Back together
Today’s Guest Column is from Kevin Smith.
Thanks Bob for giving me the opportunity to contribute to your blog. My wife, Jaycee, and I were married in Digos, Philippines back in 2004. Shortly after, I came back to the states to return to work. I went back for Christmas vacation the same year for two weeks to visit my wife. It was very difficult leaving her as she was pregnant with our first child. On my third trip in 2005, I took a leave from work to go back to Mindanao and be with her and the birth of our daughter and to wait for all the immigration paperwork to be completed.
My big travel day arrived. In total, it took about twenty-two hours to get to Digos from Pennsylvania. I remember getting off the plane at Davao International and going outside and looking for my family. It was very warm and humid and the sun was burning my eyes as it seemed very bright. My sister-in-law and brothers-in law and niece were there to take me back. My wife was home with her other sister as she was ready to give birth at any time. We took the hour long taxi ride back to Digos. which cost 500 pesos, about $10.00.
We were so happy to be back together at last. We had our own room next to the kitchen. It was a small blue house with two bedrooms and a blue concrete wall and iron grate all around. It was small and privacy was at a minimum with eight people now living there. Since my wife couldn’t come back with me last time, I was going to move her to her own apartment in town. I think the rent there was about 7,000 pesos/month at the time. But, instead, mom said it would be ok if I renovated some of the kitchen and made it into another bedroom. And that’s what I did the previous year. It was a good decision as my wife was with her family to help take care of her while I was away.
It takes a few days to get adapted to the time change as the Philippines is twelve hours ahead of Pa. time. They are thirteen hours ahead during daylight savings time. After three days, I was finally able to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. But that’s when my wife said we needed to go to the hospital as the baby is coming.
Last 5 posts by Guest
- We're moving to the Philippines! - October 8th, 2008
- Tyleen's Adventure - Part 3 - October 2nd, 2008
- My trip to the Philippines - Part 2 - August 17th, 2008
- My trip to the Philippines - August 12th, 2008
- Living in the UK with my Filipino Wife, Annaliza - July 21st, 2008
Hello Kevin, Bill Huff here…..i really enjoyed your story. I will be getting married very soon to a wonderful Lady in Butuan City, i leave this September. My first plan was to do what you did…..marry, then move my wife and myself back to the states. In the almost a year that we have known each other, and many hours of research on the Phili, and re-examining myself and my life…..i have sence decided to stay and live in the Phili, i have the funds, and need no job. Lou really never wanted to leave her family, but would have in order to be with me……….i do however find myself interested in everything you had to go through in order for you to return to the US with your new wife & child. How long from start to finish did it take you…???…and at any time, did you feel like giving up, and just staying in the Phili..???
When I come from the US to here I have no problem with the time change, but when I go from here back to the US is when is when I start living the vampire lifestyle, up at 6pm to bed at 6am.
Hi Kevin,
nice story,
I am not allowed to adjust to the time changes, after travelling from the philippines my wife goes to sleep for 24 hours and I get left with hyperactive kids for 24 hours! Something for you to look forward to! joking!
regards
Phil
Hi Louis – I am like you. When I travel “with the sun” (headed from east to west in direction) I have no jet lag. When I travel against the sun, my jet lag is horrible!
Hi Bill
It took about a year to bring my wife and baby home. As soon as I got home after we were married, I filed the papers.
The hard part was getting some important papers at the NSO office for my daughter.
Another difficult part is the waiting to hear for your appointment as they don’t really give lots of updates.
Louis-The time change doesn’t hit me till the second day. Then I need a few days.
Hi Phil
Thanks for the warning. We’re going back next summer and I’m already thinking about my daughter getting used to the time change.
Hello All,
Just some tips on jet lag. I take melatonin, a dietary supplement, before going to bed. It’s works like a sleeping pill without the drugs. Not sure if it really helps me because I still find myself waking up in the middle of the night but my sister swears by it.
Another advice I read about, which I believe works even better, is getting in the sun for, at least, 15 minutes a day. It sort of helps your body clock adjust to the time change faster.
Try these and see if they work for you. Doesn’t hurt!