catchings up

The picture is of the youth leaders I was working with this summer as they do a work project at Silungan- the farm where we had our youth leaders training retreat. Its a beautiful place, apparently more so now that the rains have got to things that grow. I'm possibly going to go out there this week to do a little work. It would be nice.

My understanding is that the comment box on this blog still is not working, so I apologize. I've been over the settings, but apparently I've done what i can and it still does not work.

Do you remember Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao? The world's pound for pound champion from the Philippines? Well, he won his fight back in March. Apparently it was boring because he didn't knock the guy out- but i found it pretty amazing nonetheless. Manny won another victory recently. He was elected as a congressman.

Emma has been baptized in Pinoy cuisine. She has tried Balut (very bravely) chicken intestine, and recently (and a first time for me as well) Paa ng Manok, Adidas, or (in English) Chicken feet. Its really the appearance of these wonderfully distinctive shapes on the plate that gets me more than their flavor- which itself is not far from the taste of regular chicken with a lot more skin.

I had my birthday in the Philippines. Although, as my brother pointed out, with the time difference, it might be said that my birthday (going by time of day) was actually a day later by Philippines time.
A friend suggested I try against the odds to find pie for my birthday- since I do love pie so very much. I told her I could try, but hadn't found pie easily thus far. Maybe a banana pie, I thought. Turns out she wasn't the only one who knew of my affinity for pie. Most thoughtfully, Joke found a pie and bought it for my birthday, or maybe just because. It was a very tasty banana pie.

Speaking of great pie, and great makers of pie, Happy Fathers Day! My Dad is amazing!

I leave for Uganda soon... very soon. On Canada day we set off. Our plane leaves at 2am or something like that on July 2nd. I finally have all my flights set and paid for, so that is a hurtle pleasantly completed.
I am not sure if I'm ready for a brand new different culture, but will I ever be? I am looking forward to it regardless, and feeling rested from a summer in the Philippines (although it remains to be 34 C in Manila.). So here we go!