But I am annoyed.  

Ok, let me backtrack a bit.  I have a blog for my daughter {kinda like a baby book for her} documenting all of her growth, stories, and photos.  TONS of photos.  I plan to make it into a book for her to have as an adult.  It is a PRIVATE blog, for only friends and family.  I have set it so it wont come up on google, and it has a password.  

Well me being the freethinker I am, allow my ONE year old daughter to romp on the beach and in the house nakey.  As a matter of fact she is naked 99% of the time.  It’s so HOT here and well, it’s probably the only time in life we can run around naked without being judged. {I wish I could join her!} 

Well apparently NOT.

My sister-in-law seems to think different. {yes she looks at Malu’s blog and NO I don’t post photos with her VAG showing, if you were wondering.  But yes, some naked photos.}  

She makes a point to tell my husband EVERY time they talk on the phone that we shouldn’t let Malu run around naked.  That we should at least put undies on her. Her theory is, that it is dangerous.  That she heard a story in school of a girl that had a caterpillar crawl up her bum.  

WTF?!?!  

Ok, I know it can happen. But seriously how often do you think a doctor sees a patient with a caterpillar in their bum?!?  {Danielle, your boyfriend is a going to med school, ask him for us!!}  I mean if it’s about that, a caterpillar could just as well crawl in your ear or nose.  

So then in turn, my husband comes to me and says we should put undies on Malu more often. {and this came after telling me I should spray our whole room down with Raid bug spray, clothes and all, because of some bugs in the room.  Arrrgghh!}

I told him that I think his sister has some serious issues with nakedness and it’s not really about a caterpillar crawling up her bum.  I just think it may be that us in the US are a little more laid back about nakedness in general.  

Which may seem strange coming from a country like Brazil, when you go to the beach and see every woman wearing practically nothing but a string in her bum. But god forbid you should flash a boob, or let your 1 year old run naked, you may get the evil eye.  Or better yet, a scolding from your sister-in-law.  

Arrghhh!!  

What do you think on nakedness?  How were you raised with it in your household?

**{{Yes, I know that in this world lurks perverted people as well, that like to look at children.  That is why my eye never leaves Malu on the beach and in a years time she will be in a bikini.}}**

Beijos, Tanya 

Pssttt .. stay posted for Writer’s Block Wednesday tomorrow.  I have some great photos to show you.  And no, they are NOT naked ones!

We then started to do a bit of research about getting his visa to the USA.  Of course, I had already applied for my visa here in Brazil but I will save that story for another time. We found many sites and community forums {which I will list below}  From there and based upon what we read, we thought it would be wise to start the process right away, as it would take a good bit of time.  {we never thought it would take 2 years though}  

First let me note a few things {to my knowledge} on filing for an Immigrant Visa to the USA.  You need to be married {here in Brazil is fine} first, or engaged.  If you are engaged you need to file for a fiance visa and marry within 6 months of arriving in the USA.  You {the US citizen} can either file your petition here {for your spouse} at the US Consulate {I believe the Consulate in Rio is the only one that deals with Immigrant Visas}  or print out the petition online from the US Immigration website {listed below}  and mail it to the USA and file from the USA.  Or you can go to the US {like I did}  hire a lawyer, like a did {stupid move, more on that later} and file from there.  From what I heard from others, it’s faster if you file through the US Consulate here in Brazil, but I wouldn’t know anything about that personally, as we did not go that route.  

Back to the process.  So after we married in July and did research, in August we went online and printed the CR1 Immigrant Visa application and filled it out.  We got all our required documents together.  If I can remember correctly that included our marriage certificate from Brazil {translated into English.  Remember all documents must be translated into English by an official, notarized translator before submitting documents.  You must submit the original document and translated document.  This part gets pricey.  I think in total we spent around R$600.00-800.00 translating documents *gasp*}  Both our birth certificates, our lease from our apartment here in Brazil {as a proof of our union, but you may also use bank statements or official testaments from friends}  and I think that was about it.  I may have missed something, but on the Immigrant visa website, it gives you all the info you need.  I will list it below.  One reason why we chose to file outside of Brazil was for the fact of getting around the “setting up domicile” part when he did get the visa.  As neither of us had jobs in the US and this could get a bit tricky.  You can read all about that on the site as well.  

