We (Evan and I) are back from our vacation on Boracay. It’s a beautiful paradise of an island and I enjoyed it very much. I usually don’t like the “tourist” thing but found this place enjoyable and the food – what can I say cause I ate salads, salads, salads!

The biggest problem was we left during a typhoon and found ourselves on open seas with waves going every direction. It wasn’t so much being out in the water but the real problem was getting on and off two boats each way. I thought my first two boats (going there) were bad but later on my return trip I came across one that I thought I couldn’t handle but put my mind to it and with my mind in positive gear plus three healthy local lads, I made it onto the boat at low tide. Since it was low tide we had to climb down a ladder (not your usual one but one that you had to step over two feet to reach the wrongs. They were so far and in between that I had to step on the bamboo side poles to climb down then I had to cross the big rocks (boulders) that were slippery to get to the ramp that took me to the boat. I’ve attached a photo that doesn’t really show it but you’ll see the ladder. I made it and that’s what counts. You just have to keep a positive mind when you’re traveling in countries where there aren’t a lot of regulations to keep you safe.

Today is the 6th of January and I realize it won’t be long till I will be leaving this “paradise”. It’s such a beautiful place to spend time in and the people are so generous and so nice to “Lola’s (grandmother in their language). I can hardly walk or sit without someone wanting to assist me. Yet, “Gaga” that my grandchildren in the USA sometimes call me is “crazy” here. They sure laughed when I told them to call me “Gaga Sami”.

The one thing that hangs heavy on my mind is what I will leave behind that isn’t finished. It’s the two classes of students Evan and I have been teaching. In exactly two weeks they will need to return to their regular classrooms or do what they did before and either miss school or simply not participate in the lessons. Evan and I have worked hard to bring them to where they will now read out loud, speak English sentences and participate in our classroom learning activities. These boys have come a long way. They attend class each day and they openly participate in the activities we instruct them in. They no longer mumble when you ask them to read. They fight each other to be the first one at the black board. So, when someone asks if we’ve accomplished something, my answer is yes! It’s these small accomplishments that matter when you look at the whole picture.

I came to work the Mangrove Project and here I am teaching at this small elementary school and loving it!

Each day we try and find a way to introduce the English language to the children and at the same time hold their interest. So far this week, we’ve played the Monopoly Card game teaching words (i.e. debt, swap, steal) and at the same time teaching them why they needed to put their money in savings (the bank). So, they got more then an English lesson!

I think the most inventive way was using the wooden USA map where once the (state) pieces were out, under them you could see the names of the capitals of each state. We ask the students to pick about three states, draw them on the blackboard, and write the names of the state and the capital. They most likely know things the kids back in the USA don’t know. The kids loved doing it! They learned something more then just English.

Of course “hangman” is their all time favorite. When we come in to teach I even see them at the blackboard playing. They usually look in a book to get their sentences since we’re not there to help them.

School here is different then in the states. There are 300 and some students enrolled at this elementary school (k-6) and there are only ten teachers. A “good” classroom is one that has only 50 kids in it at a time. You do the figures and you’ll see what I mean about it being different. Can you imagine (I can’t) trying to teach that many children each day? Somehow they get it done but I must state there is some things that don’t get done and that are the reason the “slow learners” often miss school. I know it’s sometimes because the kids have to work to support their families (even at this young age) and also once you get behind there is no one to help you bring yourself up to the level the other kids are at. So kids get lost in the system – there is no safety net to catch them.

That’s where Evan and I came in (and also the other volunteers who were here with us and before us). We tutor the “slow” ones and try to get them so they can join their peers rather then try to play catch-up.

Two new volunteers will be here on Jan 6 and they have volunteered for the school construction project. Apparently one of the roofs is caving in on one of the school buildings. They will be doing the renovations.

That means, when Evan and I leave there will be no volunteers for the teaching program. I sure hope that really isn’t the case for long cause it’s very much needed. I would love to personally hand over this teaching assignment to someone who cares what happens to these kids.

The Mangrove Project is kind of on hold for the moment but Evan and I will go to the mangroves and clean the plants. We most likely will do that this weekend – that is if the rain stops.

