Over here Filipinos have a saying when they hear too much English. "May nosebleed ako," they say, which surprisingly means, "I have a nosebleed." In other words listening to too much English is overwhelming. They find it funny when I say, "May nosebleed ako" in reference to Tagalog. Sometimes I have tried to say that my brain is fried but it really doesn't translate too well... Nothing quite like trying to explain an English idiom in Tagalog to someone who doesn't really understand English.
Last week Dennis had a little culture event with his language helper. They decided to make rice and toyo, a small, extremely salty fish that they fry up and eat on top of rice for breakfast or sometimes other meals. Our whole family tried it for a snack. It was oddly addicting, sort-of like super salty chips. First we popped off the head and scraped the skin off. Then we pulled the meat apart into small pieces and used our hands to pack some rice together with the fish and popped it into our mouths.
The kids were skeptical at first. Squeaky had a look on her face that said, "You've got to be kidding me," but to her credit she didn't say a word and even told us afterward that she actually liked it a little bit. Button didn't say anything, but after politely trying it she left most of it on her plate. Winnie gobbled the whole thing up and played with the fish heads like they were little toys talking to each other. 
Ok, I really would like to blog more frequently but sometimes I can't think of anything interesting to write about. Isn't it ironic that two years ago I would have given an arm and a leg for some insightful information on the culture over here and now sometimes when I sit down to write I can't even think of anything that is out of the ordinary. Funny how that works. If there is anything you'd like to hear about, dear reader (if you do indeed exist), just let me know and I will try to blog about it. :D
4 comments:
Doesn't appeal to me but a good story!
Gramma
Hey I love your blog! It's so fun to read about someone else who lives life away from home ( well the old home) ....and with little girls too! We don't eat fish here t.g. Keep blogging about just normal life to you...it's very interesting to us as is not our normal. Theresa
Yes, your readers are out here :) This is the kind of thing I like to read too. (and the church one above) Sometimes I imagine that except for the fact that you are studying all the time your life is the same as it was here. I know it's not but I can't really imagine how it's different. I was wondering what kinds of things Ate Rona does for you and what it is like letting her do them for you. Was it hard for you to give some tasks over to her? Is there a cultural clash with what she would do and what you would have done if doing for your family yourself?
I haven't blogged in forever and forever because I got so frustrated loading pictures compared to FB and the videos wouldn't load at all but if there's anything you'd like me to blog about you let me know too. Thanks.
xo
Patti
I love to hear your updates! It helps us pray for you. A day in the life of Val would be fun. Morning till evening. We could kinda see how your everyday compares to ours! :) Also liked hearing about your mom's visit post:) maybe Dennis would do a visit post too seeing as his blog is well.. you know. haha. Take care over there. Serve the Lord with gladness!. :)
Love in Christ
Amy
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