(at least) 6 weeks of separation

Today I sit at the San Francisco International Airport waiting for my 10pm flight to the Philippines via Philippine Airlines while Carl is in Draper, Utah probably taking a nap so he won't have to think about me being away.

The last three weeks had been a whirlwind of unexpected complicated situations, though most of them are not essentially bad. On June 15th, we put down our deposit for the apartment we were going to rent beginning July 1st. The day after, BYU informed me that they were ready to reopen my graduate school application which has been pending since March. Carl had a feeling I will get in. We decided to call our future landlord and requested a refund of our deposit because there is a possibility that we won't be able to commit to a 1-year contract. Our landlord agreed and the check was voided. The following day, I was informed that I was admitted to the BYU Graduate Program. In the fifteen days that followed, Carl and I were endlessly brainstorming - we did hope for this to come, but we did not expect for this to happen at this point in time. We had exactly 8 weeks to figure out how to work things out.

Our challenges ranged from how to pay 50% of graduate school's cost of attendance to how am I going to get the legal documents that will allow me to study in America. We also had to deal with the issues of my passport, which up until last Thursday, had my maiden name on it. We also had to make sure the validity of it met the requirements for the new visa status I am currently seeking. It was a battle. We eventually had to take a trip to San Francisco last Thursday to apply for my new passport. Once there, we were greeted by more complications. The standard 15-minute passport application lasted for almost 6 hours. Through some sort of Divine intervention, a couple of consulate representatives were able to assist us in resolving my passport issues - the validity was extended for 2 more years, my name was amended, and I was good to go.

At one point in this complication, I had a feeling I would have to make a trip to the Philippines to settle all these things. It was not a very welcome idea. A trip to the Philippines, though always in our plans, was not on our budget list this year. After consulting with BYU Admissions office, Carl and I decided that I really had to take the trip home. The process of changing my current visa status to a student visa will take approximately 8 - 9 months, according to BYU International Admissions. If I go home, my current visa will be terminated and I can apply and schedule for a visa interview with the US Embassy in Manila. IF all goes well, the process will only take about 3 weeks - which means I will be able to come back to the US in time for Fall semester and I can start my Masters program in Marriage, Family and Human Development... and of course, most importantly, I can be with Carl.

The last 15 days of June were certainly miraculous. Carl and I literally saw how our prayers were answered each day as we plead for guidance on how to work out this situation. We went to the temple on Thursday night and poured our hearts to the Lord, pleading to Him, asking Him to bless us in our plans. Our main concern is that if the US Consul at the Embassy decides that I do not qualify for a student visa, I will not be able to re-enter the US...and Carl and I will have to live separately for a while... I don't want to think about that right now.

As Carl and I drove to the airport in Salt Lake City this morning, he asked me what was going on in my head because I looked like I was thinking about so many thing at one time. He was right. In fact, I can't even fully look forward to spending good times with my family and friends in the Philippines because all I can think about right now is the visa interview on Thursday. Maybe after I pass through that hurdle, I can totally enjoy the fact that I have an opportunity to spend quality time with Carl and mine's families.

The past three Thursdays all gave me good news. Thursday June 17th, BYU informed me that I got accepted into their graduate program. Thursday June 24th, I received all the documents that I need for my passport and for my visa. Thursday July 1st, we went to temple and we were comforted and inspired and we were able to commune with the Lord and poured our hearts' desires and lifted our most sincere prayers to Him, leaving our circumstances in His holy hands. Next Thursday July 8th, I will be interviewed for a student visa at the US Embassy in Manila.Carl and I leave my fate to the Lord.

This will be the longest time Carl and I are separated since we got married. To make things worse, we will not be able to spend his birthday, our 2nd anniversary, and my birthday together. Before I boarded this morning, I told Carl that compared to the first time I went home to the Philippines when we were still dating, I actually feel more comforted right now - because whether I can come back to the US or not, it doesn't change the fact that I am his and he is mine. It will be sad, but it will all be fine.

Today is the first day of the longest 6 weeks of my life....