The Before Life

Just when you thought all was well on the eastern front, out comes the living from the dead. As reported in my previous blog, there was a storm that hit manila. It seemed people have found new ways of transporting themselves in rough terrain. It seems in this photo below that its better to occupy your coffin before you die and if you don’t die then use it as a boat. So order your special edition wooden coffin today and get a discount before you die.

Storms hit Manila

 

Breaking News: Storms hit Manila

This is the normal view from our apartment. You can see the Manila Golf Course and in the background is the skyline of Makati City. Beautiful during the day, magestic at night. But as winds from the east swept in Saturday night, the gorgeous views of this neighborhood changed into shades of grey. The last typhoon to hit us was a month or so ago and the devastation it brought cost peoples lives.

One can clearly see in the photo above that visibility was down to a minimum. The city was in darkness and in some locations there were power outages and reports of accidents. B. was out attending church at San Antonio. We were not expecting it but it came with a roaring thunder. I guess it was reported, in the media, that a tropical storm would come. We were just caught up in the packing and lost track of the “worldly” news.

The rain lashed at the windows like, uh well, like you know what. The droplets started to glaze on the glass like icing sugar and as we (O. and me) sipped “Re Live” we wondered whether this was for keeps and how long it would last. Its rainy season here so we could accept this. Ah, the thrill of sipping drinks we really can’t swallow but this is the same juice thats provided to a shelter that O. supported while we lived here. He even has a well (a real one, with sinking water tub on rope) named after him.

It gives sustagen to those kids who aren’t fed a meal a day and life to the future of those in need.

Oh gosh, what happened to that story about the storm. Mmmm …… it just passed and its time to move on. Heading for Taiwan. Watch out folks there in Taipei. Wear your yellow rain coats the next time you step on your Sanyang 50cc scooter (a plug for my buddy who works at Sanyang HQ)- man those things rock (Dio was my favorite back in the day – I crashed it on my first go).

Its the Final Countdown for our move

And B. is getting stressed out. I am my usual self singing sunshine reggae

Toes & Turmeric

It goes without saying that whenever we have a sniffle we run to our local GP. Well, at least that’s what happens in this country. So sniffle up and bear it coz the price of medicare nowadays ain’t getting any cheaper. Those with our own medicare garden might consider growing spices. Ya spices! Ancient studies reveal that turmeric was or is a “hot product”. And I don’t mean that literally. Used in thousands of curry recipes (i have my own “bobotie” concoction), turmeric is that brown-looking, unobtrusive, spice that hardly gets much attention. But now, I have pushed it to the forefront as “thee” spice that dices. So what is all the rave about then? The low-down! It is believed to perk up the liver. Now, you might have forgotten that organ in your body while drinking down at the pub last night. For a definition: WEBMD writes: An organ in the upper abdomen that aids in digestion and removes waste products and worn-out cells from the blood. The liver is the largest solid organ in the body. Of-course, the nay sayers might say: “Well we have fish oil and red yeast rice.” Yea …. My

I’m in the driver’s seat

A quick post folks. After trying to renew my license and thinking it couldn’t be done, its done. Last week I picked up my renewed driver’s license. It now expires in 2011. Great news! The only problem was that I had to show off my commodities. Yes, folks the family jewels. Why should I show those precious stuff you might ask? Well, in order for me to take the drug test I had to urinate in front of everyone. With a bathroom the size of a cupboard closet, I wasn’t allowed to close the door. So off I went. I had to aim just right so that it filled up the bottle. Did I make it. Well, lets just say, I need target practice. Then again, I think I was even luckier as I was sure the clerk was gay and he could have bum rushed me. Oh, that was only a thought. The last time I was bum rushed was in San Francisco. We will leave that story for another day. So finally, I’ll be able to drive again!

The mall is the new church

Today was quite a busy day. After Beethoven was rushed to the “animal house” for an x-ray (the poor dog has arthritis), I got his kennel, and did the shopping. The only problem with the kennel is that the water container can easily tip over leaving him with no water on the plane. So that needs to be replaced. He still has a limp but he has courage to go on. Oliver, was visited by Mrs. Lee. She is funding a huge church in Batangas (the south of Luzon island) and a 33-storey statue of mother mary (don’t ask). Anyway, she came over to deliver a prayer for Oliver and was fascinated by how O. was eating. Then another couple graced our presence to give Barbara a huge rosary (pictures will follow later in the gallery). They are traveling with Father Suarez to Australia next month for a conference.

When I arrived back home it was late but I was met by a kind smile who quickly grabbed my pizza to give me a hand. It was Father George. Our resident Austrian missionary/priest who is helping the Tiboli tribe in Mindanao (pictures will follow too). Mindanao is one of the most southern Philippine islands and also one of the biggest except from Luzon.

As evenings go, we eventually ventured onto the topic of faith. Father George depicted an interesting theory based on a book called “Consumed”, wherein he writes about the pending period where man is driven to “things” which he doesn’t need. If that was a mouthful or what then I don’t know. To delve further on the matter please go to your local library but in short this is what it is.

People no longer stop and wonder why they are buying something but are caught up in the “advertising blur” of what their brains are fed. Its an ever consuming mechanism of attracting people to malls and luring them in to shop. If they did a statistical study on how much time we spend shopping as an average of our daily routine, I’m sure it would be astronomical. Think of the mall as the new church where people meet up, socialize and live. I mean if the iPhone craze is ever a clearer example of what we as a species are becoming then I would say that this guy’s theory is not that far off. People gathered in droves for the first one and now again there are lines around blocks. 

