Musing as The Petition Gets... Approved!

Yesterday afternoon, I went out to pay for my beauty purchases. I dropped by BPI and waited for a bit, with everyone discreetly staring at my purple-pink hair. I was supposed to blog this yesterday too, but I was pretty busy. After I deposited about $60, I went to HBC to look for some nail polish.

"I saw her at the bank a while ago..." I heard one of the sales ladies tell the others.

"Oh, look at her hair, so cool..." they continued talking about me. It should feel awkward but I'm used to it so I shrugged it off and continued checking out the colors. One sales lady followed me like a shadow so I decided to just get a white lacquer and leave. It's really annoying to be followed like that.

I walked towards Mercury Drugstore, just a few blocks away. Cavite City is a small place and I can literally walk around it in maybe two hours or three. Everyone, as usual, stared at me while I passed by; and I tried my best to listen to their whispers. It's honestly amusing to hear people's reactions. I feel like a unicorn because I'm different.

You won't be so different when you get to the USA, dearie...

I once told Alex that people won't be staring at me anymore once I'm there. However, living not in California or New York, chances are I'd still be stared at. So... no it won't really be so different.

I kept walking and many thoughts flashed in my head... I'll miss the kwek-kwek or tokneneng (hard-boiled quail eggs dipped in batter and fried crispy), and of course my favorite buko juice (coconut juice). I just went past the vendors located a few meters from Mercury Drugstore. I loved buying there, I'm sure Kuya (big brother -> referring to the vendor) recognized me.

I paused for a bit and looked across the main road... Jollibee, new restaurants being built and somewhere near there are new malls being constructed, roads being widened... I'll miss this city. It's not the best place in the world, I know, but it's home. Then I know there's also another home waiting for me.

It's with my bear...

Mini Honey Bear Bear trying out Big Polar Bear's glasses!

 A few hours after I got home, I randomly checked our Petition (I-129F) Status in the USCIS website.

Wait... what?

Approved!

Our petition has been finally approved!!! Oh Em Geeeee!!! I suppose that if didn't miss the Letter of Intent, it would have been approved much sooner. We haven't received the snail mail yet but... yay!!

This is it! We're on to the final (and most expensive phase)! Getting the K1 Visa. I'm finally going to be with my Polar Bear once and for all. My joy was overwhelming...

Until I remember what I will miss here the most - MY FAMILY.

My mama, auntie and brother - my family

My whole family... my brother, my mama and my auntie... they were always there for me. *I'll try not to cry yet omg*

The emotions were very mixed. I'm happy, of course I'm very happy! I'll be with the man I love the most. But it also means I'll miss the boar I love the most... and the dog...

My two brothers <3

My sweet prince, my comfort pig, my therapy baby... my baby... T_T

And my comfort pig, my little baby sweet prince... I wanna bring him with me... but chances are I can't. This is killing me.

My mama... my mother turtle

What do I do without my mother turtle? Who will help me put on my clothes? Who will scold at me for being late? Whose hair will I dye purple? Well, she can do that in Skype but no helping put on clothes.

It's hard. I'm excited but it's hard. Unlike many others who can just moved away from their families, it's very hard for me. I'm independent and all, but the thought of leaving them behind hurts. I know one day we'd be together forever again but it will take time.

I'm also happy because they support me with all my endeavours. Everything is for the better. We will come home as often as we can. I know things will always work out like it always does.

It's still a long way, the process is really, really LONG. It won't be a few more months and in fact, I still need to pass my interview. Being a Filipina, chances of getting denied is low but it's still another challenge that we are yet to overcome. I still need to finish my medical exam and all those stuff.

On to the next chapter!

xoxo

~ Honey Bear ~

Contact : kimistarr@photographer.net | Travel Blog : Kimi Goes Places | Official : KimiStarr.Net