Ocean Park

One of our friend's daughters turned one today so a group of us visited the Ocean Park at Manila Bay.  We went before with my parents but they have added a couple of sections - although you have to pay extra for them.  The kids enjoyed it, though.  Naomi and Josh went ahead with me and Rose followed at a slower pace with Steve and the others.  Even though N and J were moving more quickly they were taking a lot in. Joshua particularly liked the shark tank.

What goes around....

...comes around. It made me laugh tonight when Josh was trying to read the 3 billy goats gruff to me and occasionally Naomi was supplying the word he was trying to string together.  The first time, he said, "What? Did she read that?" (She wasn't even looking at the book).  I said, "No. But you remember how when Rose was starting to read you often told her words because you knew the story so well?  That is what Naomi is now doing to you."  He didn't like it, just as Rose did not like it when he did it to her.

A lengthy hair cut

Rose and I went to get a haircut this morning.  I took a book for her to read with me and just as well because when we walked in, the hairdresser was doing a pedicure on another lady (it doubles as a "beauty salon").  She used the classic Filipino phrase "For a while" so I decided we could wait till she was done.  However, when she finished the lady's toes she moved on to the lady's fingernails.  We had already waited about 30 minutes so I figured a few more minutes while she did the manicure wouldn't hurt.  Silly, silly, silly Debs.
Another 20 minutes later, I realise the lady now wants her hair dyed.  Aaaaaaaaagggghh.  By this time Rose is pretty bored - she has been brilliant up till now so I decide we will walk down to the other hairdresser's - just a few steps down the road and if they were available we would have our hair cut and, if not, we would cut our losses and go home.  Rose was happy with the plan so we sauntered down.
The hairdressing crew were all having lunch so I turned to leave but the manager got up and said she would cut our hair.  I said it was OK and I was very sorry for disturbing their lunch (eating is important in the culture) but she said it was no problem.  Shortly afterwards, one of the other hairdressers also came and did Rose's hair too so we were even faster than we expected.
Of course, if I had decided to leave the other salon earlier, we would have been done even faster!

Looking Ahead

I think I mentioned a couple of weeks back about how Christmas was kind of like turning a corner as we look ahead to our furlough.  I have begun reading a book on transitions for families overseas and it reminded me that dis-engagement typically begins 6 months before departure.  So, as we look ahead, we face the tumult of emotion and reality as we begin to sort and pack as well as stay focused and work well.  This is the bit I don't like!

Christmas Day

So, here it is!

Steve made pancakes for breakfast but the kids were so excited about opening presents that they only managed 2, rather than their normal 4 or 5!  I told them they had to wait while I made my Chai tea, anyway.  We read our last Jesse tree devotion, reminding them of why we celebrate Christmas before ripping into the presents.

Wendy and her parents came for dinner along with Karen.  Wendy's parent had couriered some Christmas crackers for us so that was fun.  We bought the last Christmas pudding in M&S on Monday - a result of procrastination! - so we also had that taste of home plus some food we have made traditional Christmas fare in our family.

The kids were ready for bed after two late nights and the culmination of all the excitement of this week!

Christmas Eve

We had a low-key day around the house just as a family before heading out to our Church for the Christmas Eve service.  Naomi was not that well behaved during the service (it's only an hour long) but I realised they never sit in church services with us because their kids' programme runs the entire time of the service.  I can see why it might be beneficial for them to be in part of the service and then I remember some of my childhood experiences of church and am grateful they offer a kids' programme and that my kids enjoy going to church.  That may be better for them in the long run.

After the service we enjoyed our traditional "meal" at Wendy's, drove past the Christmas lights in the city and went home.  Another late night for our kids - we got home at 8.

Games night

We hosted a games night for some friends - it's great having so many friends still in the city over the break. Our kids had gone to bed, but they were running back and forth between the bedrooms upstairs and definitely not settling down, so when our friends arrived with their 3 children we told ours to just get up and come and play with them.  They didn't believe Steve at first when he told them to come down - they thought they were in trouble.  So they stayed up till 9 (way beyond their normal bedtime) but they are so hyper-excited about Christmas I doubt they would have slept much before then anyway!  Not much longer to wait.

