The Most Inspirational Moments of Peace Corps

When I arrived at the park I didn't realize my sunglasses where broken until someone pointed it out-- haha it was a good laugh

General Douglas MacArthur Park, Leyte, Philippines

Today I received a snapfish book I ordered filled with my entire journey of Peace Corps from my goodbye party at the very beginning to my last trip at  Sabarro with Jaron. My mom asked what my favorite memory was from all of Peace Corps. Two pictures stand out, two experiences could sum up a 15 month journey.

The Blind Man

Look at how he uses his arms to play music

The first is a lesson I learned. While at General Douglas MacArthur Park, Leyte was that there is no excuse not to do whatever you put your mind to.

This man proved to be one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. While thinking about him I still get goose bumps. His song was pure, his ability to move what was left of his hands up and down the guitar, how he had to tilt his hand at exactly the right angle to pull the strings without being able to see what he was doing was doing. His young grandson stood next to him telling him when to play for people. I’m sad to say that my battery was about to die, but I was able to caputre about 30 seconds of him playing.

inspiration

Whether you glance at the pictures or watch the entire clip I hope it reminds you that you can make anything possible and find it as inspirational as I do.

 

My Last Speech

Lysette Davis, Peace Corps Volunteer Philippines last speech with staff and students in San Miguel, Iloilo, Philippines

It is well known in the Philippines that when someone is making a presentation its okay to talk, text, even get up, turn your back to the speaker, listen to your own music etc. When I first arrived to the Philippines I started intently at the speaker, even after a year  I still felt disrespectful when others would talk to me during a speech, but I came to understand it as the culture and eventually became a part of the culture.

I would say that I gave a speech at least 2xs a month, sometimes more with presentations, and of course there was teaching everyday. I was used to people speaking when I spoke and being busy with other things. I would say that people on average tend to listen to me more intently then others mostly because it took a lot of effort to hear and understand my English.

Then it was time for my last speech. And when I spoke, you could hear a pin drop. With the whole school and staff watching, everyone was quiet. When I finished my speech they were still quiet. They wanted more, they weren’t finished with me. We all knew that when I stopped speaking that I was the end of my journey.

I felt robbed by my health to end my service early. There are many more things I wanted to do, and relationships I was not ready to end.

In that moment, that quiet still moment, I felt closure, i felt respected, that my work had value and that value was the moment of silence everyone honored me with. Hanging on my every word, I worried my words would not have enough meaning, but all the meaning was felt when I looked out into the crowd and saw my work.

Teachers and students waving goodbye to their Peace Corps Volunteer

My last speech was an announcement, a summary and a goodbye. The students and teachers have asked that I write it out for them to have and read again. I know that I finished my speech and then it was quiet so I just kept speaking, so this isn’t exactly all of it, but here is what I have written down:

“Mayad nga Aga– (I finally said something in kinaray-a, so everyone cheered and then laughed– as did I) 

To the students and teachers of Lenora S. Salapantan National High School, no words can express my sorrow in making this announcement, today will be my last day as  a teacher in San Miguel, as I will be returning to America.

This departure comes as a shock both to you and to me. You might not know this, but in the last year I have been in the hospital trhee times. As a 24 year old adult, Peace Corps Washington D.C. decided that its time for me to go home due to my last hospital visit only a few weeks ago. I didn’t expect to go home and I will miss you all very much.

However, I am happy to leave on  a day that represents a day for sharing the world with each other (it was international day) as I have shared America with you for the last year. As I walk around campus and see the door decorations representing different cultures I am proud of you (my final project was a door decorating contest that I will share in my next blog). I am proud that you were willing to accept a culture different than your own. I have enjoyed teaching you random facts about the United States and myself.,a s you have shared with me your life. 

When strangers find that I actually live in San Miguel, they often ask how I find the place. I easily tell them, I find the students friendly, polite and eager to learn and you really can’t ask for anything more than that. 

Peace Corps has 3 main goals and I believe that despite my time with you being shortened, together we have achieved all three. 

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.

Together we created a computer class, training all of last years 4th year students how to use computers. We have worked together as a staff, sharing new educational tools inside of the classroom. We have trained outside of the classroom, learning about HIV/AIDS, playing sports, being active, student government, drug and safety, and many other activities that will train you for your own futures.

2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.

Sometimes when I get to school you know more about me then I think, you have found articles on the internet, asked about my family, my lifestyle in America, and about the challenges Americans face. I have constantly been impressed that you have not only been willing to ask questions , but listen to the answers. I enjoyed our times in between classes and after school where we would hang out and learn about each other.

3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

I will never forget when some of you helped make a video to send home for my family when I was away last Christmas. I have already shared thousands of pictures, told hundreds of stories, and lived differently because I met each of you. 

If I have one wish to make before I leave, Its that you feel inspired. I believe in each of you, in your talents, in your will power. I know that with hard work  you can do anything. Remember to never settle and to push harder than you think you can push. 

Good things don’t come easy, but when you want something with your whole heart its worth the effort. Dream big, dream bigger than your parents or friends think you can dream. Never limit yourself to what you think you can can, because if I had limited myself I would have never had the opportunity to meet each of you. 

Here is a little bit of my story. I was born in a lower income area in a suburb of Los Angeles. The schools and education systems were not challenging, so everyday my mom gave me extra assignments. Over each summer, I never stopped learning, my mom prepared workbooks and had me read whatever I could find. From the beginning of my schooling I have attended 9 schools. Every time I moved I tried to learn from the people around me, not just educationally, but morally. At each school I tried to challenge myself, joining every club and exposing myself to things I didn’t even know I would like. I never said no to an opportunity, I found myself trying things that I thought I would hate, things that I thought I wasn’t going to be smart enough for, things that challenged me. But it turns out, I was smart enough, and that trying different clubs, sports, friends, and activities made me who I am.

My message to you it just to try. Give life nothing short of your best. Try your best in everything in what you do and what you say. Trust God to lead your decisions and pray He blesses you with the kindness you show to others. YOU can be anyone you want to be, you just have to try. 

Thank you. Thank you for greeting me at the school with smiles on your faces. For saying good night even when you meant good morning, because you weren’t afraid to try to speak Engish and I admire that. Thank you for listening in my classes. Thank you for challenging me. Thank you for letting me give you a nosebleed everyday (meaning I spoke too much English).  Thank you for teaching me words like “gwapa, namit and salamat (beautiful, delicious and thank you).” Thank you for loving me, and welcoming me, for dancing with me, singing with me, playing with me, talking with me, for being my friend and making me feel at home. 

Palangga ako ikaw( I love you), I will miss you, and I will will never forget you.”

Thank you San Miguel and the Philippines or teaching me and inspiring me. Thank you for the honor you gave me by the way you treated me in my last speech. You did so much for me that day that it will have to be another blog, but I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts.

The students who listened to my final speech

I love you all.

Thank you for reading and sharing my life,

Lysette

International Day in the Philippines, making my debut speaking Kinaray-a Publicly

Telling My family I was medically Separated from Peace Corps:

After a night of not sleeping and staring at the clock waiting for a reasonable time to call my parents, the 6 o’clock hour of California the US finally came. This was a common problem for me as a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) anyways, the Philippines is a ½ day ahead.  My family is from California, and my nights were their days and vice versa.

