Tims Blog

 I moved to the Philippines in February
2007 and have lived here since I retired from the Marine Corps.  I
came here as an English teacher for students of Korean and Japanese
decent. I found working for companies was nothing like that in the US.
 Additionally being a Marine I had a hard time adjusting to the
disconnect between the different parts of the company.  I found they
employed people in various position and just created obstacles to
actually getting work done.  The wages are so low they can afford to
hire superfluous people and give them a title.  So to say the least
the job lasted 6 months. I then opened several Internet cafes around
the Lapu Lapu and Talisay area.  Those for fun for a while however
once the thrill was over I was slightly bored and closed them down.  I
have found different areas and different cultures depending where I
live on the island of Cebu.  First living in Cordova which is on
Mactan Island. I found that I was treated much like a tourist.  Since
the airport is relatively close. Plus alot of nice hotels are located
on the island. I really did not care for that feeling to much.  I then
moved farther from the city or so I thought.  I moved to Talisay. I
did like the feel of Talisay and the people treated me more like a
local. The city had all the needs you could want. Though searching
could be a bit of a task.  I was longing for a little more flavor in
my life.  I wanted to experience what it is to live here.  So I moved
to Toledo.  I have found this to be nice.  The people are a little
different they act and caring themselves differently.  It is small
town life with Cebu just being a 45 min motor bike ride over the
mountain. The cost of living is cheaper then anywhere I have been.  I
live in a nice 2 bedroom fully furnished apartment about 40 sq meter
(375 sq feet) house.  Running hot water, stove, Dream TV, really a
nice place.  It is quite and right on the beach.  I get all this for a
huge 10,000 peso a month ($220,00).  It seems life is a little easier
and pollution of the big city is not here.  The learning curve
continues as continue to learn more and more about the culture and the
life here in the Philippines.I just think I will stay.
 
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I AM BACK

9/28/2010 6:59:22 AM

Well if bad luck were contagious I would stay away from me.   Lets see the month started with a Bike crash.  Lived to tell the story.  Then I decieded my night vision was better then it was and I walked into a wall and injured my eye.  Then got Dengue fever.  Oh boy oh boy.  If that were not enough.  Mother nature played a huge trick and lightning struck my pole on my house. Blew out the computer and my internet.  Like life could deal anymore drama my way.

The previous month my Uncle in Law passed away.  So it has not been a good 60 days.  But now I am back.....

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Reader Comments:

CebuNed commented:
Sep 29, 10 -3:32 PM

Welcome back Tim,

      As the old saying goes " When it rains it pours"....Sure, you've had a couple of months of let downs and hard times, but things can only get better.

      I miss your little blogs and am happy to see they will soon return.

     Keep fighting the good fight, you will end up on the top.

           Ned

Dengue Fever

9/8/2010 3:15:08 AM

Just before the first of the month I camed down with what I thought was the flu.  My fever was hovering around 39 and was feeling just sick.  This went on for about a week.  It felt like I had a serious sinus infection as the back of my eyes were just so sore.  I was taking every possible medication I had in my cabinet to try and get rid of the head headache.  Well after a week of struggling with the fever I was feeling alot better.  I had no energy but feeling so much better.  I had a strange rash that formed on my arms and legs.  Though I had just discounted it as a heat rash related to the high fever I had.  That night I went to sleep and my arms legs and palms burned and itched all night.  I did not sleep at all.  I was up scratching and just pure uncomfortable.  I had no fever actutaully I was at 36 degrees.  Well the next morning I was about at a zero for the energy level though I had no fever.  My hands feet and body was aching all over.  So off to the hospital I went as the rash was looking really bad. 

The Doctor performed a few blood tests and found my platelet count was at 117 when150 -300 is normal.  So I was admited to the hospital for observation.  A few IV's later I was feeling better and spent the night in the hospital as my platelet count was trying to recover.    All is well now however it did take a few days for the energy level to return.  Dengue is really no joke.  When you think it is over your troubles are just begining.  The fever was gone but that was when the trouble really started.  Rash and low platelet count. 

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Reader Comments:

CebuNed commented:
Sep 8, 10 -1:21 PM

Hey Tim,

                 Hate to bark at you, but you waited to long to go to the hospital, next time you will know better. But I'm very happy to read your doing better now and hope you have a complete recovery. I had to watch my niece battle dengue once before. Good thing I was in Cebu at the time, I put her in Cebu Dr.s Hosp. and paid the bill.  She came close to death, but is now a happy healthy  10 year old...

       Get well soon, I need someone to help me mix some concrete when I arrive in Feb...LOL

            Ned

Tim commented:
Sep 9, 10 -1:11 PM

Thanks for the kind word.  Feeling great now.  Not sure about concerte however I supervise real well.

fanboat commented:
Sep 13, 10 -4:54 AM

Seems only a matter of time and I will catch dengue fever too.

What should I take to rid of this condition

Is Tawa-Tawa all I should need?

akomi commented:
Sep 15, 10 -11:30 PM

Had the same ordeal with dengue a couple of years ago and spent a week in Cebu Doctors Hospital. Hope your recovery is as good as the one i had.

Bruce commented:
Oct 6, 10 -5:43 AM
rbm

Hello mr Norseman, yeh its not easy went through same earlier this year, plattlet under 100. Had a really miserable couple of weeks, guess lucky as got the bite in Zambonga and at least was able to make it back to Cebu before it really hit.

Hope your bad month has come to an end...

I am often in your area pottering around on my litle bike with YOUNG GF would love to meet up with you and Pedro.

Used to be mates with Gunther, he owns or perhaps owned The Zwieble resaurant in Balamban, any news if he is still around?  Last couple of timesI visited  nobody there knew anything.

 

         cheers

Matt commented:
Oct 18, 10 -12:24 AM
Tawa-Tawa

I can't see the point of going to the hospital to be honest except for the monitoring of the Palate count but that's personal preference! had Dengue myself and the Tawa-Tawa had me up and about within 3 days. Generally the Tawa-Tawa is good for a lot of things not just Dengue and well worth taking. Would advise mixing in some Orange Tang with it as it doesn't taste great it.

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