Fun

So the last two days have been filled with non stop fun and bonding with the members of the Digos community. Even before we got to Mergrande, the destination of our outing, we had other errands that we had to run first. We first went to a farewell party at this house that use to belong to the Brothers. I do not know all the information about this house, but from what I do know it used to be for abused women. Some of the volunteers are leaving and they are not renewing their contracts. I also attended my first wake here in the Philippines. It just so happened to be for two people. One was an 80 year old man who passed away, his daughter works at the school, so we went and paid our respects to him. The other one really caught me off guard. The other person we saw was an 8 year old girl who attended the school. I had no idea that this had happened and was really sad. I hate seeing young people die. Come to find out she died from a mosquito bite that was infected with malaria. However, they do not call it malaria here, but something like 'dingy'. The girl had a really high fever, but I think the fever broke. As that was happening her blood platelets were dropping which ended up being why she passed. Whenever I heard that it made me a little worried about my own health. Br. Eli said that he had been here for years and has never gotten it, so that was a relief. One observation I made about the Filipino culture is the casket they use. It is a deep casket that has a glass cover over the body of the person. In the states you can usually touch the person and see them really well. Well you have to get really close to actually see the person because they are in there deep, but then there is the cover, so there is no touching.

On the way to Mergrande, we got caught up in really bad traffic. I have yet to see an interstate system here, so it is like driving on all backroads. So with road construction and big trucks trying to pass it can get very slow. To break myself out of the mood I was in because of the little girl, I started to entertain myself. With the windows open and the traffic hardly moving I would wave to the people next to us passing by, actually carried a conversation with a guy. It was a lot of fun. Saw another white guy, which always catches my attention. Once we got Mergrande we got settled in our rooms and went and got some drinks and some chips. We got some beer and we were having a great time, then they said the "B" word. No not the cuss word, but BALUT! This is what wikipedia has to say about balut: A balut is a fertilized duck (or chicken) egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. They actually take it out of the shell though. From day one the Brothers have been wanting me to eat it, but I was extremely nervous and scared to do it. At least I had a few drinks in my system. To say the least we filmed the entire thing and I am going to post it. My balut just happened to be a bit more developed, my egg had its fur and it was a blue color. I just shoved the whole thing in my mouth. Now I can say that I tried balut! I thought I was going to be able to sleep in a little today, but that was interrupted by some of the Brothers wanting to go swim in the sea, I stayed in bed for a little while longer. I was able to swim in the sea and in a pool today. Got a little sunburned, but nothing too bad. However, the slide at the pool was really hot and I burned my leg.

The afternoon started off with lunch with the Brothers. What made this day really special not just for me, but more for the Filipino people was the inauguration of there brand new president, President Aquino. Now I don't know much about the guy, but he is making history. His mom was the first president after Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law on the Philippines. His family is pretty famous here. I am not going to lie, I really dislike our president, I think he is an evil man, and I really have hopes that President Aquino will do a great job as president. Just from what I saw of the inauguration, the ceremony was really peaceful. It seemed like the entire nation was happy, unlike the U.S. during our last inauguration, I wanted to be sick. After that we went to the SM mall, which was fun. I saw a movie, got a new shirt, got lost from one of the Brothers, and sang. Now I have to mention the singing. I was outside of a store where the Brothers were shopping and on the floor beneath me there was a cd store. At the front of the store they had videoke going and one of the employees started singing, she did a great job. Once she saw me she hid, I think she was embarrassed that I was watching. Br. Roger showed up and ended up right in front of this store. I went down and then they wanted me to sing, so I sang Dani California. Many people passed by and some actually stayed and watched me sing. I want to go back and do it again.

How can this be a reflection without mentioning prayer. Prayer is very important for the community I live with. One of there favorite forms of prayer is praying the rosary. We prayed it on our way to Davao yesterday, we prayed it on our way back to Digos. When we left Mergrande, we prayed an Our Father, three Hail Mary's, and one Glory Be for a safe trip. It is times like this that I want to take some of these examples and use them in my own life and bring them back to my community. A community that prays together stays together. Even when I was at the mall and lost for a little while, I turned inwards. Sometimes if I am around a lot of people that is when I really start to reflect I tend to just start thinking about life and my challenges. I can see how prayer is really affecting my life. It helps me open up different thoughts to want to better myself and better the community and outside communities.

