in the embassy review section as soon as possible. Good luck to all other VJers no matter what visa type or stage you're in.
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Who was doing a background on the Pilgrims? Obviously not the Natives.
That's like asking who did a background check on the Spanish conquestodors who invaded, conquered, and kiilled many of the natives from most of the western hemisphere., In other words, I don't agree with your analogy (nothing personal.
What has helped me be patient trhough this process is thinking about the military familes and how they have been separated from there loved ones for much longer than this process takes. Also, don't forget some families are never re-united because many have and will continue to come back to the U.S. in body bags. Others have come back with arms, legs, and eyes missing. I think when real, patriotic Americans step back and think about it that way they would agree the wait and all the b.s. associated with this process is really nothing in comparison.
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Can anyone recommend a company that rents apartments in Kyiv? We only want to rent for one night and we would like to pay $50 or less for a studio or 2 room apartment.
Thanks,
Natalie
Hi Natalie - I'm just curious as to why you have Russia and the Russian flag symbol associated with your biographical information if you are from Ukaine. No offense intended, just curious.
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Hi to all!!! Received my NOA2 yesterday. Needless to say, we are both very happy and excited. Can anyone tell me how long it will take for the petition to arrive at the embassy in Kyiv? It was processed at the VSC. Any other information, tips, advice, etc. you can share would be great.
Hello John and Luda,
I see from your timeline, that you received your NOA1 one week after the Vermont Service Center received your application. Vermont received my application on December 27, and I have yet to hear from them. Any idea why?
Don
Not at all. The one thing that comes to mind is that the mail could be running slow because of the holidays, but who knows. If you have confirmation they received it at VSC then I say just be patient, you'll eventually get it. Good luck the rest of the way.
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Tars, I know how you feel. I got my NOA2 after a couple of people on here with later NOA1 dates than mine.
Unfortunately, CSC is a lot slower than VSC, so you might still have to wait a bit. I don't think any October filer from CSC got a NOA2 yet, am I right? But I bet a whole bunch more Octobers go through before January is over.
I only had one touch before I got my approval, btw.
I had no touches at all. It was like a bolt from the blue.
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Hi to all!!! Received my NOA2 yesterday. Needless to say, we are both very happy and excited. Can anyone tell me how long it will take for the petition to arrive at the embassy in Kyiv? It was processed at the VSC. Any other information, tips, advice, etc. you can share would be great.
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Thanks to you all for the congrats! I want to emphasize how great this web site is. I followed each and every one of the instructions for the 129F petition and it worked out great. No RFE, etc. The he11 with attoneys. They're just a waste of time and money. Again, I hope those still waiting for their NOA2 get approved soon.
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Wow!!! Just got the email notice that we have been APPROVED!!! It's a great day to say the least. I wish a speedy approval to all VJers still waiting.
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I woudn't say that Russia brought only troubles to Ukraine. Nowadays - If not Russia's gas and fuel we would freeze here or heat our houses with wooden logs.
Russia is a police/dictatorship state now, not much different than when Stalin run it, just window dressing on it to make it appear as if they are all free and democratic now. Ukraine would be better off the sooner they get away from Russian gas and oil, it only serves as another form of control they will exert over your country and try to steer it in a direction that may not be so good for Ukrainians, and the same can be said of USA and it's dependence on oil producing countries we deal with, everyone needs to seek alternative fuel sources. Just a thought from observing on my many travels to that part of the world. I hope your Russia does not raise your natural gas prices again but I see where they have announced there would be another doubling in gas prices on Jan 1, 2008, Happy New Year Ukraine!
Wasn't it last winter when Russia cut off the gas/oil to Ukraine because they didn't want to pay higher prices? They cut it back on when Ukraine agreed to their terms. Yea, I agree that Putin has turned into a little mini-Stalin. Ukraine needs to stay as far away from the Russians as possible. I would begin by finding another source of petroleum.
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Just playing the waiting game along with all you guys.
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I'm not sure, probably all water under the bridge after all 1812 was a long time ago, a year of British defeat but on the other side of the world the tide was turning for Emperor Napoleon as well. I'd wager the French may feel a little unconfortable about Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture if it were ever played to them, after all some of them get upset about defeat, remember the anger about trains from Paris arriving at London "Waterloo". There is, of course, no truth in the rumour than Eurostar trains that now arrive at St Pancras, will be arriving at a station soon to be re-named Crecy or Agincourt!!
