17 Philippines

Saturday was some day. Ruth and I met Edgar and we went all over Zambo. We took a Jeepney ride that had such a friendly conductor. I had my vid cam on and he was smiling away and just enjoying acting like a celebrity for the silly American.

Our first stop was Family Fried Chicken. Huge open air restaurant with a roof that looked like bamboo. Again we ordered to much food. The food is so cheap when you compare it to the US dollar that I get carried away and want to order one of everything plus most meals here are for more than one, usually 2 to 4.

Then to the barter trade in Canelar a fairly large market place for clothes and household essentials. Ruth was hesitant to take me here because it is run by Muslims. It was so fascinating all the clothes, blankets and what nots. Everything was so colorful. When we walked in a group of boys maybe 5 to 7 years old saw me and shouted hey whats your name. They started following us so I kept turning around to make faces at them. I told them my name after they kept asking. When we were done shopping I told them follow me. I bought the five boys orange pop. It just made their day.

From there we stopped in on Ruth's cousin Dentist Loida. I snapped photos of the small dentist office while someone was in the chair. Silly laughs and just having fun. Loida told me next time she will take care of my wisdom teeth for free.  Ho
ws that!
Then it was on to St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in downtown Zambo. A huge church. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/64935272 another must see site. Instead of writing more look at the link to see a few photos of it.

And then believe it or not we went to McDonald,s and it was my suggestion. I needed coffee and I missed french fry's. Maybe it was my imagination from not eating fry's in sometime but the fry's I had seemed to be 10 times better than in the US. The store in Zambo was mobbed with people so maybe they had to constantly make fresh fry's, what ever the reason was they were so good and not greasy.

We sat by the window and and a little boy kept knocking on the window begging for food which is quite normal here. He kept pressing his face against the glass so I turned on my vid cam and turned the screen around so he could see himself. He amused himself so much and then a few other kids got in the act when he waved them over to look. We left Mc' and I was followed by them and a wman with a small baby all the way across the street until they gave up.

From there we went to Mindpro Citi Mall. At all stores and malls there are security guards. When the lady guard at the Mindpro Mall saw me she waved me right through and said tantalizing eyes. Edgar that was the funniest thing and kept repeating it.

From the mall to another barter trade near the heart of the city but much smaller. Again I was like a celebrity. Here buy this buy that let me show you this. What country are you from, America we have coffee and a drink good for male stamina. Ended the night with an Alavar' dinner served in my room.

Yuck, tomorrow I leave and the LONG dreaded flight home. Flight leaves Zambo at 6:45 Sunday and I won't be home until 3 pm Monday and remember I gain 12 hours. That's about 33 hours or so of airports and flying.



Gotta GoGo!!

15 philippines

Wednesday we went to Ruth's sister Ester's to say goodby. She was taking off to Cebu.
Standing outside of the church waiting for a trike to take us a lady approached with a pail of LARGE shrimp, maybe more like prawns. Ruth and the lady negotiated a price. The lady pulled out a small scale from her bag, weighs the amount Ruth wanted, placed the shrimp in a bag and away she went walking down the street to find another customer.

I asked where she got the shrimp Ruth said probably pond raised. Just like that, no fuss and so fresh. I just can't imagine things like this in America, buying dope on a corner yes but fresh seafood, fruit, and whatever else nahhhhh.

Ruth pan fried the shrimp with salt, she let it boil until tje water from the fish dries then put some vinegar then when that dries put some oil and finally minced garlic. Wala!!

After her sisters I got myself settled into the next place, Alavar's bed and breakfast that is next door to Alavar's Seafood restaurant.

The rooms are so clean but you best like cold water showers as it doesn't have hot water.

The breakfast was another slight disappointment. The first morning rice – one egg and one hot dog. I hate hot dogs!! Second morning rice – one egg and two small sardines. I hate sardines.

The place is quiet and clean finally some much needed sleep.

Thursday  Ruth took me to Amigos Amigas.  I found another food I didn't like its called batchoy.  It had pork chicharon, garlic and noodles and on top a raw egg that when you mix it it is suppose to cook.  I thought it tasted slimy with the egg.

That's all
Gotta GoGo!!

