Yes it has hit me... homesickness. I knew I would have it eventually. I'm not really sure why I am homesick because things are going great here. Everyone is really nice to me, my living situation is great, etc. I guess it's because it is the Holiday season back home, I'm having to adjust to new place and it's kinda like starting over at square one, and you know it's that time; I have to admit it I am feeling homesick! So I thought something that would help me feel better would to make some lists. LOL. I know I'm a nerd, but it does make me feel better. So here are my lists and you won't hurt my feelings if you skip this post!

Things I miss back home:
*Yogilicious *Izze's *Living with Kristy *My entire family *Cool/cold weather *Sweatshirts *Being comfortable with what I am doing at work *My new mattress *Kung Pao Chicken *A/C *Everyone speaking English

Things I DON'T miss back home:
*Driving *Wal-Mart *Commuting to/from work for 45 mins everyday *Paying a lot of money for our apt. *Reality T.V. *Obsession with material things

Things I like/love about the Philippines
*How hospitable the people are *MANGOES *Exotic fruits *Living in the countryside *Loverboy *"Good morning/afternoon ma'am" from every student *Beautiful beaches *Curious people *Pan de sal *Not being afraid of ever getting lost b/c someone will always help you out *Trykes *Seeing how many people can fit into a jeepney *Aggressive driving with NO wrecks *Pigs *Roosters *Smiles when I speak Cebuano *Internet access *Cold showers-really helps you cool off *Many more to come

So you see even though I am homesick I couldn't imagine leaving. I haven't been able to do anything yet, and once I do I think I will love it even more. Right now I am observing and getting to know the community which is nice, but makes for long days. But I understand why I am doing this and I need it, because it will help me in the long run with building relationships and helping me integrate into the community. I guess I have realized that I don't really enjoy being the new person all the time, although I do like change I also like having that normalcy. In a couple weeks things will become normal for me and I will begin to fit in fine, because I already am fitting in, it's just getting into the swing of things. So thanks for listening and until next time :)

Hello everyone. I have updated my packages and wish list pages at the top of this blog. I have put up our new address and made a wish list of things we would love to have. :) We have made it to Hilongos, safe and sound. We are having fun adjusting to our new place and getting to know our "bagong lungsod" (new town). Miss everyone. Take care and until next time! Love y'all :)

So here we are already at swearing-in week! Crazy! Time has flown by, but it has been very exciting and rewarding. We had our LPI's last week in Dumaguete and were able to spend time with our friends and relax. We had several assessments about our time in PST and had a lot of time to study for the LPI. I think I did well on the test and should find out this week what my score was. On Sunday we woke up very early again to get on the bus to come to Bacolod to start building our relationship with our counterpart. Saturday, before we left our old host family wanted to take us out for dinner, so we went to an European restaurant and had some amazing food, then when we return to our house we had a lovely brown-out! Oh how I hate those things! It was about 9PM at this time and we were doing the last of our packing. I tried to lay down to rest, but it was sooooooo hot in our room that I could not, so I went in the kitchen and laid my head on the table. The house help had the same idea, so we sat there in the kitchen and talked with one another for about four hours until the electricity came back on. At that point it was 1AM, and since I had to get up at 3AM I decided I better get some sleep. LOL. So I got two hours of sleep and was able to sleep a little on the bus, but I think it was worth staying up because I really enjoyed talking with the girls before I left. I will miss them, and I hope they will have a great rest of their lives :) So now we are in the big city of Bacolod, where they have traffic lights, several malls, trash everywhere and lots of traffic and congestion! We have already gone shopping at the mall, gone to Starbucks, and made a trip to the ATM. Whoohoo how exciting, the thrills of a big city! But seriously, when we leave we don't know when we will get to go to those places again, so we enjoy ever minute of it. Ryan and I are having a great time here getting to know our counterparts, and spending the last few days with our friends. Its sad to think we will no longer be close to them, but we have all decided to plan trips together and to join the same PC groups so we can see each other from time to time. We have had some great in-depth conversations, and fun times laughing a lot! It will be very nice to get to our place and slow down a little, but I sure will miss everyone! I am very excited about Hilongos, and starting to teach. Yesterday we worked on a yearly schedule and man I will be busy!!! There are also a couple of things that I want to get involved in within Peace Corps and hopefully that will work out. Our group is so big so I may not get to do everything I want, but hopefully at least a few. As time goes on I realize how lucky I am to be here and how great this organization is. Sure there are frustrating times, but thats in everything. So hopefully while we are still here this week, I can upload some new pics, and get a few emails sent that I have been meaning to send. I am doing great here and hope everyone else is doing great as well! Everyone take care, love you, and God bless. :)

So it's my last week in Dumaguete. On Friday I have my LPI (Language Proficiency Interview) and then next Friday I become a Volunteer!! An actual PCV!!! So exciting! In the past couple of weeks I have attended the Buglasan Festival, watched cultural dances, went shopping in a ukay-ukay, and went to Siquijor Island for Halloween! Siquijor was soooooo much fun! We decided to go to this island, because there are supposed to be lots of practicing witches, voodoo, and medicine-men there, so we thought it would be cool to spend the day there. I was kinda hoping there would be trick-or-treaters or decorations or something, but wala (none). LOL. We had a blast. We had no idea what we wanted to do, so when we got there a tryke driver followed us around until we decided to let him drive us around. First we went to a park, where we climbed up a mountain, and then a tower, and got to see a panoramic view of the island. Breathtaking! Then we went to a cave. It was so much fun. We had to crawl, squat, trudge through water, swim, and climb to get through the cave. It was so cool. We were lead by two 16 yr old girls; they were so much fun! We talked them into turning off the lights for a few mins so it was completely dark, scary!! We didn't see any creepy-crawlers, which was nice. Then we went back to the city, ate, shopped, and hung out at the beach! It was an amazing day, and our company was great too! Here are some pics, enjoy! Take care and until next time...