The Philippines In Need

Jo Anne and I, have been keeping a close see on the news the last several days since Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy) dumped a month's worth of rain in 12 hours. According to Time Magazine around 80 percent of Manila was flooded. I am glad that Jo Anne is safe. Her family made it safety through the storm and the flooding. The flooding was the worst flooding in over forty years. Her family and friends are all safe but they do have damage to their homes. Some are staying at the mission where Jo Anne works while cleaning up their homes and help others affected by the storm. The death toll is now at 246 and 42 missing and with many homeless.

Now as the people of the Philippines are recovering from the flooding there are two other storms head towards the country. Please continue to pray for the people of the Philipines. One way you can help the people in the Philippines by making a donation to the Philippine Aid Society.

Flood in the Philippines

Last September 26, 2009, tropical storm Ketsana (Ondoy) hit the Philippines that cause the worst flooding all over Metro Manila area. More than 80% of the capital was under water that swallowed whole houses and buses. Saturday's rain approached a record, with a month's worth of rain falling within six hours. Based on the news, the average rainfall for the entire month of September is 391 mm (15.4 inches). The capital experienced 341 mm (13.4 inches) between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day. This was a very tragic incident happened in the Philippines, until now some of the people are still waiting for a rescuer who will come along their way. Most of them stayed overnight at the roof of their house, without food to eat, no water to drink, no power and with fear knowing that it would be possible for the water level to goes up and reach the roof where they stay. I can’t imagine how traumatized it is for those people who experienced this tragedy especially for the kids.

I have some relatives and friends who stayed the whole night at the roof of their house; I thank God because they are all safe. At this time of trials, Filipinos are come together and help each other.

Philippines battle flood chaos: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8277069.stm

Let’s join our hands and continue to pray for those people affected by this calamity. God has a reason why these things happened. We don't know what will happen in the future, so we must be prepared and ready.

Photo Of The Week: Highland Lake Dam

This is the Highland Lake Dam off of Highland Lake Road in Flat Rock, North Carlina.

Fire Destroys The Historic Caldwell Inn

This morning, Hendersonville, North Carolina lost a piece of its history when the Caldwell Inn was set on fire. The Caldwell Inn was build in 1914. Back then it was called the Station Hotel and served people coming into Hendersonville on the train. The train depot is only a block away from the inn. The Caldwell Inn was home to low income families who lost everything in the fire this morning. The fire is believed to have be set by a person who was asked to leave the inn yesterday. The fire started at 7:30 this morning. Lt. Mike Vesely with the Hendersonville Police Department and Steve Pedersen, a deputy with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, helped residents get to safety. Seven and five people jumped from the second floor balcony since the fire blocked the stairs out of the building. Other people passing by assisted in help the people escape the fire. No one died in the fire. Five people were taking to the hospital with different injuries, one I heard had a broke back from several sources. The person who is thought to have started the fire turn himself in to police. The police are just called him a person of interest at this time.

The Hendersonville Rescue Mission, which is located just down the street, with the Henderson County American Red Cross is assisting the residents with their needs. It is good to see that we still come together to help people in need in America.

I am happy that no one was killed in the fire. There was many heroes they helped rescue the residents from the fire. Now the residents who lived at the inn will have to look for a new place to live. It also saddens me that a piece of local history was lost today. I went to the Caldwell Inn this afternoon to look at the damage that the fire caused. The fire department was still on there. I could still smell the burned wood from the inn. I even saw pieces from the Caldwell Inn laying on top of a car parked in a nearby parking lot.

So, That Is What The Sun Looks Like!

Today, was like the first day in over I week that the sun broke through the clouds here in Western North Carolina. We have had six to eight inches of rain Saturday through Monday, according to the Times-News, the local newspaper. I have been lucky that the road that I travel did not flood all the way across the road during the times I traveled them. In fact, the only road that flooded that I travel was the one I take to get to school. Many people around town were searching for away around the flooded areas around the areas. I was sadden to heard of the nine deaths else where in the Southeast.

