Sunday, cold, dreary... typical valley fall day.

I awoke this morning early about 5 AM and then decided to go back to sleep for a while and woke up again at 7 AM. At that time I got up and went down to McDonald’s to have coffee. I stayed there until about 8:45 AM then came home. I probably will not hear from Norah today until later on this evening when it will be about 9 AM in Daet. She will then be at the Internet café on a rented computer. I am excited about the possible return oversees in January at which time I will potentially stay for two months. It will give me the opportunity to meet her family both close and distant relatives and experience the Filipino culture up close and personal. My very best wishes to those of you who read this blog I hope you have a most wonderful Sunday. I will see you tomorrow.

Saturday... rain looms.

Up early, it is just now 5:30. Down to McDonald's for coffee with the crew... I stayed there till 9am so I could talk to Maria a little bit, told her of my plans to go to Philippines after the 1st of the year and spend a couple of months with Nora and the family. I feel better today, the cough is still around, but later today I may go to Wal★Mart and get some cough drops. Have a wonderful day everyone...

Overcast and rainy would be the forecast for this day.

I slept thru the night, the Nyquil really knocks me out. Didn’t rise until almost 9am then went to McDonald's and got some coffee then down to the dog for biscuits and gravy. I gave Terry a magnet from Korea. Back home now and don’t have much planned except for folding the last of the clothes I washed yesterday. I hope the birth certificates and Jimmie’s death certificate come so I can submit the visa package for Nora and I. Have yourselves a grand old day..

Thursday and the last work day of the week now.

Up at 2:30, messed with the computer for a bit then back to bed and tossed and turned till 4:30 and got up, showered dressed and waited till 6:15 to hit McDonald’s. Everyone happy I was back so that was nice, off to deliver meals, Tori told me that an oldtime delvivery driver returned and will have my route Fridays so I am back to 3 days a week. Back home by 11:20 and finishing up the laundry and waiting for Nora to come online at noon. Have a good day everyone.

Today is Wednesday and no word yet from Nora...

Even though I had my phone with me lash night on the nightstand, no phone call from Nora so I’m sure that she has not yet obtained another phone. Sadly, I believe that what greeted her in Manila was probably devastating to her. I pray to God that none of her family was injured and hurt or missing or God Forbid, killed in the flooding. I went to McDonald’s this morning for coffee and the whole group was basically there and everyone was glad to see me back. I did get to talk with Marie while she ate breakfast and expressed her my concern for Nora’s safety and the fact that I have not yet heard from her. It has been quite sometime since my emotions have run the gamut as they have during this event. Falling in love with Nora was very easy she is such a wonderful person very easy to love leaving her behind was excruciatingly hard, as it should be. My major concern at this time is her safety and well-being. Talk to y’all later, hope you have a grand day.

UPDATE... I got an email from Nora's sister (that I stayed with) and she said that Nora is fine and on her way to Basud, the province that her children and father live in about 170mi from Manila... so she is safe and I am relieved...

I am finally home, with great regrets and worry about Manila and my fiancé's safety...

