and watch the Academy Awards. That's what I did today. Not true, I also went to the Laundromat to dry my clothes and the grocery store to buy chicken. Ultimately though I spent the better part of my 3 day weekend doing very little and I loved every minute of it.
It has been raining here since the 17th, there has been a few hours of sun but that is it, not even a whole day just a few hours here and there. Hopefully with March here in a few hours things will improve. Needless to say the weather did not inspire me to do to much either. I did a lot of reading and finished a bunch of knitting projects. I was also working on a blanket but I decided that I wouldn't have enough wool so I pulled it out and am contemplating my options. I don't want to buy anymore more wool while I am here and would like to use up what I have so I don't have to pack it. I did start a Fair Isle hat kit today though, it's my first try (at carrying colours) but I think that I can do it.
I make it sound like I didn't do anything at all this weekend and that's not true, I went out for dinner on Friday, shopping on Saturday afternoon and then to Costco yesterday AND I cleaned my apartment, well all of it except my bedroom.
Not to much else to say, back to school tomorrow and happily it is only a 4 day week now. I am going to curl up and read for few hours before I go to sleep listening to never ending rain on my tin roof.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Simply Scarves
I rarely take photos of my knitting but since I that is virtually all I did today I thought that I would show it off. It's not to exciting, only scarves but that's what I've been up to latley. The one on the left is mine, knit with some velour I got in Canada. In the middle is one for a friend here and the last one is me using up scraps, local charities like knitted things so I thought I would use up my yarn before I come home. 
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Monday, February 21, 2005
Owww
Remember when I was at Teacher's College and got hit by that car and hurt my hand, well it hurts again! Yes the hand that wasn't broken - Stupid Doctor- that probably was broken, well I just whacked it on my dogs mouth, rather the dog whacked it's mouth on me and now I am typing with 8 fingers as my thumb and index finger hurt a lot. Hmm... to bad I am afraid to go to a doctor here. They would probably give me antibiotics and tell me to come back in 3 days!
On a brighter note I I started to type this post because I realized that I hadn't really acknowledged the existence of my secret pal. So, Secret Pal I love your comments... I totally appreciate them and I think your great, wherever you are.
Okay hand hurts to much to keep this up, we'll see how it feels tomorrow, I can't believe she actually hit me hard enough to hurt it, oh well, if it still hurts in a few days I will contemplate doing something about it. I am off to snuggle in my bed and try to keep warm, it's chilly here and it is never going to stop raining! Yes the first day back at work was bearable, thanks for asking. I really love my kids and am going to cry my eyes out when I have to say good-bye to them in June. They are a pretty sweet bunch.
On a brighter note I I started to type this post because I realized that I hadn't really acknowledged the existence of my secret pal. So, Secret Pal I love your comments... I totally appreciate them and I think your great, wherever you are.
Okay hand hurts to much to keep this up, we'll see how it feels tomorrow, I can't believe she actually hit me hard enough to hurt it, oh well, if it still hurts in a few days I will contemplate doing something about it. I am off to snuggle in my bed and try to keep warm, it's chilly here and it is never going to stop raining! Yes the first day back at work was bearable, thanks for asking. I really love my kids and am going to cry my eyes out when I have to say good-bye to them in June. They are a pretty sweet bunch.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Neverland
I'm sitting here with my tea on a very cold and wet morning. This is day 3 of solid rain and I am not to happy about it. I am in fact dreading the day, I have to head to school and get a heap of work done for the coming week(s). I am excited about by next theme, Neverland. We are going to learn about all things imaginary. I am dreading being back at work and the frustrations of working in another culture with support staff who seem to have in for me. But whatever, there is little I can do about it. It's a year and it is almost done and then I'm going home. The fact that we work 10 hours a day also takes it toll on my sanity and patience.
On a brighter note I saw Finding Neverland last night and really loved it. I have been passionate about Peter Pan for many years and it was really neat to see a slice of the story about the author's life. I know that it's a movie and many things probably changed in the process of making it into a script but I loved it anyway. I also spent the morning out and about showing a friends, friend around the Jade and flower markets. All in all it as good end to my vacation but sadly it's over.
