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I am surprise that I didn't get sick ever since I got here right on time the winter started...thank God! It's weird that my husband has been sick for few times already this winter...so i guess it depends on how strong you keep your immune system. I am not taking any vitamins but I make sure I always get enough sleep and drink plenty of water. It helps! I hope you get well soon

Funny how you mentioned about the veggies, co'z I am not a fan of it either. I sometimes eat veggies but always with a meat. My husband knows what I call the salad = grass lol. I am lucky that my husband likes filipino food, since I am the one who cook in the house, there is nothing he can do but eat whatever i prepare. The only thing he doesn't like are the bones, like when I cook chicken adobo...I make slices that are purely meat for him and some slices have bones for me (my fav). When we dine out, so far there are only few restaurant that we can both agree to go to...mcdo, any pizza place, emperor's wok (chinese) and applebee's. I don't like greek or mexican food. Basically, I can eat most of their food here but I gotta have rice at least once a day or else i wont ever get full. LOL

When it comes to money, my husband is the only one working right now so money is kinda tight for us plus I am pregnant, so go figure. He let me have his paycheck and do the budgeting since he's not good at it (he admit it). I bet you we will be eating chips and fast food everyday if he will be the one holding the money. lol Good thing my mom has taught me how to be frugal since I was a kid...she let me go to the market alone and cook dinner at the age of 9, so i pretty much know how to spend money wisely. Of course, it is important that you discuss with your husband where and how you gonna spend the money even if you're the one in-charge of it.

Hey Congratulations!!! You made it!!! Welcome to the U.S.A

There is not much you can get from websites but your fiance can help you a lot. You can learn when you are chatting/talking with her...ask her to mix a lil visayan words on her sentence and slowly you will learn some words.

I have known my husband for 4 yrs now and these are the visayan words that he remember: maayong buntag, maayong gabii, kutsara, tinidor, bulad, babae, gihigugma taka, palangga, ayaw lagi ba, sige and the rest are "sensitive words"

I salute you for your interest to learn the visayan language. Goodluck!

Elma, Dear, this is the 21st Century. Have you heard of the concept of an "open relationship?"

Yes sir I am aware of "open relationship" but my mind is still close about it LOL. I don't really understand why people have to get married and decided to have an open relationship. I don't know, it is just weird. Not everything on the trend now is really good for everyone. So, umm...ill remain to be faithful to my husband even if we're on generation Z now or whatever!

Wow a whole day seminar...I only had it for 2 hours in Manila...30 mins of it was introducing yourself to other applicants and 30 mins was spent by fixing the microphone LOL. The actual discussion was so boring. I hope the PRISM will improve it co'z the seminar is really not worth for the money we paid for them.

I bet many people who will read your post would think you are crazy for continuing your relationship with this girl eventhough she has a child with another man while she is married with you. If you don't mind me asking, why you had put the visa on hold before? Were you guys went on "separate ways" that's why she met another man and got pregnant? And now you guys realized you want to save the marriage? It's ok if you don't want to answer my questions. Im just trying to understand things co'z I don't want to be jumping on conclusion here. If you are willing to take her child from her another man there must be a really strong reason for that...you must really love her.

As far as I remember, the church requires you to submit your marriage license from the local registrar office but since you got married here in US, I think you need to report your marriage to NSO first and secure your marriage contract. I am not really sure how that works. Also they will be asking yours & your husband birth certificates, baptismal certificates and confirmation certificate. There will be a marriage banns also which will be posted for 3 consecutive Sundays, so better plan a longer vacation in the Philippines. Some parish will require a letter from your husband's parish priest to certify that he's free to be married in Catholic church. I don't know if that is still applicable to you since you guys are already married but it's better to be prepared than sorry, right? I guess it's better to call the parish office where you plan to get married to have a complete details of the requirements. Ask if you need to attend the pre-cana seminar too. Some parishes are quite strict with their requirements...others are considerate enough.

