Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 18 2008, 05:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Aye - some Brits may as well be speaking another language! If you're curious, I have examples of me speaking here: http://rebelsanctuary.com/voice/ Only the ones labelled 'rachel' though - the rest aren't me! Oh, and in one of them (I think it's rachel4) I'm talking about testicular cancer, so it's probably NSFW. (Hey, I needed something to read and it was on a nearby Gillette razor packet). Rachel, I LOVE YOUR ACCENT! And I almost drop off my chair with the "Snape killed Dumbledore...." of course Snape ended up being a hero really. I have always loved the british accent, ALWAYS! Even when I was a young kid, I always love hearing it... No offense to the americans, I always thought English should be spoken the way the British do (though filipinos take after the americans in english)... I always make Ricky try to imitate the british accent, and he could really do but he'd be all red for really trying hard	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-17 20:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 16 2008, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I sometimes get the same from Olga and I have to remind her to expect that everything will be the same as what she now knows, and anything better, that's just the icing on top of the cake. Besides, all the elves, witches and wizards live in California and the giants and dragons live in New York. Chicago is perfectly safe, aside from the occasional orc. So what could I expect in North Carolina? dementors and goblins? or fairies and angels? QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 17 2008, 02:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Apr 16 2008, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm not sure about that. It seems to me that a lot of things are going to be different. From the language to the administrative system. Credit cards. Measurements. Tips. The fact that I will be an "immigrant". Stores. Grocery shopping with different products. Even the relationship with my future husband will be different, because the entire context is going to be a new one (even though I've already gone to that country, and we've already lived together for several weeks). I'm glad it's going to take several months before I'll get EAD. That way I can try to adjust as much as I can in the everyday environment before to have to adjust in a work-related environment. And for the orcs, with all the good witches and good wizards to protect us, then that shouldn't be a problem One thing you forget Cecile, is that you have a real French accent - and so can expect to be slobbered on by all sorts of people as being a true representative of "high culture". Deserved or not, it doesn't matter. I vote for deserved, however. The same generally holds true for the British. As for the Australians and New Zeelanders and other representatives of the Empire - people just want to buy them a beer and listen to the way they talk. How about asians dear blake? In the school that the kids will be attending, the asian population is nil so my two kids will probably be the only asian there. And we will be the only filipino in Ricky's small town... Oh well....	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-16 20:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Apr 16 2008, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And now that I think of it, this would probably be a good thing to do. I mean I'm sure my family would like it if I was going to write down everything that happens to me when I'm in that 'unknown and strange country'. Maybe I should do it too... but right now I'm definitely too lazy! somehow that made me laugh.... reading the underline words made my mind float to the wizarding world of "harry potter" where there are giants and dragons, elves and wizards and witches and flying broomsticks... but honestly, sometimes, i do feel like I'm headed to that place... i just hope there will be more good wizards than bad witches in the place where me and my kids are going.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-16 09:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Apr 11 2008, 10:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 11 2008, 04:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The timelines are kinda weird right now. We've had no approvals, yet my anticipated adjudication date has continued to move up. Now I'm at July 2 where yesterday I was at July 4. Go figure. Anyway, if last year is a guide (optimistically stated) this will be the last slow week of the spring holiday season. Next week we shoudl see a significant increase in the number of approvals - this should continue through to the memorial day weekend. According to Igor's list the first January filers are about to crack the 100 mark - which is when I've seen approvals start. The big target is 70 after which I've seen approvals becoming frequent. On occasion the CSC has been able to string together some 30 - 40 approval weeks. So...... even though the slow pace we are seeing right now is depressing, I truely think this is the dark before the dawn. Yes the timelines are acting strange! I've noticed it too. If they start approving 30-40 petitions a week again, that means that maybe they're going to start approving January filers in 3 weeks! that would be awesome! they are saying that USCIS has not been updating their site and that there are more and more people who have not received NOA2 emails from CRIS but have received the hardcopy by snail mail (a few days to a week delayed of course). If this is the case then maybe there were many approvals say, first week of april but have just updated their timeline coz they have just received the hardcopy of NOA2. when they update, they will not be shown as most recent approvals but will be inserted on a previous date... sometimes there are even people who update when their approval date has been pushed down away from the list so we don't see their names on the approved list anymore. they simply disappear from the waiting list. who knows there has been december approvals or late november approvals that has been inserted on the approved list (you would need to take note not only on the names on the top but also the names on the bottom of the approved list and then the names in between) or some additional december approvals may have had NOA2 dates like march 23 which can't be seen on the list already but will still move your tentative adjudication date up. Blake, I like the dark before the dawn that you mentioned. I have this quote that was passed on to me as a text message years ago. I have saved it on my phone and I read when i feel down and I have also passed this on to some of my friends when they are facing trials of their own: "Do you know that the darkest hour is the hour before sunrise? So when you feel you're at your darkest moment, you may be just a moment away from your sunrise."	