Before heading to our swearing-in ceremony on the other side of the island we threw a thank-you party for our training host families. Our program was packed full of stories from the last three months, games for the kids and of course our cluster performing our famous “Waka Waka” dance. With bellies full of Lechon (roast pig), Chop Suey, Rice, Eggrolls and noodles we left for our last nights with our host families.
Ate Babie, my first host mom, and Nicole, my host sister
Two of my cluster mates host sisters
My host mom wanted me to teach her our "Waka Waka dance"
The next morning we headed to Bacolod, Negros Occidental, a six-hour bus ride through the mountains. We went for a 3-day training session with our our counterpart for the next two years and also to officially be sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers. . The Ambassador of the United States for the Philippine post showed up and swore us in. We were also graced with the presence of many top officials from governmental organizations around the island. The security force of at least fifty policemen sporting huge machine guns walking around the area kept us and the officials safe and a bit scared at the same time.
Mr. John, one of my favorite cluster mates.
My training cluster as official Peace Corps Volunteers
My new friends, Sarah and Mindi.
After all departing to our sites for the next two years, I headed back to Dumaguete to move in with my new family, The Sisons. I am now living close to Siliman University (a local Protestant University that keeps this town running), which means that there are tons of young people always around and the downtown area is within walking distance.
The Sisons
I also started teaching at Negros Oriental High School or N.O. for short. I have gotten to be introduced to the kids by playing games with them for the past two weeks, It is a nice transition into being a teacher to them. I am teaching what would be equivalent to Eighth Grade students in the U.S. In the Philippines there is no middle school so my students are considered Sophomores or second year students here. The kids call me Maam here or Ms Mafi and are very respectful. Every time I come into the room the students greet me as a group and when I leave they thank me and wish me goodbye as a group. Its actually really nice and I think if I ever teach in the U.S I might have some disappointments because of the high bar that the Filippino students have set.
It was the Fiesta for the city here on Thanksgiving day. This is a day where people cook tons of food and those who don’t cook go to houses of those who do and eat. I was told this is a good networking activity so I honored all four requests to visit houses. Quesadilla started at 10am in the morning and ended her last meal at 10pm at night. One of these houses was my former host families the Amasulas, who were celebrating the fiesta but also my host mothers birthday. 
The Amasula family.
Former Peace Corps Volunteers, Bud and Stella from Texas, who served here about ten years ago invited all the local volunteers to a Thanksgiving dinner with real Turkey! The downside is that this dinner was one the same day as the fiesta so the turkey was not fully enjoyed because of all pf the other food taking up space. Besides the food, this was a great chance to get to meet some other cool Americans who live around here. I got to meet two women who have been sailing with their partners all around the world. They actually know where Tonga is, which is a breath of fresh air.
Bud and Stella, former Peace Corps Volunteers living in Dumaguete.
I hope that all of you had a great Thanksgiving and I look forward to hearing about your holiday celebrations.