11 Philippines

Thursday we didn't have time to go out. Walt packed his things and we headed to Ruth's sisters house.

Walt, my new brother in law Joshua, my new nephews CJ and Bern and I played basketball. Basketball is serious business even if they play it wearing flip flops or thongs.

After b'ball Jun and Timothy my other new brother in laws took Walt and I to Yakan village. It is a sect of Muslims that still weave and make things like bags, shirts the old way and in traditional fabrics and designs. Everything was so cheap but well made. I wanted to buy the whole village.

When they spotted me taking photos of the village a lady came up and said OH an American can I take your photo? Sure. Another lady runs up  WAIT let me take one to. Before I knew it there was a small group gathering to take photos. I said hey this is my adapted family, I mean adopted family who knows maybe they have adapted to my jokes. I said on the count of three everyone says USA Yakatan. After all the photos with me it was Walt's turn, another American more smiles and photos.

For our lunch we went back to the house and they served goat, poor goat is was so cute before the slaughter glad I didn't make friends but it was tasty.

After the lunch it was time to take Walt to the airport. Words donn't do justice to how thankful I was that Walt came and stood up on my behalf. Everything was successful. He got to experience the Filipino way of life, we showed him around and was part of the blessing.

After the airport went back to Ruth's sister so they could have a family meeting. I played cards with my new nieces and nephews. Uno and a card game called 1 2 3 pass. We had so many laughs, it was silly fun.

_______

9 Philippines

Tuesday Walt and I were warned don't go out of the hotel so we did. We couldn't find a place to eat that served somewhat normal breakfast food so we went back to the hotel to eat.

Constantly seeing new things. We saw a man and boy walking around with clear plastic bags and inside were fish, another had a large bucket full. They were trying to sell them. If I heard correctly there is no welfare so people do what they can to make money. Ruth scolded me for giving money to the beggars and used the old proverb about teaching a man to fish not giving him the fish. She only gives sometimes to the handicapped. Their government frowns on people who give money. I told Ruth if I lived here I may become one of the beggars because I would give all my money away to help the beggars.

At noon we went to the best seafood place in town Alavar's. But again this seafood is real seafood, not fish n chips or processed food. We ordered seafood bilao and Walt had shrimp with the best juice in the world , Alavar's juice and Zamboanga white.

Then we headed to her sister's house. Ruth's whole family except for Joshua’s wife and children. Introduced Walt and made final plans for the blessing. Jun showed us around Ebenezer, the church grounds and the beach. Little crabs everywhere. We didn't stay to long. We went back to the hotel and ate at Abalones again.

7 philippines

OK where was I, oh yeah walking around with Walt.

We got back and awaiting us at the desk was a package from Thata. A small box of kutsinta and a small bag of rice cake. Kucinta is flour, brown sugar molded into round patties of jello like consistency with grated cheese on top. Rice cakes are actually like a bun. I was upset about the rice cakes. I never got to eat all of them. I ate a few and left the bag open. During the night I ate one and in the morning I opened the bag and they were covered with bugs. YUCK! If you don't like bugs or roaches maybe this is not the place for you. Even where we ate lunch, Jolice, I noticed them.

Ruth came by at 3 to pick us. She rented a car from Maxwell with a driver to take us around. His name was Buddy Yugto a former police and owner of the rental car. It cost us 1,500 pesos for 4 hours. I highly recommend hiring him. Great personality, he will take you on a nice tour of places to see or take you where you want to go plus you will be safe with him. He watched over me and Walt like a hawk.

The first place we went to was Pavilion Astoria Regency to pay the balance due for the Blessing ceremony on Wednesday. We arrived and the place was crawling and surrounded by armed guards with machine guns. The reason was a Muslim wedding of 2,000. I asked our driver why the guards but he wouldn't say much other than maybe there to do their dirty work and they need to be watched. He was hesitant to even say what he did.

6 philippines

Monday Walt and I were left alone until after 1 pm with orders do not go out so we did, we went out right after breakfast in the hotel

I had the Filipino breakfast of Juice, longganiza, egg, toast instead of rice and Walt had the American with bacon. Most food here is so good but the portions are definitely not American size.

