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Reveille – Time to get up it’s 0957. I’m not feeling very well today. That’s why it’s so late. I have a body ache, and for me that’s a big ache. I had constant visits to the CR last night and I was also very cold last night. Lita was hot, but I was freezing. Even had goose bumps. I’ve got a feeling that this post is going to be short and probably not the interesting either. I’m not venturing out today, that’s for sure. Lita and Vicky went shopping this morning. A tricycle driver came by and brought some things to us. I’m not sure if it was Eddie or not, I’m still kind of in a daze right now.
Did the Reveille thing work? That’s the last of things I wanted to try within the post. At least that I know of. Maybe there are things I can do that I don’t even know of yet.
Uh oh! I hear Lita’s voice. I better get in bed right quick. Too late, she caught me, but she’s not as mad as I thought she’d be. She just wants to be sure I’m alright. I do need to go lay down though. It’s 10:44am now.
Okay I’m back. It straight up noon now. Still not feeling wonderful, but slightly better. Talked with my wife a little bit, she says I need to use some mouthwash, so I did. I guess since I’ve been sick since yesterday, I’ve neglected that. She bought like 5 bottle of Listerine, to be sure she doesn’t run out.
Seems like we’ll be making some more money off a tricycle. The guy that borrowed money last time for his tricycle is asking for another P10,000. They are outside finalizing the deal now. He will pay us P60 per day for 13 months. If my math is correct, and it usually is, that comes out to P23,700 we will be getting in return. Of course he still owes a little from last time, not sure how much, but we will be overall getting about a P10,000 profit. I can live with that. That’s just over P769 per month profit, slightly over P192 per week and almost P27.50 per day.
Ramil took the truck in to get it fixed, finally. Seems that that model of truck has a noted problem. That wheel falling off is the result of that problem. The mechanic he is taking it to, a trusted mechanic of the cousins, says that the solution is inexpensive and easy to fix. He’s done it several times already. That’s good because I’m nervous when riding in my own truck, thinking that that wheel could fall off again and maybe it would hit somebody this time. Better to take care of it now. Not sure why they took so long to get it fixed, I’ve been asking, but basically I just got that they have to wait. But as long as it’s getting fixed before there were anymore incidents, that’s good enough for me.
It’s 12:25 and I’ve got to go lay down again. I’m dying here.
Okay, I’m up again, it’s 4:32pm. 4 hours of sleeping again. Lita making me some soup, I haven’t eaten today. My head and legs hurt the most. Guess this will end up being a short post for today. Arnel and his helper are leaving now, not sure why they are leaving early, and I’m too sick to bother to ask. Lita knows what she is doing, so I trust her. I think I heard Ramil’s voice out there, but I don’t see the truck, again, who cares for today. Well when I got up to eat some Ramen noodles, I saw Ramil and asked him. They’re going to fix it, just not today. He didn’t know when, but it doesn’t matter as long as it gets down in the next week or so. I didn’t even eat half of 1 package of noodles, usually I have 2, sometimes 3 packages. Just wasn’t into eating. I did take some Pepto Bismol though that we brought from the States. They never heard of it anyplace I’ve looked for it here. Of course I haven’t looked in Cebu or Manila yet. I’ve got to go to the CR again and then lay down, I’m really losing it here. It’s 5:03pm.
Okay it’s 6:34pm and I’ll feeling a little better. Not sure if it was the Pepto or getting some food in me. I’m still light headed and my legs ache, but overall it’s less intense. Everyone is outside working like little bees. Working on the BBQ and the ice candy. Arnel and his helper are both still here, but they are not working, they are drinking with Ramil. I won’t be joining them today. BBQ business is getting closer everyday where I would qualify it as ‘booming’. Seems the word of mouth is spreading pretty quick. Just as you said Winda.
