rona has left 119 comments

rona comments on translate title of tecnologo in English

Thanks guys!!! We're currently using www.wes.org to have her degree evaluated along with a year's work towards her licenciatura at Universidad de San Buenaventura so I think she may be closer to a Bachelor's than she originally thought. Desi, Thanks for sharing your experience with us; my wife feels a lot more encouraged knowing that a fellow Colombian has gone through the process. We'll keep you guys posted.

rona comments on translate title of tecnologo in English

her title is tecnologa de educacion preescolar some of the levels of post secondary education in Colombia are: 1. tecnico, 2. tecnologo, 3. profesional - how would these be recognized/translated in U.S.? Thanks!!

rona comments on importance of family in Hispanic culture

you can still see this behavior - " . . . even 50 years ago in the states, was that American families taught independence, and most people were on their own in their early 20s. Colombian men hang around on mommies coat tails until they are married, and many times after they are married." - in Italian men from the greater NYC area - this sort of mama's boy behavior is not exclusive only to Colombian men.

rona comments on

is that a round-trip direct flight?

rona comments on

. . . every other Monday is a holiday. St. - " fill in the blank " - Day.

rona comments on

. . . you can afford to have somebody cook and clean for you and still have money left to go out.

rona comments on

. . . arepa con huevo & a Kola Roman is your idea of a snack.

rona comments on Let’s light a candle for Latin America without FARC. www.colombiasoyyo.org

. . . how about when the Giants ended the Pats run on Super Bowl championships? -hee hee

rona comments on transferring credits

Thanks for the info.. We're actually in NJ, but you guys have pointed us in the right direction. I'll be starting with our state's Dept. of Education and at least I'll know what to more or less expect. Thanks.

rona comments on HELP!!! Crazy relative won't sponsor niece out of spite!! What are options???!!!!

Just wanted to let you guys in on the final outcome of this situation. My cousin's tourist visa was successfully changed to a student visa while still in school here in the states. Another relative and myself co-sponsored her and it was approved without a hitch. I was pleasantly surprised - and Thank You to PBH and its members for all input on this matter.

rona comments on HELP!!! Crazy relative won't sponsor niece out of spite!! What are options???!!!!

Thanks guys - I see we have bigger issues here. I'll have to get the details on her status at school and make a follow-up post tomorrow - I pray that there is an explanation to all this. Thanks again.

rona comments on HELP!!! Crazy relative won't sponsor niece out of spite!! What are options???!!!!

Besorob - Are you 100% sure of that?

In your statement you say "should not" not "can not"

She is taking classes because of my friend's help as an administrator at a local college and
he helped guide her through the processing and paperwork to permit her to take grad-courses there.

I doubt he would risk his job in that way.

If yours is the case, then we were all unaware and this turns into an entirely different matter.

rona comments on HELP!!! Crazy relative won't sponsor niece out of spite!! What are options???!!!!

There are a lot of people who do want to sponsor her.

We are just not sure how to go about it because the initial paperwork was done with my mom as the sponsor. Now that she doesn't want to sign the additional documents required, how is that going to look?

Should we just start from square one?

Can there be a change of sponsor in the middle of the process? - provided that there is a full explanation of course.

Its a delicate matter because we don't want all this effort to go for naught.

rona comments on

bogotabrian - That's ridiculous.
Eventually people are going to do what they want to do. I think that your friend's father has control-issues and maybe your friend is too afraid to stand up on her own - its just an opinion.
My mom has control-issues too, that doesn't mean that most Colombian mothers are manipulative and controlling.

rona comments on

Whereas I'm not a Colombian woman, I think this sounds more like a class issue not a cultural issue.

My wife and her older sister are the oldest of three siblings and they are VERY educated, VERY independent and are VERY articulate in speaking their mind.

My in-laws are great and time and time again their dad always says how proud he is of his daughters.

rona comments on best flights/airlines/routes for deals to bogota

where are you flying from?

rona comments on once your colombian spouse receives U.S. permanent residency - what countries can they visit w/out a visa?

ok - so North America is cool So a spouse w/a U.S. green card can travel within North America and South America.

Thanx guys

rona comments on travelone.net - supposedly they can guarantee a tourist visa

lol . . . . . . I figured as much . . . but you wouldn't believe how convinced my wife's friend was when she first told us about it. Of course I tell her that NOBODY can guarantee a visa but she wasn't hearing it . . . its like some people WANT to be taken advantage of

rona comments on In my opinion

Nothing "incorrect" about your comment . . . . . . there's nothing wrong with making an observation.

rona comments on Engaged?

every discussion needs a G5 . . . . . . I think you guys are taking G5's comments WAY TOO PERSONALLY - I met a Colombiana, got engaged, brought her here and we're about to get married - we couldn't be happier . . . Whereas G5 brings up valid points, I don't believe they apply to me - for those of you that get bent out of shape from a different point of view, maybe you need to re-examine your relationships because he obviously touched a nerve . .

rona comments on Engaged?

