1 Year Mark Alive and Kicking..

Soo it's my first year mark of my life's journey thousands miles away from home and I'm telling you the transition was tough, well it still is. I would not gone through those bumpy times without the all out support of my amazing husband! I encountered ups and downs along the way. Felt alone at times, longed for my family and friends (I always do); the silly jokes we shared, the food trips, the getaways and so on. Those were the days I would never forget and carry the memoirs with me regardless where I am at. The culture differences is another thing I endured. Example is just minor hehe - I am used to Chikachika (I know chikaminute is not good but darn I admit I miss chismiss hahaha!) with neighbors, but here you know everybody is busy, Jeeezz I don't even know my neighbor's name! Don't get me wrong Americans are friendly it's just they don't have time for it. The motto "Time is Gold" definitely applies here :D. One more thing is the common problem to almost new comers here nosebleed thing attacks at times hahaha! (actually it's kind of fun, make me laugh whenever I recalled instances happened to me)! Mine is manageable though hehehe! :P

A lot of good things happen also in between. I learnt so much more about life, how to dealt with it and snapped out of those not so good days. Also, living here made me realize that those things I kinda avoid doing before like cooking, decorating, cleaning and the like are actually fun to do (or shall I say I just don't have a choice lol!). Not to mention my Job tends to be demanding at times. In fact, most of the times after office I woulda rushed home just so I could ready our dinner before my husband arrives.  It's not because my husband is demanding (he totally isn't :D) rather, I just wanted to spend our time more efficiently, that way we will still have time to relax a bit and have a refreshing walk at night before sleep. Oh yeah, feels like there's no enough time for everything when your busy but I gotta do what I needed to do. Yet, I still managed to find time and balance it out, such a satisfying feeling.

I should say, I am happy where I'm at and what I have right now. Again, being far from family isn't easy and I still am adjusting up to this point and somehow I am able to manage the situation just fine. Hmmm well, I believe that's the beauty of life...you'll never know your capabilities when you're not pushed to your limit. Plus, I always believe life is a wonderful thing to enjoy, seize the moment and live one day at time. ;) So everybody let's all enjoy life! :)

♥M

 

Home Alone....

Hubby is on a 3day business trip in Orlando, Florida and this is my second night to sleep alone. Yes, ever since I never slept alone. Well, I never had to because I have a friend, a sister or a cousin just a call or sms away and they come to the rescue.  I dunno what's in me (I know I'm weird!), why couldn't I stop thinking scary thoughts even if I knew that our place is safe, I locked the door and windows. (Hmm should I blame those scary movies?! Nah, I love scary movies infact.)Still, it can't stop me from worrying way too much. Obviously, I'm one hell of a coward when it comes to being home alone at night. But....this time I got no choice, I can't go together with hubby because of my work nor can I stay with Grandparents for same reason and so last night I broke my own record (yehey! hahaha) and guess what, I had literally an on and off sleep, was it every an hour, maybe every 30 minutes or even shorter interval. I'm not sure, all I remember It was one of my longest night. Thanks goodness I'm always busy at work thus my sleepyhead can't kick in ;).

      On the lighter note, loving Grandma called me at night to check if everything is okie, and it sure does cheered me up somehow. Of course my husband and I talked also and it felt like when I was still in Pinas :P just no phone bills hehe!

Alright enough with my ranting lol, just writing some random thoughts before I head to bed soon but I know tonight I will have a better sleep ;) Goodnight! #positivevibes!

❤M

First job here in the US...

Time flies! I have been so busy these days with my work for more than a month. Yeah, I got lucky or shall I say my two months of mad job searching paid off. Thanks God, I was given an opportunity to work as an office/administrative assistant in a Property Management business here in New Jersey. Actually, my job is kind of related to my previous work experience in the Philippines but even though, I still need to adjust a lot from the culture and work environment, I need to put extra effort to be a better fit. Oh one more thing the bus commute (tiring yet exciting not to mention saving :p)! I don't drive yet (currently have my learner's permit) and my husband's work is on the opposite direction. Needless to say I need to take the bus. I was nervous and a bit shy on my first ride adventure. I don't have so much confidence talking to other passengers nor to the driver and ask about my bus stop instead I used my phone GPS/Map the entire ride to know my destination and it worked just fine. The second day of course was a lot better, I needed not to use my Phone GPS at this time and just pay attention to bus voice direction guidance.

From the day I started working, my daily routine has changed significantly. I barely have time to spend with my laptop and talk to my friends. Early in the morning, my alarm clock is my friend, it reminds me to rise up and shine no matter how sleepyhead I am coz I shoulda leave the house at 7am and catch the bus. After a busy day at work, when I arrived home "ako'y isang ulirang maybahay" :P I prep foods for our dinner, well my husband sometimes does, whoever comes first starts cooking ;).

