Detroit POE Experience & update on life in Princeton NC

[lokashadow04 0]

Hello..so happy to hear that u and ur kids r safe and ok during ur flight & made ir safe and sound.Welcome to AMERICA and best wishes!!!

God bless,

Irene

[nova71 0]

Paumanhin sa lahat ng napangakuan ko ng POE experience, got so busy the past days kaya super late na ito... but as the old over use adage goes: Better late than never.

DAVAO/Sept 2: Crying, crying and more crying as we bid our final goodbye to our family and relatives @ the airport... I was never asked for any travel documents for my kids. I just showed them my kids passports and our tickets and that was it.

MANILA/Sept 4: Same thing in Davao, I was not asked to present any travel documents for my kids except for the passports and visa. No permit from DSWD or anything not even birth certificates. Everything had been very smooth for us. the only thing that was a little frustrating was knowing that all the NWA tickets bought before August 2008 was supposed to have 72lbs baggage weight allowance for each of the 2 free baggage for each ticketed passengers... We had 6 checked in luggage (2 for each of us: me and the 2 kids) weighing 22kgs or less, I spent time making sure it will not go beyond the new baggage policy, had I known I was not covered by that yet(bought ticket first week of june), I would have brought so much more .

DETROIT/Sept 4: Arrived safe and sound after the long flight from Manila to Nagoya to Detroit. Had to lined up in the visitors line coz the Filipina lady assisting new arrivals insisted that fiancee visa holders and even new immigrants are still considered visitors... Lo and behold we were asked to transfer to another line after a few minutes of lining up. The immigration officer looked at our papers for awhile then asked a few questions then he told me to go to the special immigration section (the blue line- 3rd time lining up) where a few new immigrants were already lined up. When it was our turn, the immigration officer asked me why we were sent there and I told him the other officer told me it was for the re-verification of our packets. The new immigration officer browsed through our papers and then told me to go to a lady officer who in turn gave me a number to call so my kids could get new skin test and xray. After that she let us go and wished us well.

All in all, our travel had been ok, no hassles and we met a few good samaritans who helped us with our carry ons and also met a few filipinos who was so game to go with us and ride the detroit aiport tram (a small train inside the aiport that travels from one end to the other) just for fun .. I felt God has been holding us in His protective hands every step of the way.

The reception we received from the people here are so overwhelming. All the relatives was even there for my son's birthday party 2 days after our arrival (Ricky's mom organize the birthday party which was also our welcome party).. some of the relatives even gave my daugther gifts also just so she wouldn's feel left out.. and I received kitchen wares which was already arranged in our house before we arrived, they even stocked up rice and other things just for us. Even Ricky was amazed by the gestures of everybody especially his mom who never cared for any of his ex-wives before... Words simply could not describe my gratitude for everybody here... even up to now, 9 days after our arrival, we are still recieving special additional gifts from Ricky's relatives... be it be additional bed sheets, curtains, fetching the kids, etc.

The kids have started school last tuesday and their new teachers and new classmates have welcomed them warmly... my son even received straight A's for his school work this week.. I just hope it continues to be so for the rest of the year.

There are still so many things to do.. so many things to prepare here... I will probably be very busy for the next few weeks and still won't be able to be on vj as often as I would have wanted to be. Ricky has gone back to work, we moved our wedding date to november to allow for more time for preparation.... I still wash by hands, Ricky has made a clothesline for me coz I told him I don't want to waste the NC sunshine and it will also help save electricity... had salted dried fish early this morning (Ricky tried it even if he totally disliked the smell).. had salted eggs yesterday... visited the filipino store in raleigh last sunday.. visited grand asian store also so at least I am not really missing out on filipino foods here... the kids are adjusting just fine and the best thing is me and Ricky are really working on improving our relationship before we say "I do".. yes our wait is extended but we are hoping and praying that it will be for the very best.

Thanks to everybody who has shared our journey with us..I am not saying goodbye to VJ, just taking a short vacation for awhile (there is just a lot of cleaning up to do and fixin up of stuffs here. How can a man live alone for years ) I wish everybody the best of luck and prayers in whatever step of visa process you are in right now.

