The Red Cross came the end of June...during it 3 members of the church donated blood, for the first time ever!

The HIV monster...the message got across and the audience was laughing hysterically!

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment came and did a waste management presentation, covering the 3 R's. Hanna was super awesome explaining just how recycling works!

The pastor got super into the program and then took over, throwing plastic bottles and tin cans at the kids and having them put them back into the right boxes.

A matai and one of the village guys setting down the recycling crate!

Bringing the trash to the crate...

Sorting out the tin cans and the plastic bottles.

Riding in the truck to go pick up the "real" garbage..no recycling or breadfruit leaves allowed!

I love Laura! Her Dad came with a audiologist and fitted a boy in my village with his hearing aid! I always see him walking to school in the morning, and he is always proudly wearing it.

I still smile when I am walking to school and the kids are already there, library books in hand.

You've heard of a scare-crow, ever heard of a scare-pig??? Guess it worked!

My first marathon!

It has been an adventurous 3 weeks off from school. Began with the region youth groups games...volleyball, cricket, and my favorite of course track and field. And the girls track and field team won! Now if a team wins in America, perhaps they would have some sort of awards ceremony afterwards...well here, we paraded the trophy back to the house where all the high chiefs were sitting, where they congratulated us. The Saturday after, there was a monsterous food feast for the youth groups from the entire region...talk about communal! People from youth groups from the whole region, those who competed, those who cheered, or even those who didn't, everyone celebrated together---ice cream and sandwiches, and not just one helping either---2 cups of ice cream and 3 sandwiches each. Unbelievable. 7 people compete, 300 people eat.

Followed by a hike up the mountain in my village. Ha. So you want to know the difference between hiking with a Samoan and hiking with an American? So I met my friend in the morning to go on the hike, and what do I bring. Peanut butter, jelly, crackers, in a backpack along with some water bottles and some nice sturdy footwear...what does he bring? A machete tied in a lava-lava that he wrapped around his shoulder (like a bandoleer according to my intelligent Peace Corps friend Shane who knows big words unlike me) and some sweet red flip flops. He got to eat yummy pb and j sandwiches and I got to drink a coconut, great combo...

Then came the day when I almost died. Well not really but well, it is not really a great situation to be underwater without air ---an apparent basic need of life. So I went scuba diving, and obviously didn't try hard enough to get the attention of the dive master when I was running out of air...so I was down to 10 bars and yikes! You can all thank Christian for being so kind enough to give me some of his air! Anyway, not so funny at the time but well after---(for the Briggs'... just think of the time Uncle Rich saved Grayson's life as he flew over the waterfall!) yes, the stories were flying. Did you hear about the time Christian saved Sally's life? Oh no, tell me more! Anyway, it was quite comical and yes, I will be going back underwater into the great unknown again the end of the month. Guess it didn't scare me enough...

To the Bahai temple---if any of you do not know about the religion, which I didn't before coming here...it was so different that any other place of worship I have ever been too. Different people read from all different religion books and there is a choir. No pastors, no rabbis, no offering and the acoustics in the building were incredible.

Soccer, singing, and Independence Day---The Under 14 boys team from our district won the soccer game! Very exciting, and the proud looks on the boys faces were priceless. Then Independence Day weekend was celebrated with lots of singing, and the parade which all the schools went to walk in.

And the MARATHON! Turrential downpour pretty much and thunder and lightning. It was pretty awesome running in the pitch black conditions with the lightning flashing over the ocean. Of course, if my Mom was here she would have been in a car in 2 seconds flat out to find me and make sure I was ok! The second half of the race though it turned to a light drizzle, so it was never hot, which was great! A bunch of volunteers came to cheer me on and there were even volunteers handing out Gatorade but best of all, GUMMY BEARS! YUM! And the free t-shirt. (I hope my Dad is reading this) The 4 hours and 13 minutes of running was certainly worth it. Afterwards there was a nice award ceremony. I ended up winning the girls division...we are not talking about Boston here though where there are a zillion people in the race, just a nice little group of 5. I got a really nice carved wooden bowl, and the best of all, a massage. Yikes I had to say a speech and was interviewed! AHHH. So 2 channels on TV in Fasito'o-tai...I guess you can figure out what that means. That there was a 50% chance in each fale, that the family would be listening to me that night ha. Aren't they lucky? The kids in the village were adorable the next day, and were really cute in congratulating me.

Okay, one more funny story. So the big rugby field in front of the school has been turned into a giganto checkerboard with 200ish boxes. Each family in the village has there own little box which they have to nicely mow, weedwack or whack with a machete---their choice. Supposing, if their box isn't mowed by a certain time they get fined by the village. I need to take a picture because it is hysterical right now---because there are 4 random sad looking boxes all alone, waiting for that machete to come crashing down on them.

So that is way too many words and no pictures, but if you got through the whole thing, congratulations and go buy yourself a special treat. I am in a goofy mood, hope ya'll have a super June. And Happy Retirement MOM. And Happy Father's Day DAD. And Love ya BRO. Sally

Learning letter sounds

What is today?

The lovely library- the kids definitely loved taking out books this term!

Happy kids making puzzles and coloring pictures in the library, a new afternoon routine

This one is for you Mom...if I could give you all the beautiful flowers in the world for Mother's Day I would. Love you! (The greenhouse we visited in American Samoa)

Jamie, Stephanie, and I in American Samoa

Holding an octopus for the first time! in American Samoa.

Maybe the dance was the reason the guys won their rugby game!

Getting in the Easter spirit!

Sita, Aaron, and I on our bike ride

Amanda's wedding!

Happy Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day has come again and Term 1 is about over in school…The year is going by fast. Things have been going well at school and the weekends have been busy as well.

“Sally, what is the word A-B-U?” I love the questions I get at school. ABU! Of course, the name if the monkey in Aladdin. If nothing else, Setu, one of my students in year 6, has made all the time spent trying to make the library awesome well worth it. He has improved so much and comes to school talking about Aladdin, Scooby Doo, or Garfield, whatever the book is he took out for the week. Scooby Doo and Cinderella are definitely the biggest hits amongst the students. Since it is the end of the term, I am in the midst of making sure all of the books are back from the term, and then the students must wait until next term to take more home. Although they weren’t too excited about that, three weeks is a long time to go. I am pretty happy about how the library has gone. The students are all aware now how to take good care of the books, and most have come back. The vice principal told me that if the kids haven’t given their book back or $10 if it is lost, then they won’t be given their school report next week. Very happy that there is support among other teachers for the library.

Now that I know the levels of the kids, and have a better idea of how to effectively be teaching them, I am trying to be a bit more creative…We shaped words out of clay for the first time---of course the first day was 10 mins making words, and then 5 making meat pies. Yummy. Also wrote the words with paint. They loved it.

Computers, computers. My goodness…We have been doing Microsoft Word, Paint, and Encarta Encyclopedia. The kids get slips of paper, either Find, Type, or Draw….They need to open up the program and then Find Cat or whatever it is. It is incredible how quickly they have been picking it up! After school has been okay, not too many people, but those that have been coming having been typing resumes, job apps, and reports for school, so it is worth it to have it opened.

Easter weekend was awesome! On Good Friday, they had a “camp” with all the youth groups from the district. We did a Samoan song and the others groups did plays and dances. On Saturday, they held the games, track, volleyball, and cricket. I ran the 800m and the 4x4. Haha won the 800m too, so that meant I would go on to the Champ of Champs in May, with others from my youth group. Certainly no 2:22 happening though anymore! Easter Sunday, I couldn’t resist painting some Easter eggs to get in the spirit! We didn’t have any gas left to boil the eggs and my fire building skills are not quite to par, so I went 2 houses down where one of the guys had a fire going to boil the eggs and then we painted them at the house next door—haha I am going to try that next year, walk up and down Osborne Hill Rd. asking to boil eggs or for flour or sugar and see what happens.

Then came the Samoan wedding—the wedding of one of the Peace Corps girls, Amanda! Many volunteers were there- it was a wonderful day filled with lots of dances with her family and his family, and all of the “fa’asamoa” the exchange of pigs, fabric, etc.

A great bike ride followed with Sita and Aaron. I had rode around Savai’i last year and wanted to ride around Upolu as well, we only had a weekend though, so we did half of the island. Stayed at 2 beach fales. One is on a river- quite different than most, nice change no sand everywhere! We hiked to a waterfall as well, nice chilly water to swim in and cool off- I was even cold at a point!

SCUBA SCUBA. I am now a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver. Doesn’t that sound impressive? Todd and I finished up our class that morning, and then the instructor asked if we wanted to go on and do an advanced dive in the afternoon- Of course! How could we resist. So we are going to keep going and get the advanced cert. We did a deep dive. When you get to the bottom, the instructor had us solve a math problem and write our name backwards… SGGIRB YLLAS…to make sure we weren’t “narced”---to see if we were still thinking clearly. We swam around for awhile and I saw a turtle!!! Way different than seeing the ones in Savai’i which are contained. This one was just swimming around loving life.

American Samoa! So close from here, so Stephanie and Jamie and I flew out on a miniature plane for a weekend vacation. At my cousin’s wedding last year, I met the aunt of my cousin’s wife, who lives there. They were incredible. Picked us up at the airport and treated us like we were part of their family for the next 3 days and we were certainly very spoiled children! Driving us around everywhere, amazing palongi food we have missed so much, hanging out at their private beach and riding kayaks.

