Rain Day

School's canceled due to flooding in the surrounding areas.  Here on the hill we're fine, but its still a little wet.  Maybe now I'll be motivated to finish up my report cards... 

More From The Art Room

The Grade 9's decorated the classroom stools inspired by different art terms. 

Update on the Mystery Box Challenge

Here is some of the art work that my students produced based on their challenge.

There's been some concern expressed by some people about the rebel fighting that is happening in the Philippines. So here are somethings you need to know:

1) This is taking place in a separate island that is actually the furthest point in the Philippines from where I live and work.

2) This fighting has been going on since I first arrived here last year. The news agencies have just decided to start reporting it now, I guess they got tired of always talking about Syria.

3) Lastly under no circumstances to I have plans to go there.

Is not really a big deal here. I'm safe.

In more exciting news I found a can of cranberry sauce (its never here) so thats one thing off the list for Canadian Thanksgiving! After all it's less than a month away.

Potipot Island

Look what I found this past Saturday...

This 10lb clam shell was a find on a beach trip to Potipot Island located a 3 hour drive up the coast.

Now google maps may tell you that this drive will only take you just under 2 hours, but that doesn't take into consideration the Jeepneys, Trikes, Carabao and Goats that you have to navigate around and dodge. So this is why we left Subic at 7, which by the time we had gassed and Starbucksed up it was actually more like 8 we set out on our 3 hour tour of wild driving up the coast, where several of our new teachers were in shock of what rural driving here entails we arrived at our destination. With only one wrong turn (sometimes google wants to send you down foot paths).

And here's the island, small but perfect. We took that bonka boat across, and were able to stay there for about 5 hours of relaxing, exploring and swimming. 

But the best part was on my 20 minute walk around Potipot Island. Whenever I go to a beach I usually spend some time search for shells to add to my collection, but this time I came across something rather special. After seeing a shell that really interesting pink stripes I bent down to further inspect. I quickly noticed that it went down under the sand. After some careful excavation I pulled out a 10 pound shell about the size of my head. Then looking down I began to see more of them half buried down this section of the beach.  I quickly ran around pulling several of them out of the sand, there was enough for each of us with still some left over for whoever comes next. Everyone looked through and choose their own. They ranged in size a little, some bigger than mine, but I kept the first one I discovered because the colour. Plus the idea of having to lug a 15 pound shell back was a little less appealing.  

It was a fun day, I got a bit of colour and giant shell out of it. And on our drive back home I quickly passed out in the back seat of the car. Only to wake up the occasional sounds associated with that of Philippines driving.

.....

"Oh Shit, there's a goat!"

....

Honk! Honk!

"Guys I think we're going down the wrong way in a one way street."

....

Quick brake

"How do people not have lights on moving vechiles!"

....

"Sir what do mean the bridge is no longer there"

"Yes ma'am-sir detour, bridge is gone"

"But we just drove on it this morning."

"Yes ma'am-sir."

....

Honk Honk

....

Welcome back to the Philippines, it's always an adventure!