Did ya miss me?

[littlebhuddha]

I haven't posted in a while and a lot has happened since I did so I thought I would write a few lines to let those of you who may be interested know how things are going. My wife had her interveiw in Bogota in early December. I went with her and everything went smooth as ice. About 10 days later she had her visa and three days later she was on a plane to LA. She went through immigration in Houston and she said it took all of 15 minutes. She arrived in LA and I was waiting with flowers, Champaigne and the company limo. She was blown away. After waiting almost a year to the day it was absolutely fantastic to finally be together. She has adapted well to life here. She loves San Diego. Before we got married she made me promise that we would eventually live in Colombia. Now there's no way she wants to leave SD.
She went back for a couple of weeks earlier this month and after a few days she was ready to come home. She has about 10-15 Colombiana friends so she doesn't get too homesick. She is taking english classes 5 hours a day and insists on speaking it as much as possible which has led to some confusion at times. It took me a while to figure out what a "leetle, leetle pine brush" was. She loves our little castle as humble as it is. The first thing she did was paint the entire house inside. I wanted to buy some new living room furniture but she insisted on reupholstering the old stuff. It looks like new. I am continualy amazed at what she can do. She gave me a haircut the other night afte she found out that I was paying $30 for one. Its as good as any I've ever had. She hates spending money. I'm finding I have an extra $300-400 more left over at the end of the month. All in all our life together is everything I dreamed it would be. She is the most loving and affectionate woman I have ever known. She loves to shower me with attention. She waits on me hand and foot and loves doing it. It was a little difficult to get used to the attention at first but I am adapting well. At first I thought that it would probably only last for a little while but I'm beginning to think this just may be permanant. I can't beleive my luck. Colombia is famous for emeralds but there are plenty of diamonds there too.
Chao pues

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

i just reread my post and want to add a couple of thoughts.
First of all, don't think that all colombianas are the same. I had a stroke of incredible luck coupled with using common sense. My wife is beautiful but she's no model and she could stand to lose 15 lbs. But she is without a doubt the most wonderful person I have ever met. She is a person that cares about everyone she meets. The other night she had me drive her over to the house of one of her classmates that was sick so she could bring her some soup and cough medicine. You don't find a lot of women like her anywhere in the world but I can guarantee that you will find ten times more in Colombia and Latin America than you will find in the USA. The point that I want to make and that I have always made is that you will find exactly what you are looking for in Colombia. If you are looking for a Barbie thats what you will get. If you are looking for Mother Teresa thats what you will get.
Secondly, I don't want anyone to think that my wife my doormat. She is one of the stubbornest women I've known. I can't get her to do anything she doesn't want to do. The attention she gives me is because she loves to do it. But, gentlemen, that's a two-way street. I absolutely adore her and treat her like my queen. Even if you are lucky enough to find a woman like her don't just assume that you work is done. Love is best when it is an everyday love affair.

[gmellobrazil]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

wow this is a dream come true

[Pete E]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

J,
I was wondering  what happened,I presumed you got the visa by now.I am glad Luciel likes San Diego.
One year was real slow,did you push it as much as possible or let some time accumulate between your responses to them?

Pete

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Re: Did ya miss me?, posted by Pete E on Mar 31, 2005

Hola Pete. Luciel said to tell you Saludes. I really think that year was one of the worst of my life. When we got married in December it was only taking 3-4 months for a spousal K3. Almost immediately they stopped processing K3's. The worst part was not knowing when she would get here. I tried everything I could think of to get things going. I wrote to both of California's dike senators and got no help at all. But at least they responded. Duke Cunningham didn't bother to respond. I wrote letters to the offices of Tom Ridge and the head of immigration, Aguirre I think. I even wrote GW. No response there either. Finally I just resigned myself in July that there was nothing I could do except wait. Two weeks later I got the email that her visa was approved. Of course now the California center is approving I-130's in less than two months. It was all just a matter of bad luck and bad timing. Pero "Vale la pena!" Which reminds me hows your spanish coming? We will be in Cali this December for a family reunion and Luciel says I can have a night out with the guys in Cali.

