Here are some pictures of the inside of my apartment, now that it is all painted up! It's tiny inside but it feel so homey already, now that we have painted, and set some things up. Sarah and I are in the process of finally getting moved in for real...the only reason we haven't yet is because there has been no electricity...and there still isn't. But we still have high hopes that it will come soon. We're waiting on the electric company now....

chocolate chip pancakes

A couple of days ago, I had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast (thanks to Carrie). I know, chocolate for breakfast...it almost doesn't seem right, and I thought that, as I was eating them, but still enjoyed them immensely.
Filipinos have perfected the art of the perfect pancake. They are more like a dessert, and are usually found in the dessert section on the menu, of the restaurants here that serve them. They are light and fluffy,and puff up tall when you cook them, with just the right amount of sweetness. Usually you can order them with pineapple, or mango, or banana in them. And of course, chocolate. Most often this will look like a pancake, with chocolate syrup on top.
These pancakes are very different from the idea of a pancake that I grew up with. I think, not having the history of specialties like flapjacks, and johnnycakes, and buckwheat pancakes, and the different varieties that pioneers and homesteaders made, what you get here is an import, dessert version...lite.
But still really good. And these lovely pancakes come from a mix...just put in the egg, water and oil, and--perfect pancakes, every time.

I remember, being a kid, and wanting the big fluffy pancakes that you would get from the Bisquick mix. We rarely ever got those...which I'm thankful for...but I think I remember the first time I had one...when a babysitter came over and made them for us one night for dinner. I remember looking at the box, and watching the pancakes puff up on the griddle.
Yes, my dad liked the pancakes full of whole grains and goodness...Cornmeal Mountain Pancakes. =) I like them too...and now, when I make my own pancakes I always put whole wheat flour, or wheat germ, or oatmeal, if I have it.
I bought some oat flour pancake mix at the health food store in Manila a few weeks ago. I tried to make them, and they almost wouldn't cook, they were so heavy...so I think next time, I may just have to start with that light and fluffy Maya mix, and add a bit of the real stuff...to get a happy medium. =)

On Friday, we had a big shebang for Vic's birthday, complete with a whole roasted pig, 6 or 7 barbeque chickens, a grilled tuna, and of course lots of rice, and some pancit. It was great!

They roast the pig most of the day, over a charcoal pit, down at the road, on the side of the little canteen restuarant that recently opened.

Rose made cupcakes and brownies, and Scott bought loads and loads of ice cream. The kids were thrilled...=) We were all thrilled actually. I haven't had much ice cream since I've come to Puerto Galera.
There must have been at least 50 people here, because we invited all of our neighbors, which are a whole family that live in about 6 houses right near us. The barangay captain is part of that family, so he came along, as well as the pastor of the church we've been going to down the road, and his family, and Grace, the Filipina midwife, and some of the medical staff from Dr. Francis' clinic.
Plus all of the Mercy In Action students and staff, and there were a lot of us. It was a lot of fun.