March 13, 2012 Back Home- Black Eye

I just returned from a week away. I was in Manila for 2 days and then Island Cove, Cavite, a resort on the other side of the bay, about an hour away from Manila. All of us Batch 270s were there for InService Training and Project Design and Management. We were learning how to design a project well and write and present a grant appeal. If PC had told me, before I came, that  I would be doing this I may not have joined, but I find I am comfortable with it! I was working with my Co-CounterPart, Ma'am Liza D.Montana. I think it was the best conference I've been to here.

Me, Denny Robertson(Country Director),and Ma'am Liza Montana, my Co-Counterpart.

On the last day we presented a quick sell to reps from the US Embassy, US/AID and other significant funders. From the written evaluation and private oral response, the presentation was strong for receiving a grant. What a great feeling! It is bemusing to me that the whole week-long
training was relaxing albeit challenging to me (this from a person who never wanted to work outside the home). It was also just great to spend time with the other PCVs.

My first project is a Sports Camp, which Trevor and I are co-directing. 5 PCVs from around the Philippines will come to help facilitate. Today, at PILMES, a fellow Grade 6 teacher is helping me polish up a pamphlet for fund appeal. I wrote it but she is generous enough to work her graphic arts magic on it. I have another letter of permission that I wrote to take through all the DepEd officialdom to get permission signatures. Here's the line-up: 1. The principal 2. Division Supervisor 3. District Supe 4. Barangay Captain (local sheriff) 5. Mayor and maybe 6. Governor. I must take this perfectly composed and individualized letter around in person to receive signatures. Very old-world Spanish formalities.So interesting. So I will be on and off jeepneys all day, tracking down these different offices.

 And I will be doing this with a black eye! I had fun playing in the pool at Cavite and trying to climb a big plastic iceberg-type toy. Austin and Steve were trying to help pull me up and Austin's whole body slipped on the wet plastic and his knee punched me in the cheek. That's what I get for playing with the big boys. Austin felt so bad. He even presented me with a whole big extra dark chocolate bar from a package back home. That is real heartfelt sharing, there! I love dark chocolate. Thanks, Austin. Anyway, I'm even cuter now!

It doesn't hurt at all. 

It is good to be back home here in San Jose. Good to be with my Host Family. Also good to be with the Grade 6 team and folks at school.

 I spent a heartwarming evening with Magtibays. We went to supper with friends.

Aah, being with good friends... always wonderful, isn't it? 
Good night, everyone. Magandang Gabi, sa iyong lahat.

March 11, 2012 Beautification and Clean-Up Days at PILMES

The room is cleaned and swept daily. Always and only by the pupils.

Using 1/2 of a coconut shell, the floor is buffed. This floor is about 100 years old.

Sofia Loren fixing the hinges on the locker she shares with other pupils.

"Beautifying"  the Grounds

These pupils are using a scrap of plywood to cover a hole in the floor.

February 12, 2012 Happy Birthday to Me!

I had a very happy birthay! It seemed to start about 2 months early, very subtly, with people asking or reminding me of my birthday. Some pupils even wished me "Advance Happy Birthday!", with sticky notes they put on the vase on my desk.

Advance Happy Birthday Wishes

 Mam Rachiel texted me early and said the pupils were anxious to see me. Amy and Trevor were here, and Amy and I walked over and when I walked in was I surprised! The pupils and their parents and Mam Rachiel had set up a party for me! They sang to me and there were balloons, cake, flowers and cards and even a few little presents. I got a pretty brooch, which teachers often wear. I opened a soft package and there was a whole stack of white washclothes. These are what people of every age carry, along with a handkerchief, to daub up (or mop up) sweat. Filipinos also tuck them inside their shirt collar so they are hanging down inside against the back and hanging out over the collar. They keep the shirt from sticking to the shoulders as well as absorbing perspiration.  I am truly in the Philippines, about to go through a summer! That is a little daunting but here we go... with these cloths,  I'm ready, right?
 
 Here, the person who is having the birthday provides food for a celebration, to which anyone who wants can come. That costs a lot of money, but somehow they do it. I was lucky because another teacher, Mam Glorydee was born the same day, so we bought a mild feast and split the cost. We ordered fast food of chicken dinners, spaghetti (requisite), pizza and pop. Some parents of our pupils had brought other food for us and a few cakes. Finally Trevor, Amy and I left for Lipa to get the food. That's a 1/2 hour jeepney ride each way.

When we returned with the food, Mam Rachiel had the big, long, blue table in our room covered with paper for a tablecloth. My Tagalog teacher, Mam Rory, was there, too. We put all the food out and while the pupils ate their lunchs and milled around us, we teachers and a few husbands enjoyed our lunch.

Mam Rory has taught me a traditional Tagalog/Spanish dance and she wanted us to show the pupils, so we did. The pupils burst into applause when we did a certain twirl. So sweet. People of all ages are music and dance lovers here. The pupils are familiar with and appreciate dance. So the whole school day passed with a mixture of parties and study.

Mid afternoon our town had a brownout.

Students studying in the dark or with cell-phone light.

My HF had accepted my wishes that we celebrate within our family exactly as they do. All they do is get pansit, the Chinese-type spaghetti, for long life and wishes. They did surprise me with a cake which said, "Happy Birthday Tita Ali". The whole town was quiet and peaceful due to the continuing brownout so supper was candlelit. 

 

I received cards from family back in the U.S. which was very nice.I felt loaded with good wishes and whole-hearted-belongingness. This was just a joyous birthday and I was smiling whenever I thought about it for days- (still am, in fact).

Party in the Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut)

Then, Friday night Mam Rachiel and I planned to get together after school. She sent Pare, who is a tricycle driver, to come get me. I hopped in and we buzzed up to their house. When I got out here was a whole gathering of people to celebrate my birthday again! Surprise!  This was the group of folks we spend time with outside of school; going on trips, having parties, etc. We were celebrating in the new bahay kubo, too, so it has had it's first party! I quick called my HF and they all came up, too. 

I am now 56! Healthy, happy, busy and loved! Love to you all!