So Kristy and Tammy were supposed to leave Manila on June 11th, but ChinaSouthern Airlines screwed everything up (for them) and delayed their flight by a day. This was good news for me, because that meant I got to spend one more day with them. We had fun staying in a very fancy hotel, for free, shopping at the Mall of Asia and hanging out a little more before they had to leave.



Once they left I had a VAC meeting in Manila. The meeting went well, but it was also sad because it was our Country Director's last meeting. She left for D.C. Our new CD has arrived, but I have not had the opportunity to meet him yet.

So after the meeting I started going to my school. I was thinking it was going to be a lot like last year, where I sat around, helped every once in a while, but I read a lot. Nope, not the case. During the month of June I have been teaching a lot. And to tell you the truth, it's exhausting. So my co-teacher set me up with the follow schedule: 7:30-8:30, 10:30-11:30, 3-4, 4-5. That's a LONG day, and I'm not a morning person so it's hard for me to get to that first class! But so far things have been going well.

I was able to give my presentation about Texas again. That was fun! I made some edits and added some new things, and the students loved it. I taught my students how to do the "Hook 'em Horn" symbol and how to say "Y'all" So a funny story. A student came up to me at the end of the day and asked "What does Y all mean?" At first I was confused, Y all? Then it hit me, Y'all!! So I told her what Y'all meant, how to say it, and how to use it in a sentence. She then ran off. I then got on my bike (I have a bike story next) and started to ride home. When I was riding I went past the young lady from earlier along with some of her friends. They were all practicing saying Y'all on their way home! Too cute!!

So bikes. Ryan and I went to Cebu to buy our bikes. That was fun. During our process of getting them to the pier, our taxi driver asked me how much was our bike, where did we buy it, all the usual questions and then why didn't we buy a motor (motorcycle)? I explained to him we're not allowed to ride or drive a motor, and honestly I would be nervous to do so b/c I don't know the driving laws. He laughed and said "Oh but they are the same as in America." WHAT!?! We talked some more. He used to be a driver in one of the bases in Manila. He said we both have the same driving laws, except Filipino's don't follow them.




Ryan and I have also started a garden at our house. Man, gardening is HARD work. We had to do everything very old fashion. It was hard, but fun. Some plants are already sprouting, even thought they were only planted a week and a half ago. Fun!

Last story. So last week we joined several PCVs, counterparts, supervisors, and host families in the Tacloban Parade. This was so much fun. It was like I was a movie star! Anyone who knows me knows that I never want to be famous, but it was fun being famous for one day. Although I did get gipped out of having my hair and make-up done. Oh-well. It was fun having so many people wave, smile, and scream when you waved at them.



I wonder what July will bring...

So last time I blogged I caught you up until the time Kristy and Tammy arrived. ALOT happened while they were here so get ready to read, lol!

So Ryan and I were going to met Kristy and Tammy in Manila on 5/30 sometime before noon. We decided to head to Tacloban earlier that weekend to be ready for our flight to Manila. It was nice to get away and relax before we had "visitors."

We arrived to Manila very early Monday morning and hung around until Kristy and Tammy were supposed to arrive. We had given them instructions on where to meet us and such, so Ryan and I patiently waited. I have to admit I was getting a little nervous! I was so excited to see family. With the exception of seeing Kenny in March we hadn't seen any other family in almost 10 months! Crazy talk!

So finally Kristy and Tammy arrived. It was SOOOOO good to see them! So nice to be able to hug and touch them! It was so nice seeing them face to face. (Skype is great, but in person is even better!) We talked for a while and then headed upstairs in the airport to have some lunch, yummy Yellow Cab Pizza. The girls had quite an adventure getting to us, but we were so glad they finally made it.

We then headed off to Palawan, where we would be vacationing, before they came and saw our site. Our hotel in Puerto Princessa was very nice. We had a great time there and enjoyed talking with our bird friend upstairs. (They had a talking bird that could say "Hello, Good Morning" in different voices, it was very funny!)

We wanted to go to Sabang the next day, but our receptionist told us that all the tours were sold out. We told her to keep us in mind if one opened up. So what do you know, at 7AM the next morning we get a call that they have a tour for us and we will be leaving in 30 mins! So here we go, headed off to Sabang. It was a very nice and enjoyable trip. We got to hang-out, relax and cruise the Underground River. I got a henna tattoo right before we got on the boat and of course I fell in the water trying to get out of the boat, so my tattoo didn't last very long :( But it was still fun.

Next we headed off to El Nido. So everyone told me just take a van from one town to the next, which of course takes about 5 hours. Well I wish it was that simple. We got a van booked, but it broke down several times within our "5 hours" to El Nido. We finally got into a working van to take us all the way to our hotel. That ride was fun. Most of the way the road was paved, but for about an hour it was not. Kristy and I were in the back. Let's just say I had to pee and I hit my head on the roof several times. Oh the Philippines!

So El Nido was AMAZING!!! One of my favorite places thus far! It was such a nice town, with a great atmosphere. The food was amazing, we had fantastic company. It was overall an amazing time. Those days spent snorkeling, island hopping, roaming around, shopping, and just enjoying each others company will remain with me always. I am forever grateful that I got to spend it with three of the best people I know!

After El Nido we slowly made our way across the Philippines so that Tammy and Kristy could visit our site. So when you fly to Leyte you fly to the capital, Tacloban. Then you take a three hour van ride to our town, Hilongos. Our van ride back with Kristy and Tammy was the scariest of my life! Usually the drivers drive oh about 80-90MPH, but no this guy was driving about 5MPH. He was falling asleep!! Ryan and I were in the front and we were doing everything we could think of to keep him awake and eventualy he did wake up, but man it was SCARY! BTW only one dog was killed in that drive :(

So Kristy and Tammy arrived at our place and had a really good time getting to meet everyone, see our town, and spend time at our house. It was so nice having them here, seeing how we live, and experiencing our daily lives. They got to see our work places and experience walking through my school, which is very intimidating at times, because of all the stares, smiles, and "Hello, Good Morning/Afternoon Ma'am". Kristy also got to be with me while two of my students (girls might I add), who I just met for the first time (School had just started that week) sang me a love song.

Like with all vacations it had to end sometime. But man I didn't want it to. Kristy and Tammy finally headed out, and I headed to my VAC meeting and the craziness of June.

Until next time... Take care, love you, and miss you all!!!