Hi All,
I just finished making a video, targeted at new volunteers, that explains one of my main projects at work. If you wanted a better glimpse of what we're working on, here it is! I hope to be making more videos soon, as Movie Maker is really fun and sort of addicting.
Enjoy!
11 August 2010
26 July 2010
"Omelet or fish for breakfast, ma'am?"
This morning as my plane to Dubai was flying somewhere over the Indian subcontinent (I am on my way to Zurich for a visit), I was awoken by a flight attendant who asked me, “Ma’am, would you like an omelet or fish for breakfast?” This question struck me for many reasons. First, I had a hard time answering it. While two years ago, fish would have seemed like an absurd thing to offer anyone for breakfast food, this morning it seemed pretty tempting. I was debating it in my head when I realized that I should probably give him an answer…he did have to wake me up just to give me food, which was probably more annoying for him than for me, and he was still standing and looking at me. I quickly answered, “Omelet, please…” and continued to ponder.
The other thought that was going through my head was, “Food? I get food on an airplane?? You mean, I don’t have to pay for it on my own? And I don’t have to sit and cross my fingers that my neighbor doesn’t order ‘Bowl of Noodle’ (which is basically Ramen)...the smell makes me nauseous on a usual day, so the containment within an airplane is remarkably more nauseating… Oh yeah, I get food?? And it tastes good?” I mean, of course I was not that naïve as I stepped onto my Emirates flight, but it could have been culture shock, nonetheless. With ample warm blankets to use, comfortable seats, and individual screens, it was a luxury unlike anything in the Philippines. And I enjoyed it. The Dubai airport is fabulous and is a welcome contrast to the airports in Manila and Cebu, but the endless amounts of perfumes, chocolates, and jewelry to buy could have been overwhelming if I had let myself stand there for any longer. Instead, I just grabbed some M&Ms, Reese’s, and a Coke…all healthy traveling snacks. But damn, that chocolate is good!
The other thought that was going through my head was, “Food? I get food on an airplane?? You mean, I don’t have to pay for it on my own? And I don’t have to sit and cross my fingers that my neighbor doesn’t order ‘Bowl of Noodle’ (which is basically Ramen)...the smell makes me nauseous on a usual day, so the containment within an airplane is remarkably more nauseating… Oh yeah, I get food?? And it tastes good?” I mean, of course I was not that naïve as I stepped onto my Emirates flight, but it could have been culture shock, nonetheless. With ample warm blankets to use, comfortable seats, and individual screens, it was a luxury unlike anything in the Philippines. And I enjoyed it. The Dubai airport is fabulous and is a welcome contrast to the airports in Manila and Cebu, but the endless amounts of perfumes, chocolates, and jewelry to buy could have been overwhelming if I had let myself stand there for any longer. Instead, I just grabbed some M&Ms, Reese’s, and a Coke…all healthy traveling snacks. But damn, that chocolate is good!
An Unwarranted (and Unapologized for) Absence
To my dear readers – My absence as of late (okay, the last three months) was not fair to you, and I did not give you enough of a warning that you would no longer have entertaining reading material, no longer have an updated blog to check while you ate your breakfast, and no longer have a connection to my life right at your fingertips. No, I left all of those unspoken. My absence has meant that I have not written about many topics and events that deserve a spot on this page, but it also has meant that I have taken some time to just…finish. I have finished some projects – our girls camp, for one. I have finished my Master’s paper and finished my unofficial graduation ceremony. And most of all, I am preparing to finish my time here in the Philippines.
Right now, I am one day past our C.O.S. conference (Close of Service, or more appropriately, Continuation of Service) where I had the chance to see many of my batchmates for the last time. There are only fifty of us left out of the original sixty-nine that came to the Philippines two Augusts ago. I know you are doing the calculation in your head, so to make things easier for you…that is a 72.5 percentage rate of completion. From what I am told, it is significantly low for the Philippines but about on par with countries around the world. I am fortunate and proud to be part of the remaining group of Philippines Batch 267.
