Our K1 Francee Visa Process(From Philippines to U. S. A

Yesterday is my first month here in the U.S and this is a long overdue post about our K1 / fiance visa process. Just sharing this in case you, or someone you know is interested on filling this kind of petition.

While you and your fiance are still on cloud 9 about "the proposal" you should now consider gathering all the necessary documents and forms needed to file the petition.

November 6, 2017- Bob, my fiance from the US sent our visa packet to USCIS. Make sure that in this packet, you will send all the necessary documents for a quicker approval. If the documents your American Citizen fiance sent is incomplete, you will receive an RFE (Request for Evidence) which will lead to slower approval/update.

Here are the documents/ requirements that we sent:

1. Filled up Form I-129F, and form G-1145. You can download/print both of them here: USCIS Forms
2. Cover letter. You can find sample of this online.
3. $535 check for filling fee
4. Petitioner's birth certificate (as proof of his Citizenship)
5. Petitioner's and beneficiary's letter of intent to marry. (Sample online)
6. Beneficiary's passport biopage
7. Petitioner's and beneficiary's 2x2 US passport photo
8. Divorce decree for all the past marriages of the petitioner.
9. Proof of having met in person- photos, photos with beneficiary's family, boarding pass, hotel bookings, gifts, restaurant invoices, etc.
10. Emails, chatlogs- we already included this in the packet, but some people just bring it upon interview
11. ** If the petitioner has previous case/convictions, Certified copies of police & court convictions, in compliance with IMBRA (we didn't send this one because it is not applicable in our case)

Use fastener that can easily be detached and DO NOT use binders that are hard to detach in putting these all together. And put a label at the bottom so that they can easily locate the papers.

Send the packet to:

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-129F

2501 South State Highway 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

This is our packet

Few days after sending our packet, my fiance received the NOA1 (Notice of Action 1) through email. This notice is just a notice to let you know they have received the packet.

After this, comes the waiting game. Before, it usually takes 4- 6 months before the petitioner hears an update (approval/ RFE or denial) but now, it usually take 6-9 months already. Our approval took us almost 7 months.

BTW, you can track the progress of your case, by downloading a USCIS app or directly through their website.

Here is how I track ours through the app:

After 200+ days of waiting, our case was approved on May 31st 2018. (yaaaay, finaaaallly!!!!) It was approved without RFE, the help of a lawyer or agency!

 I just knew about it when I checked the app and it says in the case detail that our case was approved last May 31, though I checked the app June 2 already. 

At this stage, your fiance must then receive the NOA2 (Notice of Action 2) It is both an email and a hard copy stating the case was approved. I also started to gather the documents needed for the interview at this stage, like birth certificate, my CENOMAR and NBI clearance. The most recent copy you have during the interview, the better.

After NOA2 (case approved) wait for 10-15 business days and you can start calling the National Visa Center for your Manila Case Number. 

• NVC contact number is (603) 334-0700 you can call them Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. EST to 12:00 midnight EST. You need to prepare the petitioner's and beneficiary's full name and birthdate, Receipt #: starts with WAC1234567890 and the date of approval. Since my fiance is travelling cross country during this time, I called the NVC myself, for free, by downloading hangouts dialler on google play app store.

If you got the case number which starts with MNL followed by 10 digit numbers. You can check it at: ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx Click immigrant and enter the case number. 

After checking your status. Make sure the status of your visa is: 

• AT NVC - meaning your case still sitting at their office 

• IN TRANSIT - meaning your case is on the way to United States Embassy in the PH 

• READY - your case is already received and ready for interview at USEM. 

You can start paying your visa fee at Bank of the Philippine Islands when the status says "READY".

Bring your printed MRV Slip together with your passport and money. 

Print your MRV Slip: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/pmisdepositslip.htm?amount=265&country=philippines  

Visa Fee is $265 converted in to Philippines Peso. Cut off of payments is 2PM (PH Time) Wait for 4-6hrs to validate your receipt. Sometimes it takes longer, just be patient. 

While waiting for you interview you can can accomplish the DS160 here: https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx . DS160 is an online form that you should fill up before the interview date. Print the page that contains the barcode and BRING it on your interview.

Schedule your interview here: https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/ ( I will be posting a separate article regarding my Philippine U.S Embassy interview)

If you are done scheduling your interview you can pre- register your medical at: http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/  Medical fee will be in PESO – Cash. You should pass the medical examination first before the interview because you will need to bring the medical result at your interview. Make sure to schedule your medical at least 2 weeks before the interview date. ( I will be posting a separate article regarding my experience in my medical exam)

Finally, before you leave, you should attend a GCP Seminar at a CFO office near you. For your CFO Seminar set your appointment at: http://gcp-appointment.cfo.gov.ph/ remember that no more walk in allowed at CFO. Remember to be at your chosen CFO center at least 1 hour before your schedule.

Let's all help each other close the distance. I hope this helps, if you have questions, don't hesitate to write it down on the comments section, or send  me an email at aissa.deguia@gmail.com. As long as I know the answer to your questions, I will try my best to help out.

“In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged.” – Hands Nouwens

Corrigidor Island- Revisiting History

Corrigidor Island is one of the many places I always wanted to go to.

Last November 17,2018, I went there with Bob,  and we're on to an interesting,  and educational journey.

Here are some photos from our trip:

Sun cruise's boat to and from Corregidor

Seaside boat terminal

Breathtaking view

Sun cruise's tram that visitors use to get around the area

One of the many tanks they used during the war

One of the cartridge rooms

One of the soldier barracks

Lorcha Dock- where Mc Arthur departed from

Additional 200 pesos if you want to go inside the tunnel and watch the show

Inside Malinta tunnel

Corrigidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is an island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor has historically been fortified with coastal artillery to defend the entrance of Manila Bay and Manila from attacks by enemy warships. Located 48 kilometres (30 mi) inland, Manila has been the largest city and the most important seaport in the Philippines for centuries, from the colonial rule of Spain, Japan and the United States, to the establishment of the Philippines in 1946.- Wikepedia

Our Tour was booked through Expedia and the local agency who handled the booking here is Baron Travels. 

We also opted to be picked up by their service,  at the hotel where we stayed,  to the seaside terminal and back. Kudos to their friendly manong driver Mr.  Oswlad. 

But, what you can do is book directly to Sun Cruise's site.  Although,  online booking at their site is currently under maintenance,  you can directly book your tour by calling them. 

For more photos of our tour,  you can view them here: Corrigidor 2017

Love Knows No Boundaries

After staying single, for the past 2 years or so,  I started online dating again sometime in February 2017.

I almost gave up hope,  when all I came across online with,  are either attached guys who are just bored, immature guys who just wants to see your body on Skype( nothing much to see in my case 😀😂😀) and lots and lots of scammers!

Until, came April, I received a message from a member named Bob.  His first message was; " I am out of your preferred age range,  but I can't resist sending you a message because of your beautiful smile. Would you still care to chat? "

I look at his profile and read the description he has written. Took me days to answer back,  not because he is out of my preferred age range,  but because I felt like he is someone who takes you seriously,  and I wanted to be sure that I can do the same for him.  It's like I don't want to invest my time ( and feelings)  with someone again,  then realize I just wasted it in the end.

So when I started to reply to his messages,  we started exchanging emails,  and moved to Skype.  After few months,  he decided it was time for the first visit! How exciting!

Below is a video of our first 3 weeks together (Update: IDK why the first photo was upside down.  Tried everything to fix it but won't work.  😂😂😂)

Three weeks is not really enough. But I can sincerely say that,  those were the best days of my life. We got along well,  he never fails to show me he cares.  He always looks at me as if I am the needest thing since slice bread.  Hahaha.

Whenever we are together, we always come across people who still tend to judge when they see us together. I know most of the time,  they are thinking about our huge age difference.  Or maybe,  they are thinking,  is it just about the money?  Or the Green Card? And I can tell them straight to their faces that it is pure love. Love that was developed across the miles,  which we are planning to close the distance soonest. Sometimes,  it is really hard to believe that someone is happy and inlove because of the reasons only the two people involve understands and feels. I wish people can just be happy when they see someone happy. But,  one thing I learned from Bob though, is to not care too much what other people would think or say.  What we should care about is just each other, afterall,  it is our relationship,  and our lives.

