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Klepley

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Posts posted by Klepley

    Thanks folks!

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Just wanted to say thank you for all the help I received in this forum. Especially those that took time to make the guides as without them, would have been much harder to figure out what to do, as well as would have waited for a letter that never came. My fiancee comes here on April 4th, so looking forward to the next part of my life!

    Thanks again,

    Kevin

    Interview Done and After Question

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Well, made it out of MD before the storm hit. Went to the interview and it was pretty easy. In fact, the pre screen person actually asked more questions then the interviewee and the few he asked were to me. My fiancee neglected to bring the CENOMAR(the marriage thing?) as she thought she only had to bring a copy of her annulment. They gave her a paper to have it filled out. She did it on the same day, Jan 28th at the official office in Manila. My question is can I use the same MNL number to check her status? When I put in the MNL number nothing comes up and it states I have a wrong number.

    Thanks!

    Kevin

    3 1/2 Years all over again except Snowmageden!

    in Philippines

    Posted

    So, 3 1/2 years ago we had the Hurricane that hit the East Coast and pretty much shut every airport down. Happened to be the same time I was going overseas to meet my fiancee for the first time. It was an insane adventure that week, but I was with a friend and one of the most memorable trips he and I ever had, especially the fact I made it on time (due to the fact we pulled many shenanigins which in itself is another story) and met her which made everything worth it. Now we have snowmageden coming and of course, I am supposed to leave Sunday so I can be there for her interview. She seems to think this is a test from God as was the Hurricane. I love God but really don't need any more tests...lol... So calling today to see if I can cancel my "free" ticket and get a new one to leave earlier. Anyone else in the same boat? Wish me luck!

    CFO Denseness?

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Ok, I've read about the CFO and looked at Greenbaum's site, but the CFO part still has me confused.

    It was stated:

    "Certificate of completion is given after completing the seminar regardless if she doesn't have a US visa. Actual 'sticker' to allow leaving the country is affixed to her passport after the visa is entered by the USEM."

    So does it matter when you do the CFO? Doing before the interview makes sense or after? IE Quicker? Who actually "affixes" the sticker? The US or the CFO?

    I guess I am confused as to how this works even after reading it several times.

    My though was for my fiance to do the Medical and CFO before the Interview and then it would all be streamlined?

    Thanks!

    First trip to Philippines, questions about NAIA airport

    in Philippines

    Posted

    After my first time traveling to the Philippines and from there to Thailand, I was instructed by my fiance I needed to stop bringing so much stuff. My luggage is now a backpack that I cram full of clothes, medicine for myself, and a kindle, and some snacks. So much easier to travel with no worries about extra stuff. But she is extremely practical and told me that if I feel the need to get gifts we will just pick them up in Manila before we go to her city. She also has my clothes, so I pack lightly and she brings some other things. It really is a much less stress when traveling and to this day I have now learned I don't actually need all the things I was always taking. Have done that now to Vietnam as well with her and was again, much less stress worrying about extra bags. TSA and the other security people in other countries are fine and to me just doing a job. Just get ready to do as they say and don't slow down the line. Many will tell you what needs to be done before you get to the actual area. Finally if you ever come through Dubai (and I am guessing most other same type countries) make sure you are carrying no alcohol on your carry on. I made the mistake of carrying a small bottle of rice wine with a cobra inside of it and was help up by their security for quite some time until I could convince them I was not going to drink it and it was only a souvenir. Most importantly, have fun, and try to remember you will be on Filipino time and as I was told go with the flow.

    Using China Air from the US to the Philippines?

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Using Korean Air which has been my primarily airline over the past four years for overseas flights and are very good at what they do. I've also fond Eithad and JAL to be exceptionally good as well. The worst trip was with American Airlines. Their entertainment system was down so nothing from Tokyo to Chicago for too many hours.

    The next time I fly, and if not worried about delays, will try Air China. I don't mind delays, or even people who don't speak my language. With the money I save, could even see the town for a night. Actually part of traveling, and sometimes the best part is meeting those people who you would never have met before if not for the sideline. This happened in Tokyo once and really enjoyed seeing the town for that night.

    As an FYI, my first time to the Philippines was right after Hurricane Sandy. It was quite the adventure flying out of the East Coast, and by all rights my buddy and I should not have been able to make it. We wheeled and dealed our way and completely changed our itinerary. The flight over from Dulles? I think 20 of us, so we each had our own row. To this day, my fiance believes the hurricane was a test from God and he wanted to see if I had the perseverance to get there.

    Best trip of my life!

    Using China Air from the US to the Philippines?

    in Philippines

    Posted

    I have read the reviews and interesting that people either give them 1 out of 10 or 10 out of 10 but with the reviews here, glad I didn't book them.. Extremely cheap when compared to other airlines, but since I want to make sure I get there with no problems, went to do my ticket on Korean Air to find out I have a free ticket.