Well it is Tuesday afternoon, here I am in Lebanon and surprisingly I just left Seoul Korea. The international date line can really mess with your mind. I had a wonderful stay in Seoul with my future relatives and most importantly my future wife. Leaving her was very difficult for me as it was for her as we both went our separate ways her one home to the Philippines and Manila and I back here to Lebanon. We are wonderful time and during my stay there even though the apartment that her sister and husband have is very cramped and very small and may even smaller by the addition of me. We did make do and we did get along very well. The weather was not my favorite, being hot and humid and there being no air conditioning in the basement apartment. Unfortunately the windows were very small and very few so the use of a fan became imperative to my survival. Seoul is a very bustling city 8 million people strong and absolutely no real estate that is not used regardless of how small it may be there will be some kind of a business and it if you were to compare it to something you could relate to perhaps think of one of the ant houses that you can buy for children after it’s been occupied for some time and look at all the various little trails and those communities within that is very much what it is like in Seoul may branch out in every direction and everything is uphill from where ever you are. Nora is everything I hoped she would be in 100 times more she’s the most honest and caring person I believe I’ve ever met her sincerity is unequaled. It’s hard for me in a way to explain the difference between the Filipino culture and the culture that permeates the Western Hemisphere. My prayer and my hope is that she never loses contact with her culture is one of the things that makes her so very attractive. We got up at 4 AM this morning in Seoul and by 5:15 AM we were in a taxi and then onto a bus to make the trip to Inchon Airport. I got her to her she needed to be so she could go through immigration and prepare to board her aircraft which would leave at 8:30 AM. I said goodbye to her at the gate and then I proceeded to wander around the airport until 2:30 PM when my flight boarded. My flight was good it was on a 777 aircraft which is the wide body, the aircraft was not filled to capacity and I didn’t have any annoying children sitting behind me this trip. The flight took less than nine hours as we had a tail wind of over 100 mph for 90% of the trip. Once I arrived at San Francisco, I made my way through customs and immigration and then turned around and did the same thing when I prepared to leave for Portland. The flight was just a little over an hour and 15 minutes long and basically uneventful. I can tell you that the cooler weather that greeted me in Portland was a welcome sight.

Well it's the 10th of Sept and I am amazed at how quickly time is passing...

Hi everyone... having a wonderful visit here in Seoul, not a place I would choose to live, too many people and the weather is just not my cup of tea... Nora and I will be completing some necessary paperwork this weekend in preperation of submitting her fiance visa package. Perhaps we will be able to escape to a little park this weekend, who knows. I've been contemplating how difficult it will be leaving her on the 29th. As with all who find themselves newly in love, the pain will be acute, but I will deal... the wait after I back home will be worse. I managed to lose a good friend this week. Sometimes we just can't hold on I guess. I do wish her the absolute best that life has to offer, she deserves it. To the rest of you who may wander thru my post from time to time I wish you the best and hope as you read this your day is going well... Later on...

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Today is Sept 6th in Seoul... hot humid and hot

OK, I know that I said that I probably wouldn't put anything up here till I retured from Korea, but ya know, I lied !!! I am staying with Nora at her Sister and brother in laws place here in korea, their entire house would fit in my kitchen/dining/living room and there are (including me) 5 of us here. Boy, you talk about learning how to live in different conditions. Let me tell you though, they are the most accomodating lovely people I've met in a long long time. Lyn, Nora's sister is of course philipna, her husband (I can't even pronounce his name ... it sound like 'Chaise' but drop the 'se'. Very nice, quiet man and wanting so badly to communicate across the language barrier and it is difficult. Lyn has a good understanding of English, not like we do, but good enough to communicate and with minimal effort you can understand what it is she is saying, and she knows a fair amount of Korean, having the benefit of living with a Korean man. They have a little boy, he is 6 years old and this little guy looks like a Sumo wrestler... he has an absolutely unsaitable appetite for just about any thing that will fit in his mouth... cute little guy though. Last night, Chai told Lyn that he wanted to take me to a Korean restaurant for dinner... what an experience that was, from the sitting on the floor to the cooking of the various meats and he also introduced me to a Korean style whiskey that I must tell you reminds me of Hudson Bay 151 proof rum... I am quite certain that it took off at least one layer of skin in my throat... Not bad after the initial swallow but Oh my, that first one is something. The way they eat is to take a leaf (good sized) of lettuce or a large spinach leaf and pile on the meat and other condiments, then wad it up and stuff it down the hatch. Again, to be able to experience the culture in it's natural setting is absolutely irreplaceable. Now a word about my bride to be. In my mind, for a long time, I've harbored the image and thoughts of what a woman would be like if I could pick all the attributes like you do clothing out of a closet... In a word, Nora fits the bill perfectly. She is so very genuine and honest and by nature, nuturing in all aspects. I knew, that if I prayed hard and long enough, God would answer my prayers and in Nora, my prayers have been answered I assure you. The hardest thing next to leaving here at the end of the month, will be the waiting that we will have to do before she is allowed entry to the United States. My eldest son, Sean, said, 'Dad, you're crazy', my hope of course is that it was meant in a good way, the other two, Melissa and Nick have made no response at all so I suppose either they didn't get the email or perhaps they just don't know what to say... either way I do hope that they accept her... in the chance that they for some reason don't, well.... that brings up some rather ugly possibilities so I will just hope they do. Take care my friends, pray for my happiness and safety and I will post another day...

