BE in the Philippines - Take It Easy

Take It easy, take it easy 
Don't let the sound of your own wheels 
drive you crazy 
Lighten up while you still can 
don't even try to understand 
Just find a place to make your stand 
and take it easy 

If you are planning a road trip in the near future, I highly recommend creating a CD or mixtape (#oldschool) of 94 Eagles' songs with some live versions mixed in.

{Buck, me, and Emily at Banaue Rice Terraces}

BE in the Philippines - My Place

I apologize (again) for going on a blogging hiatus. You could (almost) say I gave up blogging for lent. The case is I’ve been traveling then recovering from traveling and then getting sick that I simply found no time or desire to blog. However, I’m back (for now)!

As I promised weeks ago, I would share the tale of Buck Blanchard and Emily Cherry’s visit. When planning the trip, I grew tired of constantly typing “Buck and Emily” so I shortened it to “BE.” Hence the title of this post and posts to come – “BE in the Philippines.” I think it’s also symbolic to how (hopefully) when reading these posts you will “be in the Philippines” with us!

There is something about being able to share your little part of the world with friends that makes it more real.

Maybe it’s because they can verify it exists. When I go back and share my experience, I can have someone say, “it’s true. I say it.” Not that I think you all think this is made up. I hope you’re getting my drift.

What I’m trying to say is it was a wonderful experience being able to share my little house, dog, office space, and co-workers with Buck and Emily!

Morning's Glory

Living on this side of the compound has its perks! There is a baker who rides around on a motorcycle every morning honking a classic old bike horn announcing he's selling his freshly baked pandesal. Pandesal is basically a yeast roll but sold still fresh and warm. He comes between 6 and 6:30am. If my alarm hasn't gotten me out of bed yet, his horn sure does. I grab my sweater, slip on my flip flops, snatch my 5 peso coin, to get my new morning treat of 3 pieces of pandesal.

This particular morning I noticed the sun was coming up beautifully behind the trees. I've been wanting to capture the sunset for a long time but I've either not gotten up early enough or it's cloudy. Today it was perfect - morning's glory at its finest!

Hong Kong - Reflection

My last day in Hong Kong was spent at Lantau Island, again. There was one destination I read about prior to coming and didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see it. Fortunately, Katie and Caroline were heading out that way on Monday. I tagged along with them. Upon arriving they wanted to ride the Cable Car, see Big Buddha, the Monastery and do some shopping in the village. I’d already done all that. My main goal of the day was to explore the Tai O Fishing Village.

Hong Kong - Birthday Celebrations

Day 2 of Hong Kong was Sara’s 23rd Birthday! It was a day full of celebration, friend time, delicious food and more sightseeing. There was only one mission for the day – giving Sara a wonderful birthday celebration!

Katie’s older sister, Caroline, arrived late Thursday night for a 10 day trip. They joined Sara and I for our tourist excursion of the day, Victoria Peak. The plan was originally to hike the 2-hour trail up to the peak, but after a late start and laziness we took the peak tram, a very steep vertical ascent up the mountain.

Hong Kong - A Day in the Life

Due to a many factors – weather, people, the place, food – Hong Kong is up there as one of the best trips I’ve taken in my life. Since a great amount was packed into 5 days, I’ve decided to break down my blog posts instead of doing one gigantic one.

Looking at my list of places I want to travel in my life, Hong Kong wasn’t on there at all. However after learning I was going to the Philippines for YASC and there would be three other YASCers, Katie, Will, and Sara, in Hong Kong, it went straight to the top of the list!

Hong Kong is only a short two-hour plane ride from Manila. After riding on planes, trains, buses and automobiles, I finally reached my destination after 24 hours of travel. Of course, it was all completely worth it!

Sara, Katie, Me and Will at Tacos Locos. 

Little Things

I had the most wonderful trip to Hong Kong! Perfect weather, great friends, scrumptious food, and impressive city - I couldn't have asked for more! I'm exhausted after climbing many hills and non-stop walking, but it was good for me. I'm sad to leave my fellow YASCers but ready to get back to the Philippines. This week and next I'll share in more detail about my trip but in the mean time here are some of my favorite little moments!

{I had to indulge in a cupcake}

Vote!

Vote for me! Not really for me, but that’s what candidates were exclaiming before voters entered the elementary school grounds to cast their ballot.

Today was Barangay Elections throughout the Philippines, a public holiday (read: three day weekend). If you don’t know what a Barangay is let me break it down for you: Country -> Region -> Province -> Municipality -> Barangay -> Purok. I’m in Region 3, Province of Isabela, Municipality of Santiago, Barangay of Divisoria, Purok 4.

The Elementary School campus 

Bontoc, Mountain Province

Last Wednesday, I headed to Bontoc, a six hour drive from Santiago, with Sir Patrick, my manager, and Sir Junior as our driver. Attorney Floyd, Provincial Secretary of Episcopal Church of the Philippines, who coordinates the YASC program here in the Philippines invited Margaret and I to a Filipino wedding between a deacon in the ECP and an American young lady a couple weeks back. He said that if he was in America and learned a Filipino was getting married that it’s their cultural tradition to attend the wedding and show support. I didn’t tell him that’s not really our tradition. Wedding crashers are not welcome. Nonetheless I jumped at the opportunity to witness and experience another cultural tradition.

