Making a Game of it

I was a David Letterman fan, especially back in high school. Do you recall the segments he used to do on Late Show with the guy in the bear suit? "Can a Guy in Bear Suit get a Hug?" or "Can a Guy in Bear Suit Get a Cup of Coffee?"
Today, I realized I am the girl in the bear suit. I stand out, I get lots of strange looks, and it is uncertain each time I go looking for something whether or not I am going to get what I'm after. I also kinda feel like I'm on a tv show a lot of the time.

Today's segment was: Can a Pregnant Foreigner Lady Buy 2 Cases of San Miguel Light? One minor frustration we've had here has been the inability to buy items in bulk, mainly beverages. Too many times I've been in the grocery line behind someone buying what appears to be 100 little bottles of water, or cans of Coke, or boxes of juice. Each one pulled individually from the cart and placed on the counter, each one individually scanned and placed on the other side, each one individually placed in the grocery bags. Lots of beeping. Lots of time waiting.

A friend of ours asked once for a 12-pack of beer, and they came back to him with a grocery bag with 12 individual beers in it. He paid and left, accepting the defeat.



So today, my challenge was to buy beer in bulk. They looked at me strange, they hesitated, but then... they went to the back of the store and brought me 2 cases of beer! VICTORY!!

 

I hope T and his friends enjoy this while the kids and I are in the US- after all the nail-biting suspense!

 

 

The Birth Plan

I recall writing a birth plan when we were expecting D. I think it involved favorite music, a big exercise ball (which, it turned out, I absolutely hated), and a preference to labor at home for as long as possible. Of course, none of those things actually fit very well into how it all went down.

This time, the plan is even more complicated. It will begin weeks earlier, include 4 international flights, and God-willing, will wrap up in a comfy hospital room in Des Moines, surrounded by friends and family.

We've decided to return to the US for the birth of our third child. We weighed all kinds of options. There are remarkable hospitals and doctors in Manila, Singapore, and Bangkok. But with the scheduled C-Section, a strong desire to spend the summer in the US, and a new little person who will need a passport to journey around the globe, we discovered the best option was just to go home. It also appealed to me that I'd do that trans-oceanic flight with just 2 kids on the way out, instead of 3. That fact made a big difference!

So the kids and I are heading back to Iowa on April 23. Just 2 little weeks away! And we'll chill there, recover from the flight, meet my new doctors, see family and friends. T will join us shortly before the birth at the end of May, and stay for a couple of weeks before he has to return to Davao for work. We'll rejoin him in July, with the new babe.

D will miss several weeks of school but we'll continue her studies through May and into the summer. Her teacher is supportive and excited for our family. C and I do a lot of home school already, so we'll continue with that too.

The kids and I are usually very much on the go during our US visits, but this trip will call for a slower pace. I am sure the long trip home will take a heavier toll than usual, and recovering from the journey will take some time. As we are staying for 3 months this time, rather than 6 weeks, we should have time to make our usual stops, but I'm not making any promises this summer. Creston will be home base and you making the trip to see us would be so appreciated!

We're planning a fun summer, hoping to sign the kids up for some summer fun in Creston with tball, bible school, and maybe a few other fun activities. Please let me know if you hear of something the kids would enjoy!

We'll see you all stateside Midwest friends and family!

More Fun in the Philippines

A few years ago I started seeing advertisements on TV for tourism in the Philippines. From the comfort and safety of my Thailand home, I found them to be very clever and it really did make me want to come here- for vacation.

The ads feature a photo, a little play on words, and the slogan, "More Fun in the Philippines." I think I read that there was a contest for the best entries and they have lots of cute stuff posted all over the airports. Here are a couple.

Who wouldn't want to come here?! Well, we've been here a little over 3 months now and while I believe there to be many beautiful vacation spots in this country, I'm  not a huge fan of living here.

It occurred to me that "fun" isn't really the word I'd choose. I have yet to find something here that is more fun than anywhere else I've been. And I've been trying REALLY hard to think of something.

So, when the trials of this location get to be a little much, I've decided to write about it and mix in a little sarcasm with my occasional, "More Fun in the Philippines" blog entries.

Today's entry would have to be "Neighborhood Welcome- More Fun in the Philippines," as we've just found out that it was our neighbors across the street who smashed all the windows with landscape rock (prior to our occupation of the house).

 The security guard at the gate forgot about the cover-up and told Tess the truth the other day. I'm guessing the owners didn't want us to know the truth as it's a bit unsettling. They were upset that the owner never went to them with the investment opportunity and so they smashed windows. I'm guessing we won't be invited to any karaoke parties! Dang.

