hello............st lukes?????

[snowman]

hello everyone...im snowmans fiancee,Cathy.Looking for an advice and help in preparing for St. Lukes.Any other advice is greatly appreciated...thanks in advance!!!!!

[Dave H]

... in response to hello............st lukes??, posted by snowman on Jun 9, 2002

Hi Cathy,

I guess my first post of a few days ago didn't make it onto the board. Let us know if you need any more advice.

Dave H.

[snowman]

... in response to hello............st lukes??, posted by snowman on Jun 9, 2002

hello....thank u for the help and advice.Its very helpful at least now I have some knowledge on what to expect on my medical.I need an advice about the paperworks,your help is really appreciated.
   THANKS A LOT GUYS!!!!!

 cathy

[Alvin]

... in response to hello............st lukes??, posted by snowman on Jun 9, 2002

Congratulations Cathy
There is really nothing to worry about.  They will do a CXR to rule out tuberculosis and a complete physical examination.  

Take all the immunizations they offer or you will have to have it done in the US at additional cost for exam and immunizations.  This created a problem when my wife and I went for adjustment of status.

Take copies of your CXR with you on your way to the US.  They never ask for them but better to have them and not need them....

Good luck

Alvin

[Ray]

... in response to hello............st lukes??, posted by snowman on Jun 9, 2002

Do you have specific questions about the paperwork requirements or the medical exam part? Please feel free to ask...

Ray

[The Mog returns]

... in response to hello............st lukes??, posted by snowman on Jun 9, 2002

Snowman, I typed St. Lukes experience into Google search engine and there are a couple of quite detailed personal experiences I printed out and sent to Jicelle,  just so she had a little idea of what to expect. I guess the main thing is get there early and bring some snacks cuz its a long day. And also have extra passport style photos ready for their info sheets on her. Good Luck. Still waiting for my Global Priority letter to arrive in Manila with my copy of Cert of Naturalization and US passport so Jicelle can go take them to the Embassy and get her visa hopefully. Its odd they requested an interview with her for a K-1 fiance visa, hopefully they just need those 2 items and willl issue her visa that day.

[dennis64]

... in response to Re: hello............st lukes??, posted by The Mog returns on Jun 9, 2002

Mog, I truly hope you have a better experience with the post office's Global Priority than I have.  I sent a letter 3 weeks ago with the affidavit of support, the statement from the bank regarding my account, most recent tax return,etc.  and it has yet to arrive.  Not only that, the post office refuses to do anything about it, including refunding my money.  I highly recommend nobody uses the post office to send anything of importance to the Philippines.

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: Re: hello............st lukes??, posted by dennis64 on Jun 11, 2002

doing a TRW/Experion check or two on yourself since all of that enough info on you to open up new credit accounts, buy a house in your name, default, file for bankruptcy...etc.

Do one on yourself just to make sure....  I think it's like freecreditreports.com or something like that.

Just check to make sure.

Sorry to hear of this experience - I hope you've got backups available.

[Dave H]

... in response to Time to start..., posted by BrianN on Jun 11, 2002

Hey Brian,

I believe my wife's first SS Card was stolen by a postal employee. I found out that they sell them for a substantial amount to illegals. I reported it, but haven't heard back on their ivestigation. LOL I can hardly wait to be audited by IRS for unreported income. Credit card theft has also been quite common by postal employees here. A big credit card theft ring was dicovered here several years ago.

Dave H.

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Re: hello............st lukes??, posted by dennis64 on Jun 11, 2002

Hi Dennis,

US Postal Service employees have no idea how the system works outside the US. Usually when I asked them to stamp my letters "AIR MAIL," they would arrogantly tell me that it wasn't necessary, since all mail to the Philippines went by air. I explained to them that if it wasn't stamped, it went by "slow boat" once it got there, taking several months or more to arrive. I insisted and some clerks shook their heads in disbelief, stating that the USPS had agreements with these countries, thinking that this somehow had special power over the SOP of a third postal service. After a while, they recognized me and were used to doing it. Only one or two letters with stamps made it through, the others only made it as far as the first stamp collector. I only sent metered mail after I realized what was happening. None of my post cards made it, unless inside an envelope. Someone must have quite a collection of post cards from around the world. My Global Priority envelopes usually arrived in Mindanao in 4-5 weeks and all made it intact. One even  made it in "record time" of only 3 weeks. I started sending greeting cards inside the Global Priority envelopes al well, since they often didn't make it alone. The several that did, had been opened and I suppose searched for money. I never sent any money through the mail, as I didn't expect it to arrive and I didn't want to cue someone to target all of my mail. My guess is that there are plenty of other Americans with family in the area, who do send money by mail. Also, the more people who handle the mail, the more problems you will have. From what I have read, mail seems arrive much quicker and with less problems in Manila. Anything of importance I send by FedEx...which takes around 4-5 days to Butuan City. They just opened a small office there.

Dave H.

[Stephen]

... in response to Global Priority..., posted by Dave H on Jun 11, 2002

I am sorry about what happen to some of your letters. But in my case I never had any problems. It usually takes 7 to 9 days for my letter to arrive in Cagayan de Oro. And 3 to 5 days in Manila. I always put airmail stickers on it (I got from the post office).

  One of my tricks is the address is not handwritten, it's always typewritten and I put Law Office of Stephen Brittain as the sender and I always use business envelope. I remember my sister telling me that the postman was so concern that he thought I am having trouble here in the US because all the letters came from a Law Office. My sister just laugh.

  When I went home in April, I met the postman and gave him a shirt & towel (made from the USA of course) and he was really happy. Now my letters are even faster than before.

Tess

[BrianN]

... in response to letters...., posted by Stephen on Jun 11, 2002

Now THAT, is SMART!!!  Great IDEAS!!!

Thanks a LOT!!!

wow.

[Dave H]

... in response to letters...., posted by Stephen on Jun 11, 2002

Hi Tess,

The local postman in barangay is the best part of the entire system. My wife's family has known him for many years. He is  very honest and makes certain overseas mail reaches them ASAP. The family always offers him food and drinks and also give him presents at Christmas and special occasions. I have also met and talked to him. The problem seems to lay somewhere between Manila and the local post office. I think that the larger cities like Manila, Cebu, Davao, and CDO have much better postal services. I've never had mail reach my wife in the PI in less than 3 weeks, usually 5. It takes 2 weeks to reach me in the US. I have started using a one of my business names in my return address.

Dave H.

[Jeff S]

... in response to That's Fast!, posted by Dave H on Jun 11, 2002

Goldstein, Cohen and Fester, LLC
Attorney's at Law

-Jeff S.

[Dave H]

... in response to You need a new return address..., posted by Jeff S on Jun 11, 2002

Hi Jeff,

LOL I've been using the Fire Fighter's Relief Fund. How about Fester, Pustule and Rankle? ;o))

Dave H.