December Filers

[DiZZyLoX 114]

I really hope this shutdown doesn't hurt us all too much, praying that things move along (as quickly as possible, please!).

A HUGE thank you to Dizzy for updating our timeline like she does, and to Mari for providing so much helpful info to us, and to Lise for helping us with our recipes... and another thank you to everyone here who actively participates and makes this thread what it is - NOT just a place for information, but a place for distraction, friendship, and support. I love our thread and everything about it, and if someone can't appreciate that then its a major loss for them.

We are hoping that Blake can come visit me for two weeks in early June, hopefully I will have my NOA2 or will be very close to it by then and we can celebrate together (and then get to work on mailing off the next documents!)

You all are very welcome! I don't mind doing this at all for those of you who appreciate it! Makes me feel all ooey gooey inside. And I TOTALLY agree on the visiting in June, bit! I'm going to see Mr. Loxy in June and by the time I get home I should be one step closer to NOA2, with or without the shutdown. We'll all make it. It's going to happen. Stay happy and positive! and ACTIVE.

Remember, the FITNESS CHALLENGE came about because time away from VJ, this process and investment in your own mind and body is worth it. STRESS IS REAL and STRESS KILLS! Best natural STRESS RELIEVER is EXERCISE. Stay active, and if there is any other way that we can help make this a better place, let us know!

A Huge thanks to Mr. Loxy for helping me with the timeline initially. He is an excel WIZ! I'll have to get an English recipe from him. HE loves to cook! (lucky me!)

xo.

[ferincor 9]

When Being Added To The Timeline DONT FORGET

To tell us the date you sent your I-129F, the date of NOA1 Hardcopy and any "fondles" ("last updated" on www.uscis.gov)

you may have had!! Without all 3 data items our averages get all messed up. And find out where you were routed! VSC or CSC?

p.s. I would really hate to split us up, but because the timeline is growing so large the only way for it to fit into an image format would be to separate CSC and VSC, as much as I don't want to do it.

So either I get rid of the folks who aren't active or we split it up.

Bummer.

Oh, and yes, Mari. I want to kill you.

I just went to my UCIS profile, and my "last updated" date is 12/13/2010. Guess that means I was fondled??? (My NOA1 was Dec 3)

[DiZZyLoX 114]

FITNESS CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS

How's it going? We are now 1 month into our Fitness Challenge. At a Month into your fitness regime you should begin to feel / see the following changes in your body and mood:

• Increased Energy Levels at Night
  
• Waking up less groggy
  
• Sleeping longer
  
• Muscles begin to form and harden typically more noticeable in the upper arms and thighs
  
• Driven to healthier eating habits because of direct correlation with how you feel during your work out
  
• Stairs are easier to climb
  
• Items that are high are easier to reach (if you've been stretching!)
  
• Routine is beginning to kick in - you feel guilty if you don't do something active vs feeling happily lazy
  
• You can begin to run longer distances, bike longer distances, hold yoga poses longer, or walk longer distances before feeling fatigued
  

Hopefully you are feeling at least a few of these changes in your body! Wait til you see what you should be feeling at Month 2!!! Only 2.5 more months to the end of June, folks. That is when we all should be seeing NOA2. That's less than 3 months until things start moving a little faster and you're getting closer to being reunited. Get FIT! Stay positive

xo.Diz

[wendie and sam 4]

FITNESS CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS

How's it going? We are now 1 month into our Fitness Challenge. At a Month into your fitness regime you should begin to feel / see the following changes in your body and mood:

• Increased Energy Levels at Night
  
• Waking up less groggy
  
• Sleeping longer
  
• Muscles begin to form and harden typically more noticeable in the upper arms and thighs
  
• Driven to healthier eating habits because of direct correlation with how you feel during your work out
  
• Stairs are easier to climb
  
• Items that are high are easier to reach (if you've been stretching!)
  
• Routine is beginning to kick in - you feel guilty if you don't do something active vs feeling happily lazy
  
• You can begin to run longer distances, bike longer distances, hold yoga poses longer, or walk longer distances before feeling fatigued
  

Hopefully you are feeling at least a few of these changes in your body! Wait til you see what you should be feeling at Month 2!!! Only 2.5 more months to the end of June, folks. That is when we all should be seeing NOA2. That's less than 3 months until things start moving a little faster and you're getting closer to being reunited. Get FIT! Stay positive

xo.Diz

Don't forget, your clothes should start to fit better or looser!!

