Thursday... Tomorrow is the big day...

May 12, 2011

I have to say, last night was just plain miserable to sleep, the humidity crept up to near 100% early in the evening and stayed there most of the night... talk about living in a damp sponge...

Perspective would be soaking an old dirty heavy quilt in warm stagnant water and then crawling under it anc covering your head... imagine if you can, the problems encountered in taking in a full breath of air, even dirty air. Very uncomfortable and I certainly did not enjoy it. Nora felt the same way so it was not an isolated incident.

We finally did manage to sleep, I think that there is a time in which exhaustion takes precedence and the body just basically gives up the fight and succumbs to weariness. I yearn for my home...

This morning, Nora and I went into Marilao so she could do some food shopping. We were back home by about 9:45am so now she will be preparing for lunch and her typical departure time of about 12:15pm.

Tomorrow morning will be an early riser, we will need to leave the house by about 5am to be at the US Embassy by 6:30am for the kids interviews. Today I will be going back to the SM Mall to print out the latest bank statement and cover page so that I can present the most current picture to the Consular at the interviews.

Nora had an unpleasant experience at the market with one of the vendor ladies, I wasn't there so didn't see what happened but suffice it to say that my little volcano was near the eruption stage... I bought her a doughnut and she calmed down a little... Sad that people in a position of service should have such attitudes... I always prided myself in being a very cordial customer service person when I worked in those positions...

I had a talk with Kenneth and explained to him how I was feeling about our relationship and what I hoped would happen regarding it in the future... he listened well and smiled when I finished and we shook hands etc. yada yada yada... hope it works out well.

Anyhew, have yourselves a dandy day and I will chat with you a little later on...

From denny's iPad...

Last 'Hump Day' at St. Luke for Nora I hope...

May 11, 2011

Yesterday was nice, when Nora got home from St. Lukes clinic, we went and put some fuel in the Motor of Alex and then went to Divine market to buy some Lumpia wrappers, of course there were other food items purchased also.

Back home, Nora prepared for dinner which we had about 6:45pm.

I was going to watch the movie "The Rite" with Anthony Hopkins, but the pirated versions sound was very low so I gave it up and came back to the sleeper room and read some more of my novels on the iPad.

This morning, Wednesday, we awoke or rather I should say that I awoke about 6am and then a little later roused Nora... she had not slept well, said she was dreaming of her Mother and sisters. She wanted to sleep but I had other plans for her.

After breakfast, she wanted to go make some Xerox copies of the forms from the NSO (the originals). We did that and now she is going thru the folders again...

It is hard to believe that by this time Friday the kids should have their Visas. I hope there is no problems. If there are any it will be about the I-864 regarding my taxes. I hope that the other paperwork I have provided will clear up any questions. The amount I put for household income is after taxes so it is not a true reflection of the income gross which is actually over 30k.

Lollie, the pictures you took were such a vast improvement on others that you sent in the past... it is amazing how just a little instruction can improve the end results... I was really impressed with the Macro shot of the red flower.

Have a great day, this is as they say, "Hump Day"...

From denny's iPad...

Tuesday... of the last week of treatment...

May 10, 2011

Well here we are in the 2nd day of the last week of Nora's year long treatment DOT. It has been a long time in coming.

Yesterday went well as I wrote, after Nora got back home and dinner had been accomplished, I went to the sleeper apt and bathed and then read while waiting for Nora to arrive...

She played her games on the iPad and checked the latest happenings on FB then we went to sleep... my gosh it was nice, so cool and refreshed feeling after the rains. We both slept well and didn't get out of bed until after 8:00am.

Finishing up breakfast now, eggs and toast sandwich and some coffee. Already did the meds so I am good for the day I think...

Last night, my glasses came apart on one side and the lens fell out so now I need to go to an eye glasses place and see if they will put them back together again... I have needed a new pair for over 4 years now, I suppose that will be a priority for me when we get back to the States amongst other things that I have neglected.

I am going back to the other apt. and see if I can reach Lollie this morning.

Have a great day everyone.

From denny's iPad...

NSO and visa photos...

