Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Philippines	When to buy Airline tickets?	QUOTE (Mr.&Mrs.A @ Oct 10 2009, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We just got our NOA2 and assume the interview date at embassy will more then likely be in December. I will be flying there from Florida to be at interview. assuming she is approved, there will be her and her son (10 yrs. old) and myself flying back to Florida. I will already have my round trip ticket. How will I get 2 more tickets at that time on the same plane with seating next to each other going to Florida? Seems almost impossible to do. Because round trip tickets are about same cost as one-way and If I purchase well in advance I could buy 3 round trip tickets with only 1 of the seats being used on the way there and all 3 on the way back. Not sure if this makes sense or not so I could use some suggestions from someone that has gone thru this. It looks like you have some real good advise. I thought my fiancee would be here by now, but she had a scar on a lung, so everything is being delayed by 8 weeks. I would wait until after the interview. Maybe see if Air21 will notify you when the visa and passport are being delivered. Maybe they will even let you pick up the parcel at some location that serves your province. Good luck and God bless, Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-11 16:42:00
Philippines	If the Visa Interview is the first week of December?	QUOTE (itzallgood @ Oct 12 2009, 02:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Oct 10 2009, 09:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My fiancee is having the sputum test done now and is to call the SLEC on December 2nd. This will probably be to make a time for the medical report out of the sputum test, which is believed to be negative. Her instructions said she would then have the visa interview within 2 or 3 days, which may be sometime between December 7th thru 11th. Now then another week will be needed on the average to get the visa in hand. By this time half of December will be gone. It may be hard to make reservations for air flight to Iowa by this time. Any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated. A Delta Airlines representative recommended to talk to a travel agency to see if they may have blocks of flights that could be adjusted if reservations are made ahead of time. Dale Can you tell us something? When a sputum test is required, does it mean that you have to have the (negative) result on hand before you can proceed with the USEM interview? I noticed that you cancelled it. I thought you could proceed with the interview, and then wait for the sputum tests to be processed, then get the visa when test results are negative. Good luck. That is it exactly. If you have made an interview time at the embassy the SLEC will cancel it or it gets automatically canelled, because the embassy does not receive anything from the SLEC. The beneficiary will also receive something from the SLEC that gives entry to the embassy when the medical exam is marked as passed, in this case when the TB test is negative. When the SLEC finds something that requires a sputum test they do a 3 day examination of the sputum and if the TB bacteria is found treatment is started. If no TB bacteria is found then you have to wait for 8 weeks to see if TB bacteria is present in any of the 3 samples. Then it is a go, the beneficiary gets the stamped or signed paper and the SLEC will then schedule an interview within the next two or three business days. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-12 06:08:00
Philippines	If the Visa Interview is the first week of December?	QUOTE (Iris&Norman @ Oct 11 2009, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Oct 11 2009, 03:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Oct 11 2009, 05:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Iowa? Why would you bring anyone to that God Forsaken Hell Hole? I already feel sorry for her Closer you get to X-Mas the more expensive the ticket gonna be. My wife if flying from DFW to MNL , Leaving USA first week of December, and coming back to USA the 20th of Dec. She paid $900 roundtrip, she purchsed the ticket about 2 months ago online. Well I am hoping the cold air will not be to much for her just coming from a hot summer day into winter. December in Iowa can be moderate to bitter cold and snowy. Maybe I should see about getting her a flight from MNL to DFW then on to Cedar Rapids instead of to Detroit or Minneapolis then to Cedar Rapids. I guess I will wrap her in my parka when she arrives. I am finding the most direst flights are a little over $900.00 one way. I took some online classes with team members in Texas. I know how in the dead of winter in Iowa it can be almost a cool day in summer in Texas. I would like to retire in a warmer climate than Iowa like Texas or Southern Colorado. Thanks and God bless, Dale A quick (LAZY) search indicates no record of freezing temperatures for any city in the Philippines. Baguio has been under 10C several times. Imagine never seeing ice, snow, or frost! Iowa? Have you told her about this? You better get that girl her own down parka! Hey we're trying for before Christmas too! I can't wait - the best gift ever... Best of luck to you both...... Thank you, Pat knows about it being cold here in the winter. She tells me it will be exciting to see the change in seasons. I was not sure which small size would fit the best, so I will barrow a coat until I can get Pat to a store. I asked a Filipina that works at Walmart that probably wore the same size as Pat. She told me to have Pat wear the heaviest jacket she had to America. So Pat will be bringing a sweater, a sweatshirt and a jacket when she steps off the plane into the airports in Minneaplois or Detroit and also in Cedar Rapids. Thanks and God bless, Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-12 00:55:00
