Greetings from the Philippines

Hi everyone! I hadn't realised I could still access my blog account, so that's good news... However, I can't do anything with it, hence why Dad's gonna forward this on for me.

Belated congratulations to Gem and Clive! I hope you had a lovely anniversary. And also congrats J+R! I'm so stoked about Louis; he's gorgeous! Are you in the UK at the moment then? Looking forward to getting to meet him someday :)

Dad mentioned that Grandad in particular would love to know how I'm getting on over here so I thought I'd give you all an overview. So... I'm staying in Baguio, a city which is about 6-7 hours bus drive from Manila and it's in the mountains so it's much cooler than at sea level - a really comfortable temperature actually, around 18-24 degrees during the day I reckon. I've been here just over three weeks, so I've properly settled in now and made some great friendships, going a long way to making it easier being so far from home! It's still the school holidays at the moment (term starts up next Monday), so in terms of my volunteer work at the school it's been relatively quiet. During my first week I helped out at a three-day summer school and the week after that I helped run an English Theater workshop. Both were on a much smaller scale than school will be (and even then the school is relatively small - around 150 students I think) but it was a great opportunity to start getting to know some of the kids that I'll be working with soon.

English is widely spoken here, but I found a lot of Filipinos to be shy about using it in my presence, I guess because I'm the expert there! So at first it was a little difficult getting conversation going with some people but that's getting easier as time goes. And a lot of the children find it much harder to speak it, being so much younger and therefore still learning. The main Filipino language is Tagalog but they often use a combination of Tagalog and English - Taglish - and I'm sure it's just a case of whichever language first comes to mind in expressing a given sentence!

I've found the way of life here to be generally more laid back than in the UK, which, amongst other things, might have something to do with the laid back Filipino timing! It's not as bad as in other countries - I find it to be a little annoying sometimes but it makes things generally more flexible. And I find the Filipinos to be lovely people, quite sensitive and gentle which I like. In terms of my character I think I fit in well here, which is a good thing! Someone told me that, besides the accent difference, they can quite easily tell an American from an English person and they prefer the English!

Baguio is a great little city, very colourful, busy and polluted - I think the latter might actually be irritating my eyes a bit! There are loads of people, often carting produce to/from market, which is a great place that smells wonderfully of fish! There are small shops or stalls selling snacks nearly everywhere you look. And then lots of traffic. We get around a lot using jeepneys, which are colourfully decorated elongated jeeps. A very cosy form of transport, as the idea is to get as many people as humanly possible to sit on each of the benches running the length of the vehicle - it's good fun! And I get stared at a lot! Sometimes smiled at, greeted or called after. Westerners are few and far between in this area!

This last week was spent in preparation for school and for the wedding we had yesterday between Bevs, the directress of the school, and Domz, the school sports coach. I was asked to be one of the ushers, so that was an interesting task, and it gave me a good opportunity to meet people and feel 'part of it'. It was really good, in particular the little traditions they have such as the releasing of live doves and the prosperity dance, where people pin money to the couple as they dance! And then this week we have both preparation for the new term and some 50 odd people coming to stay here at the school for a convention which is taking place over three days, I think. So I'm sure I'll be kept relatively busy!

Hopefully that's given you a general picture... Obviously I can't attach any photos so here's a public link to my facebook album if you want to take a look. Hopefully it'll work.

Anyway, I'm having a really great time and I know I'll be home before I know it! Hope you're all keeping well! Lots of love, Jess xx

Appreciation

Hi Ruth, Here is the jacket blurb. LOVE the book!

“In Cherries from Chauvet’s Orchard, cellist Ruth Phillips makes music with words, capturing on the page what her painter husband, Julian Merrow-Smith, does on canvas—a way of life that is achingly romantic yet not romanticized, that is earthbound yet exquisite, and one where sweat is rewarded with transcendence. As the couple struggles to build their home out of a farm ruin beneath the shadow of Mt. Ventoux and to make a living and life together, Julian must harness his muse. In a modern-day twist in this ancient place of luscious colors and cuisine, it is the worldwide web that changes their life. This is a true story of talent, ingenuity, and success against the odds, of pathos, passion, and humor. You won’t put it down.”

