And yes its time for another Blog. Well not too much has happened this week. I am starting to feel like I am getting to know the place and getting to know my way around a bit. On Monday I ate in the greenbelt in a Thai resturant and I ate alone - the first time I have ever done that in a restaurant in my life! Following that evening I came away not only with a full stomach but a series of mosquito bites on my ankle - remind me not to sit outside with the trees and grass in future.

Work has been very busy and we are in a an intense phase in our project plus I have lots of things that I need to do for the team that I am working with. Its all good though because it keeps me busy and I am enjoying it.

Wednesday night was great, Polly took me out to a Steak Restaurant, this was the kinda place where you get to select your cut and size of it and they come over and cut it in front of you. Though I must add, every single place in Manila is overstaffed, to the point where when we left the restaurant we had a line of 6 staff all to say "thankyou maam". Im getting used to that! No fights seen this time though.

I have also been spending much of the week battling with HR to get them to find me a place nearer work to stay, and I succeeded in that they have agreed but I am waiting to view some apartments.

The taxi drivers are so cheeky here, I was told of this but it just gets annoying. Everytime I get in the taxi I have to make sure they put the meter on, then they say "extra charge maam, I wait for you, lots of traffic" - tell me something I dont know about Manila. To which I replied, no I will not pay extra and if you hadn't have hassled me I would have done anyway! Grrrrr.

Ah, this week I made my first trip to the medical centre, they have a doctor for every different type of ailment, its crazy. Its so posh, they all have their own receptionists, and I didn't even need to wait to see someone, or book an appt. Can you imagine that in the UK?!

I also went to a Thai place on thursday with another colleague to one of the best Thai places around - or so I am told, and it was indeed very very nice.

So this weekend, it was pretty much the same as last. I went shopping in Greenbelt but also went over to Glorietta to have a look at some of the department stores. I bought a dress for work, but it seems that all the department stores have the same stock. There is a place called Landmark where lots of people shop and it has the most variety of shoes I have seen in my life! I shall definately be making a trip back there, though I think my feet are going to be a lot bigger than the Philippinos. Ah also saturday was my first home cooked meal. It was an extravagant pasta with tuna and sauce, mmmmm. Something I have noticed is that everyone eats out, and especially for one it is so much easier eating out, I probably would every night if it was healthy.

Today I went to the market again for a wander and then sat in the park all afternoon reading a book in an attempt to get a tan - though I think it is going to be slow whilst I am using factor 30. I'd rather not burn though. It was about 31oC today, lovely :). I also went to the gym, second time since I have been here - go me. Followed by my first massage. It was in hotel place I am staying as they had a good price here. The woman started the massage but then told me I was sexy. What do you say to that! Well I said thanks. She then proceeded with what size is your waste - I have no idea! The clothes here are small/medium/large. She then said I had a big ass. I think she meant well, though I was cringing. It was a great massage though, I shall be frequenting that place a lot more in future - she got a lot of my knots out. I can touch my toes again :)

Well that about takes me to now, where I am sat watching Beauty and the Beast on the Disney Channel. I have cable but its so annoying as there is no specific guide for all the channels that I have.

Ok so I hope this hasn't been too boring, not really sure what to say in Blogs, I am not the best writer and also apologies for the spelling and punctuation. I shall be posting something again next week and the photos I will be added in as I go along.

Well thats it from me, over and out xxxx