This Way to Comfort Room

Staging in Philadelphia went well.  Basically, we got to know each other a little bit and talked about some issues we might encounter in the Philippines.  The highlight of my day was probably when we got debit cards and money to spend on food for the next 24 hours.  I got Pei-Wei and Starbucks for dinner, then watched Jersey Shore in my hotel room and went to bed. 
The next day, we were ready to leave our hotel at 5 am, then got on charter buses to JFK airport.  Apparently we passed right through midtown New York.  I was asleep.  After getting to the airport, it took us about an hour to check in and about 3 minutes to pass through security.  So then we had approximately 4 hours to sit around the airport.  I ate a bunch of organic food containing high fructose corn syrup from an airport kiosk. 
At about 1:30 pm we boarded our flight for Narita airport in Japan.  Almost an hour and a half later we actually left the airport.  I was asleep.  The flight lasted about 13 and a half hours, but it didn't seem like that long because I got to sit in the middle seat! 
We refeulled at Narita and got to walk around for an hour or so.  I got some Pocari Sweat and felt like I was back in China.  We also played some card games, which really did make time seem to go by quickly.  After another  3 and a half hour flight we were in Manila!  A bunch of Peace Corps staff met us and made the customs and immigration go smoothly.  Also, there was a Japanese kid wearing tiger pajamas on our flight.
About 45 minutes later, we arrived at our resort and got our room keys.  Everyone was very welcoming and helpful getting our luggage together. 
So let's recap.  We left Philadelphia at 5:30am EST.  We arrived at our hotel around 11:30 PM Manila time.  In all, Group 269 spent about 30 hours travelling.  Leanna Greenwood spent about 27 hours sleeping during that time.
Our first full day of Inital Orientation went really well.  We filled out forms, got medical kits that look like tool boxes (complete with camo condoms), ate almost nonstop for 8 hours, and enjoyed free time together.  We learned how to play Super Crazy Uno and walked around the resort complex.  A group from a shelter for Filipino children performed for us, which was really special.  We also were given cell phones and our first allowances.  A few of us were tempted to spend 75 of our 1200-peso allowance on visiting Animal Island.  We were also tempted to go swimming at the water park in a lightning storm.  Unfortunately, we decided against both.
It's now 9 pm, and I'm proud of myself for not napping or falling asleep before now.  It's been hard to be bored here so far, and I think tomorrow will be more of the same.   Except we will go to the water park.

Interesting...

First off, this blog probably won't be all that interesting.  I will likely just be talking about the weather and what non-vegetarian foods I have eaten.  
Second, I might not be posting very often.  Especially if I don't have internet access.  
Third, a brain teaser: Is leaving home for a long time fun? No.  
Fourthly, I'm going to not apologize in advance for references to Degrassi and Jersey Shore.  Do you think my fellow PCTs will think it strange if I leave socializing with them to watch TV in my hotel room?
On a lighter note, I am leaving to be a Peace Corps Volunteer for 27 months somewhere in the Philippines.  I'm excited about the people I will meet and unique experiences I will get to have.  On another lighter note, drop it low.  
Also, let me just say this SummeR has been awesome.  I have gotten to see some great friends and have taken more trips than anyone should be reasonably allowed.  Shoutout to 864.
You don't want to know how packing and getting ready have been.  But if you do, it's been hard saying goodbye to my friends and tying up loose ends in my life.  It has also been hard to find clothes that aren't real ugly or real expensive.  I'm pretty much packed now, though, and I think I can squeeze 2 years worth of use out of my new wardrobe.  
That's about all I can say at this point, except that I am excited for this challenge and I hope the people I will be teaching are cute.  Just kidding...
It's now time for a very uncharacteristic family cookout and I'm on cookie duty.  
Also, can you believe K.C. walked out on Jenna when she told him she's pregnant?