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Well today is 1 September tomorrow I go to Portland and Thursday Korea...

Oh my goodness how exciting is that. I almost cannot wait. Today was my last day delivering meals until I return. I had 18 clients and after we got back to the senior center I told Deborah it’s her job now. Stopped at the credit union and took out some cash, picked up Cathy for lunch and we went to Ixtapa Mexican restaurant and had the lunch special sort of. She came back over the house for a little while and look at the color that I painted the dining room and we chatted for about an hour then I took her back over to Julie’s house. Came back home and got online and did my bill paying so that is now done. I will have to check on the 15th and make sure everything was done correctly. It is an absolutely gorgeous day outside earlier, it was a little more humid but now it’s just great I am anxious. I hope you all have a wonderful day and chances are that I will not blog tomorrow and you will not see anything on my blog until my return from Korea. May God be good to each and everyone of you.

Lovely day, but getting humid

Up early and down to McDonald's for coffee... left there about 8:15am and went to the Senior center to deliver meals... A lady named Debra rode with me today and will again tomorrow. She will be doing my route in my absence. After deliveries, I turned in the no solicitation form to Wells Fargo then stopped at Rhodes warden and had Tracy take care of the issue with Sublimity. Idiots. Have a great day everyone...

It's cool to the point of almost cold outside overcast and spotty fog...

My sleep last night was not particularly restful, seemed I was tossing and turning most of the evening trying to find a comfortable place for my neck I eventually got up about 6:15 AM got dressed and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. Ralph was already there and later others meandered in Delbert came in and I asked him if he would mind taking some photos of me that I could send to Nora so that she would no what I would look like when I arrived in Korea. We left McDonald’s at about 8:20 AM and Dell took about eight photos of me in the outfits that I would be wearing when I arrived in Korea and I consequently e-mailed those two Nora and actually the photos were not too bad so I sent some to Lollie and Gareth so that they will have something to scare away the rodents. Last load of laundry is in the dryer and I may have a quick load to run on Tuesday I’m not sure yet. It will be Tuesday that I actually packed my suitcases. I need to call Julia’s Slife and make sure that she is going to be able to give me a ride to the airport on Wednesday. If not, Delbert will be able to. Time is winding down and the excitement is winding up how neat! I do hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and I hope that God blesses you in all you do.

Saturday morning and much cooler...

I woke early this morning the first time just before 5 AM then I went back to sleep and got up about 6:15 AM after getting dressed I went down to Raulle’s barbershop and got a haircut. My barber told me that my hair appears that there and that there is obvious regrowth in the areas where there was no hair three months ago. The product that I’m taking is Biotin and it is a B. complex vitamin. My sister and her husband have been using it for a couple of years now and their results have been very good. The day today is overcast and considerably cooler than it was yesterday. I don’t have anything in particular that I have to do today, I believe I will wait and do my laundry either Monday evening or Tuesday afternoon. I haven’t heard much from Cathy since our trip to the coast, she did call a couple of times and we chatted, I believe that her and Julie and her family have some plans to do things to entertain Cathy. I can’t believe that I actually had to turn on the heat this morning, not something one would expect to do at the end of August. I hope you all have a wonderful day.

