The Super Typhoon + Those with "nothing".

Natural + Disaster. Two words that strike terror + heart break + sympathy in all. Two words that I have heard countless times. Seen on t.v. and even read about many times. Experienced never. Till now. 

While being here I have been humbled by so many experiences. I have witnessed things first hand that most people will only see on the late night news or read about in Times.  The typical daily lives of people here would be unbearable to many and heart breaking to most. I am astounded at how hard working + sturdy + meek these remarkable people are. They have what some people would see as very little, but as I have spent time with them I have realized they have more than most. No, I am not talking about fancy houses, laundry machines or even electricity for some, but I am talking about something worth so much more. When you are around the Filipino people you do not feel pity or sorrow, but envy. They have a pure love for life that many are missing. They have adoration and devotion to their family, friends and country that some do not experience in their entire lifetime. And most of all they have admiration and respect for God without question. 

I have always been fond of the month of November, but tend to get caught up quickly in the spirit of the holidays. Something that I have loved since I was little. There is shopping to do + treats to bake + parties to attend. Here I have none of that or a very different form. I have been able to create my annual thankful list with a very sincere heart. I have been given the chance to truly feel what it is like to be a way from your family during the holidays + to have simple every day amenities unavailable and yet I still am very much spoiled with all that I do have here. I thank  my Heavenly Father daily (maybe even hourly sometimes) for all that I have been blessed with. 

So a word of wisdom from the girl that is sitting in a brown out (black out) in an unfamiliar island filled with beauty that happens to be surrounded by a super typhoon with howling winds + falling trees + more rain than I have seen in my lifetime... is to take a moment and write your thankful list. Then take more than a moment to enjoy those things on the list. Especially your family. Never take anyone for granted. Enjoy the big moments but don’t forget the small ones. 

Top Ten "Only in the Philippines Moments"

Happy November!

Yesterday was my two week mark from my arrival on the island of Leyte. Lots has happened, in fact I feel like I have already been here for so much longer. I have had some amazing moments and made some unforgettable memories. Clearly I am horrible at keeping up on the blog, and I wish there was a way to share with you all that has happened.

Every day I am stunned, shocked or amazed by something that has happened.... So today I decided that instead of writing a ten pager about everything it has happened, I would write a Top Ten "Only in the Philippines" list. So here it is!

10. Beaches + Beauty. We all knew it was coming... Whenever we ride in a jeepney I cross my fingers that whoever I sit by is not in the talking mood because I could stare out at the scenery for hours. The sites we pass are breath taking and yet the people give a little giggle every time I say "Wow" when we turn the corner. Never will I get tired of living 5 minutes from the beach. Never ever. Pictures will never do it justice but here is just a glimpse of what I see every day.

9. Endless supply of Sweat. Gross I know, but totally normal. Well here at least. Every day + every moment + every second. I am constantly sticky and always, uh we will say "glistening". When we first arrived Lyssa advised us to buy baby powder. I gave her the one eyebrow raise, but said okay but was so grateful I did. I cake the stuff on like ice cream in a Kong cone from Macey's. Whenever we get home from anything outside we head straight to our rooms and post right up in front of the AC. Thank you whoever invited that glorious miracle. So if I look like I just finished running a marathon in every picture you see... now you know why.

8. You need a ride? I thought I knew what it meant to stuff in a bus and crazy driving after living in Russia, boy was I wrong. There are four modes of transportation here: a bus, a jeepney, a trike or a motorcycle. Any mode is always filled with way more people than I would ever imagine possible. My all time favorite moment was when we stuffed 8 people into a trike which is a little motorcycle with a cab hooked onto it. No need for a mini van for the family here, all you need is a motorcycle. We constantly see a family of 4-6 people zooming on by and they use horns as much as a normal person uses a cell phone. Like second nature.

