sojen

Tell him how you feel about the whole thing.

Injust did.. Like i have said we are located in orange county california.. The only thing i know is st. Mary and de paul... Any experience in engagement encounter retreat here can post it here.. Thank you

I would say, the engaged encounter that we went to was very helpful to us in our marriage. The booklet that they gave us during the retreat have guide questions that we never thought about because we are just so busy about the paperworks and interview and the marriage preparations. It talks about priorities and finances other simple stuff that. I cannot say it was a fun experience to me, it was a pain, but it definitely help us to be more considerate and patient in each other's differences.

It's really hard to tell. IMO based on experience, I would say it really depends on the immigration officer . When I had my AOS interview they asked for my I-693. But it wasn't the same with my friend, in her case the immigration officer said it was okay that she didn't have the I-693. We had the same place of the interview both filed for the AOS before the I-94 expired and had the same shots that we needed to complete once we get here like the HPV vaccine, only that I was a year earlier.

Some people just do it so that there will be no more hassle in delaying the AOS approval, but some people prefer to wait until their interview or RFE to get the I-693

When I was young my family always go to the beach every afternoon. But my mother won't allow us to go deeper because she's so afraid that we'll drown. Then when I was on my teenage years I'll just go to the beach with my friends to relax and not to swim for fear that I'll get too dark. When I met my husband, I don't really have a choice but to learn since he loves the beach so much and we always go for island hopping. He was surprised to know too that I don't know how to swim since I live on an island. At first I used a life jacket but it doesn't feel good since the lifejacket goes to my neck and Im having a hard time breathing. But now I can swim, not a strong swimmer but at least I can float..=)

kakaiba, I find it disrespectful sa restaurants na kunin agad ang plate mo even before some plate aren't still finish or even di pa kayo nagbabayad which people here find it disrespectful kung di agad kinuha ng waiter ang plate empty, I always get pissed and that's one thing which annoys me

that's true...there was one time na talagang hinawakan ko yung plato ko dahil hindi pa ako tapos....

kakaiba, I find it disrespectful sa restaurants na kunin agad ang plate mo even before some plate aren't still finish or even di pa kayo nagbabayad which people here find it disrespectful kung di agad kinuha ng waiter ang plate empty, I always get pissed and that's one thing which annoys me

that's true...there was one time na talagang hinawakan ko yung plato ko dahil hindi pa ako tapos....

No man is an island. Especially a Pinay apparently. It has been a busy first year with the baby and all but I would like to have friends from Pinas here. So is there anybody from VJ that live in Bend, Redmond or Prineville OR? Sistahs a shoutout naman oi! Pinay girl looking to make a connection. My name is Ria from Tacloban City, Leyte now living in Prineville OR. Magparamdam naman po kayo!

hello, Im also from Oregon but in Portland, but still it's good to know a pinay who lives in Oregon. . I hope you can find pinays there who live in your area....=)

Congrats !! Adding sojen to CSC list (CSC, right?)

California Service Center (24 applicants, 16 approved 67%)

VJName............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....

JLOVESC..............03/31/11........04/04/11.......05/12/11........--/--/11....

ARAVIS227............04/01/11........04/04/11.......05/05/11........06/16/11....

JOHNICHKA............04/01/11........04/06/11.......05/11/11........07/19/11.... (card received 7/23)

PDX5.................04/02/11........04/06/11.......06/02/11........07/19/11.... (card received 7/22)

MICHAELOLESEA........04/04/11........04/06/11.......05/12/11........07/22/11.... (RFE received 7/12, responded 7/15)(card received 7/28)

ESHANSMOMMY..........04/04/11........04/08/11.......05/20/11........07/08/11.... (card received 7/14)

G00B3R...............04/04/11........04/06/11.......05/12/11........08/04/11.... (RFE received 7/11, responded 7/26)(card received 8/10)

NORMAN AND DIJANI....04/05/11........04/12/11.......05/12/11........08/13/11.... (RFE received 6/18, responded 7/30)(card received 8/14)

MERENGUERA...........04/07/11........04/14/11.......05/17/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 7/27)

GOONER...............04/08/11........04/11/11.......05/13/11........07/19/11....

CALIFORNIALOVE99.....04/10/11........04/11/11.......05/20/11........07/21/11.... (Early Bio 5/09)(card received 7/25)

NAGISHKAW............04/12/11........04/13/11.......05/20/11........--/--/11....

NICARAGUA............04/14/11........04/??/11.......05/26/11........07/07/11....

SOJEN................04/15/11........04/18/11.......06/17/11........09/06/11....

LORD INFAMOUS........04/15/11........04/25/11.......06/06/11........08/25/11.... (check cashed on 4/27...RFE 8/15)(card received 8/31)

CPBDDO...............04/15/11........04/26/11.......06/29/11........--/--/11....