--Dean King, author of Skeletons on the Zahara and Unbound

Let's move to Thame, Oxfordshire

It's not submitted to the gifte shoppe yet.


One imagines that behind the facades of the pretty old houses live antiques dealers who wear non-ironic cravats. Photograph: Katherine Rose

Tom Dyckhoff - The Guardian, Saturday 28 May 2011

What's going for it? If Thame were a person, I fancy it as Peter Bowles, in his late 70s To The Manor Born phase. Of a certain vintage, ruddy-faced, fruity. I imagine that behind the facades of the pretty old houses live antiques dealers who wear non-ironic cravats, or doughty ladies concerned about their ceanothuses, and with "pasts" long ago, on and off King's Road. Thame metamorphosed from cute-looking farming town to escape-for-raffish-up-from-Londoners in the 70s, when the M40 ended just outside – extending the definition of home counties by a few miles. And all the lovely bygone property was snapped up. "It's never been the same since," a shopkeeper said. So I didn't dare bring up the M40's extension to Birmingham in the 90s, unleashing the denizens of Smethwick upon the town. It survived, needless to say, its model English town looks simply gaining a middle-aged spread of commuter estates, and the odd gift shop replacing country outfitters on the high street. These days, Thame hasn't relinquished itself entirely to those commuting hordes who can't quite afford the Cotswolds. There's still a great butcher's, a shop selling dolls' houses, a smashing bookshop, dreamy watermeadows and walks up on the Chiltern Hills.

The case against Not as expensive or snobbish as the Cotswolds have become, but not far off. Parochial, in the best and worst senses.

Well connected? Haddenham & Thame Parkway, a couple of miles out of town, gets you to Marylebone in Lonodn in 50-ish minutes and High Wycombe in 17, half-hourly; hourly to Birmingham, 85 minutes. The M40 makes Oxford 25 minutes away.

Schools Primary: St Joseph's Catholic, Barley Hill and John Hampden are all "good", says Ofsted. Secondary: Lord Williams's is "good" with "outstanding features".

Hang out at... The gorgeous garden at Sir Charles Napier in Chinnor.

Where to buy You'll want a nice period cottage in the old centre, won't you, or a farmhousey thing on the edge of town? Lovely Victorian terraces and small town houses on the streets surrounding the centre, too, and don't miss nearby villages such as Haddenham, Long Crendon and Chinnor. Everyone wants a honey-stone cottage: ergo the 70s estates are quite affordable. and

Market values Large detacheds and town houses, £450,000-£750,000. Detacheds, £270,000-£450,000. Semis, £200,000-£400,000. Terraces, £170,000-£350,000. Flats, £125,000-£200,000

Bargain of the week One-bed terrace in the centre, £146,500, with Connells (01844 260000).

• Live in Thame? Join the debate below

From the streets:

Elizabeth Chubb "There's a real community feeling – you always bump into people you know. It has two good bookshops and a cattle market twice a week. The only downside is the Thame Fair – four days of funfairs and louche behaviour."

Dr Andrew Markus "My wife and I have lived here for 50 years; it's kept its friendly market town feel, with small shops covering many needs."

Amy and Jay Critoph "There's a picturesque cycle path, beautiful walks in the Chiltern Hills, and pub food to the highest standard we've come across. The Thatch is good for a lazy Sunday lunch and the Rising Sun pub offers a surprisingly delicious Thai takeaway.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/may/28/lets-move-to-thame-oxfordshire

Oldest Merrow meets youngest.

Yesterday Julian and Ruth popped in to say howdee and of course brought with them young Louis Joseph, We were introduced and I picked him up. What a weight and a big smile for his Granddad.
He is such a lovely little boy and he was interested in the Test Match, which was on TV.
He enjoyed rolling about on my carpet watched over by a beaming Mum and Dad.


