failures + successes

Currently, I'm sitting with some grade 2 students.  Its 11:30, which means is igma rin (lunchtime).  We're chatting in the local language kinaray-a and sharing lots of laughs and smiles. Since coming back from my MST (mid-service training) in October, I've been trying to live in the moment everyday here and appreciate the little moments like these that happen …

Continue reading failures + successes

building bridges

understand that there is a difference between knowing and understanding I recently had the opportunity to be involved with a program called Padayon Mindanao.  Padayon Mindanao is a USAID initiative aiming to train ALS (alternative-learning-system) teachers and OSY (out of school youth) through cross-cultural collaboration and friendship building.  Peace Corps is helping this initiative by …

Continue reading building bridges

one year na!

It's my one year mark in service! I can't believe I've been living in the Philippines for one whole year, it feels like I just left home.  This year has sure been a memorable one, lots of new experiences, friendships and memories were made, but along with those it was also filled with some less-so-happy moments …

Continue reading one year na!

planes, trains and automobiles

While this post isn't about your favorite Thanksgiving movie, we're talking all about transportation and how to get around in this island-filled country. In the Philippines, the most popular forms of transportation are motorbikes, tricycles and jeepneys.  Motorbikes are bawal for Peace Corps Volunteers, but many locals own bikes to get around.  If you are living …

Continue reading planes, trains and automobiles

fire, fiesta & fun

Kumusta kayo? It's been a while since my last post, but since returning to site from training there were a whirlwind of events and activities, so now its time to play catch up! February We celebrated my municipality's local religious festival, Udyakan. Spanning over 4 days,  with a mardi-gras theme, there were fire dancing performances …

Continue reading fire, fiesta & fun