JCLL13...............04/16/11........04/18/11.......06/29/11........--/--/11....

KIWI123..............04/16/11........04/22/11.......05/24/11........08/25/11.... (RFE 07/15)(reponded 8/8)

DRVS.................04/18/11........04/20/11.......06/10/11........08/18/11.... (card received 8/24)

RACHBEL..............04/18/11........04/20/11.......06/01/11........--/--/11.... (RFE received 7/22)

ACROW................04/20/11........04/27/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11....

CCA..................04/21/11........04/25/11.......05/24/11........07/13/11.... (check cashed on 4/27)

GISKAT09.............04/25/11........04/??/11.......06/10/11........--/--/11....

SHEND................04/26/11........04/27/11.......06/03/11........07/05/11.... (check cashed on 4/29)(Early Bio 5/19)

Vermont Service Center (30 applicants, 1 approved)

VJName............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics.......Approved....

MANUELA..............03/29/11........04/04/11.......05/25/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/6)

K84..................03/31/11........04/04/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/8)

QUEUEDUP.............03/31/11........04/04/11.......06/02/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/6)

AMANDA AND RAAD......04/01/11........04/05/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

SOPHIE123............04/01/11........04/05/11.......06/06/11........--/--/11....

####### JOURNEY.......04/02/11........04/05/11.......06/06/11........--/--/11....

FRALI................04/02/11........04/06/11.......06/06/11........--/--/11....

SIB..................04/04/11........04/11/11.......06/07/11........08/23/11.... (Early Bio 6/01)(card received 8/29)

BEN AND ASH..........04/05/11........04/07/11.......06/06/11........--/--/11....

JENKA................04/08/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

JIMMY AND ANGELA.....04/09/11........04/15/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

IVANCICAS............04/11/11........04/14/11.......06/07/11........--/--/11....

CEZYCHIC.............04/11/11........04/23/11.......07/22/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/22)(Early Bio 7/8)

ROCKS................04/12/11........04/14/11.......07/21/11........--/--/11....

TUMBIN...............04/13/11........04/18/11.......06/03/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/18)

DROGS................04/14/11........04/19/11.......06/08/11........--/--/11....

TIHANA_12............04/15/11........04/18/11.......06/08/11........--/--/11....

DASH-TX..............04/15/11........04/18/11.......06/07/11........--/--/11....

CHOPSM1..............04/15/11........04/19/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/25)

RAFKA23..............04/18/11........04/20/11.......06/03/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/26)

DEANNE AND CARLOS....04/18/11........04/21/11.......06/14/11........--/--/11.... (Early Bio 6/01)

MKENYA...............04/19/11........??/??/11.......06/09/11........--/--/11....

ENG_ASHRAF12.........04/20/11........04/21/11.......06/16/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/26)

SCHMOOPYKITTY........04/20/11........04/22/11.......06/14/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/27)

MRSROWE..............04/21/11........04/26/11.......06/16/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 5/02)

GTG349N..............04/21/11........04/27/11.......06/09/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/29)

NINA~................04/22/11........04/29/11.......06/08/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 4/27)

GAKKUKEN.............04/25/11........05/02/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

LOVERS0720...........04/27/11........05/02/11.......06/27/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 5/05)(Early Bio 6/13)

CHRISTOPHANDEVAN.....04/27/11........05/02/11.......06/09/11........--/--/11.... (check cashed on 5/05)

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

yup CSC....thanks Yurika & Jim!!

I am an April Filer .. Date of I-751 4/15/11. Date of NOA1 4/18/11 though I officially got the letter in hand on the 25th. Date of Biometrics 06/17/11.

And today I got the approval later in the mail dated 9/06/11. :)

I think what it was saying is that they denied the petition that you applied on January 2011 not the July 14th one. That's my understanding.

You might be a filipino if .......if you pair your rice with pancit canton as your ulam...=)

I really am sorry about your experience with your flight. It was really awful. Mine only had a few confusions when I went home to the Phils. with a connecting flight in Vancouver BC. Yes, the stewardess was confusing because she told me I have to get my luggage and go through customs in Vancouver BC. I got worried of course since I only have 1.5 hours layover in BC and it was my first time and I was alone. What she didn't tell me is that there is a separate customs for people who only have a connecting flight in BC. When I got off the plane I ask one of the personnel who are getting our luggage (it was a small plane so we didn't go through a tube) I ask them if I have to get luggage in the carousel since I only have a connecting flight. Good thing she told me I don't have to but I have to go through customs. When I get to the customs area, there are very long lines, so I have to ask again one of the airport personnel that I only have a connecting flight to the Philippines, then the lady accompanied me to another floor where there is the immigration officer waiting. There was no line, it was only me.