Noynoy Day

So tomorrow is Noynoy Day, which is also the day the new president Noynoy Aquino is inaugurated. There is no school tomorrow and no school on Thursday since it is Davao del Sur day. The Brothers and I will be heading off to Davao for an overnight for a community outing. It should be fun, we will have a pool and a beach to swim at as well as videoke. It will be our first community outing since I have arrived, so I am really looking forward to it.

Not too much happened yesterday. Since the fiesta is over, things are slowing down, so I have been able to take some much needed time for myself. Come to find out the Filipinos sometimes have a hard time trying to quiet themselves down, so at least we are in the same boat. I am in the process of getting some things made for me. Like some shirts for the school, an actual school ID as well as other things that require a tailor. I also like to visit some of the offices around the campus, my favorite being the Student Development Center, I will go daily to say hello to them. They are a great group of women. I have also started going to say hello to the security guards that are at the front gate. They are really super people. Today they put me in handcuffs for fun, it was awesome. One of the guys is much taller than me, which I do not see many tall Filipino's. However, he doesn't know english to well, but we can work on that.

This morning was very busy. It started out going over the evaluation each of us in Campus Ministry had put together regarding the fiesta. We had other duties as well. I presided at the blessing of the new Educational Technology center. It was really nice, but really hot. Some people might be reading this and be like oh you can't do blessings. Anybody can do a blessing if the water is already holy water. I was glad that I was able to help in the blessing. Then it was back to the evaluation, but as we were discussing some emotions started to dwell in me that really touched me during the fiesta. The main one was during the fiesta Mass. I told them that while I was standing on the stage right before communion and heard everyone singing, I wanted to cry. The feeling that I got from hearing all the voices was extremely overwhelming. Never have I had a feeling like this. The Holy Spirit was really present and I was so glad I was able to experience it. Music is very important here and music is important to me. For me it acts as a tool to cleanse my mind and to help me concentrate better. Sometimes the things you really need to know are playing on the radio as we speak.

LSU

You might be wondering why I titled this post 'LSU', well this is why. Today I went to one of the malls in Davao City called SM. As I am walking across the street the guy in front of me was wearing an LSU shirt. That put a huge smile on my face. I tapped him on the shoulder and told him that I was from Louisiana, but I don't think he could understand me. I then realized that I probably just made a big fool out of myself, but it is a small world to see an LSU shirt all the way over here in the Philippines. Another great thing today, I ate at McDonald's for the first time in a long and the first time here. It tasted just like it does in the states, heavenly! You might say why am I eating fast food, well it was a change of what I usually eat. I have been very conscious of my intake and watching my portions. I have lost weight, but not sure how much.

What wasn't so great today was waking up to no electricity and with no electricity there was no water to take a shower. Plus I had many comments on my video that posted on facebook. So I roughed it today. We were getting water in one place and that was outside and I wasn't going to go outside to take a shower. So Br. Poloy got two buckets of water for me and brought them to the upstairs shower. So I have two very cold buckets of water and a smaller bucket with a handle to pour the water, I was able to get a shower. After spending most of my day in Davao with the Brothers, we arrived back here in Digos to electricity, which is nice. I dropped by a party going on here at the school and was shocked at what was going on, but I am going to keep that to myself.

I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to make it to Mass today, but we managed. We went to San Pablo, which is the parish of the Matina community.

Something that really brought joy to my heart today was when we were heading back to Digos. I was sitting in the front of the vehicle, which sits really high. A jeepney is right next to us and I look at the people in the jeepney and smile, they all start to smile back, then the next thing I know a girl either 3 or 4 years old pops her head up and begins to smile and laugh. It was really touching. So I reached my hand out of the window, the dad of the little girl helped her get her hand out and we gave each other a high five. Although it might not mean a lot for some, but it was really touching. If we passed them or they passed us, I would wave to them. My philosophy is simple, just smile.

Fever

Well I haven't been feeling good all today and when I took my temperature, I had a fever of 100 degrees, a little over 37 degrees in Celsius. I have been pretty exhausted because of that. It is a combination of events from the Fiesta of the Sacred Heart that Cor Jesu College celebrated.

The celebrations started with a school wide Mass from the Basic Education Department all the way to college. Some of the Brothers from Matina came to celebrate with us. It was a wonderful Mass. However, it was raining cats and dogs outside. That wasn't going to stop everyone from having a good time. The faculty and staff of the school had an acquaintance party. Each department had to come up with a creative way to introduce themselves. Well we Brothers wanted to do something for ourselves. We danced!!!! It was a whole lot of fun, the compliments that we received were tremendous. I would definitely do it again. I really am considering zumba classes now when I get back to the states because dancing is such a workout.

