Week One in the Philippines

Hi, Mama! Sorry I’m a little behind on updating. I can’t believe I’ve already been in Tacloban for a week now. I forgot how quickly time flies here…which is strange considering the fact that everyone operates on “Filipino Time.” Nobody is in a rush to do anything here. Events typically start 1.5+ hours after scheduled.

Things are going really well here. I have fallen right back into the swing of things, and I am once again reminded of how deeply in love I fell with this place. I don’t think I have ever felt the way that I do when I’m here. It’s so special. I’m not sure that I could even describe it. It’s just a feeling inside me of how right everything is.

Over the weekend there was a major event for VFV. The founder (an American) and his family came to Tacloban to visit, so there was a big reception for him. A slideshow was presented, which displayed the updates and the happenings of the past year at VFV. The sponsored children put on several performances, including singing, dancing (both hip hop and traditional Filipino dances), and some acting. There were several games with chances to win prizes, and there was a large buffet style lunch. Overall, it was a really nice event.

The past couple days at Regional Haven have been going smoothly. My girls inspire me and amaze me every day. They are incredible, Mom. I can’t even begin to fathom the trauma these girls have faced, and the fact that they are so joyous when they see me every day still blows my mind. I am so proud of them, Mom, and I know you are too.

I’ve started to get pretty close to another volunteer named Emma (from England). She is rather quiet, but very friendly. I like her a lot. We’ve started a ritual of going to Café Lucia in the afternoons after we get back from our placements (she’s a nutrition volunteer). We usually get a smoothie or something and relax. I work on my computer and she reads her magazines. It’s a nice addition to my day, and I look forward to it after working with my girls. In fact, we are at Café Lucia right now! It is time for me to get going though. Emma has finished her magazine. Time to head back for dinner. Miss you, Mama. Love you.

Reunited with Tacloban City

Hello from Tacloban City, Mom! I have been met with the warmest of reunions! Ester, one of the VFV staff members (and one of the sweetest, kindest people you could ever meet) picked me up from the airport this afternoon. We hopped on the jeepney and headed to Bliss (isn't it amazing that the neighborhood VFV/the homestays are in is called Bliss?), where as soon as I was outside the doors of Volunteer for the Visayans all of the local girls came running outside to give me a hug. It was pretty funny actually--a large group of girls all flocking at me at once. I then went upstairs and saw all of the VFV staff, reuniting with the ones I knew and meeting the ones who joined the team in the past year. One of the staff members, Leoma, is incredibly pregnant and about to pop any minute. I can't wait to see her baby! I then got to go see my homestay family, which was like being reunited with my own family. Ate Mary Ann was smiling as always and Budoy (my little brother) was being silly. Rafiah (my little sister) and Kuya Rey were not home yet, but they came later. In fact, we were eating dinner when Rafiah got home, and she came running into the house screaming, "Ate!!!!" It was so cute! Ate Mary Ann told me that Budoy has been looking at the calendar for days waiting for it to be June 5th. She said he woke her up early in the morning yelling, "Mama! It's June 5th!!" So sweet.

Today I went to Regional Haven for my orientation, which pretty much consisted of the staff telling me that I already know what I'm doing. Out of the 17 girls I worked with last year, only 5 of them are still here. As sad as I am to not be able to see a lot of them again, I am even more happy that they were discharged and able to go home. A couple of the girls, who I was particularly close with last year, surprised me with this sign in the entryway of Regional Haven.

Their faces are blurred out for their protection. The sign says, "Welcome back Ate Alissa! Congrats! We are all proud of you! From RH Clients and Staff." They also printed out pictures of me and put them on there as well. It was such a nice surprise. I was so unbelievably happy. They kept going on and on about how proud they were of me for graduating college and for graduating cum laude. The girls there seriously have the kindest hearts anyone could imagine. I can't even begin to describe how amazing it feels to see them again. The moment I walked in, I was instantly reminded of why they stole my heart in the first place.

I've met some of the other volunteers as well, and they seem to be really nice. It's very strange being here with an entirely different set of volunteers, especially without Ligaya and Melissa. Everyone I've seen has said to me, "Where's Ligaya? Where's Melissa?" The three of us were so close last year, pretty much attached at the hips, and clearly the locals remembered that. It's certainly going to be a different experience here without them, but I know I'll make another set of good friends.

Ate Mary Ann made bangus (milkfish) for me for dinner tonight, which she knows is my absolute favorite Filipino dish. I feel spoiled already.

I'm exhausted from traveling, getting reacquainted, and adjusting to the 12 hour time difference. Time for this girl to get some sleep (even if it is only 8pm...).

I am in Bliss, Mama. Literally.

I'm Back in the Philippines!

Hi, Mama! Quick note--just wanted to let you know that I have made it back to the Philippines! It's been quite a long journey (Cincinnati to Chicago to Tokyo to Manila). I'm spending the night in Manila tonight and flying down to Tacloban tomorrow! I am so excited I can barely contain myself! I felt the heat the moment I stepped off the airplane--I knew I was in the Philippines! I plan to get a good night's sleep tonight before heading out tomorrow. I'll write more once I get settled in! Love you!