Philippines	If the Visa Interview is the first week of December?	QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Oct 11 2009, 05:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Iowa? Why would you bring anyone to that God Forsaken Hell Hole? I already feel sorry for her Closer you get to X-Mas the more expensive the ticket gonna be. My wife if flying from DFW to MNL , Leaving USA first week of December, and coming back to USA the 20th of Dec. She paid $900 roundtrip, she purchsed the ticket about 2 months ago online. Well I am hoping the cold air will not be to much for her just coming from a hot summer day into winter. December in Iowa can be moderate to bitter cold and snowy. Maybe I should see about getting her a flight from MNL to DFW then on to Cedar Rapids instead of to Detroit or Minneapolis then to Cedar Rapids. I guess I will wrap her in my parka when she arrives. I am finding the most direst flights are a little over $900.00 one way. I took some online classes with team members in Texas. I know how in the dead of winter in Iowa it can be almost a cool day in summer in Texas. I would like to retire in a warmer climate than Iowa like Texas or Southern Colorado. Thanks and God bless, Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-11 17:36:00
Philippines	If the Visa Interview is the first week of December?	QUOTE (marriedtomrg @ Oct 10 2009, 11:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You may want to allot up to 10 business days for the Embassy to deliver the visa via Air21 also. That puts you at the 3rd week of December. Plus she has to get her CFO Sticker after she gets her visa. Thanks, a great idea. I am thinking of getting a ticket for the 23rd of December just to make sure. I wanted to have Pat come this month before the real cold winter air starts. Pat has never seen snow or been in snow, so this will be quite an adventure. Thanks and God bless, Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-11 17:23:00
Philippines	If the Visa Interview is the first week of December?	QUOTE (Iris&Norman @ Oct 10 2009, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have met a travel agent in Portland that is Pinay. She has helped me with scheduling and seems caring and knowledgeable about immigration matters. She has consolidators specializing in travel to Manila. I recently asked her permission to post reference on VJ. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Darlene Rivera, CTC, DS Owner DESTINED TO TRAVEL, LLC PO Box 1324 Fairview, OR 97024 Tel | 503.512.8348 Cell | 503.750.2052 Fax | 503.512.7764 OFFICE HOURS | MON-FRI 9:30AM - 5:00 PM PST darlene.rivera@d2travelonline.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you very much. I think I will send an e-mail to her. God bless, Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-11 17:16:00
Philippines	If the Visa Interview is the first week of December?	My fiancee is having the sputum test done now and is to call the SLEC on December 2nd. This will probably be to make a time for the medical report out of the sputum test, which is believed to be negative. Her instructions said she would then have the visa interview within 2 or 3 days, which may be sometime between December 7th thru 11th. Now then another week will be needed on the average to get the visa in hand. By this time half of December will be gone. It may be hard to make reservations for air flight to Iowa by this time. Any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated. A Delta Airlines representative recommended to talk to a travel agency to see if they may have blocks of flights that could be adjusted if reservations are made ahead of time. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-10 11:13:00
Philippines	What is to expect receiving Packet 3?	QUOTE (ChuckandRhean @ Sep 14 2009, 02:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We are now just waiting for the Embassy email notification letter . Almost all documents and papers are done except medical . Weve done so much researching and verifying documents needed .A part of my list is based from other VJ filers coming from embassy other than Manila, since theyve posted the actual content of Packet 3 and 4). I havent seen any VJ filer scanned and posted actual content of Packet 3 coming from Manila US Embassy,nor says from any link which directly states these so and so are what contains Packet 3 (manila). Ooooh my ,please do understand. Waiting seems like for ages. Patience is my virtue tho . I wanna make sure I exhaust all my resources and utilize best possible options I have to gather ALL " they" need beforehand. My honey has done his part from USCIS till Embassy, and its a job very well done,NO RFE,NOR AP. Im challenged. Now its my turn. Comments,insights, suggestions as well as shared personal experience in relation to this keep on coming. Appreciated!!Salamat po The petitioner should get a letter from the Bureau of Consulor Affairs. The last paragraph has a website which is www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_4323.html This will take you to a page you have to select the MNL embassy. Then it opens a page that is a letter of what package 3 is. What you will get is just a personalized letter of this. Mainly it tells you you are elgible for an interview when you are ready with your documents. Give this link a try. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-09-14 05:03:00
Philippines	Oct 15 2009	QUOTE (fAtEd tO LoVe U @ Oct 14 2009, 11:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hello to all vj member today i passed the interview and i got pink slip i am overwhelming and having that is Tears of joy now i can have a good rest in my bed because i am so tired and didn't sleep well tonight before my interview because am nervous & so much prayed i pray also to those people who will have an interview soon i wishing a goodluck and always confident u will make Very nice video. Congrats again. So for the affidavit of support all that you used was a W2 and IRS transcipt or income tax return and bank statement?	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-15 10:06:00
Philippines	Oct 15 2009	QUOTE (fAtEd tO LoVe U @ Oct 14 2009, 11:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hello to all vj member today i passed the interview and i got pink slip i am overwhelming and having that is Tears of joy now i can have a good rest in my bed because i am so tired and didn't sleep well tonight before my interview because am nervous & so much prayed i pray also to those people who will have an interview soon i wishing a goodluck and always confident u will make Contrats!	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-15 09:39:00
