Eating.... its important!

So, as anal retentive as this will seem... here is a complete list of the food Ive eaten for the past six months... its pretty accurate.... I don't think Ive left much out..... I feel strangely proud to announce to the world that I have documented the food entering my body for the past six months..... anyway...

WEEK 1

one egg, one roll

small bananas

4 drumsticks

ramon soup

mango

Aug 24

2 small bananas

one bowl of spaghetti with italian sauce

appetizers (satay, french fries, pork type food)

Aug 25

Oatmeal with banana

sardines

puffy marienda with meat

rice and beans with greens

Aug 26

can corned beef

rice

banana

greens

August 27

2 eggs

pork type dish with rice

cheeseburger

August 28

Oatmeal with mango

puffy marienda with meat

1 spare rib, 1 pc chicken, rice, chop suey

bites of pandeet

August 29

2 small banana

3 pastry

1 tilapia

veggies

meat and gravy with rice

beans

WEEK 2

Aug 30

chicken drumstick with rice

2 pastry

one pork chop w rice and boc choy

Aug 31

2 eggs w rice

spags with eggplant

1 banana

Sept 1

Oatmeal w raisons and banana

cheese sandwich

Philippine buffet (beef, fish, pork, chop suey)

Sept 2

mango and banana

strange half sandwich

1 small pc chicken, rice, chop suey

pastry

1 can tuna, raman, greens, banana

Sept 3

Banana

small sandwich

rice with some meat food

rice with beans and greens

peanuts and raisins

Sept 4

Oatmeal w raisins

2 shrimp w mixed veg and rice

small sandwich

donut with peanuts

buttered noodles with greens and garlic

Sept 5

mango and hard boiled egg

corned beef, small can of garbanzo, greens

WEEK3

Sept 6

Chicken thigh and leg w rice

pancake

2 small Chx leg and 1 thigh… mixed curry veggies with rice

Sept 7

pastina

stir fry cabbage, 1/2 carrot and small onion w rice

banana and raisins

Sept 8

2 small banana

1 can sardines

2 rolls

one hard boiled egg

one chix leg and thigh, popcorn

Sept 9

oatmeal w 2 banana and raisins

slice of filipino pizza

chicken wing and veggies and rice and banana

rice with cabbage, carrot, beans

yogurt 

Sept 10

biscuit

rice 1/2 fish squid beef/cabbage w broth beans

panceet

Sept 11

rice 1 fish peanuts

chx wing squidd pork piece rice

Sept 12

raman soup

pork spaghetti w sauce

crackers

WEEK 4

SEPT 13

panceet x2

beef pieces and a fish piece

fried leaves and a piece of natural candy

pork, veggies and rice

chips n peanuts

Sept 14

oatmeal with banana and raisins

pork adobo with squash and rice noodles

chips n peanut

fish with rice

Sept 15

banana

2 slices of pastry

peanuts

pork curry with eggplant and rice and banana

Sept 16

banana and mango

pastry

can tuna and roll

can corned beef with roll, chips, red beans

Sept 17

Oatmeal with raisins and banana

2 rolls

noodles, cabbage and carrot pieces

Sept 18

one egg w one roll w one banana

ground pork, squash, rice, eggroll sort of thing

1 pieces chicken and rice

Sept 19

banana

americano burger with french fries!

