Adventures in the Peace Corps Philippines

Doing More for the Children of the Philippines

2009-04-02T07:51:00.004+08:00

1. My Cute Host Cousins
2. Our 1st Art Class with Kuya Romeo
3. "The Choice Is Yours" Workshop with DSWD Girls
4. Random Pics of RSCC Kids

I came to the Philippines wanting to make a positive impact in the lives of children living in difficult circumstances and I feel every time I do make a small contribution I get 10 fold in support back. I wasn’t expecting that. I knew I would work with good people and sweet kids however I look forward to the screams of kids “Ate Kate, Ate Kate!!!” the cuddles and the wonderful talks I have with staff at RSCC or friends and family in my community. I am truly a blessed volunteer.

Just this year I have had the pleasure of co-planning an HIV/AIDS project and then working with 6 intelligent DSWD staff to implement the project. We were able to educate 32 very bright girls in 4 DSWD centers about preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The workshop gave them the skills and chance to recognize how special they are and there is positive or negative consequences to each decision they make. We showed them how contracting a STD like HIV can drastically affect their lives and how to prevent it. The whole day was filled with fun and interactive activities at a beautiful and newly constructed center Amor Village in Tarlac. I believe most of these girls have been told some or all of the information we provided before however we were able to come at it with a different spin and I feel reinforcing information strengthens positive behavior change. It was nice for me to see some of the girls who also attended our Girls LEAD camp last year at this workshop.

Yesterday our new art teacher from Bataan Peninsula State University came and presented his first art class. I have been doing art classes since I arrived but Kuya Romeo is someone they can identify with. Not all the kids get to attend, we have 30 kids who want to participate and only 15 spaces. The kids at the center love to draw and want to paint so badly. I’m so excited that most of the projects we implement will be done with paints. The focus of the first class was to explain how art is a personal and creative process and they got to write their names on big pieces of paper and do designs around it. They had so much fun.

My host cousins in the compound spotted me before them this evening and I got blown over between them running for cuddles and the puppies and dogs also wanting love. This is a very affectionate culture which suits me just fine. I always know if I wake up on the wrong side of the bed I can hang out with the toddlers when I get to work and they will be full of smiles looking forward to playing with someone. Some people say they could not work at my center because of the infants and children who get brought here but I think by having the child here it is one less child left in the trash, behind a building or out in the elements dying. The social workers work so hard to find families for the children and we have great partners in the U.S helping us find families for the more difficult children to place, our schoolers. We have a large staff and the house parents love the children and parent them the best way they know how.

What does break my heart is when children are returned to us because the foster or adoptive family could not “handle” the child or it has become inconvenient to have them. Like if the family has got a visa to go abroad and don’t want to take the child. That sickens me. There is a problem in the system and families are not being adequately prepared and supported to foster or adopt these precious and extremely vulnerable children. Hopefully if my extension gets approved I will help Region III develop a stronger advocacy program, pre-placement training and continuing education program for foster and adoptive homes. They are already in this process and I am privileged to be included in this process as it is a very large step in the right direction to helping relieve the institutionalization of Filipino children. Right now I’m collecting information on various foster care training programs, parenting class curriculum, child development and other materials to start developing a culturally appropriately program for Region III. Children develop more appropriately in a family and home environment and an institution/orphanage needs to be a last resort situation.

More on the Library

2009-01-23T15:39:00.004+08:00

This library is very exciting for me and already we have recieved interest in sending us books!!! Thanks to everyone who is helping. Some questions have come up and I would like to address them:

1. Are any books acceptable? YES, as long as they are in good condition and sutiable for children and teens. Educational books about animals, plants, the world, people, etc. are also appreciated.

2. My contact info if you would like to correspond personally with me about the library project: katiepentz@hotmail.com Please DO NOT sell or use my e-mail for mass e-mails or the likes.

3. Shipping: right now I am aware of using M-bags to ship reading material abroad. Basically no matter how much reading material you send (up to 66lbs) in the M-bag it will cost the same as sending an 11lbs package to the country you are sending the reading material to. Videos, CD's, DVD's, tapes may also be sent but only 4lbs of the M-bag can contain this kind of material.

We at RSCC look forward to parterning with you on this project! Have a great day.

Starting a Library

2009-01-14T21:07:00.002+08:00

Hello Everyone,

I am currently starting a library with my counterpart at the center I am working at. We have a few shelves of books however they are a couple small shelves and used by the day care. Below is my book request letter. If you are at all interested in helping or have suggestions please send me a note at the end of the blog. Have a wonderful day!!!

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

Good day! I am a volunteer from the DSWD Reception and Studies Center for Children (RSCC) in Lubao, Pampanga here in the Philippines. I work with staff at my center to improve the lives of the children at the center through education, life skills and self esteem activities. I also do this through training staff to improve service delivery. Currently, all school age children attend the local school are currently behind at least one grade level. This is due to them coming to us without attending formal education and the lack of resources available to them. Our children are bright but need additional materials. The majority of our children are in elementary school with a few in middle school and one in high school. At this time we are working to create a library/resource room for the 97 children residing at this center. We have a building and are fixing it up by: painting the room, adding screens and fans, making book shelves, with tables and chairs to create our library and resource room.

This room will also serve as a place for us to do staff trainings and a resource room to staff. We have started a small staff library with educational and training materials, manuals and texts for them to improve their skills as service providers. This room will be used by the entire RSCC community.

With this wonderful addition to our center the daycare worker and I are have developed a basic English tutorial program and reading program based on a reading program developed by a fellow Peace Corps volunteer. We are very excited to get our program off the ground this summer with our children. We have 2 additional staff from the center with teaching degrees to assist with the implementation of the program.

To make this library/resource room and English program a success we need your help. Currently, we have requested through various teachers and community members is to hold book drives for us to collect as much of the following material: Easy reader books (reading level books) and mini-books for young readers and story books. Specifically we need literature, fiction and non-fiction books for K-9th grade students. English grammar, math and science texts for children in 1st through 6th grade (5 copies of each) would be extremely helpful. Other resources we could use are flash cards, workbooks, atlas and map books, picture books, educational posters, dictionaries, school supplies, educational materials on CD or DVD, books on working with kids (counseling, developmental delays, child development, etc.) teaching strategy manuals for teachers in: English, math and science, an encyclopedia set or Childcraft.

The literature and fiction books will be used in our reading program and the text books will be used in our after school and weekend programs that the house parents coordinate.

We at the RSCC truly appreciate any support you could give us to develop our program to its fullest potential. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Katherine Pentz
Peace Corps volunteer RSCC

Searching for Balance

2009-01-13T19:02:00.003+08:00

After a fun day Surfing

There are ways in which the universe connects people to their needs if they are specific about what they need and are open to receiving what they asked for. Me, I have been working very hard to both. I have put out into the universe what I want and seeing it manifest is sometimes tough because I think it should arrive in blue packaging but it arrives in red packaging. Really I need to have no expectation on the packaging.

I have just finished this book “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is a fabulous book of a woman who has divorced, broken up with her lover and then decides to take a year for self discovery. In Italy she learns to indulge in pleasure through food and learning Italian which she has wanted to do for a long time. In India she learns about devotion at an Ashram looking at aspects of herself and finding a spiritual calm. In Indonesia (Bali) she wants to find a balance between the worldly indulgences and her spiritual devotion where she finds love. The way it is written is how she experiences certain situations, the mental conversations and all the emotion involve. I loved this book and much of her process is at some point how I have felt: over analyzing relationships, not allowing my ego to control me, indulging in beauty for the sake of it being available are just to name a few.

Since November my goal for my last 6 months in country is to really enjoy being here in all aspects: work, peace corps, exploring, relationships with people here, fitness and most importantly not to let things bother me so much. I can do what I can do and that is all. I don’t want to consistently change my plans because someone needs something, I can say “no” or “that time or date does not work for me” or “do you have an alternative date.” I have been planning to do this 28 day boot camp for a fitness program and I don’t want to keep putting it on hold or getting though 4 days and then something comes up. I told the universe I want to do this and all appointments or activities need to be after 9am. I want to have the motivation to get up when my alarm rings. So far it is working and when I said I could be available at 8am I internally remembered my commitment to myself and rescheduled for 9am.

I have also really wanted to become calm. I seem to have gotten into a habit of reacting instead of responding. Again I let the universe know this is an area I want to rehabilitate. I got a message from a coworker stating the regional director for DSWD wanted sample cards for Valentine’s Day. Let me just say the card making livelihood project has become a thorn in my side since my suggesting it and I have become a scary crazy person whenever the director and card making come up in the same conversation. Already that day a decision was made that we need to focus our efforts because we have been working in crisis mode for production. Our new goal is to have 3 types with three versions. After the second text satanic flashes of frustration were tearing through my body and my coworker was still up in arms. I shifted my mindset, did some deep breathing, reminded myself the evening was beautiful and this was not a big deal. I worked very hard to bring myself into some semblance of calm. I repeated to my coworker everything would be fine and we would come up with a solution. By the time dinner was over I had my solution, I would send a letter to the director about our livelihood project. In this letter I described the challenges of the Christmas card making and how our new system would be more efficient. I described the time and energy involved in skills development for the young artists while sharing how they have grown and improved. By the time I finished the letter and sent it off for proof reading my heart rate felt as if I was never upset at all. I know I have full control of my experiences and perception and I am making this a reality.

I am living in a wonderful country, having amazing experiences: hiking volcano’s, surfing, watching the reenactment of the crucifixion, staff Christmas parties, riding on top of jeeps soaked to the bone, eating snake (very boney) and duck embryo, playing patentero against RSCC kids and loosing, and finding family in friends. Life is like being at school and the universe our principle, there to support us when we ask for help.

Wild December!

2009-01-03T16:30:00.004+08:00

New Years 2008 – Bagio

1. Crazy Zab in party mode
2. Me in Becky’s outfit, we wanted to see if we should switch
3. Videoke!!! We all had a turn
4. Me and Becky in our ‘80s atire
5. The group minus me, I’m taking the picture
6. Our group
7. Having pre-party drinks at a local bar and yes, that is the old South African
flag in the background
8. Katie doing a performance for the crowd a Tagalog song “Alleluia” by Bamboo, she
was awesome!
9. Macho Zack and his ‘80s outfit
10. Native Dance done on Session road at a New Year’s Party with the Mayor

This past December like every December here in the Philippines is chock a block full of wild and fun activities. Christmas has been in full swing since September however by the end of November even the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s have Alvin and the Chipmunks rocking out their favorite holiday songs (FYI-Iglesia’s don’t celebrate Christmas). December is also not the best time to have projects or activities at a center as you will be in conflict with many other groups wanting to host a party for children living in an orphanage. At my center we are lucky to have so many people wanting to support us.

At the beginning of December I headed to La Union to help a fellow volunteer with her Basketball Camp. Of course whoever knows me even a little knows I can barely dribble the ball and I would need more skills than a camp could teach the youth just to make me a novice. It is true I wasn’t there for the basketball portion but for life skills; I did sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention and gender awareness. Now the population we were doing this camp for are children in conflict with the law so many of them have committed serious crimes. Trying to teach these macho men how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS using a condom or challenging their stereotypes on what men and women roles was challenging to say the least. It was fun to be up there working with teenagers and it made me realize I like working with elementary and middle school kids a lot! Younger kids really like to be a part of activities and go with the flow easier.

I was also in full swing with our Card Making crew on developing and painting Christmas cards requested by the regional director. She wanted 300 within 2 weeks which we all know is totally impossible however it gave us a goal. We were able to hand over 36 by the deadline. It was nice to know important people from the region received them (congressmen, governors, mayors, etc). Usually this kind of stuff does not make a difference to me but it matters in this culture so I’m starting to adopt the need for approval. Maybe by the time I get home this will have worn off.

The staff Christmas party was a blast! We got to exchange gifts, get a door prize (mine was a set of glasses) and a food box with 100 packets of ramen. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much ramen outside a grocery store however I’m glad I have it. Right now I’m on an MSG kick and I couldn’t get enough if it wasn’t for my ramen. We also went dancing on Subic base after to dance the night away. I hadn’t been out that late in months. I finally got to bed at 2:30am, craziness and tons of fun!!! I hope it’s not sad when a person gets really excited to stay out after midnight.

