Sr. Jessica's Journal - Pt. II

Nov. 10, 2004

Maganda araw po (Good day).

Happy Halloween. I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits.

It has been a little over a month and a half since I have written. The time here seems to be going to fast.

This weekend we celebrate All Saints day and All Souls day. I am finding that the Philippine people do not really celebrate Halloween; they do go to the provinces to be with family at the graveside of loved ones. This is a tradition for the Filipino families.

The stores here are already geared up for Christmas and the carols have started. It seems so early but my Filipino teacher assured me that we only have 57 days to do all the preparations. It is weird to have such hot weather when you are thinking about Christmas. I was told it does get cooler in December, to about 20 degrees C. I am getting ahead of myself. I have yet to share what I have been doing this month with you.

At the end of September I was not feeling very good and had to go to the doctor. I had developed a fungal infection that was covering most of my arms and torso. It was very painful and I was very glad to have it go away after a week of treatment from the doctor.

During that week of being sick, I was also finding it difficult getting through all the transition and cultural changes. I was graced that on that day when I needed contact with home the most, not only did my mother call but Liz Cole called also. It was a blessing sent by God to make sure I was able to continue and be strong for the rest of the journey.

October 3rd, I was able to travel Laoag with Sr. Deling and spend a week getting to know the area and the sisters.

The kindergarten children are wonderful and I have some great pictures of them. Laoag is up north on the ocean coast so on my last day there I was able to visit a resort and go swimming on the beach. It was wonderful to see a little of the Philippines. The bus ride took eight hours and the seats were not very comfortable but they did show a couple of movies on the way up and on the way back down. Oh did I sleep the next day!

On the 11th of October, I moved to Mystic Rose in Quezon City for a month. The reason I moved to Mystic Rose was to make it easier to travel to school. This move also allowed me a greater feeling of freedom. I had to learn my way to school and back to Mystic Rose but I also had to learn how to get back to Paco, where I spend my weekends.

I have been able to know what Jeepney to take and how much it should cost. I have had some interesting experiences with riding the Jeepney. One time a passenger tried to keep part of my change. Luckily we were the only two on the bus, so I complained to the driver about not giving me the right change. The woman then gave back the rest of my change.

Another time I got on a Jeepney and didn\\\'t read the sign and so rode it a little ways. When I started to pay to go to Quiapo, one of the passengers told me it was not going to Quiapo. I had to stop the Jeepney and walk to the main road where I found the right Jeepney.

I still sometimes wonder if I am on the right Jeepney or not.It sure makes you trust in our Provident God.

I don\\\'t think I will ever get used to all the stares because I can use Tagalog when I ride the Jeepney. Most Filipinos do not expect to have a brown-haired, blue-eyed person use Tagalog.

My studies are going well; I am learning how to conjugate verbs now. I am finding the language easy to write, but harder to speak.

I have three different teachers. One works on grammar, one vocabulary, and the other writing and listening comprehension. I have been in school for three weeks now and will be giving a reflection for the All Souls day at school.

Thank God, it\\\'s in English.

There are about 15 to 20 students that have class at the same time as I do. Some are learning English and others are learning Tagalog. We spend breaks trying to have some conversations. Sometimes it works and other times, well we try.

I want to thank all of you for keeping me in your prayers. It sure is working. It has been a great experience so far and I am getting used to all the changes. My body is even starting to adjust.

Each day still brings with it new challenges and new ways to observe the differences of our cultures. My time here has given me a new understanding of how we are all children of God.

In our loving Provident God,
Jessica

Read:? Sr. Jessica's Journal - Pt. lll