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-13 16:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (shes @ Apr 11 2008, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hey Sylvia /Joseph! u said u got your NOA2???? when did you file ur petition? r u a K1 applicant as well as the CSC? hope things are moving for us, January filers...id rather accept it slow but still moving..than not processing at all for the January filers They are late november filers at CSC shes... you can check other people's date of filing and etc. by clicking on the timeline icon below their screen name.. well, that is provided they have set up a timeline. QUOTE (MissYoko @ Apr 11 2008, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> @dbears : just i don't know if it works really will see. I use to have the same hairdresser for years, it will be not easy to find a new place where i feel enough comfortable... but yes, like said Cecile its not the first thing i worry about right now. Of course hair shouldn't be your topmost worry but then, you already have a very beautiful gown which would make you look like a goddess with or without make up and just free flowing hair.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-11 05:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (sunnybear @ Apr 11 2008, 06:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Apr 10 2008, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 10 2008, 07:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Unfortunately, things appear to have slowed dramatically over at the CSC. Yes and that's depressing, isn't it? UGHHHH so very depressing Come on CSC maybe if we all do a CSC dance (like a rain dance) they will get their butts moving? haha Both centers have slowed down.. Maybe they are busy filing taxes or maybe they are all out on a field trip or out there campaigning for the next president.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-10 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (MissYoko @ Apr 9 2008, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And by the way. First thing i will say to the hair dresser is... ok if I'm not happy at the end, I'll kill you.. so... do a great job. .. maybe i should borrow this line MissYoko... Oppss, i guess it won't really work for me... i forgot my hairdresser would be Ricky's 21 year old daughter, that's her specialty and she's really good. It has been decided almost a year now that she will do my hair so i guess i just have to worry about the make up then. QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 10 2008, 03:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> A great way to save money on the make-up, now get this, go to a real good cosmetics store preperably a department store like Macy's or Nordstroms the morning of the wedding and have them do your make-up for you. It'll be free (because the goal is to get you as a customer) and hopefully will be to your liking. Fun facts from the "wedding planner" ... im curious about that wedding planner you have... could you share the link pls? maybe they still have tons of budget planning ideas. Blake, here's another free downloadable wedding planner. You can download it and put it on a folder and just take out the per month basis and it also have questions to ask for the coordinator, photographer, caterer etc. http://www.pashweddi...ing-planner.php	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-10 17:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	It is ok to rant and vent, even the most positive and strongest amongst us gets so slow sometimes. Its a testament to our being human ... its close to 9 months since I last saw Ricky, sometimes its bearable, sometimes its too much that i just cry myself to sleep. I am just comforted by the fact that same time next year, we will be together. It's either your family thinks you are ok and strong enough to handle the separation or they are afraid they'd touch a soft spot and would make you miss alex more if they ever mention him... your mom sounds like a very warm and sensitive person, i don't know how close you are but can you have a girl talk with her, tell her how your feeling about this separation? she might not be able to bring alex over there but she might give encouraging words to help ease your loneliness or she might give you a big warm hug that could speak a thousand words. As for the friend's bf and that person who commented "pretend" to alex, i'm giving you this mallet, do as you pls to them: by the way, how did alex respond to the comment?	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-08 18:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Skinny jeans??? Who mentioned skinny jeans? I love skinny jeans!!! Well, as long as I'm not the one wearing it I think i would have to stick with boot-cut and flare jeans even if they went out of fashion. At least it looks better on me rather than forcing myself to wear the skinny jeans which would look totally off on me. like most, i also have a few blouses, shirts, pants... I like them and it hides the bulges pretty good though I also go for lighter shades from time to time. I'm not really trendy, my younger sister (who graduated from college today by the way! ) is more of the "fashionista" but she's really skinny so she can wear whatever she wants.