Week 4
January 29
Monday - We went with Jairus and the Mellor's and Zorn's to the Manila American Cemetary. After that Jairus took us to Greenhill Shopping. We ate lunch at Shabu-Shabu a Filipino Buffet. We then went to Greenhills to have our first shopping experience there. Since I did not bring any jewelry with me I bought a little bit to get me through. Greenhills is popular for pearls.
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| Lunch at Shabu Shabu |
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| The Mellor's (Water Specialists) from Salt Lake |
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| The beautiful lawn at the cemetery |
Tuesday - Wednesday. Two quiet days in the office. Our office space is under renovation so we are in a temporary location on the main floor of the Area Office.
Wednesday - The moon over Eastwood. Waxing Gibbuous Phase.
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| Waxing Guibbuous Phase |
Thursday -We went to our Pathways meeting. The Beehive Foundation is a factory where garments are made. We were able to take a tour and watch these hard workers cut and sew. It was so fascinating to me. They look up and smile and treat you like honored guests. We are there on Thursdays as much as we can be to assist the workers learn English. Honestly they are so good and motivated, we mostly just support. We hope to be of more help later and would love to make friends with them and have relationships forged. We moved into our new apartment in the Grand Palazzo, we live in 22 D and are happy with our new location.
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| Adding lace to the sleeves |
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| Our Pathways Students |
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| Kitchen |
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| Master Bedroom |
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| Laundry Room |
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| Guest Bedroom |
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| Living Room |
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| View from our apartmentt of Quezon City |
Friday - We took the day off to get out new apartment set up. By the time we showed up at ALL Home for the third time the security guard at the door said "Ahh... Regulars". We are being noticed in the Philippines. There is a security guard about every 10 feet you go in this area. It feels so safe and just as everyone said the Filipino people are so kind and friendly.
Saturday - We took our first trip to S&R (Costco) to get stocked up on food and items for our apartment. The driving here is insane but Steve is doing quite a good job, for which I am so thankful. A lot of women in our office drive but I think I’ll pass for now.
Week 5
February 5
Monday - We went for a treat with the Tucker's in Eastwoodand had a delicious Strawberry Ice Treat.
Wednesday- We went to dinner with the Tucker's and Stroud's at Texas Roadhouse for Dave Stroud's Birthday. Kristen's sister was visiting from Utah. She pulled out a dollar bill and I wanted to cry. We deal in pesos over here and although we are getting the hang of it American money looked so good.
Thursday - We met the Ferney's, Sister Lola and her daughter and the Abraham's at Italiano's for dinner We then went the The Greatest Showman. You could freeze to death in the movie theaters here but the theater's provide reclining chairs with unlimited pop and popcorn. All you do is raise your hand when you want more and they bring it right to you.
February 5
Monday - We went for a treat with the Tucker's in Eastwoodand had a delicious Strawberry Ice Treat.
Wednesday- We went to dinner with the Tucker's and Stroud's at Texas Roadhouse for Dave Stroud's Birthday. Kristen's sister was visiting from Utah. She pulled out a dollar bill and I wanted to cry. We deal in pesos over here and although we are getting the hang of it American money looked so good.
Thursday - We met the Ferney's, Sister Lola and her daughter and the Abraham's at Italiano's for dinner We then went the The Greatest Showman. You could freeze to death in the movie theaters here but the theater's provide reclining chairs with unlimited pop and popcorn. All you do is raise your hand when you want more and they bring it right to you.
Saturday -Girls shopping day out at Greenhills Shopping Mall. I think my new name is Madam. I must have been called that over 100 times. You learn not to look at the merchants because they are all over you if they even think you want to buy something. The ladies here all like to buy pearls. I’m not there yet but the shopping was fun.
February 12
Monday - FHE
Tuesday - We drove to Cabuyao with Jairus. We met with the Mayor and he signed a MOA so that we can bring ARP to that area.
Wednesday - We went to visit Kilus Foundation with the Beckstsead's and Stroud's. This is an organization that empowers women and give them jobs. They make lovely bags out of food containers such as Capri Sun. They are retrieved from the trash washed thoroughly and sewn and woven into works of art. Their workplace burned down last January and the church was able to partner with them and get their sewing machines replaced. They are so grateful for the help and so kind to us.
Thursday- We flew back to Iloilo where we have most of our ARP work going on right now. We were invited to attend Rehabinasyon, it is a program to Rehabilitate the addicts in the Philippines. Again we were treated as honored guests. Everyone wants to shake your hand and take your pictures with them. (There are more pictures of me in the Philippines than in my whole life put together, I
typically don’t enjoy that but here I just go along with it, why not?)
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| Rehabinayson Conference |
Friday -There are rarely ubers available on a Friday evening at the
airport in Manila because they are all busy with the heavy load of travelers. We took a taxi home, oh my goodness what a ride. Like Steve said “That was a two hour ride home in 45 minutes, all I could think about was Princess Diana”. Crazy, crazy, crazy!!
airport in Manila because they are all busy with the heavy load of travelers. We took a taxi home, oh my goodness what a ride. Like Steve said “That was a two hour ride home in 45 minutes, all I could think about was Princess Diana”. Crazy, crazy, crazy!!
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| Chinese New Year |
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| In Eastwood Mall |
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| Huge Buffet a Dad's |
Sunday -When we were in the airport in Iloilo on Friday evening Steve got a phone call and we were asked to speak in church. We did the best we could to put it all together on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning. We left for church an hour early building in time if we got lost. We got super lost and did not make it to the church until after sacrament meeting was over. Oh well we tried it happens here all the time .
Week 7
February 19
Monday -We drove to Purple Centers in Tondo with the Stroud's to assist with eye screening.
Tuesday - We had our weekly Devotional in our new conference room. After that we drove to the heart of Manila to meet with some Dr’s and Social Workers to offer our ARP. We were introduced to some of the people who need help and were able to spend time with them and orient them to the program. We hope to be of help down in that area.
Wednesday - My second visit to Mabuhay
Saturday - We went to Villa Escudero for our Senior Outing
Week 7
February 19
Monday -We drove to Purple Centers in Tondo with the Stroud's to assist with eye screening.
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| Eye Screening the sudents and staff at Purple Centers |
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| Some of the children receiving glasses |
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Tuesday - We had our weekly Devotional in our new conference room. After that we drove to the heart of Manila to meet with some Dr’s and Social Workers to offer our ARP. We were introduced to some of the people who need help and were able to spend time with them and orient them to the program. We hope to be of help down in that area.
Wednesday - My second visit to Mabuhay
Saturday - We went to Villa Escudero for our Senior Outing
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| Villa Escudero |
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| Carabao |
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| Soldiers |