He did ask for my GC and passport. Asks some questions about my flight, what am doing in the US? What does my husband do? What's my purpose going to the Phils? What's my work and when I told him, Im not working he sadi WHY? ....does he really wanna know?.....Anyway, he stamped my passport and then he let me go.

Hello,

Just a note for anyone entering the USA & Canada. We just got home from a 3 week trip to the Philippines. My wife wanted to bring in some canned corned beef and meat loaf. When we got our declaration form I decided to play it safe to avoid a fine and I checked the box that referred to meat products. I actually thought they meant fresh meat, not cooked meat in a can, but again, I was playing it safe. When we arrived in Canada we were asked to show our luggage to the agriculture inspector. He informed us that canned meat was not allowed to enter Canada or the USA and it would have to be destroyed. (my wife wasn't happy)

I know people bring it in all the time but it's not legal.

Kev & Jena

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/agri_prod_inus.xml

thanks for sharing the experience...I'll keep this in mind...

What is your favorite hobby or favorite thing in life? I mean, is there anything that you makes you feel like protected, secured, or free of any discomfort in your heart?

I love rain as much as the flowers love rain.

I just love rain. I can not explain how much I love it. For me rain is like a doctor, a fence (to protect me from any depression or agony), a best friend, my best lover, or the switch that alerts me that M'e is the most special woman in the whole world

I LOVE RAIN! Tell me what you love the most?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

rain

rain, rain, rain heal my heart that is broken apart

rain, rain, rain up above from the skies

rain, rain, rain pour here and clean my soul

rain, rain, rain there will be rain here, there will be rain there

rain, rain, rain wash away my pain

rain, rain, rain wash away my debts to pay

rain, rain, rain so tired I felt wash away my guilt

rain, rain I will do anything for you to cover my tears of shame

Then you would love Portland OR, Washington area......It rains for 10 months there and only 2 months of summer... :lol: ....

I LOVE ZUMBA!

:yes: :thumbs:

Hoping to hear from some Pinays that have a green card. Anyone out there travel back to PI during there first two years?

I have a Philippines passport in (maiden name) and my green card(2year) is in my (new married name)

Did you purchase your plane ticket in your maiden name? In other words it matches your passport?

What was your experience regarding re-entry to the US...and what was your POE back in the US?

I previously posted something similar to this but did not receive hardly any response...

There has to be someone out there who did this already???

I received my conditional GC last June of 2009 and went home to the Phils December 2009 to January 2010. I purchased my ticket using my married name because I was able to amend my passport. The thing is if you are flying outside the US, when you check in, the person at the check in counter will ask for your passport.I've read some experience that some airlines would not allow it if your plane ticket would not match your passport but some that I've read is that they just presented their marriage certificate and they are fine. So I guess you should call the airline and ask them about their policy.

If you are coming to the US from Phil., all they care is your GC. They don't care that much if your plane ticket or passport or GC match. When I first came back they look at my passport and GC, swiped my GC and I was good to go.Same thing when I came back the second time around. Both of my POE was LAX.

But I remember when I was still in the Philippines the person at the check in counter ask me if I brought my marriage certificate with me just to be sure that my plane ticket will match passport when I get to the US since I am going to check in again (LAX was not my final destination so I have to check in again to get to my domestic flight) . He didn't know at first that I amended my passport.

Not entirely sure what the point of this post is.. but just wanted to add my 2 cents..

My hubby and I did not meet online, and yes we had what most people could consider a courtship because we were able to spend a considerable amount of time together before we decided to get married.. Having said that, I don't think our relationship is any better than those who met online, because people can find love in the strangest ways. My parents met on a plane and had a whirlwind courtship, and they have been married over 30 years.

And just because we had ample of time to get to know each other before tying the knot doesn't mean I am devoid of the feeling of homesickness. It's perfectly normal to feel homesick especially if you were/are very close to your family. And being bored.. you better believe your wife will be bored while she is waiting for her green card because if there's one thing k1 applicants should know beforehand.. its that the wait for the greencard is also a long process, and staying home while your hubby works can be very boring especially if you are not used to it. Before I moved here, I was working in Shanghai so I was always busy and its such an accessible place where you can take the subway to any place, but now I need a car to move around, and I can't work without an EAD etc etc..

Be prepared for random bouts of homesickness, and boredom.. I experience it from time to time, but then again I look at my hubby and then I realize it's all worth it. The question is.. are you worth it too?

:thumbs: :thumbs:

The coming back to the US is not really the issue here because the DHS officers will most of the time focus on the GC. The problem is, when your wife checked in at the airport because your wife's name on the ticket must match to the passport. People at the check in area will asked for a passport if your have an international flight.

My POE was Hawaii and I don't have any problems with the immigrations officers at all. There were only at least 5 of us who are first time immigrants. The lady officer who took care of my papers was very friendly, she even accompanied me in getting my luggage in the carousel.Lots of Filipinos around the airport too that I asked for directions. :D

Have a Safe trip!