We left the hotel went to the bank BPI first to exchange currency. The teller refused most of our money because of tiny little tears. Travel tip, you need new to perfect bills or forget the exchange. There are exchange machines at some locations if you could find them, no questions asked, at the bank forms and questions and perfect greenbacks needed.

We walked Mayor Jaldon St. up one side down the other and walked a few side streets. Most of the stores have over head steel garage doors, most have cement floors, plain no frills and packed with goods. We stopped at the shoe store/ repair shop. About 8 male workers crammed into a small space busy at their sewing machines. I found a pair of white n black wing tips but a bit tight. The workers were all smiles and stopped working while I took their photo.

At a department variety store we entered a cute sales girl Eileen spotted me immediately and took me around the whole store. She had fun introducing me to all her co-workers and answering my silly questions. As we were leaving she asked hey do you have a number. At another store I heard from a hiding sales clerk shout I like your eyes. Walking down the street I heard American Idol and the stares. We never felt uneasy, more like celebrities.

The thing that was so impressive was there were so many neat stores, bakeries, restaurant and more stores. Walt made an observation how do you know what store to go to to find something, for instance one variety store on the third floor had a row of shelves for flowers, next row frames, next hardware and then thrown in motorcycle helmets. How would you know to go there for helmets?

The stores from the outside look small once you enter they go on and on with multiple levels. And just about every store was filled to the ceilings and mostly unorganized. At another variety store I was trying on shoes, I have small feet but still too big. At this store was a hole in the ceiling and when a clerk got an order he would call upstairs and the goods would be dropped down from the hole in the ceiling. And I don't care what store you enter the store clerks are well dressed and look like store clerks not like the slobs in America.

A few of the pet shops we passed had such sickly and diseased dogs in cages. Dogs for sale? That's one thing this country doesn't need more of, dogs.

number 1 Philippines

Hey Gang, its been awhile since I posted anything. Here I am sitting in Hopkins awaiting our flight to Detroit, to Japan and then on to Manila. I am going to Zambo the Latin City of the Philippines to visit Ruth.

This trip to the Philippines was quickly thrown together even though I kind of had most things prepared for take off as I have been in a holding pattern waiting for my marching orders for sometime. The fiancee visa got delayed for who knows what reason and since its taking so long Ruth said why don't you come the week of the 15^th and we can have the blessing. Whats that? Stay tuned!

It was an eventful week actually 3 weeks trying to cram everything in before embarking and yesterday was pure chaos running around like mad. I had to call my accountant, talk to my lawyer, run to the rental to check on the electrician, cut the grass there, hurry to the store, cut my grass, load up the van for work, clean 3 accounts, hurry home, desk work, chat with Ruth, more desk work, go to sleep at 7:30, awake at 8 with horrendous banging and scraping, its the driveway contractor. He did show up! Ain't that something when I return will have a new drive. I am excited but could of used the sleep.

OH almost forgot to tell you, Walt is with me. Hey after everything we have been through and how many years have I known Walt its only appropriate he meets Ruth first, sorry folks.

That's all for now, about to board for the very short trip to Detroit, slight lay over and then the marathon begins, 15 plus hours to Japan. Then another 4 to Manila. Its brutal that's a long time to be sitting.

Gotta GoGo!!

Carey

Careys pants and the preacher

Hey Gang, I wanted to write a lot more but I am leaving at 8 am for Frankenmuth Michigan with Walt and his family & friends so will quickly only write about my pants and the video I just placed on my website.

Before I left for the Philippines I took my new jean shorts to the tailor to sew velcro on the pockets. I was so freaked about what everyone told me, be careful, pick pockets, thiefs, watch your wallet, your back etc...... So I thought with velcro on the pockets it will keep them closed and my passport and wallet would be safe.

Only one problem. There are two sides to velcro. The stiff side and the There are two sides to velcro. The stiff side and the soft side. The lady tailor sewed the rough side on the outside of the pocket, I didn't notice this when I left but quickly found out the hard way. Everytime I reached in my pocket it tore up the back of my hand to the point of scratches and blood.


I finally quit using the pocket and carried a shoulder bag to hold my wallet and passport.

Well Ruth and I went to her brothers church where he preaches. The sermon was about storing up your treasures in heaven. And yours truly was used as an example about someone worrying about possesions here on earth.