The Sun

As I was playing tennis today in the bright, and at times hot, sun I couldn't help thinking about the big difference between being here and being in the UK with snow, snow and more snow (and cold!).  It is one of the things I love about living in the Philippines - the year-round sun.  I may not love it so much in hot season but I still see - and feel - the sun almost every day.  It is one of the things I am not looking forward to when we get back to England.  I mean, it's fun for a while to have a more diverse wardrobe, and to experience those days in front of the log burner while it rains outside, and to play in snow when you haven't seen it for years.  But it gets old fast!  I was never great about cold even before we left England and now, as I wrap up in a couple of blankets to sleep here in our coolest season, I shudder at the thought of dealing with the cold there.  But maybe it helps me appreciate what I have now.

Film Date

We haven't had a date night in a long time and I have been desperate to see Harry Potter on the big screen before it disappears so we organised two sets of babysitters - one for morning and one for afternoon/evening and took ourselves off for the day to watch Dawntreader and HP as well as finish up some bits of Christmas shopping and basically get to spend the whole day together!  It was lovely.  We finished up the day with a meal at one of the more expensive restaurants as our Christmas treat.

The holidays

Of course, one of the great things about being on holiday is the chance to do things during the day that you can't normally do.  We got to go to our friends for lunch (after a misunderstanding where we waited for them here and they waited for us there!) and play a game in the afternoon!  Wow, unheard of.  It also shows how much bigger our kids are getting that they were able to entertain themselves and give us the space to play.

Rose then had her friend over for a "sleep-over".  Thankfully Josh and Naomi went to sleep regardless and they stayed up chatting in Rose's room (we had moved Naomi in to Josh's room for this purpose!) but quietly.

A Study on Study

On the way up to school last night Rose was asking what I did at Bible Study.  I explained that we meet together to eat, then we chat about our homework - what we learned from the Bible that week, then we listen to a lady speak to us on DVD, then we pray for each other and go home.
Rose: That sounds fun.
Debs: It is.  I've learned lots of new things about God and grown as a believer.
Rose: I get it.  It's called Bible Study because you study the Bible.
Debs: That's right.
Rose: Oh, it's a compound word. Bible + Study = Bible Study.
Debs: Not really, because it is two separate words, not a compound word but the idea is right.
Rose: We've learned about compound words.
And she proceeds to give me examples of compound words she knows - butterfly, firefly, rainbow.
Rose: I'm quick as lightning aren't I, mum?
Debs:(processing fast for best answer) Well, not really. But that's OK.  Sometimes it's better to do things slowly. When mummy does things quickly I often don't think things through enough. (Ouch! The truth of that strikes me as it pops out of my mouth.)
Rose: Like when we do Maths.  We all work very quietly and listen to Christmas music because we are thinking hard. (Then she thinks). Except, sometimes I want to sing to the music because I like it and then I stop thinking about Maths!

We both laughed at that.

Carols by Candlelight

Rose said she would like to come with me to the Carols by Candlelight service at school this evening.  It was lovely.  Lots of people, great singing of Carols.  We left rapidly as it was past Rose's bedtime, which she was not impressed about as she did not get to partake of any of the "treats".
As we were walking to the car I asked her if she had fun.
Rose: No, it wasn't fun.
Debs: Why? Because you didn't know all the carols?
Rose: No, because there were no games.
Debs: I told you we would be singing carols.
Rose: Yes, but I thought there would be games to make it more fun!

I think something got lost in translation there!

Photos!

Nov photos

Filipiniana Week Field Trip

Thanksgiving

Naomi's Christmas "programme"

Rose and Josh's Christmas performance

The other programme

It was Rose and Joshua's turn today.  Elem were putting on a performance called "Christmas in Reverse".  We have been getting previews over the last few weeks as they have practised songs at home, so I was looking forward to it.  Unfortunately, our video camera battery is playing up so I only really got video of Josh and Naomi (but, really, do I need anything more?!).  I also took lots of photos.
It was very good.
I also had my 20 minute "lesson" with my class (thankfully before the performance) and school is done for Christmas.  Except I still have a handful of grades to do and no motivation to do them - well, except they are due by Monday!!

The Programme

Naomi made me smile this week when she came home excited from pre-school and announced she was "doing a program" (deliberate spelling because it was a very American sounding phrase to me!).  Today rolled around and she was being uncooperative about getting ready to go and leaving the house.  I said, "Come on, Naomi, it's your programme.  You've been looking forward to it all week!"
Naomi: I'm bored of the programme.
Debs: Well, only one more time, then it will be over.
How can a four year old be bored of things already?  It's her favourite word.  Last week I did not get to go to the Elem Christmas party because Rose and Naomi were both tired and feeling ill.  When I told them I would stay home, Naomi said (well, shouted, really!), "No.  I want you to go to school. I'm bored of you, mummy!"
It helps me keep a humble perspective (despite myself!)