pork curry leftovers and mango

WEEK 5

Sept 20

Oatmeal w Banana and raisins

raman with hard boiled egg, boy choy and crackers

Spaghetti, eggplant and a roll

Sept 21

2 eggs, one roll

peanuts and chips

two links sausage, rice, greens  and banana

Sept 22

1 piece chicken, pandect

2 slices pizza

peanuts, chips, raisins

Sept 23

oatmeal with raisins

1 piece chicken and rice

chips and peanuts

Sept 24

Oatmeal with raisins

Chicken pieces with rice

2 pieces chicken and chocolate cake

chips

Sept 25

one egg one roll

spaghetti

chop suey, 2 small pieces pork, rice, dessert cup

cheese sandwich

rice and beans and peanuts

Sept 26

fish and rice

fish and rice

squid x 2

WEEK 6

Sept 27

Fish and rice

pork and rice

Fish and rice

little cake

Sept 28

Pork boiled egg rice

Fish soup

beans, boc choy and rice with 2 small sausage

peanuts

Sept 29

2 pc banana cake

can of sardines

crackers and peanuts

fried potato, black beans and 1 pc chicken

BANANA AND COOKIES

Sept 30

Oatmeal with banana and raisins

2 slices pizza

popcorn

Oct 1

rice x 2

ground shark, green veggie, pork roast, squid

Noodles, garlic, garbanzo beans, cookie, peanuts

Oct 2

1/2 banana

2 shrimp. one piece chicken, veggies, rice, 1/2 banana

ramon soup w greens, onion

Cookies

Oct3

1/2 banana and pastry

1 small can corn beef with 1/2 roll

minced pork w rice and one can peas

WEEK 7

OCT 4

one  egg, one roll, minced pork

mango and banana

spaghetti with meat sauce and cabbage salad

OCT  5

oatmeal w raisins

can tuna and crackers

curry, egg with rice

Oct 6

Mango and roll

peanuts

Oct 7

Oatmeal with raisins

one piece chicken, spaghetti, roll

2 pieces white bread

mini hamburger

Oct 8

PANCEET w boiled egg

rice, green beans, chicken pieces

cabbage soup

Oct 9

one egg, one roll, small  piece of ground pork

eggroll, pork, rice, greens

popcorn

Oct 10

Chips

Can Tuna and Crackers

banana dessert

curry w rice

WEEK 8

Oct 11

Panceet, w cabbage, boc choy, carrot, pork

fried okra, bok choy and rice

Oct 12

Oatmeal w raisins

Cabbage Soup, sausage w crackers

2 empanadas

3 pc chx, rice corn

Oct 13

banana

cabbage salad w crackers

panceet

m and c with hotdog and greens

Oct 14

one hard boiled egg and one banana

2 empanada and 2 donut

fried okra and beans with rice

Oct 15

banana

sardines and crackers

popcorn

Oct 16

oatmeal w banana raisin

chicken wing and leg, rice, hard boiled egg, chic noodle soup

muffin

pork chop, rice, corn

Oct 17

mac and cheese and hot dog with peanuts

panceet with cabbage and carrot and meat

WEEK 9

Oct 18

double cheeseburger with fires

10” pizza with ultra thin crust

Oct 19

can tuna w crackers

Chicken breast corn rice

Oct 20

corned beef, roll, banana

donut

peanut butter sandwich

Oct 21

Oatmeal with raisins and banana

panceet with 2 rice logs

spags with meat sauce and cabbage salad and roll

Oct 22

Small piece chicken, meat, veggie and rice

stir fry with beans and greens

Oct 23

Oatmeal with banana and raisin

Fish, greens and rice

banana

rice and pork

Oct 24

Pastina

WEEK 10

Oct 25

one saucy egg with meat and roll

cookie x2

1/2 pork chop, rice, pumpkin, okra curry

Oct 26

Oatmeal with coconut, pineapple

cabbage soup w hot dog

crackers

chips and a cookie

OCT 27

peanut butter and roll, pineapple

leftover spags

leftover pork curry

cookie

Oct 28

oatmeal with coconut and pineapple

cookie

raman soup w/  green beans, onion, okra, greens and hard boiled egg!

popcorn

Oct 29

can of sardines, roll and chips

3 cookies and cassava cake

beans with rice and hotdog

Oct 30

Pineapple with coconut

can of tuna and roll.  Cookie

stir fry with rice

Oct 31

2 eggs hotdog w roll

2 leg 2 thigh of chicken w fried okra

WEEK 11

November 1

Mango, banana pineapple w coconut

veggie stir fry and rice and cookies

nov 2

2 eggs 2 slice bacon! roll

rice and green beans, greens

Nov 3

oatmeal w raisins coconut banana

cabbage soup with crackers

banana

Mac and Cheese with green beans

Nov 4

can of sardines with crackers

cookie

bowl of ice cream

panceet w greens, cabbabe, carrot, onion

Nov 5

3 donuts

corned beef, roll and garbanzo beans

Nov 6

cookies

raman soup

cassava balls

Spags with mystery meat and cabbage salad

Nov 7

Oatmeal with raisins and coconut

cookie

tuna sandwich

homemade potato chips

WEEK 12

November 8

Mango and Coconut

hard boiled egg

fish, rice, banana, pork pieces

fry bread

grilled chicken

November 9

2 eggs, bacon, roll

beef taco

coconut milkshake w corn

stir fry chicken with rice

November 10

tuna salad and bun, chips

bread with chocolate

chicken panceet

Nov 11

2 donut

rice empanada

panceet and white bread

Pizza slice

raman soup with greens, carrot  hard boiled egg, cabbage salad, crackers

popcorn

Nov 12

unknown

Nov 13

2 eggs, pandect, rice, nuts, fruit,okra, Chicken nuggets, veggie crepe

Nov 14

chocolate banana pancakes , thai chicken curry, rice, sushi

WEEK 13

Nov 15

shrimp pad thai, 2 slices bread, fish and shrimp

 Nov 16

2 eggs, bacon, 2 slices of bread. ceviche w blue marlin sushi, half rack of ribs, garlic mashed potatoes

