Thank God, my oath for the retention of my Filipino citizenship was done! It was quite a long wait since I applied in May. They told me it would only take a month wait before I could be scheduled for the oath, but it took 3 months! It's entirely different dealing with the Philippine immigration as compared to the US. Although US immigration can be discouraging at times, everything is done in a manner where you would know what to expect.
The ceremony was so quick and smoothly done, so it was a breeze.
Our photos can be seen HERE.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Rare Gold Coins
If there is something you would want to think about investing, think about gold coins. Why? Due to the fact that they are more stable than the paper currency and more valuable over time.
Start learning more about investing before you can proceed about gold investment, with the U.S. Gold Bureau which can give you valuable information that would lead you to make the right decisions. It would probably be one of the easiest investment decisions you can make because the U.S. Gold Bureau will be with you through the entire process.
You can get your free investor's kit online on their homepage and start learning the basics, and avoid the common mistakes most new investors usually commit.
Start learning more about investing before you can proceed about gold investment, with the U.S. Gold Bureau which can give you valuable information that would lead you to make the right decisions. It would probably be one of the easiest investment decisions you can make because the U.S. Gold Bureau will be with you through the entire process.
You can get your free investor's kit online on their homepage and start learning the basics, and avoid the common mistakes most new investors usually commit.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
An oath to be re-"Filipinized"
After 3 months of waiting, I got my final schedule for oath next week at the Philippine embassy in D.C. Originally, they scheduled me for August 11th, but the date didn't work!
It's just so difficult to deal with their system as there are no clear rules to follow, and everything just leaves you hanging without any idea on what to do and how long is the wait. Contacting them is horrible...nobody answers the phone but a voicemail system. You're lucky to be talking to a real person but couldn't give you helpful information.
I then requested hubby to do the calling. We then both discovered that in order to speak to a real person on the phone is using the US government phone, lol! My hubby uses his work phone where in it has a caller ID that reflects the "US government". That solved the trick..LOL!
And so, he was able to talk to a guy and my case was put on for re-scheduling. Then, I received a call from the embassy last Wednesday at home that they are putting me for a schedule next week (can't divulge date yet). I will tell the exact date later after I'm done with the oath. It was a good thing hubby's schedule had no conflicts on the given date, so we'll be driving there next week.
After this, I should be done dealing with all the immigration issues.
I was an "Americanized" Filipino 4 months ago, then sooner I will be a re-"Filipinized" American, LOL!
I would soon be called "KANOY". Yes, soon to have my dual citizenship for my two beloved countries that I consider home :).
It's just so difficult to deal with their system as there are no clear rules to follow, and everything just leaves you hanging without any idea on what to do and how long is the wait. Contacting them is horrible...nobody answers the phone but a voicemail system. You're lucky to be talking to a real person but couldn't give you helpful information.
I then requested hubby to do the calling. We then both discovered that in order to speak to a real person on the phone is using the US government phone, lol! My hubby uses his work phone where in it has a caller ID that reflects the "US government". That solved the trick..LOL!
And so, he was able to talk to a guy and my case was put on for re-scheduling. Then, I received a call from the embassy last Wednesday at home that they are putting me for a schedule next week (can't divulge date yet). I will tell the exact date later after I'm done with the oath. It was a good thing hubby's schedule had no conflicts on the given date, so we'll be driving there next week.
After this, I should be done dealing with all the immigration issues.
I was an "Americanized" Filipino 4 months ago, then sooner I will be a re-"Filipinized" American, LOL!
I would soon be called "KANOY". Yes, soon to have my dual citizenship for my two beloved countries that I consider home :).
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Our Updates!
I feel it's been ages since I updated my last post. It has been a rough and tough, topsy-turvy kind of activities lately for me. Anyway, it's nice to be back once in a while. I always wish I can update my blog(s) almost daily. But it's not easy doing it with 5 blogs :). I have 4 blogs where I could post everything...from a simple daily chores to a paid ad post! LOL! Although this blog is mostly personal and more private, I still post some paid posts which I'm sure you wouldn't mind anyway coz nobody wants to read it, hahaha! If you see some paid posts in between, and you don't feel like reading it, it's easy...don't read it ;).
Our House:
So, our house is done! Like, a roof and 4 walls standing, you know, lol! But we still need to work on the interior aspect...like putting cabinets, water pipeline installation, floor tiling, etc... This is really one burden in the pocket as they would say, but it is our investment where we could be in it when hubby wants to stay longer in the Philippines.
As we went further with our expenses, we actually decided to give up on this because of so many loopholes in their service (PARC REGENCY). But the thing was we paid more than the amount of the down payment required and they wouldn't refund our money back!
