Coping with no DSL =(

I guess this no internet thing is not all that bad (or so I keep telling myself). Yesterday we did a bit of spontaneous exploring. We hopped on a jeep, and went down our road LOL. Well, down our road is a good hour away. We went to Asin Hot Springs. Its not what you would think it would be. Well, Im sure that my family knows what its like... a pool. But Joaquin was quite surprised that it wasn't mountains, rocks, waterfalls, etc... What can we really expect? Well, it was nice and refreshing. The "hot spring" was barely luke warm because after all it was a pool. They did have these rooms that they fill up with the sulfur water, and it was so hot. It turned the room into a steam room. I liked that part, plus it was only P200 for an hour (which I could barely stand 20 min). I think I am going to the store today, and try to find one of those cool spa outfits =) We decided that we are going to try to do that at least once a month. It's worth the adventure.
So now, we have 2 weeks til school starts, and I am not sure if we are going to be able to go to Boracay. I think I might have upset my uncle by changing my dates too much. I was hoping that I could get a tan before school starts, since everyone thinks I "look so healthy" with it. I don't understand this country...First they tell you, you cant look too dark. Then I get a little sun by accident, and I look "healthy".
Oh, another thing that I wanted to mention about the "hot springs". You have to really look for the one where it costs a little more money to feel a little more comfortable. Not that the facilities are any better, but I noticed that if you swim in the pool that is P20 cheaper, everyone is wearing T-Shirts and shorts while swimming! I know that everyone is self conscience about their bodies, who isn't? But I was feeling more uncomfortable to show myself in my one piece bathing suit. I was actually contemplating going swimming in my shirt and pants. But we were still on a mission to find the actual "hot springs" ( our first stop was just a pool). So we walked about half a km down hill and found a nice resort. For P20 more, people are actually wearing bathing suits and not clothes in the water. It was also about 10% less crowded. Plus, we wouldn't have discovered the sulfur baths.
I do have to remember to write this on word, so I can try to put some pics in and come to this internet cafe and put it in my blog...Im going to lose weight just trying to go online =(
So Joaquin and I are doing our special diets. I feel like I am a little thinner... I am also going to try to look for a yoga instructor, since we are unable to go online for long periods of time. So, all of you Karen enthusiests...until next time.

What! No DSL?!!!

That's right, there is no high speed internet where we live. We thought we were in the most perfect location, just to find no internet. Oh boy. Now what do we do? LOL Joaquin taught me how to play cribbage today ( Im sure I spelt that wrong, but dont really care }:-)
I think I did fairly well, even though I got "skunked" three times. Everytime, I was catching up more and more. Considering that we really have nothing else to do, I have a feeling I might quickly become a pro.
We are still in the process of looking for a live in maid. It is proving to be quite difficult just to get our laundry done. I called one place, and they didnt show up for their pick up. I guess I should try to call another one. I didnt realize how far we really live. It must be about 3Km away from town, and people here think we live on a whole other planet. I tell them "Asin RD" and they go nuts. What can you do?
I really want to do this hiking trip into the mountains sometime soon. It would be a 5 day trip. i dont know if I will make it, so if I dont write in my blog soon, you might want to notify the authorities.
I did find an absolutely perfect spa to take the place of my old one in manila. I paid about 1150 peso for a full body massage, facial, foot scrub, manicure and pedicure. I think I might think twice about the facial. I dont have the patience to just lay around for an hour. Plus, when I was done, I think the avocado from my avocado mask seeped too much into my pores. I was leaking avocados from my eyes almost til the next day! Joaquin said he could make a taco salad from my face! but other than that, the place was an absolute paradise. Actually, the facial was quite refreshing, and more relaxing than the one in manily. In case people are looking for spas in Baguio (I found this place out from a Blogspot site as well) It is called:

North Haven Spa
21 Avelino St Baguio
(074) 300-5022 or (0917) 506-1349

The place in Manila that I ALWAYS went to was named The Blue Moon Foot Spa. Great place, nice atmosphere, and quite inexpensive (which is always my favorite part)

ok, I will try to add pics later. Keep in mind, I can only write in my blog from an internet cafe =(

WE ARE MOVING!!!!!!!!

We are moving to the northern part of the Philippines. I mean waaaaaaay northern. Joaquin and I are positively ecstatic. We started off last week, and found a great apartment and a great school. We are so excited about moving there. I know Joaquin is because the weather is so nice, we don't even need air conditioning (actually we don't even have one in our new apartment). I am just happy I can take hot showers again =)
This view here is the view from our apartment living room window.
I even have my own garden, and that is great. I am going to try to grow organic vegetables. Not that I know how, but I guess there is no good a time as any as now. We even have a dog house in the back yard, so I am having some thoughts....
I am well over do to talk about my trip back home to the states. I think I will once we settle because there are so many pics that I want to post. So, bye for now =)

A few changes

So, I have been going to the gym everyday now since I arrived in Florida. I might even be a bit obsessed. I turned vegetarian (except fish) and I am feeling pretty good about myself. I am hoping to lose about 15 lbs before Joaquin gets here. I want to look good for him. Even though he says that he loves the way that I look as it is, I still would like to lose about 15lbs. I just dont feel healthy anymore. I think that this is the best way. I havent taken any pics yet, so that will wait =( I am going with my "sister-in-law" to a stamping club meeting on Friday. I think that might be interesting. I will see how things go.

