August 2008 Filers

[maliciant 7]

Well, for those wondering (I don't know who that might be as there are something like 50+ pages of posts I'm not up to reading right now or well, probably ever haha) all went smooth for me, with the biggest hangups being when trying to leave, more than one person said the filipino travel tax was already included in the e-ticket (which I was positive I was wrong) so that was a hassle, the guy that setup my tickets didn't use her full name so that had a fee to change it to match her passport name (only $10 but it was a pretty big hassle and a stressful start to the trip). I will say that a 24 hour trip, though still damn rough is much easier with your fiancee at your side... oh yeah, and the first flight out of the phils we were in the same seat but diff rows... and a full plane, no luck convincing anyone to trade.

Other highlights of the trip, I got a pretty bad sunburn, last friday but just about cured now. I met an american bum in the phils, he had a sob story and everything, of course in the phils I pretty much hand my cash to my woman, keeps me out of trouble haha, and the second thing is he was less than 10 miles from the US embassy, if he really needed help that's all he had to do was walk on over and I'm positive things would get taken care of...

During the interview I was allowed to go to the pre-screener interview, but not the console interview, it seems pretty clear that the policy is ONLY the beneficiary is allowed to go into that one. Also *gulp* she got lots of questions which usually implies they suspect something... one of the stand out questions is she was asked about my world of war craft characters... my fiancee knew I played but since she couldn't play with me (she didn't have enough computer access/internet access etc) so it's not something we talked too much about, certainly not going into character names and stuff like that... anyway, in the end, all was well, and she just got her first shower in america (hot water doesn't come out of the tap in the phils... except most likely in bigger hotels so that's a bit of a luxury that might make the whole transition easier hehe). Anyway, I've been back in town for 5 hours, and I have to work tomorrow, so I'm tired, just thought I'd give everyone an update. We'll be married and adjusting status soon.

ETA: King b****s! But no requests

Edited February 18, 2009 by maliciant

[Chris & Mara 0]

Grats Maliciant Im glad everything went smoothy for you and that your fiance (very soon to be wife ) made it home safely.

Quick update for your most are on track for interviews now, Dani, Hyena and myself are still waiting to see the light of the NOA2..... *sigh*

[ndalessandro 0]

Grats Maliciant Im glad everything went smoothy for you and that your fiance (very soon to be wife ) made it home safely.

Quick update for your most are on track for interviews now, Dani, Hyena and myself are still waiting to see the light of the NOA2..... *sigh*

You and I have similar timelines... and yes, I am waiting too. Gawd, I hope healthcare isn't like this under our new socialist government.

[Fred N Emilia 0]

Damn, Maliciant has me beat! his SO is already here! hehehehe!

AWESOME MAN! grats!

[Stinkerpotsam 6]

Well, for those wondering (I don't know who that might be as there are something like 50+ pages of posts I'm not up to reading right now or well, probably ever haha) all went smooth for me, with the biggest hangups being when trying to leave, more than one person said the filipino travel tax was already included in the e-ticket (which I was positive I was wrong) so that was a hassle, the guy that setup my tickets didn't use her full name so that had a fee to change it to match her passport name (only $10 but it was a pretty big hassle and a stressful start to the trip). I will say that a 24 hour trip, though still damn rough is much easier with your fiancee at your side... oh yeah, and the first flight out of the phils we were in the same seat but diff rows... and a full plane, no luck convincing anyone to trade.

Other highlights of the trip, I got a pretty bad sunburn, last friday but just about cured now. I met an american bum in the phils, he had a sob story and everything, of course in the phils I pretty much hand my cash to my woman, keeps me out of trouble haha, and the second thing is he was less than 10 miles from the US embassy, if he really needed help that's all he had to do was walk on over and I'm positive things would get taken care of...

During the interview I was allowed to go to the pre-screener interview, but not the console interview, it seems pretty clear that the policy is ONLY the beneficiary is allowed to go into that one. Also *gulp* she got lots of questions which usually implies they suspect something... one of the stand out questions is she was asked about my world of war craft characters... my fiancee knew I played but since she couldn't play with me (she didn't have enough computer access/internet access etc) so it's not something we talked too much about, certainly not going into character names and stuff like that... anyway, in the end, all was well, and she just got her first shower in america (hot water doesn't come out of the tap in the phils... except most likely in bigger hotels so that's a bit of a luxury that might make the whole transition easier hehe). Anyway, I've been back in town for 5 hours, and I have to work tomorrow, so I'm tired, just thought I'd give everyone an update. We'll be married and adjusting status soon.

