OMG We're Moving!

So.. this is what moving everything is like!

All my life I've lived in just one house - the one where I grew up in the Philippines. We had it remodeled when I was around 14 but it had always been my home sweet home. I moved out when I was 16 to live in Dasmariñas, where I was taking up my college studies but every weekend I still went home to home. When I started working, I lived in several apartments but they were all temporary, weekends I'd still go home to Cavite City and I never really brought all my things with me whenever I lived elsewhere.

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

Steps After Your K1 Petition Approval

Hey lovelies!

A few months ago I was really happy to announce that the Polar Honey Bear petition for a K1 visa has finally been approved. Since I was really busy, I wasn't really able to update anyone and give any advice.

Here's a quick recap of the steps we have taken since we received the notice!

NOTE : The following photos are the actual mail that we got. We have removed any personal and confidential information on these records for security purposes.

NVC Letter

Once your petition gets approved, your fiance will receive a mail stating this. Note, that this is a snail mail and not through email. They will advice you that your case has been approved and forwarded to Manila. The Filipina/Filipino fiance will then receive a (snail) mail stating what steps to be taken next.

We have received our NVC Letter on May 13th. To be honest, we're taking things quite slow and easy since I'm not in a hurry to leave.

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!

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!

The US Visa RFE - Letter of Intent

Note : Download a copy of a Letter of Intent Draft later on this entry!

Evidence. Proof. Something to make them believe that I am not a mail-order bride, and that I will not be a burden to the US of A.

I love Spam! I love Vienna Sausages!

O_o

I don't think I'll ever be a burden... consider that I am already working for a US company, right? Oh well, that's not how the consulate determines one's qualification. No matter how much you love Spam.

Okay, so a month ago Alex Polar Bear received a notice that we should provide further evidence (RFE) of our relationship and they have requested a Letter of Intent to support this fact. I was quite busy during that time so it took me a while to send the document.

So what is this so-called Letter of Intent?

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!