When I heard my mothers voice, I only heard that of a cry, I couldn’t understand her words. I can’t imagine how it feels to hear that your daughter is medically separated, they knew I had already been in the hospital several times but had not been sent home, so in their minds they thought I was dying. I didn’t have answers for them, as Peace Corps Medical Office (PCMO) said they would answer my questions when I arrived in their Manila office.

My dad took the phone away from my mom and was able to speak. I found comfort in their desire to have me home and safe. That morning I was about to disappoint my community, so to find some joy knowing returning home would give my parents a bit of peace and happiness was what I needed before I went to school. I don’t think I will ever stop needing the encouragement of my family, my family is my heart. Finding the courage to go to the school for my morning meeting took all my energy. I repeated words over and over in my head of what exactly I was going to say.

When I arrived in the principals office I had prepared a speech in my mind to give to the staff, but my principal explained to me that she needed to explain the situation and that I should go home and pack.

Before the meeting where I planned to tell my staff that I was medically separated from Peace Corps

My first attempt at saying goodbye to some students

With all the teachers in meetings, I decided to roam the school. I decided to start with the 1^st year students and tell them goodbye. The first classroom I had was Year 1 Section 6. Explaining that I was sick and had to go back to America was something that was not communicated. They all said, “It’s okay Ma’am Davis, you will just come back when you are better,” its hard to tell someone you are never going to see them again. Many of the other classes didn’t have a reaction, they didn’t understand. Other students cried. Many feared taking a picture with me, and others couldn’t wait for our last picture together.

4-1 trying to "jump" haha! fail.

the computer lab where I taught 4th year students how to use computers!

Goodbye year 3 section 1 students!

I went around to about 8 classrooms and decided that it was too depressing. Instead I went to my International Day speaking engagement in the Plaza. In honor of International Month, the local pre-school had a day to honor other cultures. They paraded their costumes around the plaza, and it gave me a chance to take some final goodbye pictures of the place I called home.

 International Day in the Plaza

San Miguel, Iloilo, the plaza, i love this picture because it captures the essence of my home

Finally the event started. It was on Philipino time which means about an 1hr late!  It will be hard to forget the students in their costumes, their costumes were made with heavy materials and in the unbearable heat their mothers had to fan them in order to keep the kids from fainting. I was the “keynote” speaker, and I didn’t know what to say to a group of 3-5 year olds and their parents.

International Day- Lysette Davis

Representing America on International Day with Peace Corps Volunteer, Lysette Davis

Celebrating different Cultures

If it hadn’t been my last speech in the plaza, I would have just done it all in English, but because it was my last chance to try the language I had worked so hard at (and still didn’t ever fully grasp it) publicly. I had overcome a huge battle of mine, I have always been afraid to speak Kina-raya publicly, but I had no choice, it was now or never.

I started with Kina-raya and spoke for about 1.5 minutes off the top of my head. Who knows if I was coherent, but that 1.5 minutes seemed like 5 minutes of conversation! Then I switched to English, and that was a lot easier.

I then had made a poster and taught the students a Jack Johnson/ Ben Harper song, with my terrible singing voice I lead in song and made small hand gestures. Its not the first time I have used that song at a Speaking event, I always find it inspiring, that each of us can change the world with our own two hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRjDBd6tBBY&feature=related

Softball players Practicing at the Plaza

After the International Day event, I saw some familiar faces resting under the small amount of shade I had been helping coach the girls softball team and had really become close to a few of the girls. While waiting for the event to start I found a few of them lounging on the grass. I told them that I would be going home, and they all requested that I send them new equipment. Saying goodbye to them was difficult, many of them wanted to be my favorite, and they would always ask me who it was, thus they didn’t want me to leave until I answered! Haha! Not something I expected, I told them, “Being on a team is like being in a family, you can’t love your mom more than your dad, or your anything sister less than you, you are like my family so I love each of you the same, and thus you are each my favorite.” They laughed because they probably didn’t understand what I had  said and then hugged me.

Softball team in the Philippines

Typically they play in the mud, in the rain and in the heat with no shoes or equipment. They have one broken helmet, but its too hot to wear it anyways. Their softballs are repaired with tape, and their bases with rice sacks. Spending time with these girls was a true highlight of my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I had played softball since age 5 through high school and never expected that one day I would get to act as a coach. I just want to throw out a quick thanks to all the coaches in my life you were able to catch a ball, throw it, and bat it and make it look easy—because I never could! Haha! Really I just would throw up fly balls or have to throw down grounders. The biggest lesson that these girls showed me is love for a game. Even when the weather was a monsoon, or so hot you could taste the heat, they never complained, they never asked to stop playing, the game was theirs to play, and that’s all that mattered.

A decent softball

In life I feel like its easy to make excuses not to do something because everything in life has an obstacle, but these girls not only taught me to enjoy the additional challenges, but to embrace them. Standing out in a mud “field” holding an umbrella during the pouring Philippine rain deep into the “outfield” and watching those girls light up will truly be something that I will never forget.

How do you repair a softball in the Philippines? Add tape.

The Peace Corps has been something on my bucket list and was kind of the last tangible thing that I really ever wanted to do in life. Saying goodbye to the softball girls helped me create a new goal, to one day be a coach of some sort, in order to teach the lessons I have learned through sports, and to be reminded that you never stop learning from those younger than you.

this green space is on our campus, and our "field"

My next blog will be about one of the most amazing moments in time that I have ever experienced. I don’t think the world or people could have been any kinder, or a person could have felt more honored. It has taken me so long to write it because I don’t know really how to capture it all in words.

Thanks for reading,

Lysette

Medical Separation in Peace Corps– What does it mean?? And how does it work?

Be afraid....very afraid.. haha. Medical Separation and Peace Corps, no I didn't get sent home for becoming a zombie

Medical Separation

My first hospital visit with Jaron-- the nurse made an extra tag so to make me feel better Jaron wore a hospital bracelet too.

For my parents, community and friends in Peace Corps, being Medically Separated from Peace Corps came as a large surprise, as my symptoms the day PCMO called where really no different than they had been since the 3^rd day I arrived in the Philippines. Many people have asked and emailed about the process of exactly what is Medical Separation and how it is determined, and how much control you have over it. I don’t have all the answers, but I can only share my case, Peace Corps Medical Office Washington DC looked over my Medical File in the Philippines, upon looking at my file and seeing that I had been the hospital several times and that my symptoms had not improved they decided it was in my best interest to return to America.

From the time i turned purple and almost drowned during water safety because my "safety vest" inflated and suffocated me

Medical Separation happens very quickly, I could have been back in American about 4 days from packing my room to the plane; however I had two events I had planned in my town so the Peace Corps let me stay longer. I’m not sure this is normal, but I only spent one day in the Philippines Headquarters office to get my paperwork done and then flew back.

When I found out I was medically separated,  I didn’t even know what day I would be flying back to America. When they called, I didn’t know specifically what I was being sent home for, and my imagination went wild with worry about the possibilities they might have found during my last hospital visit; a visit I had kept from my family. My sister was about to have a baby and I didn’t want to stress my family out knowing I was in the hospital. (Shout out to Jaron—we spent our 1year anniversary in the hospital—the same place we were almost a year ago when I was in the hospital the first time, funny that we ended up in the same place, a true anniversary).

At that time the doctors told me they didn’t really know what was wrong, that I have/had extreme exhaustion. They told me to take a break from my work, but at that time I was really busy with my HIV/AIDS Grant and some projects at the school I was working on; it’s really hard on my nature to take a break, but I rested in my room for about 5 days after the hospital.

