So, yesterday (April 2), I went to the local post office for my appointment for my US passport application. Everything has been done quite smoothly, without any hassles. It was a good thing, hubby came with me because he acted as a witness for me.
We went inside the office and we were taken into a small cubicle. There, the lady asked me if my photos have been taken, I had couple photos in my hand, but I don't like the way I look, so I told her I want to get another more recent photos, so she did :). Just after a minute and she's done with the photos, all cut and ready!
I gave her my application form which I already filled up online and printed it, and my Certificate of Naturalization. She asked me my driver's license, but I told her I only got an LP, and it wasn't acceptable, agh!!! She asked me for any other ID like a state ID, but I don't have one. So, fortunately, I got a very good option...my husband!, LOL! He signed an affidavit as a witness, and a little bit of informal swearing, and after reading the swore in statement, he signed the affidavit, and presented his US passport. It was another good idea that I brought his passport as well. The lady photocopied the bio data page of his passport, returned back his passport and my Learner's permit (which was useless), but she retained the original copy of my certificate of Naturalization. She said the original copy of my certificate will be sent together with my application and will be returned back to me together with the passport.
After everything was done, we went to the cashier and I requested for an expedite service. She gave me a tracking number, then summed all the expenses. I asked her how long is the wait for an expedite service and she said it might take a week or a little more than that.
That ends the business transaction for that day! Whew! Hopefully, I can receive my US passport within a week...keeping my fingers crossed.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Getting US Passport!
Well, yes, I should say, I am done dealing with the USCIS. The next step on my list...getting a US passport! And it doesn't need to deal with the USCIS, lol. Locations in getting one isn't that difficult to find. Many passport facilities have been scattered everywhere including post offices. It so happened that we have one close to home, (only 3 minutes drive). I was thinking I can just walk-in but it is by appointment basis. Anyway, I got my appointment on Friday and prepared everything that is needed. I hope I can get it soon by the expedite service.
Meanwhile, I am still waiting for my Phil. passport that I renewed at the Phil. embassy in DC. They said it takes 3-5 weeks before I can receive it...it's already been 4 weeks since last Friday. Although I won't be using my RP passport in going out of the country, I desperately need that when I travel back to the Philippines so I can get my dual citizenship done there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, the Phil. passport would arrive safely back to me.
So, still, the journey goes on...
Meanwhile, I am still waiting for my Phil. passport that I renewed at the Phil. embassy in DC. They said it takes 3-5 weeks before I can receive it...it's already been 4 weeks since last Friday. Although I won't be using my RP passport in going out of the country, I desperately need that when I travel back to the Philippines so I can get my dual citizenship done there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, the Phil. passport would arrive safely back to me.
So, still, the journey goes on...
Protect Your Savings With Gold Coins
Getting into a sensible and safe investment needs a lot of serious considerations and decisions. Perhaps, for many, little would they know that owning gold nowadays is still the safest way to protect one's wealth and money. Why? It's for the fact that gold has been considered to be one of the most valuable commodities for many centuries due to its indestructible and valuable nature and design. Today must be a good time to buy gold bullion in order to protect your savings.
Of course, it's just a normal feeling to be hesitant investing into gold considering the constant fluctuations happening in the marketplace nowadays. Nobody wants to lose his/her hard earned money by making a decision you are not sure of and ending up in a big mistake, right?
But no matter how straightforward the process is, careful consideration is always a safe thing to do. The idea of "not placing your eggs in one basket" can be a good warning sign, but no need to worry about it. That's the reason why The United States Gold Bureau is here to assist you with the entire process and further helps understand the ins and outs of the gold market.
It's just sensible enough to say that getting physical gold such as coins and bullion can be a perfect way to protect your savings for later use.
Of course, it's just a normal feeling to be hesitant investing into gold considering the constant fluctuations happening in the marketplace nowadays. Nobody wants to lose his/her hard earned money by making a decision you are not sure of and ending up in a big mistake, right?
