ANA AND I PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN MANILA

Ana, Ready for Manila

with New Blouse from

"Crazy Lady"

The woman I love, Ana Adiong, leaves for Manila in 48 hours for her interview at the U.S. Embassy.

First, though, there is a five hour seminar mandated by the Philippine government dealing with the rights of spouses and employees who go abroad.

"Crazy Lady," Ana's neighbor in the Bugo barangay of Cagayan de Oro, bought the white blouse for the Manila trip.

"Crazy Lady" and Ana first met twenty years ago, when they both worked at Gaisano, a popular supermarket for the working class.  Years later, they independently bought houses in the Villa Trinitas subdivision of Bugo, and were totally shocked and overjoyed to find that they lived directly across the street from each other.

During my time with Ana in November 2018, "Crazy Lady" peppered me daily with intrusive questions to which I learned to give stupid answers.  The more idiotic my responses, the louder became "Crazy's" laughter, followed by even more invasive queries.

Perhaps because Ana knows I would have difficulty with the names, she uses nicknames when she talks about her neighbors to me;  "Red Horse Woman," "Two Story," "Prison Man" and, of course, "Crazy Lady." 

Without a doubt, Ana will ace her 6:15 AM interview at the embassy, given standing up at the examiner's window.  The only question is whether or not my documents are complete, accurate and sufficient.  

In a few days, we will know the answer and my life will change dramatically.  Or not.