December Filers

[M & J 5]

Good Morning fellow December filers: our recipe contributions continue to grow! Our VJ December filer family cookbook is well on its way to becoming a very unique interesting keepsake! Below is a recap of those who have contributed to date:

Derek & Callie (Australia); Michael & Lise (Canada)

Alex & Joan (Dominic Republic); Sean & Sonoko (Japan)

Nicole & Emilio (Mexico); kristen_maroc (Morocco)

Nea & Ola (Nigeria); Marcia & Danny (Poland)

Swissmiss2 (Switzerland); Mari & Kadir (Turkey)

Phillipe & Anzhelika (Ukraine); Gyselle (Singapore)

Mochamich (Haiti); Inna & Stass (Israel)

Lena & Igor (Ukraine); Jonathan & Izabela (Armenia)

Jennifer & Byron (South Africa); Pauly & Ning (Philippines)

Wendie and Sam (United Kingdom); Lee & Jeni Bee (Philippines)

Ashley & Meinard (South Africa); Elmer & Jen (Philippines)

Reilly & Carrie (United Kingdom)

Let’s all encourage members from the 24 countries below to contribute! We would love to have contributions from the following countries:

Albania; Argentina; Brazil;

China, Columbia;; England;

Guyana; Ghana; Guatemala;

Honduras; India; Ireland;

Ivory Coast; Jamaica; Macedonia;

New Zealand; Peru; Russia;

South Korea; Taiwan; Thailand;

United Arab Emirates; United States; Venezuela

Have a great week everybody! Hoping to see some more NOA2s this week!!!

Lise

First I would like to thank everyone for the congratulations! I am still on cloud 9 to know that we have passed the first hurdle with an approval. Now we are preparing for the next step.

I asked Mark's sister for a Guyanese recipe because I know I would never get one from him. lol. She told me that pepperpot is a very popular Guyanese dish but she didn't give me a recipe. lol I took the liberty to look up one on the internet, because I don't want to be delinquent any longer on my cookbook contribution. I found this recipe on food.com. I'll have to save it so I can make a variation of this dish for Mark once he gets here.

Ingredients

- 1 lb stewing beef or 1 lb beef brisket

- 1 lb pork, trotters (or cow's heels) (optional)

- 1/2 lb pigs tail (optional)

- 1/2 cup amerindian seasoning (cassareep)

- 1 red hot pepper

- 1 cinnamon stick (1 in x 1 in)

- 1 ounce sugar

- salt

- 2 stalks basil

- 1 bunch fine fresh thyme

- 1 large chopped onion

- 3 chopped garlic cloves

Directions

1 Soak pig tails and scald.

2 Cook cow heel or trotters in covered pan with water to boil.

3 Skim.

4 When half tender add all the other meats hot water to cover.

5 Add all other ingredients and simmer gently for about one hour until meat is tender.

6 Adjust flavor with salt and sugar.

7 Note: This dish develops flavor when left over a period of days. If left unrefrigerated, it must be reheated to a boil every day.

8 Pepperpot is popularly served with dense bread and butter, though it is equally as good with rice or roti.

[d_and_j 0]

CONGRATULATIONS to the NOA2 December Family!!!

**Please Note** The December Family Timeline is only for those who have requested to be a part of it. Those who are not participating have not been added to the list -- mostly for real estate purposes and timeline conversion hassle

CONGRATS!!

Can you add us to the December list please?

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=104752

Thanks!

[Mariye & Ky 172]

CONGRATULATIONS to the NOA2 December Family!!!

**Please Note** The December Family Timeline is only for those who have requested to be a part of it. Those who are not participating have not been added to the list -- mostly for real estate purposes and timeline conversion hassle

CONGRATS!!

Can you add us to the December list please?

http://www.visajourn...e.php?id=104752

Thanks!

Welcome Dave & Jackie to the Thread!!!!

Glad you found your way to Your Decemberite Family.

Our Thread Map will help you navigate around.

Enjoy!

Mari

[Ashley + Meinard 0]

Is there a fee for the interview? If so, I was wondering about how much they are, just out of curiosity.

Also what is considered a big age difference?