Philippines	H1N1 Vaccine in Phils.	QUOTE (Nandr2009 @ Oct 20 2009, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Anyone have any information on this? I was looking on google for information on the availability of the H1N1 vaccine in the Philippines, but all I could find was that it was "being rolled out" in an article from September 23rd. If anyone of you knows where my wife, who lives in the provinces in Cebu, could inquire about finding someplace to get the h1n1 vaccine, let me know. The best article or group of articles seem to be at http://en.wikipedia....the_Philippines Still there is no news of a schedule for the vaccine in the Philippines. I do not like to take just anything from Wikipedia as authority, but they do provide a lot of references. It sounds like that health care workers are first and will be distributed free to them by the World Health Organization (WHO). Maybe th Filipino Government is not as pro-active as what would aid the most help. Probably it will be WHO that will distribute the vaccine in the Philippines and other Southeast Asia areas. Even here in the USA it seems to be distributed by state and the demand is so great the supply runs out as soon as it arrives. No real schedule or exact timeline has been established at least not here where I live in Iowa. It seems unclear if two doses will be needed or if one will do. God bless to your wife in finding the vaccine. Maybe some of the references at Wikipedia may give a clue of when the Cebu region will be getting access to the vaccine. God bless, Dale and Pat	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-22 14:15:00
Philippines	Visa Dilivered!!!	QUOTE (adventure509 @ Oct 22 2009, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> As with any journeys all start someplace. Ours started over 3 years ago with a flick of the mouse on an icon in a message slection in yahoo chatt. Our journey started with a smily Altho our journey is far from over but this part of our journey is over with the period at the end of a Visa. Our journey was not alone. We found a group of people sharing the same experiance. Some allready complete some still praying for the same results as we have had. I thank all of you for the advice and well wishes. Alma messaged me that she received her visa yesterday when I was fast asleep in dream land. Just 3 days to be dilivered. We planed her travel for next week on the 29th just to play it safe. Now the ast part of our journey apart is a weeks worth of waiting. Am sure she will get the stamp on her visa from cfo today all all that will be left for her to do is celibrate with her friends and family. For those still wiating..Stay strong write letters to add to your proof for your relationship. Ask questions when not sure of a document and trust that you'll get the correct response here. Be happy for the love and the future you will have at the end of this journey. Good luck and best of wishes to everyone here. Congrats and God bless on your last leg of your journey.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-22 13:34:00
Philippines	How to help someone Adjust to the Life In America	QUOTE (edmagenta5 @ Oct 29 2009, 02:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi all, i just want some advice... my husband came here may of 2009. He still has difficulty adjusting. I don't know what to do if he misses home or what. As I am busy with work, he stays at home and still looking for a job. Since no one has been calling him, it seems he is very depressed. Staying busy and being productive would be so good for him. Even a job restocking store shelves might be good for him. If he is having trouble finding a job maybe a vocational program at a community college would be good.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-30 02:21:00
Philippines	Medical exam and TB	QUOTE (KJamal99 @ Oct 31 2009, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Oct 31 2009, 05:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (KJamal99 @ Oct 30 2009, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What exactly are they looking for in the Medical exam? My friend, she has been told she has something called Sinusitis, and feels like it's either getting worse or that the medicine she takes is becoming less effective. She has not been to a doctor in YEARS, because she's afraid of hospitals since her mom died. When I ask her to go, she refuses. I looked it up, and Sinusitis appears to be something that is correctible - but I'd want that done here, not there. I am just wondering, what medical problems will cause a hold-up or a denial (K1)? Sinusitis is very simple to correct. It is simply the infection or inflammation of the sinuses. An antibiotic will take care of it. People can die from it in very acute cases. If it is inflammation it can be caused by an allergy, which can lead to infection. My fiancee in the Philippines has had it. I have lived in the Midwest all my life and usually get it once per year. Sometimes if it is an infection some antibiotics do not have the killing power and another type of antibiotic is needed. I do not know if the SLMEC will fail the medical exam for sinusitis. If they do they may prescribe an antibiotic for 10 days and a quick checkup before the interview to pass the medical. They may resort to this to avoid getting the flu with the sinuses in a weakened condition. Please let me know the names of these antibiotics if you know them... My friend, she gets REALLY bad headaches because of this condition. What I have been put on the past couple of years when I get a sinus infection is prednisone and somethings that is nick named Z pack. It is Azithromycin. It comes in a pack of 5 and is very powerful. It is used only for 5 days. The prednisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid. This is a dangerous drug and needs to be monitored how the patient is feeling while taking it. This combination should help your friend in a hurry. If she has chronic sinus problems her sinuses may be inflammed by allergies or a change in weather. Once she gets to the USA she should seek out a physician that can help, even a general doctor. They may send her to an imaging facility to see if there is a problem in the sinuses themselves or if there is some infection that just wants to linger. There are a lot of anti-biotics that can be used. Ceclor is also used often, but some people like me get hives from it.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-02 11:47:00
