Friends:

My second full day in the Philippines began with a teacher workshop at the Development Academy of the Philippines sponsored by Scholastic Book Fairs, Philippines Division. There were over 100 enthusiastic attendees, teachers from all over Metro Manila.

I opened with a lively song, my adaption of “How Funky is Your Chicken, How Loose Is Your Goose?” I asked the teachers to give me some names of animals and I was given “Hippo” and “Rhino.” That was a challenge but I came up with “How wobbly is your hippo? (with hips wobbling from side to side)” and “How pointy is your rhino?” (with a finger symbolizing the rhino’s horn).

The all-day (6 hr.) workshop called “Explore-A-Story-Um” consisted of three workshops: “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales,” “Tangram Tales: Story Theater Using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle,” and “Tell Along Tales: Playing with Participation.”

We began with “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales.” I told the story of “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza,” my modernized version of “The Little Red Hen,” and then, as a group, we created a board game on a white board. First, the attendees and I created a story map based on the characters, the characters’ traits, the motivation of the characters, the perils, the aids, and the triumphs of the story. The board game is based on the characters, the perils, and the triumphs of the story paired with perils and triumphs of a board game. For instance, using the story “Cinderella,” a peril on the game board could look like this: “You lost a glass slipper. Move back 6 spaces.” Participants were also given various kinds of board game patterns to use: the square, the winding path, the zig zag, and the spiral.

Next, the room was divided into groups of six, where they worked on creating their own board games. In addition to “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza,” they were also provided with three other stories to choose from: “The Tortoise and the Hare,” The Three Little Pigs,” and “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Here is a picture of a group working on their board game. This group is creating a board game based on “The Tortoise and the Hare.” They used the spiral path pattern, drawn inside the shape of a tortoise. Very clever!

After lunch, I livened the group up with my song/chant/fingerplay “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam,” from my “Jump, Jiggle & Jam” CD. They loved it. We then moved into “game playing” mode. The groups moved and played another groups’ game. There was a lot of laughter, hooting, and hollering. This is a picture of me playing one of the groups’ games. Talk about fun!

Here is a picture of the “Stories on Board” games that were created by the many groups in the workshop. Phenomenal creativity!

Everyone got a prize because I just couldn’t pick out a favorite or “best” one. What I really loved seeing was the groups’ collaboration and cooperation in creating the board games. It’s a great way for students to work with stories and really learn the structure of stories. There is also the bonus of tons of fun.

After completing the “Stories on Board” portion of the workshop, we moved on to “Tangram Tales.” I told the story of “The Legend of the Tangram” and then shared a story, “Henny Penny,” using tangrams to illustrate. The participants were taught how to create a tangram without using a pre-designed pattern. Then the workshop attendees familiarized themselves with tangrams by working with tangram patterns.

Next, the room was divided in half and each group was assigned a story. The first group was given “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories,” an African folk story, while the second group was assigned “It Could Always Be Worse,” a Jewish folktale. After parts were assigned (storytellers, tangram artists, and chorus), the groups then worked on their parts to create a whole story theater. The results were amazing. While the storytellers told the story, tangram artists assembled the illustrations.

The story chorus jazzed things up by singing, chanting, rapping, and dancing their parts.

At the end of the seminar, Scholastic presented me with a certificate of appreciation. I am pictured here with Meinard Cruz, the general manager of Scholastic Book Fairs. Meinard was a fantastic host, treating me like royalty. Working with Scholastic was fantastic! Maraming salamat po (thank you very much) to my Scholastic “Dream Team!” Mahal kita!

After my workshop, my day was not over! I met up with another friend, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, a pediatrician and children’s book author from Manila. We ate at Conti’s, a delightful Bistro at “The Fort - Bonifacio,” a new high end mall area in metro Manila. The food was delish and the cake (Mango Bravo) was enough to cause a “foodgasm.” Ha ha ha! Here is picture of “Dr. Author” and I, enjoying the night.