May 09, 2011

Damn !!! really slept good last night, the storms that rolled thru dropped a lot of rain and the winds were typhoon style... it was great sleeping weather for sure.

Yesterday was primarily taken up with the laundry getting done and watching the stormy weather and reading in my iPhone or iPad.

Today, Kenneth and Joyce went with me after Nora had already gone (she went to NSO). We left at 9:30am, got to the Mall just as it opened and had the passport photos done by 10:40am... I then treated us to Dairy Queen Sundaes, something neither of the kids had ever had.

We had to wait a while for a Jeepney to get full before taking off for home. We arrived home about 11:15 so I was happy that we didn't suffer any delays.

This afternoon I spent a lot of time hanging up clothes that we couldn't hang yesterday then a shower came thru and take them down again then hang them up again... did this over and over but finally with the help of some pretty stiff winds, managed to get the clothes dryed.

Nora got home about 4:45 or so... my gosh she had a heck of a day, after getting to NSO and submitting her list of documents, she decided to go to St. Lukes clinic and then on the way back the busses managed to mess up and she got lost and then finally got back to NSO to pick up the finished forms... It was the bus conductor's fault as he said they could drop her at NSO but then drove right on by and wouldn't stop for her... needless to say she had some parting words for the driver and the conductor

Then to top it all off, at the NSO she was in line to pay for her documents and some snot nosed 20yr old kid crowded in front of her (not a smart move on his part...) Nora unleashed a galactic sized volcano of wrath on him and called into question his parentage and what ill fated school he might have attended... She is not shy when pissed off... better to not scramble her eggs...

I gave her 1,000p to give to Jenny, Father has sent the money but Jenny needed it today... Nora will repay me when she picks up the money from the bank

I gave Nora 2,000p for the documents and also paid 100p for the kids visa photos.

It is one reason I love her so dearly.

Have a great day y'all

From denny's iPad...

Hey all you Mommies... 'HAPPY MOTHERS DAY'...

May 08, 2011

Yesterday we went to the Mall, left here about 1:15pm and on the way to the mall, riding in the Jeepney, we came upon a big dump truck, a 10 wheeler that it appeared somebody on a scooter had tried to pass another vehicle and either the dump truck pulled out from a side road in front of him or he mis-judged the distance he had but in either cast the scooter was wedged in under the front right corner of the truck, just in front of the wheel. No body was evident nor any amount of blood but there should certainly have been a bucket full of poo... my gosh what a deal.

After arriving at SM Mall, we went to the theater and bought tickets to see "Fast and Furious 5". After that, we went to Chow King and had a couple of large Halo Halo desserts (we had wanted some ever since the really hot weather arrived. I finished mine and while Nora was working on hers, I left to go to the Department store and get something to munch on during the movie (she would meet me at the theater) I went to the department store and bought some energy bars (Nature Valley) and skittles and some Kit Kats then went to the theater where she arrived a short time later.

We watched the trailers of upcoming movies and saw some we want to see along with a billboard style advertisement outside the theater advertising the movie "Priest" which sure looks good then "Cars 2" will be coming sometime this summer (we might not be here for that but that would be fine with me).

After the Movie, we went to Pan de Manila and she bought some bread (we had also gotten two pizzas to take home for dinner (they had another buy one take one sale. We got back home about 6:30pm.

Nora and I both really enjoyed the movie, I was of course impressed to see both Vin Diesel and the Rock in the same movie as opposing forces... it was good, action filled and kept your attention too.

We slept pretty well last night after the Squatters entertained us with a couple of the women having a damn good cat fight. Never a dull moment it would seem. A pretty good storm came rolling thru as we were eating dinner last night, rained like hell and flooded part of the floor in our sleeper apartment... but it did cool it off some...

Today, Nora and Joyce Anne will attend the 10am mass at the Divine Mercy Chapel, I have decided to stay home.

Laundry day of course so you know that routine by now... Happy Mothers day to each of you Mommies out there.

Hope you liked your email sister.

Today is Nora's payday... 7,000p budget.

From denny's iPad...

Saturday morning...

May 07, 2011

Saturday morning, clear and hot... the temperature never did come down last night so sleeping was actually a chore and not much of it to be had...

