I’m all set on the antimalarial pills. I got them on Monday, and I was advised by the pharmacist that it was extremely important to take these pills as directed. The directions are for me to take one pill one week before I leave, one pill each week that I am there, and then one pill every week for four weeks after I return. Each pill had to be taken exactly seven days after the previous pill. And I’m talking really exact, even down to the very time of day.

So I figured out that, due to the time difference, I would have to take the pill at 8:00PM on Tuesdays while in the U.S., and then 12:00PM (noon) on Wednesdays while in the Philippines. That way I can take it with food at convenient times of the day. I’m sure I’ll have to set an alarm for this since I’m very prone to forget this type of thing.

I’ve been to the store for my final few items that I’ll need to pack, and it looks like I’m pretty much set to throw all my stuff in a bag and head out. I’m just studying up on some common phrases in the little Filipino phrase book that I got, so hopefully I’ll be able to say “hello,” “goodbye,” “please,” “thank you,” and “I don’t understand”. There are some really random phrases in the book that are actually quite funny. A small sampling:

Under the “customs” section:

“Hindi ko alam na dapat ko itong ideklara.”
“I didn’t know I had to declare that.”

“Hindi akin iyan.”
“That’s not mine.”

Under the “hairdressing” section:

“Hindi kita dapat pinalapit sa akin!”
“I should never have let you near me!”

Under “signs” section:

“Bawal tumae dito.”
“No defecating here.”