This n' That

       I have been so caught up in everything lately, trying to learn as much as I can about midwifery and Filipino culture, I am totally underestimating what a momentous time I have been able to take part in for all these women and families.  I get to see a new person brought into the world just about every day, share hearing a baby's heartbeat for the first time with their moms, and so many other things.  Every time I am working in the clinic, I am so caught up in what is next and what I need to be doing to think that I am seeing something that is truly amazing!

That being said, I thought I would share some of the Cebuano I have learned since being here.  These are basically the only words I know to communicate with the patients, drivers and clerks I am in contact with.  I wish I had time to learn more because I really want to get to know these women!

Allison's Cebuano words:

Como sta aka?: How are you (usually I can not understand what they say back, but I just smile and nod)
Ok lang: I am OK/ OK in general
Ako si Allison: My name is Allison
Sha si......: Her name is.....
Salamat: Thank you
Palihog: Please
Oo: Yes (or you can just say yes by raising your eyebrows)
Wala: No
Ate: Term of endearment for a female, like sister (you use this pretty much whenever you are talking to another female, I love this idea of calling everyone your sister)
Kuyo: Term of endearment for male, like brother, same idea as ate above
Mayo Ka'ayo!: Good work!
Buntis: Pregnant woman
Bana: Husband or boyfriend
Bataye: Support person
Bata: baby
Ginhawa: Breath
Buso: Contraction
Busó: Full (has a potential to confuse women while they are in the thick of painful labor)
Ulo: Baby's head
Epanganak: Give birth
Matress: Uterus
Kasing-Kasing: Heart Beat
Utong: Push
Cute Ka'ayo!: So cute!
Guapa: Pretty
Sup-sup: suck
Lakae: Boy
Babae: Girl
Gatas: Milk
Beri-beri: Swelling
Injection: injection (you guessed it!)
Sakit: Pain
Normal: normal (another one of my favorite words....)
C.R. (comfort room): Bathroom
Mang ihi: Go pee
Tubig: Water

This is a really bad picture of rooster that cockadoodledoos all day and night!  I thought roosters were supposed make noise in the morning, but apparently not.  Luckily I have gotten used to it.

Another Random sign.  Not quite sure about Paradise Beach's advertising techniques as there is nothing to do with fighting there.