March 15

I learned last week, that while we were at Language Camp, the house of one of my fellow Bicol Volunteers was broken into and a lot of his things—including computer—were stolen. 

Not to make light of his situation (I doubt he’ll ever read this anyway), but I had much better luck after returning to my house from the Manila trip!  I had asked my neighbor girls to take care of my foster kittens while I was gone and I left my house key with their mother (Ate Alma, my main contact for landlord issues).  I showed them how I’ve been feeding the kittens with a Visine dropped filled with milk and how to clean out their crate, etc.  That’s all I expected from them.  When I got back to my house at 4:30am, I was in a sleepy stupor but noticed that some of my clothes were hanging in my front porch to dry.  I went to sleep for a while and when I woke up, I noticed that my room had been straightened up, my laundry had been done, my garbage had been taken out, and a few dishes had been washed!  The next time I saw Ate Alma, she said to me, “Please don’t be angry that I washed your clothes”.  HA!  What a silly statement.  I thanked her profusely and told her she didn’t have to do all that and she responded that she “loves washing clothes” and has done it all her life.  Weird.  Needless to say, I wasn’t angry—especially since I had washed clothes 2 days before and they were still stinky after they dried.  A “yaya” is a “nanny” and if anyone is in need of a helper, I highly recommend a Filipina!  As you can probably surmise through my little stories about the Pinoy women in my life now, they’re all ridiculously helpful and will take care of you even if you don’t ask!

While playing Tug of War today with Marlon, Bernardino lost one of his big, sharp teeth on the bottom; I think it may have been an adult tooth but, oh well, it’s out now!  My neighbor girl, Lovely (yes, that’s really her name) was there when it happened and after she took the tooth to show her mother, Ate Alma, she came back and threw it on my roof.  At first, I wasn’t sure what she threw up there but then I heard the little *ping* of the tooth hitting my aluminum porch roof.  She could tell I was a little confused and explained, “Bawal sa basurahan”… “Not allowed to go in the trash can”.  According to this superstitious belief, any lost teeth—human or animal—go anywhere but the trash, usually on the roof.  As for Bern, I’m sure he won’t missett…he seems fine now as he chews on one of the toys his Tita Kt got him. J

Hunter finally found a suitable house to move into!  Her principal was actually the one who found it and described it to Hunter as a “bachelor pad”.  It turns out the “bachelor pad” is bright pink and perfect for Hunter and Rhett Butler (her pup, Bernardino’s brother).  She’s moving on Saturday and is currently experiencing the overwhelming need to buy everything that will make her empty house livable, like I did last month.  Our Peace Corps bank accounts have taken a big hit so instead of the big party she was considering on Saturday night for her birthday (Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day), I think she’s decided to have a casual get together at Ate Janet’s house instead.  Even though most Filipinos don’t know what St. Patrick’s Day is, we’re still planning to go all out with the green and shamrocks (including green beer)!

Happy 21^st Birthday to one of my best friends, my sister, KT Boo!  I hope your birthday is full of fun and not all studying!  I’m so sorry I can’t be there to celebrate with you but I promise to have a cold San Mig Apple waiting for you in May!  I love you and I can’t wait until you get here!!!