Speaking of "detalles"...

[doombug]

[This message has been edited by doombug]

I'd sent my wife in Peru a Valentine's "Care Package" on the 1st of February, hoping that it'd get there in time.  Well, it arrived today, two days late.  But she was aware that it was en route, so no biggie.

The package included:

Infusium shampoo (impossible to find in Lima)
Olay skin cream w/SPF 15 (she's a skin cream addict)
Aquafresh Extreme Clean, toothpaste (it's da bomb!)
100-count bottle of ibuprofen (for those female cramps & headaches)
Half-pound bag of pistacios
10-15 packets of Jelly Belly, jelly beans
Gift-wrapped box of assorted bon-bons
Valentine's day greeting card
CD's of Myriam Hernandez, Madonna, and No Doubt
DVD's of "Herald and Kumar Go to White Castle," and Josh Groban, "Live at the Greek"
One ATM card (I'm kicking iKobo to the curb)
One Target Visa card (inscribed w/ her new surname)
Finally,  about two-soles worth of pocket change that might get her half a taxi ride

She text-messaged to my email:  "Gracias mi amor por tu regalo! No te imaginas lo feliz que me haces con tus detalles. Soy muy feliz comtigo mi amor!"  

It may seem like overkill to some of you, but I wanted to make sure that for at least this ONE special day of the new year, she can set aside the thoughts of another boring work day, of concerns for her family, of any doubts and pessimism, and just glow for a bit.

I'm whipped!

Peace out!

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by doombug on Feb 17, 2005

Wow, Senor. You are a "detail" man. No wonder she loves you! I am sure she deserves it and you clearly deserve her. All the best!

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by utopiacowboy on Feb 17, 2005

Thanks!  

Peruanas are awesome!

[OkieMan]

... in response to Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by doombug on Feb 17, 2005

Doombug,
I have two questions.  Were you worried that your wife's goody bag would be ripped off by someone in the Peruvian postal service?  Also, how long before the Mrs. gets to come State side?  Are you waiting on a K-3?  Best of luck.

                         OkieMan

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by OkieMan on Feb 17, 2005

I mailed in my petition application (I-130) on 12/21/04, and the California Service Center of USCIS approved it on 2/2/05.   Her approved petition is probably now at the National Visa Center, awaiting more fees & applications before it is forwarded to the embassy in Lima.  I'm ultimately going for the CR-1 visa, which will make her pretty much a resident alien before she even gets to the States.

I suspect she'll be here in less than 6 months.  But since I'm trying to bring her two children, this will probably delay the wait even further.  Lots more fees and applications.

Believe it or not, I just have blind faith in the postal system.  Whether here, or abroad.  I've never had a problem with mailing or receiving packages/parcels.  

Her "goody bag" was actually a sturdy "goody box."  Tightly sealed, shock proofed, very non-descript, nothing enticing.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by doombug on Feb 17, 2005

Regarding her kids, you filed I-130s for them too, I hope. The kids can piggyback on a K-1 (K-2) or K-3 (K-4) but they can't piggyback on a CR-1.

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Speaking of "detalles&q..., posted by utopiacowboy on Feb 17, 2005

Yeah, I've been reading up on the CR-1 the past few months, off and on.  My wife sent me their translated/certified birth certificates a week ago, so when they arrive, I'm going to send an I-130 for each to the CSC.  

$185 each!  And later on, huge fees for the NVC processing.    

My only concern is how to eventually have all three petitions merged later on down the road.  Heck, it might not even be a concern or common practice.  If my wife gets her interview, and a subsequent visa, I suspect she can just sit by until her childrens' interviews.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Speaking of "detall..., posted by doombug on Feb 17, 2005

If the CSC acts on their petitions quickly, it is possible to get them together either at the NVC or at the embassy. It is one of the few times that they are receptive to expediting things because it only makes sense to have them all together.

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Speaking of "de..., posted by utopiacowboy on Feb 18, 2005

Do you know of any formal way of notifying them that they should all be merged/linked together?

Thanks.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Speaking of &quo..., posted by doombug on Feb 18, 2005

You can kind of control this yourself. Once your wife's I-130 petition goes to the National Visa Center, they will send you an Agent of Choice form. You can delay sending this back to give the kids I-130s time to catch up. Hopefully, after those get approved you could notify the National Visa Center then to group them together.

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Speaking of ..., posted by utopiacowboy on Feb 18, 2005

Oops, I recall you suggesting that about two weeks ago.

Sorry for apparently asking the same question twice now, hehe.

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: Re: Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by doombug on Feb 17, 2005

So, on top of everything else, you are step-father? Please keep us posted on that progress as well.  Best of luck.

                              OkieMan

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Speaking of "detalles&q..., posted by OkieMan on Feb 17, 2005

Yeah!  A step-father of two!  It may be looked upon as a negative by some, but when my wife comes here, the difficulty of adjusting to a new country will be tempered by the fact that they'll all be together to distract each other.  

The daughter is AWESOME!  She wears glasses--which makes her look bookish, has much darker skin than her mother and me, is very wise for her age, clownish at times, and extremely un-spoiled.

I haven't met the son yet.  He lives with his papi.  My last novia's son was about his age, was very spoiled, and very demanding about seeing his father.  I'm hoping my wife's son is at least a little less demonic.

[pablo]

... in response to Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by doombug on Feb 17, 2005


Say DB,

Did the ATM & Visa cards arrived safely?  I'd be a little careful about sending plastic depending on the shipper.

On a related security note: I had both my MC & Visa information stolen by some young clown recently with mostly small charges run up in Miami.  They had actually made a new card as the purchases were swiped transactions.  I am very careful about receipts and such, but I think the card information was lifted somehow in Medellin.  I wonder if it's always best to use money for transactions rather than plastic to avoid this in the future while in SA.

[Brazilophile]

... in response to Re: Speaking of "detalles"..., posted by pablo on Feb 17, 2005

I have sent an ATM card to my namorada.  It arrived safely through FedEx.  She has used it once and the arrangement is very convenient for the both of us.

The media reported today (and yesterday) that an information company based in Georgia sold the financial data for 100,000 people to a fraudulent financial institution.  They are being contacted to close all their accounts and credit cards and alert their banks to any loan requests in their names.  In addition, the post office is being notified because the thieves work by re-routing their targets' mail by changing their addresses.

Talk about organized crime!!!!