Thanks

[Ashley + Meinard 0]

We spent a couple nights in Johannesburg with Byron's brother, several nights in Klerksdorp with his parents and sister, and one night in Rustenburg to go to the Pilandersburg Nat'l Park. I got to play with elephants and baby lions and cheetahs - such an experience!!

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2069076&id=1001199845#!/photo.php?fbid=1718427112776&set=a.1487637023168.2069076.1001199845&theater

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2094135&id=1001199845#!/photo.php?fbid=1714301609641&set=a.1714277649042.2094135.1001199845&theater

UGH!! It wouldn't let me view the pix, but that's awesome! I stayed in Springs, which is about an hour from Joburg. I was there from the end of December until the end of March.. It was a bummer coming home after being able to fall asleep and wake up next to him for such a long period. We just braaied (sp?) alot with his family. It was a great experience, though i was hoping to go on a safari in Kruger Park

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Mari, your dog is super cute!!!

Thank you, she's a sweetheart, but just like me --- always into some kind of trouble! lol lol

[Lise+Michael 13]

On behalf of my fiance(Gsummit) and I, here is the recipe for puff puff. She posted the recipe for jollof rice some weeks ago. We thought ya'll might like to try this too.

PUFF-PUFF( Traditional round doughnuts)

Thank you for this additonal recipe, I have added it into our collection.

Have a great day!

Lise

[Lise+Michael 13]

First I would like to thank everyone for the congratulations! I am still on cloud 9 to know that we have passed the first hurdle with an approval. Now we are preparing for the next step.

Thanks for the contribution to our recipe collection, and thank Mark's sister too!

It was exciting to see so many NOA2 on the VJ site today and even the RFE for Lee & Jenni Bee...your NOA2 will be here sooner than you know it after sending the evidence requested!

Have an awesome day everyone!The sun is shining!!

Lise

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Is there a fee for the interview? If so, I was wondering about how much they are, just out of curiosity.

Also what is considered a big age difference?

Thanks

LISTEN UP, DECEMBERITES!

While i LOVE the recipe book, fitness challenge, and other really awesome decemberite conversation, PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE do not let questions like this slip through the cracks without an answer. We are here to support each other AND have some fun, but as we close in on NOA2, be expecting to have serious questions that need serious answers and don't let them go by abandoned.

There is a fee associated with the interview, yes. It depends on which consulate you are going to. I suggest a search on your specific consulate for a direct answer.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Updated 4/11/11

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[wendie and sam 4]

First I would like to thank everyone for the congratulations! I am still on cloud 9 to know that we have passed the first hurdle with an approval. Now we are preparing for the next step.

Thanks for the contribution to our recipe collection, and thank Mark's sister too!

It was exciting to see so many NOA2 on the VJ site today and even the RFE for Lee & Jenni Bee...your NOA2 will be here sooner than you know it after sending the evidence requested!

Have an awesome day everyone!The sun is shining!!

Lise

Ahh did I miss your NOA2 announcement??? DOH!! I'm so excited for you guys!! Congratulations!!

I had my first NOA2 related dream yesterday, it was funny... I must have been dreaming about you guys and your NOA2 and not mine. haha. either way... glad you got it!! Thanks for all that you're doing putting the cookbook together!! You deserve that NOA2!

[nikolacolada 21]

Is there a fee for the interview? If so, I was wondering about how much they are, just out of curiosity.

Also what is considered a big age difference?

Thanks

I'm assuming something around 10 years would be considered an big age difference.. that just seems to be the number that pops up when questions like this are asked in the other forums..

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Is there a fee for the interview? If so, I was wondering about how much they are, just out of curiosity.

Also what is considered a big age difference?

Thanks

LISTEN UP, DECEMBERITES!

While i LOVE the recipe book, fitness challenge, and other really awesome decemberite conversation, PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE do not let questions like this slip through the cracks without an answer. We are here to support each other AND have some fun, but as we close in on NOA2, be expecting to have serious questions that need serious answers and don't let them go by abandoned.

There is a fee associated with the interview, yes. It depends on which consulate you are going to. I suggest a search on your specific consulate for a direct answer.

I agree with Diz here, important questions are going to be surfacing and not just for the NOA2, but further beyond this. Remember, when everybody's groom or brides are here, we still have to go through AOS/ SS#/EAD's and so forth until lifting of conditions or US Citizenship!

