My First Experience of Travelling in USA To Meet My Husband

After all the trials of being away from my husband and waiting for my visa to be approved, Finally, I am here in United States of America! I was so happy with my husband. The long wait is "OVER". I got approved last October 10, 2013 at US Embassy, Manila! The interview was so easy. And you can read my interview experience on my last blog.

My husband bought a plane ticket for me online. We picked the date November 9 because he wants me to celebrate my birthday in US on the next week. He bought a ticket from Orbitz Travel Airlines.The price of the tickets are very cheap. He chose the  Delta Airlines. For me, it is really good! The stewards and stewardess are very kind. Since I always go to the restroom, I picked the Aisle seat. There were only 2 more seats left when my husband purchased the ticket that is why I have no choice but to pick the rear part. It is very shaky that is why you need to consider this if you are choosing the best seat in the airplane. My ticket is from Davao-Manila-Tokyo Narita Japan-JFK New York. So my port of entry is in New York airport.

My flight from Davao started at 10:55PM. My first plane is Philippine Airlines. Snacks are free. You can choose what drinks you want to drink. It is either coffee, soda, or juice. I picked coffee because I was sleepy during that time. They also served me a biscuit. I arrived in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Manila Terminal 2 at 12:25 midnight. My sister was already waiting for me outside in the Arrival Area. It took 30 minutes for me before I got my Luggage. Since my next flight in Delta Airlines is 7:45AM, I and my sister ate some burger first in Jolibee which is located on the 3rd Floor of NAIA Terminal 2. At, 3:00AM of November 10, my sister took me to NAIA 1 to catch my flight in  Delta Airlines. It is really a sad feeling leaving her in Manila. We hugged and cried each other before I went inside the Airport. At the same time, I get excited that I will see my husband after 24 hours in the airplane. When I went inside the NAIA 1, I put my luggage of course to the scanner to check if there are some prohibited items inside. I passed! But one of the passenger didn't passed. The officer let her open the luggage because they saw something on it. They saw a toy gun made of wood. She said that it is her son's toy and there is sentimental value on it because it was coming from his grandfather. But the officer didn't allow her to bring it that is why she left it. She said that she will just put it on the trash can. The officer said that she can leave it to her relatives outside and I am not sure anymore what happen to their conversation because I already got my luggage and went to the PTA counter to pay my travel tax. I paid P1,620 pesos. After paying, I went to Delta Airlines Check in counter. I fall in line and wait for my turn. One of the Staff of Delta Airlines interviewed me if what is my purpose of going to USA. I said that I am an Immigrant. She asked me if who is my petitioner and I told her that it was my husband. She showed me some photos if I have some of it inside my luggage then I said NO. She also asked me to get my Visa packet. She instructed me to handle it carefully until New York. After the brief interview, she gave me a form to be filled up. The questions are so easy. It all about personal details. I waited until I was called to the check in counter. The guy asked my passport, ticket, and the travel tax receipt. After that, he returned my passport and gave me 2 boarding pass. One is for Manila-Japan and the other one is Japan to New York. Make sure that you will not lost your boarding pass. I am glad that my connecting flight from Japan to New york is the same plane. So, I didn't change plane from Manila to my final destination which is New York. After getting my boarding pass, I was instructed to go inside the waiting area. You can see some arrows where to go. I saw 3 counters and I went to the middle counter to pay my Gate pass which is P550 pesos. My gate is Gate 10. After the gate pass, there are another counters which is the Immigration. You need to give your passport/visa, gate-pass and your boarding pass. After he checked anything, he returned back my passport. There is a scanner again. I put my hand carry bag and my shoulder bag. Then, it is done!

If you have a peso bill with you, you can change it to dollar when you are already inside the Airport. You wont be hungry also because restaurants and stores are everywhere inside while waiting for your plane. You will pass another scanner again when you are already at the gate. At exactly 6:45AM, The stewardess are announcing to be prepared to go inside the plane. All the First and Business class tickets were called first to go inside the Airplane. Next is the Economy. First is the Zone 1 then Zone  2-4. The Zone number is printed in your boarding pass. Just look at it. My seat is number 65H, so I was in the rear part of the airplane close to the restroom. Every seat has a small TV. It is a touch screen. You can choose movies or even play video games. You wont get bored because there are lots of movies. You wont be hungry also because every 3 hours, they offer foods. The foods and snacks are so yummy! I really enjoyed the foods. Each seat has also a blanket and small pillow. I really like the service of Delta Airlines. I think I ate 7-8 times inside the airplane from Manila-New york. When I arrived in Japan, there is an arrow for connecting flights that is why you wont get lost. I fall on line again for scanning. Japanese staffs are polite. After that, I waited again for an hour to hop again on the same plane. I get irritated because my roaming number of globe and smart are not working. There are no signal. I should text my family that I arrived safe in Japan. Anyway, my seat number  is the same. It is number 65H but some passengers are new. Twelve hours more and I will see my husband. I was so excited. In the plane, the stewardess gave me a form to be filled up. She said that I will give it to the Immigration Officer with the visa packet and passport. The questions are your personal details, passport number, and some questions that you can answer yes or no.