Philippines	Medical exam and TB	QUOTE (KJamal99 @ Oct 30 2009, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What exactly are they looking for in the Medical exam? My friend, she has been told she has something called Sinusitis, and feels like it's either getting worse or that the medicine she takes is becoming less effective. She has not been to a doctor in YEARS, because she's afraid of hospitals since her mom died. When I ask her to go, she refuses. I looked it up, and Sinusitis appears to be something that is correctible - but I'd want that done here, not there. I am just wondering, what medical problems will cause a hold-up or a denial (K1)? Sinusitis is very simple to correct. It is simply the infection or inflammation of the sinuses. An antibiotic will take care of it. People can die from it in very acute cases. If it is inflammation it can be caused by an allergy, which can lead to infection. My fiancee in the Philippines has had it. I have lived in the Midwest all my life and usually get it once per year. Sometimes if it is an infection some antibiotics do not have the killing power and another type of antibiotic is needed. I do not know if the SLMEC will fail the medical exam for sinusitis. If they do they may prescribe an antibiotic for 10 days and a quick checkup before the interview to pass the medical. They may resort to this to avoid getting the flu with the sinuses in a weakened condition.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-31 05:10:00
Philippines	pinay from minnesota?	QUOTE (brokensmile @ Nov 10 2009, 05:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> that is nice of u dale will try to check the sites................ive been to oriental (filipino store) here many times already and chines stores i dnt have probs with it.....but hardly for me to meet flipinos there.... There must be something like the Filipino-American Association that is here. This takes a large portion of the Eastern Iowa area. I will check around and see if there is anyone that knows of Filipino associations in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-11 11:21:00
Philippines	pinay from minnesota?	QUOTE (brokensmile @ Nov 9 2009, 03:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi to all..........anyone from minnesota? want to have more friends here....pm me or let me know maybe we can keep in touch and get together... thanks My fiancee will be living in Iowa. There are a number of Filipinos here in the Cedar Rapids area. I am sure there are many in the Minneapolis area. Here there is an Oriental foods store that is owned by a Filipino. It also serves as almost a meeting and welcome center for other Filipinos. Perhaps some of the Asian foods stores also are places where you can meet other Filipinas. There was an article in the Daily Planet http://www.tcdailypl...t-asian-markets maybe some of these have a board for you to put your name and phone number for other Filipinas to contact you. Maybe you can make contact through The Asian Pages http://www.asianpages.com/ Also here in Eastern Iowa there is a Filipino-American Association. I am sure with the size of Minneapolis there are ways of meeting other Filipinos. Here is a link that has other links to Filipino organizations in your area. http://www.filipinol...sota/index.html Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-10 02:50:00
Philippines	Newbee needs help	QUOTE (defs69 @ Nov 7 2009, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello I need some good advice on the Phillippines. I will visit my fiancee for the first time this December in Manila then to Quezon and later visit her very large family in a far province. A lawyer told me that its hard to file fiancee K-1 visa there how true is that I assumed it would take 6 to 8 months tops pending no mistakes on my behalf and holidays and how the processing center works. please enlighten me. Also does any one know of good hotels and restaurants and thrifty things to do there my fiancee is a country girl but has been in manila a year or so and is not too familiar with these things she is a sort of a home body. How much is the fees to obtain a passport and the police backround check, vaccinations and other fees and processes to get a K-1 visa out side of the $455.00 processing fee. how can I make cheap international calls to the Phillippines. my phone bill is shocking. who has the best airfares with no booking fees and better flight connections from the new york, new jersey area of the east coast THANK YOU for all responses please give me all insider info and tips to survive and bring my baby to me. P.S. anyone know a good cheap service or lawyer to file K-1 visa with to help me expidite the process please let me know. When I went to visit my fiancee I stayed with her brother right next door. Her family was very hospitable. In your situation I think you can find hotels very cheap compared to the USA. When Pat got her medical I think she was getting a room for $30 or $40 per day in Manila. Show a lot of interest in the Filipino lifestyle. The practical driving techniques are quite different than here. In the more remote areas it is more of a controlled chaos. I would do away with a lawyer. You can be guided very easily by using this site and using the guides at this site. Eating at restaurants is cheaper than here. I think 6 of us ate for 1500 pesos. I paid for it. So, spend a little money with food for her family, they have a hard time buying the food that is really good. They make soup out of parts of a beef we either throw away or is used as a rendering to extract protein. A lot of Filipinos can hardly afford food, so please feel free to give money or go to the market and buy food for the family. The Filipino peso is buying less all the time. For phone, if your fiancee has a cell phone just use Yahoo messenger to place international calls for about 20 cents per minute. Also check out a VoIP phone service and see if that will be cheaper. Enjoy yourself when you go. Filipinos are such wonderful people. The kids are so much fun too. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-08 07:18:00
Philippines	Visa Approved!!	QUOTE (Mark&Gladys @ Dec 2 2009, 08:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We made it! Glady's visa was approved today! She will be back in my arms for Christmas!! What a relief and what a great feeling. Best wishes and Happy Holidays to all of you still waiting. Keep your faith and God Speed! Mark and Gladys Mae Congrats. Wow just in time to make airplane reservations for Christmas.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-03 02:11:00
