788 replies to this topic

[Macman]

Thanks, Surin. Actually the NBA is about the only American sport on TV here. I see lots of kids playing it. I think one of the reasons for its popularity here is the fact that it's a relatively inexpensive sport, as far as equipment, space, etc. It's not unlike the U.S. where the sport is dominated by black Americans, most of whom come from the inner city. Even the poorest of neighborhoods will have a pole and a raggedy old basket. I didn't catch the game because we were out zip lining, and because the cable guy hadn't come yet.

I know the fact that my sons know of this may sound strange to some (hell, it sounds strange to me), but I'm glad it's out in the open like that. I didn't mention it to my daughter for a number of reasons, the most important one being that I'm afraid she would let it slip to her mother, my ex-wife. That has nothing to do with the transgendered issue; I just don't see any reason to hurt my ex's feelings. She has been very supportive about my move here, saying she thinks it's great that I would attempt something so new at my age. I don't think she would feel quite so enthusiastic if she knew there was a romance involved. Gradually, over the course of the year, I'll mention that I met someone and we are dating casually. I doubt if I'll ever reveal the true nature of it. As for my sons, the younger one is fairly noncommittal. I don't think he wholly approves, not because he is necessarily against the gender aspect, but I think he worries that I'm making a mistake. I think he'd feel the same if Angel were a gg. Most people would be very skeptical about the motives of both Angel and me. The older guy actually encouraged me. When I expressed concern about the age difference and the fact that I would most likely be departing this earth while Angel was still relatively young, but old for a LB looking for a permanent relationship, he said, "Dad, you may be giving her the best years of her life, however brief." (Wow. Talk about a run-on sentence - that was a doosie.) He's had a few long-term relationships that went bust because, as he says, "Dad, I was the worst boyfriend ever, and I regret it." Concerning Angel, he commented, "I wish I had someone who makes me laugh every day." He also has long wanted to live on Guam (I have no idea why other than his hermit nature), and he says that my living within a few hours of there might be the impetus he needs to make his move.

Damn! This is turning into a soap opera or a love story instead of a report on adjusting to the P.I. Sorry, guys. I'll get back on track next post. Angel just woke up, so ... Oh, man, the cable guy's here. This promises to be a good day.

Macman

[Macman]

Thanks, PT. Knowing how you feel about your horse racing, I consider that a real compliment.

Today was pretty much spent waiting in lines. I hate to play the spoiled, whiny American, but ... my God. Because Filipinos don't use checks (at least not where I am), we go to the local offices to pay the bills, and they are almost always crowded. Today we went downtown to pay the internet bill, which took about 45 minutes because it was packed. We then walked over to pay the electric bill, which was not too bad. Some bills, like the internet one, can be payed on line, but I have to wait those 45 days for my American bank check to clear in Angel's account. I'll start depositing my checks monthly, so after that initial waiting period, we should be okay. Maybe. I've learned not to take anything for granted here. The department stores are driving me nuts too. The other day I went to buy running shoes. I asked if they had my size in a particular model. I'm not kidding when I tell you that at least 15 minutes went by before she returned with a negative answer. I then asked about a different model. Another 15 minutes before success. I don't think that there is any method involved in the stocking of their goods. Whenever I pick out an item to purchase, the clerk takes the merchandise, disappears for a few minutes, and comes back with a slip of paper that I am to present at the register. There were bar codes on the products, and bar code scanners at the registers. The girl seems to scan the bar code, but also punches in whatever the salesperson wrote on the slip (sometimes sending an associate to find the clerk to clarify what she wrote down).
Ah, what the hell am I bitching about. I'm here with a beautiful young women who seems to really care for me, who cooks great meals for me, and who treats me with love in every thing we do, and I'm complaining about a few minutes of inconvenience. F**kin' ugly American.

[Surin Nix]

I hate to rub it in Mac, but here's a photo from one of the local DMV's here in the U.S.

See what you're missing?

[petesie]

Tip top stuff here Mac, keep it up!

At least the cable guy turned up.... ;-)

[Macman]

Thanks, Petesie. And thanks for keeping the thread in this section. Having cable allows me to get a little taste of home. Yesterday at lunch, Angel asked me if I'm homesick. Having never been away from her family and friends for any length of time, it's hard to explain the concept to her. Until she flew to Manila to meet me at the airport last October, she had never been on a plane. She had never left the Philippines until we spent last Valentine's Day in Hong Kong. She's a very outgoing type of person, so she has literally hundreds of friends and acquaintances. In February, when we were talking about my moving here, I was trying to explain homesickness. I said, "Just imagine if ...," and started listing people to whom she's close, starting with her little goddaughter. She became upset because I think she thought I was looking for a way out of my commitment. She said, "So don't transfer here then," and we had our first fight. After we made up, I told her that she was going to have to let me vent my feelings to her about things like that from time to time. After all, I feel that she's my friend as well as my lover. I'm okay now, but glimpses of home on TV will probably bring me to tears later on.