I arrived at JFK New York as my port of entry at exactly 1:00PM. It was Sunday. That is why some of the workers are not working. I texted my family and my husband that I am already in Immigration Office. When I was still outside the office door, I handed my Visa Packet to the Lady Officer. There are only two officers in Immigration Office at that time and the immigrants and visitors are too many that is why it took 3 hours for me before it is all done. The officer asked me if who is my petitioner and how long we've been married with my husband. After that, he scanned my four fingers. Then, he stamped my visa. I was instructed to wait until my name is called for signature and fore finger mark. Then, the Lady officer gave me my passport and the form I filled up in the airplane and it is all done! I went outside to claim my Luggage. After I got my luggage, I passed again to another officer and gave the form that I filled up in the airplane. That was the last, and I saw lots of people in the arrival area. I looked around and I heard my name! When I turned left, I saw my husband waving. I was so happy and get teary eyed. When I finally went out the airport I and my husband hugged each other and of course! we kissed each other Ha!Ha!Ha! I was surprised because he prepared a gift for me. He gave me a rose, a box of chocolates, and a winter stuffed toy. He is so sweet! :-)

God is really good! He orchestrated everything. I am a blessed wife to have a christian husband who loved and cared for me all the time.

My CR1 Interview Experience in US Embassy Manila

I was delayed for two months after I failed my medical exam at Saint Luke last July 22 and I need to undergo Sputum Exam and Culture Test for 2 months. I thanked God that when I called them after 2 months, they told me to bring my passport, receipt and 2 pieces 2x2 size photos. I was scared at first because they didn't let me know if I passed the culture test or not. I just knew when I arrived in Saint Luke Medical Center, Manila. What I did is I gave my receipt to the guard and he instructed me to go to 2nd floor. I gave my receipt and passport to the counter and she let me wait for 5 minutes to go to the doctor. After that, I was instructed by the doctor to pay P500 and something to the cashier in 5th Floor for pregnancy test before giving me a shot of vaccine. After they got my urine sample in 3rd floor , I was instructed again to go to 2nd Floor for my vaccine. After the vaccination, I went to the releasing area at ground floor. They gave me a copy of my Vaccine record and a CD of my Chest X-ray. I wait another 5 minutes for the reschedule of my Interview at US Embassy Manila. I was there last October 7, 2013 in Saint Luke. They let me choose a date for my interview if it is October 10 or 22. Of course! I chose October 10 because I don't want to spend more money at the hotel. The lady at counter H gave me my interview schedule. I was so happy on that day that I passed!

It is funny because I couldn't sleep the night before my interview. I was afraid that I will be late because my time for interview is 6:30a.m. I was awoke the whole night!... To make the story short, I went to US Embassy at 5:00a.m last October 10, 2013. I was amazed when I get there! Many people are already waiting. There are 3 lines. One is for the Immigrant, Non-immigrant and Tourist. I paid 30 pesos to the lady who owned the chair that I used. It is hard to stand there for 2 hours especially I was wearing a hill. At 6:00a.m., the guard is already calling all the 6:30 a.m applicants to go inside. They let the Immigrant go inside first. Since, I am in  a CR1 Category, I was instructed to go inside first.The lady scanned the barcode of my appointment letter and she puts a sticker at the back of my passport. My name was written on it. After that, I went inside the building. They scanned my bag. Cellphone or any digital things are not allowed inside. So you better, leave that at home or in the hotel.

