Precious

I also would rather have a good lunch and something light in the evening, my body feels so much better, but husband has a light lunch at work, so sometimes I cook dinner. It's nice, we can sit with the brats (1 teen girl my son is moving in on July) and have a nice 'family time'. At least we try.

But I've been trying to understand american teenagers' behavior, which for me is something out of this world. I have a hard time with the the whole concept as to speak. My husband otherwise, doesn't seem to bother.

For instance, I look at my step-daughter and there is no way she will be able to drive when she turns 15. To me this is like giving a gun to a murderer, really.

My husband and I have a fairly stress-free relationship, he is american but has lived a long time abroad, so he is one of these that is willing to understand the differences and we don't argue much about it.

Only when it comes to his ex-wife and her strange ways of relating to her kid

With the clutch pushed in you will not wear off the clutch, but you will wearout the throwout bearing.

If you are in 1st gear, your car will absorb most of the momentum of the collision and either avoid hitting the guy in front, or at least make it a less severe impact. Just basic physics.

Hmm interesting, never had though about that one. I drive the Mini sometimes and I use to have the car on 1st gear when I'm at the stop sign, for instance. But at the lights I usually shift to neutral because I don't want to 'wear off' the clutch. I keep my eyes in the rear mirror at ALL TIMES though. You never know what is coming from behind

Thanks Craneman. That's what I thought. So I might as well have it neutral at the stop sign too. Husband will be glad

I think the medical is a requirement. Has he done that?

Dear Tom and Ray:

When coming to a stop, my wife uses only the clutch and brakes of her 5-speed Honda Accord and doesn't shift until she has stopped. I was taught to slow a car with a manual transmission by downshifting through the gears and then applying the brakes after shifting into second gear. My wife says that either alternative wears out parts of the car and she would just as soon wear out the brakes and not go through the hassle of downshifting. I maintain that the transmission is designed to take the strain of downshifting and that my method will result in fewer repair costs. Who's right?

Mike

RAY: Well, Mike, on behalf of the Board Of Augmented Transmission-related Payments (BOAT-Payments), I'd like to thank you for increasing the number of clutch replacements this year, and in doing so, helping local mechanics keep current on their discretionary installment loans.

TOM: You're right that the engine and transmission really couldn't care less when you downshift, but what you don't realize is that the clutch really suffers.

RAY: So, Mike, as much as we hate to do this in so public a forum, we're going to have print right here in the newspaper that your wife seems to know more about driving than you do. We realize that your pride and reputation were both on the line when you sent in this question, and that because of our answer, you'll probably be saying a lot more "yes, dears" than you would have liked over the next twenty to thirty years, but that's the risk you take when you go public with something like this, Mike.

TOM: When approaching a red light, the first thing you should do is step on the brakes. When the engine speed drops to near idle (before it starts to buck), step on the clutch. Then put the car in Neutral and let the clutch out. If you keep your foot on the clutch pedal while coasting or waiting for the light to change, you're wearing out an important part of the clutch called the clutch release bearing.

TOM: When it's time to move again, push in the clutch, put the car in first gear, and drive away. If you're not sure when to do this, just wait for guy behind you to start blowing the horn.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Arc...January/02.html

:rofl:

If you are in 1st gear, your car will absorb most of the momentum of the collision and either avoid hitting the guy in front, or at least make it a less severe impact. Just basic physics.

Hmm interesting, never had though about that one. I drive the Mini sometimes and I use to have the car on 1st gear when I'm at the stop sign, for instance. But at the lights I usually shift to neutral because I don't want to 'wear off' the clutch. I keep my eyes in the rear mirror at ALL TIMES though. You never know what is coming from behind

Nessa,

I guess you should put this question to the guys from the Car Talk show. They love family conflicts when it comes to cars!

I used to listen to that program every Sunday a few years back (on AFN). So much fun!! Thanks for reminding me, I have to see if AFN is still airing it over here.

Here in Houston we listen to it every saturday morning in the public radio. Those guys crack me up!

Nessa,

I guess you should put this question to the guys from the Car Talk show. They love family conflicts when it comes to cars!

