I mean to comment on everyone's blogs but I am a little behind in reading them all. I will though. But I just wanted to say that I think you are all awesome- cute kids, wonderful parents, strong church members, intelligent, creative, funny. I get inspired reading about all that you do. I wish I could see you all more often- I have been blessed to have had you in my life at one time or another. So I just wanted to tell you that you are all my examples!
For those dying to see more pictures, Ross took about 1000 of them so it is taking time to sort through them all. Plus, he started his first week of nursing school on Monday which has been very time consuming. He goes to school Monday through Friday from 8-4 in what they are calling "boot camp". I am glad that he is taking school very seriously but it leaves me with time on my hands since he doesn't have much time to lounge around with me. But the Olympics have kept me occupied this week. And also trying to figure out some sort of a sleep schedule.
So my impression of the Philippines- I enjoyed meeting Ross' mom and family. They all treated me well and were very kind. They were trying to feed me all the time which sounds like a good thing except I wasn't always sure what it was they were trying to feed me. It was a little stressful to make sure I didn't offend them but to discreetly avoid eating certain things. I don't have an iron stomach. Ross is from Cebu City so we spent part of our time there. Ross said it has changed in 14 years- I think he and Cebu have changed. He said that it used to be greener and less crowded. That was my first impression- so many people, cars, jeepneys, taxis and tricycles on too small roads. People work very hard there for what we would consider barely any money. But they seem happy to just be working and make do with what they have. That is one of the reasons why I love to travel- it always teaches me about gratitude and perspective. It is easy to feel ungrateful sometimes and wish I had more. But then i see the situations that other people live in and how happy they are regardless. I have too many luxuries to count. I did miss some of those while I was in the Philippines- like warm showers and comfortable mattresses. I will admit that I would not want to trade my life in America for a life there. But I enjoyed seeing a new place and meeting new people.
Ross and I went to the resort of El Nido in the Palawan islands for our last five days. This was one of the most beautiful places that I have been. We flew there on a small plane and landed on a lush barely inhabited island where they greeted us with singing and snacks. Then we took a 45 minute boat ride to reach the resort. We stayed in a water cottage which was on stilts above the water and had beautiful views of the resort and the surrounding islands. The employees were there to meet our every need. They had a long list of available activities and we just told them what we wanted to do and they arranged it all. We did a 15 minute introductory scuba dive- my first time. It hurt my ears as I expected but it was cool. We spent a lot of time snorkeling because the reefs were amazing. The reef around our resort had hundreds of fish and even some huge fish- like half my size. And then we had access to the surrounding islands and beaches. There were times when we were surrounded by hundreds of fish. The coral was beautiful as was the other underwater life. So that was my favorite part. I could have stayed in the water for hours just discovering all there was to see. But watch out for those territorial fish because I got attacked a couple of times- these tiny fish came right at my face. Pretty brave I thought.
The resort was all inclusive so we ate so much. I think i was on Michael Phelp's diet. But I wanted to try everything. We kayaked, explored hidden lagoons, relaxed on the beach, went sailing and fishing, and had lunch with just the two of us on an isolated beach. A five course lunch. This place was fantastic. The scenery was stunning and they treated us so well. So we would recommend it to anyone. We definetly want to go back. Our time there went by way too fast.
After 14 years 
Ha! Ha! Oh no! We dont care if you get hit by a crazy taxi driver as long as you dont "text message" while you cross the street. Did you know that the Philippines is Rank# 1 in the world as the Top Prolific Sender of Text Messages? We don't care about Olympic Gold Medals because we are number#1 in text messaging.
Lapu-Lapu- The First Filipino Hero
We spent 3 relaxing days at my Uncle Boy's beach house in San Remigio
Nice and green. Grass so smooth you can sleep on it!
Jean posing in front of a non-motorized "banka"
Just Beautiful!!!
A family looking to gather some shells and fish for dinner. I am so grateful for where I am.
