A Royal Welcome

After an abominable day of flights, layovers and ridiculous luggage charges... I made it.  I am finally in Australia!

On Friday morning at about 10:00am I was greeted at Sydney Airport by my wonderful aunt and uncle, Coral and Phil, and his brother and sister-in-law, Geoff and Joy.  After hugs and tears and laughter and English, Joy and Coral and I hopped on a train and headed to Sydney.  We got off at Circular Key and had a coffee on the harbour overlooking the Harbour Bridge and the beautiful Sydney Opera House.  After that we headed up to the Opera House for a closer look and got rained on.  The weather certainly could have been better, but it was still better than a kick in the teeth.  After coffee and walking around a little more we stopped for a meat pie.  The rain persisted so we hopped back on the train and headed for Town Hall to see the beautifully ornate Queen Victoria Building we're we did some window shopping and then had stopped for tea and a vanilla slice.  We quickly ducked into Victoria's Basement, a kitchen store, so the ladies could pick up commemorative William and Kate plates before catching the train home.
When we arrived back at Geoff and Joy's we took our places for the wedding of the decade.  We were quite early though and since I had been waiting for a hot shower for 12 weeks, I opted out of some of the pre-wedding coverage for the blessed hot water.  It was a truly amazing moment.  After freshening up it was time for dinner; a beautiful lasagna that Coral made and a salad which I've been craving for months.  It wouldn't have been complete without a ginger beer which brought the meal to an A+.  Back to the tele for the entrance of William and Harry, Her Majesty and finally the beautiful bride.  We enjoyed the wedding immensely; Jane Austen could not have written a better ceremony. For all of the Americans who seem to think it was nothing but a waste of money or whatnot, keep it to yourself.  The commonwealth love their royals, and about a billion people heard a heap of the gospel, so I say it was well worth it.  The evening was beautiful and the sleep that followed was the best I've slept in quite a long while.
The following morning we had a delightful breakfast and set off for Dungog where Phil and Coral's farm is located.  We drove about 3 hours and then stopped for lunch and grocery shopping in Maitland.  Back on the road again and we arrived at my favorite farm at about 4:00pm.  My uncle Rob and Aunt Wendy were there to great me along with my lovely cousin Racheal and several of her friends who were getting ready for a party that evening.  We planned to attend so we headed for the house to freshen up.  After a cuppa, some Anzac cookies and a quick call home, I filled the great big tub with hot water and had a luxurious bubble bath; what more could a girl ask for?
We went to the party and had a lovely time.  Delicious food including lamb, hummus and sausage rolls, and good conversation around some games of pool. My cousin Tim had also come in for the party and it was lovely seeing him too.  There was a good deal of grog there though, so we left when the rest of them started to get a little too fuzzy for chat.
It is now the next morning and I am getting caught up on news and laundry.  I think another bath will be in order soon; perhaps after afternoon tea and some hot cross buns. :)

Sunday, April 24- But of course, I'll miss them.

What will I miss?

• Marc
• Richard
• Brindy
• Mary Joy
• Rosella
• Joel
• Romie
• Jestoni
• Jemboy
• Jojet
• Suzanne
• Sheila
• Rejina
• Glend
• Jimboy
• Janeth
• Jennefer
• Grace
• Jessa
• Judy Ann
• Mico
• Lecio
• Herman
• Alberto
• Marivel
• Isay
• Melody
• Mary Lyn
• Marycel
• Keyce
• April
• Angel
• Dondon
• Carlos
• Jaypee
• Shaolin
• KB
• Bobby

Thursday, April 21- Filipinos in Three

If you are ever planning a trip to the Philippines, or you just wonder about the people here, these are the three words that I can give you that best describe the Filipino people.

1)      Shy

It is *shocking* how shy Filipinos are; and how self-proclaimed their shyness is.  After living with this group of <50 Filipinos for three months, many of them are still painfully nervous when I strike up a conversation with them.  If they happen to not know an English word to use or worse if they use the wrong word, the laugh and cover their face with their hands and crumple up into a ball.  For some of them all I have to do is look at them and smile and I can get the same reaction.  One of the kids brings a notebook with him when we do a film showing so he can jot down the English words that he doesn’t know and look them up later, which I think is great.  I asked to see the book after our last movie and he fought to keep it away from me and then asked if he could cross off some of the words first.  He said he was “ashamed.” That word along with “shy”, “embarrassed”, “humiliated” and “uncomfortable” are used all the time by Filipinos to describe how they feel when talking to someone they don’t know (or someone they’ve been living with for a quarter of the year.)

2)      Curious

Despite being painfully shy, Filipinos may brave being in a situation they are uncomfortable with if there is something shiny there.  That may sound like an exaggeration but one of the kids even said, “We Filipinos get very curious when there is noise or lights and we have to go there.”  This has worked in BTEA’s favor over the years when they draw a crowd by showing a film and then share the gospel.  On a smaller level, the moment that I bring my computer out of my room it is like a swarm of bees attacks me.  Within a few minutes I have to motion away the spectators just so I can breathe again.  Even if the only thing on my computer is a word document or a playlist of songs, they are drawn to it like a moth to a flame.  Even if nothing electronic is involved, they hate being out of the know.  Several times I and others have attempted to set up a surprise in the dining hall which is the only room that you can actually close off.  However, the kids will put sticks through the windows to try and pry the wooden slats open or will goes as far as to keep a few at the front door to distract us while a couple go around the back.  It is quite frustrating when all you want is to surprise them.

