home continued, the pictures

Home!

Well I am getting closer to actually settling in to have a space of my own and unpack my bags. It has been a long time coming. It is interesting what things become important when starting with basically nothing. After getting a mattress, my next big buy was a mini trampoline, and an exercise ball. Hopefully I can get into a routine to use it too; otherwise I will have sacrificed a couch for unused exercise equipment. With the blank walls I feel there is a lot of potential for some sort of artistic expression. If I create anything exciting I will send pictures. So far the tie dyed sheets are it for artistic expression. In the picture you see the open space from 3 sides. behind the walls with tie dy is my room. It was meant to be 2 small rooms but I was able to rent the place before they finished the renoes so it is one bigger room. By the kitchen is the bathroom and laundry place (not machine just sink and one of my purchases is a wash board. It's also mu goal for my abs!!)
Other than the cabinets in the kitchen there are no closets (good thing I don't have much!). The best storage is Tupperware and other plastic containers so I am slowly acquiring different sizes and colors. The place is quite open and I feel very much at home in the space (I can even do some regular exercise like skip, jog on the tram, and stretch on the ball).
Although there is only one window, there is good air flow and the place seems relatively cool. I was in the place when it started to pour rain as well and so far it also seems dry. The open ceiling seems to work to let in light and air but not the rain!
So far I have carried most things home bit at a time so it is nice to have time to gradually get settled. There are many children on this street and they are very welcoming. I have heard many times "What's your name", and they have remembered mine while I am just figuring out how I will ever remember theirs. (maybe by the end of the year or maybe I will give them name tags). My walk to work is very pleasant, I feel like I am in a city with many conveniences but also enjoy the country feel when I go by open fields, and farm animals. The walk home is a little busier on the streets with traffic (so I have given up my unrealistic fear of snakes for the very real potential of getting run over.)
I have found a good weekly activity, some of my coworkers go regularly to the sports comlex. I haven't got a close up picture of the soccer nets or the grass but I'll just say that I wont have anything to complain about when I get home. I think the field is not used that often for soccer but it is a good place to hang out and My coworkers are already becoming wise to the joy of kicking the soccer ball. The picture did not turn up that well. I will try again.
The track is also really cool. I can run without fear of dogs and traffic and there is a bit of spring in the track. My new fitness passion for the next year is track running. Well I better go.
Thinking of back home and all of you.

at work

Hi
I am having a bit of a break at work today. In the picture you can see I am wearing my scrub tops. It helps the patients know I am a PT and I am there to work. On occations when I don't wear them, and forget to introduce who I am, the patient will sometimes ask if I am a doctor. I guess I get pretty descriptive in the treatments. (Other times they probably just wonder - who is this person?)
I am also sipping at my ice coffee. Yes my drink of choice at work. I haven't given up the coffee but I had to give up the hot. You may notice I've been sweating and look a bit haggared. It is hard work especially with the children but even more it's just hot today. I was sweating before the day started.
Well I have asked Ati Bing if I could take her picture while she was making our merienda (snack) for the afternoon. It will take time to adjust to what NO merienda when I come home, I especially enjoy the home made snack. Today is apple pancakes.
Many of the pictures above are from my weekend trip with a friend I met here. We were able to enjoy this privot resort with everything from a morning swim in the pool, relaxing time, fun company, and great food (that's me making a special dish that requires pounding with the stick, actually I stepped in for the final pound or two!). On the saturday we were out on the ocean fishing. Across the world fishing stories all the same. Yes the big one got away. The next day we spent time at the falls; the drive was very nice and I thought of banff as we were approaching the montains. It was very interesting to see the rice fields at different stages of harvesting and to see the small farms at the side of the roads. At the falls the water is actually cool (I mean cool like a good thing) You could swim in different parts of the river and the sound of the falls was very relaxing while wild monkeys on the other side of the bank were entertained.
This week is busy, I am gathering the few essentials to get my place set up. Never thought I would get so stressed buying plates!
It's a bit overwhelling to know what I need or don't need and where to shop. I think I will start with a mini trampoline and cushions to sit on. I also had my first sleep in a hammock this weekend (that may also have to go on the must have list). I'm thinking there will be a lot of potential with the blank white walls and the red cements floors.

