SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[HYENA 4]

MarkNAan thanks for the great post! I got a real laugh out of it. While I have not encountered anything like that it fits the pattern for sure. What is it about our culture that drives us to get things done? Are we just a unique sampling of individuals on this forum that have the research DIY gene?

We are the hardest working nation apparently (heard it, can't prove it) but we are task oriented and don't spell the roses (can be good and bad) likely forgetting friends and family along the way? I've traveled to a lot of countries and if it's not a 2 hour siesta or dozens of holidays, we spend a lot of our lives getting things done. I would suspect Germans are ####### enough to get er dun as well, but who knows. I have noticed a decreased amount of leisure time our culture spends... These are reckless blanket statements; not to take into consideration my fiancee used to work 12 hours a day 6 days a week in a BKK sweat shop and her friends 10, 20+ years later (they started when they were 12) are still there...one is 42, another is 30...that's a lot of time. They're just looking for a ticket out. One got a ticket (unfortunately my friend is terribly socially inept BUT once she's here she can move along and be happy).

My fiancee does get on the stick and when I'm tired of walking and walking, she's jsut warming up. Some taxi rides (the 2 hour ones) will do me in..not sure if it's monoxide or what but terrible headache and sick as hell but she's determined quite a bit but that's usually if it's money oriented she's take no prisoners about making money!

Edited May 7, 2009 by HYENA

[HYENA 4]

I mean don't smell the roses (spell?) ugh my typos! Good for the ####### folk to teach tolerance (you know who you are who can't stand missmelled words)!

Edited May 7, 2009 by HYENA

[HYENA 4]

Make sure everyone writes in their review for the interview; I didn't see many recently (I'll have to see if I searved in a different place here since I recall seeing more reviews on another area).

[scandal 951]

Hey UScandual and Danny+Chada,

Good post, Mark ... thanks for sharing that, it really does help. I know you're right, once she's here and we're settled this will all be just a distant memory. But while it's still real and we're going through it, it's incredibly frustrating. Only those of us who have been through it can really relate.

Take care, and keep posting about the idyllic life of MarkNAam .. that's what it's all about!

[*Robert* 2]

Hey UScandual and Danny+Chada,

Good post, Mark ... thanks for sharing that, it really does help. I know you're right, once she's here and we're settled this will all be just a distant memory. But while it's still real and we're going through it, it's incredibly frustrating. Only those of us who have been through it can really relate.

Take care, and keep posting about the idyllic life of MarkNAam .. that's what it's all about!

Hang in there Ron and Danny!

[ladywhite 0]

Here is the part that reminds me of Danny's journey. As you guys know, getting the police report can be a very slow process. It took about one month from the time I took AAm to the police dept in BKK to get the report before it finally arrived in the mail at her house up in Chiang Mai. It was easy for us to get, but painfully slow to receive in the mail. So, as soon as we got it, I was excited for Aam to put in her packet three and mail it off! I had the Packet 3 100% prepared for her...all she had to do was put the police report in the envelope and stick it in the mail! But...she just piddle-paddled around for a few days, which entirely baffled me! Like Chada, AAm claimed she was just really busy! So I called her a few days later and she said, "Oh! It is still in the car. I will go get it and mail it now." Then she called me back the next day and said that her son had washed her car and lost it! I thought surely we were going to lose another month on waiting for another one. However, the next week I was back in Thailand again and the first thing I did was have her go out and search her car...and she found it crumpled up under the seat! SHEESH!!!! So, we mailed everything in together that very day <haha>....

MarkNAam:

After reading your story, I can't help but laugh and then respond.... My case is just so opposite. My then-fiance (now hubby) was the one who appeared slow and didn't get things done as fast as I would have preferred. And he is an American!!!! LOL Naturally, he is not a laid back person, but it took him a few weeks (not days) longer just to mail out I-129F. And it's due to the same thing -- he was busy!

He came back to the States in early February 2007 with all the ready-to-go documents from my side after a trip to visit me. I actually put together everything for him; his job was to fill out some forms, sign and date those forms, and then mail the package. For some unknown reason, the petition was not taken to the post office until late March. It took several "nags" from my side for him to eventually drop it off at the post office. And he mailed it via snail mail! Can you believe that????

Well, to these days, he can't actually answer anybody's questions about the K-1 process. Why? It's because it's me who researched and studied all the things possible about the process and got everything done for him. He only did what I told him to (and he still claims that that is what he does best -- do what I tell him to do)...