3)      Hospitable.

Though their terrified curiosity can get old, I cannot take away the truly kind spirits and intentions of the Filipinos.  It’s almost impossible to enter a room without being asked “what can I do for you?”  A simple question like, “Where is the peanut butter” will often result in an offer of peanut butter, honey, 12 kinds of jam, mayonnaise, mustard and banana ketchup (yes, I said banana ketchup).  Anytime that I give any hints of being tired I am immediately begged to go take my rest.  When I inform the cook that she is spoiling me too much she just answers, “I just love you.”  I don’t like being treated like a princess, but I know that their hearts truly want to serve.

Well, there you go.  I give you, the Filipinos.

Ciao.

Saturday, April 23- So what AREN’T you going to miss, Bekah?

Well, since you asked…

ü  Waking up to roosters—at any hour

ü  Rats

ü  Ants everywhere!

ü  Any kind of creature in a place it shouldn’t be

ü  Wearing shoes every second I am out of bed

ü  Freeeeeeeeeezing showers

ü  Wet sheets, wet blankets, wet pillows, wet clothes

ü  Rice

ü  The boys competing for the title of most nasally falsetto voice

ü  Aww-HI!... WAWAWEE (there will be no explanation for this)

ü  Loading pisos to call or text

ü  Loading pisos to use the internet

ü  Hand washing all my clothes

ü  Living out of a suitcase

ü  Ilonggo

ü  Filipino Radio (I may do an entire blog on this topic)

ü  Fire ants

ü  My adapter

ü  Being stared at… CONSTANTLY!

Friday, April 22- Good Friday Talent Show

My computer battery is very near dead and my adapter is crap so I can no longer charge my computer (at least from here) so I am writing this blog on paper and will transfer it later (which is now).  See how much I love you? Or how much I love writing… Either way I better get lots o’ comments on this entry.

Tonight was out talent show which is the main thing I have been working on for the last month.  It has been so difficult to get the kids to come forward with something they want to present/perform because they are so painfully shy.  I finally got ten acts put together and after helping them with everything from choreography to downloading songs to voice lesson, six of the acts dropped out for one reason or another.  That left the entire show with four acts.  They were our strongest acts though and I didn’t worry too much because we had inadvertently placed the show on Good Friday and decided to instead of change the date, invite the community and then show the Jesus Film afterwards. 

Everything seemed basically ready until I woke up this morning not feeling so well.  I told them I’d stay home while they went to the church for Good Friday activities.  I slept for a little while but then woke up drenched in sweat.  I could tell that I had a fever but it was more than that.  I soon realized that we were in the middle of a brown-out and so my fan was off; and the sun was beating down.  This was one of the hottest days yet.  I felt delirious.  I splashed some water on my face and fanned myself with every piece of paper and book in my reach.  The rest of the day was spent doing this or lying down without sleeping.  A little before dinner I decided to go for a walk to see if being slightly active would ward off my growing lethargy.  I ate quickly and then packed up all of my equipment and set off to walk to the church.  No one else was ready (because time means nothing here) so I told them to hurry after me.  I think I felt the moment that my fever broke and as I walked to the church I started shaking and had cold sweats.  When I arrived I was sweating and completely out of breath and Nanay asked what I was doing there; she had completely forgotten about the show.  This poor woman needs some serious brain food!  Anyway, the show went on and went well.  The youngest kids sang “The Papaya Song” (thank you, David Dunn) and then the Elementary girls did a dance to Casting Crowns’ “Who am I” followed by a traditional Tiboli dance from some Elementary boys and Lifehouse’s “Everything” skit by a group of high school kids.  There were also three unplanned acts that came from nowhere including singing, guitar playing and another drama.  Why they didn’t tell me about these sometime in the last month I’ll never know.  Anyway, it was a good night and some great messages were made clear about our Savior and His love for us.

“Greater love has no one that this, that He’d lay down his life for His friend.”

This is dedicated to Ben.  We sort of started a tradition of watching “The Passion of the Christ” together on Good Friday (three times in four years in case you didn’t know).  I wish we could do that today. Love you!

Tuesday, April 19- List: Movies

With nine days to go and with my mind stuck on movies, here is the list of the top movies I have wanted to watch but could not. (Note: this is not all of them… I’m a movie person, so the complete would be rather extensive.)

-The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

-A&E Pride and Prejudice

-The Man from Snowy River

-Les Miserables

-The Royal Tennenbaums

-Australia

-Rocketman

-Braveheart

-Tristan + Isolde

-BBC Sherlock Holmes (any episode)

-The King’s Speech (I want to SEE that!)

-Troy

-Moulin Rouge!

-Sense and Sensibility

-Inglorious Basterds

-Laserblast!

-Dumb and Dumber

-The Truman Show

-Lost in Translation

These are the movies that I have watched while over here that I could have done without:

-Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakwel (sp?)