Nov 17

2 poached eggs, 2 slices bread, bacon rice pork adobo with rice

Nov 18

Tariake  Chicken Pita

Rice cookies

Nov 19

2 donuts

cabbage salad with crackers

Nov 20

1 donut

1 banana

pork, veggies, rice

Nov 21

oatmeal with banana and raisins

raman soup with greens

banana

pork chop with rice and beans … cookies

WEEK 14

Nov 22

One piece chicken, rice noodles and a roll

banana

mac n cheese with hotdog

popcorn

Nov 23

2 banana pancakes

corned beef, roll, 2 bags of chips, greens

cookie

Nov 24

bean and rice soup

Chicken soup

fried potatoe

Nov 25

pineapple, banana, coconut

empanada and donut

Sardines and crackers

panceet

2 donut

MC and cabbage salad

Nov 26

tuna, roll and chips

Spags w pork, cabbage salad and roll

popcorn

Nov 27

chicken panceet

cake

chicken breast, rice corn

Nov 28

one egg, one slice bacon, one slice bread

raman soup with greens

a bit of panceet and a piece of cake

rice and beans

pineapple and mango salad

WEEK 15

Nov 29

Oatmeal with raisons and coconut

raman soup with rice greens and hard boiled egg, slice bread

Nov 30

fruit (pieces of mango, pineapple, kalamanci, coconut, banana)

leftover spaghetti

panceet

Dec 1

can tuna, roll, 2 bags chips

1/2 banana

curry rice and beans

cookie

Dec 2

oatmeal banana and raisins

leftover panceet

green beans and rice stir fry

Dec 3

donut

leftover curry rice/beans with hard boiled egg

2 hot dogs, beans, chips and fried potato

Dec 4

one egg, bread, 2 slices bacon

olive pesto

Dec 5

pizza

WEEK 16

Dec 6

Yogurt and fruit

chicken curry with rice

cheddar cheese and crackers

Dec 7

oatmeal with bananas

filipino buffer

chicken shawarma with hummus and naan

Dec 8

2 eggs bacon with 2 slices bread

beef shawarma and hummus and salad

Dec 9

veggie curry

hummus, naan and  tabouli

Dec 10

fruit and yogurt

pad thai with tofu

burger and fries

Dec 11

chicken pho with quail egg

ice cream

cashews

Dec 12

chicken soup with liver and hot dog

rice and greens

popcorn

WEEK 17

Dec 13

Chicken

Dec 14

Oatmeal w raisins and banana

fried potato

spags with meat sauce and cabbage salad, crackers

Dec 15

donut

pork chop rice green beans with banana

Dec 16

peanuts

can tuna, bread, chips and 1/2 banana

rice, raw carrot, chips

Dec 17

Raman, crackers, kalamanci

rice, pork pieces and flan

peanuts and popcorn

Dec 18

1 egg, bread

Raman, crackers

rice and beans w meat

Dec 19

panceet

grilled pork belly, grilled fish, greens and rice

chicken, cake, rice

WEEK 18

Dec 20

pastina

pizza (terrible pizza)

chicken chips

pork rice

Dec 21

leftover spaghetti

pork adobo with rice

Chips

Dec 22

mango and kalamanci

corned beef with bread, small potato, green beans and cabbage salad

Dec 23

2 packs of crackers, can of sardines

slice of very terrible pizza

leftover rice and beans w hard boiled egg

Dec24

rice and beans and kalamanci

Dec25

mango, kalamanci and hard boiled egg

2 small slices ham, spaghetti, noodle salad, rice

popcorn and an apple !!!