ETA: King b****s! But no requests

Can I ask a realllllllllllllly stupid question? How/why did they know to even ask her about your WOW characters?

[Fred N Emilia 0]

To make sure that she really knows her fiancee. Philippines = high fraud, they will really drill ya if they wish.

[Bulgarican 0]

Wow Maliciant you beat everyone here waiting

Congratulations for the fast passing and wish you a great life with your soon to be wife

[Chris & Mara 0]

Grats Maliciant Im glad everything went smoothy for you and that your fiance (very soon to be wife ) made it home safely.

Quick update for your most are on track for interviews now, Dani, Hyena and myself are still waiting to see the light of the NOA2..... *sigh*

You and I have similar timelines... and yes, I am waiting too. Gawd, I hope healthcare isn't like this under our new socialist government.

Healthcare..... what healthcare?????

Your timeline is much better then mine Chris still hasn't sent me the copy of our NOA1, its in his bag at work where he hasnt been since tuesday last week.... lol

Maliciant Im not sure why WoW characters have anything to do with the price of eggs in china, however it would seem they effect bread prices in the phillapines.....

[Cuchita 1]

Oh God this is wonderful!! MALICIANT you are finally together here! I am so happy for you, we have made a lot of progress!!

I can't even imagine having my Cuchi here, its been so long that seems like it is never gonna happen, but I'll keep praying. Also I hope verything turn all right for the ones still waiting.

He passed his medical, and for the ones with process in Santiago-Chile, let me tell you it is better to go to the Doctor in Apoquindo, she does everything including the x-rays there, they only thing is that you have to go to the "Centro Internacional de vacunas" for your shots!. He had two and even got a fever my poor baby!.

I am still procastinating with the affidavit but I promess it wil get done by te end of this week!.

Candy: Is good to have you back how are you feeling?, and how are your kids?

XOXO,

Edited February 18, 2009 by Cuchita

[Chuck and Grace 0]

Well, for those wondering (I don't know who that might be as there are something like 50+ pages of posts I'm not up to reading right now or well, probably ever haha) all went smooth for me, with the biggest hangups being when trying to leave, more than one person said the filipino travel tax was already included in the e-ticket (which I was positive I was wrong) so that was a hassle, the guy that setup my tickets didn't use her full name so that had a fee to change it to match her passport name (only $10 but it was a pretty big hassle and a stressful start to the trip). I will say that a 24 hour trip, though still damn rough is much easier with your fiancee at your side... oh yeah, and the first flight out of the phils we were in the same seat but diff rows... and a full plane, no luck convincing anyone to trade.

Other highlights of the trip, I got a pretty bad sunburn, last friday but just about cured now. I met an american bum in the phils, he had a sob story and everything, of course in the phils I pretty much hand my cash to my woman, keeps me out of trouble haha, and the second thing is he was less than 10 miles from the US embassy, if he really needed help that's all he had to do was walk on over and I'm positive things would get taken care of...

During the interview I was allowed to go to the pre-screener interview, but not the console interview, it seems pretty clear that the policy is ONLY the beneficiary is allowed to go into that one. Also *gulp* she got lots of questions which usually implies they suspect something... one of the stand out questions is she was asked about my world of war craft characters... my fiancee knew I played but since she couldn't play with me (she didn't have enough computer access/internet access etc) so it's not something we talked too much about, certainly not going into character names and stuff like that... anyway, in the end, all was well, and she just got her first shower in america (hot water doesn't come out of the tap in the phils... except most likely in bigger hotels so that's a bit of a luxury that might make the whole transition easier hehe). Anyway, I've been back in town for 5 hours, and I have to work tomorrow, so I'm tired, just thought I'd give everyone an update. We'll be married and adjusting status soon.

ETA: King b****s! But no requests

Congratulations - Step 1 complete anyway. Hope she is adjusting to the cold.

[maliciant 7]

It's 50f here, that's shorts wearin weather for me... but a major storm for her...

They asked about world of warcraft as a result of how did we meet, which is the internet, and what are my hobbies (computer addict!). I think the CO probably is a big fan of WoW too which is why he asked about it. I was a little surprised, and my first thought was how the heck did they even know I played WoW (first thought's were conspiracy theory stuff like the government could somehow check with blizzard to see if I had an account there lol). Of course a simple answer was she answered his questions about my hobbies and well, let's face it, just about every computer nerd out there (at least the ones who play computer games) has played or still plays WoW (I managed to resist until last year so I was one of the last hold outs lol).

