As my Father explained to me, "Son, if you think your having a bad day. Read the newspaper's section on death announcements, and you'll find that your day isn't so bad!" While following that sage advice I noticed something else, they all passed away in alphabetical order. I knew then there must be a supreme being, as who else could cause that to happen?

We, whom choose to reside here, do so for sound reasons, the price of beer comes quickly to mind. The adventure that is ours every day! For example: Driving, I could go on and on with that subject alone. Yet if we think about it, we like it. Without that subject, while having a few beers, we'd loose 60% of things to complain about. I know that there are many more things to grouse about, but how many would be as funny?

The daily adventure: I needed flints for my Zippo Lighter; I went into a store in the market and asked if they carried flints? I even opened my Zippo and showed the young girl what I was looking for. I was told they carried no such item. My Brother-in-law smiled when I told him, and said, "Kuya, ask for stones!" I returned to the same girl, same store, on the same day, requested stones and walked away with 10 lighter flints. Never once questioning the logic, yet enjoying the humor of the encounter. Without this daily interaction my life would be dull with nothing to write about for this report.

So I wake up everyday knowing that something odd, or unusual will happen to me that day, and this is what keeps me going. For without it, life would be akin to our stateside friends who are now working for the Post Office, or other equally exciting job and waiting until after work for their first beer of the day.

On the subject of beer, my Brother called from Boston one Sunday and asked how was I doing? "Doing? Nothing!" I Said. Just a few friends and some beer, that's all! Then I was forced to admit that I was under some stress. That week the truck that delivers my beer never showed up. We all know how that can affect your day. I had to scramble to find some kid to bring me three cases from the Sari-sari up the road. The only thing that surprised him was that the beer truck would come to your door. "As it should be", I explained. For this and many other reasons I am glad that everyday I wake up here!