Rugby! Sally, do you have any plaster? Sally, do you have any icy hot? Sally, do you have any band-aids? The rugby season must be in full swing. One of the things I will missing next year is hanging out watching rugby on Saturdays with the girls in my village, eating popcorn and salati vi, this delicious salad made with vi, a yummy fruit, coconut cream, peanuts, and of course sugar. Since all the games are in our village, they all get quite into it and the field is usually packed. Fasito’o-tai won the Shield last weekend, it was a big game. I haven’t quite figured out exactly what that means but I am thinking it is like winning Leagues, like in high school. Whatever it was, they were all thrilled and everyone was jumping up and down so all I can figure is it was a big deal 

One more week of school and then 3 weeks of vacation…plans are going to an anti-corporal punishment campaign! (which two others volunteers did a lot to get going), more scuba diving, going to the Bahai Temple for church, the youth group games, a hike at the National Park (a program another volunteer is doing), and plane ride over the villages, a trial half marathon and then the real deal on June 7th. Probably also a trip back to Ma’asina too because it has been awhile. Ooooo, and the new group comes June 4th, so we are going to have a welcoming night for them that weekend. Guess I can’t complain. June July August SEPTEMBER. My little brother Preston is getting married!!!! October November DECEMBER I will be home for Christmas. It will have been a whirlwind of a 2 years. Love you all, thanks for the steady stream of letters, and Happy Mother’s Day.

Love, Sally

Well, I guess it has been awhile since I last wrote. Time is really flying by. The whole concept that we are now counting down is just strange. March 1st? Been in Samoa for almost a year and a half...wierd. So my two personal goals for the year are to become a certified scuba diver and to run in the 1st international marathon in Samoa..June 7th. The first goal...3/4 accomplished yea! I am taking the classes with Todd another volunteer---they are held through Aqua Samoa, which runs their business at Aggie Grey's resort. Blue starfish, zebra fish, yellow fish, blue fish (I think I have been reading too much Dr Seuss...), even squid, and we haven't even made it to the "cool" sites yet. 2nd goal, well we are only up to 8 miles, however the great part is that I have a running buddy and we have been running before school---I have to saw running right by the ocean at 6 am when it is still nice and cool, well, I guess I can't complain.

New things happening at school...We got 100 fruit trees from Yazaki in Samoa this week--it was sweet. The Nutrition Center from the M of Health came and did a presentation about the benefits of healthy eating/ eating fruit for snacks and then the Yazaki presented us with the trees. Village boys came and made a fence and then the kids planted the trees behind the school---It even made the paper and the news! The kids were nice and dirty by the end, so you could tell they were enjoying themselves. Started a Homework center at the library in the afternoons for sec schools and a reading hour at church for the Sunday School kids.

This year, I teaching diff classes. I have two classes of the kids who need extra help with reading, and then years 4-8 each come to library period once a week and years 6-8 have computer once a week. My goodness, the excitement from the kids to 1 be able to take books home to read from the first time and 2 to use computers, well, it is definitely pretty extraordinary! (Yes, and thanks to all for the books---1500 books labeled and stamped---they are very appreciated by the kids!)

Rugby season is beginning again next Saturday--looking forward to watching the games, as all the district games take place at our field. The last two weekends, the youth groups from the village have all gotten together for games, cricket, and volleyball, and then track events. I ran the 4x100, did shotput and discus HA. I never knew when I would need those shotput throwing skills from 8th grade. Anyway, been enjoying myself hanging out with the youth group, swimming in the ocean, and running.

Hope all is well in chilly NY! Love, Sally

Us happy while watching Samoan songs and dances at Aggie Greys.

Aunt Mary and me feeding kangaroos in Austrailia, gosh I am spoiled.

Christy and I being giggly, giggly cousins! With our chocolate-covered bananas and stuffed penguins who had names, personalities, and lots of tri-lingual conversations. Ask my cousin for the stories, although we are probably the only 2 that thought we were funny. It is fun being 5.

Aunt Mary and Christy on the Sydney Harbor Bridge overlooking the opera house

Oops! What happened to the road?!

The gang from Austrailia except for one of the girls who was somewhere else. All the kids flew out today, including my little 6 year old sister. I said bye to her and lost it. Cried, cried, cried on the bus almost all the way to Apia. She will be living in Austrailia with her brothers and sisters. I will definitely miss her and her constant enthusiasm. We definitely had lots of great times together, coloring, playing with my hair, going to Manono...she is a very spunky 6 year old; it will definitely be different in the house the 2nd year.

Happy Christy with her coconut

One of my friends in the village climbing up a coconut tree to get coconuts for Aunt Mary and Christy. Check out how he wrapped the shirt around his leg. Not so impressive for anyone living in this country, as they learn right from birth, but very impressive of course for us!

Aunt Mary speaking to a Samoan cop....why? To inquire about what to do about her precious daughter's turtle bite

Being given a candy necklace by the mom of the student who I am teaching sign language to

Aunt Mary given the wonderful honor of giving out the year 8 prizes

I can't figure out how to switch the order of these, so just enjoy! Happy New Years everyone! I will be living it up for 2 days on a beach with a bunch of other volunteers. Hard life. Love you all! Love, Sally

Wow. All I can say is that I woke up today at 10 am, record breaker time of sleep in Samoa and did nothing all day but read a book, sleep, and well go for a run, cause that will always be in my blood I suppose. Christmas can be exhausting, ha. So it all began Christmas Eve, 2 days after coming back from Austrailia and I just knew we needed a tree. I asked the kids what they thought---and what do you suppose the answer was? So, one of the kids (there are 6 here now, 4 came over from Aus), chopped down the tree and then we all decorated, and decorated, and decorated. Called home to America---so good to talk to everyone. Whoever invented speaker phone was genius. Now let me say something about this place, this is definitely a participatory place. So if I am in the village and there is youth group or something going on, they just love it when I participate. It is amazing how encouraging they are too cause I am not exactly Miss Grace. So I was writing some Christmas cards (seemed like a good thing to do Christmas Eve, esp since all letters to the States take atleast a month!) when one of the girls called and asked me to come to the practice. I missed a bunch of practices being in Aust but hey, it is Christmas so okay, I better get in the Christmas spirit and dance. At night, another church in the village was doing dances, songs, plays will 2 other youth groups from the village (not ours though). I know a lot of people over there esp kids from school so I went to watch. Started around 9- the church part- and then afterwards they all went outside and danced on a stage outside all lit up with lights...very cool! I really don't think people here sleep sometimes, well that is at night anyway, I guess the key is long mid-day naps! cause they started the dances at midnight and it went on until almost 3 am! They rang the bell at midnight, and people were walking around kissing everyone wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. So Christmas Day, 9 am I went to my church, the Methodist the one I usually go to, followed by Prize Giving for the Sunday School (kind of like an awards ceremony given at end of the year), followed by a Christmas breakfast of steak and eggs yummmm. Played with the kids and wished a Merry Christmas to people walking around in the village, went to the beach and then hung out until 5 pm, when our dances were to begin. Now...I have already mentioned this to some of you but let me explain the concept of "Samoan time" which is what Samoans call it too. My Samoan family got an invitation saying it started at 5. Well they were all playing volleyball at 5. Samoans are really funny cause they always say that if they tell you something starts at 5, well add Samoan time, so it really starts at about 7. The add 2/3 hours thing is not so rare at all. The other thing is bells here. Let me tell you, it is quite a confusing system. For this event, there was the bell at like 5 to end volleyball and to say start sweeping the church, and getting ready. Another one an hour later, which I got up and thought I should get going but looked out the window (Thank goodness I can see the church from my house or I would either be 2 hours late or 2 hours early every time!) and the guys were still hauling logs for a skit and such. So I stalled. Then another one like half an hour later, looked outside nothing, but a few minutes later music began, so I knew it wouldn't be long. In conclusion, it began around 7:30/8...pretty simple really just add 2 or 3 hours to stated time. It ended up being a very enjoyable evening. Danced, sang (like 1/3 of the words...it is hard to memorize Samoan songs!) and then we ate and chatted afterwards. I have to admit I started tearing up when I was watching one of the plays (I danced only 2 and watched the other ones that they had just learned) realizing it was a year ago I came and next year will be gone. I guess next year the only word to explain it will be bittersweet. The youth group that I go to has just been so amazingly welcoming, always encouraging, and just chill and nice about everything. Afterwards, all the ladies from the church invited me over to eat with them, but I decided to eat with the rest of the youth group instead. They always make sure I have all I want. One of the guys asked me 4 times if I wanted tea, then another one. Then, after another person asked to make sure I was full and didn't want more. There was a little meeting afterwards to figure out what to do with the money that was raised and another person sat down next to me, and translated into easier Samoan so I would understand. It really is incredible and I know I will miss them. Anyway, that ended around 11 pm, making this Christmas an enjoyable 48 hour Christmas. It is a good thing it wasn't any longer however, I am bad at choosing trees I guess, and that thing was dead by today. Oops guess it wasn't an evergreen!

Miss Photogenic! And she now knows my name... Practically whenever she sees me, she says "Ally!" Very cute and nothing like an almost 2 year old to make you feel special.

Our top year 8 girl at Prize giving with one of the pastors.

The year 8 kids all dressed in white with their candy necklaces.

Timber! Here is comes!

Christmas trees are always bigger after you cut them down!

One of the other kids from Aus decorating the very different looking Christmas tree or maybe we should call it a Christmas bush

Happily making decorations

The EFKS church decked out for Christmas Eve service

Midnight. Let the dancing begin! On the stage next to the church

The EFKS girls all in red in the Christmas spirit

Can you see me? Trying to be graceful.

All dressed up for the play

These boys don't mess around. One of the plays.

Two youth group boys and yours truly

Now, isn't that a scary picture? Don't worry it is only baby Jesus and I am not the Virgin Mary

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Love, Sally

(Sadly, I couldn't get the pics from Aus and when my aunt and cousin were here from Samoa---I will try again cause they are good!)

