ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWife got citizenship, announced she wanted divorce the next day?
I do worry about people who really don't take the time to get to know their fiancee's before asking them to marry. It breaks my heart to see other people get their heart's broken. It really does. I think if you get to know your SO really well, meet their family, spend time talking to them, you will develop an honest and unconditional trust that will not be broken.

Congrats on the 4 years.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-16 13:42:00
Asia: East and PacificWife's Skin color
We don't have a black president. He's white.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 17:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat did you bring to your Consulate interview as proof of engagement?
I seem to have lost my receipt for Ana's engagement ring. I could have sworn i kept it in my wallet, but its gone. Hopefully the ring itself, the fact that we're applying for a FIANCE visa, and I have an engagement greeting card from my Grandparents too.. Not to mention like was mentioned above, the affidavit of sincere relationship. I am hoping they don't nit-pick.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-16 17:11:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
Arbind.Ariadne - Thanks for the story, and I love how you refer to your fiance smile.gif.

Qiix - Thanks too for your story. I am hoping I am wrong about this and that they are working diligently. However, after my e-mail yesterday ripping them again, I received word that my forms were reviewed and sitting on the attorney's desk for further review. I tell you what, if we get an RFE i'll be POed. I will lay into them, as this is whole point of using them.

Anyone care to name their law-firm? I am using Allan S. Lolly.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-14 07:13:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
QUOTE (Jasman0717 @ Aug 13 2009, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Read the guides here on VJ and then ask questions for anything you don't understand. I did all the paperwork for Claudeth's visa, AOS and lifting conditions by just reading and following the VJ guides. Good luck good.gif


Ok I'm going to start keeping a score card on how many times i'm told to read the guides.. smile.gif'

Anyway - Phil thanks for the story. After ripping them again, our forms are sitting on the lawyer's desk. I will get final approval tomorrow so they say. fingers crossed.

Edited by Joseph & Ana, 13 August 2009 - 05:42 PM.

Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 17:41:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
So Phil - when you used the Lawyer - can you tell your experience?
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 14:48:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
We're not asking to be processed before our time (although it would be nice), we're just asking for courtesy and understanding. Someone who at least TRIES to act as if they are helping wouldn't hurt either.


Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 14:20:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
Yes - I can relate. I get little sleep, I constantly have a headache, and my thoughts revolve around this. I cannot keep busy without thinking about this. The only time I get respite is when I'm talking to Ana.

If they were rude to me like that, it would tempt me to go wherever they were and give them what-for if i didn't think it would end up hindering my case more. Why call back in 2 weeks? That is definitely BS. I don't understand why people can't just be nice and give us the tiniest bit of information to sate our appetites if for nothing else for a day or so until we call back smile.gif.

The lawyer was supposed to help me in this matter, but so far no luck. I've already agreed to payment.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 13:47:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
I'd really like to have a timeline, but Ana and I aren't even filed yet, so I guess I need to wait on that.

I'm fortunate though, that I'll be going back to see her (in Bohol) in December for Christmas. Hopefully that will break up the wait.

Well, everytime I contact the law-firm they act as if i am being overly impatient. I think waiting a day for a response from them is plenty of time. Especially when i'm not getting any updates on my final drafts of forms.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 13:37:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
I've read the guides. I think in every post I make someone tells me to read the guides. I'm just talking about lawyers and firms in this post. Even the lawyer sent me a guide. Ok fine - Now i want to talk to real people, is that ok? smile.gif
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 13:27:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
If a lawyer is just a waste of money, then it is too late. I guess I will find out. Can't back out now. As of right now i'm just not satisfied with the communication. They also claim to have people in the Philippines (not sure how i can validate that), but they do have excellent references and testimonials on the BBB, and other places. I never expected it to take a month to get filed (of course i am just guessing that we will be filed soon - I don't know for sure yet.).

They claim they weed out any errors before it gets to the filing station, and that they keep checking constantly with the office to make sure they aren't dragging their feet.

Well, the guy i was dealing with went on vacation for a week and i had to badger them into making someone else work on my case.

Its just frustrating that I feel like I can't get anything done unless i am hounding them. Maybe its all in my head. I thought I was patient before this, but then I fell in love and my patience is ALL GONE - I know you all know how i feel.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 13:18:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
Thanks for the heart-felt reply. I guess my patience is very thin with them. I already chewed them out once and they became teddy bears again.. However, I overnighted a package to them on monday, they received it tuesday, and I have had to badger them into reviewing it today. What did i waste the money overnighting it for? It did no good. Thanks for hearing my vent.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 12:39:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
Because I'm a stupid dumbass who doesn't deserve to live I guess.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 12:32:00
PhilippinesUsing a Law Firm for Philippines K-1 Visa
I knew nothing about getting K-1 so i thought the safest bet was hiring a law-firm. Well, its been almost a month of back and forth back and forth and we're still not filed yet. Its like pulling teeth with them to get a simple update on their progress.

