Etcetera

It’s been a while since I last posted an entry here, I know “busy” word is just an excuse. There were a lot of things that I prioritized rather than taking a note here. Firstly, Carlo’s been diagnosed with high in cholesterol and the following check up was that worse, his cholesterol went down but then he’s sugar is high.

He underwent a series of test and check up and we found out that he’s diabetic. It gave me sleepless nights and I had been crying. Maybe I was over-reacting but can you blame me? But anyway, thanks to the medicine’s here..he was able to lower his sugar and we’ll just maintain his medicine. Gone were the pizza, hamburger, rice, soda and all the fatty food days..

He’s having poultry foods right now as well as veggies, some fruits, plain water and whole wheat. Now I understand why no matter how eager I want to get a 9 to 5 job, I can’t..so this is the reason. You know I do believe that everything happens for a reason.

I’m over with weariness now, in fact I’m here in the base right now, Carlo has an appointment for a nutritionist dietitian and I’m going with him so I know what to feed him too. I mean the balance diet.

So what’s up with my blogging life? I’m pretty busy with my dabawenya babe blog, been kicking some assignments there. Did you know that we were able to save from that blog? That was really a big help for our plans in the future. We do have a lot of biz plans for next year.

Anyway, I bought me 3 domains in total and I’ll try to use the FREE hosting plan from godaddy, I’ll just try if it’s good if not, I’ll get me a hosting plan. The domain was cheap, it only cost me $14+ for 2 domains and that’s a year then the other 1 was around $28 including the hosting plan.

Yeah I bought em from different domain provider, just testing the boat. The subjects on those blogs are already laid out and planned. For sure, 2 of this blogs will NOT be monetized..just an educational blog.

Times up for blog talks, I read my friends’ entry about the ‘rice issue’ way back home. Wa gud ko katulog gabii naghuna huna, I don’t know how would the people survive the scarcity and crisis there. Makahurot og dugo..haaayyyy..lisod huna hunaon.

And one thing that kept bugging me every night was, 3 of my cousins are getting married next year. Worried lang ko because they are just ordinary person’s..unya mahal na ang bugas..unsaon na lang. But I hope they’re making the right decisions….I’ll cross my fingers on that issue.

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Hi everyone,

I’m back from a busy weekend. We went to Grindstone lake again this week for fishing. We went there last week and we had a lot of fun. It was chilly on the lake, the temp was about 40F but the view is breathtaking. I’ve never enjoyed any lake as much as I enjoyed it here. I guess, it was because we had a huge body of water in the Phils and its not so much in the town where I’m at right now.

After about 2 or 3 hours of fishing, we stop by at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort to eat. This hotel is located near the lake and its also breathtaking. We were starving by this time and so we ate at the hotel’s buffet. There were four types of cuisine served but i sticked to Asian . After eating, we then head home. This is what we did last weekend.

This weekend, we drive the other route. From Ruidoso, we stopped by at the near town which is the Cloudcroft. On the way to Cloudcroft, you can see the trace of fields covered with snows. Cloudcroft is on top of the mountain and so it explains why they have snow. We ate at big daddy’s cafe this time and I enjoyed their burger. This cafe is known for their burger.

We pumped some gas and at Cloudcroft town and on our way home, we stopped by to beautiful landscapes and took pictures. It was really pretty on that area too.

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I’m in the base today. I went here with hubby. He drops me off here at the community center and I’m using one of their PC. I had a lot of reminisces when I was in McDo eating my bfast. I went there and spent an hour and a half.

Both of my parents weren’t born with a ‘golden spoon’, though they’re not considered to be the poorest but if they don’t till our farm, we have nothing to eat. My brother started working in our farm as early as 8 or 9 years old. And me, I learned to cook rice and some simple viands when I was 6. But we were happy, in fact I remember that during weekends we always go to town (we live in the province) to buy groceries, eat and shop.