I am sitting here with my cousin Christy on our last day in Austrailia. What a trip it has been! My Aunt Mary and cousin Christy arrived in Samoa on the 5th of December and then stayed for a week before we all headed to the "land down under" for a week. Tomorrow, back to Samoa for me and back to the chilly States for them. It has been great to catch up on all that is going on back at home and to show them where I have been living for a whole year. Lots and lots of giggly nights, chocolate stops, and well here are the highlights: (Pictures to follow when I am back in Samoa)

Samoa

----The last sunset of December 9th (Falealupo...)

----my cousin may have been the 1st sea turtle bite victim ever! watch out when you are feeding those supposedly harmless creatures...guess we got a little too close!

----one of the days, my aunt and cousin wanted to ride in a paopao, the small dugout canoe-like coats and learn how to husk cocounts...amazing how fast things happen when you know the village. The first guy I asked ended up having a boat and said yea sure...so we went over to his boat, he quickly did some repairs (of course only using a rock, some rope he found, and some twigs) and off we went. One of my year 6 boys was "tour guide" so he took my cousin out, then came back for my aunt...we learned however that those boats are quite small, and it was a little rough balancing, but hey it was fun...then to the coconuts. I asked another guy from the village to teach us...well, we certainly got the whole deal...he husked them, scraped them, let us eat the "Samoan ice cream", and showed us how to make the coconut cream...the most exciting of course was his climb to the top of the coconut tree in front of our house. Very impressive.

----Trip to Ma'asina. One of my Samoan brothers, after much convincing, went and got coconut branches and taught my aunt and cousin how to make the baskets. My Aunt, who makes baskets in the States, enjoyed seeing how they do it in Samoa, definitely different. They ate the Samoan way, cross legged on a mat on the floor, and enjoyed hanging out with the first people who showed me Samoa...

----Youth group weekend with Stephanie's youth group in Manono---Aunt Mary and Christy were there to watch an ava ceremony which was done when the group from Manono arrived. Well, the word "watch" doesn't exactly work in Samoa, especially if you are a visitor, because there is so much respect for visitors who come, and the people want them to be a part of everything... So as I went to get my aunt and cousin chairs so they could sit behind unnoticed, one of the ladies was directing my aunt and cousin to go and sit right along beside all of the high chiefs, pastors, people from the youth group...we later joked about their week visiting Samoa being a "100% immersion program", for obvious reasons...Afterwards, both groups performed songs, dances, and skits. They had the honor of watching me pretend to be a graceful Samoan girl...ha. Nope, but I have a year to learn how to be graceful...we'll see...

----Aggie Greys. Last night went to a fiafia at the hotel. Great songs and fire dancing.

To Austrailia!

Melbourne

----Took a day trip from the city to Phillip Island where we watched the "Penguin Parade"---it is stadium seating, all these little penguins come up to shore every night where they find their way to their little burrows where they spend the night before going back to the water in the morning. Very cute to see all these cute little pengiuns coming out of the water and walking up on the beach! On the way there, we stopped at a wildlife reserve --fed a koala and kangaroos and pet a wombat!

----Getting arrested..at the Melbourne Gaol and later toured the Prison

----Enjoyed the areas of South Gate and Federation Square, Yarra River, Victoria Open Air Market

----Went to the top of the SkyTower to view all of Melbourne...from the 85th floor...have you ever seen an elevator that only has the numbers 1,2,3, 85?

Decided that the whole driving on the left side of the road thing is way too difficult and it is also way too far to drive to get to Sydney, so we flew----

Sydney

----Sydney Opera house---absolutely gorgeous, especially when it is all lit up at night! Took a tour and then saw Christmas at the House, a performance with lots of Christmas carols, most we recognized but a few no clue, all the Aus favorites. Funny to watch there skits too about Christmas --one with a barbeque pit, and also their Christmas song about a kangaroo...very different to be going to an opera house to watch a Christmas show when everyone is in their cute summer attire!

----Took a day trip to the Blue Mountains, my favorite part though (besides the incredible Choc milkshake) was seeing kangaroos in the wild. In a national park we stopped at (in Melbourne they were in fences)---they are just like deer here, just hanging out while people are picniking besides them. One had a little baby in its pouch.

----Hyde Park- a nice city park in Sydney

----Bondi Beach, Manley Beach- took bus trips to both of these, some of the most popular beaches in Aust

----Museum of Contemporary Art, where we commentated everything, like the professional art critics that we are not

A wonderful trip. Austrailia is a wonderful, and also very large, as we have figured out, place. Definitely recommend visiting, although it is quite a trip from the States. Back to Samoa in the morning. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Crazy that it will be 2008, the year already that I will going back home. Love you all! Love, Sally

November 12th...Happy Veteran's Day

Wow! What a crazy month it has been. And next week is Thanksgiving. November? All I have to say is that November 1st gives the signal that Christmas music is allowed to be played here….walking through Apia, on the buses, coming out of the faleoloas…it all has an added beat to it too, which is pretty funny, guess it is the tropical island version….So, after the big school opening, we moved in! The library books were finished up (thanks to a few girls from the village), shelves and desks were made for the library (thanks to the matais!) and the concrete floor of the library was painted! Due, to the running out of green paint, the part that was began turned out to be in the shape of a boat (with three windows, which I was told by the matais that they were for each one of them who painted it haha) with an anchor and all, and the rest was white. Very creative and went along with the world theme, as the world map is in the library. Lots of educational games (Clifford’s Reading, Reader Rabbit and even Sponge Bob Typing!) were put on the computers, thanks to another volunteer who lives in the village next to mine, and best of all a PTA meeting was held to discuss the plan for the computer room and the library. A girl from the village was to begin teaching, with classes Mon, Weds, Fri after school for people in the village, time during school for the kids, and then Tues and Thurs I would be teaching teachers after school. Yeah. Things are happening! Another girl from the village will start next year helping with the library. Oh yes, air conditioning was also put in the computer room. Sign language has begun for a boy in year 8—I began last week, his family is really sweet and I definitely came home with a happy stomach---lots of good food! He will be getting his hearing aid at the end of the month. So, although I came to Samoa for special needs education and well, as you can tell have been busy doing things certainly not related, at least I have been able to help him. So that is what has been going on in school.

Then there is what we will call Jazzercise. Yes, Jazzercise has made it here to Samoa and has been quite a hit with the villages (as my parents will admit who woke up quite early when they were here to the music blaring from the nearby village!). Jazzercise in Fasitootai began with the Ministry of Health coming and doing a demonstration (with huge speakers from the guy who lives across the street…big as my brother’s! Huge!) and presentation about healthy lifestyles. Absolutely great day. Tons of kids, guys from rugby, women from the committee, a few matais…awesome. And then they left, and I began to lead. Well, I am not exactly a certified aerobics instructor and well I got a little shy in front of so many people, so the first time was not so good…I did improve a bit the next time…and well, good thing I am so close with my village, so even if I did stink, they still came and supported anyway. Last week, I went to Apia with 3 people from the village for training of trainers. So then this week, they began doing the exercises. It is way better with people from the village doing it too and hopefully it will be a program which continues to grow and will last way after I am gone. Definitely still some kinks to work out, but isn’t that what happens with anything? Anyway, it is going and will continue to improve, for any visitors who would like to come and experience Jazzercise Samoa!

Big church month too. First White Sunday, a day for the children. (Sort of like Children’s Day at home I guess sort of). The kids sing and say Bible verses in church and then for the afternoon service, the families all put on plays. Since it is a day for the kids, they get to eat first for the day. Here, the kids are always serving their parents and those older than them, so it was very interesting to see them all eat first. Many children also get a new outfit for church and a new play outfit. My goodness. They were little princes and princesses at church! So adorable! And after church, they had on their new Spiderman or Shrek shirts, and the smiles on their faces, they were certainly proud. Made me think when I am used to living in a place where Christmas (well Christmas is just unbelievable when I think about it now—they don’t do the gift giving thing in Samoa for Christmas), Easter, Thanksgiving, 1st day of school, Picture Day, and so on new outfits are sometimes given.

The last Sunday of the month, all the other youth groups came to our church for singing, dancing, and to perform plays. I was in the play for the first time, and my heart was pounding even though I didn’t have any lines, haha. They dressed me with a white robe and tied some lace around me though! Really fun day and the church was standing room only with people all around outside looking it. Afterwards, an interesting dialogue occurred between one of the guys in the youth group and myself. The youth group was serving all the pastors from the other villages food. They told me to go sit in the front with the pastors (cause as a Peace Corps, you are given a lot of respect, which although very nice, sometimes I just want to be like everyone else). I said nah, I just wanted to eat with the rest of them…and then guess what they didn’t even ask me again to move to the front!!!! It was ok!!!! Of course I was still given cake where I was sitting and I told the guy next to me to eat some of it, and he said no, I asked why not and said to him that I am just the same as him as a member of the youth group. He looked at me with a look that said “what are you talking about???” and said “no you’re not, you’re a Peace Corps.” I told him, it really didn’t matter especially on days like this, days for the youth group. And then, he grabbed the cake right off my plate and it was gone! Integration A+ haha although it took a year!

Well this Saturday is Thanksgiving for us, and school is over in 2 more weeks…and then I have visitors---my aunt and cousin are coming! And them of course Christmas. 1 year done, 1 to go. It is definitely a whirlwind, filled with tons of highs mixed with confusion at times, and learning all along the way.

I love you all, am thankful for all the support from all of you back home, and wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas too for that matter if I don’t write again until after. Might as well say Happy New Year too!

Love,

Sally

Some Pics to enjoy...

The computer room...in progress...building shelves for the keyboards

It's complete! Happy Year 8 kids using a computer for the first time---Microsoft Paint.

After school class...1 teacher from the school, 2 girls from the village and the computer teacher!

More books to be labeled! But we are now finished!

ABCs! That kid always has the biggest grin on his face!

