Ja kärkeen, kaikki on siis hyvin mutta koimme molemmat elämämme ensimmäisen maanjäristyksen, jonka siis ylipäätään saattoi tuntea. Järistyksiähän voi olla sellaisia, jotka ovat niin heikkoja, ettei niitä tunne. Tämä oli M 7.6 ja sen saattoi tuntea täällä sellaisena pienenä vaappuvana heilumisena, ei kovin voimakkaana tärinänä. Kaveri oli ollut Bethel-hotellin neljännessä kerroksessa, jossa tuntuma on varmasti ollut vähän erilainen kuin meidän maan tasalla olleessa talossamme.
Istuimme parin raskaan urheilullisen päivän jälkeen illastamassa, n. klo 20.45 täkäläistä aikaa. Ilkka kysyi huomasinko talon heiluvan ja kuvittelin tuntemusten ensin olevan vain nälästä ja hiukan hapottavista jaloista johtuvaa tärinää. Sitten kuitenkin tuli muita merkkejä, lamppu ja ovet heiluivat joten pitihän se uskoa, järistyshän se oli.
Aug 31, 2012
Aug 19, 2012
Rakkailleni Suomessa
Etäisyys kotimaahan kilometreissa mitattuna ei heikennä tunteita. Sydän kun liikkuu aina mukana, sitä ei voi lähettää hetkeksi tunnelomalle kehon ulkopuolelle. Silloinkaan kun jonkun tunteen voisi toivoa kohdalleen lievempänä. Kiitos siis teille, että olen saanut elää mukana iloissa ja suruissa. Olen saanut olla valtavan iloinen, ylpeä ja rakastunut ja toisinaan surullinen, jännittynyt ja ikävissäni. Kaikki kuuluvat elämään ja elämä kaikkine näine tunteineen tuntuu rikkaalta.
Tänään sain Suomesta hyvin koskettavia uutisia ja jostain täytyy yksinäisen ihmisen löytää lohtua. Päivänä jolloin ei voi antaa sateen, meren, auringon, vuorten tai tanssin rauhoittaa, jää musiikki. Siksi jaan tämän kappaleen kanssanne.
Minulla on kaikki hyvin täällä joten rakkaat, pitäkää itsestänne ja toisistanne hyvää huolta siellä!
Kuuntele täältä Suvi Isotalon Minä en lähde koskaan pois
Tänään sain Suomesta hyvin koskettavia uutisia ja jostain täytyy yksinäisen ihmisen löytää lohtua. Päivänä jolloin ei voi antaa sateen, meren, auringon, vuorten tai tanssin rauhoittaa, jää musiikki. Siksi jaan tämän kappaleen kanssanne.
Minulla on kaikki hyvin täällä joten rakkaat, pitäkää itsestänne ja toisistanne hyvää huolta siellä!
Kuuntele täältä Suvi Isotalon Minä en lähde koskaan pois
Pimeänä iltana laulan sulle laulun
joka lohduttaa ja saat nukahtaa syliini.
Silloin kun on päivät liian pitkiä
pelot liian suuria, niin tartun lujasti käteesi.
Ja minä en lähde koskaan pois
pysyn aina täällä vierelläs
täällä lähelläs…
Aug 14, 2012
Malipayong adlaw nga natawhan
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| Burned bruschettas and nice creamy pumpkin soup for dinner. I wish I had known it was also my friend's Birthday! We celebrated my birthday a day in advance. |
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| Surprise party for me on my 29th (I was forced to ask people to drop by, cake was for 12-15 people and although I'm a big fan of cakes I know I would have heard of it if I had eaten it all by myself). Thank you Daniel for the cake. There's still some left! Come and get it tonight (Tuesday)! Daniel, I am surprised you didn't give me a huge banana cake:D |
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| Dining with Kenneth and Ann-Sophie |
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| Jm joined us for delicious cake |
Aug 12, 2012
Aug 8, 2012
Visa extention - immigration office
Last weekend it hit me, it was about the time to extend my visa. The visa I got from Finland allowed me to stay in the Philippines for 59 days. I have heard stories about dealing with immigration office in Dumaguete so I wasn't really looking forward to this event. Anyway, something that just needs to be done in order to stay in the country.
I had studied the map and directions from Dumaguete info board but I got lost. I cycled to the police station where I was given good instructions. Luckily it was only three blocks away.
Now, I'd say the best land mark is the bakery on Dr V Locsin Street. Don't be afraid to get close to bakery, then you can see the Immigration Office sign. At the end of the hall you'll find guard and either he or the officers is the one to decide whether you get to go in or not. I was wearing a dress that properly covered my shoulders and was buttoned up to the top. I was worried about the length cause the dress left my knees bare but I encountered no problems.
Now this is when the fun began. I entered a room size of our living room back in Finland. The room was separated into two; there was a waiting lounge (I was lucky, only a couple of people there with me) and a huge desk. Behind the desk was space for two officers. I imagined myself being in Columbo's office. There were tall piles of papers on the floors, tables, chairs, everywhere. Privacy is not really protected here. I could take a look at who applied their ACR today since the papers were right in front of me at the counter.
You can take the photocopies needed in the travel agency next door. Office workers kindly mark the pages and you just have to tell the travel agency worker how many copies you need.
No big surprises other than that it was actually rather easy, fast and pleasant experience. I was prepared for worse yet I recommend not to go there if you're hungry. Take care of you're primary needs and you'll keep your cool even if something unexpected comes on your way.