Family Pets

Since we had to leave dear Thumper in Thailand (in capable hands, I assure you) D has been asking frequently for a replacement pet. She was willing to settle for a Golden Retriever, a Saint Bernard, a guinea pig, or a pug. The answer at first was, "We'll see about a small pet once we are settled."
So now, we're settled, in a house with a fish pond!

Are you thinking what I'm thinking??

Perfect! Low maintenance, outdoor, inexpensive pets! Meet Sharky, Boots, and Ginger. The last 3 carp at the pet store.

D is content for now. C is busting at the seams. And I'm happy to make use of a formerly neglected area of our property. I think it will also get the kids outside more and add a small chore to their all-too-short list of household duties.
Welcome to the family fishies! Enjoy fattening up on all the tadpoles that had taken over the pond!

I'm Flattered! And Creeped Out, All at the Same Time

So far, here in Davao City, we've encountered very friendly people. People smile and greet us warmly. Lots of "Good morning ma'am!" as you walk through shopping centers, salespeople are always fetching shopping baskets for me when I pick up too many items, and people see me waiting for the driver and they bring me a chair or invite me back inside into the air conditioning. It's lovely.

Another way they are kind, is by being very generous with the compliments about physical appearance. When we first arrived, we met 2 sisters who were showing us houses in the area. Each time they would email me, their emails always were always full of these compliments.
"Dear Pretty Madam," began one. And another, "Hello Miss Pretty," and my personal favorite, "Dear Miss Pretty Preggy Lady." Until recently, I was totally creeped out by these greetings and debated asking her to stop.

I've also been told I'm a "very sexy preggy lady" by a woman at C's school. And one of the female homeowners at a house I viewed felt the same way. I was WEIRDED OUT!

T said it came up at work last week that it is common and accepted for women here to receive these compliments. T works with 2 female receptionists who go by the nicknames, Legs and Racks (short for Raquel, I'm told). But he's struggling with that. Seems like a sexual harassment suit just waiting to happen! I guess it beats the co-worker in Perth who described herself as a "MILF" in a meeting when asked to say a few things to introduce herself. No joke.

So I'll do my best to get used to this new cultural difference. And be thankful it isn't commonplace to hurl insults at pregnant ladies!

I Used to Like Surprises...

Really. Surprises can be so much fun! Except when they're not.

This week, as I was badly in need of a hair appointment, I booked in to a hair salon at a nice shopping center here. I spoke with the stylist first, asking if he had experience with "foreigner hair." He was very confident that he could perform the task of putting in hi-lights and low-lights and giving me a trim. I was enjoying having "pregnancy hair" as it's thick and full and nice. And I had been growing it out for about a year, and loving it.

So, Tuesday was the big day. Foil weave just like I'm used to, but then after, with all my hair flopped forward covering my face, they started to put in another product, a very brown product I soon realized.

I didn't cry...right then. It was the next morning when I woke up and it was still there! Along with a bad, difficult to manage, no-longer fun and easy to style cut. Then I cried. I know, too, that it wasn't just the hair. It was probably time for a good cry anyway. My last good relocation-related cry was Christmas Eve. Overdue!

By Thursday, I had come to realize that it would grow out in a few months, that I could have the color improved in Bangkok next month (because I'm not letting anyone else in this city touch my hair, ever), and I was pretty sure T wouldn't leave me over it. I'm avoiding mirrors for now though. It's helping.

So here's me as of this morning. I blew out my hair this morning and hid the hacked part behind my ear. I'm also in a bright room so it looks lighter than it is.

Thursday afternoon was another surprise! I had hired a woman here to make me some custom silverware wraps for the lovely new cutlery T gave me for Christmas. This is how my Nana stored her sliver and I thought it would be a nice way to keep it clean and organized as it isn't the cutlery we use daily.

I had no idea where to find fabric here so asked her to find something soft but thick and durable. For some reason I couldn't come up with the word "flannel." That would have been helpful. I requested red, but let her know I wasn't picky about the color as no one would really see it. So, Thursday this sweet woman returned to my house with a stack of handmade silverware wraps. She put a lot of thought into the design and even added a few touches to make them more functional, like reinforcing some areas where the tips of knives or tines of forks could poke through. One wrap has a spare sleeve, just in case I go out and get a 13th salad fork. But overall, acceptable. Good surprise, except for the part that was left up to personal taste.

I give you my new, handmade, hot pink, velour silverware wraps! Tied with attached round shoe laces! Surprise!

I have to admit they are growing on me because they make me laugh every time I look at them. Assuming they last, these will make me smile, if not laugh out loud with each holiday and formal meal we host. Silver lining baby.

Comedians

Each day we get to know our drivers and security detail a little better. I suppose some people like it when such personnel are quiet and simply do their jobs but I feel like these people we spend our days with ought to be personable and I'd like to get to know them, and them know us. Just like Khun Bum back in Thailand, they can become a part of the family.

The kids also like having a faux aunt/uncle/grandparent around to interact with. The guys can tease the kids, but the kids will sure tease back! It's always a test of character to see who is receptive to the kids' playful nature.

One of the drivers' names is Maynard. One morning a few weeks ago C came out and said, "Good morning Mater!"
This was early on, before we knew anyone well,  and I corrected C, letting him know that the driver's name was Maynard and we didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. C thought his "mistake" was hilarious and when he saw Maynard smiling about it, continued to call him Mater.
Then D added, very tongue-in-cheek, "I bet he's really good at driving backwards."
 

The House Scoop

This move has been another unique experience. I'd like to think we get better at the expat life with each move. The perks have gotten a little nicer each time. We've had great locations...well... this one has been, like I said, unique.
I've shared on Facebook about some of the crazy situations I've found myself in. And I don't think that's over yet. There is more crazy yet to come. Our house is turning out nicely, the scoop on the house goes like this:
A man from Singapore and his Filippina wife built this house together. I guess it was supposed to be a second home (the first being in Singapore) or maybe they were planning to retire here. Not sure but they split up, and all work on the house stopped. It was mostly finished. Still needed a couple of air conditioners, light fixtures, appliances, window coverings, etc.
The man remains in Singapore and his spouse has returned here. 3 days before we viewed the house for the first time, she took out her frustrations by throwing landscape rock through nearly all of the 1st floor windows and several of the 2nd floor windows. I arrived with the agent (and with C) to a house totally covered in shards of glass, inside and out. A total mess. I was initially worried about our safety. I had to carry C all through the house and, of course, I'm wondering how safe the house is if someone got away with doing this? Rough neighborhood??
So I get the story about the marital issues and we are assured that all will be repaired and finished and the house is ours if we want it. Yippee!!!
 But wait...
 Nothing in the way of repairs and finishing goes quickly here. Nor is it simple. The owner didn't seem interested in dealing with it, the "corporation" who co-owns is represented by a woman with her own job and things to do during the day, and the guy on site giving orders doesn't seem to have any real power or knowledge regarding purchasing and schedule. We went around in circles trying to get answers.
 Then, there's the issue of the items used inside the house, which were all shipped from Singapore. We cannot find light bulbs for the dining room fixture, no controls for the upstairs air conditioners, no cleaning supplies for the pool, no cables for the tv! And some things have been "misplaced" since it was all sent here how ever many months ago. It seemed all the loose ends would never be tied up!
 We thought we'd never get to move in but I finally resigned myself to the idea that this may last another week or 2 and we were fine and healthy and fed and safe. I prayed a new prayer too. I didn't pray that we'd have this beautiful house ASAP. I remembered how laborers are paid such a small wage here, that they work in rags and flip-flops, that lunch is often some bread, soda and a cigarette. And I remembered that they often work in unsafe conditions without the proper tools to do a job right. So I just prayed for their care and safety and that when they go home they have enough money in their pockets to feed their families and pay their bills.
 We were able to move in on February 1st, as planned. We still had workers here until Wednesday but that worked out well because they were here to rearrange furniture for me and hang artwork. Nearly all the boxes have been unpacked, pictures on the walls, cable and internet connected. We're still waiting on the AC remotes (a couple have a manual on/off button, but no temp control), and the pool will get a good cleaning on Saturday when the pool guy comes to train us on how to clean/fill/treat it, and the owner has promised to send us light bulbs from Singapore when our dining bulbs go out.
 Now, we're looking ahead to entertaining by the pool and hosting playdates. NORMAL things! Love it. I love normal. :)
 

Love & Affection

 It's time for me to have another little little baby to snuggle. I don't mean that I'm having this baby any sooner than planned. I just mean that recent events around here are proving to me that I need a new little person who will not refuse me a good cuddle. This week, when I asked C for a kiss good-bye, he would only offer me his cheek. Not his "wips." I asked, "what about a lip kiss?"
To which he replied, "Kisses on the wips are for getting mawied."
 C has never been a big snuggler, his hugs last 2 seconds tops and then he's off and running again. But when I've asked for a kiss and hug he's always eagerly obliged, offering up his little lips and giving me a squeeze. Now, I just get his cheek. :(
 He does, however, want to kiss the baby all the time. We'll be walking through the shopping center when he announces loudly, that he wants to kiss the baby. And so we pause and he kisses my belly and then we continue on. I'm glad that I'm clearly pregnant or we'd get even more strange looks than we already do.

If You Haven't Got Anything Nice to Say...

