Finally Some Hopeful Visa News 🛃 Family Reunification Hopeful 👨👩👧👧
Finally a bit of good news, the Cambodian Embassy in D.C. has approved my visa pre-screening, and tomorrow I send my passport off in the mail.
Is The End In Sight? 🤷♂️
I must admit I wasn't very hopeful after having my first wave of visa pre-screening denied, but it looks like attempt number two was a success. I received an email this afternoon notifying me to send my passport and all supporting documents by mail to the Cambodian Embassy in Washington D.C.
If this is successful, I will still miss my original flight date for the 21st of December, but I can extend it and hopefully see my family sometime around New Year. I would like to be more excited, but I've had nothing but high hopes dashed over the last three years. I've even once left Cambodia after receiving a visa denial after years of uninterrupted residency.
I'll breathe and rest more easily not only when I get this one-month business visa, but when I successfully renew if for a one-year term. The one-year visa will give me time to create my own "corporation" and be able to sponsor myself for any future visa problems. This post-COVID has world stripped us of many freedoms, especially those relating to freedom of movement and foreign residency.
As much as I don't want to, I'm gonna have to devote a 100+ hours each year towards overcoming the bureaucracy that seeks to separate my family and I. This will just be our new way of life, and although I don't have to like it, I am not in a position of power, so I must play the game laid out for me the by those that run the world.
I really hope you all see me very soon hugging my girls, going for tuk-tuk rides, drinking sugarcane juice, and so many other things I miss from my former lifestyle.
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▶️ 3Speak
We are all in that position. The new rules in my country to ride on a train , passengers should take pcr test. it will be costly. Yet, what can people do.
That is sweet and refreshing juice. When I was a kid, I did not drink the juice but eat and suck the sugar cane sticks .. LOL.
Isn't it crazy, in some countries the PCR test is free and others it is super expensive. I spent $100 on the PCR test in Suriname and in the USA it is free. These policies affect poor people very differently.
In Cambodian sugarcane cubes are a common roadside snack, usually the seller keeps them on a bed of ice so they are more refreshing.
Just heard about your situation from @gooddream's latest post. I'm glad that when I went to check your profile out, I was greeted with something positive about it. I really hope that you can be with your family again soon and that it is something long-term. Luckily those tornadoes didn't smash through your place. It's odd how Tornado Alley seems to be shifting further east. Nice to meet you man, you seem like a very calm and collected dude. I feel your pain with trying to get people IRL on Hive. They just don't want to put forth even the smallest bit of effort even if it will benefit them greatly almost immediately.
It's kind of ironic I finally hear some good news when @gooddream is pondering my situation. The president was somewhere near my hometown recently to survey the damage, tornadoes don't get any less scary through the years. There's two hotspots in the USA, the Kansas-Oklahoma area and also Missouri to southern Indiana.
This certainly wasn't my best video, bad lighting, not good spirits, but I still needed to get some things off my shoulders and out to the Hive-o-sphere. I've got to learn to stop mentioning the words "crypto" and "blockchain" when talking about Hive, I think that would make a big difference.
I'm thankful that we don't have issues with natural disasters here in WV.
You don't have to do your best to still do something great.
I think the mountains shield you a bit, but yeah it doesn't seem like tornadoes go east of Ohio very often. I didn't realize you were in WV, I've spent way too much time in Wheeling many years ago.
Yea that's what they say. Although if I can run up and down a mountain, I'm sure a tornado could figure out how to do the same. I've not been to Wheeling much ever, that's several hours up north. I've been to Morgantown quite a bit though. I stay down in southern WV, near the capitol city.
I'm excited for you to be reunited with @SreyPov and the @KidSisters! I hope Cambodia is ready for @justinparke !!!
I'm not in possession of a visa yet, but it seems I've met all the requirements, so I expect a passport with a Cambodian visa glued inside very soon.
The situation in our city is bad. Internet connection is difficult hence the late response.
Anyways, I am positive you'll be able to travel soon. Stay safe there.
