Fa'a Samoa

2 week down. I have one more week left in Apia before heading out to my training village. I will be moving in with a host family whom I’ve never met before, and essentially our group will be split up and I will not have the comfort of familiar American faces around. Let the true test begin. I must say even though I’ve been here for two weeks I feel like I’ve been here a lot longer. For example, all my clothes are officially and forever stretched out, I’ve developed some sort of rash on both of my legs, and at this very moment there is a dead cockroach in my bathroom (that I’m refusing to pickup). Back home those things would have bothered me, but not so much here. However, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been things that have upset me. Which brings me into my next topic…the Samoan language, it’s a beautiful language that when spoken correctly and fluently is great. I, however, do not speak the language with either of those things-not even close.  The other day my group and I were sitting in the common room of the hotel have our language course. The topic for the day, the alphabet and its sounds, so here I am sitting there saying “ah, eh, ee, oh, uh” and all these Samoan people who are staying at the hotel come in and just sat there staring at us and laughing at us. This went on for about 30 minutes. People would come in and just watch us trying to sound out the Samoan alphabet and cracking jokes. Let me tell you, it was not fun. I already felt awkward and stupid as it was and these people were just not making it any better. I guess I have to get used to sounding silly and realize people will make fun of me. On a lighter language side I have probably said about 5 Samoan cusswords to my teacher without even knowing it. The thing about the Samoan language it has tons of glottal stops and stresses, and if you stress the wrong letter, or stop on the wrong vowel then whoops you end up asking the bar tender for a banana when what you really meant to say was napkin. Here are a few things mistakes I have innocently made: trying to say 27 and saying –pubic hair, trying to say apostrophe and saying-fu**, and trying to say tired and saying-in between my legs. No matter what, it always comes out as a bad word, or sexual. My teachers and people in town just think its hysterical so I just smile, nod my shoulders, and play the silly pulangi card. J

White Sunday/ Children's Day

Children’s Day/White Sunday

Today is a holiday here in Samoa. It’s called White Sunday, it’s a day dedicated to the children. The children are spoiled with treats, new clothes and attention. I went to one of my Samoan instructor’s church to see how this day is celebrated. It was a cool thing to experience. Most people wear all white, however its mostly important the children wear white, symbolizing purity. During the church service the children performed skits, dances, and songs for the people. They sang in Samoan, and English. I was astonished because at such a young age these kids can sing in such harmony. I don’t know what it is about Samoans but they are not only big people, but also amazing singers; almost like they are genetically predisposed. After the service there was refreshments and a little get together with all the people in the church. I loved celebrating this important holiday with them. It made me feel like I was taking one small step to becoming closer understanding and being a part of their culture.

Guess what??? I went to paradise!

My first weekend in Samoa has been amazing! Today a bunch of us went to a beach on the south side of Samoa. The beach looked exactly like it could have been a picture that is on your desktop on a computer! It was the most beautiful place I have ever been to in my life. I swam in the Pacific with water around 70 degrees, and to top it all off there were little tike huts on the beach that we had to relax, play cards, and eat. The only bad part about the whole day was that I became a lobster within 10 minutes! I have never put so much sunscreen on in my life, and SPF 55 at that! Anyways the day was a perfect one and I couldn’t help but think about what I would have been doing if I was back home. I’ve decided I like my outcome here in Samoa A LOT better. J This past week I have met a lot of the volunteers that have either been here for one year or two. They have been extremely welcoming to us “newbies.” They answer all our silly questions and answer them with all seriousness even though I know in their heads their probably laughing at us. I am so happy right now but I know that as time goes by homesickness and loneliness will set in. That is why I’m trying to enjoy the time I have now being with my group, and being in Apia. I’m taking one day at a time.

Nice to meet you Samoa

Talofa!!

 Hello! I made it and I am well. After a long 10.5 hours I have landed on the island of Uplou in Samoa.  This place is gorgeous unlike anything I have ever seen. However before I get into my life so far in Samoa let me start by talking about the dreaded leave and goodbye of my home and family. So rewind to 3 days ago. My parents drove me to the airport. The whole way there my head was filled with emotions and I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I was dreading saying goodbye to my family. When the time came I hugged my parents, cried, and for a split second wondered if I was making the right choice. The second passed, the hugs ended and I knew I need to take those steps towards my plane. Even though it hurt and I was sad I knew I was doing the right thing. I boarded the plane and headed for staging in L.A. Staging is when the Peace Corps group meets at a specific location to meet each other before heading towards their post, or country.  I spent the night in a hotel and the next day was bombarded with filing out paperwork and getting briefed on what to expect when we got there. Although the meetings were long and tedious I enjoyed staging because it allowed for me to become more familiar with the people in my group. Who, by the way, are all pretty cool. Then on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 my group of 20 boarded the plane to head towards Samoa. 10.5 hours later we were here. I was exhausted. I don’t know about you but I CANNOT sleep on a plane, and to top it all off we arrived around 6 am so I had to wait until that night to finally get some sleep. Therefore, I had been up for more than 30 hours. Nevertheless, I was enjoying myself. When we arrived at Peace Corps headquarters we had an Ava Ceremony. It was our welcome ceremony into the country. Other PC volunteers came in to welcome us as well. Afterwards I had information meeting one after another. That night me and a bunch of people from my group went out with some of the other PCV’s. I know I know I could have very well have gone to bed, but c’mon I couldn’t pass a Valima (Samoan beer) and a time to bond with the new people in my life! This all brings me to today. Today has been spent doing training. The weekend is coming up and I’m excited because I will get more of an opportunity to explore the town and get to hang out with the other PCV’s. I’ll try and make my postings pretty regular but training makes me sooo busy, so patience would be greatly appreciated. J

Group 83 just arrived to Samoa!!!