During the conference, we received a lot of practical information – resumes, networking, graduate school opportunities, federal job opportunities, etc. But we also had the opportunity to reflect on our time here in the Philippines and about what our service has meant to us and our communities. For me, this is the most important part. I tend to be a bit of an emotional person – I often get overwhelmed by feelings that seem much larger than myself. Preparing myself for the end of my service and also for what lies beyond is critical to, well to be honest, my sanity. My Master’s project helped significantly with this aspect. Because I actively took the opportunity to sit down one, two, or even three days a week for the last six months to focus solely on reflecting on my service—challenges, victories, observations, lessons—I am well ahead of the game on reflecting. But this does not mean it is over. One thing I struggle with is the fact that for me, awareness of an injustice in the world means that I also have a responsibility to fix that injustice. I am so fortunate to have this abiding pull to other humans and to “fixing” things that are wrong, but it is also a challenge beyond what many people can conceive or at least articulate. While it becomes a personal struggle, I would not give this passion up for anything. It is what makes me Lynn, and it is what keeps me going each day.
But back to COS conference. It was fantastic. I feel ready to bring a close to my service within the next three months, and while I might not be ready to say good-bye, I know it is time to move on. Peace Corps will be placing a new volunteer with my agency, which I am absolutely thrilled about. I have never come across such a small NGO with such a large impact, and the impact a PCV can have within the organization and the community is unlimited.
I will hopefully be writing more within the next two or three months, mainly to give you updates on what is going on and then to say a final good-bye. But forgive me if I am absent – I am one of those lucky PCVs who has a crazy schedule, and I would not trade it for anything.
Right now, I am one day past our C.O.S. conference (Close of Service, or more appropriately, Continuation of Service) where I had the chance to see many of my batchmates for the last time. There are only fifty of us left out of the original sixty-nine that came to the Philippines two Augusts ago. I know you are doing the calculation in your head, so to make things easier for you…that is a 72.5 percentage rate of completion. From what I am told, it is significantly low for the Philippines but about on par with countries around the world. I am fortunate and proud to be part of the remaining group of Philippines Batch 267.
During the conference, we received a lot of practical information – resumes, networking, graduate school opportunities, federal job opportunities, etc. But we also had the opportunity to reflect on our time here in the Philippines and about what our service has meant to us and our communities. For me, this is the most important part. I tend to be a bit of an emotional person – I often get overwhelmed by feelings that seem much larger than myself. Preparing myself for the end of my service and also for what lies beyond is critical to, well to be honest, my sanity. My Master’s project helped significantly with this aspect. Because I actively took the opportunity to sit down one, two, or even three days a week for the last six months to focus solely on reflecting on my service—challenges, victories, observations, lessons—I am well ahead of the game on reflecting. But this does not mean it is over. One thing I struggle with is the fact that for me, awareness of an injustice in the world means that I also have a responsibility to fix that injustice. I am so fortunate to have this abiding pull to other humans and to “fixing” things that are wrong, but it is also a challenge beyond what many people can conceive or at least articulate. While it becomes a personal struggle, I would not give this passion up for anything. It is what makes me Lynn, and it is what keeps me going each day.
But back to COS conference. It was fantastic. I feel ready to bring a close to my service within the next three months, and while I might not be ready to say good-bye, I know it is time to move on. Peace Corps will be placing a new volunteer with my agency, which I am absolutely thrilled about. I have never come across such a small NGO with such a large impact, and the impact a PCV can have within the organization and the community is unlimited.
I will hopefully be writing more within the next two or three months, mainly to give you updates on what is going on and then to say a final good-bye. But forgive me if I am absent – I am one of those lucky PCVs who has a crazy schedule, and I would not trade it for anything.
16 April 2010
Tourism in Thailand.
I cannot believe that I have been home from our Thailand vacation for almost two weeks now. Time has started flying by quicker and quicker, and I can only expect that these last six months of Peace Corps will seem to be over in the blink-of-an-eye. Again, I apologize for my lack of blog postings as of late. As you may know, I am working on my Master's paper for my IYFD degree, and a person can only do so much writing. Since I have been averaging about fifteen to twenty-five hours on my paper each week, I am usually too exhausted to share with you the mundane and seemingly repetitive parts of my life.
Back to Thailand, though, which was definitely not mundane. In the Philippines, Holy Week is a time where work shuts down and religious ceremonies, including crucifixions (sp?), take place. Which means it is the perfect time for cultural sharing. This year, we decided to culturally share...somewhere else. So we boarded a plane for Thailand for nine lovely days of just being tourists, which is what Peace Corps Volunteers need sometimes. It is a way to escape the constant feeling of "being on" and a way to just have fun. So, we did...check out the pictures below...
