I LUV U!

Cassie,

You are the best! 

Yes, I can find ch. chips but not with out paying a heavy price!

I am pretty sure these will make me the most wanted friend in Manila!

Crystal light...YES!

I am getting choked up just seeing these.

Is is just me who loves Lipton?

This does not even include my favorite parts of our package, Red Vines, my 10 plus bottles of smell goods (I swear I always smell of ham and cheese), Christmas treasures, good reading books and much more. 

Trent you rock to! What would I do if you were not willing to schlep 3 extra (heavy) bags of luggage  from Salt Lake to Costa Rica and back to the Philippines? 

 

The Simple Things

This year I really am thankful for the simple things....Air conditioning, grocery stores that  don't smell like funky meat and fish, a supply of soap and toilet paper in public bathrooms, water filters, ants/insects that live out not in, hand sanitizer, drawers that shut, clean grocery stores actually (clean any place), parks that don't scream "Tetanus Shot!", a lonely highway, traffic rules, "Kirkland" labels, HELPERS, drivers, pedicures, Diet A&W, fresh pineapple. Did I mention family and friends? All nice things....Some that we get to enjoy and some that we really miss. We love you all and hope that you had a great Thanksgiving!

P.S. Our Thanksgiving day:

Chill'n poolside, eating rice and dreaming about what it would feel like to be cold!

Brent Pride Award

"For Listening Attentively In Class 
And For Her

Bright Ideas During Group Discussions."

I love it when my kids get a little boost of confidence that doesn't always come from us! I am having a proud Mommy moment. Sydney has really been great about this whole move. I think scholastically it has been a bit challenging because she is in class with primarily Asians, who have been in school since they were 18 months. I am shocked at some of the work they are doing and pretty sure I will be no help with second grade homework.

They give the awards out during "chapel".  I felt like I was sitting center stage during a Solid Gold dance routine. They have got some rock'n gospel songs. It made me happy that I attended Aspen Elementary where it was okay to sit in the corner eating glue sticks and miss class because you were busy chasing butterflies on the playground. I am sure thankful for my Syd and her hard efforts in school. She is loving it despite how challenging it can be. GO SYD!

CANDINDO FERNANDO

 Our latest and coolest driver.....Dindo!

 It is hard to not dig the Dindo! I do not have any "normal" pictures of him because the guy is a goof ball. Maybe that is not a quality one would seek when looking for a driver  in the Philippines? BUT for me, funny may even take priority over safety! No, Dindo is a fine driver and I can tell that Trent really appreciates him as well. The guy is full of humor, we have never seen him with out a smile. He has got a mean moon walk, loves to sing and can make more friends in two minutes than you could ever think is possible. He goes home every other week to see his wife and five year old daughter. 

I am proud to pass on the art of " googly eye" to Tate.

 

 

Bonus material.....

Fred: Security Guard (replaced Gerald), is a Lolo (grandpa), talks like Kermit the Frog.

Dump Sight School

Wow, where do I start? I apologize for the length of this post but I  have never really seen anything quite like this in my life. I guess I could say that about a lot of things here in the Philippines but this has definitely been one of the most life changing for me. We were able to go to a "dump sight"school that is in a little town not too far from our village.  Basically, the school has been built up on an old garbage dump sight.
A remarkable Filipino woman runs the school and with the help from different charities  has made it possible for some of these kids to attend the school. When Mairium (Filipino director) opened this school only three children attended. The school is free and the only obligation is the parents have to comitt to attend a "values" class, which teaches the parents responsibility, moral values,etc. A lot of the parents are scavenging on the dump sight for recyclables that they might be able to turn in for pesos or  they are hard alcoholics that are unaware of their children. Most, maybe all of the parents are illiterate and are trying to get by on little or nothing.  Mairium, with the help from  the "expat charity", offered to feed the children lunch daily the number of children increased from three to fifteen. And now their are so many that want to come but due to space and funds have been turned away.  For many of these children it is the only meal they will get all day. Mairium said that they have to feed the children first thing in the morning because their last meal was the day before at school.
The pictures I have attached are of the students and some are of the  kids outside who's parents will not or cannot  support them.  Mairium is trying to help as many children as she possibly can with what resources she has available. It was pretty heart wrenching to witness, the kids are dirty but darling! We were asked to help the kids by coming and spending any of our time that we can spare, reading,writing, bathing etc.
Marium asked if when we come, that we could not only help the kids in the school but those that are homeless out front as well. She suggested we bring nail clippers,  a wet and dry wash cloths, shampoo and any extra school supplies. We can bring food but she advised to not give them any until they have put forth an effort in learning.  I felt like I was in the middle of a National Geographic Special or an exclusive Oprah Tour. It almost felt unbelievable. I am so excited to go teach, play and bath these little ones.  I am going to pack a brill-ow pad, a bottle of Clorox, some surgical gloves and go bananas!

