challenging computer topics requires flexibility

in the pics: I like the pic of walking to church..nice sun; waterfalls; western union come to kua; and the group pic of boys during the last work day.

11/11
My leave date is set. I’m trying to figure out what to take home and what to give to people. I don’t plan to take much home. Some things that are important to me: journals, pictures, my bike’s bar ends and pedals. I’m kind of attached to them. It’s also getting down I don’t have that much money.

What is asked (of PC volunteers):
1) flexibility…when schedules change without your knowing; program. What program?
2) patience…for the waiting when a student REALLY gets “it.”
3) tolerance for ambiguity…not knowing until the day of
4) humor…laughing at yourself even when you want to throw something.
5) ability to stick it out…when the last three days were really sucky, and you still get out of bed for your morning walk.

The BIG computer test for my year 12 students is tomorrow. One more review paper, stressing questions I had in my notes as “difficult” and “problem” areas. I hope they do well.



11/10
I slept from about 4pm to 7pm toady. So it was dark when I woke up. The sky was clear at least enough to see a bit of the star circus in the sky. So I did a short workout/running/pushups on the rugby field. (two) storms on both sides…one over the ocean and the other over the mountains throw occasional lightning my way. Finishing with a headstand and a sweaty body. Tis good.

I think my laptop (and MP3 player) are showing signs of “wear” from the heat. The mouse touch pad is not working anymore on my laptop. So I plugged in the external mouse—even that is not working. Next step, rebuild the computer…Takes a long time. But good thing to do if I’m going to give it to my samoan family when I leave.

Movie: Michael Jackson: this is it
• MJ is an interesting person. The movie showed the cleaner points. I go the feeling he may have been rude to people he worked with. Why is it that rich people need a “handler???”
• Love lives forever…I agree. Even if you’re not with that person physically.
• “MJ taps a deeper level of emotion. I’ve never seen.” I can feel that in his music.
• Uses pure words.
• He seemed tired—(in pain??) at some points in the movie. I hope he’s better now, wherever he is.

Many computer terms/concepts remain a challenge for my students. A few
1. describing the advantage of a software program 2. word processor (no word in Samoan for describing “process”…edit, format, document, function, font, explaining relative/absolute cell references, pixel.

knowing the lingo talk talk talk about leaving

in the pics: hurting your foot in samoa is a very bad thing; high school group from seattle, in full samoan attire, back at seattle(?) airport; kids in samoa love the camera..adults...not so much.

11/9
Things got set a lot more over the weekend. Well, I mean my leaving samoa. I leave on December 5, 2009. that’s coming soon. No need to keep it a secret. I already told my samoan family. Now everyone in five villages know when I’m out. First to Australia, and then back to the homeland—my mom is expecting me for Christmas, and it will be good to be home.

I have almost a month to
1. finish completing resources for computer teachers next year.
2. tear down and pack myroom
3. mail package home
4. create some kind of presentation using the pictures I’ve taken over the past two years.
5. go to all the farewells, as is samoan custom.

Exalt the Lord…praise, raise up. Sing your loudly out.

Today was a good day. Almost finished with my final exams—only two more weeks I think. The boys worked on re-outlining. The world map on our school wall. I went for a bike ride to the top of the mountain. I usually gauge my days by how much my back hurts, and how itchy I am. And if I have any fruit and/or veggies. Now I’m rolling in apples and oranges, bananas and cucumbers. Only thing missing was a sunset swim—I came back to my school too late. Now I’m going to see if I can bang out the PC Description of Service…well, a first draft at least.

Word study: dignity..worthy..worth..merit/(excellence)..(laudible)/character..distinguishing feature..piece of character/ reputation
White people who are trying to “help” other people seem to talk about dignity a lot.



11/5
Car commercial…Great Wall Wingle…oh no! the first “high power/flashy” car commercial I’ve seen in samoa. (Is this progress?) you know. The one with the car zooming through “wild country” desert, swerving around another car to show off the traction. Skidding to a stop around the other cars—complete with the large dust swirls. Everything that makes you (well, a man) want that car.

