Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Pagod Ako!
Life here in the Philippines has been wonderfully hectic, forgive me for the delay in updates! Where to start, Hm... the people. My host family is quite perfect I must say. I live with three people: lola sion (grandma sion) ate Elsa (sister) and my sisters son, Joshua. The neighbors are also relatives and the family has been living in Naparing for a long time, I'm not exactly sure how long, but they know a lot of people. Each day we chat or in Filipino tems, we chika-chika. Chika- Chika is funny because the community is so linked together so news travels fast. For example, everyone here knows I like coffee, everyone knew our companion Richard was lost looking for the internet cafe, everyone knows Catherine is 21 and the youngest volunteer. It is actually very comical to hear the updates about myself and other volunteers.
I am labeled as the lucky one because the house I stay in is absolutely beautiful. I have a room upstairs which is kind of like the attic. Aside from my dislike of the mosquito net and the mosquitoes that will forever like me the room environment is perfect. I will never forget the roosters who live outside my window- they will forever, well for the next two months, keep me up at weird hours of the night and be my 3am alarm clock- aka the primary reason why I drink a lot of coffee! Last night I was attacked by biting ants. This was definitely not my favorite moment but I survived and learned that you can buy a chalk like stick of white poison to put around your bed and windows to help keep those pesty little buggas away from otherwise comfy and relaxing places.
Earthquake! Eeeek. There was an earthquake last night, rather frightening being my first experience. In all honesty, when my bed started shaking I thought a) there is a monster under my bed or b) i am dreaming because of the malaria medicine we HAVE to take. As I lay, deciding what the heck was happening I suddenly heard the tip toeing of my family members and realized I wasn't the only one who was laying in a shaking bed. The good news is everything is A-okay!!
My community is small but I like it. One day walking to class I got splashed with mud because a bus went flying by and hit a puddle. I learned my lesson the hard way to not walk so close to the street. Also, the highway (sion calls it, the cutest) is very dangerous and she finally lets me cross the street all alone.
Language training is moving along pretty smoothly. One the days where we have only language class, for about 8 hours, my brain truly aches. My host family continues to laugh at me whenever I practice my target language, each new word I say they are extremely excited and have to repeat it and tell many others of my new words. On Thursdays we have medical training. I am not looking forward to it this Thursday because last week left me pondering about all the horrible diseases/rashes/bites I could encounter. Now, when I see a mosquito bite I get nervous because I am convinced that it may not just be a mosquito bite... very complicated emotions for an indecisive person.
To end on a happy note- Tomorrow is my birthday and my first day in the classroom at Paluymo High School!! Hooray.
Write more soon! xoxo.
I am labeled as the lucky one because the house I stay in is absolutely beautiful. I have a room upstairs which is kind of like the attic. Aside from my dislike of the mosquito net and the mosquitoes that will forever like me the room environment is perfect. I will never forget the roosters who live outside my window- they will forever, well for the next two months, keep me up at weird hours of the night and be my 3am alarm clock- aka the primary reason why I drink a lot of coffee! Last night I was attacked by biting ants. This was definitely not my favorite moment but I survived and learned that you can buy a chalk like stick of white poison to put around your bed and windows to help keep those pesty little buggas away from otherwise comfy and relaxing places.
Earthquake! Eeeek. There was an earthquake last night, rather frightening being my first experience. In all honesty, when my bed started shaking I thought a) there is a monster under my bed or b) i am dreaming because of the malaria medicine we HAVE to take. As I lay, deciding what the heck was happening I suddenly heard the tip toeing of my family members and realized I wasn't the only one who was laying in a shaking bed. The good news is everything is A-okay!!
My community is small but I like it. One day walking to class I got splashed with mud because a bus went flying by and hit a puddle. I learned my lesson the hard way to not walk so close to the street. Also, the highway (sion calls it, the cutest) is very dangerous and she finally lets me cross the street all alone.
Language training is moving along pretty smoothly. One the days where we have only language class, for about 8 hours, my brain truly aches. My host family continues to laugh at me whenever I practice my target language, each new word I say they are extremely excited and have to repeat it and tell many others of my new words. On Thursdays we have medical training. I am not looking forward to it this Thursday because last week left me pondering about all the horrible diseases/rashes/bites I could encounter. Now, when I see a mosquito bite I get nervous because I am convinced that it may not just be a mosquito bite... very complicated emotions for an indecisive person.
To end on a happy note- Tomorrow is my birthday and my first day in the classroom at Paluymo High School!! Hooray.
Write more soon! xoxo.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Kumusta? Mabuti!
Hello Again! So, currently in the Philippines it is rainy season, take note that this still means it is very hot and humid still. BUT, today the sun was shining and that was pretty awesome. As many of us know, when there are too many rainy days in a row, we all start to need a little taste of sunshine.
This past week we had water safety training at Villa Excellance, Tanza, Cavite. We all boarded the bus bright and early and took about an hour right to the site. It was good to finally see what the Philippines is like outside of this nook in the woods. When we got there we all split into three groups because there were three different fisher men who were taking us out to sea and making us jump in. With life vests on, we headed to the coast. I was put into the group with the smaller of the boats. This was not a worry to me until we put too many people in and didn't make it over the waves, causing our boat to fill with water and nearly sink. PHEW, that was a close call. The fisherman has to pump the water out, reminding me of the time my friends and I forgot to plug my dads boat up north and we had to empty the water ouf with buckets. My group decided to be patient and wait for the larger boat. Next try, my fellow trainees and I successfully jumped in, circled up and locked arms (which helps you stay warm!) and then climbed back into the boat. After getting used to the obnoxious itch on the back of my neck from the life vests, and failing to make it past the waves the first time, I finally did pass water safety training so no worries people.
