Yes, I’ve been baking peanut butter pies, yes, I’ve been going to bed early, and yes, I’ve been loving it. But there’s actually a good reason I took this week “off” from Pinch of Yum.
It’s all in preparation for a change. An international change.
A change that involves Bjork and I moving to the Philippines for a year. The one in Southeast Asia thatās made up of 7,000 islands. The one that’s 8,000 miles away. In 6 weeks. Moving. There.
BAHHHHH!
It’s seriously 100% true. Weāll be there for one year, and I would love to tell you that weāre just going to be soaking up the tropical sun, but that would be bad news for one white-skinned-spf-100-extreme-sunburn Scandinavian boy.
Instead, weāll be working in the shade at an orphanage in Cebu City. Itās called the Childrenās Shelter of Cebu and you might have seen it mentioned here before because my siblings Roselyn, Romeo, and Rodrigo lived at this shelter for several years before being adopted. Up until this point, we have donated all of our blog income to the shelter because we really love what they are doing for kids. And now… we’re going there ourselves!
Hereās the official FAQ.
How did it happen? We were planning to visit Cebu this summer ā Bjork has never been there, and we wanted to do some international travel, so it seemed like a fun way to spend three weeks in June. A few weeks ago, we got a call from the director of the organization asking us if weād be willing to extend our stay from three weeks to one year. After some serious conversations, prayer, and extreme-stress-eating, we decided we were ready and willing.
What will you be doing? Iāll be teaching a small class of Level C (upper elementary) kids from the orphanage at the Children of Hope school. Bjork will work remotely part-time in his current job. Heāll also be volunteering at the shelter with technology-related projects and leading epic games of t-ball, because he does stuff like that.
Where will you live? In a furnished Cebuano apartment, which, from what I hear, comes with a few free baby lizards. Not cool.
How will you get around in Cebu? Hello Jeepney.
What will you do with your house? Rent it out!
What will you do with your cars? Sell them! If youāre in the market for a sweet SUV, comment below. Iāll even throw in a pan of brownies with the deal.
What will you do with your stuff? Pack it up and store it in Grandmaās basement. Thanks, Gma!
What will you do with your hair in that heat and humidity? I feel a 365-day pony tail nub coming on. And yes, I meant to say nub.Ā I did not time that haircut well.
What do you think youāll miss most? Family time, wide open spaces, appropriate temperatures, appropriate hair, and our bestie couplesā soon-to-be newborn baby boy.
What are you most excited for? Friends and family to come and visit, trying out a non-Western lifestyle, and a changed heart.
What will happen to Pinch of Yum? The flavor (literally) might change, you might see less chocolate and more Filipino kids, and mangoes could take over indefinitely. But really, I plan to keep things going with posts about our new life in the Philippines as well as the same ol’ yummy recipes.Ā Hopefully you guys can handle the American-style Filipino flair.
So now you know why I needed a week to put my feet up and eat peanut butter pie. Emphasis on the peanut butter.Ā And pie.
It’s going to be a crazy year.Ā But we are young and wild and free, or at least we’re pretending.
During 1993 and 1994, I lived in manila and served the Episcopal prison community. Difficult job I don’t think That I can return for various reasons but I had quite a time likving near St. Lukes’s hospital in Quezon City. Totally different way of life. My wife is a Filipina and Iwe have one daughter aged 26. Quite beautiful. Great mixture.Mestizas, I believe are the most comely people in the Phils. Hope you had a good time and accomplished a great deal.
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging
for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is great, as well as the content!
Wow Lindsay – what an awesome thing to do! I was wondering what you were doing abroad, and now I have my answer. Bless you both!
Thanks Marie!
SO, I am LOVING that you are going to be posting more Filipino flared dishes. I LOVE your blog by the way. And I also LOVE the Philippines. A couple summers ago I spent 8 weeks there working at an orphanage called Love the Children Foundation in Davao City. I fell in love with the culture, kids, and food. Very encouraged by your going to live there! Good luck! And, I will love checking your blog and seeing adorable Filipino children again š
How cool! I am going to research that orphanage!
What a fantastic experience! I look forward to hearing of your adventures. Enjoy!
Thanks Laura! If you can live in the Middle East for 10 years, I can handle one year in the little old Philippines!! š
You will love Cebu and all the Philippine Islands have to offer. We were on holiday back in 2005 and went to Malapascua Island which is a tiny island located 3 hours by car plus a 45-min boat ride from Mactan Int’l. It was well worth the trek. You’ll love the new ingredients you will discover and new flavors to boot. I’m so excited for you. That’s a good call to spend a whole year there.
I spent almost four months in the Philippines and it was four of the best months of my life! I hope that you have an amazing time – it is a beautiful country full of wonderful people!
Words of Wisdom: Slather on the bug spray and make sure to check your shower for giant spiders in the morning!
Ew ew ew! I will definitely do that! I’m so glad to hear that you had such a great time there – what were you doing there and where were you??