I felt very lonely when he came back to the US, but I know that we will meet each other again,  very soon!

Being in a LDR is not easy.  It takes courage and strength. But if your other half keeps on showing you everyday they care, and love you,  nothing else matters.  As Bob would always tell me,  we are both worth it!

Let's Go to Taytay Tiangge!

I grew up living in Manila,  with mom,  sister and Aunt who likes scouting for pretty but not so expensive items. 

When I was young,  they would take me to Quiapo,  Divisoria and Greenhills. 

Few years back,  we moved to a city in Rizal province,  and that is when we discovered the tiangge (Bazaar)  in Taytay Rizal. Taytay is known as the "garments capital" of the Philippines,  that's why their prices are cheaper than divi and Greenhills,  becauase they are the direct suppliers. 

Since friends and relatives are asking about it,  I made a youtube video regarding our recent visit there. Do check it out! 

How to get there:

Cubao – take jeepney near Araneta center with Taytay, Angono signage, and alightat Mang Inasal and Greenwich at Club Manila East Taytay

Robinson’s Galleria – along Ortigas Ave. take G-Liner / RRCG bus with Taytay signage  and baba sa 7-11 beside Jollibee and just cross the street to where MCDonald’s is located and tiangge is just in front or pwede din baba sa MANG INASAL 

Quiapo – take G-Liner / RRCG bus with Taytay signage  and baba sa 7-11 beside Jollibee and just cross the street to where MCDonald’s is located and one of the tiangge is just in front. or pwede din baba sa MANG INASAL

Post Christmas R&R at Luljetta's Hanging Garden Spa

It is still my long vacation (till January 3) and yesterday, Dec. 28, I decided to visit Luljetta's Hanging Garden & Spa in Antipolo City, just a few mins. away from where I live.

Sa entrance pa lang, you will be greeted by friendly staff who will assist you on how to find the place. It is inside Loreland Resort, but you will easily find it upon arrival.

Then off to the locker room where you'll change your clothes, secure your things, and you will be given batik robes, towel and a cute basket to put your belongings to.

Then after that, you can start exploring the place, which resembles to some resorts in Bali. So far, Luljetta's is the first and only hanging garden here in the Philippines.

This is the package that I availed:

HANGING GARDENS RETREAT
5 Hours
PHP 1,150.00/person - adults
PHP 1,040.00/person - kids 12 years old and below, seniors with valid ID's
Inclusions:
Access to Hanging Gardens Facilities (Locker, Sauna, Dr. Fish Spa, Heated Jacuzzi, Hydro-massage Pool, Infinity Pools, Meditation Lounges).
Traditional bathrobe (batik) and towel for your use.
Snacks of Lemongrass Tea and Antipolo's Best Suman.


For the list of their Spa services and more info, visit their website at http\://www.bienvenidotours.com/luljettas-hanging-gardens-and-spa.html

Luljetta's Hanging Garden & Spa is recommended for people who wanted to relax, and unwind, with picturesque view, nice facilities, & friendly staff.

I'm sharing with you few of the many  pictures I took during my visit. For more of these pictures, you can follow me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/icedeguia06

This is sooo good! Suman, manga at kasuy

Relaxing view

Infinity pool, with a nice view

Smile! Taken at the Zen lounge

They also have a movie lounge

Dr. Fish foot spa

The Joys & Rewards of Being a Furparent

Some people, especially those who are not into pets too much, find it funny when I say stuff like “My dogs are family” or when I say “I’ll do everything for my furbabies”

But it’s true. They are not just pets for me, but I treat them as my own babies. Few years back, I am not really a dog person, until one furbaby changed everything. Three years ago, the idea of owning a pet just snapped into my mind all of a sudden when I felt that I was all alone that time, and I thought to myself to get a puppy just so I’ll have a companion. I named her Felicia (taken from Shrek’s daughter’s name) I never expected that she would  take a big space in my heart, which I never regret of giving her.

My beautiful Felicia 

Being a first time furparent is not all fun, and there are some hardships as well, especially when she gets sick and I panicked! But I guess the bond and the love you have for your furbaby makes it easier to  overcome those hardships.

But nothing will ever compare to the joys she had brought me. We had a lot of good times together. She especially liked it when we have good, fun walks every afternoon after my work. She likes it when I cook special food for her and not just resort to dog food all the time. She loves belly rubs and sleeping beside me. We would watch late night teleseryes together, and she is my ever reliable alarm clock in the morning.I couldn’t ever imagine my life without her.

Shhh..someone is still sleeping :)

Now that Felicia is 3, our neighbor gave me a new puppy, whom I named Mallows. Her fur is as soft as marshmallows that’s why I gave her that name. At first, I felt like Felicia got jealous with the new member of our family, but I guess she is now slowly getting used to it.

My fluffy and cutie Mallows

It makes me happy to see them get along little by little. Whenever I look at them, all I can see is happiness and love, because that is what they never fail to give me each and everyday. Nothing but pure love. That kind of love where you’ll know that there is no pretentions. The happiness I feel when they welcome me home with wagging tails and sloppy kisses is really priceless.

Sometimes I almost forget about my own happiness thinking about their own, but it’s okay. I have my whole life ahead of me. I’ve already experienced a lot of things in my life. I have my work, my family and my friends, but I know they only have me. And what is sad is that they only live for a short period of time. That’s why I want to make sure that I will give them everything but the best in those short lives.


It is true, dogs may not be our whole life, but they make our lives whole. They have filled up that empty space in my life that I wasn’t even aware was empty. And until one had really loved a dog can they learn the true meaning of taking life easy, pausing and simply live life without limits.  More importantly, being a furparent will simply teach you to love without measure, and smile more each day.

Pwede AkongMahalin

Pwede akong mahalin.


Mahirap lang siguro, pero pwede naman din.


Hindi man ako kasing puti, at kasing kinis 
Ng mga babaeng nakikita mo sa TV,

 
o sa Social Media na mahilig mag selfie,
Kalooban ko naman ay malinis

Pwede ako mahalin kahit di din nmn ako sexy, 
Pero aanhin mo ba talaga ang physical na beauty
Kung ang ugali naman ay “pa-sossy?“ 
Isa lang ang masisiguro ko, 
loyal ako kung magmahal
At gagawin ang lahat para tayo ay magtagal 

Beach buddy, movie buddy, travel buddy, or pig out buddy
Yan ay kering-keri
Mamimiss kita pag wala ka
Pero hahayaan din kitang mag enjoy ng di ako kasama
Basta’t siguraduhin mo lang
Na walang kalokohanng hahadlang

Magiging proud ako sa iyong mga tagumpay
At susuportahan ka nang walang humpay
At kapag naman medyo minalas
Patatawanin kita ng madalas
Gagawa ng mga bagay na iyong ikasasaya
Kahit minsan ay magmukha nang tanga
Basta’t naka ngiti ka ay walang problema

Hindi ko maipapangako na magiging perfect akong tao
Pero pag sinubukan mo ay siguradong achieve na achieve tayo
May forever man o wala, hindi pa din ako madadala
Na hanapin ang taong mag mamahal sa akin ng malala
Dahil naniniwala akong lahat tayo ay may karapatang lumigaya
At mahalin ng walang pandaraya

Nasaan ka man ngayon
Alam kong magkikita din tayo, sa tamang panahon
Push lang ng push ang pagdarasal 
Dahil alam kong ang plano ni Lord para sa atin ay iiral
Kapit lang, hintay lang, darating din tayo dyan.

Pwede Akong Mahalin
By:Ice de Guia

Home-made Chicken Nuggets

Hey, hey hey, it's Fri-YAY!!

I am not too busy at work earlier today, and I was thinking what to eat for lunch. I found some ground chicken on my freezer and wondered what I could do with it. Then, the idea of making chicken nuggets from scratch came up.

I called it garlic and cheese chicken nuggets (with sweet and sour sauce)

Good thing it was a success! So yummy! There are just few minor flaws that can be adjusted next time; like I put in too much egg, and the sizes of the nuggets are not the same as the other (hehe)

What I needed:
1/2k Ground chicken
2-3 cloves of garlic grated or you can also use garlic powder
Dash of Salt & pepper to taste
Cheese cut into strips
2 Egg( one to mix in, the other one for coating later on)
3 table spoons of flour
Bread crumbs

What I did:
I just mixed the ground chicken, grated garlic, salt, pepper, 1 egg, & flour into a bowl. When they have been mixed properly, I shaped it rectangularly, putting some strips of cheese in the middle. Then I soaked it with flour, then egg, then bread crumbs.

I put it in the freezer for 3-5mins. so that it will be easier to fry. Then I deep fried it, and...tadah! A home made chicken nuggets.

I am not a professional cook(obviously) but I grew up in a household where my mom used to cook so many delish stuff for us. Now it's my sister, (who just graduated culinary arts) who is continuing mama's legacy. I am super lazy when it comes to cooking, though I know how to do some dishes because of my curiousity when mama was still alive. I would sit in the kitchen, watch her cook, and ask her too many questions on how these stuff works.

Maybe someday, if I'll have to cook for "someone" that is the time I'll get more active, and practice what mama told me. :) For now, I am a proud professional taste-tester of my sister's cooking. ;)

Baguio City, Revisited

February is a special month for Baguio City because this is the time when the Panagbenga Festival, also known as Flower Festival is celebrated.

I 've been to Baguio numerous times; with friends, family, but this time, I decided to go alone, to visit a good friend as well whom I haven't seen for years already.

I decided to take the Victory Bus going to Baguio, and back home. Just a quick tip, if you want to have a smooth trip, especially during peak seasons like this, I encourage you to book your ticket in advance. I booked mine few weeks before my scheduled trip in their Cubao (new York) terminal. For fare rates and trip schedule, you may want to visit their website. Their buses leave on time, and they have the friendliest staff. So I had a good experience riding the said bus line.

We left Cubao at 4pm sharp and with less traffic and 2 stop overs, I arrived in Baguio City at around 10pm. It was a Friday by the way

The next day, Saturday, we went to some places which I haven't visited yet, and some, I've been into but I can say that there were some changes since the last time I've been there.

Our first stop is the Tam-Awan Village, which I haven't visited yet. It is a place to visit if you love art, Cordilleran craftsmanship with an artist’s concept for a village adapting to Baguio setting.

Then we visited the usual spot- Mine's View Park, Botanical Garden, Wright Park, The Mansion and the all time favorite pasalubong center- Good Shepherd Convent.

By the way, we had lunch in Ketchup Food Community, It is a cozy, nice place where there are around 4-5 restaurants with different cuisine which you can choose from. There is the Rancho Norte (where we ate) where you can find yummy Filipino food, Green Pepper who offers pasta, salads, Rumah Sate offers Indo-Malay cuisine,Canto who is popular for their ribs, pizza, pasta and other Western American dishes, and Happy Tummy who offers Thai cuisine.

The next day, Sunday is the much awaited Panagbenga festival. It is my first time to witness this kind of float parade in Baguio, and I should say that it is a bitter sweet experience. I was awed by all the floats because I realize how creative the people behind these were. Everything was beautiful! The hard part is, you need to wake up early.. as in early to get a nice spot because session road was already flooded with people even before the parade started. We have experienced a lot of pushing and everywhere is crowded. it is also important that you eat heavy breakfast, and wear comfortable clothes to avoid fainting.

Just wanted to share few photos my friend and I took. Sorry, we are not professional photographers, and these photos don't do justice on how beautiful they really are in real. :)

Then I went back to Manila by Monday night to avoid all the crowd going home, cause I am pretty sure if I'll go back by Sunday, I won't make it through, as I did not book a ticket in advance. 

This experience had helped me to relax more, because I believe I deserve a vacation like this for working hard, and it is also a best time to catch up with a long time friend.