I also got to participate in our family Pig slaughter on December 24th, wow okay so I was around for the last one but this was much more interesting. I actually saw them wrestle the 230kg (506lbs) sow out of the pen, get it onto a wooden bed frame thing, slice into its neck artery (which I helped with) while it squealed bloody murder, which I guess it was. The most interesting part is the specific process in chopping it up. My host mom had people from the community order different parts so they had it all planned out already. First after bleeding it out it is cleaned and hot water poured on in patches when they scrape off the hair and first layer of skin and dirt. Then they cut out a portion of the neck (the throat area. After the head is chopped off. By the way as something is chopped off it is weighed and given a price. They cut all the way down the middle of the pig (tail to neck) very carefully not to cut any internal organs. The pig is opened and internal organs taken out carefully. Then they slice off different parts of the stomach area, legs and finally the ribs. It is a process that required 3 men for the pig slaughter, chopping and cleaning also 2 women for weight, measurements and payment also divvying all parts so everyone has what they ordered. I was up by 4am and the process started about 4:30am after the deliberating on what needs to be done and how. It is a family event in the compound and when I left by 8am the work had still not been totally finished. I’m glad I ended up being the photographer because it was really messy and I didn’t have clothes I wanted stained with pigs blood. My host family was surprised at my interest but I feel that if I help with chicken and duck killing and plucking why not pigs. Also if I’m going to eat Porky why not know how it all works.

To round out the year Christmas was really nice. I visited with a fellow PCV who lives on the China Sea coast in Bawang, La Union. We made tuna and sun dried tomato sandwiches and headed to the beach. It was a great Christmas and totally different. In South Africa when I was little we used to go to the beach on Christmas when we were with my Oupa Herman and Ouma Armorel for the holidays. It brought back nice memories.

I also got to learn how to surf while I was up there and it is tough!!! Seriously I felt old after and my 40 year old friend also did it and I’m proud of how she held up. I need to work on my bicepts (doing pushups), pecs and abs to be a good surfer. Now I know why surfers have such great bodies, it is hard work but totally fun!

New years eve was also a blast with a bunch of PCV’s in Bagio (1 ½ hours up in the mountains from Bawang). The theme was ‘80s attire and I found the most hideous dress. Bagio is known for the best second hand clothing despot in the Philippines so I got some cool stuff. We rang in the New Year watching native Ifagao dancing, fireworks and dancing to a live band. I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday season.

May my future December’s be just as interesting and fun :-)

Practicing Surfing

I'm up and I'm surfing :-)

Bontoc, Banaue, and Batad

2008-12-03T19:41:00.008+08:00

Mountain Province

1. Moma is a substance that reminds me of chewing tobacco except it is all natural plants and it makes your mouth red and people spit it everywhere
2. The ride from Bontoc to Banaue
3. I think this pump still works!
4. Its kinda hard to see but these fields with plants have designs. Magnificent!
5. Our jeepney after we arrived, it was a rough trip especialy with minimal view and the cold rain
6. Looking into Banaue
7. Incredible 3000 year old rice terraces
8. We have to hike into this valley and it is already 5pm and it is already dark at 6pm. Our hike is still 1.5 hours
9. Down there is Batad proper
10. A woman maintaining the rice terraces. Basically the women do most of the work for the terraces
11. View just before going over the ridge back at Batad
12. Dave and I taking pics of each other on the way up the valley to get over the ridge towards the waterfall
13. The waterfall
14. Crazy Dave and Katie swimming. Katie swam to the other side of the pool
15. Us with a local in the local clothing
16. Our hut
17. A view on our 12km trek – rice terraces everywhere!
18. The jeepney that took us back after our 12km trek
19. The swinging bridge on our way to Sam’s waterfall in the Ligawe area
20. Sam’s waterfall

I had the pleasure after another crazy Thanksgiving in Segada to head to the famous Banaue. We left Segada and caught a jeepney from Bontoc to Banaue. Us PCV’s decided to ride on top to have a view however 2/3’s of the trip it rained, covered with clouds and it was really cold. We grinned and bore it as we are tough PCV’s enjoying another part of our adventure.

Banaue is famous for its couple thousand year old rice terraces in the mountains. They are truly remarkable! Upon arriving we (Dave, me and Katie) decided to head to Batad with the help of a local guide. Batad is a 1½ jeep ride from Banaue usually. You get to the turn off and go up to the saddle of the mountain and hike into Batad. We left a little late, 3:30pm. Also there was a mudslide 1/3 way up the mountain to Batad so we had to hike up the saddle too. We did not realize the intensity of where we were going and with our 10kg bags headed up to the saddle. Upon arriving we viewed the incredible valley of Batad. Then a look at what we had to walk down. It was pretty much huge steps down followed by walking down into the valley. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad the uphill was out of the way all I did do was pray my knees didn’t give out. We managed to get to our homestay in one piece however there were many close calls when we were walking on very uneven tarriane without a light. Yes, we were in the natural darkness and all I said to myself was it is too cool for a snake to come out and bite my ankle.

Our home stay was a native Ifago hut. It was beautiful however we were bushed and just wanted a bath and our bed. The next morning we were able to look at our dwelling and recognize how ingenious it was. We used a ladder to get into the hut and many of the huts usually had a attic where they would store goods. In the main room were the beds and hearth. The hut is made of wood and the roof of local leaf materials. Under and around the base would hang the baskets, skulls of animals and various other tools. I know the area gets extensive rainfall and it helps to keep above it.

We headed out after breakfast downhill to the bottom of the valley to the town center. We then hiked all up the side through the rice terraces to the other side of the valley were we went straight down again to the waterfall. At the waterfall Katie and Dave were brave enough to take a dip but I’m a wimp and don’t like to be cold. Also give me a break but I was in jeans and a sweat shirt (okay Katie was too but as I said before she is tougher or crazier than I). We hiked back up to the top of the valley and took a different route around the rice terraces back to our home stay. Gosh we worked hard already.

Our plan was to make the most of this trip and that we did. After lunch we did the 12km trek through the mountain seeing more communities and rice terraces till we caught up with our jeep. Katie made a cute comment wondering who would be the first to take a tumble and yes it was me. I slipped and fell in some tree roots which made a nasty bruise on the side of my left arm. I was a trooper and did not complain.

On the way back the jeep ahead got a flat tire. This must be a regular thing as every jeep driver and guide from the 8 vehicles behind us got out to have a look, watch and smoke. The French visitors from this vehicle took the opportunity to walk ahead while the tire change took place. The Koreans also decided to watch and make comments in Korean. Us, three PCV’s popped a squat next to the locals and watched. It was complete and everyone was back on the road in 25 minutes. We got ripped off on the jeepney ride to Sam’s place in Ligawe but by then we were exhausted again and didn’t care. It never helps that your guide gives you one price upon departure and the driver gives another when you arrive. This is normal and honestly it was such a good trip I didn’t care to put up a fight.

Sam took us to another beautiful waterfall the following day in a neighboring community. The mountain province is magnificent. It is just as beautiful as some of the sites in a coastal community. We did about 25km in 36 hours and it was fabulous to stretch my legs. Doing all this hard walking increased my dedication to returning to my running schedule. The Philippines has superb costal experiences and contrasting high elevation excursions. Please visit and take advantage of so much fun!!

Magical Siquijor

2008-10-08T22:19:00.002+08:00

Siquijor is another island in the Philippines we (Rachel and I) had a chance to visit. This interesting island is known for its love potions locals make and sell during Easter season particularly during Holy Week. Other remedies can be made for a variety of ailments. I was not able to attain one before I left however I hope to get back down there and explore the rest of the island’s wonders before I leave the country next July. We got to see a majestic sunrise and use most of the forms of transportation the island had to offer. I also want to see it’s waterfalls and other 2 coral church’s next time.

1. One of the many intoxicating beaches on Siquijor
2. My chance to “speak” to my congregation (if I ever had one heheh)
3. Yes there is a problem in the Philippines with rabies but be sure it is not in Siquijor
4. 5:20am looking outside our window in Siquijor
5. Speak to us Reverend Rachel!
6. The growth of the sunrise in our visit 5:50am
7. A crazy huge gecko on the wall in the church David lives at the back of. It is really cool!!!
8. Me and Rachel on our way out leaving a fun day in Siquijor
9. The piglets who were very curious about us, aren’t they cute
10. David Lumsden our host when we visited

Tropical Bohol, Philippines

2008-10-08T22:01:00.004+08:00

Bohol is probably my favorite place in the Philippines so far and I only got to scratch the surface of the eco-tourism. It is incredibly beautiful, serene and the vibe is just calming. My only issue was every time Rachel and I went to travel to the next place on our list the rain came down in buckets and soaked us to the bone. Bohol is a tropical paradise and I want to go back!

1. Cute little alien looking primate the tarsier… isn’t he cute!!!
2. The Loboc River which I think looks like a chocolate river. It is beautiful
3. We stayed at a rustic backpacker's hot spot "Nuts Huts" off the beaten path on the Loboc River
4. The stairs were steep and I almost lost my head on the way down on the 277 steps!
5. One of the oldest churches in Bohol. We saw a wedding in progress
6. The actual steps heading down to the Nuts Huts and my nipa hut on the river
7. In Bohol the Filipino’s have taken advertising to a new level, using the animals J
8. Beautiful butterfly’s at the Bohol Bee Farm. Natural beauty is phenomenal here
9. A beautiful view of the ocean from the Bee Farm
10. Interesting architecture in the Philippines
11. The amazing Chocolate Hills of Bohol. In the dry season these remarkable mounds turn brown because of lack of rain. The island was originally a coral reef, over millions of years then it was pushed up and certain points were pushed together more so there are these mounds.
12. The tarsier yet again. Did you know its eye socket is larger than the brain cavity??? Yes those eyes are intense!

HIV/AIDS Training in Palawan

2008-09-29T21:53:00.001+08:00

Roger invited 5 of us to help him teach his 1st year college students and a high school about HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health. We had a blast and hopefully these bright eyed teenagers will be able to make more informed decisions when it comes to intimacy with their partner.

1. Me and Cynthia – our arrival in Palawan
2. Rebecca and Ariel also just arrived in Palawan
3. I’m demonstrating how to put a condom on using my fingers before the actual condom came out, it was interesting.
4. Teaching 1st year college students about reproductive health (15 year olds)
5. A wonderful mural and about the most action 2 of the 3 of us have had since before arriving in the Philippines (May 2007), so sad L
6. Roger teaching his students about HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health

The Underground River in Sabang, Palawan

2008-09-29T20:49:00.001+08:00

One of the sights to see is the Underground River in Palawan. Truly the beauty of the area and seeing such an incredible natural wonder is breath taking. We traveled 2.5 hours to Sabang, a little town hosting transportation to and from the natural wonder through the national park. We rode a banka boat away from the town into a neighboring bay. From there we walked into the forest and saw some rather large lizards hanging around just below the walking path. There were lots of natural noises from the critters, creatures and animals living in the jungle. On our way to the Underground River we saw monkeys having lunch on some fruits on the jungle floor. They were in a troop and they were easy to spot.

We were given the brightest orange life jackets (they were just that clean) and green construction helmets. We felt oh-so safe. Helmets were there to protect us from the bat guano that may or may not drop itself upon us at any time. At least that was our rational for them ;-) We were strategically placed in the boat and for some reason our guide thought the best place for me was at the front and designated the official light provider. The car battery sat in front of me, my light had to clips that attached to the screws on top of the battery. The lamp would be used to keep us going in the correct direction into the black hole of the cave. At points the water was 27 meters deep and the water was alive with snakes, fish and various larvae looking stuff. The fruit bats above kept a constant chatter and we saw a sparrow every now and then lost in the cave. We only boated 1.5km of the 8km river but it was enough. Our guide kept us giggling with descriptions of various formations. We even traveled down the vegetable section! We bi-passed the bat cave to our dismay but we drove very slowly to catch a glimpse of another cave with a formation in the center of the round room.

On our way back to Sabang we chose to hike it 5km back through the jungle. It was beautiful and the trees would grow around, through or attach themselves to each other to reach water. All sorts of vines hung from everywhere. It was if each plant or tree was connected to the other in some fashion. I could only imagine how trying it must have been to walk through it without the nifty trail we were on. The trail lead to a few beaches and it was incredible to see hundreds of crabs walking up the beach away from the water. I have no idea why they were doing this but I got a kick out of watching them go. They are quick little suckers. About half a kilometer from the town a torrential down pour hit and 2 of us did not bring an umbrella not that it did much good anyway. Within 5 minutes I was soaked and cold, this was not a feeling I was expecting. Finally when we arrived back to town we were able to grab some grub before taking a break at our amazing nipa hut.

It was another great adventure here in the Philippines!

Mid Service Training

2008-09-18T20:44:00.004+08:00

So officially I’ve survived the first half of my tour of service here in Peace Corps Philippines. It is so weird because it kinda feels like I just left. Really our COS date is August 6th (now Aug 7th) so honestly we have less than 11 official months left but who is counting, hehehe. It is rather interesting thinking about how much has happened in the last 15 months and what will happen in the next 11 months. Personally and professionally this tour has been exciting and challenging.

Challenges were losing a cousin and aunt within a few months of each other just after I arrived to a disease that also took my mother almost 4 years ago. Aunt Peg was the second most important person in my life after my mother. I put her in the “on vacation” box in my mind. When people die I find it hard to process the feeling and so I associate it with that of a person who is “on vacation.” My cousin also passed on but I was more prepared because I knew it was going to happen before I left. My family invested in a condo development project over 2 years ago and this year has been really tough for them and I haven’t been there. Sometimes I feel I left them but they have always been so supportive of my Peace Corps dream.

