December Filers

[Mariye & Ky 172]

I have a question.

7 years ago I was diagnosed for minimal PTB (Pulmonary tuberculosis) I went through 6 months treatment and I always do an X-Ray once a year since then and I am now clear. My doctor told me that she will give me a Medical Certificate. But I'm still a bit concern that maybe even if I had all that certificate from my doctor they might still have me to do the SPUTUM test.

Tita Ning Ning,

Because of the PTB that will show on your X-ray as white opaque (scarring), St Lukes will most likely require you to undergo sputum testing. They will look for evidence of active/ inactive TB and they must use the criteria from the CDC (United States- Center for Disease Control). I would bring my Physician's Medical Clearance Certificate and I would get a few copies of this; but be sure you give Civil Surgeon the original (you will have this back). When you do deliver this form to the Civil Surgeon's office you carry it in a SEALED envelope from your MD. Again, prior it the original being put in that envelope you make sure they give you a copy of it. More than likely, you will have to sign off a release of Medical Hx. (gives permission for your MD to release your medical history to anyone). That Release of Hx needs to accompany your Medical Clearance of said disease. I want to be honest here and you should expect delays from St. Lukes (they have a history of delay for TB lab testing). Plan on this and do not book any flights until you have that Visa in your hands.

Signed,

The Shoeless One.

Thanks for calling in on this. I had read about the Bar Code (making it easier on their end to bring up electronically) but also read that the case number is sufficient.

Will I receive an alert (via e-mail or text) similar to what I got from USCIS when NVC and then the consulate gets the file? Or should I call into NVC after a week?

Thanks,

Sam

Morning Sammy,

You're welcome. ... What is this you also read the case number is sufficient??? After what I just posted back to you???

IF IT DOES NOT COME FROM NVC or EMBASSY you do not follow those [unofficial] instructions! Why do you think I called in for the official directions and back it up with their phone numbers so you, or anyone else can call them in case anyone has to hear it for themselves?! Did I just waste my time here? I hope not.

Unless you are willing to undergo delays and more waiting, I wouldn't follow any unofficial anything! I will state this very clearly here: THEY HAVE NO WHERE TO PUT YOUR FILE IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT BAR CODE AT THE EMBASSY LEVEL! So you send in your file without copy of this sheet, and then? Where's your file located after that!? Nobody knows and this is what the DOS Main office told me, as well as the NVC.

I don't know where you read that and it's up to you if you go ahead. If you do, good luck. But for me and I'm sure many others, it is not worth the risk not to follow instructions. Simple and true.

Mari

PS: Regarding the electronic Alert? You can call and find out and then let us all know in your next post! OK?

[Gsummit 14]

Well, March and this year, April, suck in Ohio. I live in Columbus...it has not been a pleasant weather month. But just wait! Summer and Fall are AWESOME!!! If you are going to be living in Ohio when you move here, make sure you get to a Buckeye game and when someone shouts O-H at you, make sure you shout back I-O

Another Decemberite connection! My mom lives in Columbus and we are huge Buckeye fans! I will have to look you up next time we are in town.

[kristen_maroc 126]

Ok, since Rebecca and Abu shared three recipes, I want to share a third Moroccan recipe.

(Actually, it'd be fun to have traditional tea recipes from all these different countries!)

Moroccan Mint Tea

Needed:

Tea pot

Boiling water

Handful of mint leaves

a LOT of sugar

Chinese green gunpowder tea

Boil water in a kettle or electric kettle.

The amount of tea used depends on the size of the teapot. My measurements are for about half a liter of tea in a small teapot.

Put one tablespoon of Chinese green gunpowder tea in the bottom of the teapot. Pour in about half a cup of boiling water, swirl around, and pour this boiling water into a teacup. Discard. This is "rinsing" the tea. Some people pour it back in the pot at the end of the process, others swear that this is not to be done. It depends on the individual.

