2000 August 30 Wednesday

In the morning, I sometimes awake as I do early in my mission to the Philippines, wondering who and where I am.

I take a car from the office this evening. My Bangladeshi driver is nice. I tell him about God's plan like I would as a Mormon missionary.

His vehicle never reaches my apartment. A large new apartment development down the street explodes in flames and engulfs other buildings.

Every road is blocked, so I hop out of the car and walk. I stay away from the fire, and I survive.

The Filipino in me beholds my browned-out apartment building and baptizes a fence as if it were on fire. Other than losing electricity, the newly constructed tower I live in is spared.

The blaze makes the The New York Times the next day.