random thoughts

Time is definitely going fast. Between language studying (which I have to admit is not going great for my brain right now, I'm blaming a bit of a flue and foggy brain on that), work projects (working with the other staff to come up with formalized programs), preparing for a conference workshop in June and then just doing life stuff, the days go quick.
I am trying to get a routine to my life (yes after 8 weeks of no routine even I am wanting some structure). I think I need something to keep me active. Surprise, there is no over 35 womens' soccer league out here! So far my main activity is walking. I walk most places and in the midday I use my umbrella but this still has me working up a sweat. For Mothers day, although she does not know it, Michelle has treated me to a coffee and cake at the local coffee shop (it's a bit like our starbucks). I am surprised that I have not had Tim Horton cravings; has anyone rolled up a good rim? any cars? TVs? I seem to get "play again" most often so someone else is getting all my dud cups.
Work has started and is going well. I am enjoying the staff and patients and I realize how much I enjoy work as a physio. I'm not sure if I have bragged about the small special differences that I have found at work here. First No socks (every day!!), merianda's (snack time at work a lady comes by with a variety of snacks at about 10:30), the clinic also has parallel bars outside and inside, and there is a nice busy but easy flow to the days.
I am still thinking of home often. Yesterday I had to buy ice cream cone from the vendor because he was wearing a Molson Canadian hat. I should have taken a picture with him. (maybe I will run into him again. He was probably wondering why this strange lady was so excited to buy ice cream from him because of his hat!)
My picture taking is slowing down but maybe next time I will have a collection that is not just trees, plants and my feet.
ingat!!
magisip ako sayo (thinking of you all)

last days in Manila

HI, a few pictures before I headed to Puerto Princesa. The room is the place I stayed while in Manila. It was nice to have a bit of space and a kitchen to cook in. I took a picture of the yellow flowers because I passed by to the language class and just loved the tree. There is also a picture of a street showing how green thing are (in places). The rest of the pictures are at a resort place we went to on the last day of language class. It was beautiful. Lunch was in the river, literally if you look close you will see the tables in the water. The river comes over this man made damn and after taking off your shoes you get to sit down, soak your feet and feast on a very nice meal. They had my favorite dish (green beans and squash cooked in coconut milk!! very good). The day involved Museum (pink building big trees),

caribou ride with singers (Very cool to be listening to West Virginia Country road in a caribou card in the Philippines), swimming pool dip, river paddling, and a show of historic and cultural dance from different parts in the Philippines. The vegetation was beautiful. I think I saw one of my house plants as a full grown tree! and last but not least, My feet felt clean for the first time in a long time. It was wonderful!!

Diversity

Hi, as my final few days in Manila have crept up very quickly, I have been caring my camera around to take a few shots. I went from street market, shanties, busy streets and all the garbage and dirt that can go with that; to a posh British celebration for the Queen's birthday.

Clothing wise you can probably imagine I was more comfortable in the streets. I was quite concerned that I didn't have my personal clothing advisor (you know who you are!! and her side kick, the hairdo girl). Well I was so concerned I bought makeup (OK it was only eye liner and lip gloss). The night was very nice with lots of traditional English food in a beautiful garden. ( I didn't bring my camera to this event, I was a bit doubtful that security would approve of me pulling out a camera from my dainty hand purse and snapping random shots.)

Well some of the other pictures are of my day trip: a churches, a temple ontop of a building, 2 different street markets. I definitely brought more than I needed. I really could buy everything here, (except jeans that fit my thighs!!) for very good prices. Oh well next time!!!

And I am very pleased that I brought my own soccer ball. It definite been a source of comfort.

Unfortunately the shopping pictures don't really capture the days experience: it is very noisy with traffic, people, horns and stuff; the smells, fish market (don't need to say more); the full dimension of ongoing street, people up, down and all around; can't forget the heat!! Although it may not be written up in the tourist guide, it is a valuable experience to check out these big busy markets and shops.

