It has been fun reading posts of those in group 83. It brings me back to much of the same excitement and all the unknowns when Paul was headed there two years ago. The time has just flown by. It has been a fun experience for me learning about life in Samoa.

If any of you group 83ers read this, all the best to you on your adventure. How very lucky you are. Also, I have recently returned from my second visit to see my son Paul in Samoa. If down the road your parents would like to hear about traveling there, they are welcome to contact me.

Five weeks from now, I will touch down in Samoa. If you are, or have a PCV there and have something small you would like me to bring along, let me know. 'Can't wait to get back there.

I enjoyed my time in Samoa last year so much, I am considering a repeat visit. This time, I will probably be going there alone. I was wondering if anyone else may be there during the school break for it might be nice to get together for dinner or something like that. I am looking to entertain myself much of the time and not rely too heavily on Paul for that. 'Could be a real adventure.

In just a few more days, we begin our big trip to Samoa, New Zealand, Australia and then back to Samoa. It is crazy here with all the last minute preparations. Being off work for 6 weeks, which I have never done and finally setting out on this trip we've anticipated for so long makes these last days feel almost surreal.

I'm bringing a guitar for Paul and still have not quite figured out Air New Zealand's stance on that as carry-on luggage. 'Am double bagging some hot sauce and horseradish to bring to Paul. I am nervous about that breaking in my bag. What a nightmare that would be.

A last minute snag is whether school will now be in session to make up for the Swine Flu closure. The change in sides of the roads for driving has caused some rethinking of our plans too. But coping with curve balls is all part of the travel adventure. We will see what happens.

Thank you to each of you for sending me your advice and experience with your trips to Samoa. It was so helpful.

If you are, would you take a look at my last blog entry? 'Would love to hear from you about your trip. I have kaboodles of questions for you.

Patty, Marija,

I had a bunch of stuff to ask you about your trips and tried to reply to the email notice I received from your recent comments on the blog. After not hearing back, I tested it out with a comment of my own and learned that responding to those notices doesn't seem to work. So, I wondered if I give you my email address whether you would mind writing to me so I can send you my questions.

Karen, if you want to send me a message, and Patty & Marija don't mind me sharing some of their responses, I will share that with you too.

It is; jrofmn@comcast.net

Jane

From the sounds of it, Patty (Matt's Mom) is off to Samoa on Tuesday, Barb (Sara's Mom) goes the following week, Marija (Koa's Mom) goes in May and Karen (Erin's Mom) in June. I have to sit back and wait until late August and its killing me.

Besides whining just a little bit about wishing I too were going there soon, I thought I would point out that you may be there at the same time. Marija, you might even be on the same flight as Patty or Barb. Maybe any one of you will be on the same flight back seeing as the flights are so limited. It would be a shame to be on the same plane there or back and not even realize it. So in case you want to learn more in order to connect, I bring that up now.

Are you all bringing anything special there? Are there comforts of home you will pack? Paul actually wants me to come packing an electric guitar! I have started to buy some fun gifts for the kids he knows.

When you go, would you be thinking about any advice you can pass along for my trip? Would you tell us some stories about your experience on this blog? If you happen to run into Paul (though unlikely since he is on Savaii), would you take some photos of him to send to me? Your reports could be the up side of my staying behind while you all are on your way.

If we don't connect before you leave, I'll be thinking of you. Have a wonderful time.

I've had too much coffee tonight. So forgive my rambling on here about an assortment of items.

Have you noticed the group 81 blogs have quieted down? They must be busy, doing their work now that they are officially on the job. I do miss reading more about daily life there; what it is like, what they are up to, how they are doing and such. Karen, I agree. Somehow, reading the blogs makes me feel closer too. I am thankful for Matt and Sara's consistent updates. I read them first thing each morning. Its my Peace Corps mom ritual. How tough it must have been to be a Peace Corps mom before the days of Internet and cell phones.

Swell. Now I get to worry about tsunamis and cyclones! What's a mother to do? Paul would dismiss this as I worry too much/obsessing, but I say its my motherly right.

So its been nearly 6 months since the group 81ers said goodbye. Lately I've been feeling like "well its been long enough honey, isn't it time for you to come home yet?" 'Guess I better get over that.

What a letter writer I have become. I'm our mailman's new best friend. I believe he thinks I am now single-handedly funding his retirement. I love getting letters. They are almost like little surprise presents in the mailbox. So I figure it is even better than that for someone so far from home and family.

On the more practical side -

Has anyone booked their hotel reservations yet? I have not, but my trip is not until the end of August. If you have checked out hotels, would you share any advice or information you have with the rest of us? 'Could use some advice on this subject.

Not only is my mail going through, the package I mailed arrived in just 19 days. The only thing that was not intact was a package of instant oatmeal. It was all over everything, but dusted off nicely.

That's pretty good results.

