Bringing her Home

[JimmyUSA]

To all my board friends,

I finally came back home to the USA. This is Jimmy from Ukraine. I had to open a new account due to the change in location.  I would like to post as Jimmy again if Patrick can see fit to make the change.  I didn't know how to continue to post as Jimmy since it would not allow me to use the new ISP and the same name Jimmy.

It was very difficult to leave Elena behind.  I had no choice.  I was somewhat undecided on what to do with either bringing her here and marrying her or going back to Ukraine and marrying her there.   This short two week separation has made up my mind.  I will bring her here and then maybe we will go back to Kiev and live there.  Some reasons come to mind after I came back home that may prompt me to go back to Ukraine.  I think the K-1 visa is the fastest way to get her here.

I will need all the help I can get because many of you know the process and unfortunately I am have not processed a K-1 before.  I just started working on the paperwork and will complete it this week.  I have all the necessary documents, police reports, divorce papers, Passport copies, etc.  I will be asking many stupid questions and I hope you have the time to answer me.

I don't know where the future will take me and I didn't think I would love a woman again as much as I love Elena.  Remember we lived together for a year.  This two weeks without her is very difficult.  It's like my right arm is gone.  We use the Internet daily on AOL IM and I talk to her on the phone also.  I really miss her.  I would appreciate any help from all you experts on the K-1 visa process.  I know some but not enough.  I thank you all for your help in advance.

Best Regards,

Jimmy
USA

[John K]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

It will require at least 2 years of residency here in the US for Elena, probably more.  The only way she can get home, until she gets her green card, is through advanced parole.  Advanced parole is only temporary though, and I'm not sure how long she can stay in Ukraine.  Marina was really pushing it to stay 2 1/2 months.  Plus, I've heard in some cases that advanced parole can really wreak havoc with INS approval for a green card.  I suspect that the advanced parole was abused in these cases, but I do not know for certain.

If you are looking at going back to Ukraine, I suggest that the two of you wait and you marry in Ukraine then.  You can then file for a marriage visa at the American Embassy.  You may have to go to the one in Warsaw, however, as I've heard the one in Kiev is only to assist Americans.  Do your research ahead of time and you'll save yourself a lot of grief.

Hope this helps...

[Oatmeal]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

Just curious, but what about some previous statments about not wanting to live in Ukraine due to the difference in standard of living.

What changed your mind about that?  Was your perception of the US skewed because you were away from an extended period of time or maybe you just realized it was not so bad after you left and finally came home.

I was just curious what changed your stance on where you would like to live.

P.S.  welcome home and good luck to you and your soon to be.

Jim B.

[JimmyUSA]

... in response to Re: What about previous statements..., posted by Oatmeal on Feb 25, 2002

You are right about my previous statements but something happened to me here recently that helped me realize the difference between  US and Ukraine.  I got involved or was a victim of what you might say was US road rage recently and it made me realize some things about Ukraine and all the driving I did there and many instances where people were patient, polite, and non-confrontational.  It amazed me when I got there and observed the people that were willing to give way and maintain  control of their emotions.  This young man in the US burst into a rage, ranting and  raving about me following him too close and threatened me bodily harm.  In all the driving I did in Ukraine I never saw one instance of anyone upset or giving vulgar sign language.  I never saw it one time.   And believe me if you have ever been to Kiev you will see some very bad traffic.  Kiev will need to build many new highways and improve the ones they have if the population of vehicles continue to increase.

So, yes I have been doing some comparing and have forgotten some things that now are coming back to mind.  I think we have a wonderful country.  I just think our behavior as people and respect given to authority needs some work.  I may live in Kiev or somewhere else so a period of time and maybe the US.  I don't think it is beyond going back and forth between the two countries.  We will see.  Thanks for your observation.

Best Regards,

Jimmy
USA

[thesearch]

... in response to Re: Re: What about previous statements....., posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 25, 2002

I was curious about the same question.

Can I ask you this - was the driving such in Ukraine that people tend to follow close? - and if so (even though not warrented response by the other driver) were you driving to close from learned behavior or were you really not that close - just being behind a weirdo?

That person's behavior is a reflection of stress. Interesting - economic stress there way beyond what we have yet people according to you are having more troubles coping with stress (based upon public actions as a determining guide)  here in the USA.

Just a few weeks ago, I pulled onto a road from a side road whereby the speed limit was 25. The car coming my way was some distance and I became amazed as I pulled onto the road that the car was right on my tail. The lady driver had to be speeding by quite a bit to arrive at my tail in such a short time. I was by this time doing about 28 mph. She started flashing her lights at me and flipped me the finger!

So, I know what you mean about people in their cars over here. A lot of people here in the USA are not coping well.

So, it is not so much the economy that is the problem - humans - many just do not do well regardless of where they live and they will always find a reason to be upset and unhappy regardless of where they are. I suppose at some level the better life is relative to opportunity - the more one has to search for something to be upset about.