As for what I’ve learned since I arrived: I can write a grant proposal (well any proposal for that matter), I love being a trainer and presenting information to large groups, I however still don’t like being a teacher to students (below college level), empowering people is still a passion and I’m becoming more effective, I love planning activities for groups of kids and even though it is still tough I am better at working with teens. People are similar everywhere you go. They want to be heard, they will be invested in something they feel is necessary to them and they want to improve their lives to give their children better opportunities. I love the concept of family here: family comes first, families spend lots of time together and support each other on various levels, they are somewhat clannish. The relationship a person has is far more important than what you know or what you can do. If you want something to get done you better have a solid relationship with the stakeholders on a personal level or it can be very difficult. I know I want to continue my degree in social work and focus in the clinical realm specifically working with those in crisis. People are fascinating, wonderfully complex which makes them unique and challenging to work with.

What I didn’t expect is to realize what a control freak I am and even though I thought I was laid back, I’m more output orientated than I ever thought, work is very important to me, for me it somewhat defines me; weather that is good or bad I’m still figuring that out. Being in the Philippines has required me to recognize these traits in myself. I don’t get angry when things take longer than they should but I stress internally on what it should be like. I’m working on being more able to release it and let it go. I guess I’m also very time specific. For the first time I’m usually early to appointments or meetings. In the states I was always running 10-15 minutes late. It is weird and honestly I don’t personally like being early. I don’t really get frustrated when people are late only when they plan on not arriving to begin with.

I feel my contribution this past year has been just a drop in the ocean of life of those I worked with. I know the work I have done and relationships I have created have been important to me and the people who received the information but I am still concerned about how sustainable my work has been. On an individual level I think I have been valuable but I’m not sure if I’ve done the best to empower my coworkers to take on and grow what we have done together for the agency. I think during the rest of my time here I need to strengthen what I have worked on and make sure what I’ve been working on is what they want to continue when I’m done.

Let the adventure continue…

I NEED Help PLLLLEASE

2008-08-27T10:23:00.012+08:00

Redlani Sports Fest Practice

Teaching Life Skills with my counterpart

I sent this e-mail out to various people in my address book but I also wanted to post it for anyone I may have missed accidentally.

Hi Everyone, How are you all??? I'm doing great, happy as a cricket on tuesdays. To be more specific there is a typhoon heading to pass a bit north of us so it is really cool here and i don't need to use my electric fan. You got to love life when your biggest concern is if you will need the use of the fan.

What I'm writting about is I'm putting together a peace corps grant proposal for my center. The grant is to start a card making livelyhood project that the kids at my center for them to make and sell for profit. Our basic goals are to give the children a skill they could utilize after they leave the center, a way to sustain and grow our small library room, and a creative outlet for our children.

I would like to have my grant prosal sent to you with the specifics with the hope you could help make our project a reality. Before it gets sent to you I need an address, phone number and e-mail address for you so I can have it sent to you. Your personal information is collected under the authority of the Peace Corps Act but it will only be used to promote my peace corps project through the Peace Corps Partnership Program informing you about my project.

So right now I need your full address, phone number and e-mail address so I can get you the information about our cool project and I hope you want more information about it too. Also if you know anyone who may be interesting in knowing more about my project please e-mail me or forward this e-mail. My e-mail address is katiepentz@hotmail.com

I am sending you lots of love, light and positive energy, I miss you,

Ingat (take care), Kate :-)

Life, where anything is possible... :0)

The Slaugher

2008-08-14T21:58:00.005+08:00

There are so many things I love about the Philippines and here is just another example of how simple life is (and by the way this happened 2 weekends ago). Anyway it is Sunday morning and I am reading my book instead of getting up; it is about 9:30am. I hear my host cousins, host aunt and uncle and some other people. I take no notice, I live in a compound and I am really enjoying the book I'm reading. After taking a short break I hear they are right outside in front of my house. I meander outside and what do I see but one of the young pigs we are raising in the piggery on the side of my house. He has been drained of his blood, gutted and the head has been removed. The entrails are in a large bowl under the slaughtering table.

I was shocked to see Piglet in such a state. My little host cousin is touching the pigs cheeks and telling me how masarap (tasty) they are. His mom tells me his favorite part of the pig is the face. I am struck but at the same time I am getting used to these situations. Just 5 months ago I got my chance to kill a chicken and pluck it. I didn't have time to cook it but my host aunt would have let me if I was staying. Ok back to the pig... the family was surprised I didn't hear anything. That is not true, I heard the pigs squeal but they do that every time they are fed!!! I am still surprised I missed the killing, it would have been interesting to see. They will be repeating this activity for Tatang and Mico's birthday in November. They asked if I would be interested in killing it and the rest, I said sure why not, it will add to my cultural adaption. So what is the reason for this unexpected slaughter??? Well to sell the pigs to a slaughter house they would not get a good return on the raising of the pig so they will walk around the community and sell it in pieces. Ok sounds good to me even if my host uncle has got a huge knife hacking away at the thigh.

My host mom offered me sisig for dinner the next night and I was not feeling good so I just stuck with the veggies and rice. My host cousin wouldn't tell me what it was exactly. The way it looked put me off of it. I found out from my friend that it was parts of the head and face. I'm just not down with eating the face, ears, hoofs or internal organs. It probably sounds weird since I'm willing to slice and dice Piglet but I did dissect a cat in anatomy class so I have experience compartmentalizing these types of activities.

I'm sure I sound barbaric but I can't help it, while in Rome do as the Romans do. I'm in the Philippines and I find myself following the same credo. Just another crazy Philippines experience :-)

Sobra Init!!!

2008-07-24T22:45:00.000+08:00

Sobra init - So very hot!!!! I have definitely noticed the heat since I have returned. Make no mistake about that. But today, we are talking heat at another level. The last ½ kilometer was like looking at an oasis; you know there is water you just got to keep your feet moving. I arrived at work drenched in my own sweat, disgusting!!!! Another part of living here that I have learned to live with. Before I took a shower this morning I had downed a liter of water.

To be honest I also ran this morning which already elevated my body temperature and I had to go to the elementary school before walking to work. Now if I had just gone straight to work I may have not pushed my body over the edge. It really has got hotter for sure because I’m using my fan throughout the night and that is like temp gauge. It will get hotter because I’m still turning it off about 5am; I’m waiting for the days when I NEED it. I think I could get by without it.

It makes me think that when my day revolves around the weather what does that say about me and my living situation??? The sun also drains your energy and I wonder why it has to be so greedy when it creates so much of its own energy. I think I’m a little heat delirious at this moment and after my lunch nap I will get back to normal; 2.5 hours from now.

Think positive for me please!!!!!

Lovely Puerta Galera

2008-07-22T20:47:00.002+08:00

We (Rachel, Cynthia, me and Sue) have been planning this trip for a while and it has been canceled a few times. Rachel confirmed with me while I was in the US and I was up for it. It was kinda weird to be taking a weekend away after just arriving back in the county just a few days before. I however have no qualms with having a good time and now doing a 7 hour trip is cake.

We stayed at Tamaraw beach next to the infamous White beach. It was quiet and comfortable. The best part was they had lounge chairs on the beach instead of putting your towel out on the sand. The food was great, really reasonable and had a pretty good variety.

I was rather surprised with the small rocks that came up to the shoreline, they looked like river rocks and they are beautiful. It rained really hard the first afternoon and it made crossing an inlet rather challenging but we are troopers and make it across. It was a great place just to relax (I got to read a great book) and if you want a little more action White beach is only a 15 min walk away over a hill. I did not indulge that need because coming back to the Philippines has more jet lag and I partied my little butt in Lake Havasu.

It was so fun just hanging out with my friends, catching up and shooting the breeze, eating grilled cheese sandwiches and reading my book on a lounge chair. It was beautiful looking out from the deck over the water at the banka boats, the ship in the distance and an island off to our right. The clouds made the evening sky purple, blue and shimmered silver. It was wonderful!!!

My Visit Home

2008-07-05T20:41:00.000+08:00

I got mixed reviews on visiting home, some said don’t until towards the end of your service, others said go because for them coming back was a blessing. I got to be honest, I was a little nervous going home cause I had a really sweet living situation, lots of great friends and a job I was doing pretty well in but I also wanted some adventure so I was off.

It was sureal and just comfy cozy to be at home with all my family and friends. We got to hang out, chow down at my favorite resturant, visit our favorite watering holes, see people I really care about and vice versa, a chance to revise my workout plan with a great friend and trainer, took a trip to Puerto Pensco (Rock Point) Mexico and stay at my dad’s house.

I never really appreciated Lake Havasu until I got back. I always loved the fact that 90% of my immediate family live in Havasu but I now love the weather (a dry 105 degrees) and the natural beauty of the desert. I always loved the desert but now it seems different, calm and still but not deathly. A place to recharge and energize and that was what I needed!

My family were totally excited I was home and I had to see everyone the first night I got back. Reajusting to the time zone was not as rough as I thought. My sister woke me the first morning I was there because we were off to a tube float race down the river and honestly I planned my trip to be there. There was 15 of us and we hooked up to various other groups and lazily went down the river. By the end I was fried but not too red, flying on cloud nine and totally reajusted to being back in Havasu.

My spring break crew also came to visit (a group of my friends that seemed so somehow conglomorate during spring break over 4 years). It was so fun just goofing off with them and knocking a few back and talking about how life has progressed. If I look at the group we are pretty much still on the same tracks we were when we last met with some slight variations of progression. None of us have kids, the same people are with significant others, and the same group members are hooking up. Gosh it is fun being single and alive.

When in Havasu it is expected that your good behavior may deteriorate and stupidity is expected. It is a town of few morals and a good time to be had by any who wish to endulge. Now what I am also saying is that if you choose to have fun you can do it with dignity and self respect. It is also a tough place to get deep and meaningful thought at 11pm at night. This was just what I was looking for when I wanted visit home. I needed to decompress and not work and that is just what I did. A couple times I had an incling “You could finish your late quarterly report… hummmmm not today.” I did this a few times but I was burned out by the time I left for my visit, really I didn’t want to work while I was home and so I didn’t. Not doing any work while on holiday was really refreshing. I don’t think that has really ever happended when I was employed.

Some of my highlights: My chance to have my first real argument with my dad (within the first week of being there), I got to see some of the natural beauty rhomping around in the desert behind town, I was told I was more assertive and it was a good quality, waking up to the sound of the waves in a soft bed all to myself, being given a minature pinapple, talking with my grandparents, doing an irish car bomb with crazy friends, having a three hour conversation about politics and the end of the world while enjoying a yummy grilled cheese, getting to know people who I was connected to but wasn’t really friends with and having fun, watching golf with my dad and going shopping with my other mother.

Who didn’t I get to see??? My crazy little brother! I would have loved to see him and hang out but he was off saving the world the other way… with the army. It is weird for my dad to have two kids working on behalf of the US but in totally opposite fronts. One day I’ll get him a t-shirt “My daughter is in the US Peace Corps and my son is in the Army… WTF!” I think it was my sister who suggested the “WTF” well that’s my family ;-)

Mount Pinatubo

2008-06-01T20:36:00.002+08:00

Now this was a real hike!!! But don’t let me get ahead of myself… this is just one of the many trips us 3 Musketeers (Rachel, Cynthia and me. Niki was our D’Artangion on this trip) have planned but not really had a chance to implement. Even I was skeptical we would follow through. The weather was kinda bad and we didn’t really know exactly how to get to the beginning of the trip.

We rode a bus to somewhere in Tarlac where on accident we met a tour guide who’s group ended up not making it and we got to fill their spots. We proceeded off the beaten track to a Barangay close to some military base where we waited for another 4X4 jeep to take us to the beginning of the hike.

Our start began at 5:30am and our first bus left at 6am. By 9am we were on the jeep making our way to our drop off point. The hike there took about 3 hours and we were hungry and beat by the time we got there. We traipsed through water ways, over dried river beds with ash that turned into sand, up through the jungle over a ridge and ahhh a view of the beautiful lake within Mt. Pinatubo. I can’t even explain the exhilaration I felt when I saw the lake. I was awe struck by the size and the color of the water against the walls of the volcano. The water was not clear and even when we went to put our feet in you could barely see them. You could lose someone if you weren’t careful. The water was green signifying it was more alkaline. If it is blue it is more neutral (or do I have that backwards???)

I was told by a guide the water color was grey sometime ago causing an influx of volcanologists come in and take a look. Mt. Pinatubo is still an active volcano. The last time it erupted was in 1993 causing extreme devastation and death. In my province alone it caused damage up to about 45 min by bus towards my house. You can see an old church that only has the top sticking out because of all the ash and lahar covered the town. Instead of digging the community out, they built right over the preexisting Barangay (Bacalor). Because of the amazing building quality Pampanga has been able to quarry this natural resource left by the eruption. My host dad said the highway used to be much more built up between our house and San Fernando but not everyone has rebuilt. Many people relocated because their community could not be rebuilt. There are no fish in the lake but plenty of algae.