Re-fill teapot with boiling water, leaving room at the top for mint and sugar. Put over flame and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Once it is at a rolling boil, take off the heat, add handful of mint and sugar.

If using large sugar cubes (double-cubes), 5-6 are probably enough. If using loose sugar, 1/4-1/3 cup is good. If using brick or cone sugar (the best), put in about the size of a tennis ball.

Pour sugar in, and let steep on its own for 3-4 minutes. Do not stir tea to dissolve sugar: pour a full cup of tea into a teacup, then pour this back into the pot to help dissolve sugar.

When serving:

- Pour from as high as possible: you want to get a frothy layer of bubbles at the top. (This is best achieved by starting low and immediately raising your hand, so that you can keep the stream of tea centered).

- Pour 1/4 or 1/5 of a cup and have someone taste it to see if there is enough sugar.

- Always refill the guest's tea when they empty the glass!

Enjoy!

(I'd love to try other international tea or coffee recipes. )

Edited April 27, 2011 by kristen_maroc

[Bec_Dipu 103]

We would love to have contributions from the following countries:

Albania; Argentina; Brazil; China, Columbia; England; Guyana; Ghana; Guatemala; Honduras; Ireland; Ivory Coast; Jamaica; Macedonia; New Zealand; Peru; Russia; South Korea; Taiwan; Thailand; United Arab Emirates; United States; Venezuela

Just curious...who are you expecting to turn in the United States recipe?

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Türk Kahvesi

Turkish Coffee Recipe

Few are those who have not heard of the name and fame of

Turkish Coffee. And as for those who are actually acquainted with its taste, it is impossible to forget. The means and devices of Turkish Coffee, the preparation, cooking, and serving of which is a culture for itself are rich enough in variety to form a museum. Among the Turkish Coffee tradition are the hand-turned grinder, water ewer, the "cezve" or long-handeled pot for making Turkish Coffee, the metal cup holder, the cup "envelope", service trays, and suspended carrying trays ...

A coffee good enough for the true lover is cooked for 15-20 minutes over low flame, the coffee pot watched carefully and withdrawn from the flame several times just before it boils over. A teaspoon of coffee goes into the coffeepot for each cup of coffee. Although the amount of sugar may change according to taste, the froth does not: a Turkish Coffee without froth is unthinkable. Serving Turkish Coffee takes place in a ceremonial atmosphere. Coffee served without a glass of water accompanying it loses its flavor. Carrying a cup of Turkish Coffee requires expertise: serving a guest a cup of Turkish Coffee that has spilled over onto a plate is as much a disgrace to the coffee as iı is to the guest. Another tradition, performed after the coffee has been drunk, is the readind of one's fortune in the grounds of his or her coffee: this is especially common among women. Because of the technical characteristics of its preparation and coogin the aroma and flavor of Turkish Coffee are matchless.

[KiwiJen 7]

Well, March and this year, April, suck in Ohio. I live in Columbus...it has not been a pleasant weather month. But just wait! Summer and Fall are AWESOME!!! If you are going to be living in Ohio when you move here, make sure you get to a Buckeye game and when someone shouts O-H at you, make sure you shout back I-O

March and April more than sucked.........but today finally it is warm!! Long may it last. We will be here (Ohio) for another year then we are thinking about somewhere warmer!!

Take care!

x

[Lise+Michael 13]

Ok, since Rebecca and Abu shared three recipes, I want to share a third Moroccan recipe.

(Actually, it'd be fun to have traditional tea recipes from all these different countries!)

Moroccan Mint Tea

Needed:

Tea pot

Boiling water

Handful of mint leaves

a LOT of sugar

Chinese green gunpowder tea

Boil water in a kettle or electric kettle.

The amount of tea used depends on the size of the teapot. My measurements are for about half a liter of tea in a small teapot.

Put one tablespoon of Chinese green gunpowder tea in the bottom of the teapot. Pour in about half a cup of boiling water, swirl around, and pour this boiling water into a teacup. Discard. This is "rinsing" the tea. Some people pour it back in the pot at the end of the process, others swear that this is not to be done. It depends on the individual.

