CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

ARRIVING BACK AT MY TRAINING SITE

I returned to Mandurio, my site during training, to celebrate Christmas with my old co-teachers. One of the teachers, Mam Gildge, has become my closest Philippino friend. We were co-teacher together and we get along so well, it’s a pleasure to return to the school.

With Mam Gildge and Mam Arian at a Christmas Party at Mam Jo's House

As I arrived I was quickly I felt at home. The first three months during training really shaped my confidence as a teacher, and I quickly trusted the English Department staff at the High School. I told them about all the work that I was doing, and they were really impressed with my ideas and shocked about the work that I was taking on. Before the break I was teaching every grade level, 1, 2, 3, and 4, which means 4 separate lesson plans. In some classes I had a heavier role, sometimes completely teaching lessons, while in other cases I merely assisted in furthering discussions and so forth.

What’s my plan for the next quarter?

While co-teaching, I found out that there is a computer lab at the school with only 20 computers. The teacher in charge of the lab is names Margot, and he has become my good friend. He is 22, and we are the youngest people on the staff by a long shot. It’s nice to have someone near my age to be around.

Together we discussed some of the problems, some students have no idea how to turn on a computer, and to move the mouse they wave it in the air as they are confused why waving the wand doesn’t work. They have never been taught that the ball at the bottom of the mouse needs to be rolled.

I decided that the school really needed a computer teacher for the 4^th year students, so they may be equip to work and succeed in college. My class will be the basics, saving files, opening documents etc. My hope is to teach Microsoft Word, Excel and end the quarter with a Power Point presentation about any country of their choice in hopes to broaden each student’s ideas about the world they live in. I have spent all my time writing this program, I am no computer whiz, but the basic knowledge of computers really could be influential to the students.

However with only 20 computers and a class full of 55+ I have to split each class into two groups, advance and novice. There are 9 sections of year four, which means 18 classes. I worked with the teachers and we decided the computer class will be once a week, so every year four student will get the chance to work a computer. There are many kinks I still have to work out, for example I still have to find a way to fund internet (1000 pesos a month) and electricity for the additional computer use (I’m not sure how much that will cost yet).

Threading

While I was explaining all this, a woman was there threading the teachers eyebrows. It was the head teachers gift to her teachers. Since I was there, they insisted that I have my eyebrows threaded. It was really scary, I mean trusting a stranger with the shape of your eyebrows is really putting yourself out there! Haha!! Everyone watched as my eyes swelled with tears and I denied the pain. Overall it was worth it, my eyebrows turned out to be a great Christmas Present, my most unusual surprise present to date.

I was able to stop by my old host house and bring Sir Seth his present. I gave him a family portrait, and his smile is something I will never forget. Like a little kid he could no wait to open his presents!! It was so amazing to be a part of such pure genuine joy.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Mandurrio is very different than my new school in that the teachers move to each classroom instead of the students switching rooms. For this reason I spent the entire party in just one classroom, with the Year 1, Section 1 class, the brightest of the first year. I got to know a few of the girls from the section fairly well over my first 3 months and really enjoy their confidence in trying to speak with me. I taught them “American” games. Which really meant I couldn’t think of anything so I made things up as best as I could. I had my ipod with me, so I hooked it up to the speaker and taught them the CHA CHA Slide, they loved it. We did it three times. Then I taught them the human knot, and for the grand finale, JIGALOW. Do you remember that one?? I used to do it with my softball team, everyone has to get in a circle and do a dance move. We played the game for over an hour, everyone was forced by their peers to make a dance move. The kids giggled and laughed so hard, it was pure joy to experience it with them.

Then the students taught me Philippino games. The paper dance is my favorite. They take a newspaper sized paper and like musical chairs have to stand on the paper with their partner every time the music stops. After each round the paper is folded in half. Eventually one partner has to lift their partner and stand on his/her tippy toes because the paper is so small. Another is the tomato dance, where they couple must hold the tomato up with just their body parts for as long as they can while dancing. The last was tying an eggplant around the waist and then using the eggplant by swinging the hips to move a match box across a line and back as part of a relay race.

I was really happy to have such a wonderful experience sharing games, and learning Philipino games.

CHRISTMAS AT MY HIGH SCHOOL

Each grade level is separated into wings, and the parties were by grade level. There was so much going on all at once; I can’t believe how quickly the day passed. I was most excited to hand out the gifts I had made for my English teachers. I tricked them into a group picture which I told them was to be emailed home, but really I used it for my Christmas present. I purchased frames, and then gave each teacher one of the pictures. It came out blurry, but they still all really liked it.

