Touchdown : The Arrival

Touchdown.

The Honey Bear has landed.

On October 2, 2015 I arrived at the O'Hare International Airport at around 3pm. This was it!! I was finally going to see my Polar Bear. I would get to hug, touch and kiss him. This was it, finally!!

⌈Read my journey on KimiGoesPlaces : Hello USA!! My 22-Hour Journey with ANA Air⌋

When I got off the plane, the first thing that I tried to do was contact Alex Bear, but my phone wouldn't connect to the airport internet and for some reason, my phone that was on roaming wouldn't connect to their telecom services either.

Okay, that was total desperation!!

Yeah, I have to admit, I was really scared. So many things popped in my head - what if I don't see him? What if he's waiting elsewhere? What if he gets so worried? I'm generally a very carefree person - but when it comes to my Bear, I worry a lot. Ah, this reminds me of my mom. Now I understand when she worries about me. I used to think that it was exaggerated but I guess I now realize what's it's like. Or maybe I'm just getting old? NOOOOO!!

Anyways, after going through immigration, I hired porter services to assist me because I had three huge luggage bags (yes, the biggest ones allowed which btw were overweight - well, I knew about that), a big box (extra luggage - the amazing balikbayan box! perfect for moving), my camera bag, my backpack, and my purse. Hey no judging, I was moving across the globe LOL!

When I was finally outside the busy area, I think it's the waiting area, I scanned around but I didn't find Alex Bear or his dad anywhere. I was starting to get nervous, but just like most of my trips, I kept calm and looked for a phone booth. I finally saw one across the place and walked towards it.

While I was getting my credit card, someone poked my shoulders.

OMG! My BEAR!!!

Source : www.kimigoesplaces.com

I cried. Many cry. Such cry. Wow.

Hibernating Honey Bear ^.^

Hello lovelies!

❆ It's winter time!! ❆

I know it's been so long since my last entry and I know I should've posted things as they happened. However, due to certain circumstances, I wasn't able to do that. Let's just say I've hibernated for a while. I'd still love to let you know what's been up so here are some few stuff I'd like to share :3

Leaving the Philippines was a big challenge. It wasn't like working in another country for a few years. It wasn't like going to college and be able to go home every few months. It definitely wasn't like any of my trips where I would be gone for a week or two - indulging in a memorable vacation.

This time, I was leaving for good.

It's hard to fathom leaving the country that I've always loved. Despite all the flaws you may have heard or know about it, it will always be my homeland. It was never in my plan to leave forever and settle in a different country, let alone it being halfway across the globe. Coming back for a week or two vacation every two years will feel so different now.

Meeting Good Ole Friends

Before I left, there was one thing I have to do - meet most of the people that matter to me. I know it's impossible to get them all together, consider that there's a bunch of good friends. But I had to see some of my closest loves!

It was very bittersweet, but I was so happy I was able to see them again.

From the amazing people who loved me for who I was despite my flaws way back the time that I was still getting to know myself; to the people who took care of me and treated me like a baby when I first started working; up to the person who loved me when I was at my worst.

I know there are so much more to thank and I should've seen, but I just didn't have the time (and funds omg!). But yeah, this was the time when I was off to meet many people - because I would miss them so much!

We're Almost There

Oh Hai Lovelies!

I'm supposed to be napping by now, but then I just have a few thoughts running in my head. I'm almost done with my medical exam (which I will post about this week) and I will be having my interview in about two weeks.

It seems like time is so slow, but at the same time so fast! We've just celebrated our first year but in a few days we're already a year and a month old. Things just keep getting better.

We're going through a lot of things - awesome moments, struggles, frustrating distance and many more. The best thing about it is that we're both working on it to make things right. I have so much more to write about, but right now they're just stuck in mind. I guess I'll keep them there in the mean time.

Almost getting there...

Just a bit more wait and I'll be with my Polar Bear - baking cakes, cooking good food, making art and keeping him happy. At the same time I will be missing my family so much but I know things will turn out perfect. I'm sure there will be more rocks and bumps along the way, but I'm hopeful.

Mmm... okay, I guess I'll have to sleep now. More updates to come! I still owe two more topics ^.^

xoxo

~ Honey Bear ~

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

Happy 1st Anniversary Bebe Bears!

Oh yay!!

Happy 1st Year Anniversary!

During the past year, Alex Bear and I have been celebrating our special occasions online. While many people disdain technology's effects to today's society, we have to admit that we owe so many things thanks to the internet and the power of online communication. I'm really happy that we're able to be together, even if not physically, through Skype or Facebook.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated our big day.

The 4th of July

This day commemorates three important things - The American Independence Day, the Filipino-American Friendship Day... and the Polar Honey Bears Day!

On this day, exactly one year ago, I agreed to become my Polar Bear's girlfriend.

Here's a short dedication video for my (literally) White Knight

So I guess I said everything about us in the video, I hope you liked it! Oh and if I talk too much, you can skip to 6 minutes for the fun part LOL!

Alex Polar Bear & Kimi Honey Bear Original Characters!

Hey lovelies!!

Guess what??

Our official Original Characters are here!!!

Ow yaz!!! Many thanks to our amazing artist Kiwi from DeviantArt, she brought our cutie bears to life. I'm so happy and excited. Now you'll be seeing these cutesies on our image watermarks and blogs.

I've always wanted to have original characters based on Alexbear and me, but I'm not really satisfied with my drawings and don't have a tablet to actually make any! Hmm, which also makes it a goal to get my own tablet because my bro's don't work on my laptop T.T

Anyways, I was browsing around DeviantArt and came across Kiwi's profile. She's got really awesome cute stuff! I actually had to contemplate if I was gonna commission her to do our characters. Maybe after about thirty minutes I've made up my mind!

Lo and behold the Official Polar Honey Bears!

Kiwi made the bears while I did a bit of tweaking and added our watermark and background. She also made these headshots with backgrounds.

Aren't they super cute!??? They sure are!!

Expect more of these cutie characters from us. I'd definitely get more work done by this artist although I'm also planning to make my own versions based on these awesome cutie babies.

I'm just gonna be busy for a while these coming weeks due to my visa application. I'll be posting more updates soon. I'll  be giving insights in applying for your Birth Certificate and CENOMAR online.

I hope you enjoyed our new look!

xoxo

~ Honey Bear ~

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

Random Update #01

Hello lovelies!

Arrrghhhh!!

I know it's been so long since my last entry so in case you guys have been wondering what's up ----- well nothing much but regular life O.o

Well, not really.

Okay, so I noticed that I haven't really put something up for a month! Life has just been pretty hectic the past few weeks. I've been working hard giving me not much time to update my blogs or videos, which is quite sad to be honest.

I'd really love to spend more time to update about my travel and makeup, at the same time about the Polar Honey Bears. However, time is just too fast with so many things to do. Don't you just wish you can freeze time?

I will be working on some of my personal documents next week for my visa. I'm also hoping that fortunately I'd be able to regularly blog and make videos again the week after.

So in the mean time, keep the positive vibes coming! <3

xoxo

~ Honey Bear ~

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

I'm Marrying For A Green Card

I'm marrying my fiance to get a free green card and live the American dream! I can't wait to leave my stinky, filthy country. This is my chance!!

NOTE : Before getting all butt hurt and defensive, please note the satire in my statement and proceed reading. Thank you!

I know that many people have been longing for me to finally drop the bomb - show my true intentions for being in a relationship with a foreigner. In fact, I know that many people already assume that - even if I previously and have always said that I'm not marrying to get out of the country.

"Oh, you're with an American? That's great you could finally go to the USA!"

"Ah.. why won't you stay with a local guy? You don't really belong to them, unless you want to leave."

"OMG finally an American! He will buy you stuff, go ask him to buy you more stuff!!"

"That's great you're now going to have white babies, amazing!"

"Oh make sure you get a Green Card asap."

"When you're there you're gonna see more good looking guys! More fish, yay!"

Seriously?

These are some of the common remarks that I get when someone finds out that I'm dating an American. In fact, I'm not alone - almost everyone who is dating a western man (or at least a foreigner gets these comments).

Guess what? It's really, really offending.

I love Alex. I love my Polar Bear and I love him dearly. It doesn't matter where we end up living ^_^

It's already a common notion that Asians and Mexicans only intend to marry a foreigner so that they can go to another country, live a good life and have a free visa. Effortless. However, it's not always the case. I also know that some people will say - "ah there she does, defending herself!" Well, of course I'm defending myself and the other women who are subjected to abuse and hatred because of a stereotype that isn't applicable to everyone. I won't deny the fact that there are opportunistic women out there who will elude men. At the same time, there are also opportunistic men who will just use women.

Just Wanna Be Beside You

Okay this will just be a quick blog. Currently really busy hitting my weekly goals and writing blogs for my company, I just had some thoughts (and feelings) that I have to express.

How many months has it been since we last kissed, last cuddled, last touched?

October.... November, December, January, February, March

Five months. Five very long months. I miss my Alex Polar Bear so much. No words can really describe how I feel. I see him everyday, talk to him almost all day long and Skype before we go to bed. We may not be physically together but the connection and communication never stops.

But then... he's not here and I'm not there. It feels so lonely.

I know that I'm actually very lucky to have a man who devotes almost his whole day for me, would keep in touch and not make me worry, would check on me almost every two hours and would respond to all my messages. But I just want hugs. I want real hugs.

Being this far is really challenging. I'm not looking for just any hugs... I want my bear's hugs. I just want to be beside him and snuggle on his chest and get wrapped inside his strong arms.

I'm still happy that this is the closest we can get at the moment!

Those Awkward Sweet Moments

The first few months of being together was amazing. In fact, it's not really that different from what we are now except that we're more open and a lot stronger. When I decided to become Alex Polar Bear's significant other, I knew that it was a serious thing. It wasn't a game and it was something that I will fight for.

However, it felt weird. OMG! I'm one weird girl, how do I keep up being myself??

OMG how do I show him that the real Honey Bear is childish, funny and nonetheless, undignified??

I'm one unique girl with a twisted sense of humor. I'm also awfully blunt and I barely sugarcoat things. I know that he loves me but I was afraid - what if he doesn't like the rest of me? I've always been honest with who I was, my past, my present and my ideas for the future. But then what if I say or do something that he finds distasteful?

Making funny faces - ✔

Well, I guess we're just both crazy ^_^

Being Each Other's Strength : Life is No Longer Just About You

How do you make it work? OMG how do we make it work?

Being in a long distance relationship means doubling challenges. You need a strong sense of commitment and dedication to overcome all the obstacles that come your way. As much as it sounds like a cliche, it is true that there are two very important factors that we always need to keep in mind:

Love & Trust

There will be personal dilemmas, attitude differences, career options and many other reasons that may affect your feelings and mindsets. Anything can technically cause an argument, can make you feel uncomfortable and let you get hurt. Now, the real challenge is how to deal with all these things. Take note that it's not just about loving and trusting each other - it's also about coping up with each other.

Here are some things that Alex Polar Bear and I are doing to maintain a healthy and loving relationship. We are still learning a lot from each other and I know that what we're doing now will still evolve depending on how things turn out. Now our current state is being far away from each other. It won't be for long but it will still be a few more months of separation.

I am focused on couples dealing with LDRs, however these are simple yet generalized tips. It means everyone can do it! Yep, yes you ^_^ Even if you're simply sitting down beside your man, or he's a few blocks down the road in his own home, this is still important and effective advice that you can try out yourself ;) This doesn't mean that only you have to do it. Both you and your beau should have good and positive practices to make it work.

Now here are a few things ^.^

Loving Across the Pacific Ocean

I was never a fan of long distance relationships. It was never for me, I thought. It was hard! You're not together, you'll have to deal with things on your own, you're alone most of the time, you go places and attend functions with no partner, you're basically single but not allowed to date anyone. That was my perspective on this type of relationship and I was completely not up for it.

When I graduated high school, I broke up with my then ex-boyfriend because we were going to study in different cities. I was going to stay in my dorm while he remained in Cavite. There was no bad blood - just the fact that many things may happen. Instead of hanging onto me and some promise, I chose to let go. I was young, I wanted to have fun and my mind was all focused in career. I was 16 - life was just about to begin.

Many years later I landed as a Crew Operator where I managed seafarers and their vessel assignments. During the latter part I was already single and some of my crew (who have also become friends) would ask me "why not date a seaman? Many here like you." But then I always responded with the same thing, "I don't want to be alone."

Being alone was hard for me. It was a personal issue, I suppose. I don't like being far away, being on my own. I depended a part of me on my partner and being in a long distance relationship was just the same as being single.

When I became Alex Polar Bear's Princess Honey Bear, I knew what I was up for.

I'm in the Philippines...
He's in Wisconsin!

It's not really that bad. If you're serious and you really love each other it's not really so bad. The distance and actual physical estrangement may cause some bumps along the road but you'll make it!

Spring to Love

Note: OMG I'm so happy, I just set up our official home page and yesh, PolarHoneyBears.com is now live!! Much much happy :3 Uhm, well yeah just saying ♥

A few years ago, a friend of mine told me about this site called Formspring. He was following his favorite actress there and he said that we can ask anything and everything to anyone. Not really intending to be active or anything, I signed up for an account and literally forgot about it.

Several months ago, I was in the process of finding myself. To cut it short, it was during the time that I quit my job and was either doing household chores or somewhere out there traveling. Out of nowhere I decided to check out my Formspring account.

Oh, and it's now called Spring.Me.

So there I was, staring at the random questions from random people. Apparently it's not just for actors or singers, but it was more of a dynamic space to talk about anything.