Living in the Rain

We've had a number of assignments over the years but we've never lived anywhere that had a rainy season. Rainy season seems to have hit the Philippines early this year though. From all that I read it is normally July and August but if this isnt rainy season I think we are in for a mess! I think we are on day 7 of rain now and the next ten day forecast is summed up in that one little four letter word..RAIN and more RAIN. Every assignment is different though and you just find a way to deal with what is thrown your way (or drops from the sky on you!)

Manila Restaurants

We've been trying out the restaurants little by little since arriving in Manila. We've found some we like enough to go back several times, and some that we just ok. Around here everyone seems to deliver. We ordered chicken for delivery once, and we plan to try out subway delivery soon. I guess I should not get totally used to this delivery scheme because we know for sure we won’t have this luxury at the next location. But that's part of military life isn't it? Finding the things you love about each new place you go, and remembering the good times as you reminisce about where you have been before. The picture is from our delivery order of Bacolod Chicken Inasal. You can read more about it here.

Unsent Letters and an update

I forgot to come update yesterday. Bad start to keeping track of things huh?
I didn't add any new AC articles yesterday but I did do my today.com blog and worked on several articles I have started. I did promo on twitter for a few things.

Today I have done my today.com blog and am going to finish one more AC article today I hope.

I also want to highlight a new writing project. Michelle Devon has just started Unsent Letters. You can read about it here. The guidelines for submitting a letter for consideration for publishing on her blog or possible publication in a book are posted on the blog.

Michy is a great person who gives advice and guidance to new writers. Her website is Accentuate Services and there is a wonderful supportive group of folks in the forum there.

Earning income after PCS moves

I am one of the lucky few who has been able to bring my job with me when making a PCS move. I was a bit worried about whether it would be allowed this time since our move was to an overseas location in a completely different timezone. But I have retained my telecommuting job and am working through the different time issues to find what works best.With that said, I have also looked at things that could be done for income if the job were not available. Since I know this is often the case with military spouses who move with the member, or who opt to stay home with the children, I thought I would highlight the things I am doing online. Granted my income is very limited from online sources right now, but maybe someone can find info in what I am doing to help them out.

I'm also going to use the spot here to track what I have done on these on line resources, because it helps to keep me accountable on a page somewhere.

As the days go on I will summarize the areas I am talking about.

Today I did 1 blog post on my Today.com blog www.livingabroad.today.com

I submitted one article to AC for upfront payment.

If I manage to submit more before the day is over I will be back to update.

Mardi Gras Word Searches

We just left an area where Mardi Gras was a big celebration. Before living in Florida I didn't really know much about the festivals and had no clue what Fat Tuesday was all about. The kids were able to learn about the festival season and associate it with the lenten season also. To make the learning more fun we always looked for worksheets and puzzles to do. Here are some links to word searches for Mardi Gras, Read More Here

Yes we are still around!

We made the PCS move just before Christmas and I have totally ignored my blogs since then. We've had almost 2 months to adjust and it has definitely been an adjustment. I hope to get back to more active blogging in the next few weeks to come. I did start a new blog just for recording this adventure. You can read about our live in the Philippines here

If you have a spouse deploying soon, don't forget about the option of the Deployment Savings Program for a high interest savings account. You can read more about it in my AC article here.

Living in Temporary Lodging

The day has finally come. Yesterday I started moving our things to TLF. It's kind of bittersweet. I want to be gone. I want this over. But my preteen is having a tough tough time with this move. He remembers moving here but he was just a little 6 year old then. A tiny one it seemed at the time. And now? Well now he is a seventh grader and has topped the 6 foot mark, with men's size 13 feet. Where did my little guy go? It's tough to leave here since this is where all of his childhood is. We plan to come back but really we know you can never go back. When we come back it will be different. Maybe some of his friends will be gone. Maybe the schools won't be what he remembers. I guess those are not really maybes. I know things won't be the same. I know it is part of growing up. This is just my mom-side kicking in wanting to protect my not so little guy from hurting. He's already decided that he's not going to make friends at the new location because after all, he will just have to leave them behind 3 years from now. This is the part of the military like that is just plain hard! So yes, we have moved into TLF, and it's good to know that this in transition stage will be over soon, but I know these next few days have a lot of stress loaded into them. Hopefully the days will go by quickly.