Yesterday I went to the mall and printed out some new papers from Wells Fargo showing the increased savings account data and also was able to fill out an I-864 online with just a couple of blank spaces which I will hand fill in. Looks much more professional now.

I got some snack bags and some candy bars for the kids while I was there. I got back home around 2pm and Nora arrived at the bus stop at about 3:40pm.

The evening produced a gathering of folks to visit with Edhu who is here now from Quatar and Meden his wife... much beer drinking and reminicing. I did not partake, damn gout anyway. It sure looked inviting with the cold beer and all.

Last night Nora and I attacked a bag of 'Cool Ranch' Doritos, she really likes those chips.

Today it is our plan to go to the Mall and see the movie "Fast and Furious Five" with 'Van Diesel and 'The Rock, Duyane Johnson' two actors I favor for action movies. We have been fortunate to be able to see a show almost every weekend... it is cheap, only 110 or 120p per person per show.

Hopefully it will cool down a little this weekend, the forecast shows a little bit cooler Sunday and Monday.

Bye for now, Have a dandy day...

From denny's iPad...

Friday today... Next week is the end of DOT for Nora.

May 06, 2011

My Gosh !! Nora and the kids didn't get home until 8pm last night... they didn't even leave St. Lukes clinic until after 6:30.

The good news of course is that Kenneth and Joyce were released from St. Lukes clinic and now I only need them to make it thru the Visa interview with no problems... Nora has expressed concern about me not having available my 2010 tax returns... I tried to explain to her that I have filed an extension for them and won't file until this coming October.

The information I have gleened from the Internet says that they want the most recent tax return of the applicant and for me, that would be 2009 which I have. I believe that my supporting documentation from Wells Fargo will or should be sufficient to prove income as required by USCIS.

Alex and Ana were fighting yesterday and that led to Alex getting roaring drunk and then damaging his right hand (I've no idea how) with a couple of deep holes (puncture wounds). I tried to get him to go to the Doctor for some stitches but he was beyond reason.

Then he gloms onto me, telling me how sorry he is and blubbering like all drunks do. I was compasionate, but at the same time disgusted to see a friend/relative fall to that level... There are not now and have never been any solutions in a bottle. All it does is distort reality for a day. I am glad that the bottle has never been my recourse when times have been tough.

The deal with Alex ended up in the lane with him trying to drag Ana by the hair back to their apartment and she wanted to stay at her fathers house... Just a mess, and believe it or not, caused by what??? money of course... If you've read this blog before, you know that Alex is always borrowing money to float and support his lifestyle which to me appears very self-centered... Not the kind of thing a Father and husband should do. Neither of them has the ability to manage their money and always are borrowing to get by... too bad they don't get a grip on that situation.

I like Alex and his family and it pains me greatly to see them succumb to the money issues. They could solve it with a little self control and managing but it appears that living in the moment is their guiding light.

Today is Friday, Nora's last day of the week and next week is her last of going to St. Lukes clinic. We have waited a long year for this time and I rejoice in it as does Nora.

Took a late night bath and then was able to sleep much better but not to say good.

I will go to SM Mall today and print out the savings page and another copy of the I-864 and then put together the tax package. Hopefully the Counsoler will be satisfied.

It looks possible that Nora and the kids will be able to leave the Philippines in June rather than July.

Well, have a great day,

From denny's iPad...

Monday and Tuesday combined in this post... (I got lazy)...

May 03 & 04, 2011

Well on the 3rd, which was Monday, Nora and I went to the US Embassy and paid for the Visa interviews for both Joyce and Kenneth to the tune of $808.00 (we had already paid $840 for the applications). That done, we then went to Jolliebee for a late breakfast.

After that, we went to St. Lukes clinic so Nora could do her DOT thing then to the supermarket to do the shopping that we needed to do.

Home then and piddeled away the remainder of the day, We had spaghetti for dinner... weather was very hot and sleeping difficult.

•--•

Tuesday morning, Nora and the kids went to St. Lukes clinic to get their physicals re done, it went good for them and all the need to do now is go back on thursday for the results and to be released by St. Lukes clinic. I gave her 18,000.00p to pay for the Medical.