Here is the entire English Department, my co-teachers and friends

I went by every classroom at the school. I played the paper dance game with Year 1 and they were so happy that I knew had to play. I was lucky Mandurrios Christmas party was the day before. The Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4 students just tried to feed me. I took home so much fruit salad to my host family. Due to the fact that I am vegetarian then only food that I can eat at most events is the fruit salad or rice. Fruit salad is nothing like the US, and I have grown to hate it because they force me to eat it in ridiculous proportions. Now I just bring a bag with me, and tell them I will take it home. It’s easier to consume in small dosages.

The school also played many games, but the one that is most popular when discussed with my peer PCVs is a coke bottle game of musical chairs. The girls or boys stand in a circle with coke bottles between their legs. The opposite sex, (so if girls are in the center the boys have the straws and vice versa) has a straw in their mouth and when the music stops they have to get the straw in the coke bottle. As you can imagine, we as Americans can find this wildly inappropriate, however the game exemplifies the nature of the Philipinos naïve purity when it comes to having fun.

While make my rounds, I stopped into a classroom where I was offered a shot of rum by the students. They had a bottle of rum just sitting out on the table with sodas. I didn’t know what to do, they were 13 and 14 year olds with rum on school grounds. I told them to throw it out, and that I didn’t want to see them with it again. I told them it is not okay to drink on school grounds. I then found a teacher and told her what happened, she then explained to me that the students always drink at parties, and that is why the party ends at 1:00 and not when school gets out.

I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t really.

Eventually the parties came to a halt, I said goodbye to the teachers and barrowed the schools copy of Word By Word (which is similar to scrabble) for my entertainment during the break. While walked out a group of 4^th year girls pulled me into their classroom and told me I couldn’t leave till I dance with them for one song. One song became five, and many teachers and students joined in. It was a perfect way to end the event, dance party time.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

When shopping for my teachers, I had to catch a jeep back to San Miguel. Every jeep was full, so much so that people were riding on the tops and sides. I waited for over 40 minutes, it was dark and the jeepneys would only run for 20 more minutes. I closed my eyes and prayed, ‘please dear God let there be one spot for me in a jeep so I can get home.’ I opened my eyes, and a stranger rolled down their window and recognized me and offered me a ride. I got closer to the car, and recognized the female driver as a town councilor. She saved me. In exchange I signed up to be a judge for the beauty pageant during the towns festival, Pasidungog 2010 (Meaning to Honor) .  It was really a miracle that she saw me and gave me a ride. Judging the contest wasn’t so bad, except that I got to the plaza at 7:00pm and didn’t get home around 2:00am. It was really nice to be a part of the community in such a big way.

The Pageant

I have judged other contests and pageants while here, and the judges all wore casual clothes. I dressed casually, and my host family did not approve. They quickly swarmed around me and changed my ensemble. I barrowed a shirt from one of the girls, and they did my hair in a more stylish way. When I got the pageant I was grateful for the fuss over my outfit, every other judge was a Miss something or other. They had crowns on, and were dressed as though they were competing as contestants, not just judging. The most embarrassing part for me wasn’t that I didn’t look like a super model; it was that when the pictures were taken, my shirt became see-through, as exhibited below. I really enjoyed the experience.

With the other judges, the beauty queens of IloIlo

 

The official judge chair, it was pretty pimp ;D

 

Miss Pasidungog 2010

High School Night

The first night of the festival was High School night. Jaron came to visit, and we sat front and center as we watched each grade level perform carols and dances. Some were awful and hard to get through; some had bits of hard core talent. The hardest part to get through of course was my star moment when the teachers informed me that I was to sing with them in Philipino (that is another language, not Kinerya or Illongo which I somewhat know).

I had the pleasure of front and center, while I butchered every lyric until I eventually lip synced and smiled. The only thing I successfully contributed to the teachers number was after the song I shouted into the mic “Merry Christmas.” And that’s about all the talent I have. Lets see if I get invited back to sing next year haha, things that won’t be happening.

The night ended with a big dance, where all the students from the school danced in the plaza. It made me really happy to be able to show someone my students and co-teachers. While the students were dancing, Jaron and I walked around the plaza (with our chaperone—we are ‘courting’ and not to be left without a chaperone) looking at the Christmas trees.

Jaron and I at High School night in front of one of the trees

Each tree was hand made from recycled ingredients. Each tree was from a different group for the town. The High School won second place, although it was my favorite tree. They saved all the caps from coke bottles and sprite bottles and made garland. They used fruits and leaves to make the branches. It was really an amazing site.