-Thumbellina

Wow. Much Shorter.

And there is only one of these so it hardly counts as a list, but I just saw ‘The Polar Express’ for the first time and it was thoroughly strange and quite wonderful.  It also proved that even in April, the spirit of Christmas can make me cry. J

This is dedicated to Jennifer Stamness who has been faithfully commenting on blogs from the beginning! Thank you, friend!!!

Monday, April 18- Brown outs, Halo Halo and Slaves

We have been having so many stinking brown outs lately.  It’s making me crazy! I won’t be able to blog for long due to the tremendously short life of my computer battery, so I’ll just fill you in about a few events.

Today I took a group of elementary kids (the rest will go tomorrow) to a place called “Quinchers” were they got to enjoy a chicken sandwich and one of their favorite treats, Halo Halo.  Literally Halo Halo translates as “mix mix” which is what they do before eating it.  It’s basically (hey, brown out over!) a cup or a bowl and they just stick a mess of stuff in there.  Ice is a must ingredient and then usually ube flavored ice cream which is bright purple and basically gross.  Then they add corn (yes), cheese (yes!) and/or cornflakes and some kind of gelatinous substance.  You will not be surprised to hear that I did not order any for myself.

At dinner I had one of those “what are they teaching kids in school” moments when the girls at my table started asking questions about America.  They do this quite often and it’s normally along the lines of “do you have this fruit” or “do you go to a market” and stuff like that.  Well tonight Melody asked if I cooked in America and I said yes and Mary Lyn followed it with, “do you have slaves?”  What?! Seriously?! I repeated it to see if I had misheard, but she confirmed it.  I emphatically answered no and she said, “Servants?” Wow.  Now I know that most of their history would be about their own country, but the abolition of slavery in America was kind of a big deal; I assumed that would be covered.  It’s just funny to realize that my home is even more of a foreign idea to them as theirs is to me and my friends who can’t grasp what it is like here. Different worlds.

I just walked outside to hush some dogs making a ruckus outside my window and I looked up to see the moon brighter than I have ever seen it.  I seriously couldn’t look directly at it for very long.  The light looked artificial, like a street light.  Crazy.

Exciting news: We expect Uncle Bob to arrive mid-morning on Tuesday (so yesterday, since I can’t post this before then).  I’m very excited to see him again, and of course to have another American friend around.  I think he’ll only be staying for about 24 hours though.  It will still be good, and though we aren’t tell the kids yet, I know they can’t wait to see him again.  They always ask when he’ll be here again.  He is the Uncle they never had and they love him.

I was telling someone today that I am going to be home in a little over three weeks and it weirded me out.  That is crazy!! I’ve had a countdown of days until I leave here, but somehow it is so much harder to picture myself at home again that travelling to my next destination.  I remember three weeks ago! I can’t imagine being home in that amount of time.  I think the amount of travel that I still have left makes it difficult and slightly scary.  Putting aside my journey to Australia, I have to fly back to Manila and stay there for two days and then try to get out with no trouble (my visa will have expired) and then go through Tokyo while praying that things are stable enough there for me to get out and then continue the long trek home.  Wow, I am so glad that God has my future taken care of—I’d be a wreck otherwise. J

I’ve gotten to have some really sweet times with my Savior the last few days.  I go out to the view right at sunset and the hills are painted with beautiful pink and orange hues.  I pull out my mp3 player and just sit and sing for a while, which is absolutely my way of worship and something that I have thoroughly felt the lack of since arriving here.  Chris Tomlin, Donna Stuart, David Dunn, Casting Crowns, David Crowder, Jordan Johnson, Selah, Bebo Norman and Hillsong—thank you for joining me here and bringing me the joy of singing praises to my redeemer.

It’s about lights out time.  I actually don’t mind brown outs at night since it makes the dorm utterly black and the house parents can’t listen to their radio.  It’s selfish, but I enjoy the deep sleep I get in the dark and quiet. However, so far it looks like our power is staying (but that could be because the generator is chugging away—loudly.)  I’d just like to add that I have no clue how all this technical stuff happens.  Generators and electricity and whatnot are so foreign to me. I never paid much attention to those sections in science. 

Good night, loves! I will see you in less than a month, God-willing.

Love you!

Saturday, April 16- Redeemed by love

Today is an odd day.  I can’t seem to shake this feeling in me.  I am also incredibly emotional and feel like all the tears that I’ve held back for the last three months are attacking me trying to get out.  I try not to cry because over here you are more likely to get mocked and teased than comforted; but it’s also not comfort I want.  I’m not sad.  It’s just a weird day.  It’s the feeling I used to get in my home in Elgin on my mom’s Bible study nights.  I don’t think I ever told her this, but I couldn’t sleep until she got home.  I didn’t like those nights because she was always out until at least 11:00pm (imagine a mother of 8 wanting a break) and for some reason we always expected her sooner.  I would get this hollow feeling in my stomach whenever my dad would make me go to bed and she wasn’t home.  I was always sure that she had an accident and couldn’t call us.  The sound of the garage door opening was such a relief.  I guess this was before I really thought you could pray for yourself because I always remember praying something like, “I don’t care if I have to stay worried and have to feel miserable, just let her be safe.”  I’ve learned since then that it’s okay to ask for peace for yourself (which is basically how my every day begins now), but I’m still glad He answered my prayers. 

