of all of the stuff that i packed and schlepped all the way to the philippines, these are my two most very favorites.

jb got me hooked on this bug goo, which is the best stuff ever. i brought a case of it with me and if i keep giving it away, i will have to have some more sent over.  i put it on every time i wash it off.  at home, as soon as i get out of the shower i'd slather on yummy lotion.  here, it's insect repellant, and i'm thrilled to have it.

this was a last minute add on, a gift from beth.  she bought this delicious smelling hand made natural soap at the farmers market and had it sitting in her shower.  it made the whole bathroom smell lovely.  she chiseled off a couple of pieces and i have them hanging in my closet.  every time i open the door i get a little whiff of something girly.  it is the only thing here that smells good and i include myself in that pile.

okay, well my coffee smells good too.  instant, with milk that came in a container and says it's good until december 15.

uhhhh, okay.

for dinner tonight i made a tossed salad with feta cheese and kalamata olives and onion.  i toasted a piece of bread from the french guy at the market in makati and chopped it up to pretend it was croutons.  most all greens here are cooked.  no salads.

and i accompanied it with a fine glass of grape tang.  

sigh.

beth, where are you with that glass of port that always appeared next to my salad plate??

i'll throw this one in as well.  i was sitting here at the birth home chatting with dee and a cat with no tail walked in so i took a pic for her.    they had 6 births in 8 hours here last night.  

a group of people came and spent the whole day at the nursery. they work for a man who runs an I.T. company; he gives them a paid day off to come once a month.  two of the women are nursing moms who breastfed all of the little babies. they also brought frozen breast milk to leave until they return.  they had a couple other women who played with and held kids, while 2 men worked on the computers in the office.  they also brought 2 wall fans, because they noted that the floor fans and cords we are using were not good with the crawling babies.

what a giant blessing!

i hope you all get out there and do some good works, friends.  

xoxo   jo