Philippines	Is Marriage a GAMBLE or a BUSINESS CONTRACT?	QUOTE (ChuckandRhean @ Oct 10 2009, 04:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Due to persistent public demand,I now present to you the issue and thus, take side. Hi Chuck and Rhean, I am not sure what the politically correct stance on marriage is today, but for me God has brought my fiancee Pat and I together. For me the marriage is a union between two people to become man and wife. The union in my belief should be sanctioned by God and the marriage should be serious vows to each other and to make it legal a ceremony should be performed by a justice of the peace or pastor. The vows should be for your lifetime together until death do you part. This is my belief and Pat shares the same belief with me. Finding the right person is another topic. The right person does seem to be difficult to do. For me finding the right person I believe God has been preparing for a long time to meet Pat. One big element in the right person has many facets. It is chemistry. This is my belief and I respect other beliefs. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-10-10 10:58:00
Philippines	Our Christmas tree	QUOTE (PhiLandShiR @ Dec 3 2009, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Shirr did a wonderful job. I was really impressed. All I can claim is putting the angel on the top. By greatwhitenorth at 2009-12-03 Wow, Shirr did that? Great work. Shirr have you decorated a tree before? If not you are a natural. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-05 13:10:00
Philippines	Employment letter for i-134	QUOTE (Downforce @ Dec 14 2009, 08:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ok, here is my problem or concern. I Emailed all of the documents to my fiance. I did send everything out to her. But I don't think they will make it to her in time before her interview next week. The company I work for don't offer employment letter's. I have no idea why. We are a hugh international company. So all I have are my paystubbs and w-2's/tax returns for employment verification. Will this be a problem? I work for a large company too. Due to legal matters they do not give employment verification. They use The Work Number that the employee can give access to a requester for the needed information. So I gave the sheet to Pat with my SSN for the embassy, but I also printed off a sheet from the company website that says you are an employee, plus I printed off a copy of the total rewards and I sent a copy of my last raise. I also have like you sent, the paystubs, W2s, and tax returns, and a letter from my bank. Tomorrow on the 16th Pat is having her interview and I guess we will see. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-15 02:47:00
Philippines	Bank Statements for Interview	QUOTE (Mr.&Mrs.A @ Dec 15 2009, 08:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am paperless with my bank, so nothing is mailed to me. I am suppling the statements to show direct deposits of my retirement checks which there are (3). Will printing the on-line view of the page of my deposits be acceptable to embassy? Keep in mind the on-line versions do not show complete account number. I will not print every page of each statement, just the deposits to cut down on total number of pages. Also, do you think the embassy cares what the ending monthly balances are? Any good advice is greatly appreciated. I am not sure about printing out the statements. I have also gone paperless, but I did go to someone in the bank and they added all my deposites for the past year and created a letter with a signature. Tomorrow I will find out if it worked. That way the letter was on letterhead specific to the bank and a real signature. The bank also printed out all my deposites and I sent that to Pat for her interview. I suppose by all the deposites it can be seen that the deposites should add up close to what the W2s claim for your income and your pay stubs should show some of the same figures. Good luck, Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-15 09:57:00
Philippines	How safe it is to send Balikbayan Box to the Philippines?	QUOTE (simple_mhe24 @ Nov 26 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello..I was just wondering if it's safe to send balikbayan Box to my family in pinas now that there are Somalian and Nigerian Pirates...What trusted courier services that I can use, to send the box? Thanks in advance and God Bless!!! I have sent two boxes; one last year and the other one this year to my fiancee. One took 2 months and the other 4 months to arrive. They were intact and in good condition when they arrived. The boxes went through Alpha Cargo. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-13 02:39:00
Philippines	Ana had her interview this morning	QUOTE (Joseph & Ana @ Dec 15 2009, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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! Congrats, you will be in America for Christmas? Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-16 01:12:00
Philippines	Pat got visa pink Dec 16th	Hi Everyone, Pat finally had her visa interview Dec 16th and passed it. Finally after the long 2 month TB test, which resulted in a negative result, Pat has her pink. While near Manila I will be ready to get airline reservations for next week. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-16 01:19:00
Philippines	why do Pinays	QUOTE (jom @ Dec 7 2009, 11:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Dec 7 2009, 08:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Dec 7 2009, 06:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Mark&Gladys @ Dec 6 2009, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (JelloShotGirl @ Dec 6 2009, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am American Girl, I married my husband who is from Philippines. It just turned out that way. I didnt go" looking" for a foreign guy.....we just met eachother I never thought I would marry a foreign guy or an Asian guy, it just happened. .........its called LOVE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ok I will weigh in here. I too married a Pinay by accident and purely for love. So, I commend you for your answer and I hope you have the love of your lifetime. I was not looking for a filapina, nor ever expected to marry someone like her. But here I am and I am very happy. With regard to white women I have married, dated and worked with lots of white women in the USA and I have the utmost respect for them. I work daily with white women in my office who are brilliant and professional and very talented. These women are beautiful, smart, sexy and intelligent - and very successful. However, there IS a difference when it comes