Without telling you more just go to www.gogobus.cc and click on the VIDEO link on the left. I have added the sermon. Make sure you watch part 2 where Pastor Jun uses me as an example and demonstrates my pockets. Did you follow that?

While you are there look at the clip Carey and Ruth take a trike ride. Gosh I look like jet lag and more hit me. But its silly Carey at my welll not really best forget that thought, just watch it to see what the Philippines looks like.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Philippine Traffic part 3

I do have to tell you about the van ride in Cebu.
Ruth and I left the airport and went to a mall. After lunch and some shopping we decided to leave there and go to a bigger mall. So she found us a van that was heading there.

We get in this van that was parked in a large lot outside of the mall and we just sat. I asked Ruth whats going on? She said the driver is waiting until it fills up.

The van was a Nissan. It seemed just a bit bigger than the mini vans in the states but maybe it was just because all of the other cars are so small there. The roof was slightly raised, has a bench seat up front instead of the typical individual seats, behind that was a long narrow carpeted box that you could sit on, then three bench seats and each had a small jump seat attached at the end.

Finally it was filled with nine people and I thought OK three on each bench seat we can go now, but nope. The small jump seats were folded down. We waited until three more got on. That brought the total to twelve. I thought for sure we can go now, nope. We waited again until two more boarded up front, that made 15 and that shut the door. We were finally off. But then we stopped and picked up another passenger for a total of sixteen people and some with bags. Let me tell you, it was cramped.  All these passengers in an average size van with just normal tires. Try doing this in America.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am just now reading the newspapers I brought home from the trip. There are two articles from different writers about the plight of what to do with the traffic, pollution and congestion. I am telling you, its that bad.

The Philippine government tried a novel idea awhile back and is thinking of renewing it again that most are against. Its called the Odd and Even. It bans any vehicles from using the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue ( EDSA), with odd plate number endings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and even plate number endings on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They are also thinking of raising the gas price so people won't drive as much and also the idea of not issuing as many bus liscenses. Another has government workers only working 4 days from 7 am till 6 pm. Or possibly vehicle reduction by taking off the road vehicles that are deemed unsafe but they are not sure what to do with the displaced drivers who make a living driving. None of these are sensible if you ask me. 

But it is BAD, one study showed that the thoroughfare EDSA could only accomodate 1,600 buses but about 3,000 use it now and that does not count cars, trucks and other forms of transportation. Makes me appreciate living in a live ghost town like Cleveland where the rush hour is 20 minute long on a real busy day.


Serious though I hope this doesn't come to America, whoops in a way it already has with proposals to raise gas taxes, the push to rid us of our big cars, and the EPA mandates, maybe we should send Obama and EGore to fix things.
More to come....

Philippine Traffic part 2

I saw other things that just would never happen in America. I remember what Ruth said when I was praying to God to spare my life on the bike ride from Dakak and back, She said This is just life, and I replied This is just frightening. I thought we were nuts for driving with three adults on a small motorbike but that was nothing, I saw four men on one. I saw a girl riding side saddle with her feet swinging. I saw another bike with a driver and then behind him was a man holding his dog. Old ladies. They just seem so relaxed. Ruth was right this is just life at least to them.


Then there are the tricycles. I still don't understand the laws of physics because they seem to be broken in the Philippines. I don't see how its possible to fit five adults, one child, two suitcases, two travel bags and a couple of small bags in a tricycle with a tiny sidecar. But we did it. One trike that picked us up had a small boy eating an ear of corn sitting in front of the driver. The child wasn't strapped in or holding on, no concern just busy eating and occasionally shouting to someone he knew. I saw some vehicles so overloaded with people, that some were sitting on the roof. Ruths brother in law drove us to the hotel in the back of his pick up. He gave us plastic chairs to sit on. This would never happen in America, you wouldn't make it around the block before some do gooder gestapo would pull you over.

They also have regular taxis, mostly mid-size to small Toyota's. One taxi we rode in was just zooming along. I had to peek at the speedometer to see how fast he was going. But to my surprise, the speedometer wasn't working and neither was the fuel gauge! And yes, they cram as many as they can in these and as much luggage as possible, somehow it all fits.

