OK, Yeah.....It's Been Like Forever....

...and I haven't posted anything.

Well, it's only been recently I realized how much my mind was stuck in Manila as far as how I am adapting to life back in Cincinnati. I still often find myself trying to figure out the people here.

Back in October I met a woman who had moved here in 2008 and was still looking for work, and still trying to figure out the people in Cincinnati. A few weeks ago I realized I too had been here a long time, was still looking for work, and still trying to figure out Cincinnatians! I don't know if unsuccessful job searches and seeing the inhabitants of a place from the point of an outsider have anything in common, but there it is.

It took me a while - a long while - to understand many things about the Filipinos in Manila, then I left. I just hope I find a job before I figure out Cincinnatians; they're not as easy to figure out as Manilans.

Not Amongst Them

Update:

Edson found published a list of the names of the dead Filipino seamen from the tragic fire aboard a ship off the coast of Venezuela in late December. It was great relief to know our dear friend Norman was not among them.

Thanks for a Great 2009!

To: Ajjie, Aaron, Aris, Ben, Benjie, Bill, Billy, Booboy, Brian, Bryant, Caridad, Conan, Dania, Daniel, Darcy, David, Dee, Dennis, Dexter, Diwa, Doi, Donald, Don, Ed, Emil, Edson (and all the Cabalfin clan!), Erwin, Erwyn, Fil, Franco, Glenn, Greg, Iñaki, JaBari, John, Jappoy, Jason, Jong, Jeremy, Joel, Joey, John, Johnny, Josh, John, Kelly, Ken, Kit, Leah, Luis, the Malvars, Maki, Mark, Maricel, Miles, Mom, Marje, Nick, Norman (we pray you're safe!), Ombet, Reinan, Rex, Rhandy, Rick, Robert, Sean, Tim, Tony, Vinscent, Williard, Yucel and all the other people on both sides of the Pacific who helped to make 2009 a great year.

THANKS!

A Wish for a Dear Friend

Edson and I received the troubling news on December 26th of six Filipino sailors who were found dead after the ship on which they were working caught fire off the coast of Venezuela. A very good friend of ours, Norman, is working on a ship which travels between Nova Scotia and Brazil. We are praying he was not aboard this ship.

Please keep "our son" and his safety in your thoughts and prayers.

My Book on Mangenguey Now Available on Blurb!

A large, lavish book of my photography capturing the beauty of the paradise island of Mangenguey is now available!

paradiso

images of mangengu...

By Jay Plogman

Book Preview

(US readers: Blurb is having a sale! Save $10 through December 31, 2009 using promo code GREATGIFT. Just click on the badge above to order.)

Christmas Holiday Wishes

*Thanks Mom!

Oh, I Remember You!

Almost three years ago, just before Edson and I left the US for the Philippines, we had lunch with my father at a popular local restaurant in Cincinnati, named Ron's Roost, a restaurant rightly famous for its fried chicken. Edson loved it. Last night we returned to Ron's Roost after almost three years.

The waitress remembered us...specifically Edson.

After almost three years.

We figure he was the last, if not only, Asian at Ron's Roost.

We could've told her he was the president of the Philippines and she'd believe us. I'm not saying that to insinuate she's gullible, just that I'm quite certain over half the population of the US doesn't know the Philippine president is a woman, and likely couldn't find the Philippines on an unmarked map.

This afternoon we found ourselves at The Container Store, preparing ourselves for our move to our new place and decided we'll have to get ourselves some of their Lined Makati Baskets:They're now on sale for $19.99 - 29.99. Perhaps these will remind us of Makati?? Doubtful. But one never knows...three years from now, perhaps a few Lined Makati Baskets in our closet will remind us of our life in Makati.

Oh, I remember....!