Movie: Catch me if you Can
Tips for being a good con-person:
1. smooth-talking (eloquent, persuasive)
2. knowing the lingo
3. power of the clothing
4. showing confidence
5. knowing when to look lost
6. well placed flirting/compliments
7. quick thinking in tight situations
8. learning from the best

Repetition is key in samoa—right now the TV is trying to drill the importance of movement/dancing into viewer’s heads. I have seen the commercial 8 times in the last 30 minutes. Or so it seems that way. Dance to make your body strong.

Suasusu—white milky liquid put into the eyes when they are red and watering…breast milk???

Toughest two minutes in sports: fireman’s 2 minutes. I want to try that someday.



11/2
Book: Survival Kit for living overseas
Three most important factors for your success overseas: sense of humor, low goal/task orientation (also the ability to put your type A personality to sleep for a while), Ability to fail (you will fail, not all failure is bad, as long as you learn from it).

Never a dull moment…water leaks through roof and drops on computer. Right before final exams. The bottom of the computer was soaking wet. …water dripping off of it. Very lucky it still works. Ok for now. My practical exams start this afternoon.

Final exams start this week. I try to work on stuff to prepare the Malaga (travel..back home). Oh I got a call from my friends who I will visit in Australia hopefully I know when their daughter is leaving. I will go with her. Now I just have to buy my ticket. I’m waiting for mealofa fares (Christmas specials). I don’t know if that’s going to happen.
I’m subbing for someone’s suega (test). Talk talk talk ..to much talking in the classroom.

lying in bed with bling bling dreaming of journey

in the pics: the SMALL tsunami damage to my village (it could have been A LOT worse); my sitting place almost every morning; the packing in emergency.

11/1
mmmmmm…more good food. Aggie Grey’s Sunday (all you cat eat) brunch. Awesome food. I forgot how good a buffet can be. I think I ate eight poached eggs on top of toast, with some sausage, bacon, tomato soup something or other, fish cakes. And lots of fruit. And tomato juice. Also good value at $25 tala.


10/31
Today is Halloween. I think there is some kind of party, but I’m not sure if I’m going. I don’t have a costume, and I’ve never been good at being creative with costumes. And some peace corps volunteers are going to one location, and some to another location. So people are not very decisive.

It feels nice just to lie in bed after waking up…for more than five minutes. Hey I’m in samoa. I’m supposed to have more “leisure” time. Ha ha ha…more relaxed. I don’t feel more relaxed. I do have a lot of work work work work …

Other volunteers rode in a taxi to the PC office from our hostel. I walked. I like to walk—especially in the morning or late evening. And seeing how I’m in samoa, and the dogs come out to play at night, that leaves me with walking in the morning. Some observations:
The telephone pole I saw has MANY wires on it and wires leading up to the top from the ground. I’m guessing power and internet and TV and some other things. Hmmm…is this development?
The sound of the birds twittering.
Stubbing my toe twice…that’s not nice. I guess I should pick up my feet more.
Buying cucumbers at the shop…oh and the lady gave me an avocado. Which I will eat shortly.

I took a TESL training. Interesting. Too bad I’m leaving Samoa so soon. But it’s still time to go home. Nice comment I heard: “you can’t embezzle a person, only money. Send more people to act as aid.” Go peace corps!
Notes: Experiential learning curve, Predictability factor in the classroom, TESL breaks things up, big pig, the 5 methods of TESL

Food tonight: spicy fish enchilada. Good blend of flavors. Not enough spicy. Good food for $25 tala. Let’s do it again.


10/29
Two years of teaching in samoa have ingrained in me that I don’t get enough physical work/exercise. Maybe it’s the teaching, maybe the culture, maybe both. What would make me really happy? Hmmmm. Ride bike to top of mountain; swim in ocean to cool off—see very pretty sunset. Warm bucket shower; work on my “stuff” (random files on my computer that should be done before I leave samoa, and more important stuff like my COS (close of service) document; do some yoga—always helps me sleep.