looks like times are changing then . . . My fiancee and I got engaged last year and we had a nice dinner with both our parents and close relatives to formalize it . . . everything seemed perfectly normal, nothing seemed out of the ordinary for them . . . if you look in "El Universal" in the "Sociales" section you'll see every now and then people announcing their engagements the same way you would announce your wedding . . .

rona comments on La suegra y el martillo

my ex's family were like that, they're from Greeneville, South Carolina = Country AND Ghetto . . . LOL

rona comments on La suegra y el martillo

cam - dude - sorry but . . . . . . your girl's family sound more ghetto than Colombian

rona comments on CHeap Tickets in December

Where are you flying from? I know Continental Airlines just started flying to Cali from Houston direct - it gets in around 9pm Cali time.

rona comments on Exit taxes for Colombian citizens

thanks for the clarification . . . . . . I knew there had to be a thread on this subject somewhere; thanks for posting it - I would've been really screwed because I was forgetting to budget that into my expenses

rona comments on Exit taxes for Colombian citizens

really? I thought it was the other way around - Colombians pay more than Americans leaving Colombia - if that's the case then great, I can spend more at Duty Free - thanks

rona comments on Jet Box

where are you located? bjjc - I'm going to Bogota on Friday from Newark, NJ - I'm going with empty suitcases for my fiancee who I'm picking up . . . if you want, I'll take them to him - PM me if you're interested and we'll exchange info..

rona comments on SEARCH: Looking for cartoon artists for this site

subject matter seems pretty broad . . . -"life in Colombia" - political? like an editorial cartoon?; strictly humor? everyday happenings? and in what format and specs do you want the artwork done?

rona comments on Arrived in Bogota

Rubi, help me settle a friendly bet . . . . . . one of my buddies insists that you can find an Irish bar anywhere in the world . . . do you know of any in BOG? I have yet to find one - and where can you get a Guinness in BOG? Can anyone reccomend a comparable Stout brewed in Colombia? - Thanks

rona comments on Am I completly screwed

dude redo the G-325s . . . save yourself the headaches . . . Neonovo I think you may have lucked out on the G-325s; I inadvertently signed hers and couldn't get an interview date until they got one with her signature - it delayed us about a month = that was the explanation I got from the USCIS. - maybe you should have some with her signature just in case they give you a hard time at the interview

rona comments on WHERE TO STAY IN BOGOTA FOR THE INTERVIEW ?

Check out Doña Flor's . . . . . . http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/9007 . . .

another option is Suite Chico in the north end of town (unfortunately not as close to the embassy as Doña Flor's) - it has Sprtan-like accomodations but it has hot water, they're friendly, clean and cheap - they list two numbers: 620 5363 & 620 5840 - www.hotelsuitechico.com - good luck

rona comments on Mi Patria, a Few Songs, & What I Am

ánimo G5 . . . sounds like you've got a little guayabo - nothing the beach, una hembra and some Aguilas can't fix - " . . . no hay cosa mas sabrosa que abrir una enevera, y destapar una cerveza pa' curar un guayabo . . ." = 'Los Recuerdos de Ella' - Diomedes Diaz

rona comments on K-1 Approved! Much Thanks to PBH . . .

mikeyr!!!! - I sent you a PM!

rona comments on K-1 Approved! Much Thanks to PBH . . .

yup - I always refer to this site before hitting . . . . . . the USCIS site . . . the wheels are turning because she's a teacher and we're trying to see what's available to her when she gets here . . . she wants to work but I want her to polish her English before, but I'm looking into it anyway in case something pops up

rona comments on What doctor is recomended for the Medical Exam

DEFINITELY go w/ Dr. Maria Consuelo I got three stories from three different people regarding Dr. Roa


1. The one from this thread - ie cobra

2. My fiancee's friend - see my "Medical Exam for the K-1 visa" thread

3. When my fiancee came from her lab appointment, she chatted with a woman who mentioned that she was having her physical w/Dr. Roa because her two daughters had it with him - she mentioned how awful it is because he asked them to disrobe so that he can "identify the sex" - WTF??!! - she said that the woman's attitude was like "oh well if that's what you've got to do to get a visa, then so be it" . . . this guy is a F*%# at N pervert who takes advantage of ignorant and desperate women . . . my fiancee's physical w/Dr. Consuelo was very normal - underwear on with hospital robe - no touchy-feely kind of stuff.

rona comments on Visa Approved!

congratulations Silvia! Good Luck to everybody with upcoming appointments . . . I´m currently in Bogota (just flew in this morning) and so far so good . . . . her appointment is for the 26th. - if anybody is in Bogota through the 28th, PM me to see if we can meet and compare experiences or just to grab some coffee . . .

rona comments on Residencias Tequendama - Bogota

Thanks for the input guys . . . I'm not planning on buying in that area - should've been more specific (sorry) - just crashing there for a week and needed to be near El Centro, however I am looking into La Candelaria sector as an alternative . . . Thanks again

rona comments on Who is the smartest woman in Colombia, under age 35?

caulfield2 its funny you mention that - she is from Cartagena - you know what they say, "birds of a feather flock together" - LOL . . . I'm sure she has plenty of female friends and/or cousins that are accomplished and like baseball . . .

