School Colors

We can probably all remember our school colors whether it be high school or univiersity. For me it's easy, they are both the same....good old USA red and blue. As we have driven around the Philippines we noticed that the people aren't shy about painting their schools with bright colors (houses too, but that's another post).  So here are a few pictures of some of the schools we've seen.

 

In and Out Missionaries - Sept 21-24, 2013

We had a pretty large batch of departing missionaries this time and another almost large group of new ones. It is always a good week. One of the office elders says it's like Christmas when the new one come, and it is in a way to meet all the new missionaries.

Departing Missionaries

Here is the departing batch. From the left: S. Marino (Philippines), S. Lamosa (Philippines), S. Folau (American Samoa), S. Pitman (Australia), E. Alinsoot (Philippines), President Peterson, Sister Peterson,,S. Huni (Tonga), S. Maka, yellow blouse (Tonga), S. Carmichael (Utah), S. Pacampara, purple blouse, ( Philippines). From the right, E. Ayap (Philippines), E. Pascua (Philippines), E. Edvalson (Utah), E. Sasagy (American Samoa), E. MacMillen (Australia), E. Collado (Philippines), E. De Leon (Philippines).

Elder Pascua served as an Ass't to President Peterson, so we got to know him quite well. He is a gentle and kind person. Just an exceptionally good young man. He will be missed. 

Sister Folau was a dedicated and fun missionary. She was one of the first Sister Trainer Leaders in our mission and extended her mission six weeks to serve as a STL.

Sister Pittman was a super missionary and great leader. She also was one of our first Sister Trainer Leaders.

The last walk from the mission home to the bus stop. A great group. Head 'em up, move 'em out!

One of our favorites, Sister Folau out of the gate and on her way.

Sister Peterson and Elder Collado heading for the bus stop.

The stragglers, Elder Sasagay and Elder MacMillen all decked out in their suits that have hung in the Mission Home closet for two years. They still look pretty good.

All waiting at the Highway for the bus. It is a bitter sweet occasion....sad their mission is over, but excited to go home.

All Aboard and off to Manila.  Good bye you wonderful missionaries, we will miss you.

Arriving Missionaries

We always wait at the highway to greet the new arrivals when their bus arrives. It's raining on this day so we are anxious for them to get here. When the bus arrived it was full of our missionaries only
 and the driver did us a very kind service.

This is a first at the mission. The bus drove to the mission home down our skinny street and then backed into the parking lot. We were happy because is was raining and it kept the missionaries and their luggage dry.

So here they are, eager and ready to go: From the left: S. Williams (Utah), S. Martinez (Nevada), E. Evelarion (Philippines), S. Gaspar de Alba (Nevada), President, S. Mann (Samoa), Sister Peterson, S. Cassinet (California), S Lorente, blue skirt (Philippines), S. Dayao, light blue blouse (Philippines), S. Demeterio (Philippines), S. Dadivas, gray suit (Philippines), E Serna (Philippines), E. Minas (Philippines). From the right above E. Serna: S. Taboki (Kiribati), S. Nebati (Kiribati), S. Kekauoha (Hawaii), S Buckley (Washington), S. Bennion (Utah), E. Lyon (Utah), E. Burbidge (Washington), down to S. Ott (Utah), E. Grant (Idaho), E Gray (Australia), S. Taumialo (Australia), E Bland (Utah), S burt ( Maryland).

Oreintation at the Mission Home. The missionaries from the Provo MTC don't make it much past noon before they wilt from jet lag and a short night's sleep in Manila.

Here are the new batch in the chapel at transfer meeting wondering who their new companions will be.

Out and About

There are many ways the folks of this nation get around and get things done. Some show their ingenuity. Here are a few pictures of various ways of moving things and people about the countryside.

Here is a fellow moving his caribou (kair-i-bow) along the National Highway just across from the Mission Home street where the departing missionaries catch the bus. The animals are the beast of burden and are used to pull carts, plows etc. I met one tied in the jungle and he was not too friendly.



This merchant passed by us way up the mountainside when we were finding our first geocache. He is just carrying and assortment of snacky things to somewhere.

We are driving on a pretty wide road here and came upon this cargoed horse and rider. Of course we had to go around and they didn't blink an eye.

We came upon the 3 horseman and they were kind enough to pause for a photo. I am not quite sure how they rein their steeds, but they don't use the bit/bridle arrangement like back home. Note the tricycle in the background heading for us. His picture is down a few. Also a jeepney can be seen heading away.

This guy definitely wants to see what's up ahead....no surprises, Dad!

Under this colorful array of goods is a motorcycle.  Often these vendors will stop in the neighborhoods and open shop for awhile, then move on down the road to another spot. Keeps property taxes low.

This is a tricycle "mobile store" looking to set up shop.

Here is a tricycle (motorcycle with sidecar). The missionaries regularly get four of themselves aboard as the go about. Notice the dog back left watching. This is the same spot where we photo'd the 3 caballeros.

Here is a jeepney shot thru the window of a pizza place while we ate lunch. They come in a variety of colors, decorated with all kinds of slogans. They have nice loud horns that they toot for passengers, at cars and just to be happy I think. The jeepneys are like community taxis. They just putt along and stop for anyone who waves them over. The passenger climbs in through the rear door and scoots onto one of the two benches along each side. When you want off, you just "owiee" and the jeepney pulls over and off you hop out the back. Mostly they only get about half way off the road, so traffic is pulling out around as you enter or exit. This would not work in the U.S.  The tricycles tend to the shorter neighborhood routes where the narrow streets are prohibitive of jeepney travel.

And finally, the post would not be complete without a pink bus. There are many bus lines and they run the hiways between all the towns. However, they will stop and pickup / drop off along the way just about anywhere like the jeepneys. Some are air conditioned, some are not. We have yet to ride the bus.

