10 Snippets

Due to popular demand, "10 Snippets" has made it back on the blog! I think it might just make regular appearances. So here goes...

1) there are teensy tinsy ants everywhere. and I mean everywhere. kitchen cabinets, clothes closet, classroom, bathroom, bed...you get the idea

2) a bathroom is actually called a "CR" or "comfort room"

3) this is a cooldest part of the year. on average, my bedroom stays at 85 degrees.

4) most women wear long shorts and t-shirts all the time, even while swimming. I'm getting a great farmer's tan

5) if you have dust allergies beware! nothing stays dust or dirt free due to open houses. we never close the windows because we don't have air con

6) weekends are hotter than weekdays. simply because the classrooms where I spend most of my day have air con. praise the Lord

7) all white westerners are filthy rich. didn't ya know?

8) there are lots of beggars, everywhere. it's really heart-breaking because you really can't help them.

9) the wealthy, middle class, and poor are all intermingled. There are rows of squatters beside gated communities.

10) people go to college to work at the grocery store. you graduate high school at 16, then go to college just to get a job that pays a few dollars a day. Most employers only hire for a few months at a time so that they don't have to pay benefits to employees. Life here is not easy.

Well I hate that this "10 Snippets" ended on a sad note, but that's life in the Philippines!