Okay I must go get some food and get myself out into the rain....
On a brighter note I saw Finding Neverland last night and really loved it. I have been passionate about Peter Pan for many years and it was really neat to see a slice of the story about the author's life. I know that it's a movie and many things probably changed in the process of making it into a script but I loved it anyway. I also spent the morning out and about showing a friends, friend around the Jade and flower markets. All in all it as good end to my vacation but sadly it's over.
Okay I must go get some food and get myself out into the rain....
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Philippines Photos
I have had a busy 2 days. I managed to upload all my pictures and create a new photo album, click the title of the post for the link.
Not to much to say, I have been knitting and baking for the last 2 days. I went out last night with some friends for supper and to see the lights that are up from Chinese New Year - very cool. Today it is wet and rainy and I think that I will just stick around the house, have some cleaning and such to do. I have plans to go to the flower market tomorrow and then sadly I will spend Sunday at school getting ready for the next month! i have a lot to do. My next theme is "Everything Imaginary" we are going to learn about dragons, monsters, fairies and fairy tales. I think it will be a fun unit...once I finally sit down and plan it that is.
Enjoy the pictures.
Not to much to say, I have been knitting and baking for the last 2 days. I went out last night with some friends for supper and to see the lights that are up from Chinese New Year - very cool. Today it is wet and rainy and I think that I will just stick around the house, have some cleaning and such to do. I have plans to go to the flower market tomorrow and then sadly I will spend Sunday at school getting ready for the next month! i have a lot to do. My next theme is "Everything Imaginary" we are going to learn about dragons, monsters, fairies and fairy tales. I think it will be a fun unit...once I finally sit down and plan it that is.
Enjoy the pictures.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Happy
I am home and although I am sad that my vacation is over I am happy that I don't have to be back at work until Monday. I have heaps to do for work though and will spend at least one whole day at school this week. Probably Sunday, it's best to put off all work until the bitter end, right.
I have decided that the Philippines is a great place and it sad that is gets such a bad wrap all the time. Most of the country is super safe and the people are so nice. The poverty is overwhelming and it is really hard to see little kids sleeping in the streets. When I was on the plane last night there where a whole bunch of young Filipino girls, I was sitting beside a few of them. They were on the their way here for jobs, highly coveted factory worker jobs. They were amazed that I was a teacher and traveling around by myself. I couldn't help thinking that I am so lucky I was born in a country were I had choices. I could go to university and be whatever I wanted to be (even if I will be paying for it forever). These girls don't have choices like that, they could stay in the Philippines and try to find work or they could come here and work in factory or as a servant and make more money. They work here and make enough money to send some home their families. Sadly they aren't treated very well here, many people treat them as second class citizens, especially the families who hire them as nannies and household help and yet it is still better than no job at all and so they come. It is amazing how different our lives are.
My last night in the Manila was good, I met up with a bunch of boys from St. John's (yeah Nfld) and we went to this bar called the Hobbit House. It is a bit of a landmark and it has been in Manila for about 30 years. It is run by "little people" (not sure what the PC term is) and they wear shirts that say "Small is beautiful" and "World's smallest waiters". It was pretty neat, they had all the required Lord of the Rings art on the walls. We heard this amazing singer, his name is Freddy Aguilar and he is a bit of a national icon. He was really good and I had a great night.
On Tuesday I went and got the the required Manila mug from Starbucks and then headed to the airport. It was a long afternoon of waiting in a very crowded airport with very few shops or services. Oh well, I read my book and knit a little. I made it home, went and got the dog and went to bed. Now I am off to pay the rent and go tot the bead store. MAybe I will work on that photo album today.... we'll see.