I know what started this odd feeling; I just finished Redeeming Love; again.  The feeling actually started early this morning when I got to quite a crucial point on the road to the powerful ending and had to leave it there.  This has happened other times that I’ve read it, and other books, though never as much as this one.  I just tie myself so tightly to the characters that when they are in pain, I ache.  To give you more proof of this and more reasons to mock me, this same thing happened in one of the last seasons of 24.  I won’t spoil anything, but someone’s wife died and I think I cried for about 2 days over that.  I am really quite empathetic; this comes in handy on stageJ.  So back to this morning, I just felt like I was walking around wounded all morning.  I felt like something so wrong was happening; people were separated who shouldn’t be; and I knew I had all the power to fix it!  It doesn’t matter that I knew the ending and that I was reading this story for the ninth time; it wasn’t done, it wasn’t right and so I felt incomplete.  When the rain started pouring I gave in and went to bring to book to its conclusion.  As in every previous read, I could not hold my tears in, and I was grateful that the rain pounded loud enough to cover my sobs (though the sound of the rain kind of spurred on the continuing of the tears).  But unlike other times, that feeling didn’t go away.  I didn’t feel complete.  I had the joy that covered me.  I felt so utterly insignificant and unworthy and so desperately loved by my father in heaven.  But I’ve still been on the verge of tears, and not of joy.  I just keep thinking that there are people, so many people, who don’t know this feeling.  There are people who think they don’t want this or think that they can’t obtain it.  I know they joy of being madly in love with the creator of the universe, my loving father, my king; but others don’t.  I just want to scream loud enough for everyone to hear! What could be better than this!?  What are you looking for!? You are empty—and you can be filled until you overflow with the abundant life that he has for you! I just want everyone to know the wonder that I feel, and yet knowing that I can’t make them listen is leaving me feeling weak.  I am weak. 

On top of that, I think all of me is really feeling how long I’ve been gone.  I talked to someone about how coming back here feels like you found a piece of your heart’s puzzle that had been missing.  For a little while it feels complete and perfect; but then you realize that you left 50 pieces at home, and that one piece can’t quite cover it anymore.  I love this piece of my life, but there is a chunk of me that I had to leave behind, and I’m ready to be reunited with that part.  I guess heaven is the only place where your puzzle gets to be complete.

We had a slew of brown outs today, the last one lasting a few hours.  It started after dinner while I was in the girls’ dorm.  When I made my way back to the boys’ dorm, a handful of the high school and college boys and Toto (houseparent) were sitting the pitch black of the common area strumming guitars and singing worship songs.  I took my place on the wooden bench and listened and sang with them for more than an hour.  As soon as one song would finish someone would start singing the first line of a new song and the guitars would catch up.  Someone started singing “Make Me a Servant” which triggered Toto and I to recall dialogue from Psalty’s Kids Praise cassette tapes and we got a little distracted.  When we started singing, “No, no, Don’t do it, Charity” we knew it was time to call it a night. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you probably never will.)

I need to wrap this up and get to bed.  It’s raining steadily but not too heavily so this is the perfect time to sleep.  Angel is home and seems to be doing better.  Thank you for your prayers. 

11 days.

Love you guys.

This post is dedicated to anyone who HAS NOT read “Redeeming Love”.  Consider this your recommendation.  Go read it.  What are you waiting for?

Wednesday, April 13- It’s Arrested Development

I’ve told you about and shared pictures of the three puppies that were born shortly after my arrival.  As you may remember, I grew quite fond of the little mutts and named them all (though to the orphans they are all just called “Bekah’s puppies”).  Sadly they have lost much of their young cuteness and are looking more and more like their 12-breed parents every day.  Also, I haven’t seen one of them (Bingley) for about a week and that is just not a good sign.  However I digress from the actual subject I want to discuss.  I was enjoying seeing their different personalities emerge and started to think that they reminded me of some people.  I soon realized exactly who these people were:  The Bluth Brothers.  Now if you have had the misfortune to have never seen Arrested Development before, it is much less important that you read this than that you sign-up for Netflix and indulge in the complete series that can be seen there for free (you’re welcome, Netflix).  If you are in the privileged group of knowing and loving this show, you may find this humorous.

We’ll start with the youngest (Bluth Brother that is, I don’t know the age order of the puppies).  Ben, the puppy with tan hair and black ears, is Buster.  He is afraid of everything; truly everything.  He rarely leaves the small hut adjacent to the boys’ dorm where his mother Pam (Lucille, of course) also spends most of her time.  Now sometimes she does wander off, especially around meal times when she is normally sitting by my side hoping for (and usually receiving) scraps.  When Ben realizes she is gone, he runs to the comforts of another white dog that looks similar to Pam, but is not his mother (Lucille 2).  Much of Ben’s day is spent hunkering in corners, running from everyone and being tormented by his older brothers. Though he has certainly never been down to the river, I have no doubt that there would be a seal waiting for him if he indeed took the plunge.  I give you, Buster Bluth.