I waited a week more and then I texted PCMO and asked them if they can give me anymore vitamins that I’m not already taking, because two weeks after my hospital visit I am still feeling awful. Apparently this text message was the tipping point. PCMO realized that there was nothing more they could do for me, and they sent my files to Washington causing Washington D.C. to make their final decision.

It is sad to say, but staying in the Philippineswas a battle of heart against my body. From the 3^rd day I was in thePhilippines my symptoms never really disappeared. I had my own complex about not being a good volunteer because I had never been camping or was much of an outdoor person. I thought the reason I was sick and everyone else was healthy was because of my lack of outdoor training. I was fearful of being labelled as high maintenance because I was in my own opinion very different from the other volunteers. I didn’t complain to PCMO about my symptoms and tried to function without medical help.  My Peace Corps Language Trainer was the one who first recommended for me to go the doctor in October of last year, upon going to the doctor I was immediately admitted to the hospital, this was the same case that happened a few weeks ago. However, no one could ever really figure out what was wrong with me.

During my 14 1/2 months I had to endure other severe medical dilemmas, I had a case of sore eyes where I went blind in one eye, and the doctor told me that it was going to be for 3 weeks, luckily that didn’t happen and recovered fully after 11 days. I also developed a heart condition in which my heart was beating at an extremely low number of 30-40 beats instead of normal healthy heart beat of 60-100. I thought I could be sent home for each of those, and was prepared to be medically separated in June, however I tried my best to stick it out.

Hospital time-- I hated that contraption on my face, you have to wake up every 3 hours to breathe properly, not a lot of sleep

In truth I am extremely grateful to PCMO for making the decision to send me home, I didn’t really know how sick I was or what I was doing to my body until I returned home. Although I am still exhausted, I feel 100% better in ways I didn’t even know I was sick. Now that I am away from the Philippines, and not dedicated to my work I realize how much sickness I was suppressing. It’s nice to be honest about how I really feel, because before I was trying to cover it up so I could do my job.

For those of you who are Peace Corps Volunteers and are worried about Medical Separation, it took many illnesses and the ultimate realization that staying in the Philippines and being sick every single day was too much for my body to handle. You can also reapply in 45 days if you are better, however I think in cases like mine that would be really difficult as I have many tests to run and doctors to see and I am only on appointment #1.

My advice, if you feel like your body is under severe stress, speak up, while I loved my work and the people around me, its hard to make the decision for yourself because you want to stay and help so badly. What I learned about myself through this experience,  I don’t want to limit my ability to serve others to 27 months in Peace Corps, but a healthy long life of loving and finding ways to serve elsewhere. While going home was not something I expected, my community, friends and all my families have been extremely supportive, because the people around you always want what best, and all of them could see that I was sick.

I have to trust God on this one. I had no idea I was going to be separated and I have no idea what to do now, but I know when doors close, windows open so I’m going to get healthy and then look for windows.

Thanks for reading,

Lysette

My favorite picture, because this is as bad as I could ever imagine looking. Day 1 of sore eyes, when it was only in one eye

P.s. I am very determined person which means when I put my mind something it consumes me. I was really determined to make the most of my time in Peace Corps even if it meant suffering, every week I thought to myself, I can make it through, just one more day or one more week. I think many of my successes in Peace Corps was due to my sickness, since I felt so bad all the time I wanted to do as much work as possible so the suffering would be worth it.  I would have never made the decision to return home on my own, although the people who knew me best were always supportive of putting my health first, and to all those people, OKAY YOU WERE RIGHT! Haha!! And now you can really say, “I told you so.’ Haha. Thank you for loving me despite my ambitions.

The food I missed and can’t wait to taste again…..

Top Ten Places I need to go out eat still….

1. TacoBell—For those of you who know me… can you believe I haven’t done that yet?!?

2. Margaritas and Happy Hour at Chevys

3. Movie Theatre Popcorn

4. Coldstone Ice cream

5. Jamba Juice

6. Chipotle

7. Subway

8. Fresh Choice

9. Baja Fresh

10. Any Chinese Food—which is weird that I crave that because I didn’t really like Chinese Food too much.

Any takers?!??! Any recommendations!??!

Haha…now I’m going to go to bed hungry!

 

Also with all that food– who wants to join me at the gym!! haha

Thanks for reading,

Lysette

50 Years of Peace Corps

* I wrote this blog before I heard the news today. I did a 50th Anniversary celebration that you will read about below, sadly earlier today 4 of the kids drowned in the same river we played in earlier, I don’t know which ones, but spending time with them, playing with them in that same water, its just so tragic. Please pray for their families.

swimming in the water with the kids, this is the water a few later drowned in just yesterday

50 Years of Peace Corps

At a young age I took an interest in politics, thus I ran for many student government positions. My junior year of High school I ran for Junior Class President. I modeled my speech after JFK, because I admired his words. I thought I was clever and instead of saying, “Its not what your country can do for you—but what you can do for country,” I said, “Its not what your school can do for you—but what you can do for your school.” I remember the auditorium bursting into laughter, except I wasn’t trying to be funny. I really believe in those words, I really believe that in life we should do things for others.

Committing to something for two years is huge. Before I came to Peace Corps I took my LSAT and was ready to go to Law School, but before I went, I wanted to do something for world; I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me.

Jaron playing with kids in the Rice Terraces

I wanted to understand what it means to be poor, hungry, and tired from working too hard. I wanted to invest myself into someone else’s future, as so many have invested into mine. I wanted to be exposed to a different lifestyle, so that no matter what job I do in the future I always can remember what it means to live with little. I don’t think I have shed much light on the lifestyle I live here. Let me paint a picture:

In America I spent more on gas in two weeks getting back and forth to work than I live off for everything, rent, food, transportation, basic needs, etc., in a month.

Imagine the difference.
Gas for 2 weeks =my entire life here

My Peace Corps experience has been all that I wanted, because it has been exactly that, what can I do for my community? As many of you know from blogs, I have had a intense journey, but every time it all feels like too much, I think about the big picture. Two years of my life, to infiltrate a community and do nothing but give yourself to your community in hopes that one day the things you do for them they will be able to do for each other is worth putting my other goals and ambitions on pause.

Being a member of Peace Corps this year in the Philippines has truly been something to celebrate.

Really becoming part of the culture, being measured in native clothes

Peace Corps is celebrating not only 50 years of service, but 50 years of service in the Philippines. Through these celebrations I have thought a lot about what other PCVs have been like. I watched a video with the first set of PCVs leaving America, and I wondered about what it was like for them. 50 years later we have medical support, materials, resources, phones, emails, trainings, systems, security, an ways to communicate needs. I can’t imagine joining 50 years ago, and to those people, I have the utmost respect.

Learning a native dance

 

 

 

Due to this milestone, Peace Corps allowed us to throw 50th Anniversary Celebrations. My first 50th celebration took place in May, very far from my site in a place called Banaue. For those of you reading this not from the Philippines, Banaue is one of the most widely famous areas of the Philippines, known as the rice terraces.

My months have been so busy I feared I would never have a chance to share with you one of my best experiences in Peace Corps, my trip to Banaue.

However, two weeks ago we had a celebration of 50 years of Peace Corps in my own area. The celebrations and activities were so different, that waiting to share my experience is actually a blessing because now I have a chance to shed light on the differences of two extreme differences in the Philippines, and what Peace Corps has done in the last 50 years.

