Best way to meet a Ukrainian/Russian (and cheapest)

[Brad and Vika 129]

But they do their best to fill the role of moderator.

Don't make me do it

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Looks like Sunday is a 'bathroom day' My fiance has been doing some work in the bathroom today as well.

I have done ceramic on the walls and around the tub and shower now. Today we did the ceiling. Next weekend we do the floor, that means the toilet and sink come out and it will be a mad rush to get those back working. Our flat in Ukraine has ONE toilet and ONE sink. Seems like it was good enough for all Alla's life. Now she is acting like she is "camping" if we ONLY have one toilet and sink available for two days.

She has done her part, going to the stores and buying all the cabinets, medicine cabinets, mirrors, towel racks, glass holders (her pride and joy ) ceramic tile and grout. Now it is my turn and I try to keep her as far away as possible. I was grouting the walls last week and she came in and said "OMG! It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO dirty! Can you try to be more clean?"

Don't make me do it

[slim 1,525]

Most of them are not even women.

Hello, my name is Peggy.

[NavarreMan 10]

Keeping the romance alive! Got me 1 very happy RUB (hate that term, like calling me a NAM, North American Male) woman and no family begging to move here. Life is dandy! Wasn't looking for love, wasn't looking for a Russian bride but admittedly was driving through the neighborhood. Love found me and happened to come in a 5'-2" Russian body. IMHO - if you go looking for a wife, concubine or whatever, you get may not necessarily be what you seek. Not that it is bad, but will it stand the test of time, USICS, economic crisis, etc. Can't speak for everyone, only myself and what my experience is, and it is good.

If you think it is easy, it's not. USCIS will do everything to discourage those who are not ready for the long-haul. Communication, or at least the determination with which you both seek communication will be very important. What makes sense to you may be an insult to her or visa-versa. It will take lots of patience to clear up misunderstandings and even more to get past the differences of culture (no whistling in the house!).

As for the OP – sounds like someone fishing for reactions rather than someone who genuinely seeks advice and counsel.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

If you think it is easy, it's not. USCIS will do everything to discourage those who are not ready for the long-haul. Communication, or at least the determination with which you both seek communication will be very important. What makes sense to you may be an insult to her or visa-versa. It will take lots of patience to clear up misunderstandings and even more to get past the differences of culture (no whistling in the house!).

As for the OP – sounds like someone fishing for reactions rather than someone who genuinely seeks advice and counsel.

What do you mean the USCIS will do everything to discourage us? Fill out the forms, wait forever, move to NVC... Seems like for the most part they only show real interest in cases that show extreme red flags in thier opinoin....

[Captain Hammer 113]

What do you mean the USCIS will do everything to discourage us? Fill out the forms, wait forever, move to NVC... Seems like for the most part they only show real interest in cases that show extreme red flags in thier opinoin....

Heh, they may not intentionally make it hard, but they sure don't go out of their way to make it easy either.

But I agree, unless it's really obvious that there are some serious issues, approval is just a matter of time. At least that's how it was for Ukraine. I've read that some places like the Philippines and China are tougher.

[NavarreMan 10]

What do you mean the USCIS will do everything to discourage us? Fill out the forms, wait forever, move to NVC... Seems like for the most part they only show real interest in cases that show extreme red flags in thier opinoin....

In our case, it was making pointless trips to New Orleans for fingerprints that could be done locally and then driving 700 miles roundtrip to Jacksonville for interview. As I said, I cannot speak for every case, only ours, but I think most will admit that the USCIS is a monstrous bureaucracy that may unintentionally discourage those who try to gain legal immigration status the proper way. Many were the times I wanted to fly Tanya to Mexico and meet her at the border with a ladder. Additionally, if you do not find the waiting discouraging then you are a better person than I Gunga Din.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

In our case, it was making pointless trips to New Orleans for fingerprints that could be done locally and then driving 700 miles roundtrip to Jacksonville for interview. As I said, I cannot speak for every case, only ours, but I think most will admit that the USCIS is a monstrous bureaucracy that may unintentionally discourage those who try to gain legal immigration status the proper way. Many were the times I wanted to fly Tanya to Mexico and meet her at the border with a ladder. Additionally, if you do not find the waiting discouraging then you are a better person than I Gunga Din.