    As an FYI, I tried that yesterday. Didn't have enough points. Went back today, and all of the sudden I needed less points today. Makes no sense. Did email them yesterday and let them I was extremely dissatisfied customer who has used their airline many times in the past seven years.

    Can't beat that!

    Thanks all for the advice. The Flight Aware thing is a great idea!

    Kevin

    MNL# and Email?

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Thanks but she is good. Her main concern is A) making a mistake and B) wanting to finish her teaching contract so we do not have to pay back her school. It has been 3 1/2 years now for us and we are both ready to get this done.

    As an FYI, I just read one of the other forum questions, and now I am concerned again or at least have a question. Her son was listed, and is not on either the NOA1 and NOA2. I noted in the other question a person said the same thing, but then they were listed on the MNL??

    So do we only receive one MNL for both of them?? She is going to start the process and I saw this question and now wondering?

    Kevin

    MNL# and Email?

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Yep, that is what i have told her, time and time again, and I am following what you have noted on your site. It is a great reference and has helped me immensely. Now if she would just listen. LOL!

    Thanks!

    Kevin

    MNL# and Email?

    in Philippines

    Posted

    If I understand correclty:

    I called the NVC and retrieved the MNL number. I was told the packet was sent to Manila on 11/24/2015.

    At this time, my fiance should set the interview date, even though I do not yet have the email stating the above has been received? And this email comes to me or to her?

    She is concerned she needs the email for the medical exam.

    Thanks!

    Kevin

    First trip to Philippines, questions about NAIA airport

    in Philippines

    Posted · Edited by Klepley

    To add onto the above which is pretty much spot on.

    1) Never been checked by customs for anything. Have been through NAIA seven times now I think and they just wave me on. My fiance told me I needed to stop packing so much stuff. At this point, I take a small backpack and keep the rest of my clothes with her. I only pack a few items to wear, and just have them cleaned when needed. Much less stress.

    2) You won't understand the chocolate thing either, until you try chocolate in the country. It seems to me that it tastes much different then what we have in the US. My fiance also wants me to send her chocolate if I have to send something. Just buy a couple small boxes of Godiva. No matter how much you take, there will normally be a ton of people who would like it. You just need to please her.

    3) I have not really been checked at Naia that well,and anything I want to make sure is safe, I put in my backpack, close it, and make sure I watch it as it goes through. Like I said, that is my only "luggage" and it never leaves my sight.

    4) The most important thing about PAL. Get there early if you can! They do not hold tickets and will sell your ticket if you do not check it. I highly recommend you have your fiance meet you at the airport and then travel with you if that works. Better yet, stay a couple days in Manila with just you and your fiance so you can get some quiet time together before meeting the family. I highly recommend this.

    DO NOT USE THE AIR SHUTTLES IF YOU ARE IN HURRY. Use the taxis. The shuttles are way cheaper, but the taxis get you to the domestic terminal much faster in my opinion.

    Good luck, have fun, but most importantly, remember, it is the Filipino way once you are there. I love the people and the place!

    Christmas gift for spouse/fiance in the Philippines

    in Philippines

    Posted

    DO NOT USE FEDEX. My fiance had to pay more to get the gifts that what I could fit in the box.

    I have used here for gift baskets:

    http://www.giftbasketsoverseas.com/

    and here for flowers and cakes:

    http://www.flora2000.com/

    Not sure your budget, but have found they deliver without a problem.

    Note if you order a cake from Flora, your fiance will need to go pick up at the bakery. And she can share this with family and friends!

    Another option is if you know someone in the Philippines, have them do for you. Cheapest route as they can do themselves, and you only need to send money via Western Union.

    OR

    I buy gifts for family members, box and send them over now. My fiance puts them up until Christmas. I have been lucky and have not had anything stolen from any of the packages I have sent. I send to her school and usually put some school supplies in there she can give the kids.

    On a side note, she is mad I do that as i she hates that I spend money. I am impractical, and she is practical, so we are a perfect match. It sounds like your fiance is the same way with "I don't want anything", which is pretty nice. For the first Christmas gift when we were apart, I sent her and her family all things Maryland. Crab soup, ####### spice, etc.. Good luck!

    Learning Tagalog

    in Philippines

    Posted

    My fiance has no problem with English. Very commendable for you learn Tagalog and you will learn some words very quickly. I went to my public library and grabbed one of the Tagalog language courses books. Copied the dics to my IPOD and started to play while driving to work. I am horrible with languages, but after a few trips of listening was able to pick up some of the language. I still can not speak it, but I know enough to get by. There are many cd's out there as well as some programs on the web that will help. Good luck!

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