SINGAPORE NEWS
What a collection of Sngs, Nic. I hope you had room for them all, or was it at Dublin Road.
I expect Ivy and Ah Chia were very busy looking after Lettie and "The Boys".
Were all the second team there with you and Jen,. Lee and Ming with their husbands and family.
Wish I'd been there!! What a gathering of Doctors, Dentists and Engineers!

Sng Family Gathering

Well brother's and big sis, be encouraged to know I'm with the 4 Sng brothers and their sis. Ronald, Daniel, Letty and the twins Bobby and Jimmy. Ah, all talking about their children now we have covered the health and weather reports. Seriously a very interesting bunch. For those familiar with the food on such occasions we have eaten Satay, Popiah, Durian, Magostene.

Regarding the British Grand Prix , I've yet to look into it further so bear with me.

Sng Family Gathering

Well brother's and big sis, be encouraged to know I'm with the 4 Sng brothers and their sis. Ronald, Daniel, Letty and the twins Bobby and Jimmy. Ah, all talking about their children now we have covered the health and weather reports. Seriously a very interesting bunch. For those familiar with the food on such occasions we have eaten Satay, Popiah, Durian, Magostene.

Regarding the British Grand Prix , I've yet to look into it further so bear with me.

Nic

F1timing app awesome (I mean quite good). Here are the practice timings.
The track seems to have a tiny water leak bubbling up through the tarmac.

Win a 5* holiday in Mauritius

Dear Family,

This is the hotel Clive and I stayed for part of our trip in Mauritius. They sent me a competition to win a holiday, so thought better share with you all. Worth entering!!

http://www.constancehotels.com/exclusive/Promo-April-competition/quiz-.html

Neighbours!

Scots Guards in Wantage

I had a time

The time of my life, I saw a man who danced with his wife (Old Twitter song ) Chicago. Dad

Congratulations to Pete

The new Biology Teacher at Sir Henry Floyd in Aylesbury> Well done, Son!! Dad

Happy Anniversary Gemma and Clive

Have a beautiful day. Love from us all.xxxxx

AS I WAS SAYING

Congratulations to Gemma and Clive. When I look back on our joint visits to Mauritius two years ago, I do with happiness and thanks that we all had such a wonderful time. I am just sorry that Grandma and I did not make to her next birthday. Love to all Dad.

Vintage Kodak

Ok, check out this guy's blog. It was featured in the Guardian paper today, brilliant idea and hilarious:

Dads are the original hipsters

love G xx

Memories

Shut up you lot, you'll get me going. Thanks for remembering Mauritius, as if you would not remember, Gem !! Nearly two years now
I watched a lovely lovely programme last night The Magical World of Michael Crawford. Included shots of Some Mothers, Barnum, Hello Dolly and Phantom. I nearly rang June at 11.30 as it was being repeated at 3.45 am this morning, and she has Sky + instant recording, but I never!.
Sun is shining so have a good day, y'all. Love from Dad.

Bluebells and tractors

Bluebell
Originally uploaded by CRESTW00D

Christmas Common after Mums 79th.
For her 80th she was over the Indian Ocean in a 747.
I hope there are nice toilets up in heaven.

Bluebells and Beech trees

Four years ago, after a Indian meal to celibrate Mums birthday, we all drove up to Christmas Common, we followed a line of vintage tractors and walked about among the blue bells under the vivid green of the Beech trees. There are some lovely picture somewhere of that day.

A happy thought

Happy Birthday to Grandma. I was remembering today on Grandma's birthday that it was her birthday on the plane on the way to Mauritius, two years ago now. I remember all the lovely days on the warm beach, looking across to see her laid out on the sun lounger under the shade,; then appearing each evening all glammed up meeting us for a pre-dinner cocktail (the daiquiries were a a particular hit).