The High School tree close up, they used bottle caps and hollow eggs as decorations

LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW….

It’s hard to believe that only 4 months ago I was getting in at 3:00 am instead of getting ready for mass. That’s right, since December 16^th Philippinos across the country go to a 4am mass everyday. The church gets so full people bring their own chairs. I felt exhausted, its been a long time since I was up that early. All the girls in the house piled onto a tryke; all of a sudden I had goose bumps, real live goose bumps eventually joined by teeth chatter. Its 3:30 now, maybe I’m dreaming, could my teeth really be chattering, my leg hairs grow from being so cold?!?!

I wasn’t dreaming, I was cold. I was actually cold. Despite the miserable nature of the ride, it resembled Christmas; the streets were adorned with random bursts of colored lights, and I couldn’t feel my hands.

CHRISTMAS EVE

After the 3:00am mass, we returned around 6:30am. I couldn’t fall straight asleep, but I fell asleep exactly when my entire host family went into the city!! I missed out on the mall, haircuts, and all of the excitement. When they returned it was time to go to church again. They told me to dress really nice, that sometimes they wear gowns. I pulled out my suitcase, I tucked away several clothes that landed up being too dressy for the Philippines and threw on a polkadot dress. When I came out, they all were so excited, that they wanted me to open my Christmas present. I wanted to save it, so I would have something to open, but they insisted.

It was a beautiful pair of shoes, shoes that would have matched my dress perfectly, shoes that meant so much to my host mom as a gift. Sadly, my feet would just not fit. They were hanging out the back by ½ to 1 inch. I put them on and they all insisted that the shoes fit me. I felt so lucky that they would buy me something at all, so I pretended that they fit. I walked around and told them we could head to church, however by the time I reached the front gate I decided I couldn’t pretend. I had to tell my host mom the truth that they didn’t fit, and I felt awful doing it. She walked into the other room; I thought I made her upset. Then she came back awhile later and told me it was okay.

I put on the shoes I brought with me and headed to Christmas Eve Mass.  During the morning service people brought chairs because the sanctuary was so full, for Christmas Eve however, there was no place to set the chairs down because so many people filled the church.

The highlight of the service is when a bright star is moved through the building, they call it the lighting of the guiding star. The star begins at the back of the church and makes its final landing above a small nativity scene located at the front of the church. Little kids climbed on top of each other trying to find a small portal to watch the star.

I really tried my best to observe the moment, to learn from my community about their faith and what I learned is that they are extremely dedicated to God. I spent the rest of the service doing my favorite activity, fighting off mosquitoes and biting ants.

CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

After the midnight mass, it was CHRISTMAS. I was suddenly whisked away to a celebration. I sat on a beautiful couch in one of the nicest homes I have ever been to in the Philippines. While there, everyone kept asking me if I was okay. Maybe I wasn’t. It was my first time away from my mom on her birthday, from my sister and my dad at Christmas. I was trying to be a good sport, all my best effort, but apparently they could all tell.

One of the teachers gave me some sparkling cider and popcorn. Someone from America had sent a huge shipment of American food including microwave popcorn and brownie mix. I enjoyed that popcorn so much. While the popcorn served as a distraction, one of the teachers at the school brought down a laptop and turned it on. She called me over and told me to skype my mom for her birthday. I had told everyone that it was my moms birthday on Christmas Eve.

After Christmas Eve Mass, I went to a party where I skyped my mom for her birthday!

SKPING WITH MY FAMILY

It was the happiest moment I had in a really long time. I successfully surprised my mom, and everyone wished her a happy birthday. Everyone at the party wanted to introduce themselves. When they saw my dad they said, “gwapo” which mean they think that he is handsome (he then removed himself from the vicinity of the camera haha) and they told me my mom looks like my sister. Its really funny because when we look at Philippinos we can never tell how old they are, we all think they look young. Its the same for them, when they look at me, my mom, any pictures or other PCV’s they think we look so young. It was my best Christmas present, being able to talk to my family.

I think my parents thought I was having the time of my life because I was so happy, but the truth was I was just so happy to get to talk to them. I loved how the teachers continued to intrude on the conversation to say hello again.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

2:00am. At 2:00am we ate Christmas dinner. By this point I was full from popcorn, and not ready to eat another meal, however I had a tortilla that I had made for my family prior that day. I have had to eat a million things that I absolutely despise since I’ve been here. As a present for my family I made them homemade tortillas. Flour here is super expensive, 500 pesos a bag, which is most of my allowance. I was heart broken as they got cold and nobody even tried them. Apparently when I was gone at the party my family either threw them away or ate them up, because their was only one ½ a piece left. So I ate it. And I was happy. I also had a piece of real cheese. Cheese is too expensive to buy here so its very rare. The sliver that I ate tasted so strong, and so foreign of a taste. I enjoyed it. I had popcorn, tortilla and a slice of real cheese.