We try to buy giant goldfish every time we travel...
Enjoying the Floating Market in Bangkok
52 stories above Bangkok at Breeze Restaurant
Wat Saket in Bangkok
"Today is better than two tomorrows."
Back to Thailand, though, which was definitely not mundane. In the Philippines, Holy Week is a time where work shuts down and religious ceremonies, including crucifixions (sp?), take place. Which means it is the perfect time for cultural sharing. This year, we decided to culturally share...somewhere else. So we boarded a plane for Thailand for nine lovely days of just being tourists, which is what Peace Corps Volunteers need sometimes. It is a way to escape the constant feeling of "being on" and a way to just have fun. So, we did...check out the pictures below...
We try to buy giant goldfish every time we travel...
Enjoying the Floating Market in Bangkok
52 stories above Bangkok at Breeze Restaurant
Wat Saket in Bangkok
"Today is better than two tomorrows." Wat U Mong in Chiang Mai
No shoes allowed in the meditation tunnels at Wat U Mong in Chiang Mai.
We visited a Hmong Village outside of Chiang Mai...although it was basically a street lined with shops for curious tourists, it might have been the highlight of my trip.
Elephant ride at Mae Sa Elephant Village.
Angela putting an elephant in place at Mae Sa Elephant Village in Chiang Mai.
Trunk-drawn paintings, done by the elephants at Mae Sa Elephant Village.
Hula Hooping.
Alex and I enjoying riverside patios and live music in Chiang Mai.
Thai food from our cooking class at Thai Farm, Chiang Mai. So delicious!
Angela and I at our cooking class in Chiang Mai.
Blessing ceremony performed by a monk in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai. 
Angela and I practicing our HIV education at Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant in Bangkok. All proceeds go towards family planning program in Thailand.
Wat Arun in Bangkok.
Wat Pho in Bangkok.
No shoes allowed in the meditation tunnels at Wat U Mong in Chiang Mai.
We visited a Hmong Village outside of Chiang Mai...although it was basically a street lined with shops for curious tourists, it might have been the highlight of my trip.
Elephant ride at Mae Sa Elephant Village.
Angela putting an elephant in place at Mae Sa Elephant Village in Chiang Mai.
Trunk-drawn paintings, done by the elephants at Mae Sa Elephant Village.
Hula Hooping.
Alex and I enjoying riverside patios and live music in Chiang Mai.
Thai food from our cooking class at Thai Farm, Chiang Mai. So delicious!
Angela and I at our cooking class in Chiang Mai.
Blessing ceremony performed by a monk in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai.
Angela and I practicing our HIV education at Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant in Bangkok. All proceeds go towards family planning program in Thailand.
Wat Arun in Bangkok.
Wat Pho in Bangkok.22 March 2010
CYF Video
Peace Corps Philippines recently conducted the second annual Program Advisory Committee sessions. To showcase the work of the Children, Youth, and Families program, a fellow Volunteer made a pretty awesome video:
The day that this video appeared on our Facebook pages, it was great for two main reasons. First, it helps to show people at home what our daily lives are like. And second, it helped to remind me that we are doing some great work and that it is really mattering in the lives of the children, families, and social workers that we work with. Sometimes, we need that reminder.
The day that this video appeared on our Facebook pages, it was great for two main reasons. First, it helps to show people at home what our daily lives are like. And second, it helped to remind me that we are doing some great work and that it is really mattering in the lives of the children, families, and social workers that we work with. Sometimes, we need that reminder.
11 March 2010
Happy Fire Prevention Month!
March is Fire Prevention Month around the Philippines. There are banners everywhere claiming individual's and businesses' commitment to the cause, although I haven't seen any education going on about the issue. Perhaps the prevention is somewhere? It's a big city, so I could be missing something...
