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Showing posts with label Real Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Life. Show all posts

My Journey to Reacquiring my Philippine Citizenship

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There is no place like home as they said, and most of the time it is absolutely correct. Depending on the childhood you have in your life, most people would want to settle back in their hometown no matter how far their achievements are. As for me, I could not say that now, it may take years or so depending on how the economy change, but I consideration of being a snowbird. This means I want to stay longer in one place without thinking about overstaying at all. 

At first, I never intend to reacquire my former citizenship, not because I don’t like the Philippines, in fact, I love to be there for 90% of my life. I am content with what I already have, I love the USA too. Both countries I am part of have histories, and making more memorable days to cherish life and family. I have the opportunity to apply without any hassle at all. Aside from that, my siblings and I have a business corporation that I wanted to stay longer than 1 year without thinking about the possibility of overstaying, so why not re-acquire that citizenship.

Last 2021, my sister and I went back to the Philippines, and yes we did experience the whole Covid19 protocol in order to get to our final destination, the Philippines. I was totally stressed out just to gather all the necessary papers work and to be knowledgeable enough to know most of the changes, during that time. One thing that I was worried about is that I am no longer a Filipino Citizen, what could possibly get wrong? For my part, I have all these questions and the only thing I could satisfy myself with is to research further.

Part of that sudden visit is our father’s passing, heartbroken but we need to accept things and move on, sooner or later when it’s our time to depart this earth it will happen. The only thing we need to do is to make sure that their or our legacy will continue and so that’s where I finally decided to reacquire my Filipino Citizenship. 

The office of the Philippine Consulate here in New York State is located in New York City. From my residence to get there, it would take us 6 hours, plus the traffic that you will experience once you are in New York City.  And that’s something I am avoiding, since my application isn’t really in a rush I decided to go seek an outreach program during the Summer time. And they always perform this program during Spring-Summer time. And that’s where I found the nearest place they will have it in Rochester New York.  Oh, not to mention here in that place is where I also pledge my oath-taking to become a US Citizen. 

Getting the information I needed to do isn’t that stressful and complicated at all. I spoke to a few friends who have already gone through this path and it seems to me that the process is way too easy and quick. I went directly to the website of the Philippine Consulate and gather all the requirements and forms needed. At first, the place of the event hasn’t been started yet, so somewhere in Rochester NY is the area. In, the first week of May 2022, they finally indicated the venue of the Outreach Program and it was at the Recreational Center, Rochester NY. 

We arrived at the location 40 minutes before the time and so my family and I waited for a little while. And since I requested an appointment 7 days before the date, the minute I step foot in that area, I was placed with the next person in line. It was pretty quick. I thought at first I have to go through all these dealings, but my impression was wrong. I have to pause here… 

Rewinding, before I was outside the Recreational Center of Rochester NY. I make sure that I sent an email to the newyorkpcg.consularoutreach@dfa.gov.ph at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled Consular Outreach. The schedule of the Outreach was May 21, 2022, and I sent them an email on May 13th, 2022, Friday. I got a response Monday afternoon, May 16th, stating my 3Pm appointment. Everything stated in the email of what needs to bring and the instruction as well. So make sure you read it carefully and follow what the email says. As per observation, while I was at the place processing my requirement, there were at least 2 people denied to continue their dual application because they didn’t bring the necessary requirements stated on the website. They will not be going to proceed and they stopped them there. I hope they’re from that area; it is a waste of time to travel that far, (like me) and not be able to do it. 

Anyways, I have brought with me the original copies and 2 photocopies of the requirements too. As well as 2 copies of the Dual Citizenship and 4 2x2 white background photos.