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-08 10:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	how can you truly persevere without hope in your heart? what will motivate you then? even saying you'd get it by august or september is still hoping you would get it before then. you are probably right about my father not really hoping but struggling, he is ok now but he is a bitter man. one of the most negative man i have ever encountered... my mother is different, she always hopes for the best and even in the worst condition she never stopped hoping. they've separated decades ago and both suffered financially from that separation. my mother was the one who bounced back first with her endless optimism.. my father followed right after, as you have said he persevered with pessimism in his heart and his manner of dealing with us. both of them are now ok but my mother is more successful thereby making my father more bitter. there you go, 2 people who persevered: one holding on to hope and found joy in her struggles, while the other, hold on to negativities and found bitterness in his struggles. one thing i have always heard from my father: "It's useless and that can't be"... while my mother would always encourage me and say: "It is possible and it can be." i'm not saying optimism is hoping it will come next week or the next, it is unceasingly hoping and knowing and believing that sooner or later it WILL EVENTUALLY COME. and all things shall pass. of course we all started prepared for the long haul but that feeling changes when you see the first approval within your time frame and within your service center, much more when you see people after you getting approved. when it happens and your waiting list starts to dwindle and you still see yourself in that waiting list.... well, you would have to go through that to be able to fully understand it. I have read people here talk about it but i never fully understood it until i went through it. you've presented your views, i've presented mine. I could present people who survived great trials and tribulation becoz they never let go of hope and optimism and maybe you could counter it with people who survived becoz they let go of hope, but i guess enough has been said. I respect your views, I hope you will also respect mine because we're just two people shaped up by different circumstances, different environments and influenced by different people in our lives. And as i said, let's just agree to disagree on the subject. I may not agree with you on this subject but overall I do have GREAT respect for you dear Blake i wish you all the best of luck and approval soonest.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-06 19:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	thank you also cecile. yes agree, believing that you will get noa2 next week is just wishful thinking. I still feel it is coming soon. when that soon will be, only God knows but it will come when the time is perfectly right. I just hope and pray that all of you will be more emotionally stronger after the initial euphoria of the 1st january csc approval passes. it is when the real waiting begins and it will be the time when you will need more activities and diversions.... i hope nobody among you will experience how it feels to see people who filed after you start getting noa2 while you will still be waiting. i hope CSC will really process all your petitions in order... and i hope vsc will also finish the 17 (only 7 active) remaining waiting list january member. it is probably getting so tough for them now:( i will be holding all of you in my thoughts and prayers always and i will try to give back to all of you the cheers and encouragements that you have showered to all the january vsc filers. no matter who gets it first or who gets it last, as long as nobody allows this frustrating process to put a strain on our relationships with our SO, same time next year we will all be with our SO already and will look back at the agony of waiting with a smile. Edited by dbears, 06 April 2008 - 12:19 PM.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-06 12:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 6 2008, 02:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> A little optimism is fine, just not too much - the party is great but the hangover sucks. Then again, while it is true that pessimists are never disappointed, who want's to be like that. The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer Let's agree to disagree on this one becoz I can never agree to "A little optimism is fine, just not too much". Let me tell you of a woman who was born from a dirt poor family back in the 50's. Let's call her Esperanza. There were 12 kids in the family and she was the 4th child. Their father is the sole provider and what he earned was not enough to support the kids, much more to send the kids to school. So at 7, the woman was forced to work to be able to buy papers and pencils so she could have something to use at school. She would get some vegetables in the garden and sell it, sometimes she would offer to wash clothes for others. She would work and then she would walk more than a mile all the way to school and then walk another mile going back home and then she would try to work again. She finished grade school doing menial labor. But she was forced to drop out in her second year in high school becoz no matter how she works she still could not afford the increasing financial needs of schooling. At 14, Esperanza had worked odd jobs like being a housemaid, dishwasher in a restaurant, and banana peeler at a nearby banana plantation. Her condition was dire but in her heart she continued to believe that she will be able to finish schooling and would get a better life. But then she got married at 19 and had a baby at 20, the hope of going to back to school was slipping further away. Husband was a poor guy himself so the hope of a better life seemed like a distant dream, they can't even afford to buy a can of milk for their baby and had to fed their baby the water from rice porridge that time. But she eventually finished highschool at age 22 (high school here graduates at 16) and eventually finished college at 26 while pregnant with her 3rd child. She learned the ropes of the business world and have made her way