PetraPerson101

As it says.... you should watch

You know I have a CD by that singer! i recognize his voice. It even has this song on it, but it's not the exact same music- -more traditional, and obviously not as spontaneous. Ammar says these kids are better than most adults

Gah.

If I ever lose my mind, and feel so inclined to embarass the life out of me - lol - man, if you could see me trying to "dance". That was hilarious. Both me - and my wife - LOL! Just shook our heads & put on a funny face when it was time to "dance" [ we ... both ... don't know how to dance. XD ]

Yep. It was sad. LOL!

1 cup shredded Chihuahua cheese, Asadero or Monterey Jack

I always cringe at cheese in recipes. I've been cooking lowfat for nearly 10 years now - if I start loading up cheese on stuff, I end up getting myself a nice stomachache. o.o

What I do:

- Add flavor, not fat. Cheese is basically ... a big old block of pure fat - use spices & good prep, not fats (mayo, butter, oil, cheese = bad)

- Trim as much fat as you possibly : cut fat off the meat - you just chopped off loads of calories. Making burgers? Press down with that spatula - not only are those big ol' flames on the grill pretty cool looking - but a ton of calories just got burned ... quite literally.

- Don't be afraid of bread. Bread's good. So's pasta - if you prepare it right (like, without butter & cheese.)

- If you *must* fry, fry with less oil/fat, or preferably, no added oils/fat.

- Remove fatty toppings ( cheese, oil, mayo, bleh )

- Watch out for those so-called "sugar free" and "low-fat" items in the store. LoL! Read the ingredients & nutrition facts for em. When they take out one thing, they replace it with another. Don't trust it.

- Packaged baked goods are EVIL. All of em! EVIL! EVIL! No exceptions! Put the danish down! (Even the so-called "low fat" ones - do't be fooled! They substitue sugar for fat. The calories are *almost* identical. No difference. )

- And finally, I like this one the best - if you read the ingredients, and you feel the need to ask yourself ... umm, what's this "partially hydrogenated monoglyceride riboflavinomine xanthanine gum of esther"? Then it's probably best that you ... ... don't eat it.

It's worked great for me.

Welcome to the Middle East.

Take Jordan for example - their idea of "protecting" a person is like this:

- Take you into custody

- Lock you in a cell in 100+ degree heat

- Don't give water

- Don't give food

- Don't give a phone call

Awesome.

Mind you, this is someone who is being "helped" -NOT- arrested.

Now, if you're arrested, you get that -PLUS- they kick your ### a few times with a nightstick/club for good measure.

On the other hand, when they're looking for someone - all the sought-out person needs to do is ... um, hide ... then let a woman answer the door and say they're not home.

They just go away. ( I'm not surprised. )

http://amman.usembassy.gov/user/SectionVie...px?PNodeId=1109

Nothing special on ds230.

http://amman.usembassy.gov/user/SectionVie...px?PNodeId=1109

Nothing special on ds230.

Hi Kyanwan,

You should really have a look at the instructions here for your DS-230. Just choose Amman from the drop down menu.

Amman is an appointment post and NVC requires Parts 1 and 2 as well as all the civil documents.

That said, has Amman only recently changed to appointment processing? I see from your timeline that you sent your DS-230 back on October 10th.

Hooo yeah - RFE city. DOH!

Oh well, I've got to wait for the police cert anyway - we'll see how long that takes.

http://amman.usembassy.gov/user/SectionVie...px?PNodeId=1109

Nothing special on ds230.

I read and interpreted those DS230 instructions about 50 times now. Here's what I've concluded -

DS230 part 1 needs to be sent to the NVC first.

DS230 part 2 & documents need to be brought to the interview.

Is this right? Or are the NVC's instructions that confusing where I didn't get them after that many read-overs?

---

Last but not least, people who filled "NA" on the I130 for a non-changed maiden name ...

I filled NA on the I130 - it was approved no problem. I also filled NA on the DS230, so the information will match. Anyone else do the same?

Does NVC accept mails send through couriers like UPS/FEDEX?...Or is it only via snail mail?? Pls respond. Thanks.

Yes, my wife sent the DS-3032 to name me as agent to the NVC via FedEx overnight letter.

USPS next day Express mail is good and trackable. But I am not sure, if it is cheaper than the FedEx overnight.

Price-wise - the next-day services are like this:

cheapest

(1): USPS

(2): UPS

(3): DHL

(4): FedEx

expensive

Whoa - you're right about the grinding: http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/store/coffee/blends

*they* don't even do it. I'm shocked.

( but he's right. Even espresso grinds are too "grainy" to be correct. )

I don't know if they do this in Egypt - but they do in Jordan. Grab some cardamom beans (whole) - they go in the pot.

I've grown up the culture. So, I guess I don't count. The only thing I could think of - is that we're a bit less ... how can you put it - laid back & social? Here in the USA that is.

