riding in grandpa's smoked salmon rattletrap

in the pics: close of service. amazing samoan weaving; innovative "pee and see" toilets (for the men only); coconuts x2; widening the road...progress? sorry...i don't have a picture handy of grandpa's jalopy. I still loved that truck.

9/26
The busses here in samoa remind me of my grandpa’s old pickup truck—the one I grew up with loading and unloading grass clippings and yard debris. The rides to the city dump were treats—well I mean the breakfast—I got to eat after the (easier) work of unloading the *(sometimes very smelly) grass, branches, leaves, flowers. Usually eggs and bacon and toast and sometimes pancakes. I guess I ate a lot of food way back when I was just a little thing. Well back to the truck. My grandpa’s truck (I think it was a 1950’s model) had all these levers and knobs that my grandpa would push, pull, sometimes push and pull. Sometimes he would say a few words to help the truck go. When he started it up it would rumble and groan loudly, not sounding happy to wake up. But I never remember it breaking down—it always worked when we wanted it to. The busses in samoa have a long handle for the gear shift, all the way down to the floor…like grandpa’s truck.

Reaching out to people for jesus—don’t make people come to your home. Go to where they are. Especially when transportation is difficult.

Most widely spoken languages in the world: 1. mandarin 2. Spanish 3. hindi 4. English 5. I wonder where finnish and samoan are on this list.



9/25
From our close of service PC conference: “moving on”
1) When I think of returning to the states I feel…happy to see my family and begin the next opportunity.
2) I’ll be going back to…my mom and grandparents. Somewhere that’s hopefully a little cooler.
3) I expect that for me the process of returning will be…OK… I’ll take it one day at a time and see what comes.
4) When I think of seeing my family again, I…am anxious to see my grandparents. They are getting old. And my grandpa is in the hospital.
5) I think my family will expect me to…give them a big hug and tell them about my adventures.
6) In terms of future career plans…I have a few ideas, but not much internet where I am, and phone is not really an option, so I sit and wait until I get back to usa.
7) I expect that my friends will…want to hang out/have a welcome back party. Go for a hike (well, that’s what I want).
8) Regarding money, I’m going to be…broke; sing that broking song. Sau le faigaluega (come to the work)
9) Going back will enable me to…ride my bike more, do more yoga, figure out the next step.
10) I think the hardest part of going back for me will be…if I let the emotions surface, well, then, that’s hard. Leaving a place I’ve called home for two years.
11) I think the easiest part for me to handle will be…leaving the heat.
12) I’m really looking forward to…a big bowl of ice cream after a HOT sauna.



9/20
So what does it take for the economist to shine over other mags? In the digital age, razor sharp clarity and definition are keys to success. A true global digest, smart analysis of what it covers, and smart packaging.

Oh I don’t think it can get much better than this. A cloud cover to lower the temp (a little bit). Toasted cheese (and smoked salmon, tomatoes, chili sauce, mayonnaise) sandwiches, cucumbers and the rest of the iced wine—well, that white wine didn’t really freeze so well. How about a wine slushy? Whatever it was, it was cold and it felt good. AND, I get to eat outside on my “porch” in front of the rugby field overlooking the ocean. I usually eat inside. I really don’t want to share my lunches, especially if they have cheese in them (I have found samoans don’t really like cheese). More for me. That’s good.melted.cheese.good. I’m the only one sleeping at the school building now. The vice principal is out and about—I have no idea where he is. I’ve heard he is sick and I’ve heard he is in Australia.
Mautinoa (not sure)
Le mautinoa toe alu i lo (not sure if we are going back down)