The great finale will be May 13th at 06:30am at the US Embassy where they will go to their Visa Interview.

I spent the day here at home, basically reading and taking an occasional walk to the end of the lane then back here to the apt. Boring to be sure. Spaghetti again for dinner but sleeping was a little better as it had cooled off somewhat.

The man from RemitHome delivered the money (extra for the physicals etc...) about 5:15pm which is his normal arrival time here.

Well, that sums up those two days, today is just beginning, (it rained sometime last night) so we will see how the day goes.

From denny's iPad...

Visa interviews for the kids... paid for and on schedule for the 13th... Medical starts tomorrow

May 02, 2011

We slept last night, Nora woke up early, about 5:45am. We left the house at 07:00am to go to the US Embassy and pay for the Visa interviews for Joyce and Kenneth... When we got to the Embassy, we were pleasantly surprised by how few people were there. Paying for the Visa interviews came off without a hitch and I thanked those who helped us today and those who helped us in the past.

After that, we went to Jollliebee for Fries and breakfast for Nora. Then it was off to St. Lukes clinic. After St. Lukes clinic, we went to the market and dumped about 1,500p on groceries and food... Nora considers groceries such things as soap, deoderant, shampoo etc.

We then caught a bus back home it is now 12:59 PM and we've been home for about 1/2 hour.

Nothing else to do today, I paid the Embassy $808. for the two interviews. Either tomorrow or Wednesday, whenever the transfer from LinnCo shows up on my Wells account, I will go back to the Internet Cafe and reprint the savings page to reflect the increased amount.

Nora and the kids will go to St. Lukes clinic tomorrow to begin the two day re-medical process... they should be done Wednesday, Thursday at the latest.

Tonight I will give Nora 18.000p to pay for the kids physicals (re-medical).

From denny's iPad...

May day, my gosh, where did April go anyway??

May 01, 2011

Wow, I cannot believe that this is the Month of May already... by the end of this month, I will have been living here for 9 months... over 13 months total.

Nora finishes with St. Lukes clinic this month, either on the 14th or on the 16th. The kids have their Visa interviews on the 13th and we will leave for Basud the week of the 16th. Gonna be a busy month for sure.

Yesterday, I left here for the Mall at about 10:30am... I wanted to go there to get on the internet and print out the financial papers I needed from Wells Fargo and LinnCo, unfortunately I didn't have the right password for the LinnCo account so I couldn't log in and get the papers I wanted...

I went to the theater and bought tickets for the movie "Thor" and then went to the internet cafe. After I finished on the internet, I went down to the National bookstore and bought 3 folders to contain the packages for all three, Nora, Joyce and Kenneth and then to the coffee shop kiosk and assembled the various forms and filled out the I-864 form.

Nora met me about 2pm and we went to Jollibee's for lunch (rather late but she was famished and I was hungry too.)... After that we returned to the National Bookstore because Nora didn't like the size of folders that I got so we got legal sized ones.

Nora's Aunt Red is visiting so she decided not to go to church and then today also is Laundry day so we will remain busy... I took a bath then stripped the bed and carried the dirty clothes out to the lady who does the laundry.

Today is budget day for Nora so I will give her her weekly amount of 7,000p.

Tomorrow I will go with Nora to St. Lukes clinic but the first thing we will do is pay for the Visa Interviews.

From denny's iPad...

End of yet another Month... May will be exciting for us...

Apr 30, 2011

The remainders of yesterday were actually uneventful, Nora went to St. Lukes clinic and upon her return, she made a trip to the market with Loren to pick up stuff for dinner.

One thing did happen and I really got upset at everyone about it and that was when Nora was hurrying from the living room to the kitchen and slipped on a section of wet floor that everyone had ignored or at least not seen... she fell and of course dropped the plate she was carrying... Needless to say it scared the holy shi@ out of me and I did not notice anyone getting up to see what had happened to her and that fact alone pissed me off beyond belief... I unleashed the fury of 1,000 demons on the children for not making sure that they wiped up spills on the slick floor and then I beat the hell out of them with a guilt club for not getting up off their dead asses to see what had happened to their mom... I was a force to be contended with at that particular moment.

