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.
22 March 2010
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!
12 December 2009
The Holidays.
During the last week, I have had the privilege to be gathered with all of my fellow Volunteers in Philippines Batch 267 to celebrate our half-way point of service. Because of the timing of MST (mid-service training), many of my friends are excited to return to their families and friends in America to celebrate the holidays. Whether they will be visiting for two weeks or five, they will all be able to spend quality time with their loved ones and unashamedly join in the traditions that they have grown up with.
While I didn’t think that I would be sad to be away for the holidays for yet another year, being around many people who will all be experiencing an American Christmas this year has made me realize that yes, I do miss some things. My Grandmothers’ cookies, our family gatherings, and the smell of a real Christmas tree cannot be replaced by a package in the mail or by a Skype conversation. Sleeping next to the Christmas tree and waking up to a blizzard outside will not happen here. I can’t hug my nieces and nephews, my grandparents, or my aunts and uncles. Watching my puppy rip apart Christmas wrapping paper from gifts just isn’t the same through the computer.
Despite being away, I feel really fortunate to be able to create new traditions in a faraway land. Spending Christmas with my host family is not the same, but it is special and rewarding nonetheless. It brings a smile to my face when we can just enjoy each other’s company, with the aid of some videoke, delicious food, and red wine. I will spend a day and a half baking hundreds of cookies with some really wonderful friends, all in an effort to create the feeling of Christmas-at-home-away-from-home. Hopefully when it is done, we will have plenty of cookies to eat and to share. I will undoubtedly talk with family members in the US while they are preparing for family gatherings, church services, and overall chaos.
Yes, it is not the same. But sometimes life is not about doing Christmas how we have always done Christmas. Being away has helped me learn to appreciate those special moments so much more than I did, and so I know that when I have the chance again to see my family and to celebrate the holidays like we have done together for so many years, I will be truly grateful to be there. For now, I also appreciate the incredible opportunity that I have to be a part of another family, who were strangers to me just over a year ago. While there may be short moments of homesickness or general wonder in the next two weeks, I am looking forward to celebrating the holidays in a place where I am also loved and that I can, for now, call home.
While I didn’t think that I would be sad to be away for the holidays for yet another year, being around many people who will all be experiencing an American Christmas this year has made me realize that yes, I do miss some things. My Grandmothers’ cookies, our family gatherings, and the smell of a real Christmas tree cannot be replaced by a package in the mail or by a Skype conversation. Sleeping next to the Christmas tree and waking up to a blizzard outside will not happen here. I can’t hug my nieces and nephews, my grandparents, or my aunts and uncles. Watching my puppy rip apart Christmas wrapping paper from gifts just isn’t the same through the computer.
Despite being away, I feel really fortunate to be able to create new traditions in a faraway land. Spending Christmas with my host family is not the same, but it is special and rewarding nonetheless. It brings a smile to my face when we can just enjoy each other’s company, with the aid of some videoke, delicious food, and red wine. I will spend a day and a half baking hundreds of cookies with some really wonderful friends, all in an effort to create the feeling of Christmas-at-home-away-from-home. Hopefully when it is done, we will have plenty of cookies to eat and to share. I will undoubtedly talk with family members in the US while they are preparing for family gatherings, church services, and overall chaos.
Yes, it is not the same. But sometimes life is not about doing Christmas how we have always done Christmas. Being away has helped me learn to appreciate those special moments so much more than I did, and so I know that when I have the chance again to see my family and to celebrate the holidays like we have done together for so many years, I will be truly grateful to be there. For now, I also appreciate the incredible opportunity that I have to be a part of another family, who were strangers to me just over a year ago. While there may be short moments of homesickness or general wonder in the next two weeks, I am looking forward to celebrating the holidays in a place where I am also loved and that I can, for now, call home.
06 December 2009
04 December 2009
Toto, we're not in the Phils anymore...
This next week finds Batch 267 Volunteers at Mid-Service Training, which is the midpoint of our Peace Corps training cycle. Along with three days of training, the days are accompanied also by doctor and dentist appointments, catching up with other Volunteers, mustache competitions (or, as some have interpreted it, hairy mole competitions), and some downtime away from site. Being opportunists, my sitemate Angela and I decided to take advantage of the paid flight to Manila and vacation for a week before in two of the must-see destinations here.
Last Friday, we took the last flight to Manila and wound up at the bus station at 1 AM. Excited to take a night bus and arrive in Baguio in the morning in order to give us a full day of sightseeing, our hopes were dashed when we found out the first bus we could get on was at 6 AM. So, what to do in Manila overnight when you don’t want to pay for a pension house? Well, you can catch the tail-end of live music, go on a search for your favorite flavor of ice cream at one of the 24/7 mini-stops, wander the streets, or make skype calls, since 4 AM in the Philippines turns out to be an ideal time for much of the world. When the time rolled around, we returned to the bus station, very tired and only slightly annoyed that our bus left a half-hour after the scheduled time. Without much sleep, we were able to take in the beauty of the Cordillera Mountains as we drove.