. . . dude, you sound like an easy-going guy, you shouldn't have any problems finding the "good woman" in Colombia . . .

rona comments on Who is the smartest woman in Colombia, under age 35?

my fiancee . . . . . . that's why I'm marrying her

- 25 years old
- teaches at 2 schools
- working on Master's degree
- laid back, never flustered and a steely resolve

. . . the point is; just like her, there are many in Colombia. . .

caulfield2 - we both enjoy bookstores, cooking and social/political debates, so I can somewhat understand your view - except for sports -she LOVES baseball

. . . actually now that I think about it, a few of my female cousins fit those descriptions too - you can definitely find the "good woman" in Colombia - i think that you just have to be yourself without being pretentious -

rona comments on Medical Exam for the K-1 visa

thanks guys . . . the whole thing sounded kind of shady to me, so when she heard this she made the appointment with Dr. Maria Consuelo because she figured that if this is the case, she'd rather have a female examine her . . . it turned out that her friend did it with Dr. Jairo H. Roa and was freaked out by the experience . . . . I'll relay the info. to her and nevertheless I'll be with her for this final stage.

rona comments on No appointment yet

Sonny rjstuff's figures are close . . . his expenses mirror mine:
figures in (US $)
my fiancee is flying down from Cartagena = about 180
hotel for the week = about 350
visa fee = 100
medical fees = about 110
food, taxi, etc. = about 300

total = about 1000

. . . we'll be in Bogota on the 20th and staying thru the 28th, how can I contact Bob in Bogota? - I'd like to save some money too - thanx in advance

rona comments on Good and bad about my Colombia trip

La Castellana! . . . my fiancee lives in El Barrio San Pedro - just a few blocks from La Castellana - its a great hangout and you can get great, affordable food at their foodcourt - . . . and just outside there's a well kept (air-conditioned and clean) pool hall for us Billiard junkies . . . too bad I'll only be in Bogota in a few weeks, but come October I'm going to Cartagena - I can't wait

rona comments on Good and bad about my Colombia trip

caulfield - you just took me back - I hope you enjoyed your trip

la pobreza will break your heart and at the same time make you appreciate a people's resilience . . .

I won't even get into los taxistas, but the mototaxis are downright reckless . . .

. . Crepes and Waffles is great a any time - esp. the salad bar . .

. . . which Castellano shopping mall did you go?

. . . I miss the kids always playing outside - here I live across the street from a park and rarely see kids

rona comments on PBH member's photo blogs

kernow . . . my pictures are in my personal gallery, could you post them on the list too? - thanx

rona comments on No appointment yet

wow they're really f#!^*+g up mikeyr - my fiancee is also in CTG, and she received all her packets for her interview later this month, I don't know what to suggest but what silviat mentioned I think makes sense . . . as far as costs? so far I know that the lab, medical and bank fees run roughly around 500,000 Col. pesos, - I'm probably leaving out some other stuff - so anybody - feel free to add on to this total - of course I'm not including hotel, cab fare, etc. - I'll post an exact number later (after I get some sleep) so that we can compare notes . . . once again good luck to everybody - we're in the home stretch!

rona comments on

paisa29 . . . thanks for the site - I'll keep you informed on what happens

rona comments on Legalize Now!

no win here . . . ColX I admire your Colombianidad, however when I realized that drug use is legal for personal consumption in Colombia - those of us who are staunch opposers of drug legalization needed to re-examine our arguments . . .
currently this controversial law is perpetuating that which you are warning against - professionals engaging in casual drug use, Colombia's worldwide image, the countless members of law-enforcement asassinated over the decades, etc.
- This law does not support the government's anti-drug effort -
and it doesn't look like its about to change either, the referendum to change it was shot down and although Uribe is looking for a way to ammend it, I don't think its going to fly.

. . . It looks as though the casual drug use will very much be the norm in Colombia for years to come, maybe we can take notes from the Netherlands as to how to keep it under control sans the violence . . . .

Like santiBOG, I vehemently oppose the whole drug trade

but this is a bitter pill for all Colombians to swallow -
the violence can't be controlled without legalization of drugs . . . I think we ought to put violence to rest

rona comments on

what about food? GiB or anybody? I work for a corporation of supermarkets (Advertising Dept.) and was interested in getting them to donate food - ie. canned or dry goods - How would I go about it? How would I approach them?

rona comments on Article on infideltity in COL by El tiempo..

brown wings?????!!!!! holy s#*t! - pun intended - WTF!!! - WHO would get off on that! I'll be the first to say red wings? yeah, been there done that but goddaaaamn!!!! . . . . p2000 - Hunter S. Thompson is the shit (no pun intended) - I think we should nominate ELMO our PBH gonzo journalist

rona comments on Poll:

uh guys . . . . . . we have troll infiltration - ignore the troll