Bulletin boards and stickers...make for just about the biggest excitement and biggest distraction ever! My goodness, who ever sent me those dinosaur stickers, I didn't know that much energy could be in one room with only 10 kids! The kids absolutely loved seeing their work in the room; this was the 1st bulletin board ---more to come next year.

Showing off their new shirts from White Sunday, as happy as can be.

White Sunday..the church all decked out and check out the kids' outfits!

Getting ready for Jazzercise!

To the left, to the right, and up 1...2...3...

The King of all Kings for the play on youth group day

Ready to fight.

A man and his shop...this is a fale'oloa, a typical shop in Samoa...well maybe not so typical, because this one even had Oreos one day!

Arbor Day in Samoa...these kids certainly look more happy than I ever was or ever will be when weeding!

Have you ever been given a slab of cow? I have to say I feel quite honored right now for needing to call my Samoan family to come to the school to pick up 2 boxes of canned fish, 2 cans of corned beef, and 2 baskets (woven with the coconut leaves) full of cow. And yes I will continue to call it cow, because that it exactly what it is. So…. hear is the scoop.

March 13th, or something like that, the president of the PTA signed the contract with JICA (Japanese organization) to start the new school. They paid for 6 rooms, and the village raised the money for the other 5. TODAY, 8 months later, October 4, was the umusaga---the school opening! Thinking back to 8 months ago and looking at the school today, it truly is incredible. Now that I am understanding a lot more of the language and the dynamics of a village, I really am seeing all that has gone into the school, and it is not easy. We are not talking about a few huge construction trucks. We are talking about days where 50 people from the village are passing buckets of concrete down a huge line to the last person who pours it out and levels it off, about days at school where the kids haul sand in rice bags to help level out the field, and also about people who don’t even flinch when they can’t find a hammer and just pick up a piece of wood and tell me it is the “Samoan hammer.” Also we are talking about a village of 1500 people and 1 primary school, and a whole lot of people trying to figure out what they want together…that is not easy either.

I have to say I am impressed. In the last 2 weeks since I have been back from New Zealand, I have meet so many more people and really gotten close with the people working on the school. Coming back, we all knew the opening was going to be TODAY. So things needed to get done. I went with a matai to Savai’i to pick up 5 computers from the Returned Peace Corps in Hawai’i, found out my first grant was granted..Yeah!!... so I picked up the printer/copier/ scanner.. and best of all we started and completed a world map for the wall in the soon to be library (after some shelves are built). The map is a project another Peace Corps began who lives in Savai’i. She received the funds from a group of returned volunteers in America. This is probably about the 6th school with a map. When I heard about the project, I talked to the matais and they were really excited about it, so excited of course, that it needed to be done by TODAY, so we could show it off. So I went up to this guy’s house in the village who is known to be an awesome artist. And he was all into helping. So I went to the school one day and we taped off a square and the matais rolled the blue for the ocean. Then we came back at night to project the map on the wall from my computer in order to trace it. The guy was so impressed! He is quite professional---does mosaics, stained glass, wooden carvings (that I might just have to ask for one before I leave!) and was excited to be learning another way that drawings are done. He was so impressed with the projector that we used it (the Peace Corps projector) to draw the JICA logo on 2 boards…that’s how things all work together! The kids in year 7 came after it was all outlined to paint in the countries and then we touched it up and varnished. Good people, good fun. Saturday we worked all day –9 am to 9 pm, but I definitely enjoyed the whole day…great senses of humor and super laid back (we ran out of paint and he mixed it like twenty times to get it right, never even frustrated!) and we stopped for some delicious BBQ (ask my Mom, I think it is the best BBQ chicken she has ever had) in the middle and then continued.

So yesterday, the kids and teachers put balloons up everywhere to decorate the school (I never knew how much my balloon animal skills would come in handy on the other side of the world!) and then I hung around and finished up some painting…and watched the trucks rolling in. You all know those people who never want to mess up their trucks…well, you should have all seen these trucks rolling in with cows and pigs in the backs (dead, don’t worry). And they just kept on coming….and were put in the huge freezer they had rented. Of course there were the people wheeling the pigs down too in their wheelbarrows. The evening was finished with setting up the computers real quick.

SO TODAY, the actual SCHOOL OPENING. One of the pastor’s preached, the PTA president spoke, the kids performed, the ribbon was cut, and the keys were given out. HAHA just like that. You just had to be there. I can’t explain it. Well, then the fine mats were shown and given out, the pigs were slung over the shoulders and coconuts with money in the tops were handed out. All of this of course has a ton of meaning and significance but to sum it up it is all the respect, thanking everyone for what they have done. And tomorrow, world teacher’s day. So the kids come and the teachers come and we have dances or something, I will let you know.

Right now, definitely happy. Things are moving, our new school is done (well close to it anyway—we will be moving in tomorrow though), and the past 2 weeks really helped to get to know people in the village. Other volunteers have told me that after a year too, people start asking when you will be leaving, because they know you have been around for awhile, and are not exactly sure how long you are hear for. Strangely enough, this week, I have been asked A LOT. And it is strange, because in a few days from now I will have been here for a year. So when they ask, sometimes I do think about what it will be like in another year, and I know I will miss this place. There are those challenges of course, but watching the kids sing and dance today, and the carpenter give the keys, and all the guys carrying the huge pigs on their shoulders---well, it was an awesome day. Hopefully the pictures will explain some of it, or you will just have to come yourself. Well, I love you all, glad it is getting cooler for most of you (you better appreciate it and remember that we are going into the hot, humid aka nasty rainy season here!) and will write again soon. Love, Sally

Yr 7 kids having a blast with the world map

Happy matais with the finished product!

The day before...

Our beautiful school and the beautiful Samoan children

The kids performing the songs they have practiced forever and one of the teachers

These kids are intent on getting it right!

Someone's having dinner tonight! Or if it is a little guy...

Just fling it over your shoulder!!!

You cannot say these guys are not having fun!

SO CUTE!

Now that is adorable! Father and son dressed up for the school opening.

Well, it has been an incredible adventure in NZ. I have not been that into posting throughout the trip, but luckily Julya has...so check her blog (click her name on the right) for the pictures, and the silly stories of the places we've been. I can say for certain that I miss seasons, and that chilly feeling. Back to Samoa this afternoon. Pretty hysterical, we are leaving today but arrive in Samoa yesterday, strange...

Prior to coming to NZ, I was the tour guide for my parents, who came for 2 weeks. It was quite an educational experience for all...Mom learned how to weave a Samoan basket from one of my Samoan brothers, Dad learned how to spearfish. (Although it was Mom who caught the fish due to her incredible fishing skills and perfect technique!) They got to experience the real way to cook a pig, in the Samoan umu and watched Samoan dance, put on by the students at the school. We had a ton of laughs and I am sure they told you all about it!

Term 3 beginning on Monday. I am psyched to have a librarian for the school!!! and also a computer teacher!!! The school opening has been reset for the beginning of October as well and the school is looking good.

Love you all!!! Sally

Well, I am back in Samoa, where everybody knows your name…how does that song go? Yes, there is definitely a big difference between living in this little (well, big for a Samoan village—1500 people but definitely little in comparison to Fishkill, NY) village of Fasitootai compared to living in Fishkill. Arrived in LA where I met another volunteer in the airport and we headed to Samoa…and that’s when the not knowing people around me thing ended. Got to the airport and imagine this, as I am talking to the guy at Westpac, who I have gotten to know just from going there every few months, the village mayor of Fasitootai comes up to me! Huh? Turns out he just started working there the day before and the father at the house where I am living had told him I was going to be coming. This also ended the Sally holding her own bags thing, as he pushed the cart with my suitcases as we headed towards customs. Anyway, a nice welcome back to Samoa, went to school that day, where the teachers enjoyed eating M&Ms and then jumped right back into things, helping kids after school, going for my nice runs through beautiful tropical scenery (I need to remember that even when it really just seems hot!), and then reading with kids next door at night. Chocolate was a huge hit, as were the pictures, although unfortunately I had to tell the guys that unfortunately the girls just would not fit in my suitcase. I had some interesting requests for things to bring back from the States…Oh yeah, also went to the post office to get a package, and yes, the girl there knew my name…it would not be possible to go incognito around here. So my parents will be coming soon to visit, and I have discovered that they will truly be getting the full fa’asamoa experience---They were pretty much right in telling me when I left that the school would be done when I came back…August 23rd. Big day for Fasitootai, as it is the opening for the new school, a day is which many pigs and cows will be killed (I have heard that even the prime minister will be here! In which a cow must be killed) and you guessed it, my parents will be the “special guests.” I was talking to the father and high chief of the family I am with, and he definitely said to me, upon telling them that my parents would be here for the occasion that they would be the SPECIAL GUESTS. I am sure they will be well welcomed and spoiled by the people in my village in the time they are here. Other good news when I was away, one of the students I work with was fitted for a hearing aid which is coming in October, an eye doctor will be looking at one of my student’s eyes, computers will soon be on their way, and we are starting to put the labels on books this Saturday, so the kids will be able to take them out, read them at home, and then bring them back. Good stuff. Well it is getting late, and these little flies seem to be enjoying the taste of me right now…but I need to say how great it was to see everyone, share some Samoan food, go to bridal showers and dog parks, be at my cousin’s wedding (to be able to talk in Samoan there and be amidst people wearing puletasis was definitely pretty cool!), and just enjoy being home. Love you all.

And yes, even though I am enjoying this place a lot, these flies and mosquitoes really need to find a new place to hang out!

