Magandang umago

So what language do they speak in the Philippines?

The most common language is called Tagalog (emphasis on the ga), but you can just call it Filipino if that's easier to remember. There are other dialects out there (170 according to Wikipedia), but most people speak this one - it's the official language of schools, government, business, etc. Apparently, most people also speak English, so it feels odd to be going there specifically to teach it, but maybe they want to make sure that teenagers can swear fluently.

I've been working my way through Rosetta Stone language lessons online (offered free via the Peace Corps!) and I have to say, it's a strange language to try to wrap your tongue around. Rosetta Stone is a little strange, too - so far I've learned how to say things like "the cowboy is falling off the horse" or the "woman in the blue shirt is pointing", which are phrases I suppose might come in handy some day (the next time I'm at a rodeo sitting next to a woman in a blue shirt, for example). I keep telling myself that the program has a plan and it will be revealed to me at some point, but for now I'll just keep learning how to say "the person without clothes is wearing glasses" (don't ask, I might have that one wrong) and "the boy is jumping off the table". Although to be fair, I have also learned how to count to ten and tell time (as long as it's always on the hour).

Magandang umago means "good morning" (add po to the end of it as a sign of respect), but I didn't learn that from Rosetta Stone. I had to look it up online myself.

I'm sure the program knows what it's doing.

And so it begins...

It's official. Today I turned in notice at my job. Everyone here knew it was coming, but it was still a strange (and slightly sad) thing to do. I've been working in the same place for almost 9 years and I will miss everyone a lot. A LOT. But they're all so excited for me as I get ready for this new adventure. I could not have asked for a better group of co-workers and true friends.

And so it begins...

In about a month and a half I will be moving to the Philippines. Moving to the Philippines. It doesn't seem quite real (although the stacks of boxes in my soon-to-be-vacated apartment say differently). I've been thinking about joining the Peace Corps since college (a very long time ago, my friends) and now I'm finally doing it.

And I'm finally starting a blog about it. So sorry all you Facebook fans (Miss T. and Mr. LaB. heading the list), but you're just going to have to check in here from time to time if you want to see whether or not I'm still alive.