Last Saturday we decided to go along to a Diwali celebration being held by the Indian Womans Association. It was a fabulous night - they had a fashion show of saris along with Bollywood and traditional dancing, with all the kids joining in. The great thing was the atmosphere and of course the food - the primary reason we went along. Quite a few of Gianna's school mates were there - there is a large Indian Community in Manila and many go to Gianna's school. Gianna enjoyed the fireworks but Angelica just covered her ears!
Angelica and I had out hands hennaed......You can see Angelica on the stage in one photo (in the distance) in the arms of the winner of Indian Idol! She was less than impressed by the attention. Poor Angelica is so fed up of everyone telling her how beautiful she is ( she's fair) she just scowls and puts her tongue out! Most other people we know went along to the Hoedown being held by the Americans - That cost too much for us and although they had a free bar I heard it ran out of beer and wine by 8pm - I would have been well unhappy if we'd forked out 30 quid for a ticket!
Sunday I took the new volunteers around Manila for their street skills. Its amazing how different the places seem now. We followed the same route we took when we were newly arrived. I just remembered being overwhelmed by the number of people, the noise and the traffic..... what a difference 7 months makes...I felt quite at home showing the others about. I've added some touristy shots of Manila for a change to the traffic scenes.
Monday I had off in lieu and went to a charity fashion show.....(life is such a social whirl)....that was great fun too. It was held in one of the hotel ballrooms and in true catwalk style the champers came out at 10.30 - followed by a yummy lunch. There were lots of people I knew there I hadn't realsied just how many I have got to know in the time here. Great way to spend a day off work eating drinking and being (very) merry.
Talking of work - things are going well and I am still really enjoying it. Spent the last 6 months planing a new meeting and learning cycle with the team and integrating it into their M&E systems. Next for review is the basic training which I currently working on, with a new course planned for January. I am designing my workshops with the partners and volunteers for early next year- the aim is to get the 40 partners to institutionalise learning systems as part of our capacity building for VSO pull out in 2010. Then there's the new communication strategy for partners and volunteers and finally development of the knowledge legacy for the handover . So enough, I think, to keep me out of too much trouble.....!
There is a much more relaxed approach to kids and work here and people regularly bring their kids into work. Gianna pops by on the way home from school and does her homework in my office. Marc and Gianna often drop by to say hello or I can go and pick Angelica up from nursery and walk her home as she is only 5 mins away. I like working with the team - its a very social atmosphere which revolves around food. Filipinos eat at least 5 times a day and the mid morning and afternoon snacks are important focal points in the day. Everything stops for Merienda...Its hard to avoid actually eating ( i would be huge if I did) but they have gotten used to my strange ways and I will join them but avoid the spaghetti, donuts, noodles, buns served as snacks before lunch and dinner! Lunch is a good time to catch up on the gossip as everyone sits down together for our cooked lunch where most of the chat (Chismis) is in taglish....Marc and I are still persevering with our tagalog each week - and some of it seems to be sinking in....some :)
I am busy preparing for Mums arrival - we sort of stopped with the house when we weren't sure whether we would move. Mothers arrival is providing a catalyst, to get the few extras, we had planned to make the place more homely. I'm looking forward to the break in Bohol because although it must seem like we are always away, apart from the long weekends, its all been linked with work/workshops. The 6 days in Bohol will be the longest complete break from work since I arrived, although working at beach resorts is of course not such a hardship and I mustn't complain. It will do Gianna good to have a week off school and the early mornings and recharge all our batteries........
And finally, the latest installement from your political correspondant! Last week the senators that support the President went over for breakfast and were given bags ( not envelopes) containing between P200,000 & P500,000 (2000 and 5000 pounds), about an average annual salary! One whistle blower went public and now more and more are owing up in the press each day, to taking the bags .It has been suggested, the money is a reward for the senators support for a sham impeachment - which has given her protection from a real impeachment attempt for another year. It appears that no-one can/will say where the money came from or why the senators were given it....It makes cash for honors seem relatively tame ................!
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