TravelStream™ news feed for member braverhund on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/braverhund en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:13:58 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1231714800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1231714800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1231714800/tpod.html Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:13:58 -0500 Preparing for my first trip abroad....

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Naperville, Illinois, United States

1/11/09 - 6pm 18 Months to the day (actually almost to the minute!) we met on line, Charmaine and I were married in the church I grew up in (and still attend). It was God who brought us together, so rightfully we held our grand celebration in His house. We included some Philippine traditions in the ceremony (the Arrahs, Veil and Cord). Our wedding was attended by my family and some lifelong friends whom have already come to adore my lovely bride!

Charmaine arrived in the USA on December 31, 2008 at 3:43pm at ORD....we managed to celebrate New Years Eve together!

Our journey will continue as we pray and make decisions on where God needs us in His world. Next step is more paperwork as we obtain Charmaine's Green Card and get her into the work force (Charmaine wishes to return to work in her degree field of Physical Therapy)

Thank you (Salamat!) Travelpod for giving me a blog to share my tale....as it continues and we travel to new spots, we will be back with new post!

Blessings to all,

- Braverhund (aka Shane)-
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Naperville, Illinois, United States

Halo! Kumusta... (eh..Charmaine is turning me into a 'Pil'ipino heh-heh-heh....)

Charmaine had her embassy interview 12/9 ...we found out about it on 12/6 ...I'm sure there would have been a greater advance notice if 10,000 PAD protesters had not shut down BKK Airport for ten days or so (eh..Getting a new PM over there sounds like it was necessary...hey I'm from Illinois what do we know about crooked politicians? )

All went well except for her Philippines police clearance... apparently she was given the wrong one by the Philippine embassy ...should have been one authorized by the NBI so.....Charmaine had to go all the way back from Bangkok to Hatyai to her home in Songkhla....send the new NBI clearance back to Mama E in the Philippines....wait several days and get it back to Charmaine in Sonkhla...where upon receipt she can go back to Hatyai and then off to Bangkok (most likely by 12 hour bus trip again) to the US embassy on Monday or Wednesday at 3pm and should be able to get immediate approval....Then it's off to the USA!

I still haven't gotten her tickets as I don't know yet which day it will be....but we are still hopeful of a New Years Eve Wedding....

sigh* We will let you all know when we are together....'Malapit na"...Malapit na... (soon.....soon....)
- Braverhund -
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Naperville, Illinois, United States

...We just received the NOA2 (Notice of Action) from the USCIS....so we still have the police background, medical, AOS and the Embassy interview to go.....

Wow! almost 190 days since I left Thailand. Charmaine and I talk daily, usually twice a day as we pray together..(her night, my morning and visa-versa) . I miss all my Filipina's, Filipino's and Thai friends I left behind...but someday we will meet up again...There are no Goodbye's...only see you soon(s)! Oh...and I'm on lesson 13of 30 of "Piumsluer's Tagalog". Charmaine will make a 'Pilipino" out of me yet...right mama? :)

I'm anticipating Charmaine's arrival around Thanksgiving.... so I can say "Palangga! Kain tayo!

Best to all of you!

Braverhund-
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Tokyo, Japan

Just a quick note ...trying to keep travel in order,,..After the 15+ hour fight I was able to 'streach my legs' in Japan!...I only have as pic of the bording sign...I will post pics soon.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1205125920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1205125920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1205125920/tpod.html Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:59:45 -0400 Preparing for my first trip abroad....

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Songkhla, Thailand

This will probably be my final entry from Thailand as I leave on Wednesday afternoon for my 23 hours on planes to return home! I've had over 630 visitors to date ( I wish my Real Estate site would do as well! www.TheRuffHousingTeam.com ...heh-heh....Take that JM! ) and hope you've enjoyed my blog as much as I have enjoyed creating it!

I came to meet my love, aking palangga Charmaine (My Darling Charmaine!) and we are more than just compatible..(she sometimes teasingly says something to me in Tagalog and having no clue as to the words...I still totally understand what she means!) ..we were always destined to be together and I thank God daily for giving me one of his Angels. Charmaine and I plan to wed in the US sometime late this year (hopefully...paperwork pending....). Tomorrow is our "8th Monthversary" as we call it....What started out as Charmaine seeking a Christian penpal has turned my whole life in a wonderful new direction....as they say, If you want the best fruit, you have to be willing to climb out on a limb, as that's where the best fruit is at! I've never had a doubt in my heart or mind as to what I was doing all along...no matter how crazy my family and friends thought I was...and I do appreciate you all carring enough to questioning me!

Here are some shots from the weekend in Hat Yai and Songhkhla....some more fine food including a buffet we took in at Lee Gardens Hotel. 33rd floor and quite the view of Hat Yai!...to my colleagues and friends...I'm bringing back some snacks for you! :) A few pictures from Songkhla Samila Beach and of course...a pic or two of the monkeys on Tang Kuan Hill.

...the tears are already forming...but as I've told Charmaine...each day we are apart is just one day closer to when we shall be together forever.....

To my love Charmaine, "Gihigugma ko ikaw!....forever...."