I felt nervous when I get inside but I really prayed to God that He will give me a nice Consul for Interview. After the scanning, you need to drop your appointment letter to the counter. After that, you will be instructed to put the appointment letter on the windows assigned by them. I was instructed to drop my appointment letter at window 39. But before dropping, your bag will be scanned again in the second building inside the US Embassy compound. One thing to be put in mind during the interview is you need to be attentive. There are some staff or consul that has a bad day and when you can't hear them calling your number, they get mad. It happened when I was there. The other applicant didn't hear her number so the consul told her in an angry voice that he already called her twice! My number during that time is 64. I kept looking on the board for my number to be called. I was trying my best to be attentive. These are the whole processing on that Day: First, I was called for finger scanning. Next, I was called by a Filipino screener. My pre-interview only took 5 minutes . It seems that she is a new staff of US Embassy. While she was asking me some questions, there is a guy at her back dictating her what to do and what to ask. She only asked me when was the first and last visit of my husband in the Philippines, who is my petitioner, and what is the job of my husband. I even asked her if she needs any photos but she said no. So, it was really a brief interview. Some of the applicants has a long interview. It took 30 minutes before it ended. The 3rd step is the Final Interview of the American consul. I was so happy that the Consul is very nice not like the other Consul who interviewed my new friend. He is very strict and don't even know how to smile.When I saw my number on screen, I went immediately to the booth of American Consul. I was quivering when I faced him but he smiled at me that is why I forgot my nervousness hahaha! He asked me many questions. It seems that I was signing a slam book hahaha! He asked me What is my name, petitioner's name, My husband's job, Name of my church and his church, what dating site we met? husband's first and last visit, date of wedding, where and when is the wedding, where is the reception, how many visitors in the reception? who wrote first, is it me or my husband?, what is his first letter to me?, what did he told me?, What is the reason why I choose my husband? What are the qualities why I loved him?, Then, he approved my visa! After that, he gave me a brochure to read. It is about how to protect myself in USA if someone is abusing me.It is really a good brochure. I was so happy after I heard the magic word "APPROVED!"... The fourth step is waiting for your name to be called in window 72. They will let you know and give instruction where to get your visa. The US Embassy will mail your visa packet and your passport to the address you gave to them. They are using the 2go courier.  It took 10 days before I got my visa packet. It looks like this: 

Be sure that you won't open this one. You'll get trouble when you arrive in the Port of Entry in USA. After I got my passport and some CFO instructions, I put my visa packet again inside the cellophane to make it safe. You can track your visa packet in 2go website. Here is the link.

I hope this blog helps! I will write soon about my travel experience to USA and the Port of entry.

My Three Day Sputum Exam Experience in Saint Luke Manila

I failed my Medical Exam at Saint Luke, Manila last July 22, 2013. I was so sad after I saw the stamp of my receipt. The guard stamped it "4th Floor". It means, I need to go to 4th floor for sputum exam. If you passed, the guard will stamp your receipt "2nd Floor". This is for immunization.

When I went to 4th Floor, there are also many people waiting for the procedure of collecting sputum. I saw my new friend there from Davao. She stayed at Paragon Hotel close to Hotel Soriente. I was so surprised when I saw her because I thought that she passed the medical exam. I felt very alone before I met my new friend Bembem. But when I saw her, I encouraged myself to fight and don't give up. This is only a trial.  I do love my husband and I need to do it!

When the attendant called my name, he instructed me to go back next week for the sputum collection. The date to return to them is July 30- August 1. Supposedly, my interview in US Embassy is August 1 but since I failed the medical exam, Saint Luke will be the one to cancel it and reschedule it after 2 months if I will pass the culture test for my phlegm. He explained to me that it doesn't mean that you have a TB if you undergo Sputum Exam. Since they saw some abnormalities in my chest X-ray, they required me to undergo Sputum exam to find out if I am positive to Tuberculosis (TB).


My first day of Sputum Collection is not fun! I think we are 300 people on that day. When you go inside the building, the guard will give you a mask. I get very embarrass using it because it seems that I have a very bad illness that people should avoid me. I need to go to Saint Luke every 6:00 A.M. for 3 days with empty stomach. You are not allowed to take breakfast. NO BREAKFAST, NO LIPSTICK! You only need to brush your teeth. You can drink water. You can only eat breakfast after the sputum collection.

The guard will call your number that is why you need to be attentive. Every batch is 30 people. All of you will go inside the big elevator and go up to the roof top of the building. The attendant will give you a container and instruct you to cough deeply. Your saliva wont work that is why you need to cough deeply to spit a phlegm to your container. My throat was sore because I force myself to cough even though I don't have a cough. That is why I said that my First day is not Fun. All of you will be coughing together. The attendant will also provide each one of you a chair. The distance between you and the other patient is 3 meters I think. You can hear and see them of course when they cough. The attendant will know that you are spitting saliva or phlegm. If she is not satisfied of what she saw in the container, you need to cough again until you can spit more phlegm in the container. The same procedure was happening on the second and 3rd day.

