The Brothers

John Ray and Christian (their hands by their faces means pogi/handsome)

Tagaytay & Taal Volcano

Ate Bejing, Auntie Daisy, and I are on the viewing deck at Leslie's Grill in Tagaytay. It was cold and windy up in the mountains. We squeezed 6 adults (Filipino-size, so it wasn't too bad) and 2 children in to a Honda civic to get here. We ate, took some pictures, and ate some more. Oh, the story of my life here in the Phils.

Spellbound: Philippines

In Antipolo, Philippines, hundreds of students gathered for the second annual spelling bee competition. I was one of the judges for the high school quarter finals. The students had to spell 30 words (10 easy, 10 moderate, 10 difficult). Some students spelled none of them correctly and the most spelled correctly was 21. My job was to double check the spelling of the top 5 spellers from each school represented. It was a long and tiring day, but we all made it through.

Recess and Rain

Robin and Benjie

No Pics Again

I tried walking from my Auntie Daisy's office today to an internet cafe all by myself--- I'm a big girl now :) I was hoping to go to the same one as before, because the USB connection was on the front, but I ended up here. I don't know where here is, but I do know that I am on an older computer without the connection I need at an easily accessible area.

I did arrive at the center last Sunday at about 7:30 after planning on being there at 6... we had to wait for the rain to stop. My neice, Maxinne cried when they left me there, and my aunt looked concerned. I was a little nervous, too, but I knew that I should stay (it was what I came here to do). The devil tried to put thoughts of doubt and feelings of isolation on me, but through the strength of God, I made it and am really enjoying it.

Brief synopsis of my first week at the home... met the 17 in-house boys (I still don't know all of their names), been eating 5 meals a day, been attacked by the red ants in my sheets and the mosquitoes everywhere (the grand total is 47 bites), took over the nursery and prep classes by myself without knowing how to explain myself in Filipino (we were all at a loss for words), attended a prayer meeting at a hotel (it was intense, very filling, and we took off our shoes to go in the prayer room... Japanese style!), taught 1 1/2 hours of English for 4 days, lead the PE class for grades 1-4 (it was pretty much over in 30 minutes, and I had 3 hours to fill), attended a voice lesson, and was squished on the train from the center to Quezon City (the train was so crowded!)... lots happened, and I promise pics next time!

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers! I love you all!

How to... bathe with a tabo

1. get tabo (small plastic bucket with handle)
2. heat some water and bring it to the comfort room (bathroom, also known as CR)... this step is optional
3. wet hair (the water you use for your hair will get the rest of your body wet for a future step)
4. shampoo your hair
5. rinse shampoo out and put in conditioner
6. lather up with body wash to get rid of the sweat smell
7. rinse everything off with water in a tabo (it will take 3-5 buckets of water)
8. repeat steps 1-7 two to three times daily