Friday (Aug 19) - Why do I wait until almost a week has gone by, and then I can't remember what I even did! Ok, I looked at my calendar. In the morning everyone from Dinalupihan (16 of us) went to San Ramon for an ALS (Alternative Learning) program. We divided into 4 groups and had about 40 students attend. The students ranged anywhere from 18 to about 50 or so. The students are working on their high school diploma. My group led a session on job interviews. We talked about the Do's and Don'ts of an interview, showed them a bad interview and a good interview, and then lead some mock interviews with them. They were a bit shy to talk with us, but we got a few to participate. That afternoon we had language class. That evening Karen, Gina, and Catherine came over to my family's store and we played spoons for a while. Then Mike came by and told us the Peace Corps Staff were celebrating Eva's (a language teacher) birthday. So we went down to the party and hung out for a bit.
Saturday (Aug 20) - In the beginning of our time here in Bataan we had to do a courtesy call to the governor's office. He told us he wanted to show us around the province. We weren't sure it would ever actually happen, but it did! He arranged for a van to come and pick us up. At first we were just going to Mt. Samat for a tour. It ended up we went around the whole upper half of Bataan seeing all the historical sites along the way. Our first stop was in the capital city, Balanga City. They have a very nice visitors center and showed us a video of the Province. From there we went to Mt. Samat. At first it was very cloudy, we couldn't even see the top, but then it cleared off. At the top there is a HUGE cross. Supposedly there are 450 stairs to go up, but the stairs were closed and we took an elevator. The view was very pretty from up there. We had our morning merienda (snack) and walked around. We even saw a monkey up in a tree! Our next stop was Bagac where we saw the 0 KM marker from the death march and the Filipino/Japanese friendship tower. Next we went to the Pawikan Conservation Center in Merong. We had our lunch, provided by the governor. Then the staff at the center gave us an overview of what they do there. At the end we got to go release some baby turtles into the ocean. On the way home we drove through subic. We got to see where the navy base was. It's like a deserted place now. So quiet out there and not much around. We stopped at a very pretty place and had our afternoon merienda. We finally made our way back home. It was a very fun day and really interesting to learn all the history.
Sunday (Aug 21) - Karen, Catherine, and I got up and went to Olongapo and Subic. Our first stop was food. We went to subic and searched for Texas Joe's. We finally found it and walked in to eat lunch. We walk in and run into Pam and Phyllis. They had just sat down so we joined them for lunch. It was very good food! I had a chicken BBQ sandwich. Some others had hamburgers. And french fries! After lunch we went to the National Bookstore and found some postcards. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find them around here. None of the places were even anywhere close to where we are. Then we went and roamed the duty free shop. On the way home we stopped at 7-11. They have soft serve ice cream! That was very much enjoyable.
Monday (Aug 22) - In the morning I had my second to last team teaching. It went ok. He plans the lesson for me so I feel like I just follow what he tells me to do. I thought it went fine. That afternoon we had language class.
Tuesday (Aug 23) - We had language from 8-3. After that we had a meeting with the Country Director. He was in town making a site visit. He came by our language class for 15 minutes or so just to observe. We had a very nice meeting with him just discussing what had been going on and telling him any concerns we are having. He seems like a really nice guy.
Wednesday (Aug 24) - Our last team teaching! Which really wasn't team, we were supposed to do the lesson ourselves. Once again I was given exactly what to do, so I didn't find it that difficult to just follow what I had been given. Afterwards, the class next door, Karen's class, had a big party. My class hadn't planned anything for me. So I went over there and joined them for a bit. They organized a whole program with singing and dancing and a snack. It was very nice. When I went back to my class they all had written me letters and they showed me the flips and cart wheels they can do. Very sweet kids. That afternoon we had language class. It was Pam's birthday. 1st one group of another language class came over to surprise Pam and brought a cake. At the end of class Cristy came with a surprise cake for Pam. We ate a lot of cake and enjoyed Pam's birthday. That evening we went over to Sam's house and hung out for a bit before going home. Around 8:30 Ariel's mother came home from the hospital. She had been there for 22 days after her stroke. All the family came over for her homecoming. It took a long time to get her settled and comfortable. It's going to be a very big adjustment for the family.