Ironically, since March began, there have been three large fires in Cebu, the latest one killing three people. The first one was last Friday, and it really impacted me since we witnessed it first-hand. As a friend and I got out of a jeep, our driver pointed out the fire blazing on the hill up ahead. We looked up and couldn't help but stare, along with the hundreds or maybe thousands others that were gathered on the streets. We stood there for quite awhile, watching the blaze and wondering how many families just lost their homes. The smoke evolved from a thick gray cloud into a widespread black tunnel into the sky. It became more surreal when the flames started to appear over the rooftops and you could watch people in neighboring homes try to scale walls and climb out alternate ways. Eventually, fire trucks arrived, but not quickly enough. The fire was on a hill in an area where probably only walking paths separated houses from each other, so it spread quickly. Without home insurance, all of these families will have to start from scratch...
In the meanwhile, there is a lot of funding going into organizing activities for the annual monthly celebration, probably including art contests, parades, or such things that do not actually change the way things are done (such as faulty wiring, which caused the deadly fire yesterday). Just another day...
Ironically, since March began, there have been three large fires in Cebu, the latest one killing three people. The first one was last Friday, and it really impacted me since we witnessed it first-hand. As a friend and I got out of a jeep, our driver pointed out the fire blazing on the hill up ahead. We looked up and couldn't help but stare, along with the hundreds or maybe thousands others that were gathered on the streets. We stood there for quite awhile, watching the blaze and wondering how many families just lost their homes. The smoke evolved from a thick gray cloud into a widespread black tunnel into the sky. It became more surreal when the flames started to appear over the rooftops and you could watch people in neighboring homes try to scale walls and climb out alternate ways. Eventually, fire trucks arrived, but not quickly enough. The fire was on a hill in an area where probably only walking paths separated houses from each other, so it spread quickly. Without home insurance, all of these families will have to start from scratch...
In the meanwhile, there is a lot of funding going into organizing activities for the annual monthly celebration, probably including art contests, parades, or such things that do not actually change the way things are done (such as faulty wiring, which caused the deadly fire yesterday). Just another day...
Jab! Straight! Hook! Jab!
Depending on whether you stay updated on boxing events or not, you might have heard of Manny Pacquiao. Manny, or "Pacman", is a Filipino professional boxer who is currently the welterweight champion of the world and the "number one pound-for-pound boxer in the world". Since I have been in the Philippines for quite awhile now, I definitely know Manny's schedule of fights and victories pretty well. He is really the gem of the Phils, and his face would be recognizable anywhere by any Filipino. Boxing, as a sport, is pretty popular amongst the general population, much more so than in the United States. I am not sure whether this is a new-found popularity since Manny's rise to fame or not. But it definitely is a sport that brings communities here together.
It has also recently become my new passion. Since it is so popular and there are a few women at my gym that box, and box really well I must say, I had wanted to try it for awhile. The only thing holding me back was the hand wraps that I needed to buy. I wasn't sure how much they cost, and I just didn't feel like I had the money laying around to spare. Around Valentine's Day, I received a card in the mail from my grandmother with a $5 bill to "treat myself". Usually wanting me to go buy myself something sweet, I defied all tradition with the annual Valentine's gift and used it to buy hand wraps.
SIDENOTE HERE: One of my favorite, and sometimes most annoying, things to do in the Philippines is exchange money. There is a little booth in the mall that displays all of the exchange rates from around the world and has two miniature windows where you can slip your money through. Most of the time, I find myself waiting in line with many Korean or Japanese tour groups. Usually, there is also the creepy old man from somewhere halfway around the world with a young girl hanging on his arm. Anyways, it makes for great people watching. The best part though is exchanging money after a large group of Korean students or tourists. For some reason, they usually have far larger amounts than $5 to exchange, so oftentimes, the woman behind the window will count out 20,000 or even 30,000 Philippines Pesos (php). Last time, the person in front of me, after receiving 28,000 php or so, was quite disappointed in the amount that they received. Maybe the exchange rate changed or they just didn't estimate it correctly. The best part was then walking up to the little window and slipping my $5 bill through, only to receive 225 php back. I guarantee the smile on my face was much brighter and larger than any of those tourists complaining about their 28,000 php that day. It meant a lot, and it allowed me to take on something new...
So, back to the boxing. Throughout my first week, I developed muscle pains, bruises on my arms (from what, I am not sure), and sore hands. But it is the best workout I have ever done. It tones the arms, abs, shoulders, back, legs, and butt - all in one! I don't know any machine that can do that. Additionally, I have found that it is great for stress relief. One on one with a trainer, they challenge you to box "just one more round" and quicken your timing. Twice I went into my lessons having very stressed-out days, and I went home those nights feeling wonderful. More than anything though, I am really having fun picking up a new hobby. It has been difficult to learn to move my feet again, but I am enjoying every moment. When I walk away from Peace Corps later this year, I can now add boxing to the long list I already have of things that I have learned. While it definitely is not along the lines of saving the world, it's pretty fun, and sometimes that is just what I need.
