Settling In!

Week 3:

Nearly half-way through week 3 and I am amazed at how quickly time is going. Starting to feel like I am getting into the routines here and feel a little more sure of what I am doing! Its true what they say you know you have the confidence to do something when you can show someone else and that happened to me this week! Christina arrived for New Zealand last Thursday and together we went into town at the weekend - I was able to show her around and I actually felt very confident for the first time since arriving!

Starting to make progress too with my little class of 3!! They have stopped crying - result! They now run to me when I come and start getting the table and chairs ready for our lesson. They love the time we spend together and in the evenings when I go back to look after them they are desperate to show me what they remember or want to practise more!! Language is still a little bit of a barrier but I can already see their progression. Surprisingly preparation is taking almost as long as at home! I never will complain again about photocopier being down!!! Or about not having right resources. I have realised how lucky and blessed I was back home with everything to hand in my classroom. Here I am making everything by hand (really enjoying the creativity actually!) and reproducing it 3 times - just as well I only have 3 in my class couldnt imagine having to create 30 sets each time! Just wish I could find some decent paint - all paint here is very small and not good for children's painting - will go on a hunt at the weekend!!



My Class of 3!

Have finally erected my mosquito net properly - not touching my legs anymore! Was quite impressed with Theresa and myself it wasn't easy trying to attach it to a bunk bed! Sleeping getting a lot better too! Now used to the noise of the fan which acts as a great distraction from the barking dogs and early morning noises! Making the most of the cooler nights and days and lying in because as soon as the hot weather arrives I am sure lying in a hot bed will be the last place I want to be! Off now to enjoy late afternoon sun! Its a beautiful day here today!!

Saturday Shopping

The weekend arrived and with it no duties at Ruel - what to do? After a much needed lye and then lunch we headed to Calapan City for some shopping! Saturday is my traditional shopping day at home with my mum so why not transfer some traditions here! Theresa and I headed off on a mission to find things!!!!! My first ride in a tricycle! 20 peso will take you the 6km to town thats just 30p!

Shopping in Calapan is rather different! Theresa and I nearly landed ourselves in trouble within the first few minutes! You would think crossing a road is simple - however Calapan is the 'discipline city' and crossing the road is only permitted on a pedestrian crossing! Good job the officer took pity on us otherwise we would have had a 500 peso fine!! The market shopping is most interesting - all kinds of food; meat, fruit, vegetables lined out on tables as far as the eye can see, takes a little adapting to! Lots of smells and noises completely filling all my senses! Even though I havent even been here a week I still managed to bump into 2 people I knew in the city! Some things stay the same no matter where you are! Before catching tricycle back couldnt resist calling at the Philippine version of McDonalds Jolibee where I ordered french fries - they tasted so good!

Looking forward to next Saturday and the sights and sounds I will be experiencing!

First week!

Well...everything is still all new. Learning to adapt to a new culture, new climate and new language. I am so fortunate though that everyone here can speak English - even a little! I think I wandered around in a little haze for a while as trying to take on board everything and comprehend that this is my life for the next 6 months. I have so much more free time keep thinking I should be doing something like planning or marking or prep...but alas no! Having enforced rest is a good thing!

The one good thing is being able to pray and read my bible so much more regularly! Who knows might actually be able to read through the whole bible before I return!!! God has been so gracious to me and everyday confirms that this is where he wants me to be. Although I am missing home I am not yet home sick.

Started teaching yesterday...was interesting...you would think only having 3 in a class would be easy!! However when 2 of them spend nearly 40 minutes out of the hour and fifteen minutes crying full blast its not that easy!!! In the meantime trying to encourage the one who is listening to listen for sounds when all we can hear is crying! But they did settle down and soon enough they began to smile and respond! I think the whole experience was a learning curve for us all...we try again Monday.



This is a picture of the Ruel House were I am staying:

Arrival!!

After a short flight from Hong Kong lasting 2 hours I emerged out of Manila airport - following my instructions very carefully. Stand under to 'R' and look for your name. What I wasn't expecting was the amount of people who were waiting on the other side for loved ones to arrive behind railings and security. Fortunately Lily was right opposite with my name and I didn't have to wait long at all. The first things to strike me were the strange smells and the heat - although thankfully not too hot! I climbed aboard the Ruel van and was relieved to feel the Air conditioning. Once my bag was secured with rope above the dog's cage we were off!!!!

The journey was good and not too bumpy! After 3 hours we arrived at the ferry terminal and boarded the boat to Calapan. The ride was a little rough - good job I don't get too sea sick lots of waves banging against the side of the boat and a lot of rocking side to side for 2 and half hours!! Lets just say I was glad to see dry land and be back on the van heading for Ruel.

Everyone was so welcoming when I arrived at the Ruel House. Especially the children who ran over with arms open wide and big smiles. They are adorable and I am so looking forward to spending time with them and getting to know them. By this time my eyes were refusing to stay open any longer and bed was calling. When I first arrived my room was very bare just a bunk bed and set of drawers but it didnt take long for me to make it feel more like home with my photographs. Here begins my new life for the next 6 months!