After my third day Sputum Exam, I was instructed to go back on August 7 for the Pulmonary Evaluation and result for the 3 day sputum exam. I and my family stayed in the hotel for 3 weeks. It is very expensive. They never give us a consideration to go early since my place is in Davao. Three weeks in the hotel is very expensive. I have no choice but to return to Saint Luke Medical Center on August 7. The guard gave me again a mask when I went inside the building. I showed my passport and receipt to him. I proceed to Pulmonary Evaluation in Second Floor.

The doctor explained  and showed me my Chest X-ray result. He also explained to me why I had to undergo sputum exam. He also told me that my three Sputum are all negative. I was so happy hearing it but they still need to culture the 3 samples of my phlegm for 2 months to make sure that it is not positive in TB. There are possibilities that the sample is negative but when they culture it, it will turn to positive. The attendant instructed me again that I need to call Saint Luke on October 2 before I will go to Manila to know the culture result. I really prayed to God that the culture test are all negative in TB. If Saint Luke will call you before two months, it means that you are positive in TB and you need to undergo 6 months treatment at Saint Luke Manila. You need to go there everyday because they will not give you the 6 months medicine. You need to go there everyday because aside of taking their medicine, they will monitor your weight and etc. I was so glad that they never called me within two months.

Last October 2, 2013, I called them about the result. They wont really tell you the result on the phone. They just told me to bring my documents like passport, receipt and 2 pieces of 2x2 visa photo. They told me to go to Saint Luke on October 7. When I get there on that date, I showed my passport and receipt to the guard. He was looking for my name and instructed me to go to 2nd Floor. I was so happy because it means, I passed the culture test and I will have my vaccines. I was instructed to pay Php550 if I am not mistaken for Pregnancy test. I told them that why do I need to have a pregnancy test? My husband is in USA. They told me that it is a part of the Medical Processing that is why I have no choice but to follow. After the Urine test, the attendant gave me a vaccine. After that, I was instructed to go to the ground floor for the releasing of medical result. I got the CD and the Vaccine report. I waited for another 10 minutes for my interview schedule at US Embassy. They are the one who reschedule my interview. The lady at the counter H called me and told me that the available early schedule for interview is October 10 and 22. Of course! I chose October 10. So, she printed the schedule and gave it to me.

I immediately text my husband and family that I passed the medical and I am waiting for the day of my  interview in US Embassy. They are very happy for me especially my husband. I really praise the lord for His mercy and grace.

I will write again soon my interview experience for CR1 visa category  in US Embassy Manila.

My Medical Experience at Saint Luke Manila

DAY 1

It was Sunday when I and my family flew to Manila. I was so happy that I got a very supportive family who always there for me all the time. I booked four tickets at Cebu Pacific . I also booked room at Hotel Soriente. I chose this hotel because it is very close to Saint Luke.You can just walk for 1 minute. The Hotel is great! People are very accommodating. Wifi is also fast and I can talk to my hubby everyday in the hotel room. Since we arrived early afternoon on that day, we decided to go to Ocean Park. My  little sister was really enjoying the view. Anyway, I will post something about Ocean Park soon. For now, I need to focus of writing my medical experience Ha! ha! ha!

It was 5:00 A.M when I start falling on line outside the Saint Luke. That was last July 21, 2013. When I went there, there are already lots of people falling on line. I met lots of new friends from Davao and Manila. Some are CR1 category and K1 visa.There are many people on that day because it was Monday. I should go there on Wednesday so that it is not crowded but I was so excited that everything will be done early because my interview date was on August 1 at US Embassy. It was 6:00a.m when the guard let us all in. Before he allowed us to go inside the building, I showed him my passport and 2 photocopies of it, 3 pieces photos and 2 copies of my appointment letter from NVC. Since I registered online, he didn't give me anymore a form (PDF) to be filled up. He gave immediately my number which is number 59. So, if you are in a hurry, you have to registered online before going to Saint Luke. Here is the link. This is for US. Just click the Homepage if you are applying in Canada or Australia. There are also forms for it online. There are queue for online registration, senior citizens, and those people who just registered on that day using the form given by the guard to be filled up. You should be attentive when you're inside because sometimes, the microphone is very hard to hear.

When the guard called my number, I immediately went to the counter. I gave my passport, appointment letter and 1 piece of  visa photo. They will need the 2 pieces of visa photos on the next day. I get irritated at that time because there is no CR1 category written on my appointment letter mailed by NVC. The lady at the counter asked me any letter that indicates my visa category. That is why after my medical exam on that day, I immediately called my husband to email me any letter that has CR1 category on it from NVC. I printed it and passed it to them on the next day during the result.

