Last week I told the story of the birth of my grandson, I was told, that there would be a party at the house on Saturday Evening. I asked; (First mistake) “Pray tell, what is the reason for the party?”Our daughter Hanna and her husband Chris’ birthday fall on the 19th and the 20th respectively. They requested it be held here on the mountain, so all may attend. I just nodded my head in the affirmative. (Second mistake)
Then my daughter Ymir Thea decides, that would be a good time to christen the baby and include him in the party. Now this made perfect sense to me, as to throw a party for a week old baby would leave him with such wonderful memories. Plus I only have to pay once! See how flexible I am?
The Friday before, an all hands working party was mustered to clean the Man Cave, cut all the grasses and generally spruces up the old homestead. Shopping for foods were required, copious amounts of money was spent; I had a beer and scratched my head with great vigor.
Now I had notified my friends and told them the festivities would commence at 1700 hours Saturday the 19th of May. (Third Mistake) Sometime during my first and fifth beer, the party, I found out, had been shifted to 1300 hours on the 19th. That’s flexibility!
Article continues below pictures, click on the picture to see a larger image.
I scrambled and informed my guests (The Kano’s) as to the change; everyone else seemed to already know. The working party labored into the wee hours of the night, consuming vast amounts of Empara-flu, and prepping the foods. The cook was arriving at 0400 to start cooking, 0600 the remaining crew arrived to render assistance, and nurse their hangovers from the few hours before.
At 0630 a Trike appeared at my gate overloaded with more food, and wanted to unload it, right that minute, I’m perplexed as to where it came from. (Forth Mistake) I asked! It was explained that the driver had left my son-in-law’s farm at 0330 in the morning to make the long trip to my house, loaded to the brim and plugging along with his 125CC engine. I’ve now gone from Flexible to fluid!
0930 the ninong’s ninane’s and dingdongs loaded up my car, to head for the church to christen the baby. I found that I was not required to make that trip. Sometimes things will work out in my favor. Blessed onto Paul! Well its 1.5 hours until the party commencement, so I’ll save this to my LiP file and re-commence bukas, as soon as my head clears; wish me well!
The next day! My head is pounding!
Everyone arrived back from the church and a feeding frenzy started. By 1500 the party was in full swing and the eating hasn’t abated for a minute. But so far only cokes and sprite has been consumed (Except for me) and no one has done any singing yet. My friend Tommy and his family have arrived and we ate and then Tommy and I had a cocktail. I then noticed that both of my daughter’s guests were now drinking beer and then I was asked about Karaoke, I now knew that they are ready, as the sun was going down and the singing and consuming of other adult beverages was in full swing. Oh, and the eating didn’t let up for a second. My friends had to leave, and I decided it was time I left the younger folks alone to enjoy themselves! I’ve gone from fluid to gaseous!
I sequestered myself upstairs in my bedroom around 2000 and took a well earned “Battle Nap” Next I awoke at 0200 and observed 20 to 30 people still in my backyard with my daughters and my two son-in-laws, still singing, yacking and imbibing in that demon drink.
I wisely chose to remain in my room and let them have their fun. I had a Tom Clancy book to read so I was doing fine, and fell back asleep an hour later Sunday morning I awoke tired and a tad hung-over, but as usual was once more surprised at how clean the yard was. I love having guests like that, who’ll clean up before they go. (Taking all the leftover food with them of course)
A small crew showed up at 0900 to strike down the party tent and put everything else away. Clean the Bar-B-Que grill and wash down the back patio. It was reported to me that a fine time was had by all, and then I was asked about a Pay-Per-View Party on June 10th for the next Pacman fight. I’m back to being flexible once more, as I ponder that request. I know I’ll say yes, because more than being flexible, I’m easy!
As I was walking around with my grandson in my arms, I looked at his handsome tiny face and wondered if he enjoyed his party yesterday? Ah, the memories he’ll have of his first party.
Paul, I’m pretty sure the little one will enjoy looking at the pictures and videos of his very first party when he gets older. Congratulations, by the way. You have a handsome little fellow there for a grandson, Paul. Your first grandson, right? You must be proud. And that lechon, my goodness, my mouth is watering looking at the picture. Did that come from Chris’s farm 3 hours away? Bless his heart for sending over a trike “loaded to the brim” with more food.
