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My beautiful Filipina arrived in America to begin her transition on April 5. How is she doing? Much better than I expected. She’s young, so she’s likely more flexible and adaptable. It’s truly been like a fish taking to water – she loves it here. She has no trouble with long car rides and loves watching the world go by. Her vision of America was far different than reality. She envisioned tall buildings and much congestion everywhere, but she was very surprised to see wide open spaces in the countryside. Every home here, even those that are really run down, are “nice” to her. Her new home is a grand palace, being new construction, and very spacious, which was a huge shock to her when I carried her through the threshold. She hugged me for several minutes, afraid to look. Even now she can’t believe it and praises God for the miracles she has experienced. She’s acclimated quickly to the big screen TV and home theater, the washer and dryer, the electric range and oven, the microwave, a warm shower and the CR, and loves the free “internet café” in the den. She’s staying in touch with family and friends via Yahoo webcam and voice. In fact, a classmate of hers just passed her K-1 interview yesterday and will be here in Ohio by the end of April. Her classmate’s cousin is already here in Ohio, so there’ll be frequent reunions here. We’ve got Dish Network, so I’ve added all the Filipino channels available, and I’m obediently watching her shows while she translates for me. She’s already been welcomed by her new church family, who have been so anxious to meet her. Our church has already established a mission relationship with her church in Leyte. She received her Social Security card last week. She’s had no problem finding native foods as there are several Asian food stores in the area. Last week we wandered over to Columbus to the Philippine Express market. She was so happy to find someone who speaks her language. She never expected that she’d connect with so many Filipinas so quickly. Her cell phone already has a longer contact list than mine!! While in Columbus she stocked up on banana sauce and real “Chippies” and shrimp flavored crunchies, and many other items. There were so many brand names familiar to her. Her cooking is fabulous and I’m loving it, but she’s very reluctant to try the “strange” America meals I’ve prepared so far. I’m really truly enjoying rice for almost every meal. She loves KFC crispy chicken and gravy, an acceptable substitute to her for Jollibee Chicken Joy. Yesterday was her first American McDo experience. She loves the fries, and likes the hamburger, but misses the Jollibee Yum sauce and no rice. She’s asked me where are the security guards? She’s surprised that the cashiers at most stores are so friendly, and she is amazed by our self-service culture. She doesn’t drive yet and is interested to begin learning, and she’s amazed at the speeds we drive, and also that there is so much space between vehicles and that we stay in the striped lanes!! There are so many different types and styles of vehicles here. We’ve yet to meet my family in Illinois, but she’s spoken with my grown kids, but has not met them yet. She’ll have a chance to meet my daughter next month. Also in May she’ll meet the local Phil-Am society members at the international festival in Dayton. Her biggest problem is the unexpected cold weather. She didn’t expect to see and touch snow here in April. With the recent cold weather, the home furnace has been running much, but she’s freezing always. She looks hilarious when wearing my baggy sweat pants and sweatshirts. She had no cold weather clothing. The dry air in the house has caused some headaches due to sinus dryness, and on Sunday she sliced her finger pretty good when carving a bitter melon for breakfast. We’re still hoping that this will heal quickly, but she wanted nothing to do with a doctor visit. She’s yet to experience a good old Midwestern thunderstorm this season, which will likely surprise and scare her. I hope I am at home when the first arrives. And, our house is without a doubt cleaner that it has ever been!! She hates to use the dishwasher, so we wash the dishes after every meal, together. She’s always sweeping the house with a native broom, and has learned the vacuum sweeper, too. Yesterday, it finally warmed up enough for her to be outdoors, so she’s ting-tinged the porch and garage and tidied up the yard wonderfully and is very anxious to begin planting flowers. It’s amazing she’s doing so well. I thank God every day that she is happy and content. And, most of all, we talk every day honestly and openly. I ask her how she feels and to not hold back if she is sad or homesick. She wants me to feel as though she is ok so I not worry about her. I tell her not to keep her feelings locked inside, and I truly believe that she is expressing herself when she wants to. We have very quickly developed a very close and trusting relationship. It’s only been two weeks since she’s arrived, but at this point I am so very relieved that she is okay and seems to be adjusting so well. Her world has been turned upside down, and mine is much different as well. She amazes me everyday. But I believe that she is truly happy. We pray every night at bedtime giving thanks for all that God has provided. Life could not be better!!