PRESENTS

I then gave my family the Christmas presents that I had for them. I purchased a fan for each girl with their names embroidered on them, and for the parents a family picture I had framed. Two weeks ago I told them I needed them to dress up so I could post a blog and put their pictures up. I never expected them to dress so nice, and in the picture I am underdressed in comparison, however it really meant a lot to them. She put the pictures up with the other pictures, and when I walk into the room I sometimes see them all staring at it. It makes me happy to see them so happy.

 

My Christmas Present to my family....our first family picture <3

MORE PARTIES

We then went to two family parties, where people constantly asked me if I missed home, which of course made me miss home. They asked so many questions about my family that I suddenly felt grateful to be sick. Due to the constant changing of temperatures, chilly monsoon rains, late night hours, overcrowded churches my body once again delivered an extra special sore throat and cough. My host mom could tell that I was sick, so she let me go to bed early, around 5:30. I spent the rest of Christmas in bed.

IS IT REALLY CHRISTMAS?

Overall, it didn’t really feel like Christmas, I mean how could it? There was no tree in my house, nor my family to spend it. I didn’t attend a service that I understood. And then it hit me, I guess I needed to have this Christmas here in the Philippines, completely different from every Christmas tradition I have at home to remind me the true meaning of Christmas. Its not about the presents, the lights, or the food. Its about God giving his son, Jesus Christ to save us all from our sins, the sins of greediness and selfishness, sins that even though I try and be selfless am constantly committing. In the end, Christmas was Christmas, because even here it has the same meaning, Jesus Christ is our savior, and that really is the best Christmas gift.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for reading,

Lysette

Teachers Day

TEACHERS DAY

On a day I was running late, the Philippines decided to run on American time. Most events say they start at 7:00 but that could mean 9:00 or later. While on my morning jog I got lost in time, and arrived home 15 minutes later. It takes me awhile to cool down before I can eat my breakfast. I quickly showered (bucket bathed) and made my way to the school. I anticipated the event starting late, and that I would have time to write my speech while waiting. To my amazement, the students and the teachers were filing into there seats. I quickly wrote down my thoughts and sentiments about the school and how I felt with a quick bit of motivation and waited for my turn to speak.

Teachers Day is a special even once of year to honor the teachers. A short program was prepared with games, and a message from myself and the head teacher from the science department.

The first 1hr was dedicated to a mass (yes mass at a public school). After the conclusion the students started to form a line, giving their offering for the convent. It was the most beautiful thing to experience. Imagine when you witness people sandbagging their home before a flood, working as a team passing the sandbags forward. In this case however, instead of sandbags the students were passing up all they had to give, some huge baskets of fruit, and others zip block baggie sized full of rice. You know that story in the Bible, where the poor man gives only a few coins, and a rich man gives many coins, but the poor man is more valued because of how much he is really sacrificing…well I saw it in action. It was a moment that really changed me. And made me think about the sacrifices people give everyday, but maybe somehow dismiss the little things not realizing how great of a sacrifice it really is to the person.

After that, I felt moved, and quickly jotted down some more notes. Suddenly it was my turn to speak. And it was amazing. When I was in high school I did speech and debate all 4 years, part of my great love for politics is the way politicians are able to change people with their words, words of motivation, encouragement, and a call to action. It made me feel alive.  I don’t know what came out of me, but suddenly many teachers rose to their feet, and they thanked me, and told me they felt inspired. Some teary eyed teacher hugged me, while others grabbed my shoulders and patted me on the back. The week prior I had given a message to the student leaders for Leadership day, and had a similar experience in that the students said they felt inspired and moved.

Then it hit me, this is my dream job. This is what I always wanted to do. I wanted to write speeches, and motivate people, teach them lessons through words, find the place that unites human beings, the place that we feel things. I couldn’t believe I have this opportunity. I felt grateful the teachers selected me, and reminded me of a passion I had forgotten.

FEELS LIKE HOME

When I returned from teachers day, my host mom asked how my speech went, I told her I thought it went okay. She insisted for me to say it for her again. It reminded me of my mom, my mom would have done exactly the same thing, listened to the speech even after it was over just to hear my words. It was a really good feeling.