In September of 2007 I went to NYC alone, took all our paperwork, application, application fees, found a lawyer, and started the process.  In October 2007, the lawyer sent out our application for his green card petition from NYC.  We chose to get a lawyer because I heard that the US Govt.  can be a real pain in the ass with the applications.  So if you check male instead of female on your application, and they catch it, your paperwork gets sent back and the process starts all over again.  We thought it would be wise to have a dumb idiot  professional lawyer, whom deals with this daily to check over all our things before sending out.  She ended up being a nightmare and I ended up doing all the research myself and correcting her work on various occasions.  Not the greatest experience.  Maybe we just picked a bad one, who knows, but it did cost us $2,000.00 for her fee.  *ouch*   If I did it again, I would do it on my own.  There really are so many resources out there to help you along the way.   

In March 2008 we heard from the Visa Center that his petition was approved and we could go ahead and file the second application and pay more fees.  We did this and waited, and waited and waited.  My memory is a bit hazy now on all the exact steps but I know after the second application was filed we waited quite a bit of time. Then in December 2008 we were given the go ahead to file our affidavit of support.  This is required by all immigrants going to the USA.  And usually the spouse is the one to do this, but in our case this is where things got tricky.  In this part you need to show your tax returns for the last 3 years and meet the poverty guidelines.  Showing that you can support your spouse, shall they become unemployed and have no income.  Basically so they wont sit back and collect welfare.  And if they do collect welfare and the government catches them, you are responsible {the sponsor}  to pay back the government.  Well for us it was tricky cause I had been living in Brazil for the last few years and not paying US taxes.  So we had to find a co-sponsor.  Which is allowed.  But because of some family issues, no one in my family could do it, and it took us some time to find someone.  In the end we found a great friend of mine to do it… Thank God!  Thanks Samantha!  So she will be responsible for my husband, so to say, until he becomes a Naturalized US Citizen.  Which after 3 years of marriage, coming up this July .. woo hooo .. we can apply!  Now as in responsible for him, not in the sense if he gets sued or in trouble.  Only in the financial sense shall he not find work.  Of course, it will never come to that but with all the people on welfare in the US, I can understand why they do this.  

In June 2009 we sent off those papers and that was the last and final step before his interview.  It was then approved in August 2009 and his case was finished with the Visa Center in the USA, closed and sent to the US Consulate in Rio.  We heard from the Rio Consulate quite quickly following that.  I think within 1 month and his original interview was scheduled for September 31 2009.  But we contacted the Consulate and changed the day of his interview for a later date, November 27, 2009. {which you can do by the way, and they were very cool about it}  We needed a bit more time to do his medical exam.  As that needs to be done before going to the interview, from a US Consulate appointed doctor, here in Brazil.  That cost us another R$600,00.  Then the flight tickets to Rio and oh yeah we had to pay a fee for the affidavit of support application too, I left that out.  So the whole process cost us about $4,000.00 more or less!!!   

The day of the interview.  We woke up early around 5am{let me remind you we had Malu in tow as well, at nearly a year old} nervous and happy at the same time.  We had to bring all documents, photos, emails and such of our relationship.  Basically proof that we are “legit”.  We also were informed to bring Max’s military ID/form, showing proof of his service or exemption, in his case he was exempt from serving. We arrived at 7:20 {call time was 7:45} to a huge line, filed inside the Consulate, was given a number {hint the earlier you get there the quicker you get out, first come, first serve basis}  and told to take a seat.  A very nice lady then called each number in the waiting room area and went through each person’s paperwork making sure all of it was there and in the correct order.  After that we waited another hour and was called into a little room with a window, to then which another nice lady took all our paperwork, interview letter, etc.  The same paperwork that the previous lady had just checked,  we were then told to sit back in the waiting room.  