from being dirt poor to owning several profitable business. She was able to send her kids to school without the kids needing to work. She is not a housemaid anymore but has hired househelpers at her disposal. If Esperanza had only "little optimism" she will still be like her 10 other siblings who never finished college or even high school or she would have ended like her one sister who is already dead. Esperanza is my mother, and Esperanza means HOPE. And I am the baby who didn't have the priviledge of drinking milk as a baby. My father also struggled to finish his education, he worked as janitor by day and security guard by night while studying in between and he still managed to become one of the most outstanding graduates in his time. Years after, he was told that he only have maximum 5 years left to live by so called specialist doctors. My father had lost one leg due to bone cancer, his diabetes is worsening but he still lives up to now, 16 years after he was condemned to die by some doctors. And he drives a car even if he only has one leg. .. The pessimist said that it was impossible for my parents to ever rise above their status that time. I am sure glad that they (especially my mother) have a high dose of optimism, not a moderate dose but a high dose of it that have helped them rise above what others have said was impossible. I don't know what OPTIMISM means to you or to others but for me it is hoping and believing that things will eventually turn out for the best. If one will think that he/she will get the noa2 in one weeks time or just a few hours after filing that for me is daydreaming or fantasizing BUT if one will unceasingly believe and hope that it will eventually come in God's perfect time, that is optimism.This waiting is a struggle and a pain but "This too shall pass!" I started this journey prepared to get the NOA2 by June and was even prepared to have all of this finished in a years time (meaning finishing the whole visa process january 2009) but then a January VSC approval popped up, then another and another. I forgot that i was supposedly OK to wait till June, I wanted the NOA2 asap like the others. the influx of approvals made me excited that i might be next, that my noa2 is coming.. then the approval skipped me to make way for february VSC filers. I cried when i saw the first february approval and then there was also a time when my tears would just flow everytime I post the congratulatory dance and jump for january filers who got the approval next. but what made me continue was the fact that although i was feeling sorry for myself, I was still genuinely happy for those who got approved and It also gives me hope that the list is moving so they will eventually get to my papers and somehow it was reasuring. Of course, I suffered a litte depression (i'm human) but i then resigned and lifted everything to God. I started thanking Him for my approval even before it came. When you guys starts to see one january csc filer get the noa2 this month or next month and then another noa2 and another and then it suddenly skips any of you and you see a february csc filer getting approved, it will be harder to say it is still ok to wait for noa on june or july or august, you will want it for yourself ASAP and that's when depressions gets tougher to ward off and you will surely need a higher dose of optimism when that time comes. You will need to believe and hope that it might not be your day yet but there is always tomorrow and then tomorrow's tomorrow and eventually, it will surely come. OPTIMISM is believing that eventhough the night is very dark, it will eventually give way to the light of dawnbreak. But when morning comes and you still could not see the sun becoz rain keeps pouring, just believe and hope that when the rain stops, you will not only see the sun but also see a beautiful rainbow. I believe in moderation of things (especially food) but when it comes to hope, faith and optimism and love: a little dose will be stomped off easily, a moderate dose will not last long but a full armor of it will see you to the final end, a little tired but never totally battered. I wish you all a blessed Sunday and approvals soonest!	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-06 11:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 3 2008, 09:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Aaah! I found this in the London medical thread: QUOTE I asked him about this last bit afterwards - did they really get females who turned out to be males; he said yes, they'd had 3 this year already! That's why the doctor has to take a peek down your underwear. WHAT???!!!??? But then, with all the modern surgical procedures it's so easy to change male organ to female and vice versa how would they know then?	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-03 11:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Apr 3 2008, 01:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I guess we have to find out if that will happen, for now, however, it seems like someone is working backwards for real as we're back at november 18 What do you mean november 18? is that the tentative adjudication date here on vj for you? QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 3 2008, 06:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 3 2008, 06:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hello everyone! Rachel has been telling me time and time again to introduce myself so I finally relented. So, um, hi everyone. I'm Alex, Rachel's fiance. Victory! i wonder when I could also post VICTORY here... perhaps when I get there in the US i could force ricky to post here. QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Apr 3 2008, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hehe.. welcome Alex ^^ It's about time you entered here, I feel darn alone in between all those girls lol of course there's blake. Blake is a man as man can be. Edited by dbears, 03 April 2008 - 05:48 AM.