Dean/Gra

Happy New Year to the Vj'ers Family! Hope you continue to share thoughts and ideas to everyone and may those who find love for good spend 2008 and the rest of the years Sooo Happy Together!

More Power and God bless you all!

Hi Dean/Gra,

Long time no hear! We're glad to hear from you. It's always good to hear from Manila thread oldtimers. And thank you for your message.

PW

Were glad to be back here and were defintely be keeping in touch to everyone! Happy Holidays to you guys!

To all Filipinas; we all have the same woes when we first got here & everything is new and strange but hold on it wont be long and we'll go with the flow!

We don't know what tomorrow brings so treat each day as if it were our last.

Seize and cherish every moment that we have with our loved ones, friends, family.

PW

Hello PW and everyone!

Im touched with that quote and so since we've lost touch for quite awhile , here we are again to wish everyone to have a wonderful holidays!

We've been checking Vj every now and then & were like PW who seemed to be bz like a bee(hehe). We want to end these year with gratefulness from our hearts to everyone who never cease to share their inputs...(old and new members, batchmates on the application/interview/AOS process, and most of all to the ever comapssionate advicers) Thank you everyone! Y'all be hearing from us now and then!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dean and Gra

Hope everyone is doing well. We are doing well, but I am sooooo freak'n confused on some of the topic description processes. I and my wife were married in March (she arrived here from Manila, PI on Feb 28) and all has been just wonderful, just very confused with some of the processes. I filed her AOS paperwork (I-485) on June 21, MSC received it on the 27th, and we completed her Biometrics yesterday (7-21-07), which I was amazed it was so quick (and the office is only 4 miles from where we live)! She has her SSN card, Military ID CARD (I am a retired Marine), Military Medical Insurance (Tri-Care), Dental, etc. Anyway, we tried to………

1) Obtain for her a Drivers Learner Permit (Virginia DMV=NIGHTMARE), and we were denied because her I-94 was expired (by one day). Depending on which DMV you ask, we have received many different opinions on how to obtain her Drivers Learner Permit. Has anyone else had this problem? The online documentation states that ‘have in possession a valid Passport and I-94, or an expired I-94.’ Also, it states that they ‘Might allow the use of the NOA2 (appointment of Biometrics), but it is up to the DMV officer to make a decision on this’. Very confusing and very frustrating.

2) Working: Was told by one store (Fashion Bug) that if they were to hire her, all they need is a SSN card and a military ID card (Valid ID). Do we need a I-765? I mean I about felt sick when I saw the price increase on the 30th of July! Can anyone help me with this? Wish I would have submitted it with her AOS package, but didn’t think we needed it because of her already having her SSN. This was one of the alternate documents that DMV asked for as well.

3) Expired I-94. Wow, I COMPLETELY underestimated, and quite honestly, didn’t have any clue on how important this form is. Is there a way of getting this renewed without paying the $500 or so amount? Or do I need to even consider this form at this point?

OK, thank you for your time and ANY opinions AND/OR suggestions, etc. would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. I am still in shock at home much the prices for all of the different paperwork will go up on the 30th of July! Thank God we submitted ours when we did. Take care, Stacy.

We were not able to get a state ID or learners permit in Oklahoma until the AOS is complete. We also applied to get her name changed on the SS card, but they also would not change until AOS is complete. I think we just need to wait until they get their work completed. Good luck,

Dean

I have been trying to schedule a DORA appointment (Dallas office) on the website for the past 2-3 weeks but have gotten the following message:

At this time, there are no appointments available for the office in your area.

Please try back again later.

Have any other couples received the same issue?

Thanks,

Bryan

We get the same thing at the Oklahoma City USCIS office website. We are going to send ours to Chicago to try to beat the fee increase.

Dean

ps congratulations on your marriage

we are in the process of filling out the i485.

we were just married last week.

my fiancee was going to have her name changed on her ssn.

should she get her name changed?

on the application should we use her new last name or her last name we used to file the i129f?

we also just moved. on the application for i485 should i use the new address?

how do i let the uscis know that we moved?

thankyou, any help will be appreciated.