I had to go spring clothing shopping last week cuz I lost one dress/pant size! Insane, I'm super happy! Go fitness challenge!

[Mariye & Ky 172]

C'mon guys let's get back to "make a change" mode.. we need to Tweet !

We need mobilize.. is it not enough to see the CSC folks getting their NOA2 now.. and we still have to wait 2 more months?

Anyway... I'm crushed here.

Welcome Will & Eliz to the Thread!!!

There is a Tweet Thread just for that Eliz., have you seen it? Several here already know about Tweeting and were/are very present with it.

ALL OF US, (not just VSC's--- also,the CSC Decemberites) support EVERYONE in this Thread.

Please do not make it only about VSC here because we're all in this together; no telling what the USCIS /NVC & Consulates are going to do today with Gov't Shutdown.

Anyway, great to hear from you,

Mari

[ferincor 9]

I just returned from South Africa, and this was my favorite. It's a very VERY sweet dessert. I haven't gotten to try this recipe myself, but I figured I'd share it with you guys. Meinard translated it for me from one of his cookbooks, so hopefully everything's worded correctly! LOL!

Koeksisters.

------------------------------------------------

Ingredients:

------------------------------------------------

Syrup

1L (4 cups) sugar

375 mL (1 1/2 cup) water

2.5 mL (1/2 tsp) cream of tarter

2.5 mL (1/2 tsp) powdered ginger

2 whole pieces of cinnamon

5-10 mL (1-2 tsp) glycerin

------------------------------------------------

Dough

1L (4 cups) four

2.5 mL (1/2 tsp) salt

13 mL (2 tbl) baking powder

60 mL (4 tbl) butter/margirine

1 egg

250-375 mL (1-1 1/2 cups) milk/water

------------------------------------------------

Fat/Oil to bake it in

------------------------------------------------

Directions:

------------------------------------------------

Make the syrup

1) Let sugar dissolve in water over low heat.

2) Add cream of tartar, ginger, cinnamon. Boil for 5 minutes.

3) Add glycerin just before you take the mixture off the stove.

------------------------------------------------

Make the dough

1) Mix powdered ingredients together. Mix butter in with handmixer.

2) In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Add milk/water

3) Now, mix the two bowls together

4) Knead the dough until it's smooth, then lest rest for at least 2 hours.

(PREHEAT OVEN TO 375 F)

------------------------------------------------

1) Roll out dough 1 cm thick, and cut it into thin strips.

2) Fold the strips in half and twist them.

3) Cover 5-6 Koeksisters in lard/oil on top.

4) Bake 1-2 minutes until they are light brown. Turn over and repeat this step.

5) Remove and place on paper towel for a minute.

6) Use a fry-basket to dip koeksister into syrup for a few seconds. Let the excess syrup drip off.

7) Place on a plate and let dry a little bit. Refrigerate.

------------------------------------------------

Hints

1) If you want dryer koeksisters replace butter with 30 mL (2 tbl) cooking oil. Add with egg and milk instead of powders.

2) In order to prevent syrup from heating up too fast while dipping the koeksisters, use a large bowl and put ice in the bottom. Line this bowl with plastic wrap, and then put syrup in.

If any of you have trouble finding glycerin, I found some at Michael's in their cake decorating section.

I just returned from South Africa as well (end of February), and coincidentally, my future sister-in-law gave me Koeksisters just before I left! Was eating them at the Jo'burg airport while waiting for my flight! They are delicious!!!

[Mariye & Ky 172]

I just returned from South Africa as well (end of February), and coincidentally, my future sister-in-law gave me Koeksisters just before I left! Was eating them at the Jo'burg airport while waiting for my flight! They are delicious!!!

Fernie and Ajlape,

This recipe sounds very good! I've never had So. African cuisine so I want to try this. I saw that Lise asked where to get glycerine, and you can get it at any Cake decorating or (craft suppliers who have cake decor section), or you can purchase it on Amazon (Wilton Cake Decor/ Glycerin --- Approx. $1.50- $6.25 USD depending on mail order vendor).

If I eat these ... lol , am I going to have to do more treadmill, trail miles or yoga poses?! LOL I think so! Sounds delicious ladies!