Well, I wish I had been bitten by a pig or had been climbing up a coconut tree…some crazy story to tell… So on Thursday, my lava lava was rubbing against my leg and ended up creating a little scratch, nothing crazy. Friday, comes and the foot is better named elephant foot, definitely quite swollen and pretty red. Hence, I am sitting on the couch today, Monday, although it is a school day. The weird wacky thing is definitely the fact that this happened due to a piece of fabric huh??? I am confused. Anyway, all is good because the medical officer certainly takes good care of us all.

Let me tell you though, that although I had bad timing on this one (Independence Day Friday, lots of cool stuff went on all weekend, parades—I saw my Samoan brothers and sisters from Ma’asina on TV marching in the parade!, Samoan dancing, fire dancing), it has been a very good month overall. Went on the bike ride with Laura for 4 days---beautiful views in Savai’i although unfortunately didn’t get any pictures. We were just moving too fast to be able to stop…haha…yeah right…we definitely walked a few of the hills and decided it wasn’t cheating if we took a guy up on his offer to give us a ride on up and over one of the hills to the next village. We stayed with 2 volunteers and also stayed at Falealupo beach fales, where we saw the last sunset of May 8th. (Same place we had stayed for New Years). Next came Mother’s Day in the village. Awesome program put on by the mothers in the church. They did a bunch of dances and singing as well as a skit. At the end, all of the mothers lined up in the front of the church and were given candy necklaces. (different from the candy necklaces that you are thinking of). Then was Early Service Training, where we had language/ cross cultural seminars and stayed in beach fales. This was cut short however by the passing of Malietoa, the longest running head of state in the world. So Thursday and Friday were both holidays for his funeral. Definitely a very significant event in the lives of Samoans and people around the world.

Then Term 2 began…we are trying to get a ton books into Samoa and to create a lot of libraries in the Primary Schools. So I met with Ministry of Education, spoke with Rotary, and other volunteers. Lots of good ideas, so hopefully they will all work out. Continuing working on reading at school, have changed the program for 7 and 8, so far so good, and was also able to do a little pen pal thing with my friend who just graduated from the literacy program at Geneseo. Really cool to teach the kids about different cultures…pretty funny for me also, to try to explain the things in the students’ letters, like what a cafeteria and gymnasium are. Also, one of my other friends, who teaches in NYC, has been having his students write me letters all year. He has them research Samoa on the computer and then the students ask me more questions. Really good for the students and the letters always put me in a great mood! Created a big book from a Dr. Seuss for the students at school. Definitely cannot take the credit for this at all though. I did write the words on posterboard, but then 2 of the guys from the village, 24/25 years old, came over and drew the pictures. Wow! They are incredible too! One guy drew the pictures, and the other one colored. What they probably do not know now is that I will probably be recruiting them for many of these! They did seem to have a really great time with it though! Started piano lessons again for the one guy in the other village. He is a really quick learner and has a really good ear- definitely fun to teach him, of course that also means he will probably be better than me pretty soon and I will have to recruit another volunteer to teach him.

Then was the Manu Samoa/Junior All Blacks rugby game. Went with 2 girls and a guy from my village who go to the same church as me. Not a great game for the Manu but an awesome day of hanging out, which ended with a trip to Scoops, the ice cream place in Apia. Ton of fun, everyone in blue, some people with face paint, people running around with Samoan flags…good fun. Definitely made a few of my rugby playing cousins in America jealous going to that one!

Well, 1 month from today, I will be in Fishkill, NY how crazy! Celebrating another Independence Day. This month will definitely fly by too, as the new group comes in on Wednesday, so we have a fiafia for them on Saturday, followed by a librarian training program next weekend for teachers in my school (YEAH!..we will turn all these great books you have sent from the States into a library  ), followed by a trip back to Ma’asina with 2 other volunteers, followed by a half marathon in Apia (haha, that could be pretty comical considering I haven’t run 13 miles probably since running at Geneseo!), followed by a nice long nap only to be interrupted by meals, also known as a plane ride, but hey, should be fun because now I will be able to talk to the people on the plane with me , followed by a great wedding and 2 weeks of hanging out with all of my awesome family and friends in America!

Love you all. See you soon.

Your daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend in Samoa,

Sally

Girls I tutored at the end of the term when their tests were coming up...a Samoan swimming pool in the background

Teaching computer to some girls in my village...1 laptop, lots of excited students!

School soccer game--in the background, was what used to be the school...now being rebuilt by the guys in the village

I went to watch the Sunday School do their dances at another village...very cute!

Have you ever seen a refrigerator like this one? All you need is coconuts! (and some Jello haha, my staple "American" food)

Sally...and Sally--adorable little baby who lives a few houses down from me.

Something I will definitely miss when I go back to the States! Cruising in the back of our Ma'asina family's new truck with a Samoan brother

Somehow the pig roast at my cousin's wedding last year doesn't seem so strange to me anymore! My Samoan dad and a guy in the village cooking the pig for Bonnie's 1st birthday party (a bit different than the Fun Cental party!)

A goofy, goofy Samoan brother with the pig (still alive but not happy because his legs were tied together and he was shoved in a rice bag) that we forgot and had to turn around and go back to Ma'asina to get....haha, I have forgotten my wallet before, but never the pig!

One of my Samoan brothers from Ma'asina up to bat at the kirikiti game...he left later that day to work on a ship, going to Austrilia, Tonga, and other countries.

Yr 7 and 8 guys getting ready for their last soccer game. They are intense!

Happy Birthday Bonnie! 1 year old.

One of the friendliest guys ever! He lives 2 houses down from me---I was walking home from school and there he was with a big smile on his face scraping coconuts

The Sunday School kids at the Metodist church I go to which is right behind my house...many of them I teach/know from school.

Well, it hasn’t been a month yet, but it is quite quiet in my house right now, which seems to have become quite rare (I can never complain I am bored that is for sure!) so I decided to take this wonderful opportunity to reflect and write a little update. Let me first say that I had a big chocolate craving tonight. I opened the chocolate cookies, and yes, ate all 8 that were in the pack. Now, we all know how this can be a not so good situation, however let me tell you that I ate all those cookies before the ants found them, which is quite an accomplish on my part. Haha, in conclusion I feel pretty good right now, because I outsmarted those silly ants for once!

First let’s talk about the weekends…2 great weekends! Last weekend, on Friday (we had a half day because the Manu Samoa, the Samoa rugby team, won the World Cup), I went into Apia to meet with another Peace Corps to discuss some ideas for a literacy project, good stuff  Afterwards, hung out with a bunch of volunteers and then stayed overnight in Apia---very beneficial to talk about what has been happening in our schools and realize we are going through many of the same excitements as well as frustrations. Returned to my village on Saturday for my Samoan sister’s 1 year birthday party---What a great day it was! I helped cook the food, (then took a break to watch the guys play rugby…which they won!), made balloon animals which we hung from the ceiling, and was photographer. It was all people from our family who came to the party, which meant that I knew most of the people there, which was definitely a nice feeling. The pastor from the church came and gave a prayer, then the kids were given their party bags (which they were definitely excited about, that doesn’t happen much here, but my Samoan father had just came back from Austrailia and brought them with him). Hung out all afternoon, and then at night, after many people left, we watched a movie (which meant I ended up passing out on the floor). The day was so nice because I definitely felt like a part of the family. I ate the food out of the huge containers with a bunch of other people after everyone was served and washed the dishes. A certain highlight of the day, was dunking cookies into the big box of ice cream with 3 of the guys who live next to me- and they kept saying “Sally, go get more cookies!” Definitely a very familiar experience for me haha, as my friends and family knows!

This past weekend, I went back to Ma’asina again, my training family. We had a very nice visit, although it was very quick--- I was told “le lava le tafao” when I left, we didn’t get to hang out enough. We swam in the ocean, went to church, had to’ona’i. Also, a first for me was spreading out the kava on the sheets of medal for it to dry. (Fagaloa Bay area has a lot of kava) On Saturday, my Samoan brother who works on the ships left for 6 months (to Australia, Tonga, and I am not sure where else). I went with some people from our family and another volunteer to say bye to him in Apia. The whole thing definitely brought me back to when I was leaving to come to Samoa. I watched him pack his suitcases with one of his sisters and his mother, while I was talking to one of my other Samoan brothers about how he was going to miss him but that it would be a great trip for him. Then, when we got to the wharf, we weren’t allowed to go inside because of security and had to say bye outside (another familiar experience I recall and two people trying to get me to beg the security lady to go upstairs!). I definitely got a bit teary eyed too, and realized how close I have gotten to them and how blessed I am to always have that family, the ones who first introduced me to Samoan life, to return back to and visit.

Well, the weekdays have been busy as well. Began teaching piano lessons to the boy in the other village once a week, have been helping some kids right after school and then 5 girls from year 8 most afternoons after school, and usually there are a few kids who stop by at night for help with homework or to learn the computer. Also try to run or ride my bike which always ends up being a nice time for me and running right next to the blue ocean has not gotten old yet 

School is slowing down, as we only have 2 weeks left to the term, so the kids are taking tests, and then have many soccer days. It has given me more time to work with year 8, which is nice, since this is their last year in the school. Some of the students who need a ton of help with reading have really started to show some improvement, which definitely makes me happy, and them too. A very exciting thing as well…I was walking to school the other day and this guy who I have never seen before calls out my name. It turns out he is a teacher at Loto Tamafai, the school in Apia that works with students with special needs, and he lives in my village! Definitely awesome. He works for the early intervention program, and visits the families of students with special needs and talks to them about how they can best help their children. The program also works on getting all students in school.

Overall, the day always ends well here  During our 2 weeks off of school, I am looking forward to biking around Savai’i with another volunteer for 4-5 days, as well as our Early Service Conference for Peace Corps, where we are staying in beach fales. Well, that is all for now, hope everyone is enjoying the weird wacky weather in the States, which has even made the New Zealand news (which we watch in Samoa). I love you all!