Hi all,

I am just starting the process to bring my fiance to the USA from Brazil via a K1 visa... I am using all the resources on this web page for information and guidance, but I have not been able to find details regarding what is necessary to include my fiance's 16-year old daughter in the approval process.

In addition to the steps outlined on this web page for the K1 application, is there any additional forms or information required to include my fiance's daughter in the visa request?

Any details you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Agquarters,

At the Rio Consulate website, you can get all the info you need. Fiancee visa forms

The daughter has to be added in the original I-129F petition and she will have a K2 visa. As she is 16, she will also need the other forms at the time of interview:

2 passport photos, visa fee, 2 DS-156 forms, DS 157 - which says for those over 16, so I'm not sure about this one, form FS-257a, medical exames...

As for the police certificates I reckon she would have to provide that also.

Check the embassy website and take a look.

You can also contact them by email with your questions - takes a while, but they do reply back - Immigration, Rio - immigrationrio@state.gov

Good luck!

Congratulations on getting the GC without interview. I believe that the GC is only good for re-entry in the US. If you travel to other countries (such as Mexico), you will need to follow the rules as a Brazilian citizen and may be required to obtain a visa.

My wife ran into a problem when changing planes in Mexico when she had Advance Parole. They did not care that she was married, with AP, or applying for GC to the US. They detained her in a secured area until 5 minutes before departure. It was a very miserable experience.

I'm sorry to hear that. It looks like they are behind the Italians when it comes to harass brazilian citizens at customs.

But I will take your advice and if I ever need to go to Mexico, I will apply for a visa!

Thanks!

Cutie,

About your child's nationality if born abroad try this link Acquisition of US Citizenship from the DHS.

I'm sure you can find other useful information by browsing the site.

Good luck!

Hi all! So, I spoke with the NVC and happily, my Brazilian fiance's petition was forwarded to the American consulate in Rio on March 3. Buuuut, he has not received any paperwork since then! Isn't that the next step? Even more fun...I spent all of the 2 hours between 130 and 330 Brazil time (the only time someone in immigration will talk to me) trying to get a person on the phone today but I couldn't even get through! It was busy, busy, busy the whole time! So, can anyone give us advice? Is my fiance supposed to receive papers in the mail? How long does this usually take? I'm just concerned that it has been 2 weeks and we haven't heard anything (I know...we're so spoiled)!! THANKS GUYS!!!

Relax Robinjoy!

It looks like you will have to wait 2 to 3 weeks until she gets her pack from the embassy with the instructions.

After that there will be 2 to 4 months until she gets the interview and travel to US.

You just have to hang in there!

Thanks Yuanddan!

I know about the K2 AOS. Once he gets here, we will have to go through all USCIS pain again

But I was concerned about the time frame, because he will have to finish the school semester in Brazil before coming to start High School here in the US. And the "follow to join" petition is only valid for one year after K1 is issued, so there you go.

Thanks for your help!

My son, 13 has his interview scheduled at the Rio consulate in April 14th.

I've just mailed the signed forms and paper work to my ex who is taking him to the interview.

So far, so good. It was really easy to get him an appointment. I emailed the embassy telling them that he was ready and they gave me a date.

Now, does anyone know if he will have the same 180 days on K2 visa to travel to US as it is the case of the K1?

I can't wait to have him here with me

Thanks!

Marina-Del

It would a good idea to mail the boxes a la "Jack", in parts. My experience with this tells me it would be safer. Also it should be a good idea to use some sort of tracking - which adds to the postage price a bit - but it eases suspicions from customs.

Good luck!

If he can't afford to pay his child support, how will he pay for a plane ticket to visit you in the Phillipines? And all the subsequent visa costs?

How would you feel if you were the mother of his child and he didn't pay what he was required to in child support?

i totally concur. it sounds like her bf is only dreaming and has no knowledge of the expenses he will incur.

Littlebabygirl, I'm reading the posts and I cannot help myself.

This should be a huge red flag for you and the future of your relationship with this man.

