Interview with David: Pursuing Your Dreams with Faith
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In this report I’ll be analyzing my interview with my friend David, which took place over Zoom on December 13th, 2020 around 8 p.m, while applying what I’ve learned in class about the immigration process. I have known David for about 15 years, having met him when I was 5. David was born in Wellington, New Zealand but was raised on a small island near Samoa. Before moving to the U.S, David led a quiet lifestyle, farming and dealing with cattle during the day while studying at night. Pursuing his love of film and animation, he relocated to Chesapeake, Virginia to begin studies at Regent University. While studying there, he rented a room from my Godparents, where I spent a lot of my time as a child. He’s been a great mentor, role model and friend to me and many others. He was involved with the church I went to with my Godparents and quickly became a part of the community. While I spent a lot of time with David as a child, I was too young to understand the process of David moving to the U.S as what I’ve learned as immigration.
David’s immigration process was different than many that we’ve studied. He had no plan to settle here permanently, but rather to pursue his filmmaking and animation passion while studying at Regent University, a private Christian university in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His first experience with the U.S was just a visit, in November 2005, to tour the university and its surroundings, and to meet with the faculty. Upon going back to New Zealand, he met with the U.S Embassy where he was interviewed with basic questions regarding the purpose of his visit, and acquired a 90-day visa, also registering as an international student at Regent. As we’ve learned, immigrants facing the decision of moving usually practice what sociologists call a “cost/benefit analysis”, weighing the “pushing” factors, or reasons to leave the home country, and the “pulling factors” that serve as reasons to choose the country you’re migrating to. David didn’t come to the U.S solely to settle down or solely financially support his family, and quite enjoyed his life at home, thus having few “push” factors. He states that “Life in the Pacific Islands is very idyllic. It’s very slow. Culture’s warm and friendly”. His “pull factors” were growing his business, pursuing filmmaking, and wanting to study at Regent. As we discussed in the interview, he saw America as the place with the most opportunities to follow that dream. After pitching his business idea and being approved for the visa, he began to study after coming back to the U.S in March/April of 2006. David wasn’t the first of his family to migrate from their home in Samoa, mentioning in the interview that one of his brothers moved overseas.
Another way that David’s story is different from the ones we’ve studied is that the reason for the decided location was based on the university and the opportunities offered to him based on his talent. This differs from our discussion as there was no reason related to established racial ties (like the ethnic enclaves we discussed), and no reason related to fear of persecution by the government like those who seek sanctuary cities like Harrisonburg. I consider David’s story to be very unique in this way, that he followed the process and it worked out the way it’s supposed to, minus a few hiccups here and there. While the process is, by nature, a complex and drawn-out system that doesn’t go the same for everyone, David’s experience sheds a more positive light on U.S immigration policy, which has faced much scrutiny, especially in the past few years with the changing administrations.
One of the topics we’ve discussed in class is reception, or contexts of reception, and how immigrants assimilate into U.S culture. From the moment I met David, it was obvious he was fluent in English, and it makes sense as he states in the interview, New Zealand is considered a part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Minus dialect and accent, there was no language barrier that a lot of immigrants face. He had also grown up reading newspapers and watching TV and news programs, grasping a sense of American Culture. He says there were no first immediate shocks, except for the “modernity” of our culture. Living on the island, he hadn’t had electricity until he was a teenager, let alone a connection to the internet. By the time David first came to the U.S in 2005, the internet was already becoming increasingly accessible as cell phones and laptops gained popularity. He also noted about free refills at restaurants, which I think the food in general must’ve been difficult to adjust to. Speaking from even my own personal experience, other countries serve food and drinks in a more conservative way, with less “bottomless” or “free refill” options. The practices and “norms” of eating and sharing meals differ across countries, but there is something unique in American culture that we’re often joked for.
Another context of reception we’ve studied is racial relations and ethnic communities. In class, we’ve discussed the idea of chain migration, and the building and forming of ethnic communities, and yet again David’s experience differs from the ones we’ve studied. Chesapeake, Virginia and Virginia Beach, Virginia are two pretty diverse places, a lot having to do with the multiple military bases around the area. There are many established Hispanic and Asian “enclaves” around, but there’s no concentrated community or population of Samoan people that David already had ties to. Again, he first came to the states for school, which served as the welcoming community, as well as the church he attended.
New Life, which is a group of non-denominational churches in the tidewater area, has been my family’s base church for a few decades now. New Life accentuates its diversity and multiculturalism, making it apart of their core statement. Even before I met David, New Life served as a community in itself, where there is no true majority or concentration of a certain ethnicity. As David notes in the interview, there was some overlap between his circle of people at Regent University and at New Life, where his sense of community and relationships began to grow, as opposed to an established ethnic community. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, David was able to purse his talent and cultivate his skills through his studies and helping the church in the media department. Many Sundays, you could find David in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary, making sure the service ran smoothly. As noted, there was a pretty “seamless transition” into American life. Another factor of immigration that was influenced by the community is having a job. In class, we’ve discussed the dual labor market theory, and how immigrants often begin in the secondary sector, working underpaid, labor-intensive jobs that offer no mobility or opportunity for growth. Thanks to David’s natural talent and his education at Regent, he was able to find work doing more or less what he wanted to do, while gaining valuable experience and growing in the field.
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In September of 2007, David met his wife Jill through a Bible study class he was hosting at Regent. Jill is originally from New Jersey but crossed paths with David in Virginia while working in a teaching position. They were good friends for a few years before eventually dating, most of which took place over the phone while David was back in New Zealand. Although he was gone, my Godparents and I spent time with Jill, getting to know and love her, and occasionally visiting with him through skype calls. David initially left in 2009, to pursue a mission trip opportunity in Hong Kong before continuing home for almost two years. Something that was interesting to hear as a (budding) sociologist was David’s reaction to returning home after living in America. He notes that there was sort of a “reverse culture shock”, returning to the farm and readjusting to things like the food and the atmosphere. While it was hard to leave his friends and Jill behind, he discussed how it was also a great time to spend with his family whom he hadn’t seen since he left, having a “divine time” reconnecting and jumping right back into his life at home.
In 2011, David and Jill decided to locate to Canada, where David was given a job opportunity. They both moved right around Quebec and Ottawa, in the French-speaking area. Although I’ve always known they lived there, it was interesting to look at it from a sociological perspective, in the context of the immigration process, as a third country being involved. When I asked David if there was a specific reason, the answer made sense to me. Canada is considered another “Commonwealth” country, or as he put it in the interview, “Queen’s on the money in New Zealand and the Queen’s on the money in Canada”. Travel and entry restrictions are lighter in Canada versus the U.S, and it’s overall a different environment. In September of 2011, David and Jill were wed in Canada, and I was lucky enough to travel with my Godmother to attend. Even as a child, I was scared of going through customs at the Canadian border, but the process went as smoothly as it could have, and I even got to have a role in the wedding as a junior bridesmaid.
They continued to live in Canada until around 2012-2013, when David’s citizenship process faced its only major issue, and while resolved, still remains confusing. David traveled back to the U.S Embassy in New Zealand to meet with them about an issue with his passport and some confusion about “unauthorized travel”. While the Embassy couldn’t offer specific details, David was able to apply for a waiver, and a little under two years, his waiver was finally approved. This seems to be the only time that specific U.S policy has had a negative effect on David’s process, but it didn’t dishearten him. “The caseload is very heavy”, he said in regard to the job that immigration officials have. “…It’s not a walk in the park, you know it’s a very high stress job, a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. And so, from that perspective, you know, it’s just giving them the utmost respect, and the processes, it’s due” he said when I asked how he felt about the entire process, if he had any frustrations with how long everything took. The timing ended up being almost perfect, as the waiver went through right in time for David to travel to New Jersey for the birth of his first son.
From the end of 2014, David and Jill spent a while living in New Jersey before moving back to Virginia in 2015. Along with my Godparents and I, I’m sure many in the community, especially our church community, were happy to see David and Jill return after being gone for a few years. Ever since the legal part of his immigration was concluded, David has continued to thrive; him and Jill have continued to expand what we’ve called the “second generation” by welcoming two more wonderful children, to which he teaches about his Samoan culture and language. He continues growing within his field, having picked up an interest in marketing. He’s currently serving as the director of integrated marketing for a nonprofit organization, engaging in work that he loves while also giving back to people.
Overall, David’s story serves as a positive example of immigration to America. So often, and rightfully so, we put attention on the parts of our policies that aren’t functioning as they should. What should be seen as an opportunity to create a new life or follow your dreams is often weaponized in debates and politics. While there are undoubtedly problems to be addressed, and injustices to be resolved, this story goes to show that it can work. David expressed nothing but gratitude and respect toward the process and our country: “that’s why I cherish it so much, is that I don’t take it for granted. I do value- just as I said before, it’s a-it’s a right and not a privilege.”
As compared to the theories discussed in class, David’s journey was a more independent one than one supported by ethnic relations. Rather than living within a specific ethnic area, David found community and fellowship through his work, school and church where he was planted. This goes to show that not one immigration story is alike. While we might think a majority of cases turn out bad or good, everyone’s experience is shaped by their own personality and the life they led back home. David’s journey wasn’t linear, and faced twists and turns, traveling around the globe, but has been successful and rewarding, nonetheless. “Like, I think it’s just like to be content where you are, learn to be faithful where you’re planted” he says.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 0:01 Hello, this is Karlee Fraughnaugh. And I am interviewing my friend David over zoom on Sunday, December 13 2020. Hi, David, how are you?
David 0:13 I’m doing great, thank you. How are you today?
Karlee Fraughnaugh 0:16 Great, great. So obviously we’re here to talk about kind of your history here, and how long you’ve been here, how you got here, and just kind of all about the whole process. So first I, I want to say I should know these things, because I’ve known you for so long, but I think I was too young to really-to really grasp all of it. So, we’ll start from the very beginning. Where were you born?
David: I was born in Wellington, New Zealand, Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, down at the bottom of the globe.
Karlee Fraughnaugh: Right. And you grew up, y ou grew up outside of New Zealand?
David 1:01 I did. Yeah. About what, when I was about one years old, one year old, we traveled to my mother’s homeland. She’s- my dad’s from New Zealand, my mother’s from the Samoan Islands. So we moved to Samoa and that’s where I grew up, went to school, all the way through high school.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 1:22 Right, Um, tell me kind of about your family and, and how your life was back home.
David 1:31 Life in the Pacific Islands is very idyllic. It’s very slow. Cultures warm and friendly, warm and friendly people. It is a small place. So kind of a small island. I think 130,000 people, I think it was around 88,000 people on the islands and so small place. But just a beautiful like, paradise. Some of that is like living in paradise. Yeah.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 2:10 Right. So When did you first start thinking about moving and-was there was there like any specific reason?
David 2:23 Probably 2005 I first thought about studies in the US, or filmmaking and animation. It was an amateur craft. I enjoyed it. I was a farmer. And, and so I would have learned 3d animation in the evenings and on the farm and that kind of thing. So it was- just has always been an interest. And so yes, I got that opportunity at the end of 2005 to travel to the US to look at some, actually one university, which was here in Virginia. And that was the first time I ventured out to the US.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 3:04 Right, and that was Regent, right?
David 3:07 Regent. Yep, in Virginia Beach.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 3:11 Right. So what was the like, what was-was there any legal process or documentation you went through to come here for the first time? Or was it? Was it just on like, like uh-Was it like study abroad?
David 3:29 Yeah, it was it was a mixture of both I-I had a small business, and so I had lined up some business opportunitis, so to speak with, again, involving in 3d animation, produced a 3d animated show, which I pitched. And someone had shown some interest so I was keen to see if I could also develop that animated show, while also sort of, well, why not actually go through the process of formalizing it and studying filmmaking and animation so I flew to New Zealand from Samoa for that process, and I believe the name of the, I forget what’s the name of the actual visa, but I think the 90 day, was a 90 day visa where you could do business and if you had business to take care of for me, it was like to see the campus
arlee Fraughnaugh 4:38 Oh Okay. Alright, to visit campus, that’s so cool. I-I never knew that. That’s, that’s really cool. Um, so do you remember exactly when, when you were here for the first time?
David 4:58 November 14th, was the, like, that was the weekend I was here, or the week I was here. November 14th 2005 I flew out to Virginia to check out the campus, sort of, meet some faculty, to look at the area, to tour to the spot if you will, so that was November.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 5:26 And were you saying with Marilyn-for for the interview, Marylin is my godmother. That’s how we met. Were you staying with her then? Or did you stay with her when you were permanently here?
David 5:40 No, I stayed at a hotel in my time here, actually two, a couple of hotels. But yeah, so I just stayed-I was here for about a full week. And they asked us to stay in a hotel and that was the first time I came out in November 2005. I wasn’t until the following year that I met Marilyn waters and Billy waters.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 6:07 Right. Um, so you went back to Samoa? Is that right?
David 6:14 No, I didn’t, I went to visit some friends and family for Christmas. And I came back in January, when I had to come in November, all the people on the faculty, you know, saw my portfolio and had shown a lot of interest and, and then had sort of set- I actually set up to go through the process of enrollment in January. So that was November and I tried to get the process in place for January enrollment, So I came back for that. But I missed the window, which is too tight of a window. So I didn’t make that enrollment period.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 6:58 Right.
David 6:59 Yeah. So to the west coast, and then back to the east coast again, in January of 2006.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 7:07 Okay, and then you were still on that same 90 day visa?
David 7:13 Yep. That’s why I stayed through to February and then I left to go back to New Zealand in February. So I met, so January 2006, I flew back to the east coast. That’s when I met Marilyn and Billy waters, they had a room that they were renting. I think they had a couple in their home, like a student homestay type-
Karlee Fraughnaugh 7:45 Yes-
David 7:45 -accommodation. And that’s how I met them. And yeah, after that, I flew back to New Zealand in February of 2006. February 2006 And then…Okay.
Karlee Fraughnaugh: What was your plan? Um, for like, for permanent residency?
David: I didn’t really have a plan for permanent residency. Obviously, I just in my mind, I wanted to have an animation series made and I wanted to study, and so it kinda really wasn’t, uh, it was more of a short term goal plan for me at that point. So I flew back to New Zealand February and got anoter- that’s when i formalized the visa to-for that business process. I want to make sure I correct that. So that’s before the 90 day period ended. I flew back to New Zealand and then flew back. I came back to us in April, end of March. Yeah, I was in New Zealand for a month, had an interview with the US embassy and then flew back to the US the end of March or January-end of March or April 2006.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 9:19 Right. So when you say you had a meeting with them, they-sorry, I’m not quite sure how it all works. Um-
David 9:27 Yeah. So I basically met with them, had an interview, went through the process of letting them know what the nature of my business is, what I’m hoping to do, how long I want to be in the US, what am I- am I going to go sightseeing or, you know, general types of questions, that kind of thing. And so, I presented the actual business proposal, I was, you know, flying back with also the prospectus for the university that I was going to, hopefully, enroll in, which was Regent. And so they, you know, ask you a bunch of questions and make sure that you fit the bill as far as what the nature of your visit is asking for how long you’re going to be, what you’re planning to do that kind of thing, and then stamp my passport. And yeah, so that-I should have actually prepared for this meeting with-and open up my passport to see what the names of the different visas were, but that one was that covered business and could be converted into a student visa, if that was a that had to be to be approved as a student, like the university. They go through the admissions process, and they mark you as an international student, and you get that and they transfer, they convert, or they transfer that visa and you get a new visa, if you’re going to be studying or gonna be doing business. It’s a different kind of visa. So, but for the intents of the purpose that I was coming back over to the US for Regent University, and for those business meetings, they had the interview and then I got a visa for that. And flew back around April or the end of March, not sure, the exact date, but around that time period.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 11:32 Right. So when you kind of established or got established here and kind of got your bearings, what were your first perceptions? Like culturally like differences? Did you have any, like immediate things that stood out to you?
David 11:49 Definitely, culturally, that is, yeah, there are some cultural differences, I guess. Nothing that stood out a lot, a lot of like, little things are just modernity or the modern way of life, like coming from from the farm without internet, we got electricity late as a teenager. But I just come in from the cattle farm. And so things like wi-, like wireless internet was like a big deal to me. And, oh, free refills at restaurants. Whatever you’re drinking, like “Wow you don’t have to pay for a second one?” “No, it’s bottomless!” That was one thing that stood out. People will pretty much, you know, nothing really out of the ordinary I had to speak or slower, or sort of pronounce my words a little different in order tobe able to make sense first time around. But yeah, no real major differences.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 13:03 Right, because you didn’t have the language barrier that that some people do when they come.
David 13:10 Yeah, and I’d read, you know, read newspapers, since I was a kid, and libraries and watch the news. So you get a fair, perception or understanding of like, what American culture is like, and I was in the south east. So even that had kind of an understanding. Shallow understanding, I guess, of sort of the way of life, the hospitality, the different elements I think I was already prepared for.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 13:50 Yeah. Right. Um, let’s see. So you didn’t really face any, any issues with the-with the transition?
David 14:07 I don’t think so. No, I don’t really nothing that come to mind. So I don’t think there’s anything majorly Yeah, I think, Lord of the Rings have just made in New Zealand so it was like, it was a great talking point. People like, “ahh New Zealand. It’s like, it’s like heaven on the end of the earth.” And it’s like,
Karlee Fraughnaugh 14:33 Oh, right. Right.
David 14:36 And so it was, yeah, or just like, it just being so far so people very welcoming, very hospitable. Very, yeah. Very nice. Made a lot of of friends, a lot of connections and then yeah, I think It was seamless, a seamless transition for me.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 15:03 Yeah, that is that is really great. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity. But I think- I think you were definitely blessed. You-you did make a lot of friends at our church that we, that I that we both still go to that I, I still go to New Life. Is that where your first real sense of community came from? Or was it at Regent where you were where you were beginning to study?
David 15:35 I would say, maybe I would think of the church. And some, I mean, there’s an overlap there, for some Regent students who I, you know, became very close to, who were, you know, creative, they were pursuing their bachelor’s or master’s in communication. They were film buffs as I as I was and am. And the church itself, you know, healthy, vibrant, cross cultural church with a good mix of people ages, and also backgrounds. And so it was really, it was actually the perfect introduction to U.S culture, I think, from that perspective, in that, you know, people have so many different backgrounds and ages, and who are, you know, who are our community, the church community and so on, so yes, that’s very accurate. Yeah.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 16:34 Yeah, we, we do go to New Life. And that has been a very big source of education for me when it comes to diversity. And it’s always been in a very safe, welcoming place. And that’s, that’s, that makes a lot of sense. Have you ever met anyone from the same area, as you here?
David 17:09 I did meet a singing band. They were from Hawaii. But they were a Samoan family, they’ were at church, actually, they were singing at church. And so I saw the poster. I was very excited. And so they were singing, I went to the back of the church and talked to their dad, and Samoan, I was able to speak the native language for first time in a long time. So that was, actually was 2015. So that was a few years ago. But that was a, that was a lot of fun for me. And I met one guy from New Zealand, at church. He was pretty busy. Didn’t get to, I chatted for a little bit, but, you know, good places to go. And people see. I met someone else at a hotel from New Zealand -Keith became good friends with him visited him when I back to New Zealand. So a handful.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 18:13 Right. Um, so a few years after that, I believe was a 2008 or 2009, that you headed over to China?
David 18:27 It was June of 2009. Karlee Fraughnaugh 18:32 Right, and what was what was your purpose for going there? David 18:35 It was a missions trip. Initial- initially the plans go- flew to Hong Kong for a few weeks, and then the plan was go-to go back to New Zealand and then return to China. But things didn’t work out that way. So I flew to Hong Kong for the meetings and then back to New Zealand from there. That was June 2009.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 19:04 Right and how long…how long were you in New Zealand for because- you had-you had you met Jill, then?
David 19:16 I met Jill, September the 21st of 2007 around- I think it was around that date. That’s the date, it’s etched in my mind. Yes, someone-I was running a Community Bible class Bible meeting at Regent. And she-the door the building was locked, and she came to open the door. Me and Steve, other guy who’s running the meeting. That’s how I met her. And then it wasn’t till I left to go back to New Zealand in June 2011 that I sort of had a conversation with her at a restaurant, I was having a meal and she came in and I was like “Hey!” so we chatted, I let her know I was going back to New Zealand and then we connected there and and then got her Facebook, or found out she had a Facebook. And then we connected through Facebook when I was in New Zealand, and to answer your original question I was in New Zealand for two years after that, so 2009 to 2011 is when I went to New Zealand.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 20:24 How was your time back home and-and getting back to your community and your family? David 20:30 It was great. It was wonderful. It was- it was just a divine time, I think spending time with my, my dad, he, well, my mom, my dad, my brother, my brothers. One traveled overseas one was in New Zealand, but getting time with nephew, nieces, family for those two years because after that, I left… 2011 was when I left, I only returned to New Zealand in 2013. I guess I was gone for a couple of years. But in that time it was it was great to reconnect and pick off where I left, left off.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 21:31 Right. So you did have a sense of just jumping right back in and, and just being comfortable. Right, right off the bat.
David 21:41 I think it was like reverse cultural culture shock a little bit. Karlee Fraughnaugh 21:45 Right. David 21:46 It was very brief. And then, you know, once you get back into the foods and all the things that remind you of home, and the people and the culture itself. Yeah, like riding a bike.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 22:04 Right. Right. Um, so right after that, in that one, that little time period. I traveled up to Canada with Marylin, for your wedding. How long were you guys there before the wedding?
David 22:26 Yeah, so I flew up July? and then Jill flew- So 2011, July 2011, I flew up to Canada, got a visa to work, live and work in Canada. And Jill, who was a teacher at the time in the U.S., She resigned from her post and moved up to Canada to get married. And that was-so I traveled up in July, she traveled up the end of August or middle of August, and got married in September. So it was very, very quick. And we actually got engaged in April. So April, May, June, July, I flew up to Canada, less than a month later, she drove up to Canada. And then we got married a few weeks later in September.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 23:18 Was there any specific reason for for picking Canada? Or was that just where your opportunities were? David 23:25 Yeah, I think Canada was a good mix. For me, it’s like a still part of the Commonwealth, you know, Queens on the money in New Zealand and the Queen’s on the money in Canada. Right. So it’s like a Commonwealth country, freedom of travel. And just because we had dated, we dated long distance through phone and Skype. You know, just talked, you know, that was our, I guess our courtship was long distance. And so when we got engaged and we wanted to start a life we, Yeah, we just, Canada seemed like a great country. Great place. So that was in 20- 2011,. Yep. And you took the train, and flew, I guess, when Marilyn came up.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 24:24 yeah, that was a that was a good trip. I know I experienced a little bit of culture shock with -with, where did we come into Quebec? Was it Quebec?
David 24:34 Yes, it was. Yeah. I lived just, I was staying in French-speaking Quebec. Actually, Jill had a place there as well. I don’t know why I picked it. Just a nice place over the over the bridge, just outside of Ottawa. You drive over the bridge into the French speaking territory. And I do want to mention- in that I’m backtracking to when we got engaged in the decision to get married we-we looked at a couple of places, but, and Jill had just been to New Zealand. And so we talked about New Zealand about possibly pursuing life there and US and Canada is a place that, that was the perception. It’s wide open, it is wide open, and that it was just a very, very appealing place. And it’s a wonderful place.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 25:35 It was absolutely beautiful. It was. I mean, I’m only there for a few days, but I could definitely see why you guys had such a great time there. Did you have to learn any French for that? Was that…was that- I know, I had like a pocket dictionary.
David 25:55 A little, yeah. A lot- a lot of folks could you know, they understood English. At least the part we were saying. And then when we had to like order fried chicken. And then, you know, going out to a restaurant we could get by, barely get by. But it was a fun time. We had a lot of fun.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 26:17 Right, and then when did you guys move back to Virginia?
David 26:23 So we moved back to Virginia when we had our first child, we moved to New Jersey in 2014 and had our first child, our son, in November of 2014. We moved to Virginia, probably like six to seven months later, from New Jersey, back to Virginia again, so mid 2015.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 26:53 Right. And by then, was your kind of whole governmental/legal process like finished, and then you are just starting- starting fresh?
David 27:07 Yeah, when I was in Canada, and we, in the travel, we dealt with some issues with immigration and travel and so we had to fly back from Canada to New Zealand to the US Embassy there, I had a series of meetings there. And yeah, there’s some questions about some travel, I’m still a little murky on which they didn’t, you know, go into the details about-about but my passport and travel that they had unauthorized travel on that passport and some other things that were- I don’t know, they just said, you know, “we don’t answer your questions, but we just cannot go into the details”. And so there was a, what was the word for it? I couldn’t travel-
Karlee Fraughnaugh 27:57 Right-
David 27:57 -with a passport to the US. That was in 20…13? 2012-2013? around the end of 2012 2013. And so went into a whole process of applying for, it’s called a waiver, for that, and that process lasted about, not quite two years, but a year and a half.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 28:18 Right.
David 28:19 It’s a very slow process through US immigration, but they just do it. They do, I mean they’re processing so many cases-the case load is very heavy.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 28:31 Oh, yeah
David 28:32 . And so yeah, it took a while. But just in the nick of time, Jill was, she traveled back to the US, pregnant with our son. She was five months pregnant. And then not long after that, all the paperwork came through, and I was able to travel for the birth of our son, at the end of November 2014.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 28:59 Right, so the timing ended up being perfect. Right?
David 29:03 It did, yeah.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 29:06 And you felt like the process even though it was long, given, I think it’ll always be sort of a long process because we are-we- there’s so much volume, and the trend-trends are going up and down. But you felt it was a smooth process still, or were you kind of did you have any, like frustrations or or things that that you felt didn’t go as they should have?
David 29:37 I think in the initial period, I think what helped was approaching it from the position that immigration to the US is a privilege, it’s not a right, and so from that perspective, it’s like it’s-it’s a system it’s a process, and, you, it’s very stringent for a reason, you know, and so you go through it. And it’s like, I think that just helps. And plus having a very understanding-Jill, my wife is very understanding, and she traveled back and forth to the states and New Zealand a few times, probably three times, in that two year period. And very understanding, very caring and help from family as well. So we had family members who, you know, who were helping, however, they could, you know, to, whatever they could do, they were, they were doing it to help in that process, but it’s just the process. And I think it’s, we understand the caseload and understand even what the the immigration personnel are going through, you know, for them, it’s not a walk in the park, you know it’s a very high stress job, a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. And so, from that perspective, you know, it’s just giving them the utmost respect, and the processes, it’s due. And it did go longer than we thought it would. But, you know, we had each other and that-we had faith and, yeah, and in the end it’s, you know, that’s why I cherish it so much, is that I don’t take it for granted. I do value- just as I said before, it’s a it’s a right and not a privilege. And then, so when it was granted, when everything went through, and they had all the green lights and everything it was it was a very joyful, joyful day, I got to fly into New York, see my wife, big belly, she was very pregnant, and to be there for the birth of our son.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 32:00 Right. Right. That seems like seems like just yesterday. But-and that’s why I was very excited about the project and the opportunity to talk to you because I know that you’ve had such a such a great story.And- minus the few, you know, few bumps, like you said, it has you, you’ve made a great-a great life here with your wife and beautiful children. So those years passed, where are you now? Like, what are you-what are you working as? And how did your interest in film and studies kind of propel you to where you’re working now?
