Live in the Philippines

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Coming Home from Singapore

Family, Travel / by

Well that title really doesn’t tell you much, but our youngest daughter, Ymir Thea (Yhen) is moving back home from Singapore to return to our house on the mountain. Her stay in the lion city is over, she’ll be leaving behind a multitude of international friends she has gathered in the four short years she has lived there Managing Bicycles Shops, and living that exciting Singaporean life. But with all phases of life, one will closes and a new one opens.

She’ll be flying in Sunday January 29, 2012, since I submit this to Bob on Saturday I’ll save the arrival until next week. But I’ll mention this; it will be a major-major parade to the Airport at Clark Air Base in Pampanga. (About a 50 minute drive)

Now to the heart of this week’s missive; “Hey why is Yhen coming home?”

”Well It seems like she’s going to have a baby, this coming May! Yes the old Kano is going to be a grandfather again, but this time it will be a boy already named “Jayden Logan” a name that I don’t quite understand, but much better than Do-dong Boyet. You take the wins where you can.

 

So now Mayang and her sister Claira have been running at full tilt getting the nest ready for the past two weeks, which includes un-stowing the room that has since 2008 been a shrine to our traveling daughter. If it was on Storage Wars I think only Jarrod & Brandy would have bid on it. The old bed had to come out to be replaced by a larger double bed. Oh it slipped my mind; she got married to her High School Sweetheart, who moved from Florida to Singapore to impregnate my daughter. But, if she loves him, then who am I to say a word about it. He did marry her albeit not quite in the order that I would have liked. He seems like an alright guy, but a Chrisanto Sanguyo Hanna’s Husband), he’s not. My son-in-law Chris has set the bar way too high.

He’ll be here until the baby is born and then must return to Singapore to his job, so he’ll join the ranks of the OFW’s. My daughter had told me a few months ago that they had plans to rent an apartment close to us, as she thought I hated her new husband. That was far from the truth (Somewhat) and I told her she would be at our house, under her mother’s watchful eye, for as long as she wanted to stay, and yes, no harm would befall her husband. Maybe I could grow to love him? We’ll see, I’m an easy going guy, unless you hurt one of my family.

This is the part that I’ve thought of yet have failed to point out. In this four bedroom house I have 2.5 feet of hanging space for my clothes, and at times lose some of that. I have a small chest of drawers for the rest which I guard with my life, so I guess with Hanna’s old clothes in one bedroom, my granddaughters stuff in the other bedroom, where does my new son-in-law put his stuff, or have the ladies even given that one second of consideration? On this one point I will commiserate with him, and maybe the bonding will start.

Off to the airport in the morning, stay tuned for next week’s conclusion.

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Comments

  1. Paul, Sounds like you are on board with the new Grand Son coming along.
    I have to admit it is hard to read you on your feeling towards the new Son in Law. Maybe it’s not the perfect order but as long as your Daughter is happy and treated right and he Man’s up then things will work out. I am sure you still have that can of WhoopAss stashed in case you need it.

      • Bob;
        Oh pray tell I’ll be writing for LiP just to keep our friends posted on what it’s like in the Philippines becoming a “LOLO”. I’ll wager everyone will be sick of the pictures and stories very quickly (LOL). But thanks they’ll be no break required for me. Bob I know I’ll be shuffled to the background with my son-in-law when the LADIES go into full birthing mode!

    • Neal;
      I agree with you about the Son-in-law, but Yhen loves him, and with time all will come to pass one way or the other I’m thinking with effort on my part all will be fine. But I’m on my best behavior as I love the girl that much, and a new grandson! Hell what could be better than that!

  2. Good Morning Paul,

    Nice Post. I sense a little apprehension about the new son-in-law. If your dog army accepts him then maybe he is not such a bad guy. I am sure that at some point you will be sharpening your sword collection or cleaning random sidearms just to set the order of things around the house. It sounds like he has some life experiences to share since he has lived in two cultures so you may have some interesting conversations.

  3. Hi Paul
    I’ve just had two weeks of new born baby so I know what you in for lol. New Phil/English Grandaughter.
    Its a lovely feeling to have those brown eyes looking up at you. Something to look forward to, if the ladies of the family give you a chance.
    Congratulations to you and Mayang
    Marjorie
    PS Hows your nappy changing skills, we have got Grandad reasonably trained lol

    • Marjorie:
      I’ll sum it up in two words “MAN CAVE”; I will disappear out back whenever the situation requires me to. I will take my place and hold my new grandson, whenever I’m allowed, I’ll give guidance to my son-in-law, and a cold beer when he needs it. But, Nappy Changing? I’ll defer to Bob’s comment on that.

  4. Paul
    “named “Jayden Logan” a name that I don’t quite understand, but much better than Do-dong Boyet.” There must be a God to save you from having a grandson with that Do-dong Boyet name, Maybe it is your reward for helping SMG Corp. stay in business.

    • Loren;
      I’ve still have no clear answer for the name, I do know a young boy and the name on his birth cert. is Tiny Bubbles, and I’m not making that up. You can ask Tommy Friday at lunch.

  6. Hey paul,
    This all sounds like a big change, the man cave is sounding like a good solution. Don’t forget to get out of the house for some “me time”.

    • Hudson;
      Aside from some extra cash it will cost me, I foresee no big changes, but I’ve been wrong so many times before! The man cave is being stocked this week!