Surin, you're right and you're wrong. First of all, most of that Department of Motor Vehicle business can be done on line. I went to renew my license last February in White Plains, NY. It was easily as crowded as the one pictured here, but I was in and out in 15 minutes. They were so efficient that I was shocked. I hadn't been to a DMV office in many years, so I was amazed at what modern technology has done to speed up those types of procedures. More to the point, after my whiny rant last night, I'm going to make an effort to go with the flow. When faced with situations like the bill-paying yesterday, I've been finding myself saying to Angel, "You know, in the U.S., blah, blah, blah...." I've got to stop doing that. I know how annoying it can be. I'm here with someone I love. That should be enough.

I'm going to stay home alone tonight, and catch up on some reading. It seems that the Filipino people are enamored with pageants (or at least the female, gay and transgendered ones are). One of Angel's LB friends is in a pageant tonight. I asked her if she'd be upset if I didn't go. "Of course not, my love. You can just stay home." It's a good thing too, because I'll have to go to one tomorrow night; this one involving gg's. The girl who played cards with us and went ziplining the other day is in it. Angel said I didn't have to go, but I promised her friend I would. It might be fun. Her friend is a very upbeat, outgoing, outrageous and funny girl, and I get along well with her boyfriend. It'll be different, that's for sure. My first pageant.

Well, Angel's still sleeping. I think I'll go for my walk before it gets too hot.

Macman

[Surin Nix]

Are you even over your jetlag yet?

It takes me a full week in LOS....and during the adjustment period, as much as i want to have a good time, it really messes with my mind and mood.

[jayarr]

can't remember if you touched on this. is there a language barrier?

[rxpharm]

Well firstly, best of luck. Any relationship IMHO is always full of challenges and I would take it one at a time.
Given the Filipino culture and languages spoken there I'll stick my neck out and say that you're better off in the Philippines than Thailand. On average the communication ought to be better and that'll go a fair way in maintaining the relationship.
Cheers

Most Filipinos speak English, and are keen on western culture, as mentioned earlier by singdick.

[Macman]

I didn't have any jetlag, Surin. My flight left JFK in NY at 1:20 in the morning. I had gotten up early, and was very tired, but I forced myself to stay awake until what was 8:00 AM by my watch, but 8:00 PM at my destination. I have a hard time sleeping on planes anyway, so I popped an Ambien, something I try to do only sparingly. I got about 5 hours sleep that way. After a layover in Hong Kong, I arrived in Cebu at 11:30 in the morning, Philippine time. By the time I got my baggage, and cleared customs and immigration, it was after 12. Angel met me at the airport. She had made a reservation for us at the Mango Park Hotel. I was dying to take a nap, but didn't. We had lunch, and walked around for a while. After dinner, we hit the sack fairly early. When I woke up the next morning, I was on track; a little tired but on the local time schedule.

Rxpharm is correct, jayarr. In the Philippines, most people can speak English with varying degrees of proficiency. Angel told me that all science classes are taught in English here. In this area, everyone speaks 3 languages: Tagalog, English and Bisaya, which is similar to Cebuano. When Angel and I go to church on Sundays, we go to the English mass. The priest will tell a story (usually a humorous one) during his sermon. Many times he has told the whole anecdote or joke in English, right up to the punchline. Then he finishes it in Bisaya. I'm the only one there who isn't laughing. Of course, this whole affair would never have gotten off the ground if Angel couldn't speak English. She and I used to chat for hours every day before i ever visited here.

Well, she went to get her nails done in preparation for attending her friend's beauty pageant tonight. Nap time for me.

Macman

[Legend]

excellent update macman,
am i right in thinking you have retired from working.?
what does angel do for income.? at the moment it sounds like she is on a holiday whilst you are settling in.

i have had filipino,s in my house many a time, they spend hours watching those pageants on youtube.
they go mad for a plastic tiara.
strange behaviour.

[Macman]

I feel the same way, Anthony. It completely escapes me what is so fascinating about those pageants. I'm really glad I don't have to go tonight. I won't mind the one tomorrow because i get a real kick out of her friend, and she keeps asking me if I'm going.

Angel had a small store. It wasn't doing that well, and so we closed it. We're thinking of opening a small shop in a mall in which her cousin has a booth, but I'd really prefer that she not work. The only reason I want to open the shop is that I want her to have something for herself when I kick off (I'm assuming I'm going first). As you can probably guess, opportunities for transsexuals in P.I. are extremely limited. And, yes, I'm retired.

Macman