50 Years of Peace Corps Ifuego

After being called up to Manila for medical, I was able to join the 50th Anniversary Celebrations in Ifuego. The trip was long and exhausting. The bus ride from Manila to Ifuego was 14 hours, because wait for it… our bus caught on fire. This is the second time in my life I have been on a bus that has caught on fire—not really good odds. By the time we made it to Ifuego we were exhausted, but amazed at how different the climate was. We took a jeep to the rice terraces and I was amazed at its beauty. It was one of the most peaceful moments I have ever had in my life. In this case, you don’t need my words, see for yourself:

The Rice Terraces, Banaue

The levels of the rice terraces, and the variations of green where breathtaking

1-2 hours of picking was one handle worth of rice, that makes about one bowl

We spend the weekend in a farm house, where we had the opportunity to actually harvest rice and do activities at the local school. My biggest fear was that I would find a leech on me, as they warned us that leeches often attach to you when you step in the mud.

Picking rice!!

The only dismay I found after harvesting rice was that my legs and arms were itchy, like blades for grass that cause microscopic cuts that somehow itch like crazy. The work overall gave me a huge respect for the rice I eat.

 

Besides the weather being much cooler, a huge difference from Iloilo to Banaue was the students ability to read and speak Engish at their grade level or higher. A group of PCVs planned on reading to the students at the local elementary school, but instead they read to us.

After our weekend in the Rice Terraces, we ventured back to Ifuego for one of my favorite experiences of Peace Corps. We did a native Ifuego dance, in native clothes. It was an amazing opportunity to really feel a part of another culture.

All the single ladies, all the single ladies

Another event was the HIV/AIDS Fun Run with an educational seminar after the run. I had been to the HIV/AIDS training in Manila a few months prior and it was the first time I was able to help lead HIV/AIDS related activities. It made me nervous to address a large group, in a language different than the one I am familiar with, but the students were able to understand and enjoyed the activities.

The Boys in Native Clothes before the dance

Finally the best moment of all, and the main difference between Ifuego and students in Iloilo was how brave the students were. After school some students came to our Peace Corps booth. One of them came up to me and asked right away if I was American. In Iloilo you have to build up the students confidence before you can speak with them, in this case the students wanted to converse. Their English abilities were out of control good. I asked a few of them if they wanted to play a game. I was able to explain the rules just one time and they were able to understand them easily. Soon our group of 5 turned to 10, than 15, than 20. Than I needed some assistance from the other PCVs, Jaron and my friend Mary joined the group. It seemed by the end there were about 30 kids playing a game I randomly made up. It was so fun, and I hated to leave. I loved the ease of making a connection with the students. At my site, you have to work to connect with students, but once you do, its truly magical.

It was a week away from site, but it served as a lifetime of experiences.

50th Anniversary Iloilo Style

At the Ati Village

During training we had the opportunity to visit an indigenous site. In the 1980s, I PCV was assigned to the area and was able to help the people keep the land. Over 20 years later and the 5 of us from Iloilo wanted to do something for the community we first fell in love with. My favorite picture of Peace Corps so far was taken by another PCV, Amari. She was able to capture a moment that I find the essence of the Peace Corps experience. A baby exploring my face and the difference of someone from a different culture, it constantly amazes me how babies are able to see the differences in those around them. You can see them react to the tone of our voices, and shape of our teeth, but mostly the desire to grab our nose.

Baby Shark! A song PCVs like to do with the kids

Indigenous people here in the Philippines are called Ati. It is similar to that of Native Americans. The Ati were displaced all over Iloilo, they really needed a home. Ati are often found begging for money in the city. They usually have little to no clothes. My host father at my first home called them, “The ones with the Kinky hair.” The Ati are much darker in color than other Pilipinos. They also live naturally off of the land, but there is still much garbage. We decided to do a trash clean up, and a small English style camp.

 

 

Carrying this boy up and down the hills to pick up trash was more work than you can imagine

As always a few of the children stole my heart. The boy pictured to the right loved to be held, and didn’t allow me to put him down. It was very difficult to climb up rocks and down to the river and up hills carrying a baby to pick up trash. I had a new respect for the woman and how hard they had to work carrying their children.

The little girls working together to gather trash

The second child that really made an imprint was one who I had sitting on my lap. All of sudden she realized I was different and she started SCREAMING!!!! I have never scared a little girl so bad. I tried to make it up to her but she was so frightened by me. By the end of the event she was following me around, so I know she wasn’t scared anymore just curious.

Baby Shark! A song PCVs like to do with the kids

My group for picking up trash, look at the little girl in the prom dress

cleaning up trash

When we first arrived at the site, surprise surprise, they weren’t ready for us. We had a presentation and several other things planned but the majority of the people were in church. There were several children whoever, who were not in church. So I tried to teach them how to play “tag.” It didn’t really work, it was just me as a “monster” trying to tag the kids.

It was wonderful to hear so many giggles, but man was that a work out. There was a lot of little kids, a lot of hills and only one me. Still it was fun for all of us.

At the end of our activity we went down to the river to take pictures… the water was beautiful and kids were having so much fun that I had to jump in and take part of the off the beauty.

 

Just as I thought the day couldn’t get any better…. It did!

I get to check off a major item on my to-do list: PET A MONKEY!

I was so happy!!

 

There was a native monkey. And I can’t tell you how honestly scared I was to touch it. While small, it looked mean. Like the children who can tell there is something different about me. Eventually it grabbed onto my finger. WE HELD HANDS <3333 true love status.

 

 

 

 

creeping closer to him...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

making contact-- dreams come true-- petting a monkey

 

All that’s is left on my check list

- Swim with a shark
- Ride and Elephant
- Save the world (haha jk)

As always thanks for letting me share my life with you. While my experiences differ drastically from day to day, the purpose is the same. I can’t believe how much I have learned about others and how much I have been able to share about myself. I look at all the events that shaped my life to bring me to this moment, how I learned games like tag as a child, and how those games help make a connection with others. I guess what I’m saying is that the life events you have now are all experiences that can eventually be shared and valued by someone else, and that is what Peace Corps is to me, a chance to be exactly who you are and to accept others for exactly who they are.

Happy 50 years Peace Corp Philippines!

Thanks for reading,

Lysette

 

Highlight moment, the kids don't have mirrors, they don't know what they look like, so they all stopped to see their reflection, it was magical

Music of my Peace Corps Experience

My Compilation CD  that  Reflect my 1^st year in Peace Corps

InAmerica, any track I listened to was all about the beat. I rarely listened to words, I wanted music give back the energy I put out there. When I’m out for a jog or extremely tired, I still crave those beats, but the music I listen to, that makes me feel better on a bad day, gives me inspiration on a sad day, or reminds me about the worth of life has become even more important to me. So if you’re a fellow PCV, maybe these songs can make you feel better on a down day, or if you’re just a stranger, its amazing how music can really reach the core of who a person is, and I’m sure you will see me in all these songs.

 

Song 1: Heavens Eyes- Featured In the Motion Picture Prince of Egypt

Favorite Lyric: “A single thread in a tapestry, though its color brightly shines, can never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design”

PCV Mood: WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING??? What sustainability??

 

Song 2: Perfect Day by Hoku

Favorite Lyric: “Im in the race but I already won, and getting there can be half the fun, so don’t stop me until I’m good and done,  it’s the perfect day. Nothing is going to bring me down.”

