trying to be upbeat

[GLJ1322 5]

APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

yehey! for both of you, time to celebrate.

[B_J 2,752]

A lot of this week has been lessons to my in-laws about how I am more then anything else going on. I am planting a firm understanding in their mind on things. this week is the one week I really get to show them EXACTLY how I am.

So, you took her parents to Manila not out of love, not to give them a chance to experience Manila, not for them to have a special trip with their daughter, not for you all to have one last time together before she leaves, not so they can be there to support their daughter; but so they can see exactly how you are.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Do you see me now Mr. Girlie Man?! Do you see me now?!

Edited September 7, 2011 by Crashed~N2~Me

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

I really like how someone can be reminded what they said with a link.

LOL, a boat I "promised" daddy.... hehehe.... I said I would help the family in times of need and asked if a boat would improve income.

If you don't like links... then how 'bout a quote?

My fiance's dad and I have an agreement, once I get her here, then I will turn around and buy him a boat.

(my wife has an excellent memory. You did use the word "agreement". and reading the entire sentence...seems like you set up a POD account. )

I am planting a firm understanding in their mind on things. this week is the one week I really get to show them EXACTLY how I am.

[MuDelphi 159]

[Tahoma 2,291]

A lot of this week has been lessons to my in-laws about how I am more then anything else going on. I am planting a firm understanding in their mind on things. this week is the one week I really get to show them EXACTLY how I am.

So, you took her parents to Manila not out of love, not to give them a chance to experience Manila, not for them to have a special trip with their daughter, not for you all to have one last time together before she leaves, not so they can be there to support their daughter; but so they can see exactly how you are.

EXACTLY !!!

+1... B_J

[paul_kay 31]

It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
:whistle: :whistle:

[John&Juvy 36]

Dont be so mean and rude to yor wife's parents lol. It doesn't mean that they are poor and need a help from you means they are money grabbing people. Just help as much as you can, tell to your wife what's your deal and let her explain that to her parents nicely. No need to show them an attitude .

My husband knows how much I love and dear to me my family in the Philippines, and he respect that. We send $300 monthly to them as part of our monthly budget. It was sooo awkward to me before until I got a job and making atleast $1400 to $1600 a month. Thanks to my job lol.

Congrats Btw... hope you'll recieve the visa soon !

Edited September 7, 2011 by John&Juvy

[angel7407 33]

I hope Gretchen and the parents did not change their minds about her coming here in the US now that they know EXACTLY HOW YOU ARE. Control freak and "knows-all" guy even if not in the proper place. It's your way of organizing things that doomed you and not the ways in the Philippines. And you expect people and your girl's family to bow down their heads on you just because you are "the man" that you think of yourself?

On the lighter note, congratulations for the interview success. Now, Gretchen's JOURNEY will begin. Goodluck...to Gretchen.

[Markieboy 104]

So, you took her parents to Manila not out of love, not to give them a chance to experience Manila, not for them to have a special trip with their daughter, not for you all to have one last time together before she leaves, not so they can be there to support their daughter; but so they can see exactly how you are.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

Now, Gretchen's JOURNEY will begin. Goodluck...to Gretchen.

Poor little girl...

[sunandmoon 450]

Congrats on the approval Darren and Gretchen. just trying to stick to the theme of the title of this thread. recently, there was been so much negativity. come on people, how bout some good vibes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCeD_6Y3GQc

[Cyclone 4]

Lucky the nuns from the CFO in Cebu aren't reading this thread. She would have a tough time getting her CFO sticker.

[GLJ1322 5]

When I attended my CFO seminar (SMEF-COW), the guidance councilor is quit tough on some people, even this one lady is telling that her flight will be later afternoon, the councilor even careless hehe and that's what I call sticking to the rules, she need a document then give it or else you'll get no sticker. Good luck to Gretchen most importantly.

[gretchen_darren 67]

Ok, let's be clear here

1) the agreement was after I BECAME part of the family, not before. There was no way I was going to help them improve BEFORE I was part of the family. The condition was IF Gretchen and I get married. AND we talked about a boat AFTER the engagment WHEN Gretchen and I had already decided to marry. I wanted to know know the families needs and how to help improve the family.

2) I try no to be a "kow-it-all" I still have a lot to learn. there is a lot I do not know. However, I am not one of those "can't do people". I like to say it will be done, and get it done.

3) I brought her parents here to Manila to be with their daughter through the process. Spend some time with her. See Manila, but also to show them how conservative I am on money as well. How I do not just throw money around like people think Americans do. I wanted to treat them well. But also show I could follow papa po leadership. This is more about me being submissive to papa ko leadership then me being "THE MAN". This is showing I can follow in papa ko footsteps. This is a very diifficult week for me because I am taking care of her parents as well as her, but at the same time working to make papa ko feel as if he is the leader.

4) thanks for all of the congrats. gretchen has been reading the threads and seeing what I have written as well as others. She is getting a kick out of some of the things. I think the hard part os using the right words to explain the right things. My goal is to help her family up to earn better, to support them to have a better lifestyle without needing monthly support from us in the USA. It requires a longer committment then just walking in and handing over money. But once you life up a person to erning more, it just cascades through any people. My goal is to lift up a person or two at a time in the village. It will take years, anad very concentrated effort. And lots and lots of patience. but once the snowball starts rolling downhill, it will make sense. All a lot of people have seen here, is just someone coming in and fixing this, fixing that, giving them some food, and then leaving. My goa l is not to leave, but to put in the support structure so they can lift up themselves. It will take longer, spend more money, but in the end, it will change the lives of future generations. I don't want to just change the lives of her parents, or of the family clan. I want to change the lives of the children's children as well.