Welcome! I'm Brad Smith, a former English teacher who specialized in seniors and juniors at a Massachusetts public high school. I love a good novel, a fine poem. Retired to the Philippines nearly eight years ago, after having vacationed here over a couple of summer breaks. Yup, the people, the scenery, the utter absence of biting cold, and the inexpensive living here caused me to pick up and leave my New England home; and while I've made occasional trips back to that home, it hasn't yet crossed my mind to return for good. Glenda, my significant other, lives with me in a small, rented house in Cabanatuan, a city in central Luzon. I've met many fine people here, made good friendships, helped out where I could, accepted help when it was offered. Started this blog a few months after coming to the Philippines, and have kept a double focus throughout these pages: one, to let you enter my personal life and the lives of Filipinos close to me; two, to offer overviews of current issues important to Filipinos, as well as the customs and heritage of a remarkable people. Cheers!
Kind readers, thanks for bearing with me. I experienced an "inferior infarct" -- yeah, that's a type of heart attack -- a few days after returning from the resort in the hills. Am on plenty of meds now, including a statin, and will soon undergo tests to discover whether more than meds will be needed in my case. Feeling comfortable now; Glenda has been pampering me, and aches and tightness have practically disappeared. I will get back to my posts in the not-distant future.
Getting goofy at the resort in the hills.