Ah yes, the infamous Napolean. Someone the French should be so proud of. On this side of the pond we also had someone who thought he was the Napolean of North America - Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana. After routing 200 men at the Alamo with a 6,000 man army, he ran into some pissed off squirrel shooters from Tennessee, etc. at the Battle of San Jacinto. Then he messed with us again during the Mexican-Amercian war. That's why Mexico no longer has Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, etc. Needless to say, it never pays to be an aggressive dictator. I'm sure Napolean, Hitler, Hussein, and others would agree (maybe).
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Sorry John, next time you whistle the tune to the Star Spangled Banner you'll be whistling the work of a Gloucester-born Westminster Abbey church organist and composer John Stafford Smith and when I wrote that the Yanks adapted this some 75 years later, the adaptation was to changed the lyrics and add different words, namely Scott Key's poem.
You're correct. My mistake. I thought you were mistaken about Key. Regardless, it's an awesome anthem. It's another example how close the ties are between Brits and Americans. However, 200 years ago that was a different story. Question: Do the Brits take offense that the Star Spangled Banner was written because of their defeat in the War of 1812. Just curious.
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Those of us from England would do well to remember dear old John Stafford Smith who unknowingly wrote the music to the Star Spangled Banner. Actually he was writing the words and melody to a drinking song for the Anacreontic Society in London. At this point he was barely out of his teens!! This very British song, as indigenous to the people of our country as cucumber sandwiches and games of cricket, was meerly adapted by the Yanks some 75 years later.
So when the Americans raise their flag and strike up their anthem it would be nice to recall 'To Anacreon in Heaven' and sing of wine and good company, spirit oneself away from the cheerleeders and glitz and harken back to the gout-ridden smokey environs of an 18th century British Gentlemen's Club.
I hope you don't mind me correcting you, but it was Francis Scott Key who wrote the Star Spangled Banner. He was an Amercian diplomat on board a British warship while Ft. McHenry near Baltimore was being bombarded during the War of 1812. He was inspired because our flag was still flying after 24 hours of bombardment and the British had to retreat. The British also burned Washington, including the White House during that battle.
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Hi to all!!! Returned from Kyiv yesterday evening. Had a great time with Luda (I already miss her). The trip there and back was as smooth as it could be - no delays, etc. When I arrived there was about 6-inches of snow on the ground and when I left yesterday it had all melted. One of my most memorable events was attending the massive memorial service and parade held between St. Sofia and St. Michael's churches on Saturday. It was held to honor the millions of Ukrainians who died from starvation in 1932-1933 because of Stalin (what a SOB!!!). President Yeshenko also spoke. It was a very somber occasion.
Great news, good to see the flights were ok. That country has endured a lot of hardship all at the hands of Mother Russia, and even to this day Ukraine suffers from backdoor underhand dealings of Putin and friends from Russia.
Very true. However, after reading some history about Ukriane Mother Russia is only one of many culprits that wouldn't keep their hands off that country. It's amazing who and how many times they have been invaded and slaughtered over the centuries - the vikings, mongols, turks, poles, hungarians, etc. Hopefully, the rest of the world will finally leave the Ukrainians alone.
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Hi to all!!! Returned from Kyiv yesterday evening. Had a great time with Luda (I already miss her). The trip there and back was as smooth as it could be - no delays, etc. When I arrived there was about 6-inches of snow on the ground and when I left yesterday it had all melted. One of my most memorable events was attending the massive memorial service and parade held between St. Sofia and St. Michael's churches on Saturday. It was held to honor the millions of Ukrainians who died from starvation in 1932-1933 because of Stalin (what a SOB!!!). President Yeshenko also spoke. It was a very somber occasion.
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Mexicans and all people of latino ethnic origin are WHITE. There are only a few so called races on this planet - Caucasoid (white), Negroid (black), Mongoloid (asian), Aboriginee (blacks from Australia). In regards to race, if they are not WHITE what are they? Their ancestors are spaniards, which are WHITE no matter how brown their skin may be. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. It's not that some people are stupid about this, they're just ignorant of the facts.
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Thanks for the advice guys! I checked the weather for Kyiv and Vienna (connecting flight location) and they're not forecasting any precipitation for this weekend or early next week for either place, just cold. Maybe I'll get lucky and there won't be any flight delays.
