Poacher

Hey, I am killing time at an internet cafe while my K-1 fiance and her friends are having a big good-bye party. This is the business man in me. I pay so much in taxes I look for every deduction I can get. We got married here in Kharkov, Ukraine in May. A spiritual ceremony, or whatever you want to call it. We are on a K-1 fiancee visa. We are just going to get a quick legal ceremony on the beach either at Mrytle or Charleston once we return on the 12th. Get your legal ceremony before Jan. 1st. Taxes are why. It will save you at least $2,500 in taxes, depending on your situation. I just pay an accountant to do mine, but if you earn at least $60,000, you will save a lot. If you earn less, it will still save you. Your SO did not acquire any income in the States, so beat the system. Have a big party afterwards, but money not paid to the leeches in DC is a good thing. Also helps you out in your state if your state has an income tax. Trust your redneck on this one. Have a legal marriage before the end of the year.

Just trying to help you out.

I am still in Kharkov, but doggy style. Beg for 10 minutes, roll over, go to sleep. We are married. Marriage knows no borders.

Ana, Sitting in Kharkov now, waiting on Fed-Ex. Not as cold here as it was last year. I know just wait, I have another week. Big party at our apartment tonight. We have to go shopping to prepare for it. Oh Joy. How about I sit here and look pretty while you go shopping. Okay, you know I will be following her around carrying all of the bags of goodies.

Gotta do work stuff on internet now.

Take care folks.

Nat, At least you have an interview date.

Jen, Try threats.

What's happening folks. It has been a while since I was on. Due to some unforseen circumstances out of mine and Iuliia's control. Well, the good news. Got visa approval here in Kiev today. I will say, what a breeze and slam dunk. A lot of running around to do in Kiev yesterday, but I hired a driver and he did us well. Raining at the consulate this morning. Whipped out my US passport, said she is with me, front of line and in. It pays of to be an arrogant redneck at times. Iuliia did not have to even explain what she was there for. (She made me wear one of my nicest suits and she was in a beautiful black cocktail dress. We could have been going down the red carpet. Iuliia was taking nothing for granted.) We had our ####### together, in order, handed it to them, an entire mountain of pictures, correspondence, and financial info. One hour later, Iuliia was called up. First question, was that him with you? Da. Call him here. Officer asked for my passport and looked at all of the stamps for Ukraine and laughingly said "Are all these to visit you?" She said "No, but I was not allowed to see any other girlfriends for past two years." He already had seperated pink copy. Done. Then to Fed-Ex. Security saw me, put us at front of line, 2 minutes, gone. 9:30 interview, and by 11:00, having first bottle of wine poured at Fellini's. I know Anna, not your favorite restaurant, but one of mine, for lunch anyway. Off to Kharkov tomorrow, then maybe a few final farewells in Lazova, then the big metal bird on the 12th to Raleigh. NC has been short a redneck.

Jen, sorry to read you still don't have an interview date. Try threats.

Anna, you beat us by a month. Cold and rainy in Kiev. Imagine that.

Nat, I hope you can get your interview soon. When I get back, I will tell some in PMs what the hold up for a month was. Personal issues, nothing legal or marital, but the Nov. 5 interview date had to be cancelled two days before it was suppossed to happen.

For those still waiting for interviews, good luck and I hope they come quick. If your ####### is in order, do not sweat it. If I can pull it off, it is easy to do.

Glad to see everyone here has things moving forward. I have been busy trying to get ahead of work and take care of my customers. I am leaving on Sunday for Kiev for the interview. I will be there for two weeks. Not looking forward to the colder weather, but the sacrifices that I make. We are returning on the 14th. I can not miss any more of deer season than that. It ends Jan 1st.

Nat, I am have seen some people celebrate Halloween in Ukraine. Good party. Also saw people dress up for New Years like it was a Halloween celebration. Good times.

Ana, I sent you a PM. Who knows, we can fight over which restaurant. For lunch, Felinis, for dinner, De Javu or Marakeesh. Maybe we should let you pick. Talk to you later. I know that you are busy.

Jen, Keep the faith, you will get your interview date soon. I've got the first round for you and Bo at the Ale House.