Thursday (Aug 25) - We had language class from 8-3. None of us felt too motivated or into the language so we had a bit of a free day. We talked a lot about how to cook different kinds of food. This afternoon we played the card game Quidler and made it Tagalog by translating the English words. We got out of class at 3, so 6 of us went into town. We made a stop at the post office, bank, grocery store, and a t-shirt shop. We are wanting to make a group t-shirt and also one for our host families as a going away gift.
Seems crazy only two more weeks here and then off to a new adventure...
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
3 more weeks until I swear in!
Friday (Aug 12) - I had language class most of the day and honestly don't remember what I did that night... Tagalog is coming along. I'm able to communicate a little, but still can't understand most of what people are saying.
Saturday (Aug 13) - Assessment was cancelled for the morning so Karen, Gina, Cristy, and I headed out to Subic Bay for the day. We just walked around Subic and enjoyed our day off. We walked through the bay and ate at Gerry's Grill. The bay was pretty, but still some dirty water and parts of it smelled really bad. We went to a resort, Lighthouse Resort, and hung out in the lobby for a while and used their bathroom. At home I like to avoid public restrooms. Here I take advantage of public restrooms when they have flushing toilets and tp. No one said anything about us just hanging out because we're American. When we got back from Subic we went over to Catherine's house. It was her birthday and her family had made spaghetti (what Filipinos make for everyone's bday) and had a cake. We bought her some doughnuts in town. That evening 6 of us went into town and ate dinner at Mang Inasal and just hung out for a bit.
Sunday (Aug 14) - I got up and went to mass with Ariel. There is a house between our house and the church. We can always hear the services from the house. It used to wake me up in the mornings, but I can pretty much sleep through it now. The service was in Tagalog, but I just tried to follow along, really didn't understand anything. After church Mhay and I went to San Ramon to her sister's birthday party. It's just 15 minutes down the road. We had lunch and played Tong-Its. Mhay taught me at home and we taught some of the other Americans how. Playing at the party we were betting and it was a little different. I had some trouble following what was going on. When we got home from San Ramon, we went to the hospital to see Ariel's mother. 11 of us rode in an SUV that had seats for 7. His mother is at a different hospital now, but was still in the ICU. It had a shade that could be pulled up and we could all see her through the window. On the way home there were 10 of us in Ariel's 4 door pickup. It's a Ford Ranger, but a little different than the ones in the US. In Subic, where the hospital is, it's against the law to ride in the bed of the truck, so we all had to squeeze into the cab until we got out of Subic. Quite an adventure!
Monday (Aug 15) - I was in the classroom for my 4th time. I taught a little bit of the lesson and Sir Jake did the rest. He tells me what he wants me to do for the lesson, and I think I need to step up and be creative and come up with something different. I haven't taken the initiative though, and have just followed what he's told me to do. Maybe next week I'll change that! Next week is our last week in the classroom. In the afternoon we had language all afternoon.
Tuesday (Aug 16) - Had language class from 8-3. After that we had independent study time. Karen, Pam, Regina Renee, and I headed into town and ate at Jollibee. We really just wanted to get out and get some food, so that's what we did! We've been eating our meals over at Ariel's parents’ house since his Mom is in the hospital and dad has been gone most of the time. Ariel has a 13 year old sister and 12 year old niece that live there and Mhay's been cooking for all of us. We have been eating lunch and dinner there. So after dinner I got my cards out and taught the girls, and RG, how to play Spoons! We had a lot of fun playing cards. I've been getting plenty of card playing in. Between playing cards with the girls, the boys at my house, and Karen, Gina, and Catherine, we've been playing a lot! And I like it :)
Wednesday (Aug 17) - I had another team teaching up at the school. I did most of the lesson and I think it went pretty well. I'm getting a lot more comfortable teaching the class and learning some of the students’ names... and I'm only going to be there two more times. Right when it starts to get comfortable, it's over. We had language from 1-3 and then I went over Eva's house to figure out with her group what our plans for the next day were. We had a cooking day and figured out the menu. Then I went to Cristy's to work on a project with Mike, Gina, and Rich. The 4th of us are conducting a session on Job Interviews at an alternative learning center on Friday. When we were done planning we played cards for a bit and walked around the neighborhood. We just like to hang out until it's about to get dark and we have to go home.
