just wanted to say congrats and i hope all goes well! also in your pic if you look above the volkswagen(?) thats definitely and X5

ha, there is one more black X in kiev now that i moved to this beatiful city

Well, here's an update on the story...
After going to Russia, then Ukraine and then Germany to see Anastasia we're in a situation that's up in the air right now. Not sure where it'll go but we finally got the fiance visa approval in late November after applying in February. We both got to the point where we were so frustrated by the unending wait that we both kind of just gave up. We were great together although she is very high maintenance since her father is very wealthy. We had some issues since a few times I wouldn't buy her expensive clothes in downtown Moscow just for an example. I did buy her 3 pair of very nice jeans in America (lucky brand etc) & gave them to her when we met in Kiev and she liked them very much. But, she still always pushed me to spend money on her. She stated that she wanted to see if I would buy her nice things (yeah, in these very expensive cities) to show her I would give her nice gifts when she would come to America. I tried to explain the devaluation of the dollar and how it was such a poor decision to spend 4 times as much on things there as it would cost in America but she didn't see it that way. She couldn't understand how to be smart about purchasing things since she would just get money from daddy whenever she needed some. I've purposely held off communicating with her for a few months now to see if she has her priorities in order but I doubt that she has. I'll write her soon and see where she is. Everything happens for a reason and there are some VERY pretty gals here in Italy...

Lambeau,

I still think you are better off with a home grown woman.

Marriage is all about two people with different desires and opinions, with a American gal you should have more in common. After the lust you still need to live together.

Thx for the update. Sorry things went south. Better to move on and seek more compatibility.

__________________
Mike F
Current: 2017 Grand Cherokee HEMI
2017 Kawasaki ZX-14r
2017 Harley RG Ultra
2017 Harley Fatboy S

The only problem is finding an American woman who wants to live in Northern Wisconsin!

Well.

Thanks for resurrecting this old thread, that I (as a newb to this site) would have not found otherwise.

The original post sounds like it was written by somebody from the opposite side of my "spectrum"! Same situation. 20+ years in the military (BTW lived in Trieste for few years!), two failed marriages behind me. Living in the remote area of Southwest (ungodly hot in the summer!), but loving the desert, and everything it comes with.

I took couple of years off, went to Europe (where I spent about 20 years of my life either in uniform, or with my parents - also in uniform), and ended up with a girl, 20 years my junior, in Germany. When this grew into more than just a casual encounter, we decided to live together in the States. Didn't go through the "proper" procedure, and she came in the States as a tourist. A year later we got married, visited the Immigration/Naturalization, and a "nice" fellow working over there (from Vietnam!) told me that this can not be done, and a "proper" procedure has to be taken PRIOR to the marriage! After three Purple Hearts, and 20+ years, I was not about to bow down to a Vietnamese refugee (no offense) in the "power position", or an immigration judge from Cuba!

You can imagine what I told them. To make it short,.....my attorneys (I was fortunate after my "stint" in the military, and I own several companies), took care of everything, and we are married now for over seven years.

So I also "imported" my wife. It's just a coincidence that she's from Munich, and that we lived for about a year across the street from BMW museum on "Olympia Centrum", in the old Olympic Village.

Good things come from Munich. We still own the condo on Olympia Centrum, and spend summers in Europe (too hot over here at that time!).

Oh,...she is from a modest family, and I shower her with expensive gifts, to which she frowns. She's a typical German,....she turns a penny few times in her hand before she decides to spend it.

Lucky, I guess.

Can't say I'm Surprised. You can't Purchase Love. Call it Karma for hating on my relationships

Observation 1, Lucky jeans are not luxury. Sevens, Paper Denim and Cloth, Gucci etc are luxury.

You will find someone in Wisconsin but you are right, I doubt a fabulous women would want to live such a place.

Open Your Mind A Bit Lam and Good Things Will Happen. Many Fabulous Women (and I know lots of them) wouldn't put up with one sides views. They may be hot but they have a mind of their own!

Take Some Pictures Of Italy!!

Chin Up!

__________________
The Present:
2014 Audi Q5 TDI Prestige
The Past:
2013 Lexus GS350
2013 VW Golf TDI
2007 BMW X5 4.8i LOADED & Loved
2009 VW Jetta
2008 VW Touareg VR6
2005 BMW X5 3.0i
2005 BMW Z4 3.0i
2004 BMW X5 3.0i
2003 BMW 325i
2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4

Lam,

Despite my previous posts and views of your "traditional" marriage vs. gay marriage, I really want to see you happy. As I also want to see gay couples also happy. -- But that's a different thread.

I'm sorry that things don't seem to be working out. I really don't wish anything but the best for you despite our differences in opinion.

Having lived in NYC, Miami, LA, I have been exposed to many different cultures, religions, etc. It's not fair to stereotype individuals but you must also keep in mind that not everyone has the the same cultural references. Not everyone values things the way Americans do and vice versa.

In my experience, having dated a number of Russian women when I lived in NY, I can tell you, there seems to be a cultural norm regarding certain types monetary issues. Displays of wealth, heavy spending and the desire to be lavished with gifts was quite common.

Does that mean every Russian woman is like that, of course not. But in a society that for so long, had so little, the acquisition and display of wealth, prosperity, etc. has become important.

And she probably wants to know, "If I come to America" and live in Siberia, am I going to be lavished in beautiful things? Or am I going to live some bleak existence with no privilege while my husband buys himself a new pickup truck every year.

But here's the thing, I think you're getting a taste of a future you might not want. Where your paychecks and your credit cards are going to go towards keeping her happy. (Welcome to married life.. LOL..) Where she is not going to be impressed (thanks Michelle) when you get her a new vacuum cleaner for Christmas.

But in the immortal words of the modern day, Greek Philosopher, Eddie Murphy, "Goonie Gu-Gu" "Eddie, what have you done for me lately???"

p.s. - when you find a country where the woman don't want lavish, expensive gifts, regardless of expense, cause they see something shiny, please let me know..

__________________
----------------------------------------------------------

"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss