Adjustment of Status sent

Picture of our packet :)

Yay! Finally, my AOS (Adjustment of Status) paperwork done and sent to USCIS Chicago Lock box.  It took us 6 weeks from the date of my arrival to submit my stuff. Whew! Entering here in the United States as a K1 Visa holder is definitely no joke. Tons of paper loads awaits once you got here, not to mention from the day back in Philippines for the U.S. Embassy interview. Still, in spite of all those argument and annoyance while doing it, I feel so grateful seeing my hubby helping me keenly. 

Anyway, here are the documents that I included in my AOS packet just in case somebody who is in need pass by in my page, I could at least give him/her an idea.

• Payment in the amount of $1,070.00 payable to U.S Department of Homeland and Security (personal cheque)
• G-1145 - Form for E-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (optional)
• 2 US passport size photos
• I-485 - Application - Application to Register Permanent Residences or Adjust Status, signed and dated
• G-325A - Biographical information form
• Certified true copy of Marriage Certificate
• Photocopy of passport biographical page
• Photocopy of K1 visa in passport
• Photocopy of USA entry stamp
• Copy of I-94
• Copy of I-797 - Notice of Action, Approval of K1 petition
• Copy of NSO Birth Certificate (Baptismal - optional, I just included mine just in case coz my BC is blurry)
• Sealed I693 - from Civil Surgeon
• I-864 - with 3 years IRS Tax Transcripts, Employment Letter, 6 months pay stubs (My husband's)

Documents I submitted for Employment Authorization Application:

• G-1145 - Form for E-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (optional)
• 2 US passport size photos
• I-765 –Application for Employment Authorization
• Copy of Marriage Certificate
• Photocopy of passport biographical page
• Photocopy of passport visa
• Copy of I-94

Forms are available in USCIS Website

Send the packet to : USCIS P.O. Box 805887, Chicago IL 60680-4120 for U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries
                            USCIS Attn: FBAS 131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor Chicago,Il 606003 for express & courier deliveries

So that's it guys! I hope and pray that our AOS application will be a smooth and RFE free.
Good luck to those who are in process also!


♥M

Beautiful life...

I absolutely love this song, one of my all time favorite ♥. It made me smile every time I hear this. It expresses my million thoughts about how thankful I am for all the countless blessings that I have received. For having my nice friends, family and my husband who never fails to amaze me in his simple ways. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! 

So people smile for  God has nothing but the best for everyone.

♥.M

      

Resume-The American way?

Good book and helpful specially to first timer here like me :)

So I started workin' on my resume slowly (in preparation for a mad job searching once I get my Employment Authorization) - the American way, yes there's quite difference compare to what I'm used to way back in Pinas. For example, here it's not necessary to attached photo on resume, putting basic personal infos like marital status, age, height etc. rather it is a straight forward type focusing on your skill, qualifications and experience. I have had heads up regarding on this already though, since my Hubby shown his before. Still it's a bit odd to me. I kept bugging my husband to fix my resume for me but he would just say it's too early for me to worry about it and that He is not pressuring me to find one. He just assured me ones AOS (Adjustment of Status) paper works done we will work on my CV. I would just agree but in my mind I always have ideas and want to start fixing it step by step now. While I am laying on bed, I saw one of his books titled " Resumes to get you Hired by: Jack McCarthy" I'm like great! I can now start doing it myself. Right then and there I grabbed the book, opened my laptop and start editing my resume. Good thing about this book aside from the great advices and tips of the author is that, it also has over 350 sample resumes on different fields. So, I just actually need to  pattern it on specific position I am applying for. By now, I am half way through and I'm happy how it look thus far. Of course I would still show it to hubby for final touches ones done. I'm just hoping and praying it wouldn't be that long to find job and that the luck will be with me. Yea! Positive vibes!


