reply to Dave...

[Lori]

Sorry I wanted  you to get this reply to your message wishing me luck on my trip:

Thanks Dave...I am getting a little excited about my trip. Everything is in order now. Tickets, Visa,blah..blah..
I have saved up my goal of $2000 for spending money. And believe me, it was not easy. I had to cut my cable to basic. Get rid of my "extra's" on my phone line. I don't even use "VIVA" paper towels anymore. So, I have made some sacrifices for this trip. I haven'nt even went to get my hair done since october. I know these are simple sacrifices. And when you find someone so important to you in your life, these simple things mean nothing to you anymore. I think my older daughter hates me coz, we do not go shopping like we used to. We now go to the "dollar" theater on sundays and go to the museum on the free day.
It's so funny how my life has changed since I met Thai. The things I used to think were important are not important to me anymore.
The main thing is, I have not dated once since Thai came into my life. Not even before he asked me to marry him. I get mad when my "Ate" Adel tries to fix me up with someone.
This year I have spent alone, solely concentrating on this INS thing, and on Thai. Studying his culture, and bonding with his family here in America.
I hate to admitt it, but I think this is the first time in my life I have made any sacrifice for a relationship other than with my girls. It feel darn good, let me tell you!!! Of course I'll never let Thai know what I did to be able to be with him. Not about the second job, and certainly not about my "Viva " paper towels.
It is amazing to me how we have bonded through our letters. How I can feel so close to someone who I have never seen. For your info, I have a hard time trusting people. I have been burned alot, by men, and by former friends. I have come to think it is because maybe I am just too giving. I like to see people happy, and it kills me to see anyone suffer.
But anyway I am ranting now....Yes, my time is coming!!!!!!

I deserve it, and have earned it. I think for the first time in my life, I have a sense of peace. Wish me luck!!
Lori

[Lori]

... in response to reply to Dave..., posted by Lori on Mar 18, 2001

Although my trip is still more than 2 months away, I have been somewhat of a basket case. Up feelings, Down feelings, crazy feelings.
I don't know how many times I said to myself, "What the heck am I doing??" But whenever I feel that way, I just read Thai's letters and feel calmer.
I am hoping we have enough letters. E-mail everyday for about 9 months. I have saved and copied everything. But I don't have too many postal letters. So, I have gone on a writing binge to Thai. He is gonna recieve tons of postal letters from me till I arrive there.
I'm goin' coo-coo-----:-\
Lori

[SteveG]

... in response to Thanks everyone..., posted by Lori on Mar 19, 2001

Lori,
 If you think you are nervous now, wait until you experience the real emotional roller coaster ride on     the airplane going to meet Thai.  The "What the heck am    I doing??" will flash across your mind like a neon movie banner.  LOL   IT sure did with me.   You'll worry about wether you can find him in the crowd, what to talk about, CAN you even understand each other???   What if you don't like each other in person, what he might think if he knew about you dreaming of DaveH's Purple G'string, etc...oops!   LOL  

 Just remember lots of us have had those same thoughts before and we survived just fine.   It amazed me how soon I felt at ease with both pen pals when we finally met in person after having written letters for months and months.
 
 Just one more thing - DON'T eat the steaming hot towel rolls on the plane when they give you one.  LOL   Don't laugh, I almost did!  I'm just an ignorant Alabama redneck and I thought it was some sort of eggroll....  Lucky for me, I saw someone open it up and wipe their face before I could get it to my mouth.   Ahhhh, the fun of learning new things.  

                                SteveG

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Thanks everyone..., posted by SteveG on Mar 20, 2001

Steve,

Right you are. The emotions won't be the only thing moving like a roller coaster though. I was standing in the CR of the 747 trying to hit the moving hole and not pee on my shoes. ;o))

I know what you mean about the crowd. I was the only Kano on the plane to Butuan. There was a group of Filipinas standing together outside a fence 50 yards away, when I landed. One familiar face was holding a sign that said "Welcome David!" I kept turning around to see who they were waving at. Since I was the only one who exited from the back of the jet, there was no one behind me. ;o)) Talk about being nervous.

Something that I observed. Everyone was in a mad rush to get on the planes. But no one was in a hurry to get off. Except me...I did the opposite. I guess was that they were probably in a hurry to find a place to stash those balikbayan boxes and the many other things they carried onboard. My suspicions were confirmed after we landed and people were trying to locate and retrieve their belongings. It was really quite comical. The aisles were jammed (especially on the domestic flights) and people were passing things back and forth overhead. ;o) Thus, my rear escape, whenever I could.

Dave H.

[kevin]

... in response to Lost in the crowd..., posted by Dave H on Mar 20, 2001

you could have slowly released an SBD to escape.  You might just have to walk over alot of people.

- Kevin

[Dave H]

... in response to As a last resort . . ., posted by kevin on Mar 20, 2001

Hi Kevin,

I thought of that, but I was affraid of SHC (Spontaneous Human Combustion), my own! =8o0 As a Haz-Mat specialist, I couldn't risk the safety of others on board. I must have looked antsy, because a stewardess, said "come with me" and took me by the arm. Needless to say, I was diappointed when I saw the back door was open. (

One more thing, to any new third world travelers. Make sure the moveable stairs are in place at small domestic airports, before you exit the plane. It is a long way down!

Dave H.

[Dave H]

... in response to Thanks everyone..., posted by Lori on Mar 19, 2001

Hi Lori,

I am a one letter a month kind of guy. I also send an occasional card, but little email. At that rate, I felt I had plenty of my long letters (7 - missed a few months) for relationship evidence, to include with the K-1 Petition. By the time her interview comes around, she will probably have 5 or 6 more letters from me. I usually receive a letter or card from her every week...what an angel. ;o) However, I did have tons of phone bills...just about enough to buy my own airplane and fly there. 8oO

Dave H.

[Cecil]

... in response to reply to Dave..., posted by Lori on Mar 18, 2001

n/t

[Dave H]

... in response to Not basic cable! Best  wishes for you an..., posted by Cecil on Mar 18, 2001

N/T

[kevin]

... in response to reply to Dave..., posted by Lori on Mar 18, 2001

Just as all of us guys with good intentions.  I think someday, when the time is right, Thai should know the sacrifices you made for him.  This demonstrates your love and commitment to him.  I sure hope and pray that he truly loves you in return and will appreciate the efforts that you made (you're the one with the wherewithal to make them) so that you might have a life together.

Cheers,

Kevin

[Dave H]

... in response to reply to Dave..., posted by Lori on Mar 18, 2001

Hi Lori,

I know it has been hard for you and the girls, but it is worth it. Having found my special love, I forgot all about my (our) sacrifices. Well...all except one:

Just don't sacrifice on the toilet paper. I did once, buying a cheap brand that fell apart. When I went to wipe my...well let's not get into that. ;o))

GREAT Luck!

Dave H.

[kevin]

... in response to I Wish You Good Luck!!!, posted by Dave H on Mar 18, 2001

What did you say, "Mr. Charmin"? LOL

About toilet paper it was P8 per roll in the Philippines while I was there.  One roll at a time was bought.  My ex told me to be conservative.  She said to use my fingers, and that she often did it.  Yuck!!

- Kevin

[Jeff S]

... in response to reply to Dave..., posted by Lori on Mar 18, 2001

.