Late Night – Up With the Rooster…

It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog, so I thought I’d take the time to do that now. It’s 3:14 AM, here, in the Philippines and it’s my normal routine to be up for an hour or two to check email, etc. Things have been going rather well, over here. I’ve cranked up my oDesk output to about $360 per week – which is phenomenal. I’m racing towards that new computer and comfy office chair that will make my life a lot easier. Working on a laptop for 7 hours a day, 6 days a week can get old, pretty fast. Especially when the chair you’re sitting on is substandard. But I’m not complaining – gratitude is my middle name for all the work I’ve been getting.

Right now, everyone is asleep, upstairs. Tonight we have a nephew and his girlfriend visiting us, so the current menagerie (besides myself) consists of Alma, niece Rancel and our two guests – all sound asleep. Brother Elmer is at work in the call center and should be finished around 6AM. Downstairs, Ondai (the Filipino wolf-dog) is snoozing under the couch and the pregnant cat is sitting on a table, just outside the front door. The neighbor’s rooster is beginning to crow – adding to the ambiance. The rest of the neighborhood is quiet. Folks don’t usually start their day until about 5AM. Because of the hot tropical climate, it’s usually best to center one’s activities around the early part of the day or the early evening with a siesta in the mid-afternoon (if you can).

With my current financial situation, life has become quite simplified. I’m happy with this, since I no longer look forward to unforeseen complexities. I think the flood and the broken leg were quite sufficient, thank you. These days, I’m just bouncing back and forth between surgical procedure articles and casino gambling hints with occasional forays into town, with Alma, for needed supplies. Next month, I’m scheduled to attend a family reunion out in the provinces. I’m really looking forward to that since it’ll be my first opportunity to see the picturesque side of the Philippines – complete with tropical ocean and delectable seafood. Believe it or not, after a year and a half, I’ve never seen the areas of the Philippines that one sees in the travel commercials. My experiences have been confined to either major business urban areas (where the call centers are situated) or to the less than desirable outlying suburbs (think naked children being bathed on the sidewalks). I have to admit, though, the sub-division, where I live, is pretty cool – complete with roaming vegetable, fish, mango and coconut merchants.

Well, I’m getting tired. Time to go back to bed – until around 7:30AM. Then I’ll get up and start my work routine for the day. See you soon…