Guess Monday was a holiday in the US ... for us working stiffs in Indonesia it was just another day in the office - however, not many people were there and a lot of extra work seemed to be shoved my way.  Lots of folks already starting to take vacation .... I haven't even used up my 2006 entitlement ...

Really nothing much to blog about today - I could talk about the gully washer we had yesterday ... but I'm sure all of you are tired of hearing about flooding.  Don't know whether to believe CNN (who says the rain is with us another week or two) or the religious advisors who said last Sunday was when the rain would stop - of course, it rained heavily on Monday ..... sooooo ...

Here's a heart wrenching story - I read in the paper the other day that a poor husband and wife went to the hospital to have a baby.  When they went to check out, the bill was ~$400.  The man didn't have the money ... but was able to round up ~$200.  The hospital released the mother but kept the baby "for collateral".  The man went to all his family members, friends, etc. and finally collected the remaining $200. When he went to pay the hospital bill and get his baby (about 10 days later), the hospital said the bill had grown back to ~$400 due to charges over the last 10 days.  The hospital took his $200 but wouldn't give him the baby.  Thankfully, the guy went to the press - there was a tremendous outroar from the community.  The hospital finally acquiesed and gave the man/woman their baby and forgave the $200 for the "10 day overstay".

I visited with Decy RE the above, she says it is quite common for this to happen as most people can't afford any type of health care, much less delivery of a baby ... and so "keeping the baby" is the only way the hospital can ensure it gets paid.  This was heart wrenching to me ... especially given that our maid Wiwi is pregnant.  This WILL NOT happen to Wiwi.

- - - I wonder how many babies have never been collected because a family didn't have the money - - a very sad thought

Ciao ciao.