I think my next delivery may be in person. What fun.

I see Patty and Barb, are planning trips to Samoa. I am too, but probably not going until late August. Marija, maybe you are planning a visit there too. Manaia, have you been there, and if so, do you have any recommendations or advice?

Have you seen the Air New Zealand airfare deals (link below)? Under the New Zealand and Australia headings, I have found that a ticket that including Samoa, New Zealand and Australia from L.A., actually costs less than a ticket to Samoa alone. I think we are going to take advantage of that, at least for the New Zealand option. I thought I would mention the offer in case it interests you and you have not booked your flights yet.

Barb, since Sara has been in Samoa for some time, perhaps you have already been there for a visit. If so, do you have any advice on visiting Samoa?

Manaia, I am working on some basic Samoan words like those for please, thank you, hello, good bye etc. My favorite is tulou, which I gather I can use for "excuse me".

I'm pretty nervous about those giant centipedes. YUCK!

http://www.airnewzealand.com/bookings/airfares-deals/default.htm

My closest friend and I are religious about sending letters to Paul each week. Getting letters is just fun. Last night she called to let me know her recent letters were returned with a note stating mail service to Samoa has been suspended. She went to the Post Office and they confirmed it, pulling up the area on their screen showing it all blacked out. No explanation was given. I Googled the subject but came up empty handed. So what's that about? I hope the package I just mailed is not stuck in limbo.

I don't know what everyone uses for calling Samoa, or what your experiences with calling have been. I find it worth writing about since at our house, long distance costs have now surpassed the monthly electricity bill. Perhaps you will have some comments or tips to add on what has or has not worked for you.

Using our phone company (Comcast), the rate was around $1.04 per minute. That prompted me to check out other options. I ended up using Nobelcom/Enjoy Prepaid's Emerald plan at 33.5 cents per minute. When I buy $100 of service, they charge $95. It sounds like a lot of talk time, but is easy to blow through. They also give you a $10 credit for each person you refer to their service, so I received a break when grandma & auntie bought minutes too.

We call Paul back "on our dime" if he initiates the call, since the costs calling from there to here are high. Besides, he needs to save his money for new fans. What he has bought there keeps breaking. It sounds like having a fan there is pretty much a necessity.

Getting back to the long distance service; our experience with Nobelcom has been pretty good. Although there is a slight delay in hearing one another. We find ourselves sometimes starting a sentence at the same time and then saying "go ahead" to let the other speak.

Paul's Internet situation is not established for use of Skype just yet. Once he has Internet at home, we will try that option for calls.

If you have had some experience or tips on long distance calling, please share your comments.

Today, I mailed my third shipment to Paul. I have found the USPS large flat rate box to be the best bet for the money at $53.95. In the line at the Post Office, I notice people stare at me holding my parcel marked "God is watching" and "God protect this package" and have a puzzled look on their faces. I wonder what they are thinking. Since I'm in Minnesota they don't speak up, instead, they hold back on their thoughts. That's part of "Minnesota Nice", it is kind of "fa'aMinnesota"; the Minnesotan way.

Filling every space in the box has for me, become almost an art form. In the smallest of spaces, single serving packs of Crystal Light work well. Silica gel packets are another item for that purpose.

In making care package purchases or other arrangements, I've discovered pulling the Peace Corps card makes many become immediately accommodating. The people at Proex scoured through their merchandise hunting down the silica gel packets. The local music store gave me a 15% discount on the long list of music related items on my shopping list. Verizon checked into waiving the early termination fee upon proof of Paul's joining the PC as they do for those who join the military. The fee was waived in short order. How nice. I didn't expect that from a big corporation.

It will be interesting to see how long this parcel takes to reach the PC office. Oddly, Paul received the second package I sent three weeks earlier. Much like my letters, which I number, things get there in no logical order.

In this shipment, I had extra room to send along some surprise comforts of home like spices, coffee, instant oatmeal packets, post-it note page markers, extra clothes and such. I imagine it must feel a bit like Christmas going through the package.

In planning for the next shipment, I was wondering what others have sent along that has been a hit.

Hello, or better said "Malo" friends and family of Peace Corps Samoa staff.

My son Paul, recently arrived in Samoa as part of group 81 joining those in earlier groups. Since learning he was headed for Samoa, I have been busy looking at sites and blogs to learn more about Samoa, Peace Corp activities there and such. In doing so, I read the volunteer staff blogs and came across one for parents of group 75, which I have enjoyed. It had useful information on long distance calling options, international mail as well as news regarding visits to Samoa.

I thought the idea of a site for friends and family was such a good one, I decided to give it a try for friends and family of any group members there now (and perhaps as a point of reference for folks in our circumstance in the future).

As those on the homefront, we might come together in our support and interests in our fine PC volunteers through this site. Hopefully, you will enjoy having this place to share information & communication.

I look forward to "meeting" you.