May 26, 2012

This week was busy. We were running around a lot all week. Didn't rain as much this week as previously, but I did use the umbrella quite a bit. It's still weird to think that I'm sitting at a computer screen again writing to you guys. I think back to when I left and it still doesn't feel very long ago. I get songs stuck in my head a lot, it kinda sucks because I can't listen to music really, but those songs do remind me of times I've shared with all of you. So know that I haven't forgotten any of you. I don't have too much to say this week, but yeah as always write me. I've written back to every letter I've gotten. And if the letters take a while, don't get discouraged. Letters take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to get there. And then 2-6 weeks to get here. I love you all and may the force be with you.

Photo Time Again - 05.21.12

Here are a few photos from recent days.

Monkey post

Well this week was much much more busy than previous weeks. I am still in the same area and I have a new companion so it's been a bit tough showing him around (as my area is two cities), but has been fun! We had a lot of random tasks to accomplish during the week because he is new to the area and because support was a bit late this week, but we saw some good progress in our area and have been meeting some great new people! The photos I uploaded this week do not include a picture of my new companion, but there are some new ones up there. Thanks for those who gave me letters this week. I'll be sending out my replies in a little bit later today! You can expect them... Can't tell when you'll get them, but you will get them! Letters mean a lot to me so please write! Oh and this week I saw a monkey! It was someone's pet and in a cage. It was night and I shined a light on him and he got pretty angry. It was FUNNY! The party outside our house has finally stopped which is nice. Not as loud anymore. It's been raining a lot recently which is also very nice! But the river we have to cross is getting higher.... They need to rebuild the bridge here soon so we can stilll cross. Eventually it'll be impossible to get over there. Well this is probably my last transfer in this area, and it's been 5 months from home now. Holy crap time flies. Some have written me saying it seems like a long time that I've been gone, but to me it feels like no time at all. A week maybe? Anyways, I love you guys and miss all of you. Keep in touch and may the force be with you.

May 13, 2012

So this week was rainy! Rained and rained and rained some more! But (as you should know), I love the rain so it was a great week. Just kinda sucked because of the mud and when people were'nt home after we'd walk in it for a while. I tried Balut, wasn't bad! Kinda like a hard boiled egg, but with a fetus! One thing I found to be interesting: Mc Donalds isn't bad in the Philippines. It actually tastes good! I was surprised! But I took a bite into the burger expecting the worst only to find that it actually didn't taste like card board, but like an actual hamburger! We had 2 families move away from our branch this week, which sucks because it's hard enough to get anything done in our small group with a huge area, but such is life! There's been a party going on outside our window for the last 1 and a half weeks every night, so sleeping has become more difficult... Can't wait till they end! Alright time for me to go! Love you guys, miss you, and I heard recently some of you have sent me dearelder through email.... Remember I can't use my normal email, so PLEASE send it normally through the printing process. I'll actually get it and then write you back! And if you sent me a dearelder and sent me a letter as well (I know some of you have), I'm waiting to get the other letter before I send one out. That way I don't have to pay for 2! Alright, talk to all of you later! Have a great week and belated Happy Mothers day!

May 7, 2012

I wish I had a lot of things to talk about this week, but it was more of a busy week than anything else. Staggering in the house ultra tired everyday, and it's getting hotter and hotter! A couple things that are a bit interesting is how many parties there have been here over the last week. There's one going on in the Barrangay we're in for the last 2 weeks. Another over in another area of the Philippines close by. It sometimes makes it hard for us to get around. I think one thing that was funny is one kid was calling me Harry Potter the other day. I think he meant it as an insult. I laughed and said to him in Tagalog "Thanks! Harry Potter is cool." He laughed and said in English "You speaka Tagalog Potter?" Had a small conversation with him and ended up making friends with him. I keep hearing about all the great movies coming out while I've been gone. Looks like I'm going to have a lot of nights hanging out with you guys watching them all night! Love you all! Have a good Mother's Day, and in the words of Mr. T "Mother there is no other like mother so treat her right!"

So we had a cool service project this week. We repaired some chairs for an elementary school. It included us ripping apart wooden chairs for supplies and using rusty metal frames to put the wood on. Needless to say it took us quite a long time. The whole time I was very grateful for all the shots that I had to get before leaving! I'm hoping to upload all the pictures today! Anyways this week was another good busy week. It's hard to believe I've been gone for over 4 months now. Before I know it I'll be home and bilingual! I noticed the other day how many songs I've written already since I've been gone. And it's pretty crazy. I don't think I have ever in my life written so much in such a short time. I think I need to make adobo for all of you when I get home. It is my favorite food here in the Philippines. It is SO delicious. I eat it usually once or twice a week! I've been meeting some more great people and can't emphasize how beautiful it is here. Anyways I love you guys and look forward to writing more next week.