My first trip to the mall was rather eventful too. To get to the mall, I had to take a Jeepney. Jeepneys are everywhere. It is similar to taxis in the U.S., but you can't call to have one come pick you up, you simply have to wait until one drives by. I didn't do much at the mall but buy essentials such as tooth paste nd toilet paper. I did find tim tams at the mall which was the highlight. Tim tams were my favorite cookie when I lived in Australia. I guess these will have to do since I don't have a stash of reeses peanut butter cups yet.
Right now in training, we are finishing up with lesson plans. Tomorrow (Fri) and saturday, we are doing demo teaching and then Sunday morning we depart for our training site, which is when I will meet my first host family and finally get to go to an actual school!
XOXO.
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This past week we had water safety training at Villa Excellance, Tanza, Cavite. We all boarded the bus bright and early and took about an hour right to the site. It was good to finally see what the Philippines is like outside of this nook in the woods. When we got there we all split into three groups because there were three different fisher men who were taking us out to sea and making us jump in. With life vests on, we headed to the coast. I was put into the group with the smaller of the boats. This was not a worry to me until we put too many people in and didn't make it over the waves, causing our boat to fill with water and nearly sink. PHEW, that was a close call. The fisherman has to pump the water out, reminding me of the time my friends and I forgot to plug my dads boat up north and we had to empty the water ouf with buckets. My group decided to be patient and wait for the larger boat. Next try, my fellow trainees and I successfully jumped in, circled up and locked arms (which helps you stay warm!) and then climbed back into the boat. After getting used to the obnoxious itch on the back of my neck from the life vests, and failing to make it past the waves the first time, I finally did pass water safety training so no worries people.
My first trip to the mall was rather eventful too. To get to the mall, I had to take a Jeepney. Jeepneys are everywhere. It is similar to taxis in the U.S., but you can't call to have one come pick you up, you simply have to wait until one drives by. I didn't do much at the mall but buy essentials such as tooth paste nd toilet paper. I did find tim tams at the mall which was the highlight. Tim tams were my favorite cookie when I lived in Australia. I guess these will have to do since I don't have a stash of reeses peanut butter cups yet.
Right now in training, we are finishing up with lesson plans. Tomorrow (Fri) and saturday, we are doing demo teaching and then Sunday morning we depart for our training site, which is when I will meet my first host family and finally get to go to an actual school!
XOXO.
Meet Peace Corps Volunteers- Phillipines, Batch 270
Friday, July 8, 2011
I like rice.
This first week has flown by. In reality, I have only been gone for one week; however, it feels like it has been months. From the friendships I have made to the amount of knowledge that has been thrown to me, I can say without a doubt that this week has been amazing. I really feel like our time here as a group will help me transition into life living with a host family in a more rural spot in the Philippines, one where bucket showers become part of my daily schedule. I am very anxious to meet my host family. Through conversation, I have convinced myself that there is a good chance that there will be children in the family which makes me happy. As I tackle this whole learning a second language thing I am going to try to “act and learn like a child would” so I feel like if I have them close to me they can symbolism a constant reminder.
Just in case you were wondering… I am already craving cheese, reeses peanut butter cups, and French vanilla creamer. Weird? Well, that is questionable. There has been an endless supply of coffee and tea though which has been very satisfying. Throughout the day we do a lot of sitting and eating. The eating is normal for me, the sitting not so much. I have really had to try hard to make my body feel comfortable, hence the mass amounts of tea and coffee I have been drinking, I guess this is my way of recognizing that a cup of tea helps me stay relaxed.
Coming soon: stories about water safety training, my first visit to the beach, and my first mall experience (I need new toothpaste). Get excited.
XOXO,
Beaner
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Where in the world am I?
Magandang Hapon! (Good Afternoon). Wala... a little language learning opportunity for you. As most of you already know, I made it safely to the Philippines. The long, sleepless journey took about 20 hours total. After landing in Manila, we took a bus to our orientation site, which is in Cavite. This place is like a nook in the woods, a 54 acre wondrous forest. Everything is beautiful. The Filipinos say the climate here is "cool" but I still sweat at 6am and all day long. I have quickly learned that "to sweat" has a new meaning. Where I am now, I feel like I am 12 years old and back at 4-H camp. I will never forget 4-H camp and I already know I will never forget the time I have already and will continue to spend here. I stay with all my fellow Peace Corps Trainees here until July 17th. Then, we spilt. My cluster will be heading to Naparing, in Bataan, Philippines. Here we will learn, learn, and learn some more. (Lots more news to come regarding this, keep your eyes wide open!!) Also, on July 17th, I will meet my first host family, cool hey? I know a lot of this info is looking into the future a bit, but on countless occasions people had asked me where exactly I was going. I am so excited and happy with everything so far, words cannot explain these emotions. As I sit here typing, praying that the internet does not go out and I don't loose all this fancy writing, I find myself wanting more rice and delicious fruit. I wish I could pack up fruit for you all, I can't control myself in the fruit department on this side of the world. Here is a little input as to where in the world I will be for a little while. Stay tuned friends and family, I miss you all but am so happy I am where I am and that I can share this experience with all of you! xoxo.
PS: Pictures coming soon! With the slow internet connection, it takes more time than I have available to load 'em.
PS: Pictures coming soon! With the slow internet connection, it takes more time than I have available to load 'em.
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