It was an honest question, not a rebuke. The way it was worded left me with the impression they would try to be directly active in discouraging the process.. I did not realize you have been through more than the I-130/I-129 process.... I am only a little 40 days into the NOA1->NOA2 wait on the I-130 so when I hit 125 days or so I will feel more free to let the comments rip

[baron555 934]

USCIS is a monstrous bureaucracy that may unintentionally discourage those who try to gain legal immigration status the proper way.

My heart bleeds for all those trodden upon by USCIS......sheesh. USCIS is very consitent and we knew what the wait would be and it was and now it is over. We don't even think back to those times; a mere drop in the bucket. And if all your documents are in order and you send in the correct fee, it is almost a slam dunk.

NOW......you want bureaucracy that DOES INTENTIONALLY discourage those.....try being a single woman and try to go through the Russian Adoption process. After all the red tape and hoops, it all came down to one individual's subjective decision (successful only after three continuances).

[baron555 934]

What do you mean the USCIS will do everything to discourage us? Fill out the forms, wait forever, move to NVC... Seems like for the most part they only show real interest in cases that show extreme red flags in thier opinoin....

And what many folks do not understand is that USCIS really really has a 5 month backlog of petitions to process. Think of the stacks of documents! And each one is more important than the others.

Edited April 11, 2011 by baron555

[Captain Hammer 113]

NOW......you want bureaucracy that DOES INTENTIONALLY discourage those.....try being a single woman and try to go through the Russian Adoption process. After all the red tape and hoops, it all came down to one individual's subjective decision (successful only after three continuances).

Heh...and try this one on for size: we know a lesbian couple that adopted a boy in Russia. They were smart enough to just have one of them on the paperwork, but they made the mistake of both going over to pick him up. The officials immediately picked up on this unspoken fact, and that's when the real bureaucracy kicked in. It took an additional 2 years for them to finally bring their boy home.

[ONA 133]

NOW......you want bureaucracy that DOES INTENTIONALLY discourage those.....try being a single woman and try to go through the Russian Adoption process. After all the red tape and hoops, it all came down to one individual's subjective decision (successful only after three continuances).

A lot of people are talking about imposing a ban on such kind of adoptions in Russia after all those cases of domestic violence some kids have experienced.

[Captain Hammer 113]

A lot of people are talking about imposing a ban on such kind of adoptions in Russia after all those cases of domestic violence some kids have experienced.

The one that really outraged Russians was the woman who stuck her adopted kid on an airplane to Moscow with a juice pack and a pat on the butt because she decided she couldn't cope with him anymore. That really lit a fire under the Russian government's butt in a way that for some reason the abuses didn't. So expect it to be nigh impossible to adopt a Russian child in the near future.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Heh, they may not intentionally make it hard, but they sure don't go out of their way to make it easy either.

But I agree, unless it's really obvious that there are some serious issues, approval is just a matter of time. At least that's how it was for Ukraine. I've read that some places like the Philippines and China are tougher.

Philippines is easy, unless you present "fixed" documents, etc. The pre-screeners are good at finding possible fraud cases.

ETA: Just the shear volume of cases being handled from the Philippines (check out the by-country membership here) you are more likely to hear about problems with the process. Most sail through without incident.

Edited April 11, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[Captain Hammer 113]

Philippines is easy, unless you present "fixed" documents, etc. The pre-screeners are good at finding possible fraud cases.

ETA: Just the shear volume of cases being handled from the Philippines (check out the by-country membership here) you are more likely to hear about problems with the process. Most sail through without incident.

Ah, thanks for the clarification, sorry for the bad info.