Our two days in Baguio proved fruitful both for recuperation and time with friends. With good timing, some other Volunteers and our great friends were spending time there after their Thanksgiving celebration in more northern Sagada. We ventured through the 100-year-old city that was designed by Americans as a mountain retreat and health center. Nestled at 1500 meters above sea level, the cold air was refreshing as we hiked around the city and created our adventures—getting lost on a hike only to be saved by a Filipino with a bamboo ladder to help us down a wall of rock, enjoying delicious meals while wondering if our waiters even worked at the restaurant at all (or which drugs they were on), and traversing historical areas and museums and wondering why they were even turned into museums at all. Baguio, as a city, is certainly different than much of the Philippines—people are extremely (genuinely) friendly, English skills are impressive, and the city is both incredibly lively and safe. It is no wonder why it is officially the “Summer Home of the Philippines”.
With our satisfaction in Baguio, we ventured next on a very curvy 6 ½ hour bus ride around the edges of mountains to the town of Sagada. Looking forward to the cooler weather, we discovered that a cold front had come in the same night that we arrived—meaning we spent days in long underwear, gloves, scarves, and hats. Temperatures dipped perhaps into the 40s (4-10 degrees Celsius), which amplifies its edge when houses are not insulated and there is no heating source. Nighttime was spent huddled under the covers in almost all of the clothes that we had packed—FYI, sleeping in a raincoat makes every toss and turn pretty noisy. Additionally, showers were few and far between since the cold breeze in the open-air shower room counteracted the only slightly lukewarm water. Fortunately, Sagada makes up for the cold with its general enchantment, incredible sights, and delicious food.
On our first full day, we set out to meet up with our guide to take us on a 4-hour caving expedition. We were both excited and nervous as we headed out of our pension house. The first sign of a challenging day, though, came when I slipped on the stairs and tumbled to the bottom, like the occasional klutz that I am. In a combination of laughter and pain, I announced to the several people in the restaurant that had seen my fall that I was okay. I rose to my feet like a tough kid and brushed myself off with an embarrassed laugh. Unfortunately, though, I knew that I had hurt myself a bit when I had reached for the railing with my right arm and my shoulder sustained an unexpected yank. But I can tackle a cave, right? We met our guide and hiked out of town to the trailhead and the opening of the cave, complete with stacks of hanging coffins that are part of the local cultural burial practices. We climbed over a few boulders towards the entrance, and I noticed that I was unable to put pressure on my right arm without pain. So, the decision had to be made. The caving included intense climbing, crawling, maneuvering, and hanging from ropes. My arm definitely wasn’t going to make it. Angry at myself for being such a klutz, I headed back to town to wallow in cups of lemon tea and internet. A few hours later, Angela returned and the pictures looked amazing. Maybe someday, I can go back and tackle that cave once and for all.
The next day, we ventured out on two hikes to a waterfall and a lookout with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and rice terraces. Both were stunning. The highlight of the day was trying to find our way on a return “trail” through fields and rice paddies. More of a guessing game, we found ourselves balancing along the edges of terraces, climbing rock walls, getting our feet stuck in the mud, crossing rivers, and getting lost in gardens. We returned to our pension house for a refreshing nap.
Meals were also the highlight of our days spent in Sagada. According to Lonely Planet, there are two restaurants worth a visit—and we did visit them, again and again. Homemade yogurt with granola, French toast soaked in maple syrup, homemade spinach fettuccine, tomato soup, cheese sauce, zucchini, fresh vegetables, lemon tea, chocolate chip cookies, strawberries—it was all a delight. Sagada has by far the best food that we have eaten in the Philippines in the last year and four months.
All in all, the pine trees, cold, fireplaces, and general goodwill of the people put us in the Christmas mood. If we had to create a soundtrack for the week, there is no doubt that it would contain nothing else but Christmas carols. Personally, this getaway was just the refreshing push I needed to get me through the holidays in the Philippines.
While we are heading back to Manila on Friday, it is by no means the end of our vacation. Before training begins, we get to spend the weekend relaxing with other Volunteers, getting our teeth cleaned, seeing The Christmas Carol, enjoying Dairy Queen Blizzards, and skyping with loved ones. The conference itself is also bound to be enjoyable—sharing ideas and experiences with other Volunteers always proves to be therapeutic and energizing.