Its funny where little memories pop up. I thought of her again as we spotted some battenberg cake in the supermarket, and fancied it, so reminiscent of Grandma's Saturday evening teas at Oakley Road. So its a cup of tea and a slice of battenburg for my Grandma.

love to all, Gem xx.

Margaret Silvia Merrow-Smith

The second of Mum's Birthday's without her, still missing her like mad. But I am very thankful for her life. Last year we were together to remember her, today we will remember her in our own places, but love her just the same. I thinking of you Dad, all my love Cathy xxxxx....p.s wouldn't she have loved to have seeen smiley baby Louis.

Mum's Birthday

Tomorrow, 11th June 2011 would have been Mum's 82nd birthday. Please say a prayer for her (and one for me) R.I.P Dad

The first Cherry

Hope you are all having a nice weekend. I went for a very nice walk with my parents and ate my first cherry. It was a bit sour and made me pull a funny face. Love Louis.

This Time is Was Pete

Phone call on Saturday from Pete asking me if I would like to accompany him to Cheltenham to pick up some Bee Hives he had seen on eBAY. Right, so he turns up on Saturday morning to take me with him to Cheltenham. One thing about eBay is that I get to see different parts of the countryside. This time it was via Chippy and Stow into the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside on a lovely April morning. "Oh to be in England now that April is there" Well we were there and it was lovely!
I don't know how many miles we travelled but we eventually arrived in a field full of boxes that turned out to be "bee hives" Pete was not very impressed as they appeared to be made out of ply-wood, although the frames were OK inside. To pay some £65 each seemed like daylight robbery so we reversed and continued on through to Cheltenham and made our way along the A 40 and home. A beautiful drive but not so good on the way back as the Cotswolds. I went with Pete to Forty Green as Jess was packing up ready to fly to the Plillipines (Manilla), on the morrow, via Brunei. Beth was out and was hoping to return at midnight, so after a cuppa and some food, Pete drove me back to K/S. A lovely day out.
Today, I spoke to JJ and Julian on the Skype. JJ was a bit tired after his trip to Paris to try and get a visa, as he only had a Mali passport and they all got some 'baby' training, as he was very tired!! We said our farewells and I switched off Skype.

Just then I had a knock on the front door and received 150 special copies of Cherries, in three large cardboard boxes. I struggled to open the top box, anticipating who had sent me such a collection of cardboard boxes using the only sharp knife I had, An everlasting carving knife that we had bought in an hotel in Eastbourne on one Annual Meeting of the Catenian Association. The boxes were too heavy to move and they were in my front porch, preventing me from closing the door. However, I struggled and eventually managed to close the door. I had also managed to extract the first book, confirmig that the delivery was indeed, Cherries from Chauvet's Orchard, so I rang Julian to tell him my good news and I have been reading the top book and have got halfway through when I realised that I still had this email in draft form. I have passed M. Chauvet's passing and I will continue after tea. So long all and I hope you will all soon receive the book and love it as much as I do.

On the move...

Well quite some decor job has been done on Oakley Road! Someone has been watching too many makeover shows, far too over the top!

Clive and I (all being well), are on the move ourselves in couple of months from Wantage over to Witney, as we bagged ourselves a new (rented) flat this week.

Love G xx

Chez Merrow-Smith

So you want to have a whip round then and potter along to the auction house?

Happy Birthday Edmund

I hope you are having a good day studying!

Also up for sale...

Fancy a nice family home in Chinnor?

Derelict Farmhouse for sale.. oo! oo! oo! (quiet Muttley)

How Much?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW TO EDMUND

DEAR EDMUND
SORRY I MISSED YOU LAST WEEK, BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD EMAIL YOU VIA MUM'S TO WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY. I REMEMBER SEEING YOU WHEN YOU WERE FIRST BORN. HARDLY SEEMS 20 YEARS. MUCH LOVE AND HAPPINESS FOR YOU FUTURE FROM YOUR LOVING GRAND DAD, HUGH