I remember two months ago and we were all complaining and whining about this process, including yours truly, now it is GO time. It is good to see the happy endings. I hope no one takes that one the wrong way. It was not meant as a joke, but if you understand it, you can take it as one. I am sure that I am not the only sick one. Then again, I might be.

I have a friend who just started this whole process. Filed last week. I feel for him and Julia. Yes, same name as my SO. I just hope in the translation they do not spell it Iuliia on her documents. We have to get that changed. Too many dumb rednecks will butcher it.

I will let yall know when the eagle has landed.

Way to go. I will be there in 10 days for our interview and then to fly back to USA with Iuliia to help her immigrate and to traverse our aiports. I hope everything went smooth. Did you use Kievrent for apartment service, and did they do a good job with transportation and all that? I am using them again for this next trip. I will PM you in a few days. Really busy with work. I am on a golf/drinking trip with customers. Again, glad to see your approval.

Ryan, Glad to see that I am not the only man that cracked. I was going to shoot out the tires of mailman to look for my NOA2. Now I have gotten lucky and received an interview date quickly. 10 days until I fly to Kiev. I noticed that your local office is Lynchburg. I was all over VA last week, too and including Lynchburg. I have 5 customers there, some in Roanoke, and others spread out all over the Shenadoah Valley. Beautiful country. I deer and turkey hunt some near Alta Vista and the Smith Mountain lake dam. My exes new husband is from that area. We redneck it up. Stay strong, drink a beer, everything goes so fast once you get the interview date. Yabba, Grabba, brew.

Ana, We will be in Kiev when you are. I think that we will have some down time, just waiting on our scheduled appointments. Where are you staying at? I am assuming with your friends, or maybe your sister. I remember you saying something about your sister living at one time near the Golden Gate. Maybe I am wrong. I do not know Iuliia's plans for me. Okay, I know some. Lucky me. We might be able to hook up and hit De Javue, Obriens, Marakeesh, or Golden Gate Pub. Just please don't let her know what a redneck is. That will scare her. You might be too busy. I will ask Iuliia, but maybe you could give her a little advice in person. It is up to you and Iuliia if this works out. No problem if it does not. Just trying to fill time.

Nat, Still hoping for you to get your interview date in the next 2 weeks. Florida in the winter is a little warmer. How much longer are you going to work? Yes, I will be at a Halloween party. I know that some people in Ukraine get dressed up and party, how about St. Petersburg? I think some wear the same costumes for New Years. This past New Years, about half of the people were in costumes. What a party. By the way, that was not me in the Halloween card picture. That was my date. Oh, now you know better.

Jen, Hockey is going strong. The Hurricanes are looking good again. From west Raleigh you can only be 10 minutes from the RBC Center. Better yet, just hang at the Ale House. Much cheaper beer. I am busy as all hell until I leave for Kiev, but by the time we get back I hope that you have your interview date. Like I said, Ale House.

Nat, The day after I scheduled the interview, Iuliia scheduled the medical by calling them. She did not even have the KEV#, but she gave them her name. She only has to give them the KEV# when she goes. I forget everything that she needs. She knows it and has it. We have been online checking the consulate website. I know she has her immunization records, passport photos, and I do not know what else. If you can do it the day before the interview, like in Ukraine, I would do it then. Save you a trip to Moscow. I do not know the Moscow consulate rules. The medical is good for 6 months in most places, maybe longer. Check the Moscow consulate website to get the number for the medical and call them. I am sure that they can tell you on the phone or on the website what you need. Best of luck.

Jen, Still working late hours? Is the current nor-easter giving you rain or snow. I know it is hitting Maine. Just not sure where in the Maritimes you are at. Hopefully it misses you.

Happy days will soon be here.

Nat, Oops. I made a mistake. Our interview is Nov. 5, not the 6th. I am arriving in Kiev on Nov. 3, Nov. 4 Iuliia has her medical, then interview on the 5th. On the 6th we are travelling to either Kharkov or Lazova. I am suppossed to go boar hunting that weekend. I hope that comes through.

Jen, I hope that they give you an interview date soon. You have patience. At least you are done with the medical.

Nat, I hope that you can get here before the holidays. Have you scheduled your medical?

Have a great day everyone.

Beer at the Golden Gate Pub is on me. I never knew the name of it until someone here told me. I googled it, saw the picture, that is it. My apartment for this trip is in the same building. Maybe not a good thing. Ha Ha.