This assignment has been much different then most of my assignments. Here there is fresh running drinkable water from the mountain that is right smack in front of our house. There’s a bathroom with a shower (and running water) as well as a western style toilet that has a flush. My bedroom is enormous and there is a comfortable full size bed. The electricity stays on most of the time (I do admit I like it when we have blackouts). The food is delicious and plentiful. I am in paradise and well taken care of!

Last but not least I’ve been knitting small cellular phone pouches. The yarn is not up to what I call good yarn but I’ve been able to turn out some cute bags and I’ve found people who will accept them as gifts. What I didn’t know is when you give a purse/bag you are suppose to put some coins in it. Cee (the gal who lives here at the house) told me about the coin thing and also told me that because I was an American I should put dollars instead of coins in (lol). So, I’ve handed out bags without knowing I’m committing an offense.

I’m so comfortable here and have fallen into a routine. I even claim one of the outside benches where I take my nap everyday. Now, instead of having breakfast at the table in the house we have it outside. I’m not sure when that began but it falls into the “making ourselves comfortable” thing. It’s like being at home away from home!

People ask me if I plan on returning to Sugod to volunteer again. I have never returned to the same place twice and I’m not sure I will but I must admit it is food for thought! It’s a very special place to spend time at.

My schedule is kind of crazy since I wake up in the wee hours of the morning to chat with my friends and family on face book and to bring up my email. Yahoo seems to be very very slow at other times but works faster during these hours. So, I head to bed somewhere around 11 p.m. and when I wake up (old women have to pee during the night) I simply bring up face book on my computer that sits on my bed inside my mosquito net and make contact.

Last but not least I want once again to thank all my family and friends that made it possible for me to volunteer here in the Philippines. Without your help, it would not have happened!

To all who read this and think they would like to experience the pleasures of volunteering, I encourage you to take the first step and contact GVN. They are a great organization to work with and they care about you and your volunteering. There is a toll free number to call or send them an email. Perhaps our paths will cross on some volunteer duty somewhere in this world.

You must be creative when doing volunteer work. Each day I must come up with an idea that will teach the kids but first I need their attention and to keep that attention for the entire class. Thanks for all the assistance I get from the other volunteers who come into the classroom willing and able to work.

Yesterday afternoon we got a surprise. While our classes have gained a student or two over the weeks I’ve been teaching, yesterday afternoon was the biggest gain. It’s usually just the 4th graders (slow kids) but to our wonderment there sat also the 5th graders (who returned after lunch) and they simply sat themselves down at a table (some with books in their hands) and was waiting for us. So, we increased from 9 to 16 students. These are the kids the teachers had trouble with keeping them in school. Some miss as many days as the ones they attended.

I’m not blaming the regular teachers. Wow, their job is difficult. They have as many as 50 kids in a class. I don’t know how they do it for five days a week. I would have to change professions or I would be in a straight jacket (lol)

The walk to school is so beautiful. There are rice paddies on each side (terraces with some more green then others), flowers next to the road, rice drying on one side of the road and as you look up the mountains you see coconut trees as well as other green trees. It’s absolutely beautiful and I love the walk there. It doesn’t get more beautiful then this. Once you enter the gates of the school there are gardens of veggies and herbs. The walk here and the school grounds will be the lasting picture in my head of the Philippines.

Yesterday we made reservations to go away for a week over the Christmas holidays. We (Evan and myself) will travel to Bayacay (another island) and spend from Dec 16th to the 23rd taking in some of the beautiful sun, basking in the sun on the beach and whatever else it holds for us. I’m looking forward to the restaurants I hear they have some good ones. Of course I’ll miss the foods here at Mama Tess’ house. Felix (her husband) is an excellent cook and I’ve tasted some things I’ve never tasted before and I still have no idea what I’ve eaten!

We’re supposed to have a typhoon come through for the weekend. Hopefully, we make it over to the other island without any problems. Not sure what “typhoons” hold in store for us but feel they’re like our hurricanes. Just another name to describe the same thing!

If I don’t get to write in this journal before Christmas, I want to take this time to wish you all a great holiday (no matter what religion or non-religion you are). It’s a time when many people get together so enjoy all, don’t eat to much and remember to share. Share with those who have less and you’ll eventually have more.

Love to all my family, friends and even those who take the time to read my journal. Maybe I’ve inspired you enough to take that first step to volunteering somewhere in this world. You get a good education cause you too will learn something. I do every day here!

What you think you know….