♥M

Weekend Shopping

Hot leather gloves. Perfect for Winter ;)

I had a nice time last weekend, hubby and I went to Macy's, Palisades Mall NY to complete my winter gears. We bought few winter jackets from North Face and Michael Kors. I'm glad they both have my size XS/P. I actually was worried about the availability of my size (I'm petite, my friends used to tease me to go shoppin' at children's section lol!). Anyway, as we continue shopping, a middle aged woman cashier approached us and suggested their best buys. Hmm the way she talked I could tell she is a Filipina plus her features. I just withheld myself asking her coz I'm a bit shy. So what happened, she introduced herself to us and I was right she's from Cebu City (I guessed the feeling is mutual, she knew it Pinay din ako hehe). Cool, we did some chitchats while hubby is looking for a good scarf (yeah hubby played a mother role to me also lol! But i thought it's sweet.) She invited us to attend an event/Filipino gathering this coming Saturday, 9/24 at Spring Valley. It excites me thinking that I would be meeting more Filipinos on that gathering, would be a good start to make new friends and start networking. Everything seems perfect except for it's Dad's (Mike's Dad) Bday celebration so I feel bad I would be missing such opportunity. Oh well, I'm still happy I met Tita Fe,(that's her name) we exchanged nos. and for sure there would be more Fil. Gathering on the list!

♥M

Filing SSN

Few days ago, Me and hubby went to Cliffton SSA office to get  my SSN. There were few people on the waiting area but most of them are for benefit claim. I filled up the form and after like 5 mins. my no. was called. We were assited by a nice american-indian guy. He took my Passport and checked my attached I-94, Marriage Cert. He typed my info in his computer and after couple of mins He asked me to double check the infos and that's it we're done! He gave me a letter stating that within 2 weeks my SSN card will be mailed to our address. To  my surprise I got my mailed SSN card already just today (took only 4 days)! Yay!Thanks God! We're almost there - submitting the AOS.

So the requirements are (for K1 Visa Holder) :
Passport
Valid I-94
Marriage Certificate (if Married already); A K-1 visa holder may also apply for SSN prior their wedding day and go back to the SSA once married already to update her name.

 Social Security Office Locator 

♥M

NJ Civil Surgeon

On the day after our wedding, Me and hubby went to see a Civil Surgeon for my medical requirement/ I-693 completion. We found one nearby our place and there we met Dr. Jaroslaw Pondo, MD of  Rutherford, NJ. He did asked me few questions about my medical history. By the way, i brought with me the CD X-Ray and vaccines records, the ones that is given to me by St. Luke's Med as my personal copy. Dr. Pondo reviewed my records and told us that all vaccines were met but I still need to do CBD test since I don't remember if I have done it before. He also extracted blood sample for some additional testing (forgot whats the term). It was done quick. On Wednesday Sept. 14, we went back to the office to get the result and thanks God was negative and there's no need for me to undergo X-Ray because the bumps of CBD test is 4mm (law requires to undergo an X-Ray 5mm and up)We paid $175 total. Yay! we got our sealed I-693 already. Over all it was a nice experience and we're happy we met a nice Civil Surgeon, to those who are interested and in need here's his ofc contact # (201) 896-0050 .

Civil Surgeon Locator near you

♥M

Bye Bye Single Life

So finally, I am officially Mrs. Benis now. I arrived here in the USA last Aug 11, 2011 on a K-1 Visa. We got married on Sept 11, 2011 at 2pm (exactly 1 month from the date of my arrival). I know, I know 9/11 is one of the worst tragedies in history.  Well, for me great things happen on that date and one of those is my wedding. It is the most special day of my life filled with love and fulfilment, that finally I am legally married to my one and only man of my life. Hmmm plus a bonus, right after the ceremony we got our Marriage Certificate on hand.Great! we need not to wait it be mailed to us. Now, I am living happily together with my husband. Praying to Almighty God to blessed and guide our new journey together. Life is awesome!

Taken at Chestnutridge NY M♥M

Weather weather lang yan

I'm excited to experience the different weather conditions here in the United States. It was summer when I arrived here, mid August. Days gone fast and I am looking forward to see trees transformed its color from green to red and brown as fall season comes in a couple or a week from now. In fact, I can feel the cold breeze already. I dunno how would I feel when Winter comes though, aside from feelin' cold. Ha ha! But I don't worry, I think it would be nice as long as I am completely geared up with nice warm clothes and boots. So, Winter please be gentle and don't worry we will take lots of picture together. He he!

nice color isn't it? :)

upon staring in this pic i feel cold lol!



♥M