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-03 05:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 3 2008, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey dbears, I'll take you up on that 8/8/08 wedding date - I would be amazed if that would happen. Don't be amazed. Be prepared coz it is not impossible at all! Have you tried visualization? It's like visualizing something you want and then acting as if it is already in your hands or believing with all your heart and mind that it is indeed yours already? No what ifs, No buts, just plain believing it in your heart without a single ounce of doubt.... if you can do that then surely what you believe in will come to be. Besides, it is not as if you will be dreaming of getting Olga's visa tomorrow or next week (that will be fantasy already)... June or July is very very very possible with the current approval coming out of CSC. Well, approvals might have slowed down a little but it will pick up again VERY SOON. And I'm SUPER POSITIVE that there will be January CSC approval before April ends. I'm summoning the NOA2 fairy to cast its magic on all of you and that some of you may get NOA2 this month and all of you will have NOA2 just before May ends (that includes the remaining January VSC filers). I'm holding all of you in my thoughts and prayers.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-02 23:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 3 2008, 02:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 2 2008, 10:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am worried that she won't believe me when I say what I truly want. She always thinks I am just trying to be polite when I say that I have no preference or want something cheap. I would suggest clearing this up now, and not after Milly (M-I-L) gets too used to the idea of running the show. Train 'em early I always say. I agree with blake.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-02 22:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	When the first January CSC approval comes out (which will be pretty soon), be prepared to experience this:	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-02 10:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 2 2008, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's USCIS cat! well, as long as you wont end up like this while waiting	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-02 10:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 2 2008, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well...her family is Alex's too! But she's drawing up the guest list for her side of the family. She says that is why she wants to do a pot luck wedding, so that everyone can be fed at little cost to ourselves. I'm a bit concerned about how they'll squeeze 50-70 people into their house, though! She's sent me an e-mail full of questions (what type of cake? Music? Flowers?) and I almost want to send one back saying 'I don't care!' Cheers to you girl! I admire your self control. If it was me..... well, i think I will just bite my tongue right now She is probably thinking she is doing you a great favor by taking over the planning since she feels you can't do it because you are still in the UK and of course that is probably a blessing since you will have lesser things to worry... but i do hope you will be able to tell her what you really want to happen on your wedding and just how many people you want there. After all, it is still your wedding... and i also hope your FMIL will not get carried away with planning and then end up doing everything the exact way she wants it.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-02 10:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 2 2008, 02:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Is the medical schedule a requirement? Most people going through the process in the Ukraine get thier medicals the day before the interview. I know you're not looking until later in the year for the wedding so time isn't that much of an issue, which is good, but have you gotten a rescheduled date? April 9 was the first option given to us and then the whole month of May so I told him to pick out May 23. Medical here is to be taken at least 1week prior to interview but some take it so much earlier, even a month in advance so that if there would be any problem, it could be corrected or treated right away before interview. We were chatting on yahoo while he made the call so it was as if I was still the one making the call ... I chose may 23 becoz there is also one girl near my hometown who i've met here on vj (sj_soulmates, a january filer also) who have the same sched and it would be nice to really meet up with people that I have only been talking online. Plus it also allows me to schedule my medical a week before interview (May 14) which is actually best time for me to take medical since that would be a few days after my monthly period. (there are some test during medical here that can't be done when a woman has her period)	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-01 19:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 2 2008, 12:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> One member was able to slip in a week after she called the embassy to set a interview time - I want to at least be available to do the same thing. The period between the application being received by the embassy and the setting of the interview date is really the only area when I can influence the speed of the process by being 100% ready to go at the moment the embassy receives the package. It is best to be prepared always. Our papers left NVC last week and we called today. We were offered to have interview April 9 which is next week... but of course we had to decline coz we haven't even started with the 2nd part of paper works yet .. plus it is expensive to book flights to the capital city when your flight is the next day already. Had we taken the April 9 offer we should have flown to manila this very day or early tomorrow for medical which should at least one week before interview here.