And overcast Friday with rain predicted

I woke up before 6 AM this morning laid in bed for a little while then got up and went down to McDonald’s for coffee. Ralph was already there in a little bit later the rest of the group showed up. I left about 8:20 AM to deliver meals. When I got to the center I found that I had 17 clients. Everybody was home so I didn’t have to bring any meals back to the center. After deliveries I stopped at LinnCo and let them know that I would be traveling overseas and they could annotate my card accordingly. From there I went downtown and stopped in at the dog and said hi to Terri. When I got home, I called Wells Fargo and let them know that I was traveling overseas and they made the appropriate annotations to my account and after that I called American Express to let them know the same thing they said nothing was needed because my card has an electronic chip that can recognize when it’s being used outside the country. I called AT&T and inquired about the increase in my phone bill and they told me that the calls that I make to South Korea are billed at the rate of $.15 per minute as opposed to the nine cents per minute that I thought I was being charged which actually only applies to a landline not a cell phone. It looks as though I will have to curtail the length of my calls somewhat. I have nothing special planned for today, however, first thing in the morning I will be getting a haircut and then of course coffee. Time is running short and the excitement is running long. Leann, thank you for the offer, it is much appreciated. I do believe, however, that I have the situation handled. I hope you’ve taken a moment to get a hold of Cathy, I’m sure you two would get along well.

What a gorgeous Thursday it is today...

I woke early this morning and decided to wait till a little after 6 AM to rise. Then I did get up got dressed and went to McDonald’s for coffee. Dell came in about 730 or so and I gave him the e-mail correspondence between Brandy and I which was extremely innocent as I had alluded to earlier we discussed the lady in his life, sadly she has a lot of issues that he has no control over its a battle of futility I believe. I had 19 clients today and believe it or not every one of them was home I finished deliveries about 11:20 AM and stopped in town to pick up my package and also stopped at Nancy’s florist and Rhonda was actually there today. She is aware of the situation and maintains a zipped lip. She invited me to come over to her house on Saturday to look at the cabin that Matt is building in their backyard and we might even put together a barbecue. I have a little bit of paperwork at the house that I need to work on today prior to my trip. Dell told me this morning that if Julia cannot give me a ride to Portland he would be more than happy to. May the best of our great Creator can offer be afforded you today and I do hope you enjoy it.

A beautiful day for my day off started a little bit foggy though...

I was down at McDonald’s for copy by about 6:15 AM this morning Ralphie was already there. I was really surprised about 7:30am or so Delbert came in. We talked a little bit and I guess Nancy, his girlfriend, is blaming me for all kinds of weird stuff going on I can’t say I understand it and somehow brandy from my Photoshop elements class is also involved. Weird people. I picked up Cathy at Julie’s house about 8:45 AM and we proceeded over to the coast. We stopped at Lincoln city and also at Depot Bay and finally at Newport. We walked around the various cities and did some shopping and sightseeing. We had lunch at Moe’s in Newport and after we had lunch we shopped around the wharf side shops and eventually got back to the car and headed back to Lebanon via Toledo. The drive was beautiful and the scenery breathtaking we had a great visit and a really good time. On the way home I stopped at the Arco by the freeway and filled up in Mini Cooper. From there I dropped Cathy off at Julie’s house and came home I checked the mail and my passport is here so I feel good about that then I got call from Cathy she said she couldn’t find the key to get in so I told her I’d come over I started over there and got just past grandpas grocery and she called and told me she found the key so back home I zipped. Also in my mail I discovered that the State Department sent back my birth certificate which I would need anyway. A great day I cannot complain at all. I hope you all had equally good an experience.

I'm glad it's Tuesday and I have tomorrow off Lookout Coast...

But this morning before six well not really up but I was awake, about 615 I rolled out of bed wash my face and got dressed and headed down for coffee. I was the only one there again shortly thereafter several others came in. I did talk to Julia about coming by the house a few times when I’m gone just to make sure that it’s safe and sound. Stopped in town and dropped off something they haven’t fixed and it should be done by Friday. Not too much special planning for this trip abroad, there are of course the necessary items clothing, medication, camera, etc. rather than hassle with toiletries and acceptable sizes, I will buy new once I am there. I am home now I cleaned up the kitchen ate some tomatoes that rose gave me. Now enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. To each and all enjoy today

What a gorgeous day today is the beginning of the week Monday...

