Odds and Ends

There's a lot that's hard about living here. I'm not talking about missing home or family or those kinds of things- I'm talking about the fact that day to day life in this loosely organized urban jungle is difficult to negotiate and I feel frustrated a lot of the time about how HARD it is to do the simplest things, like buying groceries or getting to church or going running.

I was out on my long run with Jen on Friday, and I know I've mentioned that running here requires full attention at your feet at all times because of the uncertainty of the terrain.  I lost focus for just a moment as I ran around a woman sweeping the sidewalk, and I tripped over a bump in the sidewalk.  I don't want to hold that against the Philippines, because tripping over the sidewalk could technically happen anywhere (although this WAS a first for me) but things got real crappy in a hurry when, as I was in "mid-trip recovery" mode, I actually tripped AGAIN over a different bump and ate it hard.  I joked later that at least I was able to stop myself with my face, but honestly, it hurt bad and that second trip didn't feel so much like an accident that could happen anywhere, it kind of felt like the Philippines was saying, "Hey.  You in the pek pek shorts.  Get the hell out."

I have been sporting a ripped up/bruised knee, a bruised shoulder (we are down to the faded yellow stage today), and a bruised forehead.  Fortunately my ego had recovered enough by the time I got home that I was able to laugh when Bruce asked, "How'd you get grass in your ear?"

That said, the hardness makes me appreciate good moments even more.  Like when a new splash pad opens up the street from us, and I'm sitting in the January sunshine (!) enjoying a Jamba Juice with my friend Cathy while our kids play.  And I just looked over the scene, and for a little while was able to feel like living here was really cool.

Kate and Baby Hannah

And it was really cool, until a security guard came up to us and said, "Ma'am, the water is dirty."  And I couldn't figure out what that was supposed to mean to me, and he said it again, and I said, "Dirty like get out or dirty just don't drink it?"  I then reverted back to my natural state for the Philippines which is mild confusion coupled with a small amount of frustration and just a tinge of impatience.

Because we were heading out to Hong Kong, we celebrated Kiki's birthday the night before we left- she swam with friends, we ate out at a Filippino restaurant, and we let her open a couple of presents.

Of course the dino backpack and Rapunzel doll were the perfect birthday combination!

We had cupcakes instead of cake- her choice.
And then the fun really got started...Hong Kong here we come!