Moving on to the next mode of transportation is the Jeepney, what the Philippines are famous for. These are a sight to see. Any one of them would be perfect for the local American cruise in. I believe they are like the OLD Volkswagen Beetle, where they all share a common frame but its the add ons that make them unique. Some had Rolls Royce grills, others brightly painted. They aren't that long and are narrow with a very low roof height. You have to bend to get in and out. They are very sparse inside and have two long bench seats on each side, some are padded some aren't. You sit facing each other, about eight per seat.

Finally the buses. Most if not all are independent not public. Ruth's brother Pastor Jun explained to me the different buses and why its better they are independently owned. Jun knew exactly which bus to flag down. He said some buses the fares are higher because there are fewer stops, other have more stops and are cheaper. Some buses are older and refurbished that might not be in the best shape and don't have air-conditioning. These have lower fares also. Some are for local, some for long distance. The bus we took to Ocean Park reminded me of something from Mexico. It was red inside and had red curtains with gold fringe.

Almost all the vehicles, from Buses to Trikes were individualized with different stickers, paint schemes, interiors, some had flowers on the dash. A lot of vehicles had Christian stickers or plaques.

to be continued......
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Philippine Traffic part 1

Its already been two weeks since I returned from my trip to see Ruth and its taken me about six of those days to get back to feeling normal. It took six days because I just got use to the hours in the Philippines then had to readjust, add to it the jet lag, the change of climate from two weeks of sunny and hot to cool and gray, missing all the delicious fresh fruit and food, and of course I miss spending time with Ruth. Its a lot of changes for the body and mind.


So I should finish my story because I never did write about the most important and really the only reason why I went, to meet Ruth, and I need to. But first I will continue on and write about the traffic. The traffic, oh my the traffic. I mentioned this briefly in my other postings but not in depth.

I will say this... the first two days I feared for my life and my first reaction to the traffic was this is almost as organized as a demolition derby. If a person has bad nerves or hates driving or traffic this could push him over the edge. Its that crazy. Cars zooming through intersections, motor cycles squeezing down middle of lanes between cars, buses tailgating, vehicles crossing over into on coming traffic to pass. And in a lot places in all this mass of traffic were vendors or individuals walking between vehicles harking their goods, water, peanuts, paper and other stuff.

The only time on the trip that seemed fairly quiet was on the way to Dakak Resort. Everywhere else there were cars, trucks, buses, motor bikes and what ever other transportation known to mankind. The traffic never seemed to ease up, even at night you hear horns.

OH OH OH I forgot to mention something very important that makes this seem even more insane, with all this traffic and madness there were NO stop lights and stop signs, they only exist at major intersections and are far and few between. Some streets had speed bumps to control speed but that's it. I don't even remember seeing speed limit signs, maybe they have them I don't know.

The other thing that can fray your nerves until you get use to it is the noise and the horn blowing. To the person not accustomed to this you think everyone is mad at each other for cutting them off. Not so as the Filipinos would say. Horns blow for many reasons, to let some one know you are passing, you are are stopping, to go around, horns blow to pick up passengers, constantly horns are blowing but not one finger was raised and not one notice of road rage or anger. Even at the intersections with no traffic lights, everyone converges, crossing traffic continues until a driver creeps up enough for the traffic to stop and then they go. Even here no anger or fingers saluting were noticed.

Believe it or not though after a few days you start to relax and realize that this is as safe or maybe safer than in America, I am serious, I will get to that later. And I also sat back and reflected how socialist and unfree America is. Here is a country with so much traffic, few stop lights and signs, speed limits that aren't posted and yet I did not see one, NOT ONE, accident or fender bender. NONE! Even in the newspaper only one traffic death was reported and it was because a policeman was trying to give a ticket to a taxi for stopping in a no loading zone. The taxi not wanting a ticket drove off and ran over the policeman. So it just proves that many of the tickets issued in America are not for safety but strictly REVENUE! I will also add to this comment later.

to be continued.....