I have one comment to make regarding a subject that I haven’t seen mentioned very much here. Following my sweetie’s interview and visa delivery, I traveled to her home to be with her family, to attend her college commencement exercises and then to be her escort to America. To those who have chosen to be an escort and traveling companion for their fiancés/spouses, you’ll understand. There is much dialogue discussing culture shock after arrival, but little is mentioned about tearful goodbyes. The time spent with her family prior to our departure was priceless. But, her dispendida party and the outpouring of affection and well wishes from family and friends, that last sunset, that last evening and those last moments together in her lifelong home, and especially the goodbyes was the most difficult and most emotional experience of my life. Each family member took the time to share a personal message with me, mostly expressing sincere appreciation and asking that I be good to her. I knew our departure would be tough, and she tried her best to be tough through the last hours. But even through the language barrier, the expression of emotion, both joy and happiness for her new life and the sense of impending loss, was overwhelming. It’s impossible to hold back. I was not prepared for the tears and the hugs and the intensity of the moment from a people who are traditionally very reserved and reluctant to show emotion and love. Her father and I hugged each other very tightly for a very long time. This entire experience has changed my life. You will be changed, too.

Michael and Milah Jean

04/24/2006 | Married in Leyte
06/16/2006 | Mail I-130 petition to NSC
03/15/2007 | INTERVIEW - 6:30 am - APPROVED!!!!
04/05/2007 | ARRIVED IN AMERICA!!! (Detroit)
04/14/2007 | Received SSN card in mail
04/23/2007 | Received 2 yr green card
04/24/2007 | CELEBRATE FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!!
11/16/2007 | We're pregnant!!!
07/01/2008 | Ester Faith born at 11:49 pm
02/12/2009 | Mail I-751 petition to remove conditions
04/16/2009 | Approved - Letter recd 4/21/2009
06/29/2009 | Received 10 yr green card
07/11/2009 | Received Ohio driver's license - passed road test 1st try!!
01/29/2011 | We're preggie...again!!!
09/21/2011 | Eugene Filip born - 7:55 am

02/29/2016 | Mail N-400 application

05/19/2016 | Naturalization interview

06/16/2016 | Oath ceremony

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

It doesn't sound like you two will have too many problems with the "adjustment". You have shown your wife that she is free to be herself and able to come to you with any concerns or emotions she may develop.

I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and hope you can continue to be so open and trusting with each other.

My son (in Canada) is dating a girl from the Phillipines (she also lives in Canada) and we just love her to death. She is so warm, caring and loving and we welcome her with open arms. My son seems very happy and I would be thrilled to hear that they marry in the future.

Best wishes to you both!!!!!!!!!

"THE SHORT STORY"

KURT & RAYMA (K-1 Visa)

Oct. 9/03... I-129F sent to NSC

June 10/04... K-1 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

July 31/04... Entered U.S.

Aug. 28/04... WEDDING DAY!!!!

Aug. 30/04... I-485, I-765 & I-131 sent to Seattle

Dec. 10/04... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport stamped)

Sept. 9/06... I-751 sent to NSC

May 15/07... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Sept. 13/07... N-400 sent to NSC

Aug. 21/08... Interview - PASSED!!!!

Sept. 2/08... Oath Ceremony

Sept. 5/08... Sent in Voter Registration Card

Sept. 9/08... SSA office to change status to "U.S. citizen"

Oct. 8/08... Applied in person for U.S. Passport

Oct. 22/08... U.S. Passport received

DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!!

KAELY (K-2 Visa)

Apr. 6/05... DS-230, Part I faxed to Vancouver Consulate

May 26/05... K-2 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

Sept. 5/05... Entered U.S.

