For those leaving or already moved to the US

[paul_kay 31]

I am now thinking about all the things I need and want to pack when I leave next month to be with my wonderful husband-to-be. I already donated clothes and other stuff I won't be using anymore and planning to shop before leaving but I do not know what to buy! What are the things that are more practical to get here (I'm from the PI) rather in the US?

To all the ladies out there, what are the stuff you brought with you that you felt shy to buy in the presence of your man? Lol (You can pm me re this)

I've heard of "Tabo" but I can live without it.

Responses will be appreciated.

[paul_kay 31]

OH, and how much pesos or dollars did you bring to get you through the airport?

[randy and ana 1]

everything almost here and u can buy it in asian store i bought my "tabo" here in asian store anything u need especially for cooking like vetsin, toyo ,suka lol

i bought it to nearest asian store here and surprised its a lot in here seems asian store around Seattle are more than American store lol but u will surprised when u are in asian store some items are in frozen goods like lanzones, calamansi and dahon ng saging and sometimes calamansi are packed in a separate small plastic it looks funny but u will use to it once ur here.or u can order it online but i guess theres a minimum order i never tried bcoz asian stores are a lot here in my place so i have no problem when it comes to it.

[happyblessedme 12]

I am now thinking about all the things I need and want to pack when I leave next month to be with my wonderful husband-to-be. I already donated clothes and other stuff I won't be using anymore and planning to shop before leaving but I do not know what to buy! What are the things that are more practical to get here (I'm from the PI) rather in the US?

To all the ladies out there, what are the stuff you brought with you that you felt shy to buy in the presence of your man? Lol (You can pm me re this)

I've heard of "Tabo" but I can live without it.

Responses will be appreciated.

Clothes are expensive here. Or if ur shoe size is small for US size then u can buy shoes as well. But u can buy everything here.I do shop clothes everytime i go home.Im not shy coz i make my own living,i work.

[7teeners 2]

This sounds so insignificant but I stocked up on local branded makeup since its still cheaper in PI compared to the drugstore makeup in the USA. I even bought backups.

[paul_kay 31]

everything almost here and u can buy it in asian store i bought my "tabo" here in asian store anything u need especially for cooking like vetsin, toyo ,suka lol

i bought it to nearest asian store here and surprised its a lot in here seems asian store around Seattle are more than American store lol but u will surprised when u are in asian store some items are in frozen goods like lanzones, calamansi and dahon ng saging and sometimes calamansi are packed in a separate small plastic it looks funny but u will use to it once ur here.or u can order it online but i guess theres a minimum order i never tried bcoz asian stores are a lot here in my place so i have no problem when it comes to it.

Lol That calamansi thing is funny. I'm going to Illinois so I guess there would be a lot of Filipino stores in there.

[paul_kay 31]

Clothes are expensive here. Or if ur shoe size is small for US size then u can buy shoes as well. But u can buy everything here.I do shop clothes everytime i go home.Im not shy coz i make my own living,i work.

Yeah My shoe size is 5 and I am going to bring at least 30 pairs of shoes! Lol Very pinoy and very Imelda Marcos. But I do worry if I should buy more closed shoes? Because it gets very cold in Illinois and I don't know if my shoes are season appropriate.

By buying the things I get shy with my fiance. I am referring to pads, make ups and other female necessities. Coz I'm gonna be unemployed during the first few months.

[paul_kay 31]

This sounds so insignificant but I stocked up on local branded makeup since its still cheaper in PI compared to the drugstore makeup in the USA. I even bought backups.

LOL I am doing this too. But I was told make ups there are cheaper?

[TBoneTX 43,486]

Bring at least two original or certified copies each of EVERY official document that you can think of -- birth certificate, divorce/annulment certificate if applicable, birth certificate(s) of child(ren) if applicable, school transcripts, police report, vaccination records, etc.

If you don't have a driver's license, do everything in your power to earn one before you leave. If you have one, renew it so that its expiration date is as far in the future as possible.

It may be too late if your visa is already stapled inside your passport, but renew your passport for as many years as possible, too.

In general, prepare yourself by procuring MORE THAN ONE COPY of every official document that would be difficult or impossible or beastly expensive to get once you're in the U.S., si man.

[tonylovesam 8]

My fiance advised me to just mail off some of my things that I will need (mainly books and baby crib and some stuff), asked me to bring just clothes that I will need for the trip, told me to bring almost nothing. lol. cos everything can be bought in the US according to him.