I have decided that the Philippines is a great place and it sad that is gets such a bad wrap all the time. Most of the country is super safe and the people are so nice. The poverty is overwhelming and it is really hard to see little kids sleeping in the streets. When I was on the plane last night there where a whole bunch of young Filipino girls, I was sitting beside a few of them. They were on the their way here for jobs, highly coveted factory worker jobs. They were amazed that I was a teacher and traveling around by myself. I couldn't help thinking that I am so lucky I was born in a country were I had choices. I could go to university and be whatever I wanted to be (even if I will be paying for it forever). These girls don't have choices like that, they could stay in the Philippines and try to find work or they could come here and work in factory or as a servant and make more money. They work here and make enough money to send some home their families. Sadly they aren't treated very well here, many people treat them as second class citizens, especially the families who hire them as nannies and household help and yet it is still better than no job at all and so they come. It is amazing how different our lives are.
My last night in the Manila was good, I met up with a bunch of boys from St. John's (yeah Nfld) and we went to this bar called the Hobbit House. It is a bit of a landmark and it has been in Manila for about 30 years. It is run by "little people" (not sure what the PC term is) and they wear shirts that say "Small is beautiful" and "World's smallest waiters". It was pretty neat, they had all the required Lord of the Rings art on the walls. We heard this amazing singer, his name is Freddy Aguilar and he is a bit of a national icon. He was really good and I had a great night.
On Tuesday I went and got the the required Manila mug from Starbucks and then headed to the airport. It was a long afternoon of waiting in a very crowded airport with very few shops or services. Oh well, I read my book and knit a little. I made it home, went and got the dog and went to bed. Now I am off to pay the rent and go tot the bead store. MAybe I will work on that photo album today.... we'll see.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Guess Where I am
I am sitting in the "Blog Internet Cafe" in Manila, I thought that the name was a great and just had to come here instead of the cheaper one down the street. It costs 50 pesos an hour, about 1 US dollar. I think I can swing it.
Life is good, after a few days of a very grouchy belly I felt a lot better yesterday. I have left the beautiful beach a and am back in Manila. My friends have all gone back to work in Taipei and so I am here alone until tomorrow. I had plane to go on a sight seeing tour today but it didn't happen. I just decided to have a lazy day instead and spend some time at my favorite place.... the mall. I think that I might try to find some yarn stores... the online search is next on my list of things to do.
The last days on the beach where great. I met lots of great people. I think I can get used to hanging out on the beach in February. We came back to Manila on Saturday and it was crazy busy. They where having a huge street party as the main street along the bay was closed. The traffic was terrible and it took us forever to get to the hostel. Once we all met up ( I was waiting for some other friends to arrive from a different beach) we went to the waterfront to see what all the commotion was about. You'll never guess what it was, not a music festival or some religious event but a huge celebration of valentine's day called Loveapoolza! It was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. There were thousands of people and at midnight 25 000 couples where going to kiss and then switch partners 3 times in order to have a million kisses happen in a 10 minute period. It was the craziest thing. We didn't stick around to see the kisses as we were all tired but I imagine that it was quite the sight.
I had a great day yesterday, Rhea and I went to the most amazing mall here in Manila. It was so nice and they even has an Old Navy, it was an expensive Old Navy but it was fun to see none the less. Shopping here on the whole is pretty good, many things can be bought for a fraction of the cost elsewhere and the locally made stuff is super cheap. We had amazing Vietnamese food for super and I continue to be amazed at how great real vietnamese food. I can hardly wait until I make it there this summer to eat it all day everyday.
Another bonus of Manila, Starbucks has white chocolate mocha's... hot and cold! Taiwan so doesn't know what they are missing. I have yet to find the required Manila mug from Starbucks, they are hard to get a hold of but the Starbucks staff assures me I will have one before I leave tomorrow.
Everyone here is super friendly and it is really great to be in a country where everyone speaks the same language that I do. I am not looking to forward to heading home tomorrow but I am happy that I still have a few days off before I have to be back at work. I have so much to do though as I did zero planning before I left. Hey on a brighter note I only have 4 months and 3 days left until the end of my contract... very exciting.
