Parent Teacher Conferences

On Monday we had PTCs (Parent Teacher Conferences), so as any respectable teacher would do, I tried to put some effort into my appearance and find a way to not invoke the inevitable "you're too young to be teaching high school", "you're the teacher, you look like you could be one of the students" comments.  So in my early morning daze/panic to get ready I grabbed my blow dry and the extension cord and dragged it into my bathroom to do my hair.

There are several things you have to know about my house here.
1. I don't have and electrical outlets in my bathroom. Most days this is fine, but becomes an issue when wanting to do my hair.
2. The Philippines electrical system is 220, my house was built by the US Army for back when this was a naval base. Therefore my house is a weird mishmash of 220 and 110 (North American voltage) outlets.
3. These outlets never seem to be in the right locations, which is why my house if a a maze of power cords running across rooms to power the TV (220), the light (220), the clock (110) the fan (110)  the microwave (220) etc. Its a mess.

So my hairdryer is wired for 110, I grabbed the extension cord brought it to the bathroom, plugged it in and then the lights dimmed flowed in a split second by sparks and the smell of metallic burning. I had grab the extension cord that is plugged into the 220. The one I needed is orange, the one I decided to plug my hairdryer into was white. As an art teacher you would think I would notice these colour differences. Regardless I cause a small explosion So I showed up to my parent teacher conferences with wet hair, and I'm pretty sure my bathroom still has the faint smell of burning.

Puerto Princessa Round II

Last year, actually around this time, I spent a long week in Puerto Princessa, Palawan. I had a great time so when we saw early in the school year that there was a sale for tickets to there we booked them (who can pass up $40 round trip tickets).

This time it was just a quick one night fly in and fly out trip. I woke up at 2:45 am, which is probably about the time most people my age were going to bed to drive down to Manila for a 6:45am flight. When booking the tickets it seemed reasonable, but in actuality if I never had to do that again I'ld be fine with that. We landed in Palawan around 8:30, went to the hotel to drop off our bag, but it turned out they didn't have a bag check program, the only hotel in South East Asia is seems. No problem, quick change into our bathing suits, grabbed some breakfast at the Pancake House and we were on our way to go island hoping.

We got our banca boat at the wharf and headed out with the crew of three and our trusty guide Maurice, we headed out on to Honda Bay, to explore the various islands and their white sand beaches.

Our first stop was Lonely Island 

These small hole scattered the beach, made by little crabs.

Elementary school teachers unite in their beach frolic photo shoot. 

The sign tells beach enthusiasts to avoid swimming because of the presence of jelly and stone fish, both sting and are something to be avoided.

Then off to the next Island: Starfish Island.

Our Banca Boat

Dave made a new friend

Our banca driver was very excited to show us his "photo tricks" which felt awkward at the time, but turned out pretty awesome. 

We made our way to one more island were we swam, took advantage of the bar on the island and had massages on the beach. With our sunburns already taking shape they were a little more painful that usual, but still top notch, one of the best I've had in the Philippines all for the low cost of 300 pesos ($6.50). We headed back, checked into our hotel for a quick shower and change then we went to dinner at Kauli, a seafood restaurant that's top notch.  Our night lead us to a Filippina beauty pageant that turned out to be a bust. So we quickly returned to Tiki bar the home of the fried crocodile (face? not sure if that's accurate or not). We watched an amazing band, meet some fellow travellers, watched some fire dancers. By 10 o'clock it felt like I had been awake for far too long (because I had) and we made it until midnight went we back to the hotel for some much needed rest. 

Sunday morning we hit up the market. I found some pearls for an insanely cheap, picked up some nice wood carvings and a new beach sarong. We got lunch, headed to the airport and took off back to Manila. It was a quick trip, but it was wonderful.  

The airport happens to be on prime real-estate, the runway end on the beach, and you get to see the most amazing views of the island on both landing and take off. 

When Your Life is Like a Clooney Movie...

... But better. 

So far in the new year I've been to 4 different countries, 12 plane rides, countless hours on busses, and far too much time wasted in customs/security lines. I live out of a suitcase, I now always have one semi packed. And this coming weekend I'm going away again. Puerto Princessa, on the island of Palawan in the Philippines.

Sound familiar? That's because it is. I went there last year for a long weekend, I had a great time so I'm heading back. This time for a grade total of one night, two days of beaches, markets, and good food, although I may skip the fried crocodile this time.

Oh the life of international teacher... you may not be be able to find your favourite brand of peanut butter  (if you can find peanut butter) or hair products that work for your hair. You're constantly trying to figure out time zone differences and when hat mean your bank back home is open so you can call and yell at them again about cancelling your card do to "specious overseas activity" (For the last time I live in Asia). But when it's -30 at home and you're sorta on permeant vacation, its kinda awesome.

Dubai Day 3 and 4

I got a job!

The main purpose of this trip wasn't to just explore Dubai, but to attend a job fair and hopefully secure employment for the coming school year. Which I did, so after a grand total of 65ish applications I am now relocating to Kuwait next year to become a High School Art teacher at an all boys campus. It should prove interesting and a welcome change.

After finally signing the offer on the last day of fair, I went and relaxed by the pool for the rest of the afternoon before catching my flight back to Manila.

Dubai Day 2

Day two started off with a trip to the Spice Souq, where I was able to pick up some saffron, nutmeg, vanilla, and peppermint (not sure how I'm gonna use that yet). Lindsay found a stuffed camel for Eleanor.  

Our next stop was Dubai Creek where we wondered along the river until we found a boat we could charter for an hour. 

On the "cruise"

Our boat driver

That's us reflected in the National Bank building, apparently this building was a big deal when it was built in the mid 90's. Now it's dwarfed by all the other building in Dubai. 

After our boat ride we went to the old city were we wondered around. Most things were shut down because between 1-4 is the hottest part of the day and most people go home to rest and get out of the heat. 

Everywhere there were these tiny "Dana Sized" door where they were was just over 5 feet of clearance. 

Shoes placed outside of the Mosque entrance. 

We eventually found a little cafe/art gallery were we grabbed a snack. I had mint lemonade, which was very green, but very good. We wondered through art galleries. And then caught a taxi back to our hotel where we had dinner at Harry's sports bar, not wanting to brave the traffic again. 

Dubai Day 1

So on Tuesday I flew out of Manila on my 9 hour journey to Dubai, I lucked out and the flight was pretty much empty, giving me three seats to myself! The discount airline came complete with wifi, but I had to pay extra for my meal. Trade offs. Oh well, I was able to finish my report card comments on the flight. At one point we were rerouted, somewhere over a dessert between India and Dubai because of an electrical storm going on. I could see it out my window in the distance as clouds lit up with lighting and left brilliant zagging lines ion the sky. It was really beautiful, but I was glad we weren't flying through it. We landing in the evening and by the time I got through the longest customs line ever. They were grilling every foreign worker, then they got to me and just stamped my passport, no questions asked. The privileges of being white and Canadian. 

I got to my hotel grabbed a snack and went to bed. I was excited to explore the city on Wednesday and be reunited with my sister! 

On Wednesday I woke early (jet lag) grabbed some breakfast and headed out to the textile souq (market). Its in the older area of Dubai along the water, in each souq you can get anything you want, but each has it's own speciality. Here I picked up some fabric to get my seamstress to make me some new clothes. 

Dubai Creek

Entrance to the Market

The whole thing was a maze of path ways which were covered by these wooden vaulted roofs. 

After I headed back to the hotel, where I meet up with Lindsay and we headed out to the Dubai Mall, we looked around, purchased some books, had lunch, watched people ice skate, got Tim Hortons, then ventured outside to look at the worlds tallest building. At $135 for a ride to the top it was a little too steep for my taste, so we enjoyed the view from the ground. We sat by the pool (lake?) and later watched the water show, where I was too entranced to take any photos.