Then there is Gob (pronounced Job as in the Bible for those who are unfamiliar with the show).  Gob’s puppy doppelganger is Bingley (yes, the one who is missing).  Bingley is rather rambunctious and is considered a nuisance to most of the canine community.  He gets his kicks by scaring his brother, Ben and trying to entice his other brother to fight with him.   He makes more noise than the other two puppies but is really quite lazy.  Considering I haven’t seen him in a week, I should probably go see if anyone is missing a yacht.  Ladies and gentlemen: George Oscar Bluth, or Gob.

Finally we get to Michael who is personified (dogified) in our final puppy, Socks.  Socks is a fast learner and had spent most of his time observing his parents antics and perfecting them for his own use.  He normally beats his mother to my side at meal time now and has a much less annoying presence than she so I am more likely to feed him.  He seems embarrassed by his family and their promiscuous nature (this is his mothers second litter in about 6 months and there are different fathers) but he does his best to help them make positive changes.  Oddly, he doesn’t like bananas and he is more drawn to our campfires that Gob (who I guess is too busy trying to find the lighter fluid).  He is a hard worker, which however has made him much scrawnier than his siblings.  Still, he is the responsible one, so we have a Michael Bluth. 

I’m pretty sure I saw Pam (Lucille) getting a little more attention from the 3-legged dog (not making this crap up) than she cared for, so maybe we have a Lindsey or Tobias or Maeby or George Michael on the way. 

Can you believe I actually spend time doing stuff like this?

This is for Abby, since I didn't blog on your birthday! Happy birthday, daling! Miss you!! See you very soon.

Monday, April 11- An anniversary, I guess

Yet again a large Filipino event is planned and I’m given no warning.  Today was Nanay and Tatay’s 41^st anniversary.  A large gathering of people from their congregation were at the function hall with a feast prepared for dinner and I had no idea about it until I heard wedding music all the way over in my room.  Now had I known about this, it could have been really fun.  However, instead I was summoned to come and join the party (for which I was still unaware of the occasion) right after I had done Tae Bo AND realized that there was no water so I couldn’t shower.  Having not received any information on what was really going on I assumed it wasn’t a big deal and told the messenger that I’d be around shortly.  I put on an episode of Friends and sat in front of my fan hoping that I could escape the small gathering and just meet up with them for dinner.  About 10 minutes went by and then I heard Jestoni’s voice outside my window.  I opened it and he informed me that he was going to wait for me to come out and then escort me to the function hall.  I finally realized that I wasn’t going to get out of this.  I changed and put my hair back which did little to fix the problem of my appearance (and my feeling of total discomfort) and went with Jestoni.  Upon arriving I discovered that this was a much bigger deal that I had anticipated.  The whole place was decorated with white and red ribbons and balloons and people were seated all around.  A white satin aisle led to the edge of the view where the small pavilion was strewn with tulle, ribbons and Christmas lights.  The place looked quite fit for a wedding.  The music was, as is the Filipino tradition, blaring beyond any necessary volume and the Jiji took her place as the emcee with her voice pounding on top of the already crazy loud music.  I won’t go into much more detail as it is already quite late (I had to stay up and wait for the water to come in), but you can know the night went on with a ceremony and a whole lotta Ilonggo.  I’d share pictures with you, but as I was not informed of the event I was not able to arrange going into town to get batteries. The last thing I’ll mention about the night is something that happened and has happened at every event that I’ve been present for.  After the meal was beautifully set out and the ceremony was already underway, Jennifer and Indi (the cook) came out and started setting up a place setting for me at the head of the table, even though everything was buffet-style.  My same white plate and little glass and fancy napkin and shiny silverware were being set out while everyone else started passing around the stack of green plastic plates.  I can’t explain how awful this makes me feel.  I immediately got Jennifer’s attention and told her to just leave the stuff there and I’d take care of it.  She looked concerned and turned to Indi who both looked panicked like they had displeased me.  I got them both over and using as much Ilonggo as I could tried to explain to them that I don’t want to sit at the front of the room alone when everyone else is out in the chairs.  I feel like everyone looks at me and thinks that the plates they use and the food they eat isn’t good enough for me.  I hate this.  I wanted to just get up and run out of the hall.  I can’t win because if I tell Indi not to worry she thinks that I don’t appreciate how hard she works for me (and I really, really do), but if I go along with her entirely then I look like a spoiled princess and have dozens of people staring at me while I eat my fancy food on my fancy plate with my fancy silverware.   Even with me taking my setting back to my chair and eating there, half the room gawked at me mercilessly.  I don’t want to take away their hospitality because I know they love doing things for me but it makes things so much harder when I feel like a spectacle rather than someone who loves these kids and is here to help. 

Okay, now I really need to go to bed.  Please pray for Angel.  She has been gone for a few days and I finally found out it is because she has a UTI.  She had one right before I arrived as well.  Pray for fast healing. 

I really, really love you all.  If you promise not to stare at me, I’ll be home in 32 days.  J

This is for all of the kids that I miss so terribly from NBBC.  So many of the children here remind me of you.  Just like you, they make everything worth it. Love you guys! (Especially Easley children, Amaya children, Sauer children and Boyd children since I think you are the once whose parents will see this.)