Dec26

pork chip, rice and baked beans

kalamanci

WEEK 19

Dec 27

Chocolate covered rice cake

Egg Salad sandwich

Cream of mushroom soup, fries

Dec 28

1 shrimp, Grilled tuna, Rice

small pork piece, small chicken piece, 

Panceet

Ceveche’ and fries

Dec 29

Rice with Chicken, peanuts

Chicken curry, rice, cucumber salad

Dec 30

Buscuits, banana chips

hummus and pita

Dec 31

1 egg, corned beef, rice, 2 banana

Several oreos

Pizza

Chicken curry

Jan 1

One egg, 2 slices toast

fried rice

chocolate banana crepe

Jan 2

1 egg, 2 slices toast

plain crepe, Mango slices, one fried banana, then 2  more raw banana

Shrimp curry with peanuts

WEEK 21

Jan 10

one egg, rice with cheese whiz

spaghetti and chicken

Jan 11

mango and banana

one piece of chicken

Jan12

2 donut

can tuna w crackers

one chicken breast, rice and beans

Jan 13

Oatmeal with raisins

fried banana

pork sandwich

one chicken breast, rice and cabbage salad

popcorn

Jan 14

2 donut

chicken, panceet

banana

m and c

Jan 15

1/2 banana and donut

crackers, rice green beans and pork broth

1 potato and cabbage

Jan 16

1 donut

rice, pork, chicken, beans, pudding

Grilled chicken and chips

Kalamanci x2

WEEK 22

Jan 17

Kalamanci

Ramon soup with chicken

4 kalamanci

pork adobo and rice

Jan 18

oatmeal

rice with green beans and pork broth

roasted chicken and chips and green beans

Jan 19

2 donut

can of tuna w crackers

pasta w pork and olives and garlic

Jan 20

2 donut

1 piece chocolate cake

roll with peanut butter

cabbage salad

one banana

Jan 21

boiled egg

2 donuts

pork soup

cabbage salad, can of sardines and popcorn

Jan 22

roll

corned beef and potato

Jan 23

roll 

ramon soup w crackers

noodle sandwich

chx (leg and thigh), rice, beans, dried mango

WEEK 23

JAN 24

mango and guava

popcorn

fried banana

chicken and pork soup

Jan 25

oatmeal

spags with pork and cabbage salad

1/2 banana

Jan 26

a few saltines

corned beef, beans, m and c

Jan 27

1/2 banana and guava

2 empanadas

chicken and rice  

Chicken and rice again

Jan 28

4 slices white bread, 2 slices ham, 2 slices cheese

chicken, rice and veggies

leftover pesta with pork and garlic and olive, mango slices

Jan 29

meat sandwich X2

bbq pork, tofu (!), rice

wild duck and native chicken

Jan 30

Oatmeal with raisins and banana

ramon soup with crackers

slice of pizza

small can pork n beans, grilled chicken and rice\\

WEEK 24

Jan 31

Cookies, chicken and rice

fried pork and peanuts

Feb 1

chicken, pork, crackers, peanuts

cookies

Feb 2

kini law

fried pepper

assorted pork pieces

Chicken

cookies

Feb 3

tuna sandwich

ham and egg sandwich

cassava chips

Feb 4

2 eggs, 2 pc toast, bacon

hamburger and fries

schwarma, chicken curry, naan and olives

Feb 5

yogurt and banana

hummus, tabouli, falafel and naan

Feb 6

oatmeal with banana

chop suey with dry noodles and rice

2 fish tacos, chips, 2 cookies, onion rings

the bell tolls for thee

So, there is a tradition at the office of the Peace Corps in the Philippines.  Whenever a volunteer is ready to leave the building for the last time, the guard rings a bell over and over.  The bell announces to all staff that they should convene in the lobby to say goodbye.  Once gathered, obligatory photos are taken. And then, the moment of truth: the Volunteer speech.

With heart in my throat, I told the team how much I appreciated my service in the Philippines and also of the service of the assembled team to me.

To those of you who do not know, for the past 53 years, all volunteers heading into service are asked to work to achieve three goals:

1)  To bring needed skills and abilities to the host agency they are serving,
2)  Through positive example, teach the host culture a little about what it means to be an American,
3)  Through whatever means, teach fellow americans a little bit more about the culture you have embraced.

I told the group that in my mind there was a fourth goal I worked to honor, namely

4)  Through my experience, I wanted to learn more about myself, and in doing so, make myself a better person.

They were pleased, having never heard of the 4th goal before today!