Once, I finished with my classes today I decided to go pickup Rayna and take her for a ride. I feel bad that I have been so busy with work and school that I have not had as much time to play with her. We rode around town checking out the places that normally flood. I wanted to take a picture to post here on the Blog. All the places I checked were clear but you could see they were flooded earlier. They are still coming for more rain through Monday at least at this time. I may get another chance to get a picture of the flood over the next couple days. Then Rayna and I, headed to my mom's house for dinner. While, waiting for my mom to get home with one of her friends, I give Rayna a bath. Rayna smells a lot better now. I was surprise that she was not as dirty as I thought she was.

Mom and her friend where a little late so I started to warm dinner up. Mom cooked it yesterday so all we had to do was reheat it. I made some mashed potatoes to go with the pork roast that my mom made. They were not my best work but they did taste okay.

After dinner, I enjoyed watching NCIS and NCIS: Los Angles on the television. I like the original series of NCIS. I still have not made up my mind about NCIS: Los Angles yet. The pilot episode was okay but I hope it gets better. I do like that LL Cool J is in the new series so that is a plus. I will be watching it again.

Photo Of The Week: Old Ranger House

This is the old ranger house on top of Corbin Mountain.

Patrick Swayze

I was deeply sadden to hear the news of the death of Patrick Swayze, Monday night. I enjoyed his movies many of his movies. Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer after a honorable fight.

The movie, Dirty Dancing, in which Patrick Swayze stared in was filmed in the town of Lake Lure and in Asheville, North Carolina which are only a few minutes away from my my home. I have see many of the place where the movie was filmed. Who could forget his rule in Ghost. I would have to say Ghost is my favorite movie in which he starred in. It is a great romantic story. Then there is the movie, Red Dawn, where he leads a group of boys who fight against the invasion of the United States.

Patrick Swayze is the latest of stars that have passed away that I enjoyed their work since I was young. Many of them, like Patrick Swayze died young. Makes you wonder what is happening. I have started taking steps to prepare for want happens if something happens with me.

Photo Of The Week: Baguio Sunset

Remembering my trip with my Love to Baguio, Philippines back in February 2009. I hope to return soon.

Lets Never Forget

It was a quiet morning eight years, I got up and was getting ready to take my mom to work. We the news first broke I that a plane crashed one of the towers in New York City, I was thinking it was a accident. But when the second plane hit I got a sinking feeling because then I knew the horrible truth. Lets take today to remember happen that day and Never Forget!

The Western North Carolina Air Museum

After, I finish with my classes today at school I headed over to the Western North Carolina Air Museum. If you are interested in aviation at all this is a great place to check out if you our in the Hendersonville, North Carolina area.
I have heard about the museum over the year but this was my first time to go to the museum. One of the staff members gave me a guided tour and explain the history and how each plane was made. I found the planes very interesting and amazed at what some pilots did to fly some of the planes in the early days of airplanes. Many of the planes in the early days where made of wood and cloth. Seeing the size of the planes made wonder why someone would want to be in they as long as some of the flights were.
The museum is located in two hangars at the Hendersonville Airport. The entrance to the museum is off of Brooklyn Avenue just down the road from the airport. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted.

Photo Of The Week: Chloe's Dedication

This is a picture from Chloe's Dedication in Quezon City, Philippines. Chloe is Jo Anne and my Goddaughter.

Busy With School And Work

I have been busy with school and work. Both keep me very busy.

I have four class at school, one is an online class. I took some getting used to doing a class online. I am learning a lot of things.

As for work, I have been learning a lot there too since in is my first management job. There are some problems at work that I am not happy about. Unfortunately, I can not quit because it will leave me with no income. I do not want to get hired over the biggest problem especially since it is caused by someone else. I do not want the problem blamed on me. The problem has been going on before I was hired and will go on after I am gone as long as the person and persons are still working there. The best things is to get laid off or to find another job. If I get laid off I can go back on unemployment. The big problem at work is one I have not had a problem with before, one I can not fix and the one who can will not fix.

I am thinking of taking the jump and try to start setting up my business now. I hope it will provide the money that I need in order to get things going on Jo Anne's Visa. Things are coming together for my own business. I have been making connections and finding information I need to start the business.

I am sure things will work out. God all provide for all my needs. He is preparing me for something big and great soon.