After my first 3 sentences she stopped me. I thought to myself, oh no, it must be awful and the teachers just like me. She comes back a minute later grabbing everyone who was home. She wanted everyone to hear what I was saying, and she had me start again. That was the first time I really felt my mom here, as though my host mom and real mom were on the same wave length; and I felt so incredibly grateful to be placed in this home.

PRESENTS

The teachers all pitched in to buy small gifts for each other. One by one each teacher was called up to the stage to receive the gift. My name was not called, and in a way I realized I wasn’t a real teacher. While sitting alone in my chair I thought about everything I had done in my 1 month at the school, and I smiled to myself and looked down. Just as I smiled, they called my name, I looked up and the teachers had prepared a special present for me! I asked them if I could save it for Christmas so I had something to open, but they insisted that I opened it….it was a native Philippino purse. I felt so honored and surprised that they would spend their pesos on me, and buy me something so sweet. It also made me feel that they realize how hard it is for me to be away from my family right now, and how hard I’m trying at the school. They really made me feel loved and like I was part of the team.

LUNCH WITH A PRIEST

The Priest who gave the mass came for the lunch with the teachers. They sat me next to him, and he had just returned from guess where!?!? California! We talked about how amazing of a state it was, and about SEA WORLD!!! It felt so good to have a conversation with someone about places I had been and enjoyed.

I told the teachers I loved onions the first time I visited, they cut me up 3 whole onions!!! And let me take the extras home! They are very sweet to me.

PARLOR GAMES

The Longest line may be the most intense game I have ever seen. The goal is for the team to make the longest line. They take off shoes, laces, belts, sweaters (yes they somehow wear sweaters lol) anything to extend the line. Eventually using their bodies, they stretch and stretch hoping their lines are longer than the other teams. Of all the games I witnessed that day, the longest line is by far my favorite.

THE CLASSROOM

While those moments are certainly highs, the reality is I’m in the classroom everyday and I won’t get the chance to do that very often.. Surprisingly, the same week my third year class had the topic of persuasive speeches. I was so excited to teach them, I couldn’t believe I would get the opportunity to teach my favorite subject in school. With my years of experience I thought it would be a breeze. I explained the format, gave examples, made it interactive, and got them excited about having the chance to persuade the class to their personal opinion. I couldn’t wait till it was time to hear the speeches.

The assignment was to speak for 1-3 minute about the topics the students selected; the environment, smoking, school attendance, and abortion. The first few students went, and read their paragraph out loud, yes paragraph. What I imagined was paragraphs of work, I imagined a simplified version of what I used to do. I didn’t realize how much effort it was for the students to write out their own opinions (although they managed to fit the whole format in one paragraph). One by one they went up, and their voices became more and more silent. I couldn’t even hear them, but I was afraid to ask them to repeat because I realize how hard it is for them to get up and try and speak English. Finally I realized, this isn’t working, I have to make this fun not torture. When the next person went to go, I paused the class.

I wrote on the board,

 

HELLO MY NAME IS _____________

I AM ________ YEARS OLD.

 

The class is huge and loud, its hard to hear even when I’m shouting, so the whispers of the speeches were near impossible. They had written their paragraphs, but they needed to learn how to present them, with words that didn’t intimidate them.

 

I read it the first time blandly, the second time with expression, the third time quietly, and the fourth time projecting. I made a game out of it. Each student one by one came to the front of the class said the words, “hello…” I would ask the class could you hear ___ and they would scream NO?!!! They had fun listening to each other, testing each other. And everyone of them was able to project and use inflection. It was so cool, and I know they enjoyed it because I enjoyed it with them.  I saw their confidence grow. I felt like the teacher Mrs.G from freedom writers, where she just re did the lesson to fit the students, and they learned to trust her. I hope the students eventually can trust me.

By no means am I saying that I’m a good teacher, but the idea came to me naturally. In all my speech classes I never learned that, and I suddenly felt like I belonged in that classroom. I finally feel like I belong in the Philippines. And I’m really loving teaching. Its not easy to make the lessons come alive, but I’m trying, and every once in awhile I get to teach something I really enjoy.

After that class, I realized that this Peace Corp thing is a dream job. I get to give motivational speeches, encourage my co-workers, and influence the confidence and knowledge of the students, the future of the world (well San Miguel).

When I imagined my time in Peace Corp I expected bugs, lots of bugs, strange foods and smells, and to epically fail at the language, but I never expected to have the opportunity to do something that I forgot I loved. Speech.

