What a Crazy Day!

Today was just one of those days, when one thing goes wrong - everything goes wrong, haha. I was supposed to meet my friend at Galleria, a local mall about half an hour away. I rode the taxi to have it break down in the middle of the overpass, I could see the smoke coming out of from under the hood. The poor taxi driver had to try to fix it in the middle of traffic and in the rain. To my horror, I realized I didn't have my wallet on me! Panicking, I called my friend who I was supposed to meet, hoping she could lend me the money to pay the taxi driver only to find that she had meant to text me to cancel our appointment because of a family emergency, she was already at the hospital. So there I was, in the middle of the overpass, in the rain, in a broken down taxi with no money!

Once the taxi was up and running again I asked the driver to bring me back home explaining that I had forgotten my wallet and I would be able to pay him if he drove me back home. He said that he didn't think the car would make it that far. Tito Danny to the rescue! It was a good thing, Tito Danny (Tito means Uncle in tagalog) called me to make sure I made it alright and I had to explain to him the situation. We all agreed for the taxi driver to park at a nearby gas station as we waited for Tito Danny to come so he could pay the taxi driver.

There was a McDonald's in the gas station (yes, I know..) and I waited there for about an hour until I started feeling embarrassed for just standing there without buying anything, so I decided to walk over to the gas station store because they had seats outside and they had just become unoccupied... walking there, I slid and almost fell on the oil and rain mixture and the bottom of my pants were soaked - this of course was welcomed by laughter from a group of McDonald's employees.

Thank goodness for Tito Danny. When he got there, we paid the taxi driver who apologized profusely... and we walked to Galleria and had dinner. Haha... what a day. I know a lot of it could have been a lot worse. Even though my day was crazy, I know God was still watching over the whole situation. Thank God that I can look back on the situation and laugh about it instead of cry about it! :)

Back from Tacloban, San Miguel, Leyte

I got back from Leyte two days ago from our mission trip. It was really an awesome experience! If you would like to see some of the pictures, you can visit the blog dedicated to that mission by clicking: http://sanmiguelmission.blogspot.com/ , we will be posting some of the pictures soon :)

I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my relatives, and trust me, there was a lot of them! When we drove down the street my companions would point out my cousins, aunts and other relatives, hehe. They say I am related to half of Tacloban... And I wouldn't doubt it either. It was just really great getting to spend time with some of them because I was never close to them. It was good that they were actually making an effort to take me out and accommodate me. I had always felt a sort of distance with them, but this time was definitely different. Maybe because I came on my own without my parents. I definitely want to go back, I am just waiting for a promo with the local airlines, but I will definitely be going back maybe in the summer. My cousins promised to take me island hopping! I have so many neices and nephews that I haven't met before, it's crazy!

Ministering to the people in San Miguel was quite a challenge, but definitely worth it. The fiesta turned out really well for the money that spent. It was actually more formal than we expected and the food and turnout was great. It was hard ministering to older people and sharing with them why we were there, but I know that what we shared with them about God will never be in vain. I know that when we spoke and even if they were fighting it or disagreeing with it, it will never come back void. That we either planted a seed or we were feeding a need that was in them and God will take care of the rest. For the farmers, we ministered to mostly kids. It was a lot of fun and I know that the kids had a great time! I really feel like we treated them and we also shared with them about Jesus wanting to be in their lives. There were over 100 kids who attended and approximately 60 kids accepted Jesus into their lives as their personal lord and savior. We definitely have to continually pray for them and for their spiritual growth! We also gave them bibles. It was definately such a blessing to be able to go there and do all the things that we did. I really want to go back regularly to check up on them, maybe get them started with a bible study so that they can be more rooted in God's word. We still have to pray about that one.

Well, that's it for this update, it is getting quite late over here :) Our trip was a great experience, God blessed us so much while we were there, to Him be the glory forever!

Preparing for Leyte Mission

The past couple of days have just been in preparation for our trip to San Miguel tomorrow. Today we (Karen, Ate Jen and I) have to pack. We are very excited :) If you would like to know more about our Mission to San Miguel you can check out this blog: http://sanmiguelmission.blogspot.com/ . Please keep us in your prayers!

The past couple of days have been getting hotter and hotter! Last Saturday, I played badminton with Ate Jen and her uncle. Imagine playing badminton in a gymnasium with no air conditioning or fans, with spotlights! It was crazy, I was sweating so much! Actually, I am still quite sore from the whole experience. Next time I know that I should be wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts - I could literally feel my clothes burning on my skin after our game. Haha :) It's good to exercise and sweat though, especially after eating so much Jolibee (a Filipino fast food favorite)!

Okay, I have to get going and take a shower because I am sweating like crazy right now and I can't stand it anymore.. hehe :)

Lolo's Birthday and Shopping for the Leyte Mission

This picture was taken during my lolo's 91st birthday. We had a small celebration with pancit, palabok, beef caldereta, pork and chicken barbecue among other things and of course we had to have cake -braso de mercedez and queso (cheese flavoured) ice cream. As Karen and I were coming down to eat lunch Lolo came to greet us and did a little birthday dance, haha, it was so great and he started to lovingly pinch our arms :) It's so great to see him with so much energy! I am so blessed to be able to spend some time with him.

Today, we were able to get our tickets for our mission trip to Leyte. We also went to Makros, which is like a Costco to shop for some of the giveaways. It was great, we were able to get a lot of things and I think all the kids and farmers will be happy with the items that we bought. We also bought some prizes for the games we will be doing :) I am so excited for our flight on Tuesday! Please keep Karen, Ate Jennie and I in your prayers as we continue to prepare for our trip.