Sept. 7/05... I-485 & I-131 sent to CLB

Feb. 22/06... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport NOT stamped)

Dec. 4/07... I-751 sent to NSC

May 23/08... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Mar. 22/11.... N-400 sent to AZ

June 27/11..... Interview - PASSED!!!

July 12/11..... Oath Ceremony

We're NOT lawyers.... just your average folks who had to find their own way!!!!! Anything we post here is simply our own opinions/suggestions/experiences and should not be taken as LAW!!!!

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Kudos to you for giving her all the space, time, encouragement and opportunities that she needs to settle in. This is what love is and you two will be very happy for a very long time to come.

AOS:

2007-02-22: Sent AOS /EAD

2007-03-06 : NOA1 AOS /EAD

2007-03-28: Transferred to CSC

2007-05-17: EAD Card Production Ordered

2007-05-21: I485 Approved

2007-05-24: EAD Card Received

2007-06-01: Green Card Received!!

Removal of Conditions:

2009-02-27: Sent I-751

2009-03-07: NOA I-751

2009-03-31: Biometrics Appt. Hartford

2009-07-21: Touched (first time since biometrics) Perhaps address change?

2009-07-28: Approved at VSC

2009-08-25: Received card in the mail

Naturalization

2012-08-20: Submitted N-400

2013-01-18: Became Citizen

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Nice post, thanks for sharing. Claudeth also took to America like a duck to water, she loves it here and hasn't had any issues like being homesick or feeling uncomfortable with the culture. One thing that made me laugh was your comment about the baggy sweats. You should see Claudeth, she goes to the golf course with me now and when it gets below about 60 she wears my ski parka until it warms up. It is funny to see a little petite lady all wrapped up in that parka, it is bigger then she is but does keep her very warm ;) I took her to laughlin last year and she immediately won about $60 but instead of continuing to gamble she went and bought jewelry! She sure puts a smile on my face! I love the Philippines and my little Filipina! :thumbs:

usa_fl_sm_nwm.gifphilippines_fl_md_clr.gif

United States & Republic of the Philippines

"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." John Wayne

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Thanks Mike...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I imagine the same thing happenning when my wife Lorna gets here.

The thing I look forward to most, is just laying with her, holding each other and feeling the great feeling of all this STUFF being over with. I can't wait to get this burden off my shoulders that is the Visa process.

Thanks for the great story. It helps my dreaming of "our turn".

God bless you both!!

Mike

2_us1.JPG

May 1,2006 Went to Philippines and married my sweety.

----------------------------------

Case completed at NVC 12-01-06 Yaaaaay

Received Interview date notice Feb 6

Physical Feb 20-21 (Went well!)

Interview date March 19"

Be sure to print out a copy of silly girls famous ST. Lukes step by step story.... Its fantastic and made it incredibly easy for my wife to go through the 2 day procedure. I will go find it and put a link.... here it is:

http://www.raymonddouglas.com/visa/medical.pdf

Do yourself a favor and print this out and take it with you to your physical....You'll be glad you did!!

Entered USA 06/06/2007

-----------------------------------------

Naturalization

Sent N-400 on 3/11/10

They received 3/15/10

Cashed Check 3/19/10

Received NOA 3/29/10

Received bio notice 4/05/10

Early biometrics 4/14/10 different from

the date assigned (Original BIO date was 4/27)

Received interview date notice 5/19

Interview 6/24

Oath 8/13 Done.... and DONE!!!! :-)

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Albania
Timeline

That is so wonderful. My husband hates everything about America. He misses home, family, friends, and Europe in general. He would love if we moved there, but he is from Albania and our possibilities would be so limited there. He is having an awful time adjusting to how women behave here and things that I take for granit, like talking to men, drive him insane. I think it is probably easier for a female from a male dominated society to adjust to American life then a male from a male dominated society. Mind you he loves the SUV I bought him and likes all the US perks, but he misses the people connection and what family means from back home.

