One Month in America

I was welcomed home last month by my wonderful family and boyfriend at the University Park airport and, in true Filipino fashion, they had a huge tarpaulin for the occasion.

Bern's first step in Pennsylvania

I'm not sure if I'm doing this blog post for the few readers who may be left, or as a type of closure and 'final chapter' for my two year experience.  Either way, a lot of things have happened in the last month and I want to make sure it's documented so as to be included in the hard copy coffee table type book I'm planning to print of my blog.  (Not for distribution- just for myself... but if anyone wants a copy let me know.)

The weekend after I arrived in PA, my parents had planned an awesome, low-key camping weekend at a local state park.  It was so nice to come back to something so familiar and comfortable from my American life.  It was great to spend time with visiting family and the fall weather and sights were perfect!  Bern also loved his first camping trip and his first boat ride, even if he was less than friendly with the new faces.  Give him a break, he's the new kid!

This picture is exactly how Bern is with everyone after he has a chance to warm up to you!  In fact, Bern is napping on my lap as I write this! What a sweetie!

One day while shopping with my mom and sister in State College, I got a call from a local newspaper writer who wanted to chat and hear about my experiences in the Peace Corps.  He said he got a lead from my grandmother and wanted to write a story about it.  The next day we chatted for almost 2 hours and that turned into this:

Across the World, Bellefonte Woman's Wish Comes True

In early October, my parents took us to Colorado for a family vacation in Estes Park before they attended their godson's wedding at the end of the week.  We stayed in a gorgeous log home for most of the week, hiked up into the Rocky Mountains, took in the view over mountain lakes, drove high up in the mountains on Trail Ridge Road, and enjoyed a few beers at Mary's Lake Lodge.

Now I'm back in Pennsylvania spending time with those who matter most.  The plan for now is to live at my parents' house for the next month while Ricky does a rotation in State College, then move to Harrisburg with him to start my next chapter.  At this point I don't have a full time job and I'm not yet searching for one (but if a good one comes my way I would consider it).  When in Harrisburg I'll be substitute teaching while I explore volunteering options in different fields.  I'm hoping I'll be able to find something that feels important enough to devote my life.  If not, I still love Art Ed and will be falling back on that career path.

To keep busy and be useful, I've set a goal for myself to use quilting to raise money for Ate Yhen's family to build a real house.  We've been messaging on Facebook regularly since I left the Philippines and twice in one month she's told me their house was flooded.  When their house gets flooded, they can't lay their bed foam down on the floor so they have nowhere to sleep.  My goal is to make and sell my quilts (and maybe other art products) to raise $5000 for the building project.  I know it's a lofty goal for just one person, especially with quilt making which is so time consuming, but I'm going to try because they really need better living conditions.

I also set up a GoFundMe page at the suggestion of the guy who wrote the newspaper article.  He said people might read the story and want to help: http://www.gofundme.com/ReforbaHousehttp://www.gofundme.com/ReforbaHouse

So that's what I'm up to!

Apreal's Pictures

Before I left site I gave a ton of things away to my friends and neighbors.  Because of Apreal's interest in photography, I gave her my point & shoot camera to keep.  Before I left I also helped Arthur and Ate Yhen make Facebook accounts so that we can keep in touch.  This morning I signed on Facebook to find an amazing surprise that made me tear up: Arthur had uploaded a ton of Apreal's pictures!  I'm so excited to have this avenue to keep in touch with my Filipino family and I love seeing all of Apreal's pictures!  Here are some of my favorites (of the ~250 uploaded):

Apreal & her mama

Adonis & Apreal

Adonis & Apreal taking selfies while I was saying goodbye to everyone

Minutes before I left for the bus station!

Last group pic with the kiddos at Villa 1!

The kids wanted to do my hair and make up one last time before I left

I was so touched to have a huge crowd seeing me off!  This is me locking up Villa 1 before I handed over the keys.

Walking to the van, arm in arm with Ate Yhen

Getting in the van after saying my 'see you soon's

Bern!

Albert

Selfie

The girl loves selfies but she avoids having her picture taken by other people!

I'm so excited for future photo uploads from the Reforba kids! Thank goodness for technology!

'Bout That Time

As of Thursday September 11, I am officially a RETURNED Peace Corps Volunteer!  I completed all my Close of Service requirements, closed out my in-country bank account, and (as is customary for Philippines PCVs) rang the bell to signify my transition to RPCV!

Dinalupihan girls! Elaine, Karla, me, Kathryn, Chelsea

All the Sept 11 COSers and PC/Philippines staff

Sept 11 COSing PCVs:
Zac, Kathryn, Christina, Rachel, Audrey, Chris, me,
 Josh, Karla, Andrew, Chelsea, Russell, Elaine, Nancy, Andew, & Valli

Originally I was supposed to leave Manila on Friday Sept. 12, but I had to postpone my flight until the 16th because Delta has a 'Summer Restriction' for flying animals.  They won't allow animals to be checked in until after Sept. 15 so it's not too hot for the animals.  Speaking of Delta, I'm still waiting for my pet reservation to be confirmed by them and now it's less than 24 hours before my flight!  Stressful!

