It seems everyone has been posting their Easter sunrise photos. Here’s my contribution:

I don’t really live on a tight budget. I get my pension payment on the first of every month and I try to make it last until the next month’s deposit. Usually, I even have a few dollars left over to put into my savings account. On a daily basis I don’t even think about it, I spend whatever I feel like spending. Most nights out drinking I reckon I spend less than twenty dollars, including lady drinks. Once in a while though I get bit by the “big spender” bug. Like last night for instance.

Hanging out at Cheap Charlies and drinking beers in the fading hours of Easter Sunday. I bought a drink for my bartender friend, Jona, and several for my waitress, Tina. When I first arrived the place was pretty dead. The lack of customers doesn’t bother me, of course, but the gals that were working on the holiday didn’t seem happy about the lack of opportunity to make some commissions. After a couple more beers I started feeling sorry for the girls, so I called out to Jona to bring me a menu. Consultation over what the girls might like for Easter dinner resulted in my placing an order for chicken wings, Shanghai lumpia, and rice for eight hungry ladies. The bill came to 1400 pesos, less than $30. It doesn’t cost much to be popular here!

Everyone seemed much more cheerful with a full stomach and as the evening progressed more customers wandered in. I drank my fill and didn’t let Tina’s glass get empty. When I was ready to go, my drink tab totaled 1200 pesos. So, with generous tips for Jona and Tina, I was out another $30. Sixty bucks for a nice night of food and beverage, but no debauchery, is a bargain in my book. I certainly couldn’t replicate it in Korea or the USA for twice that amount.

Facebook had a couple of memories to share with me this morning:

Time marches ever onward. These could be the best days of my life and I’ll only know it when I’m looking back. Actually, I don’t plan to fall into that trap again. I’m trying hard to live in the moment and make the best of each day. As long as I’ve got sixty bucks in my pocket, I should do alright.