Thursday (Aug 18) - Our language class had our cooking day! We joined Eva's cluster and went to the market this morning to buy all of our ingredients. We were supposed to practice our Tagalog in the market. Don't really know how much I spoke Tagalog. Then we went back to Eva's and spent the morning preparing all of our food. We had some really yummy food! This afternoon we had medical from 3-5. I got a flu shot! I think they said it's the last shot until January. After medical Karen, Gina, Cristy, Jufer, and I went over to Chow King and had a Halo-halo. It's pretty good, but not as good as ice cream! Then they had to take the Doctor to Subic. So we rode along just for the ride.
Pretty good week! 3 more weeks in Dinalupihan and then off to Manila for our swearing in!
Saturday (Aug 13) - Assessment was cancelled for the morning so Karen, Gina, Cristy, and I headed out to Subic Bay for the day. We just walked around Subic and enjoyed our day off. We walked through the bay and ate at Gerry's Grill. The bay was pretty, but still some dirty water and parts of it smelled really bad. We went to a resort, Lighthouse Resort, and hung out in the lobby for a while and used their bathroom. At home I like to avoid public restrooms. Here I take advantage of public restrooms when they have flushing toilets and tp. No one said anything about us just hanging out because we're American. When we got back from Subic we went over to Catherine's house. It was her birthday and her family had made spaghetti (what Filipinos make for everyone's bday) and had a cake. We bought her some doughnuts in town. That evening 6 of us went into town and ate dinner at Mang Inasal and just hung out for a bit.
Sunday (Aug 14) - I got up and went to mass with Ariel. There is a house between our house and the church. We can always hear the services from the house. It used to wake me up in the mornings, but I can pretty much sleep through it now. The service was in Tagalog, but I just tried to follow along, really didn't understand anything. After church Mhay and I went to San Ramon to her sister's birthday party. It's just 15 minutes down the road. We had lunch and played Tong-Its. Mhay taught me at home and we taught some of the other Americans how. Playing at the party we were betting and it was a little different. I had some trouble following what was going on. When we got home from San Ramon, we went to the hospital to see Ariel's mother. 11 of us rode in an SUV that had seats for 7. His mother is at a different hospital now, but was still in the ICU. It had a shade that could be pulled up and we could all see her through the window. On the way home there were 10 of us in Ariel's 4 door pickup. It's a Ford Ranger, but a little different than the ones in the US. In Subic, where the hospital is, it's against the law to ride in the bed of the truck, so we all had to squeeze into the cab until we got out of Subic. Quite an adventure!
Monday (Aug 15) - I was in the classroom for my 4th time. I taught a little bit of the lesson and Sir Jake did the rest. He tells me what he wants me to do for the lesson, and I think I need to step up and be creative and come up with something different. I haven't taken the initiative though, and have just followed what he's told me to do. Maybe next week I'll change that! Next week is our last week in the classroom. In the afternoon we had language all afternoon.
