Greetings and Hello!

[He HATO]

Hello all,

     I was introduced to this website by ECOCKS... I am in the K-1 Process with my Ukrainian Fiancee' (Although don't tell her she is Ukrainian...lol...she is RUSSIAN!.  I am 34 and she is 33, I met her while in Ukraine with the US Marine Corps in Crimea in 2006. Which is the overall theme for my name here  "He HATO".  Everyone in Crimea thought we (the Marines) were Nato.  We Weren't... So... He Hato.

     Since then we have been "dating" All be it long distance.  She has a boy who is 10 (or will be in Nov)  Neither of us had thought about having a 'cross culture' relationship till we met each other.  I am a Firefighter/EMT and she is a Nurse, so we have some commonality in that respect.  In the three years we have been 'dating' we have learned quite a lot about each other, and I have met most of the people in her family having traveled there a few times.  I think her family is really great, and for the most part, they are supportive of our relationship.  I say "for the most part" because, of course they are worried about her moving so far away, etc.  Things between Her and I are very good, and I feel very confident they are genuine on her part.  She rarely asks for money, and if she does, she apologizes profusely...I ask "how much"  her answer...100 UAH... what for I ask?  Internet, English, on occasion she asked for money for shoes...  So no biggie there, it has never been an overwhelming amount, and I am not really worried about it, and not really looking for feedback on this 'non issue'.  Just giving everyone the details on me so you know who you are chatting with.  She lives with her mom and son near the Black Sea.  I prefer not to give out her name, nor her location, nor my real name for that matter.  I have my reasons, and that is all you all here need to know  If we become 'friends', you will get the story and names eventually..till then  a smile to you!  

     I will be moving to the Savannah, Georgia area soon ( I live in Atlanta Area Currently) and we will be living there.  Thus, if anyone lives in "the low country", please feel free to say hi, and send an Extra PM, I would love to meet you.

     I have a few concerns and questions, many of which I have looked up here, and I would appreciate your FACT-FULL feedback.  I have been on many other types of forums, and I must say, speculation on forums can get really silly, really fast  So, I will post in the appropriate sections, and ask away.  You all seem like a swell group, and I look forward to talking with you all here

[BC]

Welcome!

Sounds like you are well on the right track, at least horse before cart drawing at a normal pace which is great.

Don't worry about the money stuff.. IIRC the commandment applies to sending money to people you haven't met..

Cheers~

[GoodOlBoy]

Welcome to RWD HH.

So you know "ECOCKS"?......we won't hold it against you!* 

Bringing a FSUW to the GoodOl' USA is a challenge, BUT.....Bringing a "ready made" family is really an awesome responsibility to tackle.

Hats off to you!

If you have any questions, just ask.

Good luck on your "journey".


GOB


* (just kidding ECOCKS)

[Faux Pas]

Welcome He HATO!

Glad to have another Cracker around! I was raised in Georgia. Actually, not too far from Savannah. After living in Atlanta is a safe bet you are going to love it there. You are not a fan of that trade school on North Avenue are you?  :evil:

I know you you weren't looking for feedback but, after a 3 year relationship, you probably should have sent the girl some money. 

[He HATO]

Welcome He HATO!

Glad to have another Cracker around! I was raised in Georgia. Actually, not too far from Savannah. After living in Atlanta is a safe bet you are going to love it there. You are not a fan of that trade school on North Avenue are you?  :evil:

I know you you weren't looking for feedback but, after a 3 year relationship, you probably should have sent the girl some money. 

Ha..the trade School on North Ave..  I send her some... I work as a FF, so funds I can send are limited... Plus I need to save to bring her here

[krimster]

semper fi 'bro,

   you musta been in SeaBreeze-2006.  A lot of the people protestin' were paid by a local crimean political group funded by Moscow, have some great photos, my favorite story was when some of your equipment was ripped off, the Russian TV announcer translated the label on the case into Russian as "Toxic Material" and inferred that it was a nuclear weapon.  Turns out the case held 2-liter coke bottles - which Russians will gladly tell you is the most toxic stuff in the world.  of course, since Operation Sea-Breeze happened every year in Crimea, previous years had no public response at all.