Good to hear the positive news - why not settle at one place ?
We have to be apart now because I wasn't able to get a Cambodian visa, but our youngest daughters passport was expiring, and we had to get out of Suriname before that happened. Hopefully in less than three weeks I'll be back in Cambodia.
This is wonderful news, congratulations!
Yes, although the journey is not over yet, I am very grateful to have made it this far.
It is indeed a good news that u able to get the one month visa. I'll pray all the best for you, and may your efforts are paid off at the end 🙏🙏
I'll have a huge sigh of relief when I renew for a one-year, only then will my future be a little more stable and predictable. Things are looking good at the moment.
I'm really happy to heard the good news from you as well sir. Your non giving up spirit have a good news in return ☺️. Don't forget about coconut drinks as well too ☺️.
I will drink at least 7 coconuts on my first day back in Cambodia, without a doubt. I really hope to be in possession of a visa before next weekend. Thanks for thinking of me my friend.
Don't forget about it's meat too sir. Coconut with sugarcane also best match 👍🏻. You're most welcome sir as you're our mentor and guidance.
Congratulations @justinparke. Hope that everything will go smoothly and successful so you will adjoining your love once too soon.
I do hope so, it's time things start working out for us.
I am rooting for this journey. Fingers crossed.
Yes, it's still hard to believe things might actually work out, we've had so many setbacks the last three years.
Your news is good.
Thank you, yes, it finally feels like good things are going to happen.
Hi hi Justin.. I watched ur vlog.. When u were talking about the tornado, u were pretty calm.. Even though there were people who you mentioned died... in the process... Good to know that at least at the moment, there is a chance to head back to Cambodia... Finally.. It does feel pretty sad to see dead plants. I tried doing vlogs like these, it is definitely not easy, cause you need to really have the ability to talk to the audience. wahaha.. =) Have a great day.. cheers..
An old highschool friend lost his house, and he was hiding in his basement in the corner, the only place where the house above didn't fall down on top of him, very lucky. The kid's Dad is a former business partner of my Dad, so this hit very close to friends and family.
This may be my worst vlog ever, but I still wanted to get it out there, the poor lighting, poor weather, and freezing cold weather account for how I felt. I can't wait to be surrounded by green and alive things in 2022.
First of all, I think it's a great Vlog. It isn't easy to just make a vlog. I really don't like the freezing cold too. I have been to countries and places during the winter, it's pretty hard to handle. Especially even with the blanket, three clothes, then the part where I go to shower. Open the taps, water is cold. hahahaa
Now, I finally get it why houses in the states need basements. It is pretty sad too to see a friend having lost his house. How is he coping at the moment?
I guess in some cases this is where bureaucracy works. I think this guy was a pilot, so I'm sure he had a very good insurance policy, and hopefully he will be compensated more than enough to rebuild, but of course with many personal things lost forever.
There is a terrible joke that people like to say around here because my area of the country has more trailer parks than anywhere else in the USA........."God hates trailer parks."
They say this in bad humor because the one part of the USA where many people can't afford to have proper homes with strong walls and a basement just so happens to be the place where the most people live in trailer parks. I have spent many years in trailer parks, and my last name is "Parke," and there was once a time my nickname was "Trailer." 🤦♂️
I am the type that accepts all sorts of humor... no matter what it is.. I've never seen a trailer park before. In Sarawak, even the poor have houses to stay. I guess, everyone in a house. Maybe because of that reason. A lot of people are still staying with parents. wahaha.. Then there are really cheap houses and cars for the masses here.
Sometimes, it is pretty sad to have lost stuff that money can't buy. All photos that were in the first half of my life gone forever, due to a fire. But luckily, all got out alive on time. I think of it till today, more than a decade later. One thing I do know is that, when a fire breaks out, nothing can be saved. Better get everyone out on time.
hi my friend @justinparke...
the contents of your post this time I read everything in detail, apparently your heart is now blooming, just waiting for the time to hug your two beloved daughters. and don't forget your first post arrived in Cambodia, my idol must appear at the top hehehehe...???
Haha, one day when my family and I have a small piece of land, I imagine we may take a sheep as our natural lawnmower and family pet. Harry grew on us and made us lovers of sheep.
great my friend @justinpark that's a good idea
The spirit of @justinparke in managing his visa, hopefully the Cambodian embassy makes this easy. When you are with your family, greetings from me to @sreyvop mother and I hope you are always safe on your trip. Greetings of solidarity to all hive friends in Cambodia, I'm @mnurhiver from Aceh Indonesia, I hope that @justinparke and @sreyvop when you go to aceh Just give us a call, maybe we can have coffee together. Thank you.
If we ever take a Hive-cation, I think Aceh and Cebu would be the two place where we'd have the most people to meet. Thank you for keeping my family and I in hopeful thoughts at this time.
Yes, brother, if in aceh there are indeed many of our friends in hive. Because aceh people always hang out in coffee shops, talking about hives.
Fingers and toes crossed that they approve your visa application.
Once it's granted, are you able to apply for Cambodian citizenship on the grounds that you are married to a Cambodian lady? Or maybe they'll grant you citizenship if you have sufficient assets (in which case let's hope Hive goes to the moon!).
Most countries grant dual citizenship to people they think are assets. You just have to figure a way to present yourself as such.
Even though I lived in Cambodia 10 years already, the only way to citizenship preciously was to buy it for $50,000. That of course was out of the question, and now the cost is $300,000 because the Chinese investors are willing to pay this for the opportunity to hold their property investment in their own name.
There is supposedly a new law now that if we register our marriage, we can live together three years in Cambodia and I can apply for citizenship. This would be a life-changer for us and also allow me to manage my crypto holdings more easily and without US interference/taxes.
good news! your family will be together! :)
I really hope so, I think it's long overdue we have some good fortune.
Congratulations... Glad to see you got your visa. Nowadays submit the visa would be harder than usually... Enjoy your holiday and quality time with family.
The world is more closed than ever. Cambodia in 2010 was practically the easiest country in the world for a poor person to secure a long-term visa without a sponsor, and now it feels like I'm trying to get into the EU. If Cambodia is this hard now, I can't imagine how difficult the process in more bureaucratic countries is.
My goodness, you will be successful and finally will see your 3 ladies soon. I´ll pray for your visa success.... Give my regards to Pov and the kidsisters!
Thank you my friend, I really hope things work out for us. For now I am just happy to see them having adventures and time with loved ones over there.
I feel you on the visa....I'm in a similar situation, not gonna get my hopes up yet just cause it's not in my hands yet. You'll be happier in a few months man. Don't worry.
When the big stuff is hard focus on the small stuff and try to find something to be happy about. It's all about where the focus lies.
And if anything else goes wrong, maybe you can go film so tornados.....no ...no don't do that lol
<3
Oh no, I can only imagine how much harder the visa regime in Japan is. I hope you get sorted, that sucks because I know that place is basically your home now.
I guess if all else fails I can be a storm chaser, right 🌪️😁.
May you always be given ease and stay safe!
Thank you, I hope to reunite with my family very soon.
I can't imagine the nightmare you are having right now! Once you are there, will it really be that difficult to become a citizen?
The only option prior to COVID was to buy citizenship for $50,000 USD or become a crucial asset to the Cambodian country, like a Japanese stand-up comedian who was granted to citizenship to participate in the Marathon at the Olympics, on behalf of Cambodia, of course.
There has always been a law that 5 years of residency, a knowledge of the language, history, and culture will get you citizenship, and there is supposedly a test you can take. I have inquired about this at immigration, and they just laugh in my face. So there is "law" and there is "reality."
The reality now is purchasing citizenship now costs $300,000 USD, thanks to massive Chinese projects and their investors driving up the price. But there is a new "law" that states after registering our marriage and living in Cambodia for three years together that I can become a citizen. I am doubtful of this, but I will try to find out more.