Tuesday (Aug 16) - Had language class from 8-3. After that we had independent study time. Karen, Pam, Regina Renee, and I headed into town and ate at Jollibee. We really just wanted to get out and get some food, so that's what we did! We've been eating our meals over at Ariel's parents’ house since his Mom is in the hospital and dad has been gone most of the time. Ariel has a 13 year old sister and 12 year old niece that live there and Mhay's been cooking for all of us. We have been eating lunch and dinner there. So after dinner I got my cards out and taught the girls, and RG, how to play Spoons! We had a lot of fun playing cards. I've been getting plenty of card playing in. Between playing cards with the girls, the boys at my house, and Karen, Gina, and Catherine, we've been playing a lot! And I like it :)
Wednesday (Aug 17) - I had another team teaching up at the school. I did most of the lesson and I think it went pretty well. I'm getting a lot more comfortable teaching the class and learning some of the students’ names... and I'm only going to be there two more times. Right when it starts to get comfortable, it's over. We had language from 1-3 and then I went over Eva's house to figure out with her group what our plans for the next day were. We had a cooking day and figured out the menu. Then I went to Cristy's to work on a project with Mike, Gina, and Rich. The 4th of us are conducting a session on Job Interviews at an alternative learning center on Friday. When we were done planning we played cards for a bit and walked around the neighborhood. We just like to hang out until it's about to get dark and we have to go home.
Thursday (Aug 18) - Our language class had our cooking day! We joined Eva's cluster and went to the market this morning to buy all of our ingredients. We were supposed to practice our Tagalog in the market. Don't really know how much I spoke Tagalog. Then we went back to Eva's and spent the morning preparing all of our food. We had some really yummy food! This afternoon we had medical from 3-5. I got a flu shot! I think they said it's the last shot until January. After medical Karen, Gina, Cristy, Jufer, and I went over to Chow King and had a Halo-halo. It's pretty good, but not as good as ice cream! Then they had to take the Doctor to Subic. So we rode along just for the ride.
Pretty good week! 3 more weeks in Dinalupihan and then off to Manila for our swearing in!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Supervisor's Conference
Friday (Aug 5th) - Language class ALL day! Makes for a very long day. We try to play some games and make it more fun so it's not so long. I got home from school and my host mom asked if I'd go to the hospital with her. I hadn't been yet, so I figured it would be nice of me to go. I thought we were headed out at 5 when I got back. At 7:30 we finally ended up going. While I waited I talked with Mhay's friend Divine. She's really easy to talk to and we have some good conversations. We stayed at the hospital for a couple of hours. Wasn't too bad hanging out. The mother is still in ICU so haven't seen her or anything.
Saturday (Aug 6th) - We had assessments of our week in the morning. After lunch I went down to Karen and Gina's houses. They live right across the street from each other. I ended up hanging out at Gina's house all afternoon playing cards. Her Ate Elsa (Ate means older sister) taught us a new game and we taught her a game. Her son Joshua came and played with us too. He's 11 and in Karen's 5th grade class at school. While playing it poured outside and Ate Elsa made us pancakes! And fed us lots of other food. Later we walked over to the neighbors for a birthday party. It was for their grandson who turned 7 and lives in Singapore. It was a huge party and the boy wasn't even there! My family came, because they are relatives. After that we went to the hospital and stayed several hours.
Sunday (Aug 7th) - Got up and went to the hospital and took my clothes to the cleaners. Much easier than washing them by hand :) My host family sends theirs to the cleaners too. That afternoon several of us were going to go to Olongapo. It's just a nearby city with a lot more to do than where we live. Only takes 30 minutes to get there by Jeepney. Ended up being just me and Cristy but we still went. We met up with a TCF (facilitator like Cristy) and going to dinner. We had a good time just being out doing something.
Monday (Aug 8th) - We got on a bus and headed to Manila! Well actually just south in Cavite. We stayed at a resort called Island Cove. We were very excited to be there. We had flushing toilets and toilet paper! Showers with warm water and good pressure! And good food to eat too! We got there and had some sessions in the afternoon. One of them was when we found out where we'll be going. They gave clues to the province and we had to guess what the province was just as a whole group. Then they announced the person or people going to that location. All 7 of the Elementary people are in Batangas and Laguna. Pretty close together. Then there are several high school, college, and CYF (Children, Youth, and Families) people that are really close too. My friend Karen and I are both in Lipa City! The cities are split up into Barangays. So the city is kind of more like a county and the barangay is more like the town. Our supervisors say we are about an hour from each other. I guess we'll find out for sure when we get there. I have googled it and can't find out online. I will be co-teaching 5th grade at San Francisco Elementary School in the Barangay of San Francisco. That night we had a dinner to meet our supervisors. It was kind of awkward. We met them and introduced ourselves and had dinner together.
