It's only matter of a days before my family and I depart from Suriname, and today we received what we hope is our last care package and completed our last Western Union run.
Morale Increased 📈
There wasn't much in this package, just some more hidden US dollars and some things for the family to take back with them to Cambodia. Sadly, I won't be joining them because when I bought my ticket to the USA I wasn't able to sort a visa sponsor for me to join them on the journey back home.
In what is both good news and bad news, an announcement was made just the other day that the Cambodian tourist e-visa can be converted to a residency visa, but only until 2022. Since I already have my ticket purchased and I haven't seen my American family in ages, I will just try to make a quick visit so I can arrive in Cambodia with plenty of time to spare.
Something For Everyone 💸
Now back to the package, which contained a little something for everyone within. @Sreypov got some cool new sunglasses and flip-flops, Monkey-B got some sunglasses, everyone got some personalized keychains, and Srey-Yuu got some secondhand shirts from my niece who is a few years older than her.
Srey-Yuu is at that strange age where she's in between adult and kid sizes for clothing and other things, so I had her test her Mom's sunglasses and shoes for fit, only to realize my daughter now has an adult-sized head and feet. I'll use this information to purchase her some surprise goodies in the USA that I'll bring to Cambodia with me.
We found two plastic gloves inside the box, not sure the reason, but I told Monkey-B to put them on and get silly, and this was the result, a perfect thumbnail for this post.
Finishing up the day with one last trick up my sleeve, I brought home 4 store-bought veggie burgers and some hamburger buns. This may not seem like much, but our diet is far from diverse here in Suriname, so anything to break up the culinary monotony is welcome.
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I read this post twice to make sure I get most of the details in my brain. I guess these are sleepless nights. I know I would be sleepless. Being on an airplane is produces the best euphoria. Cambodia and USA after three years and after the pandemic are going to definitely feel new. Your family is going to miss their great son. Do they know about your marriage? ( Sorry if this is a sensitive question) curiousity.
Which reminds me of Asian mom in laws. Ask everything about a person. Hahahaha.. like an interview. The protocol to get a Malaysian wife is to pass the mother in law interview. My mom in law was pretty tough and she had tough interrogation questions for me.
It's the same feeling for me every couple of years visiting the capital city of Malaysia. New buildings pop up so rapidly and the whole city looks completely different.
Srey-Yuu I guess is growing tall. It's good for girls to be tall from my view.
Hehhe..
I certainly think once they sit down in the plane, a sense of relief will fill their hearts. I know they are worried to travel without me, but this is just the situation we have to deal with. My American parents do know about our marriage. It was originally intended for Ecuador, but nobody came to Ecuador and our lawyer didn't hold up his end of the deal, so it was a perfect disaster.
We're glad that we have this document now, and there is a rumor now that we can register our marriage in Cambodia, maintain a visa for three years, then I am eligible for Cambodian citizenship, which I honestly don't believe, but it's worth pursuing.
Hi hi.. wow.. That is great news.. Cambodian citizenship... as long as there is a rumor, there is hope... it's worth trying to pursue..
Wow.. the time has finally come.. tonight is going to be a sad night... tears... of joy and missing... of each other... Thank you for the answer... I try usually not to poke into sensitive areas whenever I can. Always on the neutral side. Have a great night ahead..
I have no secrets, and honestly, you ASEAN Hivers have become my closest friends over the last few years. I am thankful you all think about my family and I.
Hehehe.. It's great to hear... I am thankful too.. to be part of your family.. Good friends are hard to find.. really.. it's not often we meet someone who is genuinely sincere and kind... you are kind and sincere... =)
In the Asian culture.. the first thing usually is about everyone in the family.. If a relative is ill for example, everyone gets pretty concerned. We'll try to go and pay our visits. No one left behind. No post is left behind.. wahaha.. Have a great great day..
The final countdown to leave. Finally and so happy for you and your family sir. As if there's rumors, there's a way to do with it. Don't give up ☺️. Wow your daughter are growing up so fast. Times really goes very fast. And it's time to say goodbye. Do remember to double check the important notes and documents. Always do 2-3 copies, well you know for just in case.
Sorry I am late replying, life has been hectic this week. As I write this my wife and kids are safe and sound outside Phnom Penh, staying at her cousin's house. She'll remain near the capital for at least a week taking care of paperwork and other bureaucratic stuff. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts.