I’m leaving samoa soon, so it’s time to start cleaning my room and decide what goes home and what stays here in samoa. Some things I haven’t used in two years:
Long sweats. I sweat enough without wearing sweats. Maybe Australia though.
Waterproof top and bottom. It’s too hoooot to wear waterproof anything. When it rains hard, you get out of the rain, unless you want to get really wet too.
The finnish cooking apron. Most of the time other people have done the cooking for me.
I also found a poem (?) that was written at the beginning of this adventure.

First night in Samoa

First night in Samoa
And I drank some kava.
Got too relaxed
And I lost my lava—
Lava is hot.
You don’t want to get burned.
Walking home at night,
Apply what you’ve learned.

You gotta get an escort,
Walk with a buddy.
It’s rainy season,
Man these roads are muddy.

Walk around the corner,
Into a big Samoan.
Who stole all my bling,
Now I’ve got to be rollin on.

Wake up the next morning,
Man I feel inferior.
Pick up the phone, called my superior.
Told the sad tale,
About the loss of my possessions.
Respect the kava,
Gotta learn your lessons.

(I have a feeling this was a group effort. When it was written…?)

father's peace corps measures house of skulls

in the pics: learning the samoan haka...well not very well (I don't think you're supposed to smiling when you make the haka); two signs: one of my village (savaia); sign to the mountain (where my bike frequents)

10/24
“It offends our values when executive compensation is too much.” As stated by Obama. As I watched from Samoa. “how much greed do you need to fix the system?” as stated by the TV. I don’t know how much greed. The real talent doesn’t involve greed. The USA seems so far away right now. It seems to be an interesting time to be going home. I heard that three of the volunteers from my group are not going home yet...two may be continuing here in samoa, and one is going to Ecuador. Yeah for them. That rocks. I need to go home and work on my ideas.

Saturday I could have been hiking through dense jungle to visit the house of skulls, but no. the leader had 10 people for a different hike. I had one of the year 12 students help me type tests, because there was no way I could type them all myself. I got help typing (and we finished), and the student got extra practice and new skills in Microsoft Word. Then I had a snack and nap. Got up and went for a swim—to my samoan family’s house. The tide was going out. I think I slept too long. The coral was very high (or the tide was too low) I got stuck in a few places. I saw crazy schools of fish. There were a lot of fish. See the fish—catch the fish—eat the fish. I saw the fish, ate the fish, but didn’t catch the fish. So many pretty fishes. I’m getting very good at eating a whole fish. Practice almost every night I’m at my samoan family’s house.



10/23
What is it? Five or six questions on the year12 final I did not even cover. Many yr12 classes did not happen. Too many unexpected events. Too many holidays…some from the swine flu and tsunami. Too much content. Not enough time. Well, hopefully we will review those questions before the School C, which is the test that really counts.

Hmmm…two architects came today to do measurements—including my room. I’ve been living in a space that is about 6m x 9m. could be worse. I was told all renovations and new construction would be finished by the middle of next year, if everything goes smoothly. Usually it’s not samoa if everything goes smoothly.



10/19
On the bus this morning—breeze blowing through my hair. My thoughts were far away. Horse farms for..after Peace Corps? Is it a dream? We’ll see. And then the 100111100110—or a bunch of 0s and 1s. my students need to understand this for the exam. Fun fun.

Wall Street Journal article, Not Your Father’s PC; Friday august 21, 2009
(my comments/thoughts in the ((()))
Most Americans…familiar with PC only nominally. (why is that??)
Most PC iconography—africa. (meaning most pictures about PC have scenes from Africa??)
In 1965 PC was twice today’s size (hmmmm…but I think people may have a poorer perception of the US today than in 1965)
But indoor plumbing does not make a developed country. (so true)
Teenage democracy…
Improving in fits and starts …(yes samoa is “improving” in fits and starts)
Talking with neighbors about American history. (gee I wish I could do that. I don’t talk about much of anything. Good conversation, that’s one thing I miss.)