PCV Mood: I worked really hard on this project, it is going to work.

 

Song 3: Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine

Favorite Lyric: “Run fast for your mother run fast for your father, Run for your children for your sisters and brothers, Leave all your love and your longing behind you, Can’t carry it with you if you want to survive.”

PCV Mood: There is no turning back, no where to hide, but the worst is over, only 15 more months!

 

Song 4: High School Never Ends- Bowling for Soup

Lyrics: “The Whole Damn World is just as obsessed, With who‘s the best dressed and (who’s having sex), Who‘s got the money. Who (gets the honeys), Who‘s kinda cute and who‘s just a mess”

PCV Mood: Am I in high school still (in regards to how PCV’s interact, gossip, and exclude/include others)?? But really the whole world is.

 

Song 5: Mulan- “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”

Lyric: Tranquil as a forest, But on fire within, Once you find your center, You are sure to win, You’re a spineless, pale pathetic lot, And you haven’t got a clue, Somehow I’ll make

a man out of you

PCV Mood: Sometimes you don’t think you are ready for it… but in the end it will work out.

 

Song 6:  Don’t you – Simple Minds

Don’t you forget about me  (don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t) , Don’t you forget about me , Would you recognize me? Call my name, or walk on by? Rain keeps falling – rain keeps falling down, down, down, down”

PCV Mood: My friends wont forget me will they?

 

Song 8: Fat Bottom Girls- Queen

Lyrics: “Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin’ world go round”

PCV Mood: I just was called, fat, big, chubby or large, but really I like what I got.

 

Song 9:Island in the Sun by Weezer

Favorite Lyric: On an island in the sun, We’ll be playing and having fun, And it makes me feel so fine, I can’t control my brain.”

PCV Mood: I forgot I live on anIsland because all I ever do is hang out in my school, room or plaza.

 

Song 10: It’s My Life- Bon Jovi

Lyric: “Better stand tall when they are calling you out, don’t’ bend don’t break, don’t back down. I’m not going to live forever, I just want to live while I’m alive.”

PCV Mood: After pooping your pants, throwing up your breakfast, itching from mosquitoes, stuck in bed with a fever even though it’s a million degrees, and people ask you, “Why are you still doing Peace Corp again?”

 

Song 11: When Love Takes Over by David Guetta

Favorite Lyric: “Look out for you to hold my hand. It feels like I could fall. Now love me right, like I know you can, we could loose it all. When love takes over, you know you can’t deny.

PCV Mood: I’m in a relationship in peace corps, I am more vulnerable, cried more tears, felt more defeated, more empty, but still there is someone to grab your hand. (And for me, that person is Jaron, thank you Jaron.)

 

Bonus Track: WAKA WAKA- Shakira

Favorite Lyric: Well the lyrics don’t really matter on this song

PCV Mood: I have heard this way way way too many times, but I will include it on my playlist anyways

 

Shout out Track: Tarzan- You’ll be in my heart

Favorite Lyric: My arms will hold you, Keep you safe and warm, This bond between us, Can’t be broken, I will be here , Don’t you cry

PCV Mood: I miss my mom.

Save the Fish…and the Tadpoles

This summer was more productive than I could ever imagine. Thus, I didn’t have time to document all the exciting things that happened. All I can say is, I had to sleep in places/not sleep, encountered a TON of cockroaches, and saw more body parts of fellow PCV’s than I expected. Overall, I would rate the summer a success. I’m really happy with the work that I did, and more importantly the relationships I made with other PCVS. My summer included, CampLead,an Elementary Camp, 5 teacher trainings and  2 workshops. Essentially, no time to write a blog, so this one will be the highlighting story from each summer event.

NOMET/ Teacher Trainings

The whole gang, Peace Corp Volunteers from all over the Philippines gathered for a Mobile Teacher Training

As far as Peace Corp is concerned, it seems that my batch, 269, is very large in comparison to other batches. I have heard in other countries that batches are as small as 8 and usually up to 60-80. Our batch was 140+, the highest number brought to the Philippines. With that being said, it means that there are a LOT of PCV’s around. Although we are all relatively close, bus rides, boat rides, and jeep rides away we don’t get a chance to meet in large groups. NOMET was the answer to all of that.

It felt like a family reunion in a way, mostly because PCV’s are a lot like family. Each of us are assigned different topics and we train teachers on the topic. When I did my first two teacher trainings the numbers were smaller, around 50-150 for the 2 day training. However for NOMET there are around 500 teachers, meaning we have many topics for them to learn from.Jaron and I did two teacher trainings back to back in Antique, and our topic was Remedial Reading.

RemedialReadingis a difficult subject to teach because most of the teachers are brand new to the idea, thus its broken down into 2 sessions. After the 4 days, I don’t think I ever want to talk about Remedial Reading again. NOMET has 4 schools in a row. At each school teachers from the surrounding areas come, and then we transfer to another school and 1hr plus away.

My topics for NOMET were Microsoft Word and Researching. The benefit of teaching MS Word is that there is usually an air conditioner inside of the classroom with the computers to protect them. The negative side, is that there is an air conditioner inside of the classroom and its really hot outside so people will sign up for your class just to be in air conditioning and they have no desire to learn. Unfortunately for my students, I was very sick. So sick, that the air-conditioning bothered me so I had it off. I lost my voice the majority of the day, and would preserve it for the moments when it was time to teach. Almost like adrenaline, I would be able to talk because I wanted to teach so badly.My partner Evelyn, we taught MS Word and Research Fun and Games.

Teaching Research, we talked about Plagiarism

Researching was not as popular as MS Word, but still very important. My partner and I taught about plagiarism, because here in thePhilippinesstudents often turn in copy and pasted work from wikipedia or other sources. Teaching teachers how to help students write in their own words is more difficult than you would think. However I really enjoyed it. The highlight moments of NOMET were not actually teaching, (because I felt like crap the whole time) but instead the moments were we could be ourselves. On the weekend before the transition to the next school we played games like Mafia, and Monopoly Deal. We danced, ate pizza and just hung out. Even though we were sleeping on a cockroach invested school floor with thin pads and mosquitoes attacking us despite the layers of OFF, it was wonderful. Data Base WorkshopThe Data Base Workshop took place inManila. I had to leave NOMET early in order to attend. Being in Manila provided the opportunity to help at a school clean up, called Brigeda Eskwela. Every school across the Philippines has a clean-up campus week before school starts. USAID and the US Embassy adopted a local school by providing supplies. They invited PCV’s to help pain the school. It was an amazing opportunity because painting reminds me of home, and I met workers from USAID who really left me inspired about my future opportunities.