HOWEVER, that being said, I also believe if you do not know and are unsure ... support but don't answer because that could really cost somebody some time and unnecessary efforts that could might result in an RFE.

*prime example was a friend of mine who 'went to a man who has put visa applications together for 35 years... blah blah... she insisted 'he knew' ; but the uscis instructions were specific of requirements and he had her send her file in WITHOUT evidence of bonafide relationship! He told her they don't need it "I've been doing this for 35 years".... This happened to be an IR-1/CR1 but none the less? After 6 mos of waiting, she got a RFE and then they had her married to somebody else (requesting docs of marriage to somebody she never met); it was a mess! After several letters for correction with PROOF required, it was a little over 7 mos and they finally got that NOA2.

So please, if you are giving info regarding our Visa's, then please reference the answers with an official gov't link. If no gov't link is available, then be sure to say "THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL REFERENCE"

Thank you,

Mari

AJLAPE: Please look for the information FIRST on the official US Embassy (Johannesburg or whichever Consulate you will use in So Africa)

1. Please refer to the US Embassy of So. Africa Website for very specific requirements: http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/fiancees_visas.html

2. This information is also on our Thread Map and why I refer new Decemberites to it: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3742.html

3. This is the VJ So African Embassy Notes & Info: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=South%20Africa&cty=Johannesburg

4. Non-Immigrant Press Release, Dated Apr 04. 2011: Non-Immigrant VISA FEES http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/press110404b.html

BUT!!! LOOK AT THIS PARAGRAPHS:

A. April 4, 2011 - Beginning April 7, 2011, the U.S. Mission to South Africa is introducing a new visa appointment system for non-immigrant visa interviews, which will mean fewer fees for applicants.

B. The last paragraph --- This pertains to YOU AJLAPE : The change in visa fee collection applies only to non-immigrant visa applicants. ***Persons applying for immigrant or fiancée visas will continue to pay fees at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg using the existing application process. <end> Now AJlape, go back to #2 above and find your Embassy by the drop box. The answers to your question is there.

Re: Age...... This question comes up a lot in the MENA forum where women are often older than the men, yet it doesn't in the RUB or PI forum where men are much older than the women!

AGE DIFFERENCE IS NOT AGAINST THE US LAW by two consenting ADULTS. It is illegal if it's an adult of 18+ and a child bride/groom under 18- years of age.

The applicants (petitioner / bene) must meet all criteria as set forth by the USCIS requirements. Remember Proof is in black and white evidence; meaning it is "on it's face' without either of you standing there to defend yourselves. There should be NO QUESTION FOR A CO regarding your a bonafide relationship in the case of a K1, or a bonafide marriage in the case of an IR-1/ CR1. Be sure all evidence will show such. Please note the difference between primary evidence and secondary evidence.

Marriageable age: Here is the Wiki reference for various countries (incomplete) --- legal age to marry both Male and Female. You can further research this by hot linking your beneficiary's country.

http://en.wikipedia....arriageable_age

I have this to say to the DECEMBERITE FAMILY:

Please, Before you ask:

1. Research & see if you can't find the information yourselves and get used to using the US Embassy/ Consulate Official Websites. If you can't find your answer, post your reference where you looked for it.

2. Check often for Consulate specific terms and requirements to prevent small mistakes. An example of this was the fee change for the K1 application last Nov. 23, 2010.

3. CALL or EMAIL THE USCIS or US EMBASSY and ASK THEM your question but make sure they refer you to where it is stated on their site. Have pen & paper handy; take notes!!!! (time, date, who you spoke with, their ID# too)

Thanks again,

Mari

[Mariye & Ky 172]

And by the way Diz, I wasn't going to let AJlape's question slip by. I was curious to see if and how other Decemberite's would answer them.

I really would like to see Decemberites reseach and get used to the Official sites and US Govt resources as one day they might need info and we can't answer or not available.

It's the "teach the man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" thing.

xo

Mari

[hope.andsun 7]

Updated 4/11/11

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Come on People!!! This is a lovely picture if we see that NOA2 column with numbers..

.. We're almost there!!!