- Shane...aka....Braverhund -
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204864140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204864140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204864140/tpod.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:42:13 -0500 Preparing for my first trip abroad....

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Songkhla, Thailand

Today I bring you another blog where my words could not truly express the views we took in! Charmaine took me to the Southern Thailand Folklore Museum in Songkhla. On the way you cross one of Thailand's largest (if not the largest ) bridges! What a view! We also took some photo's from the top of a tower at the top of the 'hill' Amazing! On the way home we stopped by the market for some fresh fish....and a crepe like treat....I cant exactly tell you what was in it...but it was delicious!...on a 'sad' note:...my focus adjustment on my new Camera (Canon Powershot A560) is not functioning properly and shuts down if I try to adjust in too close...but I'll make due until I can get it replaced/repaired......just kind of annoying when you miss a good shot! (Anyone from Canon reading my blog???Help!)


-Shane...aka ..Braverhund-
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204703220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204703220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204703220/tpod.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:43:23 -0500 Preparing for my first trip abroad....

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Songkhla, Thailand

Not much to say here...the pictures tell it all...It's an afternoon at the Samila beach in Songkhla, Thailand. The wood 'statues' were unique...it was nice just to hear the waves from the Gulf of Thailand crash in onto the beach....yes, much like those silly peaceful beer commercials!


Oh..and in answer to JM's inquiry to me on another email....I did say Charmaine 's mother (Mama Evangeline) had given me the blessing on having Charmaine's hand in marriage..JM asked me..."But what did Charmaine say?"
well...I asked Charmaine several months ago...long before we ever met in person..."Pakasalan mo ba ako?" (Tagalog ,"Will you marry me?") Charmaine's response was, "OO'!OO'!" (Yes! Yes!") (I think that's about the only full line of Tagalog I can recite!) I asked her again (at the airport upon arrival) and again I got the affirmative....
:)
-Shane ...aka..Braverhund-
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204706100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204706100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204706100/tpod.html Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:15:06 -0500 Preparing for my first trip abroad....

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Songkhla, Thailand

Charmaine, like many of her fellow Filipino's , teach English (TEFL) to Thai youth here at the Woranari Chaolem School in Songkhla,Thailand...just a few blocks from her home. (Heck of a commute once we are married eh?).... Today Charmaine brought her "AMboy" (American Boyfriend) to school to help teach some music and answer some general questions. I had a blast! ( you know me...just give me a stage and an audience!) Good questions....some real good singers in this class...and good guitar players too! They have the same problems you or I would trying to put together a sentence in a foreign language...it never quite seems right...but they are trying and they did a wonderful job! (These are all 18 year olds in summer class) I also was privy to see the band practicing and some dancers practicing as well..the campus is enormous!. normal is 3000 students during the normal school year...the campus seemed twice as big as the typical US campus....the students and teachers also have to use one of 8 'sign -in booths' ..they scan the finger print and get face recognition before allowing entrance into the campus.....a quick Thai dish at a restaurant across the street before returning home for the day!
















-Shane...aka...Braverhund-
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204601880/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204601880/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204601880/tpod.html Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:30:00 -0500 Preparing for my first trip abroad....

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Songkhla, Thailand

Charmaine took me down to Seung Tale Beach. This is where the Salt Water meets the Fresh Water...aka "Brackish Water" There is a park which has a house of worship along with some interesting statues including the "Nag" The Thai's have keep their relic's from past wartime battles including a few cannons and a warhead....hope it's not armed....We took in dinner at the same restaurant as Friday...but this time I managed to find the name in English..."Samila Sea Sport"

The Weather has been fantastic here...I've adjusted to the 80-90's we get here everyday....Could one of you back home make sure it's warm when I return next Thursday!


-Shane...aka...Braverhund-



]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204519740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204519740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/braverhund/1/1204519740/tpod.html Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:34:16 -0500 Preparing for my first trip abroad....

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Songkhla, Thailand

Charmaine took me to a Thai Restaurant along Songkhla Samalia Beach....Good food! Very peaceful to eat in the open air with a very scenic view behind you...and very reasonably priced! They also had live entertainment....I prefer my buddies Uncle Larry and Little Tommy's stuff to this...but it was nice!










Here is the statue telling the story of the Cat, Dog and Mouse and the Crystal. As legend has it, they stole a magic crystal from a merchant off of his junk (boat). Being swept out to sea the mouse put the magic crystal in his mouth for safe keeping. As they all swam for safety, the mouse thought...what if the cat tries to steal the crystal from me?..the Cat thinking that the mouse was trying to steal the crystal swan closer to the mouse....fearing for his life now, the mouse swam faster...as did the cat only reinforcing the mouses thoughts of the cats intentions....the dog also swam behind...but alas, they all became exhausted and drowned...Legend has it, the the cat became Koh Meaw (Cat Island..the Big one) the Mouse became Koh noo (mouse Island the smaller one) the Dog became Kao Tangkuan (the Monkey hill!) and the crystal became the sandy beaches along the beach know as Haastsaikaew.











Having a wonderful time....wish you were here!

-Shane aka...Braverhund-
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