Thanks for reading,

 

Lysette

 

 

The moments that answer why I am here….

Last Friday one of the teachers had to do paperwork in the city, so I offered to take all her classes. I was excited to meet a new bunch of students. During the vacant period 2-1 came to the classroom, their class was in the afternoon and I was already assigned to work with 4-1. At 12:30 they begged me to teach their 3:30 class. I told them I would try, but most likely I had already told the 4-1 class I would be with them. When 3:30 came around, I went to the 4-1 class after teaching 2-3, 2-4, 2-10, 1-9, and 3-5 a bit exhausted as I was going to my 6th class of the day. Teaching is really exhausting here because the classrooms are hot (maybe one fan for the entire room of 50+ students) and you are battling all the noises of the outside so it’s extremely straining on your voice. You really have to work your patience, you have to slow down your speech in order to make everything as clear as you can to the students, it’s really a lot of work because you have to be conscience of the pace of every word that comes from your mouth When I arrived at 4-1 no one was in the classroom, one of the students said they didn’t have class. I still have a really hard time understanding the schedule because sometimes there just isn’t class. I talked to the student for a few minutes and decided to got to 2-1’s classroom. The door was locked, it was already 3:35 and if I was in their shoes there would be no way I would still be at school.

All of a sudden I hear cheers and screams and, “MA’AM Lysette,” MA’AM Davis” “SHE CAME SHE CAME!” Across the field is another set of classes, 14 students waited for 3 hours for me to teach them. They had no other afternoon classes.

When I got to their class I asked them if they still wanted to do the lesson. Since there was only 14 of them present (most classes are around 60), and it was Friday, I asked them if they wanted to go home. That’s when they informed me that they had no other classes that afternoon and they had been waiting for their lesson. With eager eyes they shook their heads yes, and I began their lesson. Slowly more and more students filtered in, coming back to the school to be taught. By the end of class the room was almost full.

The lesson was by no means fun; it was learning the difference between explicit and implicit and applying it to an awful reading through comprehension. Nevertheless, they wanted to learn and I wanted to teach and the moment was truly magical.

I have never wanted to learn so badly that I would wait around for 3 hours for the chance that the teacher may or may not come. I felt like I had to push myself even harder to make the lesson amazing. When the lesson was over, they still wanted to learn more, we stayed an extra 30 minutes.

Why I am randomly sharing this, because last night a huge bug ran up my arm and onto my face while I was sleeping. I knocked it off heard it shuffling around, got out the bug killer I keep by head, turned on the light and sprayed, and sprayed and sprayed. It wouldn’t die, so I got a bowl and placed it on top of it as a cage. All of a sudden I got sick, I ran to the trashcan and began to vomit. Bugs are that hard for me to deal with that they make me that sick (if you would have seen that was crawling on my face you may have thrown up to). Through the night I couldn’t sleep, every noise I feared was another scary bug. When I went to the CR (Bathroom) there was another one. I just closed the door and decided to hold it I couldn’t deal with another one. I know I’m luck that I live in such a clean house, but San Miguel is very rural, a rice field surrounds my house, so bugs are going to be there. I just have to get used to them. As I laid back in my bed, I asked myself, why the heck am I here??? This is miserable?!! And I thought of that story, how the students really really want to learn, and I decided that story certainly out weighs bugs. So here is to another week of teaching.

Hope you enjoyed my shortest feel good blog!

Thanks for reading, Lysette

My First Holiday Away From Home…

MY FIRST HOLIDAY AWAY FROM HOME…

 

It certainly didn’t feel like Thanksgiving, it was 6am and I was running in the Plaza. I spent the entire hour reflecting on my life, thinking about everything I had to be grateful for. It really seemed that Thanksgiving came at a perfect time this year, after something like my vision had been taken away, a deep realization occurred revealing the numerous things I take for granted everyday. Until something is missing, you sometimes forget how important it is, and being here I am realizing how very valuable the things I miss truly are.  After my horrendous eye experience I suddenly had a new appreciation for sight. I saw everything differently. I was excited to start the day for the first time in a long time because I would be returning to the school, and I could finally start my job.

