Vientiane, Laos Trip 2010

The Tower at Vientiane, Laos



My Laos trip with my youngest baby (she's a world traveler,lol)was fun. I got a chance to meet new people because I've decided to try other travel agency for a change.

I thought we'll be late for the trip because I had a meeting before my trip and was last minute cancelled so I waited in vain, but it was okay.. again charge to experience.

When I arrived at the meeting place, the tour guide asked me to fill out forms for departure and to submit my passport. Afterwards, I thought it was all okay because I was sitting and waiting for 30 minutes doing nothing, so I went on the bus.

Thirsty minutes after, some passengers were showing their numbers and searching for their seats. It was obviously out of control due to miscommunication. Some passengers (me, included) were already waiting on the bus, only to find out that it wasn't a first come, first serve seat. They failed to announce us that we had to pay first so we could get our seat number and before we take our seat, whew!

Luckily, I was assertive enough to complain because I didn't know, nobody told me so how was I supposed to know that? They should've posted something or gave out leaflets about the process so people (like me) weren't confused. Anyway, it was just before the trip but during and after our trip was really good. Not to mention the food and accomodation.


The market inside the tower, I payed 15 baht for adult entrance. Not so wise though, but it was a good experience :)


Overlooking from the tower


Reclining Buddha

Sisters: The Reunion

My youngest daughter and I went home last 24th of July to visit my eldest and mom in the Philippines. I've waited for this moment to happen. I was really happy when they finally meet each other.

I took a picture of them and caught their precious moments together. My realization was that I've never thought of my eldest daughter being a responsible sister. The age gap is ten (10) long years. My eldest was born 2000 and the youngest was in 2010.



This is a perfect shot for me :) Loving the way they smile, keeps all my problems away!



We went to the supermarket to buy stuff for my nephew's birthday. They had fun being together and... of course! with ME :)



They are the ones who makes me stronger everyday. I am so happy that I am blessed to have two beautiful girls in my life. Plus, I have a very supportive partner who always there to understand and love me.

My life is 95% complete. The 5 percent thing is that I must be able to have a stable minimal income so as to support my eldest daughter in the Philippines and to save money for my own needs. I hate to expect or assume that my partner will always give me in terms of money. But, it is also good that I have mine. It's not actually being selfish, but I don't actually want to ask for my partner to financially support my eldest kid as I am protecting our relationship. I don't want us to argue about money.

My daughters have different fathers, but I would like them to feel that they are both LOVED equally. My dream, is that ONE DAY soon they will live together with me, sleep together in one room.



I love my daughters so much!!! At last, they've met. But, this won't be the last... :)

Back To Where I Belong (Part 1)

It has been such a long, long time since my last post here (laughs). I got so busy with my family life these days... Speaking of which, we had planned to visit my home town.. "Pilipinas" also known as Philippines and with so much pride I will bring our newborn, baby Sofia.. to meet and visit her granny and great granny, aunts, uncles, close relatives and my friends. This is really awesome for we will be having family reunion then. It is only sad that my hubby couldn't be able to join because he has to attend things at work. He just signed a work contract and it is not practical indeed to have a vacation with us. He would probably will next year.

I was just thinking what to prepare on our way home like what can I give them as a souvenir in Thailand as well as the documents that we need so we could go back without hassles from the Philippine immigration check point at the airport. I mean, there's no need to worry about the round trip ticket it was already booked online by a good friend of mine. It is so much cheaper to book a ticket online.

Here are the documents I must prepare for the Philippine Immigration Check point:

♥ Original and Photocopy of Passports (Sofia & mine)
♥ Birth Certificate of Sofia (English & Thai translation)
♥ Certified Report of Birth(from the Philippine Embassy here in Thailand)
♥ Photocopy of my hubby's work permit
♥ Photocopy of my hubby's passport
♥ Family Photos
♥ Photocopy of House Lease Agreement
♥ Original copy of Satellite TV, Internet and Telephone Bills
♥ ATM international debit card
♥ Letter of Invitation (from my hubby to write down that he's inviting us to go back in Thailand to live with him)

These are just my thoughts and maybe the Immigration desk officer will be satisfied to allow me to go back to Thailand with my daughter.

I have a long list because my husband and I are not married yet. We are working on it very soon. It is only one of my many reasons why I need to go back home. That is to arrange pertinent documents or means to have my annulment approved. I should have thought about this thing before I went to Thailand and live with him but I haven't got clear ideas as to how and where to go about it.

The next thing that I am planning to do is to get an ED Visa so that my stay will be longer as it used to be. That is what we have agreed. But I am also thinking of taking the TESOL or TEFL course. It would cost so much but I am pretty sure it will be worth it!♥:)

Going back to Philippines is such a pain in the ass. Remembering how I was questioned and got pissed off by these people at the immigration desk. However, I am positive that I won't be dealing with this again next time (my fingers crossed, lol). Plus the fact that I need to give presents/keepsakes for my family and close friends. That would be so much expensive! I must remember to travel lightly although, it is impossible to do so (laughs).