Luis has this ultra cool camera that has a “coupling” feature. Rather than explain it, I will show it to you. Here is a picture of Luis and I, and Luis and I, having fun at a local coffee shop. (Thanks, Luis, for introducing me to “coupling.” It gives a whole to new meaning to the word! Hehehe

Day 2 was a fun-filled day of business and pleasure. Love to all my new friends. Teachers, you can do it! Add storytelling to your curriculum and let me know how it goes! Happy Tales to You!

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

My day began with a performance at Miriam College, one of the largest all girls schools in Manila. The Philippine Daily Inquirer (the Philippines’ largest newspaper), along with Scholastic Books, partnered to sponsor a reading and literacy promotion event for the preschool (co-ed) children. The children were so fun and energetic. They also loved to participate!

After my performance, I was interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The article is scheduled to run in the Sunday (March 17, 2008) paper.

I was so impressed with the literacy level of these children. At 5 years old, many of them were reading! I could tell that the school and the parents worked closely with these children. Dreena del Mundo, the Principal of the Child Study Center, gave us a tour of the preschool facility. It was very impressive and well-equipped. This is one of their preschool classrooms.

I explored the playground and found the children that were in my audience playing. Here is a picture of me with some preschool girls.

Of course, the boys wanted a picture too so we took one on a “bus.” Too cute!

After my fun day with the students, my client, Meinard, took me and my cousin to The Fort, a mall area, for lunch. We ate at Gerry’s a restaurant specializing in Filipino cuisine. It was delicious (but very fattening). LOL Here is a picture of me and Katrin at The Fort.

The Philippines is so full of paradoxes. They have so many well-developed areas with “mega malls” yet the country still has such abject poverty. So many Filipinos struggle at making a living. Today, there was a transportation strike. Jeepneys and buses were not supposed to run, as a stand for higher fares. Still, I saw quite a few jeepneys in spite of the strike. They just couldn’t afford a day without pay. This is a picture of squatter housing.

Later that night, my entire family met me at the SM Mall of Asia, Asia’s largest mall, in Pasay City on Manila Bay, filled with shops and restaurants. It is rumored to take 7 days just to walk the entire mall. It’s HUGE.

We ate at a Japanese restaurant called Tempura. There were 22 of us!! My family had never eaten Japanese food before and I had fun watching them trying to master chop sticks. It was great seeing them again. Here is the gang, my aunts, my cousins, and my cousins’ children. The family has grown! There are four new children since I last visited in 2004, a new wife (my cousin Jug Jug’s wife) and a new fiance’ (my cousin, Shobe’s fiance’). Here is the gang. That is one LOOOONG table!

Mahal kita, pamilya!

When I arrived at my hotel, I was so exhausted, I collapsed in bed and got some GOOD sleep. Seeing my family makes me miss my own family even more. I love you Antonio, Soleil, Eliana, Mom, Clay, Papi, Jennie, Gary & Kids!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

The picture above is the last look at the beach in Tumon Bay, right in front of my hotel. So beautiful. I will surely miss it!

I spent my last few hours in Guam walking around (I must have walked about 2.5 miles - good exercise!). I ate at a Vietnamese Restaurant, Hoa Mai. Then I walked A LOT uphill and took a last trip to K-Mart so I could buy a few more Guam goodies for my family in the Philippines. Tina Buendicho, the President of the IRA Guam Council, and her children picked me up to head for the airport.

It was such a sad goodbye. I really made some good friends in Guam. I will never forget how wonderful the people of Guam were to me. I had excellent service at the hotel, made incredible connections with the students, and met such an inspiring group of teachers. Then there was Tina, Evelyn and Cyndy… They made my short stay in Guam a true paradise. Here is my last picture with Tina and her family. I love you guys! I look forward to a return trip!

I am such a lucky woman, blessed to be doing what I do…

My trip to the Philippines took about 3 hours and 20 minutes. When I arrived at the airport, my Aunts, Espie and Jovie, were waiting for me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. My client, Meinard Cruz, General Manager of Scholastic Book Fairs, was also there to take me to my hotel. We went to my new hotel, Legend Villas in Mandaluyong (Manila). Look at this gorgeous bouquet!