Their catch- mostly pufferfish( I guess the ones that are still puffed up are still alive)
At the Magellan's Cross in Cebu near the 100 yr. old Santo Nino Catholic Church
Dang! I need to remember to change my shirt;-)
Peace!!! Kids outside the Church selling P1.oo candles($0.20). I bought 6 candles and gave them P30.00 for being so cute. It makes me sad how life has to be for a young child to be forced to sell candles. They should be in school
Posing my new friends. This one is for you 'Manda!
Bohol Countryside
The Filipino Harry Potter (Chocolate Hills, Bohol)
Elevation Sensation!!!
My Little Brother John-John. Common dude! You can do better
Tarsier (Smallest Monkey in the World-smaller than my fist)
Jean meet a new friend in Bohol(Sorry flash wasn't allowed)
Jean attempting to cross the Loboc River by walking on ,"The Hanging Bridge." The bridge is mostly made of Kawayan (bamboo) and two steel cables.
We had lunch on the Loboc Floating River Restaurant . The boat took us around the river. I'll post a video sometime next week
Wow! A lakeside house
Our El Nido Resort Private Plane
A rainbow. We must be headed to Paradise. What can go wrong?
Umm Pilot! Can you just drop us off here?
Oh no! Is that smoke? The plane is on fire!
It's not looking good 
Aahhh!!! I forgot what the Stewardess said about the Emergency door
Life is good
Entelola beach
Another beautiful beach that is part of the El Nido Resorts
At The (Cebu) Mactan International Airport
" Don't worry Ma! I'm coming back."
Today is a big day for Ross. He is leaving tonight for the Philippines to see his mom and brother after many years. I am going to miss him although I will be joining him in 10 days. He is busy packing and I am busy doing some late spring cleaning. I had to make room for all of his nursing books since he will be starting school right after he gets back.
June was a good month. We went to Utah for a Hawkes family reunion. We stayed in condos in Sandy so all of the family could stay together. It was fun to see my cousins after so long- and all the new babies. We drove through the canyons and hiked to Stewart Falls. That was a longer hike than I remembered from my BYU days. We also went rafting down the Provo river. I had never done that before and we had a great time. We just ran into a few bushes and my poor dad took the brunt of it because i took up all the space ducking. We also had a fun day at the park with all of the family- my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. My grandparents are wonderful for making it all happen and wanting us to stay close as a family even though we live spread apart.
We also visited with my grandparents on my mom's side. My grandpa Grover took us out boating on Utah lake. Ross has some great videos that I will have to get him to attach. My grandpa tried very hard to wipe us out on the tube and he was successful most of the time.
I also was able to visit with some good friends that I don't get to see much. My friend Melody and I were roommates my sophomore year at BYU. That year wasn't my favorite- I was taking so many hard classes. But Melody made it fun. We have also taken some memorable trips together. And then I visited with Liana- my roommate for a couple of years at BYU. She was always a great example to me and we had were all so close as roommates. We even had plans for the retirement home in Hawaii we would share in our old age. Then i saw my friend Jodi after many years. We went to Jerusalem study abroad together and shared many personal experiences. It is nice to have friendships that have lasted over the years.
So wish Ross a safe journey. He has been counting down the days and it is finally here!
Jean and I at the Shamu show. We were in the soak zone but we didn't get wet.
Graduation day w/ honors. Jean took forever taking the picture. My facial muscles were starting to get sore.
Is the balloon the only thing I am going to get for graduating with honors? Well at least I have a beautiful wife in a hot pink top!
Jean went down to Disneyland w/ a couple of her friends.
San Diego Beach- it was nice but the water was 64 degrees fahrenheit. Brrr!!!
Lost episode of "Baywatch." Did you know Jean was a lifeguard back in High School?
Native on the loose!!! Enter the park at your own risk.
Feeding the Lorikeets!
Posing like Japanese tourists! Jk! Taking dad to an A's game for his birthday.
Taking a picture on our flight to San Diego
Jean posing like Marilyn Monroe at Hotel Del Coronado
This is Miniloc Island in the Philippines where Ross and I going to spend 5 days during our trip to the Philippines in July/August
So I am sure that this picture has been edited. These are the water cottages at El Nido. I have always wanted to stay in cottages like this. Read blog for further info....
