Last Sunday our church group had a performance.  It’s been a while since I’ve done something like this, but I’m glad to know that despite my still-weak leg I’m able to dance around a little.  It’s a good thing that this dance wasn’t too rough on the knee.  This whole weekend I hung out with some of the people in the pics.  I’m still working on establishing my barkada…and I think it’s coming along, but sadly enough I haven’t figured that out yet and I only have less than 4 months left on my contract.  I’ve been meeting people lately and making some friends along the way.   I’ve been gradually coming to appreciate my decision to move out here, even though I’ve left so much behind.  I’m glad this wasn’t a well thought out decision in the first place because otherwise I might have changed my mind.

Always a Tease

After getting back from my ten day vacation in the PI, Singapore, and Malaysia, I realized that I'll probably never take a vacation like that again.  I'm not meaning to sound like I'm complaining about having the luxury to travel so freely, more so I'm making the point that I'll try to make more meaningful travels in the future.  I spent about four days in the PI, two traveling, and two with family.  It was so hard seeing my cousins knowing that I'd be leaving them the next day. 

I guess we should start from the beginning.  I traveled with my friend Darryl from work.  We left Friday evening after work and we arrived in Manila that night.  We spent two days venturing around Manila and Pampanga which were interesting.  As happy as I was to be in the Philippines, I couldn't stop thinking of my family.  Anyways, our plans to go to Pagsanjan Falls were cancelled, so instead we went to my family's hometown, good ol' Sta. Maria, Laguna!

Well first we met up with my cousin at one of the SM malls in Manila before going to Sta. Maria, then we took a jeepney around the city to do a little shopping.

...and of course, one of the first places that I just had to visit, Quiapo, Bootleg Central.  Yeah, I wasn't really comfortable about the picture taking in this area either, but I didn't even know that it was still going on.

So many bootlegs and what little time!  I kept telling my cousin to ask how much the movies were while I'd hide around the corner...every time they saw me, they jacked the prices up at least an extra 15 pesos...driving the price up to $1 for 12 movies...crazy, huh?

Then we made our way back to Sta. Maria. via jeepney, car, then tricycle.  It wasn't such a bad ride.  Can you tell how happy I was in the pictures...must have been that Philippine air.

We toured the barrios for a bit.  Literally everywhere we went, we bumped into one of my relatives.  We have the biggest family in our town.  Once we stopped at an elementary school and randomly walked into a classroom...Why?...Why not?  Anyways, the teacher turned out to be my mom's first cousin.  The kids were so cute...I think I might have to come back and teach here for a while.  Since they were in first grade, they just started learning Engilsh.  I observed as Darryl walked into a random classroom.  The kids became dead silent and I bet the teacher was probably scared.  I'm sure that's the first time that most of them have seen a foreigner, let alone a big American guy with tattoos everywhere.  He immediately explained himself, then I walked in.  He asked them, "Can I take a picture with you all?", and the said, "Yeeeeees!"  Then he said, "What are you studying?", and they all replied, "Yeeees!"  It was cute.  I don't know who's foot that is in the background though...hope the kid's not hurt.

Then, after a little touring and bumping into random family, I got to settle down with the cousins.

Later we did a little fishing with freshly made bamboo rods...

...and Kuya caught himself.

We spent our last night at the bar, then took off the next day...leaving was the worst feeling.  Yeah, I was a bit faded from that San Mig Light.

Before I knew it, we were a plane to Singapore.  It's a beautiful city and there's lots of shopping, but at night, it was dead.  I don't know how much there is to do there for the younger crowd.  At least the food was good, and of course, it's always good to try a new bubble tea wherever you go.

Then to Malaysia.  It seems a lot like the PI, at least just enough to constantly remind me of where I wasn't...I tried to look happy for the pics.

That smile eventually died off.

Concentrating for the perfect pic from the bridge.

Then back to Korea.  I guess I decided that the next time I visit the PI, I'll definitely stay for an extended period.  It felt like such a tease being there.  By the time I saw my fam, I was already preparing to leave them.  They're always on my mind, especially when I think about how difficult life is there.  Things will come together, they always seem to work out in the end.  It's like Chloe said, "Tiis lang".

Another Korean Update

Minority Pains

PI

It's the oddest feeling, missing someone that you've never really known, and just started to get to know.  Relationships that seems so perfect, and knowing that they're not meant for you, at least not now, makes parting that much harder.  Then, it's time to give it all up.  Now I'm back in Korea, but I left so much of my heart behind.  I have this diluted feeling of sadness that I sometimes confuse with apathy.  I just keep trying to remember that my path has its purpose.  I thought that I was well adjusted to living in Korea since I could so easily handle being away from friends and family, until I was reaquainted with so many from my past that were so quick to accept me, our differences, and even love me.  Leaving was bitter, but it gave me something to fight for, and those to always remember. 

The PI was great!  I just can't remember missing anyone so much.  It's funny cause' I never really got to know my family there, so why did leaving them feel so hard?  My biggest fear before I went there was that they might not really like me, for whatever reason, or that maybe we might have a big communication problem stopping us from getting to know each other, but there was none of that.  My day of departure was my first day off crutches, but by the end of the trip I was able to walk like normal with the assistance of my brace, of course.  I got to know my cousins a lot better and meet a few people...tons of relatives.  Getting to know my cousins made this trip a priceless experience and I'm sure I'll be back a lot more because of them!  I took so many pics of family all over town and I don't remember any of their names.  I went to work Monday feeling kinda' down.  Normally I'm happy to go in because it makes the week go by fast.  I didn't want to leave.  I just wanted to ask my grandpa if I could stay and have him support me...but I figured it's probably not a good idea.  My uncle was right when he said, "It can't always be Christmas."