August 21, 2010
I’m not sure how it happened, but I’m staying here! I’m excited and a bit nervous. I’m excited to see this project to finish. I’m nervous since Lauren will be returning home and I’ll be on my own. However, the nurses have said they will take care of me… I’ve already been invited to join them on a vacation in December. And Ate Nel’s daughter is moving, so I can spend time with her “so we both aren’t alone.” And the staff at the hotel seem happy that I’ll be staying. Winnie is now teaching me a word a day – lamok bite makes me makati. Makati City – Itchy City? Ewww. Winnie also let me check out other rooms so I could find one that is best for me. I’ll be taken care of while here… they’ll watch out for me and make sure I’m okay. However, they seemed concerned that I don’t have a boyfriend and want to find me one… oh, boy. I love that the name of some guy was mentioned and Gladys replied, “No, I don’t like him for Miss Jenn. She needs better.” I’m going to be just fine… but I will so miss Lauren! We’ve been attached at the hip for nearly 3 months… last night at dinner we were both a bit sad it was her last Friday night dinner in Cabanatuan. So those of you who still read this… emails, please! I also love texts, which is the same cost as sending them to me while I’m in the US since it is my US number – just costs me to respond. And care packages are always appreciated. Yup. I’m going to spend my birthday and Thanksgiving here… that might be a bit strange, but then again… nothing can be as horrible as Christmas 2007, so I’m going to be better than fine. J
Life really has a funny way of working out… when I left home I had no clue when I would return. I knew the earliest would be September, but wasn’t so sure I’d be able to stay longer. And the timing of all this? To have a friend who needed a place to rent and was willing to care for my Ruby while gone? And to have a job that I could leave for 3 months – granted I did resign from Marble once I found out I’m staying. I just didn’t feel right asking folks to cover my shifts for another 4 months. It was a little sad to throw in my bar towel. So for the first time in over 2 years, I only have one job. And I love this job. Oh, and the other funny thing… to be sent to a place with someone I had already lived and worked with? And now feel comfortable in this city and culture? I mean, Loy even took us to get our pants taken in (and shortened for me) last week… when I start having clothes tailored, I know I’m feeling like this is really home. So I’m staying… I was looking forward to going home, I had already started to mentally prepare for that and was so excited to see Ruby, so it was difficult for a few days while I switched gears again.
Well, I just received a text telling me that there will be another STOPer coming. Oh, boy… I’m nervous about that. I just hope we will get along well… it is going to be damn freakin’ hard to beat Lauren as my sidekick. Lauren, if you ever read this – I totally appreciated you on many levels during this assignment. Salamat, po! But I think you already know this. Now I’m freaking out about this other person… sheesh. Well, for one they are going to have it easy! None of this trying to figure life out here… they can just tag along with me. Why am I feeling like it is right before the start of Freshman year of college when I’m about to learn who my roommate in the dorms is? That one worked out beautifully, not only did I gain one great friend, but I also gained her younger sister (love you both Kat and Val!) as a good friend. And then I was paired up with Lauren… now who? I’m going to think positively… I’ll laugh if it is another former Yalie…
So we spent this morning with Loy… we went to the museum that honors his father, Lazero Francisco. It was good to see this part of Loy’s life. I feel blessed to have met Loy – a generous soul. We saw the typewriter he father used, some of the original typed books, lots of pictures, medals, newspaper clippings, stamps (his father was celebrated on a postage stamp), articles of clothing and accessories… yes, Loy’s father is a well known Filipino writer, but it was special to be able have Loy share this part of his life with us. You know… one of those memories that will always remain and make me smile throughout my life. Loy is just one of the coolest people… and I have to smile when I think about what I said that first night we saw him, “I’m going to be friends with that crazy old man” as he laughed by himself at the TV. Yup, Loy is super cool. And to walk around town with him is funny… I asked him what people thought when they see us with him, if they thought it was funny, “Oh, yes, yes… but they know my family, so it is okay.” I’ve been asked if I will move to a better hotel… oh, no! I would then miss seeing Loy almost every day! That just isn’t worth it. Who cares if I saw the biggest roach of my life on my wall above my bed last night? Yeah, whatever… first in nearly 2 months of living here? Not bad.
I’m staying for another 4 months in the Philippines. It still seems odd that I’m here, but so part of my life now… the Philippines. Oh, I’m starting to love this country… I’ve seen some of the worst conditions of its people, but at the same time, I’m also been shown the best of the people… despite hardships, people still smile and laugh and take care of one another, including a foreigner like myself. I’ll never be able to tolerate a whiney American again. To those who have become part of my life here, as District I taught me, mahal ko kayo.