Tuesday (Aug 9th) - Bummed I didn't feel too great, but glad I was somewhere with a flushing toilet and tp! (and a seat, not all bathrooms have seats). A day full of sessions with our supervisors learning a little more about each other, what to expect in our school, and information we need to know. My supervisor is the principal of the school. She lives in the next Barangay over. She's married and has two children, a daughter 16 and son 18. She said her daughter is very excited to meet me as they were texting back and forth about me. She seems really nice. I think everyone there had a bit of trouble with communication. Even when people know English, it doesn't mean they can comprehend all of it. That made some of the sessions a little challenging to get through. In the evenings after dinner we got to hang out with our friends from back at orientation that we hadn't seen in 3 weeks. We had a good time hanging out.
Wednesday (Aug 10th) - Another day full of sessions. Some of these sessions were split with just volunteers and just supervisors and some were combined. After the sessions, Karen wanted to go to SM (the mall) to buy some new sandals. All of our shoes are starting to really stink and almost no longer wearable because of all the rain. The shoes never seem to get dry! Just the two of us went and got a Jeepney to the mall, bought what we went after, and made it back to Island Cove! We were proud of ourselves for making our first adventure out into the country by ourselves!
Thursday (Aug 11th) - One month until we leave Dinalupihan and we're back to Cavite to swear in and move on to Batangas! This morning we headed back to Dinalupihan at 7. We got here about 11. I ate lunch and hung around for a bit until I had to be at a meeting at 2:15. We had a meeting with our school principal at 3. We discussed what our PACA project is going to be. We took our thoughts and ideas and he (which ended up being him, 6 teachers, and 2 parents) added his input on what would be best. I think what he really wants us to do is develop a better library. Peace Corps is not about the financial support, which confuses almost everyone who comes across Peace Corps. We told him we can hold a training on how to better the library and hook them up with resources of places that will donate books and other things. Then we're also going to have a training on teaching strategies and methods. I think it will be good, but don't think it's exactly what the school was expecting.
It was nice being away and all together with all the Americans, but now back to work and accomplishing our goals and projects at site!
Saturday (Aug 6th) - We had assessments of our week in the morning. After lunch I went down to Karen and Gina's houses. They live right across the street from each other. I ended up hanging out at Gina's house all afternoon playing cards. Her Ate Elsa (Ate means older sister) taught us a new game and we taught her a game. Her son Joshua came and played with us too. He's 11 and in Karen's 5th grade class at school. While playing it poured outside and Ate Elsa made us pancakes! And fed us lots of other food. Later we walked over to the neighbors for a birthday party. It was for their grandson who turned 7 and lives in Singapore. It was a huge party and the boy wasn't even there! My family came, because they are relatives. After that we went to the hospital and stayed several hours.
Sunday (Aug 7th) - Got up and went to the hospital and took my clothes to the cleaners. Much easier than washing them by hand :) My host family sends theirs to the cleaners too. That afternoon several of us were going to go to Olongapo. It's just a nearby city with a lot more to do than where we live. Only takes 30 minutes to get there by Jeepney. Ended up being just me and Cristy but we still went. We met up with a TCF (facilitator like Cristy) and going to dinner. We had a good time just being out doing something.