Love, Sally

These 2 dudes were chillin' on my wall a few feet above my bed, which was just fine until the lizard decided to spit the cockroach out onto the headboard of my bed! (a bit too close to my pillow) I do have rules as to what is their space to play in and what is my own personal space so I nicely shooed the cockroach away (and left the lizard on the wall- lucky for him I was in a good mood even after what he did!)

Barbeque with the youth

After the skit in Fasitoouta- every village must have its own Satan mask!

Inside the church for Easter, one of the other teachers at school, her younger sister, and me

Kids being silly, silly

A bunch of kids from my village and their bike...note the lack of chains, pedals, tires...doesn't matter though, as shown by their smiling faces!

Riding the bike is quite an event! One kid to hold the tire on, one kid to push, and one kid to sit on the seat---and the kids are having a blast!

Beautiful Samoa...a great weekend in Savai'i

Hi all! Happy Easter! Guess it is time for my monthly update- are you noticing a trend? First of all, I am so happy that I was able to talk to many of you for Easter. So nice you hear everyone’s voices and hear how things are going back at home. July is coming fast too, definitely looking forward to seeing everyone and tafaoing (hanging out)—I have definitely mastered that here, no need to worry about that! The plane tickets are already booked 

I had an enjoyable Easter. Certainly much different than in the States. Very much based on the Christian holiday (as is Christmas here). Not everything else that happens in America. So, no Easter Bunny (no Santa Claus). I went to one of the teacher’s houses to spend the long weekend (no school Friday or Monday). She is my age and also has 2 sisters and a brother around my age. Also, her 2 cousins were there. We went swimming in the ocean, made salati vi (a salad made with vi, a Samoan fruit, coconut cream---Of course!---and peanuts; it was the first time I had ever tasted it and certainly will not be the last..yummy!), and spent a lot of time with the autalavo, the youth of the church. They had a program at church where they performed dances and did skits (I was in one of the dances with them  ). On Monday, they had a barbeque---cooked chicken and made the saka, and played rugby and volleyball. Yikes, guess all my volleyball playing in my village didn’t improve my skills—one of the teacher’s cousins came up to me and told me how bad I was. Hey, well, I guess I am glad they are honest! Good thing people here are so friendly (the land of the happy people…) so they still let me play! Fun to meet more people, and the teacher’s brother wants to learn how to play piano, so I will be going back there to teach him.

Another bunch of fun weekends. One weekend, I went to a birthday party that my Samoan family was invited to. Wow! So different than any birthday party I have been to. The people that go to the party give gifts but then the family of the person whose birthday it is give gifts as well, and especially to relatives of the person or to people coming from overseas, which in this case included me. So I went to this party for a girl who I did not know at all (who actually lives in New Zealand but her uncle had a party for her here because she lived here for awhile) and came home with a lot of fabric (used to make puletasis), a case of eleni (canned fish), cookies, etc. Incredible the way they treat people who come from overseas in this country! I went to Savai’i one weekend to hang out with another volunteer. I met a few of her students, saw her computer lab, and of course went to church… and to the beach (a big plus to being on a tropical island) I also went into to Apia 2 weekends for meetings. One was the 40th anniversary meeting. For 40 years in Samoa, Peace Corps is organizing events for each month, sports days, fitness days, crafts days, etc. Also a battery project. We are collecting old batteries in our villages to send overseas to be recycled…let me tell you---it had been quite a hit so far and it definitely a game for the kids! I have 2 boxes of batteries already! The other meeting was Avanoa Tutusa, in which we are currently working on doing something for literacy day in September and some sports/ exercise related events. One amazing thing about Peace Corps is the amazing flexibility that there is. We all have our primary projects (teaching reading for me), but then can do whatever secondary projects we want. And if one Peace Corps volunteer has a good idea, they bring it up and it is open to anyone (such as the battery project).

The SOUND OF A HAMMER is in the air! The village signed the contract with JICA, the Japanese organization giving us money to build the new school in the middle of March. So we moved out all of the stuff from the classroom (with the help of 30 strong Samoan guys!) into different fales around the village. Now, each class is in a different fale in the village. Being that I am teaching years 4-8, I walk to each fale---it has been quite fun, to be able to meet more people on the other side of the village. The guys in the village are currently tearing down the old school, and then will begin building the new school using those materials as well as others. Really cool how the village comes together, the guys build away and different families provide food for them each day. I got an email from an organization I had emailed asking for books saying that they had shipped a box of books and am receiving books from family too (Thank you!!) so the library is slowly growing in my room for now haha, and then will be put in the new school. Also, with Avanoa Tutusa we are trying to find different ways of getting a lot of books for primary schools all around Samoa. Outside of teaching in school, the number of kids who come to me asking for help seems to be continuously growing. I had a few girls in secondary school come over asking to learn computers (I busted out my laptop!). Also, a matai just bought a new computer for his children so I went to help them. In Fasitoouta, a village a few villages away from mine, I am helping a girl with English (whose father is friends with my Samoan father…connections, connections…). Needless to say, I have never been bored here, which also means that time is going by so quickly here!

One funny story, and then enough for now… so after I was done helping this guy in my village with his computer (which actually I didn’t really help him, just realized how great it is that there are so many Peace Corps in this country that know computers to call to ask questions!), I was walking home, when one of the guys who lives next to me screams to me from across the street at the workshop “Sau, Sally!” = “Come, Sally!” So I walk over. He is there will 2 other guys who live next to me just hanging out. He runs to grab a pillow to put on a chair for me and then grabs a cup and the tea kettle filled with koko samoa (my favorite). Haha, aren’t I treated like a princess here? (Watch out when I come home haha just kidding!) So I sit down, drink the koko, and talk with them, and then get my bag to walk home. One of the guys takes out this umbrella for me (for the sun)---but let me say the umbrella is for a 3 year old. He holds it over his head and we joke about how it only can cover your head. (picture this 30 yr old guy holding a miniature umbrella with this huge grin on his face---goofy, goofy). He tells me to take it to cover my head, I say Na, that’s alright, he laughs and tells me not to be ashamed, so then the other guy grabs it and says he’ll hold it. Haha…so now I am walking back to my house, with this 22 year old guy holding a miniature-sized umbrella over my head and walking me home (of course carrying my bag for me as well). Maybe this doesn’t really justify how funny the situation was, but it is these moments that really crack me up and I know I will always keep with me.

One of my cousins gave me a journal before I left for Samoa with a note that said “it’s not always the big ‘life-changing’ moments that shape who we are, sometimes it’s just the day to day ones.” I am definitely learning how true that really is. It is these moments that I am truly grateful for. I love you all so much, thank you so much for all the support through your letters as always, and will be seeing you very soon.

Alofa ia te oe! Sally

I went to the beach with my Samoan father's 2 sisters from Austrailia---who did I see but 2 kids from Ma'asina! This is definitely a small island!

My Samoan father's 3 sisters from Austrailia came to visit--one of the sisters and me wearing our church puletasis

My new baby sister in Ma'asina! So adorable!

Such goofy people---Satan in his mask for the skit!

The skit the youth performed at church

I now have my very own white puletasi! (am not the only one going to church in bright green and purple!)

Guys from my village--all in white for church

Being goofy!

My two sisters (one the left and the right) and a girl from the village

March 2nd! And I am still living on a beautiful tropical island.

During training, a bunch of the Peace Corps volunteers who were already here, reminded us that if we ever got frustrated, just to think “you are living on a tropical island.” So true---even though the whole “island time” concept has really been forcing me to be patient and just chill out, which can be a bit challenging for me coming from non-stop NY, I still wake up everyday thinking how crazy it is that I am living in Samoa with the beautiful Pacific a minute walk away 

Anyway, definitely has been another great month, filled with a lot of things happening at school, fun times hanging out with the people who live around me after school, and busy weekends.

School---Definitely has been a huge learning experience so far, figuring out what level the kids are at, continually trying to learn more Samoan so I can understand the kids, and using the resources I have to best be able to teach them. What I have been doing for years 5-6 had been working great! A few kids even got 100% on the quiz Friday and all of them improved a lot. (I am doing a lot of activities with sight words---they had to read me the words at the beginning so I can tell if they have learned more of them). The classes are certainly very high energy, but aren’t all kids equivalent to grades 3-5 in the States?! They really enjoy playing BINGO, matching, and board games with the words and are really great kids. Year 4 is also going really well---I started with the sight words and realized it was too hard for them, so now I am going back to learning the letters, and letter sounds. So now, it is working. Yeah! Years 7 and 8 have definitely been more of a challenge, to figure out where they are at. They know the sight words, for the most part, but it has been difficult to find books at the right level for them. I have been doing a mixture of things, asking questions in English at the beginning of class, having them write sentences in English, and having them read books with partners and explain what happened in the story. Definitely need to figure out what the best method is though for those grades still, especially since I only have 30 mins with each class each day (Any advice from all you fellow teachers is greatly appreciated!) Besides actual class, there have been a lot of other things (which means no class at those times). This Thursday was the start of soccer for the district. All the schools from the district come (7 schools) and play. This is going on for 6 weeks in the afternoons. Then on Fridays, in the afternoon, we either have what is kind of field day, or singing practice.

This year is the 40th anniversary of Peace Corps in Samoa (Guess I came here at the right time with that going on as well as the South Pacific Games) so we are doing a lot of activities in celebration. To start it off, a volunteer who lives in Manono (the small island where there are no cars, buses, bicycles, or dogs and it only takes an hour to walk around!) held a craft day in her village. A bunch of volunteers went over (on a very small boat)—of course, my station was making balloon animals, with Maka, another volunteer who ironically lives only 2 hours from me in America---The village gave us a very warm welcome, fed us of course, and we had a great time with the kids.

