The Ber's are Back.

I was shocked to see Christmas Trees on the set of a local morning news show yesterday. Then I remembered it was September 1st, and then I remembered I was in P.I., the country with the longest Christmas celebration.

If I were in North America, the start of Ber... September, would remind me of the demise of Summer, and the re-birth of cool days of Autumn and Winter.

Here in Manila, my sweaters and jackets are packed inside two suitcases. If I were in North America, these items would be hung in the hallway and walk in closet, uncreased and ready to be worn anytime.

Here in Manila, my stuff are constantly re-arranged and sometimes, I've got no clue where my personal items are; if I were in North America, my things would be where they were as I left them.

Being tidy is called being neat freak here in Manila; in North America, it is a must, almost a law. How could you not keep nook and crannies spotless when you are bombarded by North American TV docus showing mites hiding in mattresses and bedding and bacteria in whatever you touch, and TV commercials hawking cleaning and hygienic products.

I hate dirt and smelly clothes, Kay Brosas the comic, shouts in one local TV detergent spot. I could commiserate with her.

In the washroom, I hate seeing grime and want to smell Lysol. In the sink, I hate seeing black spots and want to smell Lysol. Under the cabinet, I hate seeing ants or roaches crawling and want to smell Lysol. In the living room or bedroom, I hate seeing mosquitoes and want to smell fresh cologne.

I'm a tidy person, not a neat freak. I hate the sound of freak, it freaks me out.