Now here comes the weekend, Yay! the days that I love and long for always. It's the time I recharge my exhausted mind and body, and be a baby to my husband :D.....At the end of day, I'm grateful and couldn't ask for more. I don't have right nor reasons to complain  because I believe, if you do...there's always down there 6 feet below the ground who would love to swap anytime lol! hahaha! so  better yet be happy and spread positive vibes!

Happy Weekend!

♥ M

Green Card on Hand!

I can now visit Pinas and Re-enter U.S without hassle

Yay! Finally my Conditional Green Card/Permanent Resident Card was approved without interview and it has arrived yesterday! My hubby tried to surprise me by hiding the mail from his back not knowing I saw him from the door's peephole lol! Ended up laughing with each other. So happy and such a relief. All of those paper works paid off but.... it doesn't end there. Need to start consolidating evidences for a bonafide marriage in preparation for the ROC then last step is the Naturalization/Citizenship. Go lang ng Go! hehehe!






♥M

Merry Christmas ♥

Sooo it's Christmas time and the more I miss Philippines badly. I miss how Pinoys celebrate the Christmas.  Visiting relatives' and friends' house then makikitikim ng salad and mamamasko. There are others who may be hiding from their godchildren though lol! Also, the energy of he  partey! parteey! is superb! Oh speaking of which, I love the facebook photos of my friends having fun here and there. I can't do nothing but to wish I'm also there rocking the table and having kampay with them hahaha! I still vividly remember those days having a blast and the best part is being with my family on Christmas eve staying awake 'till morning. Sharing the must have pancit and biko, drinking wine, plus a mighty tuba as a reserve hahahaha! Was the best! Ahhh it will never be the same celebrating Christmas away from home but it doesn't mean it will make me less happy celebrating Christmas with my husband here in the US. What matters most is that the true meaning of this holiday is in our heart!

To my family I wish nothing but the best for you guys! May His love fill your heart with Joy and Peace this Christmas and each day of the year to come. I ♥ you guys!

To my friends may all of you have an awesome holiday!

Lastly I pray for the people of Iligan and CDO that may this Christmas  be the new beginning of a beautiful tomorrow for everyone!

To all Feliz Navidad!!!

♥M

Weekdays' Marathon

countin the days ;)

Days gone by pretty fast, I barely notice it's TGIF again. I was hooked watching Nikita Season 1 TV show streaming in Netflix (nice chemistry of Maggie Q & Shane West). Obviously, it temporarily occupied my days enough. Thanks goodness done with the 22 episodes during weekdays,(I want my weekend unoccupied with such you know... :p).Well here's why... while there's no much difference actually between weekdays and weekends. It's just the latter gives me and hubby enough bonding time together and it's enough reason to excite me to look forward to it always without any other interruptions.

On the other hand, just to give some update about my Biometrics appointment, it was a breeze.Was a short drive from our place and fortunately, there was no line when we arrived there, so it just took me 5 to 10 minutes for fingers scanning and photograph. Staffs at USCIS  local office in Hackensack NJ were all nice. In fact the guard and hubby had a good short talk while I was getting my stuff done. Nice huh I really feel that am getting close having my Employment Authorization and Green Card on hand.  For the meantime just wanna seize the moment of not having an alarm clock every morning.

On the same day (Wed 11/3) we went more shopping for winter clothes at Macy's which by the way we  really had a good dealtat as always. Thanks to Macy's Coupons for their members. And oh I love going to shop on weekdays while people are busy in their office working. It sure is an advantage for a smoother transaction such as no lines in the fitting room nor when checking out. Thus it saves our time. So after shopping we headed at Grandma's place right on time for delicious dinner. Loved it!

♥M

Yay! Just like back in Pinas

Centura tuna and Nova = tasty snack!

I have been missing one of my favorite canned tuna from Philippines... well not anymore. Thanks Mr. Google who led me to Phil-Am store website. This store caters almost all Filipino goods which is great! So without having a second thought, we placed our order online last Thursday night and received the goods today (Saturday) lunchtime.Yay! Nice service for me, the $12 shipping fee is worth it.

Thanks goodness my hubby likes Century Tuna also! Will definitely purchase again ;). Happy to discover this Filipino store it helped me feel not far from my homeland. To all Pinoys out there check their website out, they got varieties of Filipino Goodies just like SM Hypermarket.


p.s it's snowing right now while im writing this ♥ it!

Edit: We received a thank you gift from Phil-am store after posting the package delivery picture  linked to this blog in their fan page wall. So nice of them sending us 9 different tuna flavors :D. Much appreciated. Thank you guys!

♥M