Some Things That Are True

Filipinos celebrate Christmas in a very similar fashion to how we celebrate it in the United States. We have a Christmas tree in our house, and people here go Christmas caroling. I suppose this is not so surprising. What I do find somewhat amusing, though, is that Filipinos also enjoy singing and dancing to such songs as "Let It Snow" and "Walkin' In a Winter Wonderland." It does not snow anywhere in the Philippines, and most Filipinos I've met have never seen or touched snow, yet it is still a featured part of their Christmastime culture.

It is traditional to go to mass at four o'clock in the morning for nine days in a row from December 16th to the 25th. It is said that if you attend each of the masses in the Novena, then you will be granted a wish. I am planning to go to one of these masses, but am doubtful about being able to do much more than that.

M broke his hand in a biking accident and is in a cast for three weeks. It is a green cast. We are going to write "Maogmang Pasko!" on it in red marker, which means "Merry Christmas!" in Bicol. He is looking forward to getting even more attention from the locals when he's out on the town.

I made some macaroni and cheese out of a box a few weeks ago for my host family and it was a hit!

Altea, a soon-to-be-three-year-old who lives at our house, has a reputation for being extremely pasaway/makulit (naughty). So I have decided that I am going to give her a lot of hugs and see how she responds. Last week, she said to me: "Ate Miss France, padaba mo ako?" (am I your sweetheart?)

I have been reading the book *In Our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines* by Stanley Karnow. It is a 400+ page history book which details and analyzes the history of the relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines. Here are some things I have learned while reading this book:

President William McKinley hired a zoologist to advise him when formulating his initial policy for the Philippine islands. The zoologist, who had visited the Philippines several times to study various tropical birds, was one of the few Americans at the time who had actually set foot on the islands.

The Filipino-American war followed after the U.S. annexed the Philippines (after the U.S. defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war). This was the first war American soldiers fought in overseas.

American soldiers were issued heavy wool uniforms to use while fighting in this war. Not surprisingly, there were some problems with heat strokes.

Filipinos lobbied in Washington for statehood but were denied on the grounds that, essentially, their racial diversity would create problems. (Although the exact quote did not put this in such polite language.)

The Thomasites were young American schoolteachers who were assigned by the U.S. government to establish schools in various towns throughout the archipelago. They are considered the professional ancestors of us Peace Corps Volunteers here in the Philippines. During the first year the Thomasites were in place, twenty died of malaria and dysentery, six were murdered, and one committed suicide.

Stanley Karnow says that the Philippines is the most American place in the world outside of the United States.

Even though it is taking me a long time to get through this book, I am really enjoying it! I would agree with the critics who say that it is a well-written page turner.

Around Town Pictures

Christmas decoration that one of my students made for me out of candy and chip wrappers

My friend and co-worker Ate Tess, who goes for long walks with me after school sometimes

I have a bike! It's really nice, too!

My books, stationary, and magazines, all wrapped in plastic in preparation for typhoons.

Kittens that live at our house now - eating tuna under my bed! From the back, their names are: Frida, Pedro, and Ghost. However, Frida ran away. I am still sad about it - but Ghost and Pedro keep getting bigger and are learning how to fight dogs!

These are from a school activity we had a few weeks ago called "Book Parade." The kids got in costumes to represent a certain book, paraded through town, then did a stage presentation. We got third place - not bad!

Our Christmas tree

Beach Trip Pictures

These pictures are actually from two completely different trips, but I figure the details don't matter to most of you - it's just jealousy inducing eye candy. Am I right?

Little man on my shoulder - hehe.

My friend L, looking like he's in jail.

Sand castle!

Mount Mayon and sunset seen from the sea