Back to Normal

Well, I thought that I was gonna spend the next month and a half relaxing. I guessed wrong. Back to the usual hectic life of the good ole U S of A =) Strangely, I enjoy it. I enjoy working for my dad. Now he is a lot busier than we used to be. I guess all that praying finally paid off. Now I have other things to pray for. I like being so busy that I cant even eat. Then I can loose a few pounds before Joaquin shows up. I decided to become Vegetarian again. I just feel so much healthier not eating meat. I am supposed to go out tonight with my friends. I am kinda excited. I will see how things go =)

The Best Deal in All of Manila

What is a travel day without a little adventure? My grandmother's neighbor agreed to help Joaquin and I to go to the airport this morning, of course for a fee. Everything was reasonable. Then, as we enter into the departure lane, we stop for the security inspection. Usually they just let us by, but we of course were stopped. I believe it was my luck that drew their attention. The police officer asked if we rented the car. Being an American, our defintion of renting a car would be paying for a car regardles who drives it. My response to the question was yes. I guess that was the wrong answer. Everything was spoken in Tagalog and they were speaking too fast for me to understand. So, I let Joaquin get out of the car, and I would take care of it. Ended up being, if you are a tourist, you can ONLY use a taxi. I was able to talk to the police officer to let the men keep their drivers license, but I believe at that point my boobs did most of the talking. Even though my outfit is not revealing or provacative, but i did notice the officers smile.
After all that is taken care of, we enter into the airport, go through checkin and of course have problems yet again at immigration. Having to pay a 2100 peso fine for yet another piece of paper we did not know about. Go figures.
So during our frustration, Joaquin and I stomped through the airport clearly upset, when we were stopped by a "lounge sales" agent. They had a special lounge where you can stay til you board, with a buffet, 10 min scalp massage, and 15 min internet access for basically $10. Man, it was the best deal I have ever seen in all of Manila. We had Caffe Mochas, and an accessable shower. Everything that we wanted came with the deal with unlimited drinks including alcoholic beverages. Oops, I have to board the flight =) See everyone soon!

Well, I did not count on a 7 hour stop over in Tapei. Quite crazy. We are mainly roaming around the airport figuring out what we are going to do. I think an hour passed and I only get 30 min on this comp. Its kinda empty on this side of the airport so hopefully no one will notice how long I am intending on being here. So, let me discuss something. Let's discuss seals. The white fluffy ones. The ones that are only 12 weeks old. Well, as we speak, they are being slaughtered in Canada. And for what you ask? So that some fishermen can make a few extra dollars to buy their flat screen televisions. I dont see how that can possibly be humane. I have been keeping up to date with them since I heard about the event even going to happen. I cried when I saw the futage of the slaughter. The snow was covered in a red blanket. And to make matters worse, they are killing these seals with clubs. Bashing them in the head. 12 week old seals, completely defenseless including their mothers. All the mothers can do is watch her pups get slaughtered in the snow. I dont know how anyone can possibly live with themselves afterwards. It makes you disguisted to even be a human being. That's why I think I can make a great vet. I think I can really make a difference. I like to learn all about animals, and to fix them when they are completely defenseless. It's only right that someone has to.

Getting better

I think I am getting better now. Not that anything has changed, but I am beginning to accept what is to be. People their entire lives just "live with" what was given to them. I just thought that maybe I can do better then "live with" my problems. But, I can do it. I always have and always will.

Beware of the Rant

I am beginning to think that what's important to me doesnt really matter anymore. My goals are stretching so far that I can no longer see them. I dont know what I am supposed to do anymore. I dont really care about much anymore. And so what if I am self loathing. I think that any normal human being would be if they were running around in circles. People telling you to stop being depressed over what happened a minute ago. I have to be a mindless shell. Let bad things happen and not worry about it. And I wonder about God. What is He doing? A test? or a sign? Im not sure. But you dont want to read about this. I need to be happy. I need to be strong. I need to be me. But I just dont know. I think the "me" is being bled dry. I have no one to talk to, but this blog...which I guess would be the public. We have our own problems, why should I expect anyone to care about mine? That's just it. I am not supposed to have problems. I am supposed to forget that there is no hope anymore. The corruption of this world has soiled the minds of the innocent, and I just dont care anymore.
So go ahead and tell me that I am not supposed to feel this way. That you are SICK of me feeling sorry for myself. Well how about someone feel sorry for me for a change and want to talk to ME about it. Because I am a human being whether or not people want to believe it. And sometimes I just need to talk to someone.

The stress is beginning to build...

Well, the time is drawing near and I am slowly freaking out. But the funny part is that I really have nothing to freak out about. I am basically all packed (since I have to pack light anyway) and have taken care of everything well in advanced. I have two exams scheduled tomorrow, and my last one is on Sunday (dont ask me why). We've already experienced several problems, all of which were quickly solved. We are going to the University of Baguio on Saturday, so we have to leave tomorrow right after school. Quite a tight squeeze, and I will have to wear the same jeans for 4 days lol.
We saw a movie tonight called "the Dark". I do not know why they called it the dark. They made no reference to it, and it was quite confusing. I am just glad that I paid 110 pesos ($1=51 pesos atm) for it and not the usual $8.
Not too much for me to say except...Im Going Home!

The Excitement Rises

Only 6 more days and we get to go home. I am so excited. I am not so excited to have to try to make money, but excited to go home. We are going to Baguio this weekend to try and tie up some loose ends. I hope that they dont loose our paperwork again. I dont want to think about loosing our last weekend before we go home, just so that we have to repeat what needs to be done.

Welcome to my blog...again

Don't you hate it when people switch their email or blog sites a lot =). I think that I really did not have a choice in the matter. I was paying for xanga, and I didn't mind so much. But then, I was trying to get up to date with my internet technology and realized that my site is not RSS compatible =(. I would explain what that means, but I am not all that sure myself, LOL. Well, anyway, this site is free and Joaquin uses it so maybe it is a lot better. I have also noticed that some very repitable people use this blog site. Let's see how things go.
PS. Click on the Feed link to subscribe to my blog and you can see whenever I update it! ------------------------------------------------------>