Primary school we passed on the way to Apia.

Some of Group 82 helping with the Ava Ceremony

Jo bringing the Ava

The delicious roasted pig we had during our Ulu. (A feast that was prepared for us the night we arrived.)

Tearful Goodbyes and Days Before the Big Day!

Tearful goodbyes is what consisted of this past weekend.  A bunch of my friends came into town to have one last night of  festivities before I leave. I had a blast, and it was so good to hang out with them. I couldn't ask for better friends. I'm really going to miss them, but it helps knowing that they support me fully. I have 4 days until I leave, and I think I have felt feelings about the situation that I didn't even know exsisted. Tomorrow I am going to continue packing (which by the way I am failing miserably at by procrastinating hugely) I am going out tomorrow night with a really good friend for drinks and dinner. (It will be our last time hanging out so another tearful goodbye here I come) Then the weekend will be filled with last minute errands and spending as much time with the family as possible. I can tell that me leaving is already taking a toll on my mom and I know that day at the airport is going to be really hard for her, which in turn, is going to make it really hard on me.
Not much else to say really...overwhelmed with emotion. It's weird... when I'm excited the days seem to go by soooo slowly, but in those moments of nervousness and anxiousness they couldn't go by quicker. Here are pics from my farewell night with my friends. :-)

                                                             Love these people!!!!!

                   Love these guys.... even though they drive me crazy sometimes. :-)

My crazy friends and roomates in college

"The Unknown"

"The Uknown," he's a scary demon that sits on my shoulder and whispers in my ear. He tells me you don't know what you're getting yourself into, you won't know anyone or anything, and you most certainly don't know if you can hack it. Now in order to have balance in life there usually has to be an opposite side to everything. A yin to every yang, a positive to every negative, and an angel to every demon. With my demon being The Unknown, my angel is Ambition. Ambition, well, he's much kinder, and he fills me with desire for personal achievement, motivation, and determination to fulfill my lifelong dream.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher, and around the age of 15 I decided I not only wanted to teach, but teach abroad, specifically in a developing country. Therefore, it only made sense for me to apply for the peace corps proceeding graduation. Never once have I contemplated my desire to be a teacher, and never once have I questioned my dream of teaching abroad. However, I am sad to say my demon, The Unknown, is seriously weighing on me while he's sits there on my shoulder.  You see, he's the worst for me because I'm the type of person who likes to know whats coming next. I like to be prepared, and I like to know what is expected of me.  My biggest fear is not living up to my full potential. And how am I suppose to be my full potential when my future in the PC is about as clear as mud. That is why right now my demon is filling my head with thoughts and my angel is pushed into the back. Right now The Unknown is winning. 

Nevertheless, I will keep preparing for my journey, I will say goodbye to the comfort of familiarity, and I will get on that plane and head towards the unknown. I will face that demon straight on and tell him... to kiss it.

A Little Bit of Everything

Well its been awhile since I've posted something so I thought now was as good of time as any. I am starting to make my mini trips to see friends before I leave, and I catch myself saying and thinking things like, "This is the last time I will be visiting you in Chicago for two years!" or "This is the last time we are going to be able to go here together for two years!" It is verryyyy slowly ALL starting to sink in. I have exactly 4 weeks before I am boarding the plane to head to staging, and between now and then I have so many things to do. My mind is constantly running 24/7 whether its on which clothes I'm going to get the most use of, or how I'm ever going to manage to pack everything! Here is what I've been thinking about and doing currently and probably will until I leave:
 *visiting my friends in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Purdue
* Making my mom my power of attorney
* Trying to work out as much as possible in deep fear that I'm just going to gain it all back plus more when I move to Samoa
* Updating my address/phone book (which by the way is not as easy as it seems considering that my friends are all in the "in between  stage," of their lives where they are moving from college to the "real world" and don't have permanent addresses yet.)
* I have been meeting fellow Group 83'ers via email, and I'm so excited because they all seem great!
* Have a small obsession with reading all info on Samoa including others PCV's blogs and am considering therapy.
* Attempting to pack (which really means throwing my stuff in a corner and saying, "yeah I'll take that and make it fit later."
* Eating spaghetti like it's my job... I think my stomach knows it will be deprived of this wonderous food for a long time.
* Just bought an awesome backpack for the trip.
* Have been considering the irony in the fact that the two things that make me nervous, storms and dogs are the two things that are very common and fierce in Samoa. That should be fun to overcome!!! Not.
 * I will be missing my dads 60th birthday, my sisters 21st birthday, and 3 weddings. Not happy about this AT ALL. :-(
*Wondering where in the world I'm going to find a Samoan to English translation book!!!??? Any ideas anyone?


Alright well that's pretty much whats going on with me. 28 days and counting. :-)

L.   <3