Were havin' Fun in the Sun

Today I started out early. I woke up at about five, five thirty and got in a run and a dip in the pool. Aunt Tanny says if you do it this early then there are not a lot of people staring at you. That worked better, only my shoes are soaked from the dew on the ground so they are drying out. I went down to the bank twice today, to see if I could do it. The first time Grace, one of the staff's daughters, did all the talking and I listened. the second time, I did the talking and she laughed at me; course I butchered everything but I'm working on it.  I need to be able to communicate at least three phrases effectively. "San Pablo Po/Rizal Po" will get me to and from Rizal to the center of the city right in from of the Anti Christo Temple.  "Sa Card Bank Lang Po" will get me to the CARD Bank from the center of the city and "Parra!" (sounds similar to the Spanish) stops the Jeepney where I need to get off. Anyways, I feel very accomplished now after doing it and much more comfortable. I was explaining to Grace on one of the trips that here in the Philippines it costs 25 pesos(about 50 cents) to go one way to work, but in America this trip would cost about 300 pesos(6 dollars) by bus and more like 800 pesos for a tricycle(16 dollars for a taxi). Her response was "wow it is so expensive!". I guess its all relative huh? Well now that I'm back I have been trying to get some work done for my class and then I will go eat lunch. Tomorrow morning I get out my wisdom teeth. Be praying for a smooth procedure.
love, mel

The Forcast Calls for 120% Humidity

Here I am in the Philippines Day one. I have unpacked, divided up the goodies that the family sent for everyone here, and slept for a full seven hours. The flights were rather uneventful, though I didn't sleep for more than an hour, I was entertained by watching the same episode of Parks and recreation three times and fairly legal twice. Though funny the first time, not the second. Anyways, got into Tokyo at about 4pm japan time and went through security quickly. Boarded the flight to manila at about 6:30pm and got to the philippines at 10pm. A half hour early! It was a good thing too because though Immigration only took about ten minutes to get through, it took 45 minutes to get my bags. This being said, I have to mention, The first half hour I blame them for slow off loading, however after seeing my first bag which stood out, I spent fifteen minutes trying to remember what my other bag looked like! Mom, we really should have marked it. At first i thought it was black, then i thought green, but finally I remembered that it was red and chased it down the belt till I could grab it. After getting out of the airport, you have to wait on the curb and look across the road for your ride. Hundreds of people stand pressed up against the gates on the other side calling out to the people they are picking up. For a moment I was glad I was not looking for a Filipino to pick me up because i would have never found them. I only waited about ten or fifteen minutes, but running through my mind was "would i be able to get to Martha's if something happened and they couldn't come get me??" Anyway, they pulled up and I didn't even have to find them in the crowd. Got here a little after midnight and fell asleep shortly after. Today i do preliminary Philippine "work". Aunt Tanny got me a dentist appointment for three so they will probably be taking out my wisdom teeth today. (No corny jokes family of mine) Other than that I have walked the grounds to see the updates to the property and will start on my homework for Mr. James. Love you all, be praying for me.
God Bless,
Mel