David 32:52 Yeah, great question. So, when we were living in New Zealand and Canada, and the US back in New Zealand, again, actually, I was working on the farm, I did a lot of screenwriting, I would write screen screenplays and actually learned animation and produced full-well not “full full” but full production, so getting the grasp of how that works. And in my time in the US, and the first visit through connections are coming to the world of 3d animation for, I guess the term was like virtual systems training, like you know, you don’t have to physically go in and open up a- using this for example, like a nuclear reactor, to learn how to, you know, put together or whatever the case may be electronic systems. Like you build in 3d animation, you animate it, you know, show them how you actually display how a system like that works, use animation to tell a story that way and teach and provide training so, I did a lot of that for the marine industry, I came back to us for government contractors, building systems, media systems, trading systems, with animation as the medium but had a lot of marketing that developed along the way and so, I was living in Canada and in New Zealand. I was a consultant, marketing consultant, helping companies and products, helping companies sell products or services, that kind of thing. So when we returned to Virginia, we settled back down, I developed some software, which I sold. When we moved back to Virginia, probably six months to eight months after that, I met someone who was working at a nonprofit and piqued my interest. And from there, there were some openings. And I just felt compelled, so I applied for one of the openings and then got the job. And then after a year in the job, had a move within the organization, to more of a marketing- stronger marketing role, and currently been there for years, I’m the director of integrated marketing, so I work with direct mail, television, films, work with a lot of different mediums. So the question about the films has actually come full circle, that taking my love of marketing and films and animation, and be able to focus into a charitable organization, and, you know, through fundraising and promotion, all that good stuff. It’s, it’s all lined up in a very nice way. I enjoy my job. And yeah, that’s kinda where I’m at right now.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 36:38 Right. Right. Well, I think that is all I have for you. Um, is there anything else you would like to say just about your, your, your process or your time here?
David 37:00 I think that America is a great, just to speak about America, it’s a great-it’s the land of opportunity, it is, it’s like, coming from other cultures where people don’t think as big in a way, and Americans really think big, they go big. Really appreciate that, I’ve learned a lot from that. And you keep your culture with you. But you know, when you’re in one place, everyone kind of wishes they could go to another place. When you go to that place, everyone wishes, they could go to another place. So, you know, be like, “Oh, I’d love to go and live in a idyllic, you know, Pacific Island just live, you know, under the palm trees.” And I’ve done that. And it’s like-
Karlee Fraughnaugh 37:44 Right,
David 37:45 -when I was there, I was like, “Oh, I should to America. Like that’s the place if you want to make films or if you want to, that’s the place to go.” Like, I think it’s just like to be content where you are, learn to be faithful where you’re planted. And sometimes you get uprooted and get planted somewhere else. But it’s-it’s been a wonderful experience and a great learning experience that I could really, again, appreciate just a diversity of backgrounds, history, but you know, places It’s the people that-it’s the people that makes the place so it’s been great.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 38:31 Exactly. Yeah, thank you, thank you so much for-for talking with me. And it was really nice to to learn a lot of the details that I-that I didn’t get to, you know, be in on when I was when I was young. Yeah. So that’s all I have for you. Thank you so much again.
David 38:52 Okay, I do have one more thing to say as I-big shout out to Marilyn waters, and Billy waters who took me under their wing and they’re now like, you know, a third set of grandparents to my children.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 39:05 Oh, yeah.
David 39:05 So they opened up their home to me, and you know, and I still visit with them. Take the kids there they, so we celebrate Christmas with them, again, like, it’s like, a third set of grandparents. So they really rolled out the red carpet for me when I first arrived and it’s been a blessing.
Karlee Fraughnaugh 39:27 Yeah, they are. They’re wonderful people and they really-they have been there for the both of us. And they’re-they’re, they blessed us with the opportunity to-to grow.
David 39:41 Yep. Alright, Thank you, Karlee!
Karlee Fraughnaugh 39:44 Thank you!
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