Re-fill teapot with boiling water, leaving room at the top for mint and sugar. Put over flame and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Once it is at a rolling boil, take off the heat, add handful of mint and sugar.

If using large sugar cubes (double-cubes), 5-6 are probably enough. If using loose sugar, 1/4-1/3 cup is good. If using brick or cone sugar (the best), put in about the size of a tennis ball.

Pour sugar in, and let steep on its own for 3-4 minutes. Do not stir tea to dissolve sugar: pour a full cup of tea into a teacup, then pour this back into the pot to help dissolve sugar.

When serving:

- Pour from as high as possible: you want to get a frothy layer of bubbles at the top. (This is best achieved by starting low and immediately raising your hand, so that you can keep the stream of tea centered).

- Pour 1/4 or 1/5 of a cup and have someone taste it to see if there is enough sugar.

- Always refill the guest's tea when they empty the glass!

Enjoy!

(I'd love to try other international tea or coffee recipes. )

Thank you Kristin, as a huge tea drinker I look forward to adding this into our collection!

Just curious...who are you expecting to turn in the United States recipe?

I am expecting all the USA petitioners to turn in a US recipe...after all many of the beneficaries will be cooking for their American spouse.

Edited April 27, 2011 by Lise + Michael

[Moonlight2011 13]

Hello ,

I SO HAPPY WE JUST GOT APPROVED! NOA2 in the pocket!!

i still cant believe it!! THANKS GOD!!!!!

next INTERVIEW!! i strated stressing!!!

Good luck for the ones that still waiting!!!!

[gabyfer 0]

Hello ,

I SO HAPPY WE JUST GOT APPROVED! NOA2 in the pocket!!

i still cant believe it!! THANKS GOD!!!!!

next INTERVIEW!! i strated stressing!!!

Good luck for the ones that still waiting!!!!

finally! appears that Vermont is more fast! Congratulations!

[militarygf 0]

Hi December family, just dropping in to wave to everyone! How is everyone doing? VSC has been busy the last few weeks it seems, I hope they keep it up until we see our table reflecting approved for all December filers!

I'm scheduled for my visa interview on the 17th, and my nerves are so frazzled Reading such warm posts from members made me smile, thank you.

Wishing everyone all the best!

congrats Moonlight!!!!

[Moonlight2011 13]

thks MilitaryGF!

IM so Happy!! Im just praying that all will be good for the rest of us,a nd also for my interview!!!

We all need PRAYERS!!!

YAHOOOOOOOo

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Hello ,

I SO HAPPY WE JUST GOT APPROVED! NOA2 in the pocket!!

i still cant believe it!! THANKS GOD!!!!!

next INTERVIEW!! i strated stressing!!!

Good luck for the ones that still waiting!!!!

Way to go Moonie!! Happy about your NOA2

Mari

[Mariye & Ky 172]

I am expecting all the USA petitioners to turn in a US recipe...after all many of the beneficaries will be cooking for their American spouse.

LOL Oh sheesh! When did you tell us that? LOL... wait I did do a healthy one... the quinoa & beet salad. Does that count?

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Updated 04/27/2011

WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! CONGRATS MOONLIGHT, SAMMYD, DEREK&CAROL, and KIWIJEN!!

VSC:

CSC:

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Hi December family, just dropping in to wave to everyone! How is everyone doing? VSC has been busy the last few weeks it seems, I hope they keep it up until we see our table reflecting approved for all December filers!

I'm scheduled for my visa interview on the 17th, and my nerves are so frazzled Reading such warm posts from members made me smile, thank you.

Wishing everyone all the best!

congrats Moonlight!!!!

You are going to do AWESOME!!! You're our first!!! We believe in ya, girl!

I have a recipe for shrimp scamp but I think that's more italian than anything! it's still delicious!! we need a warm apple pie recipe! or keylime pie! from Florida