It has also recently become my new passion. Since it is so popular and there are a few women at my gym that box, and box really well I must say, I had wanted to try it for awhile. The only thing holding me back was the hand wraps that I needed to buy. I wasn't sure how much they cost, and I just didn't feel like I had the money laying around to spare. Around Valentine's Day, I received a card in the mail from my grandmother with a $5 bill to "treat myself". Usually wanting me to go buy myself something sweet, I defied all tradition with the annual Valentine's gift and used it to buy hand wraps.
SIDENOTE HERE: One of my favorite, and sometimes most annoying, things to do in the Philippines is exchange money. There is a little booth in the mall that displays all of the exchange rates from around the world and has two miniature windows where you can slip your money through. Most of the time, I find myself waiting in line with many Korean or Japanese tour groups. Usually, there is also the creepy old man from somewhere halfway around the world with a young girl hanging on his arm. Anyways, it makes for great people watching. The best part though is exchanging money after a large group of Korean students or tourists. For some reason, they usually have far larger amounts than $5 to exchange, so oftentimes, the woman behind the window will count out 20,000 or even 30,000 Philippines Pesos (php). Last time, the person in front of me, after receiving 28,000 php or so, was quite disappointed in the amount that they received. Maybe the exchange rate changed or they just didn't estimate it correctly. The best part was then walking up to the little window and slipping my $5 bill through, only to receive 225 php back. I guarantee the smile on my face was much brighter and larger than any of those tourists complaining about their 28,000 php that day. It meant a lot, and it allowed me to take on something new...
So, back to the boxing. Throughout my first week, I developed muscle pains, bruises on my arms (from what, I am not sure), and sore hands. But it is the best workout I have ever done. It tones the arms, abs, shoulders, back, legs, and butt - all in one! I don't know any machine that can do that. Additionally, I have found that it is great for stress relief. One on one with a trainer, they challenge you to box "just one more round" and quicken your timing. Twice I went into my lessons having very stressed-out days, and I went home those nights feeling wonderful. More than anything though, I am really having fun picking up a new hobby. It has been difficult to learn to move my feet again, but I am enjoying every moment. When I walk away from Peace Corps later this year, I can now add boxing to the long list I already have of things that I have learned. While it definitely is not along the lines of saving the world, it's pretty fun, and sometimes that is just what I need.
25 February 2010
Playing Tour Guide :)
While I have been completely neglectful of my blog as of late, and you probably do not need any more apologies, I have good reason. Last week, my dad and stepmom arrived here in the Philippines for seven very full days of exploring where I live and work (and I will not be dishonest, full days of vacationing as well). It was great for me for a few reasons. First, I had not seen them in a year and a half, besides through weekly Skype conversations, so it was good to be in the presence of family again. Second, I really am glad that they were able to see at least a small amount of my family and work life here in the Philippines. And third, having to explain a place and culture that is so familiar and known to me, but so different, confusing, and sometimes frustrating for them, helped to remind me of how far I have come and how much I have changed. More than anything, I finally have realized that time is short, and I need to cherish every day and every experience that I am able to have here. I really am lucky…
Since my blog is not supposed to be about traveling, but rather about my time in the Peace Corps as a Volunteer, I do not want to write about MY vacation. Rather, I asked my dad to write about THEIR experience here, and he kindly obliged. So, following is a short account of what we did, what they saw, and what he felt about their experience. Enjoy.
~ * ~
Hi, this is Lynn’s Dad writing to relate Janet’s and my experiences from our brief, but busy vacation time with her. We arrived at the Cebu airport on Tuesday night around 11:30 p.m. and as we walked off the plane felt like we were walking into a greenhouse with the humidity level set on “high”. We had left 20 degree weather in Wisconsin so the heat and humidity, while welcome, was quite a shock. It was wonderful to see and hug Lynn after all this time. Somehow, a weekly Skype “date” isn’t the same as getting to see and hold your daughter in person. I’m so glad to report that she looks good and healthy!
