Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Biometrics Appointment

Had a good news yesterday, I got my Biometrics notice from USCIS for November 2 appointment (roughly a month after their acceptance date) at their local office in Hackensack NJ and guess what?..its pretty close to our place so it's a bonus! lol ;).  I was worried the last few days coz every time I checked my case status in the USCIS website it prompted a "case not found" message, ugghh the website is unreliable. I'm guessing it under maintenance.  I would no longer rely on the website itself henceforth  to save myself from any anxious feeling that would haunt me, especially after reading in some forum about case that got lost and was just back on track after week-months more of waiting game. I thought it's better to call 'em.  Well now it's exciting for me knowing that my AOS and EAD application is on track. So am feeling lucky that my case is moving and I'm hoping for a smooth journey likewise to other AOS Filers.

♥M

Monday, October 3, 2011

Busybusyhan...routine


Ayos for me!!!
I often encounter questions from friends if what I'm up to these days especially when home alone...and here it is........

Due to my overflowing free time (which I need to enjoy and take advantage of for the meantime while I am not working yet), I thought of writing on what's going on me here in the U.S. when my hubby is at work (for my funny note to look back in the future na rin). Soo where would I start?....Hmm I should say in my two months of existence here in NJ, the major, major things I do were all for a lazy mee..LOL! Seriously, I usually got up a bit late in the morning, but of course when my husband leaves for work I am literally awake to say bye bye plus a hug and a kiss then I rest some more hehe! Mike  usually grab just a tea for breakfast which by the way I do the same thing so no cooking for us mostly on weekday mornings (but would be working on cooking the Mayo way soon..). I know what you're thinking fellas, by now I should be cooking already but as I said I'm workin on it already, in fact I'm cooking my own lunch and it's pretty much tasty for me. Anyway in the  morning, there are things that make my butt moving and do some exercise such as the XBOX 360 and Ab-coaster, the latter gave me muscles pain on my first day though. I know it's a good sign coz meaning to say my body is responding to the exercise. Apparently, including these things in my routine help me not gain nor feel weak. Oh before I forgot, I also have this one good exercise, cleaning the house (I call it IndayMode hehe). So there, my morning done swiftly  and now here comes my noon time....I watch movies on Netflix, browsing some job sites for future reference, talk to my Fb friends and family back in Pinas hmm sounds busy huh! By the way in between of those mentioned activities  hubby and I chat also just to update and say we l♥ve and missed each other already aww sweet :P. Before we knew it, our day is over and while Mike is on his way home I get ready the raw foods and we cook it together (more his way though) ahhh it's absolutely fun!

So far this is my weekdays' routine, pretty simple but I consider it busy as in busybusyhan lol! Maybe kind of boring to others  but I don't give it a damn in fact I feel pretty darn good finding ways not to feel the homesick thing and I somehow managed it the way I want it! Plus I tried to blog even if  I'm not a pro.  Isn't it good yea?

Alright! have a good routine folks!

p.s my weekend is a different story :P often it's incredibly awesome....well for me! ;)

♥M

 

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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

Sunday, September 25, 2011

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

      

Thursday, September 22, 2011

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

Monday, September 19, 2011

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

Friday, September 16, 2011

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