My mom's journey to US permanent residency

I got my US citizenship on June 26, 2013, and I did it for three reasons:

1. The fees will increase if I wait too long.

2. I can travel anywhere with a US passport!!!

3. I want to petition for my family.

I started to petition for my mom last week, and I am going to post her timeline here:

July 11- Mailed application I-130 (along with copies of my birth certificate, naturalization certificate, and $420 check)

July 18 - Got an email from USCIS to confirm receipt and my check was cashed
November 22 - Got a letter stating her case was transferred to Nebraska office to expedite it.
December 18 - Request for evidence. They needed a proof that my mom (with her married name) is one and the same with Adoracion Abellanosa Yap, her maiden name.
February 24 - Petition approved!! Case is moved to NVC
April 14 - Got a letter in the mail telling me to pay $88 AOS fee and fill up DS-261
May 3rd - Got a letter from NVC with a visa processing bill of $230
May 14 - paid $88 AOS
June 12 - paid $230 IVF
July 10 - filled up DS-260 online for my mom (At this time, I am on vacation in the Philippines.)
October 2014 - Got an email and mail saying I need to make corrections to my I-864 and send the following: mom's orig. marriage and birth certificates, passport bio page, and orig. NBI clearance, my original birth and marriage certificates.
April 27, 2015 - Mailed all documents to NVC including 2014 tax return. A new year has passed so I assumed they needed the most recent tax return.
April 30 - NVC received my mail ( according to its tracking online), They also emailed me saying to give them 60 days for review.
June 7 - NVC emailed and mailed me telling me to submit my w2s, tax returns,  and make changes with my I-864. Apparently, Alex needs to be my co-sponsor because we have joint tax return, so I have to turn in his w2s as well.

August 12 - I mailed in all necessary documents.  

August 25 -I received an email from NVC stating my mom's schedule for interview on September 21st. (Less than a month from now!)

September 14 - Mom flew to Manila with sister.  

September 15, 16 - Mom had her medical exam at St. LUKES. 

September 21 - interview at US Embassy! Passed with only 2 questions. 

November 17 - Mama's flying with Philippine Airlines! 

Disclaimer: My mom wanted me to slow down the process. She said, she is not ready. While I was in the Philippines for a month-long vacation with Cinzia, we realized that it would take significant time for my mom to get a passport because she still needed to secure a government-issued ID. She is working on the ID so she can apply for a passport.

Cinzia is 2!

Our precious Cinzia turned two last Sunday, 7/7. My baby is a baby no more. I could not believe how time flew so fast. Experienced parents have already warned me against this, but I took it for granted. I felt like I just went to work and Cinzia became 20 pounds heavier when I came home. It was lightning fast.

I am not the type of girl who is fond of babies. I am not good in taking care of babies nor am I patient with them. With Cinzia, I could say it's Alex who has the greatest influence. Our baby is really a good (I am saying this without bias.). Strangers, Costco cashiers, flight attendants, relatives whom we met for the first time, and many others have told us she is such a pleasant baby. She has a huge smile ready for everyone. She listens and obeys easily. She does not insist on what she wants. She tests us, too, sometimes, but generally, she is easy.

Two weeks ago, I brought her to West Virginia and we travelled 5 states with our relatives. Cinzia did not complain on the long road trips. She kept up with me at airports by walking and running to catch the next flight (We had two layovers each way). She did not throw any tantrums. She ate what I bought and/or prepared for her. Yes, she is a pleasant baby. I hope she will continue to behave like this as she gets older. Alex really did a good job on her. I am so proud of him. 

Cinzia and I were not really close. As I said, I am not into babies. I could not even play with her for 30 minutes straight. Alex already demanded I should. I can feed and bathe her, changer her diaper and clothes, drive her around, and sing with her. That's about it. With that trip we both made, Cinzia and I got closer than ever. I am so in love with this baby girl. As Alex always says, she is our pride and joy.

I cannot be grateful enough to God for sending Cinzia into our lives. Even if we did not expect her to come in this world at that time she was conceived, she came at a perfect timing. When she arrived, my career soared, and blessings poured one by one! She is the perfect baby for me and Alex. God really knows what we're doing. 

Happy 2nd birthday, Cinzia! We love you very very much! Here are some pictures Cinzia and I took on the plane while waiting to take off. We were bored.

Time to update..

So many things have happened since my last post. Hearts have changed. Minds have settled, and love has prevailed.=)

Well, Alex got some health challenges, and he was hospitalized for 4 days. Thanks to medical insurance we did not drown in debt. We did not even pay even a penny. I wanted to cry for joy when I saw the bill, and the info beside it that said, "Patient responsibility: $0." After two epidural shots to his sciatic nerve, Alex is better now. He is back to normal. Thankfully, he is back to work as well. He has been working from home and his hours are flexible. He has a potential of earning more than I do, and I have been encouraging him to maximize the potential. I am really trying to be a good wife. It is tiring to be a nagger and mean.

