The new funky clock on our wall...in the process of being installed...

And here's the completed product! Can you tell what time it is? Honestly, this one works better than most of the clocks in our house, barring the one on my wrist. I have a thing for clocks - no idea why - but most of them are actually not even functioning! Somebody show this girl to the clock repair man!

Tuesday brought a fun and long awaited visit to the oldest Jeepney factory in the Philippines - Sarao Motors, Inc. This was a field trip for the boys (and me). Jim enjoys "tinkering around" with cars (okay, he rebuilds them) and my dad has the hairbrained notion that he might one day be the proud owner of the family jeepney. You can even check out his blog for more pictures and even a price list! We were told not to expect anything special, but it was interesting all the same and I think our expectations were in line with the actual product. It was a primitive factory with lots of very old machinery - possibly dating back to the opening of the factory in 1953. Only 14 employees are left building jeepneys as it was explained to us that the jeepney business is in a "slump" lately. While we visited, they were all on their break and my dad was a little disappointed that none of the equipment was running, but we did get to see an artist at work on the side of a new jeepney. A few had "sold" signs on them as well and we were able to see various stages of the production. In the past, tours were given, but as the industry continued to go downhill, so did tours. Nonetheless a productive and interesting visit.

Some of you may not know that jeepneys are the product of WWII, adapting old american army jeeps left after the war. These vehicles are now widely used as public transportation, though there are many that are privately owned as well. They are famous for being colorful, if not downright gaudy and for some delicious smoke belching, but they are probably one of the most common an affordable methods of public transportation used by locals.

The Fun...

The Fabulous...

And the utterly Fantastic...

Dad and Jim checking out the bodies of some new Jeepney's.

Some old Jeepney's waiting in line for some TLC...

I think this is the chassis? I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I was just looking at it from a purely artistic point of view...

An old Jeepney from 1955...

Bright colored jeepney upholstery...

Not sure what this is for, but they keep lots in the warehouse...

Street vendor outside our gate, demonstrating how necessary it is to find a good disguise...

Gardener removing the "hazardous" coconuts from our coconut tree that rises straight above a seating area by the pool. Chicken little wouldn't even be able to talk to warn the world that the sky was falling - he'd be out cold - or dead!

Elizabeth, Joan, Cindy and I took a shopping trip to Quiapo to look for glassware and linens. We all came home with some great treasures, but not before our encounter with the armored truck in the busy market place - passing between stalls with inches to spare! When the drivers saw they were being photographed, the waved!

The wares surrounding Quiapo Church...

Barry and I caught the "Il Divo" concert that came to town, Saturday night, January 20. For those of you who are not familiar with this group, it is the international opera equivalent of In Sync or The Backstreet Boys - 4 guys from 4 different countries singing classical as well as popular tunes in several different languages. The concert was great but there were a few really wierd things that went on here that could only happen in this country. First, the concert was supposed to start at 8pm, but it was barely half full and not a hint of beginning until 8:30pm, when the announcer asked everyone to please take their seats for the arrival of the President of the Philippines. There was booing all over the audience until she arrived with her entourage, at which point, everyone gave her a standing ovation. Talk about passive-aggressive! During the concert, one couple felt that 8pm start time actually meant 9:50 and arrived then, catching the last 15 minutes of the concert. Maybe the tickets were a gift, but what a waste! Then, to top it all off, during the encore, the performers decided to sit at the edge of the stage with their feet dangling over. Apparently this was some kind of a signal for all overdressed large haired women to descend upon the performers, shake their hands and ask for their autographs - while they were singing! Interesting....

There exists a new phenomenon in our house called the teenager...Stevii just turned 13 on January 2. Here's the crew after a long night's birthday sleepover, still crashed on the couch and all over the living room. Stevii is in the middle. Happy Birthday Stevii!