Waiting and waiting.....and waiting!

It's been awhile since we have received news from the National Visa Center. They said in their letter that they will be sending our folder to the US Embassy here in Manila after one week. That was April 10th when we received a letter from them. It will be just 2 more days and it's May already. I am planning to call the Embassy or Department of State next week to ask them if we have an interview schedule already. Right now, we are hoping maybe an August interview.

In the waiting, some things have happened...at work & at home. My great grandfather had just passed away last night. His 100th birthday was supposed to be celebrated this coming Sunday. But he didn't make it until that day. But we all know that he had lived a good life. And he had suffered a lot already and that the timing was just right. At least now, we know that he is not suffering from the pain and being stuck in his wheelchair. I believe he is happy now in the after life.

My sister just had news that she has an interview at the Embassy already this coming June. She had applied for a job in the States and now she will be interviewed soon...before me. Hopefully we will be able to fly out the country around the same time.

And so...the waiting continues!

Guidance & Counseling

I had finished my CFO guidance & counseling seminar. I got my certificate already and it wasn't that nerve wracking at all. I arrived there at almost 7 a.m. Waited until someone came out and started calling our names (which we had written down our names when we entered the gate). Then when my name was called, the woman said I need photocopy of my birth certificate and my passport. So had to go all the way around Katipunan to find a copier. Then I went back and waited for my turn to register. My ID said i was #2 for the 10 a.m. batch. After that a lady called each one of us and took our photocopied documents and stapled the form we have to fill up. Then, a guy took my picture. Went and filled up the forms...paid the PHP250 fee. And waited for the video viewing to start. It was only 8:50 a.m. so I had to wait a bit. Then a woman came in and gave us all some brochures of BPI bank (which I already have an account). Then the nun came in and started explaining to us why we needed to attend the guidance counseling. And then we started to view a documentary which I felt so loomy after seeing it. All spouses & fiancee's were separated into each room by country. The group counseling then started. They explained what to expect, what big adjustments we will have, & what to do at the airport and when we arrived in the US. They explained what steps are needed to adjust status. Then we were called one by one for the individual counseling. Well, I was the first one called. She asked:

- What exactly do I do here?
- How I did I met my fiance? What happened? What did he say in his email?
(I told them I contact him first.HA HA HA!)
- When exactly was it when we first met online?
(I was afraid if she will ask when we were bf/gf coz it was a week after the first email.
But we consider being together the exact same day we had met online.)
- When did he first visited? Until when?
- Have he met my family? How did they feel towards him?
- Have I met his parents?
(I told her that me & his mom emails every single day and sometimes we chat too)
- Did we have an engagement party? Nope, we didn't.

She asked to see pictures of us together. And when she saw we went around the country she asked if it was just the two of us who went. I said yes. She followed it by saying that I'm lucky my parents had let me go alone. And then it was done. I was out the counseling room. And waited down stairs for the certificate. And now, We are one step down. Only 2 more left...the medical and interview. I hope we get to find out when my interview will be. And that I will pass both of those with flying colors.

What the F@%*k!!!!???

Some of my teeth are starting to hurt so I called up my dentist to schedule and appointment. I was first was scheduled Wednesday April 12. Then I asked to reschedule for Saturday coz we had a meeting at work so I was not allowed to get off early. Then Saturday came, and I was rescheduled again for Monday. Monday now & they said Thursday is her vacant day. What the f@%*k! The pain is starting to get worse and worse everyday. Now my wisdom tooth is hurting, so does some of the teeth beside that. And so does my capped tooth is starting to hurt. When I called up today to ask how much I will need to get my wisdom tooth extracted...she said prepare 5-6 thousand pesos. That is like more than $100!!! Where the heck will I be able to get that much money. Add the other work that will be done to my other tooth...almost $200. I only have 1500 pesos in my wallet right now. And I am sure my Pineapple will help me. But I don't want to ask him for the entire $200. But if I wait until I fly over there to San Diego then it would cost us way more than $200. What am I going to do? I need to get it done quick. I am having trouble with my leave of absence. We are not allowed 2 absences in a month. I will be attending a guidance and counseling seminar needed for my visa process. Then my dentist said I need to get it done quick. So I will need to be absent again next week. I think my boss will understand my situation...hopefully they will.

Back from my short vacation!

Had just gotten back from Bulacan after a 2 nights vacation there. It was a relaxing and lazy time. All we got to do was count all the mangoes hangin' from the mango trees. Was super hot out there and our A/C broke, to our dismay. But we survived! We had to drag our mattresses out to the terrace area where the bit of a colder wind was blowing. Early morning was freezing.

As of now, me and my Pineapple are just waiting for the Embassy here in Manila to receive our approved petition. Maybe this coming week I will call the Embassy and ask them if they have received our papers and if they have already scheduled us for an interview. We are projecting for maybe August interview...but an earlier one would be super!

Ok, as of now, I am not feeling really well. I am having allergy attacks again...so until next time! Bye!