That's all for now :)

Mall-Rat

I went to three different malls yesterday, my feet were so tired by the end of the day. First we went to Glorietta in Makati to meet Karen's uncle and then to Robinson's Galleria in Ortigas to meet one my girlfriends and then to Greenhills which is also a nearby mall which is known for it's "tiange" which is a sort of market where you can barter for prices. It never ceases to amazes me how many malls there are here in Metro Manila, and they just keep building more! I have heard of at least four brand new malls since the last time I came here four years ago.. and the thing is whichever mall you go there are always tons and tons of people. I was having breakfast with my girlfriend several days ago and the coffee place were were sitting in was just outside of a mall, it was quite early so the mall wasn't open yet, but there was already a line up to get in! Amazing!

The good news is Karen was able to get a good deal from her friend who works for Cebu Pacific (an airline) for our tickets to Leyte, San Miguel where we will be having our Mission. We will be leaving next week :)

Today is my lolo's (grandfather's) birthday, so I better get going downstairs to celebate his birthday lunch! I will make sure to post some pictures of this tomorrow and let you all know about the festivities :) Bye for now!

Joy's Wedding and a Cousin's Day Out

Yesterday was my cousin – Joy’s wedding. It was a very beautiful ceremony, the bride was exceptionally beautiful as well, as you can tell from the pictures :) The ceremony was held at a church known as “The Bamboo Organ Church” – there is an actual organ upstairs in the church made of bamboo. Apparently, organists from all over the world come to the Philippines just for the chance to play the bamboo organ. It was great to get to meet some of my relatives that I had never met before. There was actually an Aunt who attended, she carried a picture of the both of us (a baby pic of me and a younger version of herself) so she could show me. Haha, I was crying and had rollers in my hair in the picture! To end the night off with a bang, I was the one who caught the bridal bouquet! Ayayay. Peterson had a laugh when I told him (he arrived later on during the reception).













Today I had a cousins day out :) Karen, Trina, Liezl and I went to church and then to a movie and a dinner in Robinson's Galleria, a nearby mall. We watched a Filipino movie called “Don’t Give Up On Us” with Piolo Pascual (a local movie “hunk” that Karen has a crush on). It was lots of laughs and for some, some “kilig” moments, hahaha!

Okay, have to go to sleep now. I hope you are all doing fine there in Canada :) God Bless!

EuroStar Carnival

Yesterday, I met up with some friends to go to a brand new carnival that just opened up. It has been heavily advertised in the newspapers and on television. It actually wasn't too bad. I refused to go on any of the rides that would spin in more than one direction at the same time, so I stayed on all the pretty mellow rides. There was one ride though which was a ship that would swing back and forth and then eventually suspend you upside down and swing you full circle that we rode - luckily we rode it when we did - because afterwards, the electricity went off and it was swinging on it's own momentum! It eventually stopped and the carnival staff got the power running again and everything was business as usual.. until it happened again! Hahaha. That's about it for now :) I am off to Joy's wedding!

Driving in Metro Manila

Everyone knows about the traffic in Manila. They know that it is always congested and it takes about three times longer than it should really take to get to your desired location. Well, let me explain a little why that is. When you drive around Metro Manila, no one stays in their own lane, actually, to be blunt there basically are no lanes, buses, jeepneys and taxi's stop in the middle of the road may it be a highway or not and pick up or drop off passengers.

If you have ever played a car racing game in an arcade, you would have a good picture of what driving here is like. And that includes people cutting you off. Cars that are an inch away from your vehicle are typical.

Drivers here have their own language. Beeping here doesn't mean "Get out of the way" or "Hurry up" like it would over in Canada. Depending on how many times and the length you beep it could mean those things but most of the time they mean "Watch out I'm on your left/right", "Thank you", "You may take the right of way" and a numerous other things. So honking your horn here isn't necessarily a sign of irritation or agressiveness but can also be a courteous gesture for the drivers around you.

I've been told people don't get pulled over here for speeding, people get pulled over for passing a red light and illegal u-turns... and that's about it. It's amazing how people can do business here as I am sure the traffic is bad for the output of business - to be more efficient. Someone once told me that in his MBA program they were trying to figure out how to improve the traffic in the Philippines and the only solution they could come up with was to destroy the current structure and to start fresh. I think that the traffic is part of the Philippine culture. I don't really find it frustrating as others might. Even though it was scary at first I actually find it humorous somtimes... and being a passenger, the added time to get to places gives me an opportunity to have a nap! So, I say - it's not all that bad :)

Arrival Week

Hello All! Karen and I arrived in Manila safe and sound the other night. The flight didn't take as long as I expected, it really helps to have good company, although I feel bad for the fellow who had to sit to next us - he had to listen to the two giggling girls sitting beside him the whole flight! Hehe. I went to a garden wedding yesterday - yes, I know what you might be thinking - a garden wedding in the Philippines? Wouldn't it be too hot? It actually wasn't too bad because I think this is the cooler time of the year here. The wedding was very nice, I will try to post some pictures online soon. It has been a very busy few days so far - today is my rest day. There will be another wedding on Saturday for which I will be a bridesmaid - I have to to go to a fitting later for some alterations on my bright fuscia dress ;)

That's all for now! Thank you for all the prayers - if you prayed for a safe trip, your prayers were definately answered (it was a breeze)!

Missing everyone in Canada,

Kat