I also included a few pictures of the Canadian Embassy. I was inspired to go register, thinking I may run into a bit of a Canadian experience. It was a very crowded train ride and 30 minute walk just one way. As I got close I felt comfort in the Canadian flag. (a few pictures). With my Mouse head t-shirt on, and all ready to say eh I headed up to the office. Well registering involved a few moments filling in a form and that was it. I didn't even run into one Canadian. Oh well, next year I'll see you all (add the drawl for effect!)

take care

language training

Well this is a challenge. I have had 2 weeks (Dalawang linggo) of lessons and feel very much like I will come home speaking English. I find it much easier to write and read. It is all the new sounds and the number of sounds that are packed into one phrace needless to say my days of lessons are busy with resting my brain, and practicing, and making up sentences. There are guards around the neighborhood were the office and language lessons are and I think they are quite amazed by my attempts of good morning!! (magandang umaga!) Well this week I have moved to a house a little further out with another volunteer that works in Manila. I will only need to stay for the 2 weeks of language and then I am off to Puerto Princesa to really get settled in for the year. It has been very nice to have a home to stay in the last few days. I cooked my first meal in 4 weeks! It is so easy to get supper planned because on the way home you pass all the little street venders with tons of vegies and fruit to pick from. I'm loving the food. I haven't been brave enough to buy meat in the street so I may be quite the vegetarian cook when I get home. There will be lots of fresh fish and sea food in Puerto Princesa but I'm not sure if I'll be brave enough to buy it. Did I say it's hot!! yes! Hot in the morning, afternoon, middle of the night!! There is technically no hot water for showers but it heats up an it's own in the piping I think and even trying to take a cold shower is a challenge at this moment. (this is the hotter of the season, yes the seasons are hot and hotter) I also here it will be slightly cooler in Puerto Princesa because of the sea breeze. Well other than being hot and polluted. (I've given up worrying about my lungs). It is an amazing place. I quite enjoy my little jeepney ride in the morning. Packing in the back of this little bus. It has it's general route and they continually come by. Just have to wave it down, pay 7-8 pesos (about 20 cents?) and off you go. there are some set stops but if you call Para it will stop right were it is and off you jump. I got a bit lost in the new neighborhood this afternoon but people are so friendly there is no problem finding help (even men ask for directions in this country. I noted this my first few hours in the Philippines because the taxi driver stopped about 6 times to get directions when I first arrived. It was one of my first obvious culture differences. Men ask for directions!!) Well you may be wondering what the pictures are about. some of you may have heard about the Easter Friday tradition that occurs in one of the provinces of the Philipinnes. (this tradition is not encouraged or condoned by the church -disclaimer) To give penance or to show appreciation for a good year, or to ask for healing, some men in this region go through a ritual of flagellation. They have their backs cut (the bald man in the white t-shirt) and then with there face covered, they walk down the street to their church flinging a whip onto the wounds to cause more bleeding. well just see the pictures, the van is covered with blood spatters. Overall it seems hard to understand but it has been going on for about 50-60 years. Since the church has been more vocal about discouraging it participation has gone up. Hard to say maybe hundreds of men do this. Some just carry a cross. There is also a picture showing the real Crucifixions. This year there were about 8. Some people, mostly local but some foreigner, choose to undergo the reenactment of caring the cross and then being nailed to the cross. (for you rehab people, yes I checked and they place the nail strategically to avoid damage to ligaments and such). It is hard to really describe the day. For those that do it, they feel they have had healings and obviously some benefit. Some do it yearly. Well just check the pictures and you can read about it more if you want to if you check out web for Philipinnes, Crucifixion, flagellation? The dutch network is there yearly to report it.

other pictures:

There are also 2 pictures from my visit to Makati; which is upscale Manila.

I had a very nice home made meal and got this nice view. I met a dutch couple who had questions about malaria drugs (by the way the doctor in Puerto Princesa say I only need the anti Malaria if I an going out of the city. All that talk about dreams and depression!!). I also met this other dutch volunteer in the picture with me. We are out at an outdoor community event having a cold one. My big night out (till 9:30 I think it was).

Take care (ingat)

P.S. sorry about the sideways picture