Wow, how time flies! I can't believe that I have been here for 2 1/2 weeks already! Manila has proven to be a city of new things and fun times. I have been spending a lot of time at school during new staff orientation and also getting my classroom ready. It has been a lot of work and I have been extremely busy. Although it has been a lot to take on, I am loving the preparation I get to do and I can't wait to have my students in my classroom on Thursday for our first day of school! I find myself daydreaming about teaching and seeing little hearts come to know the Lord better. What an honor to be their teacher :)
Along with the work there has been plenty of play! My roommates and I are having a great time and there is a group of us "singles" that have been able to spend a lot of time together. I am already being blessed by this community. God is so good!
Manila's culture is more westernized than I was expecting, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of differences! Here are some things that I am getting used to in my new home:
1. Pulling out in front of oncoming traffic. Very normal here :)
2. Falling asleep with a fan on and no blankets.
3. Locals calling you "sir ma'am."
4. Not picking up your trash at any sort of restaurant... or even Starbucks!
5. A few stares from locals while out in public.
6. Pretty green mountains! Well to me they are mountains, but to others they might be large hills :)
7. Dr. Pepper is nowhere to be found.
8. Lots of rain and "flash flooding" along the streets. I personally enjoy it because it takes the temperature and humidity down quite a bit :)
9. Smiling and friendly workers! The Filipinos are so happy to serve you and will always offer a "good morning."
10. Lots of rooster crows in the wee hours of the morning.
11. Only talking to friends and family back home at night and in the mornings.
12. Using pesos instead of dollars.
13. Little lizards crawling on the walls. :)
14. Being a minority.
15. Seeing cows, chickens, goats, water buffalo, lots of dogs, and a ton of people on the sides of roads. :)
Well, that will be my list for now. Thank you for your continued prayers. :) They are so appreciated!!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Made It!
I am here!! After 33 hours at LAX and 25 hours on planes, I made it! I have been here for about 4 days and am loving it. I have been able to stay on Faith Academy's campus for the last few nights in one of the boarding homes. It has been so fun to venture around and check out the campus that I will be spending most of my time at. I am anxious to get into my classroom and start decorating, organizing, and arranging things!
The city of Manila is huge, full of people, and very busy. I love driving around and seeing what life is like here. The traffic is crazy and lots of things are happening on the sides of the streets. The school is outside of the city in a gorgeous area. If you look off to one side of campus you will see a beautiful view of the city. If you look to your other side, you'll see amazing hills of green. It's the best of both worlds. :)
Here are some things that have either surprised me or that are different from the US:
1. The humidity. I knew this was coming, but it is pretty intense. The first time I went outside to take pictures, I had to bring a rag with me to continuously wipe off my lens. I also had to come back inside and take my camera apart while holding it in front of a fan to dry it out.
2. Air conditioning is room by room and it is usually only turned on in the bedrooms of a house. One thing I am having to get used to is humidity outside AND inside.
3. McDonald's, Burger King, and other restaurants serve spaghetti, fried chicken, and rice. Apparently, Filipinos love to go out and get spaghetti for special occasions. :) Also, a meal at McDonald's is about $3.
4. Bugs. Like very large cockroaches in my shower.
5. Pesos instead of dollars. I have enjoyed trying to make the conversions in my head and it is fun to buy things with their colorful money! The conversion is about P41=$1
6. It gets dark at like 6:30. Very different from a Kansas summer!
Well, those are the things that stand out right now. I am sure there will be plenty more! Let me know if you have any specific questions :)
The city of Manila is huge, full of people, and very busy. I love driving around and seeing what life is like here. The traffic is crazy and lots of things are happening on the sides of the streets. The school is outside of the city in a gorgeous area. If you look off to one side of campus you will see a beautiful view of the city. If you look to your other side, you'll see amazing hills of green. It's the best of both worlds. :)
Here are some things that have either surprised me or that are different from the US:
1. The humidity. I knew this was coming, but it is pretty intense. The first time I went outside to take pictures, I had to bring a rag with me to continuously wipe off my lens. I also had to come back inside and take my camera apart while holding it in front of a fan to dry it out.
2. Air conditioning is room by room and it is usually only turned on in the bedrooms of a house. One thing I am having to get used to is humidity outside AND inside.
3. McDonald's, Burger King, and other restaurants serve spaghetti, fried chicken, and rice. Apparently, Filipinos love to go out and get spaghetti for special occasions. :) Also, a meal at McDonald's is about $3.
4. Bugs. Like very large cockroaches in my shower.
5. Pesos instead of dollars. I have enjoyed trying to make the conversions in my head and it is fun to buy things with their colorful money! The conversion is about P41=$1
6. It gets dark at like 6:30. Very different from a Kansas summer!
Well, those are the things that stand out right now. I am sure there will be plenty more! Let me know if you have any specific questions :)
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Airports
My physical journey to the Philippines has begun! The past few days have been bittersweet with lots of hard goodbyes as well as eagerness and excitement to get to my new home. Thank you for all of your prayers! My family was blessed with a great last week together.
I am currently in LA waiting for my flight to China. Due to weather delays, I missed my international flight last night and will therefore be at LAX until late tonight. I will basically just be getting there a day later than expected. Even though it has been a little stressful, I can see God's fingerprints on this because I will now get to spend the day at the airport with my good friend, Leah, as she also has a layover here en route to Papua New Guinea. I am so excited to see her and have some company!
Once again, thank you for your prayers and I look forward to updating everyone on my arrival in the Philippines! :)
I am currently in LA waiting for my flight to China. Due to weather delays, I missed my international flight last night and will therefore be at LAX until late tonight. I will basically just be getting there a day later than expected. Even though it has been a little stressful, I can see God's fingerprints on this because I will now get to spend the day at the airport with my good friend, Leah, as she also has a layover here en route to Papua New Guinea. I am so excited to see her and have some company!
Once again, thank you for your prayers and I look forward to updating everyone on my arrival in the Philippines! :)
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