A simple hotdog packs would always give me and my bro a huge smile. We both love hotdogs. Then for some reason we transferred in GenSan. It was a hard life for us on our first years in GenSan but my parents are very hardworking persons. After 5 years of living in GenSan, they were able to establish a better life for the family. Though we were tight in our budget, bro and I never stopped going to school.

So that was it, I learned how to be responsible with my actions when I first knew what earth was. Hard life taught me how to be strong and how to succeed. You know, I was growing up thinking that failure is not an option for me, this was my motivation. I stumbled of course but I managed to get back and go on. I had high hopes and everyday in my life, I was working on getting my goal. I can say that I had a promising career when I left Davao. I went here in the States because I fall in love. My husband is a very wonderful person. We have a lot of things in common. He’s a Filipino yet Americanized man. He pretty much grew up in here but I admire how he honored and paid respect to his roots. We blended right away and so I had no (as in zero) problem with my adjustment. I owe that to hubby.

Sitting at McDo made me realize and reminisce my life’s journey. You know, everything is possible. It was a realization knowing the sacrifices both my parents and I went through..I’d say, I am having a good life now. It’s not because I’m here in the States (kind a money grows on trees thinking) but because I do believe that wherever you are, as long as you have the drive to get your goal..you will succeed. I left a good career when I was in the Philippines, I was taking my Masters and even if I chose not to finish it (I lacked one exam to get the degree, I need to decide whether to get it or get here in the States) I got me a wonderful husband that is very supportive in my career. I know I have a vibrant career ahead of me and we are both planning to continue my degree.

Also, I am able to support my family (parents) without hurting our (I and hubby’s) budget. Though I’m not working full time right now, the internet has opened this huge opportunity that made me earned some extra. I’m really thankful for the blessings, I may not be perfect but I do believe in good and bad karma and the sayings that ‘what comes around goes around’.

I hope I inspired your day with my life story. Thanks for reading and have a good day

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Got this tagged from Jhona, thanks Jhon.

1. I love to eat: Chinese foods, mangga with bagoong, both filipino and american foods.

2. I hate to eat: Greasy Foods

3. I love to go: Paris, my dream vacation place right now.

4. I hate to go: places where there is border patrol (lol)

5. I love it when: I’m watching New England Patriot plays.

6. I hate it when: we don’t have internet connection, it drives me nuts.

7. I love to see: my loved ones way back home, miss them much.

.8. I hate to see: (if) New England loss its game (wag naman sana).

9. I love to hear: my i love you from hubby all the time.

10. I hate to hear: gossips. It’s a bad thing.

Now I’m tagging bes Jane, Witch, Nancy, Evz, Glenn, Jackie, Angel, buntis (TK) and Francine.

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I tried composing an entry awhile ago but I accidentally hit the back button and ew, everything’s gone. I’m so clumsy that’s why..
I took medicine awhile ago, I feel like I’m going to get sick so I took meds and eat 1 mountain of rice and adobo , haha. The meds that I took are strong that’s why I need food in-take to keep my immune system up.

Oh well, I’m d-loading ABS-CBN shows right now, I kinda miss home. I like the shows here too but I miss the one that I’ve grown up with. But would you believe if i’ll tell you that I’m not much a tv person?! I’m not even a movie goer, all I did in the Phils was to work, go to school and sometimes..went out with friends. I had a pretty busy life there that’s why I didn’t had any hard time with the time management here in the States. I’m used to it. I’m also used to be alone, I live on after I graduated college, of course I went back and forth to gensan and davao but I never stayed in gensan too long.

I love to work, it’s my passion..I got this drive from my parents, they are both hardworking. And I terribly miss them, my bro and my nephews. I have three nephews, Wilson ( son of my sis in-law from first hubby, my bro is her second), Ken-ken (eldest son of bro) and Thym (youngest). These 3 munchkin’s are my life, I love them till death.

Whew..so much of being emo now.. so STOPPPP .

Hey till then, I need to go to bed..it’s 11 33pm here already. Thanks for reading.