Today was my weigh in day. I missed last week for some reason, can’t think clearly right now. But since 4 Sep (Mom’s birthday), I gained .65 kilos. Roughly 1 1/2 lbs. I kind of got stuck in this area, 135-137 kilos. I’m assuming that exercise will get me below that 135. My goal is 90 kilos (190 lbs). I ‘plan’ to stay between 85 and 95 kilos after that, forever if I can. So, again roughly, between 188 and 210 lbs. Of course it’s going to depend on how I feel as I lose weight. If I get down to 100 kilos (221 lbs) and I feel good, I’ll just maintain in the 95-105 kilo area. The so called health charts have my weight for my height, 71″, to be perfect at 179 lbs. I think they are full of it. They are not taking into consideration the different body styles. I’m a big boned person, I would look terrible at 179 lbs. Not even sure I could do it if I wanted to. End subject.

Just trying to make this post a little longer, because since I slept most of the day, I don’t know much about what’s going on. I hear a lot of people outside talking, but it’s like that every night, especially since they’ve started the BBQ. Most everyone helps out, for free. Pouring the liquid in the bags for the ice candy and putting the meat and things on the skewers. It’s a Filipino thing.
Lita hired someone else to help out once a week. Every Thursday there will be a lady that comes by to wash the clothes. Vicky is so busy, she can’t do everything. Lita was exhausted last night and I got mad at her. I told her that we moved to the Philippines so you wouldn’t have to work so much. That’s when she decided to hire the other lady. When I get mad, which is not very often, it’s not a pretty thing. That lady, Lita told me her name, but I forget, will make P200 to come in for that 1 day. She will wash clothes early, hang them out and hopefully there won’t be any rain, so she’ll be able to bring them in before she leaves. If it rains, then Vicky will have to bring them in when they are dried. We’re going to let Vicky fold them, because she has a unique way of folding that we like.

Well sorry for being so sick today, but I’m feeling much better now. I should be able to get back to normal writing tomorrow. I was thinking today that I could start a trend where I would tell y’all about me. It’s not all Philippines, but my life is what led me here. I would start out being born..duh. Then tell you all the things I remember, even though some things may be a little sketchy. I remember a lot of things when I was young, I just might get the facts slightly altered, but overall it’ll be true. I would do a little each day until I get up to the day I started this blog, 21 Aug 2010. After that, well y’all just have to read the blog to know what’s going on in my life. That would take awhile to do. Think that is something that would be worth reading. I haven’t had a super exciting life, but it sure had it moments. I guess like everyone else. Let me know, I’ve already been thinking about things to put in here for that. Joyce I’m going to need your help on that crash when Dad ran into the mailbox and rolled down the hill. You were born already right? I think so, but I just don’t remember for sure. If you were, you were very young. Y’all let me know, I’m closing for the night, I’m almost at 1500 words. Surprise me, but I guess half of it was me complaining about being sick. Sorry about that. Good life and good reading.
Salamat, Paalam
Maybe you could walk around in your surroundings. Talk with the people in your
neighbourhood and get their opinion on life in the Philippines. Take some pictures – or a video of what ever you think could be of interest for people like me, who still have a couple of years left, before I can make my dream of a Danish guy’s life in the Philippines come true……..and that would give you some exercise at the same time, haha.
Dave
I could do that, but the problem is that probably most people here in the area don’t speak English, and if they do, probably not very well. I guess I could bring a translator with me, like Ramil. He was talking, just yesterday, about going walking and he was available on the weekends. Of course he was drinking heavily at the time. Lita has a fit if I walk off by myself though. She thinks I’ll get mugged or something, by children. I have a hard time telling children no, but I usually don’t carry any money with me when I do walk around. I just may do that, next weekend, when I can move a little better. I’m about over this, whatever I had. Still think I’ll be good to go by morning.
I bet there are more people who could speak and understand English than you realize, JJ. The problem is that they won’t understand your English and you won’t understand theirs because of the pronounciation hitch. And 99 percent of the locals are too shy to try their English when talking to an English-speaker. Most are very self-conscious of their English. Just say the key word of what you want to convey with a lot of hand signals. It’ll get easier as it goes. 🙂 Really.