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-01 11:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Apr 1 2008, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, who knows.... it might be our turn soon!! And even if it's not soon, we're getting closer to the end. Did anyone start gathering information for the next part of the process? Did the US citizens start filing the I-134 and gathering financial proofs? Did some foreign fiances ask their police certificate and birth certificate to their government? YES!!! It will be your turn very very very very soon! April won't pass by without any January CSC filer getting approved. I can smell it in the air. We just got our interview date this morning (last night US time) and well, we are still starting the 'gathering part'. We do have proof of relationship ready for printing on my end. And I have requested NBI clearance this afternoon. I'll be requesting for additional birth certificates for me and my kids and also the 'certificate of no marriage' within the week and I'll finish all other documents needed within the week or next week... As for the form that I will be needing from Rick, we will fill it up online when we chat next time so we could both check the answers before printing. And he still needs to file income tax soon. We were expecting NOA2 by June but it came so soon that we are not yet prepared for it. But we are indeed grateful and ALL is WELL.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-04-01 11:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (gabriela @ Mar 30 2008, 09:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi, im a csc filer who got my noa1 on january 30...just wanted to say goodluck to all january filers like me! and of course, to all those who filed before us. Welcome Gabriela QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Mar 31 2008, 04:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And don't start comparing sizes, people! I'm sure I'm the smallest anyway... Cecile, David did kill Goliath. I can sense that you are a very smart woman and that makes you so much bigger than your physical size. QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 31 2008, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Nothing wrong with being small! There are lots of very petite ladies in California making me feel like a towering heffalump whenever I visit the malls. - i won't mind if you will give me some few inches I discussed changing my screenname with Alex and at my suggestion of dropping his name he went all pouty. - why are guys the same? same way with Rick. I love Blake's photos, too. -SECONDED. Lovely couple Looks like I may be battling with the future in-laws over wedding plans. They reckon a pot-luck wedding would be okay (I don't) and would also like us to make a registry. Eek!- I have nothing to say except & Good luck, I'm sure you will be able to handle it. (Monster-in-Law keeps playing on my mind right now .. it was funny and it did have a very happy ending). Speaking of tattoos, Ricky have one tiger tattoo. He is planning to get another one but he said he will NEVER tattoo my name on his body... well, my name is not really Gaye but just plain GAY and then the surname(Thanks to my mother )... but he did say that he will want to tattoo my face on his body someday.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-31 04:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (sunnybear @ Mar 30 2008, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Awwww OMG on you calling him Bear etc...that is what I call Gareth! He just reminds me of a bear! And after him being turned away in Detroit I went and got this tattoo in honor of our journey together.... WHOA!!! that is a KWEL looking tattoo . Rick reminds me of a bear also, he is soooo hairy like a bear and him being 6 ft while I am just 5'2 (ok 5'1 & 1/2 ), he is indeed so much bigger than me so I call him my Big Bear. he just followed suit and started calling me Little or Li'l bear.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-30 07:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 30 2008, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 29 2008, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Rachel, you would love Olga, same with you Yoko, Dbears, and Ciciel - however, she does not really understand how welcomed she would be, nor how important your advice and counsel that she would find here. Yes - I am sure we would love Olga (after all, we love you, Blake - and like attracts like) and would certainly welcome her! It is funny how few couples actually post together - it's usually just one half making all the posts. Oh well! I second that. I am 101% positive we will all love Olga More than advice and counsel, this group is a haven of support and inspiration and friendship. As for couples not posting together.. if Rachel will change her screen name to just Rachel, maybe I should also change mine to just "li'l bear"... it is Dbears because I call him big bear and he calls me li'l bear: big bear + li'l bear = the bears or 'D'bears	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-30 07:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Mar 28 2008, 12:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks Gaye, I appreciate it. The site was started almost 10 years ago and I can vouch for the fact that it's a lot harder keeping it off! It really doesn't matter how much weight you have to lose cuz in the end it's all about feeling good and living well! Thank you as well for the wishes regarding my brother. We hold out hope that he will come home to us someday soon. AGREE & AGREE!!! You are a very strong and amazing woman Kim. I have told myself I can survive anything just not losing any of my kids, that would totally break me. But you have survived losing a father and a brother and even survived every mother's worst fear. That's probably where you're drawing so much positivism, what didn't kill you have totally made you! KUDOS to you KIM POSSIBLE!	