Paul, I’m pretty sure the little one will enjoy looking at the pictures and videos of his very first party when he gets older. Congratulations, by the way. You have a handsome little fellow there for a grandson, Paul. Your first grandson, right? You must be proud. And that lechon, my goodness, my mouth is watering looking at the picture. Did that come from Chris’s farm 3 hours away? Bless his heart for sending over a trike “loaded to the brim” with more food.
Paul, I’m pretty sure the little one will enjoy looking at the pictures and videos of his very first party when he gets older. Congratulations, by the way. You have a handsome little fellow there for a grandson, Paul. Your first grandson, right? You must be proud. And that lechon, my goodness, my mouth is watering looking at the picture. Did that come from Chris’s farm 3 hours away? Bless his heart for sending over a trike “loaded to the brim” with more food. I wish I was there to help you all put away that delicious lechon!
Ricardo;
By the time he’s old enough to enjoy the pictures the format will be unusable by then.(lol)
Anytime there is a party a pig from Chris’ farm will appear, he is one GREAT son-in-law! It was as good as it looked.
Paul, you’re absolutely correct about the viewing obsolescence of past and current video formats in the not-too-distant future. This is why I am currently looking into preserving our old family videos taken over the years and convert them into Blu-ray. There are lots to be converted for sure, but, hopefully, with this new medium, memories will last forever. Jaden’s Dad should consider this early on as he begins to record his son’s development through the years.
Ricardo;
So far everything we have is digital so we can go to any format we want using a coverter. But thats for them to figure out, I’m still using 8-Track (LOL)
The bad news is…blu-ray is already, if not dying, feeling a little unwell…but not to worry, when you’ve done that, you can think about moving them into the cloud…
Jim;
I think you might be right about that. But as long as they are digital I think they’ll be fine until like you say they go to the clouds. Wouldn’t it be funny if they decide that vinyl is the way to go?
LOL, I’ve seen double-postings, but not three. Sorry, Paul. Maybe Bob can delete the first two.
Ricardo:
Triple postings? Wow I must be good! It’s no nig deal. (LOL)
Sounds like it was a great party for all. I enjoyed those extra plurals in paragraph 3, just as I mentioned in my comment in Mindanao Bobs last article. Hey, if that is the way written there, best not to try and change things as it could have a detrimental affect on having more fun in The Philippines.
Bob;
It’s paperworks, foods and shrimps and I cut the grasses. What we fail to remember is we taught them that the “S’ is plural, and then forgot to teach the exceptions to that rule. So I’ll accept those pluralization’s without comment anytime I hear them.
This was taught to me and I love it. Flathead and Philips screwdrivers are Plus and minus screwdrivers, according to my wife. That just makes good sense to me
Yes, I see the logic…and I suppose a pozidrive would be a “times” screwdriver!
Jim;
Being logical is second nature here in the Philippines, did you know that you can trim a mango with a $ 140.00 carving knife. I learned that here the hard way.
Obtaining a baptism must be easy in the Philippines. Here, it took me better than 3 months of planning. Paperwork for the God parents proving that they’re in good standing with the church. Paperwork for the parents. Special classes for the God parents and parents. Pay the fee’s. Get permission from the pastor. Only then can you be put on the schedule by the baptismial coordinator to get the baby baptised.
What a raccket!
Hudson;
The Catholic Church here is fast because they don’t want the Protestants getting to the baby first. (LOL) My friends in the states wait until they get here to Christen the kids, because of the rules you pointed out. Also I paid up front.
Paul,
It looks like a good time was had by all. And you survived no worse for wear lol. Jaden looks like a little angel in that stroller. Next thing you know he will be moving around and lolo will be chasing him around everywhere. It will be interesting especially after drinking a few adult beverages lol. That lechon sure looks good along with all the other food. It’s good to have a great son in law like Chris to provide a pig anytime. Well you have a couple weeks to prepare for Manny’s next fight. Take care, have a nice day
Papa Duck;
Coco just hasn’t figured out little Jayden quite yet, but she seems to like him. I’m working on a harness to hook to that stroller and have Coco pull him around the purok.
