Holy Sewage, Batman!

Backed up sewers…apparently that’s a thing here in the Philippines. I was introduced to this delight just two weeks into my move.

I met one of my neighbors today just as Tony was headed back to work from lunch. I asked her to come in and sit on one of our two chairs (our furniture still hasn’t arrived). As we sat and chatted, I noticed water running onto the floor in the room just off the den. Tony was oh-so-close to escaping before I yelled, “Hey, Tony, before you go…” He went in first to assess the damage. I crept in behind him only to be knocked off my feet by the wall of stench that greeted me. Y’all, the poop had come up from the drains in the shower floor, seeped over the ledge, and was running into the connecting room. Poop…Everywhere. I ran for towels and as I passed them off to Tony, MY NEWLY MET NEIGHBOR JOINED HIM IN THE CLEANING EFFORT! She was on her hands and knees on the poopy floor. Gag.

Unfortunately, until the sewer drain became unclogged, there wasn’t much that could be done. Tony went to work. My neighbor went to her house. I cried. Despite today being a holiday, Tony was able to call for help. About an hour after discovering the mess, someone came to the rescue and did the necessary unclogging. Next thing I knew, my driver was attempting to clean the bathroom. As much as I wanted him to finish, I couldn’t let him do it. So, I buckled down my gagging reflex and cleaned up the poop…oh so much poop.

Just the other day, I sat down to write a new post on my blog titled “To maid or not to maid…seriously that IS the question.” Well, folks, no need to post that blog. Bring on the yaya!

Don't Worry, Be Happy

One of these days I will learn that the only thing worrying does is age me. This week I am guessing I have aged about 5 years in 5 days. Parenting is hard, though, and sometimes I can’t help but worry.

The children started school this week at Brent International School. It can facilitate up to 1500 students, I believe. The Elementary, Middle School, and High School (known here as lower, middle, and upper schools) are all housed on one campus. The facilities seem fabulous and I am just grateful the kids can be at one school.

Tuesday/Our second day in the Philippines/ Registration Day:

The children and I arrived at Brent at 9:15 and were told we would be there until about 1:00 (yeah, right).  Hannah Grace and Ellis both had to undergo some testing that started at 9:30.  Because they had Ellis’s MAP scores from the states, he only had to answer a short essay. A mere two hours later, Hannah Grace finished her testing. Eventually Tony joined us for the interviews. Between both children, we had five interviews. The questioning started one on one with each child, and then we would join in. Once the interviews were complete, we moved on to transportation to get the children set up with the shuttle service in our neighborhood. Just to give you an idea of the size of our neighborhood, or “village”, there are 13 buses that service us. So, we leave the transportation office and our first set of tears came from Hannah Grace. Off to the uniform shop, where our second set of tears was shed by Ellis. He looked up at me and said, “I just want to go home.” And there it was… all three of us crying.  Luckily, Tony kept it together. Boy, would that have been a sight!  At 3:00 (a few hours off), we loaded in the car back to the house.

Much to Ellis's delight they had a few extra options to go along with the regular school cafeteria selections. He may actually eat school lunch!

Pastries or latte, anyone?

 

Grabbing some lunch with the traditional cafeteria setting in the background. I am sure Michelle Obama wouldn't like the soda station, but Ellis was thrilled!

 

Brent has a 25 meter swimming pool, two gyms, 400 meter track, two soccer fields, tennis courts, and a baseball field.

Looking out to the Upper School Building

Tony and  Ellis checking out last years yearbook

 

Another view of the campus

Wednesday/First Day of School:

After getting the kids off to school, I spent the day in worry and tears. I worried about what I had done to them by moving them overseas. Were they happy at school? Would it be too hard? Would they make friends? Would they eat by themselves? Would they make it on the bus after school? If they made it on the bus, would they know where to get off? If they didn’t, how would they contact me? Then I worried about how the guidance counselor had mentioned that, by sending Hannah Grace back to the states for her senior year, her transcript for college would be a mess. Hey, buddy, I have enough on my plate for now. Thanks, anyway.

And then, the children came home…on the correct bus…at the correct time…with smiles on their faces. Good thing I worried.

Okay, so the bus missed our house by a few, but they made it! Hannah Grace did have to go back on the bus to grab Ellis. Apparently he was chatting it up with a new friend.

All smiles!

 

Bribery?

So, this not-so-great photo is a screen shot from a video that I took as Hannah Grace got off the bus on the second day of school (YES, I AM that mom). She stayed late on Thursday to practice with the varsity basketball team. MAN, was she excited! Because it is late in the season, she may only get to practice with them. She isn't sure if she will be able to travel with them for their game in Vietnam. Wait. WHAT?!!!

