First Days Back
Trip Start
Jul 27, 2011
1
62
73
Trip End
Dec 14, 2011
Tacloban, Visayas, Philippines
Saturday, November 26, 2011
I spent my Thanksgiving at my favorite restaurant but didn't have a single traditional gift, however because of my food allergies it may have actually been even better than trying to get the typical Thanksgiving. There was also a farewell dinner in the evening, where I ate a good amount of food, but again not Thanksgiving food. I still felt quite tired all day on Friday. I went to placement in the morning but could hardly keep myself awake. I took a couple short naps with the babies on the may a few times, I wasn't exactly the best volunteer. It was great to see all the babies again though...one of the twins can now stand on his own without support for a little while, one of the littler boys can stand up in his crib holding on to the edge, the oldest toddler CANNOT stop talking, and Mo-tee my favorite next to Jonathan noticeably gained some weight. They were all small milestones, but after spending so many countless hours with the children, they feel like my own children growing up! It also reminded me how much can change in just a week, and how little time I have left with all of them.
Saturday I had a packed schedule, after getting the luxury of sleeping in until 9. I taught thee first of three dance classes to some of the sponsored girls at 10. They came and went a bit but it ended up being a little over 10 total. I decided to teach the class my last three Saturdays because I have always wanted to teach them dance but also always put it off. So we will see how things go. :)
Then in the afternoon Mark and I took three of the sponsor kids to lunch. It had been one of their birthdays the week before, and she admitted to Mark that her Grandmother had totally forgotten. Her parents are deceased and she has a couple siblings, but they were the only ones to remember and of course had no means to help her celebrate. It was great to take them out and fully stuff them, Filipinos love to eat and it is definitely a necessity on one's birthday anywhere.
Right from lunch Mark and I went to SOS so I could finally visit the kids I worked with during my first stay. Specifically Laverne, whom I sent letters to over the past 2 years. I was so excited to be back there. When I arrived I saw some younger kids who of course I didn't recognize most of them. But when I saw the older girls I was so happy! Laverne came back from downtown a bit after I arrived and I was ecstatic to see her. I headed out some candy and little toys to the children before settling in with a few of the older girls in Laverne's house. We chatted for like 3 hours, and she told us about her upcoming exchange program in Japan for two weeks. I am so excited for her to have an opportunity like that, and I wish I could have spent more time with her during my stay.
After dinner Saturday night we went to see Up with People, which is an American volunteer and performing organization, perform. The show was a little too high school musical for my liking but we all stuck it out. I went to bed early Saturday night because we had to be up in the morning for a day trip to Samar.
Comments
I do admit... Thanksgiving with gluten is pretty good. :) I can make you sweet potato casserole though. GF/LF!
You were tired because of all the traveling the day before, right? (I can't keep your days straight!)
And if Filipino people love to eat, how are they all so thin? The heat and do you find they are generally active and eating more natural food? (It sounds like it from what I can imagine... Forgive my odd comments. I'm a curious person. :)
You can make gf/lf food for me whenever you want too! Some Filipinos are fat some are skinny, and some eat healthy while others don't. They do eat lots of natural foods for their main meals, but snacks can still be real unhealthy. You can ask me all the questions you want in less than 2 weeks!
Yes I was very tired from traveling :)