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Title: Back from Kiev and engaged Post by: exlabman on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM Returned from Kiev on Monday after a wonderful trip that introduced me to exactly the kind of lady I was seeking. The success of my trip was due to the increadable help I received from Jack Bragg in the US and his Kiev manager, Galina, who has to be at the top of anybodys match-maker list.
Just a few short bits of information that may be of interest. Starting in late May or early June the K-1 interviews for Ukraine women will be held in Kiev. This was confirmed to me by the American Citizen Services Office at the US Embassy. Last year the Warsaw Embassy processed 1900 marriage visas for Ukraine. More to follow in a few days. Larry Title: Hey Larry Post by: thesearch on May 02, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
congratulations to you both. How young a lady did you end up asking to be your bride if I might ask. How long had you corresponded with her? Greg Title: For those inquiring minds......and skeptics.... Post by: exlabman on May 05, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hey Larry, posted by thesearch on May 2, 2003
that want to know.....Her name is Elena. She is 46, a school teacher with two degrees, teaches dance( ballroom and folk) and geography, has a 21 yr old son. I had Galina send her a registered letter before my trip after finding her profile on First Dream. I received a wonderful lengthy reply from her when I arrived in Kiev. I invited her to meet me in Kiev and she did. She intended to stay 2 days and stayed 9...need I say more. She is beautiful, caring, down to earth, and will make my life more enjoyable as I will hers. The neat part was that Galina knew this lady and told me from the very first day that this was the right lady for me and was she ever right. Oh yes, I met three other ladies before meeting Elena. they were all wonderful but when I saw Elena( at 5 am in the train station by the way)the energy flew from her heart to mine right through her ice blue eyes.For the skeptics take it for what it is worth.... Larry Title: Re: For those inquiring minds......and skeptics.... Post by: Globetrotter on May 05, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to For those inquiring minds......and skept..., posted by exlabman on May 5, 2003
No one doubts your sincerity or your desire to do everything humanly possible to make it a go, and most would applaud your audacity. It is only your judgement that some would question. Still, best of luck. Title: If I read... Post by: LP on May 02, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hey Larry, posted by thesearch on May 2, 2003
...his post correctly, he was introduced to her during his trip. I guess thats long enough huh? ;-) Title: Re: If I read... Post by: Globetrotter on May 03, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to If I read..., posted by LP on May 2, 2003
I guess even lots of silver whiskers doesn't make one a smart person. She's probably thinking...retiree with a pension, social security check as well, lots of time, and a boat ride...why not. He's probably thinking...meetum, marryum, and tomorrow never comes. Title: I'm Okay, You're Okay, Exlabman's Okay Post by: Scaught on May 03, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: If I read..., posted by Globetrotter on May 3, 2003
I don't want to disparage Exlabman's boldness, although I know neither of us would recommend it. We have to face the fact that for I don't know how large a percentage of people here (it's high, I think), MOB is taken fairly literally-- you pick a girl out of a catalogue (and looking at a thread above, much more attention and logic is spent towards choosing a good dog from the kennel) and there's really not much more than that before the wedding bells. (This is not to say that exlabman himself didn't give this endeavor a great deal of thought, and not to say that a good dog can't add positively to the quality of one's life.) The relationship in many MOB cases, for better or worse, begins after marriage. I wish everyone the best luck as it is true there are no guarantees in any relationship, no matter how well it starts. I feel I have done the right thing for me. Forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but personally I don't see the hurry. If she finds someone else during a courship period, you are better off being without someone like her, and she saved you years of misery down the road. I am afraid of making a big mistake and this is why I have been visiting and talking on the phone with this one lady for over two years. She should be here within several months and I am glad we took our time. After all this, I don't know if we will get married. It depends on how she adjusts and, mainly, how we get along together over just a few more months together (fiancee visa requirements). I would like to say that maybe my odds of having a lasting and successful relationship will be improved because of all this time and effort, but I really don't know. It's just more comfortable at different levels now than when we first met. When Exlabman might be celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary, I might be in divorce court, drained, bitter, and a mere shadow of my former self. (Insert organ music here, heavy on vibrato...) Title: Congrats ;-) n/t Post by: Yeahbaby on May 02, 2003, 04:00:00 AM Title: Re: Back from Kiev and engaged Post by: svanos1 on May 02, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