Last Friday, we took the last flight to Manila and wound up at the bus station at 1 AM. Excited to take a night bus and arrive in Baguio in the morning in order to give us a full day of sightseeing, our hopes were dashed when we found out the first bus we could get on was at 6 AM. So, what to do in Manila overnight when you don’t want to pay for a pension house? Well, you can catch the tail-end of live music, go on a search for your favorite flavor of ice cream at one of the 24/7 mini-stops, wander the streets, or make skype calls, since 4 AM in the Philippines turns out to be an ideal time for much of the world. When the time rolled around, we returned to the bus station, very tired and only slightly annoyed that our bus left a half-hour after the scheduled time. Without much sleep, we were able to take in the beauty of the Cordillera Mountains as we drove.
Our two days in Baguio proved fruitful both for recuperation and time with friends. With good timing, some other Volunteers and our great friends were spending time there after their Thanksgiving celebration in more northern Sagada. We ventured through the 100-year-old city that was designed by Americans as a mountain retreat and health center. Nestled at 1500 meters above sea level, the cold air was refreshing as we hiked around the city and created our adventures—getting lost on a hike only to be saved by a Filipino with a bamboo ladder to help us down a wall of rock, enjoying delicious meals while wondering if our waiters even worked at the restaurant at all (or which drugs they were on), and traversing historical areas and museums and wondering why they were even turned into museums at all. Baguio, as a city, is certainly different than much of the Philippines—people are extremely (genuinely) friendly, English skills are impressive, and the city is both incredibly lively and safe. It is no wonder why it is officially the “Summer Home of the Philippines”.
With our satisfaction in Baguio, we ventured next on a very curvy 6 ½ hour bus ride around the edges of mountains to the town of Sagada. Looking forward to the cooler weather, we discovered that a cold front had come in the same night that we arrived—meaning we spent days in long underwear, gloves, scarves, and hats. Temperatures dipped perhaps into the 40s (4-10 degrees Celsius), which amplifies its edge when houses are not insulated and there is no heating source. Nighttime was spent huddled under the covers in almost all of the clothes that we had packed—FYI, sleeping in a raincoat makes every toss and turn pretty noisy. Additionally, showers were few and far between since the cold breeze in the open-air shower room counteracted the only slightly lukewarm water. Fortunately, Sagada makes up for the cold with its general enchantment, incredible sights, and delicious food.
On our first full day, we set out to meet up with our guide to take us on a 4-hour caving expedition. We were both excited and nervous as we headed out of our pension house. The first sign of a challenging day, though, came when I slipped on the stairs and tumbled to the bottom, like the occasional klutz that I am. In a combination of laughter and pain, I announced to the several people in the restaurant that had seen my fall that I was okay. I rose to my feet like a tough kid and brushed myself off with an embarrassed laugh. Unfortunately, though, I knew that I had hurt myself a bit when I had reached for the railing with my right arm and my shoulder sustained an unexpected yank. But I can tackle a cave, right? We met our guide and hiked out of town to the trailhead and the opening of the cave, complete with stacks of hanging coffins that are part of the local cultural burial practices. We climbed over a few boulders towards the entrance, and I noticed that I was unable to put pressure on my right arm without pain. So, the decision had to be made. The caving included intense climbing, crawling, maneuvering, and hanging from ropes. My arm definitely wasn’t going to make it. Angry at myself for being such a klutz, I headed back to town to wallow in cups of lemon tea and internet. A few hours later, Angela returned and the pictures looked amazing. Maybe someday, I can go back and tackle that cave once and for all.
The next day, we ventured out on two hikes to a waterfall and a lookout with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and rice terraces. Both were stunning. The highlight of the day was trying to find our way on a return “trail” through fields and rice paddies. More of a guessing game, we found ourselves balancing along the edges of terraces, climbing rock walls, getting our feet stuck in the mud, crossing rivers, and getting lost in gardens. We returned to our pension house for a refreshing nap.
Meals were also the highlight of our days spent in Sagada. According to Lonely Planet, there are two restaurants worth a visit—and we did visit them, again and again. Homemade yogurt with granola, French toast soaked in maple syrup, homemade spinach fettuccine, tomato soup, cheese sauce, zucchini, fresh vegetables, lemon tea, chocolate chip cookies, strawberries—it was all a delight. Sagada has by far the best food that we have eaten in the Philippines in the last year and four months.
All in all, the pine trees, cold, fireplaces, and general goodwill of the people put us in the Christmas mood. If we had to create a soundtrack for the week, there is no doubt that it would contain nothing else but Christmas carols. Personally, this getaway was just the refreshing push I needed to get me through the holidays in the Philippines.
