Shooting stars say Hello to family

12/13
Today is moving day. I am going to a village called Tafagamanu—next to Savaia. A few images stick from our car ride: surf crashing, rising skyward to say hello; little pigs scurrying off the road; dense jungle; Lalomauga church roof tucked away in the deep jungle.

I ‘m living with the village mayor. His name is Tuala. I will be living here at least until the beginning of February, when school starts.

I saw five shooting stars tonight on a walk by the ocean. Nofo says I’m Lucky. I just think it’s cool to see shooting stars.

My new Samoan family…lots to say. I like them. They have made me feel very welcome. I may be in a different situation than other people. I’m living with a family, in their house; I have a corner of the fale—lots of sea air;)

Tonight I created my new family tree. My mother is Sofa’I is 59. my father, Tuala, is 61. Tuala has been the Pulenu’u (Mayor) of Tafagamanu for 5.5 years. Each term is 3 years. He has been the secretary of the school committee (Failautusi Komiti Aoga) for more than 10 years. Poka (who is my new shadow) is 16, and will be in my year11 computer class next year when school starts (Feb4 I think). Solomona is 24, is a DJ, a fisherman, and wants to study medicine;he lives with his wife (Telesia) in a fale next to ours; they have two kids—Ina and Le, who live with them and us. Sepa is 23, has two daughters; her husband and one daughter live in another village. Peni is 18 and works at Yasaki in Apia; he is the 4am alarm I hear. Ina is two years old, is the loud one in the family, and is not shy around me…very outgoing. Nofo is 36 and works at AST in the electrical department/division. Nato is one year,3months, and is shy. Le is one year,9 months (tasi tausaga, iva masina). We have three dogs: powder, shadow, and foster. Samoans don’t really treat their animals very well, but I love animals and I think the dogs love me. They always run up to me to be petted…I guess that is a strictly Palagi thing. We have three cats too; I don’t think they have names. There are numerous pigs and chickens. One of the pigs is named Ina also. Sepa and Telesia are the cookers in the family. There are eight people (including me!) that live at home (nofo I le fale), and three little kids. Five people live in other villages and NZ and Australia. One son died;(