The only school supplies are in the back right corner.

One bedroom school.

 Mommies that are waiting in front of the school.

Rows of shanty's where these people live....Unbelievable.

If any of you are interested in getting your Relief Society or Young Women involved contact me. I have learned their is so much we can do to help and our little effort goes far!

United Nations Day

Parade of Countries. Sydney representing the USA with her red, white and blue! I have to tell you, the Americans looked pretty outstanding in their Old Navy t's and blue jeans!

Remember my little vegetarian friend? (Korean)

Sydney and Mia (Japanese)

After the parade, the students were able to go to visit the many different country tables. Almost every country of the students that attend Brent were represented.
(Korea,China,Singapore, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Scotland, England,Columbia, Brazil and 
the USA!)

  My favorite was Indonesia, such beautiful people and great presentation of their country.

 Syd and her two American class mates (Sophie and Tatum).

Way to represent girls!

J U M P

 NUMBER ONE ITEM WE PACKED TO THE PHILIPPINES:

 

 I should title this "The Best Thing That Santa  Ever Delivered the Savage Kids!" I can't believe I was considering not packing this bad boy. Joan gets a little nervous, she says things like "No jumping for 1/2 hour after eating." Or "No jumping with sharp objects!" Can you believe?...Insane! I can tell she is a little leery with the whole thing. I tell her, "Just sit back and enjoy the show, the Savage kids are going to rock this crazy jump house!"

Lets Eat

  Sydney's Class went to Sleeping Beauty, the kids loved the play and afterwords we went to Wendys for lunch. Who would have ever guessed that I would get emotional over seeing a red head in braids? What really made me happy was to see how Sydney interacted with her class mates. I am proud that even though they all come from very different cultures, they play so cute together!

Sydney whispered in my ear before the play "Who do you think the cutest girl is in my class?". Of course, I said, "YOU....BY FAR!" She said "I know, but then whooooo?" I said, "Hmm, if you really want to know, I think I would love to roll your friend Dawaun, in sugar...I think she is darling!" Dawaun became my little friend all morning. At lunch time she pulled out a sack lunch because she is a vegetarian (who knew?) It had sushi rolls packed and a undefinable object that she said was dessert. Dawaun looked at me with a huge smile and said "This is sooo Yummy!" A girl after my own heart.

Brag Brunch

Me, Sister McAllister (RS president) Kim Morrison, Sister Ko, daughter Hye-won Ko, Robyn Anderson, Joan Gunnerson, and Sister Edwards

We had our first official Relief Society Brunch for our English Branch here in Makati. It was a nice, small gathering. I am a  embarrassed to admit that I felt a little star struck when Sister Ko and Sister Edwards walked in (General authority wives). I know, I know they are just normal people living normal lives....but  being in their presence you can really feel the spirit they bring with them, it is unique and powerful. We had a beautiful brunch and then Sister Ko and Sister Edwards shared some thoughts with us on sacrifice. I think what impressed me most, is that both sisters felt like that they really had not sacrificed anything because the Lord has blessed their lives so much. They shared how if anything, they felt  more in debt to our Savior because their lives have been so richly blessed. I felt a small, tad of shame when I thought of how I have grumbled over Trent leaving for early morning meetings, or Sunday afternoons with out him due to his different church callings.
What great examples these woman are to me. They are strong woman who sustain their husbands and are willing to follow them anywhere and everywhere on behalf of our Savior and their testimonies of the gospel. Man, I am feeling so spiritual, I better take a deep breath and calm down. It really was a special experience. For a minute, I had to stop and let it register that I really was in a sky rise apartment in the middle of Manila having brunch with remarkable women!

Let 'em Come

I am Halloween'd out but I thought this one would give you an idea of what it was like in our village Sunday! We got home from our church "journey" and at 3:00 pm sharp the  Filipinos were pouring in through the gates. I said to Trent, "I am kind of sad we live in the back of the village" (not thinking we would have any visitors on our street!) Ha,Ha!

 Costumes are rare because of the cost. I should have let Sydney, Tate and Emmy go because after our LONG church"outing" we all looked a little scary and hey...No need to dress up!