We have been to Walmart’s a few times buying things she wants for the apartment and herself. Elena enjoys how the store has so many types of items including a food market.

I asked her of her feelings about Las Vegas. Her comments are: “Las Vegas is WOW.” The streets are so wide with many lanes. Even when traffic is bad, it is better than in Philippine cities. There also is a view of the mountains surrounding the Las Vegas valley. In addition, the City and the streets are so clean.

We also have been to Costco and Elena was so shocked with the large quantities of products. Her eyes went wide when she saw the strawberries, so many, so fresh and so large.

With the free taste, samples we tried some Tri-tip beef and she was amazed how tender. We did buy a package of 9 mangos. They were from in Mexico but Elena told me how sweet they are. She is also enjoying all the types of apples here compared to the pulpy Fuji apples back home.

The other evening we went to Applebee’s and we had a nice and friendly Filipino waiter. They have a special (promo) running where you get one appetizer and two entrees for $20. We shared an order of spinach and artichoke dip with chips,   then Elena ordered a 3 cheese penne pasta with chicken and I had a steak with baked potato. Elena’s eyes opened when she tasted the steak,for the price, the steak was so tender.

There is a site online, ShowTickets4locals.com where you can get free tickets to shows since if a show is not sold out, they like to have “Seat fillers.” Yesterday I ordered tickets to see “Divas” where Nightly Frank Marino is the world’s most beautiful female impersonator, drag queen as Joan Rivers with others impersonators’.  Click here to see a YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rMlwsSqIdA Now in the 10 days here, we have seen two shows.

Don’t get too excited guys, these are men.

Before the show, we walked across the street to Caesars Forum where there are some high-end shops and restaurants. Elena enjoyed how beautiful the outside and inside was decorated.

Overall, Elena is enjoying the city, the different tastes of foods available and the large quantizes and varieties. The only problem she has so far is because of the dryness with the low humidity her skin is dry and we both have a cough.

As I asked her what else she feels about Vegas and she said the best part is, she is with “Her husband and he takes such good care of me.”

The flip side is she misses her friends and family but she daily talks, texts and chats with them online. She is also craving many Filipino foods but is enjoying the foods here.

As we left the airport I drove Elena up Las Vegas Blvd to see the hotels, then we stopped at the super market to pick up necessities for the next morning. Wednesday morning we went to a mall for Elena to have her first experience at a American Mall and we bought her a hat to wear to shade her face. Then we drove to the Stratosphere to meet up with one of my long term readers, Marcel and his lovely wife Judith. They are  from Toronto, Canada  and did a road trip across the US and stopped here for a few days to meet up with us.

We first went up to the top of the Stratosphere tower which is 1,149 feet tall which is over 100 stories high. Up there we had a great view of the whole Las Vegas Valley. After that Marcel and Judith graciously treated us to a buffet lunch at the Bellagio Hotel. Elena enjoyed seeing and tasting so many items available. I over did it too especially the deserts.

Thursday and Friday we spent going to different shopping areas to buy items needed for our apartment. Thursday night I was able to get 2 free tickets to the Chris Angel Believe show at the Luxor Hotel. Elena enjoyed the magic show and was amazed at the huge Egyption type displays.

Friday evening I cooked Elena dinner and would not let her into the kitchen to help which frustrated her since she had always cooked for me.

Now life goes back to normal for me. I am writing this Friday evening and need to hurry up since I get up at 1am.

I will try to keep up with posting Elena’s experiences and observations here as often as I can.

About me, I was working the 5:00am to 4:30pm shift, which I liked, since it is almost normal working hours. Then in June when they rebid all the shifts, I am now on a 3:00am to 2:30pm shift. I still have Thursdays and Fridays as my days off.

For my routine, I get up at 1:00AM, have a cup of coffee while I talk on Skype with Elena, leave at 2:15am to be in to get my cab by 2:40am and be on the road to be available by 3:00am. Then I come in by 2:30pm, gas up car, turn in paperwork and cash. I then stop off on the way home if I need anything from the market and am home by 3:00 to 3:30pm. I then make a light dinner and eat it while I talk to Elena and then go to bed.

Work has been slow and the rides and tips have been down. Because of this, the last two weeks I worked both my days off. This is to earn extra income to make up for the slower days, also to earn more shift credits to cove the days off when Elena gets here.