Hi, we also just recently married and we went to the SS office to change her name but they would not change it until we had the AOS, nor could she get a state ID until the filing had been completed and approved. We used her married name except in the places it asked for maiden name. I would use the new address.

Dean

I think our interview is next!!! This Tuesday at 7:00.

And ours two days after, Thursday at 7:00 too! This is really getting exciting, isn't it Rick?

Here's to our successful interviews!!!

Hi Mae,

The hardes part of the visa process is the waiting. The interview is not difficult at all but the waiting until that day with all the buttflies in your stomach is the hard part. Just try to calm down and your interview will got well.

God bless you all and just take several deep breaths to calm down.

dean

Hi Everyone, We picked up our visa at the embassy today and will leave tomorrow morning at 6:40 am. for the US of A.

We had the interview and the CO said we had passed and would be getting a call from the embassy on Thursday. We were traveling in some remote areas visiting some of my friends this time and did not hear from the embassy. We returned to Manila and went to Surigao for a few days to visit more friends and returned on Monday, but the plane was late so we got to the embassy at 3:20 only to find the window closed at 3. Tuesday was labor day for the Philippines so the embassy was closed of course. We then went to the embassy on Wednesday to Window 34, (Visa pickup window) only to be informed that the visa had been approved but not printed. It had been 10 days since the interview and they had not printed the visa. The lady also told us that they had to get something from the US, which seemed like an out and out lie to me. We then went to window X on Wednesday morning to find out the status and the lady told us the visa was ready for pickup at window 34. The lady at window 34 seemed very surprised that we were there as she had not yet called us and could not figure out how we knew the visa was ready.

Anyway we were grateful to get everything completed and will be leaving in about 10 hours.

Dean

BTW, we went to Baguio for a few days. It was horrible. It was the absolute worst pollution I have every encountered. It was 10 times worse than Manila at it worst several years ago. I have been to Baguio before the pollution and it was a beautiful city and a lovely place to visit but if you can't breathe except while holding a handkerchef over your nose it is not so lovely any more.

Surigao on the other hand was absolutely fantastic. Although it is summer and very dry in most of the PI, it rained every day we were there but only rain showers.

Hi Dean,

Wow, sounds like you got the run-around there after your approval. Glad everything worked out in the end. Hope you have a safe trip back!

You said Baguio was very polluted. Lina and I were planning to go there while waiting for the visa to be delivered. Is it bad everywhere in Baguio or just certain areas to avoid?

Hi Guys, sorry it took so long to reply. We came into POE Detroit last Friday and have been "busy" ever since.

It was polluted almost everywhere except Camp John Hay. Baguio is such a beautiful city it is a shame to pollute it like that.

Gra finally found a hotel room at the Palladin Hotel. It was comfortable and resonable as well as clean. No elevators but it was ok. They also had a free massage which was ok but I wouldn't pay for it seperately.

Yeah, we definitely got the run around on the visa, but thank God we got it and everything worked out ok.

We came thru Detroit as POE. Gra was in one line and I was in another. It didn't take long for me to get thru but it took about an hour for her to get thru as she was taken to a seperate area for "interview". While she was there the computers went down and they had a problem for awhile which was the reason it took so long for her to get thru. One lady asked her questions, one of which is "do you have any food that you brought in?" Gra replied that she did not have any food at which the lady said, "if we find food you are done". Gra was very nervous as the lady was very intimidating and threatening. Obviously everything was ok and we finally got out of there.

As we were awaiting our flight to OKC Gra had her first culture shock and told me she had never seen so many white people and black people and so many speaking english ALL the time. haha She wanted to see more brown people.

Gra seems to be adjusting very well and has met some of my family and friends. She cooked rice almost as soon as we came home from the airport. lol

Congratulations to everyone that has had approvals lately. As for us it is time for us to investigate the AOS thing.

Dean

Hi Everyone, We picked up our visa at the embassy today and will leave tomorrow morning at 6:40 am. for the US of A.