Is ok sir don't worry about it. We understand that. Glad to hear they've reached safe and sound. As always, home sweet home ☺️❤️
That is the time you meet your American families. I think you miss your childhood friends too there. When I went home to my home town, I always visit my childhood friends after I visit my relatives.
I still keep in touch with two or three childhood friends, but I must admit the place where I'm from in the USA is a bit racist and xenophobic, so I must be careful talking about Cambodia and my life there. People in the USA are a bit offended that I "abandoned" my country to go to another place, and not all, but many see it as unpatriotic. I just try to be open-minded and understanding when I'm in the USA, it helps a lot.
Just enjoy the remaining days with your family and don´t get stressed...I am crossing my fingers that everything will soon be over. Cheers to all of you! Bye bye Suriname soon!
Yes, there are still many things to sort out, but we have hopes we will get through it and be together again soon. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts.
Oh wow. The time is here. You are making the escape soon. It's great that you get to join them sooner. I was feeling super sad about the potential long time apart. I feel relieved and can't wait for your reunion post.
I am really hoping a month is all that we are apart. We once thought we were going to be apart for 3 months due to some prior visa issues, and it turned into nearly 6 months. I never want to experience that again.
Monkey-B is cool with her pink sunglasses and gloves. 😊
Everyone have special and personalized gifts from beloved family in USA. Happiness overflows!😊
But, you are missing in the pictures. 😁
Good to know that tourist e-visa can be converted to residency visa. Let's just hope and pray that it will be for life not just until 2022.
Wish you all a safe trip!
Wish you a great time with your family in USA, too!
Monkey-B will be going back to Cambodia in style. The visa thing is still changing by the day, but I have hope I can return before 2022 and sort out a longer term solution. Give thanks my friend.
Monkey-B will always be in style. 🥰
Let us just hope and pray for the best with regards to visas.
Good travel, by now the girls are on their way back, wishing you all happiness being together again soon.
Decisions in life are never easy, getting where you want to go of late another problem to face, take care!
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When you wrote this, that was correct, and now as I respond, they are safe and sound in Cambodia. Now I just have to figure out how I'm gonna be safe and sound in Cambodia. The post-COVID world is full of laws that negatively affect poor people exponentially more than the wealthy, and I do fear this was the plan all along, distract people with the vaccine while passing laws that infringe on human rights so much more than the vaccine ever has or will.
Anyhow, I'm rambling, sorry. Thank you for thinking of my family and I during this strange time.
Nice to know the girls have landed safely and can now start preparing for your arrival, no straight lines anymore.
Planned reset by the powers that be and yes it is affecting people negatively.
Safe travel and safe landings....
Ok. This post ensure everything is in order. Enough bucks, enough cool sunglasses, enough of goofiness as well. That burger Srey-yuu holding actually reminds me of KFC ZERO chicken burger.
Yes, all is/was in order, family is safe and sound in Cambodia. That burger was actually store-bought veggie burger posing as a fried chicken chicken sandwich, so you're spot-on. I am glad to know my family now has access to hundreds of herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Everyone seems to be having fun! You have a beautiful family... 😍😍😍
Thank you so much, there is nothing like a surprise care package to brighten up our day.
That's true! Have a great one today, too! ^^
she perfectly nailed it. lol
I hope everything went smooth for your families journey and also your e-visa.
stay safe always when traveling with this kind of conditions.
So far so good, the family flies on the 23rd and I fly on the 27th. Thanks my friend.
Feel a little sad, because you are not in their midst, if you are in their midst ask the harmony of the family,
Seems my two families will likely never meet, but my primary responsibility lies with my wife and kids. If my American family members won't come to Cambodia, they will likely never have a chance to meet their Khmer in-laws.
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
Srey-Yuu is so beautiful. Monkey-B is very cute. I think that's united and happy family.❤
We are indeed a happy gang when we are together, and I really hope our time apart is only a month.
Your kids are super happy to have those gifts. Look at the smile they have on their face :)
Yes, true. Especially because we have few friends here, I think the girls feel special to know something has arrived here just for them.
I'm always happy to see them excited,Hopefully all the packages they receive are useful.
Monkey-B's sunglasses will serve her very well on her new life back in Cambodia. Thanks for stopping by my friend.
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