July 16, 2005 7:25 AM Saturday, Jacksonville, Florida

 

My Traffic Citation Saga

As a choice, I opted to register for the Driver Improvement Course at Improv Comedy Traffic School by calling the main hub at 1-888-889-9604. Then they redirected my call to their sub-center in Florida at 1-800-535-9002.

After the talk, I was instructed to arrive 15 minutes before the class starts at 9:00AM, Saturday, July 9, 2005 at Marriot Hotel, 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256 with the citation ticket, Driver’s License and a black pen.

The class was for 4 hours from 9:00AM to 1:00PM with three 10 minute break in between sessions. The charge was $40.00 with NO free snacks! We were 39 in the class; 12 female and 27 male; age ranges from 16-54 years old. Out of 39 cases, 10 were related to moving violation akin ‘following too closely’ and the rests were associated with speeding resulted to collision. It was appalling to hear the instructor and each one’s story of dreadful car wrecked. I supposed everyone learned a big lesson after the class and after hearing those horrific road incidents. The class widely opens up all possible dangers out there that might happen in a blink of an eye if we (drivers) aren’t too alert about our job behind the wheel. As DH keeps telling me, “drive like everyone else is out there on the road to get you”.

The class also alerted me with the new traffic laws that went into effect last July 1, 2005 which I would probably not going to know all these laws until I get busted again on the road.

Drivers changing lanes or passing another car without signaling can be slapped with a $118.50 ticket.

Cops can also pull over drivers if they see children under the age of 18 who aren't wearing their seat belts.

Another new law raises the minimum speed on interstates from 40 mph to 50.

Lawmakers also decreased the distance that boom boxes may be heard from a motor vehicle. Now cops will be able to issue tickets if they can hear a stereo system from 25 feet away, instead of 100.

The instructor also covered the Five Basic Rules of Defensive Driving

     1.   Aim High
     2.   Big Picture
     3.   Make sure others see you
     4.   Keep an out space cushion. Don’t get boxed in
     5.   Keep your eyes moving

Here’s the thing that really shocked and appalled me as I just learned this from the class. If anyone caught Driving Under Influence of either alcohol or drugs, the penalties are

a.   75 years of DUI records in your driver’s license
b.   $8,000 fines
c.   The insurance premiums will definitely increase from 150-300%
d.   The employer has the right to fire you from your job

In Florida, you are considered legally intoxicated and unfit to drive a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol level reaches .08

Here's the kicker.  If you are hosting a party and your guest was caught drunk while driving home, you as a host (by law) are also liable for it and your guest has all the rights to file a case against you.

On Points and Suspension

         If you are adjudicated guilty of any traffic violation laws, the points accessed are:

Moving violations - 3 points
Speeding 15 mph over posted speed limit - 3 points
Violation of child restraint laws 3 points
Moving violations, non speeding resulting in a crash- 4 points
Reckless driving - criminal traffic violation - 4 points
Speeding more than 15 mph over posted speed limit - 4 points
Passing stopped school bus - 4 points
Unlawful speeding resulting in a crash- 6 points
Leaving screen of crash with damage - 6 points


          Amounts of Points                            Length of Suspension
12 points accumulated within 12 months        -  30 days
18 points accumulated within 18 months        -  3 months
24 points accumulated within 36 months        -  1 year

The only way you can take these points off your license is if you elect to go to the traffic school course however you CAN NOT elect to go to traffic school more than 2 times in a year or 5 times in your life. Otherwise, you are oblige meaning no other choice but appear to the court hearing or plead guilty!

Anyway, here's the outlay of that first car accident I had last month:

$898.00 to get my car fixed. ($250 is our insurance deductible which means we have to pay the first $250 of the total bill and the remaining balance will be paid off by our Insurance Company which is State Farm.

$40.00 for Driver Improvement Course (which took off 4 points accessed to my driver's license)

$110.70 for my Traffic Citation Ticket

$89.00 for rental car. DH rented a new V6 car for me to use for 3 days while my car was in the repair shop. State Farm is going to reimburse 80% of this rental fee. Man, I got spoiled driving the rented car. It drove very smooth and sleek especially when I am merging into the Interstate highway. I would love to get a new V6 car someday when we can afford it but DH is not convince yet that I need a V6 car. Mine is Ford Focus ZTS 2000 and it’s V4. It only has 24,200 mileage as of the moment so as you can tell I haven’t driven that much or long yet. We bought this car brand new in 2000 and I think it still would do it for the next 2-3 years but I can’t wait to get a new one. I am eyeing for either an SUV Toyota Highlander Hybrid V6 or Family Van Toyota Siena XLE Limited V6. I am wishing upon the star ;-)

Just to give you an idea on how much we pay for our car insurance premiums every 6 months to State Farm Insurance Company.

Rhebs' Ford                      $ 478.30
Tony’s SUV                       $ 458.72
Tony’s Harley Motorcycle  $ 308.66
Tony’s Suzuki Motorcycle  $ 267.89

Coverage and Limits

$250 deductible collision
$100 deductible comprehensive
80% per day, $500 max for car rental/travel expense
No Fault
$10,000 for Medical payments
Emergency Road Service
$50,000 property damage
$100,000 bodily injury
 

On another unpleasant note, now this is very disturbing news especially for us newly hired city employees.

Mayor John Peyton's budget proposal for FY 2005-2006 would leave many jobs unfilled and lay off one hundred seventy one (171) positions from the city's nearly 7,000-person payroll to help shore up the city government finances.

Well, we will see what happens next.  FY for the city ends in September 30 and starts in October 1 of each year.  My probationary status ends in September 28, 2005. Wish me luck! :-)

 

July 4, 2005 8:54 PM Monday, Jacksonville, Florida

 

Happy 4th of July!

History tells us that in July 4, 1776, the United States claimed their independence from Britain hence democracy for the US was born.

Americans celebrate their freedom and independence with barbecues/picnics, fireworks and family gatherings. Given the fact that we have a home of our own now, I talked DH into inviting our family (my mother-in-law and her baby Midget as well as my brother-in-law, Kuya Allen) to come over for barbecue. DH made a barbecue ribs and chicken barbecue for his brother because  this guy is so finicky… no wonder he looks skeletal and tiny huh? Well, I think they had fun and I had a blast! This is my first time ever to do backyard barbecue on a charcoal grill. The ribs and chicken breast bones are mouth-watering. YUM! It really tastes like the one I had in the Philippines before. It could have been even better if it is  'native' (farm raised) chicken eh?

It endlessly rained everyday for the last 5 days and practically flooded the Westside of town (good thing we live in a no flood zone area in the East coast). Today, the weather is perfectly gorgeous sunny day although it's unbelievably warm on its heat index of 92 degrees Fahrenheit. It only starts drizzling around 5:30 in the afternoon and continuously gets gloomy throughout the night. Too bad we can't go out to see the fireworks at the beach.

I hope everybody has a happy and safe 4th of July.  Happy Birthday, America!

Here are our photos for the day!

 

July 1, 2005 7:49 PM Friday, Jacksonville, Florida

 

It's a query that piqued the curiosity of the aspiring newbie

This post was inspired by few aspiring newbie (pinays) who privately sent me an email with a little flattering remark about the turn-out I have made myself into. And answers to few other queries that piqued their curiosity.

Let me humbly sound off by saying, these accomplishments didn’t magically happen in a short span of time. It took nearly 6 years for me to finally set foot to where I am now... living an American dream, as Karen reckons it out loud. These may look like a big coup for some pinay out there who just joined and started their new lives with their Kano husbands here in the States but it’s not that big really. It was just a simple ‘dream come true’ that led me to enjoy the benefit of living a happy, uncomplicated and comfortable life together with my DH otherwise known as my Beloved Tony. Now, I have a loving and supportive husband and mother-in-law, became a US citizen, lived in a nice house, got a decent job in the government that I've always wanted to and an occasional gate away some place else. That's my American dream!

Sure you all can live your own American dream too. Unfortunately this dream doesn’t come by far without any trouble. It truly does require a great deal of patience, perseverance and hard work on your part.

Remember I was once a newbie like you and I went through all those daunting feelings at the beginning whether or not I can get a job and assimilate myself rather well in this strange world. The whole thing seems odd to me at the beginning. The people here (boy how I felt like a miniature specie amidst the giant and heavy people around) their indistinct accent, tasteless food, and just about anything in this land seems so out of the ordinary at first. I guess that uncanny feeling is perfectly normal for any stranger in the new land. I have known quite a few doctors, nurses and engineers fresh from the Philippines who went through the same ordeal of being homesick, insecure, self-doubting, apprehensive and timid when they set foot in this land called US of A.  Sad to say, I am no different nor an exception. I had the same torment of being insecure, self-doubting and timid during my first three months of living here in the States until I got a job. My first full-time job as a cashier/customer service and later becomes a technology sales specialist at CompUSA helped me recoup my old secured and fearless self.

Unfortunately, living in the States is not all about seventh heaven as opposed to everybody’s concept of the States back home! USA has it's own problems and flaws. This country isn't as impeccable as everybody thought it was but a whole lot better than any countries to live in the world I supposed.

As you might have read in my previous post, I also went back to school here to update my educational qualifications in addition to working on my feet 8 hours a day for five consecutive years to get a good working experience in dealing with different people in all walks of life. The stereotype and some unfairness I experienced while dealing with some jerk customers and co-workers didn’t tear me down. Instead I have learned to stand up, fight back 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'!

You see, as skilled and as experienced as I was with my field of study, I still didn’t expect to start my career at the top because I know this is a whole different ball game for me or for any stranger in the new land for that matter. I did welcome the opportunity though to start from the ground and it got me into thinking that maybe sooner or later as I gained more experience and updated my educational qualifications and skills here in the States, eventually my work will change to reflect my worth. I, if truth be told, work real hard to surmount this dream. It wasn't easy as you think it is to all of the sudden uproot yourself from what you have grown up with and used to live for 30+ years nor it is easy to find a decent job here more so if you are a newbie. However, I have always been a big believer of “If others can do it, why can’t I?” I tell you, if you set and focus your mind and heart to your goal, you will surely going to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s the power of positive thinking plus of course you’ve got to do whatever it takes to get that job done. Sure it takes a little longer to realize your goals but it’s all worth the wait to say the least. Don’t rush because as the song goes on… only fools rush in! Always make a doable plan ahead of you and put your heart and mind to it and then work it out as much as you can.

I guess I am just luckier in a sense that the two superb human beings in my life, my DH and MIL (DH=Darling Husband. MIL=Mother-in-law) have enormously helped me and all the way supported me in everything I do in order to acclimate in my new world. This is really a big deal for me otherwise I still would have been futile until now. I was also so grateful then that I didn’t go through a whole lot of marital adjustment with my DH because he, as always, is committed to make my life with him as easier and happier as it can be. There’s no denial that we do have few ups and downs but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’ve heard from most Fil-Am couples I know during their first few months of being together. DH and I pretty much have a relatively smooth sailing relationship because of our love, respect and trust for each other. My DH is such a sweetheart and you know he'll do anything (wouldn't even mind to be called "under de saya") just so to please his good wife ;-) But the flip side of the coin is I am such pain in the behind sometimes. Aren't I, Darling?

For those of you who are still in PI anxiously waiting for your visa

Here’s the fact. Not every single American is rich and certainly doesn't grow money on the tree! There are also homeless and have been in real hard life here as well. Some busted their ass off by working 7 days a week on 10-12 hour shift just to make ends meet.  So do not expect your life is going to change for good once you come here in the States. It may eventually, that's if you work very hard but the first initial reaction might shake your whole world once you find out your man is living a life different from what you have expected or hoped for...  that's not counting the intricacy of stepkids and ex-wife if he has one.  Some of you might even think living in the States is like what you saw on TV or Hollywood movies. BIG NO!!! It isn’t that way my dear especially if your man lives in a countryside where you live hundreds of miles away from the city and many blocks away from your neighbors. You are going to go nuts if you are not prepared to face this kind of life!  That's the main reason Tony wanted me to come here on a fiancée visa so I can see for my self what life in America is really like before I plunge myself to make that ultimate decision to get married. Plus if your idea of marriage is more like playing house where you both are always romantic and considerate, please wake up to the reality. The truth of the matter is marriage is equal to hard work more so if you have to add cultural differences in the equation, it means that you have to really work doubly hard to make your marriage last a lifetime. Once the butterflies in your stomach are gone and the lust worn out, those little strange things that you both find it endearing and cute during courtship become so annoying especially during the not-so-good and weary days.
 

Know the facts. Don’t hesitate to ask questions regardless of whether or not it's personal or financial matters. Money becomes a biggest issue among married couples if not resolve in the early stage of the relationship. Find out where you stand on this matter and become aware of all his debts as well as his earnings and spending/expenditures. This is a very important topic that needs to be discussed thoroughly before the wedding. This doesn’t mean you are “mukhang pera”. What it means is for you to get a gauge on how he leads his life here in the States so you won’t expect beyond his capacity to give you and your family back home the fortune that you thought he could easily afford to.

I was a smart enough to gather all the info I needed to know before I plunge myself into the life long commitment. Tony is, as honest as he can get to admit and laid down all his cards to me during the first few months of our “serious” conversation. We really did establish a great level of personal communication and talked about life and many things before romance developed. We had already established trust and friendship before the word LOVE ever made its way into our conversation. He never painted a pretty picture of life in the US for me. He tried to make sure I understand that there are both good and bad aspects to life here and that it will be different from my life in the Philippines. He said he has nothing (material things) to offer me but assured me of his true love and devotion. However, he said he works hard enough for a living and will do his very best to assure me that I lack none of the basics of life.... that I may not have an expensive jewelry or extravagant vacations; however I and our future children will never go hungry or lack for clothing or shelter through any of his fault. I was able to find out all about his earnings, expenditures and the cost of living in the States sooner then I expected. The good part of it was he has NO credit card debts or any type of loan whatsoever. He also told me the kind of life he is in and that he lives in one bedroom apartment by himself, making just enough money to pay his bills and a little savings every now and then but not much. He pretty much lives like a normal bachelor and you know how that goes.

After we got engaged we’ve talked more and more and in detail about all the serious things we can possibly think of: money, faith and beliefs, religion, forbidden sexual style, responsibilities, do's and don'ts in our relationships, our limitations and every little thing that would possibly affect us. Then we settled most if not all issues that pertains to our “to be life together as husband and wife”.

So when I finally joined him here in the States I didn’t expect anything more than what we've discussed and agreed upon. The talk was straightforward enough for me to understand not to expect for anything more than he can afford. That’s the best thing about our relationship. It’s an open book and we are always respect and trust each other hence the happy and harmoniously life :-)

Here are some tips for Fil-West couples out there.
 
Sulking doesn't work with American husbands nor strengthens your bond as husband and wife. It doesn't help maintain a good relationship either. You really have to make an effort to verbalize as in "spell out" what you want/need and what you want to do instead of feeling down in the dumps hoping your husband would read your mind or continue hovering around you.  When you say "NO" or "nothing" they really do equate that word to the truest meaning of the word NO or Nothing and they would hold on to your word. NEVER ever expect your American husband to read your mind because some of these men, I tell you, don't have the so called common sense and initiative. Opps did I say that out loud?!? LOL

Another very important thing that you MUST do while waiting for your VISA. 

Learn how to drive a car while you are still in PI so you won't incarcerate yourself in the four corners of your house once you get here in the States. You may think your husband can easily teach how to drive?  Heck NO! Believe me when I say husbands are the worst driver's ed instructor in the world.   Tony had to register me in a driving school which cost us $110 for twelve sessions.  Then my mother-in-law had to patiently coach me every weekend to drive around the blocks until I got at ease behind the wheel. What if I didn't have a mother-in-law like the one I have now? I got no choice but to deal with DH's yelling right? No way, Jose.  Nah maghalo ang balat sa tinalupan!

Here’s another question that deserves an answer and I hope would help others out there who are too naive to ask. 

“One thing that caught my attention was, when you mentioned something about the Foreign Credential Evaluation. How did you know and how do I go about getting my Philippine school credentials evaluated and translated to determine the foreign education equivalency in the United States?”

Well, the credit goes to my mother-in-law who, on her own initiative, first went to the University of North Florida to inquire about getting my degree in the Philippines be translated into the United States educational system otherwise I would have not known about this thing to begin with. She was then advised by the school counselor to get my school credentials evaluated by one of the official members of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services here in the US. Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., an International Education consultants based in Florida was on top of their highly recommended institution.