Thailand—what is it? Is this the last cheap/undeveloped/unwesternized/unspoiled area in the world? My tuna fish is from Thailand. Young couples go there. I still just want to go home.

star fiafia 13 different ways

in the pics: fia fia fever...two fire dancers strut their stuff; the food.samoans know how to do food and we palagis try to imitate; the group 79 pic. 10 volunteers survived and some even have smiles;)

10/17
I sliced the end of my index finger on my shaver feeling around in my backpack—trying to find the chapstick. I have a feeling that particular cut is going to be very troublesome. I use that finger a lot.

Fiafia last night. samoan style party—(welcome to new PC group 82) with singing, dancing a pretty lady, and LOTS of food. It felt kind of weird to know that would be the last fiafia (at least PC related) I would be a part of. (sorry, no oily body for me. I played the drums for one of the dances. (oh yes, I’m ALWAYS up for drumming)

Did I mention food? Plates and plates and plates of palagi food—and one dish of little bitty pieces of taro. I took one piece. My plate was a very large heap by the time I finished loading it up. It all tasted very good. And that, along with the few beers I drank made me very sleepy. So I went to the hostile, brushed my teeth, lay down, then sliced my finger, then had trouble going to sleep. Darn it.
Hostile—a samoan fale style house the PC rents from a family, so volunteers that live away from the city have a safe place to sleep.

Thoughts on development….a slow slog.
Upena (fishing net)…get more fish easier.
My family recently got a fishing net. Tonight there were three different kinds of fish on the table for dinner…plus one I’ve never seen before..a type of puffer fish??? I wonder if that means the samoan fishing boat (pao pao) will not be used any more…

Doorknobs…on the doors in my samoan family’s house. I don’t usually close the door anyway. I’ve slept with no door or the door open since they remodeled. Now I can lock my door—but I don’t think I will even close it. I’m use to no door knob.

Speed bump…in front of our house. I just laughed because it seems when you are the pastor and the mayor and the high chief, so many resources come to you—food, churches, fine mats, speed bumps…maybe not in that order.

Watching the NZ news—a baby was found in the gutter—today’s breaking news. Is this the future Samoa is hurdling towards? I hope not.
Development sometimes keep others….well I didn’t finish my sentence and I have no idea what I was thinking.


10/10
I watched a movie recently…13 conversations about one thing. A movie about spirals, and how one small gesture can change the momentum of a tsunami. A bit of a whack movie with a _______ and a _________ ending (I’m not going to spoil the ending). We’ll see if you understand after watching. Unless you’ve already watched. Here are a few words of wisdom:
Happiness is only average,
When you don’t get your share.
Wisdom scoffs like everyone else,
When the answer you’re looking for
Is only a mantra.
Make amends for a happy ending.
The answer you’re looking for,
Is in the smile.
Having faith in something is to important
As family is to relationships.


A piece of paper does not do the light justice. A picture of the stained glass at University of Portland (Christ the teacher) chapel kept in my journal for two years. Something to sustain me. Until the day of the real thing…



10/05
Another random thought: if I ever own a café or restaurant I want two things: many different kinds of chairs/couches (some people like it hard, some like it soft). And iced rooibos tea, with a bit of lemon. Yummy. Although I’m sure it tastes better when your hot and sweaty—like most days. So it may not work so well in the middle of winter in Minnesota.

The large clam shell…good for a necklace. Add a few rings.

Book: Leaves of the Banyan Tree
“taking everything within reach and shaping it in your image.” Something about that way of being really bugs me. What is it? That is opposite of how I operate. Or so I think.

“as you lie on the ground and look up to the stars, void of city lights or noise, you will probably come to the realization that you haven’t actually missed much at all, in fact, I’m sure you’re gained more than you ever imagined.”
Although you may not know it at the time.
(Peace corps times newsletter; issue 3; 2009)

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)

simple life is bumpy when capacity searches

in the pics: yoga by the sea (awesome); Italianos (a yummy pizza place); samoan tupe (money...very colorful); chicken and rice dinner made by me on samoan open fire.

9/17
Bumping along in the bus to apia. I see a dry river bed and think of my friend Michael, who likes to hike (as I do) up dry (or wet) rivers. Not enough hiking in samoa. Hopefully that can be remedied when I go home.