to relationships. In general (and there ARE exceptions) white women in the USA have never experienced true hardship. They do not really understand the concept of community and relationships. They often do not appreciate discipline and sacrifice and are very materialistic. They are focused on careers and a new car - not on a husband and family. I am not even saying this is all bad - just reality. But they tend to be spoiled and driven by their careers. Relationships are a distant second for many. Consequently, it is hard for men who want a more traditional marriage and relationship to find a woman in the USA that meets their needs. I will use you as example with my apologies. I initially thought your login name was a bit strange for a filipina. Now I see that you are not from the Philippines and it makes more sense to me. In fact, no filipina would use a name like that. They are too discrete, honorable and conservative. If that does not make sense to you then you really do not understand what a filipina is. What do you imagine that most people think when they read your login name? Immediately, I discounted as someone only interested in partying and selfish physical/material pleasures - someone who does not really understand relationships and the importance of family and relationships. That is absolutely typical for most women in the USA and is exactly why most of us appreciate the values, beauty (physical and otherwise) and unconditional love we found in the Philippines. Thank you for your answer. What you have seen is exactly what I have noticed in American women. I am 57 and never married. Why have I never married? I have never married for mainly the exact reasons you have outlined. I think American men like and want a wife for a solid relationship. I think also here in America we are suffering from I want what I want and I want someone to give it to me, but I do not want to give anything in return. Dale Dale, the post is one of the best I have ever seen in this section. But in America, American woman has been put up on a pedestal and worhipped. The Family Court and Divorce court is so lopsided toward woman. I see it all the time, Even the fat and ugly woman get attention from American Men. If your fat or ugly in PI, then your gonna get the bottom of the barrel when it comes to a partner. I have a few friends in USA that are married with kids and thier wives are big as house, Bitchy and very demanding. One in particular went to a lawyer to start divorce procedures and after finding out how much child support he would be paying each month he has decided to ride it out until the kids get 18 years old. [b]To me a Man is the King of the Household, he makes the decision for the family and the woman should support his decisions....... [/b	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-10 12:37:00
Philippines	why do Pinays	QUOTE (Mark&Gladys @ Dec 6 2009, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (JelloShotGirl @ Dec 6 2009, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am American Girl, I married my husband who is from Philippines. It just turned out that way. I didnt go" looking" for a foreign guy.....we just met eachother I never thought I would marry a foreign guy or an Asian guy, it just happened. .........its called LOVE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ok I will weigh in here. I too married a Pinay by accident and purely for love. So, I commend you for your answer and I hope you have the love of your lifetime. I was not looking for a filapina, nor ever expected to marry someone like her. But here I am and I am very happy. With regard to white women I have married, dated and worked with lots of white women in the USA and I have the utmost respect for them. I work daily with white women in my office who are brilliant and professional and very talented. These women are beautiful, smart, sexy and intelligent - and very successful. However, there IS a difference when it comes to relationships. In general (and there ARE exceptions) white women in the USA have never experienced true hardship. They do not really understand the concept of community and relationships. They often do not appreciate discipline and sacrifice and are very materialistic. They are focused on careers and a new car - not on a husband and family. I am not even saying this is all bad - just reality. But they tend to be spoiled and driven by their careers. Relationships are a distant second for many. Consequently, it is hard for men who want a more traditional marriage and relationship to find a woman in the USA that meets their needs. I will use you as example with my apologies. I initially thought your login name was a bit strange for a filipina. Now I see that you are not from the Philippines and it makes more sense to me. In fact, no filipina would use a name like that. They are too discrete, honorable and conservative. If that does not make sense to you then you really do not understand what a filipina is. What do you imagine that most people think when they read your login name? Immediately, I discounted as someone only interested in partying and selfish physical/material pleasures - someone who does not really understand relationships and the importance of family and relationships. That is absolutely typical for most women in the USA and is exactly why most of us appreciate the values, beauty (physical and otherwise) and unconditional love we found in the Philippines. Thank you for your answer. What you have seen is exactly what I have noticed in American women. I am 57 and never married. Why have I never married? I have never married for mainly the exact reasons you have outlined. I think American men like and want a wife for a solid relationship. I think also here in America we are suffering from I want what I want and I want someone to give it to me, but I do not want to give anything in return. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-12-07 07:33:00