We had the interview and the CO said we had passed and would be getting a call from the embassy on Thursday. We were traveling in some remote areas visiting some of my friends this time and did not hear from the embassy. We returned to Manila and went to Surigao for a few days to visit more friends and returned on Monday, but the plane was late so we got to the embassy at 3:20 only to find the window closed at 3. Tuesday was labor day for the Philippines so the embassy was closed of course. We then went to the embassy on Wednesday to Window 34, (Visa pickup window) only to be informed that the visa had been approved but not printed. It had been 10 days since the interview and they had not printed the visa. The lady also told us that they had to get something from the US, which seemed like an out and out lie to me. We then went to window X on Wednesday morning to find out the status and the lady told us the visa was ready for pickup at window 34. The lady at window 34 seemed very surprised that we were there as she had not yet called us and could not figure out how we knew the visa was ready.

Anyway we were grateful to get everything completed and will be leaving in about 10 hours.

Dean

BTW, we went to Baguio for a few days. It was horrible. It was the absolute worst pollution I have every encountered. It was 10 times worse than Manila at it worst several years ago. I have been to Baguio before the pollution and it was a beautiful city and a lovely place to visit but if you can't breathe except while holding a handkerchef over your nose it is not so lovely any more.

Surigao on the other hand was absolutely fantastic. Although it is summer and very dry in most of the PI, it rained every day we were there but only rain showers.

Just wishing those couples on the list with interviews this week a big GOOD LUCK and BEST WISHES!!!!

Dean/Gra 04-23-07

Mike Marivic 04-24-07

CocoPuff 04-25-07

MarieandBryan 04-27-07

Jeff&Boo 04-26-07

Next week its our turn in the hot seat! I keep telling myself its going to be fine and trying not to hyperventilate.

Congrats to everyone that got visas approved this week! Hope it will be us next week celebrating the joy of that moment.

Take care and God bless all!

Scott (and Mirasol.

One down, four to go, come on VJer's lets bat a thousand.

For the Medical Exam at SLEC:

What to bring:

14. When was the last time you had sexual contact? How was it?

p.s. - The "How was it?" follow-up question in #14 is a joke... Hahahaha!!! But they do ask when was your last sexual contact.

I was like huh...hehe, i could have asked you if it was serious or a joke. I scrolled down more and saw your posts script that it was a joke.

You should have asked, "with someone else or by myself?" hahahaha

WHHOOOOPPIII We were approved for our visa during interview today. We had 7:30 am interview, we were there at 6:45, back at the hotel at 11 am.

Thank you so much everyone especially PW and Sheriff Uling. We took Sheriff's map to interview, it helped a lot althought things have changed a little since the orginial post was done. I will let you know later what they are.

The CO was a middle aged white guy, he asked us to sit down, swore us to tell the truth. Asked Gra how we met, when did I come to see her, then made the comment that I must really mean this to make 3 trips in 9 months. haha of course I told him I could not stay away from her. He looked at the photos, made comment, "nice rock", we just smiled. The the photos of the engagement, he was impressed said "you are romantic". Gra had done a great job with the folders, even putting stickers on the pics, like "faces of love", etc. He said it was very well done, and that it made his job easier. He said he enjoyed looking at the pics. hahaha Then he said, "You are approved, this looks great, do you have any questions?" We asked for an embassy pickup and he said "no problem". Waited to be called again and that was that. now the celebration.

Dean and Gracia

Please bless Vic as he cleans the house, the toilet, the garage, the cupboards, the oven, the dishwasher, the basement, and the yard before El arrives.

Have a happy reunion, Vic, and may God bless your union.

Ha..I thought my house was clean...then Judy arrived.

I told her good thing we do not have mice (cats) she would just chase them down and shampoo them.

My home has never been so clean, Nor my heart so happy.

Sweet Judy is in the bed with the flu, she refuses to go to the doctor. If she is not better within the next day or two...well, I am bigger than her.

Oh and Gents, be aware of the cultural differences that you will face...I caught Judy a fresh fish which she promptly cooked...Then I watched in near horror as the beautiful, delicate flower of a woman that I love deeply...ate its head.

