She's
fondly called Babis by her relatives and friends, I simply call
her "Hon." Shirl was born October 28, 1966 in San Carlos,
Pangasinan, Philippines. She was raised in Quezon City by her parents
the late, Carlos Posadas Llamas & Mrs. Teresita Olaer Simbulan.
Her dad was a successful lawyer and her mom was a homemaker. She
is the second among four siblings - older brother Caloy, next is
Raffy then Terri.
She was very fortunate to enjoy many things in life any person could
wish for: love, attention, toys, new clothes, and good schooling.
Her family taught her the value of hardwork - to live in a disciplined,
honest and God fearing life. She is always thankful for how she
was raised by her parents. The greatest gift she received was her
education in very prestigious schools in the Philippines (Holy Family
High School & Maryknoll College). She graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts in International Studies.
She considered herself lucky with regards to her career - good companies,
wonderful coworkers and bosses. She had worked in all kinds of industries
while in the Philippines, with companies in categories such as insurance,
investment, corporations, graduate schools, and consulting firms.
She was privileged to travel a great deal all around the world including
Asia, Australia, Middle East and America. While in the States, she
has worked in a fabric company, a day care office, the North Carolina
Mayor's office, a bank, an airline company, and a doctor's office.
She is also planning to venture into her own business but is still
in the process of a feasibility study.
She migrated and left the Philippines last Dec. 1999 and little
did she know that she would stay here permanently. She stayed first
in California with her relatives. After we got married in Las Vegas
(April 25, 2000), she immediately moved to be with me and my mother
in Rochester, NY. She had lots of adjustments to make! The way of
living and the environment (should I say the weather?) but it was
made easier for her to cope because my mother's unfailing support
that was extended to her. She instantly gained a big family in America.
She easily found new real friends, Filipinos and Americans. She
admitted that homesickness was striking her occasionally, but we
got through that together. She is my sweet, loving and thoughtful
wife.
We discussed a lot of things before our interview at the INS (Immigration
& Naturalization Service). We had to make sure that we knew
each other well. I found out a lot more about her:
Activities: Going out of town (medical missions or sightseeing),
Spiritual enhancement activities (praise & worship, weekend retreats),
Nights out to cool places (comedy clubs or music lounges), contemplating,
eating, surfing the internet, good conversation with people, shopping,
watching movies, bowling
Best Things About Her: She is a go-getter with fighting spirit!
Being around people excites her!
Worst Things About Her: She easily trusts people.
Craved Cuisine: Filipino dishes, Italian dishes, Japanese
Food, New Orleans Food, Thai Food
Favorite Music: Jazz music, love songs, R&B
Favorite Singer: Barry Manilow, Martin Nievera
All-time Fave Films: Schindler's List
Driving Ambition: To make most of every blessing and to share
it all with my loved ones
Guiding Principles:
* Be yourself. It's harder to pretend to be someone you're not.
* Try hard to make use of all the opportunities that come your way.
* No matter what you do, make sure you don't step on anyone on your
way up.
* A friend is a person who understands you without any words
What is Fun? It's being able to relax and do something with
my "honeypotsi"
Unforgettable movie line: Julia Robert's dialogue in the
movie Runaway Bride:
"I guarantee there'll be tough times. I guarantee there'll
be one day when one or both of us will want to get out. But I also
guarantee that if I do not ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for
the rest of my life because I know in my heart, you're the only
one."
She is God's gift to me and I will always be loving her til the
end of my time.
Forever yours,
Jim
[Click
here to see Jim's Story]
 |