The way down also took us 3 hours. Once we got to the river bed we heard a hug swarm of bees above us but we could not see them. Our guide looked a little concerned which made him walk faster. Niki got stuck in some quick sand half way up her calf and I had to fish her foot and shoe out. Our guide on the way down was not the same and kept a rather fast pace. I’m not exactly sure of the mineral that was seeping out of the rocks but it was a goldish yellow. In one of the pools of water with algae the mineral caused the algae to be this yellow color. It was really interesting.

It was a really fun trip and a perfect time just before I headed to the US.

Holy Week

2008-03-24T20:29:00.001+08:00

I had the opportunity to attend and even participate in Holy Week Celebrations here in the Philippines. Out here the Lenton season is extremely important and the Catholic’s take it very seriously. In Pampanga (my province) we take it to another level, we actually reenact the crucifixion. Not only do we do this but men in our communities will walk with a cross around the Barangay and arrive back at the church and continue to pray. Community members will follow the man showing support. Other men will actually flagellate themselves with a whip and pieces of wood. They have another man with a paddle (with shards of glass sticking out of it) and every so often he will tell the flagellator to stop and he will paddle their backs and they will then carry on. Layers of skin comes off and this is to bring them closer to God and feel Jesus’s sacrifice. There is a quite a bit of blood. This starts on Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday is the reenactment of the crucifixion and the man who has been playing Jesus has been doing it for years. He was actually nailed to the cross. Now this show has become a yearly activity and people from all over come to witness the event. I wished I was local or international press because they got to sit under the large tarp and not get scorched by the sun. I did my penance and got fried and blood splatter that ruined my shorts by the end of the show. It was a really interesting experience and it will happen again next year. There are so many men who flagellate or carry the cross. On the way to San Fernando to watch the crucifixion the bus was so slow because it had to overtake men participating in one of these two rituals and walking on the highway.

It was just incredible the dedication these men have to be closer to god and penance. At the site of the crucifixion a man was selling a paddle and whip and I could not imagine getting hit or hitting myself with either. None of the women participated in the events. I believe they just do some extra praying. During Holy Week there are also processions in the Barangay’s that occur.

Below are some of the pictures of Holy Week.

Sometimes Being Far Away is Not All Its Cracked Up to Be

2008-03-17T20:17:00.000+08:00

I know I have a long title but over the last 2 weeks I have been able to experience what that means in multiple ways.

2 weeks ago (March 3, 2008), I got sick with a stomach bug that kept me from work and not able to really prep for a training I was to do. I couldn’t eat without the feeling of wanting to upchuck what I ate so I was refraining. I had a virus that did things to me I can only discuss with my doctor and another Peace Corps Volunteer. I know this sounds pretty silly but here we talk about everything that happens to us inside and out and sometimes it can become a competition. By Saturday the stomach bug was still causing havoc and a throat infection (tonsillitis) had developed. I was having issues from every area. For the first time in my life drugs were not helping, I was not in my own bed, I was still working and I wasn’t being cared for by my family.

By Tuesday I was much better but participating in a training that had me sitting in a chair for 6 hours but my mind working like a race horse. I cannot express how intense the training was. Saturday my throat problem decided to come back but I finished my prescription on Wednesday. My medical officer said I was going to have to let it run its course. What does she mean??? I am actually going to have to take it like a tough girl??? Well I’m not a tough girl and I want it to go away. Maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment but I’m letting this virus do its thing and hope to god it leaves my system soon cause this really sucks.

In the mean time I was away on the road for 8 days doing and participating in 2 trainings. I left Thursday March 6, 2008 sick and miserable but ready to show my will power, that mind over matter thing and conquer. By the following Wednesday I had received a few nice texts that I was missed from people and I was having withdrawals from seeing the kids at the center. I knew I was a homebody before I left the states but I have become really attached to my home here. I even missed my cat Harold, like no other. I wanted to be at home.

Friday I had the chance to stop in at work when I got home and found out 2 kids were sent to the National Center for Mental Health while I was gone and I was really upset since one of the kids I was really attached to. I think it hit me harder than normal because I was overtired and getting sick again. That night I was with some community members and I was totally culturally inappropriate but now looking back on it I can only think “Oops” and next time I’m in a emotional and physical crisis not to accept any invitations to visit with people, my social skills are terrible and I’m way to sarcastic for anyone to handle.

I felt very alone this weekend with my thoughts. I like to share how I feel because it helps me process but out here I’m not understood like I am back at home and the words are taken differently. My actions here are strange and misunderstood. Last Friday I didn’t want to go home because I wasn’t ready to be around people so I went for a walk down a side street I really like and sat at a gate just to think. It was near a councilor’s farm and he was alerted by some neighbors that there was a “tisay” (fair skinned girl – white girl) sitting by herself which is not normal. People here are rarely alone and if someone is sitting by themselves to think this is a very bad sign. My host dad was even alerted by an extended relative of my actions before I got home and wanted to know why I was there and doing that. Not being able to be honest is hard especially for me who likes to talk about my feelings.

I love it here and I love my job but it is really hard and the emotional rollercoaster is one wild ride. I get to learn right now not by being taught but by experience.

Girls L.E.A.D Camp 2008

2008-02-10T21:56:00.000+08:00

These are the four participants and my really amazing counterpart from my center :-)

I love the saying from the movie Forest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” So many opportunities fall into my lap all the time being here and it is hard to choose, sometimes I will want to participate and commit to it but it is hard to do it all and then I back out. Today has been a tough day; yes I do have these and from what I’m told it is normal (I’m kidding I know they are normal). I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with the amount of projects I have going and will be starting soon. I was telling my sister that one of my biggest challenges in my life is the lack of ability to pace myself which can lead to me becoming paralyzed until a deadline and then it gets done. I probably don’t sound very professional but I guess that’s life and I am human. I’m working on it but I think I’m also just hard on myself because it has been a very busy week and I’m over tired. I’ll get there.

I just helped facilitate a 4 day Girls L.E.A.D camp for 30 girls (4 were from my center) and it was amazing. In a way it was more like a conference because it was session orientated. My counterpart and I facilitated 2 sessions: friendship and understanding cause and effect. Other sessions were: past/present/future, career visualization, agree to disagree, goal planning, and communication. The second half of the camp the girls had to decide on one session, plan and prepare to echo it to some of the residents at their center. I think it went really well and we had 5 pairs of girls planning to replicate one of our sessions. It was really hard work, the first activity was at 6am and lights out was at 10pm with a very tight schedule. The facilitators were constantly on and encouraging the girls so by the end of the 4 days all participants and staff were totally exhausted.

It was nice to work with a group of girls who thought they had limited options, then to see them bloom over the 4 days and see there are options for them. This was the second time the camp had been conducted and not many changes had been made regarding the content and implementation. A few of us hope to do it again next year and make it an annual program. The counterparts that worked on the camp again this year had grown since the last one and their self confidence as facilitators improved. They are really motivated to see this program continue. I look forward to working with them on it next year.

One of my younger girls really came out of her shell and I am so proud of her. She is often the one who follows the stronger girls at our center without much standing up for herself. She is quiet and reserved; she is very polite and sweet. Over the 4 days she would give her opinion when asked, and would try to interact and have fun with the other older girls. I was concerned she and the other younger girl would not be able to replicate a session because of their timid persona but after practicing a few times she improved and interactive. I think her session will go very well.

Hot Air Balloon Festival, Pampanga 2008

2008-02-09T22:53:00.000+08:00

Pics from the Day...

Last Saturday I went to the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at Clark base in my province with Rachel. It is about 2.5 hour trip from my house (using public transportation). Unfortunately we left late so we did not see the hot air balloons fly off into the morning sky but we did get a chance to see some really cool aircraft.

It felt like an activity my dad would find out about when we were kids and then he would pack us all in the car and we would be off for the day to a festival of some kind. Rachel and I took our time perusing the area, stopping at the Green Peace booth, talking with the staff about their promotion of clean vehicles (using bio-degradable waste as fuel) and them trying us to pledge some money. Rachel and I were not interested in giving money but we did try to find out if they had any info we could share and work with our barangay’s on but no luck. These vehicles they are promoting are pretty cool but the guy got kinda technical and I couldn’t keep up with the conversation (I was just too tired). There were booths selling charms, t-shirts and cool mugs (dad I got you a cool magnet) and other various things. The really nice part about the set up was any kind of fast food you could imagine they had there willing to feed the masses.

So back to the cool stuff… there were 21 balloons that participated in the festival this year and two were Filipino operators. They go up in the morning before 7am and then do another show at dusk (yeah we missed it; we can plan better for next year). We got to see some really cool 3, 5, and 19 passenger planes. We also saw a “kit plane” which is a plane that is put together like a model car, plane or any other model toy. 51% of the plane comes in a box and the rest has to be purchased separately (like the engine) and then people who know how assemble it. It is not approved by the FAA but it follows their standards. It is pretty cool looking but unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of it but basically it has 2 seats and looks like a plane but without the walls. Also there were so many air force officers from the Philippine military that were willing to take pictures with you next to their jeeps, guns, tanks and helicopters. We got a chance to see the kind of equipment and even touch it!!! Yeah they would explain the different parts and how they would use them in various situations. There were model planes, and model scenarios built and in cases. Lots of pictures from the previous wars were on display; situations the military aided in and some very gruesome and devastating situations with dead soldiers.

Lots of families were there watching people fly kites, watch the various aerial shows and learn about the military brought for show and tell. It was well put together and something Rachel and I want to see again next year.

Thanks a Bunch

2008-02-01T22:09:00.001+08:00

Isn't my kitty Harrold cute???

Here in the Philippines there is no mailing letters from your mailbox, post box on your street or handing it to your mail carrier (if you can figure out who he might be). You are required to go to the post office in the closest town (which is a 15 min jeep ride or 10.50 peso ride each way) and then you need to make sure you are there before closing time at 4:45pm. The post office opens about 9am but they cannot sell stamps before 9:30 or 9:45am so even if you are there at opening time you best have a stamp already. This is the funny part your mail gets weighed if it is international (which mine are 99.9% of the time) so buying stamps ahead of time are kinda worthless cause my letters seem to be different weights all the time. Although, sending a postcard is a straight 26 pesos. I think I need to send more real mail in order to get this into an exact science.

Now as Ming (the cat who will live with me permanently) sits in my lap and takes a rest while Harrold is standing on my foot chewing at some part of my sock I think about the packages that I have received in the last week. I want to say a big THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for sending all the goodies. I get all sorts of warm fuzzies when I think of them and opening them. Yesterday, I received another package and my host mom asked if the packages I have received were from my boyfriend and I had to remind her again that I’m single (I think my host parents are in denial that I’m 26, single and this is okay at least by my standards) but from my relatives back in the states who love me so much and are willing to pay the outrageous postage to send me cute, fun stuff. Being far away and getting e-messages, e-mails, written letters and packages makes it all okay.

In conclusion thank you for taking the time to have any contact with me at all I really appreciate it. :)

Asking Me Questions

2008-01-28T20:35:00.000+08:00

Hi Guys,

So this is a quick message to all those who send me messages, let me know what they think about my blogs and everyone else. Thank you for being interactive. I love hearing about what you think and answering your questions. My only comment is that if you have questions and you post it on my blogs please leave your e-mail address or a way to give you a response. If you need it here is my e-mail addy: katiepentz@hotmail.com if you are concerned about someone getting your e-mail addy. Ingat (take care) and I will blog again soon :-)

This a picture of a portion of a hotel that shoots a very popular t.v show called Mari Mar. It is an amazing hotel that has 2 status next to each other that just don't fit... the grotto with the virgin Mary and a dinosaur. Only in the Philippines!!!