Another hour passed and then our number got called. {thank goodness for a big toy area and a few other kids, Malu stayed happily busy the whole time}  We went into the small office with Malu.  Sat down in front of this tall, big black man sitting at a desk.  He was of course American, and very nice!  He didn’t speak one word of English with us. Which I might add, I speak Portuguese fluently and love to speak the language, but it’s VERY weird to speak with a fellow American in Portuguese!!!  I guess there is always a first for everything!  He asked if Max spoke English and if I spoke Portuguese.  He asked us if Malu was our daughter, and said she was beautiful.  He asked us our plans of going to the US, when, what we would do upon arriving {which we have no clue. Well kinda, but not really} and then went on to ask us how we met.  Which is a funny story, that I will share another day.  I know a few are interested in hearing.  And that was IT!!!  He then took Max’s fingerprints and said when we left the office to go to the lady at the SEDEX desk to fill out the address to get his port of entry slip and passport mailed to him.  He also informed us that we had 6 months to go to the US and upon entry to the US, Max’s green card would be sent to the address there.   He didn’t ask to see one photo, email or anything regarding Malu {birth certificate, etc} or our marriage.  I was amazed it went soo smoothly and quickly.  Max was sooo nervous.  We left at around 11:30, paid $R60,00 for the SEDEX and were on our way.  2 weeks later he got his passport with his visa stamped inside and a little yellow, sealed envelope {port of entry} which must be left sealed and in perfect condition for his entry into the US in May.  

On a side note :  his visa is a Permanent Immigrant Visa valid for 10 years.  When we applied for the visa we applied for the CR1 {conditional relative visa} which is for persons married less than 2 years.  Which means after 2 years you have to do more paperwork, file more applications and pay more fees.  Also another interview to see if you are still married.  But since the process took so long, and at the time of the interview we had been married for 2 years he will get the IR1 visa {immediate relative visa}  which means no more paperwork, fees, or applications unless he decides to become a citizen!!!! WOO HOO!!  Which he will in July.  But I have heard it’s quite easy, that we have already done the hardest part. Let’s see.  I will be sure to write about it when we do start that process.  And take notes, so this time its clearer in my head!!  

HELPFUL LINKS 

US Government Immigration Site  {tons of helpful info, all downloadable applications and forms you will need to start the process, list of all fees, as well as step by step instructions on how to file.  Also helpful numbers and sites to check out.}  

A few community forums with TONS of helpful info from others going through the same process.  I went to these forums various times throughout our process from little questions or to just read others experiences.  I found more info here than what my lawyer provided us.  I believe some of these are world wide, so if you are not from the US but going through an immigration process somewhere else, you may also find info on these sites.  

Visajourney

Immigration forums

Immihelp

Family based Immigration

I hope this info helps someone, somewhere out there.  I know Danielle wanted to know about some of this info.  She also asked me if she plans to move to the US with her hubby/boyfriend in 2013, when should she file?  Danielle if i were you I would start in about a year.  Give yourself at least 2 years time.  But its never to early to look at the documents you need, start organizing them now, and translating stuff. Its a LOT of friggin paperwork!!!!  

Good Luck to all who endeavor this journey.  It’s a long one, but rewarding in the end! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or comment away! 

***** In no way am I a lawyer, this was written from my experience to help others.  I am not trying to give legal advice, and if you aren’t sure about something you should seek professional advice.  Although I can’t say from experience it worked for me.*****