Besides the amount of money to be put into this whole visa process, there is also energy, time and the hardships of being apart, which can cause a lot of strain in the relationship.

Just take little baby steps and don't avoid asking yourself the difficult questions. Seek the truth, dig into it with your SO and be honest.

This is your life we are talking about.

God bless

Congrats gray, this is such a great feeling isn't it?

And congrats to all!!

Thanks guys!

K84 I was approved w/o interview, that's why I still have it with me. But I guess they won't need it, anyway.

But I will follow Olesea advice and keep it somewhere safe!

I was driving with my brazilian DL until I received my GC and got a TX DL.

My husband consulted with the insurance company which said it was OK because 'they don't insure people, they insure vehicles'.

After I got my DL we added my name under the policy. But I think it makes sense.

If the car is insured and registered ...

Hi folks,

My AOS process went well etc and I was approved without interview. I now have my conditional GC and I can travel as much as I want (as if.. )

Anyway, I still have the I-94 from the K-1 entry.

What happens to the I-94 when I am to travel abroad? Do I have to show it, keep it, give it back or the GC would be enough?

Anyone?

Thanks!

I'm sorry I can't help you with specifics, but I'm under the impression that the American Consulate in SP can answer your questions.

The PF - as common for public services - is a bit confusing . SP is known to be a good place to get things done, they are far better organized than Rio, for instance.

Try calling the PF bureau and see if you can get a straight answer. They have a website with a specific link for foreigns: Policia Federal see under Estrangeiro.

Hope this helps and good luck in your journey! God bless.

I have wondered about this before when reading other peoples posts. What do you guys think? If someone lived somewhere illegally and left the country without the authorities ever noticing that they were living there illegally...do they need to get a police certificate? I'm just asking because it is something that has come up before on other posts and I have never heard of a straight answer. What do you think?

I guess this would not work as he would have to show his valid passport at his interview and I suppose he has an entry stamp for Spain and then another one for when he would leave the country?

I don't know, I'm for the straight forward and the ethics. Why would you risk your petition being denied because of a silly lie, or even, harm yourselves because of that?

Having your fiance in Brazil would make things much easier, believe me, then you guys can work things from there.

Easy. Send him the requirements from the embassy. When I received the packets from the embassy in Rio, the instructions were all there, about copies, notarization of documents etc. Maybe that will convince him what you really need to have a smooth interview.

Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and I can totally understand your side. But I'm with Cham. You are better than this and you DESERVE respect.

And you need a plan. I know that it is hard to cope sometimes, we want immediate solutions to get us out of the painful situation, but you need patience to undo this the best way possible.

I would stop working for the brats. Believe me, they are not going to change. It is a huge cultural shock to see how teens behave, and american teens are particularly hmm..let's say..difficult. I have a step daughter myself and I had to work hard in the relationship with her. But my husband always stands up for me, and that kind of support makes a huge difference.

Get a job, anything that would make you get out of the house and save some money. That might help them to look at you differently.

Believe me, I understand there are jerks everywhere, but at the end of the day, we have to take care of ourselves.

So, make a plan, get a job, stop working for them and start working for YOU. Once you have some of your independance back you will feel stronger. Take good care of yourself. Nourish good thoughts, put things into perspective. And have patience, things will change.

I hope all the best for you and I will be praying for you.

HUGS

I'm in Texas and after useless trips to the DMV office with NOA's and other documents, I decided to wait until EAD and/or GC to go back and get my driver's license. Guess what? It worked! I received my GC this week and yesterday I passed the exames and got my driver's license.

Never thought it would so easy. They never asked me for anything else to prove that I am who I am

You can try with the NOA, passport, SSN card etc, but in my experience this was not helpful.

Good luck.

Hey, I finally received my CG on the mail yesterday!

Really, I felt like crying of relief! Then I looked back and thought about what we've been through since the beginning of this process, thought about you all in this forum, the support, the pain, the advises...Really, I don't think I could have done it without it.

So, thank you for everything, for being there, for HANGING in there.

I'm sure this part of the journey is ending for all of us!

God bless!