Anyone have similar experience?
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 12:22:00
PhilippinesPRAISE GOD....FINALLY!!!!
Congrats! And no need to apologize. Every time you ranted, I was right there ranting along with you. I'll still be in for the long haul, but I am still very very happy to hear that you finally have a timeframe for your visa and being with the one you love PERMANENTLY. ahhhhh nice feeling.

Joe
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-14 07:52:00
PhilippinesAre Filipinas Vampires?
I love Ana's skin. And if she got darker that is perfectly ok with me. But I love her just the way she is. Her skin is perfect. I don't understand why they want to be whiter either. I noticed that most of the celebrities there are whiter, and models too. I don't get it.. I think the darker skin is beautiful, especially Ana.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-16 22:10:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
QUOTE (gtron @ Aug 18 2009, 09:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
there's a lot of generalizations and assumptions in this thread. you cannot relate your personal one week or couple of month experience to an entire country of people. maybe your husband or wife is from a province that is much different than manila or something else. somebody even mentioned that they are simple people. what does that even mean? are you saying filipinos are simple people? nobody else found that rude as hell?

another thing, just because someone's family asked you for about money that doesn't mean that anyone traveling to philipines should be prepared to be hounded for money by their so's family. that's you're family now. one, it's not every family is like that. two, keep your families money issues to yourself. this is a public board.

his post was asking for some simple advise and a handful of people turned it into judging and describing an entire country in a few single sentences. it can't be done so stop it.

sometimes i read these forums and i'm amazed how people aren't more offended by some of the posts on here. unreal.

anyway, there are some customary actions that may exist throughout the country but be sure to research the customs that might be unique to the area you're traveling too.

sorry i wasn't more helpful but i mostly posted that because i was so turned off by some of the posts in this thread.


No one was generalizing the entire country. We were giving our experiences meeting our fiancee's families. Stop being so sensitive and take a pill. If they are simple, whats wrong with that? I think its a positive thing.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 21:53:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
QUOTE (charlie&pam @ Aug 18 2009, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Joseph & Ana @ Aug 18 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.


sounds like you got really luck!!!!!!!!1 good for you

Well regardless of all that - if it happened or didn't happen - the bottom line is that you love eachother and you want to be together. Just be sure of it, and if you are, you should be together, and you'll be happy.

Thats all.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 15:28:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
QUOTE (rockhouse @ Aug 18 2009, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Joseph & Ana @ Aug 18 2009, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.



Lol, that's kinda my point. The TOWN SCHOOL was even wanting some of the action, how much more her relatives. You lucked out that they didn't actually ask YOU, but i can almost guarantee you that your girl dealt with it when she was alone with them.

I don't know, they just didn't seem the type. They were happy to have me there, and were always giving me food. I don't think they had those intentions. I guess you'd have to meet them.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 15:25:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
QUOTE (charlie&pam @ Aug 18 2009, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Joseph & Ana @ Aug 18 2009, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I put Ana's parent's hands on my forehead when I first met them, and every time i left, or came back to their home. Also in their church service during the hand-shaking, Ana and I put her older relatives hands on our foreheads. When I first did it to her parents, they were extremely impressed, and her mom immediately called me "good boy" and was laughing all giddy like. The final time I left, I gave them both a big hug on top of the forehead thing, and that was another good impression. I am IN!

Now when I talk to her on the phone they tell me how much they miss me, and want me to come back. I guess I made a good impression - WHEW....



GREAT INFO!!!! So whenever i leave the house and come in ????? good to know !!! ....i know i will be going to church with them so that was good to know also...i thought hugs were a no no

No not every time you re-enter the house. But if you go somewhere, like into town and are gone for a while, i would do it. I don't know if hugs are a no no, but they hugged me back and her dad even kissed me on the cheek. When I hugged her brothers, it was a bit limp, but hey, I'm bringing a little culture to them too, so they were happy.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 15:23:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
I must have gotten lucky. The family didn't want any money from me. They even refused the town school from giving me a letter requesting money for the school. They wouldn't allow them to give it to me.

I wish you the best of luck.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 15:18:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
QUOTE (charlie&pam @ Aug 18 2009, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (bulaklak @ Aug 18 2009, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
ok thank you ......she said that her father is a councilman for something like that? what is that ????? Is that why they want it to be a big thing?