 

The following are the basic requirements for principal applicants:

1.    Duly Accomplished Dual Citizenship Application Forms

2.    US Naturalization Certificate (If this is not available, the applicant must obtain a certification from the US Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS) indicating that the applicant has obtained US Citizenship, including date of naturalization and Certificate number)

3.    Philippine Statistics Authority or National Statistics Office (PSA) Birth Certificate 

4.    Latest Philippine Passport (if available)

5.    PSA Marriage Certificate or Report of Marriage for married women.  

6.    Death Certificate is required if a widow

7.    Divorce Decree or PSA Marriage Certificate with Annotation on Divorce (required for an applicant who has previous marriages or divorced)

8.    Valid US Passport

9.    Applicant’s Photos (bring four (4) colored 2″x 2″ photos, with plain white background. Applicant must not be wearing eyeglasses)

 

 For dependent children:

1.    PSA Birth Certificate / US Birth Certificate

2. Latest Philippine Passport (if available)

3. US Naturalization Certificate 

4. US Passport

5.    Child’s Photos (3 photos)

 

Make sure to have them with you during your appointment and everything will be smooth, I did. After the payment of $60.00, I reviewed the document and signed it. By the way, don’t get a pre-paid envelope unless you intend to renew or get your passport. I have no clue so I purchased one and now I don’t know what to do with this pre-paid envelope. I can’t return it to the post office. 

Moreover, after 20 minutes of waiting, they all gathered the rest of the dual citizenship applicants in the area we started with our oath-taking. The official had given us our Certificates and the Identification Paper. There were more than 15 people in that batch, we pledge the oath and sang the Philippine National Anthem. It feels like I am back in my first country again. Like having a flashback of my childhood memories during my youth days while we sang our National Anthem during our Flag Ceremony.

Anyways, the best part of everything after reacquiring my citizenship is that I have all the privileges of both countries now. I can travel without having any problems in both countries and so is my family. I can stay as much as I can in both countries, without the worry of overstaying, and for the most part, I get to spend enough time in both countries. 

Oh, after you reacquire your Filipino Citizenship, you are not required to get a Philippine passport, which is only optional. You have your certificate to show them that you are dual. They don’t have any more copies of the certificates, so it is our responsibility that we have to take good care of this document. However, the Consul mentioned that you can make copies of the document and make sure it is being notarized; anyone who notarized would be able to do it. Just to make sure you’ll show them the original copy and that the notarized photocopy is acceptable. 

From the time I was inside the Center up to the last thing I spent inside it only took me less than an hour for the whole process. I am very happy that I have this done. This journey of reacquiring my Filipino Citizenship is over.

Now, I will continue to create more memories with my family in other things.

 

A sudden flight to New York City

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YES!!!! Once again, I will be travelling with our 2 year old to the BIG APPLE. It wasn’t a plan at all, however for some reason there were so many trials happened to me this year. It seems like I was challenging if whether or not I will be still up or just give up. However, I will never give-up, challenges in life can make you get going, it’s the matter on how you deal with it. So far, in my situation, I have help from these wonderful that surrounds me.

It’s just so much money that will be wasted because of this challenge. Anyways,  after a week of waiting if I’ll be able to get my Citizenship before we fly time is also getting closer and if I don’t have any alternative about this, I won’t be able to fly on June. So whether or not I will have my interview, I’ll make sure that I have a passport with me.

That’s why this sudden fly to the New York City is a must. It will also be a challenge for me because I will be taking my 2 year old son with me. It will also be his first plane travel.

I’m both excited and anxious, because I don’t know if my son will be able to enjoy on the plane or not.

Of course, I’ll go and dine-in at Jollibee even though I know that I will be soon eating this Pinoy Fast food when we have our 2 months vacation. My main point of going there is to be finished this situation.


You will be hearing from me soon, after my visit to the City that never sleeps. We shall see.

This is Official, this YEAR isn’t my so Lucky Year

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You might already know the content of this article, just based from the title itself. I will elaborate more on why do I assume that this isn’t my year, in spite of the fact that I was born on a Rooster Year. And based of the Chinese calendar this could be my lucky year, yet it seems to prove differently.

Consequently, just to contribute with you why I don’t consider this as my year is that first; I know that we never get all we wanted, but the one thing that I need right now is my schedule for the interview. I get so frustrated every time I checked the website and plus knowing someone who submitted her application the same week as mine just got hers and done. Don’t you think that this year does show it’s not truly mine? I know it’s best to be patient, but knowing the fact that we will have a long vacation this Summer, late interview schedule is not a good thing. And it’s nada!!!

Two; I’m clumsy, I forget things often and yeah, I have decisions that I regretted and wished to turn back time.

Third, I have never missed any opportunity and this year is the first. I must have too much to have in mind that I never even remember to think about my online opportunity, and now it’s gone.

I don’t want to continue more about my misfortune because I don’t want to think about it? Yet because of what is happening, I couldn’t help myself but remember that this might not be my year.


Let’s all hope that things will work out for the rest of my plan this year, because if not, I will really feel devastated. 

Because I have no finished article... this is my reason, why?

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I have been slacking in so many things. So many errands, preparations and not to mention the combination of house chores, my couponing sideline and my blog update.

It’s a blessing to have four different blog categories as it would be easier to figure out where my post needs to be published, yet somehow also a curse for the reason that I have to ensure I have updated blog on each website.

I need to make sure that I have kept my traffics at least steady, even more gain more viewers. But it will not be happening if I’m slacking because of my offline activities. I need help!

I might as well, write down the designated article that I have in mind for each blog and hoping that it won’t drain my brain out.


What about you? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only blogger who posses multiple blogs. How do you manage your online and offline works?

Still more Leaves to Come for a Yard Work

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It is very obvious in the pictures that we still have more dry leaves left. I tried to finish it up, but I just couldn’t seem to haul them all and put them away.
  

This was the dry leaves from last Fall 2016 and now it is 2017 and Spring is here, in which I am thankful because I can start cleaning the remaining piles of leaves in our yard, however another thing that stops me from doing it is raining.

It is wet and hard to scope even though I used the snow shovel, just annoying to have them wet. I started yesterday again, to pick up some thinking I can clean this pile at once, but putting wet leaves in the trash bag is a pain in the butt.


The question is, will I ever finished this before Summer comes? I don’t want to give an answer with a period because either am I isn’t certain. 

My Experience with the Survival Watch #Review

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To have a gadget that someday will be useful for you is something exciting to have. Today, I have the opportunity to review about the Survival Watch - Paracord Survival Gear / Adjustable Paracord Watch with Fire Starter, Whistle, Compass - Water Proof - Best Survival Gear, which comes in 4 different colors.

It was really fascinating to see this kind of gadget and way very useful for campers. For just an in case help. 

Information about the product
·        Highest Quality Survival Gear, Hand-made Design - Patent-Pending
·        550-lb Military Grade Nylon Paracord Band - Adjustable to Wrist Sizes 7-10 inches
·        Magnesium Flint-Rod Fire-starter with Scraper - Start a fire in SECONDS
·        150db Emergency Whistle & High Quality Compass
·        Water Resistant to 5 ATM*


List Price:      $49.95
Price:             $44.95
On Sale:        $34.95
You Save:       $15.00 (30%)

My Review:

This product is indeed what you need for a survival. The Survival Watch does have everything you important you need in order to temporarily have aid until found once that's best.

I got an email from the company about the Survival Watch. It is an informational guide on how to use and accessories in the watch. Reading through all the informational guidelines makes me aware of the exact way and procedure on how to use each item in it. I do find it very smart.

The watch itself is lightweight, in spite of the fact that it has accessories attached to it. Each has important functions that I hope to remember when I truly need them.

I just hope that instead of and email, a small print out of the handouts would be a great idea. That way, I can keep it in my wallet and with me and I don't need to hook up to the internet just to read them again. Or I can print them out myself.

I have the black color and I like it. Simple, I don't see visible dirt if there is. The whistle, compass, fire starter and paracord survival gear are all in excellent condition. The bracelet is also adjustable so for someone who has a skinny wrist like me, the watch still fits great.

The watch itself is bigger than I thought and it is a waterproof too. I can easily see the time because the numerical numbers are big enough to see them.

I like my Survival Watch, I would recommend this to those people who climb mountains or do other adventure outdoor activity. Every is useful and that's what matters.


This is NOT a sponsored post, I did not receive any financial amount. I received the products for free in exchange of my honesty review. The outlook I expressed is 100% exclusively mine.

Just sharing what I've done lately

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I recently have another sideline online, which makes me less more into my blogs lately. I was lucky to find this sideline, because a fellow Filipino here in the USA is in the business. She is in need of a data coder to help her lists all her job-orders into her online stores.

Knowing that she'll have to go to different auction places to find those vintage and antique jewelry, I'm sure she would have no time to do all the listing online.

