signs of greatness

"A great man
shows his greatness
by how he treats little men."

Geoff and I were making the 10 hour trip back to Davao along winding roads, mountains, and coastlines. We had been driving all day when we came up behind an 18wheeler with messages printed on its mud flaps. Behind the right tires, this statement was printed in large multicolored English. Please...read it again...just to humor me!

"A great man
shows his greatness
by how he treats little men."

My jaw literally dropped and I busted out laughing saying, "Does that...say...what I think...it says?" The other mud flaps were labeled with bible verses about the fruit of the spirit. Wow, I'm hoping something was lost in translation because if this guy really means what he's saying, then he has really missed the point.

hiding place

We are hiding out in our house today. Right now there is a crudely made sign slapped up on our front door that reads:

The Logans
are
NOT AVAILABLE
today.
Texting only!

Here in the Philippines, you are rarely formally invited over to someone's house. It is expected that you will "drop by" anytime. We probably have a minimum of 3 "guests" at different times on our days off, not to mention during the week when practices and meetings are at our house (or the fact that we live in a compound with 10 other people). And it wouldn't be so bad except that it is polite to then invite them to sit down, stay awhile, eat your food, etc. So, yesterday, after this happened and our day off was suddenly turned upside down into a string of impromptu meetings, Geoff and I found ourselves frustrated and arguing. No good. Jesting, Geoff said, "I'm going to put up a sign. People should know better than to bother Americans on their day off!" And up the sign went :) We haven't had a single knock since.

rain

Ahhh... welcome rainy season. Although it was hard to capture on the photo, today it is raining a heavy fat slow rain. Thunder rolls in the distance, but it usually doesn't intrude too loudly on the peaceful sound of big rain drops soaking the earth. The rainy season has officially begun, and it will last until November. At that point, it supposedly transitions to the "cold" season which basically means mild and humid. Until then, our laundry will hang underneath the shed smelling of mildew by the time it is dry, and we will enjoy evenings under the shed with the laundry soaking in the cool air.