I woke up earlier than 6 AM this morning and laid in bed until about 615 at which time I got up washed my face and got dressed and then ambled down to McDonald’s for coffee. Ralphie wasn’t there yet, he came in about one half hour later. During the course of the morning’s conversations the question about where Delbert might be or what he was up to came up. I decided at that time that after I delivered meals I would go out to his house and see him. When I got to his house his Buick was in the driveway there was also a Ford high-rise van there an older one. And look like one that was wheelchair accessible. I knocked on all the doors and I hollered for him but no answer. I didn’t smell anything bad or find any bodies, so I must assume that he was with someone in their automobile. I left him a note on a piece of cardboard with the date and the time of my visit. He’s going through something right now but am not sure what it is. Having friends, means caring and caring means going out of your way sometimes to check on them and make sure that they are okay that is what friends do. Hopefully he will see the note and respond to it. If he chooses not to then I wish him the best on the path he has chosen. Hope y’all have a wonderful day today I know that is my intention and of course you know, tonight is WWE SMACKDOWN and this is following a monumental pay-per-view. I have to assume there will have been subtitle exchanges during the matches yesterday.

A beautiful Sunday and tomorrow starts a new week...

I woke up this morning before daylight and then laid there until I saw the light streaming through the bedroom window, I arose at about 6:15 AM got dressed and went down to McDonald’s. There was no one there when I got there, Ralph came in about 20 minutes later. I stayed there till about 8:15 AM and then came home. I cleaned up a few dishes and also cleaned the window ledge and those things that were on the window ledge in the kitchen and made a cup of hot chocolate which I am currently enjoying. I got most of all the housework done yesterday so I really don’t have anything that I have to do today. I didn’t hear from Cathy so I have to assume that Julie and her were busy catching up as friends normally do. I am sure they will go to church this morning and of course I have no idea of what their remaining plans are for the day. An interesting side effect of divorce is how one gets ostracized regarding family information and friend information that used to be a commonly shared thing. Not a problem for me, over the past three years I have adapted well and of course have new circles of friends that I associate with. Life goes on the battle continues some days are good and some days are better. I pray that each and every one of you enjoy today if you enjoy church I hope was a good service and if you don’t I hope you had a good time anyway.

A nice Saturday morning (I thought it was Sunday)

I woke up this morning before 6 AM and laid in bed until about 6:15 AM then I got up and got dressed and went down for coffee. Ralph was already there, not surprising to me. And so was Safeway Joe he is an interesting character. I stayed down there until about 8:20 AM then came home and on the way home I decided to wash the Toyota when I got there. So now it is nice and clean. Today I need to clean the house do my dusting and probably will vacuum also clean the counters especially in the bathrooms and the kitchen and I don’t know if I will clean the mirror today are not maybe not it doesn’t look that bad. Cathy arrives from Alabama today for her vacation I hope she’s feeling good she was starting to get some kind of a cold or something I certainly don’t want that. Anyway my hope is that all who read this have a wonderful day go do something exciting and enjoy the weekend.

Here it is Friday and it's overcast and about 25° colder.

I woke up about 6:15 AM got dressed and went to McDonald’s for coffee after coffee I went down and delivered meals, I was down to 17 clients today. After deliveries I came home and picked up my package and took a downtown and exchange it for a different package which was not a bad idea because I like the new package better than the other package... confused yet??? Me too! I wrote nor a letter and will take it down to the post office this afternoon as I missed the mail pickup here at the house. Our mailman who delivers the mail has been very sporadic regarding the times that he shows up. It’s part of the improved postal service I’m sure... probably keeps the terrorists guessing. I am instant messaging with Sister Lollie at the moment. I am not sure what time Nora will get up this afternoon. But of course I will look forward to talking to her. Lollie is so easily confused it amazes me.