VFV Photo Contest

Guess what, Mom! I have some extremely exciting news!! Volunteer for the Visayans held a photo contest for previous volunteers, where the winner of the contest would get to return to volunteer in the Philippines for 4 weeks for free! And...I WON. I won, Mom!!! I'm going back to the Philippines!! This is seriously a dream come true, and I don't think I've even processed yet what this really means. I know I told myself I'd return, but I had no idea that it would be this soon. Never in a million years did I think I'd be back this soon. I like to think you had something to do with this. I know you know how much the Philippines means to me. Thank you for bringing me this opportunity. I feel like the luckiest girl in the entire world. I literally ran around screaming and jumping when I found out I was the winner. I can't wait to be back there and see my beautiful girls at Regional Haven, all of the local girls, my homestay family, and everyone at VFV. I can't even begin to imagine what it will be like without Melissa and Ligaya, but I know I will still have an incredible time. The Philippines is probably the most sentimentally important place in the world for me. It was my everything when I felt like I had nothing last year. It was there that I found family when I needed it most. It was there that I learned to always find something to smile about when there were a million reasons to frown. It was there that I found the strength to survive the curve balls life throws your way. I honestly don't think I would be where I am today in terms of dealing with losing you if I hadn't gone to the Philippines last summer. I don't think I would be the person I am today either. My time there will always be looked back upon as one of the most pivotal and defining periods in my life. I am in complete and utter shock that I am so blessed and so fortunate to have the opportunity to return. My heart is so full of joy.

Here is the picture I won the contest with. What a cutie, right?

Barajas, Spain

So here I am in Spain during my 21 hour layover on my way back to the US from Ireland. I had every intent of going into the city of Madrid to do some sightseeing, but I was way too exhausted and just decided to stay in a hotel near the airport in Barajas (suburb of Madrid). Just thought I would check in and let you know I'm alive. I'm going to try to just get some sleep before I head back to the airport in the morning to fly into Chicago. Can't believe my whirlwind of a California-Eurotrip is coming to an end. It's been an AMAZING two weeks. Time for me to go to sleep. Love you, Mommy! Talk to you soon!

Dublin, Ireland

Hello from Ireland, Mama! Boy, is it cold here! I found my way to Dublin after a rather large mishap at the Birmingham airport involving me having to purchase a new ticket at the last minute, but I'm just rolling with the punches, and I made it! The first thing I did upon arriving into Dublin was order some fish and chips! Tasty, tasty! The hostel I'm staying in is very nice, very clean, and very modern. I really lucked out with this one.

I decided to go wandering around the city today with no real agenda just seeing what I manage to happen upon. This was a great idea until I realized how freezing it was. My next idea was that the first museum I came across I would go inside. While I initially thought this was a fool-proof plan, I found myself inside of an interactive viking museum. Oh, Alissa. It was...an interesting experience. I learned how to write my name in viking script. I learned a bit about viking history in Ireland and Europe, but I'm not sure I would have spent my money willingly on an interactive viking museum.

I continued wandering around the city and made my way to the Temple Bar area (the main pub district) and stopped for a Guinness at a real Irish pub. While I was still in the US I asked for suggestions as to what I should do in Dublin and 90% of the responses were about drinking Guinness. I managed to find myself inside the pub during an important football (soccer) match, and I was surrounded by hundreds of drunk Irish football fans. So intimidating!

I went back to my hostel with the intent of getting a good night's sleep, but a large group of Spanish girls who were staying in the same room as me showed up with bottles upon bottles of alcohol, and needless to say I did NOT get a good night's sleep.

This morning I headed to Trinity College to see The Book of Kells. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance. I still got to see the rest of the museum, but not the book itself. The Trinity College campus was pretty incredible.

Most of my day was just spent walking around the city. I didn't really have any plans other than going to see Trinity College. I enjoyed myself despite the cold air and bitter wind. Once again, I just barely dipped my toes into the city, but it was a good start for whenever I make my way back here next.

Sorry this update is kind of blah and content-less. I miss you, Mommy. So, so much. It was the Irish Mother's Day while I was here. I hope you enjoyed your day. I love you with all my heart.

Sheffield, England

Hola, Mama! Tonight is my last night in England before heading off to Ireland in the morning! I've certainly had an incredible time in this country. I've spent the day exploring a bit of Sheffield while Melissa was in class. I went to a museum in the city that Melissa suggested I see, which was rather nice, and when she got out of class she met me at this indoor greenery room attached to the museum. She showed me around the city, making sure to take pictures with the classic English mailboxes ("postboxes").

Later on, Melissa took me to grab dinner at one of her favorite local places, Bloo 88, where we enjoyed some pizza (that had a fried egg on top!) and lychee martinis (amazing). The rest of the evening we spent at her house, which was some much  needed downtime. I really like her three housemates. I got along really well with them and I could tell that if I lived here we would make good friends.

My time in England has come and gone. I don't think I could have asked for a better week. I finally lived my childhood dream of visiting this country (London in particular), I saw a West End musical, did some shopping, saw my favorite band perform (twice!) from only a matter of feet away, and got to spend time with one of my best friends. It has truly been an incredible and perfect week. I am off to the train station once more in the morning to catch a train to Birmingham where I will be flying off to Dublin, Ireland for the weekend on my way home. I'm excited to see what adventures await me there!

Night night, Mama! Love you lots!