Loathing Packing

I am packing right now to leave Leyte and fly to Manila, then tomorrow I will have a 12 hour van ride to my new site in Legazpi City, Bicol. I loathe packing. This reminds me of when I was packing back in San Fran the days before I left for the Philippines. I was busy and a hot mess.

I had just returned from six weeks of work traveling the width of China for Dragons and I literally had ten days between landing at LAX, traveling home to SF, packing, moving my room to the attic, saying goodbye and leaving for pc staging in Detroit. Ridiculous, I know, I remember thinking why I would do that to myself. I was packing two hours before I left. This time I started a couple of days ago, and giving things away more freely.

But, I'm still not done. Instead of swiftly finishing I am blogging, but this time I have four more hours and far less stuff. Anyways, here are some pictures from those ten days seven months ago. Okay, back to packing.

11AM: I'm done packing!!

Appreciation For Place

Initial Orientation August, 2010

I landed in Manila, Philippines six months ago today. The only other time I've been abroad for so long was when I studied in Beijing. This is a milestone in my 27 months service.

You can read below if you want to know what's going on and how I'm feeling. You may also just stroll through these pictures that show some of the beauty of this place that's been my home for the last six...

Baras, Palo, Leyte

This is a small neighborhood on the beach side where I lived and trained my first three months. It was my first experience of the Philippines, and a place of family, fiestas, and comfort.

Afternoon Strolls

Nanay buying three pinyas for fifty pesos

Balay ni Sta. Monica
House of Santa Monica

Chen, Nanay, Yen
 Dancing, singing and trying to feed me Christmas Day. 

Main Street. It does sell chicken.

The bakery. They sell wine too. 

Pedi Cab - best way to get around. 

Celia & Jenna, Palo Christmas Lights

Nanay Toni has a beautiful garden

Reda and Moogie, two of the four. 

The beauty shop. 

Barangay Hall. 

Simbahan - Church

Groceries. 

Dinner on the porch

Last Week and This Week

You likely know already that I am getting a site transfer. Initially, my managers, myself, family and friends here were hoping I could transfer to another agency within my city, but that organization is going through some internal restructuring and cannot take a volunteer - too bad. There are no other developed agencies (I don't know what developed actually entails, but it can take weeks or months) in my region, so I am not only moving cities I'm leaving my island and Waray-Waray speaking area. I have to learn a new dialect (gah!) and build a new community where I land. At least this is all happening relatively early in my service, just three months into my twenty-four. There is still a lot of time to learn, grow, and try to make an impact.

I've experienced a wide spectrum of emotions. I am frustrated with the office that I was working at - I felt I gave it my all, but things were not improving, so a transfer was a good decision. It is still a big transition. I am sad that I have to leave my friends and family here, and with that all the things I was looking forwarding to doing and seeing with them. I am anxious to know where I will go next, but I am also excited. It wasn't easy going into an office that didn't appreciate my work and me for two whole months. I hope that my next site will be a better match, and that they will be supportive and eager to work with me as a volunteer. I am excited if I do end up learning Tagalog, so that I can have a wider and more practical use of Filipino when I travel here, and so I can chop it up with my Fil-Am homies back in Cali. There is a lot of waiting since I heard two Fridays ago about my transfer. I feel stress during this waiting period. I suppose that range of emotions is not too surprising. I was upset when I heard about my transfer, but I was not surprised.

My site transfer is likely between two organizations in two entirely different areas (Luzon or Visayas). When I know for sure I'll publish it and offer what information I can. For now, I've moved back to my host family in Baras to wait for a decision, and whatever processing that needs happens in the pc office. It feels really good to be here with this family who have shown me a love and commitment that I could not have imagined. 

Tacloban City, Leyte

Tacloban is a small city, but the biggest in region XIII, the Eastern Visayas. My favorite things to do were bike to work, dine with friends, rock climb at Bukid the indoor gym, and thrift shop. Also, soak in the beauty and art on jeepney rides.

Tacloban City - the view from my (previous) desk

These next set of stree art pictures are by my site mate, Mark Fullmer.

"Don't urinate here"

I would see his face riding to and from work. 

Cutest strongest kids at Bukid

Lawrence, 4. 

Bukid on Burgos

Tacloban City Port

Sworn in plus three months...

and, I am getting a site transfer.

Been at my site serving for three months as of today. I've had a rough time in my work office. My supervisor has not approved of my work and me for the last two out of three months. It's been a challenge, and it has not worked out. So, for everyone's sake I am transferring sites. I do not know where. I may stay in Tacloban City or move to another place entirely. I will keep the world updated as news arises.

This is small beans in world events (read up on Egypt lately?), but I really like my city, my host family here, my friends who climb with me every week, and my fellow volunteers who are some of my closest friends here, and would be anywhere else. However, site transfer means so much uncertainty.

I have never been comfortable with uncertainty. I thought this would change after giving my life up of semi-nomadic traveling for pc service. I was wrong. change is still constant - as is uncertainty. My attitude is what needs revamping. So, goes the game of experience and growth.

I'm trying to keep my spirits high, think level headed, and enjoy my days. Yesterday was fiesta in my barangay, and today I'm bbq'ing with friends, so life is still good. Next week I will close up shop with those in my office that matter, and hand off reading materials that I wanted to start with my kids at the Women's Center.

I'll let you know how the transition goes. PC is on my side and looking out for me - I hope you are too! Hugs and smiles from this side.