Stuff & Bits + 4th of July

We are finally moved into our new house and (almost) settled! We have one more shipment of HHE (all our stuff from VA) due to arrive Monday, but otherwise the house is basically unpacked and as organized as you can get it in a week. That is to say that everything is out of boxes and in/on shelves, but everything is kind of random right now while I try to figure out exactly where I want to everything to be. Our car is also here in the Philippines. Unfortunately that doesn't give me any better of an idea as to when we will actually get a hold of it, but at least it's here and didn't fall of the boat somewhere in the Pacific Ocean!

The new house is fantastic! It is a great size for us with each of the kids getting their own rooms, plus a nice big kitchen with tons of cabinet space. My only nitpick is that the cabinets appear to have been built for giants. I am probably an average height for a Filipino, so I can't imagine what the builders were thinking because I need a full-on ladder to reach the top shelves, rendering them totally useless to us. I have been on the hunt for shelf dividers that don't look cheap or tacky so that I can maximize  what shelf space I can access. We also have a nice backyard with a pool! Cannot complain about that! (expect for the part where it's the rainy season now so we really haven't been able to use it much ;) I also really like the neighborhood. Makati is very convenient to everything, and our commute has been cut down by about a 1/3 of the time, which is really nice. At some point I'll post about the pros and cons of all the different housing options here (since we've experienced them all at this point!).

In other news, 4th of July came and went. The Embassy had it's 4th of July party (usually the biggest event of the year for American Embassies), and as an entry-level officer, I had to work the party all night. My primary duty was to escort the band and anthem singers around and make sure they were all in the right place at the right time. After their duties were over, my job was entertain our guests and ensure that they were all having a good time. So, not really so much a party for me ;) I got to meet a lot of really interesting people from all walks of life. I also met and chatted with the former President of the Philippines for several minutes before one of my local staff mentioned who he actually was (in my defense, he did not look anything like the pictures of him on the internet!). I am so glad that I decided not to ask about anyone's job unless they brought it up because that would have been really embarrassing.

Me: So what do you do for a living?
Ex-P: Er, I used to run this place.
Me: So, you're unemployed?

It was also the first 4th for us overseas in a non-military setting. I say that because the 4th of July is always celebrated with great gusto at military bases overseas. I was surprised to find out that there was no family 4th of July celebration here. I suppose it wouldn't have made much of a difference anyway since it down poured all day (and the day before), so there was no grilling, pool play, or outdoor activities to be had as one usually associates with the 4th. They also had to cancel the fireworks at the Embassy party, which made me a little sad. We've not been overseas long enough to be unduly upset, but I wonder what it will be like next year after we've been here for a while.


Husband is currently on his way back from the US after a whirlwind trip to go get T&V, who will be with us tonight and for the rest of the summer. I took the kids out for lunch yesterday to the Chelsea Market and Cafe in Serendra, which has to be the best meal and service experience I've had so far in Manila. Very happy to have found this place! They have a Western style breakfast/brunch menu on weekends, so we'll have to try it out again sometime when the Husband gets back for a big family b-fast* I also got the girls haircuts (and when I find my camera I'll take some pics and post them because they look so cute with their new bobs!). I tried to get A to cut his hair, too, but he refused, insisting that it was okay for a boy to have long hair if he is a rock stahhhh.  He was also insistent that it didn't matter whether or not you actually cut your hair, you should still get a lollipop at the end. He solemnly placed his hands on my face, looked me straight in the eye, and said, "If you look deep in your heart, Mommy. You will see there is lollipops."


*One of the things we miss most about beach living are the awesome brunch places you can find. CA was killer for those!