7. White Girl Probs. I was well aware of how white I was before I came here, but being here has made me realize it even more. Luckily, instead of everyone wanting to be tan, everyone adores being white. Oh yes, the whiter the better. So when we walk down the street and everyone pulls out their umbrellas, we roll up our sleeves and wait for the sun rays to hit. On one of our little shopping trips I even spotted some whitening lotion. Then on my first day at my school I realized the extreme of how weird it is for them to see someone that looks like me. The kids did not only rub my skin to see if it comes off, but smelled it and even kissed it. Quite the experience.

6. There is such a thing as Filipino time. This has probably been the hardest thing for me to adjust to. I am so use to being on time or even early for things, but here time is a whole different story. When people say we will be there at nine don't expect them till at least nine thirty. In the classroom I still can't figure out the schedule. It changes every day. And if you are looking for a cold shower, you better be aware that the water will shut off about 10:30.

5. Filipinos know how to party. We mentioned a Halloween party as a joke one time the first day we got here. Everything you say here is remembered and stored. What you like + what you don't. They took our simple thought of a little party and made it into a Filipino Howl. We held it here at the cottage and they put us simply in charge of the program. Thank goodness we weren't in charge of the decorations because they did a way better job than we every could. They took paper, string and candles and made the best decorations I have ever seen. Incredible. And for any of you that have ever seen Mean Girls you'll appreciate this. Halloween costumes are actually Halloween costumes. Zero skimpy. Zero Creepy. Well kind of creepy. There were speakers and amps and the party went all night long. So much fun.

4. Fire Fire Every Where! Right when we got here I noticed the smell of fire followed us where ever we went. I would always see smoke when we drove down the street. I found out this is there way of a garbage collecting system. Very different. But so are many things. People have there designated fire spot and it happens daily. Third world country stat.


3. Sweaters + Coats. This just had to make the list. I almost died when I saw this. One of our professors was driving down the street with her husband on their motorcycle wearing a full on bubble coat! I realize it's winter here, but the winter involves 90 degree weather with 95% humidity. So while I am over here dying in sweat she is chilly. How that works I have no idea, but people are wearing jackets, coats and long sleeves every day while I am trying to get away with wearing my swimsuit where ever I go.

2. The Wet Market. Pleasant smells don't exist there, however, you do have the option of getting any and all body parts of the animals that you please + they are very, very, VERY fresh. But it doesn't stop there. You can also get any kind of fish dried, but you know it's fresh because you can still see the eyes.

1. LAST BUT NOT LEAST "Surprises". Oy Ya Oy. So we are clearly noticeable wherever we go, but we try to be as discreet as possible. Not Possible. Especially at school functions. We have gotten a little taste of what it feels to be a celebrity. The people here are so kind and so giving. I am in shock every time we are together. I have never met so many selfless people, however, they also love surprises.  I have almost become accustomed to giving a speech to hundreds of people on the spot. Our first day here we were asked to give a speech in front of the whole student body. When we met the regional head another speech was given. We are called on the spot to have meetings with the mayor, the education presidencies and all other sorts of people. Two days ago topped the charts with surprises... We were sitting in what they call a culmination and were listening for the program details. The people love to sing and dance here and it is completely normal for them to have a couple numbers every time we get together. So they began to name the singers and then they announced there would be a special dance number. I thought nothing of it until I heard my name.... I perked up while my heart sank. Yep, I heard it right. We would be dancing on stage momentarily. Normal day. So I took a deep breath and headed up. Not so great, but I am sure it was hilarious for those in the audience. As pay back we announced two surprises of our own at the halloween party. Minor shocked was followed and Mam Leslie (one of the professors) immediately headed to the speakers to see if she could get music for the song. I was stunned. She sang her little heart out and then Mam Stella and Sir Noli (head of the education department and another professor) performed a dance for us. These people are willing to try anything and are always happy. Always. I absolutely adore them.

Sorry there are so few pictures but it takes a day and a half to upload one. (slight exaggeration but almost truth.)