Painting the School for Brigeda Eskwela

All that Habitat for Humanity came in handy, teaching the kids how to get paint on their clothes... haha

PCV's doing an event with USAID and the US Ambassador of the Philippines

Usually in our trainings we get to bring one counterpart, but in this case I had the chance to bring two; Margot, the computer genius at my school, and Jerome the Barangay Captain and PTA President. Margot had never been on a plane before or out ofIloiloarea, so for him it was a huge deal to come toManila. When he came he said he didn’t have a desire to travel, but when he left he said he couldn’t wait to come again, and that pretty much summarizes the Workshop. I was really proud of my counterparts, they participated and brought up excellent points and we all made action plans for our communities. The highlight moment for me was taking Margot to the Mall of Asia. MOA is bigger than any mall that I have been to inAmerica, and that’s saying something. Now can you imagine someone from San Miguel seeing one? Inside there is an ice skating ring with fake snow falling, Margot had never seen anyone ice skate so we watched the people glide and spin across the glass. Then I took them to a “Mexican” food place, which is as close as we are going to get here in thePhilippines. They didn’t know what to order, so I ordered them random things I thought they would like. Margots full name is Margorito, and so we decided to get Margaritas, something he had never tried. Watching someone try something for the first time, or stop and recognize something that you just think is ordinary really changes a persons perspective on life. Surrounding my neighbors house are rows of Hibiscus, I told my mom and she asked me if I ever stop and look at them, and the truth is I don’t. Tropical flowers have become my habitat, and watching Margot and Jerome eat Mexican food, or Margot watch snow fall has made me re-evalaute the things that I forget to see.   Elementary School Camp  

The Schedule of Camp, I did team building, drama, and sports

At group sports, they learned how to play "Bacon"

Teambuilding

The memories from this camp are too many to share. Unlike the Camp LeadI did earlier this summer, I was in charge of  Team Building,Sports and theater. When you imagine sports at a camp I imagine balls, and equipment and big fields to play on. Instead we had a small space, with 2 small balls, 1 mostly deflated, and it was all we needed. We taught them American games such as tag, capture the flag, bacon, soccer, a version of basketball, relays and created obstacle courses. By the end of each day it was fair to say that everyone was exhausted.

Running Relays

The highlight moment was when one of the Sports kids took interest in adirty pond area.

The student who started it all...

They had just come out of the environmental seminar and they wanted to save the fish. I went over to the pond and together all of the kids I was in charge of decided that we were going to save the fish and clean their environment.

saving the tadpoles

We all tried to catch the fish and put them in a safe bucket, we scrubbed and worked hard as a team, using cups and our hands to empty the water. I didn’t have a camera, but when we were almost done and the water was clear again another PCV took pictures. I can’t really describe the amount of team work, or how I felt about these kids after that day, but it was beautiful.

We saved the FISH!!!!! Best day of Camp!

Anyways, those were my favorite moments from summer. Thanks for reading, Lysette and as an extra bonus for reading this far…im including an embarrassing picture of myself dancing on stage

notice the child starring at us in the background-- i am not afraid to be a dork. haha.

Earthquake in the Philippines

At approximately 4:47am on Tuesday I started to feel dizzy. Could my bed possibly be shaking? Am I dreaming? Is this an…. Earthquake?

Earlier the previous day I had started a new work out plan, after eating breakfast I got sick and started vomiting, believe me, you don’t need the details. The cause now is something I’m still unsure of, maybe it was working out too hard, maybe it was drinking unfiltered water at the mall, but the best news is, it hasn’t happened again.

Although, I wasn’t sick for the rest of the day,  I was scared it would happen again (it sure wasn’t pretty, excorist style) so I stayed home from school. Confined to my room and afraid to eat I started watching a new show called Breaking Bad, which I can fairly say is more than an addiction. I have 3 seasons of it, and I doubt they will last me long. I did a few other things that day, but nothing worth remembering.

Suddenly it was night. I fell asleep quickly, which is very unlike me, by 10:00pm. I woke up at 1:30 am wide awake, but still closing my eyes. I fell in and out of sleep, and its usually when I am in this phase that I dream. I love dreaming. Your brain is still slightly working because your aren’t all the way asleep, yet you don’t have control. I wish I could remember my dreams, or at least remember to write them down.

Anyways, 4:47 came, and I thought I was dreaming. Then I thought, UGH- I’m going to throw up again– and then I stood up. I pressed my hands on my bed, and realized I wasn’t dreaming. I threw on more clothes and went into the hallway, where my host mom was there about to knock on the door.

Conversation:

Me: “Is this a…”

HM: “Yes”

Me: “I think I have felt it for over 30 seconds”

HM: “It’s been a minute, don’t be scared, we have earthquakes in the Philippines”

Me: “I lived in Southern California in the 90s, we had drills at school to practice getting under our desks. My mom used to take the pictures off the wall to protect them because we lived on a fault line. My sister and I would eat our after school snacks under the table. I’m okay, but are we in a danger of a Tsunami?”

HM: Lets listen to the radio

Me: (The radio is in Illongo, I understand about every 10-15th word) Did I  hear the numbers, 6.2, 1 minute and 20 seconds?

HM: Yes, no Tsunami warning

My thoughts: Here I am sitting in my pjs in the dark listening to a radio I can’t understand. I’m used to CNN special reports, and being able to call all my loved ones. Its the first time I really really felt like I was in a foreign place.

HM: Its okay, you can go back to bed. Leave the door open in case anything happens. Expect aftershocks.

Me: Okay thank you.

I immediately texted my parents, I needed them to know I was all right. Then I texted everyone who I knew who lived close by to make sure they were okay.

Surprisingly, not everyone was woken up, but everyone was okay. After I got the last response from one of my friends, i imagined the people in Japan. I had so much time to react, and I still moved slowly. It breaks my heart thinking about what they have gone through, so I wanted to dedicate this blog to the people in Japan, and say that you are in my prayers. Because I was scared. I was scared that a Tsunami could come, it was a very long earthquake and I didn’t know where the center was. I was scared for Jaron because he lives on an Island smaller than mine and he lives in a Nipa Hut.

I then touched the walls of my room, and I prayed some more, because I was grateful. After the fear and worries came a calmness.

And thats how I am calm. Calm and grateful. Grateful for my life experiences and all the opportunities I have had. Grateful that it was only earthquake with no damages, and that all my friends are okay.

In those moments, you suddenly think of all the people who mean the world to you, and to those people, thank you.

And to you,

Thanks for reading,

Lysette

Peace Corp Philippines documented in the News!

Hi All,

I decided to post the two articles that are out right now. I have come to view this blog as a journal in some way and I want to remember the highlight moments,  being featured at my University where I did my undergrad and in the local paper back home.

If you have already read them, don’t worry about reading them again. After re-reading the articles myself , I just want to highlight my favorite part in case anyone reading this is a future volunteer. This was asked in the Tribune article,

 What were your goals when you decided to go, and did they change once you got started?

When you decide to do something like the Peace Corps you set out thinking you are going to change the world. When you get here, you realize that changing the world isn’t exactly what you thought it would be like. Instead, you realize that focusing on one student, one classroom, one teacher, one year level, one school and finally one community is about as much of the world as you are going to change, but it is way more important than I could have ever imagined.

Anyways, here are the links to the articles

The Press Tribune:

5 Questions: Roseville high grad joins Peace Corps

http://granitebaypt.com/detail/181979.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Lysette+Davis&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=

The Catholic University of America:

Lysette Davis, B.A. 2009, Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines

http://www.cuatoday.com/s/817/internal.aspx?sid=817&gid=1&pgid=1473

also– i didn’t get to pick the picture on that one, sorry about it <3

Thanks for reading,

Lysette

A Play by Play of Daily Life in the Philippines, Peace Corp Addition

Pagtaltal

Somehow it’s the end of April and I don’t really know how that happened. This month has been a whirlwind, either I have officially become to the used to the slow pace of life, or my life is really moving fast. I have too many stories to tell, so I decided to break this blog up by day so you can get a peek into my daily life, my encounters and what the heck I’m doing!

