Finally got all the kinks ironed out in my computer set-up at my temporary home here in the Philippines. My dad had “built” a computer for me and I had to figure out how to download photos, re-size, transfer them to the blog, etc. etc.

A Weary Traveler

Mary at Narita airport

Waiting for the final leg on our plane trip - Tokyo to Manila. Mary had already been on a 1-hour flight from Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL, a 3-hour stopover at O’Hare International Airport (Chicago) and a 13-hour flight from Chicago to Tokyo. This was 4 pm, Tokyo time— 2 AM, Mary’s time.

Tinola

Mom's tinola

“Ask and you shall receive…”

I requested this soup from my mom, as one of the first dishes I wanted her to make for me. It’s MUCH, MUCH tastier than it looks. That’s the chicken blood/rice cake(? dumpling? ball? -not really sure how to call it) in the center of the photo.

Cousins!

MAry with her cousins

Mary with her first cousins, Ana, 14, Joshua, 6, Nikka, 16 and Jopi, 19.

This One’s For You, Jack!

Balut

Balut

And, honey, I did eat that hairy part.

Oh, and don’t worry— your daughter did not have any…

Not yet.