[JimmyUSA]

... in response to Hi Jimmy, posted by thesearch on Feb 25, 2002

I will tell you that I did not think I was following the car that close.  In Ukraine they have a totally different attitude.  It is aggressive driving but yet polite if you know what I mean. If you are driving slow you are expected to give way and allow the faster cars to pass and they will.  It is very different attitude towards driving and I think the Russian drivers are some of the best in the world.  I will tell you that there is not many woman drivers and I think that contributes to the good driving.  I am sure that many women will not agree with me but so be it.  I would rather deal with  a bunch of men drivers than some unpredictable woman drivers.  Also elderly don't drive in Ukraine.

Yes, America is stressed out and that's why they are all dying of heart attacks and other stress related dieases.  I would rather live my life without stress and have a few more years added on.

I hope to someday return to Kiev and live.  I know that goes against what I said before but with every new day here in US I am getting more and more disgusted with the way we have beoome.  My stess level is going up and up and I don't think I can take much more.  I pity those of you in big cities since I live in a small country town but this is almost too much for me.  We will see where it all takes me.  I hope it is good.

Best Regards,

Jimmy
USA

[thesearch]

... in response to Re: Hi Jimmy, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 26, 2002

Jimmy,

Being away for a fair amount of time can have an impact that is hard to tell until you return home. I am fascinated by you response. I can not help but wonder how many people from the USA would have your same response? My gut reaction is that not many but, obviously that is only a preconceived notion. Also the fact that you live in the country as apposed to the city would make the transition easier (less stressful) one would think - adds even another interesting side to the equation. Could it be that missing your other half has affected how you view things? It will be interesting to hear how things unfold for you.

Good luck to you both and please do continue to post.

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

Ahh, that absence thing! But I sure you miss her when she is 10 feet away. Best of luck!

Steve

[greg2]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

Good luck with everything

[John F]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

Hi Jimmy, welcome home!

I sent our K1 papers to the Texas INS center (TSC) in August, 1999 and Irina's interview in Warsaw was in January, 2000.  That can seem like a lifetime apart.

Just this year INS implemented the K3 visa.  As I understand it, this is basically similar to the K1 visa except you can bring your fiancee here to wait instead of having to be apart.  You may want to look into the K3.

I will be happy to offer any help I can.

Good luck!

John

[tim360z]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

but as they say,  "Home is where the heart is".  It seems in the last 2 weeks you found where your heart is,  best wishes and it was always a pleasure to read your posts from Ukraine.  I am sure you will find all the info you need on this board,  Best luck,  Tim

[Sean T]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

Hi Jimmy:

I'm happy to hear that you and Elena have worked out so well. If you recall, I told you that you two look very good together - and you do. I drink to your health, happiness and good luck. It's a shame we never got a chance meet in Kiev. Lena and I and my father are going to Kiev and then Odessa in June. My pop will see Odessa and meet Lena's parents.

My Lena and I finally got married a week and a half ago - Valentine's Day. It was an interesting ceremony - trilingual. It was a Hungarian language civil ceremony... translated into English and also into Russian. When my turn came confirm my vows, I said "Igen... Da... Yes". Everyone smiled at that. It was a nice day. Now we've got to file an I-130 for an immigration visa through the Budapest embassy. That should be interesting... because I don't live in the USA at the moment and figure I'll be here for a while longer.

Life is good... Lena's here right now... playing with one of our cats. In the big picture it doesn't get much better than this.

Anyway... my best to you and Elena.

Sean

[JimmyUSA]

... in response to Re: Bringing her Home, posted by Sean T on Feb 24, 2002

Sean,

It truly was a shame we could not of met in Kiev but it's not over yet.  I will go there many more times in the future and I hope Budapest.  I and Elena spent our last week together in Hurghada, Egypt on the Red Sea.  We stayed at the Marriott and had a great time.  I can tell you it took our mind off me going back home. Right now it hurts to be without her.  I didn't realize how much I loved her and need her.  We will meet you someday in Kiev or somewhere else in Ukraine.  I think I will plan to have an apartment there or elsewhere in Europe.  I want to stay close to her family.  I want to marry her here but I think in all we will spend much time in Ukriane.  I have many friends there and I want more.

I am glad you got married to your Elena.  I only wish I could have been at your wedding.  Your description of it touched my soft spot.  I hope you the very best of life with her.  I am sure she is a real sweetie.  Write to my email and let me know the phone numbers again since I have lost them.  I will meet up with you someday.

Best Regards,

Jimmy
USA

[DE]

... in response to Bringing her Home, posted by JimmyUSA on Feb 24, 2002

Enjoyed your posts from Ukraine and hope you continue while your back.  Good luck with the K-1 process!  You definately did it the right way by spending the time there.