I was thinking about “development.” It seems to be such a complex process if you do it well. How my image of “kicking and screaming” puts it in perspective when thinking about samoa. It’s not a quick thing.

Lizards really like the new Weet Bix I got—the one with Manuka honey and coconut. There have already been two places chewed through the box. It does smell good.

I think I already posted about the book: The Gift by Hafiz. Here is some more.
Profound courage to never relinquish love
Come dance with me. It makes the body and spirit feel good
Lodges itself between one’s teeth. And stays there while you struggle to get it out.
Nothing evolves us like love. Can be a hard road.
Wonderful game. Games are fun.
Laugh…the purest sound.
Singing…it is needed.


9/13
Sunday’s feau (chore): seep room, mop room, clean water filter, spray bug killer everywhere. Ahhh..my room is the cleanest it has ever been.

My family shot three of their dogs…I don’t think they want the female dogs to reproduce. I don’t think shooting is the best way. But they don’t ask me much of anything about what goes on in the family.

It’s still nice to listen to the ocean and the crickets. I won’t get this when I go home---which gets closer and closer.


9/11
Two weeks turn into one week school break.yucky.
I visit my family in lalomauga. Traveling. Can be an “every time adventure.”
I road in a car, bus, walked, taxi, and finally car. Coming back to my village I walked, car, bus, walk, bus, walk.

I’ve spent two years, struggling with sustainability—how to make change that will last after I am gone gone gone—back in America. I wonder how that translates to the work back in America. Well, here’s what I think: nonprofits operate best they can—that’s all that can be asked. Making a change to any system (organization or person) that is welcomed will want to continue. “capacity building” I guess is the technical term.

Another word study: capacity
capacity… Ability…capability… aptitude…faculty… competence…facility…power…gift…Talent…Knack…Skill

I’m not used to being “Loud” whenever I want something. My nature is to just do it. But in samoa it seems I need to be loud and act excited if I want something. That takes a lot of energy …I usually don’t have.


9/02
The simple life (in samoa): traveling shorter distances (to work—teachers usually teach in their own village). No rush; tomorrow is another day. Vocabulary…a small vocabulary. As the vocab increases, the complexity of life seems to increase. One thing at a time; no multitasking here. (ALTHOUGH, I was talking to a friend who lives in apia. He said that his family does not eat dinner, but eats as they do other things…sounds like multitasking).

superfat tattoos will travel with shepherd

in the pics: people; a blast from camp kilwanalong past (thanks kathleen); my german friend aaron; my samoan mom and ina; three handsome boys before white sunday service.

9/1
Diary of a superfat dinner: fried pig (no fat removed), dipped in generous dollops of mayonnaise (with a little hot sauce), taro and yams in coconut cream sauce. Bread with butter and coco cola. I guess a Mexican combo platter might have the same fat content???


8/28
“Your most hurtful pain is also your most powerful action.” From a book called The Shack. I like it. I’m not done with it.

Simple words in a definition; no circular definitions; one or two example sentences. This is the type of dictionary I look for after bouncing around samoa for two years. The simple word.

I was talking to a man from the ICT (information and communications technology) office in Samoa. “I had no other option other than computers (for a job).” It’s hard for me to think in terms of “only option”. I guess I have a lot of privilege that I don’t think about. Is that the right word? I’ve had a lot of opportunity. What am I doing with that opportunity?

8/26
The tattoo page…wow…my first tattoo is uma (finished). On permanently—forever. But I like it. I wish I recorded the taptaptaptap of the Samoan tattooing instrument. Only red pen today—make quiz corrections quickly.i chose a taulima—a simple band—because simple is better (for me) and I can always add more later—MUCH harder to take away.

Here is a psalm I wrote for my small group:

The Lord is my shepherd. I will not want.
The Lord is my starlight in the dark of night.
When despair closes in I will not fight.

Strong is the lord with the power to crush.
Any evil that cometh out of the brush.
The Lord is my shepherd, a strong hand to hold tight.
Through the jungle of frustration will he be my sight.

Long days, long night, the Lord’s work is good.
Do not tire; today or tomorrow.


