TIMELINE for HCMC

[JonasMichaels 0]

Is this asked for or mandatory? Can anyone send me or post an example of one here? I am still a little unclear as to what I have to do for this. Thanks

Jonas

[don2008 0]

mine was about 4 pages long, hand written on a legal pad. you just need something like,IE you know her how, you started emailing such and such date. you began calling on this date. you visited on this date, you proposed on this date, did her parents approve, what did your parents say, talk about gifts you send her, and make sure its very polite.

then just throw more details in the middle, like describe what you like about her and what you guys did when you went to vist her. also make sure to put dates in there too.IE.. we went to the beach on 06/20/2007 last year.... understand? its really not that hard to write the letter if everyhting is on the up and up. just MAKE SURE it the same date for things she has already told them and that she knows all the dates on the letter. after i worte mine i jumped on yahoo and sent it to her to proof read and we made all the correction before i hand wrote it.

[dq2000 1]

great info don...but i was curious why did you hand write it? Is there any special reason why? Maybe i'm too spoiled by computers?

[Melrose Plant 1]

There is no reason to hand-write it. Mine was printed out from the computer. In fact, I'm sure that makes it somewhat easier to read.

[ILoveTan 0]

There is no reason to hand-write it. Mine was printed out from the computer. In fact, I'm sure that makes it somewhat easier to read.

Hey all, typed or hand-written, I think all us "just starting" newbies out there would love to see an actual example if anyone would be so kind as to post one. (Peter, where are you?!) ;-) hihihihi

ILOVETAN

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

I'm currently doing mine. Curiously, when we go to get it notarized, what are we asking the notary to notarize (that we are telling the truth?)? I guess every time that I had something notarized, it's always been to verify that it's a copy of an original document, etc.

I've been compiling on the computer, and I was thinking to make a handwritten version. But maybe I should leave it on the computer; I can't even read my own handwriting.

[don2008 0]

the green slip we got aked for it to be hand written. i typed it on my pc first, then wrote it by hand. i didnt want to take anymore chances. it said a hand written letter, so i wrote it by hand. the notary just needs to see that YOU wrote the letter and signed it. your suppose to write the entire letter in front of the notary then signe it and then they can sign and stamp it. my hand writing is really bad too, i had to write it slow just so i could read it.lol. i really dont even think they read the whole letter. maybe they figured if we were frauds i wouldnt go through the trouble to hand write a 4 page letter. thats the way i looked at it, that was the final deciding factor to make me write the entire thing by hand. at first i did plan to print sign notarize then mail it.

[Melrose Plant 1]

Ok guys, here is what we submitted. I know what you're thinking. It doesn't look like a timeline to me, either. But this is what Marc Ellis gave me to fill out, and he said that was directly from the consulate, and that was what they wanted. When I received it, it was in both Vietnamese and English, with TERRIBLE English. I cleaned it up a little bit and deleted the Vietnamese. I also asked about the handwritten thing. Ellis said type it so they can read it. I don't understand about the whole handwritten deal. I think that is proof positive that the consulate sometimes messes with people just because they can.

TIMELINE OF RELATIONSHIP

May 7, 2008

* I, James Bond, Petitioner in this case, HCM 2008 XXX-X38, now furnish this sworn notarized statement containing a detailed chronology (timeline) of my relationship with the beneficiary, Hoang Dan Mai.

* Please explain clearly when and how you first met, how you were introduced.

We met in August, 2006. We were both members of Asian Friend Finder.com, a computer dating service. The computer matched us up according to preferences in our profiles.

* When did you begin corresponding with each other?

On August 10, 2006, Mai sent me an electronic “wink” through Asian Friend Finder.

I sent her an email on August 13, 2006 answering her wink.

* When did you feel your relationship became serious?

After one month of exchanging emails, we found we were mutually attracted, and sometime later, about November 2006, we began discussing the possibility of getting married. However, both of us felt it was very important to meet in person first before making a serious commitment, so no formal proposal was made before we met in person.

* Date and circumstances of marriage proposal (location, time, place, situation, setting, etc..).

After spending two weeks together on my first trip, I proposed to her on February 5, 2007, (see below).

* Did I propose in person or by phone??

I proposed in person on February 5, 2007 in Ngoc Son Pagoda on Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi.

* Where was she when I proposed (give exact location)?

She was standing with me in Ngoc Son pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi.

* Did she accept immediately or ask for time to think about it?

She said “yes” immediately. I told her that it is an American custom for me to give her a ring to show my love for her. Together, we went to Kim Quy Jewelry Company to buy her a ring.

* If I did not officially propose, when did we first discuss marriage?

Not applicable. I did officially proprose.

* How many trips did I make to Vietnam to visit my spouse?

I have visited Vietnam three times to visit Mai.

* How many times have I seen her in total?

Mai and I have spent about six weeks together in person.

* How long did you stay each visit?

My first visit lasted about two weeks, my second visit lasted about three weeks. My third visit continues at this writing.

*Please give as many details as possible

First visit, January 2007:

Mai and I visited a few places in Vietnam. When I first arrived in Vietnam back in January 2007,of course we spent a lot of time with her family to introduce me to them. After that, we traveled to Sapa with other members of the family. We also spent two days in Halong Bay. After returning to Hanoi for a few days, we decided to go to Ho Chi Minh City to visit a few friends. While in HCM City, we went to Dam Sen Park, the old South Vietnam government building, and the Rex Hotel. After returning to Hanoi, I decided to ask Mai to marry me on February 5, 2007. She accepted. We made plans that I would return in a few months to have our engagement ceremony and a traditional Vietnamese wedding.

Second visit, June 2007:

I arrived in Hanoi on June 18, 2007 to a flurry of activity. There were many preparations to make for the ceremonies and many people to meet and greet. My parents, my sister, and brother-in-law arrived in Hanoi on June 19, 2007. Our engagement ceremony was the 20th. The next three days were spent preparing for the traditional wedding, which was on the 24th of June.

After that, Mai, my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, and I traveled to Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An together. We spent about a week there. Then Mai and I went to Nha Trang while the rest of my family went to Cambodia and Thailand. We spent three days in Nha Trang and had a very nice time there.

After returning to Hanoi, we had a few days to spend with each other and the family before I had to return to the U.S. About one month later, I filed the I-129(f) petition, and we did not have the opportunity to see each other in person until May 1, 2008, a few days ago.

Third visit, May 2008:

I arrived in Hanoi on May 1, 2008. The first few days were spent visiting family. On May 5 we flew to Ho Chi Minh City to prepare for this interview, and haven’t had time to do much else.

Signed,

James Bond

Sworn & subscribed to me this _______ day of _____________________, 2008.

______________________________________________ _______________________________________

(signature) (office or title)

[Jack & Xuan 0]

Ok guys, here is what we submitted. I know what you're thinking. It doesn't look like a timeline to me, either. But this is what Marc Ellis gave me to fill out, and he said that was directly from the consulate, and that was what they wanted. When I received it, it was in both Vietnamese and English, with TERRIBLE English. I cleaned it up a little bit and deleted the Vietnamese. I also asked about the handwritten thing. Ellis said type it so they can read it. I don't understand about the whole handwritten deal. I think that is proof positive that the consulate sometimes messes with people just because they can.

TIMELINE OF RELATIONSHIP

May 7, 2008

* I, James Bond, Petitioner in this case, HCM 2008 XXX-X38, now furnish this sworn notarized statement containing a detailed chronology (timeline) of my relationship with the beneficiary, Hoang Dan Mai.

* Please explain clearly when and how you first met, how you were introduced.

We met in August, 2006. We were both members of Asian Friend Finder.com, a computer dating service. The computer matched us up according to preferences in our profiles.

* When did you begin corresponding with each other?

On August 10, 2006, Mai sent me an electronic “wink” through Asian Friend Finder.

I sent her an email on August 13, 2006 answering her wink.

* When did you feel your relationship became serious?

After one month of exchanging emails, we found we were mutually attracted, and sometime later, about November 2006, we began discussing the possibility of getting married. However, both of us felt it was very important to meet in person first before making a serious commitment, so no formal proposal was made before we met in person.

* Date and circumstances of marriage proposal (location, time, place, situation, setting, etc..).

After spending two weeks together on my first trip, I proposed to her on February 5, 2007, (see below).

* Did I propose in person or by phone??

I proposed in person on February 5, 2007 in Ngoc Son Pagoda on Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi.

* Where was she when I proposed (give exact location)?

She was standing with me in Ngoc Son pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi.

* Did she accept immediately or ask for time to think about it?

She said “yes” immediately. I told her that it is an American custom for me to give her a ring to show my love for her. Together, we went to Kim Quy Jewelry Company to buy her a ring.

* If I did not officially propose, when did we first discuss marriage?

Not applicable. I did officially proprose.

* How many trips did I make to Vietnam to visit my spouse?

I have visited Vietnam three times to visit Mai.

* How many times have I seen her in total?

Mai and I have spent about six weeks together in person.

* How long did you stay each visit?

My first visit lasted about two weeks, my second visit lasted about three weeks. My third visit continues at this writing.

*Please give as many details as possible

First visit, January 2007:

Mai and I visited a few places in Vietnam. When I first arrived in Vietnam back in January 2007,of course we spent a lot of time with her family to introduce me to them. After that, we traveled to Sapa with other members of the family. We also spent two days in Halong Bay. After returning to Hanoi for a few days, we decided to go to Ho Chi Minh City to visit a few friends. While in HCM City, we went to Dam Sen Park, the old South Vietnam government building, and the Rex Hotel. After returning to Hanoi, I decided to ask Mai to marry me on February 5, 2007. She accepted. We made plans that I would return in a few months to have our engagement ceremony and a traditional Vietnamese wedding.

Second visit, June 2007:

I arrived in Hanoi on June 18, 2007 to a flurry of activity. There were many preparations to make for the ceremonies and many people to meet and greet. My parents, my sister, and brother-in-law arrived in Hanoi on June 19, 2007. Our engagement ceremony was the 20th. The next three days were spent preparing for the traditional wedding, which was on the 24th of June.

After that, Mai, my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, and I traveled to Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An together. We spent about a week there. Then Mai and I went to Nha Trang while the rest of my family went to Cambodia and Thailand. We spent three days in Nha Trang and had a very nice time there.

After returning to Hanoi, we had a few days to spend with each other and the family before I had to return to the U.S. About one month later, I filed the I-129(f) petition, and we did not have the opportunity to see each other in person until May 1, 2008, a few days ago.

Third visit, May 2008:

I arrived in Hanoi on May 1, 2008. The first few days were spent visiting family. On May 5 we flew to Ho Chi Minh City to prepare for this interview, and haven’t had time to do much else.

Signed,

James Bond

Sworn & subscribed to me this _______ day of _____________________, 2008.

______________________________________________ _______________________________________

(signature) (office or title)

Thank you for this. I too have hired Marc Ellis and Mr. Nam. We are still some time away from an interview and I have visited 2 times so far. This will be very helpful to us.

Thanks again

[ILoveTan 0]

Ok guys, here is what we submitted. I know what you're thinking. It doesn't look like a timeline to me, either. But this is what Marc Ellis gave me to fill out, and he said that was directly from the consulate, and that was what they wanted. When I received it, it was in both Vietnamese and English, with TERRIBLE English. I cleaned it up a little bit and deleted the Vietnamese. I also asked about the handwritten thing. Ellis said type it so they can read it. I don't understand about the whole handwritten deal. I think that is proof positive that the consulate sometimes messes with people just because they can.

WOW - thanks - this is GREAT!!!! VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

Just one question: Should this be submitted with the I-129 or only in person at the interview? Thanks very much!

ILOVETAN

[Melrose Plant 1]

I would not submit this particular version of a timeline with your I-129(f) just because it is so consulate specific, and frankly, it's hokey. I did not submit a timeline of any sort with my 129. Our letters of intent were de facto narrative timelines, however.

Thuy, sorry I have not gotten back to you about our letters of intent. They are handwritten (God, don't ask me why), and we're getting married Tuesday, and Mai's not been adjusting to the time zone too well, and we have my 8 year old son living with us and it's summer vacation. You get the idea. I will try to get back to you soon. And yes, I cannot sleep, in case you're wondering about the time stamp on this post.

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

Thank you so much! You guys are great.