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Heading to Kyiv on Saturday, arriving Sunday afternoon to see my lady. Last time I was there was the first week in September and the weather was pleasant. The low on Sunday is supposed to be 12 dgrees
and 10 degrees on Monday. I live in the Dallas area where it's been in the 80s lately. Needless to say, I'm in for some serious climate shock. Anyone else ever traveled to Ukraine this time of year?#######? Oops, the flowers are supposed to Fs for Farinheight. I have know idea what I clicked to get the roses to appear. LOL
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Heading to Kyiv on Saturday, arriving Sunday afternoon to see my lady. Last time I was there was the first week in September and the weather was pleasant. The low on Sunday is supposed to be 12 dgrees
and 10 degrees on Monday. I live in the Dallas area where it's been in the 80s lately. Needless to say, I'm in for some serious climate shock. Anyone else ever traveled to Ukraine this time of year? -
Well, I guess this is as good a time as any to introduce myself to those of you on the Kyiv Beat. I have a fiance in Sumy that I am waiting on receiving the necessary documents and photo from her, so that I may submit my I-129F. I have traveled quite a bit in Ukraine, and have been in just about every city East of the Dnieper. I have studied the former Soviet Union extensively, and am considered an authority on Soviet militaria and labor awards. I developed a website called Unique Soviet Souvenirs and Relics (A play on words of USSR), from which I sell items made and used in the FSU. I am a practicing Orthodox Christian, and am wondering if anyone here is as well? Thanks in advance for your replies.
Don
Welcome Don! I'm Roman Catholic and my fiancee is OC.
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where did you hear they were on june k-1s? the uscis website says california is still on april.
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Processtim...eviceCenter=CSC
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-1/K-2 - Not yet married - fiance and/or dependent child April 12, 2007
It is a well known fact that the information provided by the USCIS timelines is not accurate as the USCIS will never report a date less than 6 mos. for I-129f processing.
I agree that even though VJ is a microcosm it might also be relatively statistically sound sample (standard caveats of course).
I totally agree.
where did you hear they were on june k-1s? the uscis website says california is still on april.https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Processtim...eviceCenter=CSC
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-1/K-2 - Not yet married - fiance and/or dependent child April 12, 2007
It is a well known fact that the information provided by the USCIS timelines is not accurate as the USCIS will never report a date less than 6 mos. for I-129f processing.
I agree that even though VJ is a microcosm it might also be relatively statistically sound sample (standard caveats of course).
I totally agree.
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I thought I may as well get this one started. I sent my I-129F package yesterday, October 1 to the VSC. Let's hope the timelines start getting a little quicker with USCIS.
One more for October!! I just made it in by sending my I-129F on October 23rd... Received NOA1 through snail mail November 2nd. It states it was processed October 26th 2007. On the website the last update was 11/01/2007... is that what you guys consider to be "touched"?
Now the wait begins... i check that website with my EAC number everyday... no changes as of yet...
Anyone else's severvice center ... VERMONT?
Glad to have you along with all of the Octobers. I would use the October 26 date for your timeline (NOA1). I'm also with VSC. Good luck with your journey!
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We've gone round and round about this, but the bottom line is those who choose to use the 90 days for a trial basis are going to have to blow smoke up the governments a** and fool them into thinking otherwise. To each his own, but that's a fact. Illegal? No. Deceptive? Yes. If the CO picks up on it, no visa issued. Plain and simple. Basically, I could care less how somebody does it but let's keep the facts straight once and for all.
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A little bit of both actually, and I have to agree with the OP, I do agree your signature picture does suck, looking at somebody's painted azz does get old considering how much you like to post. I wonder if there is any rule in regards to an offensive photo in a signature, cause yours is pretty close to bordering on that in my opinion. And please before you flame me LisaD, don't make me make a poll post, I am more than happy to show you I am not that the only one that thinks this.
Humbly,
Ramos
Let's keep the personal ####### off of this web site. I think there has been a chain of meaningful discussion concerning the OP issue. Obviously, there are many of us with different views and interpretations and that should be respected by all, right or wrong. There are many other web sites available where you can go beat the ###### out eachother if desired. Again, let's try and keep it professional and respectful on this site.
The Kyiv Beat......
in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
Posted
Thanks for the congrats. Yea, it's a gamble we are both aware of. If it requires a change in plans we will cross that bridge when we get there. The airline doesn't charge a fee to change the ticketing, but it wouldn't bother me that much if it did. The goal is to get Luda here this Sunday, but if it slips because her visa/passport hasn't arrived then it will just add to the already b.s. length of time this process takes. However, if she gets it as anticipated then we will finally be together on Sunday. A gamble worth taking IMO.