I'm not sure if you have heard this -- Thai people from the North are perceived (by other Thais) to be laid-back and highly patient, as opposed to people from the South (who are perceived to be fast and hot-tempered -- or Jai-ron). I personally find this to be true. All my friends from the North (e.g., Chaing-mai, Lumpang) are jai-yen and incredibly patient. They seem to be ar-rom-dee (in a good mood) nearly all the time. I am from BKK and consider myself active (kind of Type A person). When I appear 'laid-back,' that is only because I get lazy.....

One thing I have to completely agree with you, Mark: Everything will get done perfectly in God's time. Even though our I-129F was mailed out a lot later than I had preferred, it turned out it was the perfect time for us. Every step after that just happened at the right time (despite a few bumps here and there).

Be blessed.

Ladywhite

[BishopMnA 0]

Dearest LadyWhite,

It is always a blessing to hear from you! You know, when I think about what you've said about the North/South Thailand...it is kind of like America...because in America we (Americans) perceive the people from the Southern states to be quite laid back (and possibly lazy! <haha>)...while we percieve the people from the Northern states to be 'rushed/impatient'.

I would imagine though that you are quite a mix...because you spent so many many years in the USA while earning your degree(s). By following your directions, I think that your husband clearly proves that he must also be quite intelligent ;-)

God's Peace to you my dearest and enjoy Florida!

MarkNAAm MK+JC+AK

[scandal 951]

Ladywhite,

Thank you for sharing - it's really good to hear the positive stories about couples who made it through the process and have come through on the other side, united and happy here in the states. Those of us still waiting find these experiences very comforting - there is happiness at the other end of this long dark tunnel.

he still claims that that is what he does best -- do what I tell him to do)...

So true! Men are like that. Me included!

I'm not sure if you have heard this -- Thai people from the North are perceived (by other Thais) to be laid-back and highly patient, as opposed to people from the South (who are perceived to be fast and hot-tempered -- or Jai-ron). I personally find this to be true. All my friends from the North (e.g., Chaing-mai, Lumpang) are jai-yen and incredibly patient. They seem to be ar-rom-dee (in a good mood) nearly all the time. I am from BKK and consider myself active (kind of Type A person). When I appear 'laid-back,' that is only because I get lazy.....

My fiancee is from BKK. We seem to complement each other, both of us have the same desire to get the process done, both of us have contributed equally to getting the paperwork organized and sent in on time. It's been a real team effort for us.

[BishopMnA 0]

Hey USCandual,

If I recall correctly, LadyWhite is quite familiar with your city of Chicago. I believe she got one (or more) of her degrees from Northwestern...

Peace,

MK+JC+AK

[ladywhite 0]

Ladywhite,

Thank you for sharing - it's really good to hear the positive stories about couples who made it through the process and have come through on the other side, united and happy here in the states. Those of us still waiting find these experiences very comforting - there is happiness at the other end of this long dark tunnel.

You'very welcome, Uscandual. I think I understand you and other folks here who are frustratingly waiting for this process to be successfully over so that your other half will finally be in your arms again. Been there, felt that... One difference may be that the process at the US embassy in BKK was not this tough and strict like it is today. Even so, it was not an short/easy process to go through.

You will get through it and there is certainly happiness at the end of this long dark tunnel. I guarantee!!!

I do believe (as you see in my signature) that the most powerful force in life is Love. Without it, I can't imagine anything that will/can get done at all.....

My fiancee is from BKK. We seem to complement each other, both of us have the same desire to get the process done, both of us have contributed equally to getting the paperwork organized and sent in on time. It's been a real team effort for us.

I knew we were going to do K-1 long before we actually got officially engaged. So, I had been studying it very extensively. It was very fortunate that I found VJ while researching it online. My then-fiance actually just listened to me telling him what he had to obtain for the petition. When it's time to get everything together and mail the petition (and all the rest of the process), I took care of it myself because, between the two of us, I am more of a detail-oriented and organized person than he is. I didn't want any RFEs, you know?

Hang in there and get cheered up.... You are almost there !!!!

Be blessed.

Ladywhite

[ladywhite 0]

Hey USCandual,

If I recall correctly, LadyWhite is quite familiar with your city of Chicago. I believe she got one (or more) of her degrees from Northwestern...

Peace,

MK+JC+AK

Hi MarkNAam:

I am actually familiar with your former city -- Detroit. I lived and went to school there (Wayne State U) during my first year in the US (1997) before I moved down south to Birmingham, AL. However, I spent one weekend touring Chicago while living in Detroit. I loved the aquarium (don't remember the name) and the cruise along the Chicago River (is that the name of the river?). I liked Chicago better than NYC (where I spent only 3 days sightseeing, as well).