My hotel room is a “villa.” It is two stories, with a kitchen, dining area, living room, bedroom with two double bed, and a huge bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub that can fit three people! LOL Here is a picture of Auntie Jovie and Auntie Espie (L to R) after I gave them their “pasalubong” - gifts from the U.S. and Guam.

Later, my cousin, Katrin, joined us after getting off duty at the hospital where she is training. Katrin is studying to become a registered nurse. This is Katrin.

They all spent the night in my room. Because of all the excitement and the preparation I had to do for the next day, I didn’t sleep until 3:30 am! I had to wake up at 6 am the next day… But I don’t get to see my family in the Philippines very often so it was worth it.

It’s been such a full journey so far! I look forward to my visit here in the Philippines. Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

It was another  amazing day in Guam. My day began with my arrival at the Guam Council of the International Reading Association meeting at the Nikko Hotel in Tumon Bay.  I was scheduled to present an hour and fifteen minute workshop to the membership. After membership business and before my workshop began, the Talafofo Cultural Dance Group presented a beautiful Chamorro dance.

The group consisted of musicians playing and singing traditional Chamorro songs with children singing and dancing. The children were gorgeous, graceful and dynamic.  The dance was so inspirational, it moved me to tears. Seeing the children engaging in their cultural heritage with such spirit was an amazing experience. Biba Chamorro!

Following the dancers, I presented my workshop called “Story Safari,” a combination of “Handmade Tales,” “Kamishibai Story Theater,” and “Story Fest.” I demonstrated three “Handmade Tales” - “Joseph Had an Overcoat,” “Bandana Man,” and “Pulling Up the Sweet Potato.” I then explained the Kamishibai Story Theater Process. Afterwards, every member of the audience participated in presenting two of my story theater scripts, “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking,” and “The Ant and the Grasshopper.” The teachers were incredible! Unfortunately, my camera battery died and I couldn’t take pictures of their presentations. But the feedback was phenomenal and we are talking about a return visit for a longer professional development session. They wanted more!

Look at how beautiful the stage is decorated!  Great job, Evelyn and Tina! You are phenomenal women. My resources (books and CDs) sold out. Yay! Many of the teachers told me that they were “inspired” and “motivated” and can’t wait to implement the techniques they learned in their classrooms. What a privilege it was to present to this creative and warm group of people. I am so touched by their hospitality and generosity.  Following my workshop, I was presented with more gifts - a tote bag, a t-shirt, a certificate of appreciation, and a stunning tea leaf and orchid lei handmade by Cyndy Pruski, with flowers from her own backyard. Thank you, Cyndy. I am so honored!

Afterwards, I had lunch at a Japanese hibachi restaurant called Joinus with my hosts, Tina, Evelyn, Cyndy and members of the board. Our chef gave us a spectacular show - it was so much fun! After lunch, Tina, Evelyn and Cyndy brought me to Chamorro Village, where I indulged in retail therapy and purchased delicious Guam chocolate and cookies, handmade artisan crafts, and unique native jewelry.

When I returned to my hotel and unpacked my workshop suitcase, there was one more surprise waiting for me - a stack of letters from students of Harry S. Truman Elementary with a thank you note from one of their teachers, Verna Mendiola. So sweet! I <3 U, Verna! This letter is from third grader, Chloe Reyes:

This letter is from third grader, Devin Topasna.

Tomorrow is a full day of fun! I will be picnicking at Ritidian Beach with my new friends and then going to a Polynesian show at night. I am so blessed to be with such warm, hospitable people here in Guam! I have been deeply touched by everyone’s kindness. Their warmth and spirit will forever be imprinted on my heart. Si Yu-Os Ma’ase’! Thank you!