Philippines	St. Lukes Medical	My Fiancee had her medicals the last 2 days. She reported back this morning and was told she has to have the Sputum test which will be next week on 12th,13th,14th. They found slight scarring on one of her lungs. She told me that the majority of the women that were there with her had the same results. What is the procedure for extracting this culture from the lungs? This is a small set back as her interview was on the 14th of next week. I assume that St. Lukes will cancel this appointment as they stated that if the culture is okay in 8 weeks they will reschedule her interview in March. I just pray that all is okay and when they make new interview appointment that I can bring her across by May 2010. Just not sure how long between the time she is cleared and actual interview appointment will be! Will she need to have new Cenomar and Philippine police clearance updated when she makes interview? She just got all this in early Dec 09. Good luck to your fiancee on the sputum test. My fiancee had the sputum test done, because of lung scaring. It was negative after 3 days, but she still had to wait for the 8 weeks. t was still negative after 8 weeks and was able to come to the USA. She did have the vaccination some years ago, but they still want to run the test to make sure. The St Lukes Center did cancel the original interview with the US Embassy, but if they do not get the paperwork from St Lukes no interview can be conducted. At the end of the 8 weeks Pat went in for the evaluation and with the negative result St Lukes scheduled the US Embassy interview appointment. God bless, Dale and Pat	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2010-01-08 06:42:00
Philippines	TSA Locks are they available in the Philippines	QUOTE (tallcoolone @ Nov 16 2009, 06:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Nov 14 2009, 01:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My fiancee is getting a suitcase for her trip to the USA. Is this gonna be a family event, or is she doing it alone She is coming alone.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-17 06:36:00
Philippines	TSA Locks are they available in the Philippines	QUOTE (ryandgracey @ Nov 15 2009, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Nov 16 2009, 04:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (ryandgracey @ Nov 14 2009, 08:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (bmtrrbt @ Nov 15 2009, 04:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Nov 13 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My fiancee is getting a suitcase for her trip to the USA. I talked to her about the use of TSA locks. Does anyone know if TSA locks are available in the Philippines? Dale i just used ordinary lock for my luggage...though nothing was important inside but i didnt want people to put something in my luggage that will put me in trouble. Found them at ACE Hardware. Also at the luggage dept of SM. My brother, a very seasoned traveler, advised me to get these. I didn't really have anything valuable in our baggages but in these times, anything can be of interest to anybody. Besides, the point of putting your stuff in your baggage is because you need them and it would suck big time if you find out later on that some stuff went missing. Thanks, Pat seems to know about an ACE Hardware in the Quezon area and knows about SM stores. I agree, I think it is best to have some kind of lock and if any lock is used TSA will just break it if they want to inspect it. In March when I went to the Philippines I had no problem at all with TSA locks. All Pat will have are cloths and a few shoes, but I know she wants them or she would not be bringing them. Thanks again. Dale You are welcome. My daughter and I had a luggage and a balikbayan box each to maximize what we could bring. Bought balikbayan box bags to cover the boxes and put TSA locks on them, too. the bags are less cumbersome to use than to rope the boxes up...would be a hassle at the airport if you were asked to open them then secure them again with those ropes. Good Luck to you both That is an idea too. I have seen the balikbayan boxes used when I have flown out of San Fransisco. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-16 07:11:00
Philippines	TSA Locks are they available in the Philippines	QUOTE (Hopp @ Nov 15 2009, 12:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> But the crooks can just get a copy of the TSA keys that open the TSA locks, so I think the TSA locks are just pointless. If someone really wants to get inside of your luggage, they will (just cut off the locks). More money spent for nothing. Yes, I think that can happen. I know some people just leave them totally unlocked. Someone at work travels a lot mostly within North America does not lock his, but only has clothing and shoes in it. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-16 07:06:00
Philippines	TSA Locks are they available in the Philippines	QUOTE (ryandgracey @ Nov 14 2009, 08:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (bmtrrbt @ Nov 15 2009, 04:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (DaleandPat @ Nov 13 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My fiancee is getting a suitcase for her trip to the USA. I talked to her about the use of TSA locks. Does anyone know if TSA locks are available in the Philippines? Dale i just used ordinary lock for my luggage...though nothing was important inside but i didnt want people to put something in my luggage that will put me in trouble. Found them at ACE Hardware. Also at the luggage dept of SM. My brother, a very seasoned traveler, advised me to get these. I didn't really have anything valuable in our baggages but in these times, anything can be of interest to anybody. Besides, the point of putting your stuff in your baggage is because you need them and it would suck big time if you find out later on that some stuff went missing. Thanks, Pat seems to know about an ACE Hardware in the Quezon area and knows about SM stores. I agree, I think it is best to have some kind of lock and if any lock is used TSA will just break it if they want to inspect it. In March when I went to the Philippines I had no problem at all with TSA locks. All Pat will have are cloths and a few shoes, but I know she wants them or she would not be bringing them. Thanks again. Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-15 15:09:00