A comprehensive list of the things that I miss...

NOTE the title! This DOES NOT say "the people I miss" OR "the food I miss."  This list is for THINGS! Okay, just wanted to clarify.

And you can expect more lists in the future.  I am a chronic list maker, and with 17 days to go, I decided I'd give in to the urge.

Again... THINGS! (And these are in no particular order)

-Toilet seats
-Warm showers
-Dry sheets (not dryer sheets... but sheets in the condition of being dry)
-Washing Machines
-Dryers
-The ability to walk around barefoot, safely
-The Office
-Soft pews at church
-Driving
-Lauren Bain's laugh
-Sonic (not the food, but the actual establishment and it's active role in many of my friendships)
-My bed
-Carpet
-Walls that go all the way to ceiling
-Unlimited cell phone service
-Any cell phone service
-High heels
-HEB
-Tea (hot!)
-The look on Ariana Easley's face when I say something outrageous
-TimTams (sob)
-The radio (in English, of course)
-Not having to plan for 5 minutes what I need to take with me to the bathroom
-Vacuum cleaners
-Couches
-Powerful worship services
-My hottub
-Meghann Sauer's hug
-House MD
-Watching airplanes (family, it has been too long since we've done this!)
-Being able to call Blythe 10 times a day if necessary
-"That's what she said" (oh yes, I miss it)
-Quoting things with Jono, Ben and Kevin
-Red Eye
-Not having to use a converter to plug things in
-My Bible study
-The Sherlock Holmes theme music
-Hearing my dad play the piano
-Every single thing that Joshua ever does
-Going to the movies
-Listening to Rush Limbaugh
-Watching Planet Earth with Josh and Caleb
-Saturday morning breakfasts
-Texting
-Still being in awe after 7 years how early summer starts in Texas
-Freddy's dates with Janey
-Getting my hair cut
-My mom's beautiful face
-The smell of coffee brewing and the expectation of getting to drink it
-Trash cans!
-Every Friends season except for 6 (thanks, Mom!:)
-A bath (which for me includes a book, a drink and music)
-Ben and my "meal"
-Andy Easley trying to pretend I annoy him
-The College Group
-No need for mosquito nets
-The absence of rats from my life
-Being able to download Breakaway podcasts in 20 minutes (opposed to 6 hours)
-Noticing that no one is home and immediately singing very loudly
-Refrigerators that don't smell like (and are not full of) old fruit
-Texas
-Driving places with Becca
-The size of the potatoes at Jason's Deli
-Not having people stare at me... 24/7
-Sharing political humor with Andrew Bain
-Dancing
-The Kids Zone (which I'll never be able to see again in my life... sad day.)
-My wonderful, amazing, loving, crazy family (the actual institution of family; not the individual people so to keep with the flow of the list, however they are all truly missed.)


There is of course more... but I need to figure out what to take to the bathroom with me. Excuse me.

Thursday, April 7- We had joy, we had fun; but there are brats in every country

Well yesterday I got to take the first and second year students to Southside, a swimming resort.  Now it really never occurred to me (although it should have) that some of the kids may not know how to swim.  I found out upon arriving that for most of them, this was the first time in a swimming pool.  The boys were all fine swimmers, so I assume they learned in a river, but only one of the girls was at all confident in the water.  Thankfully, they all had a really great time and were able to still enjoy swimming since the water never got deeper than 5 ft.  

Although the day was really fun, especially for me since I’ve wanted to go swimming ever since I got here, there were two little things that made the day a bit of a drag at times; their names are Amy and Sam.  Sam is the 3-year-old son of Jiji (who was there with us) and Amy is 2-years-old and is Indi’s daughter (Jiji’s sister who was not there).  These two kids are adored by all around here and are both very cute; frankly though, they’re spoiled brats.  I am amazed that they can managed to be so spoiled and parented so poorly when they are living on the same property of 30+ orphans who are all (well, almost all) so well behaved and far from spoiled.  Amy, once again is 2, and weighs 25 kilos (that is about 55 pounds.)  She’s 2!  Her parents’ brand of spoiling has turned more into child abuse since frankly it is not her fault that she is overweight.  She cries for even a moment (or SCREAMS) and is given something to eat.  Her mom always says things like, “It is hard to stop Amy from eating.”  Um, NO! She’s two!! Stop handing her food!! I never see her without food in her hands.  She also still takes a bottle and wets herself every day when she naps on the floor.  Then there is Sam.  He is adorable and has the longest eyelashes I have ever seen.  Amazingly, he is more of a brat than even Amy is.  He has a shrill scream and he uses it often.  He throws amazing tantrums and I have never once seen him reprimanded.  The moment he starts crying he is comforted with hugs and kisses, even if the reason for his tears is that he was just told ‘no.’  He runs away from Jiji when she is calling him and she runs after him, but never punishes him.  With both of these children I have to bite my tongue and sit on my hands.  I am not a fan of parenting books most of the time, but even the most radical ones could have some great effects here, if they were even read.  I just want to find “Parenting for Dummies” and send it over.  This is harsh, but frankly, I care about these kids and I really hate seeing them raised poorly.  God works miracles though so maybe they’ll turn out alright. 