From the airport we went to our resort and finally collapsed into bed around 2:30 a.m.. After the many hours of flying and basically no sleep, we were exhausted. When we awoke on Wednesday we could appreciate the beautiful setting and atmosphere encompassed by this resort. We spent the day relaxing and enjoying the sun, water and gorgeous temps. For the evening we headed to meet Lynn’s host family. What a treat to be able to finally meet all the wonderful family members that Lynn has grown so close to and has spoken so kindly about. Mama and Papa and their children (and extended family) made us feel extremely comfortable and welcome. After a delicious meal, we gathered in the living room to sing videoke which we bravely jumped into. Fortunately, Lynn’s host family will still allow her to live with them after I sang, so they must be very forgiving. We enjoyed our time this evening and feel blessed that Lynn has such a great “home away from home”.
Before I go any further, I need to tell you about our fun encounters with transportation (which is very different than what we are used to). Our trip to Lynn’s host family’s home was our first experience with a cab. Oh my goodness! I don’t know that I can describe the experience, but I’ll try. Imagine narrow, bumpy streets that are extremely crowded with taxis, autos, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, jeepneys, trikes (motorized and people powered), and pedestrians. Add in a lack of intersection controls and seemingly willy nilly stopping and starting. What does this all add up to when I took my first taxi ride? White knuckles, closed eyes and repeated looks of disbelief. After further reflection it causes me to recant my previous belief that Southern California has the worst traffic I’ve experienced. Subsequent taxi rides did not seem so frightening, probably because I knew what to expect.
Thursday afternoon we traveled to downtown Cebu to visit Lynn’s office and met her co-workers. While their office space is limited and not luxurious, it is obvious that the Program Director and the rest of the staff have a passion to help the children, teenagers and families that benefit from their efforts. We thank them and volunteers like them around the globe for their vision, dedication and service!
We then got to partake in our first jeepney ride! Since Lynn has previously described this experience I won’t be redundant, but I will say it was quite an experience. I may just start a jeepney enterprise in the States. This concept seems tailor made for Madison, Wisconsin, doesn’t it?
Friday morning we were up really early to catch the 6:00 a.m. ferry to Bohol, a neighboring island known for its beauty. After a nice trip, we arrived at our resort, the Bohol Bee Farm, known for its organic food and good cooking. Our first day included a tour that included the Chocolate Hills, a butterfly garden as well as a dinner cruise with entertainment. This truly is a beautiful island! As we were traveling we saw rice harvesting in progress and someone plowing their field with a caribow, which I mistook for a water buffalo. Our evening meal was served family style and included flower salad, red rice, herb pasta, roast chicken and grilled marlin, complete with mango iced tea. Yummmm!
The next morning we had a 5:30 a.m. date with a boat to go dolphin watching. We got to see a beautiful sunrise and the sea was relatively calm. After a long trip we spotted dolphins and what a show they put on! These were melon-headed dolphins and we estimate that we saw about 100. What a great experience. Around 9 a.m. we went to an island where we enjoyed a breakfast in a nipa hut just off the beach. We then had a couple of hours to enjoy the beach before we ate a delicious lunch of native green salad, rice and fish. After arriving back at the resort we had relaxing full body massages and later another terrific meal.
After a leisurely and tasty breakfast the next morning we took the ferry back “home” and eventually made our way back to the resort for the rest of our stay. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities.
Monday morning brought a new experience as we used a motorized tricycle to transport us to visit two of the early childhood centers operated by the organization that Lynn supports. The children were beautiful, well behaved and most important, displayed a good grasp of letters, spelling, counting and other facts. I did observe in action what is apparently a universal “law”; that is, girls seem to excel in classrooms around the world while the boys struggled. The teachers, parents and children made us all feel so welcome and were thankful for all the things that Lynn has done to help.
Back at the resort, Lynn’s friend Angela came to join us for the day. Angela is also a Peace Corps Volunteer and is a very nice young woman. Angela is from Chicago but any trepidation about this day passed when she professed not to be a Chicago Bears fan. She did admit to being a Cubs fan, which is okay. Later in the day we headed downtown with Angela to meet six of Lynn’s other friends for pizza and refreshments. This was a diverse group hailing from Australia and the states of California, North Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, and Colorado. For being so young, they have traveled far more than I probably ever will. It was a fun, interesting and relaxing evening.