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I just finished talking with nanay today, nagtatampo sila kasi di daw ako nakatawag at di rin daw ako nakapagtext nung New Year. But actually, I tried..mga dalawa o tatlong oras yata akong text ng text at dial ng dial, pero di ako makakonek. I explained it to her and she understand me naman. Matampuhin si nanay ko, di lang ako maka-text she would think that I’ve neglected them na.

Haay kapag tumatanda nga naman. But anyway, nanay and I were talking about the family that we’re helping right now. This family is very close to my heart, they are the only people who showed/gave us unconditional love and care. Totoo yan. This family extended their help nung nangangailangan kami, kasi dalawa lang kaming siblings ng bro ko and si tatay naman, nag-iisang anak. Nanay has 6 siblings but they’re far from our town. The nearest relative that we have naman doesn’t seem to care. A simple gesture like watching my mom in the hospital (when she had her leg surgery) or doing the simplest thing that my dying grandpa wished…seeing him..di nila nagawa.

Here comes Uncle Ronie’s family, they are the one who’s always there, filling the spaces that I was expecting my real uncle’s and aunt’s would fill. That’s why I felt so closed with them. They showed and gave us unconditional love. I have so much love and respect for this family. Uncle Ronie, hold on tight..you’re not alone with your battle. I love you as my real uncle and please be strong and fight for your family, for your wife and kids whom I know adored you and love you…for my family who’s looking forward on spending more and more years with you and hey, I am looking forward to see you when I get home. Carlo wants to meet you also.

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Naghalo halo gyud akong gibati ron, naay nalooy, naay naglagot, naay nalingaw og naay na-imbyerna. Unsa ba ni uy. Umpisahan nako ha, natingala gyud ko sa ubang tawo ba. Abe kay nia na ko nagpuyo sa tate dayon lang og ingon nga “Hala uy datu na man ka, padala og dollar$$ be”. Nayabag na, unsa man ning tate ‘Money machine’?!? Pahak.. Imbis ganahan ta makig-istorya kay unsaon, kita baya ang uban uban sa una..pero na-discourage na man ko uy.

Unya ako bitaw tudluan unsaon pag-earn online, di pud mutuo nako…ahhh..unsa man na uy? Na kung di ka maningkamot para sa imong kaugalingon, aw wa gyo’y laing makatabang nimo. Ako baya bisan nia ra sa balay, naningkamot gyud ko. Sideline diri, sideline didto. Lisod man gud ning di ta maningkamot nya gadagan ang oras ba.

Lain pa’y ato…2 minutes ago, nagbasa basa ko sa forum nga akong gi-apilan. Naluoy gyud ko sa sitwasyon sa ubang pinay diri, naay uban nanrabaho para e-sustento sa nahabilin sa Pilipinas to the point nga wala nay mabilin sa ilaha unya naa po’y uban nga di tawon bisan kapa-check up kung naay gibati sa lawas tungod kay walay kwarta og walay insurance. Wala daw nagkuha ang bana kay mahal. Tinuod, dako gyud og gasto ang pag-petition. Maong katong pag-petition sa akoang bana sa akoa, pwerte nakong budget kay di ko gusto nga mangutang siya. Kalooy sa Ginoo ang nagasto niya kay ang iyaha lang savings, bahala og nahurot ang savings basta walay utang. Unya abe sa mga nahibilin sa Pilipinas nga ginapiko og ginapala ang kwarta diri. Hala uy, sad reality kaau. Murag gikumot akong kasing kasing nga nagbasa sa ilang mga kaagi.

Previledge lang kaayo ko kay akong bana medyo stable na unya naa sa military, tanang check up libre, tanang tambal namo diri sa balay libre..bisan kapila ka mu-refill or mu-request og another check up ok ra..libre. Naa pa jud gym nga libre, makatabang baya ni para mukusog ang immune system dili dayon magsakit. Unya pa jud kung ang check up didto sa ubang town, e-reimburse nila ang amoang nagamit na gas. Samantalang ang uban nag-antos tawon karon labaw na kay ting-tugnaw..ting-allergy. Ambot ba kung naay public health diri pero naa gani ta sa pinas, i’m sure naa pud na diri. Ahh, kahatag gani sila og contraceptives..naa pud cguro’y budget para sa sakit tungod sa panahon uy. Pero sa ako ng gikaingon, pamasin lang ni akoa kay wa man ko kahibalo.