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-27 21:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Mar 27 2008, 07:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Gaye, I dont know where you can find any will power but maybe this will help... Getting2Goal < my site... read the tips. btw... there has got to be places here in the states you'll be able to get your favorite foods from home. CSC seems to be pushing the approvals out a little faster these days. Could it be they're finally catching up? I hope so! Looks like a lot of you will be approved around the same time we hope to be. Maybe I should start posting here! Kim, I've bookmarked your site, it is AMAZING! I have opened it a few times before when you shared it on the other thread but its my first time to really browse the different pages. all i could say is WOW!!! I am not really overweight, just need 2 shed off about 10-15 pounds and get a little toned. Gosh, if you and the people on your site have lost those 100pounds and more, I'd probably be able to do so also. i'd surely be checking your site more often. I just hope and pray that you will soon have news about your brother. RE Wedding: We haven't finalized anything yet but it will also be really simple and low cost. We can't afford any grand wedding even if we want to. This immigration process is already very costly for us and we will probably be financially tied up for the next few months to a year to the time of "removing conditions"... well, as long as we will be together and as long as it will be with God's blessing, no matter how simple it will be it will still be beautiful.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-27 09:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (sunnybear @ Mar 27 2008, 06:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I live in Michigan and we are planning an inside wedding but we are getting married right at same place the reception will be held. It has a back balcony type deck area though so if it is a nice night we may get married out on that! It is right on a lake as well. Too bad huge boats seem to block the view of the lake though! Oh and I got my dress from Peridress.Com Your description of the place seems so lovely. I've been checking the site you mentioned... there's so many lovely dress there and the price is not bad ... are they really giving that 80-86% discounts? BTW, anybody know I could buy will power? will power to resist food! Gosh, i'm soooo weak when it comes to food Right now, I am giving excuses that I won't be eating filipino foods for a long time so I might as well stock up.. YEAH RIGHT!!! the thing that is really stocking up is my hips and the belly. ARRGGG!!! Maybe I should buy some straps and have myself strapped during meal time and snack time.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-27 00:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Mar 25 2008, 11:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It might have been a better idea to buy it in a real store, but I'm glad I did it this way because even though it's not perfect yet, I Love My Dress!!!!!!!! What can I say but We might be having some changes to our wedding plans again... our Oct. 3 is not yet set on stone and we are planning to have it on 8-08-08 again like we originally planned. if it will be the case then at least the wedding guest platter we ordered last november would be put to use... but then again, we still don't know. when you have kids, there are just more things to consider. BTW, didn't we see december filer approved 1st or 2nd week of march? Next week it will be April already, NOA2 is definitely coming for you guys. I am getting excited for all of you!	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-26 06:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	HAPPY EASTER!!! QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 22 2008, 06:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fortunately his doctor rang him back and said he just wanted specialists to look at an abnormal vein, but that it's nothing too serious and not to worry It must be a relief hearing that. Hope everything really turns out well. QUOTE (MissYoko @ Mar 24 2008, 06:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hey guys! Just to say hello from Chicago I'm with my love and all is perfect. Have a grand time with your fiance Miss Yoko	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-23 20:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	oppssss, bbq reception actually not my original idea but borrowed from rachel every time ricky talks about the wedding he always have this big grand wedding in his head but I have managed to talk him out of it and just settle for a very small and simple wedding with a bbq picnic style reception and cupcakes instead of a big expensive wedding cake.... I know it will still be very beautiful especially because we will be making our own vows and it will also be a family wedding coz we will be exchanging vows with the kids during the unity sand ceremony.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-19 23:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Miss Yoko those selections are absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I can't even imagine the price of those.. but of course everybody deserves to have the most beautiful dress for the most beautiful day. Which one did you chose, just whisper it, I won't tell promise! ... you'd surely be a very lovely bride when that day comes. We'll be having a very simple wedding with a bbq picnic style reception (my idea) so I just need a very simple dress for the occasion but i will make sure that it will still be elegant, they won't know it's less than $300 or less than $200 if I can still manage it .. i am thinking of a greek goddess type of gown which will fit perfectly with a garden wedding. We also plan on having a wedding here in the Philippines in 3-5 years and it will be a little more formal than our coming October wedding in N.C..... then we plan to have another wedding (renewal of vows) on our 10th year, if God willing. We plan to have a grander celebration by then. Hopefully all these immigration expenses will be behind us and hopefully the US economy will be more stable by then and we'll both be earning enough to spend extra. Here's hoping everybody will have a very wonderful holy week.