The next day, Sunday, was a day for the youth of my village at church, so we all went over to the pastor’s house for to’ona’i. They also had an ava ceremony before which the youth put on (my Samoan brother handed out the ava, which was really cool.) It was really interesting to think of the first ava ceremony I went to here, how intimidated and confused I was and to think of how comfortable I felt at this one, and sort of understood what was going on---definitely a nice feeling. That day at church, the youth sang a song and acted out a short play. The next week, one of the girls in the village asked if I wanted to come and sing---they practice during the week---so I have been going to sing with them (they make up hand motions for all the songs too) and even sang the next week at church with them! Lots of fun, especially since all the people live by me, so I am really getting to know them.

To Ma’asina…for a weekend! I went back to Ma’asina to visit my Samoan family from training (who I hadn’t seen since Christmas!) Pretty funny getting there---my Samoan brother was working in Apia on Friday, so I was going to take the bus with him back to Ma’asina. School got out later than expected, and then I chatted with a bunch of people in my village about where I was going, so I ended up missing the bus. The funny thing is here is there is no bus schedule, so how do you actually know if you missed the bus, or if is still coming? I have not quite figured that out yet! Anyway, I called my brother and he said it had left. Stayed in Apia with Molly, another volunteer (it’s cool there are so many people in Apia in case you get stranded!) The next day, I went to the market to catch the bus at 8:30 (my sister said it left at 9)….well, we are talking Samoan time…I was waiting there and one of my Samoan brothers showed us! To my surprise! Then 2 more and and then a sister visiting from Utah…the bus didn’t leave until 12:00 but we were talking and stuff so it was fun. So, we finally made it to Ma’asina and what a fun weekend! So nice to see them, and everytime I go back, feel more and more part of the family---Saw my new little baby sister—she is adorable and is so happy all the time! We went swimming, went to church, had to’ona’i and just hung out---told them I would be back in April 

The next weekend…another interesting weekend with another bus story (I have not had the best of luck with buses lately!) So I went to Apia for an Avanoa Tutusa meeting (a club I am now a member of—they do Career Days for secondary schools, help get resources for schools and anything else volunteers want to do), and then went to watch rugby in Apia. I went with another volunteer and ended up meeting up with a guy from my village who was there with his friend. We went to leave and he said the last bus was at 6:00----well, no buses..they were done for the day..oops! So we ended up taking a taxi the main road and then waiting to see a truck going to our village. After awhile, we found one---(actually was the guy who brings the bottled water to my house), and jumped in the back of the truck. Really funny to think you can do that all the time here (hitchhike and ride in the back of trucks), when it certainly does not happen in America.

Well, Samoa doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day although I did see a few hearts in store windows in Apia---We’ll see about St. Patrick’s day  Thank you all again for your nice cards and blog notes! I have to say I got an all time high for me this month—7 letters in one day! (The other volunteers in the office were quite jealous.) I am definitely feeling the love from America! Thanks! I love you all! Enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Sally

Malo!

I am sitting here with a fan on, getting my hair done (kind of like the way it used to be done by Preston when we were younger---let’s call it the “tug” method!) by my 5 year old Samoan sister; anyway it certainly looks beautiful hehe. Hard to believe it is February 2nd, and I just finished eating pineapple, kiwi, and bananas (bananas from our banana plantation, pineapples bought from a stand on the side of the road, kiwi from, the grocery store—that isn’t grown here)—it was a tasty afternoon snack after I came home from school. After coming back from Falealupo for New Year’s, I had a few weeks before school started of hanging out. Now, school is slowing starting to pick up. Definitely a bunch of things and some funny stories:

So the Sunday I got back, I decided to wake up early and help with the umu. I asked my Samoan brother what time he was starting the umu and he said 3 am. I said Yeah right! And he said okay, 4. Still thought it was a bit early but the people here are known not to get that much sleep (at night as much anyway and then take naps during the day), so I woke up at 4…not a person in sight. I watched/ listened as the day began…the roosters started to crow, the chickens walking around, the pigs walking around, and slowly the umus starting and smoke coming from the fires in every cookshack. Where was my Samoan brother??? Moe, moe, moe…sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. Eventually, he woke up, around 6 ---I definitely teased him for it and it became the joke for a few days. Was great though----we killed a pig (I watched him bash it over the head with a stick and then drown it by stuffing it’s head into a pail of water, until it’s legs stopped squirming), made the palusami, weaved the baskets to put the food it, and then enjoyed all of it of course…I definitely learned again the principle of Samoan time---if you ask what time something is, don’t forget to add 2-3 hours!

2nd funny story: The other day, I was walking home from school and stopped to talk to 3 guys who were hanging out, preparing their food in their cookshack. They asked if I wanted to go watch volleyball in Apia with them (New Zealand vs Samoan for the Oceania Games). I said sure, ran to take a shower, and then met one of the guys to get on the bus. When I got on the bus, I realized it was only people from our village, and ONLY guys, 3 kids, and me, let’s just say I stuck out a little not that I am not getting used to that….We continued picking people up, until the bus was FULL (which means most everyone has someone sitting on their lap! Including grown men sitting on the laps of grown men!) The best part , besides watching the volleyball which was a lot of fun, was on the way home. I was sitting on a guy’s lap, who is pretty thin, and he said to me after only 5 minutes (of the hour ride home!) “How can you be so heavy and not be fat?” It was certainly a memorable quote and cracked me up! Guess I am not a little kid anymore. We all made it home, despite some of our legs being a bit sore!

Some more bus stories: So I got on the bus to go home the other day from Apia. (on a bus that goes to the wharf to get to Savai’i which is past my house) It was definitely another of the FULL buses. We were going quite fast, had our flashers on, and were not stopping for anyway. When we got to my house, I pulled the cord to get off. Did the driver stop??? NO. I was quite confused. We ended up going all the way to wharf, letting the people off who needed to catch the boat (guess the driver should have left a bit earlier!), and then turning around and going back the other way (this time, they stopped…) Certainly still many confusing moments here… Also, I got a flat tire the other day 1 hour away from my house. So cool how it worked out. I signaled a bus, 2 guys jumped off the bus, threw my bike onto the back, chained it on and then one sat in the back to made sure it wouldn’t fall off. (I then realized when I got home how Preston and Dad always took care of any bike problems and I never learned how to fix a flat so it is good this I have a Samoan brother here!)

So, I have now met my Samoan father. He came back from Austrailia after visiting their kids who live there. He is a matai in the village, and also the president of the school committee, and is really nice and chill. He works down the street at the workshop, where they fix the cars. It is really great having him around, especially when working in the school. The first week of school consisted of a lot of cleaning, cleaning out the classroom, weeding in front of the school, and mowing the grass of the rugby field which is in the front of the school. Most of the matais also came down, and we had a meeting with the parents. The matais also put new screens up for the classrooms and a new gate. It is cool to watch how the village all comes together, to see 25 guys all cutting the grass with weed wackers and machetes is quite a sight. (no riding mowers here! And only a few push mowers…) It was nice because I feel like I know a lot more people in the village after that week. This week, we began classes. The principal, who also teaches grade 4, had to go to meetings Wednesday-Friday, so I taught that class. Definitely a challenge, and proved how much more Samoan I need to learn! Next week, I am going to start my reading classes. I will be teaching years 4-8 English reading (The test in year 8 given to all students is in English! Yikes!) and will be helping out with year 8 all day on Friday.

Oh yeah, another crazy thing. There are now 2 “Seli’s” in Samoa, well kind of. Our Samoan sister in Ma’asina had a baby and they named her Lolaseli after Lola and me. Then a girl in my village (who’s mom is here often looking after my 8 month year old Samoan sister), had a baby and they named her Seli. It really isn’t that big of a deal because lots of Peace Corps volunteers have babies named after them but I still feel pretty special 

Well, that is quite enough for now. But let me say that all you letter writers, package senders (you all definitely know me TOO well as shown by the sending of peanut butter, balloon animals, Jenga, UNO, Chex mix, alphabet letters, children’s books, Christmas stocking with the “first gift of Christmas,” Runner’s World, Power Bars…), picture senders, and blog commenters and e-mailers always make my day!!!! All the little Samoan kids are quite happy too, as are the not so young kids (20 year old boys enjoy cookies in any country!). I love you all and think about all of you often. Have a wonderful February! I will let you know what they do for Valentine’s Day here haha!

Love you all!

Love, Seli

****Also, if you are looking to send children's books, I am looking for all but mostly easy ones right now! Dr. Seuss level or lower!

I watched koko samoa begin made--definitely a favorite of mine!

I first watched the chicken being plucked and then joined in

My new room and one of my new Samoan sisters

Getting down those coconuts (The tree I got to climb a ladder up too)

An incredible last sunset of 2006

A beautiful place to stay for New Years

Putting up Christmas lights on the fale

It is snowing coconut in Samoa!

Making the popo tama with one of my Samoan brothers

Bowling with the breadfruit on Christmas

More Christmas fun!

