Laughing about human values and "my people"

in the pics: some of my students, always more than willing to pose it up for a picture; big machines invade apia--to begin the big task of redoing the water lines; my desk at school in my room...a camera, book, laptop, among many other things; the 7 year old girl--vice P's daughter. I will miss her when I go.

8/12

I found this on my internet travels (I would say wanderings, but I don’t have enough time on the internet right now to “wander.” )

“We are raising money for one of the most important gubernatorial races of our lives. It is completely embarrassing to me that what I believe is the greatest state in the nation, Oregon, has one of the highest unemployment (3rd), hunger (3rd) and homeless rates (1st) in the country. We have to focus on creating jobs and building our economy.”

This is very distressing to me. Samoans are very big on “their people.” So what about “my people”? My people are very far away now. My mom is very far away now.

Saw one of the “new” movies in town—harry porter—or that’s how it was spelled on my ticket stub. If that was a stamp, it would be worth lots of money. It was a good movie, but kind of an abrupt ending…or is that so you will want to see the next installment?

I was reading another PCV’s blog…her village banned the practice of giving large quantities of BOXes of tinned fish (pusa apa). Hmmmm…I wonder how it is affecting things, and I wonder why the village decided to do that? When their pastor goes to another village, does he refuse any pusa apa? My village still has the regular practice of giving anywhere from 10 to 15 boxes of tinned fish (eleni) when a pastor visits. I think that is a huge strain on families who do not have ‘extra” money. There is not very much disposable income in the “regular” samoan family. I say regular because more and more I see late model/new cars driving around—money from overseas I’m betting.

That same volunteer had a good observation that made me laugh … “and you need the ability to laugh when things are not funny.” Very true.

Another volunteer…a comment about having students doing exercise /training in the hot sun with no water/food. Yes yess yes…there was one of our students who passed out doing exercises in the sun. she was not “flopping around limply” she was just limp. Aand weird friendly people…I think I may have that virus. I’ve been told I’m very friendly. Am I weird? Only if you look too close.

Latest essay topic I’m helping my friend Norman with: “discuss the importance of human values and how it contributes to better teacher-student relationships.”

Hmmm..that is an important topic.