Dear friends,
Right now I wanted to be writing how amazing my trip to Canada was, because it was really awesome, but I can’t. A big issue arose. When I tried to re-enter the US yesterday I was refused. They didn’t allow me to enter in the US for another semester of training. They say that my visa is not valid for that. So I have to go back to Portugal.
I have most of my belongings at the center, so, I tried to buy a ticket from Arcata to Lisbon and ask to re-enter US just to go get my stuff and solve some legal issues like closing my bank account. They didn’t allowed me again, and even worst, they just cancelled my B1/B2 visa that was going to expire only at 2018.
Right now I’m stuck in Vancouver until Saturday, when I can finally fly back to Portugal. My friends, if I don’t get a student visa, this may mean the end of the 10-year program to me. I can fight against my own mind, have ups and downs, but I can’t control this. It’s beyond me. I was so motivated for this next semester after vacations and now this happens. I tried, I did my best. If I can’t return to the center to continue the program because of this, it’s going to be sad. I will keep trying to see what can be done, but pretty much depends on the center being approved as a recognized SEVIS school.
After so much effort, fate just turns on me this way. Oh well, we got keep our heads up and look forward.
To those in Portugal who miss me, I guess we will see each other soon. To my brothers at the center, keep it strong. Things will be solved. Much Love!
Wow man….what a mess. Try like hell to find some solution. How could this have happened? Let me know if I can do anything from the center. You’re my bro we gotta get you back.
By: Dudkiewicz on July 9, 2009
at 3:06 am
O_O o pessoal por aqui tem saudades tuas man, mas voltares cá por estas razões é mau!
Tem calma que as cenas ainda se vão resolver, até puderes voltar tenta aproveitar os ultimos dias aí no Canadá como puderes…
Abraço
By: RIbas on July 9, 2009
at 6:34 am
It’s sad that Dr.Yang wants to invest his time into a person who can barely handle a year at the summer camp, how will you handle the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth , ninth, and tenth year?
The spot could have been giving to somebody much more worthy, somebody who really wants to give his life for the continuation of traditional martial arts. To be honest, I think you’re lying about this whole non-acceptably into the U.S thing. Just tell Dr.Yang you quit and stop wasting people’s time. No disrespect to the other students who are training hard.
By: Itsashame on July 9, 2009
at 8:59 pm
Did you want to go? Then you should have applied. Did you apply and didn’t get accepted? Then you weren’t good enough.
Either way, you’re jealous and that’s just sad.
By: Pedro Couto e Santos on July 12, 2009
at 9:22 am
I think the saddest part is that you’re more occupied in criticizing others and in being sad, than in trainning you’re mind and body, than in working in whatever’s important to you. Maybe that’s why you didn’t get a chance at the retreat center, or maybe not…
But what matters is that with such an “impossible” path (that is never impossible or wastefull) to follow in life, if you stop to criticize or to regret the other’s lifes’, you wont get anywhere.
By: Arthur on July 12, 2009
at 12:53 pm
It’s sad that people like you chose to invest their time on being negative about someone they don’t even know – because if you did know Ricardo, you’d know how much he sacrificed to get into the program.
By: Raul Pedro Santos on July 12, 2009
at 3:17 pm
This visa issue appears to be entirely legitimate. U.S. visa laws are complicated and sometimes arbitrary. The previous anonymous poster simply doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Good luck with working through the bureaucracy, Ricardo. Ignore the internet idiots.
By: Carlo on July 10, 2009
at 2:27 am
estamos contigo, a torcer para que tudo se resolva. ânimo!!
Abraços.
By: nelson e catarina on July 10, 2009
at 9:42 pm
Stay strong bro,
Fight like hell to come back. I believe in you man.
Your Disciple Brother,
Tom
By: Dudkiewicz on July 10, 2009
at 9:54 pm
keep you mind focused on your objective, don’t give up…
By: whity on July 11, 2009
at 3:38 pm
Não conheço nada dessas burocracias das américas, mas tenho a certeza de uma coisa: tu não vais desistir!! E vais ver que vais conseguir ficar!! Força brother!!
Abraço,
Nuno
By: O_Nuno on July 11, 2009
at 8:44 pm
Well no one said it would be easy. We knew that within the course of 10 years we would endure countless tests. Whether within the Center or outside of it, there will always be something confronting us to test our spirit. Ricardo, we have faith in you and your spirit. We look forward to this battle and the many others that await our arrival. Be patient and don’t stop the fight. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
GongFu perseveres!
By: javier on July 14, 2009
at 5:48 pm