Visa for USA

The first time I went to United States was in 1974. That was the year America is celebrating a centennial celebration for the Independence of 200 years.

At the embassy during my first interview. The council looked at me and said what are you going to do in America? 

I said my friends invited me to visit America just to witness the Centennial celebration. I told the man behind the window that I do not want to waste your time, you can see from my passport that I have been to Europe and I always have had an opportunity to stay there but I did not.

I have no intention of overstaying in the States. Here, I have 4,000 US dollars and that is my pocket money for the trip and I’m coming back immediately. Having said that, the council looked at me and said "ok I'll give you a multiple visa".

So, with the help of a family friend, by the name of Mr. Eduardo Gutierrez and his family, I lived and had a good life in San Jose, California. From San Jose, I rented a room near the University of Berkeley. At that time, University of Berkeley was going on a revolution. I went directly to Hayward because I cannot afford Berkley. I was told to choose a course that no one is interested in. This way, I would be accepted immediately. The only course available was Educational Psychology. I was accepted and student visa was grated.

Educational Psychology is a subject that deals with Math and Computer Testing to evaluate the mind of an individual. Had a chance to choose between three professors and had a chance to hear them. First one, he kept on squeezing his thumb, so I said. Cannot work with this person who is nervous. The second one, keeps looking into the sky he did not have an eye contact, so, I cannot have him as an answer. The third one, was Dr. Brown. When I came to his class, he looked at me and I look at him. So he was so one!!! Educational Psychology is all Math and Computer. Not my cup of tea. Math and Computer is my Waterloo. Everyday I went to the church near the house and begged and begged God for a solution, otherwise they would sent me back to Manila.

After a month, I told Dr. Brown that I cannot swallow Math and Computer. I like people’ He said, look at me Nancy, I had transfer you to Counselling. I am still you adviser for the next two years. You have 48 hours of community service as your work required for graduation and you must read all of these list and books. You must write a thesis as a requirement for graduation. You must come back and report to me what you read and what you have learned. Instead of three years, I successfully accomplished in 2 and a half years, fulfilled a few works, for counselling the prisoners and mental patients, disabled and homosexual. The normal and abnormal sexual disfunctions. 

My project is to put up a Human Resource Department in Indonesian carpet Manufacturer. The company employed 100 Filipino technicians and 300 Indonesian workers. The sole owner of the company is my sister, Mrs. Alice Boras with the cooperation of their Philippine Carper Manufacturing, Hongkong Carpet Manufacturing and Thailand Carper Manufacturing. 

It was a good memory during my time in that University. We meet every week with my group. We were like about around 14. Normally had burritos and coffee and discuss all our experiences and all of us learned from each other. During weekends, friends and I went up to Canada and down to San Diego, complete West Coast in two and a half years. At that time, in Universal Studio, I saw Tom Jones and I almost fainted. Also, I saw Aladdin in person and I also almost fainted because he was so handsome.

During my graduation, I had to print a several copies of thesis and prepare to get my diploma for coming back home. I had to make sure that time that my graduation ring would  fit to my father's finger because he would be very proud. Aside from that, there was a letter for me and I didn't know what was that all about. When I opened it, it stated, Nancy, the first time I saw you, I know that you are a great person, and you will be a very good one. You have helped me developed in a better way and you helped me learned a lot and I wish you the best of luck. In the future if you ever tell me you wanted me I would have divorce my wife and get married with you immediately and I will get you from your hometown".

Then I said goodbye to American West Coast, goodbye Berkerly, goodbye Universal Studio, goodbye Disneyland, goodbye Hollywood, goodbye Stanford. The West Coast of America. I showed the letter to my father then he burned, and he sent Mr. Brown a Chinese painting for remembrance. 

The degree opened the door for high paying jobs in Manila, China, and Jakarta for the next 25 years.

Later on, my experience again was the East Coast. I worked in Bank of Tokyo in Wall Street. So again, Niagara Falls down to the whole East Coast. Boston, Harvard University, the beauty of autumn and spring. The shopping in New York, Macy’s, Liberty House, Statue of Liberty and Alcatraz.