Check it out for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h_2GClTfNA

The Digos community headed to Matina to celebrate Br. Dennis' birthday. I started to feel really bad on the way over there and just frustrated with some things. I am lucky that there are those that I can relate to more here than in the states. I want to thank those Brothers that sat with me last night for listening to me, sometimes it is good to just get things off your chest. We also performed the dance for that community. One lady, who was there, asked me if I had ever had any formal dance training, I said no. I think she was just being really nice to me. I just try to do the best that I can. When I got home last night, I worked on a power point presentation for my presentation today on Br. Polycarp. So going to bed after 11 p.m. and waking up around 5 a.m. is not a great combination.

Today I presented to some of the National Service Training Program classes a historical background of Br. Polycarp. I was really nervous and what was a challenge for me is trying to talk slow so that they can understand the material. So the best way I found to accomplish this was to read and talk about what I had on paper. I also provided a power point of pictures of certain in places that pertain to the life of Br. Polycarp. After the presentations we left it open for questions and that is when I fizzle out. It's like I am having to beg the students for questions because the room gets really quiet. Well at the start of the program, I taught them the heart clap, which is to clap your hands three times, then your feet three times, and then trace a heart on your chest while saying heart. I also taught them, I'm a little tea pot. So the best way that I can break the shy people out of there shell, which seems to be all of them is by entertaining them. I think I do a pretty good job at that. For my first presentation here, I think I did relatively well.

Loss, but a gain

I am not going to lie, I am kind of sad today. Tomorrow will make 2 years that my friend Paul was lost at sea and was never found. I haven't had to deal with loss to much in my life, but to lose a friend is enough loss. I can't imagine what it has been like for the Callais family. Let me start from the beginning though. Back in February of 2007, I received an email from Paul regarding sponsoring me while I was in seminary. He had never met me before, but he saw my picture on the seminarian poster and I was the closest seminarian to his home parish so he got in contact with me. My philosophy was if somebody is willing to help me, then I need to take the time to meet them and I did just that. I took the time to go to Paul's work to introduce myself. Time to time we would get together and during these get togethers I got to meet more of the family. What a family! They are all super nice, super generous, and some of the most faithful people in the world. I feel like I am part of there family from all the interaction I have had with them, even after Paul's passing. The day I got the email and voicemail, my heart sank, I thought this couldn't be, but indeed it was. Attending the memorial service for Paul was one of the hardest things I have had to face, I cried my eyes out. I have never lost someone so close to me before in my life. Although I can't explain what goes on in the mind of God, everything happens for a reason, I am still trying to figure that out. However, I still pray for Paul every night, it's a way that I can always keep a piece of such an honest, generous man part of my life. I might have lost a friend, but heaven definitely gained a new angel with Paul.

Wow today was super busy. I was present at a Eucharistic vigil from 7:30 to about 11:50 today. I thought this would give me an opportunity to read and pray on my own. Nope...I was in charge of helping with the prayer session during each hour for the classes that were going on. I was nice. This afternoon though was great, well other than my mishap of washing a green shirt with whites. We had a procession around the neighborhood of the school. It was really great and I was happy to be apart of the procession. This gave me time to reflect, I got to walk behind the caro that was holding the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue. I really thought a lot about Paul and almost teared, but I held it together. We also had our last novena and the piazza was full, it was really super. It makes me really excited about the festivities going on tomorrow. It is also nice to see some of the work that I have helped put into this celebration come to fruition. It is an awarding experience.

Well I have dance practice tonight for the fiesta. Had it last night and learned the rest of the dance. I am placed in the center, I think because I remember the steps and well they think I am a great dancer. I try. Dancing is a workout, I was sweating bullets, it doesn't help that the room was hot. Zumba in the future once back in the states, maybe! Also I get praised on how good of a singing voice I have. I am going to head back to the states with all this singing confidence and lose it immediately after I begin to sing.

I like to believe that smiling and making someone laugh is the best form of medicine. Well it does work. One of the girls here at the school is always so positive was really sad, she didn't have her smile on. I started to sing, she sang along and it made her feel much better. I'm glad that I could contribute in anyway that I could. Maybe that is one of the gifts God has blessed me with, helping people to get there smile back.

I got a fun email last night my time from my parish pastor back in good ole' French Settlement, Louisiana. He likes my blog so much that he is going to publish it in the church bulletin. Thanks Father, you rock!