I mentioned in my last journal about the simple basic things in life here and how the carpenter built the entire bed and dresser(s) (he did two today) by using basic nails, hammer and a handsaw. well, as I was sitting on the porch observing all that pass me (I can see into the street and half the village lives past our house) I watched the carpenter go into the other house on this property and walk out with a power tool

Now having mentioned this I guess we’re really back to the main point that power tools don’t do you any good if there isn’t any power so he did use the basic things to build the furniture.

Mama Tess and the gang (about 6 people) just left in the CERV van to travel to San Augustin to attend a wake (Mama Tess’ aunt). They will spend the night there with someone staying a wake throughout the night to keep the special candle lit beside the coffin. They invited me to join them but I really don’t have any need to sit up all night next to a casket of someone I don’t know.

The compound here is very quiet. Felix is busy cooking Evan and my dinner. There is a big booming sound (base of music) playing somewhere and it’s been booming for the better part of the afternoon. I wish they would turn it down so I could hear the sounds of everyday living (or is that everyday living?) I must admit I like it when the “older” English songs are played on the radio and it to be loud (but I don’t mind). Guess it’s just a matter of taste!

I’m having a terrible problem with my eyes. I actually left the house (USA) with this problem but it now is worst. I use eye drops but it last (being able to see clearly) for only a few minutes if that. I’ve asked my cousin back home to make an eye appointment for me. The worst part is I can’t read a book as I would like to. It tires me to strain to keep the words from all going together. I’m told I have “dry” eyes and was being treated for it (the eye doctor would give me different strengths of eye drops) but I’m thinking it’s something more. I will have it taken care of once I’m home. In the meantime my daughter has put on face book for all my friends/family to write in capital letters – I say not necessary but big type is! Guess this is what getting older is about.

I’ll be 71 the day I arrive back to the states. I guess that’s considered old to many people especially here. They remark after knowing my age that I must be very strong. Am I? I don’t know what “strong” is but I manage to get where I need to go. Maybe a little slower but I get there.

Tomorrow is a holiday here in the Philippines so there will be no school. I’ll get to watch the children at play. That’s always fun and takes up a lot of time. One must find things to amuse themselves with if you want to be happy here. So far I’ve managed to do that.

Electricity

We were without electric power for nearly the entire day yesterday and even into the night. We woke up and still no power but sometime during our time at the mangroves it came back on. I realize each time it goes out that I’m really not that concerned with it. I kind of like the darkness. It brings people together more simply to sit and talk. Now, having said that I also realize how much I depend on it when I went to use my computer and it was down to 3 percent power.

This morning Evan and I headed to the mangroves and I helped him measure the plants and count the leaves. He’s the boss and I’m the helper. I realize that is the way it goes with this project since I do have my limitations standing and walking in them. I did get some cleaning of the plants in.

We found one big branch cut. It was lying on the ground and you could see it was very obvious a saw had been taken to it.

These plants become our babies. We go to clean them and to take care of them. Each one is precious and while we’ll not be here to know if they survived we will have played a small part in helping to restore the mangroves and hopefully it will help the islanders when the typhoons hit.

Eden left for Manila. She’ll arrive there tomorrow. New volunteers will be coming and hopefully the books will arrive to. I can then start to label them using the Dewey Decimal System (of which I only know from the paper I copied from the Internet and brought with me). Hey, I maybe 70 but I’m not so old I can’t learn!

It rained a lot over this past week and we mostly sat around because the tides or the rain kept us on the porch. I’m glad today is sunny.

I don’t think I mentioned this before but want to now – I love the music they play on the radio here. It’s the old tunes back from my time. I hear the words. I know the words. I can sing along with the words. It’s really nice listening to their music.

That’s it from me for now.

Yesterday I learned how many Philippi no’s can fit into the back of a small van and travel for 5-6 hours. Seriously, I would never have guessed so many people (12 to be exact) plus one roasted pig, a huge plastic container that people here use as luggage, plus some groceries and things from the hardware store.

Friday night I was told to get good nights sleep and be ready to leave at 6 a.m. So, on the way 9 people piled into the back of this small van along with two huge backpacks and a roasted pig (with all the juices). I was one of the nine in the back of the van even though they insisted I sit up front. We left three people off at a ferry and the rest of the way I was in the front.