Sounds like it is party time in Kiev. Sounds like the 7th is a popular date for VJ'ers. We are the 6th. When is everyone planning on immigrating? We are leaving on Nov. 14. Ana, when are you doing medical?

Nat, I hope that you can get an early interview.

Our NOA2 was approved at VSC on Sep. 15. On Oct. 2 I was able to schedule interview of Nov. 5. I guess we were lucky. There are some approvals right after us that still are not entered in system to get an interview date. I can't believe how much people get jerked around.

Hey all. Everyone has gotten so quiet around here. Everyone must be getting ready for the interviews. Good luck with all of that.

Nat, Are you still celebrating?

Jen, How was the poking and prodding?

Anna and Yevginey, No news on the interview dates? Just talked to an April filer that has a Nov. 5 interview, same as me.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Jen, I hope that all goes well. Usually, most people enjoy getting poked and prodded, but not by someone in a white lab-coat and a stethescope around their neck. It is better by you SO. Yes, I am not right.

Ana and Yevginey, No news for interiew yet. Just answered a PM from someone with your dates, and they have nothing yet. They were from CSC which takes longer to get to NVC.

Nat, Thanks for the e-mail. I will send you a private answer, but THANK YOU.

Now, I am feeling guilty because things are falling in place for me and Iuliia and others are left hanging. I am a team player, but I will not trade places.

Nat, Let me be the first to say, about freakin time. I hope it clears NVC and gets to Moscow quickly. Then an interview before Christmas. It is a little too early in the morning to drink one for you, but I will drink one for you and Jack tonight. This will make life so much better. Again, I am glad to read your great news.

Anna, I hope that you can get your interview date soon. You too, Yevginey. Anna, can you skin a deer? You said that you became countryfied in Mississippi. JK. Tell them that you need a NOV 5 interview so that you can translate redneck to English for the CO. Just trying to help you out so you can be here for Thanksgiving.

Nat, I do hope that your update is your NOA2. Way to stay positive. I am thinking that you are soon. I will be mad if you do not get yours this week. Iuliia is busy trying to wrap everything up. When I talked to her she is taking care of everything she needs for interview and for leaving Kharkov. She picked up her police certificate today and gave it to the translator. I found out she has only been in prison 3 times. JK.

Jen, I really wish that we were in a race. I would not mind losing. I know when I cross the finish line. Okay, winner buys the first round at the Ale House. I am happy to do it. Must be a night with a Hurricanes game on. Also, the coach of the Hurricanes, his youngest son is on my youngest sons hockey team. They are good people. I hope that you get some good news soon and an early interview. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. I hate drinking alone.

Brad, I am still cussing at you for being in Ukraine. JK. I will be there in three short weeks for interview. I was in Louisville last week. They missed you. I would like to one day visit Odessa, but I think Crimea will be before that. All depends on what Iuliia wants to do. In less than a month, she will be here. Besides the accomadations, and who you were with, how is Odessa? Review?

Jen, You mailed packet 3 to my house. I am just kidding. Annoy the hell out them by phone. Don't want to brag, but boys kicked ### in football Saturday. Middle son's interception should be on ESPN. White boy can jump. Weather here is so perfect and the 10 day forcast is awesome. Killing deer hopefully Saturday morning, then to my Russian class before football.

Ana, Yevginey, No word on interview date yet? Call them everyday. Same as Jen, annoy them with the phone. Talk to a human. Ana, Thanksgiving is coming, soon. You need to burn a tetsa. Ana, go for NOV 5. We can have lunch at Fellinis to celebrate. Ana, after being in Mississippi, can you skin a deer. JK.

Nat, Give us some good news. There are a lot of us pulling for you. I want to have a celebration pevo for you. Too late. Just popped the top.

Let's get going everyone.

Yevginey, I was approved 8 days before you. I called the call center on Tues. the 5th and got the interview date. It took about 4 minutes to schedule it all. You get 8 minutes when you purchase the calling card. For the $12 dollars for 8 minutes I was going to keep calling everyday but struck gold first try. First thing they asked was our KEV#. If it is not in the system, you will only use 30 seconds of time. At worst case you spend an extra $12 and can call everyday. You were approved 8 days after me, so you should be entered in next week. I know, in a perfect world. They are only a month out for interviews. Good luck.