All the food was great and Chris is the best, even without the pigs. There is the one guy we all wish our daughters would marry.
Sounds like a good time was had by all. But Paul, through all your gained experience and wisdoms, and admittedly making these many mistakes, you must be making progress….you didn’t join in karaoke! As for me, I’ve learned to just nod and smile.
Randy;
The difference between me and my family, is that I know I can’t sing, they don’t!
I went to my first Karaoke Bar in St. Petersburg in the late 80’s, they closed their first year. I didn’t sing then either. They invented the shower for people like me to sing, I’ll stick with that. You’ve figured it out with the “Nod and smile!” A wise man indeed.
Paul,
Empara-flu. That’s a good one. I assume you are referring to Emparador Brandy. I tried Emparador Light for the first time on my visit this month. Tbe taste was ok. The price per bottle was extremely low. I limited my Emparador experience to a single taste. Cheap alcoholic beverages almost always have extremely unpleasant side effects. Thus the name Empara-flu.
Jeff;
You are so right, the worst hangover on earth next to wine is cheap booze! I found that Tanduay 12 year old Superior RUM is smooth and as good as any rum I’ve had in Puerto Rico. Now the Tanduay 5 year old RHUM is great for starting fires, but never drink it. Superior cost about six dollars a bottle and its worth the extra money.
Senior,
Looks like everyone had a heck of a good time (except for the pig bet he didn’t understand what guest of honor meant. LOL) Your a wiseman to remain flexable at all time. I learned along time ago that I don’t run things at the house my Asawa does. I’m just the financier, bag boy, prep cook (under supervision) and do boy.
And I’ll surley pay dearly if I say no to something.
Looks like your little buddy had the same thing on his mund as you did SLEEP.
Just remember when he’s ready to party he’ll be putting you to bed Grampa!! 🙂
mind
Bruce;
Mind, I figured that out. I do that all the time!
“I’m just the financier, bag boy, prep cook (under supervision) and do boy.’
In one word, macho-norin. LOL
Ricardo;
Following the big guy (or girl in this case) in the states that’s called “Whipped” with another word in front! (Sorry Bruce)
Paul, that’s too severe. Under the saya might be a bit easier to swallow. 🙂
Sorry, Bruce. I know you’re macho, being in law enforcement and all. I just couldn’t resist. 🙂
Ricardo;
And you chided me! Then hit Bruce with another zinger? I like your style!
Ricardo,
There is an old saying happy wife happy life and after 33yrs I’ve learned I like to get under the saya and not being under the saya. 😉 I still can always say no but it’s easier going with the flow.
Hahaha that’s a good one Bruce! Take care, and happy trip to Subic soon! Papa Duck will be joining you and Paul at Texas Joe’s for ribs and SMB. Wish I could be there. 🙂
Senior,
Your telling me if it’s just you and your Asawa all alone that you don’t pay for the stuff, carry it to the car, and help around the house. Then I’ll show you a man who flies solo at night.
Bruce;
When single I’d not go out without $ 500.00 in my pocket. Since I’ve been retired my wife halds the money as I have no use for it. If we’re out she’ll pay the bill if I eat or drink. I will unload the car for her, but that’s it. She has a helper who gets paid to take care of the rest. I’ll be in the Man Cave having a beer.
Senior,
Unfortunatly I have no helpers here in J-ville it’s just us. But once we get home to the PI that will change and I already told the wife she would handle the money over there.
By the way hurricane season came early just had a tropical storm come right through J-ville feel like a wet rat.
Bruce;
Helpers are a good thing, if I could only get them to bring me a cold beer that’s not been shaken!
Senior, as far as Whipped with another word in front no I’m not whipped I just like that first word in front of it. And waking up to fresh coffee in the morning.
As you say flexible is no.1
And besides our Asawa’s have a monopoly on that commodity and shopping elsewhere could prove expensive. 🙂
Bruce;
Sound thinking on your part, one must remember on what side his bread is buttered!
Bruce, are you also the designated flunky too lol. My time will come in the future when i will have a new boss to report too. Which really i’m looking forward to. The Detroit Tigers really suck right now. Will try to take in a game when i go up in July.
Ricardo, you can join us at Subic. It’s only a quick flight over lol. It would great if you could come though.
