A little update...

My plan was to update before I left the states… however, time escaped me. Two of my best friends got married last Saturday and that helped me take my mind of leaving the country. My flights went very well. I had a personal TV located on the back of the seat in front of me. I was able to play about an hour of Tetris and watch FIVE movies. Staying up most of the 32 hour flight helped with the jet lag. I am doing pretty good. Last night I did go to sleep about 7:30pm and woke up this morning at 5am. So, I am still a little off. But feeling much better than the first time I arrived.
Upon arriving in Manila I took a taxi to a nearby Hostel where I spent the night in the home of a Japanese couple. This experience made me remember much of the TagLag(Tah-Gah Log) I had previously learned as they did not know how to communicate with my taxi driver. I was nervous staying with a couple who did not know the local dialect as this usually indicates no cultural sensitivity. However, they were very nice and I had a pretty warm shower. By that, I mean… it was not freezing cold and it came from a shower head rather than a spicket from the wall. All in all.. a good experience.
My last flight was domestic. It took about an hour to arrive in my destination city, Tagbilaran. On the airplane ride they played a game. The flight attendant would say an item and whoever raised said item the fastest won a prize. I wasn’t too excited about digging through my bag after the long haul I had been on already. However, the first item was, “Your Five Fingers” …. I won.  I got a little notebook and pen. It came in handy as I had to fill out some more paperwork and didn’t have a writing utensil. So, it is going well so far. Haha.
The president of the organization I will be working with is Dennis and his wife Marilou. Keep this in mind as from here on out I will only reference them by name and not title.
Dennis and Marilou picked me up in Tagbilaran and we went on a tour of the city. The first stop was the Café were many of the Deaf students work. It was really neat. The food was amazing and I guarantee I will eat there often. I have to confess though, my first meal here was a cheeseburger with onion rings. But in my defense, it doesn’t taste the same. 
Marilou went through the grocery store with me and helped me pick out some items I will be needing. And… There are many veggies to choose from! I am pretty excited as last time I was here there were no vegetables except egg plant. I purchased many fruits I have never tried. And they have mangosteens here for 90 pesos/kilo… so about $2 for about 10. I am not sure how to eat them yet; but I will figure it out. If you are unsure about what a mangosteen is, take the time to look up the amazing benefits of this fruit. This was also not available where I was last time.
My bungalow is amazing! I will be taking some pictures and possibly a video and putting up on here so you can see it. I am very blessed. I have been in the bungalow for about 13 hours and the only thing I have really had to deal with is ants. I do have a Gecko that I am not sure how to get out… cause my windows are enclosed. And they are SO quick. I don’t mind them though… they can eat the ants. Believe it or not, I have yet to see a cockroach… but I am sure I will. However, I am convinced they won’t be living with me this time. I know this is my home already though, since I have already spilt my coffee.
I am going to Deaf church this morning. I have much more to say, but I need to get going. OH… and I DON”T have internet in my bungalow… but it is not too far away… so I should be able to update often.


Ready to start a 6 month journey,

Toni