Now the most important part of this chapter:

Elena has finally received her VISA and purchased her airline tickets. She will leave Davao August 8 and in Las Vegas August 9. The reason for the day in Manila is to get her CFO sticker put in her passport so she will to be able to leave the country. In case you did not read or forgot, the Commission on Filipino Overseas has a mandatory seminar to all Filipinos immigrating or leaving to work in another country. Elena attended the seminar months ago and now just needs to present her passport and visa to get her sticker.

The holdup was this, On May 8^th Elena went in for her interview at the US Embassy in Manila. After the waiting, she was called in for her interview. She was told everything was good except one problem. Her passport has her name as Maria Elena Libres Linder but as the Philippine Government agencies do many times had her name on her NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) report as Ma. Elena Libres Linder. This abbreviation is due to the fact that many Catholic women in the Philippines have Maria as part of their first name and to cut down on typing they abbreviate Maria to Ma.

This is fine in the Philippines but even though the Embassy is in Manila, they are so bureaucratic they have no common sense and because of this, Elena had to return home, go to the NBI and get a new report showing her as Maria Elena A.K.A (also known as) Ma. Elena.

Of course, nothing is easy when you deal with any government so when Elena went to the NBI she was told, even though a regular NBI report is done the same day, the A.K.A. has to be requested by Manila. After two weeks passed, she received it and sent it by next day courier to Manila. However, the format was wrong so Elena was notified two weeks later by the Embassy the format it was needed. Again, Elena returned to the NBI and had to wait another two weeks until she could return to pick it up.

Well now, all that is left is for Elena to pack, say her goodbyes and get on a plane August 9 to fly here to Las Vegas. I am so excited I am telling everyone I know and thinking of the items I need in the apartment for her arrival.

I originally thought about renting a car to pick up Elena at the airport since I think she would not be able to hold her luggage while sitting behind be on the scooter, but about a month ago, I felt my savings was good enough to go buy a decent used car. So now, I am the proud owner of a 2003 Buick Century.

In the future, I will post articles with pictures of us experiencing Las Vegas together and write about her views, opinions and experiences adjusting to her new life in a new country.

Thank you all for staying with me, even with my lack of postings.

When we got her approval from the National Visa Center, we were told Elena had to bring two items with corrections. Then looking online at the the Travel.State.Gov site, we saw Elena needed to go in advance for her medical exam at St. Lukes.

To make sure everything was complete and forwarded to the Embassy by her interview, Elena flew to Manila the last week of April for her Medical and then returned to Manila May 5th for the May 6th interview.

Well, it turned out the wait to be called was much longer than the interview. Elena offered the corrected items and the interviewer told her it they were not needed and after a few questions Elena was told she was approved.

The total interview took lest than 5 minutes. Now Elena will fly back home, start organizing her packing and wait for her visa to arrive. Once it arrives she will get prices for airfare and then purchase the tickets.

Once in Manila, she will have to go to the CFO office to get the sticker placed in her visa so the officials at the airport will let her exit. See my article about the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

I am so excited and so is my mother and brother. It has been a long process. For my mother and Brother, it has been 5 years of them waiting to meet Elena.

I hope Elena comes before the end of May since, as a taxi driver,  I can get 2 free tickets to see Gladys Knight at the Tropicana.

I will keep you all informed about the rest of the process and then let you know how Elena enjoys America and Las Vegas.

I also want to thank my readers for the good wishes and prayers.

I know many readers will think is Bruce crazy to work so much? Well, except for the long hours and low pay, I enjoy the job and I have been doing much better in tips. I also am supporting two households. I have been also getting good numbers in the average at work for both dollars booked on the meter and the amount of customers or “trips” each day.

Now for the reason most of you follow my site, what is happening with Elena’s VISA? In December our petition at the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) was approved and forwarded to the NVC (National Visa Center).

Since then I had received notices that items had to be corrected or more items of information needed to be sent to them. Since my brother is a joint sponsor, I needed to send in proof of his citizenship and more information on my Affidavit of Support.

Well last Friday, April 8^th I received an email that our file was approved and being forwarded to Manila. Then yesterday, Thursday April 14^th we received an email with the date for Elena’s appointment for her interview at the Consulate in Manila. It is in just three weeks on May 6^th.

In the past, Elena would receive a package from the Embassy with an appointment date to have a physical at St. Luke’s Medical Center and then the interview date and time a week later. Now Elena just has to go first to the Medical Center with the letter from the NVC showing her file number and approval and then to bring the approval to the Embassy for her interview. This can be done the same week. Another approved system is that Elena should get her visa the day of the appointment instead of paying for a messenger service to deliver her passport with visa once completed.

Once Elena returns to Davao after her interview with her Visa, she can then pack and purchase her airline tickets to come to Las Vegas. I am expecting Elena to be here by the end of May.

With all the waiting and corrections, we are so excited the time is so close. Her interview will be one year and two days from the date I left the Philippines. For almost a year we have only seen and talked to each other over the internet and calls using the Magic Jack Elena has in at our house in Davao.

About our house and car, our oldest nephew Amar and his wife and new baby will live in the house and care for it. We are still trying to sell the car to help cover the expenses of Elena’s trip and to help us purchase a decent used car here in Las Vegas.  If any of my readers are interested in the car, please notify me. All offers will be considered.

Also all, please join us in prayers for Elena’s safe trip to Manila and a speedy approval of her interview and receiving her visa and her trip and new adventure coming to America.

Most days off are filled with laundry, house hold chores, banking and other errands. Also when life becomes routine, you have trouble thinking about what to write.

Well here are some items of interest. First with Elena’s Visa situation and the National Visa Center requests. After paying the fees for the Affidavit of Support and the Immigrant Visa Application I submitted the Affidavit of support. Then I had to send Elena the application for Immigrant Visa since it had to be signed by her and she needed to send me additional documentation. This documentation was previously sent to USCIS, but I guess they keep it in their files and do now pass it along.

I am then notified by the NVC that certain items on my brothers and my affidavits need to be corrected, and additional information included. They also requested the forms be signed in Blue pen to prove it is an original signature. Don’t they know there are color printers so blue can be copied too?

Well I sent it all back including Elena’s the Immigrant Visa Application this week and I hope it goes through. If I am not notified by email, I guess we will know when Elena gets the package from the Embassy.

Some things are new with my job. A while back, I put in a request for a straight shift instead of the broken up shifts. I was previously working 5:30am to 5pm Saturdays unrestricted, 3:30am to 3pm Sunday and Monday geographically restricted and Monday and Tuesday 3:30am to 3pm unrestricted. Now am on a shift of all days 5am to 4:30pm unrestricted and my shift car has one of the new credit card machines. This is now to our company, in the past we did not take credit cards.  It is nice having the same hours, the same car every day unless it is in for repairs.

As for income, with the later hours I get more rides since not much happens at 3:30 in the morning except on weekends. I have been booking a nice amount on the meter each day and my tip percentage has gone up too. I now usually make between 38 to 52% tips of the amount booked on the meter.

Last weekend two interesting things happened. On Saturday, I picked up two young couples, about 32 years old. A pretty blond girl sat up front. Looked at my name on my Taxi Permit and asked me if I ever lived in Hemet, California. When I answered yes, she took off her sunglasses and asked me if I remember her.  At first, I was afraid of being accused of something, but I said she looked familiar. She then mentioned the name of a close friend who lived in the same development I did in Hemet. It turned out she was his daughter and I had not seen her since she was in her low to mid teens. I was amazed she remembered me after all these years.

The next morning, I was next up on the taxi line at the MGM Grand Hotel. As I was waiting to be called up a gold limousine pulled up across the island from me. As I looked over I noticed Manny Pacquiao, his wife and entourage got out of the Limo. I called out “Manny, kumasta ka.” When he looked over, I got out and mentioned I just moved back from Davao and my house is up the street from his old townhouse. He shook hands with me and his wife mentioned they now own a house nearby in Robinsons Highlands.

At that point, I was called up to load a customer so I was unable to get a photo with him or his autograph. Maybe next time I will have more time.

One other this is the weather has been cold and it even snowed a few weeks back. It would melt as it landed, but it snowed just the same. With the cold weather, especially in the morning when I leave home, it is COLD on my scooter. I hope that soon I will be able to buy a car.

I will let you all know as things progress. Thank you all who continue to put up with my lack of writings and keep up checking in and reading of me continued saga.

