Port of Entry Story

My supposed to be trip was from Manila to Nagoya to Detroit to Memphis to Birmingham. When the plane landed in Detroit, I had to fall in line for visitors lane for the immigration. When it was my turn, I handed to the immigration officer, my passport, the departure form, the customs form and the brown envelope that has a stamped do not open.

The officer said... so you are coming to get married congratulations. Then he asked me the following questions:

Where and when did you meet your fiance?
When was the last time you see each other in person?
Is there a date for the wedding?
Where does he works?

Then he checked the petition and found out that the petition was approved July 25 and its valid for 120 days (I flew November 28). He told me that the petition expired and it needs to be re-validated and told me he was hoping I had it re-validated. So I had to explain that I didn't get the visa right away. Then he said it was not really a problem I just had to have it re-validated in the interview area.

An officer brought my papers and I followed him and instructed to sit and wait. That was probably 11:15am. I was supposed to fly the Northwest Airlines flight going to Memphis at 12:05 butttttttttttt sadly all the officers there are not on their posts so i stayed there until around 12:30 pm until i got my application re-validated and they returned to me my passport. Of course I MISS my flight! I was so worried since i told Dave what time my flight was and I worried missing my flight and having to get another one.

After i had my passport back I went to check in area again. Good thing i had my friend coming with me since she was the one who claimed my luggage. When we checked in we told the flight people we miss our flight and we were instructed to fall in line in R and had our ticket re-booked at no cost. The lady gave us a Detroit to Birmingham flight. After couple of hours stay in Detroit we boarded for our Birmingham flight.

Note: I found this story in a forum and I posted this December 2006. If not for this entry, I have already forgotten my not so very good experience at Detroit Immigration.

Couch Potato

This was my first few days in Alabama. I was still adjusting to everything, new place, new people, and of course the weather.

I spent most of my times at home in this couch and doing some internet surfing, chatting and more.

It didn't take long for me to get adjusted. I miss this couch!

Purses

I was cleaning our closet when I decided to take out my purses. I am getting ready to send a box to the Philippines and some of them will be inside it. These are the purses that I have collected that stayed in my closet most of the time. I am sure that my family will have a better use of them than have them sit inside the closet.

Some of these purses are just slightly used and there are two or three which I haven't used at all.

My little girl proudly helping mommy take the purses out and saying I want a picture of the purse mommy.

Closer Look

With the number of purses showed in the pictures, you would not wonder why hubby sometimes asks me " how many purses do you need?" whenever I am buying a new one.

This is my entry for Nostalgia # 44

Nostalgis #43 - Playstation

I came here in the USA Nov 2006. For the first few weeks of being here, I was bored to death as I am not used to staying home. I started working when I was 18 and since then I never stopped working.

I am not a "domesticated"type. I am a working girl since I can remember. I worked full time while studying in college. I am used to being out there and not inside the home. The first few weeks was a big adjustment for me.

The picture above is of me and my friend Alice (who was vacationing). We kept ourselves busy playing play station.

Nostalgia #42: Civil Service Exam

Civil Service Exam is something that is very important especially for government employees. My friends kept on bugging me to take the exam with them. At first, I told them that I really don't want to as I don't have a need for it. It was not on my plans to work as a government employee. But to keep my friends happy, I took the exam with them.

For me the exam is not a big deal. In fact, I never open a book to review or something. I worked the day before the exam, I did nothing special except to be at the testing center on time.

I was surprised how many examinees were there. Over 2000 for that testing center alone. I was like wheeww! I took the exam never even bothering to think whether I will pass or not.

Few months later, we got the result. I was surprise because I passed! What is more surprising is the fact that there were only 20% who passed that exam and I am one of those.

This is my LATE nostalgia entry. Been busy today so it is late....

Nostalgia #41: Mom

My Mom will be celebrating her birthday in two days thus she is my Nostalgia entry for today.

This picture was taken at our last Manila get away before I flew here in the USA. This was November 2006. We were at Manila Zoo.

I miss my Mom... I miss our bonding and I miss her cooking!

Nostalgia #40: After Engagement Dining Out

Let's travel back to memory lane.

Picture above was taken April 2006. This was the day after Dave and I got officially engaged. Dave came to see me and the whole family and he did the whole "asking of the hand" thingy. I was proud of him for doing it the Filipino way.

Day after that, we invited everyone for a nice lunch at our favorite Miravilla Restaurant. Mom, Dad and few of my sisters came. It was a memorable day. I remember dad wanted to order the big crab but he was too shy to do it and I never knew about it until a few days later. We told them to get whatever they want but of course you know how it is.

Three years later, we came back to this place (2009) and I remember how Dad wanted to order the crab but didn't do it. I specifically asked him if he wants the crab but during that time he decided he wants the big fish.

I really am looking forward to visit the restaurant and have a nice family lunch when we get home next year.

Nostalgia #39 - The Day I Gave Birth

This was taken the day I gave birth to my daughter. I am fortunate to have friends here in Alabama.

I gave birth prematurely so nobody expects that I will have Andrea that day. Despite that, my friends came over right away and brought some Filipino food (soup and rice). This picture was taken at my room. The difference in US hospitals and in the Philippines: In the Philippines you will give birth in the delivery room. In the USA, delivery room and recovery room is the same. You see the bed where you can see my knee? That's where I gave birth! Yep the same bed!

Looking for my daughter? She was rushed to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The picture was taken before I was able to see my daughter.

