Where do I begin? At the beginning, of course.

This morning I woke up and showered, and came down to breakfast as usual. And then, just as I was finishing my mango, I heard a squeak and looked over to see Splinter and Warren T. scurrying under the stairs. I SAW them. They are big and furry and gray! Eek! So I said, "Manang Susan! There, the rats were there!" And she laughed and told me we can't poison them because it will stink. And then she HAD to add that once she was sleeping in the living room, and a rat JUMPED on her FACE. Uh, what?! These are JUMPING rats? Hahahaha. I'm not laughing so much from the funniness of it all as from the delirium...oh man. My Uncle Lonnie emailed me with good advice though; all I can do is get used to the idea that they live in my house too. And that I might see them from time to time. But if they EVER come near me...watch out rats. I'll scream so loud it will make your little heads explode!

I apologize for the violence. The rest of the day was topsy turvy because today I began my interviews! I traveled to Vista Alegre, a neighboring barangay, to visit some Gaddangs for my survey. They say that neighborhood is the poorest I will experience, and I really think it will be. Almost no one has enough money for simple daily living. I spoke to a man today who owns a piggery to support his family. He never finished high school, so when he was telling us about his children he kept repeating that his eldest was studying computers at a local university. His family is barely getting by, but it's crucial to him that his child finishes a degree. He, and a few others today, mentioned they also are victims of loan sharks...the interest on 5,000 Pesos is 1,000, due in 40 days. Think about what that means. Those I talked to used loan money to pay for medical attention and school tuition. One woman has a three year old child who looks like a one year old. She has borrowed money from everyone she can, but it is simply impossible for her family to take care of the baby. She is malnourished and has a lung disease, one that the whole family seems to have. The alleys between their house and their neighbors’ (and in between almost every house there) is open sewage, so they are often sick. T.B. and asthma occur there often, as well chronic coughing and dysentery.

I guess I'm just processing all I saw today, but at the end of this rough day the thought that keeps running through my head is, where do we begin?
Part of my wants to give that little kid food, while part of me says, what’s the use? How do we stop this from happening?

Prevention man, that’s the key. All these respiratory problems prevalent here are preventable, so what are the steps to changing things? As glad as I am to be helping in the long run, I feel frustrated not being able to do more.

So I have much more to absorb and process on my own, but that’s what I experienced today. Tomorrow I am spending time in San Nicolas, my family’s barangay, to gather information from the indigent and elderly Gaddangs here. It will be another interesting day!

So tonight, I’m thankful for all the food I get to eat, my medical insurance, my education…my clean house and plumbing, my clothes and shoes, and my dental work. My parents spent thousands on orthodontics, and many people don’t even have teeth to eat good food with!

Those are my thoughts for you, too. Let’s be thankful! And welcome to Holy Week everyone! I had a great Palm Sunday. I’ve never had to buy palms before, but it’s worth the 10 pesos; the palms are folded beautifully! Amazing. For the blessing, we waved and shook them in front of the priest to show our excitement in welcoming Jesus, like they did when he came into Jerusalem. My Uncle Ted told me to think about how those same people were also the ones who shouted “Crucify him!” when it all went down. Oh yeah. Something to think about for Holy Week. I’m excited! Friday I am going to a recreation of the carrying of the cross and Stations; we’ll hike up a hill in the heat and everything!

Ok, the other cool thing was that I finally ate Taho. I can see what the fuss is about.

Alright homies, that’s all for now. I got to get home for some sleep! Yawn…a woman’s work is never done. Ha! God bless,

Aleah


Sorry, I can't upload pics yet! I'm trying, trust me!!! I'll figure it out. Peace!