I am getting so excited NOW! So... Philippines, here I come with my baby Sofia!♥

My Visa Renewal @ The Thai Immigration Office

I went to the new Thai Immigration Office last February 26, Friday to renew my visa because it was due to expire on February 28, which fell on Sunday. I woke up at 5am and left the house at 6am. It opens from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Mondays thru Fridays only except official holidays. I arrived there at 9am already due to traffic and because I had to find the place, knowing that it is indeed a challenge to travel around the place you aren't familiar and specially if you're in a foreign country wherein you couldn't speak and understand their native language.

From my place, I took the bus #26 and went off at Chatuchak Mochit by the MRT station and cross the footbridge on the right side, then got bus #52 which will pass by the TOT and CAT (Thailand's Telephone companies) on the left side of the road.



I was dropped off in front of the CAT. Just beside this building is the street sign Chaengwattana Soi 7, the street that I was looking for going to the new Thai Immigration Office. From there, I took the motorcycle (back ride) which cost me 20.00 baht.







This is the new Immigration Office building, of course I didn't have the courage to take photos inside the building because for sure they won't allow me to and if I insisted, they may put me in jail (laughs). The new building is beautiful, clean, huge and extravagant, it looks like an airport to me hehehe.

So when I got there, I didn't need to stand in line because there weren't many people that time. Although, I had my qeue number but I didn't wait very long to be served.

The requirements they're asking from me were as follows:
♥ Passport
♥ Photocopy
-1st page of passport (the one with the photo)
-last travel visa sticker
-the page which has the last stamped (due date)
♥ Medical certificate (from my doctor stating that I'll have my 90 days not to travel because I am 8th months pregnant)
♥ 1 pc. ID picture
♥ 1,900 fee
♥ Accomplished visa extension application form (this form will be given at the immigration office)
♥ Identification card (will be surrendered at the entrance gate in exchange of the guest ID)

Two applicants were served ahead of me, that was quick and easy. The immigration officer told me that I won't be able to get a 90 days visa according to my medical certificate which was dated December 28, 2009. If I was going to use it I'll only be given 30 days and I'll be back again on March 28. They based their counting of 90 days on the day stated in my document I submitted to them. The immigration doctor guaranteed that if I'll come back on Tuesday which was March 2, Tuesday and with my updated medical certificate, they will give me 90 days and that I won't even have to pay one day penalty (which is 500 baht) as my visa expiration was on the 28th.

March 1 was a legal holiday in Thailand and that day was scheduled for my pre-natal check up. I was happy because they were very accommodating and concern about my situation.

I went down stairs and ate at the Immigration canteen. I ordered pad thai or their own version of stir fry noodles with shrimps (40.00 baht); a plate of four kinds of fruits (pineapple,melon,guava and papaya for only 20.00 baht); and iced cold chocolate drink (15.00 baht).



On March 2, 2010, Tuesday, I went back to the Thai Immigration office with my sweetheart. I had my complete documents with me and they stamped my passport stating that I have a 90 days visa extension. They only asked me to pay 1,900 baht for that and I am so happy. I found out from them that the fee is still the same whether it is a 30, 60 or 90 days extension. Plus, they didn't ask me to pay the penalty of one day. Thank God! I stated there in my application that I will change my visa from tourist to student before it expires so I will be able to stay longer.



My sweetheart took a picture of me inside the car, in front of the new Thai Immigration Office :D

I felt so relieved and happy about my visa renewal. It only took me 30 minutes to process my papers.

My Sweetheart's Soccer Game

It's a wonderful thing that I was able to witness how my sweetheart play football. He is indeed into sports, notwithstanding his figure and weight (laughs). I love him for what he is, no matter what people say about him. Inspite of the fact the he's pretty "healthy", I should say hehehe others would call him fat or shall I say, he admitted that he is fat... and I DONT GIVE A DAMN :D



They usually play football every Wednesday, but it is still depends on his mates' schedule because they are all working and others are still committed to teach privately (tutorial) after school. Their opponent (other team) is Thai youth players. They know that the other team is better as compare to them because they are young, more active and keeps on practicing everyday. But I told him that it is not about winning the game; it is about enjoying the game playing with friends, losing a little weight from doing it and will give him pleasure because he loves playing football.

On that afternoon, I cheered for him and gave my full support. I took several pictures and videos because I want to show to our little one in the future. So I can tell her stories about his athletic daddy. My sweetheart used to play rugby and baseball, too when he was younger.



In this picture, he was really thirsty and sweating so much. He was inspired to play the game... Was it because I was watching him? hmmmm... that was for sure ;)



He was doing some stretching, just before the game started. At first, he was ashamed of his friends because I took ramdom pictures of him and them while playing. But, he didn't mind me after awhile and he suggested to have a group picture.