The wedding was interesting but a lot like in the states. What I liked the most was when the bride “Cia” and the groom “Burns” pulled the two strings that were hanging on a paper bell that was centered in the middle of the isle where they were serving the food at the reception. Out flew two white doves. I have never seen that in the USA. They also cut the cake before we ate the food (served buffet style) but I never did see the cake served and we were there till the end. I’m wondering if they forgot to serve it.

After the reception people started piling into the van. That’s when we numbered 12 plus the roasted pig (they didn’t leave it because there were two pigs already there to be served so they brought it back home) and we then stopped at a local hotel and picked up the luggage of a few of the people who were returning to Sugod with us. I was the lucky one cause I got to ride in the front with just the driver. I think just the two of us cause my ass takes up most of the passenger seat.
We traveled along the coastline on some paved roads and some that were not. I was reminded of my time in Costa Rica with my daughter Aletha when she was in the Peace Corp. My two daughters (Fariba and Aletha), Bobby and I rented a car and toured Costa Rica. Many of the roads were exactly like this. They were paved then they were not and in front of us were boulders, mudslides and piles of rock and rubbage. I stopped counting the places where the outside of the road (the side we were on or should I say suppose to drive on) wasn’t there or was ready to fall down the mountain or into the sea. People did put up some barricades such as a pile of rocks, some branches sticking out or a makeshift kind of fenced.

I’m writing this as proof that I didn’t fall off the mountain or into the sea (lol). The ride was adventures and even thought the 12 people were all piled into the back of the van (with the pig) they still managed to laugh and enjoy the trip. I’m told that’s how Philippines’ travel together. I’m willing to wager if one or two more needed a ride they would have found a way to fit them in.

Today is Sunday and it’s been a lazy day for me. I did put the eye glasses (my eye doctor gives me the ones left behind when people get new glasses) on the table on the porch and it didn’t take long till the word got out and many people came at different times and I gave away most of them with the exception of the really really strong prescription ones. I also taught some kids how to knit. The villagers spent the day preparing for their time watching the “big fight”. They of course put their wagers on the Philippino fighter. All gathers around the TV to watch.

These people are amazing. Nothing seems to bother them. Disappointment is just part of life. I like their attitude. There is always the sound of laugher or singing. I read they like to sing and I can tell you there voices are heard singing the slow songs of the past (English speaking songs from the 50’s to the 80’s) that play here in the village from some radio station. Everyone sings along with the songs. Even I do!

The mangrove project is moving ahead. Yesterday we measured some of the plants and counted the leaves and marked down their locations. That’s done so we can monitor them for growth or when they dissapear or die.

While I have everything I really need I am missing dairy and some good white wine. Eden purchased a bottle of red for me but unfortunately it is sweet and not to my taste. I think the wine has to wait until I get back to the USA. Since I left on October 27th I haven’t had butter, milk or cheese (all of which are my favorite to eat). Oh well!

Usually I bring my water filter or buy bottle water but here I drink it right out of the pipe because it comes from the mountains and it’s cold and delicious (and I don’t usually like the taste of water). We also use it for our showers. Mama Tess (my host) ask me this evening if I wanted some of the hot water she boiled for my bath and I declined because I actually like the cold feeling when the water hits my body.

That’s about it from here. I’ll end by saying hi to all of you (my friends and family) and thanks for your support in helping me get here. I wish you all could be here with me. I want to give special thanks to my son Jack for helping me out at home with the Chris issue. For those who didn’t read my last journal, he’s the man who lived in my carriage house (2nd floor) for 5-6 years and was killed while crossing the railroad tracks at Overbrook Station (two blocks from the house). When my kids talked to his only family members they were told they didn’t want any of his personal belongings so they wouldn’t be coming to remove anything. I can understand it because his only brother was taken to a hospice with cancer and his sister-in-law has her hands full with dealing with her husbands illness so that means there is no one else. That’s so sad! When I get home I must plant a tree or something as a memorial for Chris. After all this was his only home for so many years. He lived like a hermit –only one person ever visiting him was his brother and that happened only 2-3 times. So sad!

I leave you all now and hopefully I can post this journal. I’ve typed it into word a head of time. Bye from beautiful, hot village of Sugod where the ants manage to crawl up my legs no matter where I sit or stand. However, if that’s the worst then it’s more then good here.