Beijos, Tanya

Up until now I have kept my blog quite light, avoiding exposure of my personal life.  In light of some recent changes that have taken place and me feeling the need to write about these events, I have changed my mind and decided to write away.  So… the recent changes that have played a part in this….. well, Max got his Visa {greencard} to the USA in December!  After a looong two year journey we thought we would never see the day.  But it has arrived and we were informed we must go to the USA within 6 months of the issuing of the visa, which was December.  What does this mean for our family… yes, we are moving to the USA!!  In April we will go to Rio to spend two weeks with Max’s family and then May 8th we are flying to NYC.  It is our hope to find jobs, settle in with my family and then see where we would like to live.  If we have troubles finding jobs, settling in, etc .. we have already said we will return to Brazil.  As my husband has a good job here, and is leaving on an open-ended agreement, shall we decide to return.  Where does this leave my blog and writing?  Well I have decided to back track a bit, since I just started this blog 6 months ago,after two and half years of already living here.  I have been through a lot of ups and downs and huge experiences here.  I am really feeling the need to write about some of them in hopes of helping another.  And others for the pure, selfish reason of getting them off my chest, kinda like closure in a way.  I also plan to still write about Brazil current events, and all things Brazil related.  I wish to continue Food Friday as well, although I haven’t posted about that in a while, I will continue.   

So what is to come?   Take a look at my brief timeline of events here ..take note, these are only the major events and I will cover various other things.  

• January 2007: Arrive in Brazil
• Feb. 2007:  Met Max
• April 2007: Move to Praia da Pipa with Max
• April 2007: Trip to Bahia 
• May 2007:  My first trip to Rio
• June 2007: A friend arrives from NYC 
• June 2007:  I get stabbed in my neck twice and stomach once, nearly die
• July 2007:  The judicial process starts for my case 
• July 2007:  Max and I get married
• August 2007:  I apply for my Brazilian Visa
• September 2007:  I go to NYC for 3 months
• October 2007:  We apply for Max’s Visa to the USA
• December 2007:  I arrive back in Pipa from the USA 
• March 2008:  My daughter, Malu is concieved
• September 2008:  My sister and best friend come for a visit
• September 2008:  Max and I go to Rio for a visit
• November 2008:  We drop the attempted murder case/s we have in the courts {civil and criminal}
• December 2008:  Malu is born 
• April 2009:  Malu and I go to the USA for 2 months 
• June 2009:  Malu and I return to Pipa
• July 2009:  The Federal Police make a visit to our house to see if our marriage is legit, for my Brazilian Visa
• September 2009:  Max and I go to Rio to baptize Malu 
• November 2009:  We go to Rio for Max’s visa interview at the US Consulate
• December 2009:  Malu turns 1 
• December 2009:  Max gets his visa in the mail
• Feb. 2010:  Max and I  3 year Anniversary
• Soon to come … April 2010:  To Rio for 2 weeks, May 2010:  To the USA 

So these are a just a few stories I will cover.  Please, I would love to hear your input and/or if you are really interested in hearing about something.. comment away.  I want to know what you would like to read about and/or find more interesting.

“Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s” 

So, oh so accordingly as soon as I started this blog I got really sick, as well as my daughter. After 2 days of going to the hospital and many hours spent calming a crying baby and trying to get rest myself, Im finally starting to feel better.  Hence the fact of not writing any new content in the last week.  Now..moving on to what I was saying …. 

In the US Father’s Day is celebrated in June but not here.  Today, we celebrate Father’s Day!  It’s quite rainy and cloudy here, but it doesn’t stop all the ‘nativos’, from a having a big ‘churrasco’ otherwise known as ‘BBQ’.   It’s a pretty common form of celebration here, to gather together the whole family and eat. (Which eating is not what I need to be doing.  I am trying to work off this extra baby fat that I gained during pregnancy.) With that said, my family will not be having ‘churrasco‘.  Due to the fact that we have a ‘cha de bebe’ to attend (baby shower) and well… I just don’t feel great today, still harboring the lingering affects of my cold.  So, with all good intentions in my  mind, I was gonna wake up and make my husband my favorite Father’s Day breakfast, in honor of his first ‘Dia dos Pais’..  and well.. I failed **looks down**  Bad wife.  Just couldn’t get out of bed this morning.  So to Max, .. ‘Feliz Dia dos Pais’ .  You have been a wonderful father to our daughter.  

The Local

So how do you and your family celebrate Father’s Day ?