Day 2

Hi, Just a few pictures so you know were I'm at. The second one is the front yard at the bed and breakfast place I am staying at. So far I share a room with a volunteer from Holland. It is great to get to know the other volunteers, The organization is like a family network. The last picture is the office were I am presently using the computer (It takes 10 minutes for each picture to be downloaded, that's why they are only 4 for now). The other shot is me on my little walk to the office (just so you know for sure I am here), it is only 5 minutes and I quite enjoy this little neighborhood. I am feeling very safe and enjoying seeing all the plants that grow here, (It reminds me of our living room at home, don't forget to water Rick!). A low and behold there is a soccer field. It's in pretty bad shape but I plan on taking a few shots this afternoon. There is a basketball court to the side that gets used more often. I am loving the weather. I am free all day today so I will walk over to the shopping center dawn the street and see if I can then find my way home. So far I haven't had too much in the way of jet lag. a little sleep in the afternoon and I'm feeling pretty good.

take care and hope you are doing well back home

Safe in the Philippines

Just a quick update. I am here safe and sound and in good hands. I will be spending the next week at the bed and bread house which is in a safe neighborhood, even a small soccer field down the street! The flight was long but actually relaxing. Got to Manila 5:00 a.m. Thursday, went for a bit of a walk, met some other volunteers and staff, and it's now about 11:00. I'm sure crashing is about to occur sometime today. I will have pictures next time.

Zero more sleeps

The count down for sleeps is done so a good bye to you my good friends is what I set out to do. I have had so much support that I don't feel like I am really leaving. Thank you.

Past volunteers report a very common trend. They say it is a normal to start with excitement that then crashes and becomes home sickness. This then settles into feeling content. I am at the excited stage (and very nervous stage today).

Growing up, I often wanted to just run away. This trip is my run away. A little more controlled than a hankie on a twig dream; (I'm caring about 100lbs of goods). My past run away fantasy was to go to California and live on the beach. I've never been to California but I had figured that with time, I could walk my way there. Well, today I'm happy I didn't run away, with a bit of patience, I still get to set off to a new life experience by the ocean.

The running away was to be by the ocean, but it was also about is leaving behind stuff. The stuff is an accumulation of routine, other people's agenda, and things that have become comfortable but no longer valuable. This stuff fills life so there is no room to accept the newness of life. So in keeping with my dream of the hankie and twig, I hope to be able to keep life simple.

I am very lucky that home is still here and will carry on being here. My goal will be to bring the simple life, that has room for newness, back home in a year. Because the stuff I leave behind is only part of the story, my running away is temporary. I am also leaving the people I love. To this I know I am not really gone, my love is still present.

I will be back next year.

Free for newness and blessed with my past I am ready.