A Star is Born Hits Me Hard

 I was just alone today at home. Well, that's the case normally since my husband is 6000 miles away. Anyway, it is a habit of mine to look at a movie or a series every time I eat dinner. I got used to having my husband talking to me when we eat, so now that he's not there, I just make myself entertained by things I find on Netflix or Youtube.

Today, I bumped into this Top 10 list on Netflix and saw the movie "A Star Is Born". It has been a long time since I watched a drama/love story film. In the beginning, I was like, ok, I just prep my dinner then just sit once I'm done but continuing it playing in my background. When I finally finished making food, I ate, then was stunned by the story. It made me stop, I held my chest and started crying for no reason. I felt it was hurting inside of me.

Is it because I miss my man so much? Or the songs from the movie just added up to the fire of sadness and homesickness I am feeling? It was not easy. The movie hit me hard.

I continued listening to the song and clip excerpts of the movie and my tears still are falling. Would you believe that I did not even realize that the girl is Lady Gaga? It was so different and beautiful at the same time. Maybe this is the reason why I do not watch these kinds of movies, I am a hardcore crybaby.

Well, yeah, that's it.

My Basic Intergration Result (Basisexamen Inburgering) Result Finally Came! MVV Journey 2020

Hey all! Thank you for coming by! You may have read from my previous post about the exam I needed to take so I can stay in The Netherlands for a longer period of time. It took me quite some time to finally be able to have everything ready because of the virus. But happily, when I got back to The Philippines, everything went smooth, we just needed to wait for a little more time because of the mandatory quarantine and all.

After waiting for 6 weeks, the result finally came. I thought that my husband will be the only one who'll receive it, but no, they have sent it to my email as well. When I saw a message from DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs/DepEd), I was stunned and I actually do not know what to do. It was nine in the morning in The Philippines and my husband on the other side of the world is still sleeping. I needed to wait a little bit more.

Finally, when he woke up, we started with a video call and opened the email at the same time.

We were so ecstatic to know that my hard work just paid off and getting the full mark!

Speaking: 10

Reading: 10

Knowledge of Dutch Society: 10

I cannot say if the exam is easy or not. It depends on the person and the range of materials he used to prepare. I cannot shaer the questions from the exam either.

Anyways, this is an important requirement for the MVV application. I will definitely make a vlog or a blog post about the requirements on how you can obtain a 5-year visa for family reunification.

Thank you for reading!

And because I want you to pass the exam as well, here are some tips while self-studying! I know you'll pass it in one take.

Basisexamen Inburgering Experience (Basic Intergration Exam) For Long-Term Visa: MVV Journey 2020

I have been applying for a tourist visa since 2015 (the very first time I went out of the country while being unemployed since I quit my job a few months back prior to my flight). And so far, all of them went straight in the jar (pasok sa banga) and got approved. I have been also traveling here and there every year after that.

It just never came into mind that I will be applying for a long-term visa and will be requesting a probationary residence permit. Yes, we never really planned to stay longer in The Netherlands until all these happened. My husband cannot stay longer in The Philippines and I cannot in The Netherlands either. And since my husband's term of 5 years of stay has already ended, I think it is my turn now to change life courses and be in his country. For a background story, he first decided to stay in PH for a year, but it was extended to half a decade already.

During the recent trip I had, we've finally decided that I will be taking the exam (for those who are planning to stay longer than 3 months in NL). My flight back to PH was supposedly on June 5, but due to the pandemic, I was extended until September 3. At first, we thought of taking the exam in July or August, a few weeks after my arrival. Because I was extended, we moved our plans and the exam then fell to September.

This basic integration examination is about the Dutch language and society. One needs to pass it to be able to live in NL (there are exceptions, which I am not in any way included haha). And for preparation, my husband bought me the official self-study pack called Naar Nederland.

While I am in NL, and I cannot actually go anywhere else, there's coronavirus and all, I had ample time to study and finish the book. I always make sure to study at a strict time (8:00am-9:00am) every day except weekends.

When I got back, I just needed to wait until I finished my 14-days mandatory quarantine. By September 11, my husband paid for the 3 sets of the exam (speaking, reading, and culture/society). After 5 days (September 16), we received the confirmation that DUO (like the Dutch Department of Education) received our payment. On September 21, I sent an email to the Dutch embassy requesting my preferred date. In two days, September 23, they confirmed the date of the exam on September 30.

The above photo was sent to me for reference by a friend who had her exam a few years ago. That is how they divided the questions into parts. All in all, there are 94 items.

Few days before traveling to Manila, I went to the police station to secure a travel pass that will allow me to go beyond my city, also proving that I went through the quarantine period and got no symptoms. Traveling at this time isn't easy, plus never cheap at all! I paid Php3500 / USD75 for renting a private van, there are no available buses at that time.

After an hour ride from my place to the embassy, we arrived an hour earlier. I still had ample time to prepare myself, check the things I needed, and study a bit.

When I went upstairs, I still waited for a few minutes before finally getting into the examination room. It started with the speaking, which I find very comprehensible. After a few minutes, I then started the reading, which is a little tricky at the comprehensive reading. And lastly, the KNS/culture questions. I was given an hour and a half to finish everything but I had a lot of time left, even I went back to the questions three times.

The waiting game then started. The lady at the embassy told me it will take up to 8 weeks for the result to be released. That made me sad. But it was okay. Time will fly fast if I will keep myself busy.

Are you going to take the A1 Basisexamen Inburgering or the basic integration exam abroad too? Make sure to keep reading, fill your mind with lots of vocabulary and you're good to go. Success!

Basic Integration Exam Timeline

Sept. 11: Paid for the Inburgering Examen

Sept. 16: Payment Confirmation Received

Sept. 21: Requested for exam date

Sept. 23: Embassy & DUO confirmed exam date

Sept. 30: Exam day

With Abundant Joy

 I have been ranting the past day on this post why am I not receiving my result yet. It was a depressing day for me, I was stressing out.

The next day, to my surprise, the result of my exam finally arrived. There's no way yet to see the result because my husband and I agreed that we will look at it together.

My result was there but I still needed to wait for another three hours before my husband wakes up.

Finally, the time has come. We looked at it together,  and we were both happy to see perfect scores on all of the three parts. Who would have thought? There were almost 100 items included in the test. I had an hour and a half to answer them. And I passed all of them.

Being alone at our apartment, I actually thought that I will celebrate this achievement alone. The next day, my mom called asking me if I need anything. They will visit me and give supplies like vegetables they harvested in their garden.

Few hours later, here they come.

I was so happy that they've made efforts to give me a simple celebration. I was amazing. I also got a bouquet of stargazer from my husband which mademe even happier.

30.09.2020 - I took the Dutch A1 Exam at Makati

11.11.2020 - We received the result

Next step, we will apply for my long term visa or what they call MVV. We are also hoping for a positive result on this one. And soon enough, I will be with my husband again, and there'll only be a one way ticket cause we will close the distance once again.

Waiting Desperately.

 I have been waiting for the result of my Dutch exam. It has been a month and nine days now since I took it. And I am so desperate. I tried to defocus myself from waiting to taking.  care of plants,   which I just recently did, because of the expenses I had. the past months. Just imagine being home, having swab tests, staying in a hotel, going to Manila using a private rented van, getting all these documents and stuff, costed a lot of money, in just two months.

Now that I have some spares, I bought plants from the cheapest I can find. I would have felt very guilty if I will spend a lot on plants. But I am happy with my purchases. There's now a spider plant, a peace lily, a. philodendron, and a golden pothos. I've also. purchased little pots for the cactus I gave my husband four years ago, and the baby aloe vera I got from a friend's house.

I want to release my stress to these plants but I am actually being so stressed about how I could take care of them. Back in the Netherlands, there's this specific plant that my mom-in-law keeps on buying because it keeps on dying. I hope it will not happen to my plants.

Like what I mentioned, it has been the sixth day of waiting and I haven't heard anything from the immigration or the department of education yet. It is not the waiting that makes me anxious, it is also the result if I will pass or I need to retake the test again. If I need to do it again, then it will take a while again and again until I receive the result.

Well, that's how my life is going now. I only stay at home while waiting, also waiting for the day to pass by so quickly.

I hope I will find inspiration soon and relive my happiness again. It's just so sad to be separated from my husband in this difficult times.

