First job in USA

Finally, I got the job after 2 months of waiting... When i arrived here in America, all i was thinking is my husband and to get a job. It took a month for me to get my SSN since the USCIS didn't process my SSN application and I was waiting for nothing until I follow up in SSN office and they told me that my name is not yet in the system grr!

Anyways, my husband works at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino. He told me that i can apply there since he is a tribal member. I took the opportunity to apply there even though the town is real boring and the opportunity is very small. I gave all my credentials to the HR (i have nothing to hide and im clean!) so that they can review my papers and check my background.

After 2 months of waiting, the HR told me that i will be having an orientation on October 14, 2009 at 1:00pm and I need to sign the form for my Class 3 License. This kind of license is for those who will be working at the casino floors, marketing and Q Club. Class 3 is important as a tool that I have the access to the customer's account and its not just a license, it says something! The fact that the fee is so expensive! Believe it or not the total amount that will be going to deduct from my paycheck is $450+! What the heck is that! That amount can already buy a laptop or a digicam or a flat tv! Well, I have no choice!

So now, im working at the Marketing Dept and its kinda ok since i've been working in the call center in the Philippines so im used to that kind of environment.. It's not that really stressful unlike in the Phils.. Sigh! Cussing, complaining etc are those words that you can hear but in casino mostly its all about reservations and queries.

So here's my second day picture at work!

Adopting a dog

It was my first time to adopt a dog here in America. I am a pet lover and I just left my 3 dogs in the Philippines. And just to wash away my loneliness, my husband Israel told me about PAWS, i have no idea about it but when we get there - i was surprised. It was really really different, all stray dogs and cats will be kept in an animal shelter unlike in the Philippines, dogs and cats are just everywhere - its dangerous too coz they have rabies . Anyways, back to PAWS - If no one claim within 2 weeks, dogs and cats can be adopted. You just have to pay for $80 which includes 4 shots of vaccinations, neuter(if its male) and a copy of ownership.

My husband choose a fluffy dog (maltese/shitzu) which at first I didn't like coz I know its a high maintenance type of dog but just after a few hours, Im starting to like him and I named him as Coycoy. He loves to jump and run in the yard and he loves to take risk - he barks alot especially to big dogs and people who wear dark clothes.

He used to sleep in our room and wherever we go, we always bring him with us. He's just a new family member.. I just love him.


at PAWS in Aberdeen Washington State, USA


he got neuter...


at Jetti Ocean Shores

My new life in America

It's been 2 months and 12 days since I arrived here in Washington State, USA. It was a long trip but its worth it since I'm going to live with my husband for real! 3 years of waiting is enough for us! - and now it is time to live together as one. Thank GOD for the guidance and protection, from the very first day of our love story, immigration experience (paper works) and upto this time, GOD is always there for us.

My flight was July 10, 2009 at 8:10am and we left the house at 3:00am since I should be at the airport 2 hours before my flight. I have a mix feeling - sad, happy and excited but this is it! No turning back, life goes on. This is a new chapter of my life. Even my family is 8,000 miles away - in my our hearts we are always connected. Thanks for the new technology which was really a great help for all of us. No need to buy an expensive call cards just to call my family in the Philippines - Skype and YM is just a one click!


LEAVING MY HOME COUNTRY, PHILIPPINES


WASHINGTON STATE, HERE I AM!


THE FIRST EVER HUG I EVER HAD IN AMERICA!

No CFO seminar no chance to get out of the country

I attended the seminar at CFO in Cubao (front of PSBA) back in August 2008 even though at that time our papers is not yet filed in USCIS...

Now that i got my visa, I went back to CFO for them to put a sticker on my passport.. Without this sticker, you are not allowed to leave the country - whether you have your ticket or you are already in the airport they will not allow you.. Sorry!

The seminar took almost an hour including a short interview (this was last year of August) but since I met a fellow Filipina awhile ago, she told me that its different now. Those who has an immigrant visa, you will be in a separated room from those who has working visa.

Last year, we're all in the same room...

As i remember, the CFO lady showed us a short video(Magandang Gabi Bayan) about a Filipina who met her fiance through the internet. The guy is from Europe and he petitioned this Filipina even though they dont know each other that much and when the Filipina arrived in the country, she was treated so bad from this guy and she became a sex slave. The guy brought her to an icy mountain and he told her to take off the clothes because she will be posing in a porn magazine. She was all naked and she felt soo cold but she has no choice.. Lesson learned? The CFO asked us what was the problem? Well its so easy.. Never commit yourself to someone if you really dont know that person most especially if you just met that person within just few weeks or 3 to 6 months.. its not enough.. She also told us about the culture of other countries in our own culture... its a big difference i know lol

Anyways, they gave us their contact numbers so that if ever something happen or if ever we got a problem while in abroad, we can dial their number and ask for help.

These are some of the pictures of CFO in Cubao (this is in front of PSBA besides the Katipunan MRT Station)

Visa packet delivered today

Finally my visa & passport was delivered from AIR21 just today. I didn't receive any text from them that's why I was thinking when are they going to deliver it.

I was in my room when my dad called me about the visa. I paid P205 (cash on delivery) since my money was not enough when I was at the US Embassy last June 16, 2009 during my interview.

I'm so happy coz I can buy a ticket to Seattle, USA! Wohoo! My target date is July 10, 2009. Hopefully, I can get a good one.

Here are the pictures of my visa packet..

Lists of documents I had in my interview

These are the documents that I brought in my interview.... I know its too much but its better to bring more just in case the consul ask any other evidences...

FOLDER 1

1. I130 Form
2. G325A (Petitioner and Beneficiary)
3. Affidavit of witness

FOLDER 2

1. DS3032 Form
2. DS230 Form Cover Sheet
3. photocopy of Police Clearance
4. photocopy of NBI Clearance
5. photocopy of Birth Certificate
6. photocopy of Passport

FOLDER 3

1. 1864 Form (Petitioner)
2. Tax Transcripts (2006, 2007, 2008) from IRS
3. W-2 (2007, 2008)
4. Employment Letter
5. Paystabs (November 2008 - April 2009)

FOLDER 4

1. 1864A Form (co sponsor dad in law)
2. Tax Transcripts (2006, 2007, 2008) from IRS
3. W-2 (2006, 2007, 2008)
4. Paystabs
5. Employment Letter (November 2008 - February 2009)

FOLDER 5

1. Appointment Letter
2. NOA1
3. NOA2

FOLDER 6 (Petitioner)

1. Birth Certificate
2. copy of Passport

FOLDER 7 (Beneficiary)

1. Birth Certificate
2. Marriage Contract ((photocopy and original)
3. Passport (photocopy and original)
4. NBI Clearance (photocopy and original)
5. Police Clearance (photocopy and original)
6. CENMAR (photocopy and original)
7. CENOMAR (photocopy and original)
8. High School Diploma
9. High School Card
10. College Diploma
11. Transcript of Records

FOLDER 8 (Beneficiaries' Employment docs)

1. Employment Letters
2. Income tax (2006 and 2008)

FOLDER 9 (Receipts for the Wedding)

1. Petitioners plane ticket (printed from email)
2. Wedding Invitation
3. Counseling certificate from the Pastor
4. Receipt of Fedex (delivery of wedding ring from Ninong in Singapore)
5. Programme for the Wedding
6. Receipts of Catering, Video & Photography, etc.

FOLDER 10 (Receipts of Petitioner's trip to Philippines)

1. Honeymoon receipts
2. Restaurant
3. Clothing and etc.

FOLDER 11 (Pictures)

1. Wedding
2. Trip to Batangas
3. Trip to Petitioners' family in Tondo
4. Honeymoon

FOLDER 12 Cards and Letters

1. Letters from Petitioner
2. Cards

FOLDER 13 BILLS (proof of Beneficiary with married name)

1. Phone Bill (Globe)
2. Laptop Receipt
3. Credit Card Bills (with my married name)

FOLDER 14 (Emails)

1. Yahoo
2. Yahoo Messenger chat
3. Ecards in Yahoo Mail

FOLDER 15 (Profile)

1. Youtube (printed)
2. Myspace (printed)
3. Friendster (printed)

FOLDER 16 (Myspace - this is where we met)

1. Myspace mail of Petitioner (the day he added the Beneficiary)
2. Myspace Comments

Consul approved my CR1 VISA

Today (June 16, 2009) is my interview at US Embassy in Manila. Last night was terrible, I can't sleep because I was so anxious and something is really bugging me. I dunno what it is so I started to pray and read the whole chapter of Psalm 91. It was already 1:40am and I told my husband to wake me up at 6am even though I have my alarm clock. It's more effective if he is the one waking me up by calling me in YM! lol

Interview schedule time is 8:30am. I left the house at 6:40am. While i was inside the MRT, the rain started to pour out - I have no umbrella at all and my bag is so heavy because of my 2 kilos of evidences and forms.

I arrived in USEM at 8:10am, the guard told me to go to Gate 3 for Immigrant Visa Interviews and Appointment. As i entered, the guard said cellphones are not allowed inside, so I asked him where can I leave my phone and he replied - I don't know Mam - we do not allow phones inside.

I was frustrated because last year, they kept our cellphone and digi cam. I just found out that If you are a US Citizen - they will keep it but if you're not, better look for someone who will watch your phone for few hours outside the bldg. The good thing is, there's some ladies outside the building wherein you can entrust your phone to them(just turn it off and put some password for assurance that they can't open it) however you have to pay them P150 from 8:00am to 12:00noon and additional P50 in the afternoon. I have no choice but to give my phone to this lady named, Dragon! I asked her, can i trust you mam? She said, of course and at that time, there was a lady who just claimed her phone from Dragon.
I felt relieved but still in doubt. It's not just a phone but an NSeries 82 lol.

Anyways, I went inside the USEM and I followed the Green Lane (Immigrant Visa Section). I fall in line at the ticket booth and showed my Appointment letter. The lady gave me my number (6099) and a form stating about my immigrant visa.

