The Philippines is a Bad Boyfriend

Because it treats you horrible sometimes but you just keep crawling back.

As I've mentioned before, some things here are really driving me nuts.  Bruce says it's a defense mechanism so that I don't feel so sad about leaving, but I think that certain ways of life here are infuriating and dumb.  On Wednesday, I took the girls to Market Market for grocery shopping and a few errands.  I suppose I had started off a little aggravated, because I am sick of having to go to the mall to get groceries- wandering through the whole place while my kids beg for stuff, then grocery shopping, then hauling all my groceries back through the mall so I can catch a cab in the blazing heat- I was not in the mood for it at all, but we needed food.  I thought we would just grab lunch at McDonald's while we were there.  It was crowded, dirty, and loud, just like always, and then began the typical McDonald's ordering process: the cashier listens to your whole order, then repeats it back ("I repeat your order, Ma'am."), then types it into the register.  All I wanted was: one cheeseburger Happy Meal, one chicken nuggets Happy Meal, one large Coke Light.  The guy could not get it right.  We went back and forth, me saying the order, him repeating it, then typing it in, then me making him say it again, then it was wrong, then I would tell him again, then he would repeat, then he would type it in...

Here's what I wound up with: 2 Happy Meal Toys, 1 order of fries, 1 Burger McDo (which is a sick hamburger with some weird sauce on it), one small orange drink, one large Sprite.  I was furious.  I went back through the line to get the order of 4 chicken nuggets, only to be told that I could only get 4 chicken nuggets if I purchased a Happy Meal.  "I. TRIED. TO." is all I could choke out, and by then I wanted to choke someone else out.  So I ordered a THIRD Happy Meal and gave the toy away, and sat and watched my kids eat in chaotic, dirty McDonald's and thought of all the things I missed at home.  Also, I kept thinking, "I hate you, the Philippines."

That night, we hung out with Jen and Zander, and we decided to go to the Ayala Triangle for a picnic.  We brought Manny, and stopped at a cool market, and ordered some pizza, and spread our blanket out on the grass so kids and dog could play.

It was such a beautiful night, breezy and shady, and the girls and Manny made friends with other dogs/owners, and our nice waitress delivered our dinner right to our picnic blanket.  Then I thought, "Okay, the Philippines, I forgive you.  But just this once."

A new museum opened just a couple of blocks away.  It is called the Mind Museum and it is supposed to be this awesome hands-on experience.  First, it was super-expensive: almost $10 a head.  Jen had Zander, who is 1 year old, and the museum staff made her pay admission for him.  It was like this:
Jen: "But he's one year old."
Museum Staff: "Only babies under 2 feet are free."
Jen: "But he's one. year. old."
Museum Staff: "I will get a ruler."
Then they did, and they measured him, and they charged her full price admission for her one year old baby.  2 feet and under, Philippines?  Newborn babies are 21 inches.  We're kind of mad, now, the Philippines.

Toilet display?  We forgive you, the Philippines.

Did I mention we were so excited about the new "hands on" museum that we went the very first day it opened?
And it was covered in these signs:  Please Do Not Touch.  Thank You For Not Sitting.
I think you are kind of being a jerk, the Philippines.

But a huge T-Rex?
I guess I'll forget about your rude signs, but only for the kids' sake.

And your giant whale shark IS pretty cool.  I think maybe things can work out between us, the Philippines.

This was inside the mouth of the whale shark, and then I was back to thinking the Philippines was a self centered fool.

This cave woman was anatomically correct- right down to having actual hair in the pubic area.
I don't know if that made me love or hate the Philippines.
It was kind of hilarious but kind of sick. 

Kiki loved the outside playground at the museum.  It made me glad that I stayed together with the Philippines for the kids.

Zander loved the teeter totter.
Kate loves Zander, and she wishes she could be a real life babysitter.

Ever since Valentine's Day, Kiki has been obsessed with quail eggs.  She has been enjoying three teeny, tiny quail eggs (sunny side up) for many breakfasts.  It's pretty hilarious.  My finger is in the picture for perspective. 

We are going to miss our little bitty breakfast eggs.
Oh, the Philippines, sometimes you are just so cute.

I know how this is going to go...I'm probably going to be kind of frustrated my last few days here, then as soon as I get on the plane I'll cry, "But I love you, the Philippines!  Take me back!"