Philippines	TSA Locks are they available in the Philippines	My fiancee is getting a suitcase for her trip to the USA. I talked to her about the use of TSA locks. Does anyone know if TSA locks are available in the Philippines? Dale	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-11-14 02:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	YIPPEE- My Visa Came in the Mail Today!!!	QUOTE (Wis-Can @ Apr 24 2009, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We are so excited....my K1 Visa came in the mail today. Now the sleep countdown is on! Thanks to all who gave us help along the way. I was also very pleased to have meet two fellow V-Jer's in Montreal. My honey is already planning AOS, I just want a little break from it all. Good luck to all still waiting. Congratulations. The time from the time your I-129F was sent to NOA1 was fast too only days. USCIS still has not picked my I129F up at the post office. It has been 7 days since I sent it. Good luck to you both.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-04-25 03:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	visa approved!	QUOTE (Chin and Clifford @ Apr 30 2009, 04:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am so grateful after two months of waiting, my visa was delivered today..I am so happy..I hope i could find filipino friends in batavia illinois.. Chin and Clifford congratulations. I am sure if you cannot find Filipino friends in Batavia you are in a large metropolis that would have a lot of Filipinos that would be more than happy to have you for friends. I live just next door in Iowa in Cedar Rapids and some Filipinos used to make a monthly trip to Chicago to get ingredients for some Filipino dishes. Now there is a store in this area that carries the ingredients to make anything Filipino or Asian. I think you would be surprised how many Filipinos there are in the Batavia area. If not, please consider looking in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area. I live in Marion a town adjacent to Cedar Rapids. In the Marion Walmart there are 4 Filipinos, plus I am told several more live in the area. Good luck on the visa and good luck on making new friends.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-04-30 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	waiting for our NOA1	QUOTE (sweetgurl @ May 1 2009, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> MY FIANCE FILED MY PETITION YESTERDAY SO HOW LONG DO U THINK IS MY NOA1 TAKES? I did not want to sound grim, but USCIS received my petition on April 20, and I have not heard anything yet. We are approaching 2 weeks. It looks like the April workload must have increased because according to the charts the time started increasing in March or April. It may take 2 or 3 weeks. I know how hard it is to wait. It will come.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-05-02 21:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	According to a USCIS Rep,	QUOTE (kayj @ May 6 2009, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I spoke to a USCIS Rep this morning, and according to her, applications are not processed on a first come first serves basis (or in the order that they are received). There are certain laws that require some applications to be processed before others. can you beleive that?!! so i ask her what kinda laws would require such atrocities and she said an example will be countries havin treaties with the USA and applicants from those countires get processed first. also, when they receive the applications, they file them away based on individual situations (not by dates). UNBELIEVABLE To us that are applying for a K1 visa it seems unfair just because the USA and the country from the applicant's home land are not under good relations. I ran across a PDF file about treaties and working within the borders of the USA. http://www.bakernet....manual_2009.pdf After reading a few things in the document I think I see there is a security risk involved in letting people in. Those of us that would rather make love than war the policies are in our way. Maybe the policies will also get in the way in those to like to make war and harm us. We shall get through this.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-05-06 12:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	According to a USCIS Rep,	QUOTE (kayj @ May 6 2009, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I spoke to a USCIS Rep this morning, and according to her, applications are not processed on a first come first serves basis (or in the order that they are received). There are certain laws that require some applications to be processed before others. can you beleive that?!! so i ask her what kinda laws would require such atrocities and she said an example will be countries havin treaties with the USA and applicants from those countires get processed first. also, when they receive the applications, they file them away based on individual situations (not by dates). UNBELIEVABLE Thanks you so much for that information. The very best on a speedy process for you and yours. I guess then from the laws and such, an applicant from a friendly country with the USA probably will be processed first. I am sure it is difficult to get cooperation between some governments that do not trust each other on even doing background checks. I hope your request goes well. Many many blessings.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-05-06 09:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	sent my I-129F package in today!	QUOTE (Brianna Y Alex @ May 7 2009, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> finally! i've got the I-129F package in the mail! This is what I included: - Payment in the amount of $455.00 - Form I-129F - I-129F Supplement to Question 18, Part B - Original letter certifying intent to marry from petitioner, Brianna Jonelle Simpson - Original letter certifying intent to marry from beneficiary, Alejandro Ledezma-Aguayo - Proof of having met within the past two years (6 pages + 7 photographs) - G-325A Biographic Information from petitioner, Brianna Jonelle Simpson - 1 passport style photograph of Brianna Jonelle Simpson - G-325A Biographic Information from benificiary, Alejandro Ledezma-Aguayo - 1 passport style photograph of Alejandro Ledezma-Aguayo - Copy of the partial birth certificate of the petitioner, Brianna Jonelle Simpson - Copy of the drivers license and social security card of the petitioner, Brianna Jonelle Simpson - Copy of all pages of the U.S. passport of petitioner, Brianna Jonelle Simpson - Proof of an on-going relationship between petitioner, Brianna Jonelle Simpson and beneficiary, Alejandro Ledezma-Aguayo (43 pages + 9 photographs) - Form FC-029 HOPE I GOT EVERYTHING! I triple checked the signatures and forms, etc. Acco hole punched and Acco fastened the entire packet together. aaaaaaah! i'm so freaked out and i haven't even gotten half way thru this lovely process yet! Good for you. Now within a couple weeks you should be getting you NOA1.	DaleandPat	Male	Philippines	2009-05-07 17:54:00