Anyway, here's some pics, some stolen from Jill's blog.

Fortunately above activities proceeded without a hitch.

Much more difficult was moving the stuff up 29 steps into the 3rd floor of the house, compounded by the fact that the keys to the front door were left inside the other day. I had to drill / pound on the door knob until it gave way (I replaced it with a new one that night, I had a spare doorknob with me, talk about prepared).

We celebrated that evening with our traditional baked porkchops, this time with mashed potatoes and some non-sucky wine for a change.

A closer look.

Day 2 was another whirlwind of activity, highlighted by the use of some much, MUCH appreciated SM GCs, used for buying groceries and kitchenware.

Actually it wasn't so hard if it weren't for the fact I was fighting off a cold that may have come from perspiring so much during the pictorials of our wedding day and just the overall exhaustion of the whole affair, plus of course the mind - numbing 38 degree heat.

Night of Day 2 we had some fried itik bought from a store we pass along the highway. It was our first time to try it after planning so long to buy one. The owners said they boil it in spices, freeze it, then deep fry it when someone buys one. It cost P180 and I give it a 7 out of 10.

Here's our bedroom so far.

Obviously a mess. Here's the kitchen:

My plants:

Jill at work.

View from the terrace (the streak is a passing plane).

I'm writing this morning of Day 3, so a lot more updates more to come. Today we're staying in till I can get rid of my nasty cough and cold symptoms, and I've gotta set up my computer and other stuff (I'm using Jill's laptop).

Good news is: it's nice and windy, and the 3rd floor house is really nice to look at in the bright sunlight. There are also no mosquitoes, and (allelujah) we never had to spend a day without cable and DSL. Cable was transferred promptly on the day we scheduled it and DSL was connected on Day 1, so yehey.

Bad news? If any, it's the 29 steps. A workout especially if bringing in groceries and stuff.

Next week? CEBU!

well, actually there's two houses, #105 and #108. I think these will go low on our priority list, as they offer no specific advantage over previous candidate dwelling #1 (the 3rd floor house). The only thing it has over the 'little house' (the one I live in now) is that these have floor tiles while mine is bare cement, and they have a 2nd floor.

But they require 2x the rent, and they're even farther away from the highway, so I'm iffy at best.

So today I went to the PLDT office where they made me sign a piece of paper that'd make them do a survey if the village where the 3rd floor place can accommodate the all-important DSL. Stupid company will charge you P2,700 'transfer fee' plus disconnect you 2-3 weeks while moving. They should rename that 'incompetence fee' because, really, why should I suffer 2-3 weeks of no connection if all they need to do is disconnect the 1st and connect the 2nd, which can probaby be done in one action?

Ach, whatever. Pending this, Candidate #2 aka 'the 3rd floor' is lookin' good.

My place looks nicest in the mornings and late afternoons when the sun sets.

Took some of those pics when I was on my way to Ge's place at another village 10 minutes away.

In other news, I'm starting to play ball again but again, my previous gout experience has me feeling like I have a sprained ankle. I should start using my playing shoes now (I just use slippers, which probably aggravates the situation), but everyone else in slippers so..

This place comes alive at around 530pm, when everyone comes home from school / work. Around 450pm I was shooting hoops alone at the park, then 20 minutes later the place was packed with guys from nearby TechnoPark playing ball and a bunch of kids hanging around.

This place is ok, really. Can't say I'm bored since there's tons of work to do. And since the gimmick places are far I get to avoid spending as well - an unexpected treat for my wallet.