I attended the CFO Guidance & Counseling seminar last year and I never made any appointment with them. I just walked in to their office in PRISM with some documents then they let me in. I guess it was different before. Have your mom attend the first session so she can get it all done in one day...because after the seminar in PRISM you have to go to CFO office for the sticker.

If you have the means to be with her on her interview that would be great. My husband wasn't there on my interview but yeah it must be nice to have someone to hold my hand but at the same time, I will be double nervous co'z I know my husband when he's nervous...he's even worst than me! LOL

So if you can fly there for her interview...GO GO GO!!!

thank you for the replies, to answer some of the questions brought up, we plan on using power of attorney to set up the wedding cert, that way most of the paper work will be done before i get there, also her family in us have never tried to sponsor her to get her us visa,i am troubled by the fact we didnt have engagement party,but we are older so didnt think it as nessasary, has anyone married without engagement ceramony,and recieved pink? and also how would one address this issue to co

We never got an engagement party nor an engagement ring but yes I passed the interview. The CO didn't even ask about the engagement but she was interested in looking our wedding photos coz I brought the whole album which shown my hundred families and friends who have attended the wedding lol (she even appreciated the ceremony). I am not sure about the tradition in Vietnam though, if engagement party is very important there because in the Phils. it is not a big deal if you don't have it.

They might be questioning her about her family in the US but make sure you'll have the evidence of how you guys have met and prove that were not introduced by her family

Goodluck and best wishes

I have a big circle of friends back in the Philippines. We were in college when we started hanging out so basically we were all singles that time. Later after college, some have found their bf/gf's already and I knew things wont be the same anymore since they would rather spend holidays with their sweethearts than with the group. So as the "mother" of our group, I made an effort to always invite their partners to come to our group outings, that way everyone will be happy and doesn't feel the need to choose between friends and their partners. Now, my friends husbands/wives are all part of our gang. As a friend, even how close I am to my male friend still I couldn't let him stay in our house while I am alone. Not because I dont trust him but because I don't want my husband to feel uncomfortable...and I dont want him to start hating my friend...so to avoid that, you gotta put a certain boundary in your relationship between you & your friend. IF he/she is a real friend to you...he/she should understand that and would not ask you to do something that could ruin your relationship with your partner. I value friendship very much and I do not wish to come to the point where my husband would ask me to choose between him and my friends, for me that is just so unfair. So to avoid this situation, you gotta learn how to put boundaries between these two relationships and how to blend them together without making one's feel being left out. You guys really need to settle this issue now or this will be a big problem in the near future. I truly understand how you feel right now.

Btw, for some reason this thread reminds me of the movie "My bestfriend's Wedding". (one of my fav)

Just like everyone says COMMUNICATION helps a lot. My husband and I used to have msn running since we get home from work until we leave for work the following day. I know it's crazy but I mostly eat my meal inside my room because I want to eat with my hubby...my parents is used to it already lol. We used to sleep together with cam and call running so I can still hear him snore lol. When I got here, he told me he miss the sounds of the rooster, dogs, tricycles and lizard from my room lol (i miss it too). We even talked about it the other day how we miss those times we were on cam. I told him to get me a laptop so I can sit on the bed and chat with him while he's sitting here infront of the desktop lol.

Ok another thing is TRUST. My husband and I was really struggling on that part when I was still in PI. I have to admit, being jealous is really one of my weaknesses...especially when you have gone through a difficult past that made you a bit careful when trusting someone. My husband too was kinda like me so it was really a struggle for both of us back then. Just like you, I was being paranoid too. When I dont see him online on the time I expect him to be, all the creepy things consume my mind already...what if he got into an accident...what if...what if...so as soon as he get online...dang, he gets in trouble! LOL

Another thing, try to keep yourself BUSY but always make time for him. Spending too much time idle is just making the time moves slower for you. So try to continue your life there, go out with friends, spend time with your family because once you'll be here you will gonna miss them. If you have a job there it would be a good way to keep your mind busy too.