Luckily, she did not injure herself, but Lord how it scared me. After I cooled off, about 15 minutes, I apologized to each of the children while at the same time reinforcing the fact that they must make sure that liquids are wiped dry from the floor because the linoleum covering it, when wet, is like oil. I also explained to them that I would have been just as upset if it had happened to any of them and further told them that I love them and don't want anyone of them hurt due to the lax way that cleanup is performed... No crow was eaten by yours truly, just a calm and rational explanation was offered in the wake of the nuclear detonation that was my anger and a result of having years added to my already ancient frame. All is well now, but I assure you, they got the message loud and clear...

We slept very well last night even though it was hot, once you finally do go to sleep it isn't so noticeable...

We will be going to the Mall today, "Thor" is playing and I want to see that plus I need to print some information for the I-864 form, from Wells Fargo and LinnCo to help substantiate my ability to support my newly acquired family...

Have a wonderful day, each of you !!

From denny's iPad...

Friday... not many left before we hopefully will leave here.

Apr 29, 2011

Yesterday, we left the house about 11:30 to go to St. Lukes clinic and then meet with Wayne and Maria at their Hotel... we got to St. Lukes clinic and Nora was in and out quickly then began the trip to Makati/Pasig to get to the hotel of Maria and Wayne. Two Jeepney rides and a lot of exhaust smoke later we finally arrived.

Nora and I looked for them, but couldn't locate them so Nora Text'd Maria where are you and they had gone to the 'Hard Rock café' in Makati and said that they would be back in about 1 1/2 hrs. We decided to walk down to McDonald's and grab a snack as we thought we would be going to dinner with them. I tell you something, Pasig is very crowded area and the temperatures were soaring, close to 100˚ and so very crowded.

After we lunched a little at McDonald's, we Text'd them again and they said they were back at the hotel. We walked back and eventually found them. Maria looked good and Wayne has dropped 25lbs. I also found out that he got fired by Cascade Express because of an attitude but knowing Wayne, they probably deserved whatever attitude he gave them... He has a lot of money in the bank so is going to take a sabbatical from work for about 6 months and do some of the things he and Maria have always wanted to do.

We got to meet Marias daughter, from Hong Kong and her son Reuben who they have been trying to get to the States for 6 years now... both really nice people and I was quite pleased to make their acquaintence.

Nora and Maria stayed outside and chatted for most of the time we were with them, Wayne and I went into their hotel room which thankfully had A/C.

Maria bought a 14 passenger Jeepney, I belive a '94 vintage but obviously well kept by the owner... that is what they will travel to San Felipe in when they left. We visited with them for about an hour and a half then they loaded up the Jeepney and we said good bye and each went their own ways, Nora and I back to Marilao and Wayne, Maria, daughter, son and driver on their way South to Bicol.

We took the train back to Manila and then walked to the bus depot where we waited for an AC bus to take us home. We rode the bus into Divine and got off to buy some stuff for dinner, I decided to buy two broasted chickens as Nora didn't feel like cooking. From there, we went home, spent a quiet night and tried to get some sleep.

We woke this morning to people outside our bedroom window chatting and having a good time... 6:30 in the freaking morning... why they chose that location to chatter so early is beyond me. It will be another scorching day today but it is Nora's last day at St. Lukes clinic this week so that is good.

I received a email from RemitHome that 'money has been sent' so it will arrive here this afternoon.

••• RemitHome arrived about 4:30 with the money I transferred from my bank for Nora...

Hope you enjoyed the pictures Sis. Have a great day !!!

From denny's iPad...

Maria and Wayne arrived last night late.. we hope to have dinner with them tonight.

Apr 28, 2011

Heat permeated the area yesterday, hitting a high of 97˚ and 77% humidity. Not bad weather... if you are a clam. For people like me, the day was miserable with no escape available... fans that were running were more like a blast furnace. Then, to top it off, I got invaded by a roque squadron of man eating ants, little guys, sorta like pygmy ants I think... but they have alligator teeth... I managed to evade most of them and after Nora got home from Manila, we went to Divine and I bought a can of Annihilation spray with which to douse them with... it was a grand time.