However, I’m not going to talk about the wedding in today’s post. Sorry to psych you out. Check back tomorrow! Today is solely on Bontoc.

Weekend Reading

Happy Weekend!

This past week I've been assisting in the Christian Education Office. One of the tasks was to help teach at a few local church preschools. As many of you know, I'm not always one for children or teaching but this week gave me great joy, the ability to get out of an office environment and left me exhausted. Look for a post more about this next week!

Unfortunately, Typhoon Santi is hitting this weekend. I was supposed to help plant trees for a church project on Saturday morning but those plans have now been canceled. Looks like it may just be a rainy few days for me.

Also, I love the front of this journal in the picture, "live life to the full!" I believe all my fellow YASCers are doing just that.

Please Read On....

As Student Minister at the Cathedral in Grahamstown, Paul schedules young adult preachers for the Student Services. He's been sharing their sermons on his blog and this one is quite powerful, a must read!

While there are differences between American and Filipino cultures, Margaret is learning there is more that unites us than divides us.

Heidi finishes her first term at the Canon Andrea Mwaka School in a fun way and is headed off on a safari!

Julie is answering the questions we all want to know the answers to about her life in Haiti.

Will P. is taking full advantage of the saying, "you only live once" and couldn't imagine being anywhere else than Cuba.

Keri is trusting in her faith and realizing doubt isn't the opposite of it.

Alan is starting to teach English at a local vocational school in Haiti.

Rachel's new motto, "everyday is worth celebrating", and so she's sharing pictures of things worth celebrating during her time in Panama.

Becky shares gorgeous photos of where she's been living in Honduras for the past two months.

How are you living life to the fullest this weekend?

Thanks for reading!

{image via}

What kind of work do YASCers do?

Today, I'm sharing another wonderful video done by the Episcopal Church. Again, it features YASCers from last year, Holly Milburn, Cameron Spoor, Stephen Smith, Andrew Joyce, and Grace Flint who were located in South Africa, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

The video gives a wonderful overview of the various types of work YASCers are doing all over the world. With this year having a larger group, the type of work has grown to include healthcare, economic development and more. You can check out what each individual is doing on my fellow YASCers page.

While we all have job descriptions, I think we are quickly learning that they don't even begin to cover our day to day work. For me while I work at the Foundation of St. Mark's, I am also rotating to different offices of the Diocese throughout the year to help out in whatever way possible. As Holly says in the video, "I do whatever is needed." And I try to convey the same attitude.

However, the quote that stuck with me those most in the video was Holly's,

"The one's doing the work here are the one's who care most and the one's who give all of themselves when needed." 

Weekend Reading

Happy Friday!

Now that it's October, I know Fall, my favorite season, is in full swing back home. As it still feels like the hottest part of summer here, I'm beginning to miss cooler weather, the leaves changing colors, wearing layers, apple cider and all the fun, Fall activities!

The beginning of the week was full of fun activities, going out to dinner and videoke. Now it's already Friday and another weekend. How time flies! Nothing planned at the moment, but something may come up. If not, I'll be happy to read and do mundane tasks such as laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping.

Eco-Tourism Park

I posted about my weekend a little bit yesterday. But don’t let that give you the wrong impression. It wasn’t all boring or spent on the compound. Sunday afternoon was spent going on a little excursion with some co-workers.

After lunch at ChowKing, my new favorite fast food place, Ata Tess, Jocelyn, Ata Joyce, Sir Junior and I headed to the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park in Nueva Viscaya Province. It’s about a half-hour drive from Santiago City into the mountains. The land for the park was purchased by the Provincial Government to preserve the land and provide a space for people to enjoy. To enter the park, it costs 50 pesos ($1.14) per person. So cheap!

The Boating Area

Cooking Lesson

Here is another cooking lesson with Vanessa! Unfortunately, Vanessa left for another job on September 15th. It's been quite different without my neighbor and friend. She's greatly missed! However, there is a search for a new Vanessa, even though she can't be replaced. Hopefully, another twenty-something will be moving in within the next couple of weeks and I'll have a new neighbor and friend.

In this lesson, Vanessa taught me how to make Pork Adobo, a simple but delicious dish. You can also do Chicken Adobo but she advised pork is better. And you can add potatoes to the dish, if you so desire.

As with any good cook, there are not specific ingredient amounts. You just go with what you feel and what you think will taste the best. Although, I hope the video gives a little more direction.

In full discretion, I attempted to make this the other night. I did exactly as Vanessa did in the video, however I ended up burning half the dish. I'm not sure exactly what went wrong; the type of pan, the temperature of the hot plate, not having the Filipino touch. But as some of my coworkers said, "you'll just have to try again." And that I will!

Thanks for reading!

