I hope this is the right place to post this. Id just like to thank all of you here for the help you've given me. The least I could do is offer my experience as to how it all played out. My oath ceremony was at the LA Convention center, over 6,000 people were expected to be there. Anyways I got there at 6AM, now, coming early is a double edged sword, you will be first to get processed and seated and you will be one of the first to get your certificate and leave, however, you'll be standing for 2 hours. Im not even kidding here, standing for 2 hours in 1 place is harder than it sounds, so its up to you. If someone is weak or sick they won't be able to make it standing for that long, I could tell some people were about to fall and my legs were killing me at this point.
1 hour into waiting for it to begin, someone comes out, it was a immigration officer. I was really happy thinking we would begin to start moving, but nope, they asked everyone to split up, only guests were allowed to go inside and sit first. Another hour later applicants turn came, they asked us to have our green card and letters in our hand and to enter. Finally we went inside the auditorium which had a huge row of immigration officers sitting in front of desks with numbers on the wall. I went up, showed my green card and letter, he's like "Oh wow expired" with a smile on his face, my green card expired years ago.
Anyways, he started asking me questions from the back of the oath ceremony letter. Be careful here, all of the answers to the questions on the back of the letter should be NO, however the immigration officer can word it differently when he asks you the question in person, for example, one of the questions on the back of the oath ceremony letter which you are required to fill out goes something like this "Have you changed your mind to bear arms?", the answer should be NO, however the immigration officer said "Will you bear arms for the united states", I asked him to repeat it, he said it again, I said yes. So make sure you listen carefully to the questions and not to say NO to everything he says lol.
After that, he wrote a BIG OK on the letter, and the number of the desk I needed to goto to pick up the certificate after. He punched a hole in my green card, stapled it to my letter and asked me to go sit down. I was in the front row. An immigration officer was walking down one of the rows and looked at us and said "You guys have the best seat in the house".
Now the longest part came, waiting for everyone to arrive. During this time, someone came and passed out voter registration cards. Now the strange part about this was, he said it in a way where everyone thought it was REQUIRED to fill out. I believe he said "Make sure you fill out this voter registration card because we will picking them up when the judge is finished" And when I asked the person handing out the voter registration cards if I could fill it out at home, he said "I can't tell you that", which was odd.
At this point everyone scrambled to fill out the voter registration card thinking it was required. So we're waiting for everyone to arrive, you'd be amazed how late some were. Finally around 9:30 it began, a judge came out and said that this was now a court room, something along those lines, asked everyone to rise and to raise their right hand and to repeat after him. After that he congratulated us on being citizens. A short video of obama came on, and then a "proud to be american" music video.
After that it was all over. I was indeed one of the first to get my certificate and leave. Trust me you'll wan't to get there real early, those who came near the end or even on-time were going to spend a very long time getting out of there. Some people were trying to cut in line and you could hear someone talking over the intercom saying "If you cut in line, we'll make sure you'll be the last to leave" lol.
Oh, and filling out the voter registration card is not required, but I guess they word it in a way where they wan't you to think you have to fill it out right there and then. So now im a US citizen, finally. Thanks again everyone and Godspeed.
GREEN CARD came in the mail today!!!
So happy!!! best of luck to everyone waiting!! I hope for a speedy process of your application! see you in 2013!!!
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For immediate change of address needs during the outage, we suggest you submit the form manually. The form is available at http://www.uscis.gov/ar-11.
Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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I paid for my own medical. I had my fiance with me, but I knew their policy of not allowing anyone in. We tried and asked if he can go in, but they said no.. It wasn't a problem, since it was their rule. He stayed in the car and went to a coffee shop to wait for me. There is a plan B. Also, there are lot of people inside the building. In the 1st floor, you don't see them, but when you go to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, there are no available seats left. Take into account that Canadian, Australian and other countries conduct their medical here. Also, there are communicable diseases that are being treated inside. There's no need for someone to be victimized.
I paid for my own medical. I had my fiance with me, but I knew their policy of not allowing anyone in. We tried and asked if he can go in, but they said no.. It wasn't a problem, since it was their rule. He stayed in the car and went to a coffee shop to wait for me. There is a plan B. Also, there are lot of people inside the building. In the 1st floor, you don't see them, but when you go to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, there are no available seats left. Take into account that Canadian, Australian and other countries conduct their medical here. Also, there are communicable diseases that are being treated inside. There's no need for someone to be victimized.
Hello all! I want to share this walkthrough I made regarding the medical exam I just took at St. Lukes. I hope this will help anybody in anyway.
I thought of creating this during my 2-day medical appointment, taking notes every step of the way and sketching floor plans in between waiting time. I know that there had been a few written about one’s medical experience at SLMCEC and as much as it helped me prepare and be aware of the whole scenario, I wanted to share something more comprehensive.
But please be reminded that everything here is based on my own experience and someone else’s procedures may vary. All went well on my medical so I assume this is within the typical flow of the whole process.
Ok, to start with:
The Fees:
US$213.35 for 15 y.o. and older
US$185.35 for 14 y.o. and below
Hotels Near SLMCEC
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=48111&st=0
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...hp/t130131.html
What to Bring:
- If you don’t have your appointment letter yet, you may bring a photocopy of your NOA2 letter and NVC letter showing your MNL case no.
- Valid Passport (have it photocopied as well)
- Appointment letter – Bring original and have the first 2 pages photo copied.
- 4 pcs. 2x2 photos – white background, with both ears uncovered and without earrings.
- Black ballpen
- jacket (it’s cold inside)
Misc:
- Bottled water. Foods are not allowed, but you can slip through hiding your crackers somewhere in your bag.
- Play Station Portable, Nintendo DS, Ipod Touch, books/pocket books – well, I mean, something you can play/read while waiting in between check-ups and procedures.
The 1st Day
:: Arriving at St. Lukes ::
W/ appointment letter:
I handed over my appointment letter but then the security guard told me to have the 1st two pages photocopied, so I did (just right across the street) and then went back to hand him both the original and the duplicate, he stamped it both with “SLMCEC---something” .. and handed me a queue number. I arrived at 4:45am and got no. 32.
He gave me a form - the Patient Data Sheet (PDS) and the guard will check specific boxes you should fill in. Upon filling out your PDS, you’ll see an ‘Alien Case No.’ – that would be you MNL Case no.
He also handed me an Evaluation sheet to be returned upon release of your medical result – well, it’s just a Rate-Our-Clinic thing, with Excellent-Good-Poor check boxes
and questions on how to improve their service blah-blah.
Without appointment letter – well I guess, it’ll be the same as above as long as you have your NOA2 letter and NVC letter with MNL Case no.
- After you completed filling out your PDS, there’s really nothing more to do but sit down and wait for your number to be called.
- When the guard started to call in the numbers, he called batch by batch, 10 nos. in a batch.
- He guided us to fall in line in front of ‘Digital Photo Room’ to have our --- well, digital photo taken
- Have your PDS, Passport and photos ready. I handed those to the guy who takes the photos, everything was returned to me shortly after that.
- I went straight ahead in front of the releasing counters and fell in line.
- When it’s my turn, the screener asked me a few questions about my medical history … basically, you just have to answer everything he/she asks.. She stapled two(2) 2x2 photos on the PDS and inserted the other two(2) on a resealable plastic and stapled it once again on the lower part of the PDS.
- After it, the screener told me to pay the medical fees at the cashier located at the 5th floor.
- I then took the elevators to 5th floor and found the cashier at the corner, right beside the elevator. Paid the fees and told me to go to 4th floor.
:: 4th Floor ::
- I gave my PDS, Receipt, Passport and the photocopied appointment letter (keep the original, I believe that will be the one you’ll show at the interview) to the nurse at the reception. She gave me an “HIV Consent form” to fill out – I returned it to her afterwards and she then told me to sit down and wait for my name to be called.
- When my name was called, the nurse asked me of the last day of my last period (always remember your 1st and last day of period, they will keep on asking it till you bleed again … kidding)
- After she jotted down some notes on my papers, she gave it back to me and pointed me to go at the blood extraction room.
- Before the nurse started to collect blood sample from my arm, she asked me my name, my age and again, my first and last day of period… This procedure is to assess you of any drug use and of course, HIV.
- After the blood extraction, the nurse told me to go straight to the urine collection area, just right across the other side of the reception, a nurse is assigned there at the ladies C.R. – she’ll give you a plastic container to put your urine sample in. Hand it back to her when you’re done. This procedure is for pregnancy test and probably for other kidney-related illnesses. She told me to sit back down and wait for my name to be called.
- My name was called and they gave me back my papers and passport and told me to proceed to 3rd floor for the X-Ray.
:: 3rd Floor ::
- I gave my set of papers to the nurse at the reception. If you have previous x-rays, be sure to bring the film (if it’s still available) so they can compare (and God knows if that would actually help alter their decision against their own x-ray results at any rate ~_~)
- Anyhoo, since I don’t have an x-ray film with me, they simply gave me a paper to fill out, stating the reason why I don’t have one – I checked the box that reads “No X-ray has ever been taken”. Gave it back to them.
- Somewhere on my PDS, they made me write my first day of my last menstrual period.
- Told me to sit down and wait for my name to be called (well, isn’t it always?)
- So my name is called and another nurse wrote down additional notes on my papers before he allowed me to enter the X-ray room. He returned to me my set of papers.
- Inside the X-ray room (a little room before the actual X-ray room) is a little area with some chairs so we can sit as we wait for our turn. Another small area is a changing room with hospital gowns provided where we should disrobe our upper garments (bra and shirt) .. any necklace should be removed as well. I sat down and waited for my name to be called.
- Upon calling my name, I then gave my set of papers to the nurse inside…. and it’s X-ray time! (I’ve been very anxious about this part ever since coz this is where they would find out if you have something strange in your lungs – hence, they’ll have you undergo the dreadful Sputum test) .. the nurse inside would assist you on how to properly execute the X-ray procedure.
- After I finished the X-ray, the nurse gave me back my papers and told me to proceed to 5th floor.
:: 5th Floor ::
- I walked towards the U.S. counter and handed over my set of papers to the personnel assigned there .. he wrote something on my papers and then a different nurse picked up my papers, he assisted me to follow him to have my body weight and height measured.
- Right after the nurse wrote down the weight record on my PDS, another nurse told me to proceed to the ‘Visual Exam Room’.
- Inside the Visual Exam Room, the nurse conducted a visual activity test where you would have to read a Snellen Chart opposite a mirror. (more like a ‘give me a headache’ test) The nurse will ask if you're using contact lens or eye glasses prior to the exam.
- After the eye test, he told me to go sit and wait for my name to be called. (I’m starting to have the feeling of omitting all these sit-and-wait-for-my-name-to-be-called in this entire entry)
- The next thing done is they measured my Vital Signs - Blood Pressure and pulse rate.
- I handed over to the U.S. Counter my set of PDS after completing the Vital Signs procedure.
- Guess what happens here ………………… Correct!! Sit down and wait for my name to be called.
- My name is called, went to the U.S. counter and they handed me a number. That would be my number for the physical exam.
- It’s been the most agonizing 15 minutes of my whole medical process … waiting while thinking of getting all naked – NOT in front of your fiancé/husband … LOL!
- My turn for the physical exam .. the doctor/physician will ask you all sorts of questions starting from your name to all your past operations/hospitalizations to inhaling mosquito coils to having contact with an alien from the outer space positive with HIV……
- After all the seemingly non-stop questioning, the doctor ordered me to sign papers (kinda like a contract) attesting that I am telling nothing but the truth. She made me sign twice – one for saying that I gave birth 2 times, and the other one for stating that I’ve never had TB nor had contact with people who are infected of Tuberculosis.
- Then she made me disrobe completely, but thank goodness, I still had to wear a hospital gown – at least. I laid down on the bed and she checks certain parts of my body. Doctors will specifically check slash marks for suicidal attempts, needle marks for drug use, tattoos for positive contamination from use of needles…
…. and then the private parts … She’ll make you spread your legs (or make you lie on your left side and bend your knees towards your chest). The physician checked the ####### and the ####### .. I believe they check it for possible signs of Sexually Transmitted Diseases or any abnormalities whatsoever. Don’t worry, if you’re a female, you’ll also have a female physician that will attend to you.
- She told me to go straight to U.S. Counter. I handed my PDS and they attached a slip where it reads, “You must personally claim your results....dah dah dah” in 3 different languages .. what the! … The nurse handed back my papers shortly right after that and told me to go to 2nd floor for immunization interview.
:: 2nd Floor ::
- I gave my set of PDS to the guy on the reception right in front of the Immunization rooms.
- loooooooong wait here ..
- Called for Immunization interview (doctors area). The physician simply asked me a few questions like previous vaccines (don’t worry if you don’t have a record or can’t remember any, just tell the physician about it), sexual contact, pregnancies, if you’ve had chicken pox before, if it left any visible scars, etc … She told me of the available vaccines that I would take if all goes well with my medical results.
- It’s a wrap! The day is done! … and the last thing to do is to check out on the 2nd floor check out counter. There they will tell you to return the next day for the results. They will tell you what time. The only things left in your hands now would be your passport, the receipt, the evaluation letter and your original appointment letter/NOA2/NVC letter.