How exciting! This seems like an awesome opportunity and I’m sure it truly will be life changing. On a similar note – my boyfriend and I are planning on backpacking through Europe and Asia for 2 years (starting this September) and we want to continue my food blog and have started a travel blog (http://acoupletravelers.com). We will be spending 3 weeks in the Philippines so it will be interesting to read about your adventures there in preparation!
How cool! Where will you be in the Philippines? And when? š
As of right now we are planning on being there the first 3 weeks of June 2013. The itinerary that I’ve put together includes 8 days in Cordilleras (Batad, Banaue, Sagada, Bontoc), 2 days in Manila and 10 days in Palawan (Puerta Princesa, El Nido, Coron). Still trying to decide if there’s enough time to make it to Boracay, Cebu and Bohol. There’s too much to see and never enough time! Have you guys planned out any trips around the islands?
No, but I hear that Boracay is a must-visit! So I think we’ll try to make that work. š
Can’t wait to read about it!
Happy Days! Filipino food is delicious. I love Pansit, Lumpia, and above all, Leche Flan. Gloriously rich egg custard pudding made with SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK, and featuring the yummy browned sugar syrup on the bottom. Oh pools of sweetest joy. Sorry. I tend to get carried away. But not for real, like you and your husband.
Wow. Enjoy. Learn. Be blessed.
Thank you, thank you! I love hearing about all the yummy food that awaits us! š
Big beautiful blessings to both of you! You will change their world and they will change yours!
Peace,
Joan
Thank you Joan! š We are excited to be changed.
Oh my!!!!! How awesome!! I cannot wait to see where this takes you two. Prayers and best wishes with EVERYTHING.
Thanks Brenda!
I can relate! On May 31st, my husband and I are moving to Saudi Arabia!!! I don’t know how to pack, how to get rid of all our stuff, how to transfer the lease on our car, how to bring our cat, etc…you get the picture!
It sounds like you have it all planned out and are going for a great cause that will make all the stress worth it. Best wishes!
WHOA! That is a big change! Good luck to you too Khadijah!
Lindsay, I’m so excited for you. What an awesome adventure you are going to have! Just wanted to let you know that I have two students who spent time at CSC before being adopted by a family in Milaca. They would have been very happy to have you for a teacher. Blessings to you!
Oh, wow! How cool! When were they adopted? I wonder if they know my siblings?
i am so happy for you guys and i don’t even know you. but i’ve tried a few of your recipes and am inspired by your creativity. i also am excited b/c i have done something similar – except it turned into 3 years in Malawi, Africa. it was so rewarding and so difficult and so amazing. beware – you will get attached to your new home and find returning to the US to be much harder than leaving! be sure and take the things that make you feel “at home”. glad you have each other to go with and may you feel blessed through the children you are serving…
Thank you so much Elisa! What a great experience that must have been in Malawi! What were you doing there?
Whoa. I don’t know how I missed this one !! Glad you linked back to it! Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you guys, and for the kids. It’ll change your life forever!!!! Can’t wait to keep reading about it!
Thank you Corrie Anne! We’ll definitely have some interesting things to share, I think… š
I immediately started thinking of the song “Follow you” By Leeland as soon as I read your blog post. Now I can’t get it out of my head…..
May God bless you abundantly throughout your journey!
I missed this post! Congrats!
Wow you two are amazing!!! What an incredible opportunity. I wish you the best and I am excited for the Filipino food! Best of luck to you both. Maybe you will come home with a baby??? š
I for one will be happy to read your updates of your year to come.
Thanks Pam!
Oh my gosh! That’s where I live! I was so surprised to find out you will be staying in Cebu for a year to teach at an orphanage. I’ve always loved your blog and yummy recipes (I still can’t stop thinking about your Tamale Pie and I have to make it one of these days!) but after reading this, I have even more respect for you, Lindsay. You are not only a talented cook but you have also a big heart. Don’t worry about the lizards. They’re harmless and usually mind their own business. I hope you keep it up! Good luck to you and your husband š
No Way! You live in Cebu??
Yes, Lindsay š born and raised in Cebu. It’s not that bad here actually. It’s not like Manila. There are also a lot of foreigners living in the city, mostly Koreans and some are Japanese. People are friendly and there are a lot of nice beach resorts (but pricey!). If you do take the jeepney, it might be better to learn some Cebuano words since most jeepney drivers and “conductors” (people in charge of the jeepney fare) speak very little English. I’ve seen a few foreign tourists take the jeepney and had trouble communicating with them. Luckily the passengers were helpful. Of course, there are also places that are best to avoid, at night and during daytime especially if you are a foreigner but then that’s the same as everywhere else. I think you will like Filipino cuisine, which has a lot of Chinese and Spanish influences. There are also plenty of Korean restaurants.
I hope you will your enjoy your stay here.
Thanks JoAnn! It’s so helpful to hear from people who have experience with the culture. We just picked out our apartment in the city. Kind of exciting! š