We all know the rules of the schools and universities vary in every state, right? So it would be better if you see one of the school counselors of the school/universities where you plan to register on how to go about it. Also ask the counselor if she can recommend one private foreign educational consultant that does foreign educational evaluation/translation in your area and whether or not your translated Philippines credentials would be honored in their school system. Although I would guess the school will still require you to take the test to determine your English skills and level of your understanding of the English language. If you don't pass the test, you will be advised to take some of their ESL classes for a reasonable fee. Some private institutions like Churches and public libraries teach ESL classes for free actually.  That's pretty much the prerequisite of the school here for all foreign students before they allow them to take the undergraduate or graduate credit courses. 

In any case, even if the school/university where you plan to go wouldn’t honor your Philippine evaluated school credentials,  I still strongly recommend you go ahead and get that done for you to show proof of your educational attainment to your prospective interviewer/employer later on. I found it very useful when I applied for a job in the city government because they did require proof of Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance or Marketing to qualify for the job.

Here are few official members of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services here in the United States. Check them out or better yet talk to one of their advisors on how to go about getting your own schools credentials evaluated


FLORIDA

Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
International Education Consultants
7101 S.W. 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
Phone: (305) 273-1616
Fax: (305) 273-1338
Fax: (305) 273-1984 (Translations)
email: info@jsilny.com
http://www.jsilny.com

NEW YORK

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
Phone: (212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 739-6100
email: info@wes.org
http://www.wes.org

Evaluation Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 85
Hopewell Jct., NY 12533
Phone: (845) 223-6455
Fax: (845) 223-6454
email: esi2@frontiernet.net
http://www.evaluationservice.net

CALIFORNIA

Education Evaluators International, Inc.
P.O. Box 5397
Los Alamitos, CA 90720-5397
Phone: (562) 431-2187
Fax: (562) 493-5021
email: Gary@educei.com

Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc.
601 University Avenue, Suite 127
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 921-0790
Fax: (916) 921-0793
email: edu@eres.com
http://www.eres.com

Global Services Associates, Inc.
2554 Lincoln Boulevard, # 445
Marina del Rey, CA 90291
Phone: (310) 828-5709
Fax: (310) 828-5709
email: info@globaleval.org
http://www.globaleval.org

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
Phone: (310) 258-9451
Fax: (310) 342-7086
email: information@ierf.org
http://www.ierf.org

WISCONSIN

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
Phone: (414) 289-3400
Fax: (414) 289-3411
email: eval@ece.org
http://www.ece.org

MASSACHUSETTS

Education International, Inc.
29 Denton Road
Wellesley, MA 02482
Phone: (781) 235-7425
Fax: (781) 235-6831
email: edint@gis.net
http://www.educationinternational.org

ILLINOIS

Educational Perspectives, nfp.
P.O. Box 618056
Chicago, IL 60661-8056
Phone: (312) 421-9300
Fax: (312) 421-9353
email: info@educational-perspectives.org
http://www.educational-perspectives.org

Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 400
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
Phone: (618) 656-5291
Fax: (618) 656-5292
http://www.facsusa.com

TEXAS

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 9203
College Station, TX 77842-9203
Phone: (512) 528-0908
Fax: (512) 528-9293
email: gce@gceus.com
http://www.gceus.com or
http://www.gcevaluators.com

SpanTran Educational Services, Inc.
7211 Regency Square Blvd., Suite 205
Houston, TX 77036-3197
Phone: (713) 266-8805
Fax: (713) 789-6022
email: info@spantran-edu.org
http://www.spantran-edu.org

DELAWARE

International Consultants of Delaware, Inc.
625 Barksdale Road, Suite 109
Newark, DE 19711-3258
Phone: (302) 737-8715
Fax: (302) 737-8756
email: icd@icdel.com
http://icdel.com

WASHINGTON STATE

Foundation for International Services, Inc.
21540 30th Dr SE, Suite #320
Bothell, WA 98021
Phone: (425) 487-2245
Fax: (425) 487-1989
email: info@fis-web.com
http://www.fis-web.com

If you have any more question, please feel free and don't hesitate to drop me a line. Good luck!