Dutch Exam Level A1 Done!

It has been a week. I am still anxious. I've heard horror stories. Speaking was the hardest part.

Last week, I gathered up all my courage and went to the embassy for my Dutch exam. I was very nervous. Well, even now. The room was filled with the cold air that punctures my skin. Though I was just the only one in the room, I feel as if someone's looking at me. One computer, a chair, and a set of headphones. Those are all I had inside.

The lady explained to me what to do. I tried to listen very carefully but the mask blocked her voice that I cannot pick up some of what she said. Anyways, I proceeded. The first part was speaking. I felt a little bit confident on that one. I just wish I spoke clearly and loudly, for I am not in the mood to retake that part.

Then it was reading. That was the hardest. The first two parts were easy, but the last one was reading comprehension. There were some words that I am not familiar with. I was skeptical.

Last was the knowledge of Dutch society. It was okay. I know I had one mistake, which I terribly regretted answering. I know it was not right but I still pursued it.

I have checked all the questions when I got home.

My travel time was only an hour and a few minutes, which normally takes me two or more. There were not many cars on the highway.

Today, a friend shared her results, she did not pass the speaking. My heart pounded again. Thoughts started to enter my head, what if I did not pass the speaking as well? What if I need to retake again? I will be a total embarrassment. I do not want to do it again.

Waiting for the result was the hardest. Imagine spending eight weeks just to know that you will fail. What a heart ache!

How to Register Your Marriage in Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) The Hague

If you are married outside of The Netherlands, you are required to register it in your local municipality. You can do it by following the steps here: Register Your Marriage In The Netherlands. After this, you might as well consider converting your document into a Dutch certificate. In this way, if ever you needed a copy of it, you don't need to go to The Philippines to extract one. You can simply ask online and it will be delivered at your home, without losing any time of your day.

To be able to do this, here are the requirements:

- Birth certificate of the Dutch national

- Passport of the Dutch national

- Registration from the municipality in The Netherlands

- Marriage certificate (Apostille)

- Foreign birth certificate (Apostille)

- Foreign passport

- Declaration of Non-Dutch Nationality form

(All of the above documents are in PDF/JPG file. If the BRP in Den Haag requests for printed documents, just send it to them and you will be notified about any progress.)

After compiling all of the requirements, you can now submit a request on their website, denhaag.nl. There are no fees for registering your certificate(s). You pay only for the costs of sending back your original documents by registered post. You will receive a payment request for this together with the relevant documents.

And that's it! If you have any queries, please do not forget to contact me in any information available in this blog. It can be on Youtube, Instagram or Facebook. So, thank you and have a great day! Doei!

For converting the document to a Ducth document, that is a total different story. We will blog about it if we finish converting ours! <3 Much love!

Becoming Dutch: Bicycle Hunt

So here's the thing. The situation now with the pandemic isn't getting any better. There are more and more people being infected with the virus and sadly, a lot of people died all around the world. In The Netherlands, there are now more than 18, 000 people tested positive and more than a thousand died. In my country in The Philippines, there are more than three thousand positive cases and a hundred deaths. This is why people are advised to stay at their own homes, avoid social gatherings and keep distance of 6 feet or 1.5 meters.

And since the number of positive cases is increasing, we still don't know what lies ahead. The government here has not implemented any lockdown to prevent huge jump of economic loss. Anyhow, we still are told to be prepared by any means.

That is one of the reasons why I needed to have a bicycle myself. If ever there'll be things in the future that we cannot use any fuel-automated vehicles, at least we have each our own means of transportation. Another reason is, I am integrating myself into the Dutch system so I needed to learn and have one myself.

It was a swift flight this time!

So now that I am back here in my husband's arm, that is, in The Netherlands, I just want to share with you the experience that I had from the luggage drop to the immigration here in The Netherlands. It was my smoothest flight so far since the very first time I had an international trip. Why? In my first to the last one except this, they gave me a hard time in the immigration. I had no idea why are they being so difficult to me. Urrgghh.

Happily, now things have changed. Let me tell you guys what I've been through this time.