Peace, Alan

I'm cleaning too.

Hey Guys quick question about the airport fees and the Philippine traveler tax. I am correct that this tax was 1650? Airports fees are the same? She has a flight from CDO to Manila, then Manila to Tokyo. Does Tokyo ask for any airport fees or taxes?

Thanks Victor

Hello Mike,

It's great news that you found a joint sponsor for your wife.

Well on my case we really don't know what's going on. My husband called the embassy last week and was told that they are still verifying the papers we sent to NVC and they won't tell what doc they are checking on.

Very well said, we just wait for God's time and may He bless us with more patience and strenght in handling this.

Hi everyone!

count me in! i'm on AR jail too because of their routine check at NSO. We did call USEM twice and the recent update was..they already file a request at NSO on very same day i was placed on AR.

Goodluck to everyone and God Bless...

I am still waiting in AR hell also....

We turned in all the required SLEC paperwork on 03/28. I called the embassy last week, and they said they had requested additional documents, which they received the day I called. No idea what documents they requested, or where the documents came from. The girl I spoke to at the embassy said I just need to be patient. Which of course, is very easy to say, but so hard to do!

So, you guys are not alone... Hopefully, we'll all hear the good news one day soon...

Been there for sure, good luck guys!!!

Hi Vic, In addition to the 1650 pesos there is an additional 750 pesos to be paid at the Manila airport. I have been thru Tokyo many times and never had to pay any fees there. I love japanese food but the food there really sucks. Have a great trip.

Now, I have to find out how to get a divorce from her and I guess I will never be able to marry another Filipina, as I was married in the Philippines. Can you believe this? Now we see why the Manila embassy is so strict. I am sure this is just one example. Thanks for listening.

Glenn&Rosemarie aka Glenn&Lezbo

If you were de-frauded, that is grounds for annulment. With an annulment, it is as if you were never married. Were you married in a Catholic Church? Even if you were in civil ceremony, you can still file for annulment if you want to meet another Filipina.

We were married in the Catholic church there in the Philippines. Surely with my story, I can get an annulment. Do you agree? I just need to begin the process. Thanks

Glenn, Thanks for the courage to write these posts. It is never easy to admit you have been duped, as all of us know. I just feel like you are a really good guy and you have been taken advantage of by this woman and her whole family. Unfortunately there are whole families like that, not only in the Philippines but in the US also. Just as Birdysboy stated there are lots of scammers on the internet, but there are also some nice ladies on there, it is just difficult to determine which is which sometimes.

I agree with the others, cancel the AOS and check with your attorney about a divorce or annulment. See what the laws are in Florida, can she get any of your assests if you divorce her or get an annulment? It might be wise to check with the attorney about the AOS prior to doing anything. Just protect yourself as much as possible.

I would contact the man in Arizona and let him know what is going on. After all, don't you wish someone had told you what is going on before this whole thing blew up in your face? It is very possible that he will not believe you, but you need to make the call anyway.

I know it will be sometime before you open your heart to another woman because this will take some time to get over, but when you do please look for the red flags that come up and check them out. My sweetie has never asked for money, nor do most of the sincere filipinas. After all they had to have money before you came along. There are exceptions, but for the most part they will not ask for money.

As for myself, there is no doubt in my mind that she is a gift of God to me, and me to her. I have never been so sure about anything in my life as I'm sure of my love for her and my devotion to her. She is indeed the love of my life, the most wonderful person I have ever met and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

PW,

we got our visa on 4/15 it was supposed to be delivered to Bayawan but Delbros said they wouldnt be able to deliver it to her house and that they would just give the visa to the Ceres bus driver to deliver

I find it hard to understand why we pay extra to have delivered in province and they wont deliver it.

My fiancee had to go to Dumaguete and pick up her visa .

CONGRATULATIONS! Have a safe trip.