So that's going to be a change. Other than that - hmm ... nothing big.

Except I do a lot less talking than I do typing. [Yep, I'm normally silent. Mostly. I've even felt the need to explain at times {in Jordan} - "You know ... I'm always quiet like this ... it's not like I'm upset or anything ... I just ... don't talk."]

If you're talking about legalizing it in the USA - I actually had a discussion with a lawyer on this. He said to go to my local City Hall ( town clerk / registrar - the office that issues marriage certificates ) and to have it registered & legalized. Once that's done, it's fully legal in my home state.

I take it mail doesn't exist there in Iraq - or is very bad. That's one option.

Here's your others, I'd say:

- US Troop - if you could somehow get one to send document via APO system. (good luck with that one.)

Here's the more viable solution:

- Local trucker who drives to Iraq / Iraq-dealing businessman. Ask them if they can do a favor. Bring it back - and pay them when they come back with it. There's plenty of them out there.

-------

There's also the missing documents thing. I'm not 100% sure on it, but it's a valid excuse that you can't get the right document because of a war zone & possibility of loss of life & limb - ( It's valid. Very valid.) You'd need to have a local authority rule that the document is valid for divorce - and he's really, truly divorced. Maybe legalize it in Syria.

Ask the consulate - DOS - and/or your congressperson. It's worth a shot.

I know if the shoe were on the other foot and I had moved to Jordan, it would brighten my day to run into someone who spoke my language and had a similar background as me.

Are you kidding? I HATE that in Jordan. People talking to me in English - I go there to speak Arabic, not go around speaking English - it's like a plague that follows me around!

It's borderline on: "HEY! I SPEAK SOME ARABIC! HELP ME GET BETTER! Go practice with someone else!"

By the way - English - is a requirement for High School graduation. You'd be surprised at how many people in Jordan speak English... pretty good - to very proficient.

( And - here's a trick I quickly learned. To get the best prices in stores - when someone speaks to you in English, just look at them with a puzzled look ... then speak Arabic to them. Tourists ... get fleeced. Happens everywhere - we have tourist traps here in the USA too - so don't point fingers. )

Around here, there's a LARGE Arabic/Middle-East population. Of course, we're around NYC -so- obviously. Walk into just about any shop around here and there's an Arab there. We've got food abound (4 Arabic food stores within about 5-10 minutes of me) - halal meat stores/butchers, restaraunts, etc.

Only thing we don't really have up here - are the bookstores and stuff - need to go to NYC for that.

Making it out to "National Visa Center" is sort of like writing "Hartford Connecticut Federal Building" on your check.

They won't be able to do anything with the payment ... since they're Department of State.

Sadly, you'll probably need to get a refund for the MO - and make a new one.

Gee how can you not smile at a photo like that????

When you look at it and think:

Whoa cool! Are those Bengals or Ocicats?! I'd sure love to have one!

Or ... when you have a bunch of cats who do that all day. Then it takes seeing them having a soccer match with a milk-bottle cap to get a smile.

I've had luck calling at various times of day. It all depends on how persistent you plan on being.

But 5 minutes before closing - like said above- I've had luck getting through.

Also, I hear they say call between 6:30pm - 6:45pm EST to get through easy ... but I've never tried it.

Times I've gotten through -

2-3PM afternoon ( called a MILLION times. Once you get into the hold system, it says "3 minutes" ... and it usually IS. )

Just do the 1-5 option, like mentioned. Wasting time entering your numbers will only make your fingers hurt.

Tell the truth.

If you went to the USA on a K1 - BUT - went HOME after things didn't work out, then nothing is wrong. As long as YOU WENT HOME before the K1 was expired. Returning to your country without overstaying the visa was the RIGHT thing to do.

You met your new spouse, you got married, you re-filed.

I've got the same issue - my 2nd time filing a petition.

The first time, things REALLY didn't work out. I did my duty:

- Sent her home. ( Dumped the *************************************** on the side of the road in Amman. Literally. She stuck around and harassed a friend of the family ... all night ... poor guy. )

- Made sure her Visa was invalidated. ( This part was cool. I did it real slick. )

- Took her green card

- Reported her to DHS/DOS

- Got divorced ( It was a bit long in the process, but I came out on top. It was worth it ... that filthy *************************************** doesn't deserve the time of day. The CR green card - which I have in *my* hands - expires in a few months. That *************************************** cretin has no hopes of ever re-entering the USA, if I have anything to do with it. )

She *attempted* to come back to the USA - but was *DENIED* at the embassy. I've made them well aware of what happened - and that I took responsibility for my problem, and did the right thing.

Basically, tell the truth, and you don't have problems.

It makes me wonder if there are guys over there LIVING off scamming women from the net.. Like they go to the net every single day and virtually make up stories and scam this girl and that girl and live off the money. If they got 100 dollars from a different girl a week, thats 4 times the gross income for the job that they have.. .Thats really sad...