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-19 22:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Rick is also the one looking for location and etc. but we still discuss everything. I want it outdoors and I won't even mind if it will be in his mother's backyard but he wants another place. So i suggested parks, in the hope that parks won't be as expensive as commercial wedding locations. He has checked several parks in NC which allows weddings and the price are reasonable. I just want a very simple and small ceremony without the fuzz. He asked me how many bridesmaids i'd want, I told him I don't want any, i also don't want flower girls etc. And I told him, I will have my dress made here since it will be cheaper here compared to buying there... as in way way way cheaper. I could chose a 10,000USD design and have it made here for 200-500USD.... I don't even want to wear anything that will cost more than 300USD, if I could find a beautiful gown for 100USD or less why not, it's not really the price that would dictate the beauty of the dress but the one carrying it .. of course i won't mind wearing something really expensive but only if it will be a gift, even then i might still be saying "Could I have this converted to cash instead?" ... I'm a real cheapskate but I would like to think I am just very practical. Our wedding is set on October 3 so hopefully we could get our visa way before then.... I still want the kids to be there before classes starts which would be august. If we get there by August, we would still be waiting 2 months before the wedding. We don't plan on having a court wedding beforehand coz it will be an added expense on us besides I do want us to spend that two months getting re-marriage counseling before the wedding proper.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-18 02:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 14 2008, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> First course was fresh melon, mango and raspberries, main course was the lamb and honey roast parsnip, sweet potato and carrot, and dessert was a chocolate cheesecake...diet, what diet? .. don't worry chocolate are made from cocoa beans so that will probably qualify it as fiber, along with mangos, raspberries, etc. And there's always tomorrow to start dieting again.... me, I'll start dieting on Monday... i'm just not sure yet which month it will be as long as it will be Monday	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-13 18:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Thanks for the "GOOD LUCK"... that's in full caps so I might be able to catch that one now I was actually wondering where you've been but I am glad you were able to spend time with your folks. I hope you extended my regards to gramps with the eyebrows	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-12 19:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 13 2008, 02:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm just happy I didn't fall back below 200 - holding fast at 190 (although I was up to 189 earlier today ) I don't mind people addiing duplicate accounts but only if they've filed after me. I think with July and Christmas/New Years behind us things should move faster.....oops, lets see, everyone's irish on St Pats (even in California) and then there's Easter , still I think 20 -25 approvals is doable for these guys - so you get your approval in 3 weeks, and I'll get mine in 8. Deal? You'll all probably get it earlier, there's been a few december filers approved already, it seems there working on november and december simultaneously! I'm so excited for you guys. Good luck to everyone.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-12 17:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	CSC is moving!!! You guys, won't have to wait long now! Good luck to us all.... BigCityDave, CONGRATULATIONS!!!	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-12 05:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Same here, still checking Igor's list and we are moving up...not because of recent approvals but because the list have automatically moved those who are still waiting for NOA2 and are already 3 months beyond the VSC processing time. So far, most of the recent approvals this week has been february filers, only 2 november filers and no january filer yet. On Igor's VSC list the oldest petition is dated May 2007 but I think most of them just disappeared and failed to update their timelines, for all we know they are already having baby showers now. But there are 2 June filers who have recently updated their time lines, one just received RFE last month (8months after filing) while the other just have their papers simply messed up by VSC and a senator is now looking into the case. I think the same goes for August & September filers still waiting on Igors list, some of them may have abandoned their accounts here on VJ while others are genuinely still waiting. And like Blake, I do hope and pray all those who have been waiting for like forever should be taken cared of soon.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-11 19:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Happy Tuesday everyone.. there are 3 approvals from CSC March 10.. i hope they will churn out lots of approval this week so you guys won't have to wait longer. CHEERS	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-11 05:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (greeneyedgirlfl @ Mar 11 2008, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 10 2008, 02:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Mar 10 2008, 01:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> People who filed in 2007 at VSC and are still not approved must be upset when they read such things. We haven't been waiting for so long, it probably is a lot harder for them. Yeah, I agree. The one's right now that could be claiming "unfair" are the VSC filers that have been sitting while people who filed much later have gotten approval already. At least we know that CSC is criminally slow, for the long time filers still waiting at VSC, this has gotta feel personal. I know of at least four left on the list from JUNE that haven't gotten NOA2's yet...That's just plain wrong!!! Some of those June VSC filers may have just abandoned their account here but there are 2 who recently updated their timelines, one received an rfe last month... Yes, I completly agree, it is plain wrong ... my heart really goes out for those couple, it shouldn't take 8 months for an rfe, that is just terrible.	dbears	Female	Philippines	2008-03-10 20:06:00