countdown!

Its 28 more days till Christmas! Same as last year, haven't done any shopping for gifts but unlike last year, I have an alibi. Working in Iloilo sure has its benefits, but it sure gets boring every so often.

3 weeks more and I can come home again! I found out recently that I can come home sooner than I expected. Because of the nature of the construction industry, I expected to be here at the latest till the 22nd of December. I found out last week that our last meeting for the year will be on December 16, which means I can be flying outta here on the 17th or 18th. This means I have to buy my "pasalubong" early too.

Spent the morning walking around the city, in places I haven't been in the past months that I'm here. Nothing much to see eecept old buildings and street level stores which you only see in Avenida back in Manila. Another reason for strollin' the city is I'm looking for a magazine that I haven't seen on sale here. It's quite frustrating since I'm always looking forward to every issue. In 2 months of searching the only place I saw it for sale was National Bookstore, and the issue was 2 months late. I just have to keep looking.

not again!

It shouldn't happen to me. Not again. After the first time I thought I'm sensible enough to avoid it, but I am not.

I thought my experience with a U.T.I. ended 7 years ago until the back pains woke me up early last Wednesday morning. The jabbing pain in the left side of my body made me restless early that day. I couldn't figure out how I managed to fall asleep again. Surprisingly, I woke up wondering if it was just a bad case of indigestion.

My day went through without any hint that the pain would come back that evening. The pain was so bad that a stranger asked if I was alright while waiting at the pharmacy for the medicine. I guess people here is nicer than I realize.

I wasn't able to eat dinner that night. With the drugs and a big bottle of water at my bedside, the family I'm staying with looked out for me until the medicine took effect. I guess I'm staying away from instant noodles again.

celebrations!

Went home briefly during the All Saints Day holidays. I've been away for 6 weeks and coming home is quite a treat for me. I flew back November 1st on a plane with only 12 passengers. It's not surprising since most of the vacationers flew a few days before. I arrived in Manila 30 minutes after take-off. The streets were nearly empty yet the cab ride was longer than my flight. Too bad nothing has changed since I left, only a sense of longing for my bed.. and cable TV!
Before anything else, these two ladies are celebrating their birthdays this month. Shout out to my sister Nanette and my niece, Gellie, who's turning 3 years old, ("paaayb" if you ask her about it.)

One of the reasons I had to come home was for my sisters wedding. The ceremony was held in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Kawit, cavite. My brother and I had to leave Manila at 5am to avoid the traffic ( good thing there wasn't, with everyone still away and all.)

Too bad I had to return to work the following Monday, just like everyone else, but working away from home only makes you realize how special your family and friends are when you're not with them.