My Daily Life in thePhilippines

April 1^st: Recognition Ceremony at the High School, where I gave a speech and help hand out awards to top students.

April 2^nd: Graduation, where I had to say goodbye to 426 of my 4^th year students.

April 3^rd: Fly to Manila to use the IRC and Doctors appointments, the peace corp library is an amazing place where you can get resources for your site. There is also a special shelf where PCV’s bring their old books and you can take as many as you want. I took about 10-15 books!! When your finished you just bring them back the next time your inManila.

April 4^th:  HIV/AIDS Conference by USAID and Peace Corp where I learned so much and really felt inspired as a Volunteer. I live in Iloilo City (outside the main city) which is the 2^nd fastest growing rate of HIV in thePhilippines. There is so much work that can be done!

April 5^th: Mall of Asia, after the conference was over at night the PCV’s would stroll down to the MOA, only a 15 minute walk through intense traffic. I felt like it was theDisneyland of malls, and I quickly felt swept up in such a fancy place. With so many American stores, I almost forgot I was in thePhilippines

April 6^th: Lincoln Lawyer, I went to the movies with some PCV’s at the Mall of Asia after conference. Many people live in such rural sites that this was their first time in the last 8 months to see a movie. Movies cost 150 pesos, about 3.50 US dollars, and a box of popcorn is 60 pesos, about 1.40 US dollars. Despite the low costs for an American, it is an extreme luxury to go to the movies. Before the move starts the theatre played the National Anthem and everyone stood up in their theatre seats and sang. They also only played previews for scary movies, I haven’t seen a scary movie in 8 months and I think because I live in such a happy culture I can no longer bare watching a scary movie, although it used to be my favorite genre.

 

April 7^th: Last day of the HIV conference, also the last day of a HOT SHOWER!! I enjoyed 4 amazingly hot showers. I suddenly became aware of how much water a shower wastes. It doesn’t even take ½ a bucket to clean myself, and about 5 gallons when you shower. Despite knowing that I was wasting large quantities of water I over indulged and took between a 15-30 minute shower every day.  My ipod touch stopped working, with no computer, a crashed a hard drive my heart broke when I no longer had an ipod. Luckily I was near the MOA, and it had a MAC Store!!! I skipped dinner and a few PCVS came with me see if it was fixable…and it was! They fixed it free of charge. Then I spent American money on a hoodie, yes a hoodie. I was freezing (because I was sick) and I wasn’t used to Air Conditioning. Then we went to Mexican food (well sorta) and I had a Veggie Burrito and it was YUMMMYYYYYY!!!

April 8^th: Doctor Appointments, I had to stay an extra day because of my skin and ears. My skin has become extremely discolored and  I have lost pigment in many places, aka I’m the new Michael Jackson haha jk!! I went to the dermatologist and its just the sun affecting my skin in a severe way, but when I go back to the States it should clear up.  Secondly I went in for my ear. I have had an annoying ring in my ear for the last month. I went to the doctor inIloilo and he pulled all the ear wax out on one side thinking either an ant or a cockroach (yes its common for people to get cockroaches in their ears!!!) went into my ear. He couldn’t find anything, so he didn’t know what was wrong. For about 1 week my equilibrium was severely messed up, I felt dizzy all the time, and started getting severe headaches. The doctor in Manila put oil in my ear and the ringing stopped soon after, then he pulled out some ear wax on the other side (GROSS), so I don’t feel dizzy anymore and my ear is much better.

That night was pretty epic. When we go toManila for doctors appointments we get to stay at a pension house. Due to the fact that all of us are constantly sick with something you will always find at least a few PCV’s at the pension house, usually people you don’t know but find an immediate bond with due to the fact that you understand exactly how that person feels. You celebrate that bond by filling your stomach with tons of delicious American Foods, such as Veggie Burgers, Taco Bell, and Dairy Queen. You spend all of your monthly allowance in one day, yet you don’t care because the recognizable food was so delicious you would have paid triple. The night usually ends with good conversations, drinks and dancing. That’s right, dancing. I have been toManila two times now, and both times I maneuvered my way to a dance floor into the early morning hours. It amazes me how I don’t know any of the songs they are playing, but by the end of the night I’m singing along like it’s the best song I have ever heard. Sometimes when I’m in Peace Corp I feel so old; I’m a leader among my community, co-teachers, and students. They look for me for ideas and knowledge. I feel that for the majority of my life I have chosen to act older than my age, but when I get to dance and sing to songs with lame lyrics but good beats for a moment I get to feel my age, 23, and its amazing.

April 9^th- 14th: Language camp, the hardest part of my summer went by almost too quickly. I had the chance to be reunited with PCV’s and some of my dearest friends here. They saw me struggle, and they supported me. I wrote more about this in my last blog, but the week included learning a new language, pizza, a cockroach, a nun home, feeling really intelligent, feeling like a total failure, feeling overwhelmed, and the feel of hope, that I one day, just maybe, I will be able to speak.

April 15th-17th:Mangahan festival in Gumerias, where over 25 PCV’s came together to celebrate Mangoes! The highlight moment, quesadillas with REAL CHEESE!

with tons of mangoes!

I got my first tattoo, henna of course, had mango smoothie, and mango pizza (not with real cheese L) and of course dance with the local children and friends with most of Gumerias as local bands played top 40 songs. My second favorite part was the firework competition, different regions set up a colorful firework display and the crowd judged their favorites through their ooo’s, ahh’s and applause.

With Sean and Leanna

April 18^th- Scheduled Nap 15 minutes. Haha! Truly though, look at my month. This marks 8 months in Peace Corp!!!

April 19^th- Internet access at my school delivered excellent news, my community was accepted into the database workshop that will be inManila by Peace Corp and USAID. They only had six slots, and I feel really lucky to have the opportunity. I get to take 2 of my counterparts. When I told the school the news I received a standing ovation. They all hugged me and told me how much they missed me (they are used to seeing my everyday and so far I had been gone most of the month), and they told me that most of them had never been to Manila and they were so happy to have one of their own get to go to the capital city. We had a good time chika-chicking about the summer, and I just enjoyed the companies of my teachers. After language camp I was able to pick up a few more words when they were talking.

April 20^th- Visiting the Mayor, this summer I wanted to do projects in my community with the health department and the municipality office, but as you can see from my schedule, time did not allow. I went to meet with the mayor and we talked about what the rest of my service will look like. We discussed many projects to work on, so many in fact that I think next school year I will only work at the school 4 days a week and in the Mayors office 1 day a week to plan community projects.

I then went into the city to meet my very best Pilipino friend. She was my first counterpart at my school in Mandurrio and we have remained close friends. She is one of the most beautiful people I have ever encountered, as she is selfless by design and has one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. As a child she was sickly so her parents sent her away to live with her old maid aunts, she desired to be a cook, but aunts rely on her income and she was forced to go into teaching. She works with the remedial children, the ones who are always hungry, have extremely poor  hygiene and are otherwise tossed aside. She loves them, sings to them, and teaches them to be good human beings. Despite her parents leaving her, they are sick now, so her one teacher income supports both of her sick parents and two very old aunts. All her time is dedicated to the school, the students and her church where she sings in the choir. For her birthday I insisted that I take her out for dinner. In American culture we treat the person whose birthday it is, in thePhilippineshowever, when its your birthday its your responsibility to give a party or treat your friends.