Starry Night Surprise or Holiday Surprise

2008-01-09T21:18:00.000+08:00

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Me and my Host Mom - Inang God the night sky was beautiful tonight. I think there are more stars in this sky than there are in Havasu if that is even possible. Not really but it seems so. Really there are minimal lights in the streets and even at points there should be there are none. Walking between the Somascan property and Mary’s place is a death trap. Pot holes are everywhere and you cannot even walk in a thin straight line. I wanted to stop in the middle of the road and just look up for a while but I was late coming home and needed to catch a bus if there was even one. Well I don’t want to get into how I got home because I’m home safe and writing this. I have experienced my first Christmas and New Years away from home and I survived. They were both great cultural opportunities and I’m so glad I got to participate in them; next year I hope to get new opportunity. My host family does not celebrate Christmas because of their faith - Iglesia Ni Christo so I was on my own to find my activity. A fellow PCV and I were spending Christmas together and we were invited to spend it with another PCV at her work site. Christmas here actually starts on Christmas Eve between 10pm and Midnight and it is called "Noche Buena." Families will get together the night before and welcome the birth of Christ. Food will be made and shared and spaghetti is definitely included in the menu. This is the start of gift giving, all could be given or some could be opened the next morning. On Christmas day neighbors will come to each others homes looking for a Christmas gift which would be a monetary gift. A coworker indicated that 20 pesos for children and 100 pesos for an adult was the standard. The family gets together which includes extended family and food is prepared and consumed. Food as you may have caught on is a huge part of the culture and any holiday, event or visitor will call for special dishes and consuming something. New Years eve was similar in preparation actually the day was restful and around 6pm the family began again preparing this time for the midnight feast welcoming in the New Year. My host cousin’s family prepared beef and broccoli, carbonara pasta, chicken wings, deep fried pork, sweet spaghetti (the classic), and a variety of deserts. Ate Nitz prepared kebabs, hotdogs on a stick, squid, chicken adobo, and deserts. By 10:30pm I was so tired and took a quick 1 hour nap. Just before midnight I was told to turn on all the lights in my house and to open my door even though I was not in my house (this is the first time I was allowed and advised to) this shows God the way to my house so he will bless it for the New Year. The family says a prayer for the New Year and by this time the whole neighborhood is alight with fireworks. Everyone has them and lights them in the yard or along the highway. Some fly into the botanical nursery across the highway and I’m concerned they will set the whole place on fire but it is not to be thank God. We then start at Inang’s house with the feast. Of course I’m told I have not eaten enough (especially since I refused rice) but I needed to save room for the other homes. We visited 3 other family members before heading home and by the time I climbed into bed it was 4am. Crazy!!! New Years day was a blur, I felt hung over but I didn’t even have a sip of any alcohol!!! I have come to the realization that if I lay my head down after 2:30am (with or without alcohol) I will be utterly useless the next day. I was discussing with a counterpart her Christmas and New Years and it was also very family orientated. I’m much more used to spending Christmas with my family but also visiting friends and New Years celebrating it with family and friends.

The Questions!!!!

2008-01-07T17:58:00.000+08:00

Me and my Host Cousin - Diane at New Years

“Kate, is this your first Christmas (or New Years) without your family? Is it difficult for your family not to have you at home? Don’t you miss them?” These are the questions I have been repeatedly asked this holiday season. It is only because the person asking really cares but at the same time it can be difficult. When it is asked as often as I have received the questions it make me second guess why I would leave such a comfortable situation back home and come to a place so different from home.

Of course spending a major holiday like Christmas or New Years is tough but if I dwell on it I would be on a plane back home and would not be looking back. This is exactly what I want to reply with but it is too callous and would not be good. To leave your home and your family other than for monetary gain is unheard of and crazy. Why would I do such a thing??? I don’t know maybe for the adventure or knowing I could be making a small difference in the world around me. I guess the reason these 3 questions are more difficult for me is that they realize how special and wonderful my family back home is and I must be totally out of my mind to have left. I am a person who has to focus on the positive or I would fall off the wagon. The Christmas season is difficult enough with multiple people leaving this earth around this time, it is my favorite season (and I put up no decorations this year – big mistake) and my compound does not celebrate Christmas. Now that Christmas and New Years is over I figure that by the end of January any residual versions of these 3 questions will cease and I’ve just got to hold out till then. I’m tough, I can do it and still remain perky :-)

Some of the other constant and crazy questions with my responses:

How old are you? 26 and I’m still marriage material.

Are you married? Why not? No, cause I have not found my husband yet.

Would you marry a Filippino? Sure, I would marry any nationality.

Don’t you want to get married? Yes, when I find the right guy (as they chuckle).

Do you know…(a random Filippino) he lives in Arizona (or any other state) let me show you his picture? Hum, I don’t think so.

Where are you going (as you pass someone in the street)? Over there.

Will you help us build our church (the squatters asked)? I have a meeting right now but when I pass by later you can ask me again.

How much rent do you pay? Secreto!!! (Always a good response when it is nobody’s business).

Do you like it here in the Philippines? Yes, I love it!!!

Are you a missionary (the look is quizzical)? Oh no, I’m with the Peace Corps and we have no religious affiliation.

What religion are you? I was “raised” catholic but right now I’m taking a break from religion.

A Christmas Message

2007-12-21T07:03:00.000+08:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while I have no excuse other than I've been busy working. Oh well, hopefully these two posts and lots of pics will make up for it.

So when I think about people writing the annual “Christmas letter” I think of people with families: 2.1 kids, minivan/suburban, parents with good careers plodding along, the kids doing well at school and looking forward to getting their report cards. On the other hand I also think of my wonderful grandparents; updating everyone on the progress the highlights of their retirement and making a point of any other important accomplishments from the children or grandchildren. Now me in my mid twenties I have begun my own and weather this is a good thing or not time will tell.

Let me think about this past year well at the beginning I was fretting about weather Peace Corps (PC) was going to take me or not and then where I was going to go. I was also planning my escape of Havasu if I didn’t get the greenlight and offering myself to grassroots development. Where was I planning to escape to??? Well Connecticut, New Mexico and Colorado were looking very promising because of the grad schools. All I can say is I’m glad I’m not in grad school cause seriously I’m still not ready to go back. After getting my acceptance to PC and then getting assigned to Philippines I was planning my departure from the first “real” job I ever had.

My dad got remarried and this was the second marriage in my family within 6 months (Tucker and Vix in October ’06). It was beautiful and of course dad had to be goofy writing us kids a note, sticking it to his butt and flashing us during his vows. Beck’s was sooo cool about allowing me to pick out my dress; my first little black cocktail dress (that probably won’t fit anymore L). I can’t remember the cake being cut but I’m sure it was beautiful, actually I cant remember Tucker cutting his cake either; I must have had a really great time at both weddings!!! I’m a sucker for a good time.

Leaving CPS was bitter sweet. It was a really tough job but so rewarding. I still wonder a few times a week where my kids are now. One of my favorite parts about my office was I could walk into my boss’s office and express my frustrations and what seemed catastrophic issues about my clients and he would listen patiently, take his time and process with me. No issue was too big or without a solution and he always had time to chat. I also got plenty of direction from my coworkers when I needed it.

Then I had to go and say “goodbye” to America; at least that is what my dad said. Between March and May I think I was home for a total of a quarter of the time off and on. I had a great chance to visit Lake George when the lake was still frozen and the town was still in hibernation. I ran my first ½ marathon – 13 miles (26 km) and I can still feel the inability to walk for 3 days after. I attended my best friends wedding in the Dominican Republic with my sister’s future mother in-law who is totally fun. I got to taste what the weather would be like in the Philippines yet I was too dumb to realize it at the time. I drank fabulous cosmopolitans at 10am brunch with Aunt Peg, my beautiful sister Courtney and wonderful friend Tawnya in a little bistro in New York.

Actually leaving in May was surreal and having Dad and Beck’s drop me off in L.A was really comforting. Pre Service Training (PST) was really tough and a totally loaded schedule. This was the most intense emotional rollercoaster ride with my 3 site mates and trainers; all I can say is looking back it really sucked!!! Being in it you wondered every night if you could do another day and every morning you willed your body out of bed and to work another day. Picture this: you cannot catch up on sleep, you start language at 8am till noon and start tech at 1:30 till whenever it gets done but lets not forget our infusion of culture sessions. Then you are supposed to study or work on tech projects. By 7pm you are so physically and emotionally exhausted there is no way! Every language lesson was valuable and most technical sessions were too but still it was crazy. I think no matter where you are or what PST you are in you feel totally overwhelmed and that is “normal” if that is even possible.

On August 3rd we swore in at the U.S Embassy in a beautiful ceremony. From there all 60 of us dispersed to our sites and we were officially split up. My new family was broken apart and I was an official Peace Corps with a button ;-). I started work at my site that Monday with Flag Ceremony at the regional office bright and early at 8am. Since arriving at site I have instigated day camps, helped educate high school students on HIV/AIDS, tried in vain to teach English and so much other cool stuff. I have had the opportunity to see some of the jewels of the Philippines including Bagio, Segada and Boracay. Philippines has so much to offer in the area of natural beauty it would be a mistake to not visit (this is my only advert to visit :-).

This year has also had some tragedy that has affected my life and those in my family. I lost 3 of my family to cancer. Uncle Martin left us last December, my beautiful cousin Casey took his place amongst the angels this past August and my always inspiring, fun-loving aunt Peg went to visit and take her place beside my mom in late November. Being far away makes me treasure the family and close friends I have back home and how important it is to make everyday count. I treasure all the letters I received from Peg since I have arrived especially since she was supportive of me being here.

Well everyone, I love you, I miss you and I hope you are enjoying the amusement park we call life. Thank you for being my rock while I’m far away.

More Fun in the Sun in Boracay

2007-12-21T07:00:00.001+08:00

Just a few more pics of our adventures and the natural beauty of Boracay.

Fun in the Sun - Boracay

2007-12-21T00:40:00.000+08:00

A group of us went to Boracay Island after a project and enjoyed a wonderful visit. Lots of great food, dancing and fun in the sun!!! :-)

Island Adventure

2007-12-21T00:35:00.000+08:00

I got a great opportunity to help with World Aids Day down in Kalibo on Panay Island earlier this month. We were there to educate high school students on what HIV/AIDS is, how it is contracted and how to prevent it. Roger and I were teammates and descended on a group of 65 in a really far away and beautiful school. We tag teamed the presentation and delivered our vital information. It was interesting because one of the most difficult facts the students had to grasp was that it takes only one time during sexual contact to contract the virus. They just couldn’t or wouldn’t believe this fact. Rather interesting; a little food for thought. It was rather easy to deliver the information because the students really paid attention from the beginning also we played a lot of games and used ice-breakers so it wasn’t boring. We also participated in a march with school bands, students and civic organizations and marched around town. It was great!!!

The next day 10 of us PCV’s headed over to Boracay for a little R&R on a banca boat (a 10 min ride from Panay to Boracay). Now the only reason I even heard about this magical island was because many PCV’s mentioned it but more so in one of the many airports I have strolled through I saw an exquisite picture of a beach with a palm tree and aquamarine water and the name “Boracay” scrolled across it. I figured if the airport is trying to sell me on visiting this place I have to go if my opportunity comes up. It didn’t take long hu? Well what the picture was selling the island produced.

Stephanie and I with a few others were at the beach admiring what luck we had to be there when she expressed her utmost desire to jump in the water fully clothed. Nobody wanted to go in yet as we were famished and heard there was a yummy Mexican restaurant just down the beach when she pulled me in. Thank god the pants and shirt I was wearing did not have pockets or my cell phone might have ended up swimming too. The water was amazing and when my sunglasses fell off my head they were not too difficult to find because the water was so clear. Everyone had a pretty good laugh at us.

Our Mexican lunch was huge! Each meal could have been shared, yes they were American sizes and oh so good also like American Mexican food if that is not an oxymoron for you. I got a combination beef and chicken burrito with refried beans and creamed corn. What was also so nice about where we were there was so many different types of cuisine and by the end of our 2 nights, 3 days I had Indian, Thai, Filippino and of course Mexican. I think Indian is my new favorite because of all the flavors my taste buds experienced and each bite I got to notice some slightly different flavor.

The first night we went dancing at a local club and I think we were all out there dancing our little hearts out. I don’t know if it was because we were just able to let loose or the absorbent amount of alcohol we were consuming but it was probably a combination. I think of the things I really miss from home going dancing is at the top of the list. We rocked out till 3:30am before catching a ride home from the resort service vehicle. The next night was much more relaxed and we got to sample a variety of bars. At the Hobbit House we got a chance to listen to smooth sounds from a woman and her guitar playing cover songs while drinking an imported beer (they had Castle Lager on the menu but were out; I had to settle for a Boddingtons – that was one for my English peeps). We moved onto another easy going outdoor bar while listening to some great Reggae music. For all my fab friends who will visit me do NOT get anything with Red Bull it is not the same at home and I learned the hard way! Next door was a techno beach bar that had the best Mojito’s. I know this is no surprise to you as the reader to know my ability to sniff out a place with good music and tasty drinks.

When I got down really close and actually looked at the sand I was able to understand why the sand has an orange hue to it… there are small specks of red sand mixed in with the yellow and light brown. It was also beautiful to see the green sands speckled giving it further variety. Enjoying the sunsets, hearing the wave’s crash upon the rocks and the natural beauty enveloping me made me feel truly close to the God force and Mom. Getting such a high makes me wonder how truly astounding this island must have been before developers put up resorts and commercialized it. Unfortunately the reef just off the main beach is almost dead but it does still have a few truly beautiful fish swimming in its midst. I got to see a medium sized aquamarine fish with a bright magenta strip lining the top of its back and other colors including deep green, yellow with pink lips. There was another black fish with violet plums hanging around this one corral which held my attention for a good long while. When I was heading back to the boat I noticed a brown and grey eel; I really don’t like them. They remind me too much of Flotsam and Jetsom from the “Little Mermaid” nasty critters. My paradise definitely includes a beach or at least being able to hear the waves and within walking distance from my place.