After the little interview at the counter and done passing the required documents, she instructed me to go to the 5th floor cashier to pay the medical fee which cost Php 9,812 Philippine currency. After paying, the cashier instructed me to go to 3rd floor for my X-ray. I gave my passport and receipt to the attendant and she gave me a form to be filled up. You should not forget the first and last day of your menstruation. They will ask it many times. When my name was called at X-ray room, I immediately take off my shirt and bra and use the provided laboratory gown. They also provide a rubber band to  tie your hair. Jewelries are not allowed during the X-ray. All you have to do during X-ray is inhale and exhale. I am sure that may people are drinking milk before their X-ray. I believed on that before even though that for me, there is no scientific explanation about it. It only remains a Superstitious belief that if you drink milk during X-ray, the doctor can't find anything in your X-ray. It is all clean. I tried drinking fresh  milk for two weeks before my X-ray and drink 2 liters of milk the day of my Medical but it ended up bad. I need to undergo Sputum Exam! That is why I don't believe about it anymore. The mean thing is you need to be healthy during the medical exam.

After the Chest X-ray, I was instructed again to go to 4th floor for the urine and blood test. I gave my passport and receipt again to the attendant. She scanned my finger before giving my passport back. When I fall on line for Blood test, I noticed that I don't have a barcode. I went to the attendant again to ask for it. She is very rude and yell at me that she already gave me a barcode even I don't have it. She let me find it and search everywhere. I told her that if I have it, it should be on the floor but I don't receive anything. She let me sit first and entertain another patient. I get very hurt and irritated. She should know how to deal people. She called me again after 10 minutes and finally gave me the barcode for blood test. She told me, "Don't loss it! " all what is in my mind at that time is "GRRRRRRR" ha!ha!ha! I went to the room for blood test and gave that barcode. After that was the urine test. The attendant for that is very nice.

After Blood and Urine test, I was instructed again to go to 5th floor for vital signs, height and weight determination and eye test. Actually, here is a guide for day 1 provided by Saint Luke. My name was called again at US counter. The guy attendant asked me if I have a menstruation on that day. After BP, he said that my blood pressure is normal. He instructed me to go to the Eye Test Room. I waited for 15 minutes and the attendant let me read the letters. He asked me if I have eye glasses and I said I have but I was not using it everyday. The last is the physical exam. I waited for 2 hours before my name was called for Physical Exam. It was already 15 minutes to 12 noon before the doctor called my name to go inside. She interviewed me very quick. She asked me if I already finished chicken pox and if I have medical history. I told her that I maintained a 1 month medicine for vascular migraine. She asked me if I am a drug addict and has scar for suicide, and I told her that I don't have and I am not a drug addict. She instructed me to take off my clothes including undies. Anyway, there is laboratory gown, so it is not very embarrassing. I lay down on the bed and she started examining my breast, pressed my abdominal if I have tumor, and she let me spread my legs to see if I am really a real woman or what ha!ha!ha! I was so embarrassed when she pressed it with her two fingers checking something. After that, she let me stand and look my entire back if I have scar and anything. She asked me if that was a chicken pox scar and I said yes. The physical exam is very quick. Maybe because it is already almost 12 noon. I was lucky! Ha!ha! ha! The other patient are 20-30 minutes inside. I got a nice Physician though she didn't smile at me but she is not rude.

It was lunch break at 12 noon. I went back at 1:30 P.M for immunization interview in 2nd Floor. The doctor who interviewed me is very nice too. She asked me if I have vaccines. I told her none. She let me showed to her my chicken pox scar. She also let me sign a form for I will agree for the vaccines. I signed it. after that, I was instructed to return on the next day for the result. They stamped my receipt to go back at 8:30 a.m. I was done at 2:00 P.M


Day 2

At 8:30a.m, I showed my receipt and passport to the guard. He looked for my record on the computer. I was so sad when he stamped it 4th Floor because it means that I will undergo Sputum Exam. If it is stamped 2nd floor, it means Immunization and you passed the exam.

I went to 4th Floor. I thought I was alone but we are too many who will undergo Sputum Exam. The attendant called my name and explained to me the Sputum Exam procedure. He told me that I need to go there for 3 successive days and get a sample of my phlegm if I have TB. When I heard that, it really made me down. It means, my interview at US Embassy will be postponed because after the 3 days sputum exam, the will going to culture the phlegm for 2 months if it is positive or negative in TB. It made me very frustrated. I really cried when my husband called me and he was very frustrated too.Aside that it is very expensive going back and forth from Davao to Manila, it is another long wait. But I have no choice but to follow the procedure. I will post again my Sputum Exam Experience soon. I hope this blog helps!