I sat down and waited for my number to appear on the queuing board but the thing is they called my name for the fingerprint scanning at Window 33. (you have to be alert while you're sitting coz you will never know that your name was already called).

I went to Window 33, they scanned first my 4 left fingers then the lady inside the window asked my name and my date of birth. After the left hand, they scanned my 4 right fingers then after that they scanned my left thumb & right thumb altogether.

After that, you have to go back to your sit and wait again for your number to appear on the queuing board.

This time is for the pre screener to collect your documents. I was told to go to Window 25 and the lady is soft spoken. She startd to asked my name, my husband's name, my age, where did we met and she asked for the pictures. I gave her some of our wedding, YM & Skype screenshots & honeymoon pictures. After that, she told me that I didn't submit the attachment to my DS230 Form - I told her I submitted it and in fact I have my xerox copy with me.
She said, I dont have here you see? (gosh in my mind i was like, NVC is really a crap or whoever checked my documents how come i have no RFE about this?!)

She put some white paper to erase the word SEE ATTACHMENT and she told me to write down my home address & she told me to sign the last page of the said form. After that, she told me to wait again till my number appear on the queuing board.


This is the waiting time. I've waited from 11:15am to 12:00noon until the operator said to go back at 1pm since its already lunch time. Grrr!

I went out and look for Ms. Dragon who kept my cellphone - good grief she's still there. I told her that I need to go back at 1pm and she said, if you will give your phone again, you have to add P50. Gosh, my money is not enough because I also have to pay the Air21 for visa delivery of P205 (it depends on the location).

I called my husband and he was waiting for the good news but I told him I have to go back again at 1pm.. I didn't eat lunch since i'm really nervous (I just want to hear the word "visa approved" then that's the time that I can eat! lol)

I went back again at 12:45noon and started to wait for my number to be called.. My number (6099 and Window 32) appeared at the queuing board and that was past 2pm. I waited for a few minutes since the door are still closed. After few minutes, this couple opened the door since they're done and as i go inside the small room, I saw this young white guy! He looked at me and he said, Magandang Hapon (Good Afternoon), I replied him in tagalog also. He said, sandali lang po (he was typing in his computer and he was reading a blue paper on his table) I was so nervous coz it was also cold inside the embassy and I started to look at him in the eye while he is looking at the pc and he looked at me back as if he was shocked. He asked me, can you speak English, I said yes. He told me to raise my right hand and swear that I will only tell the truth. Took like 40 seconds... He said, now put your hand down..

This time, he started checking my documents with his hands on his forehead as if he saw something.. I was worried and then he started to ask the following questions:


(this is a random question)

1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. Where did u meet your husband?
4. Does he have kids?
5. Is your husband married before?
6. Does he have any kids? If yes, how many? Where are they?
7. What's the job of your husband? I said he is working in casino as a night auditor, he replied in casino???? I was like gosh, what's on his mind? So what if he works in casino?!

8. Is he a college graduate?

9. Where does he live?
10. When did you meet him? I thought he asked me WHERE that's why i replied, in Myspace.. and he was kinda pissed and he said why you keep answering me the same answer even I'm asking you WHEN not WHERE. I said i'm sorry. Then i gave him the correct answer.. what a snob consul!

11. What is your job?

12. He started looking in our pictures, then he asked me why you dont have any pictures that you are together? I told him, its there! If you want I still have here and by the way, I brought this 2 kilos of evidences. He replied, I don't care about your 2 kilos of documents.. I asked him, what do you want? Honeymoon or wedding? He said anything.. So i gave him the honeymoon pictures.
(I really want to tell him, can you just please check first before you ask it's all there in your table! lol)

13. How come you were thinking to marry him even without seeing him in person? I said, i love him...and we've been talking straight for 2 years before he went here to marry me... I have chat log and emails here if you want. He was silent again.

14. How long did he stayed here?
15. When did he arrived here?

Then after the assessment.. he paused and review the W2 of my husband and he started to file the papers in order and stamp it and encircle something in the paper and he told me, ok your visa is approved! I replied, Oh GOD thank you! He asked me, WHY?? (gosh this consul is really weird! I don't know if he wants to approve me or what?) I told him with a teary eye, we've been waiting for this moment! The consul said, just wait for your number to be called outside for the next further instruction about the visa delivery. I smiled and said, thank you sir.

His name is Thomas...

So, I went outside and waited again for my number to be called. The operator called my name and said to go to window 37 for the visa delivery pink slip.



After that, I went straight to AIR21 booth and I asked the lady if I can pay them once the visa is delivered in our house and she said yes you can.. (Cash on delivery). So she gave me a form where I have to fill up my name, address and cellphone number. Then finished!!!

What a day - tiring yet fulfilling! This is the moment I've been waiting for. Thank GOD for the visa approval.

My husband is so happy and he will start to paint our room and buy some stuffs for decoration, I will start to go shopping.. again!


Praise GOD and Hallelujah!!!


regards, Kathy