Remembering about the stressful visa processing we all guys endured sometimes we think how in the world we make it.Some people think it's not a big deal but for me and my husband it is.
My fiancee(now husband)visit me in philippines february 22,2001 and he flew back in U.S March 8,2001. He send the I-129F March 21,2001 then 2 weeks later he received an approval letter dated April 6,2001. When he receieved the notice of approval he call and tell me the good news.This time I got my passport already.I even done taking CFO seminar.All my papers all ready before the approval.Next step we need to make is to make sure call the embassy if they already got my papers.I did call.First call april 12,2001 and the operator ask my case number.I have no idea so she ask my name and my petitioner name and say they never got the papers yet.April 15,2001 I call again and this time they give me my case number so it means they got the petition papers already.The operator that I talk to is all nice.They tell me that my packet 3 will arrived in 2 to 4 weeks.May 19,2001 I received my packet 3 . And right after I got the packet 3 I rush back to LBC office and send back the enclose paper in packet 3 which they want you to sign if you already got all the documents needed for the interview.One week after I send the paper I call again if they received the papers I send them.This time they tell me they have no idea.It worries me.Then I call them again after 3 days and this time they tell me that my packet 4 will be send in 4 weeks. June 16, 2001 I finally received my packet 4. Enclose in packet 4 is the appointment letter.My interview date is July 5,2001. My Mom and I fly to Manila June 19,2001.My Nun sister prefer a room for us in thier convent.My brother who still waiting a job on ship that time also live in Manila and he rent an apartment there.We feel much more comfortable living with brother than in the convent.June 22,2001 I'm all done with my medical exam. My brother apartment is long ways from St. Luke and my hubby advice is to stay in the hotel close to St. Luke and we did find a nice hotel there which cost only 800 pesos a night double bed room.Everything went fine.Now I'm so excited for my fiancee(now husband)who arrived June 30,2001 and join with me in my interview.His really sweet.Once my fiancee arrived my mom and I stay with him in Hotel La Corona but we dont like the location of that hotel.We move after 2 days and find a nice hotel close to embassy.We did find a nice hotel.We plan to stay in Bayview hotel and went there to inquire but that time the hotel so busy some conference maybe goin on that week because there's lot's of chinese arrived in the hotel that day we stop by there nobody entertain us there so we ended up leave the hotel and we spoted a nice small hotel the Hotel Miramar which just newly renovated.They have reasonable price there.They have nice restaurant and some restaurant nearby.My hubby rent the presidential suite because he want my mom to feel at least comfortable there.I think if we stay in Bayview the two bed room would cost much for the the suite we rented in Hotel Miramar.We stay there till we leave manila.
My interview date finally come.It was raining so we bring umbrella.My hubby bring umbrella from U.S thats very sweet of him.Around 8:30 they finally call my name and proceed to windoX.The filipina interviewed me first and ask my Birth Certificate.Then 10 minutes later the american consul start to interview me.I'm so nervous before she show up but when I saw her I feel at least confidence because when I look at hear eyes I can tell she is nice.She just ask me couple question like how we meet and if I was married.My husband stand next to me so the american consul ask him five question.It made him really nervous.Thats why when the consul ask him when we meet and when we start writing he answer Febtember.The consul tell us to go to gate such and such and pay the delbros who will going to deliver my visa.Before that I remember I leave my umbrella in the chair were we sit and go back there to get but its gone.Wow were already inside the embassy and somebody steal my hubby nice umbrella.We went to the gate were we need to pay the delbros.
My fiancee (now husband )already buy a ticket for me.He made a mistake there.It clearly stated in the forms that never make any travel arrangement until you receive your visa.He don't read that.And whats funny the embassy send him copy of packet 4 too but he already leave U.S before it arrived.We suppose to leave in P.I July 13,2001.We both sure my visa will be deliver before July 10 because they say they deliver it in manila area for 3 days only and here we are live close to embassy.We waited and waited till july 10.MY God My visa not yet here we suppose to leave here in two days.Make us really worried.The next day July 11 we go back to embassy.We ask the security where to go to inquire about my visa.They tell us this window and when we already there they pass us again in another window.Every window have sign This is not a Visa information window.Now what we do?It's about 11:00 and were 2 people behind us then they say go back in the afternoon because they close for launch.So we go back that afternoon.Nobody want's to talk on us.Mostly ignore us when we ask about who to talk to about the visa.One filipino guy who work there standing in the corner and we know his not busy so my husband go near to him and tell about the problem.They tell us to wait.Then he talk to us again and scold me and ask me "Do you understand what this red letter in this form say.Why you make a travel arrangement?I answer him that I'm not the one who make the travel arrangement.And he excuse us again and went to the room to ask the consulate what to do with our problem.He went back to us and tell us to go back next day JULY 12 at 2:00 P.M room 206.Then he made a comment that we should at least inform the consul during my interview that I already have flight schedule.July 12 morning we went to PAL office to get my ticket.They don't give me my ticket they want to see my passport and my visa first.In the afternoon we went to embassy early.I saw the guy who bring the files of documents and finally by 3:00 I got my passport and visa in brown envelope.We are very thankful for the people there who expediate my visa.Then we head quickly to CFO office to get my stamp.We arrived there at 4:00 P.M .The CFO lady made a comment that how lucky I am I got my visa on that very day july 12.Visa issued date is July 12,2001.Then they stamp my passport and said something at least I'm smart enough to complete my CFO seminar because if I never do the CFO seminar early I'm sure I be really in trouble.July 13,2001 in the morning we went to Pal office to get my ticket.In the afternoon were heading to airport.July 13,2001 friday at 10:30 in the evening the plane depart from Philippines to U.S. We both feel relaxed and releive.Thanks God.
Got married september 8,2001 and file adjustment of status. Five months after I received a letter from INS for my fingerprint.After that never heared anything from them.After more than 2 years of waiting i finally got my interview.The guy in BCIS tell us that they screwed on my papers that why take me 2 years to wait for my interview.The reward of waiting they grant me unconditional residence.I have to wait only 3 years to apply for my citizenship.
Raquel
