Catching Up : CFO Seminar Process

Ready for the final step?

I know that it can be really stressful for both you and your beau when you start the visa application process. The thing is - you still need to secure the CFO sticker and certificate even after  you get your visa. Come to think of it, it's all worth it right? You'll finally be with the love of your life!

The whole process was really stressful for both Alex Bear and me - there's the part where you need to secure all the documents from both of you; the waiting game; and the approval/denial of your petition/visa or CFO.

Yes, your CFO sticker or certificate!

It may not be part of the visa but it plays a significant role in your immigration.

The New Online NBI Application Process

Hello lovelies!

Have you ever applied for an NBI Clearance before? If you have, bet you still remember the long lines, annoying cut-offs and the need to return if your name has a hit. And now you've probably heard of the online application. Well, here's a quick overview of the process to make it much easier and to set your expectations.

US Visa Requirement

The NBI Clearance is useful for many applications. This is also a must for the US Visa and will be presented upon the interview. This basically verifies that you do not (or do) have past criminal records or convictions. Note that this does not include civil cases. If you were previously involved in a civil lawsuit or currently in one - it will not be in your NBI Clearance.

The Online Process

To save time and avoid long lines, here's an overview of the steps to take in order to obtain your record.

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

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!

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 ^_^

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!

The Bear Bear Site! Yay!

Hello lovelies!

It's me Kimi from Kimi Goes Places!

Welcome to my site solely dedicated to my adventures with my dear Alex Bear. 

Everything is still under construction at the moment but I will be updating soon. I think this is just perfect to document our journey, including our travel and visa application process in order to help others who are also wondering about the same thing.

Being in an inter-racial and long distance relationship can be hard. The both of us face struggles of many sorts from cultural differences, the miles between us, to the mere fact that sometimes my tongue gets hard and I can no longer speak proper English. Uhm, yeah I do get tired after six hours of nonstop talking O.o

I will be putting up more updates soon!

xoxo

~ Honey Bear ~

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