Monday (Aug 8th) - We got on a bus and headed to Manila! Well actually just south in Cavite. We stayed at a resort called Island Cove. We were very excited to be there. We had flushing toilets and toilet paper! Showers with warm water and good pressure! And good food to eat too! We got there and had some sessions in the afternoon. One of them was when we found out where we'll be going. They gave clues to the province and we had to guess what the province was just as a whole group. Then they announced the person or people going to that location. All 7 of the Elementary people are in Batangas and Laguna. Pretty close together. Then there are several high school, college, and CYF (Children, Youth, and Families) people that are really close too. My friend Karen and I are both in Lipa City! The cities are split up into Barangays. So the city is kind of more like a county and the barangay is more like the town. Our supervisors say we are about an hour from each other. I guess we'll find out for sure when we get there. I have googled it and can't find out online. I will be co-teaching 5th grade at San Francisco Elementary School in the Barangay of San Francisco. That night we had a dinner to meet our supervisors. It was kind of awkward. We met them and introduced ourselves and had dinner together.
Tuesday (Aug 9th) - Bummed I didn't feel too great, but glad I was somewhere with a flushing toilet and tp! (and a seat, not all bathrooms have seats). A day full of sessions with our supervisors learning a little more about each other, what to expect in our school, and information we need to know. My supervisor is the principal of the school. She lives in the next Barangay over. She's married and has two children, a daughter 16 and son 18. She said her daughter is very excited to meet me as they were texting back and forth about me. She seems really nice. I think everyone there had a bit of trouble with communication. Even when people know English, it doesn't mean they can comprehend all of it. That made some of the sessions a little challenging to get through. In the evenings after dinner we got to hang out with our friends from back at orientation that we hadn't seen in 3 weeks. We had a good time hanging out.
Wednesday (Aug 10th) - Another day full of sessions. Some of these sessions were split with just volunteers and just supervisors and some were combined. After the sessions, Karen wanted to go to SM (the mall) to buy some new sandals. All of our shoes are starting to really stink and almost no longer wearable because of all the rain. The shoes never seem to get dry! Just the two of us went and got a Jeepney to the mall, bought what we went after, and made it back to Island Cove! We were proud of ourselves for making our first adventure out into the country by ourselves!
Thursday (Aug 11th) - One month until we leave Dinalupihan and we're back to Cavite to swear in and move on to Batangas! This morning we headed back to Dinalupihan at 7. We got here about 11. I ate lunch and hung around for a bit until I had to be at a meeting at 2:15. We had a meeting with our school principal at 3. We discussed what our PACA project is going to be. We took our thoughts and ideas and he (which ended up being him, 6 teachers, and 2 parents) added his input on what would be best. I think what he really wants us to do is develop a better library. Peace Corps is not about the financial support, which confuses almost everyone who comes across Peace Corps. We told him we can hold a training on how to better the library and hook them up with resources of places that will donate books and other things. Then we're also going to have a training on teaching strategies and methods. I think it will be good, but don't think it's exactly what the school was expecting.
It was nice being away and all together with all the Americans, but now back to work and accomplishing our goals and projects at site!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Another week went so fast
Can't believe it's been another week already! Seems like it just went by so fast this week. Guess maybe because we're getting more involved in what we're doing and it's not just training all the time. Still lots of it though.
Friday July 29 - Had my second day in the classroom! Still just observation and I planned with my teacher what I would be doing for my 1st lesson on the next Wednesday. After class I went down to Mhay's best friends class in 1st grade. She had me get up infront of her class and sing itsy bitsy spider. Then I observed her math lesson. They had to do some work in their notebooks and then she checked them. We made two lines so we could each check, but then it ended up nobody went to her line and they all came to mine! I really enjoyed going to her classroom. It was a lot of fun.
Saturday July 30 - In the morning we had assessments of how our week went. That afternoon we had off. My friends Karen, Gina, and Catherine came over to my house and we just hung out and used the internet for a bit. Then we went down to Cristy's house. She has a really nice porch that is up on a hill and has a nice few. We just hung out there for the afternoon playing games and talking.