Other than that there is just renewing the visa once a year for the rest of my days until I can get a retirement visa at 55+.
Hey @justinparke,
Do you mind supporting the HiveBuzz proposal for 2022 so our team can continue its work next year?
That would be much appreciated! Your feedback, if any, is welcome of course. Thanks.
https://peakd.com/me/proposals/199
I will go have a look, thank you.
Thank you for your support @justinparke, much appreciated!
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎅
Thanks for sharing the news which sounds hopeful. I can't wait for the reunion celebration when you are back where you belong. You don't belong there that's for sure. It's cold and nothing to do which sounds like where I am now. You have the added bonus of tornadoes.
I know what you mean about nobody cares. I have told people about this and they are interested slightly until you mention that you can't just get paid like a regular job and you may start out making next to nothing. They forget I ever mention it and they don't ever check my blog out. This is why I can say anything I want about them and never worry about them seeing it. The best and only friends I have are right here on hive and no other place. One person asked if this was ligit. Just as you said they wonder if it's illegal. It's surprising how little people are aware of when they burry themselves in cellphones. It's the first thing everyone does when they get to where I work. Half hour on the cell phone texting and checking instagram before work gets done. This is the western world work ethic now apparently.
I would love to escape and hang out harvesting rice with your wife's family. That's real life.
Thanks my friend, and good to know you know the "Hive" feeling.
There is so much "word association" if you call it that, in the west. For example, I have zero confidence even saying words like "vegan," "Rastafari," or "blogger," when speaking English in the USA. Vegan means my friends are gonna me somewhere to get a $20 salad, when I'd rather have a cheap fried rice at any random Asian restaurant. "Rastafari" means I have to answer stupid questions about marijuana, Bob Marley, and my hair. "Blogger" means people think I do what people on Instagram and Tik-Tok do.
We're screwed aren't we? I don't dare mention the "crypto" word, because I even feel like a criminal when I say it, that's how much they've got into my head.
You know we'd really love to host you in Cambodia some day, especially after we got land and some bungalows to host our (Hive) friends and hold the first ASEAN Hive Summit.
I would love to take you up on your offer if I could leave this place. It would be a dream. Too many rules and restrictions right now.
It's so funny how people interpret certain labels.
It's indeed a good news for you. I'm happy to hear that you can finally be with your family soon. ☺
I do hope it works, counting the days now...
I wish you can come here with us very soon.
Me too Pov, I miss you all so much.
Hello, I would like to ask you a question. I am working with a company that designed a 3d nft game and they are looking to promote themselves in player communities on Hive, maybe paying some contests or offering rewards in nft in exchange for articles and reviews of the game. Do you manage or are you an administrator of any such community? Or do you think you can suggest me something about it? I value your answer very much, best regards.
I manage the ASEAN Hive Community, but this community is for all things southeast Asian. If the game or NFT had a Southeast Asian aspect to it, perhaps there is something we could do. I suggest you explore the list of Hive communities and try your luck in NFT and digital art communities, probably better luck there.
Thank you very much for replying, and thank you for the suggestion.
Honestly I think a lot of us will rest easy on HIVE when you guys are reunited. Keep up the good fight. I can't wait to see you there. Then it'll be down to processing the trauma of the last three years!
Yes, even though I'm surrounded by 'Merican family at the moment, I also feel extremely isolated, and it's really not much different from the vibe in Suriname. I thought there was going to be a sense of relief when I arrived here, but not so much. Well, fingers crossed, but as I write this my passport is on its way, arriving by 3pm today. I will know my fate very soon.......
Well thinking of you. The thing is no one around you would have any idea of what you have been through and theyd find it hard to relate, which can be quite isolating too!! And America is poles apart from Cambodia and where your head is at...
Just happen to catch up this. Good that you get the visa's approved. I haven't read the follow up post, but I decided to give you a reply first. On the "hive" note, you just don't have to tell them how it works in the first place. Just tell them if they're interested to make a blog and make some new friends, keep it updated, and that will keep the momentum snowballing @rosmadirazali is one of them.