Our new Filipina helper was fired on her first day on the job. We had previously committed to hiring a Pinay whose mother-in-law was reportedly an aswang. But that new domestic assistant never showed up for work.
(“You’re fired!” graphic source: Meme Generator)
If this were a website where more colorful language was allowed, the title for this post would certainly not have read “The Great Guimaras Ultrasound Gaffe.” But you can bet there were some phrases I uttered this past Saturday at a local laboratory that cannot be repeated on this site or in front of any nuns or preachers of the Gospel. Merchant marines? Yeah, no problem.
American expat in Philippines rescues report cards at Iloilo High School. Yes, I had to make a return trip to the educational institution which our niece Shaina and nephew Sharwin formerly attended. (Note: after misspelling our nephew’s name for over four years now, my asawa has finally corrected me on how to properly spell the young man’s name. My apologies, Sharwin, not Sharwen.)
Sharwin and Michelle. Don’t ask.
Carnival time at last month’s Manggahan Festival in Guimaras. Visions of rides, games and junk food danced in the heads of our nieces and nephews. Tita (Aunt) Daday and Tito (Uncle) Dave promised the kids plenty of fun during the annual mango mash, and they weren’t disappointed.
Lolo (Grandpa), my father-in-law who resides in the mango province of Guimaras, has a duwende problem. Lolo lives in a house that was moved on my back, along with the help of 49 Filipinos, back in August 2011. He has been living alone (we thought) in Buluangan but my asawa was recently alerted that her Tatay (Father) has been roaming around the barangay during all hours of the night.
(The Intervention Crew: From left, standing, sister-in-law Alida, Cousin Emma, Lola, standing with glasses, The Sainted Patient Wife and Cousin Roberto on far right. Lolo in center with striped shirt.)
Another American expat tour in Iloilo City. This time with a special guest. My asawa. The Sainted Patient Wife. After accompanying me to the Bureau of Immigration, my long suffering spouse decided to submit to another trial of patience and join my friend Scott B and I as we made another trip to the wharf in “The City of Love.” As I noted in my previous post, she must be extremely bored.
Our second Christmas in Iloilo. My fourth one in the Philippines as an American expat. This year we have seven kids staying with us. Nieces and nephews. I figure we have about 1,000 children flung throughout the Philippines that call us Tita DaDay or Uncle Dave. Seems like it at times.
Most of my American readers are aware that the Mojave Desert, located in the American Southwest, is around 7,000 miles from the Philippines, and Iloilo, where my asawa and I currently reside. The Sainted Patient Wife handed me her cell phone yesterday ( I don’t own one), Thursday, around 5:15 pm and said I had a call. To my utter astonishment the caller invited me to the Mojave!
(Photo source: bbmedia.bbchs.org )