Until next time,

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

This is the beginning of when I started packing for my international tour in Guam and the Philippines. I was actually all packed and ready to go quite early when I found out from Continental Airlines that the baggage weight allowance had changed. It is now 50 lbs. per checked-in bag instead of 70 lbs. I had to repack everything. I now have one carry-on and two suitcases to check in. Even so, I am overweight on one of the suitcases and will have to pay the $50 fee. Sigh. Oh well… It’s hard to pack “light” when you are gone for three weeks, have to present workshops in two different countries, and have only one option!

Anyway, besides being a nervous wreck (”Did I forget anything important?!!!), I am excited about my trip. I will visit two schools in Guam (K-5), present at the Guam Reading Association meeting, and be interviewed on a news show in Guam. In the Philippines, I am performing at a large all-girls schools in Metro Manila as well as presenting two all-day teacher workshops for Scholastic Books. It’s going to be a ton of fun!

I will be checking my email as often as possible but I may not be as easy to reach as when I am stateside. I’ll also be blogging as often as I can, uploading pictures from my trip.

Talk to you soon! Wish me safe travels…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends,

To celebrate my husband, Antonio’s, 40th birthday on February 23, 2008, I decided to take him to Orange Beach, Alabama for some R&R. We arrived in the late afternoon and had just enough time to walk on the beach and frolic in the sand.

While walking on the beach, we saw some MASSIVE jellyfish. Good thing it was too chilly to swim! You can see the size of this monster in proportion to my foot, right next to it.

Of course, there were the most amazing sunsets. The beach is my favorite place in the whole world. One day, I am going to own a house on the beach so I can see sunsets like this one.

I took Antonio out to eat at this restaurant called The Voyager, located at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach.

The food was absolutely phenomenal. My favorite was the appetizer I ordered, a large wood-smoked portabella mushroom stuffed with chorizo and topped with a tasso ham cream sauce. I was in gastronomic heaven. A picture wouldn’t have done the dish justice. I’m still dreaming about the mushroom appetizer!

Antonio’s entree’ was equally tantalizing. He ordered the Southwest steak, which was hand-rubbed with spices. It was laid next to a bed of creamy chipotle Mexican cheese rice garnished with spinach tortilla strips. Alongside, aged balsamic vinegar topped avocados resting on heirloom tomatoes. Antonio said it was one of the very best meals he had in his life! He said, “My tastebuds are having a party.” We found out that the executive chef worked at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. No wonder the food was so delectable.

Then the restaurant surprised Antonio with a “birthday cake,” chocolate dipped strawberries complete with a birthday candle!

We even had a romantic moonlight dance on the beach under a glittering diamond-covered sky. A perfect way to end the day!

The next morning, I watched the sun rise from our ocean side veranda. This was the view from our room. Spectacular! This is what you call a room with a view!

We had a delicious lunch at a beach side cafe’ called Bahama Bob’s. Their motto is “The lower the latitude, the better the attitude.” Following lunch, we decided to spend the afternoon at a public beach. I HAD to do some work. I can’t think of a better way to work than overlooking the ocean! We camped out in a large pavillion outfitted with multiple picnic tables. Next to us, some gentleman were playing beanbag toss (”old man’s horseshoes,” as one of them so wittingly stated). I actually got a lot of work done!

What a way to spend a birthday! I think Antonio had a great time. A little birdie told me so…

Happy 40th birthday, sweetie! I <3 U! Friends, take some time out of your life to do the things you really enjoy (even if you have to work a little while doing it… LOL). Have a great week!

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

This past week has been crazy, trying to meet deadlines - book deadlines, workshop handouts, finalizing details for my international trip to Guam and the Philippines, sending out contracts, and working on some big projects. But I had to take time out for my husband, Antonio. His birthday is Saturday, February 23, 2008 and he is now 40 years old!

We started celebrating on Thursday by attending the New Orleans’ own NBA basketball team, the Hornets’, casino night. It was a night full of fun, a promotion for season ticket holders with a “Meet and Greet the Players.” The Hornets are the #1 NBA team in the West so it was a celebratory night with delicious food and gambling for prizes (not real money). Antonio and I didn’t win but we had a blast and ended the night dancing. I even got to buzz around with the Hornets’ mascot, Hugo (in a tux, no less!).

