June 28, 2012

Today we set up the projector and speakers to make sure we are prepared to teach the Planning for Success workshop next Saturday.  I had already prepared the power point and downloaded a video to use during the workshop so now we are ready to go.  I was also able to contact three of our students from San Carlos (2 hour drive from us).  We are going to church there on Sunday and are so excited to meet these young ladies face to face.  They will pass the word so we may meet up to 12 of the students we are directly responsible for.  It was very exciting for me for talk to a real person. 

We also received our first snail mail from Grandpa Sinema.  It is my birthday card and it only took two weeks to arrive here.  Good thing Grandpa is a Sinema and does everything early.  Our snail mail address is:

Elder and Sister Sinema

Bacolod Mission

Galo and Lacson Street

Bacolod City

6100 Negros Occidental

We have learned a few fun facts about Bacolod, Philippines from our Institute brothers and sisters!  Below are the top 10  ways you KNOW you are in Bacolod!

1. If you hear a medley of dogs and roosters 24 hours a day.

2. When there are only two seasons: hot and rainy and rainy and hot!

3. When traffic lanes and lights are only a suggestion.

4. When your diet consists of rice and chicken or chicken and rice.

5. When Dan eats Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches for lunch.

6. When a greeting includes : "How old are you sister?" and that is OK!

7. When the church is the nicest building in town.

8. When "brownouts" are the norm (brownout=no electricity).

9.When you are the tallest people in town.

10. When all the signs are in English but the spoken language is in Ilongo!

The only two things  we really miss are tomatoes, water pressure in the shower and no nightly news broadcasts!  Actually,  other than being saddened by the extreme poverty of the majority of the people, this is a wonderful, beautiful place.  I love the Institute students,  the young missionaries, and the church employees here and they love us! They come and say hello and hug us whenever they see us!

Love to all!!!