Good morning all,

Well its been a little over 2 weeks now since Jasmin and Gracey arrived, and all is going very well. Jasmin got her SSN in the mail last week (very quick), they arrived on march 29th and the date on the ss card is april 3...wish immigration worked as fast as the SSA.. Gracey started school last week, the principal agreed to put her in the same Kindergarten class as my youngest son Tristan. Both kids were so excited and Gracey had no problem adjusting to the school. It really amazes me how quickly she is learning more English and communicating so well. Jasmin is adjusting well also, but now that the kids are in school she is alone in the house during the day so we are searching for a part time job for her. Its difficult to find something here for just a few hours a day while the kids are in school thats close enough to walk to...as it will be a while before we can get another car and teach her to drive here in the US.

All in all things are going very well, my family absolutely adores Jasmin and Gracey and we have spent alot of time visiting with them. Jasmin is enjoying the conveniences of things like the microwave, vaccuum cleaner and especially the washer and drier. Gracey is still amazed that you can drink the water here right from the tap. They are both getting used to the food here...of course i went out and bought alot of white rice before they arrived, but each day we try something new to learn what they like and dislike...for the most part they are enjoying the new flavors and tastes.

The only bad things so far are...me coming down with the flu for the second time in a month, so Jasmin got to see what a big baby I am when i'm sick....lol and the weather...here in New York its been unseasonably cold and we have had a little snow here and there...like riht now...here we are half way throung april and we are having a "nor-easter"...its snowing out as I write this...but it cant last forever!! Gracey actually seems to like the colder temperature...Jasmin...not so much...lol

I'm just so happy to finally have my two girls home with me...it was such a long wait!!! Our 1 year wedding anniversary is coming up next week...

Good luck to all!!!

Jazzy

Thanks for that wonderful report, its good to see you and your family so happy.

We Got It. Visa In Hand

Interview was 4/10/07 Everything went fine, only lasted 15 mins After waiting in line forever!!

Recieved Visa 4/13/07 Wow...3 days

CONGRATULATIONS to both of you.

If PW is not approved today , I might be forced to fly to the Phil and run naked around the USE in protest. I can see the news headlines reading, "Black man runs naked around the USE in protest of injustice!"

:crying: WAAAHHHHH!!! HUHUHU!!! :cry: Sheriff, you’d better get a seat on the next plane to Manila because you’re gonna run naked in front of the USE.

Just giving you a scare guys. Consul said “everything looks fine” so I guess I’m APPROVED! WOOHOOO! Thank you all for your prayers and support.

My son and I arrived at the embassy at 7:15 am for the 7:30 interview. By the time I was interviewed by the consul, it was already 2:00 pm! So many people inside. We stepped out of embassy grounds at exactly 3:00 pm, arrived home at 4:45 pm. Reporting for duty now hehe.

My Filipino pre-screener was super duper friendly. Feeling ko nag-bonding kami (charing!). We made chika-ola for 30 minutes. ~ imagine, my pre-screening took all of 30 minutes! Tagal no? Sabi ko na nga ba, the embassy missed me kaya they wanted me back hehe.

On a serious note, please bring the pink receipt that BPI issues during your interview. The bank validation of my DS-157 lacked a “checkwriter” stamp and it caused me some delay. Good thing I brought my pink receipt so they just stapled it at the back of my DS-157. Please remind BPI to stamp the “checkwriter”.

Will update more later guys. I need to wake up my hotDoug (my fiance's name is Douglas and I call him hotDoug behind his back hihi)

a very happy PW

CONGRATULATIONS CORA AND DOUG!!! Happy days are here again.

Have a great life together and may God bless your marriage.

You have been a tremendous blessing to all of us here in the fil-am family.

Gra and Dean

PW, we want to hear you shouting for joy tomorrow when you pass the interview. When we hear of a major earthquake in the Philippines tomorrow we will know you passed. You go girl.

Hello All VJers

Congratulations on the recent visa approvals.

Thanks to Sheriff for information and PW for adding me.

PW hope all goes weel for you and your long wait is over soon.

Hope to become better acquainted with all of you.

Quick question..they never seem to end..sorry

I have seen reference in these posts to having a CENOMAR (Certificate of no marriage record) as part of a fiancee's interview documents. I can't seem to find it in the US Embassy (Manila) listing of required documents. Is this a document I should have my fiancee obtain to add to her interview documents?