Since I was an American living right next to a Russian military base, had an office full of computers, etc, I musta been a "spyon" right?  Was interviewed by a Russian "journalist", who asked me about America's "intentions" towards Crimea.  Ohh yes, I said, America has deep military involvement in Crimea, the journalist's eyes began to expand in alarm.  Why sure, a group of American Army doctors served on the front-line field hospitals in the Crimean war on the Russian side, didn't you know that, another group of Americans cleared Sevastopol's harbor of wrecked ships after the Crimean war, we're talking deep involvement here.  Then of course there was the time the US Navy sent the destroyer the USS Whipple to Sevastopol and trained her guns toward the shore.  The Russian appeared to be in a deep state of distress.  Sure, the USS Whipple arrived in Sevastopol on Nov. 14, 1920, and due to her armed presence, thousands of "White" Russians, many of whom were wounded Army officers were safely evacuated.  Those who weren't evacuated now reside in a mass grave in Alushta. Golly, American sailors saving the lives of Russian soldiers, can't have that now can we!

Sounds to me you're on the right track, and though the process is not effortless is well worth it, couple of years from now, you'll be the expert answering newbie questions

[myrddin]

Welcome, He HATO!


Nope, no speculation on RWD at all!  (Um, maybe you should avoid certain threads...  )

Sounds like you're exploring/explored the archives, lots of good stuff there.  If you don't find something there, you will get answers to your questions and concerns.  Most of us mean well 

[He HATO]

semper fi 'bro,

   you musta been in SeaBreeze-2006.  A lot of the people protestin' were paid by a local crimean political group funded by Moscow, have some great photos, my favorite story was when some of your equipment was ripped off, the Russian TV announcer translated the label on the case into Russian as "Toxic Material" and inferred that it was a nuclear weapon.  Turns out the case held 2-liter coke bottles - which Russians will gladly tell you is the most toxic stuff in the world.  of course, since Operation Sea-Breeze happened every year in Crimea, previous years had no public response at all.

Yep. Operation SeaBreeze.. I was there A lot of fun, and some good protests.... Maybe I'll post some pics some time

[Faux Pas]

Ha..the trade School on North Ave.. 

I understand there was a rush on season tickets this year. All 121 fans bought their tickets early

[BillyB]

   and I would appreciate your FACT-FULL feedback.  

Welcome He HATO,

You and your fiancee are at the point in your relationship where she should not need to ask for money for internet and basic needs. Don't spoil her but take care of her.

[Sailor291]

I was in Chernovtsy visiting with in-laws and watching on the news when all of those protest were happening.  I am glad to see that something positive came out of it.  I wish you all 3 much happiness.  If ever in the DFW area, look me up.

[He HATO]

Welcome He HATO,

You and your fiancee are at the point in your relationship where she should not need to ask for money for internet and basic needs. Don't spoil her but take care of her.

Thanks for your input...I think we are doing well   I only wish I could do more than I do for her! 

[Tamara]

Не НАТО,

Welcome to the forum and I'll be happy to answer any of the questions. Just ask. I visited Savannah less than a year ago as I lived and worked in South Carolina. It is a charming place.    Atalanta is another city I have been to many times as Yokogawa has one of the plants in its area, which I had to visit a number of times for work.

And thank you for explaining your nickname here. The first question that popped up in my head was: Why such a nickname?

Best of luck to you!

[olena]

I lived in Savannah for almost 2 years.... Nice city.... but I didn't like the climate...too hot and too humid...
Well, it's Georgia...

[Kunstkammer]

I was stationed at Fort Stewart GA in the late 90's.  While it was better than HinesVegas (Hinesville) I didn't care much for the city, other than the restaurants on River Street.

[BillyB]

I was stationed at Fort Stewart GA in the late 90's. 

Seems like a lot of posters here have crossed paths but at different times.

Ft. Stewart is not too far from Savannah. I was stationed there in the early 90's. The place was hard core mechanized infantry. Just about very officer there was West Point educated. Guys like Norman Schwarzkopf commander of Desert Storm at one time ran the division as a two star. I went to Ft. Bragg afterwards and it was a more relaxing atmosphere.

[ECOCKS]

Well, you've met a lot of the gang it seems. Glad to have you aboard!

Don't hesitate to ask and listen close to what you get, there's all kinds of information here.

See you in the chatroom and on te boards!

Ed

[He HATO]

Thanks everyone for your well wishes thus far!  I look forward to conversing with you all in the near future

[JR]

Welcome and let the festivities begin !

[He HATO]

OK, I will be moving to the Beaufort SC Area...I got a job offer there too, I prefer that job better...  As far as Katya.. we are 30-45 days out from her arrival