And of course, PRAY to God

Ok I have many things I appreciate about American but since this post is about the things DO NOT LIKE, here are some:

1. Winter - Snow is beautiful but I hate the cold weather. I don't like it (period)

2. No fresh fish (here in Missouri) Filipinos always appreciate fresh fish in the market (some fish are even sell alive) so seeing those fish in a freezer that I don't know how long it's been there just make me wanna puke. (sorry that's just me) I know most of Americans will puke too if they see fish at the store with head and tails (just like my husband lol).

3. Public transportation is very minimal...sometimes it takes an hour to wait for a bus. Now i appreciate the noisy and over populated public utility jeepneys in the Phils. lol

So far that's the only major things I do not appreciate about living here...the rest is all good. I realized that the more I hate this place the harder it is for me to adjust and settle here, so I am trying to learn to love this country since this is the place where my husband was born...and I know this country means a lot to him...so I will respect that...as I want him to respect my country too

Sometimes you'll be asked a lot of questions when they learn that you were introduced by a family members because they could be suspicious if the aunt is using the USC to get her family to the states or something like that. But the best thing you can do is be prepared to prove your relationship but providing more evidence of a genuine relationship. Try to back up your statements with your evidences so the CO will check those and that could be very helpful. Thinking positive will help you have a clearer mind during the interview Goodluck!!!

i am marie 24 yrs old.my petitioner is from PA we applied k1 visa. he filed my petition last oct 3,2009. noa1 approved last nov 2009. noa2 approved dec 9, 2009. my bf recieved the letter with the case number 3 days after our noa2 approval. i dont know where to follow up now my concerned about not recieving the letter instruction of my medical.and it is more than 1month now and this is a long wait i think coz most of my friends recieved there letters two weeks after the noa2 approval.i try to call the manila embassy and they refer me to a hotline number and it makes me pissed off coz no one answer my calls.and the hotline is always busy.i dont know what else to do now.my bf want me to follow up this but i keep trying calling those contact numbers that i have.i want to schedule now my medical coz since we have already my case number.but my bf said to me that i need first to get my letter at the same time the packet package.pls help me. i want to know whats happening on my petition now? i cant wait to get there in usa.i really miss my bf.its almost 1 year since we havent see to each other.a friend of mine telling me that i can be able to call now the st. lukes for my medical schedule coz i have already my case number.my question is how i can be able to contact the st lukes now.i dont have yet the instruction letter that i am waiting.and also the packet package is not yet deliver for me.i say to my bf that he need to call the uscis about this but he said that this is not the uscis concerned.i really dont know what to do for this.hoping for your advice guys. thanks alot and GODbless us all..

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Hi. Sometimes it will take a while from the approved petition to be sent to NVC and NVC to the US Embassy in Manila. I suggest you have your fiance call the embassy and inquire if they already got your papers and if you are eligible for interview then he can pick a date for you. The embassy will also notify you through emails if you are eligible for an interview (so keep checking your inbox too). I got the email first before the hard copy on the mail so I just printed the emailed appointment letter and brought it to St. Luke so I can have my medical exam. I also suggest you post your question in a new forum so you'll get more answers

To the orig OP:

It is really hard to predict if you fall into a nice CO or the tough one but either way, just try to think positive about them so you will have a clearer mind during the interview process. Always be nice and polite no matter how scary looking they are, they are just individual like us so don't get intimidated coz that will just make you feel nervous. About the possible questions...they will ask anything about you and your fiance/husband, so it is not really hard to answer if you know your partner very well and remember those significant dates/events in your relationship. So try not to worry too much about it. Just be honest and concise when answering Goodluck girl Bring us the good news!

Every questions they will ask is all about you and your husband so it is not really hard to answer if you know your partner very well and remember those significant dates/events in your relationship

I don't know what made me so lucky that I got my visa in 2 days knowing that I am from Davao City. As soon as i got back to Davao the following day from Manila I got a text msg from air21 saying that my visa is ready for delivery to our home. I actually wasn't in a hurry to receive it but they surprised me It is funny how eager I was to get the process done with the embassy but as soon as I received my visa I cried. Tears of joy and at the same time I was sad & nervous that ill be leaving my home since birth lol.

Just be patient guys, you'll receive it soon. Tell your honey to spend much much time with her family and friends than to worry about the visa to arrive co'z it will arrive eventually. Safe trip to her and best wishes to both of you!!!

Our wedding rings nevers leaves our fingers even when we shower or do stuff. I remember when I was still in the Phils. we kiss our rings instead of kissing the webcam lol. There is something about the ring that makes me proud wearing it around. I like the people to know that I am married

Goodluck guys! Kaya nyo yan!!!

The date on their website is the date of your interview. You can have you medical exam anytime before your interview. I did mine like a week before my interview schedule. Just bring your interview appointment letter to St. Luke (make 3 copies), two 2x2 ID picture and passport.

Kita lang ko ug Sinulog sa tv pero wala pako ka witness sa personal...unta puhon kay murag lingaw kaayo pareho sa Kadayawan sa Dabaw! Pit Señor!!!

I attended the CFO seminar few days before my interview because I live in Davao City so I grabbed the chance to attend the seminar while I was in Manila that time. I got my CFO sticker the day before my flight here in the US. It only took me like an hour to get it. My flight was early in the morning so I had to be in Manila a day ahead and it also give me some time to get that sticker and I made it sure it's not holiday or weekend.

Btw, you will need to bring a copy of your immigrant data summary sheet. The one that is attached to the brown enveloped...make 2 photocopies of that, your CFO seminar certificate with receipt and your passport with visa.

I wish I can convince my husband to respond to this but I have asked him these questions before so i'll tell you about it. And as a filipina, I also want to answer this...if it's ok

1.) Why filipina: He said he wasn't really pursuing to marry a filipina in particular and he wasn't even thinking of getting married that time (@ 34) until he found me. First thing he likes about me when we first talked online was my sarcasm and being a "smart-@s$" lol he thought hmmm...interesting. So we communicate everyday and got to know each other better and later he realized that I am the kind of woman that he wish to be with for life...and i feel the same way for him. So we got married! He married me not because I am a filipina...he doesn't even look at me as a filipina but as a person of who I am. Yes we hear a lot of nice things about filipinas but I think NOT all of us are the same...so with other race.

2.) Yes, we are very happy with each other. I hope my husband feels the same too, LOL ok we find each other annoying sometimes, but yes we are happy and in love as always. We get arguments and stuff like normal couples do...but the make up part is the best thing about it.

3.) There is nothing I wish to change about us...this is how we fell in love...so this is how we gonns live. Ok, if there is one thing I want to change now...our address. I wish we live in the Philippines, so I don't have to deal with snow and cold (grrr) LOL

4.) Yes, I want to fall in love with him over and over again if I will be given a chance the only part that I don't wanna do again is the VISA process hehehe...but if thats what it takes to be with him then yes.

5.) Tips for the newlywed: Ummm...so far I've only been married for almost 2 yrs now. What I have learned from this marriage is patience...MORE patience! Yep the wedding is nice, sweet and like a fairytale but to keep the marriage alive is a LOT of drama, actions and suspense LOL. Don't spend too much time worrying about the future...you enjoy each others company and compliment each other. Oh when you are mad and sometimes you want to strangle your partner...try to look at her/him when they're sleeping...it will calm you down and you will think she/he's an angel...then the next thing u want to do is reach her/him and kiss. It works for me

Best wishes to both of you! Have a happy marriage

I believe that the validity of the visa depends on the date of your medical...and it is only good for 6 months. I had my medical in June 10 which was a week before my interview. They gave me a visa valid until December 10. I have a friend here in vj who had same interview date with me and her visa is valid until August because she had her medical as early as February. So I figure out it all depends on when did you get your medical. I am not 100% sure that's how it works though.