justinparke 3Speak Podcast

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=justinparke/dmyhfhhc
I can't think of a better way to end my unintended Hive hiatus than to announce I finally secured a visa for my return to Cambodia and have a shot at residency.

     The end to my family's struggle is not over yet, so I will explain a bit about why my joy is reserved in the video. I've seen nothing but sure things fall apart the last three years, so I won't believe it until I touch Cambodian soil. I did secure a business visa though (it's glued in my passport), the only choice for longterm residency outside of a retirement/pension visa or an NGO visa.

     The visa that I now have is only valid for a 30-day use, so I must repeat this whole process all over again a few weeks after arrival in Phnom Penh, and if successful, I will obtain a one-year visa and then be able to relax, enjoy time with my family, and start undoing the trauma we've experienced the last three years stranded abroad.

     In what is truly ironic, Cambodia now has a new law that supposedly we can register our marriage, and if we live together for 3 years after this I can request Cambodian citizenship. This would certainly make crypto-related things and Cambodian bureaucracy easier to overcome. Well, I just haven't felt that I had anything to share with you all lately, so I am glad to offer some good news, my departure date is January 5th.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=justinparke/nvytiykp
Finally a bit of good news, the Cambodian Embassy in D.C. has approved my visa pre-screening, and tomorrow I send my passport off in the mail.

     I must admit I wasn't very hopeful after having my first wave of visa pre-screening denied, but it looks like attempt number two was a success. I received an email this afternoon notifying me to send my passport and all supporting documents by mail to the Cambodian Embassy in Washington D.C.

     If this is successful, I will still miss my original flight date for the 21st of December, but I can extend it and hopefully see my family sometime around New Year. I would like to be more excited, but I've had nothing but high hopes dashed over the last three years. I've even once left Cambodia after receiving a visa denial after years of uninterrupted residency.

     I'll breathe and rest more easily not only when I get this one-month business visa, but when I successfully renew if for a one-year term. The one-year visa will give me time to create my own "corporation" and be able to sponsor myself for any future visa problems. This post-COVID has world stripped us of many freedoms, especially those relating to freedom of movement and foreign residency.

     As much as I don't want to, I'm gonna have to devote a 100+ hours each year towards overcoming the bureaucracy that seeks to separate my family and I. This will just be our new way of life, and although I don't have to like it, I am not in a position of power, so I must play the game laid out for me the by those that run the world.

     I really hope you all see me very soon hugging my girls, going for tuk-tuk rides, drinking sugarcane juice, and so many other things I miss from my former lifestyle.

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=justinparke/hheouvfs
I finally managed to capture some quality video of Harry the lamb and I playing football and other games, and it's an example of just how curious and playful this little guy is.

     Ever since Harry developed a love of football, we've always wanted to document it for digital memories, but the perfect scenario of Harry dropping by to play while I'm free and energetic with a spare family member available for filming just hasn't happened yet.

     That all changed today when Harry dropped by full of his usual happiness and lust for life. He let me know he wanted me to come out and play by taking the football from the porch on his own and staring at me. At that point I felt obligated to go play with the coolest lamb the universe has ever known. Monkey-B has previously taken some shaky video footage, but I really wanted some clear video to share with you Hivers.

     I quickly called @sreypov to be my camerawoman because I knew today's playtime was going to be an epic one for the history books. Harry demonstrated all his skillsets in this video, and it shows why he has stolen my family's hearts. I used to have dogs when I was younger, but I think if I take o an animal again, it would definitely have to be a sheep without a doubt.

     It's safe to say though that no lamb will ever be "Harry," and I really hope I can convince the landlord or someone else to play with him every day after we leave. He's now accustomed to it and he deserves to have a playmate, especially if he's gonna live in captivity. Viva la Harry!!!!

     My inappropriate music choices were inspired by @davidke20's #22Kill Push-Up Challenge video series. He brings much needed humor to the ASEAN Hive Community.

music source: bensound

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=justinparke/maqrokoo
Greetings Hivers, I have recently upped Harry the lamb's football training regime, and Monkey-B was able to help document this new set of skills.

     I think I've mentioned Harry's football prowess in previous posts, but I've been able to show you all more than Harry just moving the ball around with his head. The truth is Harry actually understands much more about this beloved international sport.

     Harry mostly prefers to play a tight one-on-one defense, following the ball very closely with his eyes. It's hard to trick him, and you can see in the video Monkey-B shot how excited he gets when I try and sprint away from him with the ball. I've learned the key is to get him excited then conveniently lose possession of the ball near him, and this almost elicits an offensive attack from Harry.

     Monkey-B does need to work on holding the camera steady when filming, but the footage is worth showing because you can really sense Harry's pure joy when playing football. There is at least one occasion of the "Harry Attack" in this video, and that is where he literally runs to the ball and jumps on it, then dribbles it a bit between his front and back legs before losing control.

     Eventually I hope to get some better footage before we leave Suriname, because I haven't experienced much simpler and pure joy than when I'm running around with Harry in the backyard. When he gets too excited he jumps uncontrollably, and that lust for life is infectious. There is truly something mystical about this lamb, and I must admit I'll be sad to leave him behind.

music source

https://3speak.tv/watch?v=justinparke/dkwlmxes
Today started out with Harry and I playing his new favorite game, "chasing and ramming," which always starts with me pushing against the top of his head with a closed fist.

     Harry still plays a bit of football, but recently his red rocket popped out while playing with one of our family members. The red rocket is a sign that this lamb is on his way to becoming a ram, and cute Harry will be a rebellious teenager very soon. A few weeks ago while enjoying my morning coffee, Harry pushed back while I was rubbing his head.

     The following day while hanging out with Harry, I closed my fist and pushed into his head again, and he then got excited and pushed back as hard as he could with his head. Sheep have skulls literally built for ramming, so playing this game must be similar to playing fetch with a labrador, it's just a matter of assisting natural tendencies.

     In the above video, I show you an example of what this fist game has evolved into. It's now a combination of "ram and run," and it's good exercise for me, and really makes me laugh. If Harry gets particularly excited playing this game, he will occasionally attempt some parkour moves.

     Monkey-B likes to stack flowers when she's bored. I'm not sure the name of the plant, but it's a lot like honeysuckle in the USA. These tiny flowers conveniently fit inside each other like LEGO pieces. Monkey-B exploits this natural quality, and can make necklaces, rings, and anything else that falls apart the moment you touch it.

     The baby birds are still being fed by their parents, and we are anxiously awaiting a chance to see their first attempts at flight before we leave this country. It would be really cool to document it for you Hivers.

     I haven't yet mentioned today's journey, which involved us getting some more bureaucratic stuff out of the way that will let us have a better chance at reunification beyond Suriname's borders. So, on our way out to run some errands in the city, I decided to pop my head over the zinc fence and see what Harry was doing. Apparently I interrupted something, and the sheep looked at me like I had violated their right to privacy.

     The above shot is of the local Chinese Capsicum variety in Suriname, very similar to a Scotch Bonnet in Jamaica, or a habanero in Mexico. Here they are known as Madame Jeanette peppers, and the local variety is a bit longer than their Mexican and Jamaican counterparts.

     Time to cool down with @Sreypov, because she got spicy after watching me snap shots of the chili plant. A few waves of the hat to fan the face and all is good as new. A flower in the ear for natural beauty.

     Monkey-B was feeling spicy enough to try standing on one leg for some epic shots, and I managed to capture some behind-the-scenes footage.

     I love flowers and apprecialove their natural beauty, but I also enjoy telling a story in my Hive blog posts, and I just don't know how to write about flowers other than identifying them and moving on. So here it is this Giganticus Purpleanicus, or at least it would be if I was allowed to name it.

     I have no conflict respecting the beauty of flowers, but if it's not edible I don't bother learning the name. This could easily be a "Redula Fidgetal Spinneronimus, and it doesn't take away from the bokeh effect it has on the @KidSisters in the background.

     I almost broke my wrist trying to get a shot of this Bengal Tiger Butterfly. Did I mention I know nothing about butterflies too? That is definitely the name of this butterfly, but don't look into it.

     On our way to do depressing bureaucratic stuff, I had the pleasure of Ms. Belly Skin greeting me and keeping an eye on me for the duration of the bus ride. She used to charge $1.65 SRD, but these days her price is $8.50 SRD, a sign of the financial crisis in Suriname. Public transportation is no longer affordable for us, so this was the first time inside a bus in many months.

     On our way back home I snapped a shot of a defeated and tired Monkey-B walking with big sister and mom. She is slouching, a tell-tale sign that we need to be home within the next 10 minutes, but luckily we were already on the home stretch when this shot was taken.

     That's all folks, until we meet again....

Music: BenSound