THE GIRL THAT JOGS

 

Around town I am known as the American girl that runs in circles in the Plaza every morning. When visitors come to the house, they smile at me and then make a jogging movement, and say “sa Plaza.” Meaning they saw me jogging at the plaza. I never imagined in a million years that I would enjoy running, especially outside, and maybe I don’t really, but for an 1hr a day, I listen to music on my ipod and think. Every song reminds me of my friends and family, sometimes I even laugh to myself in memory of a good time. I probably look crazy running, in fact I know I do. I try and jog as early as I can, as it quickly heats up past 7:30am. I feel like I have to exercise for at at least 60 minutes everyday because all the food here is extremely sugary and full of an excess of carbohydrates. Sometimes when I am jogging I can’t tell if I’m working hard, or I’m just sweating because it’s so hot.  When I get in I drink at least ½ liter of water, while my family stares. They sometimes laugh because I drink so much.  The students love to see me run, and it has really become a community builder. Some students even asked me if they could join me, I’m thinking of making a jogging club! Who knew I would ever wake up in the morning to go on a run!?!? WHAT IS THE PEACE CORP DOING TO ME!!!!

 

RETURN TO SCHOOL

 

After missing a week of school, I was overly eager to teach, just as the students were eager to learn. The teachers allowed me to teach pieces of the lessons, and sometimes take over completely. As a reward for finishing their work, and because their fascination with me is somewhat distracting, I told them I would answer questions about myself. I landed up teaching every class what Thanksgiving meant to myself and fellow Americans. It was an amazing experience to share something so enriching within my own culture, that I didn’t necessarily appreciate as much when I had it. To explain the holiday to a group of people who had never heard of it, made me oddly proud to be American. I told them what I was thankful for, my family, friends, my education, my opportunities, the return of my eyes, and most importantly the chance to work them in order to enrich each others lives. I gave them an assignment, to go home and tell their families what they were grateful for.

 

I’M STRICT!?!?!

 

Who knew?? My mothers biggest fear about me ever having children was that I would not be able to say the word “no” to the child. Well mom, you may be shocked but I think I turned out to be the strictest teacher in the school. In my classes now, I set rules and they seem to be working. On my first day teaching at the new school I was strict by accident.

 

My last section is 4-1, year 4 section 1, the brightest students in the class. I had already been with the other sections of year 4 that day, so when year 1 didn’t get out their books for their assignment I was disappointed.

 

I asked the class,  “Are you section 4-1?”

They replied, “Yes ma’am” with gleaming smiles shaking their heads yes with pride.

I continued, “Are you the smartest of the school?”

They sat up a little straighter and smiled even bigger, “YES MA’AM!”

And then I said, “Then how come ever other section I thought today was able to get their books like the teacher asked them to and flip open to the correct page?”

 

They all put their heads down in shame. I surprised myself that I would be so sharp with them on our first meeting, but every class since then they have had their books. I also didn’t have a good bearing on the culture yet. I proceeded to hand out the books to the students. Apparently this was an insult to the students, and I had no idea. Other classes heard about how I called them out (here they call it shaming) and now all my students always have their books.

 

They asked their teacher in the native language if I was always going to be mean. When the teacher told me what they said, I realized I needed to win them over, so I made the question and answer section extra entertaining telling stories about my life and America. Suddenly I felt my voice going out, it seemed like the class was going on forever, but they kept asking question after question. The class went over by 30 minutes. They even asked questions about North and South Korea. I couldn’t believe how truly intelligent some of their questions were, and I feel lucky that I am going to have the chance to improve their education as their minds and hearts truly want to be enriched.

 

I left the class with my first true happiness, because I felt like I made a difference to them. And I really taught something!!

 

BASKETBALL NOT FOOTBALL

 

Thanksgiving is known for two things, Turkey and Football. Football is a non existent sport here; however basketball more than fills the shoes that football leaves behind. While waiting for a few special ingredients to make Thanksgiving dinner, I played basketball down the street with the neighborhood kids. In America I always wanted to shoot hoops but never quite got around to it. It felt so good to shoot around me, and it felt good to somehow still be able to make it in after all these years. The kids were impressed and it was fun to entertain them. We played well into the dark, and for the first time I felt grateful for an experience I had in the Philippines. In America I would never have had the chance or time to play around, it kind of felt like I was a kid again.

 

QUESADILLAS INSTEAD OF TURKEY

 

Just call me chef Lysette! Haha! In no way shape or form would I ever consider myself a cook of any kind, (the microwave is my best friend in the states) but somehow I managed to conjure up Thanksgiving dinner for my new family. I told them I wanted to make dinner because it was an American holiday. On the menu, Salsa, burnt corn, and of course quesadillas. It felt like a real holiday because I gave everyone an assignment, everyone was chopping up something different. In the tiny kitchen we were hip to hip, smiling and working together to make something. It really made me miss my mom. Usually she is the one who directs me on what to chop, this time I was in charge, and it was a really strange feeling.