As sick and sad as it sounds, YES there are people out there who do that.

Fraudsters are all over the place - from retail - to online games - to relationships.

And, as much as I like to do things in-person, sure - I got burned by a fraud myself. More or less, be careful and follow your gut feeling.

Absolutely not. You're going to get shot down by the embassy if you even ask. If you have an intent to immigrate, and you apply for a nonimmigrant visa - you will be denied as: "intends to immigrate." Same if you try get a nonimmigrant visa for a wife or husband of a US Citizen. Denied as soon as they find out they're married to a USC - even if there's no I130 filed.

The only visitation visa you can "try" for is the K3.

But just give up on that. It sucks. Proof: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profil...l=&id=38204

Side:

* Steamed green beans topped with carmelized onions, seasoned butter ( keep it simple- cracked pepper & salt. ), and toasted almonds.

Easy enough.

And I hope everone does theirself a favor and uses CRANBERRY SAUCE:

Cup of Water

1/2 cup sugar

Bag of Cranberries

Boil

When the berries are popped, your sauce is done. Add sugar to taste. I like mine less sweet and more tangy.

Real sauce is so easy. Do it. Don't punish yourself. And don't make me come over to your house and confiscate your turkey.

You know what's surprisingly easy for a dessert & goes great as an alternative for those who don't want to eat a pie?

Easy as hell - baked apples -

- Toss 1 cup water + 1/2 cup sugar in a pot with cinnamon in it. Boil till it's about 50%-75% of the mixture left

- Grab some nice fat Roma apples - core em, bout 1" hole straight down the middle

- Get yourself a small 12" square pan (or, one sized right for the number you're making)

- Toss the apples in, pour the liquid on, sprinkle the centers with cinnamon & nutmeg

- Bake till they're soft.

- Top with a tad of whipped cream.

It's sweet, it's good, it's not pie, and it's not fattening.

Everyone wins.

*oh yeah* dang ... if you've got convection - use it. Roast that thing till it's good & brown - then slap 100 degrees off the heat to finish.

I just used it for the 1st time on a turkey breast this weekend ... and ... wow. It was incredible - juicier than I've ever seen it. Stab that thing with the slicing fork and juice literally poured out. I never knew I could do that to turkey.

+ cook by temperature. Much better than working by time. Invest $10.00 in an in-the-oven thermometer. Your food comes out right every time.

Well what really surprises me is that they don't have some kind of a form to fill out for a status.

Ever notice how if you buy a money order from 7-Eleven, there's a 1-800 number to call for status.

If you buy a money order from the Government - there's a form to fill out and a fee to pay if you want a status.

With the I-130, I used a USPS money order. With the AOS - I used a 7-Eleven money order. I learned my lesson.

So, DS230 didn't get here yet - and I'm sort of in a panic. I call up NVC - and find the status ...

"we've sent you a request for information ..."

OMG NOOOOOO! I'm ready to fall on the floor at this point. Press zero for an operator ...

"We can not take IV calls at this time, call back in an hour."

OMG NOOOOOO!

So I call back in an hour ...

Hit key to talk to an operator

"System mucho prospera ... " ( The Spanish "we're busy" message )

OMG NOOOOOO!

100 calls later....

Talk to the operator -

Operator: "Oh, that's asking for your DS230."

Me: "Do you know your system just gave me a heart attack?"

Operator: "I could imagine."

Dumb? We non-filers take offense!

Just because we're smart (lazy) enough not to file doesn't make us stupid. Just makes us lazy (smart).

I didn't bother to file till I was *really* making money (that is, had a real job. lol.)

Or you could get someone who knows how to write Arabic, or could get it written for you.

( raises hand. Even though I write, my spelling's atrocious. I mean, I can't even spell my own name right XD )

It's the long vowels that kill me (most of the time.)

Hi, I would appreciate some inputs from members here. We originally plan for a K3. But we got delayed submitting them and got an RFE too on I-129f and we just resubmitted our I-129f again last end of october, so it's already behind on like 3-4 months from our I-130. We received our first notice for I-130 last august already . With the delay, I'm thinking of pursuing a CR1 now cos I think it's a much better visa too.

Will we need to cancel our K3? Write a letter to go on CR1 only? I hope USCIS will not wait for our K3 approval before they will approve our I-130 too. I have read here that they usually process the K3 and CR1 together now. That would certainly be a nightmare of waiting.

Thanks!

Just apply for the CR1. K3's a waste of time.

For the K3 - leave it hanging. It'll void itself out after some time.

I had the same kind of thing - my case wasn't showing up at all in any of the automated systems.

When I got through to an operator, still - no case showing. They transferred me (same as you) and the 2nd level person *did* find my case in the system - and said it should show up in automated in a couple days.

A few weeks later, I got NOA2 - and the case showed up in the automated *after* it was finally approved.

Weird.