In the past days, I have also learned to be content with what we have. Spending quality time with Cinzia is very important. Improving my relationship with Alex and Cinzia is all worth it. My plans of studying again is put on hold right now. I would like to hone my teaching skills for now, and the be the best teacher I can be. 

My summer vacation is here! I am so excited! Alex, Cinzia, and I started it off with a weekend family retreat in Oxnard with Ate Rose's church. Then this coming week, our families, along with our college friend from Guam, Kelvin, and his family, we are going on a road trip to Yosemite, Sequoia, San Francisco, and camping in Big Sur. This will be on my birthday week! Before this month ends, Cinzia and I are flying to West Virginia to spend time with my dad's side of the family. My cousin is giving birth and I would like to help out. On the third week of July, we are all going to Las Vegas for the Differentiated Instruction conference. It will be a family/work/vacation trip! This summer will be fun!

This coming July 7th, our baby girl is turning 2! Where did the time go? Cinzia has grown! I am so in love with this baby girl!

She will be ready for this soon!

Playing at the park is her everyday thing. 

Law. School.

My desire to become a lawyer has been bugging me lately. It might be because of Jodi Arias' case. I have been paying attention to this pretty girl's criminal case in Arizona, and my lawyer blood just kept me glued on my Mac computer screen everyday, even when I am in the classroom with my students.

Should I go to law school or not? I was in law school in Davao. I quit because of Sabbath problems, but I loved the experience. I loved to study, I loved going to the library at 7am, I loved reading cases, I loved the adrenaline rush...everything! Here, in the US, there are no Sabbath problems. I can do whatever I want. So I have been researching on how to go to law school. After days and days of research, I am now torn. Top law schools (American Bar Association accredited schools) have at least 120k in tuition fees. I can borrow that, but do I really want to accumulate that much student loans after law school? That is torture and stress. However, the big advantage is that, I am more likely to pass the bar and succeed in the field because the school has a name. That means, job opportunities are better.

On the other hand, there are non-ABA schools here. Distance-learning and correspondence schools are way cheaper. Tuition ranges from 10k to 40k. Amazing! I can afford that with my current salary. However, employers don't necessarily respect non-ABA schools. Graduates have a hard time finding jobs because ABA schools have produced enough lawyers to fill in positions. Bar passage is also below 50%. Don't get me wrong, there are successful lawyers from non-ABA schools as well. They have their own law firms though.

I am torn. I have not decided yet. I am already exhausted reading forums, reading blogs, and listening to debates about ABA vs non-ABA schools. I think my next step would be talking to practicing lawyers so I can truly get a glimpse of the reality of the legal field.

I also have to consider that I have a daughter and a husband and a stable fulfilling job. These also factor in my decision. Another thing is, will I really practice law in the future? What if I get bored with teaching? What if, in the future, I regret not going to law school? When Cinzia goes to college, what will I do? I do not want to be bored.

I don't know. I need to pray about this. There, I just poured my heart out.

My journey to US citizenship - 2013

Feb 27 - USCIS received my application
March 11 - Got fingerprinting notice
March 29 - Biometrics in Chatsworth
June 4 - Interview ( I got all the answers to the questions right! The immigration officer was really nice. She convinced me not to change my name.)
June 26 - Oath taking!

All in all, the whole process took me 4 months. That is not bad at all. I was not really that excited to take my oath. I felt it was no big deal. Three main things prompted me to apply for citizenship ASAP: the fees might increase soon, the ability to petition for my parents, and the ability to travel anywhere without a need for a visa. There was no I-will-be-an-American excitement. However, the ceremony brought out a lot of emotions within me, especially when the Immigration Judge addressed us as his fellow Americans. My heart raced so fast. I realized, I did work hard to where I am today. I wanted this moment to come. USA has actually been good to me, despite the hardships I experienced in the first years. I wanted to cry when President Obama welcomed us through an AVP and reminded us once again that in this country, anything is possible. That was a very nice assurance. I truly believe it in my heart. I am a dreamer, and I am determined to fulfill my dreams. (For that, my desire of becoming a lawyer heightened.)

 I am proud to be a citizen of the United States of America, the country that gave me hope, support, and assurance no matter what my status in life is! Now all three of us are Americans! I am delighted! I can only thank God for this!

Bright and early! We braved the early morning traffic in LA on the way to LA Convention Center.

Moi with the naturalization certificate and American flag in my hands

President Obama's welcome message to me and 2500 others

Romantic night

   Since February, Alex and I have been going to a six-week date series at Altadena SDA Church. It is for couples who want to better their marriage, whether they are going through difficult times or not. My co-teacher, Linda Williams, told us about this, and Alex and I readily signed up. The program is called "The Art of Marriage." So far, it has been really good. It reminds me that marriage is to honor God and a reflection of Him. Couples overtime become emotionally divorced, and Alex and I do not want that to happen in our marriage. We want to be a better husband and wife. These are the things that stuck in my mind:

1. Our spouse is a gift from God.
2. Our spouse should be prioritized even if you already have children.
3. There is an enemy, and it is not your spouse.