But no matter how straightforward the process is, careful consideration is always a safe thing to do. The idea of "not placing your eggs in one basket" can be a good warning sign, but no need to worry about it. That's the reason why The United States Gold Bureau is here to assist you with the entire process and further helps understand the ins and outs of the gold market.
It's just sensible enough to say that getting physical gold such as coins and bullion can be a perfect way to protect your savings for later use.
Friday, March 26, 2010
At Last....A US Citizen!
After a few more months of struggle dealing with the US immigration, I was finally scheduled for a citizenship oath today at 11am. Just in case anyone wants to know my citizenship timeline, I had my citizenship interview on February 2, 2010 in Baltimore and thank God I passed! They give same day oath right after you pass a citizenship interview, but in my case, they gave me a pending oath because my fingerprints were not readable by FBI, and so the USCIS requested me to submit a police clearance to them after which they would schedule me for an oath. Quite disgusting and a hassle! I had a month and 3 weeks wait for my oath schedule since the police clearance took time to get it, plus it was all delayed due to a week of snow storms aggh!!!
Anyway, all is well that ends well!
Here's my Citizenship Oath Ceremony Experience:
I and hubby left the house as early as 9AM for my 11AM oath ceremony. It takes an hour drive going there, plus traffic, so we just thought of getting there as early as we can. We were there at exactly 10:10AM. We proceeded to Room 101 and waited at the seating area. At around 11:05AM, we were told to go to 7th floor at the naturalization oath room wherein we were properly seated. It was good to know that members of the family who are with the oath takers are seated together, so I still had my hubby beside me :). It was probably another 20 minutes for getting in line in the room to get our packets and mini flaglets, and checking of our naturalization certificates for any errors on our names and data, etc.
While on the line, a lady was checking our answers at the back of our oath notice letter where a series of questions will have to be answered basing on what happened in between the citizenship interview and the oath. They are particular if you have traveled out of the country in between those occasions, and if there are any changes that happened as well, such as got married, divorced or widowed, had crimes, etc...In my case, nothing had changed, so I was good to proceed. They asked me to surrender my green card with them, checked my certificate for any erroneous entries, (so far, it was all correct), then got my packets and flaglet.
The ceremony started with the singing of the National Anthem...of course I sang!, I know the lyrics, lol!
Then an immigration judge came in and gave us a short talk regarding on being a US citizen and swore us in on our oath of allegiance. After that, we recited our pledge of allegiance and listened to Pres. Obama's message on a video.
That was the end of the ceremony! The judge congratulated us one by one, while they are distributing our naturalization certificates. That was the mess there, because it was noisy and I couldn't hear whether my name was already called and here comes the judge chatting with everybody else, LOL!
Well, anyway, I got mine at last, and had our photo opps. I wasn't able to get a photo opp with the judge, he was too quick to leave, lol!
And to sum it all...I am no longer an ALIEN!!! I am now a proud American citizen of the land of the free!
Anyway, all is well that ends well!
Here's my Citizenship Oath Ceremony Experience:
I and hubby left the house as early as 9AM for my 11AM oath ceremony. It takes an hour drive going there, plus traffic, so we just thought of getting there as early as we can. We were there at exactly 10:10AM. We proceeded to Room 101 and waited at the seating area. At around 11:05AM, we were told to go to 7th floor at the naturalization oath room wherein we were properly seated. It was good to know that members of the family who are with the oath takers are seated together, so I still had my hubby beside me :). It was probably another 20 minutes for getting in line in the room to get our packets and mini flaglets, and checking of our naturalization certificates for any errors on our names and data, etc.
While on the line, a lady was checking our answers at the back of our oath notice letter where a series of questions will have to be answered basing on what happened in between the citizenship interview and the oath. They are particular if you have traveled out of the country in between those occasions, and if there are any changes that happened as well, such as got married, divorced or widowed, had crimes, etc...In my case, nothing had changed, so I was good to proceed. They asked me to surrender my green card with them, checked my certificate for any erroneous entries, (so far, it was all correct), then got my packets and flaglet.