I was surprised by the costs so I let the officer explain me what the price consist of. First I was asked if I wanted to talk with their superior. Of course I didn't, just wanted to know what I pay for. Now there was a surprise. I thought I could get away from getting an ACR card but I didn't so I had to pay 2096,50ps plus registration fee separately. I didn't have enough money for two months visa extension so had to take just one this time (because I also didn't want to make another excursion to this bureau either). This means that I'll go there at least two times during my stay. It wasn't that bad but I think I was lucky with choosing a quite day and time.
Visa extension fees
I had studied the map and directions from Dumaguete info board but I got lost. I cycled to the police station where I was given good instructions. Luckily it was only three blocks away.
Now, I'd say the best land mark is the bakery on Dr V Locsin Street. Don't be afraid to get close to bakery, then you can see the Immigration Office sign. At the end of the hall you'll find guard and either he or the officers is the one to decide whether you get to go in or not. I was wearing a dress that properly covered my shoulders and was buttoned up to the top. I was worried about the length cause the dress left my knees bare but I encountered no problems.
Now this is when the fun began. I entered a room size of our living room back in Finland. The room was separated into two; there was a waiting lounge (I was lucky, only a couple of people there with me) and a huge desk. Behind the desk was space for two officers. I imagined myself being in Columbo's office. There were tall piles of papers on the floors, tables, chairs, everywhere. Privacy is not really protected here. I could take a look at who applied their ACR today since the papers were right in front of me at the counter.
You can take the photocopies needed in the travel agency next door. Office workers kindly mark the pages and you just have to tell the travel agency worker how many copies you need.
No big surprises other than that it was actually rather easy, fast and pleasant experience. I was prepared for worse yet I recommend not to go there if you're hungry. Take care of you're primary needs and you'll keep your cool even if something unexpected comes on your way.
I was surprised by the costs so I let the officer explain me what the price consist of. First I was asked if I wanted to talk with their superior. Of course I didn't, just wanted to know what I pay for. Now there was a surprise. I thought I could get away from getting an ACR card but I didn't so I had to pay 2096,50ps plus registration fee separately. I didn't have enough money for two months visa extension so had to take just one this time (because I also didn't want to make another excursion to this bureau either). This means that I'll go there at least two times during my stay. It wasn't that bad but I think I was lucky with choosing a quite day and time.
Visa extension fees
Aug 7, 2012
Volunteering tasks
It's been over a week now but I'm still processing the day I spent with 60 pupils from Planas Elementary School, Guihulngan. Guihulngan is a city 120 kms North from Dumaguete. It has population of
about 100 000 people.Although beeing a city since 2011 kids came from small village where agriculture is major source of income. Only a few of these kids had been to a bigger city so many things in Dumaguete were new to them. Guihulngan is also one of the areas which suffered severe
damage February 6th 2012 when it struck by 6.9 magnitude earthquake.
Event, Lakbay Aral (Travel study) took place 30th July in Dumaguete. I met the 60 pupils 7am at the airport where they had just arrived from their hometown. The poor kids had been travelling many hours before coming to Dumaguete. Yet, they were excited about the new things they saw and got to experience.
Last Tuesday I was honored to visit Bright Lights Community Learning Center in Bonbonon, Siaton. After an hour bus ride and frightening habal-habal (motorbike) ride, I was there. To me, it was like being in the middle of nowhere now that I am used to traffic and vivid life in Dumaguete. Unfortunately my photographer had a day off, again, so no pics from Bonbonon. I attended their staff meeting and stayed almost all day there. Bright lights left me with a good impression on what they do. Besides visiting the center I was lucky to be able to talk to an Australian Business volunteer and two German volunteers working in Bright Lights.
Thursday was an important day as we screened the applications we've received from our social worker candidates. I am very excited because this means that I will be volunteering more for Werde.
Friday, what a fulfilling session with the boys at the cathedral. I have some great talents in the group and I think we are hinay hinay (slowly) getting there. Now the hard part is to decide what to do when you see these kids out on the streets at night. Last night didn't make an exception to the rule of seeing these boys so probably tonight I will avoid downtown area, just to get a good night sleep.
Event, Lakbay Aral (Travel study) took place 30th July in Dumaguete. I met the 60 pupils 7am at the airport where they had just arrived from their hometown. The poor kids had been travelling many hours before coming to Dumaguete. Yet, they were excited about the new things they saw and got to experience.
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| At the airport |
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| The message on the board reminded me of the days I worked for EOPH :D |
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| Girls played with women cops |
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| And boys with army |
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| Lunch at the beach. My lunch was plain rice so I focused on the desserts; avocado ice cream and fried banana. Yammy! |
Last Tuesday I was honored to visit Bright Lights Community Learning Center in Bonbonon, Siaton. After an hour bus ride and frightening habal-habal (motorbike) ride, I was there. To me, it was like being in the middle of nowhere now that I am used to traffic and vivid life in Dumaguete. Unfortunately my photographer had a day off, again, so no pics from Bonbonon. I attended their staff meeting and stayed almost all day there. Bright lights left me with a good impression on what they do. Besides visiting the center I was lucky to be able to talk to an Australian Business volunteer and two German volunteers working in Bright Lights.
Thursday was an important day as we screened the applications we've received from our social worker candidates. I am very excited because this means that I will be volunteering more for Werde.
Friday, what a fulfilling session with the boys at the cathedral. I have some great talents in the group and I think we are hinay hinay (slowly) getting there. Now the hard part is to decide what to do when you see these kids out on the streets at night. Last night didn't make an exception to the rule of seeing these boys so probably tonight I will avoid downtown area, just to get a good night sleep.
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