I've been very anxious about my flight because for the first time in my life, I needed to fly alone. Yes, you heard me right. It's going to be the first time I will be flying all by my self. So I had some sleepless nights back home, I also had stress ate, and I have been thinking so much how will I do and what will happen to me in this flight.

Here's then what happened. My cousin from abroad went home to The Philippines to spend some time with her parents. My Mom and sister went to see her (that's about 5 hours drive from the place we live). When they learned that she will be flying back for her work, they've also learned that she will be in my flight as well. Now that's God's blessing!



In the time of our flight, we found each other inside the airport catching up and having my fave combos together. It has been so long when we had a good conversation like that.

At least...

It's ten o'clock. Dogs of the neighbor are barking, somehow, it seems like all the other neighbors do not actually getting disturbed by the sound. I am. It's just difficult to go outside, talk to the owners, in the middle of the night. I'm happy tho that I do not work at night anymore, otherwise, my students will never be happy hearing those loud barks.

Anyways, I just finished my Netflix series. You might know about it since it is one of top 10 on the platform. It's Crush Landing On You. It was nice, I finished it in a few days. I was short but I do not complain, I prefer that than the one we have in our local TV, it has been years now, the main actor was shot, stabbed, poisoned (I think), but still well and kicking.

Today, I planned to call the water delivery because I only have a few drops left, but then, I fell asleep. This morning, I went to check on the availability of my visa card in the bank. I've been waiting for it for three weeks now. When they told me that it's available, I made a schedule that I will be retrieving my card. Sadly, the name in the card remained the same, my maiden name. My plan is actually to take it with me abroad. I was dismayed. The expectation turned into a wave of anger inside of me. Of course, I did not let it go out but inside, I was so mad.

Then after, I went to pay some bills. The house rent, the telephone bill, a gift for a friend. Seems like never-ending bills to pay.

I went home, hungry, only to find out that I do not have spare groceries for this week anymore. Anyways, I will not spend that much here any longer. It's better to empty the fridge than to leave something that might spoil.

Few minutes after going up to bed, I felt like I am not tired yet. My mind is still working so sharply that I needed to force my body to stand up and do something.

So far, February had been good to me. My anxiety from the previous post left, and I felt better emotionally. I miss my man, and that's given. But not for long, we will be with each other again.

Now I feel tired, after yawing, I think I am ready to go to bed again and sleep. I hope March will be better than February. Success!

How To Get CFO (Guidance and Counseling Program) Certificate 2020

Disclaimer: All procedures and requirements that I will share in this post are my own experience when I obtained my CFO Certificate. I am not, in any way, affiliated with Commission on Filipino Overseas office.

Hi beautiful people! Another day, another blog! Last week, I went to Manila to attend this Guidance and Counseling Program because I am flying to Europe again next month. And since this will be my very first flight without anyone, I do not want to take the risk of being offloaded just because I do not have this specific certificate (which I supposedly applied for the past 5 years already).

Why do you need to get one?
If you are leaving as fiancé(e) / spouse or partner of a foreigner or a former Filipino, you need to attend the Guidance Counseling Program (GCP) at Commission on Filipino Overseas' office.

Things to know:
- Seminars are conducted according to your partner's citizenship. There are rooms for US, Europe, AsPac (Asia Pacific), etc.
- Fifteen attendees (for CFO Manila) and twelve (for CFO Cebu) are accommodated per session.
- Secure an appointment through the GCP Online Appointment System (GOAS).
- It is important to bring the confirmation letter or form on the day of the appointed seminar.
- The certificate costs Php400.
- It is valid for as long as you are married to the petitioner that you've applied for, the first time you attended the seminar.
- Even those who will fly as tourist needs to attend the said seminar (given that you are in a relationship to a foreign national).

Procedures on securing an appointment online:
1. Log in to https://cfo.gov.ph/ and register at the blue tab that states "Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP)".
2. Secure an appointment according to your location.
- Red for Manila
- Blue for Cebu
- Green for Clark
- Yellow for Davao
3. Once you finished answering the first form, check your email and look for "CFO GCP-Manila Online Appointment" (if Manila) to confirm your e-mail.
4. After confirmation, click the link at the bottom left of the page to input your data. Log-in with your e-mail address and answer the following questions about you and your partner/petitioner.
5. Print the confirmation and bring all the necessary documents on the day of your appointment.

