My Wife's Philippines Vacation
My wife (Josie) will be arriving for a month-long Philippines vacation on the 27th of August, her birthday. After she returns to the US, the plan is to stay no longer than six months. Her next arrival in the Philippines should be permanent.
Our Reliance on DSL
One of the problems with DSL is that it requires an active telephone line. Some companies in the US don't require regular telephone service, but they do here in the Philippines.
At 3 pm yesterday, my dial tone disappeared and didn't return. I had to head to a neighbor's house to call PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company) and make a trouble call. My mother-in-law went to their office this morning to follow up. My telephone service was restored more than 24 hours later.
Needless to say, Josie freaked out when she couldn't reach me. She calls me via Yahoo Instant Messenger during the day and Skype at night. When she couldn't get through to me either way, she tried to call my phone and got some vague recording about my number not being active. She then called the cell phone of one of my in-laws. Luckily, all of my in-laws knew what was going on.
I haven't spoken to Josie since the dial tone returned, which is okay since she's asleep. I'm 15 hours ahead of her, and it will be at least four or five hours before she sees my Yahoo message on her cell phone.
Her Arrival
Josie's Philippines Vacation starts at approximately 6 am on the 27th of August, when she arrives at NAIA's (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) terminal 3 in Manila via Philippine Airlines.
Her Birthday Party
We've made it clear to the in-laws that no outsiders except invited guests would be allowed into our compound for her birthday party, which is going to be as simple as we can make it. There will be plenty of food and drink for everyone that way. Some of our other relatives make it a habit to just show up and then eat and run. We're going to have:
- Lots of Rice
- Kaldereta Kambing (Goat Caldereta or Stew)
- Roasted Lapu-Lapu (a grouper fish named after Lapu-Lapu of course.)
- Langka (Jackfruit)
- Lechón Baboy (roasted pig)
- Barbecued Chicken and Chicken Adobo
- Different kinds of Pancit (noodles and meat)
- Jose Cuervo Tequila (along with a couple of other brands)
- Emperador Brandy
- Red Horse and San Miguel Beers
- and More!
Her Departure
She'll be departing the same way she's arriving, but obviously in reverse, on the 24th of September (I believe – I don't have the ticket information handy). I don't like traveling in Manila, Philippines, but at least the route to the city will be easier to travel since the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is finished.
If you can understand what I mean, I'm hoping this will be the first and last of Josie's Philippines vacations.
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When I first started reading this article, I was scratching my head wondering why your wife was not living with you. Then I saw the related article 'My Wife is Leaving Me!' and thought it would better not to pry – until I read it!
I know the feeling, being ex-mil myself I know how tough the long periods of separation can be – I missed the first 9 months of my daughters life
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It's so easy to get the wrong impression until you read further than the headline.
That must be hard being away from your wife so long, but it'll all pay off, quite literally, when she comes back for good.
Especially since I'll be setting her up with her own PC and blog and other things. She really wants to learn this stuff now.
Sounds like a fun party!!! Have fun and take care!
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I am going to get falling down drunk. Then I'm going to get back up and do it again. Hey, that reminds me of a song.
hi RT,
If we're thinking of the same song, I love that song! Technically speaking though, the song is about getting knocked down and not falling down, but it sounds like some of your relatives could be knocking you down in their haste to get to the good food. I saw that you invited Jose. He'll definately do some knocking down. Anyway, what AWESOME news! Have a great party.
~ Steve
Tubthumping, I think!
Yep, I'm not gonna be a weeble – "Weeble's wobble, but they don't fall down." I'm definitely going to fall down. Or get knocked down. Or something.
hey RT,
Thanks for the flashback. I had forgotten about "weebles." I've never been a very successful weeble drinker myself. Now I wonder if it is easier to weeble if one only drinks Blue Beaver?…
~ Steve, a noble UV minion and purveyor of weeble-certified, US minion-made portable trade show displays
Glad to hear you'll have your wifey for a visit. Not good to be seperated for long periods. Sounds like your going to have a feast.
Heh, I'll probably gain 10 lbs.
Sounds like a huge feast to me. Well, that's what birthdays are for. Enjoy. I too hope it's her first and last vacation to the Philippines for your sake. Have a great day RT.
If it's not alive and kicking, it's getting eaten.
RT, sounds like you are gonna have a blast. I do miss JackFruit so much as that was a big part of growing up in India for me. Have an awesome time and do share some pictures of teh party here if you get some. Cheers!
I sympathise with you. Although I only do 3 to 4 week stretches working away from home, I understand completely how hard it can be. That is yet another reason why I really need to axe my day job ( or nuke it!)
I'll be sending you a virtual Blue Beaver Beer gift basket for your party, via Gmail
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And I'll be looking for that email, so don't forget!
Your beer is on its way…
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I am happy it all worked out with your wife. Sounds like you had a great feast~
It hasn't happened yet. One more week.
So happy for both the month long vacation trip, birthday party a plus, and that she'll be joining you permanently soon! Great to hear that.
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Hah! Eat and run. Damn party crashers! Glad to hear that you will one day live with your wife, permanently.
A 15hr time difference is no easy hurtle in maintaining a relationship. I try to keep contact with family in south east Asia. There's a 17hr time difference, so I just count back 7hrs and ignore the day ahead factor.
I count back 3 hours and remember night versus day.
A filipino party the best fun you can have with your clothes on!
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Clothes? Who said anything about clothes?
RT, you naughty boy.
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Seems like it's a feast. Advance happy birthday to your wife!
showing up uninvited in a relative's house is a hard habit to break among Filipinos. greeted with hospitality is the usual expectation.
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Two cousins and their children live nearby. They are the "eat and run" type. I just don't have the money to feed an additional 20 people and their friends.
Uh, just a thought, but maybe your party crashing in-laws will read your blog and get their feeling hurt!
I thought about that before I wrote it, but none of them read English language blogs (and none of them own computers).
ah. haven't had lechon in a while. rather miss it. :O maybe next month…
was wondering though, why ym voice some hours, and skype during others?
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Her cell phone plan is 1000 minutes per month during the daylight hours (unlimited afterwards).
Skype is between $6 and $7 per month for 10,000 hours, 24 hours a day.
[...] victim, I mean, recipient, is RT from Untwisted Vortex. His wife is coming home soon for her Philippines vacation, and RT has a big party planned. I wanted to send over this beer basket before it's too late [...]
I'm a fan of beers, but i just know european and north american stuff. I wonder how those two beers you mentioned taste.
Sounds fun. I quite miss the Philippines. I wish I could be there too.
It was great then,congrats!..lots of gift for your family?!
That is a bummer that you have to be separated from your wife for long periods. Long distance relationships are often hard, but worth it for the right person.
I know the feeling. But, so long as you can talk all the time, and understand each other, then it can be valuable. Time apart can really make things stronger for the right kinds of people.