The last little ant standing, placed his little front leg on his abdomen, stared me straight in the eye and squealed in a high pitched voice.. "We'll be Back"... Arnold I believe may have been his name.

Well, believe it or not, Nora only has two more Wednesdays to traipse off to Manila for DOT. (barring of course any...) but I do have faith that it will all turn out well.

Kenneth and Joyce will go this coming Tuesday and Wednesday to do their re-medical. It takes two days to complete so they should be in great shape by the weekend then the following Friday, the 13th (God forbid) they go to the US Embassy at 6:30am for their Visa interviews... Nora will attend with them as she is the parent and from all I have read it is a very quick and simple process...

This weekend, I will fill out the I-864 forms for everyone and compile and print out the proof of income needed to substantiate my ability to support them.

I took a late night shower last night which helped with the comfort of an already overwarm night. It never did get much below 80˚ last night so we didn't even use the sheet until about 5am or so.

This morning I am happy, hot... but happy all the same.

Hope you all have a great day.

From denny's iPad...

Today is 'Hump' day again... only a couple of those left and Nora is done.

Apr 27, 2011

Wow... Sweltering would be a relief compared to the temperatures of yesterday, Hotttest day so far this year and much more to come. Sleeping only came after getting up at 10:30pm and showering again to remove the sweat film from my body... Nora complained also of being too hot so I finally convinced her to sleep only in her shirt and panties rather than shorts... It's not much but it helps.

Nora asked me this morning while we were waking up if I still Loved her... Made me realize that I have been slipping backwards, especially with the arrival of the hot weather... I tried to explain to her that even though I may get angry with her, it in no way diminishes my love for her... Problem with that logic is that people most closely relate to how you treat them, not how you feel about them. I am once again shifting course in my attitude and taking inventory of my thoughts and actions with the intent of purging those that threaten my and Nora's happiness. I also told her that I appreciate her telling me that I am not being good or that my actions cause her to question my love... It is a stark reminder of how easy it is to become complacent in our actions to one another...

"Familiarity breeds contempt", I don't know who said it, but the way I interpret it is if you become too completely comfortable in any relationship, you start taking things for granted and lose the desire to keep impressing the person... not a good situation for anyone in love to be in and it is a situation that I am trying to avoid like the plague. I Love my new wife and family and am ever thankful for them and will do and sacrifice to any end to keep them and keep them happy.

God was so good to me to provide me with an ideal family and a chance to re-discover happiness... In no way to I plan to Jeopardize that gift.

I will be staying at home today and Nora will be going to another of the "FEW" remaining trips she makes to Manila and St. Lukes clinic.

It was 96˚ yesterday at about 4:30pm with high humidity... it is probably going to be the same or hotter today...

Have a great day and cherish those you love for the love they give you is a gift beyond compare...

••• Nora came to me and said Ate Linda wanted to borrow 1,800p again this month as LiliBeth had not yet sent them money... so I will collect the rent from the Neighbor again on the 10th of May.

From denny's iPad...

The Kids have their Visa Interview appts... 13 May

Apr 26, 2011

Sorry this post is so late, We went to Manila today, Nora and I and we nt to the US Embassy and after that we went to an Internet cafe and made Visa Interview appointments for Joyce and Kenneth for 06:30am on the 13th of May. I want them to get their re-medical started on the first week of May so that will be out of the way.

It was a difficult day, the lady at Immigration is really mal-positioned as a customer service rep... she has the temperment to be a street sweeper but dealing with the frustration of the public is not something suited to her. I haven't liked her since first meeting her two times ago. According to the label I gave her, she should be sleeping under the porch and wear a leash.

We had some breakfast at Jolliebee before hitting the internet cafe, while I was online, Nora took care of her St. Lukes clinic appt as it was only a block away.

After that, we went to a bakery where Nora of course had to buy a sweet cake... she has a serious and I mean SERIOUS sweetooth.

I was able to print out the confirmation sheets for the Visa appts for the kids so that is done now... Sadly, it is going to cost me another $1,212.00 to get the Visas...