A rainy, cool Baguio

Known as “The Summer Capital of the Philippines,” Baguio sits up in the pine-clad mountains of the Codillera region. The nickname comes from the migration of people, even the president, to the city trying to escape the heat of the humid summer months in the rest of the Philippines. Unfortunately for me, it’s still the rainy season and it showed in Baguio last weekend.

My manager, Patrick, and another co-worker, Samuel, are part of a brotherhood. They had a national officers meeting to attend on Friday afternoon in Baguio. Patrick asked if I would like to go with them for the weekend to visit Margaret, fellow YASCer, and see another city. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. I, too, wanted to escape from the hot, humid weather in Santiago.

The six-hour drive through the mountains is not for those who suffer from carsickness. I usually never do and I was feeling queasy by the end. The last 50 km or so is like a zig-zag roller coaster up and down a steep mountain.

Driving through the mountains

A Visit from a YASCer

Last Wednesday, Andrew Joyce, another YASCer in the Philippines, came into town with Bishop Alawas of the Diocese of Northern Philippines for the Joint Clericus. It was a lecture and workshop for priests and deacons of the Diocese of Northern Philippines, where Andrew lives, and the Diocese of Santiago, where I am. It worked out because Andrew wanted to come to see where I'm living and working, anyways.

Bishop Alex of the Diocese of Santiago introducing the speaker.

SRI

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to watch the harvesting of the first SRI pilot plot for the Office of Development of EDS (Episcopal Diocese of Santiago). What is SRI? It stands for Systems Rice Intensification. Filipinos first developed it but farmers are reluctant to pick up the process here The developers moved it to India where it has been wildly successful. Basically, SRI allows for more yields with less seeds.

As they say, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But that is exactly what the Development Office is trying to do in the Diocese of Santiago. They are hoping by planting their own small, pilot plots that they will show congregation members, farmers, that SRI can help them produce more rice at a lesser price. Therefore, it provides higher rewards.

With the harvesting of last Tuesday’s plot, it proved just that. The Development Office’s plot yielded three bags and two cans on 266 square meters. With a comparison of the plot next door, not planting SRI, it calculated to an increase of 54%. And that was with 23% of the palay being empty of grains due to typhoon wind damage during a crucial part of growing.

SRI grows taller than normal rice so Charlotte is almost lost within it.

Santiago City

Santiago City is in no way a touristy town. I don't think there is a single place of tourist attraction here, actually. I like it that way, though. I get the full Filipino experience. But it also means 98% of the time, I'm the only white person around. And most of you already know how white I am, therefore I really stick out. Also, the height thing which I've already discussed. Being really white plus being really tall equals I stick out like a sore thumb and lots of stares head my way. But neither of those really bother me.

I wanted to share some pictures I've taken around Santiago City proper. As I said in a previous post, I don't actually live in Santiago City proper, I live in a Barangay called Divisoria about 15-20 minutes outside the city proper. According to Wikipedia, Santiago City has a population of about 132,000. It is located about 202 miles north of Manila in the province of Isabela. The city is said to be "the gateway to the vast lands of Cagayan, Isabela, and Quirino."

These little markets line the road on the way into and out of the city.

Little Things

I have many little moments to share this week, but I will keep it to five. However one of my favorite moments from this past week, I was unable to capture on camera.

This past Sunday, I needed to go grocery shopping. Vanessa accompanied me and I took my first tricycle ride! Tricycles are motorcycles with a side cart attached. When I first saw them, I was thinking that they could fit maybe two people in the side cart. Then Jocelyn said, “Oh no, you can fit up to five people in those things. And when the school kids take them, they’ll pile in 8 or 9.” I was like, “Is this a circus show? How can 5 people fit in that clown car?” But two sit on the back seat of the cart, one sits sideways. Then two others can fit behind the driver on the motorcycle. The one we took into town fit Vanessa and I comfortably. However the one we took back from town, it was cramped. Vanessa ended up sitting sideways. The best part was we were trying to beat the storm back but it started pouring, of course, on the ride back! There’s no doors on these things so the rain started coming in and drenching us. Fortunately, Vanessa had an umbrella so she opened it to block the tiny doorway of the sidecar. We rode like that for about 15 minutes until we finally made it back! The whole event was quite comical.

{A lifesaver! So happy that I do not have to wash my clothes by hand.}

The "8th Wonder of the World"

This past Saturday, I was given the opportunity to go see the 8th Wonder of the World. The Banaue (Buh-nah-way) Rice Terraces used to be categorized as one of the 7 Wonders of the World, but with recent discoveries it has been bumped down. And so Filipinos refer to it as, “the 8th Wonder of the World.” However, I was still stoked for the chance to go see the 2,000-year-old rice terraces.

Rebekah, who is a civil engineer and in charge of all the designs and construction of new churches in the Diocese, had to go deliver some materials and check in with one of the sites. The church is located about 30 minutes away from Banaue so the staff suggested I ride with them and then we could head on to the rice terraces. Banaue was on the top of my list for places I wanted to see in the Philippines. I had no idea I’d be able to see them two weeks in, though! Words cannot express how ecstatic I felt!

Check out my short video of our trip: