adiiann

I am Android user. Google play have bunch of apps for US citizenship test. Only need 6 out of 10 correct answers if I remember. Make sure get apps that can be state specific so you don't have to research your gov, rep and sen.

_{Would've been here 5 years this April 7th. Married 6 years as of December, Got pregnant within the first few weeks of arriving and we now have 3 wonderful kids (yes, my profile pic is outdated).....the youngest, the only boy, was a surprise :-) Our eldest, who left the RP shortly after completing Preparatory level, skipped 1st grade here and is currently in 6th grade. Just as she has excelled in the RP, so has she done the same so far, being a consistently in the honor roll. Hubby and I are both currently working full-time jobs which is a challenge, being that child care is generally expensive and our nearest kin in 4.5 hours away. Thankfully, we found kind and understanding caregivers who love our kids as they love theirs. Just survived a string of birthdays/holidays/ despite a full-time sched. Hoping to make a trip back this spring}

Yep! Daycare is definitely expensive but we have no choice, we're both working full-time and my husband is in graduate school. How did you find caregivers?

So...where are the VJ Fil-Am success stories?

Let me start, me and Tahoma are still happy together. We've been married for almost five years. It's been the best five years of my life. He treats me like a queen/empress and I treat him like a king... I guess this is the formula of our success. We treat each other with love and respect. We bicker (like kids), we argue..but we still have fun!

We love to travel, talk, laugh, discuss different topics, and eat! It's just amazing how we are so compatible in so many ways. We always compromise. And, we listen to each other...well, sometimes he pretends! Bless his heart.

I still look forward to coming home to him at the end of my work each day.

Now, your turn...

~ Chinook

Hi Batch mate!

Yep! We're getting to the fifth anniversary. We moved from IL to neighbor state MO because of job. We just got back from our vacation in the Philippines with our one year old daughter and missed the polar vortex here in the Midwest. Life isn't easy especially when living far from our family. Not much Filipino friends here in St. Louis but at least I am happy to have Filipino Priest in our new parish. I am also done with my immigration process. It's just nice to have blue passport. LoL. Not much query.

Since, we're coming to our 5th year anniversary, we might do some travelling within the states while our daughter is with my in-laws on summer. So far, I didn't see any changes with our relationship which I don't expect to have changes anyway. LoL. But having our first baby after 3 years of marriage gave us time to know more each other as well as adjust to our differences. We're still silly and in-love to each other. I got more flowers and cards than before during different occasions. LoL. Trying to get more dates as much as we can since hardly do that when you have a kid.

I hope that a lot of us here that arguing in some interesting threads before are still in good and happy marriage after all these years.

A week?... lol... seriously?... seemed to be a joke.

The considered bar girls in the Philippines are those who are in prostitution business. What makes a former bar girls flagged as red flag when comes to relationships with foreign guys is their experience to be able to manipulate and more often after comfortable living the guy can offer than the relationship. Not all are like that, some got in that business against their will but those who chose to be a bar girl because they don't want to work hard labor to earn their living, and my opinion, those who should be cautious.

In Illinois

I applied SSN few days after I got her thru K1 visa. Then, after the wedding, I showed my marriage license and they changed it to my married name even before I submitted my AOS.

My family is not rich in the Philippines but they are working, that's why I am not sending money except for any emergency related reason. My grandparents said that I should save and spend my earnings to my family.They said I should secure my family's future. So I only send them goods once in awhile.

I probably just don't agree that husband should be the one save and prepare most for our future. I think it should be equal. I don't like the idea of keep sending money to your folks in the Philippines which often times make them a bummer and then when kids grow up and start college, have no saved money to assist them.

Not sending any money except for once in awhile goods. I don't pay all emergency expenses just contribute but so far none.

Our wedding rings are really simple and its identical. Just a band of tri-color gold. I had it custom made in the Philippines with our name on each ring.

Take a shower, a hearty meal since food in the plane sucks and a lot of sleep.

It was a challenge to us whenever we have fight, which we agreed to address it not more than 48hrs. But all in all, it was bearable enough, technology made things easier for us. And we're both busy until I moved here.

LoL. Sure you can, to most. Seen it several times to most Filipina I've met here in US. Most Filipina won't admit it. Haha. Sometimes, trying to fit with them, have to act like one which makes my husband laugh. I just told him... bear with me... I've been here for 4 yrs and all my friends are American. :-D

I see quite the opposite in my big circle of friends, which includes about 10 couples living in the Phils. The wife has just as much control, if not more. Come on, you can't control a filipina!!!

I think most Filipinas that are considered submissive are those who are scared of something.

Maybe use... "some" "most and not all"... when addressing characteristics... will resolve some arguments.

Anyway, majority of USC men think that most Filipina are easy to deal with and easy to control compare to USC women.

Tsk! Sadly this doesn't apply to me and my husband. So, I think we're part of those minority. LoL.

My opinion is based on observations and not actually applies on my situation as ours is absolute coincidence even though we've met online.

I think that one of the good reason why most Filipina hooked up with Americans than other foreign guys is tolerable language barrier. Since, Philippines have a good understanding of english even though you didn't attain higher education. Another thing that I lobserved is that Americans are less conservative when comes to custom and culture differences which is easy to adapt.

I will post more if I think more of ideas. Just hard to type and review post thru phone. LoL.

When we filed K1 before, my husband paid for the application but I paid all the expenses I incurred during the process in the Philippines. I even paid my own ticket. As for the church wedding, my husband paid majority of it except what we wore in the wedding, I brought it from Philippines and also I paid for church fees here.

You wait 3 months for culture. If culture is negative, then get ready for interview.

No need to cancel appointment, embassy already notified when she was told to do sputum test.

My MIL helped my husband to have church wedding. It is really small about 50 guests coz I don't have family here. I might have renewal of vow in the Philippines when my daughter is around 4. Anyway, mine, I want to make sure to have reliable bridesmaids and our ceremony is photographed professionally. I don't mind the reception.

But all in all, I like and enjoy my wedding. Most guests really had fun as much as I did.

I just want to start topic, something to talk about or share. All weddings always have glitches even though it is well prepared. So, what are the things you should or shouldn't have done in your wedding? Or something you will change if you will have your renewal of vow or another wedding in the Philippines?

To OP, I think what Vanessa&Tony trying to let you know is that you point out things for immigrant, so he/she pointing out things for USC in immigrants' point of view.

Your posts pertain mostly to USC perspective and bias.

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your input. Taking all the notes!

Hi guys! I have another question for upcoming vacation in the Philippines. I am trying to list the things I needed for my little one when we have our vacation in the Philippines.

For those who bring their kids in the Philippines. Did you guys bring a car seat for your kid/s during your vacation in the Philippines? What other stuff you guys bring with you? I am bringing my one year old then baby to the Philippines.

Appreciate suggestions.

Been here.. almost 4 years, lots of stuff I miss in the Philippines. LoL. With my busy life right now, I don't yet exactly what I miss but will surely know once we visit Philippines this year. Probably most of it are food that I can't get here.

Just sent 2 balikbayan box through LBC-chicago branch. It arrive about 7 weeks from the time we sent it. My family said that the box arrived fine and weren't open.

I usually put the chocolates in a plastic container before putting it in the balikbayan box.