Sunday July 31 - My one month marker! I got up super early to go with Karen and Cristy to Mass in a nearby town called Orani. We left just before 6:30 and made it to the 7:00 Mass. The whole Mass was in Tagalog. Not much I understood. We've only had language lessons for three weeks now. But it was still very interesting and the church was a very pretty church. After church we ate breakfast at Jollibee's (the Philippine version of McDonalds) and tried to find something to do around there. Cristy asked several locals and we couldn't find anything touristy to do. So we went back to Cristy's house for a while. Then we went into San Ramon and had lunch at Chow King. It's a Chinese restaurant. I liked the food there pretty well. We walked around San Ramon some and went to the market. Then back home because we couldn't find anything else to do.
Monday Aug 1 - The whole group, all 16 of us in Bataan and our group leaders went on a field trip! We went to Pamalaklakin Forest Trail. I googled it and read some more about it. It's part of the old Navy base and the land has been preserved. The Aeta's live in this area and are the tour guides on the nature hike through the park. When we got to the park it wasn't raining so we started our hike. Took about an house and right as we were coming to the end it just started pouring down rain. They had some pavilions we could go to. Then the Aeta's showed us how to build a fire with bamboo and how to cook and make utinsels with the bamboo. Later that afternoon we went to a Duty Free shop in Subic Bay. I bought chips and salsa for my host family! We had it for breakfast the next day :) Then we went to Xpresso Cafe and had really yummy pizza! It was really good and the most American food we've had since we've been here! Very enjoyable :)
Tuesday Aug 2 - Language class all day.
Wednesday Aug 3 - First day teaching with Sir Jake! I think it went pretty well. He did the opening of the lesson, I just did the presentation, and then he did the ending. At the end he told me I spoke very clear and slow. I think he was afraid I was going to talk too fast and the children wouldn't understand me. I won' t be back in the classroom again until Monday the 15th. That afternoon we had language class and then SPI. (Site Placement Interviews). The Regional Managers and Sector Managers come from Manila to interview us. They already have our site picked out for us, but they ask us questions feeling it out making sure that it will be a good placement for us. I'm not sure where I'm going, but I think it might be in Batangas Province in a big city. I think all the elementary people will be in Batangas, but we'll find out for sure on Monday. In the morning Ariel's mom had a stroke. She was in ICU and in pretty serious condition. They went to the hospital right after school and stayed until 9:30. There were a couple of PCV's (PeaceCorps Volunteers) in town. Karen and I went to dinner with them in San Ramon. So we just hung out until my family was back at home.
Thursday Aug 4 - This morning my Elementary cluster had a forum with people at the school. We had a student, teacher, and parent population at the meeting. We then did some activities with them trying to figure out what would be best for our community project. We can't just ask them or they will want very extensive things. We are looking for something that we can do in one morning and it will be sustainable for the school. The process of it all is called PACA. (Participitary Analysis for Community Action). We have collected all the data and now just need to summarize it and figure out what are the best projects we could do for our school. Then we write a propasal and talk with the principal about it. This afternoon we had language class from 1-3. We played Uno for a while practicing our colors and numbers. That was a fun language activity. Then we had medical. Another shot! Finished my Rabies series. After class Gina's host family invited us over for Merienda. It was my first time over at her house and had a very enjoyable time with some good food! Then some people were cooking over at my language teacher, Elsa's house. I went over there and hung out until my family came back from the hospital. Ariel's mother is making progress, but it seems slowly. He said she can open her eyes and talk some.
Tomorrow I have language ALL DAY! It will be a very long day. Next week we're off to Manila for our Supervisor's Conference! I'll be there Monday until Thursday and will find out my permanent site Monday afternoon!
Friday July 29 - Had my second day in the classroom! Still just observation and I planned with my teacher what I would be doing for my 1st lesson on the next Wednesday. After class I went down to Mhay's best friends class in 1st grade. She had me get up infront of her class and sing itsy bitsy spider. Then I observed her math lesson. They had to do some work in their notebooks and then she checked them. We made two lines so we could each check, but then it ended up nobody went to her line and they all came to mine! I really enjoyed going to her classroom. It was a lot of fun.