Beating fred to the US was of course my only really important goal this whole time... I know a few others managed to get visa's issued before me and my fiancee though we may be the first to actually make the POE.

Also for the PoE it was detroit, it wasn't too bad, we were directed to get in line in the visitors line together (I asked the crowd control lady who was a filipina). On the plane they gave us a VWP form instead of an I-94 so we had to step out of line, fill that in and go back (lines were short, and you go back to the front if you have to step out to do a form). It was apparently the officers first time doing a k-1 visa so he had to get a little bit of training on how to do things from the other offices, he was friendly, though and that's probably more important than anything for those making the trip solo.

The current plan is probably to head to eureka springs (arkansas) and have our wedding there this weekend, small family deal with my brother and his wife (this is actually where they married about 2 or 3 years ago which is how I know about it). Nothing fancy, it'll probably amount to... dinner and a movie. http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriagelicenses/p/arkansas.htm is the info about marriage licenses in arkansas, I don't think the requirements could get any lower than that really (the missouri requirements are similar but a 3 day waiting period). Really I think my brother is just itching for an excuse to head back to eureka springs...

[Cuchita 1]

Hey Maliciant I was just trying to get info on what I need to marry here in NJ you need social security numbers, so I went to the SS website and it says that other non us citizens can apply for one and they need the I-94 and birth certif, and that's it!. But not satisfied I called the SS and a lady said the I-94 and BirthCertif. but she said I have to check with my local SS office and gues what... I was holding for ever and couldn't get a hold of nobody!! .

So apparently they are supposed to give him a number but what if the local offcie doesn't have experience on that?. I am scared I encounter a bunch of idiots there, I hope not!.

BTW I printed the application for marriage licence and another thing that confused me was that it says check what you are appliyng for and they have:

Marriage

Civil Union

Remarriage

Reaffirmation of civil uion

So I was like what the hell is the difference between marriage and civil union???, and plop! civil union is for people of the same sex OMG, (sigh) i 've heard it all.

[Noa&Mia 0]

Hello all my August Filers Friends!!! Sorry I ve been away for about a week or so, I have been out of town and also without Internet at home!!

Dani, Mara ... I can see you are still waiting, hang in there girls, I kniow it is hard, but you need to keep your minds positives and believe you will recieve your approval soon! I am including you in all my prayers!

Congrats on all the approvals!! Yader!! congrats on your K1 approval!!!

As for me, I can say that the Caracas Embassy has my case since Feb 9th! =) we are still waiting for our Interview appointment... still no reply from the embassy ... we have most of our papers done, only missing the medical exams ..

I wish you all good luck, and send you positives energies! love and hugs!

Mia

[Stinkerpotsam 6]

I was a little surprised, and my first thought was how the heck did they even know I played WoW (first thought's were conspiracy theory stuff like the government could somehow check with blizzard to see if I had an account there lol).

Yes, that is exactly where my head went too....lol. That's why I asked what made them think to ask about that.

The current plan is probably to head to eureka springs (arkansas) and have our wedding there this weekend, small family deal with my brother and his wife (this is actually where they married about 2 or 3 years ago which is how I know about it).

Awwwwwwwww, I LOVVE Eureka Springs...!!!!! It's like California in Arkansas!!!!! All my family go there for time out...it's awesome. Congrats

[Gemmie 142]

Congrats for getting your almost-wife through everything, Maliciant, and welcome her to America from us all. Your journey seemed very quick and painless, though I'm sure at the time it didn't feel that way at all!

I've had my vaccinations (turns out I only needed one on that list) and got a paper copy from the nurse. I have my medical exam booked for next Wednesday. I'm still waiting to send back packet 3 for the interview appointment though, because Bill and his co-sponsor weren't able to get their taxes filed yet.. in fact, as per usual, his boss isn't doing a damn thing due to personal problems. So we're waiting on them to be filed before booking the appointment to make sure we're ready.

Bill is coming over this Saturday, I'm picking him up from London at 4:30am (ouch).. we really need the visit more than ever, I feel completely numb after everything we've gone through lately and need him here to support me physically and remind me why we're going through so much tape. The difference in how I feel now versus a month or two ago is astonishing, it's amazing what a process like this can do. I feel that if we hadn't waited 5 years to even start, we would've been stronger, but I'm worn out. He's coming to the medical with me but probably won't be here for the interview as London takes ages for that (couple of months).

I'm checking up regulary on you guys still waiting for the NOA2, I hope you all find some peace very soon..