President Peterson's Birthday

We celebrated the birthday of President Peterson with a delicious dinner at Arabella's restaurant in Liliw. Our office elders and assistants to the President joined us (they always are ready for a free meal). We like the fresh salads which are interestingly not easy to find here. They also make good Italian pasta here and wonderful desserts which we usually don't have room for (busog na...full now). There is one strange thing about the place, the ceilings are about 5'10" so I can not stand up straight, but sitting and stuffing my face.....no problem.

Earthy Milestones

Life in the mission is generally pretty routine. The things you do are pretty much the same except the people change which keeps things fun and interesting. Before you know it time has flown by. I looked around the place and found some indications that "hey we have indeed been here awhile."

We are starting on our second jar of good ole Skippy peanut butter....about six months.

Of course it wouldn't be PB&J without some jam. We (me) mostly jam the bagels. Honey for the peanut butter.

Two bottles of prescription meds, at 90 days each gets us to six months.

I am not sure why there were 3 empty soap boxes on the shelf.  I guess they just got set aside and forgotten in the out of the way closet. But before I tossed them along with the empty toothpaste and Old Spice stick, I snapped a quick flick. Don't worry we have replacement stock so we will still smell purtty.

In and Out Missionaries - August 2013

It has been difficult to stay on top of timely posts, but lest the important and fun ones including these pictures of the departing and arriving missionaries be left unrecorded, here is a late post. We have transfers on a six week cycle which includes the departure of missionaries who have completed their missions and the arrival of the brand new greenies ready to conquer the world.
Our outgoing missionaries arrive at the Mission Home on Sunday evening. They have some training and a FHE/testimony meeting on Monday. They leave for Manila on Tuesday morning, attend the temple and then are off on their trips home to anxious families.
The Provo MTC arriving missionaries fly into Manila on Tuesday evening. They join the Manila MTC missionaries early Wednesday morning for the 2 hour bus ride to the Mission Home. We have a short orientation, some snacks, and individual interviews with President Peterson. Thursday morning they have "transfer" meeting where they are paired up with their new companions. On one side of the chapel sit the new arrivals, and on the other side the new companion. None know ahead of time who will be with whom, so it's kind of fun. Then off they go dragging those big suitcases to their new areas, some shell shocked, some still jet lagged, some wishing they had packed less, but all ready to be missionaries.
Here are some pictures. Just a note, these arriving batches have been some of the largest in number.

August 12-15 Transfer

First the Departing Missionaries

Above are our departing missionaries.This batch was all Filippino missionaries except as noted in the listing. Front row kneeling from the left, Elder Delfin, Elder Sollano, Elder Silvosa, Elder Clark (California), Elder Pesamino (Samoa). Standing from the right, Elder Tagulao, Elder Orro, Elder Mendoza, Elder Meniano, Sister Nabus, Sister Snow (Canada), Sister Cayanan, Sis Francis (Pakistan), Sister Padua, Elder Natividad, Elder Rosario (tall in back) and Elder Guba.  President and Sister Peterson in the rear.

The long walk to the hiway for the bus, Sister Padua (left) and Sister Nabus. Elder Howes, office elder cheering them on.

Waiting for the bus with a load of suitcases. From the left, Sister Honey, oops Hansen, Sister Cayanan, Sister Snow, Sister Peterson, Sister Padua, Sister Nabus, and Sister Francis.

"So....where the heck is our ride",says Elder Rosario closest center facing, Elder Sollano next right facing and Elder Burton, AP, next also facing, and finally a local caught in the departure.

The Arrivals

This batch of 28 only included 2 Filipinos. So here we go with who is who. Front Center, President and Sister Peterson. From the left, Sisters, S. Smith (Utah), S. Hingano (Tonga), S. Macheke (South Africa). S. Brown (Utah), S. Kerr (Washington), up to S. Ebuen (Philippines between the two tall American Elders), down to S. Voipou (Samoa), up to S. Finau  (Tonga), S. Manu (Tonga), S. Feinga (Tonga) down to S. Moimoi (Tonga), S. Borg (Australia), S. To'a (Tonga), S. Burnham (Arizona), S. Reed ( Washington), and E. Gallen (Micronesia far right).  The Elders from the left, E. Maglasang (Philippines), E Kiafoto (New Zealand), E. Langi (Tonga), E. Shaw (Arizona), E. Kikel (Utah), E. Richards (Utah), E. Milligan (Utah), E. Adamson (Arizona), E. Perez (California), E. Hammer (Idaho), E. Parry (Utah), and E. Toro (Nevada).

Breakfast in the Mission Home on Wednesday morning. It's a little packed with these bigger batches.

Signs of the Times

As we venture out into the mission, we often see interesting road signs and other signs. We appreciate the differences of cultures and language translation, but that said sometimes the signs strike one in a humorous way.President Peterson told us he saw a sign "Live Goat Meat For Sale".......We haven't seen that one yet, but if we do, we will check it out to see how that is packaged! Here are a few of the pictures of signs we have seen. We will probably have a sequel.

 This is a sign at a small everything store. Ramleigh & Wacky evidently run the establishment, but note the "Sari Sari Store". This is the nomenclature for the type of store...pronounced Sorry, Sorry. Now that wouldn't sound too good for a store back home.

These two signs are at the two driveways into a Shell gas station. A little different way to say IN/OUT. It really doesn't matter because no one follows them.

A warning for speed bumps in the road.

Yup..just like they taught me in grade school.

this sign was in a neighborhood we drove through. I am not sure if it is directed at autos or overactive local buglers.

When we saw this sign on a school wall, we both looked at each other and asked "are there other schools that are child something else?"  We would definitely send our kids here.