Papa Duck;
Yeah and how about them Red Sox? We can have a party in Subic, Rib’s Beer and good company!
Paul,
Sounds like a plan. Looking forward to it.
Papa Duck;
I love it when a plan comes together! (lol)
That would be nice, Papa Duck. I honestly would like to meet you all at Texas Joe’s someday. Heck, Subic, is only about an hour and a half Victory Liner ride from my barrio Salaza in Palauig, Zambales.
Ricardo;
Anytime!
PapaDuck,
The Tiger pitching really sucks and their hitting like their in the pee-wee league. Going to catch a few games in tampa on the 29-30 june.
Paul, I know I know the Red Soxs just took three out of four from us Go ahead let it out.
Bruce;
It was a great party, we’ll be haveing anouther one on 10 June for the pay-per-view Pacman fight. But no pig this time!
Senior,
I may get out of the Pacman fight for once we’ll be in Tampa with our grandbaby and it’s new baby smell. And ofcourse the women will be flocked around it like it’s the only thing in town. Maybe me and the twins can sneak out and watch the avengers?
Bruce;
There are some great bars outside the gate at McDill AFB, I know they’ll have the fight on. NO LAP DANCES while Manny is fighting!
Bruce, when I’m retired and living there, the title of “Do Boy” will do me just fine. 😉
Bruce, when I’m retired and living there, the title of “Do Boy” will do me just fine 😉
RandyL,
Your right I’ll do this and I’ll do that but I’ll do it on my time. No more punching the clock and doing stuff you hate because someone else wants it done. Yep I’ll be playing to that old Alamama song “You and I”.
Correction ” She and I”
Randy & Bruce;
I figured after retirement that I needed to have a schedule to stick to each day, small chores, just to keep me active. So I started every morning, until I realized that Mrs. Thompson was usurping each of my chores until I was just having coffee and messing with the Puter. I don’t even get to wash my car anymore, she does it now. So I’m the Do Nothing Boy. She still lets me drink the SMB on my own.
I figure if too many Do boy things get piled up, I can always hire out the DO boy stuff that I really don’t want to DO! 😉
Randy;
That’s what I would “DO”
Randy & Paul,
DO What??? I’ll be retired. I’ll hire a helper and say let’s Do it and I drink a SMB and He’ll Do it.
Bruce;
You’ve figured it out! Never do yourself what you can pay someone else to do.
Hi Paul – I always like reading your articles. It’s so life in the Philippines. 🙂
At first I though you’d be grouchy with all all the the party, shopping, food, money.. I reminded of the old mister from Dennis the Menace.. he he. But I you’re just as cool with everything… hey as long as there’s beer and BBQ for you and they clean up all the party mess. I like the picture of Jaden so cute! When he grows up he’ll see the party on you tube. He he 🙂
Sugar;
I think talking about everyday things that happen to you when you live some place will give a clearer picture of real life there. The things I write about happen to most people, I just find the humor in it and point it out. It is fun living here, and more fun now that I’ve got my new little buddy Jayden with me.
Hi Paul! my favorite story teller! 😀
I wish there are more people like you around who always try to see the brighter side of things even its hard sometimes. I wish you could rub off that positivity on my grumpy uncle who always sweat the small stuff, worrying just about every little thing and make my auntie unhappy sometimes.
Jiji;
One of the main reasons I’ve never worried about the “Small Stuff” is because there are people around that do it for you, giving us the chance to look at the big picture. Sad but true, they are needed. I asked an old retired Air Force guy that lived up the street if he had ever had a good day? Anything and everything was wrong with the Philippines to him. I then suggested that he just might be living in the wrong place!
Although they’re just by themselves they live comfortably and anything they need is just a call away. You and my aunt were right because she would sometimes tell him that this country might not be for him and if he goes its ok with her because she can survive without him, she’s self sufficient even before they met. But he wouldn’t want to go back to the States so — 🙁
Jiji;
I’ve sold my Condo in Puerto Rico and bought another one in the next building down the beach because I was not happy there. That’s why I’m shocked to meet a person who is living here and doesn’t like it. What the hell were they thinking? But I think I understand your uncle, complains about the Philippines, can’t make it in the United States! I’ve met people like that.