Thankyou for any help with this.

Also is there any ladies (VJers) from the Philippines who are going to or already are residing near the Albuquerque, New Mexico who might be willing to become friends with my fiancee (soon to be wife). Just trying to prepare for her future arrival here and help her feel more comfortable.

Thanks All

Carl

Welcome to the crew Carl. It is required that she have a CENOMAR that she obtains thru the local authorities. This will be one of the items needed for the interview only. She will get some instructions once you get an NVC number and they send her a letter to be expecting the Packet 4 with all the forms and other pertinent info.

dean

I guess at this point I have to accept that Rosemarie is not coming back home. I was filed reports with state and local law enorcement and they really cant do anything about this I have sent a text message to everyone in her family and no reply from any. My attorney and his acossiciates have been 100% useless Any suggestions from anyone?

Thanks

Hi Glenn, at the risk of sounding like I'm defending an attorney, there isn't anything they can do. Unfortunately the only thing you can do is protect yourself and many have already said in this forum. Love involves exposing one's self to abuse by the party being loved. Most of us have had our hearts broken at some time in our lives, although I'm sure it doesn't get any easier. The only one that can break your heart is someone you love and love sincerely. Take some comfort in the fact that you did love her and probably still do, that it was not you that deserted her, but she deserted you. Some people are incapable of loving, this proves that you are not one of those people. Love is something that MUST be given away, otherwise it is not love, and you have done that.

As painful as all this is at the moment, Don't become hardened by this experience but do become wiser. Through all the love, anger, worry, and probably some other emotions that are being mixed together right now guard your heart, do not become bitter and do not harbor animosity in your heart toward Rosemarie or anyone else involved in this whole tragic situation. I suggest you pray for her everyday as well as those that helped her. I can tell you from personal experience that you will get relief by praying for her on a daily basis for at least 2 months.

God bless you, Dean

Hello PW... I am happy to report that Lina went to her interview yesterday (4/11) and learned that she passed today (4/12).

Congrats to you Dean iWait & DaveandFleur (and any others I missed on previous pages)!

I'm a little confused here, (which is nothing unusual). You timeline says your interview is next month. How did you get an interview in April, or are you talking about the medical?

Hello My VJ friends. We had a very eventful interview day today. We started this morning preparing documents to make sure we were prepared for the interview. We started at 7:30AM and were interviewed at 10:30AM. The interview was a breeze as the consular asked my Fiancee what she knew about me besides what was in the packet of information. More less was was discussed is why she loved me. This has been such a long process, but is so worth the wait and patience.

WE PASSED!!! I am so thankful for all the support. I am currently in an internet cafe near SM mall and I just wanted to let you all know. Delbros will deliver in the next few days and we are planning a trip with Fleur's famil from Subic Bay.

Thank you all so much and for all the answered questions. I learned so much from VJ. I can tell you follow the instructions that people tell you. Make no errors on the paperwork and if you have plenty of proof of relationship. Interview is a breeze.....

More later.....

Please update us as PASSED today 4/11/2007 and Visa should arrive next week......

God Bless you all..

DaveandFleur

CONGRATULATIONS Dave anf Fleur, Have a happy life together

I just got back from phil. tonight. We had a blast! Lira is at St. Lukes right now getting her results, *fingers crossed*

Welcome to your VJ home Chad! Here's to Lira's successful medical!

Mae

Thanks Mae. After flying out of japan (layover), we flew near- what appeared to be- a volcano. So of course I had to take a picture of it

I think that is Mt Fuji

Hmmm....

Well that was pretty easy. I just got word that the interview lasted less than 5 minutes, and only 2 questions; 1) what are his hobbies?, and 2) what does he do for a living? Then she was given our personal documents and asked to pay Delbros. That was it.

So I guess it's finally time to say it:

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

This is going to be interesting....!!!! I'm going home now to do laundry and practice putting the toilet seat down.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! But you are one sick guy, she needs to learn how to put the toilet seat up. hahahahaha

Have a great life together.