The plan for now is to get Bern this afternoon and take him to one last vet appointment to get checked out for screwworm (a requirement to enter PA).  After that, he and I will head to the airport for the night to await our 6:40 am flight!  Then it's Manila > Nagoya > Detroit > State College with an arrival time of 4:55 pm on Tuesday September 16th in State College.  Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly!

Last Night in Villa 1

The time to move on has come!  It's my last night here in Villa 1, Magarao and I'm surprisingly emotionally stable! :)
I spent most of the day cleaning, packing, and giving things away.  The kids were hanging around all day so I gave them their 'remembrances' a day early so they'd have something to do.  All 11 neighbor kids got some kind of art supplies to call their own!  I'm hoping I'll have some free time tomorrow to spend drawing and coloring with them.
This evening, I was treated to dinner by a bunch of my Filipino friends and fellow teachers in Naga.  It was such a nice last get together and I'm so lucky to have had such a sweet and supportive group of friends.  One teacher even offered to take me and all my luggage (and Bern in his crate) to the bus terminal in her van tomorrow night!  That will save me a lot of hassle and money!

Farewell dinner with Gladys, me, Dinah, Alice, Julie Pearl, Meldz, & Sheryl

Me & Dinah

Meldz, me, Sheryl, Dinah, Alice

After dinner I met up with two 272 Volunteers, Candy and Dani, for ice cream and to say 'see you soon'.  I can't imagine being at the midpoint in my service (an inevitably difficult time for most Volunteers) and seeing my friends finish their service and go home. 
When I got home I broke out some glow bracelets my parents had sent a long time ago (and I forgot about) and sat with Ate Yhen while the kids played.  Have I mentioned how much I'm going to miss her?? She's only been here since May, but she's definitely one of my best friends here.  I love sitting on my porch and chatting with her until it gets dark. 
Tomorrow I'll do my final pack before leaving Villa 1. Luckily I made friends with the owner of the hardware store and he's offered to bring his scale to my house so I can weigh my bags tomorrow.  Other than that, tomorrow I have to cancel my internet, get my furniture moved to the Dela Cruz house, visit the Dela Cruz family (they have electricity now!!), visit Lola Melba, and spend the rest of my time with my neighbors!
As I mentioned, I'm pretty calm right now and have been all day, but tomorrow it's going to be hard as hell...

"[A person's] mind, 

once stretched by a new idea,

 never regains its 

original dimensions."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

US Author & Physician (1809 - 1894)

Last Visit to GoL

My girls! Rosalinda & Arnela

Saying my good-byes at Gift of Love is certainly one of the harder ones to handle.  I went with another PCV on Monday to celebrate Arnela's 12th birthday with her.  We brought a little cake with candles and after some time spent playing with the babies we snacked on Arnela's birthday treat.

Rosalinda, Judy Anne, me, & Arnela

The triple flash on my camera made the babies look frightened!

Beautiful girls!

 I suppose now is as good a time as any to share this!

A few months ago when I visited GoL, I was sitting with Arnela and Rosalinda and I asked them to write 'Salamat' a few times in my sketchbook.  I was thinking about getting the word--the Filipino translation of 'thank you'-- as a tattoo and I wanted it to be in their handwriting.  To me, that tattoo would have symbolized how grateful I am to the Philippines and all my Filipino friends for this two year experience.  It would also have served as a reminder to remain grateful and thankful in my everyday life since I really have been blessed with so much.

After Arnela had finished writing out 'salamat' in many different ways, she started to decorate the page with little drawings and doodles.  She drew three stick figure girls standing side by side, one much taller than the other two.  It was me, Arnela, & Rosalinda and as soon as I saw it I knew that should be the tattoo instead.

This tattoo represents so much more than just the relationship I've had with these two amazingly sweet and compassionate little girls, although that in itself would have been enough.  I absolutely love the fact that Arnela chose to depict both of them on their feet and standing tall, even though they're both confined to a wheelchair in real life.  To me, that shows she knows her struggles and challenges don't define her.  Something we can all keep in mind.  While I've been thinking about my future professional goals lately, I've come to realize that whatever I choose to do will be in some way serving disadvantaged and underprivileged children and youth.  This tattoo also acts as a reminder of that goal.

Plus, it's kid art! Which I LOVE!

I was hesitant about sharing such a personal thing to an audience like this, but I decided to go for it so that those who care will know how important this tattoo and its significance is.  We PCVs have been warned to have our '2 minute speech' ready for when we get back and people inquire about our last two years (most people will lose interest after about two minutes).  The tattoo explanation won't be a part of that speech but it's still significant enough to share.

My tattoo and my inspirations

The good-bye hugs