About money, we plan to change my pesos in my PI bank savings to dollars before I leave and deposit them to the USAA account I had in the US.

I guess, less than 500 will do for everything (travel money).

Bring original and some certified copies of the original documents you have as what the other poster said.

Edited July 24, 2011 by tonylovesam

[missicy 87]

Yeah My shoe size is 5 and I am going to bring at least 30 pairs of shoes! Lol Very pinoy and very Imelda Marcos. But I do worry if I should buy more closed shoes? Because it gets very cold in Illinois and I don't know if my shoes are season appropriate.

By buying the things I get shy with my fiance. I am referring to pads, make ups and other female necessities. Coz I'm gonna be unemployed during the first few months.

Not only it gets very cold, but it also snows in Illinois in winter, so you will need some boots, or at least closed shoes. I don't know the prices in the Philippines, but I find clothes and shoes actually pretty cheap here in the US (well compared to Europe at least). So I think it would be cheaper to buy new clothes/shoes here, than paying alot of money for shipping them from the Philippines (unless you can fit everything in the suitcases you are going to bring, of course).

Don't worry about buying female necessities. Buying make up here in the US is very common and nothing to be shy about. As for pads and things like that, your fiance knows that you need because you're a woman, so don't be shy about it. I'm sure he will be totally ok with buying them for you!

[paul_kay 31]

My fiance advised me to just mail off some of my things that I will need (mainly books and baby crib and some stuff), asked me to bring just clothes that I will need for the trip, told me to bring almost nothing. lol. cos everything can be bought in the US according to him.

About money, we plan to change my pesos in my PI bank savings to dollars before I leave and deposit them to the USAA account I had in the US.

I guess, less than 500 will do for everything (travel money).

Bring original and some certified copies of the original documents you have as what the other poster said.

How much pesos did you bring? Let's say I am bringing 4 luggage. My airline only allows 2. How much dollar should I bring to spend in my layover?

I have one original birth cert and the documents the embassy didn't take from me during the interview.

[Jim N Augie 16]

Dont bring over 10thousand $ thats a limit with customs. The US has many different weather conditions and some things like boots and coats should be bought in the US and have your fiance help with that as he will alreday know the temperatures. Definately bring any school transcripts and a few certified copies of any important documents , vaccinations etc. Most larger cities will have an Asian style store for some things. My fiances sister is already in the US and seems to have good luck in the JCPennys in the petite section for clothes. Many people have told me it's better to have any dental or medical checkups or work done before you leave because cheaper, same with birth control pills. Jim.

[paul_kay 31]

Dont bring over 10thousand $ thats a limit with customs. The US has many different weather conditions and some things like boots and coats should be bought in the US and have your fiance help with that as he will alreday know the temperatures. Definately bring any school transcripts and a few certified copies of any important documents , vaccinations etc. Most larger cities will have an Asian style store for some things. My fiances sister is already in the US and seems to have good luck in the JCPennys in the petite section for clothes. Many people have told me it's better to have any dental or medical checkups or work done before you leave because cheaper, same with birth control pills. Jim.

Okay I agree with the medications. Getting a winter wardrobe is in our plans when I get there.

Dont bring over 10thousand $ thats a limit with customs. The US has many different weather conditions and some things like boots and coats should be bought in the US and have your fiance help with that as he will alreday know the temperatures. Definately bring any school transcripts and a few certified copies of any important documents , vaccinations etc. Most larger cities will have an Asian style store for some things. My fiances sister is already in the US and seems to have good luck in the JCPennys in the petite section for clothes. Many people have told me it's better to have any dental or medical checkups or work done before you leave because cheaper, same with birth control pills. Jim.

Okay I agree with the medications. Getting a winter wardrobe is in our plans when I get there.

[bigdog 376]

I am now thinking about all the things I need and want to pack when I leave next month to be with my wonderful husband-to-be. I already donated clothes and other stuff I won't be using anymore and planning to shop before leaving but I do not know what to buy! What are the things that are more practical to get here (I'm from the PI) rather in the US?

To all the ladies out there, what are the stuff you brought with you that you felt shy to buy in the presence of your man? Lol (You can pm me re this)

I've heard of "Tabo" but I can live without it.

Responses will be appreciated.

Everything goes in US mainland, don't loose your identity, my wife does not wear much Asian clothes, even though I like them. It will be an adjustment of two cultures, have fun.