I hope once these items are sent in, the NVC will forward all to the Embassy in Manila for the final step and Elena can come here.

Last year we did this from our own pocket. We bought a shirt, candy and a little toy for 25 kids. First, we bought them a lunch of Pancit, bread and cokes at the Eatery area next to the market. The kids prayed before the meal and after eating, they sang Christmas carols for us. Then we gave out a gift bag to each child. You can read more about the party and see a slide show and a video of last year’s party here. (click here to go to the article)

This year we will keep the amount of kids to 25 but want to do more. First, we will hold it at Jollibee’s across from the market. At Jollibee’s we can have the upstairs area for the party. In addition, this will be a treat for the kids since they probably have never eaten at Jollibee’s due to the poverty level their families live.  For those who do not know what Jollibee is, it is like a McDonalds but is cheaper.

Christmas for these kids is a day for family but not much else. Their families are so poor they never have money for gifts or a better Christmas meal. It is a joyous day in a religious aspect but a sad day since they see others having a Christmas dinner and gifts shared.

What we would like to do this year, with the help of our readers and friends, is to give each child, besides the shirt, candy and toy, is to give them some money. With this money, we will tell the kids to buy some lechon (traditional roast pig) and other treats to bring Christmas home to their families.

I will try to get donations from the taxi drivers I have gotten to know here. Many are Filipino and know about the poverty in their country. Elena is talking to her friends in Davao and I am asking my readers to help.

The conversion from US dollar to peso is in the area of 43 peso to the dollar. We would like to give each child 500 to 1,000 pesos to have a wonderful and joyous Christmas for their families. 500 pesos is only $12 US.  $12 is such a small amount to most of us, but 1,000 Pesos would give each child the ability to bring home some Lechon, fruits and some small gifts for their families.

Let us show these children We Care. They go to school all week and then are at the market all day on weekends just to earn some money just to eat lunch at school. They are not beggars or thieves. They are wonderful and loving kids that never experience the type of childhood we experienced.

Elena could also use some assistance with the party. I know there are many of our friends in Davao who read this site. It is a lot of work shopping and setting up the gift bags. Elena will need help at the party to keep things under control. Unfortunately, I will not be there to help and enjoy the love from these kids.

Again, I ask, please open your hearts and wallets and help us give these kids a wonderful Christmas. For our friends in Davao, we would like someone that can keep the tradition going after Elena moves here to the US. I hope we can get a few who will continue this loving and caring gesture.

Use the PayPal donate button. All proceeds go to the kids.

For all the time I have known Tom, he has always wanted to help people and families in a charitable way. He gives of his heart, soul and pocket and most of the time, what he gets back is hurt. He has been insulted when he gives and gives and then when he offers advice and assistance he ignored. He has also helped a family open a business and then they run it into the ground and he then is asked for more money.

Well, after I arrived in Las Vegas, Tom asked me if he could help my kids at Agdao market. He knew of the story from last Christmas when Elena and I gave a small Christmas party for about 25 kids. If you missed the story or the video and photo sideshow, click here to see the story.

He knew the new school year was about to start and the kids need school supplies. Even though these kids come from poor families they work at the market to earn a few pesos, to help cover their daily meals.  Their family and their earnings can never cover school supply costs. A few of the kids have asked Elena if she could buy them their needed supplies.

After  Tom contacted me, I had Elena call Tom and ask what he had in mind. He asked Elena to find out what the children needed for their basic supplies, the cost and how many kids can he help. The following Sunday morning Elena asked the girls that assist her what items and quantities are needed and how many children at the market can we help. Elena was told the items and that there are 25 kids in need. The next day Elena went to the mall and the wholesale Chinatown stores to get a quote of pricing. Elena then meet with Tom to tell him all the information. She also asked if they  could also give each kid a backpack. As no surprise Tom agreed and as you read Tom’s story, he increased the supplies too.

During the week, Elena met with Tom and his caregiver/friend Cardawe and went to purchase the supplies. With Elena’s bargaining, they were able to get all the supplies for less cost then was estimated. Over the next few days, Elena divided the supplies and placed them in each backpack. Our nephew, Amar donated four cases of Magnolia fruit juice beverage for the kids too.