  7. Senior,
    What a coincidents my daughter to is having a baby boy in May. The only difference is that my daughter the twins and her boy friend moved to Tampa FL and not my apartment. They say their getting married next year and they say that their going to this and that. So like you I will take a sit back and watch approach. He seems like a mature guy and really takes good care of my daughter and the twins and my asawa likes him. But after the last go around and the 5 years lost to help raise the twins I’m not so eagar to the open arms appraoch.
    But as I tell my asawa “If they like it I love It”. But we are not changing our plans
    vacation in Oct and homewrd bound to the Philippines in Aug 2013.
    So LOLO Paul your not alone The new way of dating and marrage just make me want to scratch my head and say HUHHH????.

    Oh by the way it’s 32* and sunny here in Jville. 🙂

    • Bruce;
      Mayang’s rule: Not married, ain’t living here. I did nod along with her over that one. But if the milk is flowing freely, why need to purchase the cow?

      • Senior,
        I guess it the new way you have to test drive it before you buy it??
        Man I feel so Old and out of touch with this new generation.
        I ask my daughter why don’t you get married now. She calmly say no if we
        marry now I lose all my benifits. In a way I kinda understand but I still don’t like it. So I let it go.
        The good part on having a grandson is you can will all you man cave collections to him.

        • Bruce;
          I pass on test driving that cow! (lol)
          Just for my information, will your daughter again for vote Obama? ( I’m already sorry I asked that)
          I think after I go my wife will dismantel the mighty man cave. She has never been that fond of it! Who knew?

          • Senior,
            On voting that I don’t know I hope not. But the way I see it as long as I’m in the PI and not doing that four letter word that begins with W, I really don’t care. I made my bed now I going to enjoy it.
            Aug 2013 🙂

  8. Hi Paul
    It turns out I am going to be a Grandpa in July. But, I have no worries. Jason (stepson) and Gemma (his wife) live in Seattle. Not far away, but with the border crossing and Seattle traffic, about 3 to 4 hours. Close enough for us to visit, but not to babysit. My man cave is safe! I think you need to consider a new man cave. Maybe a workshop with all the trimings. Beer fridge, TV, lounger chair, earplugs so you don’t know when you are being called? A patio on the roof (out of sight, out of mind)? A fan for breeze adjustment, so no dirty nappie smell? But, knowing you from you posts, you will soon have a grandson to spoil along with your granddaughter. Congrats!

    • Allan;
      And spoil I will! As my buddy Tommy told me last year with his first grandson after 10 years many granddaughters; “I know how to buy boy’s toys!” Now that passes to me. My Man Cave has all that you listed, and more. If it had a head instead of a comfort tree I could live there. (Mmmm building a head!!!!)

  9. Hi Paul-Congrats Gramps! well since it’s a boy for your daughter.. now you have to buy toys for boys…. another one to spoil for many occasions. 🙂

  10. Paul,

    Congratulations on the newest member to the Thompson Family. So happy for you and your family. I know i was so proud when my 3 sons were born. You know you could have given the suggestion of naming the Grandson Paul lol. But you may have gotten outvoted on that. Another positive too with the new grandson is that the bedroom will no longer be a storage room. Life is good. So just sit down and drink a few SMG’s with your son-in-law and tell him about life and all will be fine. Take care and enjoy the ride.

  11. Paul,
    Great to rad your joyous post! I know you will enjoy all the joys this new little life will bring to you! Before long you will be enjoying spending time in the “man cave” with him! I guess I will have to send him a Yankees hat to wear! LOL! Or maybe should I get one of those for your son-in-law! I think I know now why you made a post on Facebook the other day that you did!
    When speaking of names I like the Jayden. My sons name is Samuel Jayden.
    Good luck and many happy memories in the months to follow. Sure looking for some of the interesting stories I am sure you will have to tell!

    • Steve;
      Send a Yankee Hat to my grandson? Red Sox Nation is how that boy will be raised. I shudder to think of a NYY cap on his little head. Yeah their name choice Jayden has sunk in and I’ve deemed it to be cool. As with all new born’s they look like Winston Churchill for the first few months and really start to get their own personality at six months. But I am quite pleased with the whole situation. It should keep me out of trouble for awhile!

      • Glad you can find ways to stay out of trouble. I would think with 3 ladies there watching you, trouble maybe a little easier to come by! Hope that “man cave” is well stocked!

        • Steve;
          Staying out of trouble is easy, come down the stairs smiling, slide to the door and run to the Man Cave, before they even knew you passed through the room.

  13. A beautiful city indeed Singapore. I had the pleasure of being there last week and it was just unbelievable. The streets were spotless, the MRT was very efficient allowing me to interchange and be on the next train within 5 minutes connecting in all directions getting me to my destination in no time.

    When you see a country state like Singapore first hand, it makes you wonder what went wrong with the Philippines in terms of culture and discipline. One wrong move and you’re in the slammer. Wanna rip off a tourist or beg for money? Not in Singapore.

    Walking outside at anytime of day never felt safer in Singapore. Boarding a train was a breeze. Everybody waits for the passengers get off before boarding and there is no chaos in the streets with every citizen obeying the traffic rules. Singapore is a beautiful international city very welcoming of expats and i would recommend it to everybody.

    • ManilaPlaya;
      Look at the success rate of any country that was a former colony of Spain; Mexico, Central and South America, and then compare them to any country that is a former colony of Great Briton; Canada, Australia, India, The United States. Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and many others. It’s the rule of fair and somewhat equal law. (The Middle East was not one of the UK’s better jobs, but you can’t win them all.)