With love and fondles,

Mari

[Mariye & Ky 172]

I'm not so sure, I thought 2 more months too. Then DizzyLox posted on page 80 of December Filers. (It's not Igore List) Mav seen that as well as I did and was shocked. I thought alot more time than that. The Goverment Shutdown now might affect things but there is hope seeing December Filers getting their NOA2. Your Timeline is ealier but I noticed it's still not first come first serve. I'm not totally sure how to get the information DizzyLox has and update it. I should ask to how they do that? We recieved a mail from a December Filer and Approved Today. Congrates !

So, give it time. Relax. Patience.

Timbo!

It is really good to see you back posting, ya nut! lol

OK now as far as an update on your "decluttering".....and no, I haven't forgotten! So tell us where that 25 years of 'stuff' you collected is nowadays? Last you said you were decluttering for Mav and that was 3 mos ago lol!! Really missed your smarmy sense of humour enough to hug ya and squeeeeeeeeeeeze your eyes out! ha ha ha ha!!!

Hello to Mavy and looking forward to seeing her regional recipe!

Mari

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Nice to look at how our Decemberists Family grows from day to day.

I'm very happy, because I came back after 7 years to hometown to my parents. I decided to spend the past months with my loved parents. I feel like the days of high school, a funny feeling ...

Now it will be here active in the whole...

What are yours preparations for Easter, probably every country has a typical Easter dish.

In Poland most popular dish is white borsch with white sausage and eggs and of course, lemon cake ....yamiii yamiii

Love yaaa all

Morning Sweetie Marcia!

Hey that would be a great recipe from Poland to post before Easter Sunday. Especially, the lemon cake! Anyway, what is white sausage (pork/beef/chicken/ mystery), and can we purchase this in the US?

Great idea on the Intl'l Easter Dishes too! I hope everyone can share one. LOL Heavenly Host! I am going to have to really do more Fitness hours if I keep attempting to make all of the Decemberite recipes! OMG... halllllllllllp meeeee.

Love ya!

Mari

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Well stated Wendi & Sam...this site has kept me relatively calm during a very stressful process and I think it is all from the support and enthusiasm most Decemberites have, I truly hope this continues after the port of entry!

Have an awesome day everyone!

Lise

I want to Thank YOU Lise for helping with the Recipes and organizing them! You most certainly are a gem to have around here. Thanks for such a wonderful gesture and generosity of your time.

Love,

Mari

Hey guys---

I'm so nervous about this government shut down as if the process doesn't take long enough, a shut down will only make the wait even longer. Some days I don't even know why we're doing this, living here: has advantages--- or at least that's what I tell myself every day lol

BUT here we are stuck in this long process and trying to keep our chins up. Thank God for the Decemberites! Sometimes it's nice to log into this forum and see all the happy posts

Nics,

You live THERE and oh wow that is beautiful. Can I come visit pretty please!?

I really hope this shutdown doesn't hurt us all too much, praying that things move along (as quickly as possible, please!).

A HUGE thank you to Dizzy for updating our timeline like she does, and to Mari for providing so much helpful info to us, and to Lise for helping us with our recipes... and another thank you to everyone here who actively participates and makes this thread what it is - NOT just a place for information, but a place for distraction, friendship, and support. I love our thread and everything about it, and if someone can't appreciate that then its a major loss for them.

We are hoping that Blake can come visit me for two weeks in early June, hopefully I will have my NOA2 or will be very close to it by then and we can celebrate together (and then get to work on mailing off the next documents!)

You are so welcome Christine! And thank you too for hangin' out with us. Honestly, if it weren't for ALL OF THE DECEMBERITES having fun around here it wouldn't be the same, esp. if it was only about

the stresses of immigration. We're all going to be with our Groom or Bride relatively soon, so we might as well give the stressors a rest! Amen! I am also thinking about visiting K in June possibly as I haven't seen him since September; but it's really dependent if he can get back from our AF base -Iraq & our budget. I'm remaining hopeful!

Love you all!

Mari

[Mariye & Ky 172]

You all are very welcome! I don't mind doing this at all for those of you who appreciate it! Makes me feel all ooey gooey inside. And I TOTALLY agree on the visiting in June, bit! I'm going to see Mr. Loxy in June and by the time I get home I should be one step closer to NOA2, with or without the shutdown. We'll all make it. It's going to happen. Stay happy and positive! and ACTIVE.

Remember, the FITNESS CHALLENGE came about because time away from VJ, this process and investment in your own mind and body is worth it. STRESS IS REAL and STRESS KILLS! Best natural STRESS RELIEVER is EXERCISE. Stay active, and if there is any other way that we can help make this a better place, let us know!