My Clemson Tigers sucked last night. Well, there is always baseball.

Ana, I would start stalking the call center too.

Jen, Have a great weekend.

Nat, Maybe you were like me and approved and they were slow in letting me know. Keeping the faith for you.

Have a good weekend folks. I might go waterskiing, running out of the 80 degree weather.

Ana, Have you called the call center yet? They are only open for one more hour. You would be so cursed to get a Nov. 5 interview date. Don't tell Iuliia that I am white trash. She will figure that out on her own.

I hope that she knows how to skin a deer and clean fish. I will sit back, drink a beer, and give her instructions, ONCE.

When I take her out to eat, I will have to have one of my sons watch for cars. Never mind, I will drag it off to the side. Nothing like roadkill under the stars.

I might even let her ride in the cab of my pickup when it rains.

I hope she does not mind the live bait swimming in the bath tub.

Oh, you know she has me whipped.

Nat, Still waiting on the good news.

Tarantula, My favorite is bottled, canned, or keg. Just kidding. I actually really like Stella Artois. It became popular in Ukraine about 2 years ago. Has become available here in the past year. OK, it must be the Golden Gate Pub. I was just told by a date that it was a Belguim beer pub. I do not know the names of what they have on draft. We just get a different one every round. Becks is available at kiosks everywhere. Some restaurants in Kiev even have Corona. They look at you funny when you ask for a lime. Now, the best beer I have found is at a restaurant/micro-brewery called Stargorod in the city of Kharkov. Not that I would drink a beer or twelve.

Ana, 30 Hgrivna for yours is good. If you paid another 10 they might have it ready in 5 minutes. Iuliia is picking hers up Monday. You are right about picking out rednecks. We usually have on a camoflauge coat, our universities ball cap on, and chewing tobacco in our mouth. You should see the looks I get when I break out my Copenhagen in Ukraine. Actually got hassled by the militia about that years ago. They tried to shake me down saying it was a narcotic. Nyet, like cigarette. No, I do not wear camo there. Not yet. Just suits or slacks and a golf shirt. I really stick out at the indoor waterpark. I wear an American bathing suit, goes to the knees, not the banana hammock that is the European standard. Don't want to make the other girls jealous. Damn it, there is that line I crossed again.

Jen, Thanks. The big one was my elk. The swans were shot in eastern NC, near the Outer Banks. Get a cooler of beer and meet us at the boat ramp and join the redneck yacht club. Of course my sons are driving the girls crazy. They take after their father. Wait, you saw the pictures, you know that I am lying. OK, their mother had the looks in that relationship. So, you can also say that Iuliia has the looks in ours. No brainer there. Hope your work goes good tonight.

Ana, We would not be hard to spot. I, the broad shouldered, well tanned, redneck. Her, the petite, short, platinum blonde. Naturally, I might add. Everyone will be whispering, "poor girl." Ha, Ha. Seriously, I am twice the size of Iuliia. At least I did not have Fridays on that list. I have been to some good Ukrainian/Russian restaurants, just don't remember the names. As long as they have a hookah for after dinner. I am also a fan of the Belgium beer place across from the Golden Gate. I have stopped in there to get a drink and snack, only to stumble out later after sampling their fares.

Nat, It seems like with the fewer weekly approvals, the interview dates are closer in. We are all still waiting for the good news. VSC needs to get off their a##, put the coffee down, and get you taken care off. Don't they know that winter is coming. Florida/St. Petersburg. Which one has the milder winter?

Jen, What did you think? Also, tell the people at the consulate to forget about moose hunting and do some interviews.

Jen, Let's make it neck and neck. I like competition. It would be nice of you to be at RDU before us, that way you can get us a table at the Ale House.

Ana, Yes, they had openings all of that week. Nov 3-6. We are at 9:30. Hope you can get the same week. I am already planning which restaurants we will visit. DeJa Vue, Marakesh, Suntory, Fellinis, and Asahi are on my list. We are going to fly back on the 14th, the following Friday. Probably KLM airlines. Enter through Detroit. I just hate JFK. If I had to guess, you will have FedEx deliver your passport to the coffee shop at Boryspil. LOL.