[doombug]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

LB, where is a relatively decent & inexpensive place to live in San Diego--rent or mortgage wise?  I've been to SD before, but never paid attention to the particulars of the housing market there.  To date, it's the only city in the country I'd ever considered as a perfect retirement locale.  

Also, what places/things does your wife like about the city?  I've been mentioning the place to my wife (a Peruana), but she is oblivious to the city's "cool" factor.

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Re: Did ya miss me?, posted by doombug on Mar 31, 2005

The closest relatively inexpensive place to live is somewhere in Arizona unless you want to spend three hours crossing the border at Tijuana. The housing market here is ridiculus. A very modest three bedroom home in a so-so neighborhood is $600k. I agree that it is almost the perfect place to retire. The cost of living is a big negative factor along with the crowded freeways. My wife loves the weather here although she is cold most of the time. She also loves the beaches and the cleanliness of SD. It really is a beautiful looking city. Also the fact that half the population speaks spanish has helped her adjust. There are a lot of Colombians that live here. In her first english she met 4 colombianas. There are a lot of other LA communities here also. I think if you bring her here for a visit in the summer she will be hooked. Don't come in September though. It's too hot. Of course living in Sacramento I don't have to tell you about hot. My son had a track meet at Sac State a few years ago in June. He had to run a 5k in 100 degree heat.

[zack]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

"She loves to shower me with attention. She waits on me hand and foot and loves doing it. It was a little difficult to get used to the attention at first but I am adapting well. At first I thought that it would probably only last for a little while but I'm beginning to think this just may be permanant. I can't beleive my luck. Colombia is famous for emeralds but there are plenty of diamonds there too."

Not only does she treat you like a king, but SHE LOVES DOING IT. What a foreign concept here in America. And people wonder why we travel so far to meet ladies. That says it all! Congratulations and best of luck!

Zack

[david hagar]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

thirty dollars for a haircut.  that seems excessive to me. here in Tennessee is is ten bucks

Beattledog

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Re: Did ya miss me?, posted by david hagar on Mar 31, 2005

This ain't Tennessee! I was station in Millington for a year and I enjoyed it alot. The best deer hunting I've ever experienced north of Nashville. And the Smokey Mountains! Que bonita!

[Hoda]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

[This message has been edited by Hoda]

This is what it's about...d*mn*t!! If this post doesn't convince those of you who are still pu$$y-footing around on whether or not you should make your move.....

Keep yo narra ass home & keep suffering with the local yokals!

[doombug]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

Spectacular & uplifting stuff.

[OkieMan]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

Your story sounds very interesting.  I do not recall seeing you post here before, so could you please tell me and the other posters more about you and your wife.  What Colombian city does she come from. What is her age? It sounds like she came by herself, so do I understand correctly that she has no children? Judging by your profile info, you and I are the same age.  Do you have any kids?  Mine are all grown.  San Diego is a beautiful city.  I can easily see why she would love that area. The climate, the ocean, etc are great perks; but then again, Colombia is beautiful too.  I have a son in the Marine Corps, and stationed at 29 Palms.  He went to basic at Camp Pendleton, and he has gone back to San Diego many times.  He did 2 tours in Iraq, but he is about to get out, and come home to Oklahoma.  But, he has at least been able to see a lot of California and some other areas, like Las Vegas. Also, he was in Phoenix with some buddies a week or so ago.  I have many relatives in California, but it has been many years since I got to go out there.    Well, best of luck to you both.  I have my own latina deal that I am working on in Cali.

                            OkieMan

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Re: Did ya miss me?, posted by OkieMan on Mar 30, 2005

We met through Latin Encounters in Sept 03. We were married in Cali in Dec 03. She is 18 years younger than me and has two sons that live with their father. They just spent 10 days here for spring break. They are both great kids. The oldest one will be coming back permanently in June. Not sure about the youngest. He is really close to his father. I have two grown kids. San Diego is a great place to live. The cost of living is close to outrageous, however. Its the price you pay for living in paradise.

[jediknight]

... in response to Did ya miss me?, posted by littlebhuddha on Mar 30, 2005

sounds great, good for the both of you and i hope it keeps on getting better. one question, when you say that you waited a year to the day, what did you mean? one year since you both met, since you got married, since you last saw her or since you filed the papers to bring her here.
thanks for the update
JK