Seeing the Philippines

2007-10-23T11:45:00.001+08:00

In the Philippines we take what we can get and use it. During the time I saw this kid round the corner and ride towards me he had to put his bike chain back on twice. I just loved the bike because even with two different tires it works like a charm. I don't think I would ever see this kind of ingenuity in the U.S.

Here is a piece of land between that I walk by on my way to work along our national highway. It is an informal settlement which people are squatting on. What is interesting about this land is how badly it floods. This woman is wading through the "road" to get to her home from the highway. I told you the flooding here is crazy!
Okay so I was in Manila with some coworkers picking up a kid. Also on the road was this truck and the men riding in the truck were sleeping in hammocks. What a way to travel!!!!

Beauty is Only Culture Deep

2007-10-23T11:43:00.000+08:00

So being away from home makes you realize how different people really are yet we really occupy a similar shell. Our body or shell is the subject of so many different opinions and being in one place can have totally different views. I have heard that beauty is only skin deep but really it is only culture deep.

In China back before it was outlawed small feet were deemed very beautiful and could raise your social standing. Women would have their feet bound and broken and risked being crippled or death by doing this. Yet culture deemed it beautiful and so it was done. In America thin is beautiful and fitting into a certain proportion. You can’t be too hairy if you are a man and so many want to look like a celebrity.

Out here I have received more compliments on my nose than I ever thought possible. Those giving the compliment love how it is pointy and small. In general noses here are wide and flat. My host aunt said if she were to have another child she would home the child has a nose like mine. I’m not the only PCV getting this compliment but many of us have had this opportunity.

People here also use skin whiteners. It is in soaps, lotions, make-up and so many other topical products and they even have pills. It is hard to find soap without a whitener in it. Here to have a light skin is more valuable and I have been told it can even help you secure employment by my host family. It is interesting in the U.S we are trying to be tan by using creams, tanning salons and baking in the sun and here nobody can understand why I would want to get a tan and get darker. A nickname for a light skinned Filippino is Tisoy (boy) and Tisay (girl). My host family informed me that it is one of my nicknames in the community yet nobody has said it to me directly. We have a set of twins (girl and boy) in the nursery that I’ve just fallen in love with and they are both very light skinned (but that is not what drew me to them) and this is also their nicknames.

As a westerner being called “fat” by another person is a horrible and distasteful comment or judgment. Here it is used often and people just use it to describe someone else and have no problem saying right to the person. To them we are big just because of our height, bone structure, we are just bigger and often cause they don’t know how else to describe us. In my last host family one of the little host cousins I had was a little chubby. The way I was introduced to him by my host brothers was: This is … and he is chubby (with little chuckles and laughing). It was as if I could not see this child had a few extra pounds. By the way the kid was obese but looked like he was about to grow and kids do hold on and retain a few extra pounds before growing.

I do find people here to be very focused on the “shell” of themselves and each other. On many of the t.v shows they have dancing girls in the background in scantily clad outfits that could be mistaken for a 2 piece bathing suite yet going to the beach girls will wear shorts and a t-shirt. I have to be honest this t-shirt and shorts thing is for 2 reasons: 1. to be modest and 2. because light skin is beautiful and the more you are covered the less direct rays settle on you making you tan. What a concept “beauty” is.

Earthquake and other “Drills”

2007-10-23T11:37:00.000+08:00

Last Thursday a group of us PCV’s and counterparts had a meeting at the Regional office. Just as we were to leave to attend the meeting we were told it was going to start late but had no idea why. Upon our arrival we were informed that there was to be an earthquake drill at the top of the hour (9am). Just after 9am we were told to head outside because the alarm had been sounded and we needed to evacuate (no alarm was heard by any of us). Anyway we headed outside and everyone had their hands resting on their head, I guess to protect it but not sure. There were no instructions about a proper exit strategy.

We walked down the street a bit towards a large open area. All the Region 3 offices in the area were participating in the drill. When we arrived at the main open area we could hear the Mission Impossible music theme playing in the area and there were two to three large covered areas erected next to each other in the open area. There were stretchers laid out and tons of plastic chairs set there with a large group of people under the tents. These people included Region 3 directors, police and emergency coordinators and who knows who else. On either side of the large open space are two buildings with smoke billowing from them (not real smoke but probably a canister).

The rescue teams were sent in to “rescue” victims. Victims were able to sign up to participate for the role during this drill. It was rather organized; ambulances were pleasantly coming round the corner with victims to drop off at the tent or pick up others to take to the hospital. Eight rescuers calmly carried down a victim on a stretcher board to the tent. It was the most amazing thing to see. Another rescuer was scaling down the side of a building with a “victim” who was on the top floor of the burning building.

It was rather comical and rather amusing drill but totally unrealistic. If there was an earthquake the tents would not be prepared ahead of time and just waiting for the injured. As in an event of a real emergency we would unfortunately not have the pleasure of the Mission Impossible theme song to keep our spirits up.

I will post pics next time I'm at the computer shop.

Eating in the Philippines

2007-09-21T10:46:00.000+08:00

So I was talking to my crazy sister the other day and was discussing my dietary preferences and eating utensils. Found what I had to say rather interesting and said I should write about it in my blog so here goes nothing….

Lets start with meals. The main staple here is plain white rice; they eat it at breakfast lunch and dinner. A meal without rice is not a meal at all and just a snack or what we call here: merienda. There are three meals a day and at least 2 merienda’s (morning and afternoon) with a possible third between dinner and bed. That is right out here we eat 6 times a day and I am quite okay with that. Now rice is our main carbohydrate and out in the good old U.S we thrive on spuds or bread so I’m really not all that surprised the only major difference is we change up the carb and here it is always just white rice. Okay back to the meals part… since we are eating so often and it is so hot I’m honestly full most of the time. I can’t believe how my portion size has reduced and actually it bothers whoever I eat with cause I’m never eating enough rice. I just remind my wonderful friends and family that I’m sticking to the three spoons of rice rule I have given myself cause I’m really not a big rice eater; I’m more of a potatoes girl.

Utensils: here the use of a knife is almost unheard of. I’m sure they are used more in the cities and various people but in my community we do just fine with a regular spoon and fork. I have become quite an expert at cutting anything I need to with my spoon and tearing food with my fork. Actually in my community it is also just fine to eat with your hands but something I’m not quite used to. It is a rather liberating action because in American culture the only time you eat with your hands is to handle a burger and fries. I occasionally participate in but for some reason I hate my fingers and hands being sticky. I’m warming up to it. I don’t really know why knives are not used but a spoon and fork are fine enough. So when using your spoon and fork you hold the spoon with your dominant hand and then push the food onto your spoon with your fork so in essence the fork has replaced the knife. I like the spoon taking the place of the fork cause you can fit more on it.

Food is really good here and they do have some exotic foods that I’m too much of a baby to eat. For example: balot is a chicken egg with embryo and can be at different developmental stages. One of my host cousins likes ballot when it is still not quite formed. The other doesn’t mind if it may have a beak or a feather or two developing. I am too much of a baby to try but I enjoy watching others eat it. Then there is bull frog. I haven’t tried it yet but I hear it tastes just like chicken. I said that if they took out the meat and then cooked it I would eat it then. Some of my fellow volunteers eat the intestines of chickens and I guess the chicken head and feet are a delicacy. I’m very boring and won’t do any kind of internal organ.

Main dishes usually have chicken, pork, beef, fish or seafoods as basic ingredients. They come boiled, broiled, fried, or sautéed, usually prepared in concoctions and mixtures rather than as basic one -element fares (as in steak). The combinations are varied and while a total taste and effect is sought, each particular ingredient is also supposed to be distinct. My favorite is Adobo Sitaw or sautéed string beans in toyo (soy sauce). Masarap (Yummy)!!!! The sauces are not thick here as they are in the U.S but are more of a broth consistency. I’m really enjoying it. Salads here are very different. We enjoy lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, peppers and cucumbers as the stable of our salads with maybe a few extras like avocado or feta cheese. Anyway, that is not the case here. My friend ordered a salad at a restaurant and what came out was 1/3 of the plate chopped purple onions, 1/3 of the plate chopped mango and a 1/3 plate tomatoes with a side of shrimp paste. That was one of the biggest learning experiences and has not been forgotten. At that point we realized not to assume anything and that what we order may not be what we get and needed to clarify. Those who ordered the salad were happy with it but noted it was very different to what they are used to.

Bananas are readily available here so there are so many ways to make them: fried, sauted, in the main dinner meal (always interesting to have a slight sweet banana flavor while you munch on that piece of pork), in a creamy coconut sauce, or they dip them in this syrupy sugar and makes it crispy and soooo good. Anyway the Filipino’s love deserts and my sweet tooth loves it even more.

Back to rice… when a child takes rice they take almost a heaping plateful. Me on my three spoons looks pretty measly. I just don’t understand where they put it all. If I ate that much rice I would blow up bigger than a balloon!!! I just keep reminding myself that different cultures have different body types. However I’m still shocked occasionally at dinner with my host family and my host cousin who is as thin as a rail can pack in a plate full of rice, meat with veggies and still have room for merienda in less than 2 hours. For some reason since I’ve arrived I’ve established some self control and do not eat through all the good things they offer.
Later I will discuss more on the variety of my favorite meals.

Singing My Little Heart Out

2007-09-14T17:39:00.000+08:00

Okay so I was talking to my dad about how much the Filippino's love to sing and that kareoke or as it is called here "videoke" seems to be a national past time. I LOVE VIDEOKE!!!! I think the best part is that you don't have to be good or bad but just want to do it. My first encounter was during our inital arrival orientation in Manila because the resort or the Peace Corps office brought a videoke machine and we got to sing our little hearts out in the lobby. During this training I was a little shy but during our actual 3 month training I got to videoke at a friends house and boy I did not hold back. They had the machine for a couple days so our compound was hoppin for a while.

Since those two monumental opportunities I have not quite had the pleasure to participate in one of my new favorite past times however I'm told that my current host family has a big family reunion coming up and they will have a videoke machine willing to play all night!!! Watch out neighbors it could get crazy. Anyway there really isn't much difference between the kareoke and videoke except in videoke they have pictures of landscapes in the background so you get to see pretty stuff too. Ian I know you love kareoke and seriously you would love it out here.

Videoke bars are all over the Philippines that are specifically for this purpose. There is videoke just a level above the internet cafe's in my town but it is not the same if you are not doing it with other people. I guess it is the vibe and honestly I'm becoming someone who likes to participate in activities with people more and more. For all my friends at home you know what I'm talking about and that I was just as happy hanging out exploring by myself but this fact has changed. Also some activities you just can't do by yourself for the same effect.

So if anyone comes out to visit be prepared to videoke and you may want to practice a little before you come so any nervous gitters you may have are out of your system.

Thank god my head is attached to my body ;-)

2007-09-08T09:20:00.001+08:00

Just to preface I wrote this on Sep 6th….

Some people are born intellectually and fantastically smart, some wise with words and ever so funny and then there are those of use that the clumsy things happen to and I happen to fall in the latter category.

So just a few weeks ago I had an accident on my bike. I was riding down the street, stopped to talk to a few friends and started back on my way but I didn’t go far. My bike chain broke, my handle bars went sideways and I fell backwards. Thank god for my helmet otherwise I would have had a nasty bump on the back of it. I did suffer a few scrapes, cuts and bruises but I managed to walk home after.

This week I was playing with a few of the toddlers in the nursery who need as much attention as they can get. I was playing with the little guy that I was specifically assigned to who is so sweet and has the cutest smile. Then as I was rolling him backwards in my lap I felt something warm and wet beneath him. Yes, he peed on me. Gosh, why did this have to happen to me??? I didn’t realize he didn’t have a diaper on under his cloth bottoms. Just another “Kate” situation.

On Tuesday I miss stepped going down 4 stairs from my room to the living room and slid down them which really hurt the bottom of my feet. Then yesterday as I was walking to the family bakery for dinner I saw a neighbor at her house and was curious about her dinner and was talking to her as I was nearing her. As I went to step down off a ledge a little bigger than a usual step I totally miss stepped and rolled my ankle and landed on my rear, ouch!!! What really sucked was not being able to walk to work today, it’s my exercise.

Now if my mom was still around and heard about the recent incidents of falling and miss stepping she would say my energy field is low and I needed to recharge. Good point, well I plan to go to the beach on Sunday for some extra vitamin D, recharging my batteries and hanging out with my Peace Corps friends.