Probably because they want to invite the whole barrio, they're going to invite plenty of people; and that is including the father friends and co-workers etc. Her father is a COUNCELOR work in the barangay,a job something related for the goverment. helpsmilie.gif


SO THAT MEANS I AM GOING TO BE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE!!!! GREAT LIKE I AM NOT NERVOUS ENOUGH!!!!! LOL

Just be yourself, and they will love you. Friendly, smile, and listen intently even if you don't understand the language.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 15:15:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
OH - and I gave the kids all chocolate and they were very excited. Thats about all I had to do.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 15:14:00
Philippinesmeeting her family for the first TIME!!!
I put Ana's parent's hands on my forehead when I first met them, and every time i left, or came back to their home. Also in their church service during the hand-shaking, Ana and I put her older relatives hands on our foreheads. When I first did it to her parents, they were extremely impressed, and her mom immediately called me "good boy" and was laughing all giddy like. The final time I left, I gave them both a big hug on top of the forehead thing, and that was another good impression. I am IN!

Now when I talk to her on the phone they tell me how much they miss me, and want me to come back. I guess I made a good impression - WHEW....
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-18 15:11:00
PhilippinesHow often do you talk?
EVERY DAY without fail since March. Whether its webcam, or the phone, we usually talk for hours. IN the morning on my way to work we talk for about 30 minutes there, and maybe 3 times a week I call her to tell her goodnight while I'm at work. Sometimes its not possible while at work, but any chance I get, I am calling her. Either way, we talk after I get home from work. Sometimes I hope I am not annoying her, but she assures me i'm not, and she always answers. So i guess its ok.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-21 15:08:00
PhilippinesMy House for My wife Sheryl.
First off, very nice place you got there.

Second, I know Sheryl will like living there, but not because of the house, but because she'll be with you!
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-22 23:11:00
Philippinesupdate of my baby that have no hearbeat
So sorry sweetheart. Its your baby. Your child. I know i can never understand what you're going through, but I wish you the best.

I pray you can have children in the future.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-21 16:48:00
PhilippinesYour Filipino Wife/Fiancée
In the very very beginning stages it crossed my mind, but after I got to know Ana, its the farthest thing from my mind. I know that its not her intention. Like the others said, I love her with all my heart and I trust her 100%. You can be screwed over by anyone whether they are from your country or are immigrating here. The point is that you need to get to know your SO really well before making this sort of comitment. This goes for any marriage. Whether you're marrying locally or from another country.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-21 15:31:00
PhilippinesPraise the Holy Name of Jesus Christ!
Congrats crying.gif

Tears of joy.. Happy for you guys..
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-24 14:59:00
PhilippinesJoseph and Ana NOA2!
Thanks you all... We're both excited and scared at the same time...
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-10-26 19:51:00
PhilippinesJoseph and Ana NOA2!
Woo hooo! Got the e-mail this afternoon!

Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-10-26 19:02:00
PhilippinesShe got the pink! hooorahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holy ####### I would have literally died if i got that text. AHHHH I hope Ana doesn't do that to me.


Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-10 10:11:00
PhilippinesAna's Interview Date
Thank you guys.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-30 23:29:00
PhilippinesAna's Interview Date
Anyway.. I just called back and had them change it. Which involved cancelling her interview and then scheduling it for the exact same time. whew!
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-30 22:43:00
PhilippinesAna's Interview Date
Ok so we just got the e-mail confirmation. What do you do in this situation?

"(DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL)


Thank you for using the Visa Information Service. You have successfully scheduled an appointment for your visa interview. Here are the details of your appointment:



Applicant's Name: ANALZIA DELOSO

They spelled her name wrong even after I repeatedly spelled it in phonetic alphabet. It should be ANALISA. Will this be a problem or do I need to call back? They said my pin is only good for one more call.



Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-30 22:23:00
PhilippinesAna's Interview Date
Wow its all happening faster than I thought. Thank God..

There's a good chance Ana will be coming home with me in January. Yahooo!

NOA1 to Interview = 120 days....
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-30 22:16:00
PhilippinesPhilippines VS USA!!!!
Liberals always think they should tell everyone what they can and can't do on their own property.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-12-04 09:54:00
PhilippinesPhilippines VS USA!!!!
I was also a bit appalled by the comment about the pretty filipinas tempting you away from your wife. If you love her, you won't do it or even think about it. Should be a non-issue. What would your wife say if she read this?
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-12-04 09:29:00
PhilippinesAna had her interview this morning
She'll be coming home with me in January God willing. I am going THERE for Christmas and New Year.

They did look at I-134 and the other form stuff, but very little of proof of relationship. Only the phone records and photos. They didn't care about much else.

The Consul even said "Welcome to the USA!" to Ana. Ana just arrived in Bohol this morning.
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-12-16 23:08:00
PhilippinesAna had her interview this morning
She got a really nice and relaxed pre-screener who was joking around and chewing the fat with her while asking questions..

Then for the Consulate - Another really nice person who seemed genuinely interested in our case.

She was approved rather quickly! Thank God and thank you all for the support!
Joseph & AnaNot TellingPhilippines2009-12-15 22:44:00