God bless everyone... till next time. (((HUGS)))

Hello Gay, I'm so happy for you and your kids now that you're reunited na sa yong lovey dovey future hubby, I understand what you mean, halos lahat naman tayong na reunite sa husbands natin dito sa US Eh namahinga sandali...para maglinis ng bahay...he.he.he...ako din eh, while I was cleaning nun first weeks ko dito sa house ng hubby ko nag ako nag nag sa kanya sabi ko how he was able to live ng dirty and magulo ang sorroundings, pero naawa naman ako kaya I stopped at tinulungan ko na lang sya maglinis, buti na lang madali maglaba dito kc may washer, wag ka na maglaba sa hand sa washer na lang para madali, pero now medyo okay na, konting linis na lang..he.he.he...I'm sure nga pag visit ng in-laws ko dito magugulat sila kc maayos and malinis na ang house, sige, just have fun muna bilang new housewife of Ricky, and I'm sure your children are so happy now sa new school nila, until next time..God bless you.

P.S. Gay if okay lang what's your friendster name ba, I just want to view your pics kc, tsaka nagkita na ba kayo ni ROse(dora2x) dyan? Kc dyan din sya sa Raleigh NC, madami na sya nakilala filipina ngayon dyan.

Pricilla

[jego ryu 0]

GAY....WELCOME

IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU....

[filirican 3]

welcome to america! God bless!

[ED*Riza 0]

Welcome TO USA Gaye and kids... God bless you always..

[mNr 0]

HELLO ATE GLAD YOU AND YOUR KIDS MADE IT SAFE TO YOUR NEW HOME....WILL BRING MY CHILDREN HERE NEXT SPRING HOPE IT WILL BE A SMOOTH PROCESS ALSO.

GOODLUCK

[bluemist 0]

Hello Ate Gay..thanks for sharing your POE.Wish u all the best.God Bless!!!

[ktv2007 0]

WELCOME TO U.S.A.!!!

[dbears 1]

Welcome to USA

Nice to hear from you again Gay! So happy for you!

welcome to USA!!!! and best wishes on your upcoming wedding.

welcome to america gaye!!!!

my POE was detroit too..

i know that filipina lady who welcomed and assisted u at POE..

she welcomed and assisted me too..

[dbears 1]

My husband just went through his first winter this past Jan. He got through it ok and even enjoyed some of it Kids appreciate winter the best, they will have a blast playing in the snow

i certainly hope so

Hi, dbears, thanx for a very touching stories from your POE and your warm welcome from your fiance`s family. I been reading your post since I joined VJ and its been very helpful for me when my fiance and I were preparing for our visa process. I know we have a long way to go in our visa process but because of all the posts here in VJ it keeps us hopeful that someday our approval will come soon.I will be keeping your POE posts since Detroit might be my POE also.I`m not sure of that because I really don`t know who issue POE? my fiance`s place is in Dearborn City, MI. Anyways,,,,,,,,,,,,,Good luck sa new life mo dyan sa America, Congratulations and Best wishes on your upcoming wedding. We`ll wait til your next post when you`re not busy. Until here! May God richly bless you and your fiance and your whole family with never ending blessings........

thank you very much for the well wishes...

you will actually chose your own POE based on your choice of airline and what flight will be most convenient for you price wise and length of flight... Good luck to you and God bless always.

Ahhh Gay thanks for posting my much awaited POE Experience of yours!!! Bitaw, naga-atang jud ko ani post nimo bah since you left for the US, kumbaga stalker na jud ko nimo LOL! Seriously Im so glad to hear from you again. Salamat kaau sa pag share sa imo experience coz it will help me surely preparing for my own trip soon. And how i wished we bought my ticket before Aug `08 to avail for 72lbs free luggage allowance, coz I´m having hard time now to squeeze in all my stuff in my suitcases while making sure it wont gain weight that much but sad to say it´s impossible! Maybe I have to avail cargo services, huhu... Anyways, lipay kaayo ko for you and your kids Gay, with all those warm and loving people (Riki´s family ang firends) surrounding you there seem like everything is going well for you all, which you just deserve! And one more thing Im happy about is your new wedding schedule, which means there´s possibility for me to be there on that day, sowwy, ako2x na jud nag-invite sa ako sarili sa inyo wedding LOL ! Ours by the way will be in December pohon, possibly on New Years Eve, and of course you´re invited. Hmm unsa pa gani ako isulti, huna2x sa ko hehe... Oh yea, naa diay ko questions Gay, asa jud dapit mag-linya inig-abot sa Detroit? and asa dapit dri sa dvo ang Phil.travel tax ofc? Thnx in advance Gay, enjoy every single day with your love ones over there, God bless you more!ingatz permi, mwah!