Sunday morning, Elena went for her shopping at the market and told the kids to meet her and Tom by the eatery at 10am. Amar meet Elena at the house to load all the filled backpacks into his truck and drove everyone to the market. Once there, when Tom saw all the kids, he told Elena that he wanted to buy them food to eat too, so Elena made arraignments with one of the cafes to prepare food for all 25 kids. Then after eating, they gave each child a backpack filled with all the supplies needed for their new school year.

I am sure Elena, Tom and the kids will remember that day for a long time.

Here is Tom’s story:

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce H. Linder had been helping the children working around Agdao Market for some time. Prior to Bruce returning to the States we had discussed my getting involved. We decided a good project would be helping the children with their school supplies. It is difficult for poor families to provide the supplies needed when school opens in June. They cannot expect much help from a government that cannot even provide desk/chairs for over 20,000 students in the Davao area alone. The supplies needed to start school were 8 spiral note books, 6 writing pads, pencil, blue pen, ruler and 16 count color set. We decided to give in addition an extra pencil and pen, pencil/pen holder and backpack. Elena, Cardawe Acmad and I went to China Town to purchase the supplies. Thanks to Elena’s bargaining skills we were able to save money and get first quality supplies. The supplies were put into the 25 backpacks and on Sunday May 30th we took the supplies to the children and treated them to lunch at the market. The children were delighted and anxiously waiting for us to arrive. Elena had gone the previous Sunday and made the arrangements for the children to meet us at around 10 in the morning.

I am just using some of the photos Tom took, but to see them all, please click here to see all the photos.

I just read Tom Martin’s post and his last comment rang true to me as well. Bruce met my wife and me for lunch before he left for Vegas. We chatted about many things. He was a little upset due to some expats comments, and rightfully so. I do believe we would have become good friends if he had stayed here.

I have been here in Davao for almost a year now. I have not done a lot of socializing because I have been working 6 to 7 days a week building a house. I have met several expat here. I have one for a neighbor, one down the road and another down the road the other way. One, I actually think might become a good friend, but school is still out on that until I transfer (move) into my house later this week.

My neighbor’s idea of friendship is a shoddy barb wire fence that looks like a 10 year old put up, with grow sticks laced in between the strands and native thorn bushes he transplanted down the fence row, in my front yard! Not to mention three coconut trees he planted specifically to block my view of Mt Apo. That will take a few years, if they don’t die. Did I mention I bought my property from him. Nice guy till he saw he was not going to get any more money out of me.

Another foreigner with a bad plan. I would tell him what I think, but he hides or turns his back and goes inside if I get within shouting distance. He always waits until we are not there to do his deeds, early morning or after dark. My wife and I laugh and wonder when he will find the time once we move there. However, given that, the real sad part of it all is the fact that my wife and his wife grew up together, been friends most of their lives. I think his wife has came back to visit my wife one time in 6 months. Such a shame, but fear not, I believe in Karma…….we reap what we sow.

As for the other expats I have met, I put them into three categories. The ones that have little and want to be a King and the ones that have a lot and think they are Kings. Then there are the ones like me that came here because they love the culture and the challenge of a third world country. These seem to be far and few between. I do have several expat friends in Cebu who we visit and are waiting to come here when my house is finished. Yes, there are many inconviences here, downright frustrating at times. However, you got to love the people. Most have nothing but they are always smiling and full of hope. I do have several Filipino friends. All I have to do is mention I need this, or need someone to help me. They always come through and are there to help whenever I have a need. They expect nothing in return.

Well it seems that Tom Martin and I may have a few things in common. Maybe he will read this and who knows, maybe we will become friends. However, I do empathize with him no matter the outcome.

I have had people that are coming here for the first time; ask me about being taken advantage of by the Filipino’s. They are concerned and worried that they will have to pay more than they should. I have to laugh. But it’s true, you may get the white guy price or a Taxi driver may try to get away without setting the meter, (but we know Bruce would never do that). But it’s usually only a few peso’s more. The only way to really combat this is to learn some of the language. More times than not I get a better price then the Filipino’s. I always ask the price of something in English. Once they tell me, I then tell them in their language it’s too high and I want a discount. They are usually so shocked they get a big smile on their face and start lowering the price. As for as being taken advantage of, well my advice is to beware of other foreigners. They will more likely dent your wallet much harder the any Filipino. Sad but true.