The Lord is my shepherd.
In him I will take refuge.
On days that are tiring God sends reminders he is near.
A jumping fish. Star drops in the sky.
I will not forget. God walks with me.

Loving samoa today

in the pics: what's the deal with a topless coconut tree? bucket laundry in paradise; inside a normal samoan bus; a very large blow hole (don't get too close)

8/17
I’m helping a year 13 student (who used to attend our school) write his speech/debate.
“why I love samoa”
Mativa—poor
1. there is enough money for basic needs.
2. there is enough good tasting and healthy food to raise a family.
3. I am happy. My family is happy.
4. warm weather.
5. There is no war.
6. We have freedom.
He knows the samoan. He needs help with the translation into decent English.

Positive effects of technology on our culture.
• Technology can help record (preserve and protect) our culture
• Technology can be a source of information about our culture
• Technology can help to spread information about our culture
• Make our culture more open to other people (who may live far away)


8/15
So I’m also the warm up coach for our athletics. The students usually didn’t do any warm up, and then did their exercises.
Warmup—reduces risk of injury.
Power—there is no substitute for raw power.
Technique—better utilizes raw power.
Hydration—muscles work better if properly hydrated.
Breathing—gives energy to muscles. Stops cramps.
Attitude—will determine if you use all the other pieces to their full potential.

I also had to whip them into shape…there was no water bucket in the beginning. One girl fainted. Too hot.



8/11
Book: My Name is Today (morley/ Lovel)
We are guilty of many errors and many faults, but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can’t wait.
The child cannot.
Right now is the time his bones are being formed, his blood is being made and his sense are being developed.
To him we cannot answer “tomorrow”
His name is “today.”
(Gabriela Mistral --Chilean poet)

I wake up when my alarm springs to life with the alarm and the buzz. There is a faint light coming through the shades on my windows. I do my morning stretches and rub my feet, which are sore from standing most of yesterday teaching. My morning walk is something I look forward to each day because I get to be alone (something that’s hard to do in Samoan culture of togetherness) and landscapes are usually the most vibrant at dawn and dusk. I put my shoes on. This is the only time I ever wear my shoes—except when doing the river hike. I open my door, step outside and look to the left. The rising light is a blood red—the deepest red I have ever seen in the sky. Another example of when I stand in awe before God’s nature. I like nature.

moon drops lodge into an important spot

in the pics: food. a plate of samoan food; pig's head (I eat a lot of pig in samoa. i like the crunchy pig skin); tattoos; vai ti polo (without any sugar--the way i like it), and samoan tea (with LOTS of sugar)

8/8

Poem: Moon drops in the ocean

Waves crash in the dark

Moon shines bright overhead

Puffy white clouds

Hang lazily in the sky.

Pale light drapes the landscape

Colors of darkness

In a bit

Moon drops into ocean

Returning land to a darkness

Where stars have a say

In the play of nighttime.

Night envelopes

Starry patchwork twinkles bright

Cricket song collides with waves crashing

A peaceful sound

Darkness enfold the eyes

Cricket sounds envelop the ears

Fully awake to the night sounds.

--matt Crichton

8/10/09

8/4

I was talking with some peace corps friends about being fat—overweight, obese. In samoa, a man wants to marry a big woman, or make her fat because it shows he feeds his family well. I asked “what about all the pulatasi and dress shops in Apia that have skinny skinny manikins?” someone said, “you can’t find a fat manikin.” Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. I bet such a thing exists.

A good day I think (those are important). Even though there was no school (the second week) due to the swine flue (scare). I taught the teachers how to do research on the encyclopedias installed on our computers. We do not have internet at our school. One encyclopedia is called WikiTaxi. I can’t copy and paste text in WIkiTaxi ;( then I made a draft of a year book I’m going to have the students do as a project. I created a lesson plan for the research—capturing what’s on the board, which I don’t usually do…documenting.

Important things

· Profound courage to never relinquish love

· Come dance with me

· Nothing evolves us like love

· Lodges itself between one’s teeth

· God is more interested in holy than happy