Okay, enjoy the pictures below. Love you all! 21 days!!

This post is for Ariana, Meghann, Renee and JaLynn. I got your package!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU a million times over. I love you all.

This is also dedicated to Blythe Meyer.  We really need to write “A Nanny’s Guide to Parenting.” Hahaha. Love you.

Amy

Lecio

Jessa, Grace, Bekah, Jennefer

WooHoo!!

Monday, April 4- Graduation!!

Today was the recognition ceremonies for grades 1-6 and the high school graduation.  Today was also the hottest day we’ve had since I’ve arrived; those of you who have been here know that the combination of these two things are definitely not ideal.  

Filipinos are nothing if not COMPLETELY formal when it comes to events like the previously documented prom experience and today’s graduation.  The chairs may be plastic, the floor may be dirt and the colors may not match, but there will not be one word unspoken or one traditional element left out that they believe is necessary to have a successful and FORMAL event. 

The ceremony started out with the students and their parents “marching” in together.  Now you may recall that I am at an orphanage, so the whole parent situation had to be remedied by the staff.  Apparently they did not actually count how many staff needed to attend, so I became a parent.  I even got a ribbon that said ‘PARENT’ (that is some of the ‘formal’ stuff I’m talking about).  After we marched in I sat down next to Tatay where I stayed for the next 2 hours.  Other odd ceremonial things took place like the Girl Scouts presenting the colors and a very emphatic, good ‘ole catholic prayer.  The TIC (teacher in charge) and some guy from the district got up there and one presented to the other “39 girls and 45 boys for a total of 84 students eligible for graduation from Lamsugod National High School” and the other accepted “39 girls and 45 boys for a total of 84 students eligible for graduation from Lamsugod National High School.”  Later they found some reason to repeat that phrase 2 more times.  As opposed to American graduations, the graduates walked the stage and got their diplomas and moved their tassels close to the beginning of the ceremony, before all of the speeches and special awards.  The students, when their name was called, made their way across the stage to accept their diploma, shake some hands and then had to go to the front and center of the stage and hold their little diplomas (scrolls) and bow to the crowd.  Again, somehow this sort of formality is seen as necessary.  Anyway, then the special awards were given out and of the top ten students, the 3^rd, 6^th, 8^th and 10^th honors where given to graduates from Uncle Dick’s Home; this is a sharp bunch of kids that just graduated.  Richard (3^rd) was also given 7 other medals for various honors.  Last week when they had a separate ceremony honoring all of the high school students I was one of the “imposers” of the ribbons and medals.  I can’t for the life of me understand why this word is used in this manner, but whenever they announced an award recipient they would say, “His/her medal will be imposed by his/her mother/father/uncle etc.”  It gives the idea that the students are trying to reject their awards.  Anyway, so I just went up with Richard and Romie and put a medal around their necks.  However, I flat out refused to do this for the graduation.  When we were alphabetically about five students away from one of our students, Gina (the bookkeeper) turned around and said, “You will be the one…” and I cut her off with a firm, “hindi!”, (no).  I know when they are trying to get me to do something that I really shouldn’t be when they start with, “You will be the one.”  Plus, it was just silly because the lady reading the names and imposers already had one of the staff listed to “be the one.”  When they make me do these things ALL of the attention and whatever else is put on me and not only am I tired of always being stared at, but this day was also to honor these kids and I refuse to take any of that away from them.   I really hate that they always try to treat me like some honored guest.   At last week’s ceremony they had a meal afterwards (full of nothing I can/want to eat) and the TIC kicked someone out of their chair at the teachers table to have me come and sit there, away from the only people that I knew.  I also refused that and let the poor man have his seat back.  It’s just exhausting!  Every time I wander into the kitchen I immediately have two or more people asking what they can do for me or what I need or what I’m looking for.  I just want to scream, “RELAX!”  I have been here for two months; I know where the peanut butter is. 

Anyway, back to the graduation.  After the awards the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian gave their speeches, both in Ilonggo and both of the girls ending up in tears.  Richard then got up and led the school in an “Oath to the Alma Mater.”  He finished and the guest speaker was introduced.  Being a guest speaker is apparently a huge honor in this country.  She graduated college in 1982 and yet they felt compelled to tell us that she graduated elementary school with honors.  Not to bash that, but KB graduated kindergarten with honors a few weeks ago and he cannot read a single word; just putting that in perspective.  So anyway she got up and was apparently not too inspirational or moving because few people were paying any attention; that is really a cultural thing though.  However, and they did this with the guest speaker from prom as well, as soon as she was done speaking (and she was also crying) they presented her with (and read aloud the full contents of) a certificate of honor for being their guest speaker.  It’s just odd.

The event came to a close and after a little schmoozing and socializing we walked home.  I was a complete mess upon arriving home, as it was ridiculously hot and humid, and we was welcomed with a brown out  which meant my fan had no power and there was no water. 

So, that was today.  The 4^th year students have a vacation to visit family and will be back in a few days.  Stay tuned—more fun events to come!

This is dedicated to Joseph (you get a lot of these).  This ceremony actually made me excited about attending your air conditioned graduation soon after I get home.

