adjusted knowledge - I resided in the Philippines decades ago for a short period of time.
I know the boxes that you speak of: the balikbayan boxes. They have a set rate. Usually one price for Metro Manila; higher if the box is going to one of the many provinces and islands there in the Philippines. Regardless of the weight, yes ... just as you speak of. I've seen some of those boxes weigh several hundred pounds. You'd swear someone was shipping bricks!
I have shipped via 'Balikbayan' and made sure I itemized things (here: writing them down). When you're sending clothing items, toiletries and non electronic items, you are usually OK. My boxes (aking kahon) - arrived a bit squished, but all the items were inside, and intact. I remember sending (this is more than 20 years ago), CDs and cassette tapes, VHS/Beta tapes and even a couple of AM/FM Walkmans. They were still in the boxes and in good working order. We compared notes: everything was there. Funny thing, it was AFTER it got there, things disappeared.
I have mailed items, and I lost things almost 4/5 times. So I never send anything via mail, which I know you know is a recipe for theft and disappointment.
Any items that are electronic, I have sent with someone I know who is headed over there to the Philippines. If they have room in their luggage, I kindly ask them if they can take it over for me, usually with a little gift (baon) to the person carrying my gift.
You can give it a try I suppose, inserting some of those things like XBOX and PlayStation in the Balikbayan box, packed way inside the middle of the box. If they are unwrapped, you can also indicate IF there's a problem, that they are USED (not new). I know that there is some declaration sticker or form you sometimes have to apply to the outside of these boxes. I usually kept the descriptions general without detail. But sometimes ... officials at the Port of Manila or Cebu, may try to extort. It happens way more often than not.
I'm with JWdaughter. If possible, locate someone you know, or friends of friends who may be going, and kindly ask for them to take some items. May not get them ALL together, but maybe in a couple of trips in quick succession.
GOOD LUCK!
RAYZORBLADE
JoinedPosts by RAYZORBLADE
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Shipping items to the Philippines. Does anyone have experience shipping to other countries?
by adjusted knowledge ini live in the usa and want to ship my game consoles (xbox, playstation, wi, ect), laptop, and other items to my wife's family in the philippines.
i've used a company locally that ships there at a fix price of $90 per box.
so whatever i fit in the box will ship at that rate regardless of weight.
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RAYZORBLADE
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119
Get well Grace (Mouthy)
by label licker ina loud get well grace from all of us to you.
everyone, grace has been in and out of the hospital and i'm sure she would love to read your get wells.
we miss you grace:) wish i could post pictures.
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RAYZORBLADE
Mouthy: we'll have a pint of cider (non-alcoholic) how 'bout that?
I still remember my movie shoot back in June 2003 and how excited you were that I was partaking of that. Remember that?
You've been through a great deal Granny Grace over the many years. I pop-in here once every few months or once a year or less since I don't know when. Most folks here wouldn't know who the heck I am; lots of newcomers and new established folks.
GOOD!
People are learning more and more about the BORG and reading peoples' experiences; no doubt some of yours from here and other ex-JW sites.
Glad we still have you here.
Big hugs and kisses to you. xoxo
No kicking buckets: I need them to bring us some fresh cider. -
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Get well Grace (Mouthy)
by label licker ina loud get well grace from all of us to you.
everyone, grace has been in and out of the hospital and i'm sure she would love to read your get wells.
we miss you grace:) wish i could post pictures.
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RAYZORBLADE
MOUTHY: (Gran) - how could I forget you? That'd be impossible despite I rarely if ever pop-in here anymore.
It was quite alarming to read (at the time I clicked in) down 3 pages, that a thread had been started regarding your health.
Right away, I'm going Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4 and then I start reading some positive feedback and of course, Page 5, there you are! YEAH!
Now that we're on Page 6, let's hope it's all good health news from here on in.
I think a pint of Wellington Trailhead Lager (from nearby Guelph) - should fix you up nicely.
Big hugs to you Gran! xo -
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Elderettes
by snowbird ini lol whenever i run across this term because it aptly describes the elders' wives i've known.. bossy and domineering for the most part, they delighted in being the alpha females and watched jealously to see if any other female received undue attention from the body of elders.. i remember one who told me that my dress was too short, another said i was spoiling my daughter, and yet another wanted to know from where i was buying her clothes!.
too much!.
lol.. sylvia.
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RAYZORBLADE
Man oh man ... I love this thread.
Remember a few Elderettes. Somewhat officious is the word I will use.
That acronym: C.O.W. - was a good one too! I recall one that would fit the bill nicely.I'd like to call some of those Elderettes: the 'OTHER' Judicial Committee.
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Really enjoyed the CONvention....why?
by punkofnice ini remember when i was a mind cleansed(tm) jw i would listen to the talks when i wasn't napping.. on the long tiring drive home i'd say how i ''enjoyed(tm)'' the sessions and felt ''encouraged(tm)''.. .....and yet i couldn't recall a single ''point(tm)'' made.
i couldn't remember what it was that actually made me feel good.. on one occasion i asked the family what they found ''encouraging(tm)'' or interesting.. tumble weed.
no examples.
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RAYZORBLADE
My goodness. I remember going to the big conventions. The only thing I recalled that I loved: was the trip itself going there.
I would studiously take notes. I thought it would help me remember everything: it didn't. I tried ... heaven knows I tried.
Some of the conventions I remember enjoying the drive to were: Victorius Faith 1978 in Montreal. The following year again in 1979 in Montreal, and then attending a couple of assemblies in Portland, Maine (1982 and 1983).
The 1979 Assembly in Montreal, they split one side of the Olympic Stadium in English; the other side in French/francais. They were really hammering down on the 'Disco' music and backwards-masking music interpretations. I hated that one. I remember brothers and sisters dumping perfectly good records because of what the old folks in Brooklyn were thinking. Damn!
(years later I went out and bought every one of those albums back)
The 1982 assembly in Portland, Maine was memorable due to the fact I was being reunited with my then girlfriend who had NO idea I had moved back to Atlantic Canada from Toronto. I remember that assembly and the fun of the travel from my buddy's place in northern Maine, down to Augusta. Then meeting up with my crew in Portland, the next day.
1983 was not as much fun. I remember the road trip and it wasn't as fun as the 1982 one. Seemed to lack any spark whatsoever.
Then I was gone, gone, gone ... gone! Hard to believe that that was almost 30 years ago.
What a huge relief I don't have to take in any of those anymore. -
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29-30 Years Later
by RAYZORBLADE ingood day everyone.
i don't post on here very often, if at all.
used to pepper this site quite a bit 8-10 years ago.
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RAYZORBLADE
Of course I remember you Granny Grace. How could I forget you?
Impossible! -
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29-30 Years Later
by RAYZORBLADE ingood day everyone.
i don't post on here very often, if at all.
used to pepper this site quite a bit 8-10 years ago.
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RAYZORBLADE
I haven't been as active in searching for so-called long lost JW's as one never knows what their status is, until you contact them. But with Facebook of course, you can sometimes get a sneak peek at what they're doing, especially an Kingdom Hall photos or assembly pics. If I see that: I don't even bother. Why waste my time.
Sometimes it's more ambiguous. Cannot be too sure, but I will send a message and keep it general. I won't bring up anything JW or WTBTS (that'd be the death knell in some instances). So far so good.Thanks Glander and nice to see you too Clarity. To think I was on here quite a bit back in 2003. Went to the mini Detroit Apostafest in September of that year. That was nice. Some very good people down there in southeastern Michigan.
Thank you Gayle and maninthemiddle. Appreciate the little follow-ups.
Have a good weekend everyone, wherever you may be.
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29-30 Years Later
by RAYZORBLADE ingood day everyone.
i don't post on here very often, if at all.
used to pepper this site quite a bit 8-10 years ago.
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RAYZORBLADE
Good day everyone. I don't post on here very often, if at all. Used to pepper this site quite a bit 8-10 years ago. Great site. It helped me immensely, especially considering how long I had been away from the so-called 'Truth'. I had no idea that there were all these changes within the WTBTS. A few things that I recalled that were such pillars to their beliefs ... changed after I exited back in 1983/84.
When I first visited this site, I had posted a few topics in the "Personal Experiences & Reunions" section.
Over the years, I did come into contact with a couple of people. That was great.
In April of this year 2013, because I had to attend my mother's funeral in Atlantic Canada, I had an opportunity to actually meet-up with my former JW friends; now ex-JWs.
I finally had an opportunity to meet a dear former JW friend from southern New Brunswick. We met at a restaurant and it was so wonderful to see her after ALL these years. She met my brother and cousin, and we had a warm conversation and it was just remarkable to finally lay eyes upon her. A wonderful and pleasant reunion. She is such a sweetheart. She was back then and still remains an outstanding individual.
Following day, my brother and I venture across the Canada-U.S. border into the state of Maine. There I meet a very dear friend, whom actually located me on Facebook. He told me had moved from Canada to the United States, married an American gal (she too is now an ex-JW) and we kept in contact for years. He was from New Brunswick but had moved to Arizona. Eventually, he left the American southwest and moved to the beautiful New England state of Maine.
We had wanted to meet for ages, but due to timing and distance it was next to impossible.
My mother passes, therefor I had to head back east and I secretly arranged to meet up with my good friend, through his wife. She knew we were coming over from Canada.
It was a bit nerve wracking as I had to figure out where their little shop was in this small town, and do it in such a way to invoke the element of surprise. I finally found out where they were, and I could look through their shop window. His wife spotted me and gave me a huge wink and I could see her going to get her camera. I composed myself and walked into their shop incognito < yes just like this icon. Haha! I ask about a problem I had with some technical issue related to computers etc., but the funny part was ... he was surprised ... but then said: "Wait ... I know that voice!" and well ... the rest is history. After nearly 30 years, we finally lay eyes upon one another, but better still ... a good ol' bear hug for each other. His wife was ecstatic!
You sometimes think, you will never ever see some people again. Then out of nowhere, someone somewhere IS looking for you. When you do make that contact, it can be a two edge sword. Are they still active Jehovah's Witnesses or are they now inactive or disassociated or disfellowshipped? You don't know until the first exchange. Fortunately for me, these last two had left the Jehovah's Witnesses, and for them it has not been easy due to their Family/Parents being Active and very staunch Witnesses. For my female friend, her parents have pretty much written her off (via letter); yet she has a sister who is no longer a JW, and many loyal friends who LOVE her unconditionally. She is going to be OK.
It's been nearly 2 months since this reunion, but it sure gave me a sorely needed morale boost after my mother's passing in that very same week.
For those of you who long for long lost friends/contacts within the organization. Be patient, or look them up on Facebook or on-line somewheres and you may be pleasantly surprised.
That fear of Rejection is indeed very real for those of us who have been part of the WTBTS. We know their workings and their so-called 'loving' disciplinary act of Disfellowshipping. One never knows that if you reach out to someone, that they will reject you again. But, if you think about it, you have nothing to lose. You will know one way or another where you stand.
Sometimes, you'll make a connection like you wouldn't believe, like I did.
Lasting friendships rekindled after 29-30 years. It can happen, and if you're especially lucky, these people are well adjusted and doing VERY WELL post-JW. Their living a successful life is testimony that there is indeed a life outside of the Organization.
Just thought I'd share that little anecdote. If you are searching for long lost JW friends - don't give up. They too may be looking for YOU!
Have a great day wherever you are. -
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RAYZORBLADE
And just as a minor follow-up here. Not too far from where I now live, an F2 tornado struck a small community northeast of Toronto.
I recall the Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for my area; went outside on Tuesday early evening and the skies were indeed looking menacing. The more intense band of storms was north of me.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured or killed during this minor outbreak.
Yes, Canada gets tornadoes. Thank you for posting that map 'Heaven'. -
112
So tired of life
by LouBelle ini am so tired of waking up without hope.
so tired of fighting one more day...i just want it to end as painless as possible.
i truly don't have the willpower or strength anymore..
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RAYZORBLADE
I am seldom if ever on here; saw this on active threads and had to take a peek in here.
Some days, weeks and extended periods of times ... it feels like hell. You somehow manage to wake up the next day and wonder 'how the hell did I do that?'.
Read back to Megatron's posts from a couple of months ago and the kindness you extended to him.
Looks like thoughtfulness and kindness are being sent your way, at least, via this site.
You are not forgotten.