Day Three: Happy 2009!

Happy New Year everyone! It's 12:15 in the afternoon, but it's not even New Year's for you guys yet!

On the 31st, we just hung around the compound. It was a day to get ready for the night. Mark and I only went to the 7-11 on the corner to buy some milk (I had bought some cereal to try) and some cheese rings. The 7-11 is right on the corner outside so it's super close to walk to. We plan to go there once a day while we are here to keep trying new things for me. Mark's mom bought him some little fireworks called "Dancing Fire Works". It's a little thin tube that you put on the ground and drag your foot across. It makes some crackling sounds.. he had fun with them. haha
Mark and I just hung around the house. He played his PSP and I read some Harry Potter. :) We took a loooong nap - about 6 hours! I didn't mean to... but oh well.

After we came downstairs, Mark's cousin Jet came around with these bigger versions of the dancing fireworks. You light them and toss them on the ground where they make a big POP! I didn't want to try because they were tossing them over the fence in front of the house. I didn't want to miss and have it pop right in front of me.. haha. Then we went over to the big garage on the compound where we all would eat later. Kuya Bogie had this huge tube with a lighter in it. He called it his bazooka! haha.. so you put denatured alcohol (I think) then shake it a bit.. then pull the trigger. It makes a HUGEEE boom. Scared me the first time! Mark plans to make one later when he comes back so ask him. lol.

At midnight, everyone was lighting fireworks and the sky and air was so smoky! It was super loud and so fun! I got some videos of the fireworks we got to light. They just bring them up on the roof of the house and light them up! After that, we all prayed then ATE. We had tons of food on the table and plenty to drink. I had spaghetti, lumpia, and BBQ beef. After eating, we went to bed. We had to take Isabelle upstairs since she was getting sleepy.














So, I'm not sure what's planned for today, but tomorrow we'll be going to Baguio (bag-gee-oh) for a couple days. They told me it's about three hours to drive to the mountain then another hour to drive up it. I'm not sure what's planned for up there... but I can't wait! :) Hope everyone in the States has fun tonight!
<3 Erin

P.S. Here's a video of our fireworks!!

Day Two: All Sorts of New Things!

Goooood morning! It's breakfast time here. We had some bread, cheese, ham, mangoes, bananas, and I tried some roasted chestnuts. Everyone else is finishing their breakfast, so we have some time to blog about yesterday!

On the first day, when we went to the mall, we bought bread for our breakfast. Mark and I shared this huge piece of sweet bread, plus I had my own little piece and bread with some banana in it. Yum.. sarap (sah-rawp)! After getting ready, we went to the market that was in the SM Mall. I got a little treat before we left.. a man brought two buckets and made a cup of hot taho. It's like a soy drink. At the market, I bought this chocolate milk drink, Nestle Milo. Mmm :) After shopping, we ate some lunch at The French Baker. Spaghetti and a piece of a club sandwich. I swear, all I do is eat here. Everyone is warning me that I'm going to gain like 20 pounds! Haha, it's all good though. My vacation!

Before we came back to the house, we stopped at the mortuary where Mark's mom's mom and dad were buried. It was a really nice place. They had these house-type things built with what looked like altars where the casket were placed. The family lit some candles for them.

Next, we went to the family's land in Bukid (boo-kid) where the mom and dad lived. Now, one of the brother's lives there. It was SO nice, with tons of trees and open space. They have lots of fruit trees there, like coconut, tamarind, mabolo, guava, kamias (they can't remember what the english name is), star apple (kaimito), and indian mango! I got to try some kamias and mabolo. The mabolo was like an apple, kind of. And the kamias was this little green thing that was originally grown by Mark's dad, but moved to the land here. They weren't too bad.. haha! To get the mabolo, the caretaker's son climbed up the trees and was up this huge tree when we left!

The family's market is right outside of the place, so the family goes and buys whatever they want right away since it's so close. While we were hanging around in the main house, Mark's Kuya Bogie (cousin bo-gee) came back with a treat... balot! It's a baby chick cooked in its egg. They cracked some open in front of me.. and I tried some! But, not the chick. Just the cooked egg part. Sherry, I tried it!!! haha :) It was okay, but the worse part is just seeing them eat the chick. Gross!

I got the tour of the market after that. Mark's mom, his cousin, Mark, and me all went. I bought some tsinelas (chee-nel-las) or sandals, but I'm supposed to call them slippers. They are some rubber bottom ones for when we go to Boracay since it's a beach place. I was lucky they went because Mark's mom and counsin bargained the price down. I know if I went with just Mark, I would probably be paying double or triple the price it's worth! After that, I got a tour of the compound and all the family-owned buildings.

When we came here, we brought five boxes of gifts for the family. We sat down and it was like Christmas all over for everyone! The kids were funny since they would see something they like and be like, "Is this mine??" haha

After a long nap, the younger cousins, Mark, and I went out to Fort Boracino. I just read my e-mails and Jeanne's coworker mentioned that his aunt's restaurant was there. I saw it! We only walked by it though. It looked busy even though it was late at night. The Fort is a really nice place with a big grassy area between the two rows of shops. We walked up and down the place, then had a super late dinner at Brothers Burgers. And that was all in my second day!

Tonight is supposed to be a BIG party. Tito Boy laki (Uncle boy-la-kay) bought 120$ worth of fireworks and the day will be spent cooking all sorts of food for the night. I can't wait! It's going to be crazy loud with fireworks going off all over the place. Don't worry, I'll put up videos for everyone to watch. I know it's going to be a late night, so I know I'm going to need a nap sometime haha... hope everyone has a great new year!!!

Manigong bagong taon!!!
<3 Erin

Day One

I'm hereeee! After two movies, three meals, and lots of sleep, I made it to Manila!

The flight wasn't too bad. Towards the end, I was just looking at the countdown they were flashing on the screen, thinking, "I've made it through 16 hours already, 3 hours shouldn't seem so bad," but it IS!

Getting your luggage after one of these flights also takes forever. I think getting our stuff took about 45 min, at least? Take about being nervous. Mine was the last one to show up! The family greeted us outside and packed up our stuff. I was on my way finally! :)

We stopped at this place called Pancake House. We had to wait a few minutes for it to open since it was so early in the morning. I had a traditional Philippino breakfast of beef, rice, and a fried egg. Plus a Coca-cola Light. That's what Diet Coke is called over here. The Pancake House was right next to Manila Bay. It has a nice boardwalk and lots of people were just sitting around and talking pictures like I was.

Okay, now when I heard the no one obeys the painted lines of the road, I didn't know I'd be in for INSANITY! Cars, jeepneys, buses, motorcycles, pedi-bikes, bicycles, AND people all think they own the road. You weave all over and have cars literally an arm's length away from the window. Scariest thing of my life! I thought people would die because they just walk out into the road and hold their hand up like they control traffic. I'll get a video and try to put it on here to show you all.

After settling in and eating lunch, we got ready to go one of the SM Malls. the one we went to had five floors and hundreds and stores, although it was just one section. We're going back there today for more!

I can't wait for the New Year.. we're planning on buying lots of fireworks!! I'll make sure to get pictures of all our fun! Til next time!
<3 Erin