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I’m so tired today. I went to the base with hubby around 7am, he has another christmas party and a going away party for Mia. I had an hour of work out then after that I went to my husband’s office as we need to cook lumpia. They love lumpia here so that was the one that I and hubby prepared. The party started at 10am and it ended around 1pm.

I went to bx (Airbase mall) along with Handan and Ofelia and their kids. We went shopping for a little bit. Bx is having a 75% off on some of their products. Handan surprised me by buying a basket of beautiful flowers. I didn’t know that she’ll give it to me, after she paid for it..she handed it to me and said ‘this is for you’. Ahh that was so sweet of her. Thanks Handan. By the way, we bought this coasters, it as on sale for 75% off. So instead of paying $15, we only paid $3.50. Nice huh?

Later on we went to the town and did more shopping. We roamed around and Handan and Ofelia were helping me find and choose gifts for my hubby. They’re really so helpful especially Handan. I’ll go back to the store in the next few days to buy those. I saw signature purses and bags and its on sale for half the price. Hmmm, I’ll buy me one too. By the way, I bought me fur coats and jackets.

After shopping we then went to the coffee shop in hastings to warm up. After awhile, Handan drop me off here in my house. I am tired right now but it was fun. I love hanging out with Handan and Ofelia. We may have been a mixed culture (Handan is from Turkey, Ofelia is from Guatemala and I’m from Philippines) but we blended well. They are so nice and thanks to them for being my friends.

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Here’s a little note with regards to processing AOS. I brought this up from the inquiry that I received and I posted this here to help others too.

What’s up with the form I693a?

I693a is the form used to transfer the (greencard) applicant’s Saint Lukes vaccination records (with td shot) which will then be sealed by a designated civil surgeon. This is part of the Ajustment of Status (conditional greencard) requirements.

This form can be downloaded online. DOn’t forget that I693a is different from I693. Take note that we only need the I693a, the supplemental form.

The process:

1) Get a td shot (this is part of the vaccination that k1 visa holders need to take but is not available in St. Lukes so we need to get it here in the states) and keep your td shot record along with your vaccination record from Saint Lukes.

2) Download the form, I693a, fill it out and print it.

3) Look for a designated civil surgeon in your area. The list of civil surgeon can be

found in uscis.gov website. You’ll probably call them and ask appointment. Calling the civil surgeon before going to their office is necessary because there are a lot of civil surgeons who DO NOT know the process so you need to make sure. I paid $25 for mine.

4) Go to the civil surgeon’s office, bring your printed I693a form, your td shot record and your vaccination record from Saint Lukes. The civil surgeon will then transfer your records into the I693a form, sign it and seal it then give you the sealed envelope. That’s it.

The sealed envelope will be included as part of your requirement for AOS application. The overall cost for AOS right now is $1,010. This includes EAD or temporary work permit and etc.

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I changed my template again, I know it’s been redundant but there’s something lacking on my previous template. The link on the comment section is not working. Anyway the link on the comment box of this template is working now.

I haven’t posted any entry this weekend, I had been so busy with some personal stuffs. Yesterday, together with hubby and Cj, we joined the APIC group in hosting the Children’s Christmas Party in the base. We helped the Fitz for some of the food making then later on, we served the food in the party. We started at 8am and finished around 5pm. I had a little problem yesterday hence we only have 1 degree celcius. Pastilan gakurog ko..unsaon na lang kaha kung didto mi sa east coast. Di na gyud  siguro ko mugawas og balay.

Abe nako sa una og fashion ra ning ilang mga baga nga coat, piskot..tugnaw jud diay..hehehe .

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