Nostalgia #38 - Anahaw

Noong unang panahon, noong ako ay isa pang modelo ng anahaw.

This picture was taken November 2006. This was around the time when I had my medical and interview for my US Visa. I had my 2 day medical at St. Lukes Nov 13 while my interview at the US Embassy was Nov 20.

We went to Manila Zoo in between the two dates. We had so much fun and I remember how my mom enjoyed it. Hopefully, when we come home we can go and explore places again.

Nostalgia #37 - High School Reunion

First and foremost, I WAS NOT THERE!

We had an Alumni Homecoming last January 17, 2011. I wish I was there.

These are my former classmates. We were batch 1994-1995. If I remember correctly, we were more than 40 but only 8 of them were able to attend the reunion. I can't believe it was over 15 years ago that we were together enjoying high school life. "Nakakamiss at nakakatuwang alalahanin ang mga bagay at ang mga nakaraan!"

This picture brings back a lot of high school memories. The fun, the friendship, the dreams, the simple life....

Nostalgia #36 - The Kids

These are the kids back home. They are my nephew and nieces. I have other nephews two of them are already teenagers (I guess that is why both are not in the picture). This was taken during our fiesta and Gian's birthday. Gian was born the same day of our fiesta.

Of all my nieces, only Janna Steffi (the youngest in the pic) is the one that I haven't seen in person. She was not yet born when we had our vacation.

I wish i can see them all but most probably I won't the next time we go home for a vacation because Gian and Gracii (girl partially hidden on the left side) will be moving to New Zealand soon.

Oh, you can't imagine how I miss these kids!

Nostalgia #35 - Drama/Play

This was the first time that I have watched a drama/play live - a drama performed live by actors on the stage of a theater. I have kept the ticket because it was my first and it was full of memories.

Have you ever been to a play? Did you enjoy it?

Nostalgia #34 - Margarita

Sorry for the late entry. I have a valid reason (lol). I am still on vacation! hahaha

My nostalgia entry is the virgin margarita which Andrea and I loves to drink. We haven't been to a Mexican restaurant lately. Although I don't order this often, I like to drink this once in a while. If only this doesn't cost over $5 a glass I would order this every time.

Nostalgia #33: Orchids

It's funny, when I started to post this for my Nostalgia entry, I remember my skinny days. Oh why oh why and goodness gracious, I was so skinny then! I will never be this skinny again but I won't trade it for what I have now. I may have gained weight but along with gaining weight is having a baby, a great husband, a better life and a lot more. Life now is not just about being skinny, I am still sexy anyhow and that what matters hahahaha.

My nostalgia entry are the Orchids. I love them and I miss them. I wish I can have something like that here.

Nostalgia #32: Interview Documents

The interview that I had at the US Embassy Manila was very memorable. I was confident at that time that I will not have any problem getting a Fiancee Visa because I had all the necessary documents that would prove that we have a legitimate relationship. I may sound conceited but I was confident and very ready. I was very familiar with every pages of my folders. I have separated all my evidences with color codes and tabs.

Consul didn't give me a hard time. He said my documents are perfect and he told me that you made my job easy with the way you prepare your documents. I was thankful as I exerted so much efforts preparing my papers!

Nostalgia #31: Birthday Cakes

My entry for this week's Nostalgia are the cakes from Andrea's birthday.
The first birthday cake. It was unplanned so we just bought cake and we decorated it.

Nana ordered the cake at Publix. It tasted good. It was not the same as what it was stated online. A bit of a disappointment as they have additional charge for dora and boots figurine.

The latest cake. Perfect and for the price that Nana paid, it was a great buy!

Nostalgia #30: Coloring Book

I grew up as a typical poor child. I never had a coloring book nor a doll. We use indigenous toys to play. We do have a fun childhood despite having less. The more I think about it, the more I realize how simple life was. Unlike today's kids, we are very much grateful of what little things we had, we were so happy to even have a bite of gum or a sip of cola which happens not very often. I always remember being able to play in the rain, running around and splashing the water till we shiver in the cold rain. Fun memories....

Anyway, Dave sent coloring books for the kids and we the "bigger kids" have fun with it too. We had such a great time having to color using coloring pens. At last we were able to use a sophisticated coloring book... ha ha ha

So engrossed with coloring ....

Proudly displaying what I did....

Nostalgia #29: Teddy Bear

This teddy bear was Dave's gift to me on my 27th birthday (year 2006). Because it is special to me, I have to bring it with me when I came here in the USA. Today, it is now seating on Andrea's bedroom. Of course, Andrea will get this when she decides she wants it for herself. Andrea has so many stuff toys which she doesn't care very much. For now, they are all in the box as she doesn't fancy playing with them yet.

Nostalgia #28: First Thanksgiving

Nov 2007, my first ever Thanksgiving. It was a cold day. I was pregnant then. It was memorable. Dave's sister and her family from Florida were there to celebrate it with us. I had to pose with a turkey leg as it was my first... lol!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Nostalgia #27: Cellphone Signal

Capturing the cellphone signal at my Mom's house (in the far far away land from the city) is a pain.

I am not exaggerating! I have to stand on these chairs just so I can make a phone call. I have to hang my cellphone after talking to ensure that it has a signal and so that I can receive text messages.

This was a common scenario before I came here in the USA. My boyfriend-fiance then never fails to call me more than once a day thus I need cellphone signal at all times.