I feel that through my actions, I achieved the first three goals.  I am a poor judge of the fourth and  understand that it will be my actions in the future that demonstrate the final proof of this achievement.  I'm ready to take that challenge.

some random last thoughts as I move on

• when all you have for dinner is a can of sardines and cabbage salad, a can of sardines and cabbage salad can taste pretty darned good.
• Solitude must be embraced to be enjoyed.  Otherwise it can cause madness.
• Love is the most important thing that there is in the world.
• I'm not the first to come up with this, but I have learned that poverty is only a state of mind.
• The filipino culture is, beyond doubt, the most beautiful culture I have yet to come across in my world travels. 
• Filipino’s are flawed.
• I am powerful beyond measure because God lives in me! (I’m still working on this, but it deserves mention!)
• There are certain things I will not eat, no matter what.
• There is no glamour in prostitution.  It is a horrible, deplorable and ugly business indeed.
• Waiting doesn't have to be painful if you open your eyes, look around you and speak to your neighbor.  That being said, those long bus rides were brutal.
• The satisfaction of cultural immersion, without the knowledge of local tongue, is frustratingly incomplete.
• As far as Im concerned, here in the Philippines, country living beats city living in nearly every possible way.
• Hot water and toilet paper are over-rated.  That being said, it will be nice to take hot showers again!
• I can now say that I have seen and felt the jungle.  I prefer the desert.
• In the scheme of things, six months is a drop in the bucket.
• I’ve been reminded once again in my life that the best way to remain young at heart is to hang around children.
• As much as I will miss Lagonoy, I will surely NOT miss the following:
• dogs barking incessantly outside my window
• sleeping with the “no see um” ant critters in my bed
• not so much the bite, but the deafening whine of the mosquito above my head, screaming irritation in oh so many many ways
• humidity and rain, mold and mildew
• unknown animals who have a nightly square dance on the flip side of my ceiling tile
• intermittent internet access

What will I miss the most?  Easy picking

 I will miss the sincerity, the authentic smiles and the joy that I’ve been privileged to participate in every single day I’ve lived in the Philippines!  

I will miss my friends

Door to Door

My last day in Lagonoy was just so great!  I had a chance to see all my co-workers during the day, I had the opportunity to share some beautiful conversation to say some things I needed to say, and then at 6p, they threw a giant party for me on the rooftop under the light of a full moon!  Carlos "cooked"my favorite dish...  kini law (a filipino sushi) and some other wonderful things as well... My good friend Margie made this delicious fried pepper dish that was utterly delicious!  It wouldn't be a party without singing, so of course they lugged a videoke machine up there and I got to sing all of my favorites...  Wonderful Tonight, The Boxer, Zombie, and some Beatles songs.  But then of course, a special request...  "Daniel" by Elton John.  I tell you, I was a lark!  And then the dancing started!  Yeah...  a good wrap up to a most excellent experience.

Packed all my stuff beforehand so I'd be ready for a quick departure.  Choy was pleased to receive his bounty!  Then, I awoke at 4:30 and dragged my belongings to the bus station.  And here I am tonight... at my favorite Pension in Manila!  Oh, you were wondering how long the trip took, eh?  Well, lets see if you can guess....  roughly 280 miles...  by bus....   hmmmm....    would you believe that door to door it took just about 15 hours?!  Very close to unbearable, no way to sugarcoat it folks....  15 hours.... 3 stops for food, a breakdown (again belt replacements on the side of the road, yes mechanic and supplies on board), 5 (!) full length movies...  I shouldn't complain though... at least the bus had air con and my seat wasn't right on top of the engine like in Palawan!

Anyway, Im exhausted.  as Im typing this I am eating a gourmet tuna salad sandwich (yeah, a little hungry I am because there was no way I was going to risk that roadside "food").   It will be no trouble finding slumber tonight along with the other 9 men in my bunk dorm room.  Tomorrow its off to the Peace Corps office to begin the mountain of paperwork required for proper exit.  In all fairness, I am looking forward to it... I like these people a lot... these Peace Corps folk... them and the friends they serve here in the Philippines!

the barkada

Yesterday was just another day in a most exceptional adventure.  It began with a text from a friend.  By the end, I had been hosted by a father and son playing native tagalog songs on violin and guitar and I had laughed with my best friends.  And I had cried.

These men I have come to know… come to share hours and hours of talking, singing, and laughter…  I just want to state that they are more than just convenient friends…  they have become my close friends.  I daresay, as close to a fraternity of brotherhood than I have ever been lucky enough to associate myself with.  Unquestioning in their loyalty to one another and to me, they are, to a person, good men.   They have allowed me into their lives with no reservation and have accepted who I am with generosity. and kind hearts.  They have introduced me to their families and they have fed me.  They have literally given me their shirts.  And they have taken care of me when I have fallen.  

They had the insight to know that we were going to become close friends even before I recognized it.  And last night, they understood that I will miss them, just as they will miss me. 