I'm thankful that through her online stores, I have a few extra bucks that I can collect every month.

These amazing and fine unique jewelries are just eye-catching. It's nice to know someone who can find/determine such unique jewelries that most people would like to posses and buy to collect and acquire it.

Her collection, hobbies turned out to be her business too, I wish that I could do something like that. I'm not pretty good on marketing by myself.


With her permission, I will feature her online stores one of this days, so you'll be able to check whether you want to obtain such piece of her antique and vintage jewelries. 

Keep up with my blogging pending

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WOW this would be a very quick post, I have to say since last week I've been busy with my life, Motherhood, Wife and even my sidelines and selling. GEezzz... I don't know where to start and yet I've got too many pending reviews to make, some post paid to accomplish before they expire and oh! The orders I've gone online...

I am done with the 10 pieces headband that I just finished in 3 days and now my hands would probably have an arthritis.


Nevertheless, since that's over and I'm trying to keep up into everything, I'll be right back as soon as I can. 

What's the Difference: Should Baptism and Christening Gifts Be the Same?

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There are quite a few of us who find it a bit confusing distinguishing between a christening and a baptism ceremony.

This confusion can then lead to a bit of uncertainty as to what special gift you should buy and what is appropriate for the specific occasion being celebrated.

The fundamental point to make straight away, is that a baptism and a christening are not actually dissimilar, they are simply different words to describe what is really just the same event. It is true that in past times there was indeed a difference between the two, but in the modern world, when most people refer to a christening, they are actually talking about a baptism. 

Choosing an appropriate gift
Having cleared up the confusion, the question then moves to whether baptism and christening gifts are the same as well and what is appropriate to give to someone as a way of celebrating such a special occasion.

You will find plenty of appropriate gifts at sites like OneSmallChild.com and if you are perhaps trying to find something traditional to mark the event, there are certain gifts that work is well received and the choice can sometimes be narrowed down by whether it is a boy or girl being christened.

A baptism gift for a boy could be something like a money box, which can be something modern like a sports car shaped bank and for a girl, something pretty and shiny is always going to be a treasured item to keep.

Gifts for the occasion
If you are taking a more modern approach to gift giving for this special occasion, a gift like a wooden Noah’s ark is another popular choice, and can be given to a girl or a boy.

Other options can include a cuddly toy that they can enjoy during their early childhood and provide a daily reminder of your involvement in their life and the gift you gave to them. Other people want to try and find a gift that is perhaps a safer option and considered more traditional to arrive at the ceremony with.
There are certain gifts that are created with a christening in mind and a good example of this would be a silver photo frame that is engraved with the word christening or baptism on it and the child’s name as well.

You might also want to consider buying a special photo album that is designed to commemorate the event and can be used to put photos of the christening or baptism in it afterwards.

Special day
Regardless of whether the event is being referred to as a baptism or a christening, it is a special day and one that calls for a special gift to be purchased so that you can celebrate and remember the event for years to come.

Whether you decide on a more traditional style of present or something more modern like a special cuddly toy, there is little doubt that it will still be a special day and provide everyone with some great memories when they look back at a later date on the child’s life.

Online Education is much better to those who wish to continue schooling

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Nova Southeastern University Online Master’s in Educational Administration & Leadership

I remembered during the time when my siblings and I were still studying and our parents always reminded us that the only thing in life they can give and leave us is Education. It's where we can always carry wherever we go and what life we choose. They never are wrong, and today, now that we are all graduated with the Bachelor's degree my siblings and I choose and no matter where we go, that education is a big part of our life and we never stop from learning more and more.

Education is indeed very important, as this would help us reach the career and goals we set in our life and the decisions we choose to have. Finding the right school as well as the right course for you is something what we consider too. And one great thing nowadays is that education with technology's participation helps those we find the easiest way of resources. Other companies sponsor a lot to help provide what's best for our students.

Driving, Travelling

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This happened last Tuesday when I was driving in and out of town unexpectedly. I don't mind driving at all, as I would like to be familiar with the roads/streets in this place. Gaining also my confidence on the road would be a great way in order for me to drive in an expressway someday.

It was almost half day I think, and drove at least I don't know how many miles from Frewsburg to Kennedy, NY to return the truck we borrowed from my husband's Aunt.

As for the pregnant woman, it might not be exhausting for me, however, I was in the weeks where I need to regain more energy, but physically can't as my body starts to feel heavier than the usual. I should have exercised more like walking in order to get myself ready for the upcoming big event.


It was a fun experience, but my whole body aches after we get home and settle and all I want to do is just to lay my back on the bed to rest. 

A Quick trip to the ER

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Okay!!! This isn't something serious, but I was a little bit worried when I received a text message from my love that he was on his way home and might be going to the Emergency room. I know his job is quite dangerous as tenting is quite dangerous sometimes, you can't do anything when you are dealing with nature and fate. The first thing that comes to my mind was that, I hope this isn't something serious and I know for sure that if he got hurt at work, immediately I will receive a phone call from him in the middle of the day. This was one of the ordinary days and almost done with work, being paranoid too much isn't just worth it.

He got home and showed me what's the reason behind that he needs to go to the ER. Last night, when he was putting a foil pan in the cover, he must've slipped his leg and unbalanced himself, in which causes him to crunched his toe and fell in the kitchen.

Last night? I must have been in my deep sleep as I never heard any noise at all, not even his loud voice during the fall. The funny thing was my husband went to our bedroom and told me what happened to him and all I "replied" according to him was all "uhmm" and my eyes were closed. Honestly, don't even remember him talking at me about what happened and I don't remember any response at all. Until my husband figures out that I am out!
front...

Back...

Anyways, our short visit to the ER is to ensure that nothing bad happens to his toe. Luckily, as the result of an X-Ray shows, nothing serious, hence a confirmed broken toe, no surgery or whatsoever, but needs to elevate his left leg, and will take up to 6 weeks to completely heal a broken toe. We were sent home after he was given a shoe/slipper to wear and some instructions to help his toe feels better.


Why was he slipped and broke his toe? I don't really know! hence it's a lesson we all learn that we need to take extra care no matter how old we are.

What would be my priorities during my church wedding

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In the Philippines, where I grew up, during the month of June parents and soon-to-be Bride will always find this month a hectic for them. As for parents who are preparing for their kid/s first day or goes back to school. For the soon-to-be Bride, they decide on this month to be wed because it's one of a great month to be married in the country plus they will be called a June Bride. I assume the other reason is due to the perfect weather and the season where it is ideal for couples to tide-a-knot.

So far from my family, it never happened to have someone get wed that falls in the month of June. Not sure if anyone ever tried to get into a busy schedule of churches, as well as the decent venues are probably fully booked due to those early bird reservations.

Soon I will be having my church wedding in the land where I grew up, I would definitely make sure that it would not be June, for sure, however, I would consider getting the month of which, I know most are on their vacation days. It would perhaps be a simple and solemn kind of wedding with family and close friends, and before that happens, I have to make certain to have the list of what to do and what to get, in order to systematize the whole thing from trouble-free to immense such as the rings. For someone who will get married again, I believe looking for a nice upgrade of your wedding bands would be a great idea and would be one of my priorities. Another thing, that I won't forget in mind is of course to ensure that my family and friends will have a great time during the reception, DJing the wedding yourself would be great and I would absolutely find a way to get the awesome one. After all, we want everyone to have a great time together with me and my husband on the day that we renew our vows. 

In the next few post..

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The holiday is fast approaching and later on in this blog, I would definitely share some gifts you might consider for your other half. I’ll be more focus on women rather than men. I have to admit finding the right gift to give to a man is very difficult. I don’t have a lot of ideas aside from repetitive ideas, which boring after a year or so.


I hope that you will find my ideas resourceful and would like to find you the easiest way to shop or give you ideas about these coming holidays. 

Burning Sticks

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I and hubby decided to start burning the sticks we found in our yard. We have a bunch of them and we need to get rid of all these dried sticks before winter comes. They were those small and tiny kinds that you can burn in our fire pit. 


We did buy a new one at our local store a month ago, for we are not allowed to burn on the ground. YES! I know it’s for the safety and for such, thus sometimes way too many rules which makes everything so annoying.

Anyways, we have piles of dried sticks by the school fence so we can see them to remind us to start burning until they are all gone. Hopefully, we will be able to burn them all, however when the weather won’t cooperate and starts raining, there is not much that we can do.

Back to our lives…

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It’s been 2 days since our three months and a half vacation was over. I never thought that day had come. It seems like the three months were only three weeks. Oh how time flies way faster than I could imagine. Anyways, as we are back to our real lives in the USA, I have a hard time accepting the facts that I will truly go to miss my family back home. In spite of how things go there I could say, there is no place like home ever!

I would consider this place now as my home. However, I would still prefer Philippines/Gensan is my home in my heart. It might be one of the reasons why, it is so hard to accept our departure back in the USA.

So as for now, my son and I were trying to adjust the time difference and the weather temperature in the area. As we were enjoying the 90 degrees Celsius weather temperature in the Philippines lately.

Lastly, I hope to be back to my normal blogging routine and hope to earn more in order to save and be able to go back for a next trip. Who knows, it might be a couple of years for all we know.

Thanks for reading!

No Power

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It was four and a half years ago when I experienced no power or no electricity for three or four hours. It is really getting ridiculous when no electricity every single day. You can't do anything except if you choose to do the chores manually. Glad to say we have a manual source of water that when the power is off, we still can use it. We called it "Bumba"..I don't know exactly the right words in English. 

The only thing we do when power if off, is to wait and sit, or if you have generator you can enjoy the benefits of having them while waiting.

Noises I’ve missed the most

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Moving to a different country means changing of the things you used to do. The noises you heard early in the morning when you wake up, the sounds of the rooster telling us that it is time to rise and shine. And the horn sound from a ‘pandesal’ vendor who’s riding on his bicycle as well as the random vehicle, yelling noises on the street.

For almost 5 and half years, I have never heard about these noises every morning, until this morning. When I woke up this morning, everything just came back to me. It feels so good to think that you are finally in your hometown.





The Long Flight

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I wasn’t expecting this very exhausting travel. I know of what might be the consequences of travelling alone with a 2 year old kid. Nevertheless, since I wanted to visit my hometown for so long, that consequence was ignored.  I told myself that I will accept whatever it takes, provided that I and my son will be able to visit Philippines and get there fast and safe.

The first flight was from Buffalo, NY to JFK Airport. It was so smooth that I never had problem with my son. Gave him a fruit snacks to chew while the plane takes off and land, so his ears won’t hurt due to the change of pressure. He never complains and I was proud of my little brave man.

Heading towards departure Gate and waited for hours at JFK Airport for our next long flight, I let my son run around the huge terminal in order to exhaust him and will be able to fall asleep as long as he can during the flight. It is very effective for he did slept most of the flight. But before that happened, chasing him in the terminal is no fun at all. I have the thought of not proceeding into our destination because of the exhaustion, which thought didn’t win, instead I fight for it. There were also times he was fuzzy after a very long sleep, I figured it might be of being discomfort on his position for he wasn’t on his bed. It only takes a while then he is back to being a very good boy.

Landed at Narita Japan finally, after a 14 hours flight, I thought it will only take 1 hour for the layover but for the aircraft delay our flight schedule got affected and we had at least 2 hours delay original boarding time. I am also fine with it, for Chaos just slept for another four hours until we landed NAIA 1.

Finally, no more plane ride for a while until our next flight to General Santos City. Now, we are at my sister’s house in Laguna, bonding with her family for I missed them so bad.

I tried to keep up with everything but my body is just exhausted and I have a jet lag. I guess I have to rest more in order to adapt that time difference between the two countries.

Lastly, I am very thankful for our safe travel. God guides us all the way to our destination. And thanks to my son’s cooperation and behaviour the whole experience is best the most that don’t have a nice flight experience.

Pepe Fanjul


We really don’t know that fate takes us. What all we can do to make sure that we have a successful life or business is to strive for our best. We make sure that we know where to start, what business to have, and how long will it take for us to succeed. I do admire the people who work hard in order to have a better life. And I just recently know about the passion and success of Pepe Fanjul after I read about Florida Crystal. He makes sure that Pepe Fanjul will be able to handle his business. Therefore we should know the ways on how to achieve to become a great role model.



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