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Customer Service: Things are tough all over
“Looks like our job here is done!” proudly stated the lead dryer installer after placing a micro clothes dryer in our wash closet and plugging it in. The man was 6’4” about 220 lbs. and reminded me of...
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Fake News in the Philippines
As I predicted in January this year, Fake News has now become a major problem in the Philippines! Although it was already in existence for some time, Fake News became a major theme during and after the...
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Questions about Visa Issues
Today for the Expat Answerman Podcast, we have two listener questions. Both questions are related to Visa Issues. Cris starts out and she is asking us about how much the fees are and any other...
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Things That Make Me Wonder
Before the advent of the overpriced convenience stores like the Jiffy Mart, 7-11, Quick Stop appeared in my area of Dorchester. (Part of Boston) Back in the 1950 & 60’s we only had the corner...
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The Big Jump part 1
Lighten the Load We are finally here! We made the “big jump” in late April. We had originally planned to make our move in early 2015. We put that on hold, as I explained in an article called...
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Alaska Update
A number of readers continue to contact me asking for updates in regards to Feyma and Aaron‘s work in Alaska. The readers want to know how they are doing there, what kind of work they are doing and...
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How to be seen as a walking ATM in the Philippines
How to be seen as a walking ATM in the Philippines I have never felt like a walking ATM machine in the Philippines. I have heard and read about a lot of visitors and expats feel this experience. From...
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Going paperless in the Philippines
Can you go paperless with your office and household in the Philippines? It is something I am going to be trying! Well, it is somewhat difficult and different from doing it in many other countries, but...
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It’s Been One Hell of a Ride
Why July is so special to clan Thompson; First and foremost there is the Fourth of July, the celebration of the birth of our great nation the United States, a time when we should reflect on what our...
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The Big Jump part 2
Lotsa Luggage Anyone who has travelled with their Filipino family knows the routine. You get two pieces of luggage per person. Each piece is only allowed 50 pounds before you incur extra charges on...
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Help, I can’t make it home!
For today’s Expat Answerman Podcast, we have a couple questions, hopefully they will be something you have been wondering about too. Give the show a listen in the video below. Today we have a couple...
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How I Inherited A Rock Band
Today we have a guest article from Steve Walker. Steve lives in Cebu and has been living in the Philippines for about a year. Welcome to you, Steve, I am happy to publish your first article! We are...
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Personal Safety for Expats
If you are a foreigner and you are going to live in the Philippines, security is something that you should keep on your mind. I am not the type that constantly worries about my safety. I have lived in...
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I Don’t Want To See Russia From Here!
I had just reported to a new ship (New to me) the USNS Observation Island tied in San Diego Ca. We were sailing to Hawaii and I was notified that my father had just passed. Normally they would pay me...
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The Big Jump part 3 The Down Side of Long Term Planning
It was 2008. I had lost my job as a long haul trucker. I had caught a blood clot in my leg and lungs. US Department of Transportation regulations required that I stay off the road for six months....
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Online Banking in the Philippines
A week or two ago I had an article that included some information about money and banking. One of the readers, Tripack, lamented that he wished he could do a currency exchange through his online...
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To Drive or Not To Drive
Before our big move, my wife mentioned her desire to buy a car in the Philippines once we were settled. As for myself, I was on the fence about owning a car. Knowing my wife would probably get her way,...
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The English is a little different
George Bernard Shaw has been widely quoted as having said “England and America are two countries separated by a common language.” The quote has also been attributed to Oscar Wilde, but it is more...
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It’s My Own Damn Fault
These words are from a Jimmy Buffet song. If you are not a parrot head I’d be wasting your time explaining it. Like that song “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” I have been to the bar where the song was...
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Alaskan Adventure
The past month has been a bit of a ride. We finally went up to Alaska to work and very different from what I expected. After getting out of the airport, the representative for the company we worked for...
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