we did it!

Maraming salamat sa inyo lahat (thanks to everyone) who donated money to our Girls LEAD project! We met our goal in less than two weeks, which i think is some kind of PCPP record :) Your support certainly makes our jobs as volunteers much easier. Thank you!!!

goodbye mom and dad, hello 2008!

Manigong Bagong Taon! Happy New Year. It's been a very busy few weeks, which is why I haven't been a good blogger. My parents left for the second part of their holiday vacation, in Hawaii (no doubt cleaner, quieter, better food)on Tuesday and I am trying to get up and running for the FINAL 5 MONTHS OF PEACE CORPS!! Blows my mind. Anyway, their visit was fantastic...only one bout of food poisoning (mom, within the first 12 hours)and they were troopers, as I dragged them all over creation. We flew to Bohol to spend Christmas at the Bee Farm. We relaxed there for 4 days while M & D recovered from their jet lag. Ocean front massages, organic fresh food straight from their garden, diarrhea...oops, sorry. But mom was sick on Christmas Eve, then I got sick on Christmas day, and had to opt out of the dolphin and whale watching boat trip out to Pamilacan Island. Bummer. After the Bee Farm we headed to Alona Beach for 2 days on the beach. We toured the entire island while we were there, visiting the Chocolate Hills, taking a riverboat cruise down the Loboc, and checking out the Tarsiers. After I had sufficiently eased them into Philippine life, it was time for reality: Magalang, Pampanga. So we flew back to Manila and hopped on a bus to my glorious site. No more air conditioning, hot water, and staff waiting on us...here it is folks, the real peace corps experience. We only spent 3 nights at my site (which I think was more than enough for them), but we did alot in those 2 days. We went to my center both days, which they loved. The girls put on a short program for us...they sang, they danced, the read thank you letters they had written to my parents in their broken English...it was so special and we all cried. My mom must have remarked 20 times how much she wished she could take them all home. They are just the most lovable kids ever. Mom also gave some knitting lessons, which the older girls loved. Dad was a good sport, dancing and singing whenever they asked, and taking countless pictures that he has promised to print and send (they love nothing more than having their pictures taken). New years eve we headed back to Manila to meet up with some PCV friends for a night of eating, drinking, and singing. Mom and Dad ROCKED the videoke. Made me proud. New Years Day we said a sad goodbye and I bid them farewell...