I am glad that I have not kept strict track of all the money spent here in the effort to bring my family to the States... Had I done that, I likely would have given up a long time ago...

Have a great day, mine is rather sucky at the moment... It always gets better though so have no fear, the 'bounce back kid' will be back shortly...

From denny's iPad...

More Monday... not many left to go to St. luke for Nora...

Apr 25, 2011

Well only 5 days left in the month... it sure seems to have flown by quickly.

We had a good time yesterday even at getting up at 3:30am to get ready to go to church... Sadly, we had to stand during the entire service as there was no chairs available seating... even all the little stools were gone. It was a neat service and watching the sunrise was nice too. "He is Risen".

Then we went thru the market and Nora purchased some things for breakfast and such, Joyce did go with us so that was nice.

The day was pretty uneventful other than that... it was a long day though. Last night at 8pm I gave Nora an Ambien and she slept like a log... I slept good too.

Kenneth and the Alex crew didn't get back from the river part until after 10pm and he told me that they had a really great time...

As it is Monday, Nora starts another week of treatment, her time left is now 3 weeks and the last day is 16 May... Exciting that it is so close now...

Maria and Wayne should be here tomorrow night if I am correct. I have Text'd her a number of times and she seems very excited... I believe they will stay in Manila for 2 days but not positive of that fact.

••• Well can you believe it, we just got the letters from the US Embassy in Manila to make our Visa interview appointments... Nora and I will go to the Embassy tomorrow and request them for Kenneth and Joyce then we will get their medical done next week.

Nora just came to me and said that Ate Linda needs to borrow 1,800p again until our neighbor pays rent again on the 10th of May.

What the hell will all these people do when I am gone I wonder and what did they do before I came here??? From denny's iPad...

Sunday, the end of 'Holy Week' here in the Philippines... interesting time.

Apr 24, 2011

Well, as I am writing this, it is 3:20am on Sunday Morning. We will attend the Mass at 4:30, as it stands now, Nora and I and Joyce... Jenny will stay home and care for the baby and Kenneth...

We left for the mall a little after lunch time, on the way to catch the Jeepney to the Mall, we encountered Jenny and the baby on the way back from the hospital pediatric Dr. Nora and Joyce stayed to talk to Jenny and I walked on up to the intersection to wait for them. about 10 minutes later they arrived.

The three of us rode a tricycle cab to Marilao where Nora was going to purchase the medicine prescribed by the Dr. for the baby and then catch up to Joyce and I at the Mall at Jollibee's.

Joyce and I continued on to the Mall and once there, I treated her and I to an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen, she had never had one before and I got her the chocolate dipped one. She seemed to really enjoy it a lot. From there, we went to Jollibee's and I had an order of fries, she had nothing as she was not hungry.

We waited there for Nora over an hour but she finally appeared and then we decided to see what restaurant Nora would like to have her birthday lunch at... She ended up choosing Max's and I must admit it is a nice place and they enjoyed their meal, I chose to have a club sandwich and some mushroom soup. The soup was really good... the sandwich lived down to my expectations. I have yet to have a good sandwich in the Philippines. We also had a picture of iced tea and that was actually good. The food was great for filipino folks, but nothing resembling what we would consider 'good' in the USA I suppose. That is only my opinion folks, each must judge by their own taste buds... But let me give a little insight... the main course of what Nora and Joyce had (joyce ommitted the main course) It consisted of vegetable soup and tripe... yep, that is what I said... TRIPE. The stomach of a water buffalo (actually I believe it says that Tripe is the second stomach... did you really want to know that much...???

After Lunch, Nora and Joyce went to "Hypermart" and did the grocery shopping whilst I waited sitting on the steps of the stairs leading to the 2nd level.(many sit there). When they finished there, they left me the bags to watch and they headed off to Watkins drugs to buy Joyce some medicine for her cold and Nora then went to "Pan de Manila" the bakery that we buy bread from when at the mall.

We then proceeded home, and I here to the Apt to do some much needed reading. No nap though...