A Huge thanks to Mr. Loxy for helping me with the timeline initially. He is an excel WIZ! I'll have to get an English recipe from him. HE loves to cook! (lucky me!)

xo.

FITNESS CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS

How's it going? We are now 1 month into our Fitness Challenge. At a Month into your fitness regime you should begin to feel / see the following changes in your body and mood:

• Increased Energy Levels at Night
• Waking up less groggy
• Sleeping longer
• Muscles begin to form and harden typically more noticeable in the upper arms and thighs
• Driven to healthier eating habits because of direct correlation with how you feel during your work out
• Stairs are easier to climb
• Items that are high are easier to reach (if you've been stretching!)
• Routine is beginning to kick in - you feel guilty if you don't do something active vs feeling happily lazy
• You can begin to run longer distances, bike longer distances, hold yoga poses longer, or walk longer distances before feeling fatigued

Hopefully you are feeling at least a few of these changes in your body! Wait til you see what you should be feeling at Month 2!!! Only 2.5 more months to the end of June, folks. That is when we all should be seeing NOA2. That's less than 3 months until things start moving a little faster and you're getting closer to being reunited. Get FIT! Stay positive

xo.Diz

Well said Mrs. Loxy! Yes I agree, we will be with our Sweethearts soon! Staying really active is huge in stress release and we all can do without it.

I love the new Timelines! Thanks Diz and Mr Loxy, good job. Oh and the new colours are FAB! LOL Very nice touch there gurlfriend...

Love ya to bits,

Mari

Don't forget, your clothes should start to fit better or looser!!

I had to go spring clothing shopping last week cuz I lost one dress/pant size! Insane, I'm super happy! Go fitness challenge!

Hey Wendles, Congratulations on the new dress/ pant size!!! WOW WEE GORGEOUS GIRL! Fantastic and worth all that sweat, right? (have you made any of this thread's recipes yet? lol lol lol )

Besos!

Mari

Edited April 8, 2011 by Mari & Kadir

[tobey 0]

Heeeeeeeeeeere we go, gang. The new and improved really big #### timeline now cut into two

Updated Apr 8 2011:

Hey Dizzy, Thanks a lot for updating the service center for us. Just a note, we changed our name from "tobey" to "inna&stas" (VSC LIST), so there shouldn't be two user names on there. Tobey no longer exists, so when you have time, you can take it out of the timeline. Thanks a lot, we really appreciate what you guys have been doing for the decemberites

Edited April 8, 2011 by Inna&Stas

[gyselle 4]

I love the Adobo recipe from our Filipino friends. I just got back from Donsol yesterday and spent 5 lovely days eating adobo, sinigang and sisig! and snorkelling with whalesharks. I love the beaches of Philippines!!

On another note...I have not been fondled yet..I've waiting to see what the notice is about. We suspect it is because we submitted a change of address..that could be a confirmation they have recieved it. And yet, there is no physical mail at either addresses!

On the vaccinations note, I went to my own private doctor the other day to determine what vaccinations I had already, what i needed, and what i should take with the appointed doctors. I'm lucky coz my mum kept all my medical records since birth, and in Singapore, we took a lot of the vacinations at birth...but...I thought i'll share my findings:

1. Influenza tybe b (hib)---only administered to babies, kids and not adults

2. Rotavirus---only administered to babies, kids and not adults

3. Typhoid---last about 3 years

4. Influenza--best to get it when you see the appointed doctors as the vaccines change depending on season

5. DPT----booster every 10 years

6. Varicella is for chickenpox, so if you had chicken pox before, you dont need this.

7. pneumococcal---my doctor says most docs dont keep stock of this at the clinic, so best to call ahead and request for it if you want it

Please note that these are the findings from my private doctor, it is best you see your own doctor and confirm all these things. I will give an update when i get my NOA2 and see the embassy appointed doctor.

Another thing, you might all already know this...but..taking the vaccine shots will lower your immune system and you might fall sick for a few days. So, its best not to have anything exciting (like visiting the fiance) planned around then.

Just to be safe.

[FALL27 0]

Perfect!!!!!

I'd love to see a recipe for pansit. I LOVE it!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Hello are you able to add me to the december filer? Not sure if I'm doing this correctly.. .....sorry if I interfere on the convo thanks!!!

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=97110

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Hello are you able to add me to the december filer? Not sure if I'm doing this correctly.. .....sorry if I interfere on the convo thanks!!!

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=97110

Of course! You got it