Our house is now fully paid!...that's the only thing we are glad of. The interior construction is our current focus right now, after which I can do the interior designing later or perhaps hire one depending on how I feel once I get to see the house myself. I still have to prepare myself talking to the people there, and I hope I won't get any high blood pressure because every single step we would do for the house is always problematic! (haayzz, kalokah!)
So, the complete conclusion of the update would probably be when I get there and fix more things I need to do.
Our Trips:
Unexpectedly, we will be having a big trip coming next month in California for 5 days. This is of course a work trip by hubby. He will be training leaders of SSA in 5 big cities there...5 cities in 5 days! Imagine! So, it's like "one day here, drive there" for the next day. I wonder if we will be checking in with 5 different hotels as well? LOL! that would be challenging but fun ! The 3 cities are like 3 hours drive away from each other all the way from Los Angeles up to San Rafael.
I didn't expect any more trip coming so most of my summer clothes were already packed in a box and sent to the Philippines 2 weeks ago. It would still be warm in CA in late summer, so I don't want to be packing bulky sweaters and boots on our trip! So, I did some shopping (a little bit, lol!) for some summer wears for the trip.
Then, after the California trip, I would be focusing entirely on my Philippine trip (since I will be traveling alone). I will be traveling light which means no luggage to carry because I hate carrying heavy things when I do long trips. Of course more than half of my luggages were already on their way to the Philippines, so hopefully they are already there once I arrive Philippines.
Family:
It's difficult fighting for it if you know you are alone. There's no such thing as perfect in a family. In this world, we are always bound to be trapped and do crooked things but no matter what, you are always there striving to protect, care and love them! But this time, I felt all alone...perhaps I am praying all alone as well! God wants us to help ourselves. Praying for people won't help if that person you are praying for doesn't even pray for himself.
I am not judgemental. I don't judge wrongdoings. We are all imperfect. it's only Him up there who can judge us. I pray for them, to get back on the right track and move on because I love them. How I wish we would all do the same thing. Why do we have to keep hatred in our heart because of a certain mistake one had done in the past? Why do we have to do another mistake over again where we already know the consequences in the end?
Ahhh....my mind is tired.
Heart is aching! :(((((
Our House:
So, our house is done! Like, a roof and 4 walls standing, you know, lol! But we still need to work on the interior aspect...like putting cabinets, water pipeline installation, floor tiling, etc... This is really one burden in the pocket as they would say, but it is our investment where we could be in it when hubby wants to stay longer in the Philippines.
As we went further with our expenses, we actually decided to give up on this because of so many loopholes in their service (PARC REGENCY). But the thing was we paid more than the amount of the down payment required and they wouldn't refund our money back!
Our house is now fully paid!...that's the only thing we are glad of. The interior construction is our current focus right now, after which I can do the interior designing later or perhaps hire one depending on how I feel once I get to see the house myself. I still have to prepare myself talking to the people there, and I hope I won't get any high blood pressure because every single step we would do for the house is always problematic! (haayzz, kalokah!)
So, the complete conclusion of the update would probably be when I get there and fix more things I need to do.
Our Trips:
Unexpectedly, we will be having a big trip coming next month in California for 5 days. This is of course a work trip by hubby. He will be training leaders of SSA in 5 big cities there...5 cities in 5 days! Imagine! So, it's like "one day here, drive there" for the next day. I wonder if we will be checking in with 5 different hotels as well? LOL! that would be challenging but fun ! The 3 cities are like 3 hours drive away from each other all the way from Los Angeles up to San Rafael.
I didn't expect any more trip coming so most of my summer clothes were already packed in a box and sent to the Philippines 2 weeks ago. It would still be warm in CA in late summer, so I don't want to be packing bulky sweaters and boots on our trip! So, I did some shopping (a little bit, lol!) for some summer wears for the trip.
Then, after the California trip, I would be focusing entirely on my Philippine trip (since I will be traveling alone). I will be traveling light which means no luggage to carry because I hate carrying heavy things when I do long trips. Of course more than half of my luggages were already on their way to the Philippines, so hopefully they are already there once I arrive Philippines.
Family:
It's difficult fighting for it if you know you are alone. There's no such thing as perfect in a family. In this world, we are always bound to be trapped and do crooked things but no matter what, you are always there striving to protect, care and love them! But this time, I felt all alone...perhaps I am praying all alone as well! God wants us to help ourselves. Praying for people won't help if that person you are praying for doesn't even pray for himself.
I am not judgemental. I don't judge wrongdoings. We are all imperfect. it's only Him up there who can judge us. I pray for them, to get back on the right track and move on because I love them. How I wish we would all do the same thing. Why do we have to keep hatred in our heart because of a certain mistake one had done in the past? Why do we have to do another mistake over again where we already know the consequences in the end?
Ahhh....my mind is tired.
Heart is aching! :(((((