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey Masci

Carey's Philippine Connection

Friends... I will be out of town from Oct.13 through the 27. Please send important political emails, prayer requests, and work related emails only until I get back. THANKS!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Gang,
I am venturing out to the Philippines to meet Ruth. I will be leaving on October 13th and returning the 27th. I know its right in the middle of my busiest month with the fall cleanups and my cleaning business, (even though its still very slow) and this year its even busier with all the campaigns I am helping but this is how it all fell in place so I am going for it.

One of my accounts during late winter this year had to let me go for a few months. She referred me to another client who wanted work done. I am not sure what happened but I only worked a few times at this new house and never heard from them again. The older account wanted to resume the service so I bounced right back to them. Now here is the connection. The wife at the house I maintained only a few times was half Filipino. They go to the Philippines a few times a year. Her husband told me what to expect if I would ever travel there and if I wanted to try Filipino food go to Nipa Hut in Parma.

So I went to Nipa Hut. I found out besides being a grocery store and restaurant the owner sells plane tickets and hotel reservations for the Philippines. He said the best time to go is October because it is the off season for tourism. I told him well if I ever decide to go I will be back. Connection 2

In mid July Ruth and I set a date to meet in October because that was her vacation. I went back to Nipa Hut and was able to get a very good deal on a round trip because of the month. Connection 3.

In September I called my credit card to make sure I could use it in the Philippines. When the lady heard where I was going she got excited and said I just got back from there. Her dad is Jewish but her Mom is a Filipina. I asked where the credit card call center was and she said I am in Iowa. She gave me some advice on what to bring, sun tan lotion, bug spray and take lots of pictures and said I am going to really enjoy myself.

Connection 4. At work recently someone threw out a Dell laptop. It looked almost new so I brought it home. It was able to be fixed. So I am bringing it along with me. Whats the connection? 36 hours of flying and layovers you best have something to do.

Connection 5. I have been self employed for many years and never ever received a government refund for taxes. This year was the first time, that's how slow its been. So I used that money for the plane ticket. Someone said maybe I should save the money for a rainy day. But I did. I'm going to the Philippines and its still the rainy season there.

An unconnection. Its so hot over there so I went to Best Men's Wear to find a pair of thin material dress/casual pants. I found the perfect pair made of micro polyester which is VERY lightweight. The pants were even the perfect color - orange. When I told Ruth she said the men here wear black or blue pants, don't bring those I don't want you to look to much like a foreigner. I said Ruth I am use to it, in my own country I look like a foreigner a lot of times. But she won, no orange pants. Kind of reminds me of the lime green suit story.

More on Nipa Hut.
I went back to Nipa Hut to make sure all was set with the airfare. I had a lengthy conversation about life, religion and politics with Poli the owner. He was telling me the Philippines will always be his home but he loves America and this is where is he staying. He has been here about 25 years. He said some people think China is the greatest country but they aren't, America is. America makes the world go round. Even though China makes everything the country is hurting economically because America is not buying enough from them. China depends on us. China can't get themselves out of this economic slump because they can't afford to buy their own products, they don't pay their workers enough. Interesting.

I told Poli I needed to leave to eat. He said our restaurant is open go sit down, my treat. He served me a spring roll, rice porridge and palabok. The spring roll and porridge were delicious. The palabok is a noodle dish with pork rinds. It was OK but if you love pork rinds than you would enjoy it.

Nipa Hut is located at 6775 W.130th St., Parma Hts., Ohio

I will be reporting in when I can from my trip but only posting here on my blog, no emails. So if you want to read where I am at and hows it going go to my blog.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Its so quiet!

Hey Gang,

Wow is it quiet, where is everyone? People are always popping in on me. Especially during the Christmas season I usually hear from old friends and acquaintances. But lately no one, not even emails, well a few of you are still emailing. I got a card from Ed in WV, Lisa in Erie, and Connie from NC who said she is not online much anymore and recently bought a house. But I wonder what happened to the rest, like Mark in Indiana, Brenda from NC, Margaret, Michelle from the Philippines, Lisa in Alabama to name a few.
Maybe my rants and mood swings got to everyone, maybe its the economy and the direction our country has taken that has everyone stressed, maybe everyone is taking a break or people have just moved on. Maybe I should take this quiet and just blog and have people follow me over there. Who knows.
You have heard me say this before, its hard to write when little comes across my screen, that and I have been staying home a whole lot more.
Anyways......