 

 

 

 

Houston, We Have a Problem

As I write this, I fully realize that I may fall under much criticism and seem like a spoiled brat.  The critics may not be too far off. I decided to share my thoughts anyway. After all, this blog is supposed to capture my true feelings so that I may look back on it and recall our life experiences. While I realize my issues below are not real world problems, when you move with your family to the other side of the world, I feel it is okay to complain just a bit. So “here we go”! (Jason Arnold, do you get it?)

We have made the move to Alabang (the Philippines) and are struggling with a bit of jet lag. We flew in on Sunday night and arrived at the house around 10 PM. Much to my dismay, Tony left bright and early Monday morning to start a full week of work. The cupboard was quite empty, so for breakfast we feasted on snacks that we had thrown in our carryon. Thankfully, Tony came home for a long lunch and grocery shopping. I have found that grocery shopping is one of my biggest struggles when I move away. I miss all things familiar. Luckily, the grocery store just around the corner has a section devoted to the USA. This delighted the children and me! Finding the right cheese and milk was a different story. I settled on boxed milk. Gag. Who knew I would long for the Publix brand organic milk?! I gave up on the cheese and don’t get me started on the meat.

Day 2 has begun and I am still knocked out with jetlag. My emotions are in a whirl, which is where my spoiled-like attitude comes in…here we go! After eating cereal and boxed milk out of a cup (our items from the states have yet to arrive), I rinsed my cup out in the sick to the sadness of seeing no disposal. After standing there for a few moments, I realized that I was breaking out into a sweat. There is no air con in the kitchen. Which brings me to my next rant; there isn’t central air in the house, only individual units in certain rooms. So you sweat, turn the air on, freeze, turn the air off, sweat and repeat the process. So, after weeping over no disposal and no air con in the kitchen, I decided to wash clothes. I knew we had a washer and dryer, but couldn’t recall where. Oh, that would be outside in the maid service area (which I am sure will be a future blog). Boxed milk, no disposal, no central air, and my washer and dryer outside, I decided to call it a morning and start my blog.

Not to worry, I am embracing these little hiccups. They have taken me back to my days at the beach house on Albatross where Memama would sweat in the kitchen and the cousins and I would stand in front of the window unit, holding our shirts over the unit to cool us down. I don’t even think we had a washer and dryer. But, we were together… and at the beach. Here, we have a lovely house with a pool…AND WE ARE TOGETHER.

What is a blog without a few photos:

Ellis sacked out about an hour before landing.

Hannah Grace checks out the sushi on our layover in Tokyo.

A little wine and a movie for me!

Just a few bags!

 

Our driver, Cesar, high fives Ellis.

It only took two vans to carry us and our luggage.

Our first meal out

Milk in a box

 

Australia and the USA covered!

 

 

My own personal amusement park

Miracle Strip Amusement Park was the place to go in the summer when I was younger. My nights there would be filled with laughs as we rode rides like the Log Flume and Dante’s Inferno. Some of my best belly laughs came while riding the Musical Express! All was fun and games until my cousin, Amy, wanted to ride the roller coaster. “Come on, Chryssa, you’ll like it.” Truth be told, I hated every moment in the forever long line and the anticipation as the coaster climbed each steep hill. As I departed the ride, even though my hands ached from holding on so tight, I still managed a smile.

Since March, my time in the states has been a little like those moments at Miracle Strip. I have watched beautiful sunsets and had great belly laughs as I have caught up with friends and family as we reminisced over old memories and made some new.  I was there to welcome my new nephew just a few days ago. What a special gift! My “hold on tight” moment came when Tony’s mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor in May. As frightening as that moment was for all of us, she has pulled through and doing better than we could ever imagine!  Our roller coaster ride continued as our place of residency came into question. In June, it became pretty clear that Texas was not going to be our home…at least not at the moment. We became hopeful for a project in Raleigh, NC. Unfortunately that fell through. It now looks like our family will be relocating to the Philippines. The kids and I will head to Clemson for the start of school while Tony awaits final word on our move. And so the roller coaster ride continues. Hey, maybe I will like it…and manage a smile.
 

Here are a few pictures to highlight our summer

 

Noah, Kendall, and Hannah Grace doing one of their favorite summertime activities.

 

A baby shower for my fabulous sister!

Hannah Grace and Giggy just days after the brain surgery.

Hannah Grace's 8th grade dance

 

 

 

Auburn Basketball Reunion

 

 

 

Florida vacation

Everyone loves to hear Uncle Bill's stories!

Happy July 4th!

 

Hannah Grace's big catch...all on her own!

 

Putt-Putt with the cousins

 

 I just loved that this belly laugh was caught on camera!

 

Introducing Micah Ellis Moore!