The ceremony started with the singing of the National Anthem...of course I sang!, I know the lyrics, lol!
Then an immigration judge came in and gave us a short talk regarding on being a US citizen and swore us in on our oath of allegiance. After that, we recited our pledge of allegiance and listened to Pres. Obama's message on a video.
That was the end of the ceremony! The judge congratulated us one by one, while they are distributing our naturalization certificates. That was the mess there, because it was noisy and I couldn't hear whether my name was already called and here comes the judge chatting with everybody else, LOL!
Well, anyway, I got mine at last, and had our photo opps. I wasn't able to get a photo opp with the judge, he was too quick to leave, lol!
And to sum it all...I am no longer an ALIEN!!! I am now a proud American citizen of the land of the free!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Passed My Citizenship Test! BUT...
Today I had my interview scheduled at 8:20AM in Baltimore. We arrived there just on time and after passing through a long line, we immediately proceeded to Room 103. I then proceeded to the reception window and gave my appointment letter. After 5 minutes, I was called in.
The interviewing officer told me she will be swearing me in before I'll take my seat. She told me to raise my right hand and swore me.
She then asked me to show my passport, green card and driver's license. She then asked if my passport is the most active and current, and I said yes.
She started checking my application form and began asking and re-confirming everything I filled up on there, afterwhich she gave me the reading, writing and civic tests.
The first was Reading test. She gave me a sheet of paper and told me to read it loud item no. 1 which says; - "WHAT DAY IS COLUMBUS DAY".
The next was Writing test. She let me wrote, "COLUMBUS DAY IS IN OCTOBER."
Then for the Civics, she asked me the following 6 questions which I got them all right.
She then told me I passed the test and gave me form N-652, Naturalization Interview Results.
Now....the BUT part! She told me that my second fingerprinting was still unreadable by FBI and so I need to submit to them a police clearance before they can decide on my case. I told her, this was always the case that I had to go back 4 times to the USCIS just to do my fingerprints again and again...:(. She said my case is not uncommon, and many had been like mine.
It was encouraging to hear from her when she told me she doesn't see any problem with my papers and they are all OK.
She then gave me Form N-14 together with the instructions on how I can obtain the police clearance. That was all about it. I was in the room for 15 minutes.
Well, what can I say? I still thank God, I passed!!!! I am still looking on the positive side as I just had to submit a document in lieu of unclassifiable fingerprint. My fingerprints are quite unique.. Poor precious little fingers! LOL. whatevah chuva chu-chu!
Now, I need an appointment to go to bed soooo bad! hehehe... I need to get that good sleep! See ya'll later.
The interviewing officer told me she will be swearing me in before I'll take my seat. She told me to raise my right hand and swore me.
She then asked me to show my passport, green card and driver's license. She then asked if my passport is the most active and current, and I said yes.
She started checking my application form and began asking and re-confirming everything I filled up on there, afterwhich she gave me the reading, writing and civic tests.
The first was Reading test. She gave me a sheet of paper and told me to read it loud item no. 1 which says; - "WHAT DAY IS COLUMBUS DAY".
The next was Writing test. She let me wrote, "COLUMBUS DAY IS IN OCTOBER."
Then for the Civics, she asked me the following 6 questions which I got them all right.
- What does the president's Cabinet do?
- We elect a U.S. senator for how many years?
- How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
- Name one branch or part of the government.
- What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- If both the President and Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes president?
She then told me I passed the test and gave me form N-652, Naturalization Interview Results.
Now....the BUT part! She told me that my second fingerprinting was still unreadable by FBI and so I need to submit to them a police clearance before they can decide on my case. I told her, this was always the case that I had to go back 4 times to the USCIS just to do my fingerprints again and again...:(. She said my case is not uncommon, and many had been like mine.
It was encouraging to hear from her when she told me she doesn't see any problem with my papers and they are all OK.
She then gave me Form N-14 together with the instructions on how I can obtain the police clearance. That was all about it. I was in the room for 15 minutes.