I ran into Walt and his youngest daughter Danny at the mall the other day. Danny reminded me that this year don't use regular socks, use socks like Santa brings. Every year I like to bring Walt's kids a gift and a Christmas stocking filled with little trinkets and candy. Last year instead of the typical fuzzy red Christmas stocking I bought regular mens socks. Hey its not the socks - its what's in the socks that count.

One person I have heard from is Tri from Indonesia. She IM'd the other day. Haven't heard from her in some time. She is quite an inspiration. How many of you would do this for a sister? Tri's dad passed away years ago and her Mother took off and left Tri and her sister alone. Tri raised her sister. This year the sister will being going to college and Tri said she will have to find another job to help pay for the schooling and even though she is feeling down she needs to remain strong for her sister.
So would you do that for a sibling, especially one of age?

I want so bad to scream and kick everyone who is in charge of this country, past and present. Ruth and I had planned months ago and worked diligently for her to come here for a Christmas visit. I changed my schedule, saved up money to help with her airfare, planned with my sister so Ruth could stay there. Ruth and I were on the computer for HOURS researching on what to do. I stayed up way past my bedtime, not getting to bed till 7 am. Ruth paid the passport fee, got a security check, paid for the visa, scheduled her appointment with the US embassy. Ruth lives in the southern part of the Philippines and had to fly north to Manilla for the meeting. She arrived in Manilla a day early to make sure she wouldn't miss the appointment, arrived at the US Embassy on time at 8 am, waited four hours in line for a one minute interview just for them to tell her she is denied. I am so fuming mad!
Walt reminded me of a video clip I sent out of Lou Dobbs. The clip was about Lou's anger towards amnesty and rights for illegals. He said if you are trying to get to this country legally, get to the back of the line suckers! And thats exactly how I feel. There is NO reason for someone as Ruth to be denied. Her dad was a minister, NO record of any kind, she has worked at the same school since 1994 and has been that schools principal since 2005. Its twisted.

I will close with....
This time of year there are many of us alone and feeling the emptiness of the season. So if you know of someone alone, an elderly person, someone disabled, our troops over seas or even if its a long forgotten friend, get in touch with that person. It will do a world of good for your soul as well as the other person.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

I sent this same request out last year. If you have a Christmas memory you would like to share please email and I will include it in the next writing.

Some Careyism's for you

Hey Gang,
Hope everyones Thanksgiving was wonderful. I have more important things to write about but someone said haven't received anything from you in awhile so taking a break to send you these Careyism's.

Home Church
Wednesday the 18th Dov invited me to the house church he attends. Its a small gathering, up to about 10 people. Dov had asked me to attend before but I was always busy. This time I was available so accepted the invite. At this home church they start their bible/prayer service with supper. We were already seated and eating when another member, Stan, arrived. He looked at me and said "Are you the politician"? I was surprised to say the least. I wasn't sure how he knew.
After supper we gathered in the living room. Stan started it off. He said that since they started this home church he has been keeping track of the people they have been praying for. He brought along his note book and a print out sheet for everyone to take home of the prayer requests. He read the requests out loud and lo and behold my name was on the list. I asked do they do this all the time? Stan said no it was something that was on my heart. What timing that the day I decide to attend I get to hear my name mentioned and meet strangers who were praying for me. I was so encouraged and blessed by it. I must add, it was Dov who had asked for prayers for me. Thanks Dov.

The Filipino and the Philippines
As everyone knows I have been in touch with Ruth from the Philippines for sometime now. She is trying to come for a visit. My sister Cindi is a nurse and works with several doctors who are Filipino's. These doctors are hosting a benefit at the Marriot in Beachwood on Dece. 12th to help the Philippines. Cindi received 4 tickets to attend and asked me if I wanted to go. I thought it was just a neat coincidence talking to someone from the Philippines and then being invited to a fund raiser for the Philippines.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Meet my new international friends

