The Best Way To Make Money While Living Overseas
I posted twelve pictures mostly taken on Christmas eve. They are of the boys making their Christmas stockings, something I did when I was about Jason’s age.
There are some pictures of Christmas decorations of the type I’ve only seen in the Philippines but think they have a bit of Chinese and Spanish influence about them
I thought I’d make some random notes about what is going on with myself and those close to me for my first Christmas in the Philippines. I have spent many Christmas’ alone. Sometimes not even Star In The Parka phone call. It doesn’t take a lot for my Christmas to be good. I wish I had my computer here so I had all my Christmas music. Perhaps by next year we’ll have that and a karaoke machine as well. Not being alone is all i really need to have a fantastic Christmas. I estimate spending about 10 Christmas alone, including the two most recent ones.
For some people, Christmas is a time of dread and pain. They usually remember the good time, maybe last year or maybe 20 years ago. I think the memory of those good times make it even harder. People usually suggest to them to go volunteer for a soup kitchen on Christmas day or something like that. That’s not a bad idea except, for many people that are alone, their alone because they don’t relate to people very well. They may be very shy. It is likely that the loneliness leaves them with the feeling that others don’t want to be around them. That makes volunteerism difficult for many. If they can get past that, doing something productive, giving to others really can help one feel less alone or at least take the bit out of it. Giving to others can give someone a reason for being, it can bring a peace. Again, many people that are alone for Christmas are alone the rest of the time too, Christmas just makes it extremely difficult. I’ve witnessed some extreme Christmas pain by some people during the Christmas season, especially on Christmas day.
I enjoyed watching Jessie today while we were shopping for toys and decorations for Christmas. Prince Warehouse had specials starting today so we waited until now to do any real Christmas shoping. She was so happy when the toys for the boys started piling up. I could see it all over her face. it kind of looked like the Christmas she always wanted as a child. in many ways, she was very child like today. I loved every minute of it.
Now that I don’t live in the US, I think I’m beginning to see the world in a different way. As you probably know, a 24 year old man was killed Friday morning that was working as a temporary employee. It seems that the customers waiting outside for the store to open. Was it to open at 5am? I don’t know. The tragedy happened when mob mentality set in and the waiting customers broke the doors down. The results were the temporary worker was killed while trying to earn a few extra dollars for his family.