AOS

AOS, EAD, AP mailed 3/13/07

AOS Appt-Fresno, CA 6/14/07

AOS APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Green Card Received in the mail 6-29-07

Removal of Conditions

I-751 mailed 3/17/09

Card Received 7/11/09

Citizenship!!!!!

N-400 mailed 3/17/10

Interview 6/28/10

Oath 7/19/10

Sisters' I-130

I-130s mailed 8/14/10

checks cashed 8/23/10

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Mexico
Timeline

Beautiful, wonderfully detailed post. I enjoyed it very much!

However, I would respectfully suggest breaking it up into paragraphs with some line spaces in between. I didn't read as carefully as I would have liked because it hurt my eyes!

Again, fantastic description, but please do our eyes this favor. :)

Joined Blog Dorkdom. Read here: Visit My Website

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
Timeline

LOL I agree - a little hard on the eyes! :lol:

But, well worth the read. It's great to hear about people settling in well, and adapting to their new home.

Wishing you the best!

:star:

Make sure you're wearing clean knickers. You never know when you'll be run over by a bus.

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Filed: Timeline

Wow I really enjoyed your story. I can truely say that my eyes got all watery reading the last part, I just imagined the intense emotions that were going up in the air. I just sat here and imagined what I would feel if I was leaving my family. I wish you both a beautiful and wonderful life together. =0)

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It was great reading your post. I'll be flying to the States to be with my Hun on June, and I must say, I've been having anxiety attacks. I'm going to miss my family, for sure, and the food, and.. a lot of stuff! Seeing how Milahjean is adjusting so well eases my nerves some.

Also, thank you for posting those Filipino-related stuff, like the one in Dayton, and the Philippine Express Market in Columbus! I, too, am headed to Ohio, and have been worried about missing even more stuff from home.

:) Good luck to the two of you and your new life!

I-129F sent .........................8/08/2006

Interview............................3/23/2007

VISA RECEIVED .......................3/29/2007

Sent AOS package to CHI..............7/12/2007

Biometrics in CLE, OH................8/14/2007

Interview in CLE, OH................10/16/2007

GREEN CARD RECEIVED.................11/15/2007

Sent ROC to CSC......................8/10/2009

NOA1.................................8/12/2009

Biometrics...........................9/18/2009

Card Production Ordered ............10/01/2009

Sent N400 to AZ lockbox ............11/08/2010

Application received................11/12/2010

Check cashed........................11/15/2010

Biometrics (CLE)....................12/03/2010

Interview (CLE).....................01/14/2010

Oath Taking (CLE)...................02/04/2010

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

You know I was thinking all afternoon about this post and I was thinking.. it's the fact that you noticed all the nuances of your wife leaving her family, and the emotional toil it took on everyone involved, the fact that you empathize and realize the sacrifice that your wife has made speaks volumes of you and the type of person that you are. I don't think everyone is equiped with this sensitivity and I know in my case, my hubby's awareness and support when I said goodbye to my family (especially my mother & neice & nephew) was invaluable to me. He looked at me in the car and said "baby, you can cry all the way home if you like". Of course I felt like I wanted to, but the fact that he was just there, supportive and understanding meant the world to me.

I just had to come back and say that :)

AOS:

2007-02-22: Sent AOS /EAD

2007-03-06 : NOA1 AOS /EAD

2007-03-28: Transferred to CSC

2007-05-17: EAD Card Production Ordered

2007-05-21: I485 Approved

2007-05-24: EAD Card Received

2007-06-01: Green Card Received!!

Removal of Conditions:

2009-02-27: Sent I-751

2009-03-07: NOA I-751

2009-03-31: Biometrics Appt. Hartford

2009-07-21: Touched (first time since biometrics) Perhaps address change?