On our final full day here, we went to meet Lynn’s host family for supper at one of their favorite restaurants. While it was a fun evening I was saddened to think that we had to say goodbye to Mama, Papa, and Lynn’s sisters and brother. It was with all sincerity that I offered a toast to Lynn’s “other” family and for all the things they do for her. It is so comforting to know that Lynn has such a good support structure to come home to while she lives here.
We will leave the Philippines tomorrow morning with much sadness. While we had a thoroughly enjoyable vacation, it went way too fast. While it will be hard to say goodbye to Lynn, I know she is happy and doing what she wants to do. She also has many dreams yet to be fulfilled and this is another step on her road to achieve those dreams. Thank you Lynn for being a wonderful tour guide this last week, but more importantly for being such a wonderful daughter. We’re so proud of you!
Since my blog is not supposed to be about traveling, but rather about my time in the Peace Corps as a Volunteer, I do not want to write about MY vacation. Rather, I asked my dad to write about THEIR experience here, and he kindly obliged. So, following is a short account of what we did, what they saw, and what he felt about their experience. Enjoy.
~ * ~
Hi, this is Lynn’s Dad writing to relate Janet’s and my experiences from our brief, but busy vacation time with her. We arrived at the Cebu airport on Tuesday night around 11:30 p.m. and as we walked off the plane felt like we were walking into a greenhouse with the humidity level set on “high”. We had left 20 degree weather in Wisconsin so the heat and humidity, while welcome, was quite a shock. It was wonderful to see and hug Lynn after all this time. Somehow, a weekly Skype “date” isn’t the same as getting to see and hold your daughter in person. I’m so glad to report that she looks good and healthy!
From the airport we went to our resort and finally collapsed into bed around 2:30 a.m.. After the many hours of flying and basically no sleep, we were exhausted. When we awoke on Wednesday we could appreciate the beautiful setting and atmosphere encompassed by this resort. We spent the day relaxing and enjoying the sun, water and gorgeous temps. For the evening we headed to meet Lynn’s host family. What a treat to be able to finally meet all the wonderful family members that Lynn has grown so close to and has spoken so kindly about. Mama and Papa and their children (and extended family) made us feel extremely comfortable and welcome. After a delicious meal, we gathered in the living room to sing videoke which we bravely jumped into. Fortunately, Lynn’s host family will still allow her to live with them after I sang, so they must be very forgiving. We enjoyed our time this evening and feel blessed that Lynn has such a great “home away from home”.
Before I go any further, I need to tell you about our fun encounters with transportation (which is very different than what we are used to). Our trip to Lynn’s host family’s home was our first experience with a cab. Oh my goodness! I don’t know that I can describe the experience, but I’ll try. Imagine narrow, bumpy streets that are extremely crowded with taxis, autos, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, jeepneys, trikes (motorized and people powered), and pedestrians. Add in a lack of intersection controls and seemingly willy nilly stopping and starting. What does this all add up to when I took my first taxi ride? White knuckles, closed eyes and repeated looks of disbelief. After further reflection it causes me to recant my previous belief that Southern California has the worst traffic I’ve experienced. Subsequent taxi rides did not seem so frightening, probably because I knew what to expect.
Thursday afternoon we traveled to downtown Cebu to visit Lynn’s office and met her co-workers. While their office space is limited and not luxurious, it is obvious that the Program Director and the rest of the staff have a passion to help the children, teenagers and families that benefit from their efforts. We thank them and volunteers like them around the globe for their vision, dedication and service!
We then got to partake in our first jeepney ride! Since Lynn has previously described this experience I won’t be redundant, but I will say it was quite an experience. I may just start a jeepney enterprise in the States. This concept seems tailor made for Madison, Wisconsin, doesn’t it?
Friday morning we were up really early to catch the 6:00 a.m. ferry to Bohol, a neighboring island known for its beauty. After a nice trip, we arrived at our resort, the Bohol Bee Farm, known for its organic food and good cooking. Our first day included a tour that included the Chocolate Hills, a butterfly garden as well as a dinner cruise with entertainment. This truly is a beautiful island! As we were traveling we saw rice harvesting in progress and someone plowing their field with a caribow, which I mistook for a water buffalo. Our evening meal was served family style and included flower salad, red rice, herb pasta, roast chicken and grilled marlin, complete with mango iced tea. Yummmm!
