The best is yet to come

I think its about time to push out another blog post.

Yes its been a while, I am fully aware. And again I apologize. Its always hard to think of something to write about besides just an update of how I’m doing. But I’ll start with that; an update.

Its been about two months since my last post. And yes, a lot has happened. Rewinding to June, July and August… these were the projected ‘mid-service low’ we were warned about. Like many others, I thought that this time was hypothetically, a sort of myth, until I actually hit the wall. It started with the ‘loss’ of two friends. Mainly, the premature departure of my bff and site-mate Bentley. It was the summer break of the UP students, so my Miagao friends were gone too, and the closest volunteers were over an hour away.

[Sometimes I had to make the extra effort to leave site and travel way far away to visit other volunteers for birthdays and get togethers, which if you can see these pictures is obviously not a waste...]

Then I had a stressful time the month of June sorting out an issue with the underwater assessment I’d been planning for months! By the time July came around, I felt alone, lost and discouraged. These feelings took over and I feel victim to a small bout of depression. Nothing was happening at work because I had no motivation to start up a project. I felt more of an outsider in my community than ever before. August rolled and I decided to go to Manila to see a counselor, to try to figure out how I could crawl out of the pit of despair (yes that is a Princess Bride reference!) and get back to my normal self. I had thought about leaving but couldn’t bring myself to leave unfinished this thing that I had started. Clearly I stuck through my tough time, literally the toughest time of my life (which I am very blessed for considering…), and guess what? Things have just gotten better.

Here’s what’s been going on in The Happy Times! About a month ago, we had our scheduled Mid Service Training in Batangas. Before heading to Manila, though, I had a wonderful visit from another volunteer, Katie. We ferried across the Iloilo Strait to Bacolod where their annual Masskara Festival was just starting! Friday and Saturday night were spent on the streets dancing, running into friends, old (the Australian volunteers we didn’t know were there) and new (a 269 volunteer still living there and some locals), all behind the masks that hid our shame, nerves and speculation. This weekend, as fun and laid back as it was, made me appreciate something more than Filipinos’ ability to have a good time. For one of the first times since being here, I felt free. Being looked at and sticking out didn’t matter anymore: something that I’ve struggled with since day one. [I know that a lot of this had to do with being with other volunteers, not being the only foreigners there, and the large majority of people being under the influence of alcohol, but it helped me make sort of a break though with the self-consciousness that’s sky-rocketed since being here]. And the overall festival mood traveled with us to MST where we spent the good part of a week socializing, having fun and catching up (plus making pickles and riding bikes!!!).

By time Friday came around, I was ready to get back to site and see where this new attitude got me. Finally with the motivation and energy to work again, I kick it into gear. To spare you all of the details, Me and the new Community Education Team that’s forming will have our hands full for two weeks as we give an IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaign on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to all the coastal community. Making and translating these power points, organizing activities and discussion and scheduling everything has kept me more than busy throughout the last couple of weeks. Sandwiched between these weeks of work are two weeks of excitement! Over the thanksgiving weekend, as part of the PC Philippines tradition, I’m heading up to Sagada (a much cooler region of the country) to celebrate and hike the infamous rice terraces. I’ll be back at site for one day (my birthday!!) just to leave for Cebu and the coral gardening training we have there (yes you can expect pictures)!

To top off the good vibes I’ve been having, I joined the new gym in Miagao, and its been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I was quickly swept into the family there, got puller into joining jui jitsu classes (which I absolutely love) and on a number of days have spent three hours there after work, relieving stress and building muscle (determined to lose the weight I’ve gained since being here)!

All in all, the last month has been an answer to prayers, cries, shouts of anger and frustration, and proof that you really aren’t put through anything that you can’t handle.

And just so you guys that worry about my think that I'm all alone here, here are some critters that I share my home with and keep me happy :)

 Geckos, in cute little hiding places and even those without tails.

 And the more adorable praying mantis I've ever seen

(also the first one I think I've ever seen in real life!)