Have fun and don’t forget to take a small towel to mop up the sweat. You’ll notice the locals do that all the time. That and airing tummies by rolling up the edge of their Tees [the men]. 😉
That could be true, but I’ve done that before and sometimes they just look at me funny and I get tired of doing it over and over. Yeah I know the ‘men’ air their tummies, always wished the ‘ladies’ would do the same thing. That’s probably why it’s not done, too many guys like me.
Good grief, you must’ve had a 24-hour flu. Or it may have been something you’ve eaten. You’re probably still getting acclimatized so better be careful, JJ.
I clicked on the reveille and it took me to the music piece page but Microsoft Media Player couldn’t play it. Oh well, not to worry.
Had lunch the other day with a friend who’s originally from Ormoc, Leyte. Since her mom spoke Waray I told her about you and Lita settling in Samar. Being the kook that she is she said to ask you if you knew what nia eroy means. 😉 That’s deliberately a short-cut. Let me know and I’ll tell you if you’re right. LOL. I promised to send her your URL so she can follow your adventures in out land of birth.
Dieting. Best to lose a little bit at a time rather than have a huge drop. You have a better chance of keeping it off, the gurus say; losing a ton quickly is not supposed to be healthy. I’m sure you’ve heard all that before. Yaddayadda. 🙁
Would your laundry lady also iron the clothes? Not much gets ironed these days in our house. Drip dry fabrics or no one gives a hairy. :-[
I like your bro’s rambling, Joyce. Gives the journal a real honest feeling; no put-on airs. With the BBQ sales climbing the charts, the commercial trike, etc., it won’t be long, JJ. Just be patient.
The hotel across the street looks good, except for blocking your spectacular view. When is it suppose to open for biz?
I just noticed Casandra’s wee hand ‘covers’ – they’re certainly not for keeping her hands warm. Infants in RP are probably the only ones who gets these which are to keep their thin, razor-sharp nails from scratching their faces. As soon as the moms start cutting their nails, of course, theyre not seen again.
Magandang gabi sa iyong lahat. Maayong gabii kaninyong tanan. Maupay nga gab-i ha iyo nga tanan.
Goodnight, all.
More like a 48 hour flu. Only the 2nd time I’ve ever been sick here. Last time was my 1st visit down in the province. The reveille thing worked for me, several times, wonder why it wouldn’t work for you? I didn’t know exactly what it meant, but I figured it had something to do with ‘mother’. I asked, and sure enough, I was told it meant: Your Mother, I guess in English slang it would be: Your Mama! Hope she likes the blog as much as you do. Yeah, you’re right I’ve heard all that before and I know all about dieting, but knowing and doing are two different things. I doubt if she’ll be ironing, because the way Vicky’s folds them, they’d never get wrinkled anyway. Yeah Joyce, she likes my rambling. They put there sign in front of the hotel now. I’m not sure when they are opening, I heard it’s suppose to be before the end of the year though. I didn’t even notice the hand covers, I’ll look next time I see her though. I think all that was basically saying “Goodnight All” in 3 other languages and dialects.
glad ur feelin alittle better..ur blogs r never short u just ramble on and on..lol and what crash whos mail box and what hill..lol
Never short, huh? I’ll try to keep them never short then. Guess that answered my question too. No you were not born yet, because you’d remember that. Bet Wanda still does.
Hi UJ
………..tell you all the things I remember…………..OH NOOOOOO….please
stay at your subject – A TEXAN’S LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Hope you will be better soon.
Dave
1 against. New reader Dave or just first time leaving a comment? I guess you like the subject, hope I can keep it interesting enough for you to keep reading.
I was a little worried about changing the subject, but on days that nothing is happening, I don’t want everyone bored and end up not reading anymore. I guess everyone understands that there will be days like that though.