rainy, blustery day makes heros observations difficult

in the pics: the making of cocoa samoa. step 1: take the beans out of the yellow/orange/red shells (suck the beans first if you like sourness); step 2: put the beans on the fire, stirring frequently; step 3: as they cook the outer shells will be taken off. step 4: crush the beans into a paste; step5: (sorry, no picture) mix your cocoa samoa with hot water, and sugar if you want pur in cup, and let your dark chocolate taste buds endulge.

4/6
Seattle high school students came to Faleaseela (a village close to me). only two weeks, but I think they got a pretty good sense of what Samoa is like. Probably a lot of sensory overload. Although I felt a little bad that they had such a lax schedule for the first few days, since the pastor was away in NZ and Australia. But a relaxed schedule is also good when you are in a new country—many new sights, sounds, and smells. Which reminds me—I was very impressed by their observations about the village and people—on the first day in Samoa. A student said the colors were very bright and alive. Maybe I’ve lived here so long I’m getting used to the bright color—or have forgotten the grayness of Seattle—but I though –yeah, bright. I don’t think about that much—except when I see bushes with the (bright) white and red flowers. I’m glad they could come. I hope the relationship between the village of seattle and faleaseela continues for a long time.

My favorite (well, my only TV show) right now is Heros. I am watching season three right now on the computer, not the TV. We don’t have a TV at my school, so I don’t watch much tv, or see many movies (at all), or look on the internet (the fast fast hippity hop hop of dial up). Heros always has interesting narration..one was about hope and urgency. There is not usually not much urgency in Samoa, but when there is urgency (usually at the last minute), all hell can break loose. That’s just the way the culture is here, which is one thing that has made it hard for me, who likes to see a bit into the future about what will be happening and be prepared.


4/1
A blustery, rainy day here in Samoa, well at least my neck of these coconut trees. Stark contrast to the last 20 weeks of bright hot sunshine with the lightest trace of breeze. Today is what I’m used to when being close to the ocean. The strong wind, droplets of water shooting through the air. The only thing I miss the strong scent of the ocean—maybe I’ve been near the ocean so long I don’t notice it anymore. Ding ding—the bell signals the end of first period. Year 9.3 (the weakest year 9 students) are computer-bound in period 2.

Samoan Observer, 24th March, 2009…Overseas remittances through Samoa Commercial Bank…Jan-March 2008 = $110,874. Same period 2009 = $849,294. The “global economy downturn” doesn’t seem to be affecting families sending money to Samoa…New Windows (no not the windows in the frames on your walls, the “other” windows) Server 2008 R2 “with petrol prices rising and a slow economy, investment in remote access to various systems is the way of the future.” So true….outlets for being with other human beings [is very important]..boys need to do activities to feel a sense of belonging. “rather than saying ‘we should all stop watching TV, let’s teach young people to analyze and evaluate what they see and realize that everything they see is not reality.’” Do samoans really think all things on TV are true? TV can be very convincing you know…