Part III...Preempting that Maria's application for a New Zealand Visa would be accepted I booked a flight to New Zealand to stay with my cousin in Auckland. It had been 18 years since I was last in Auckland, leaving in August 1998 as a young, fit, motivated young man, with the world ahead of me, looking to fulfill my dreams. Although my extended Kiwi family had been kept up-to-date on facebook, I think they got a bit of a shock when they saw that same young man now approaching mid-life. That put aside, my kiwi family have been very welcoming and I will be sure to catch up with most of them whilst I am here.

As soon as I arrived at my cousins place I had received word from Maria. She had just received documents via a courier regarding her visa application. Before she opened it she went to her nearest church and prayed for a good result. I really didn't think much of it for I thought we had followed all their instructions and completed it to their satisfaction and there would be no problem getting the visa approved. Instead of building the suspense here, I will just tell you outright that the visa was declined.

When dealing with immigration officers I now realize its not just about ticking off a checklist to make sure you have all the documents. You have to be forward in giving them information to satisfy the questions and legislation that they adhere too. We failed to prove that Maria was not at risk of overstaying her visa, and that her visit to New Zealand was indeed for lawful purposes, and that our relationship was legitimate.

Needless to say Maria was devastated, but due to me just touching down in a new country I was not in the mind space to console her like I should have. I told her not to worry and that we still were waiting on the Australian Visa decision, but to still think what this may mean for us.

A couple of days past and Maria and I spoke now and again. I was still busy going down memory lane and explaining to my Kiwi family how my immediate family were doing in Australia. I tried my best to give my Kiwi family my utmost attention but my thoughts were with Maria and what the hell we should do.

My cousin had invited me on a trip away the first weekend I was here, returning on Sunday which just so happened to be Valentines Day. I was trying to think fast and make a quick decision before then so I could put my mind at ease. I was sick of my thoughts spinning and basically being left in limbo. I spoke to Maria Thursday night and she was saying she felt depressed and said she hoped that if I went to visit her she would feel better.

I went to a travel agent the next morning making inquiries about flights to the Philippines. I was rushed in my efforts for my cousin and I were to go away for the weekend that afternoon . Just as I was about to book I spoke to Maria again on Messenger. I was basically trying to get a decision out of her as to what we should do and if in fact she intended to marry me. In hindsight this was a big mistake, and Maria hated being pressured which led to a major fight. I myself couldn't believe she was hesitating, but I now understand she was in no position to be making any major decisions.

My travel agent gave me 24 hours to confirm my booking, so I went back to my cousins place to talk to Maria further. I kept pushing, and when I was dissatisfied with Maria's responses I ripped up the itinerary, took a photo of it and sent it to her, basically saying that I had enough of it all.

I don't know if you have ever messaged with intensity before but it was obvious that we both were. It ended when she said "I hate you!!!", repeatedly.

My cousin and I left for our weekend away and I had already told Maria that I would have no internet whilst I was away. A couple of hours into the trip, Maria cooled down a bit and sent me a message saying we should both speak when we have cool heads, and to enjoy the weekend and that I was to contact her when I got back.

My weekend away did definitely help, and for the first time for over five months Maria and I had no contact for over a day. On my return I sent Maria a Valentines Day message basically telling her I still loved her and that I would never stop loving her, to which she responded she loved me as well.

We worked things out over the next few days and she made me promise I would never put her in that predicament again. The distance has been so hard for both of us and we are both missing each other so much. After we made amends I decided that I could not wait for the decision of the Australian Visa, thinking that if the New Zealand visa got declined the chances are the Australian one would as well. So I asked Maria outright if she still wanted to be in a relationship with me, and I was delighted to hear that of course yes she did.

So over the past two days I have been organizing accommodation and flights to the Philippines where Maria and I will spend some time together in person. I have booked a flight to Sydney in a months time, where I will be staying with my sister for a few days, before flying to the Philippines to meet Maria at a Condo that I have booked for 2 months. This means I have plans for the next 3 months so now I will know where I am and what I am doing, so I will no longer be in limbo. My head has stopped spinning and I feel quite settled.

I plan to see more family members in New Zealand and do some sight seeing whilst I am here. I feel fortunate that my cousin is lending me a car to help myself get around New Zealand to achieve this. As good as it as catching up with my Kiwi family, I know at the the back of my mind I will still be counting down the days to reunite with my love, which won't be until I get to the Philippines mid March.

Ref: www.boxrep.blogspot.com