So TCK!

We are heading back home after school with Josh and Naomi's friends - who are coming to play.  They made me smile when Josh said, "Are you from the US?" (And, yes they use the acronym and know exactly what it means).
Naomi's friend: No, I was just born there.

Breakfast from the heart

Love, love, love admin breakfast.

I salute whoever was the first superintendent to install this fabulous tradition.  What a practical example of servant leadership (it bugs me how often I have sat in meetings where I am told that leadership takes a servant heart but I don't see evidence of it!).  Steve and I worked with the rest of the admin team and their spouses from 2 - 4 yesterday afternoon preparing for this morning and then Steve left at 4:45 am to help get breakfast cooked and served.  I brought our kids and another principal's kids up to school at the normal time and helped with the last bit of breakfast.  Then we all enjoyed breakfast together and I helped clean up when it was over.

Last week of term

I have already given my end of semester exam to my class, Josh has his last football game today and it is party season, performance season and only 5 days left!  I can feel that tiredness creeping up on all of us as we finish off for the semester.  The kids are fluctuating with sickness and tiredness and I am ready to sleep for a few days. (Fat chance!)  And, so as we look to Christmas we begin to look to the end of the school year and a year back in England.  Steve is feeling more torn about it than I am as I am grounded in my teaching and cannot ignore it!  I have to stay focused here and now but there are things that have to be sorted too.  Our tickets are in the process of being bought - we leave 8th June.  We need to get the kids into school in England and the deadline for admission is the end of Jan.  I am beginning a book on transition for families to think about how to best prepare the kids (and ourselves) for this big change.  There is much to look forward to - especially time with family and friends - but there is much that we leave too.

Weetabix

Rose was talking at dinnertime about what she misses about England (in anticipation of going back) and she mentioned Weetabix.  Of all things!!  Anyway, she thought for a minute and then asked us, "Is Weetabix seasonal?"  I laughed.  It amused me that she understands the concept of seasonal food and that she thought Weetabix could be seasonal.

Joseph

Last night was my weekly Bible Study.  Normally we are 5 but Wendy has a team visiting from her church in South Africa and another friend was frantically finishing up work before the exam week next week.  We have been doing a Beth Moore study on the fruit of the spirit but took a break and instead looked at the Christmas story.  We started with a song about Joseph and took some time to think through what these events looked and felt like for a man who is often overlooked.  What an amazing guy.  He is one of my new heroes of the faith.  He made the hard choices because he feared God not man.
That is my desire.

Sleepover

Rose was invited to the party of one of the Grade 2 girls.  It was a sleepover which only started at 7 p.m.  My daughter is normally fast asleep by then!  They had lots of fun pretending to be rock stars with their hair sprayed in different colours, watched a film, ate popcorn, played games and finally went to bed.  Rose claimed she hadn't slept very well because there was air-con in the bedroom.  I suspect it had more to do with the bouncing game they were playing on the mattress!
I thought she would be tired and grumpy today but she was really good.  Which is just as well because they have a late night tonight as well as it is our staff Christmas banquet and they are going to the childminding being offered at school.

Staff banquet

We had fun at the Christmas banquet tonight.  Our enjoyment so often seems to depend on who we sit with!  We built a "gingerbread house" in the style of a Filipino stilt house.  I read a little bit of the Jolly Christmas Postman, with letters from the administration for the three members of staff leaving us at Christmas. Ruth has been here for 4 months on sabbatical from her job in Nottingham. It has been a pleasure for us to have a fellow Brit on staff and lovely to hear an unadulterated English accent (Yes, I admit it, mine is not.  My friends' mum visiting from Northern Ireland thought I was American!  I can't tell you how disconcerting that is).  Her mum was a TCK and I think being here, working with our students, has given her a bit more insight into her mum and her mum's childhood.  She has been a real asset to Elementary and had quite the experience, teaching every class so teachers could do their class assessments.  We will miss her.  Our kids love her too, I think the England connection has a lot to do with it.

Washing Up

This week Rose surprised me when I mentioned that we would not have a helper in England and her reaction (and that of the other two) was "Really? Who will do our washing, then?" I said, "That would be me!" .  She said, "Maybe Granny will help you".  I was surprised - although I really shouldn't be with all my exposure to TCKs - that they really are used to having someone to clean and wash for us.
I don't know if that was what encouraged them to start volunteering but Rose and Naomi have both come a couple of times while I have been washing up this week and helped me by drying the dishes. It has been a fun, shared experience.