Here are the requirements:
1. Two (2) original valid identification cards with photograph;
2. Duly completed guidance and counseling form to be secured at the CFO;
3. If married in the Philippines, original Certificate of Marriage on security paper from the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA);
If married overseas, original Report of Marriage duly registered by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or the Department of Foreign Affairs; and
4. Payment of Php 400.00 counseling and registration fee.

What to do next?
1. Go to the CFO office of your choice on the day of your appointment. (Others said that it is better to arrive an hour before the seminar time.)
2. Guards will call on those who have the seminar and will ask for the confirmation letter and an Identification card. You will not leave the letter but you will leave your ID in exchange with a visitor pass or tag.
3. You may now proceed to the third floor (CFO Manila), and show your appointment letter, another ID card or your passport and marriage certificate (if married already). They might ask additional identification or certificate.
4. They will give a 3-pages form (CFO-MIE-FR-GRF-001) to be filled up before the seminar. They will verify it and ask for more details to make sure you've completed the answers in the form.
5. The seminar will proceed at the time of your appointment and can last up to three or four hours.
6. After that, names will be called for a one-on-one interview. Interview time depends on the person and the relationship they are in.

Here are the questions they asked me (most, if not all):
- How did you meet?
- How long have you been courting before getting married?
- Why don't you have babies yet? (upon knowing that we are married for almost two years)
- Can I see photos of you together?
- Does he have an Alien Card? (I mentioned that he is living in The Philippines for almost five years already)

7. After the interview, you need to go down to the first floor and wait for your name to be called.
8. Pay Php400 for the certificate and wait until it is released. Check the spelling of your name before leaving.

And there you go, you now have your CFO certificate. You cannot laminate it for it has a chip or a QR code where Immigration Officers can see the record of your partner or petitioner. However, folding it in half may do. A lost certificate will cost Php800, though you do not need to attend the seminar anymore. You just need to present an Affidavit of Lost.

requirements source: https://cfo.gov.ph/filipino-spouses-and-partners-of-foreign-nationals/

I am Paranoid!

I admit it. I became a little bit paranoia in the past weeks. Why? Here are the reasons.

December was the best month of our 2019. We've been to my husband's place, enjoyed time with the family, saw our friends again and all are happy memories. After our stay in The Netherlands, we then spent a few days in Taiwan, which is another awesome experience for us. It was all perfect. Then, we came home in The Philippines safely. We saw our family again and our friends. There are news ones, there were old.

Current Obsession: Vintage Cards and Snailmails

This is not suppose to be an appreciation post but I would like to extend my thanks to my friend Geraldine, for sharing me things I would be obsessed of. (This is all your fault my dear. Hahaha) She has been telling me about journaling (and now I am eager to start doing it, I hope), most specifically junk journal, also snail mails, and whole lot more. My artsy heart has been sleeping for the past year and now it has been revived to life. Thanks too to my husband, GJ, for always supporting me in every thing I do, even the simplest, teeny-tiniest thing there is.

Today, I've finished making three individual cards for our international friends. I don't know if they're into these cute things but yeah, I'm taking the risk. They are all girls so I do not see any reason why they'll not gonna love it. I even want to receive one as well. (I might make a letter and send it to me in NL.) Haha.

How to Get PSA Certificates 2020 (Birth, Marriage, Death, Certificate of No Marriage)

Disclaimer: All procedures and requirements that I will share in this post are my own experience when I obtained my PSA Certificate. I am not, in any way, affiliated with PSA or any Census Serbilis Center.

PSA (formerly known as NSO) certificate is a requirement when enrolling for school, applying for passport or even getting a visa. The process is not as complicated as others think. It is just plain simple. Like what I've mentioned in my previous post about PSA Certificate, there are three ways on how you can attain it. First is through walk-in or personal appearance at their office. There are several locations throughout the Philippines so you can choose one. Second is through an online application. And the last one is through an accredited PSA store like SM Business Center.

Me personally, I always opt to go to their office which opens at 7:30 in the morning. (Just a heads up, there are always a long line so make sure you have snacks and drinks with you.)

This photo shows the forms you need in getting your certificate. Please be guided accordingly.