As we navigate this new place and encounter frustrations and celebrations, many blog ideas pop into my head. As we cruise down the road, I'm pretty much alone with my thoughts since the driver and security guy never speak except to answer my questions. It's just a puzzling mix of Ann Murray's greatest hits and plenty of booty-shakin' R&B coming from their mix CDs.
So out the car window there is an array of sights. Some sad, some baffling. And I'm always thinking how I need to snap photos like crazy and share this stuff! But then, the truth is, any description I can think of seems sarcastic or down-right negative. So I scrap lots of my blog ideas and choose not to share if it means I'm sending out cold pricklies to the locals.

Help me out here. I'm struggling with gaging what's okay to share a laugh about, and what's mean. Tell me what you think about this: Men here seem to urinate in public all the time. ALL THE TIME. It was something I had seen in Thailand. Developing countries do not tend to have public restrooms for those out and about like taxi drivers and such. So, where do they go? I don't know but I suppose I saw a man peeing on a wall in Thailand once every couple of weeks. Here, I must see 5 or 6 a day. Their back is to the road, they are in that tell-tale stance, I know what they're doing! Eww. I guess neither of us can keep it all bottled up inside...

Anyway, I'll do my best to keep these posts upbeat and try to shine a light on the good stuff around here. Be warned, that may mean I blog infrequently.
Then, there may be times that something is just too funny or insane and I just can't resist. I might let a little of my dark side show. Don't judge me!
I could also use the old "pregnant lady-with crazy hormones-can't control her emotions " excuse. Yes. That will surly come in handy (for 4 more months).
 

Spoiler Alert! We're having a ...

Just home from the hospital. I've chosen a doctor that I'm really happy with and went in for an ultrasound. Medical care is different in every country. The secret here seems to be to show up, wander around the halls to find all the OBs, and ask a lot of questions. The kindly lady I've chosen for my prenatal care is already turning into a friend. As we've gotten to know each other, and I've shared my little story, she's done her darnedest to find me a good realtor, pediatricians, and now new friends! She literally wrote down names of ladies she knows in our new neighborhood. Very sweet.

The whole family went in for my scan on Christmas Eve, thinking that finding out the gender that day would be a fun Christmas gift to all of us. As it turned out, none of my 3 children were very cooperative that day and we came home unhappy campers. But today, Baby Edsall was very cooperative  and the verdict on the gender is in! One of my big kids gave a "Woohoo!", the other expressed mild disappointment.

I'll start my baby shopping tomorrow, and I'll be browsing in the baby boy's department!

My scan today cost 870 Philippine Pesos. That's about $21.42. I'm thinking at that price I might go in every week just to say 'hello' to the little guy!

 

Spare Time Again (for a little while)

These days, until we move into our new house, I'm finding time a little heavy on my hands. So, time to return to the blog. It's been on my list for the last 2.5 months, but I've been a little busy. I do hope you'll forgive me!

So a quick run down since Halloween:
- I celebrated the Melbourne Cup with a table of gorgeous ladies where we again won Best Dressed Table.

 

- I got to attend my first Marine Corps Ball and enjoyed a patriotic experience that is rare to find in a foreign country. Todd was working in the Philippines so my friend Connie was my lovely date for the evening.

- We celebrated a fabulous Thanksgiving (which I failed to photograph) with our very good BKK friends. I love Thanksgiving!
- I travelled to Siem Reap, Cambodia with a big group of wonderful girlfriends where we ran 10k and half-marathons around Angkor Wat. Incredible experience! Hoping to make that an annual event!

- Our Girl Scout Troop hosted a bike rally and another awesome clothing drive benefiting needy people in our area.

- We've said good-bye to all our friends in Thailand and moved to Davao City, Philippines (with plans to rendez-vous on every exotic and stunning beach in the country).

- Tess, our wonderful helper, has come here with us and is delighted to be reunited with her family. She's been invaluable with getting to know Davao and helps us better understand discoveries like this one:

- We are 20 weeks pregnant and I'm getting kicked like never before!
- We have lost our minds from time to time, but not our sense of humor or our faith.
- D and C have begun at their new schools and are making new friends and adapting to the ways of their new surroundings. I am outrageously proud of them as this switch is not an easy one.

-T is loving his new position here as PM, building a power plant (he's in Manila right now so I can't make him pose in his hard hat for a photo.)

So, we're surviving. This is a very different place from anywhere we've ever lived and there is a lot to get used to. But I feel like we're also getting rid of a lot of distractions and becoming a closer family than ever before. I'm looking forward to that part.

We plan to move into our new home on February 1st, providing that the repairs to the house have been completed and our shipping container is cleared for delivery. That will be a happy day!