12..18.14 Celebrations. Christmas Carols and gifts for children

The celebrations continued. It was technically still my birthday so the staff at PH just found out and someone made me a cake and a card and sang me Happy Birthday. I also  got a beautiful handwoven women's basket - everyone has one!

Yap Catholic High School has a Lessons and Carols singing performance this evening. It was really nice and I saw a lot of people that I  know there. It does put one in the Christmas spirit.

 

Did you notice the feet in the above picture? We do not wear shoes inside - houses, shops, church, and school. There is a knack to taking them off, just keep walking  and slip them off in front of the door without missing a step. Even really little kids do it  so graciously. And everyone seems to find their own shoes on the way back out.

 

 

The gifts for the children arrived and are going to Fais tomorrow. It is  one of the smaller outer islands, they are very poor with almost no money transactions, no bank, electricity, etc. The PMA pilot told me he was certain there would be children  there who received  nothing. So now they will. A very special thank you to Mrs Gibson for sending them. Don't let the post office fray your nerves - they all think the packages are here but usually they are in the United freight location in Guam waiting for space on the plane. We have no mail delivery here. The  PC VSS (Peace Corps Volunteer Support Specialist) goes there twice a week after the plane arrives (twice a week flight) and sometimes larger boxes come in on the ship - twice a month  delivery.

 

And in an interesting twist on things. Bandit, who got a bath, medicated, fed, hugged and kissed and spent the  night now is with his forever family. Angelina and her daughter picked him up this early this evening - he already had a sock toy so  he can teeth on it and not on their fingers and some bedding and some food and treats and a bowl. I really liked him - he was a real rescue dog. When I came home from work around noon he was so happy to see me I thoughthis wagging tail was goingto have in airborne in a minute. He would not eat, though, until I came back. Once he has a good diet that he can tolerate, he should regain weight. He is still lively, as seen by his play with the sock toy. And he would actively play with me and some packing, so I have hope he will do well.

 

 

Who can resist those cute puppy eyes?

 

Yes, a once in a lifetime treat for a puppy - on  a real bed. And he loved it!

 

 

As Bandit was leaving with  his new family, Judith came by to get me to go the concert and Shorty followed her here. That is a long walk from his home base on those short legs and all of the big dogs that he has to pass. Every big dog picks on him. But the real surprise - Judith found Chocolate wandering around close to the apartment. She called out his  name and he responded so he waited at the bottom of the stairs for me and by me I mean food. He is in bad shape, he looks starved and his coat  is a mess. Lots of work to do there. I see a bath in his future. They said that when the typhoons hit the dogs run to safety in the villages and get lost for  a while. So it all comes full circle. Three puppies (Riyuul, Chaddy, Bandit) now placed in loving homes, Chocolate is back in town running with Blondie. Now all is right with the world! If only it were really that simple. They must have known there is a present for them.

 

Later tonight I had a vist from Heidi and Amos and their four children. He is the pilot for PMA and she home school their children and several others. I will see them for Christmas. So now I have to bake my cake for tomorrow's PH pot luck. Local foods they said.  Locally bought I say!