Larry, Marry her there and get her here much quicker! Do a Direct Consular Filing. Title: Congratulation!!!!...Jack & Galina kick culo!!... Post by: Frank O on May 01, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
Congratulations!!! I'll be going over there next month. Early next month. I was supposed to be there last week this month but got hit HARD by the IRS! Galina is wonderful to work with in Kiev. I ran an ad through First Dream & I am OVERWHELMED with responses. Not bad for a long haired, leather wearing, musician!! LOL!!! Who would have thought. Anyways I'm very happy for you. I hope THIS next trip I will returned engaged as well. I have a good feeling about this second trip. Last trip I got sideswiped but I'm a LOT more prepared this time. Was this your first trip? Are you going to poast a trip report? Title: Re: Change in location of Visa Processing in FSU Post by: NW Jim on May 01, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
Larry, I couldn't find any official confirmation of your info, but was able to find the following information from the US Embassy in Moscow which does indicate that the US will be decentralizing immigrant visa processing in the FSU. Decentralization of immigrant visa processing that was previously done in Moscow: Immigrant visas for Kazakhstan residents, will be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty as of March 1, 2003. Immigrant visas for residents of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic will be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty as of August 1, 2003. U.S. immigrant visas for residents of Republic of Georgia will be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi as of May 1, 2003 Immigrant visas for residents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi as of October 1, 2003. Title: I spoke to embassy in Kiev.........n/t Post by: exlabman on May 01, 2003, 04:00:00 AM Title: Pros and Cons... Post by: tfcrew on May 01, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
Previously, visas either way were not required for Warsaw. Also, I liked Warsaw. Big as it is, things there were simple for me. I never was in Kiev. My wife was born there. If they would only dispence with the Ukraine visa requirement..... Karl Title: Congratulations! Post by: John K on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
About time on the K1 interviews. I lost valuable months when I told the INS that Marina's interview site was Kiev. It sat in the Kiev embassy for months, until I found out what happened. Once I contacted Warsaw about it, it was there in a few weeks. Still, I was a bit irritated. Best of luck in the future, Larry. We're all very happy for you. Title: Re: Back from Kiev and engaged Post by: Scaught on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
Thank you for the info about changes in visa processing-- my fiancee's case is now in the hands of the embassy in Warsaw; no interview is yet scheduled. Will her interview be held in Kiev, not Warsaw? Is this info on some official website somewhere. Please let me know-- Scaught Title: Re: Re: Back from Kiev and engaged Post by: exlabman on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by Scaught on Apr 30, 2003
I was told by the embassy that we should continue to put Warsaw on the form and they would automatically change it to Kiev when they start in Kiev. Poland is requiring Ukraine citizens to get a visa to go to Poland starting July 1st and since Ukraine applications were 40% of Warsaw's work load they decided it was time to beef up the staff in Kiev and do the work there. I found the info in a Feb. copy of the Kiev Post newspaper that was in a drawer in my flat and then called the embassy to confirm it. They transferred the head of that section in Warsaw to Kiev about 9 months ago to get it all up and running. Title: Re: Re: Re: Back from Kiev and engaged Post by: TomTx on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Re: Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
I read that same artical you are speaking, it was reference Poland becoming part of the "EU", I wrote many news papers in Kiev even the Kiev Post, and not one could confirm what you and I read. I also sent an e-mail to Warsaw and they could not give me an correct answer. So today I e-mailed them again and asked the same question that you stated. No answer yet, but as soon as I receive a response I will post it here. I been following the story of Poland coming part of the EU on July 1st since Oct 2002, and as of today the deal is not closed yet, so I don't think it will happen July 1st, maybe in 2004. I would as you recommend continue to put Warsaw down in your applications until futher notice, if they do change over they will tell your lady in Packet 4 where the interview will be. This is only my .002 cents, and my understanding. TomTx Title: Re: Back from Kiev and engaged Post by: TomTx on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
I am interested in finding more information about the "Interview Process" you speak about, are you saying that ladies will NOT go to Poland for there interview? And do you have a link to this information. Thanks, and congrad on your engagement.. TomTx Title: Congratulations! Post by: DanM on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Back from Kiev and engaged, posted by exlabman on Apr 30, 2003
I look forward to your upcoming posts. Title: Re: Congratulations! Post by: hockeybrain on April 30, 2003, 04:00:00 AM Title: make that three :) n/t Post by: thesearch on May 02, 2003, 04:00:00 AM |