Okay I guess that it is for today. I will head home tomorrow and as soon as I get organized there will be photos and such from the beach so you can all see what I have been going on about.
Life is good, after a few days of a very grouchy belly I felt a lot better yesterday. I have left the beautiful beach a and am back in Manila. My friends have all gone back to work in Taipei and so I am here alone until tomorrow. I had plane to go on a sight seeing tour today but it didn't happen. I just decided to have a lazy day instead and spend some time at my favorite place.... the mall. I think that I might try to find some yarn stores... the online search is next on my list of things to do.
The last days on the beach where great. I met lots of great people. I think I can get used to hanging out on the beach in February. We came back to Manila on Saturday and it was crazy busy. They where having a huge street party as the main street along the bay was closed. The traffic was terrible and it took us forever to get to the hostel. Once we all met up ( I was waiting for some other friends to arrive from a different beach) we went to the waterfront to see what all the commotion was about. You'll never guess what it was, not a music festival or some religious event but a huge celebration of valentine's day called Loveapoolza! It was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. There were thousands of people and at midnight 25 000 couples where going to kiss and then switch partners 3 times in order to have a million kisses happen in a 10 minute period. It was the craziest thing. We didn't stick around to see the kisses as we were all tired but I imagine that it was quite the sight.
I had a great day yesterday, Rhea and I went to the most amazing mall here in Manila. It was so nice and they even has an Old Navy, it was an expensive Old Navy but it was fun to see none the less. Shopping here on the whole is pretty good, many things can be bought for a fraction of the cost elsewhere and the locally made stuff is super cheap. We had amazing Vietnamese food for super and I continue to be amazed at how great real vietnamese food. I can hardly wait until I make it there this summer to eat it all day everyday.
Another bonus of Manila, Starbucks has white chocolate mocha's... hot and cold! Taiwan so doesn't know what they are missing. I have yet to find the required Manila mug from Starbucks, they are hard to get a hold of but the Starbucks staff assures me I will have one before I leave tomorrow.
Everyone here is super friendly and it is really great to be in a country where everyone speaks the same language that I do. I am not looking to forward to heading home tomorrow but I am happy that I still have a few days off before I have to be back at work. I have so much to do though as I did zero planning before I left. Hey on a brighter note I only have 4 months and 3 days left until the end of my contract... very exciting.
Okay I guess that it is for today. I will head home tomorrow and as soon as I get organized there will be photos and such from the beach so you can all see what I have been going on about.
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Yuck
Poor me, I am so ill, well that is not true I was so ill all night. I am not sure if it was food poisoning, to much disguised gluten/MSG or the green chilies but I was not a happy girl. Aside from feeling like I have been run over by a train today I am having a great time.
Yesterday we went on this very fun island tour and swam in these great fresh water pools and a lovely barbecued lunch. Lunch is always lovely when others make it! Then we went and saw a small local village and on the way home we hit a rooster, the boys stopped the jeep and got out to pick it up, free dinner. I was a little floored but I understand why they did it. Chickens and roosters wander free unless they are for cock fights and then they are kept closely guarded.
Today we are just going to hang out in the town and tomorrow we are going to see White beach. I am heading back to Manila on Saturday and then home to Taipei on Tuesday. Okay I need to go find some gentle food for my sad and overwhelmed stomach. Talk to you soon.
Yes I found and cheaper internet connection, thus the post.
Yesterday we went on this very fun island tour and swam in these great fresh water pools and a lovely barbecued lunch. Lunch is always lovely when others make it! Then we went and saw a small local village and on the way home we hit a rooster, the boys stopped the jeep and got out to pick it up, free dinner. I was a little floored but I understand why they did it. Chickens and roosters wander free unless they are for cock fights and then they are kept closely guarded.
Today we are just going to hang out in the town and tomorrow we are going to see White beach. I am heading back to Manila on Saturday and then home to Taipei on Tuesday. Okay I need to go find some gentle food for my sad and overwhelmed stomach. Talk to you soon.