I usually don’t have these many incidences of stuff happening to me thank god. They are usually much smaller issues like missing the bus stop causing me to get rather disorientated for a while or not realizing I actually didn’t have enough milk for the amount of cereal I poured causing breakfast to be really dry (bran flakes without the right amount of milk is yucky!!) Maybe I just need to pay more attention instead of being so aloof but then I would not be me.

Wish List

2007-08-23T16:03:00.000+08:00

Hello Friends, Family, people just looking around,

So I have been asked to put up a Wish List of sorts, different things I may want but I do NOT need any of this stuff. I can live without it. I am going to put up a variety of stuff so don't be freaked out. But seriously it is not necessary. It will be updated, here there and everywhere.

cards, letters, notes
ear buds
markers/ colored pens
fructice surfer hair paste (it is in a tub)
movies (dvd's only - no vhs player)
books/magazines - even if they are old, stuff you have read just sitting on your shelf that you don't want
peanut m&m's
planner/fun calendar
nalgene bottle
art therapy source book by bernie siegle

I WANT TO SEND A BIG SHOUT OUT TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SENT ME E-MAILS, CARDS AND PACKAGES I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!! IT IS WONDERFUL KNOWING HOW YOU ARE DOING WHILE CHOMPING ON A RICE CRISPY TREAT :-)

Some of what I've seen in the Philippines

2007-08-14T09:25:00.000+08:00

These are some photo's from my first host community Saguing, Bataan. I really loved it here and learned soooo much :-)

Well the Philippines is so diverse and this is a big part of what makes it special. People here are always smiling and love to dance, sing and eat. I am afraid of gaining any more weight but my host mom thinks I am "reducing" which is making her nervous.

Manila August 2007

2007-08-14T08:59:00.000+08:00

More photo's from our last stint in Manila.

Manila Swear In and Training

2007-08-14T08:54:00.000+08:00

So these are some of the wonderful people I have been working with and currently work with. Swear In was amazing it was beautiful, grand and really fancy. It was held at the U.S Embasy in Manila and our host families, advisors/teachers and coworkers were invited. It was the nicest event I have ever been to. I am so lucky to be here!!!

Floodings/typhoons

2007-08-13T13:34:00.000+08:00

So when I think about flooding I think of some excess water in the yard or wash that is gushing with water after a monsoon rain during the last hour. Water that will recede within just a short time and the only remnants of gravel and dirt in the street would remain indicating there was ever water rushing down the road.

Here in the Philippines the floods are a little more extreme, well "a little more" may be an understatement but in my community it is a fact of life. A flood something that will happen whether you prepare for it or not (like last week). It rained for 72 hours straight from a mild drizzle to an out right torrential down pour. Lightning crashed and the wind ripped leaves and branches from trees. I was either at work, at the bakery (watching the weather with amazement) or in my bedroom wondering if I will be able to get to sleep with the noise during this time. I am lucky that I have roof insulation because the roves here are made from tin and are really noisy. The other morning I was on the phone with my dad and the rain (ulan in tagalong) really started coming down; I could barely hear him and moved to different parts of the house to continue the conversation. In the end I lost cell phone signal and realized it was the beginning of the harshest part of our 72 hours. Why did we have such crazy weather, well it is easy… we get these crazy down pours when a bagio (typhoon) hits relatively close. In this case the bagio hit the side of Luzon (I live on the main island Luzon) and we get the left overs. Lets face it the Philippines is also known for their crazy weather. We have just been in a drought (so much so that we have had brown outs because there is not enough water in the dams for hydro electricity) so it is really good we got some rain.

Last year a bagio actually hit my previous barangay and it even took out a side of someone's house. Concrete block houses are built at least 2 cinderblocks off the ground. Most are about 4 blocks high and then the living room and bedrooms will be a cinderblock higher. My current house is like this: I step up one cinderblock onto the patio. I step up another cinderblock into the house and go up 4 steps to my room. If we have a flood I am totally safe. In my last house you would walk up 3 cinderblocks into the outdoor kitchen, then another step into the dinning room and living room and finally one more step into my bedroom.

When I left to go home from work on Wednesday I had to step in ankle deep water to get to the vehicle just to take me to the main road. My compound is on a slight slope so the water does not remain in the courtyard but just flows towards the back of the compound and goes somewhere else.

I went to Olongapo last Wednesday to buy a bike because having to ride in this weather gets me home faster than walking in it and I am not in a city where public transportation is readily available once you walk out to the street. I also need the exercise. The only vehicles that were making it were the big public busses (like a Greyhound). My counterpart said that Olongapo would be a little flooded but not where I was going. Since I was on a mission no amount of bad weather was going to stand in my way, after all I was already walking home in it. Okay the havoc the rain had caused was immense. People's homes were flooded by the feet. The roads were knee deep in water and people were wading through it. A great big machine was reaching over the bridge grapping debris caught at the bridge because water was pouring over the bridge. In some places the water was as high as the top of the bus wheel. Every field and open area was flooded and could not determine how deep it was specifically but it was at least 2-5 feet deep.

In Olongapo the wind was out of control and you couldn't even use your umbrella for fear of it breaking (hello incoming Mary Poppins). Lisa met me here with her host mom even though she wanted to curl up and read her book today. We both got a rain suit and boots so we are more prepared. I also got a bigger umbrella one that could cover a small family because I really didn't feel well covered in mine and I happen to be bigger than the average Filippino but now I will be totally fine.

Please understand that I am in no serious danger and don't be concerned about my safety regarding where I live, work or even the weather it's just that I totally underestimated the power of the weather and what people have to live through. I am getting such an education here and I love it :-)

Sorry no photo's

1st Day at Site

2007-08-08T10:58:00.000+08:00

Gosh today was a great day and it was the first official working day of my two year Peace

Corps service. My counterpart was out sick today but that was okay I was able to observe and talk with many other people at the center. I chose a rather busy first day actually.

Upon my arrival I got to meet about 4 people from the regional office at the center to do inventory of all the government items and label every chair and stapler that belongs to the government. It was really interesting. I actually had the chance to meet many of them yesterday at the Flag Ceremony at the Region 3 head office in San Fernando, Pampanga. Okay so a Flag Ceremony happens every Monday morning about 8:30am. At this time everyone at the office meets out in front of the flag, the national anthem is sung and the flag is raised for the week. After a prayer is said for the health of the agency, workers and various other things (it was in Tagalog and I only caught some highlights). The regional director introduced me to the staff and welcomed me into the Region 3 community. I waved and nodded. Our Region 3 director is new and from Mindino. She arrived last Wednesday or Thursday. She talked about ethics and professionalism and focused on the dress code and arriving on time especially since everyone working in the regional office should be an example to every other DSWD worker and the community. She was very poetic. We (well they) sang a song which was upbeat and I think about something positive regarding work. Birthdays were read out and the birthday song sung. Another prayer was said for those with birthdays. The rest of the staff raised their left hand towards the sky while bowing our heads blessing those whose birthday was this month. There was only one small problem… it was so hot during the ceremony and being outside without a handkerchief or towel was difficult. From what I understand all government agencies have a Flag Ceremony on Monday mornings including my center and the schools.

It is interesting that in this society there is absolutely no separation of church and state. For example: trainings are never held without saying the national anthem and a blessing (prayer) from one participant at the beginning and usually at the end too. I am so used to a culture (American) that scoffs at religion and downplays its importance and will cause an almost national incident for any use of religious connotations in any government proceedings.

Okay back to my day… I observed a house parent and caregiver in the toddler cottage. These workers have their hands full with the boys and their needs. Later I followed the head social worker in to the cottage for the older boys until the volunteers from a private high school arrived and did some homework with the children and threw the kids at the center a party. It was really nice and the kids liked it.

Also a family from the USA arrived today to pick up a little 7 year old boy they adopted. It was really cool and the entire staff was really happy for him. I did meet the adoptive family briefly and they were pleasantly surprised to see a Peace Corps volunteer.

I had a chance to talk with the social workers about their needs. One just arrived back from the USA after escorting prospective children on an overseas visit with a possible adoptive placement. She said that children from the center go every year in various programs to English speaking countries for prospective adoptive placements and need more English skills. She wanted to set up a class for these specific kids so they are better prepared. Another asked me to help with her training for foster parents which was really nice. I will be co-facilitating 2 half day trainings for 2 different sets of foster families. This is the second 2 half day trainings I was asked to participate in. I have only been there one day and already get to be utilized. I am really excited about this center and really tried to stay out of the way today and practiced my tagalog as best I could.

Being here and starting again (this time at the center) is a little surreal. I guess since training is really over and my knowledge and skills are being put to the test I will see how I can perform. Already I feel I am up to the task but you never really know until you are in the situation. I can say identified some areas I could help with however I am at the center at their request and I want my projects to be sustainable so I plan to really work with the needs they identify and in time suggest other areas of interest.

Just a Quick Message

2007-06-30T10:29:00.000+08:00

I am on a big writing letters kick so if you would like a personal letter send me your address.

I want to thank everyone for my cards, e-mails and gifts for my birthday. Some I have recieved, some I haven't. It was a great birthday even if I was not at home. We had mid-training meet up with all the education and social work volunteers and my birthday happened to land during the training. After dinner we played cards and drank beer. It was chilled, relaxed and great!!! My host mom also had a dinner for me before I left for training. I feel so loved by you all from home and from my friends here.

The RSCC

2007-06-30T10:03:00.000+08:00

My site is the RSCC is about 30 minutes walk or a 7 min trike ride from my new host family. It is also about a 25 min trike ride from my training site. It was started 30 years ago to help abandoned children from the ages of 0-6 years old. However children who are abused, neglected, and street children are also among the residence. They still try to support the 0-6 ages however it is a governmental organization and so they have some kids as old as 20. They also care for “special” children, those with physical or mental disabilities. Right now they have 4 children with cerabalpalsy and 2 of them are under 2 years old. Most of the children in this facility are boys (80%) and this seems to be the trend throughout the centers in the country.

The facility itself is beautiful and well cared for. It would put some of our group homes to shame. It also gets financial support though an organization in the Netherlands. They have build additions to the facility and even put in a pool for the “special” children. Right now they are funding a physical therapy building for these children. The agency has a capacity for 80 children however they are housing over 100.

There are about 50 staff members in total which is a heavy burden. The house parents work a 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week and handle between 8 and 14 kids. In one of the cottages they have 3 staff members because of the needs of the boys. Most of the children have behavior problems, which is expected and it does make it difficult. One of the house mothers said that her first few months were extremely difficult because she did not know how to care for these children however she is comfortable with her position. In her cottage there were girls from 6-14 years old.

The nurse I spoke with was there for 20 years and is not the oldest staff member which was incredible to hear. She has worked in most of the direct care positions except as the social worker throughout her career.

I played with the infants in the nursery yesterday and in this room they had all the 0-2 children which made up about 25 children and the other wing had the 2+ and numbered around 15. They also keep all the “special” children in this wing until they are 7 years old. I played with these boys (all of these children are boys) for about 2 hours and had them crawl all over and want to be cuddled at all times. They would even push each other out of the way to get cuddles.

In the culture a way to show respect is to take your hand and put it up to their forehead because it is a blessing. Most of the children do this to every adult they interact with. On my first day I was in the head social workers office when a group of elementary school children arrived home from school and almost every child did this to me.

Since the first day I have been working on my computer in the office. Children come in and out all day and want to listen to my earphones and tap on my keyboard. The coolest part is they are willing to share the experience with the child who comes in the door next. They also love looking at my photo’s on the computer. Right now I am a novelty. I am so excited to work here on a regular basis!!!! One more month.

Crazy Dreams, Crazy Malaria Pills

2007-06-10T15:01:00.000+08:00

So we have to take Arelen (chloroquine phosphate) for malaria two pills once a week. One of the side effects however is really vivid dreams; this seems to affect me and it is tough. I take them on Monday mornings hoping it won’t affect me however that is not possible since someone or something is trying to kill me every Monday night.

For example a couple of weeks ago my dream involved me, my sister Courtney and a drug dealer. Courtney and I were surfing off some coast and I decided to come into shore early. There was a man on the beach who wanted me to go out to the boat just beyond the waves and get some drugs of his. But there are sharks out there and a good chance I could be lunch. He said I had to do it or he would kill me or Courtney. I am now freaking out and trying to shout to Courtney to swim away as fast as possible and stay with the other surfers. She kinda hears me and starts to swim towards me. I can’t remember exactly what happened after but I do know I was getting close to being murdered. It woke up in the middle of the night sweating just before my death. I was told this is common because if you were to die in a dream you would really die in real life
Who knows????

So last night (Monday) I dreamed I was in Las Vegas gambling (it did not appear to be L.V but in my dream it “was”). I was gambling at a high stakes table with some very large men. I needed to win to get some medical procedure for some friend. I walked away with $93,000. I was staying in a hotel that was dingy and dirty and I remember it having a red tint to it. My friend Kelly and a mutual male friend (nobody I knew but we will call him Bob) were also staying there.