 

Finally it all came together, the table was set, and they giggled with excitement both eager and afraid to taste the strange food I had prepared. I asked them if I could say the prayer, it was the first time I prayed out loud since I had been there, and it felt really good.

 

Before we ate, I explained to them the meaning behind Thanksgiving and I went around the table and told each of them why I was thankful for them (they took really good care of me when I was breaking down because of my eyes), it was really amazing to me how much appreciation was pouring out me. I truly am grateful for the family that I am with, they realize that being here away from my real family on a holiday is difficult that they welcomed my custom and trusted me to make their dinner. They didn’t even prepare any rice as a back up plan (every Philippino mean includes rice—it’s a big deal that they didn’t make it)!

 

THE  REALLY TOUCHING MOMENT

 

Then I asked them if they wanted to go around the table and say what they were grateful for. Some of them mentioned their families, but every single of them mentioned me. And they told me why they were grateful that I was there. The truth is that when you are living with a family I don’t think you can help but feel like a burden. Philippinos are extremely hospitable, and so I feel like a guest all of the time. I don’t help with anything, I have to fight to wash my own plate. I know that being their means more work for them. Since I can still barely speak the language they have to talk in English which is extra effort (they call it a nosebleed because of so much English). Despite all those things, they were somehow grateful for me?!! Their words were kind, honest and genuine. And for the first time, I felt at home. I felt wanted. I felt like I belonged. I felt thankful.

 

Even though I was eating the best mean I would be eating for a long time, I could barely eat because of the joy I felt from watching them eat. It was a wonderful experience. They even broke out wine!! I felt happy. Something I honestly hadn’t felt in awhile. So on a day when I’m not feeling so good, I am going to have that one moment to remind me that I’m at home.

 

LAST SECOND DECISION

After a wonderful thanksgiving, I suddenly missed America really really bad. I decided I wanted to go to Thanksgiving with all the other Thanksgiving Volunteers. I originally didn’t want to go because I’m trying to save as many pesos (money) here as possible. Small trips can get really expensive, but I decided it was worth it. I texted the boy who planned it and asked if their was still some room, and took a 2 hour bus ride (which should have been 4— it was a really exciting ride like a rollercoaster) and met 25 other volunteers for a night of Celebration. It was strange to be around so many Americans. We spent the night at another Volunteers site, meaning the floor of the school. Of course I am the only one who saw a cockroach, but somehow I didn’t scream, and I even slept the whole night. I think I’m getting a little bit better!!

 

The school was beautiful, it looked like it could have been the film site of Jurrasic Park, with so many trees and hills. The dinner was more silly than anything. We sat in school desks and ate random American foods we managed to scavenge up.

At the High School

Some of may or may not know, but I am a Vegetarian, meaning no meat. It has saved me from awful foods that I don’t ever want to taste like chicken intestine on a stick, or bulat an egg with a baby chicken inside where you eat the beak and all. Gross. But when every other American is eating Turkey, you really want Turkey just to feel American. Haha!! But instead I enjoyed vegetables, mashed potatoes and even an oatmeal cookie!

Making Burnt Corn!!

Dinner in the School Desks

After our dinner we listened and dance around to music, shared stories and really enjoyed each others company.

 

It seemed like too short a trip, it was already time to go back. I had school on Monday, and I had to make my lesson plans.

 

After returning to Iloilo I found out that school was cancelled on Monday!!! I spent the day at the mall with Sean, Leanna, and Jaron. We ate Sabarro and went to the movies. It was such an expensive day. Sabarro is an escape from EVERYTHING. Every bite melts away bad things for me. However it costs 150 pesos, that’s A LOT of money here ( around 3 US dollars). To go to the movies costs 100 pesos (around 2 US dollars) so its more expensive to eat a calzone than to see a movie. Crazy huh? That calzone is my favorite thing in the Philippines though, a spinach calzone. Its so funny what I enjoy here. What I consider a treat now. A Large Popcorn, which is the size of a US small is 60 pesos (1.50). The movie I saw was terrible, Due Date (please don’t see it), but it was a much needed experience. It definitely felt like a holiday because I felt American. Due to the fact that it was a holiday so many of the PCV’s (Peace Corp Volunteers) also went to the mall. I kept running into them, and it felt like home, running into friends at the mall. For around  $7 US dollars I had my own American vacation.

Jaron and I at Thanksgiving Dinner

For those of you reading this still…I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And I am truly thankful that you care enough about my life to read this.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Lysette