Peace to you and everyone.

Ladywhite

[scandal 951]

Hey USCandual,

If I recall correctly, LadyWhite is quite familiar with your city of Chicago. I believe she got one (or more) of her degrees from Northwestern...

Peace,

MK+JC+AK

Hi MarkNAam:

I am actually familiar with your former city -- Detroit. I lived and went to school there (Wayne State U) during my first year in the US (1997) before I moved down south to Birmingham, AL. However, I spent one weekend touring Chicago while living in Detroit. I loved the aquarium (don't remember the name) and the cruise along the Chicago River (is that the name of the river?). I liked Chicago better than NYC (where I spent only 3 days sightseeing, as well).

Peace to you and everyone.

Ladywhite

Hi Ladywhite

The aquarium is called the Shedd Aquarium. It's just gone through a major refurbishment and is supposed to be spectacular. It sits together with the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium, all on a campus on the south end of Grant Park jutting into Lake Michigan. I've strolled around the grounds but haven't gone inside any of the three. I've vowed to myself that I'm waiting for Thanti to get here and then we'll do the tour of all attractions together.

Yes, it is the Chicago River. My office building is right next to the river, and I walk across the Madison St. bridge over the river every day from my train to the office. I love downtown Chicago! Especially now in the springtime. The cruise you took is probably the architectural cruise where the guides point out all the stunning architectural landmarks of the Loop. I just took that tour a few weeks ago with my dad, when my parents came to visit me. I'm looking forward to doing it again when ... you all know who... gets here

I prefer Chicago to NYC too. The only city (in my humble opinion) that rivals Chicago for architecture, fun, friendliness, food, attractions is Toronto. I really think Toronto is a smashing city.

Anyway, if any of you are ever in the Windy City by all means give me a holler and we'll get together.

[magic girl 0]

Hey USCandual,

If I recall correctly, LadyWhite is quite familiar with your city of Chicago. I believe she got one (or more) of her degrees from Northwestern...

Peace,

MK+JC+AK

Hi MarkNAam:

I am actually familiar with your former city -- Detroit. I lived and went to school there (Wayne State U) during my first year in the US (1997) before I moved down south to Birmingham, AL. However, I spent one weekend touring Chicago while living in Detroit. I loved the aquarium (don't remember the name) and the cruise along the Chicago River (is that the name of the river?). I liked Chicago better than NYC (where I spent only 3 days sightseeing, as well).

Peace to you and everyone.

Ladywhite

Hi Ladywhite

The aquarium is called the Shedd Aquarium. It's just gone through a major refurbishment and is supposed to be spectacular. It sits together with the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium, all on a campus on the south end of Grant Park jutting into Lake Michigan. I've strolled around the grounds but haven't gone inside any of the three. I've vowed to myself that I'm waiting for Thanti to get here and then we'll do the tour of all attractions together.

Yes, it is the Chicago River. My office building is right next to the river, and I walk across the Madison St. bridge over the river every day from my train to the office. I love downtown Chicago! Especially now in the springtime. The cruise you took is probably the architectural cruise where the guides point out all the stunning architectural landmarks of the Loop. I just took that tour a few weeks ago with my dad, when my parents came to visit me. I'm looking forward to doing it again when ... you all know who... gets here

I prefer Chicago to NYC too. The only city (in my humble opinion) that rivals Chicago for architecture, fun, friendliness, food, attractions is Toronto. I really think Toronto is a smashing city.

Anyway, if any of you are ever in the Windy City by all means give me a holler and we'll get together.

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Can't wait can't wait !!!

[scandal 951]

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Can't wait can't wait !!!

Update for all of us waiting to get interviews scheduled. I spoke with Thanti this morning. The word from the Thai website usvisa4thai is that things may be moving at the Embassy finally. One case that had its Packet 3 received by the embassy just before ours, in early April, got their Packet 4 in the mail. Their interview date is in mid-May!!! Meaning that once they send out the P-4 apparently the interviews are being scheduled very quickly from that point on, just a week or two of notice. Exciting! Maybe we still have a shot at a late May or early June interview.

The other interesting thing is that the interview was scheduled for an afternoon timeslot, rather than the usual 7am / 7:30am type of slot. We're speculating that the embassy is trying to clear the backlog by doing double shifts and scheduling afternoon interviews to catch up. Maybe we're finally getting some good news!! Good luck to all........

Honey --- when you see this post maybe you can update here with more real-time info? It seems the Thai website has better intelligence sources than we do on VJ for this stage of the process.

[anya-D 8]

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Can't wait can't wait !!!

lol, she's so cute