Brindy

Richard

Sunday, April 3- Singing the Sunday Blues… and Filipino honesty

Sundays are by far the hardest days here for me to choose joy.  It seems that I always have a very short fuse on Sundays and that anything makes me want to snap!  At home, I love Sundays.  Mornings are hectic but it doesn’t matter.  I love my church and I love getting to worship with a wonderful congregation and some very talented musicians.  I almost dread going to church here.  First off, I always seem to be more tired on Sunday mornings and after breakfast I just want to go back to sleep.  Instead though I go get ready for church, and sometimes it’s nice.  I like the change of wardrobe when I actually dress up a little and it’s normally nice to have a change of pace.  However, this is one that just gets me down.  Driving to church is a headache… and a back ache.  The jeep we take has wooden seats and metal rungs on the back and the bumpy terrain that accompanies us to Amazing Grace Baptist church does not go well with these two elements.  Upon arriving there are a few different Sunday school classes and I go with the high school/college class which is located in the “sanctuary”.  We are welcomed again with wooden seat and dirt floor.  The class starts with our heavy set (one of the few in the Philippines) teacher who is very nice and energetic and who speaks in Ilonggo for a solid hour.  I normally have a row to myself and I just read a book of the Bible while he talks (today it was Daniel).  After an hour I have a few minutes to stretch and I mean that literally.  Sitting on that hard surface for that long really gets my sciatic nerve hurting (which I believe is pinched again) and my lower back in agony.  I straight up start doing Pilates in the aisle.  The classes begin to merge then and my once empty row gets filled with kids, normally Jaypee, KB, Carlos, Alvin and Melody.  This is another oddity about Sundays; any other day, I love being with these kids and letting them sit on me and joke around, but Sundays I really just feel warn out.  The boys have one or two little “jokes” (like looking to see where my eyes are reading in my Bible and putting their hand over that part) which were funny the first time they did it—2 months ago—but now just make me want to flick them!  Things only get more aggravating when the service starts.  We stand up, we sit down, we stand up, we sit down, and we stand u…oh wait sit down, NO! Stand up!  Ahh! They’re Baptist, not Catholic!  Gina (who works at the orphanage) gets up and makes a few announcements (like how many people are here and how much our offering from the first hour was) and then asks if there are any birthdays for the next week.  We sing happy birthday every week—it is strange.  Then we have what our church would label our “meet and greet” time, but here we sing a song as we walk around and shake hands.  The lyrics are “I love the thrill that I feel when I get together with God’s wonderful people”, however the Filipino accents turn it into “I lub da trill dat I pill when I get togeder wid…”  Again, I know this stuff shouldn’t bother me, but there is that short fuse I mentioned.  After this is the worship time which sadly is the hardest part.  A lot of the songs are great and I want to just sing them and enjoy worshipping the Lord, but the unexpected tempo and phrasing changes and the singer’s voice fighting to control the pianist even though he actually has it right just causes me grief.   Plus the boys don’t care much for this part and they are usually throwing paper airplanes at me or trying to play with my hair.  I had two different kids on either side of me today tugging at my head so violently that I (did not scream) had to firmly tell them no more playing with the hair.  Then the sermon starts and it’s another hour of sitting and not understanding a word.  I try to read during this time but I spend most of it hushing people around me.  I say people because it’s not just the kids.  House parents and other adults making so much noise it’s ridiculous.  I always direct a hush to a child, but I really am hoping the others will follow.  I don’t care that I can’t understand the pastor, it’s just so rude! At the end I just can’t wait to leave.  It is Monday at least before the pain leaves my butt and back.

Filipinos are very honest people.  They don’t see anything rude in making comments that they believe to be true that an American would keep to his/herself.  I normally don’t mind that about them, but my self esteem could really benefit from them just keeping some things inside.  Almost daily someone will grab my leg and say, “Wow! So big!”  One of the college girls who didn’t remember me from last time told me yesterday that she actually did remember me.  She said she had forgotten because I was “much slimmer last time.”  When in Marbel I saw a dress that I thought was so cute and Jiji said, “Don’t even think about it.  You’d have to work out a whole lot more for that to fit you.”  Earlier tonight she was looking at pictures on my computer and saying, “Wow, look how slim you were!”  These are people who eat at least 6 cups of rice per day… you guys are blessed! Be happy and leave me be!

I am being bombarded with bugs from every direction right now which means my light is the last one on.  I have to go before I throw my computer at the gnat constantly trying to get in my eyeball. 

Tomorrow is graduation! It’s exciting but also sad.  Tomorrow is Alberto’s last day here as he will be returning to his parents (who were recently released from prison).  He has been one of my closest friends since getting here so that will be hard.  Then I also found out tonight that Marivel is leaving too.  I know her less and that is simply because she is shy, but I know she is a sweetheart and I’ll miss her dearly.  Please pray for both of these kids as I do not know the kinds of lives they are returning to.  Alberto is excited to be with his family again, but Marivel did not seem happy about leaving.  Pray that God will protect them and give them peace and comfort and boldness to share the love of Christ that they found here at UDH.

24 days! Crazy.

I miss you all and love you heaps.

Thursday, March 31- Bringing you the latest in really big bugs

Could you sleep after finding this in your room?