The next morning we had a 5:30 a.m. date with a boat to go dolphin watching. We got to see a beautiful sunrise and the sea was relatively calm. After a long trip we spotted dolphins and what a show they put on! These were melon-headed dolphins and we estimate that we saw about 100. What a great experience. Around 9 a.m. we went to an island where we enjoyed a breakfast in a nipa hut just off the beach. We then had a couple of hours to enjoy the beach before we ate a delicious lunch of native green salad, rice and fish. After arriving back at the resort we had relaxing full body massages and later another terrific meal.
After a leisurely and tasty breakfast the next morning we took the ferry back “home” and eventually made our way back to the resort for the rest of our stay. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the facilities.
Monday morning brought a new experience as we used a motorized tricycle to transport us to visit two of the early childhood centers operated by the organization that Lynn supports. The children were beautiful, well behaved and most important, displayed a good grasp of letters, spelling, counting and other facts. I did observe in action what is apparently a universal “law”; that is, girls seem to excel in classrooms around the world while the boys struggled. The teachers, parents and children made us all feel so welcome and were thankful for all the things that Lynn has done to help.
Back at the resort, Lynn’s friend Angela came to join us for the day. Angela is also a Peace Corps Volunteer and is a very nice young woman. Angela is from Chicago but any trepidation about this day passed when she professed not to be a Chicago Bears fan. She did admit to being a Cubs fan, which is okay. Later in the day we headed downtown with Angela to meet six of Lynn’s other friends for pizza and refreshments. This was a diverse group hailing from Australia and the states of California, North Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, and Colorado. For being so young, they have traveled far more than I probably ever will. It was a fun, interesting and relaxing evening.
On our final full day here, we went to meet Lynn’s host family for supper at one of their favorite restaurants. While it was a fun evening I was saddened to think that we had to say goodbye to Mama, Papa, and Lynn’s sisters and brother. It was with all sincerity that I offered a toast to Lynn’s “other” family and for all the things they do for her. It is so comforting to know that Lynn has such a good support structure to come home to while she lives here.
We will leave the Philippines tomorrow morning with much sadness. While we had a thoroughly enjoyable vacation, it went way too fast. While it will be hard to say goodbye to Lynn, I know she is happy and doing what she wants to do. She also has many dreams yet to be fulfilled and this is another step on her road to achieve those dreams. Thank you Lynn for being a wonderful tour guide this last week, but more importantly for being such a wonderful daughter. We’re so proud of you!
20 January 2010
I will have you know...
...that in the 39 days since my last blog posting, I have written maybe hundreds of interesting, relevant, and incredibly-worded blogs. Some were tear-jerking, some funny, some informative. Unfortunately, all of these were written in my mind while riding home on the jeepney from long days of work. Therefore, they have yet to make it from my memory, through my brain, out my fingertips, to the keyboard, and into Blogspot. My sincere apologies for this!
I have been busy though - I started my professional paper for my Master's, and while I originally planned to only dedicate one day per week to it, I find myself anxious to work on it twice a week, which usually takes up any free days. It is interesting how mentally exhausting active reflection on this life-changing experience can be! (More on that in a future post). The holidays also kept me busy (although left me with plenty of non-working time, so ideally there would have been a post written then at some point, hm). And, thoughts and plans for the future are forming...research takes up much of my leftover free time, and also contributes a lot of sleepless nights to the cause.
So, that is where I am at at the moment. I hope this posting finds you all well - I haven't forgotten about you, but have just been preoccupied. And, it's a little late, but Happy New Year!
I have been busy though - I started my professional paper for my Master's, and while I originally planned to only dedicate one day per week to it, I find myself anxious to work on it twice a week, which usually takes up any free days. It is interesting how mentally exhausting active reflection on this life-changing experience can be! (More on that in a future post). The holidays also kept me busy (although left me with plenty of non-working time, so ideally there would have been a post written then at some point, hm). And, thoughts and plans for the future are forming...research takes up much of my leftover free time, and also contributes a lot of sleepless nights to the cause.
So, that is where I am at at the moment. I hope this posting finds you all well - I haven't forgotten about you, but have just been preoccupied. And, it's a little late, but Happy New Year!
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