Hey Gang,
Meet my new international friends.
I have been logging into different Yahoo chat rooms lately. Either the political or Christian rooms. I have met some very friendly and interesting individuals.
There is Nancy from Africa, she is 25 and a student. We keep missing each other so haven't talked to much with her. I am curious to know more about her country.
Then there is Ruth. Not Ruth from the Philippines but Ruth from the Philippines! HUH? Oh.... I know its confusing. Ruth is not the same Ruth I have been talking to since January 2008. This Ruth is 59, married for 37 years and has 6 children aged.. 35, 34, 31, 25, 20 and 17.. and 3 grand kids. Her youngest daughter, 20, just graduated from college. Ruth is protestant.. presbyterian and active with the church choir. She trained the choir and plays the piano. When I meet someone in a chat room I usually tell them to look at my website to get a glimpse of who I am instead of answering all kinds of questions. Ruth was hesitant thinking it may be a hoax. In the past she was a victim of fraud. A Nigerian hacked into her email. I can relate, if you remember about 2 years ago someone from Nigeria did the same to me. But in the end, Ruth did look at the website. And I think she is glad she did, right Ruth?
And Ruth did ask why don't I write something about my new friend from the Philippines? Well Ruth, I just have.
Then a few months back I met Gandhi from India. He is a pastor and has a church. Please take a look at his webpage. He has an interesting story to tell. Its http://www.gpoministries.org/about-us.html. Gandhi, when time allows we need to get caught
up.
And finally there is Kuriako from India who just BAM popped up and eliminated the formalities and talked to me as if I knew him. He posted his story on the GoGo Board. I really suggest you read it. It makes one think, hummina hummina!! What a story.

Talking to people over seas and in different nations puts a different perspective on things I was surprised how many in India and the Philippines are Christians. Both countries though do have their issues and problems with unruly and disruptive Muslims. And as over here, but maybe worse is financial problems which seem to be global.
Thats all for now. If you like to say hi to any one of them, leave a message on the GoGo Board. Go to www.gogobus.cc and click on POST A MESSAGE, from there go to the POST A MESSAGE GOGO HERE link.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Happy Easter Everyone

Hey Gang,
Happy Easter to you and your loved ones.
This past Tuesday I was invited by Walt and his wife Jamie to attend their church, St. John Vianney in Mentor, Ohio. Their son Jimmy is in the church choir. The 8Th grade of the church put on a play about the days leading up to the Crucifixion.
Some people ask me what church I attend and my usual reply is I am a gypsy in a way, I have certain churches I attend more than others but I go where ever I feel or am invited. Some people won't dare step in a church other than their own denomination. Some condemn other church's if its not like the beliefs in their church. And some people get caught up in following rituals. But if you study Jesus being crucified and rising from the grave it has more than one meaning. Obviously the first and foremost is Jesus dieing for our sins. But also included in that one great act is our freedom here on earth that we are not bound by the law. So as long as a church is not some man made religion as so many have cropped up in the last 100 years or so and if the church is bible based I am comfortable with attending it.
As for the play it was a very well acted play. They had little time and props so only hit on the most important events of the Crucifixion and Jesus rising. But one thing disturbed me, it was the title. The title of the play was "What a Week for Jesus". Even the tone in the girls voice who gave the closing downplayed the seriousness of it all. When she said it I immediately thought What a week for Jesus - Ferris Bueller's Day Off. They need to fix that title. Other than that, it was wonderful, the church and the play.

Good Friday in the Philippines
I have been chatting on line with Ruth who is from the Philippines. It is so interesting learning about her culture. Here is a brief description of a parade they had in Zamboanga City on Good Friday.
I just watched the Catholic Parade of Saints, a lot of people and a carriage for a Jesus beaten, nailed, and crucified. I think they had about 15 to 16 carriages, each carriage had a different Jesus in it with flowers. Not all in the parade dress in costume, some devotees wear white others royal blue, some dress like the 12 disciples. It is a quiet parade, sort of more reverent, with a solemn music following. They have band instruments, trumpet, a drum.
Before the parade I went to church, it is so refreshing. There was a tambourine danceand the soloist is a very good singer. Before our pastor preached he showed us a little part of a movie. A man lost his son while taking care of the train, he was a train master. He lost his son and saved all the people riding in the train. He had to choose who to save the people or his son. He chose to save the people, just like what God the Father did to all of us. Ruth attends Christian Alliance Church.

Once Again, Happy Easter Everyone,
Carey