Saturday July 30 - In the morning we had assessments of how our week went. That afternoon we had off. My friends Karen, Gina, and Catherine came over to my house and we just hung out and used the internet for a bit. Then we went down to Cristy's house. She has a really nice porch that is up on a hill and has a nice few. We just hung out there for the afternoon playing games and talking.
Sunday July 31 - My one month marker! I got up super early to go with Karen and Cristy to Mass in a nearby town called Orani. We left just before 6:30 and made it to the 7:00 Mass. The whole Mass was in Tagalog. Not much I understood. We've only had language lessons for three weeks now. But it was still very interesting and the church was a very pretty church. After church we ate breakfast at Jollibee's (the Philippine version of McDonalds) and tried to find something to do around there. Cristy asked several locals and we couldn't find anything touristy to do. So we went back to Cristy's house for a while. Then we went into San Ramon and had lunch at Chow King. It's a Chinese restaurant. I liked the food there pretty well. We walked around San Ramon some and went to the market. Then back home because we couldn't find anything else to do.
Monday Aug 1 - The whole group, all 16 of us in Bataan and our group leaders went on a field trip! We went to Pamalaklakin Forest Trail. I googled it and read some more about it. It's part of the old Navy base and the land has been preserved. The Aeta's live in this area and are the tour guides on the nature hike through the park. When we got to the park it wasn't raining so we started our hike. Took about an house and right as we were coming to the end it just started pouring down rain. They had some pavilions we could go to. Then the Aeta's showed us how to build a fire with bamboo and how to cook and make utinsels with the bamboo. Later that afternoon we went to a Duty Free shop in Subic Bay. I bought chips and salsa for my host family! We had it for breakfast the next day :) Then we went to Xpresso Cafe and had really yummy pizza! It was really good and the most American food we've had since we've been here! Very enjoyable :)
Tuesday Aug 2 - Language class all day.
Wednesday Aug 3 - First day teaching with Sir Jake! I think it went pretty well. He did the opening of the lesson, I just did the presentation, and then he did the ending. At the end he told me I spoke very clear and slow. I think he was afraid I was going to talk too fast and the children wouldn't understand me. I won' t be back in the classroom again until Monday the 15th. That afternoon we had language class and then SPI. (Site Placement Interviews). The Regional Managers and Sector Managers come from Manila to interview us. They already have our site picked out for us, but they ask us questions feeling it out making sure that it will be a good placement for us. I'm not sure where I'm going, but I think it might be in Batangas Province in a big city. I think all the elementary people will be in Batangas, but we'll find out for sure on Monday. In the morning Ariel's mom had a stroke. She was in ICU and in pretty serious condition. They went to the hospital right after school and stayed until 9:30. There were a couple of PCV's (PeaceCorps Volunteers) in town. Karen and I went to dinner with them in San Ramon. So we just hung out until my family was back at home.
Thursday Aug 4 - This morning my Elementary cluster had a forum with people at the school. We had a student, teacher, and parent population at the meeting. We then did some activities with them trying to figure out what would be best for our community project. We can't just ask them or they will want very extensive things. We are looking for something that we can do in one morning and it will be sustainable for the school. The process of it all is called PACA. (Participitary Analysis for Community Action). We have collected all the data and now just need to summarize it and figure out what are the best projects we could do for our school. Then we write a propasal and talk with the principal about it. This afternoon we had language class from 1-3. We played Uno for a while practicing our colors and numbers. That was a fun language activity. Then we had medical. Another shot! Finished my Rabies series. After class Gina's host family invited us over for Merienda. It was my first time over at her house and had a very enjoyable time with some good food! Then some people were cooking over at my language teacher, Elsa's house. I went over there and hung out until my family came back from the hospital. Ariel's mother is making progress, but it seems slowly. He said she can open her eyes and talk some.
Tomorrow I have language ALL DAY! It will be a very long day. Next week we're off to Manila for our Supervisor's Conference! I'll be there Monday until Thursday and will find out my permanent site Monday afternoon!
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