So what’s next for our souls to feed on? What’s the next thing we need to crave. Many websites that I like builds on this consumerism (cnet is an example – but I’m not using them as a scapegoat). Do we need all of it or can we live without it?

the minus $750 discount

It all happened so quickly we didn’t have time for it. I’m speaking about the rapid fees that is suddenly coming into my mind. Payments for this, for that. Its all catching up with me. These bills just seem to grow on trees and I have to get a fishing net to go fish for cash. Wouldn’t we just love it if we had the chance to do that. Whenever we needed money just go to the river, lake, sea or anything that you have nearby, cast your fishing rod out and hope you catch a fortune. Ah, financial bliss. The thing that fairy-tales are made of. So what is all this leading to you might enquire?

Well, for one thing, Beethoven is not going on his own flight. We have decided to go naked (in the buff for all the younger readers out there) on the plane – to save money of course. No one will notice. I’m sure. Beethoven will be our cargo and we will only need one bag of luggage. Well fit all the diapers, bed pads, power, syringes – all in one tiny mobile 4 wheel blue Delsey (its got an international warranty). Miracles in small packages. So stay tuned to see if we can do the impossible. Have you tried it before? Oh, and by the way, the other items are been shipped prior to our departing. Cheers

The week that was

What a week we’ve had. I’ll start from the present and move into the past, just to be unorthodox about it. The 15th started with much anxiety. B. was in quite a fiddle over going to mass two floors down and once the masses had assembled we (oliver and me) were carted into the hallway to celebrate a healing mass. All cheer was abuzz as our host (a 82 year old Chinese/Philippine woman) welcomed everyone into her home and in front of the altar. It was a site I wish I had caught on camera. Not everyone was in attendance but once everything had quieted down, Father Suarez delivered a beautiful sermon and blessed, touched oliver and me with holy water. It was only the second time that us three were together for mass and seeing that it was a healing mass it was even more historic. Many ill people attended but I am sure the Lord was present to hear all their prayers.

Later in the day, we got a bid on the Ferrari but it was so low I needed to scoff at it. The guys excuse was that it was a gas guzzler, a state of recession and that oil prices being so high his counter offer was a third of my asking price. Soon we will be swimming to our next destination. Talking about the old “red one” it seems we have lost it again as this time its the alternator that is bust (the cost: you don’t wanna know). So its back to the workshop for some more repairs. We are still hopeful that we can sell it by the time we leave. So keep your fingers crossed for that person out there – some where!

Yesterday Beethoven went for his immunization shots. Seven in total and the poor pensioner needed ice on his neck afterwards to cool him down. The old bugger is getting on in years. The cost – not saying. In the same frame of mind, he will need a cage to travel in and that will cost a penny too. And finally …

Jumping back onto the past weekend. We had a special visitor. Uncle Willie from Corinthia. If anyone would like to know, its a province in Austria that borders the Italian Alps. This guy is 6ft.4. A huge dude. He clasped my hands as though I was a midget (no comments please from the audience out there). But he is a gentle giant I must add. He is the most pleasant relative to be around. Uncle Willie was in a coma too when he was just 18 for 6 months but recovered and now he is on disability. He is married to a Philippine and has a 9 month old girl.

So there you have it folks a busy few days, I hope in the next few coming days I will be able to keep you updated with the blog and you can contribute too, Cheers and God bless.

A Man’s best friend

Now, who might that be? Our husband, our wife, our kids, or even our “things”? No, quite simple it is that domesticated four legged creature we have come to know and love – called our dog. Yes, we pamper him/her with candy, treat them like family members, wash them in our own baths (opps, sorry that’s me only) and we love them to bits. When they do something wrong they get time-out just like our kids. When they do something great, we reward them with a pat on the back (just like our father’s used to) and when they make a poop we uh,uh,uh …. we crack fluffies too (sorry, maybe its a male thing). So there is so much in common with our good old friend that its hard to imagine that we can do without them.

Well, today we got the cargo fees for Beethoven’s trip. And well, it ain’t so friendly. US$750 to be exact. So as they say, sleep like a dog,eat like a dog, dream like a dog. It will be some occasion seeing the old musician strutt his stuff onto the plane. Fly like the wind old chap.

Getting into the mood

Today was quite a day. We are finalizing a lot of things. B. wrote a detailed report of all our expenses and let me tell you, it would take me the whole day to fill it up on this blog. Then “O” decided to sleep in and we only got started at 10:30 am this morning. He looked very tired and weary but I guess the life of a coma patient is different to ours.

I bought the massage table at “True Value”, a local hardware store here. Cost: Pesos 7,500; US$163; or EUR104. We will use this table for “O” to sleep on in the hotel until our things arrive. You might wonder, ” why a massage table of all things?” To which I would say: “He is getting a massage 24/7.” Of-course I’m dreaming as B. would point out that its the only device that can be raised at the head so “O” can sleep comfortably. Well, watch out for my video on this new gadget. I’ll give you all the specs and features later.

I also got out the old bags. I had to throw out the trusted backpack ages ago in favor of a more leaner glove compartment. So some time back, I settled on running down to the local night-market in Neihu and grabbed the best “Made in Taiwan” bag I could get. It seems the rugged old volt has fallen apart and now I have to go out and get a new one. So keep your fingers crossed that I can get a reliable one thats able to accommodate all my underwear. By the way, my Samsonite is still going strong. I’ll keep that one. Now, what is left is just to get into the mood………… Ah, just give me a hammock and an ice green tea and I will be in paradise. But wait… I am here already!