Congrats to Gator and his Woman...

[BillyB]

I wish you many years of happiness Phil and Sabina!

[viking]

Congratulations to both you Sabina. You are now next in line for the OMB title.

[Gator]

Thanks everyone for the kind wishes.  Many of you have known me through RW boards for over 5 years.

Adjustment is continuing to progress on a FAST TRACK.

Sabina has passed her written test and the driving test to receive her driver’s license.  One problem – it expires in one month because she does not have permanent residence!

She has now applied for adjustment of status, and as soon as she gets a receipt from the BCIS, she will be able to obtain a license for six months.  Hopefully by the end of six months she will have been approved for permanent residence.  By the way, the filing fees for Adjustment of Status were $1010 for her and $600 for each of her two children.

This week she received her social security number.  Now we need to file for the children.


There is little free time.  If not doing something on my “To Do” list (which never gets shorter), we are exploring the Tampa area or shopping.  The kids and Sabina enjoy Busch gardens and a water park – and Florida residents get an annual pass for the price of one admission.  Ft. Desoto Park is one of the best beaches in America, and she insists on going there weekly (she has driven the one-hour trip twice without me while I was playing golf). 

Most important, Sabina is making friends with women her age.  One young AW has taken her under her wing and is introducing her to a larger social circle.  She has met another Russian, a divorced and cheerful dental assistant.  Earlier she met Simoni’s woman and the two have much to share.

We went to a neighborhood party and she was shocked when I just walked in even though I did not know the host and hostess.  The neighborhood women were neighborly yet seemed wary of her.  No one offered to do something with her.  Sabina’s comments were priceless.  Someone introduced her to another “Russian”, who turned out to be from Croatia.  Sabina and the Croat had little in common and talked for only about 20 seconds before parting and never talking again.

Not being in school, the children have not made as many friends.  The daughter has a couple of friends while the son complains that he has no friends.  Keeping them occupied is not difficult, however.  They are good kids and a pleasure to be with.

[Ade]

A belated congratulations Gator.

It's nice to see someone that actually had the sense to have a prolonged relationship with a FSUW before getting married. 

I'm curious how your life and the adjustment is going...

[Gator]

I'm curious how your life and the adjustment is going...

A quick response off the top of my head.   There are four adjustments:

Her to American ways - Institutional (driver's license, banking, kids' schooling, etc.),  language, lifestyle (food, etc.), healthcare, etc.  Everything is progressing well with her.  She is a quick learner and is committed to the move to America.  She is accepting of everything except our measurement system (do not blame her).  Her son is struggling with required summer reading.  Her daughter has one of those personalities that lights up the room so much that I have no doubts about her success in life.

The two of us to each other - This will take time even though we have known each other for 6 years.  Both of us have strong personalities; however, this is moderated by excellent communication.  Because there are three of them, I probably have protested the most.  Not helping is the fact that I was a bachelor for 7 years, living alone excluding one adult son.

Developing a social network (friends) - She has made one good American friend her age and has met three RW her age (one who calls her 2-3 times per day).  Most of my friends are my age which is not helping.  She anticipates making friends her age at her children's schools; however, I remind her that AW have children at an older age than RW.  We will see.

Her brand new life for the long term - This concerns her the most.  Hobbies are helping to occupy her time, yet she wants to do something in business even though she has little business experience in America.  She has a lot of drive and ambition.  She expects me to show her the way, even though much of this will take a long learning period.   Initially, she is improving her English via programs at the nearby university.  Next will come some type of introductory job to learn about American business from the employee perspective.  She is talking with RW who have been here for a few years, and their experience is discouraging.  One does not simply walk into America and take over.  This will take patience and mentoring from me.

[steviej]

A quick response off the top of my head.   There are four adjustments:

Her to American ways - Institutional (driver's license, banking, kids' schooling, etc.),  language, lifestyle (food, etc.), healthcare, etc.  Everything is progressing well with her.  She is a quick learner and is committed to the move to America.  She is accepting of everything except our measurement system (do not blame her).  Her son is struggling with required summer reading.  Her daughter has one of those personalities that lights up the room so much that I have no doubts about her success in life.

The two of us to each other - This will take time even though we have known each other for 6 years.  Both of us have strong personalities; however, this is moderated by excellent communication.  Because there are three of them, I probably have protested the most.  Not helping is the fact that I was a bachelor for 7 years, living alone excluding one adult son.

Developing a social network (friends) - She has made one good American friend her age and has met three RW her age (one who calls her 2-3 times per day).  Most of my friends are my age which is not helping.  She anticipates making friends her age at her children's schools; however, I remind her that AW have children at an older age than RW.  We will see.

Her brand new life for the long term - This concerns her the most.  Hobbies are helping to occupy her time, yet she wants to do something in business even though she has little business experience in America.  She has a lot of drive and ambition.  She expects me to show her the way, even though much of this will take a long learning period.   Initially, she is improving her English via programs at the nearby university.  Next will come some type of introductory job to learn about American business from the employee perspective.  She is talking with RW who have been here for a few years, and their experience is discouraging.  One does not simply walk into America and take over.  This will take patience and mentoring from me.

Great note, Gator. Very interesting. The husbands of my wife's friends are indeed younger than me. Doesn't seem to be a problem or issue. We have a good time. You are an interesting guy Gator. They will enjoy that.

[Maxx2]

I missed this. Probably because I usually stay away from happy people  and their section...

Congratulations Phil on your wedding! You do give me hope! Thanks.


Maxx

[ecr844]

Congrats Phil and Sabina!!!!