Gotta love it...

Well today was a relatively slow day today because the guy directing me went to an administration meeting, so I really had nothing to research today. It did give me a chance to work on my Br. Polycarp presentation which I have to present on Saturday. Br. Poloy and I did talk the P.E. teacher into teaching all the Brothers how to do dance for Friday's fiesta. Let's just say the dance isn't too hard, but the moves are tricky. We have practice again tomorrow. After lunch today, my stomach was messed up. So I kind of took a rest in the early afternoon just to be on the safe side. I have to say that we have a super awesome cook here at Digos, but I feel like I need to cut my portions down. It seems that at all meals, there are two main dishes like pork and fish, rice, and some soup. It is always really good.

This afternoon was an exhibit of all the clubs here at Cor Jesu. They had to put together a booth that was creative. Some of the booths were really cool, then some were not so cool. They are given a score based on the requirements. While I was at this event one girl that usually talks to me came up to me and said that someone thinks you are handsome. I get that alot, I also got a you're sexy tonight walking back from the school. I am still taken back by all of this and I blush when it is said. I also sat in on Br. Poloy's 1st year high school class. He is a really fun teacher and really energetic he had the students laughing and me laughing as well. I look forward to going to visit his other classes.

I also finished a book today that I have been reading. It is called "Thoughts Matter", a dear friend of mine had sent it to me when I was still in Syracuse. The final chapter had to deal with pride. What struck me the most was this little section regarding carnal pride. What makes carnal pride different from spiritual pride is that the self takes precedence over God. I give thanks to God for letting me read this today. I have had a lot of negative thoughts going on in my mind and I feel that they have been in more control than me letting God be in control. Especially now more than anything on this experience I am on, I need to keep God first in my life and not let my worries and thoughts get the best of me. How easy it is to be distracted by worldly things. I feel that the more I realize God's presence in my life, the happier I am especially being able to see God in others. Thanks monk for the book, I think it might be something I turn to again in the future.

Alone

So yesterday started off with me kind of stressing. The novena for Sunday was going to be held at 7 a.m., but I found out the night before it was moved to 7:30, but when 7:30 came around, I had no musician, no readings, and freaking out because I didn't know what to do. We had to tweek things around to make them work, but everything was okay. Br. Poloy wanted me to go with him to visit his family. Just recently his baby nephew passed away, but I had other things that I had to do so I couldn't attend. He mentioned to me that he doesn't want me to feel alone here when I am home by myself. I told him, that I never feel alone here because they make me feel welcomed and ask me how I am doing. I guess you can say people in the states are so self-sufficient that they don't bother to ask. I also went to Davao, it was the first time back to Davao since moving to Digos and the first time I was able to go to SM mall. I wanted to get some Filipino shirts, which I did and I also met a big group of Americans who have been in the Philippines for 7 years. They were missionaries and they were about to start an orphanage on an island that I just so happened to have been too. They were pretty nice. I also had Pizza Hut, I know you are probably thinking they have that here in the Philippines, yes they do. Then the Brothers and I made our way to Catalunan Grande for a birthday celebration as well as a goodbye party to the other group. Simply put it, bye! I was happy that I was able to see the other Brothers that I got to know my first week here. I sure do miss joking with them. It was also good to see Br. Dan, I think he is enjoying himself because he will be teaching a class to the Formation Institute of Religious. Plus he has helped me by sending information for my presentation.

Today was a busy day. Since the fiesta is at the end of the week, I have so much to do plus put together a presentation for Saturday. So it is like I have work on top of work to do. Fortunately I was able to get a lot of stuff done today. I get worried about how well I am doing the work and if I am doing it right. Fortunately the director is very nice and gives me great remarks when I do something, which makes me feel like I did it the way he wanted it. Besides doing more research and then coming up with captions, I got a lot done. I also went out of the school property by myself to the store for the first time. Usually I have been nervous about it, but I survived. However, I wouldn't go at night. The thought that goes through my mind when I am doing the work is don't forget to take some time for yourself remember you are still a novice. I did take some time today before lunch and then right before prayer. Then it doesn't help that my mind is wondering. Let me just say me + choreography = challenge/scary. Hopefully we can learn something by Friday. Today I just felt sort of like blah, not as cheery as usual, well I was by myself too, so my thoughts were wondering. I wish I could forget certain things and just move on, that is what I find the most challenging about spending time alone, facing your past and trying to not let it bother you. I just hope that can happen for me.