After a 40 minute battle, I took her to the most expensive restaurant in the mall because I really wanted to treat her nice, as I feel that she is most deserving. I finally got her to go in, but she knows about my Peace Corp budget and so she wouldn’t let me buy the meal there after we looked at the menu. She instead chose Kenny Rogers, a chain restaurant here. I know she chose it because she thought it looked American. She wanted to order what I ordered, many of the Philipinos touch my stomach here, they think its flat because I’m vegetarian (I think I just hold weight differently and I eat as healthy as I can and work out, but they think its because of being vegetarian). It often makes others copy my order, or whats on my plate. So I ordered, my new favorite food!! It was a pesto, mozzarella and tomatoes sandwich on wheat bread with real cheese!! For 105 pesos, I can’t maintain that as my favorite food, as its not very big or filling, but it was delicious. I also got her a side of potatoes and macaroni and cheese (fake cheese—not so good to an American) and a smoothie.

As we ate our meals in celebration of her birthday I found out she turned 37. As we talked about her life, she held back tears, no one had ever treated her to such a meal. That was one of the most momentous dinner in my life, something I will always remember. How many times in my life have I been treated by my friends or family? How many times I have treated a friend?? And did it mean anything to me? Did it mean anything to them? It made me realize how blessed I have been my whole life, and I will be forever changed. Here in the Philippines I have learned one of the biggest lessons of my life, to appreciate.

April 21^st: Beach Day, yes I finally went to a beach while in thePhilippines. Sean Leanna and I went to Jarons house for Pagtaltal. We all got there early in the morning for the start of Holy Week so we could go to the beach. We decided to go to the “closest” beach to Jarons house. The Tryke driver “dropped” us off at the beginning of a trail that led to the beach. There was no such trail. It turned into a hike, a muddy, humid, and scary movie style dangerous when we couldn’t really tell if we were on the “trail” anymore. We found ourselves in front of a spread of fish farms with a “No Trespassing Sign.” Since I am short and have a non-threatening  smile I took Sean with me and we walked along the ridges of the fish farm, crossed over a fence, avoided dogs and “spoke” in illongo. The fishermen were very kind to us, and they took us by bamboo flat rafts across the fish farms, through a persons house, and pointed to walk through a forest. The scene was unforgettable, the way the light hit the trees, the idea of what was lurking around the corner, seeing wild cows, and native Filipinos with little clothing. Finally we came upon it, one of the most beautiful scenes I had ever seen, it felt like I was inCapri,Italy a private cove with a beautiful beach and delicately placed mountains.

We were soon greeted by the people who lived there who stared at as from a distance and feared our white skin. Jaron and I approached them with a mix of English and Illongo and they allowed us to use the beach, only after we took pictures with them. Sadly non of us knew that we were going to go on such an epic adventure and didn’t bring our own cameras.

The crowd rooting to crucify Jesus

April 22^nd: Pagtaltal- Good Friday was one of my most cultural experience thus far, a small group of PCV’s assembled to witness a reenactment of Jesus Christ being crucified on the cross.

While I could tell you a step by step of the day, Jaron let me use his camera, and I went crazy. I hope the pictures can better explain to you how serious Religion is here.

Old and young participated in the recreation

Also I think I may have found a new passion for photography. Side notes, the day was really really really hot, the event took place through stations along a trail leading to the very top of a mountain. My blog, The Day I Became A Peace Corp Member, shows pictures of my cluster reaching the top of the mountain. The climb is very steep, yet the “Jesus” character still had to carry the cross up the mountain. About every 5 minute walk was another staging of a part of the bible, so each scene in the pictures below took place along the trail.

The Last Supper

I’m really happy I experienced the event, although I wasn’t as moved as I thought I would be due to the fact that I was buying water at every stand and focusing on my sweat while looking for stage. Looking at the pictures afterwards I am reminded about what Christ did for my sins, and feel so loved by God. I hope these pictures effect you.

Look at how many people came!

The Romans

Betrayed

Last Prayer

April 23^rd- I planned to return to my site so I could spend Easter Sunday with my host family and community, but all the Jeepnys in San Miguel (our form of transportation) stopped running because it was their day to be blessed by our local Catholic Church. Disappointed about how early I would have to wake so early the next morning, I went with the other PCV’s at Raymens beach for a few hours of sun. I was able to read on the beach and felt very relaxed. My mom shipped me a GIANT salsa, and for dinner it was almost all consumed. Overall it was a really nice day, and I got to go to the beach again. It was a 3 dayHoliday away from work, and it was lovely.

April 24^th- Happy Easter!! I woke up at 4:30 am to leave Jarons house at 5:00am. I took a tryke, to a jeep, to a boat, to a jeep, to another jeep, to a tryke. Three hours later I arrived in my town, and just in time for church and the towns first ever Easter Egg hunt. Easter is a special time to remember what Christ has done for me. One of my most memorable Easters was when I was 12. I lived inWashingtonD.C., and we attended sunrise service on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The marble steps froze our feet as we stood with hundreds of others, and rays of light shined through the clouds and graced the buildings with a purity I had not seen before. That memory has always been an inspiration, and maybe it’s why I love that place so much.

Brown out easter dinner, there is really no other way to have it

My host mom and me at Easter Sunday Service

Finding Easter Eggs

On Easter Sunday in San Miguel I missed so greatly Easter inAmerica. I missed a service in English, my family, and of course Easter Dinner with twice baked potatoes (my favorite food-which by the way my family said they wont’ have until I come back). The only thing that resembledAmericawas the Easter Egg hunt, it was fun to watch the children discover their prizes, and I was even given a Dumdum!!! I attended breakfast/brunches/lunches with friends/family/community members. Then I went home and skyped from my house for the first time since I had been at site, as Jaron FIXED MY COMPUTER.

I was so excited to talk with my parents, but very sad to hear the news. I could tell from my parents expressions that something was wrong, and it didn’t take them long to tell me; my grandpa had been in the hospital and things are looking good. A few blogs ago I shared a story about how I was feeling about my grandpa being sick because I was so far away from him and I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to see him again. It seems that the likelihood of me ever seen him again is grim. I am extremely effected every moment of the day, as my grandpa is constantly on my mind. I have a very special relationship with him, and although I know everyone has a time to leave, its still very hard. With the news of my grandpa and seeing my parents for the first time in months I was almost in tears. I had events planned later that evening, but just spent rest of the evening reflecting alone.

Easter dinner was cold pasta, due to the brown out we had no electricity, but my family did give me a coke light.

April 25th-29th – Teacher Training in Antique

I did two teacher trainings on Remedial Reading I and II, and Creative Writing. It was excellent practice and a good outline of what the rest of summer will look like for me. Teacher trainings occur when you bring a group of teachers to one location and a group of peace corp volunteers become “experts” on a topic and present ideas and information on how to develop the topic into the school/personal life. It was a completely different experience teaching teachers. Many funny things happened, but if your still reading this, I don’t think you probably want to hear them all. Highlights, I stayed in a mansion that one of the Peace Corp Members, ran on the beach, presented with Jaron on 12 1 ½ hour presentations and worked incredibly well together, managed my sweat well, and ran/walk/jogged about 10km with Jaron in about an 1hr-1hr 1/2 and I’m not sore anymore.

April 30^th- I ate my monthly calzone from Sabarro. It was delicious. 150 pesos, well spent. And the end to a successful month.

Thanks for reading,

Lysette