I was in the lobby when Bob came up to me and said I was in serious trouble and I had to leave town A.S.A.P. He indicated I had won the $93,000 at a table with a bunch of Las Vegas Italian mafia enforcers and they needed to win to cover something up from the mob boss. Can you see my imagination working overtime here??? We run into Kelly as we are going to my room and we decide that it is safer if I leave my room and put my luggage in Kelly’s room and worry about it later. The current priority was to get me out of the hotel in one piece. I had the ticket for my winnings in my pocket however I did have $1000’s in my luggage. I am willing to give the mafia the money I won but I am concerned that if I hand it over they will kill me anyway.

Bob lets us use his car and we head to the airport. I have a ticket for a direct flight to New York in 6-8 hours. Kelly and I wait together; we are hiding in the airport. We have seen multiple mafia men around the airport and I realize that I need to get on an earlier flight and maybe not even to New York incase they figured out my flight or where I was going. Finally I decide I need to change my flight and after making sure none of the mafia men are around I go and change my ticket. The soonest flight to New York is in an hour and I would fly through Chicago; I book myself on this flight. After I did so I think that it is still not safe to go to New York but I can change my direction once I get to Chicago and hide. Kelly also has to be careful because they may have identified her. We part ways and I see her rush to the vehicle. I head towards the security check point and dodge the mafia men. One actually walks directly past me, looks at me and then decides I am not the one he is looking for. I am not sure if I have changed my appearance at this point in the dream but I do wonder. As I ride the escalator up 2 of them notice me and recognize me; the chase is on. I get through security and I don’t want to hide in any bathrooms because I don’t want to be murdered in it by one of the men who buys a ticket and gets into the take off area.

Really I want to give the money back but preserving my life intact is just as important. I think that if I go to some remote location I could send the winning ticket back to them and they would stop looking for me. I don’t want to use any credit cards, phone anyone or utilize a friend because I feared for their lives. I woke before I stepped onto the plane but I had decided I would rent a car in Chicago and head to some remote location, utilize a fake name, use a post office box and get the money back to them.
Doesn’t this read like a bad “B” movie??? The problem is it was so real. Usually if I wake up from a dream I will not continue dreaming about the previous dream however last night was an anomaly. I woke twice and returned to this dream!!!!! I wake up at 5:30am and during my groggy state my paranoia starts in and I feel the need to identify a place that nobody else knows I would go to if I was ever in any serious trouble. I would not want to go to somebody I know because “they (whoever “they” are) could trace me through my friends/family. I watch too many movies!!!!! I even decide on a couple of states: Idaho (but my uncle lives there), Iowa, Ohio or even Montana to drop of the radar. If I ever go “missing” you can start looking for me in some really dinky town in one of the three later states. I have to start taking this medicine on a Saturday night because my day off is on Sunday and I can sleep late if I sleep badly that night.

New Friends, I Think Not!

2007-06-03T15:55:00.000+08:00

Today I was at a session with my fellow PCV's from the area having a link session with our technical advisor. He had organized the Department of Social Welfare office for us so we could have some air conditioning for this full day session.

The Philippines has many wonderful qualities like beautiful scenery, people dedicated to social justice, wonderful and caring locals with heaps of unique cuisine. It also has bugs, spiders and snakes.

There was a bathroom attached to the DSWD office but it was in two pieces. You walked into this small room (which had no light) with the door open, made a left and walked 3 small paces because it is so dark. The light switch was on the right. I didn't really look into that area because I wanted to close the door; I didn't want anyone hearing me pee. As I turned to walk into the actual bathroom I saw multiple large bugs scurry towards a dark area in bathroom and as I looked a smidge closer I realized they were cockroaches and some were at least 1 – 1 ½ inches in length. I got totally freaked out and started screaming and running towards the door to get out. I thought I needed to push the door out to exit the area but after slamming into the door twice with my body I realized I needed to pull it. I was out and my technical advisor and another male worker were coming towards me. Our little link session was in shock and they were still in their seats. I was almost in tears for 2 reasons: being a big baby and from the shock. Thank god we were on a break because then I got to walk around for a few minutes to relax. Then everyone started poking fun at me and had a big laugh. Jerwin (my tech advisor) was also freaked because he thought I was being attacked or something.

I really don't like cockroaches. I have seen lots of water cockroaches in Havasu but these were the ones from movies; big, thick, ugly and dirty. Just thinking about the situation makes my skin crawl. Every time I think of my freak out Men in Black comes to mind and Vincent D'Onfreo's character who is the bug man and I shiver. So it was really yucky and yes even I still freak out. I heard the other cluster got a discussion on the expectation of seeing cockroaches and how common they are in the Philippines and not to freak out like I did.

Laundry

2007-06-01T15:54:00.000+08:00

I have found my new form of exercise. It is a wonderful household chore, everyone does it but not necessarily the way I have to do it. It is an action I only want to participate in once a week because it is truly backbreaking work. I am talking of doing laundry by hand. First I had to sort my enormous stack of washing, separating it into whites, colors and darks (which we also do in the States so no biggy). I borrowed a big plastic baby bath , scrubber and washing board from the neighbor, situated it in the small bathroom and filled it with water (there are photo's of the bathroom in my pictures section). My host mom has given me a few simple instructions and told me how to do it. The process is pretty simple:

1. Soak all the clothes in the water starting with the whites, colors then darks. Wring them out and refill the bath and add the washing powder. At this point my host mom sees me struggling because I am sitting on the toilet and the bath is so low, and she hands me the little stool.

2. Put the whites in the soapy water swishing them around, pressing them a little. I take the scrubber and an article of clothing and scrub the areas that need the scrubbing i.e. under the arms area of the shirts. Wring the clothes again and try to get most of the water out. I repeat the process with all articles of clothing. Following the washing of all clothes I let out the water and draw a new bath full.

3. I then soaked and swished my clothes in the clean water repeating the process three times.

During the scrubbing part of the laundering I had at least all the children from the compound come behind me, look and laugh about what I was doing. I guess I was also just so funny because I was sweating profusely. It was disgusting! At times during the process I wanted to cut corners by only rinsing twice but Lisa kept popping into my head reminding me I will itch if all the soap is not out of the clothing. Periodically my hands would cramp which I did not think was possible however it did happen. I was discussing the washing of clothes with some other PCV's (Peace Corps Volunteers) and we have decided that doing laundry is a form of working out and it would be counted. My biceps got a great workout and my hands are definitely stronger for doing laundry.

I have a new appreciation for the washing machine. Once I get home I will never abuse this wonderful privilege (I would do a load and then forget about it having to rewash it because it stank). I think I would not wish washing laundry on a consistent basis on an enemy.

Public Transportation

2007-05-24T15:53:00.000+08:00

Okay so I wrote this on 5-20-07 and thought I had posted it but obviously I did not. So here it is using the public transportation system. There are photo's in my photo's section.

Yesterday I rode my first trike and boy was it an experience! Rekah and I were in the little cab attached to the motorcycle and our language facilitator, Laura was on the back of the bike. Lisa and Rachel rode in another trike. We all went to the next town, Luacan over for a language lesson.

The trikes ride in the road with all the other traffic. The traffic beats to their own drum and vehicles will pass even on double yellow lines and even when there is on coming traffic. A larger or faster vehicle will honk at the slower vehicle to let them know that they need to move over or at least inform the trike he is being passed. Trikes are used for short distances and run about 30 pesos a ride. We use them to take us to Luacan or even Dinulupihan which is on the other side of Luacan and has the market.

The trike's cab is like a little egg that you have to bend into and has a bench seat. I have seen a mother and up to 4 children take a trike. One child sits on the back of the motorcycle and the mother and three children in the cab. But the craziest site was two men on the back of the bike behind the driver and three men in the cab with one looking like he might fall out yet the trike just kept going. Filipino people are small but not that small. Actually, today myself, Ati Melody (ati is said before the elders name as a sign of respect), her daughter Nicole (who was on my lap) and my two host brothers Noey and Ram all went to the market in/on 1 trike. It was crazy. I don't think the trikes go more than 35 mph but with a load like ours they probably topped out at 25 mph. Other vehicles zoom around us and all we collect is their exhaust. I have started wearing my sunglasses even though I have always been inside the cab that is covered stuff still flies in your face and into your eyes.

There is no road rage here like in the States but people are purposeful about their destination. But as I backtrack on what I said there is a problem with public transportation workers or lorry drivers driving drunk or tired (falling asleep at the wheel).

On our way from the drop off point on 5-18-07 to our host family we rode in a jeepney and the lorry in front made a sharp stop and our driver had to slam on his breaks and even drive on the side of the road in order to avoid a collision. I do believe our driver was driving to close but he was intending to pass the lorry. While he drove off the main road he almost hit a pedestrian.

Jeepney's have the jeep look from the front but they are wider than the average jeep. They extend much further than a jeep, they are public transportation for longer distances and in and around the town. In Manila they are used in the city as a commuter vehicle like a bus and in the provinces they transport people between people at further distances. The trikes take care of the short commute in the rural areas. Jeepney's are highly decorated with a variety of styles and many colors. Many have some catholic symbol intertwined in the motif. I saw one with Batman and his crew decorated on the side. Many have caribou horns on the front attached to the hood of the vehicle. Inside the back each side of the Jeepney is lined with a bench seat and people will sit next to each other. In Manila someone will hold onto the back and collect the fair from those getting on and off the Jeepney.

The US Embasy has recommendation and the Peace Corps has standards regarding the use of public transportation. We should only use taxi's (ones that say they have air conditioning) but realistically they are only in the bigger towns or cities and far to expensive for our Peace Corps monthly allowance. What I have done to come to terms with this situation is to believe nothing is going to happen to me while in a vehicle and if the driver appears to be shady pick another driver. It is very exciting to use the public transportation because every trip is so different and you never know what is going to happen.

Arriving in the Philippines

2007-05-20T15:43:00.000+08:00

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to check in. I am currently residing with a host family in Barangay Saging, Dinalupihan in a province in the Philippines. It has a population of about 3000. It is a rural community and a bunch of friendly folk.

Right now we are in clusters of 4 Peace Corps workers and we all live on the same street. The weather here is just so hot and yesterday we had our first bout of rain which increased the humidity but decreased the temperature. I am not sure which I am having the most difficulty with: humidity or heat. Our classes are held outside with an electric fan blowing at us in full force. Rachel's family has a great porch so we are doing our lessons at her house this week. We do language class for 4 hours a day in the morning and by lunch time our brains are fried. Technical and cultural sessions are held in the afternoon which teaches us about the Filipino culture and the philosophies our job will entail. There is some hands on experience through developing and implementing a few community projects. On Saturday's we take a trike to the next Barangay where we hook up with another cluster for a link site training which focuses on technical training.

My host family is awesome!!!! They are so nice and really helpful. The mother owns a shop in the Market and her two sons are 10 and 8. The boys are really cool and are helping me with my tagalog. They have a cousin who visits often and she is 5. Our language instructor has deemed her the cluster's assistant and she is also my friend. My host mom and her family speak great english and the majority of her family live in the neighborhood too. My host dad is an overseas worker and I will not have the opportunity to meet him. I also live in a family compound (multiple houses with cousins and siblings about 20-25 people) and Lisa one of the other Peace Corps volunteers lives in the compound too.

Overall I am adjusting well. The fan in my room is my best friend and I have finally figured out how to strategically place it so I get the most cool air during the nights. The food is really good and the housekeeper is a great cook. Here, generally speaking they eat 5 times a day, three meals and 2 marienda's (midmorning and afternoon snack) For all those who thought I would get thin on my travels I don't think thats going to happen.

I did post some new photo's of the Philippines, as you all know I am not that great about taking photo's so there are not many. However, some are really fun and taking public transportation is really cool. Trikes are my favorite but I think Jeepney's are the most decorative. The one I rode on (in the photo album) was not that decorated but still an awesome vehicle.

I also wanted to post my new cell number because some people are having a tough time getting through. You dial out of the U.S with: 011 Then dial the Philippines country code of 63 then my cell number with area code: 910-705-3113 so all together is 011-63-910-705-3113. Also for a frame of reference I am 15 hours ahead.

Anyway, till the next time :-)

My Addy

2007-05-17T20:43:00.000+08:00

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to give you the updated address. I was told that the one I just sent out worked but it was not the primary according to those here in the Philippines Peace Corps office.

Kate Pentz, PCT
U.S Peace Corps
P.O Box 7013
Airmail Distribution Center
N.A.I.A 1300
Pasay City, Philippines

you can still use this addy too:

Kate Pentz, PCT
c/o the Peace Corps Office
6/F PNB Financial Center
Macapagal Avenue 1308
Pasay City, Philippines

I was also told that if you send anything (ie. my birthday :-) the best way is to send it in a padded envelope or a box no bigger than a shoe box because then there will be no problem with duty taxes or anything like that. But you can still send me big stuff. Also if you wrap anything it will be unwrapped because the U.S Embasy goes through all mail.