2009-07-28: Approved at VSC

2009-08-25: Received card in the mail

Naturalization

2012-08-20: Submitted N-400

2013-01-18: Became Citizen

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Good posts people. It makes the countless hours/days/years of waiting to be together all worth while. Jenalyn has also taken to America without much trouble. Finding a church that she was comfortable with helped, as did volunteering at the hospital. The "old lady"volunteers at Holy Spirit treat her like a little grandchild! While you may say that there are no signs of "homesickeness" I'd only say that be aware of the seeming finality of leaving the family behind in the RP. Maybe in America such a transition wouldn't be so extreme, but in the uber-extended-family situation present in the Philippines, leaving the family behind MUST be very difficult. While Jenalyn has dealt with this as a trooper, the fact that her mother misses her youngest daughter greatly from afare is emotionally difficult I'm sure for her. Be patient, and gentle, and be willing to listen to her if she ever feels the need to talk. I keep telling Jenalyn that while I "may not understand" what she is feeling, I can definitely listen to her if she wants to get things off her chest.

my blog: http://immigrationlawreformblog.blogspot.com/

"It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

-- Charles M. Province

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Wow! What a truly wonderful post that was! I so enjoyed reading it! So glad that your wife is enjoying things over here in Ohio(I'm a Brit living in Toledo, OH myself, with my American wife). I know exactly what you mean about the 'leaving' part at the end of your story. I remember when I left London for the first time it was very tearful for my family. It took my Mum several weeks to get over the fact that I had left London for good.

Anthony & Caitlin's Visa Journey

======================

Oct 2001 - Met on an internet dating website

10/21/2001 - Met in person for the first time in London!

Nov 2002 - Anthony & Caitlin get engaged in London!

03/20/2003 - Anthony & Caitlin get married in the UK :)

04/30/2005 - I-130 completed and sent off

05/03/2005 - Forgot to send it Marriage certificate, sent by post!

05/09/2005 - London Embassy notifies us of receipt of I-130

06/02/2005 - Pkt 3 received

08/02/2005 - Pkt 3 completed and sent back

09/30/2005 - Pkt 4 received - Interview date set for 4th November

09/09/2005 - First child is born! Baby girl named Brianna :)

Sept 2005 - Went to get up-to-date TD and MMR shots at local doctors

10/17/2005 - Medical exam in London

11/04/2005 - Interview at London Embassy - GOT THE VISA!!

04/30/2006 - First trip back to the States since getting visa - MRIV in passport stamped!

05/09/2006 - Flew back to the UK to complete sale of apartment

05/17/2006 - Received 'Welcome to the United States' letter

05/30/2006 - Green Card arrives in mail!! - Waiting for SSN now

07/10/2006 - The big move to Ohio!!

07/11/2006 - SSN doesn't arrive in mail, Anthony applies in person

07/18/2006 - Received SSN!!

08/22/2006 - Anthony gets his Ohio drivers license - journey is finally complete!!

Read my POE Experience in Newark

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Wow...what a moving and wonderful story of your wife's recent arrival in the United States! WELCOME TO HER! I thoroughly enjoyed reading how she is doing well and the way you are doing so well also. I believe that must be a great start to a perfectly matched couple!

I also liked the story because my fiancee just arrived in the United States as well! After 3.5 years of being a couple, with the last 8-9 months being the K-1 Visa process, she finally arrived in the United States on 11 April! She is also adapting so easily to here...and...we are also in Ohio! We're in Toledo! My fiancee is from Thailand, so as you can imagine, she was also AMAZED and excited to see snow last weekend. It snowed all Saturday night, big Christmas-style snowflakes. She absolutely loved it. And, like your wife, she was absolutely thrilled when I took her to the Asian market here in Toledo. Now, I am eating Thai food everynight, because she is so happy to cook!

BTW - you mentioned that there is an international festival coming up in Dayton. Is that just a Phillipino event...or truly international? I would like to take my fiancee there if it is truly international.

Peace to you and your new wife...and CONGRATS!

Mark-N-Aam

“Acquire the spirit of peace, and a thousand souls around you will be saved.” - Saint Seraphim of Sarov

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"The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?” - Pablo Casals

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