Yes I found and cheaper internet connection, thus the post.
Monday, February 7, 2005
Manila redeemed
Okay I just typed this great post and then lost my internet connection and thus my whole post so here are the highligts in point form!
- I stayed in a horrible neighborhood in Manila but yesterday throughthe help of some other travellers saw the better parts of it. I am looking forward to going back next week.
-I got sick on the ferry ride over, it was brutal!
- I am on a great island staying in a cabin with a view of the beach.
-went snorkeling today and saw heaps of fish, all the fish from Finding Nemo and more. I even saw a baby clownfish! It was very cool.
This is the world's most expensive internet connection so that is all you are going to get. If you want to see wher I am you can goole Sabang Beach. It is amazing. I will write properly when I am back in Manila on Sunday. Wish you were here.
- I stayed in a horrible neighborhood in Manila but yesterday throughthe help of some other travellers saw the better parts of it. I am looking forward to going back next week.
-I got sick on the ferry ride over, it was brutal!
- I am on a great island staying in a cabin with a view of the beach.
-went snorkeling today and saw heaps of fish, all the fish from Finding Nemo and more. I even saw a baby clownfish! It was very cool.
This is the world's most expensive internet connection so that is all you are going to get. If you want to see wher I am you can goole Sabang Beach. It is amazing. I will write properly when I am back in Manila on Sunday. Wish you were here.
Saturday, February 5, 2005
Different
Well I arrived the Philippines Yesterday, all in one piece. It's hot and sunny and Manilla is dirty and crowded! I checked in to the hostel and after some frustrating reservation mix ups I got a bed. It was perhaps the smallest, darkest room I have ever seen, most of the rooms are pretty good but I ended up with a dud. I am moving into better space tonight and Amanda is arriving from Taipei.
Yesterday I went exploring to this very old part of the city and saw a church that is from the 16th century. It was neat and so old. The poverty in the neighbourhood was a little overwhelming. Children always have their hands out hoping a friendly face will give them something. It's a really different than Taipei.
I have all day today here and tomorrow I am heading to the beach, I can't wait. People told me not to stay in the city to long and now I understand why. Hopefully today will be okay and I won't fall into any puddles as I did last night in the dark, not to fun!
Yesterday I went exploring to this very old part of the city and saw a church that is from the 16th century. It was neat and so old. The poverty in the neighbourhood was a little overwhelming. Children always have their hands out hoping a friendly face will give them something. It's a really different than Taipei.
I have all day today here and tomorrow I am heading to the beach, I can't wait. People told me not to stay in the city to long and now I understand why. Hopefully today will be okay and I won't fall into any puddles as I did last night in the dark, not to fun!
Thursday, February 3, 2005
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
I'm the best
Isn't that so true, no self esteem isues here! Today is my class' 100th day of school and I (their crazy teacher) am currently putting 100 elstics in my hair, I won't leave the school all day as I will look a little strange but the kids will think it is great. Maybe, if your lucky I will take a picture.
Not to much elsse to say. I have been trying to get some stuff organized before my trip but I am not getting to far. I must get some laundry done and have 3 packages to mail. In order to mail the packages I must finish the letters that go in them. Maybe tonight.
Anyway, gotta get moving and go see the munchkins. Yesterday was a tough day, the new TA was there all day and they were so naughty, poor girl is never going to come back! Hopefully today will be better all though it is out party day and so expecting them to be good is silly of me. Oh well, it'll be fun.
Have a good Wednesday!
Not to much elsse to say. I have been trying to get some stuff organized before my trip but I am not getting to far. I must get some laundry done and have 3 packages to mail. In order to mail the packages I must finish the letters that go in them. Maybe tonight.
Anyway, gotta get moving and go see the munchkins. Yesterday was a tough day, the new TA was there all day and they were so naughty, poor girl is never going to come back! Hopefully today will be better all though it is out party day and so expecting them to be good is silly of me. Oh well, it'll be fun.
Have a good Wednesday!
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