On Friday, I sent my sweetie a gourmet gift basket to his work. It’s full of yummy fruit, cookies, nuts and candy.

We’re taking this basket to the beach. I made reservations for a hotel in Orange Beach, Alabama, about a three and a half hour drive from New Orleans. We will have a gourmet dinner sea side at a resort and a champagne brunch on Sunday at another resort. The beach is my absolute favorite place in the world. I can’t wait to celebrate Antonio’s birthday ocean side! Our room has a balcony overlooking the Gulf. I look forward to fun in the sun!

We leave on Saturday, February 23 after church. Eliana, our 7 year old, has her first reconciliation in the morning. She was also chosen to read a passage of the Scripture. I’ll post pictures later this weekend. So you can see, we have a busy weekend ahead!

I wish you a Happy Weekend! Take time to enjoy life, even if it’s just for a moment.

Warmly, Dianne

Friends,

Here in New Orleans, it is Lundi Gras (which is French for “Fat Monday,” the Monday before Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday”). The Saturday, Sunday and Monday before Mardi Gras mark the appearance of the “Super Krewes.” On Saturday, Endymion rolls, one of the largest Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. On Sunday, Bacchus, the God of Wine, rolls. Orpheus, orchestrated by New Orleans’ own Harry Connick, Jr., catches the limelight on Monday. All of these “weekend” parades are night parades, illuminated by dazzling displays of fiber optics, animatronics, and huge, colorful floats.

Mardi Gras is a grand spectacle. There’s nothing like it in the world. It’s the world’s biggest free parade. The season kicks off on January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas, the Epiphany. It is during this time that king cakes, one of New Orleans’ most delicious confections, become available. In 1871, the Twelfth Night Revelers made Mardi Gras history when a “king cake” was presented to a woman. Inside was hidden a golden bean, signifying her selection as the “Mardi Gras Queen.” King Cakes are now elaborate creations decorated in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold and stuffed with fruit or cream cheese fillings. Traditionally, inside the King Cake, you will find a small, plastic baby, which represents the Christ Child. The person who gets the “baby” buys the next King Cake.

Another great Mardi Gras tradition are the “throws.” Beads, stuffed animals, doubloons, and other trinkets are flung from the floats by masked riders. Crowds go crazy for these colorful treasures and they are the hallmark of a great parade. Here are some Mardi Gras throws caught by my daughters this past weekend.

So what do we do with all these beads? We give them away to out-of-town friends and family. We string them on our Christmas trees. We craft with them. Check out these Mardi Gras maracas made by me and Eliana, my seven year old.

You can make these too, even if you don’t have Mardi Gras beads. The first one is a clear soda or water bottle filled with beads. You can also fill the bottle with beans, rice, and pasta. The second one, decorated with Valentine stickers is a toilet paper roll. Staple one end shut. Fill it with beads, rice, beans or pasta (less is better for a fuller sound). Staple the remaining opening shut, but staple it in the other direction, forming a triangle.

Another Mardi Gras tradition is for children to create Mardi Gras shoe box floats. Schools and malls often hold shoe box float contests. This season, I helped my six year old, first grader niece, Ashlynn, create a “Valentine” float to celebrate the 100th day of school. On the float we glued 100 candy sweethearts. Yes, there are exactly 100. We counted them six times!

And, there are Mardi Gras beads glued to the float as well. Creating a shoe box float is easy. First, you need a medium-sized shoe box. Cover the shoe box and lid with wrapping or construction paper of your choice. Turn the shoe box upside down so that the opening is on the bottom. The lid of the shoe box is glued to the back of the box, creating a “wall” or a “throne” effect. Now all you have to do is decorate. Choosing a theme, like the Krewes do with the real Mardi Gras floats, is the easiest way to create a cool float. Consider your favorite TV show or cartoon, animals, insects, dinosaurs, dolls (Barbies, Bratz, etc.), holidays, movies, etc. The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination!

Happy Lundi Gras, friends. Laissez les bon temps rouler - let the good times roll!

Warmly, Dianne