- Robinson’s place is not far from SLMCEC .. You’ll be as hungry as **** so I suggest you go there and treat yourself
The 2nd Day
- Upon arriving at SLMCEC, the guard pointed me to another guard inside, standing behind some kind of podium, I handed him my receipt and he entered the control no. on a computer database, so this guy sort of has the ‘master’s list’ for all results of med exams.
--------------------------------
There are two things I know by far regarding the results:
If the guard stamped your receipt with “IMMUNIZATION” – then congratulations! You passed the medical exam and if you have anything scheduled after that, like for example - your visa interview in two days (like me), then there should be no worries.
If the guard stamped your receipt with “SPUTUM --- something” then unfortunately, you have to have a Sputum Collection and a 2-month long delay.
--------------------------------
…….. Okay, so I have mine stamped with “Immunization” and this made me proceed to 2nd floor for my vaccines.
- I gave my receipt to the guy at the reception (just the receipt, keep your passport) … and like always, I sat down and waited for my name to be called.
- ZZZZzzzzzzZzZzzz
- The intercom may sound vague most of the times, so you must listen attentively all the time.
- My name was called and they made us fall in line in front of the check out counter on the same floor (2nd floor). The guy behind the counter collected our passports.
- Go back to sleep. I mean, get back to your seat.
- My name is called and it’s time for my immunization. The attending nurse first asked me some few questions about allergies I might have, date of first and last day of my last menstrual period, my name, age and birth. Vaccines may vary for every applicant, I had 4 shots, 2 on each arm (TDAP, MMR, Anti-Cervical and HPV).
- *phew* .. thanks goodness, everything’s done … I was told to wait at the ground floor for the results.
:: GROUND FLOOR ::
- Zzz
- Waited like 3 hours
- My name is finally called but it’s not for the result yet … I went to window 1, the personnel made me sign my PDS and then I surrendered my passport .. told to me waaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiit until I die … kidding … waited for another 2 hours or so.
- RESULTS!! Oh the Wonderful Result!! … I was called to window 6 with a female staff – she asked a lot of questions like a pre-screener at the interview, she seems to ask a lot about what you’ve written on your PDS and a few from the physician comments written on it .. she’s kind of like verifying.
- She finally handed down a CD containing the X-ray details and a Vaccine sheet (these 2 are the only things they'll give you). She also told me that they would be the one to forward the results of my Medical Exam to the U.S. Embassy. They would keep everything including your passport.
- I went out. Took a pedicab to Taft Avenue and bought myself a Baconator for all my day’s worth.
My fiancé is a pretty experienced IT guy, he builds networks, configures servers, etc. I just posed this question to him:
me: server question for you: on my Decemberite forum, last night a VJ admin posted this:
Congrats! This thread has become pretty large indeed! To reduce server loads I will need to close this "large thread" however please feel free to start a "part 2, 3, 4..." of this thread from scratch!
Thank you for understanding. My goal is to make the VJ server as snappy as possible .
and then "locked" the thread
my question is....if we start a new thread and add the same amount of data, how is that any easier on the servers?
His reply:
Byron: it's easier for database queries
all the thread content is stored in a DB - if it's one large thread, it takes longer to search through the DB entries - multiple threads with less info in it, will search faster
but, if you end up with the same amount of data in part 2 3 4 as example, then you sit with exact same problem
me: ahh ok - thanks Babe!
Just in case anyone was wondering....
Hey Decemberite Family!
IF YOU LIKE OUR NEW NAME PLEASE CLICK the +1 on the button on bottom right of this Post.
"Decemberite Family Digs: AOS and BEYOND!"
Hence ... The Toys are Back in Town!!!! (thanks lee for that post btw) lol
Mari
I remember what it was like. The frustration, the impatience, the concern that I might've missed something out that was needed.
But, here's the rub. Once you (or your fiance(e)) arrive in the US, you/they will miss an equal number of things from home. So, my thoughts to you is to spend the waiting time visiting with friends, family and generally the people that you will miss. Take lots of photos, make special memories and enjoy what you have NOW, because you'll soon be looking back with sadness and loss, instead of missing your fiance(e).
Seriously, life doesn't magically get perfect once you are with your love. It is better to be with them, yes, but you exchange one type of love for another, and that can be equally hard. So, don't take today for granted. Spend it wisely and remember to tell those around you NOW that you love them and value them in your life.
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