Back to work. I am sitting in a hotel parking lot stealing wireless access.

Ana, As for your last post. Most American men are clueless. (I used to fit that category.) However, there are some of us who can read cryllic and speak Russian. Okay, I butcher the mess out of it and I might not know the meaning of everyword that I read, but I get the jist. That is funny though that they want to check out their potential suitor. Tell them, free credit report dot com. LOL. They should ask for a note from his mother. Ana, you should be in the computer any day now.

Good news. I just got an interview of 5 November, a Wednesday. They wanted to give us Monday, but that meant Iuliia would have to go to Kiev on Thurs. to do a Friday medical and hang out until I got there. Now she leaves Kharkov on Monday and I meet her on Tuesday. Yeah baby. Time to pack my one set of cold weather clothes and some camoflauge. I am going to try to sneak in a hunt. I am missing two weeks of prime deer season here. I will have to teach her how to hold the spotlight when I take her hunting. That is so politically incorrect.

Nat, Where are you at girl. I am so wanting to drink a cold pevo in your name. You are now like I was. People all around me getting approvals, and not mine. Keep the faith.

Have a great week people. I am in Knoxville, but have to see people in Louisville, Paducah, and Nashville. I was trying to hook up and get a beer with Brad, (Brad and Vika), but he ran to Odessa to see Vika. Much better to drink a beer with her.

Jen, When you get the chance.

How is everyone? I have just been taking a glance or two the past week. Too busy travelling around the southeast. Next week more of the same. I have so much to do in the next few weeks with work. I have got to see customers across seven states. It is a good thing, but would rather be in Kharkov with a certain someone. My three boys do not give me a break. Hockey practice Friday night and this morning, and they had football games last night. Hard to find an adult beverage to consume when one is running around to sports. My liver did return, with conditions. Now time to brag. Between my three sons, 2 are on the same team, we had one rushing touchdown, one interception returned for a touchdown, and two fumble recoveries. Not a bad day.

Ana, How are you? I am going to start calling the call center tomorrow and everyday until we get the interview. I am just slightly ahead of you, but not by much. I would like to have the date this week and go ahead and buy airline tickets. I still have to finish my remodeling. Hard to do when I have been out of town and driving my sons to sporting events. I also decided yesterday to have a big sunroom built. My hunting buddy is the contractor. He has to have it finished by the time I get back with Iuliia. Just what I need in the south, a sunroom. Kind of a waste, but it will look good.

Nat, Glad you are having a good weekend. I am still wanting the good news. It should not be much longer. I will have a nice cold pevo for you. I am getting a little thirsty.

Glad to see most people busy with preparing for the interviews.

Jen, Weather here is perfect. It is suppossed to stay like this for at least the next ten days.

Time for hockey practice. See yall next week.

Yevginey, you do not have to wait on packet 3. Just download it from the embassy website. In Kiev, there is no packet 4 anymore. Just a packet 3. When you are entered in the consulate system, then you can schedule the interview. No need to wait, until I get my interview.

Nat, where are you? I want the good news. Let me know if I have to rough somebody up.

Jen, CFL. Come on. All CFL players could not make it here, however it is still football. I would love to get payed to play it. I guarantee you most are from the south. Now, hockey is starting. In Raleigh, Edmunton and Montreal are the teams that we like to hate. Good pick for you. Well, there are other good Canadian teams.

Ana, Iuliia applied for her police certificate today. She said it would be ready on Oct. 13. My B-Day. I do not know if she had to pay a little extra to get it done in that timeframe. I am going to start calling the call center on Friday.

I am actually going to be quiet this week. I have a lot of customers to see and tons of things to get done. I made it to Atlanta tonight and will be in Birmingaham for 2 days.

Jen, Saturday night was great weather, until. My youngest sons team crushed Holly Springs, badly. Then my two oldest sons game started. beat Those boys got beat like they had written them bad checks. Plus, something you ordered up, it pissed rain hard for the whole game. Thank you for leaving the rain. Just to let you know, it is supposed to be 80 for the rest of the week. How do you like me now? By the way, we are in a race. It would be great if you beat us. I am positive about our timeline now. Rock and roll baby.

Come on Nat. You are my pick, don't make me look stupid.