Vilma says America is very big......and very cold!

[don2222]

Hi Everyone!,
 Vilma and I arrived in Atlanta about a week ago.  I would have posted while I was still in the PI, but I had failed to register
before I left, and I did not maintain my ISP while I was gone.
Our experience with receiving Vilma's visa was a little different from others that I have read about.  I was able to accompany Vilma to her physical, the interview, and to her interview at LAX.
I just *assumed* I could go with her to everything, and I did.
Also, we were able to return to the embassy two days after our interview to pick up the visa in person.  I did not ask for special treatment, the second woman that interviewed us asked me how long I was staying in the Philippines, and I replied that I was not going home without Vilma, and she told us to return in two days to pick
up the visa.  Both of the women that interviewed us seemed to be impressed with the fact that I had travelled to Cebu 4 times to visit Vilma, and that Vilma and I have been together for over a year.
I knew that it was unusual to not have to go through LBC, but I certainly was not going to argue.
America is very different from what Vilma expected, she thought it was going to be similar to downtown Manila.  
In this past week I have introduced Vilma to most of my friends and family.  Sometimes she does not understand their "slang", but everyone has been very happy to meet her.
Will try to post more later, still tired from the jet-lag and returning to work.

Glad to be back,

Don

[Jim H]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

..America has places a lot colder than Atlanta - Boston is about to get it's third March snowstorm!

Jim

[don2222]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

n/t   means no text

[ChrisA]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

Can't wait to post a similar e-mail.

[Cecil]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

n/t

[Dave H]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

Don,

Don't tell Vilma it's 78* and sunny in Ft. Lauderdale today. ;o)

Dave H.

[jon]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

[Barry]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

Don,

Glad you and Vilma made it back. Im sure you've got lots of things to tend to but call me when you get a chance.

When's the big day?

Barry

[Bear]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

I am glad your adventure has got through this phase.  The best part is starting.

I wish that I will have the moneys and vacation time to do as you did but that is yet to be seen.

Bear

[Stephen]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001


Best Wishes to both of you.

Tess & Stephen

[Ray]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

Don,

Congratulations on finally making it to the finish line. I thought that was interesting that you were able to pick your visa up in person. Maybe more people should ask for that option at the interview. From our experience, you saved about 5 days by picking it up at the embassy. What day was the interview? My wife had hers on March 6th.

I wish you both luck and happiness.

Ray

[Lori]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

n/t

[Dave H]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

N/T

[SteveG]

... in response to Vilma says America is very big......and ..., posted by don2222 on Mar 19, 2001

Don and Vilma,
 Another couple makes it to the finish line!   Good news!  You mentioned an Interview in LAX.   Are you talking about a formal process or just the questioning while going through the Immigration lines?   Melly hit a snag upon entering the US through LAX also and was delayed over an hour while they grilled her as if she was an illegal trying to get in the US with fake papers.  Since we had to go through separate lines because of her not being a US citizen, I just followed the rules after my Passport was stamped and sat down to wait for her.   Luckily after an hour an employee put the two of us together somehow and asked me if that was my wife over there.   I said "Yes" and the person told me I better go help her because they were giving her a rough time.   That was a true interpretation of the events because they were doing as I already said until I walked up.   Then they got as nice and sweet as sugar and we went on to the baggage inspection without further delay.   I think the moral of all this is that it helps to go to the VISA Interview and travel back to the US with your Spouse/Fiancee.   Nothing like being there to demonstrate that you have a legitimate relationship and remove doubts INS people may have otherwise.

 Yep, Vilma, ya’ll gonna shore ‘nuff have fun tawkin' wit us southerners 'cause we don't tawk like them there people up North.  They tawk funny.      Seriously, you will be overwhelmed for a few months and then before you know it, you will be talking freely with anyone you meet.   Filipinas seem to have a gift for learning languages!  As for the weather, just wait a few months and you will be praying for snow to give relief from the heat!   LOL

                           SteveG

[don2222]

... in response to Cogratulations!!, posted by SteveG on Mar 19, 2001

Hi Steve,
 I was not sure of what to call it.  I was referring to
the questioning at immigration at LAX.  
I just followed her to the place she was being questioned,
introduced myself, and we were out of there in 10 minutes.
You are right, if the American is present, the whole process
is a lot easier for the filipina.
I guess we were lucky, we never did encounter any people that were unpleasant to deal with.

BTW, Vilma says that I am easier to understand than most Americans.  I think it is due to the Southern accent ;0)

Don