Our family treats us well, with puletasis, jewlrey, and all--Decked out for swearing in

Manuia le tausaga fou! Happy 2007 to everyone! Well, it has been a little while since I last wrote and definitely a lot has happened! I swore in as an official volunteer on December 13th in Ma’asina----so incredibly awesome for our Samoan families to be there with us, so supportive and happy for us. It was a great feeling when I looked over at everyone watching us after getting my official Peace Corps identification card (that really made it official!) and to see one of my Samoan brothers just watching and smiling. When we left, it was bittersweet again, knowing the next day we would be going to different villages, the places we would be calling home. December 14th---Fasitoo’tai! I moved in! I had a very warm welcome, met my new Samoan family, and others from the village who came to the house to welcome me to the village. My new family consists of my Samoan parents, and two Samoan sisters, 8 months old and 5 years old. They have a western style home, which I have a room inside, as well as an open fale next to it, and a small fale behind. Much of the “fa’asamoa” cooking is done at the cookhouse next door, husking the coconuts, making coconut cream, etc. Spent the time before Christmas tafao-ing (hanging out) and meeting people from the village----helped to paint the women’s committee house and met some of the women in the committee, taught the card game Spit to many Samoan children and played many nights!, put up Christmas lights on my fale, showed off my scraping coconut skills I learned in Ma’asina to make the coconut cream, began going through the school library with another teacher (I worked out really well too, because a bunch of students ended up coming down and helping to and really enjoyed sorting and cleaning the books---making it their library), and going to a party at one of the churches for Christmas, with a lot of dancing, singing, and of course food. Of course two of the most memorable moments were plucking feathers off of a chicken! And climbing a ladder to the top of a coconut tree to get some coconuts to husk. Went on many a bike ride as well (incredible by the water, with the breeze and nice flat roads)---I guess I went on a lot because now when people see me they always ask “O fea lou uila?” Where is your bike?....and read some great books (I strongly recommend The Tao of Pooh---great book!)

Then Christmas…back to Ma’asina! I met up with a bunch of other volunteers in Apia (called home to Quinn Christmas!!! So great to talk to all of you!), and then we took off in taxi’s to Ma’asina. Arrived there and had an incredible couple of days. Nice to be back (although I was sad to leave Fasitoo’tai after only being there for a week) and met with our loving, goofy family. We were met with a pleasant surprise too, because we didn’t think that two of our brothers were going to be able to make it (one is going to Australia to study and the other was going to go to visit family in Apia for Christmas) but they both were there! Really great to be able to be with our entire Samoan family there. We took a bus to Lona, the next village over, for Christmas eve service. Really funny to see the differences in the way churches are decorated for the holiday---at home, evergreens and wreaths, here lots of blinking lights, balloons, and coconuts painted gold laying on the bottom of the altar! After church, we sat around outside eating koko elaisa (rice with koko samoa..yummm!) and then watched part of a Christmas movie that was on TV. The next few days were filled with lots of games----we played bingo, went bowling with a breadfruit and cans stacked up, tried to slingshot cans off of rocks (One of my Samoan brothers sling shot a mango out of the tree and then handed it to me haha—good aim!), swam in the ocean several times, played a game called lafo, kind of like horseshoes, and played an awesome game of soccer. Of course the highlight of the few days was the popo tama—the coconut man, thanks to my Dad’s great idea to make a coconut man for Christmas instead of a snowman! It was certainly a goofy moment. I started trying to find the halfs of the already scraped out coconuts- and was certainly called crazy and given some very strange looks. Slowly though, my brothers and sisters joined in, helping me find the perfect halves, putting it together, and then the next day, painting it white, giving it a piece of material for a scarf and putting a flower in it’s head, for a little Polynesian look. The best was when we put it in the bucket of coconut shavings, and then let it snow coconut----pretty goofy. Certainly a very different Christmas, but a very enjoyable one as well. We were again sad to leave (transitions, transitions) but let our families know we would be back often to visit.

Back to Fasitoo’tai for a quick few days and then to Falealupo, in Savai’i, for New Year’s to spend with other volunteers. We stayed in beach fales on the beach, beautiful! The place put on some Samoan dances for us on New Year’s and we were the last to watch the last sunset of 2006! Falealupo is the most westerly point in the world! We hung out, swam, I snorkeled (with the new snorkel and mask I bought---thanks Mom and Dad!), read and enjoyed the time there. Nice to talk to volunteers who have been here longer, get their feedback on things, and listen to their advice.

New Year’s Day, I went back home with some other volunteers, or so I thought… 3 of us were all going to go back on the 2:00 boat—we had asked several people who all told us that there was a boat that left the wharf at 2. Even the taxi driver said that---we got to the wharf… and uma. The boats were finished. So strange how some things work around here. Even funnier to think that this summer I would get a bit annoyed if I had to wait a few minutes for my subway to come to take my home, when here you just wait to go home until the next day and it is no big deal. So, we all stayed in Savai’i an extra day with a volunteer and came home the next day.

Now I am back in Fasitoo’tai to stay for awhile. School starts in three weeks, so I am taking this time to continue meeting people, (lots of volleyball, which I have learned I am not so good at!) working on the library a bit, and going to be starting a vegetable garden at our house (all those years I have been complaining about people who spend so much time weeding and taking care of their gardens---now you can all laugh at me!) Also, I have met a few girls in the village who want to learn piano, so that just may be another project. I am enjoying reading and biking as well, knowing that when school starts, it is going to very busy, lots of people wanting to know how to read!

Thank you all for the notes and the packages…they do in fact come, if many of you were wondering, they just seem to enjoy the ride getting here (My Mom sent one before I left in October and I just got it a week ago---that much more excitement though and trail mix does not go bad  ) It was great to be able to talk to everyone for Christmas this year, even if only for a little while. Happy New Year’s and I am thinking of you all! (as I sweat on this hot, sunny January day!) Love you all!

Love, Seli

If any of you are really excited about sending a package, but are unsure of what to send, I am looking for:

• Piano books (beginner books on up to teach some lessons)—I don’t think they can be purchased here.

• Origami paper

• A book on how to make advanced balloon animals (kids here absolutely love balloon animals here!)

• Balloons for balloon animals (Qualetex brand is supposed to be really good and pretty cheap)

• Friendship bracelet string (also a huge hit here)

• Felt (I have not seen it yet here, but I may just not have looked in the right place yet, but I want to make a felt board to use when reading books here)

• Crayons and coloring books are also always enjoyed

Thanks!

How do we do this Lola??? Attempting to husk the coconuts...

Check out this huge fish my Samoan brother caught!

Scraping coconuts (one of my new favorite hobbies) with the professionals making sure I am doing it right...

Hanging out with my Samoan sisters

My Samoan brothers, posing for a picture, after finishing one of the craziest and greatest dances I have ever seen.

My happy, goofy Samoan family, except for the little one, who ran away during this picture.

I woke up one morning, went to brush my teeth, and this was going on right outside!! (Imagine walking outside to your backward and seeing a bunch of guys skinning a monster pig!) Two of my Samoan brothers and a Samoan uncle getting the pig ready for the umu...

Culture Day! Gutting fish! To think that I used to make Dad or Preston put the worm on the hook everytime we went fishing and take the fish off the hook if I caught one...

Our crazy brothers dancing in the fale. Our brother (the second to the end) decided to dress up in his wife's dress!

Kids playing with their creative toys...a stroller wheel attached to a stick

2 days until I will be an official volunteer! Leaving Ma’asina was definitely bittersweet---it was such an enjoyable 5 weeks where we learned so much and laughed a whole lot along the way. The last night was the fiafia with the village---the women’s committee and the Peace Corps volunteers did dances back and forth and some people in the village spoke (Look at Lola’s blog for pics!). Afterwards, we went back to our fale, had a big dinner (pig and palusami…yummm…) and then exchanged goodbye speeches and gifts. Afterwards we had siva---dancing in the fale! Our Samoan family told us how they were now our Samoan family and if we ever needed anything, they are there for us. Definitely a great feeling to know there are people in the country who truly care about me when my family is far away. Describing what is going on here is pretty difficult---hopefully these pictures will help! May not be posting for a little while with Christmas and the New Years…so until then, I hope all is well! And have a great holiday! Of course I will be talking to many of you soon! Love you all! Love, Sally

Anyone interested in sending some books and such???....

Reading Teacher!!! At the school I will be teaching at, most of my responsibilities will be as a reading teacher, years 3-8 (grades 2-7 in the States), helping students learn how to read (in English). Students here are taught in Samoan until year 6 when the teaching switches to English (years 7 and on). Many students have a difficult time with the transition (because of the language barrier) ---I will be helping students to improve their reading skills, to hopefully make that transition a much smoother one. The school does have a library, but unfortunately with very limited resources, and many of the books they do have are quite worn. The school is looking to improve the library and to increase the amount of books available for the students. Also, educational materials such as alphabet letters, literacy games, dry erase boards, (as well as in other subjects such as Math etc…) are only available in Apia if at all, and are quite expensive. There is no need to go out and buy brand new books, but if anyone if looking for a place to send some they do not want anymore, they would be more than appreciated here (Any elementary or middle school level book)!!! As school starts (January 22), I will let you know if there are other much needed resources. Thank you!

Hey all! This will be short and sweet but... an incredible few weeks! I just finished my language test and we had one of our final interviews yesterday, so I am almost an official volunteer! (Wednesday we swear-in in our village!) So many great days----Culture day...all the volunteers got together along with some people from our families---we killed, and cooked the pigs, cooked turkeys in the umu (a late Thanksgiving)---it only took 45 mins. for a whole turkey---compare that to the 5 hours it takes with our ovens! Made palusami, supoesi (papaya soup), husked cococuts....great day! Had an arts and crafts day in the village with the kids---I was in the balloon making stand (who would have guessed!) and crazy enough, there are 2 other Peace Corps who make them too, and they are the professionals (like Riley!). Day at the beach with the Volunteers, snorkeled around for awhile and enjoyed the nice sunny weather. Had a youth night for the church at our fale---our family did different siva dances and some of the volunteers danced it them too (I got to too!) Our brothers were all in ridiculous costumes and were hysterical. Great night, lots of people from the village all dancing and having a great time! All the goofiness has truly come out in our family! We have people dancing around and singing all of the time!

Hope everyone is having fun getting ready for the holidays! We are listening to Polynesian Christmas music and are really excited to be going to Ma'asina for Christmas! Love you all, thanks for all the sweet and funny notes and the letters! I love them! Talk to you all soon for Christmas! Love, Seli...

*****Check out samaonadventure.blogspot.com to see Laura's blog ----lots of pictures of our family on it!