Today started out earlier than most--we both woke up at 4:50am due to jet lag. We observed in the grade 6 classroom where Teacher Madie taught science. The lesson concluded at 10:00 and received a birthday treat consisting of fried chicken and spaghetti from Jollibee's, brought by the father of one of the students whose birthday was today.
We then ventured to the library and began reading with some grade 1 girls who were done using the computers (the boys were using the computers at the time--they have a limited amount of computers to use). We had a lot of fun reading with them and were very impressed with their english vocabularies. They, in turn, attempted to teach us Tagalog--we may have remembered a word or two :). The grade 1 students left and the grade 2 students came into the library. We began talking with them as we unpacked some of the boxes that we packed and sent ahead of us in November.
After a quick lunch we went to observe the grade 5 and 6 math classes again as we will begin teaching their classes tomorrow. We are looking forward to this!
We enjoyed some time by the playground talking with and getting to know many of the students after school. We learned a lot more Tagalog words like eyes, nose, lips, throat, and ears. We had to leave them at 4:00 so that we could go to devotions with the staff. This was a great time to get to know the teachers and be united through our faith. There was a lot of laughing and joking--we could tell that there was a strong community within the staff. At the end of the meeting we were invited to dinner at one of the grade 1 student's house. His parents were celebrating a wedding anniversary so they had all the teachers over for dinner. We were able to taste some traditional Filipino dishes but what we enjoyed even more than that was the fellowship that we were able to have with the staff--they taught us that when Filipinos get together there is always food and laughter.
When we got back we had to quickly come up with lesson plans because we will be teaching 3 lessons tomorrow. We are now exhausted and hoping we will be sleeping past 4:50am tomorrow morning :).
Many students joined us in this picture by our welcome sign. You see this whenever you enter the school. 
With Lois Lei--the birthday girl--who brought us Jollibee's
Maria reading with some grade 1 girls.
Heather learning some Tagalog words from the grade 1 girls.
Maria and some of the teachers on the way to dinner.
4 comments:
Maria and Heather,
Thanks for your updates. Your hosts seem very generous and hospitable. They even made a sign for you with pictures on it! WOW. Blessings, Jess
get some rest
hey ladies!
elle and i are loving reading this blog. we would love to see a photo of marianne (yan-yan) on this blog sometime if you get a chance. she is the girl we sponser:)
love,
christy and elle
It is great to hear that things are going so well for you!! Heather I expect you to speak fluent Tagalog when you come back home! I am praying for you and hope things continue to go as well as they are now!
Thanks for your updates, Maria! Glad you girls made it... even if it took 62 hours!!!! Please say HI to Merisha from me (hopefully she remembers who I am). :) Praying for you to continue to have an amazing time!
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