Well, what can I say? I still thank God, I passed!!!! I am still looking on the positive side as I just had to submit a document in lieu of unclassifiable fingerprint. My fingerprints are quite unique.. Poor precious little fingers! LOL. whatevah chuva chu-chu!
Now, I need an appointment to go to bed soooo bad! hehehe... I need to get that good sleep! See ya'll later.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A Gift of Surprise!
This Christmas, it was so overwhelming to receive gifts from my family. I used to receive at least 15-20 gifts every christmas. This year, I got 20 gifts from hubby alone, and another 10 from mom and George.
Anyway, every Christmas, it is always a tradition for me and hubby to open our presents (those gifts we give each other) at home under our Christmas tree. Another batch of gifts opening will be after our family dinner at mom and George's house.
So, at home, after I finished opening the 19 gifts, hubby told me to open the last one which has the most unique shape and was actually wrapped with weird things. I thought there is one thing in there that he would used to give me, like the regular girly stuff. Well, I was surprised to know it was no ordinary thing. It was a double heart diamond pendant with gold on the sides and with a dainty necklace. Hubby took a video of me opening the gift. You would probably know how surprise I was when I uttered the word REALLY??!!! That was after I saw the price...LOL! I couldn't divulge the price. I would rather consider this gift with a sentimental value :).
If you want to watch the video clip, you may click it HERE.
Anyway, every Christmas, it is always a tradition for me and hubby to open our presents (those gifts we give each other) at home under our Christmas tree. Another batch of gifts opening will be after our family dinner at mom and George's house.
So, at home, after I finished opening the 19 gifts, hubby told me to open the last one which has the most unique shape and was actually wrapped with weird things. I thought there is one thing in there that he would used to give me, like the regular girly stuff. Well, I was surprised to know it was no ordinary thing. It was a double heart diamond pendant with gold on the sides and with a dainty necklace. Hubby took a video of me opening the gift. You would probably know how surprise I was when I uttered the word REALLY??!!! That was after I saw the price...LOL! I couldn't divulge the price. I would rather consider this gift with a sentimental value :).
If you want to watch the video clip, you may click it HERE.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Our Cousin's Visit!
Last Wednesday (Veteran's Day) we got the chance to hang out with our cousin (actually hubby's first cousin) who happened to visit us here in Maryland all the way from Washington D.C. where she currently works as a foreign service officer trainee. They had holiday off on Veteran's Day, so she decided to come over and see us. Although it was raining the entire day, the rain didn't stop us from hanging around our area, and had a late lunch together as well :).
Hopefully, Tanya will soon to be a US diplomat...a rare job only smart people can get through (as hubby would say). She really deserves to be one! She speaks many languages and well-travelled, what can we say? {wink}. I would always both compliment them that their family is a generation of smart and intellectual people, and they would both be smiling lol! It's a fact they couldn't deny...they have high education and degrees, with good stable jobs!
We are getting excited to be witnessing her "Flag Day" ceremony on the 23rd of this month in D.C., because this will be the day she would know what country will she be going to. She said it's exciting but at the same time a bit tensed! Anyway, that's basically how her job would revolve in the first place. She loves the job and she's almost there!
Thanks for the wonderful time with us, Tanya! As always, our home is open for you when you feel like visiting us ;).
God bless you!
Hopefully, Tanya will soon to be a US diplomat...a rare job only smart people can get through (as hubby would say). She really deserves to be one! She speaks many languages and well-travelled, what can we say? {wink}. I would always both compliment them that their family is a generation of smart and intellectual people, and they would both be smiling lol! It's a fact they couldn't deny...they have high education and degrees, with good stable jobs!
We are getting excited to be witnessing her "Flag Day" ceremony on the 23rd of this month in D.C., because this will be the day she would know what country will she be going to. She said it's exciting but at the same time a bit tensed! Anyway, that's basically how her job would revolve in the first place. She loves the job and she's almost there!
Thanks for the wonderful time with us, Tanya! As always, our home is open for you when you feel like visiting us ;).
God bless you!