While we are heading back to Manila on Friday, it is by no means the end of our vacation. Before training begins, we get to spend the weekend relaxing with other Volunteers, getting our teeth cleaned, seeing The Christmas Carol, enjoying Dairy Queen Blizzards, and skyping with loved ones. The conference itself is also bound to be enjoyable—sharing ideas and experiences with other Volunteers always proves to be therapeutic and energizing.
22 November 2009
Published.
Last night, I received a text from my great friend Angela - "Lynn! Did you read the new PC Times yet? You're in it! Yeah! So exciting." And so it turns out, an article that I had been asked to write about six months ago has finally surfaced and is floating around in the world of Peace Corps Volunteers. The PC Times is published four times per year and serves as one way to get news out about big changes in PC or about what other Volunteers are doing. In April, I had received an email asking me to write something about my experience in the Master's International program and doing youth work here in the Philippines. Always willing to write about my experiences, I gladly obliged. While the current edition of the paper has not been uploaded on the Peace Corps website yet, I'll share with you the text of the article...
Working with Youth and (Hopefully) Changing the World
While riding through the Philippines in a jeepney, it is impossible not to notice the overwhelming presence of children here. The population in the Philippines has been and continues to grow at a significant rate, which means that more and more children are flowing into the basic family unit, school systems, clinics, and the streets. Just taking a walk through larger cities, the presence of children living or working in the streets is a heartbreaking reality.
As a Children, Youth, and Families Volunteer, I have to constantly remind myself that I may not be able to change the world as a whole, but I can have a part in changing the world of a child. The same is true, though, for all Volunteers, whether you are working in Coastal Resource Management, Education, Agriculture, or Health. No matter what we are all doing on a day-to-day basis, we are ultimately hoping to make the world a better place for the next generation.
During my graduate studies at The University of Montana in Intercultural Youth and Family Development (a Master’s International program), we talked endlessly of the issues that children and youth face around the world. In our coursework, we analyzed existing programs targeting specific populations, discussed the psycho-social ramifications on children due to traumatic events, researched different strategies of sustainability, looked at various models of youth development that are successful, and on and on. We asked questions that brought out emotions and personal values about such issues that, in the end, resulted in no exact right or wrong answers at all.
What I have learned outside of the classroom, though, is that in the day-to-day business of CYF work, it does not matter if you know the best and most comprehensive way to conduct a needs assessment, or if you have studied endlessly about children who have been trafficked, or if you have the skills to develop an annual fundraising plan for an nongovernmental organization. It does indeed help, but as Volunteers, we all have access to such resources. What matters is that you are willing to get your hands dirty in the messy job of a youth worker—put your heart into it and jump right in. In the end, it’s those relationships, smiles, and moments of connection that may ultimately make a larger impact than anything else.
Debilzen is participating in the Master's International program. She is from Francis Creek, Wisconsin, and is serving as a youth, children, and family services Volunteer. She is scheduled to complete her service in November 2010.
Working with Youth and (Hopefully) Changing the World
While riding through the Philippines in a jeepney, it is impossible not to notice the overwhelming presence of children here. The population in the Philippines has been and continues to grow at a significant rate, which means that more and more children are flowing into the basic family unit, school systems, clinics, and the streets. Just taking a walk through larger cities, the presence of children living or working in the streets is a heartbreaking reality.
As a Children, Youth, and Families Volunteer, I have to constantly remind myself that I may not be able to change the world as a whole, but I can have a part in changing the world of a child. The same is true, though, for all Volunteers, whether you are working in Coastal Resource Management, Education, Agriculture, or Health. No matter what we are all doing on a day-to-day basis, we are ultimately hoping to make the world a better place for the next generation.
During my graduate studies at The University of Montana in Intercultural Youth and Family Development (a Master’s International program), we talked endlessly of the issues that children and youth face around the world. In our coursework, we analyzed existing programs targeting specific populations, discussed the psycho-social ramifications on children due to traumatic events, researched different strategies of sustainability, looked at various models of youth development that are successful, and on and on. We asked questions that brought out emotions and personal values about such issues that, in the end, resulted in no exact right or wrong answers at all.
What I have learned outside of the classroom, though, is that in the day-to-day business of CYF work, it does not matter if you know the best and most comprehensive way to conduct a needs assessment, or if you have studied endlessly about children who have been trafficked, or if you have the skills to develop an annual fundraising plan for an nongovernmental organization. It does indeed help, but as Volunteers, we all have access to such resources. What matters is that you are willing to get your hands dirty in the messy job of a youth worker—put your heart into it and jump right in. In the end, it’s those relationships, smiles, and moments of connection that may ultimately make a larger impact than anything else.
Debilzen is participating in the Master's International program. She is from Francis Creek, Wisconsin, and is serving as a youth, children, and family services Volunteer. She is scheduled to complete her service in November 2010.
31 October 2009
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