Rahm Emanuel - Chief of Staff?

The first day after election didnt even pass and the rumors are out there again. This time it's likely they will materialize and our next Chief of Staff will be named. In June, speculation abounded that Rahm Emanuel, Obama's fellow Democratic Congressional member from Illinois, was being slated to take over Obama's Senate seat upon his election. In July, that rumor changed, with Rahm Emanuel being mentioned as the future Speaker of the House. Read more about Rahm here.

Being Overseas on Election Day-Manila PI

If you read my previous blog on things you learn while PCSing you may realize that I've not made it to the overseas status yet but my better half has. There are many things you experience in overseas life that are different from your stateside experience. I wrote an article today for Associated Content on Election Watch in the Philippines. I hope I can add some pictures before the night is over. The US Embassy will be set up in two malls in the Philippines to share how US Elections work. You can read the article here, and I will post pictures when they are available.

Ten Things I've Learned as a Military Wife

There's a lot to be learned from being a Military Wife. There are many events that offer a challenge to the military family but one that leads the list is making a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move.

I made a top ten list of things I have learned during this PCS move. I've love to hear anything you'd like to add to the list, or see your topten if you want to link one to your blog.

You can read my list here.

Tween Halloween Party in Base Housing

Being a Tween at Halloween may be another in between age group situation. Parents can solve this by hosting a Progressive Halloween Party especially for Tweens. A Progressive party moves from one house to another with different Halloween events and food provided a tween party host. This type party works great in base housing units where friends live close enough to walk from one house to another.

If you are new to the area, this may be the chance to get to know your kids friends, and their parents.

Continue for Tips on a Tween Progressive Halloween Party

Military Terms, A to Z... A is for...

As a Military spouse, there is a whole new language to learn. This series of articles will provide an alphabetical approach to explaining a few terms Military Spouses will find helpful in their day to day adventure with Military life. These terms are certainly not all inclusive. They reflect ones which would pertain to the spouse or family more than just to the military member. Starting with A... A is for Appropriations Act, AAFES, Allotments, and Allowances.

Continue to read term definitions.

Feel free to add your letter A term by adding a comment.

Tips for PCSing with Teens

It's PCS time in our household again and as any Military family knows the S in PCS really stands for STRESS!

I wrote an article recently for Associated Content on Tips for helping teens adjust to moves. It's definitely not easy. It's not easy as an adult but for an adolescent who has worked hard to make and maintain friendships it is exceptionally stressful. I have six kidlets who are out on their own doing their own things, be it college or marriage or work. I have one middle schooler at home and a granddaughter who lives with me. We've been in air mattress stage going on two months now and the fun of the camping adventure with limited household items available has about worn down to nothing. Personally I hope the paperwork saga will end soon and we can get on the way to living in one household again. But for my teen? He'd stay on the air mattress forever if it meant not having to leave!

You can read my Tips on Moving with a Teen article HERE.

When Your Spouse Joins the Military

Being a military spouse can be difficult but also is rewarding. When you and your spouse have decided that he/she will join one of the military services, it is important that you stay engaged in what is going on and informed on the events to come. As a military spouse, you will learn a lot about military life and you will need to learn the ins and outs of the military. A well adapted military spouse knows that there will be alone times (deployments, training, long work hours), knows that she/he can handle things on their own when needed but also knows that many before her have supported their spouses military life and help/support systems are in place based on many years of lessons learned by others. Continue

Welcome to Military Life 101

Military Life...Boy it's hard to define. Kinda like nailing jello to the tree. One thing is for sure, if you are sharing this military world with me I would wager your life is not dull and boring and you dont have to worry about routine being a way of life. I've been associated with the Military for 28 years now. I enlisted in the USAF in Jul 1980 as delayed entry and went to Basic Training in Jan 1981. I retired in Oct 2001. Since joining, I have worn the hat of Enlisted military member, Single Mom in the military, Military married to Military, Divorced Mom in the Military, Military married to Military (Round 2!), Retired Military married to Military, and am soon to be Retired Military married to a Military guy with a Military son. Eventually my active duty spouse will retire but by then I should have two military sons. I dont see my world ever being without the military influence. I've got a few plans for things I want to blog about. We'll see how well I can work them into my mom/work/finish PCSing schedule!