 

 

 

 

Bulimba Farewell

“Sappy.” That is how my child described his emotions during our last few days in Bulimba. Ellis walked into the kitchen one morning and said, “Mom, I am feeling sappy.” When I asked what he meant, he replied, “Well, I am sad to leave my friends here, but I am happy about going back to the states.” Yep, I felt sappy, too. While we had so much to look forward to in the states, the thought of saying goodbye to our dear friends tore at our heartstrings. Quite honestly, I know it was our last good-bye for many of them. Over the Christmas holiday, one of my favorite childhood friends asked me, “Are you really that happy or is that your Facebook life?” I got a good chuckle because she would totally be the one to call my bluff, but there was no bluff to be called. As happy as I was for a year and a half, I was just as sad those last few days.  I try to remind myself that I am one lucky girl to have experienced the Bulimba lifestyle. I am even luckier to have encountered such wonderful friends. So, thanks to my precious Rosie, “Until I see you again my friend, until I see you again…”

 

Now bear with me as I post some of my last moments in Bulimba.

 

 

I know this is fuzzy, but I love this crew!

The awesome foursome, minus Joy. See you in Paris, girls!

One of the things I will miss the most is walking Ellis to school. Here is Ellis with one of my favorite "Lollipop Ladies".

Dinner at the Customs House, my favorite restaurant.

Our fabulous neighbors, Gwyn and Lynn. On one of our last nights, he made a FEAST of steak, hamburgers, and sausages. I am not kidding! That doesn't include Lynn's variety of fabulous sides!

Hannah and Hannah Grace at Max Brenner's. Hannah was our first sleepover guest in Australia. What a doll!

Ellis had a handful of good Bud's. Here he is with one of them.

I loved the fresh squeezed juices and homemade lemonade! I didn't get a picture of my juice, but here is my favorite lemonade!

My dear friend, Jen. Sorry you had to miss work...not really.

Catching up with Katie at Custom's House. I told you it was one of my favorite places!

 

Oh, how I will miss those sunsets!

 

Our lawn bowling friends, the Gelaudes. I don't remember who won our last match. Haha!

 

The children got in on the action, too.

My Monday morning walking buddy, Erica. Our last trip up Main Street. The picture doesn't do it justice. This hill is STEEP!

A spur of the moment visit with Rosie and Stefania.

I am hoping I will see you in Canada!

One of my many scrabble dates with Amy. Say what you want, we had fun!

 

We will have to settle for Words With Friends for now.

Last Bunco: Funny enough, this picture was taken before the wine!

 

Our last Aussie lunch with the Gelaudes. See you in Houston!

 

Hannah Grace and Bri. Many tears were shed when Hannah Grace had to say goodbye.

Last play with Jakob, Lucas, and Tom. Here they are climbing the Memorial Park trees-Ellis's favorite!

Jakob's mom was so kind to bring along some treats.

 

I am not sure what they are doing here, but I love it! I still get teary-eyed when I think about the fun Ellis had with these boys!

 

My friends and I gathered for a wonderful lunch before I left. They gave me this beautiful Bulimba painting and a Stephanie Alexander cookbook. One day maybe I will be able to sit down and read their notes without shedding so many tears!

Forget the tissues, I brought a whole roll of toilet paper!

 

Toni and Jen, cracking me up. Don't they blend right in to the picture?

 

This is a perfect Erica and Rosie picture! Erica has a fabulous laugh and I LOVE that Rosie is ready to knock me out for taking so many pictures!

 

"Until I see you again my friends, until I see you again...."

Hugs to you all!

 

 

To ease the pain of leaving, we made a few pit stops on the way back to South Carolina.  Tony’s parents met us in Hawaii for a few days of relaxation. They then took the children back to the East coast where they were able to watch my dad and his team participate in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, Tony and I had a few more days of bliss in Napa with friends that I adore (and that live much closer, I might add)!

Giggy and Hannah Grace strolling the beaches of Hawaii

Anyone surprised?

 

Seriously the BEST pineapple shaved ice!

Hang ten!

Hannah Grace's highlight of the trip.

 

 

If you are ever in Hawaii, I highly recommend eating at Roy's!

 

 

OFF TO YOUNTVILLE, CA

 

 

Ready for our bike tour through wine country! Whose idea was this, anyway?

 

 

I was pretty impressed with my skills of taking pictures while riding a bike! There was only one time that I almost ate dirt.

 

Dinner after our wine tour. Notice our drinks?

 

Muir Woods National Monument

 

Hog Island Oysters=DELISH! I hate to admit it was worth the 6AM wake up call, Mark!

So, it is back to reality. The kids are in school, Tony has begun work in Houston, and I am still happy (Really, Krista).