Skip to main content

Life in the slow lane

As if the delay of my passport release was not enough, the office of Academic Affairs emailed to remind me that my work license was expiring. So much for being happily stuck at home, sweet home. I should probably start pleading for a miracle. There had to be something to make up for this black cloud over my holidaying head. I tried looking around and it's wonderful to find joys and faves despite all this trouble.

Ever tried going around looking for something you fancy eating in a downpour? Life in the slow lane. You can afford time to do what you want the way you want it. It was like stepping back into a world where deadlines don't exist. No alarm clocks. No meetings. Just friendly vendors selling fruits under trees in front of their houses.


Tuesday I sorted out a couple of beneficiary issues on my health insurance. If you are familiar with how paperwork is done in the Philippines, you would consider yourself lucky if you got things done in one go. This time I did and to celebrate I took Ma and Cj to Barrio Otso (Village 8) to spend a lovely afternoon eating a yummy dessert.


A friend said that my passport issue could be a sign that I should not go back to Bangkok, at least not just yet. Political unrest is happening there right now anyway. I thought it could be. I'm falling fast for the mountains around. They give the country girl in me a rather better view of the world out there.


Then Wednesday I rang DFA and was told my passport was on its way to Gensan from Manila. Things are looking up. My heart leapt to my throat. I am thankful and excited.

So this is what I fancied eating. Through the rain. Wish granted.

Labels:

Comments

  1. Jackie McGuinnessJanuary 28, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i am pamJanuary 28, 2014 at 9:34 PM

    liking the slow lane. when I go on vacation it takes me forever to slow down. but once I get there it is a nice change!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gemma WisemanJanuary 29, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    The slow lane gives you plenty of time to appreciate the beauty of little things around you. Love the first rainy photo and the gorgeous mountain view.

    ReplyDelete
  4. lina@happy familyJanuary 29, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    Wonderful shots.
    Agree with Gemma, the slow lane allows you to notice things that you probably overlooked.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MaryJanuary 31, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    Great shots! The colors in your sky are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LVJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:11 AM

    Glad things worked out for you. Trust your travels will be safe.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    What lovely shots.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JimJanuary 31, 2014 at 11:36 AM

    great shots

    ReplyDelete
  9. eileeninmdJanuary 31, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    I am glad your passport is on its way. Safe travels. Lovely series of photos. Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  10. PaulaJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:48 PM

    Wonderful photos! I hope your passport issue is resolved quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Regina January 31, 2014 at 10:23 PM

    Great captures!

    Happy weekend.

    Regina

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2014 at 11:04 PM

    Beautiful shots, the last one was very interesting and I'm glad your passport is on it's way. Mine just expired, I'm not looking forward to the hassle of renewing it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Barbara H.February 1, 2014 at 4:37 AM

    What pretty photos, especially of the mountains. I am so glad the passport issue seems to be worked out now, or nearly so at least.

    ReplyDelete
  14. LauraFebruary 2, 2014 at 4:09 AM

    I like the slow lane too… beautiful photos Hazel!

    ReplyDelete
  15. SusanFebruary 3, 2014 at 5:39 AM

    So it sounds like you will be able to return to Bangkok soon - hurray.
    That last photo is lovely. I don't know what you fancied, but it looks good.

    I hope this week brings you even more good news.

    ReplyDelete
  16. WillowFebruary 3, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    The slow lane has much to recommend it particularly the relaxed attitude.
    I hope your passport and work permit issues are solved in a miraculous 'one go'.

    ReplyDelete
  17. maiylahFebruary 6, 2014 at 3:22 PM

    halo-halo on a rainy day? :)

    happy to know that your passport is being processed na. yeah, i have read about the political unrest in BKK...hope that it will be a peaceful transition. Not going to hold my breath, though. I can always hope and pray. :)

    i love living in the province (where the air is definitely much cleaner), but can't; hubby and I feel that our sons are enrolled in "good" schools right now. would be unfair to move them to another school...maybe when they are older (college, maybe?lol) I'll go back home and stay there for good. :)

    hehe, haba na ng comment ko!

    thanks so much for sharing and linking over at Food Friday, Hazel
    i do enjoy reading your posts! :)

    good luck with the passport; enjoy your time with your kid and mom!

    ReplyDelete
  18. carol l mckennaFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:30 PM

    Wishing you much success in completing your passport need and glad you found what you wanted eat ~ and shared with your family ~ thanks, xxx

    carol and artmusedog
    www.acreativeharbor.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

Tacloban . It's where I spent two months of great adventure with college buddies at about the same age as the young adult artists in this video  We Are The World for Philippines ( Cover by Filipino Artsts ) This is the church where I served as piano accompanist for the 1990 summer student choir, and some of the services. According to reports it was filled with dead bodies when this shot was taken. Photo Courtesy: AUP Network on FB On Saturday, November 24th, Central World management (the former WTC Bangkok) lent space for a Haiyan fundraiser without charge. I'd like to commemorate the highlights:   One Voice: Help Haiyan Victims was a serendipity. Organizing events is something I had to pay money to study in grad school. But it was live learning right there that night and observing the process was free. Skywatch : Mission Tacloban The Bangkok Charity Orchestra   reflected tranquility in their music. Poor typhoon victims would benef
30 comments
Read more

Dyslexics and Developmental Pediatricians

Let me begin with an observation on the latter.  Developmental pediatricians in the Philippines are a rare breed. Or that's what I noticed. From society and organization websites, to forums, to word-of-mouth, to my own experience, they seem to be outnumbered by people who need their expertise. A parent of a child with developmental delays has to wait weeks or months to see one developmental pediatrician. Only thirty are listed on the Philippine Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Twenty-five in one Filipino autism blog, and that is not purely DevPeds. A child psychologist, child psychiatrist, and pediatric neurologist are mixed in the list, although they certainly are a big help too. At my son's speech therapy and psychology center I hear the same account from other parents - securing a time slot with a DevPed is hard. They are all fully booked throughout what could turn into a year. You may be lucky if someone withdraws but that rarely happens. I'm playing
25 comments
Read more

October charm

It's weekend! Time to share joys and faves: i . How I love autumn! I had so much fun putting together autumn scenes and quotes despite never actually having seen the season for real. ii . Check out my ABC chocolate - a gift from a girl friend on my birthday. It's too pretty to eat, which is good so then I avoid too much sugar. iii . Would you believe I got the ceramic plate for only 32 cents ? I imagine it would look fab with a slice of Black Forest or Red Velvet on it. Blue Monday iv . And here's Agalico - a quiet English tea room not far from where I live. It was wonderful savoring the charm while waiting for someone who joined me for tea. Weekend Reflection   v. As a fan of Japanese cuisine, I explore restaurants from time to time. It's Honmoni Sushi this week where I tried their saba in teriyake sauce . The set includes miso soup, vegetable salad, egg and tofu, and pickled zucchini. Delicious. Linking to - Fave Five , Pic
21 comments
Read more