CFO Seminar will be at the Mango Avenue, but she will get the CFO sticker right next to where the DFA building is.

Regarding the travel aspect of flying through Vancouver......

I've been doing some research about the best options for getting to the Philippines by asking people who fly extremely frequently for various reasons (flyertalk.com, airliners.net, etc). I assume you're considering the PAL flight, as that would be the only reason to fly through there from the US, and I've considered that route myself. What I've found so far favors other routes. In short: it's apparently better for US folks to avoid the Vancouver PAL flight.

The issue is that transferring in Vancouver for US based folks is a real hassle, according to frequent flyers (this might only be for the return trip) If connecting from pretty much anywhere in the US, you may be better off going through San Francisco. Apparently, SFO is one of the nicest airports in the country, very easy to transfer through and nice to spend a layover in. Plus, if there's a cancellation or significant delay, you're still on US soil.

Another issue which I haven't yet confirmed, is that you may have to go to the check-in area at the PAL departure airport (not your originating airport) to check in for the PAL flight - whether it's LAX, SFO, or YVR(Vancouver). If anyone else here can answer that, please do!

The SFO and LAX flights have a stop, but not a layover, in Honolulu. The plane stops, probably for fuel, and I think it also gets food, but you stay on the plane. Apparently, this stop is often skipped in summer months, sometimes skipped in spring and fall, but almost never skipped in winter. The jet-stream is apparently very strong in the opposing direction in winter, and HNL becomes a needed fuel stop. Anyways, the point of this paragraph is that it's still basically a non-stop flight since you don't have to get off the plane and haul your stuff around.

I think that's how PAL really works. I remember going home last year from PDX to the Phils. using PAL. I have to check in again when I got to LAX airport. Same thing with my cousin who takes PAL. From OK to LAX to the Phils. She checks in again wiht PAL in LAX. For LAX flight they have a stop over in Guam to refuel.

I went home to the Phils. with a flight through Vancouer BC. They have a specific Customs and Immigration for those who are there to get to their connecting flight. The officer took my Phil. passport, put a stamp on it, look at my GC and my plane ticket. He ask a few questions, like where is my final destination, what am I gonna do there, when did I receive my greencard. I think he is just taking his time asking me while checking the stuff that I gave him because I was the only who was there at that time.

Yes you can renew it in the Philippines but to do that you have to report your marriage first to be able to use your married name in the passport. It took me at least 3 weeks to get my passport but that was the time when they just started changing the Philippine passport to the maroon one.Maybe this time, it would be faster.

It's alright, you can still enjoy your rice if you want. If you want to live where there are still lots elbow room and at the same time close to the city you might look at the Washington County (like Hillsboro,Beaverton) as what james and cynthia mentioned. The Milwaukie area and the Lake Oswego area in my opinion is a great place to live too. They are all 20-30 minute drive I think going to the downtown Portland. There are good asian store where you can buy your Filipino food but so far I only knew 3 filipino restaurant. You can always drive in Tukwila, WA for 2.5 hours if you want to eat at Jollibee, Goldilocks and Chowking. Alright I think I talked too much, time to shut up.....

Goodluck!!

suburbs most likely, sojen. why? Chantel explained it perfectly, lower cost of living but hopefully close to the city where opportunity for work is brighter.

Will it be in Salem or Portland? I've never been to Salem but in Portland. It's really a nice city but I find it a lil bit expensive for a small city.You can finish your tour around the city in a day by foot. Spring and summer is the best because there are lots of outdoor things to do and the weather is perfect. Not too hot during the day and not too cold at night.There are also foodcarts if you don't want to eat in a restaurant. It's so easy to get around even if you don't have a car because they have a good system of transportation. You can ride the train and trolley (smaller than the train) around downtown for free. They have a thing called free rail zone. some people just park their car on the eastside of the river and take the train to downtown (westside of the river which is the heart of downtown) for free. It is also known as a bike friendly city, which is good if you are near the portland metro area because of the traffic. Yes, income tax is high but no sales tax which I think is fair because they will based your tax on your income so the bigger income you have the bigger tax you will pay and same goes with if you a don't earn that much then not much tax they will get from you. While in sales tax everyone will pay the same sales tax no matter how much you earn, so the low income people will pay the same amount of tax with the high income people. But the not so good part about it is Oregon has a high unemployment rate so the state doesn't have much income. One thing I observe is that there are lots of hippies, people with tattoos,having colored hair like blue, fire red and pink and tons of peircings. They like to wear plaids too.There is also a farmer's market where you can get fresh fruits and veggies from the locals. It's only on summer though.

It rains a lot in the fall and winter but the thing is ,it is a bit warm when it's raining and so cold when it's sunny. I often hear the word vegan and organic, lol