Nora has decided not to bath this morning, I told her she smelled like a water buffalo but she seems to dispute that issue. Actually she does not have any lingering body odor, ever that I have noticed. And I must admit she is one of the cleanest people I have ever been around.

It is 3:41 AM now and she is of course laying here in the bed doing what else??? FaceBook... If you think that I jest about her being addicted, wait till you meet her. You will see.

Jenny ended up owing me 1,000p. I also gave Nora an additional 500p to help compensate for the two Pizza's that she bought for Alex's family and the boys in the back... traditional birthday here is that the birthday person gives to everyone else, just the opposite of what we do in America... I like our traditional custom better.

Have a great day, not long and we will traipse on to church to give the good Lord his due..

From denny's iPad...

Nora's birthday today...a landmark of sorts as she is now "Over the Hill"...

Apr 23, 2011

H•A•P•P•Y B•I•R•T•H•D•A•Y Well today is the 40th for my lovely wife Nora, she certainly does NOT look her age. I am so lucky to have such a pretty wife...

Sorry about not writing anything further yesterday, I thought perhaps I would, but the day did not really amount to much, certainly nothing happened that got my creative juices flowing.

We plan a trip to SM Mall to help Nora celebrate her birthday, a Lunch I believe for her then I will buy a cake to bring home that we can have. I am unable to provide the kind of party I would like for her while over here but at least we are together and hopefully this will be the last one she spends here.

It was hot all night last night so we did not get any restful sleep to speak of. The fan, our only source of cooling the room was blowing tepid warm air all night. I hope that Ed and Bonnie are enjoying their stay with Lollie and Gareth... I am pretty sure they are.

Just finished my coffee so hopefully the day will be good.

••• Nora reminded me that her budget was due yesterday so I gave her the 7,000p for the week.

••• Jenny just came to me to borrow 700p so she can take baby denny to the doctor.  Usually it is Nora that asks, but she tells me that she wants Jenny to assume the responsibility of the debt rather than her.  I don't understand the reasoning of that as the money all comes from me.  Jenny will ask Father to send money to help pay me back... but I doubt that I will ever see any of it

Jenny actually borrowed 1,000p which includes the Dr. visit and the meds required by the baby...

From denny's iPad...

This is Friday, it will be Holy week until Sunday is done... very busy here in philippines.

Apr 22, 2011

We did not leave the house yesterday, the traffic would have been horrible what with folks going to Divine and also to Santa Maria and the Groto church there. Did a lot of reading which seems to be my best pastime anymore. Nora made chicken for dinner and that was good, I am needing to lose some weight so am cutting back on the snacky stuff and pop.

Sleep was pretty good as it was again cooler at night.

Nothing of any interest happened so I don't really have much to write at this time. We woke up when the boys opened the steel door to the warehouse at about 5:30am. Nora got coffee for us about 7am.

I am trying to watch the movie 'Shooter' with Mark Wahlberg but cannot hear it with all the outside noises... I will try later on.

Nothing for breakfast yet, but Joyce will likely make some toast and fried eggs.

I will try to append this days journal.

From denny's iPad...

Today is Thursday here in the philippines... just another day.

Apr 21, 2011

The remainder of yesterday was in a word, mundane... nothing of any interest happened but I did start another book, this one is set in the time frame of the Norman and Saxon wars around 1200bc. I've not read much in that time frame so this is interesting to me....

Nora once again changed her mind... she went from wanting to celebrate her birthday at the mall with a dinner for the children to wanting to cook food here and invite her cousins from Malabon and Manila to come and last night she told me she wants to do the mall thing... I reminded her that time is running short and that she needed to settle on one or the other... she told me the Mall so that is what we will do... she needs to write to her cousins and cancel the other.

Today should prove uneventful also... it will be hot, there will be sweat, and ants.... and those stinking little flies...

Sleep was pretty good last night as the temperature dipped before we retired so that was nice... it is relatively cool this morning with a light breeze but that does not last... the heat comes whether the sun makes an appearance or not.

I ordered the money from RemitHome the day before yesterday... they should start the transaction on the 25th.

Perhaps more will come later... Ed and Bonnie should appear at Lollie's place either yesterday evening or today. I would sure like to see them.

From denny's iPad...