So, I wake today with a heavy heart indeed.  And as I walk through the next passageway in my life, I cannot close the room I have just passed through.  There is far too much value in keeping that door open. 

Onward I go!

So today is Friday, my last day in the Mayor's office

Over the past couple of days Ive had the opportunity to speak to over 1200 high schoolers about critically important disaster preparedness issues.  I am so happy to have had this opportunity!  Truly, knowledge is power, but like I told the audience... it isn't power in and of itself..   knowledge is only powerful it if is applied.

Every school we visited was so welcoming... once, we delivered the 3 hour presentation to children seated in the pouring rain. . Umbrella's over their heads, they sat attentively and listened.. with apparent interest, to what we were trying to say...   Once, we spoke before an audience of over 800!  We, the speakers spoke a variety of languages, Bicol, Tagalog and English.  The audience danced between each language with ease - I still find it amazing, this ability to jump from language to language to language!

A new group of friends and I gathered last night - we ate wild duck and native chicken with rice.  I was informed that I should be prepared next Monday for a short speech to be delivered to the workers of LGU Lagonoy at the weekly Monday flag ceremony.  I figured this was in the works, but I will need to take time to craft an appropriate departure message to my counterparts.  Then, Ive been told there will be a party to follow... I figured that was in the works as well.  And then of course there is tomorrow... big party at the radio station!  Whether or not we will be going live over the airwaves is still in question... but the show will go on no matter!

I did hear some sad news yesterday... one of my first friends here in the office is soon to become a single mother.  Her boyfriend has no job and apparently no desire for marriage.  I noticed that she seemed distraught lately, but I didnt want to ask what was the matter... Now, she has stopped coming to work at all.  It makes me sad because she is so young... with such potential!  My heart goes out to her, and her parents, who are apparently not happy about the news.  I find this happens all to often here... young girls becoming pregnant and then withdrawing to their barangay to raise children... alone, or to be more precise, with the help of their mothers.  Of course, it is a story I saw during my last PC service as well... it is the story of poverty and it is a woman's story and it is known all to well, Im sorry to say.

Anyway... 5 more sleeps until I travel away from Lagonoy onto my next adventure.  Of course, I am sad.  Friends are wishing me farewell and asking when I will be returning - because surely I must return!

and now, the end is near!

On the home front,  I've begun the process of purging things I have accumulated for no good reason over the past 6 months.  Miscellaneous paper, magazines, ticket stubs, food, simple electronics I will never need again....  I have a good sense that I will be leaving with less that I brought.  For one thing, I'm starting to get requests from friends, "before you leave, will you please give me your _________."  And, as you might well imagine, I have grown especially tired of the limited wardrobe I brought with me!  I will take what I need for Thailand and either toss the rest, or give it all to Choy.  In fact, Choy is going to be a big winner in my departure..... I've just got a feeling about this!

On another front, I have some unfortunate news to report:  The radio station has been off the air for the last week or so.  That meant no "family hour" this past Saturday over the airwaves!  Apparently, an important piece of equipment blew up and arrangements are still being made to finance a replacement.  Hopefully, there will be one last program, because I am ready to sing the big one.... the videoke GIANT!!!  I'm going to do it... Im going to sing Frank's, "My Way"!  I've been practicing...

Of course, the lack of radio did not stop the barkada from forming last Saturday.  All I can literally report is that too much ginebra was consumed, and by all accounts, the team was sidelined on Sunday to nurse wounds!  Somewhere during the fracas, I remember singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" (dear god!)...  Also, I woke up with a hair cut... still not sure how that happened!

Here is something interesting: Essentially I haven't looked in a mirror in 6 months.  In an odd way, that is a rather liberating feeling!  That said, I hope the haircut turned out ok!

This week promises to be busy from a work standpoint. Of course, there is an endless stream of Peace Corps COS (Close of Service) paperwork to begin and then, we decided just last week on one final mission.  On Wednesday and Thursday, we will travel to the Eastern Barangay's to deliver a Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness presentation to 4 local High Schools.  We are estimating each presentation to last about 3 hours.  Since I will have the bulk of that time for myself (Carlos and the Local Fire Marshall are also on the docket) I am busily working on material to both hand out and present.

I've been told that Friday will be a "day of rest" (?)  I am also told that under no circumstances will it be permissible for me to leave Lagonoy Monday night and that the earliest I will be able to leave is Tuesday morning....  something about "painting the town"....

Gotta love this place!