   Last night, we did not have a session because it was supposed to be a creative date night. Alex thought of something, and he was not telling me. He brought me to Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway. We parked by the road close to the seashore. We declined our seats and just enjoyed the sound of the waves (my favorite sound in the whole world!). We then opened our sunroof and watched the stars. That was a sight to behold! I remember my days in Palau wherein my friends would bring a mat and blanket in the middle of a track field or by the seashore, and we would just relax and chitchat. That experience also reminded me of the alarm clock Alex brought when I was pregnant. That special clock make various sounds that relax me - waves, forest, rain, etc. I forgot that clock because it has been a long time since I have listened to those sounds from the clock. It is ironic because that is the same clock that wakes us up every morning.

   That was the most romantic moment in my life since I gave birth to Cinzia. It was special. Alex then proposed something to me, a new habit that we shall be practicing for the rest of our lives. You see, marriage is all about the small stuff, so he thought about this idea which really cracked me up. But I am willing to give it a try. It is cute anyway. He proposed that whenever we are on the road, and we are at a full stop due to a red light, we would kiss. The idea was just hilarious! I thought of how Cinzia would react as she grows riding with us. I also thought about her sharing this with her friends later or even to her boyfriend/s. That is quite embarrassing! Alex, on the other hand, seemed like he has thoroughly thought about it. Well, I truly appreciated the thought to spice up our relationship. So we started "the new habit" last night. It was not that bad. I actually liked it.=)

 

 

This year 2013

     This year started off with not-so-positive feelings, with stress, with resentment. Honestly, since I have become a full-time mom and a full-time teacher, there were so many times that I had grown resentful of the fact that I do not have enough time to be home and do "mommy" stuff for Cinzia and "wifey" stuff for my husband. Why am I working so hard? Why can't Alex have a job that pays as much or higher than mine, so I can relax a bit and spend more time at home? Why is Alex the one (working) at home? So many questions.

     Before I came here in the US, I already knew things would be difficult. 2008 was the worst year for the US economy. So many people, including Alex, lost their jobs. When we got married that year, we did not have a car, we lived in a very small studio place, we lived in a meager income, we did not have health insurance and other insurances needed, etc. Five years later and after materializing some of our shared goals as a couple, our lives have completely changed. Money is not an issue anymore. We have two cars, and we can afford to go on a vacation every year. More importantly, Cinzia is healthy and happy. However, despite these wonderful changes, Alex and I had grown apart. I saw him in a different light. We are not as in love as we were before. We mostly did not connect in our conversations. It was frustrating and stressful.

  So I decided to pray about these feelings, for him, and for God's will. Actually, this is my only New Year's resolution. It was not an easy journey with myself. Thankfully, God has heard me and opened my heart to the lessons He is actually teaching me with this situation.

1. Patience - I have to have faith that things will fall in place in God's time. We cannot change things overnight. Waiting is worthwhile.

2. Trust in Him - Remember the verse, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart?"

3. Trust in my husband - I know Alex as a very dependable guy. He is family-oriented, has a big heart, and is very patient. Most importantly, He is God-fearing. Aren't these good qualities?

4. Thankfulness - So many blessings have come. As I said, our lives have completely changed since we started as a family.

5. Contentment - Whatever we have, I have to be contented. Life is not a competition.

6. Putting God first - Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you."

    I admit, it is not easy to learn these things. I earnestly pray that God will help me open my hearts to the lessons He is teaching me. I cannot appease myself alone. I need him.

   I also want to apologize to Alex for the bad changes I made in myself that almost ruined our marriage. I had grown to be resentful and bitter, and it changed me completely. I also saw him in a different light. I allowed that to happen. I am now realizing these things, and I am thankful God has "slapped" me to reality, to the person He wants Rica to be.

  I will continue to change for the better. I will continue to learn the lessons He is teaching me. By God's grace, I will become a joyful wife and mother once again. Nothing is impossible with God. I do not want to grow old bitter and resentful. I only live once and I want to make my life worthwhile.

2012 reflections

These are the things I am thankful for in 2012:
1. God allowed me to keep my job. Best thing ever!
2. Cinzia is healthy.
3. Alex still tries to finish school.
4. We went to Tennessee and met thousands of SDA educators America-wide. More importantly, we got a good friend in Chanda.
 5. Eighteen manageable 5th graders!
6. We went to Panama!
7. more private tutoring clients for extra income

My prayers and goals in 2013:

1. US citizenship
2. pay off some debt
3. wise handling of money
4. better marriage
5. Cinzia will be able to walk and talk properly.
6. lose weight! lose weight! lose weight!

It was a great year still! Thank you Jesus!