surely invite jud taka, pareho ra baya ta taga davao, kinsa nalang man diay mag unongay

sa POE, sunda ra ilang instruction para way libog, sunod sunura ra asa ka nila palinyahon kay mao ra gyapon if insist ka, magminaldita pa nuon sila.. you have more than enough time man pud for you connecting flight so wa ra problem.. we arrived sa detroit around 11:30 AM, finish mi with immigration and custom past 1PM or 2 Pm ata pero ok ra, basta kaon jud ka daghan sa plane ha para di ka magutuman if madugay gamay ka sa immigration. dali ra kay mga buutan man immigration officers sa detroit ang pila lang makalangan... you will be ok for sure

[dbears 1]

Glad to know you and your kids arrived safely . Wishing your family more of God's blessings.

Hello..so happy to hear that u and ur kids r safe and ok during ur flight & made ir safe and sound.Welcome to AMERICA and best wishes!!!

God bless,

Irene

thnk you very much.

Hello Gay, I'm so happy for you and your kids now that you're reunited na sa yong lovey dovey future hubby, I understand what you mean, halos lahat naman tayong na reunite sa husbands natin dito sa US Eh namahinga sandali...para maglinis ng bahay...he.he.he...ako din eh, while I was cleaning nun first weeks ko dito sa house ng hubby ko nag ako nag nag sa kanya sabi ko how he was able to live ng dirty and magulo ang sorroundings, pero naawa naman ako kaya I stopped at tinulungan ko na lang sya maglinis, buti na lang madali maglaba dito kc may washer, wag ka na maglaba sa hand sa washer na lang para madali, pero now medyo okay na, konting linis na lang..he.he.he...I'm sure nga pag visit ng in-laws ko dito magugulat sila kc maayos and malinis na ang house, sige, just have fun muna bilang new housewife of Ricky, and I'm sure your children are so happy now sa new school nila, until next time..God bless you.

P.S. Gay if okay lang what's your friendster name ba, I just want to view your pics kc, tsaka nagkita na ba kayo ni ROse(dora2x) dyan? Kc dyan din sya sa Raleigh NC, madami na sya nakilala filipina ngayon dyan.

Pricilla

di pa kami nagkikita ni rose, medyo malayo kasi sa kanila dito samin tsaka mahal na masyado gasolina ngayon eh:(.. but someday soon kita rin kami.

GAY....WELCOME

IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU....

thank you very much ann,,, hope everythings going well for you.

welcome to america! God bless!

Welcome TO USA Gaye and kids... God bless you always..

HELLO ATE GLAD YOU AND YOUR KIDS MADE IT SAFE TO YOUR NEW HOME....WILL BRING MY CHILDREN HERE NEXT SPRING HOPE IT WILL BE A SMOOTH PROCESS ALSO.

GOODLUCK

Hello Ate Gay..thanks for sharing your POE.Wish u all the best.God Bless!!!

WELCOME TO U.S.A.!!!

at sa inyong lahat, maraming salamat.

[jom 4]

Welcome to the USA!! and best wishes on your incoming wedding. Joe and I both wish your family all the happiness this world can offer.

[steve3402 0]

Welcome to the US!!!

[ABETU2000 0]

I just read youre post and glad that everything went well upon youre arrival in detroit ! It will be a big adjustment but i know with youre husband and kids around you evrything will be just fine,,wish you the best and again congratulation ! welcome to US of A !!

[happyinlove012408 0]

Congrats on the safe flight to US. Welcome and may your life together be a blessed one.