YEAR ONE IN REVIEW

This is a bit of a belated one year mark check in. I’ve been waiting to rack up some more good deeds so I can make this message a real blockbuster. Actually, on the one year anniversary I was enjoying my first U.S. guests, my cousin Lon, his wife Jak, and my good friend Chuck. They walked the walk down here, south of the equator, for 2 weeks that left us mutually exhausted (I truly feel that I could write a better travel guide than Lonely Planet at this point), but very connected with the Fa’aSamoa (Samoan way)….taro and boiled bananas, Vailima (drink of..well there’s not much other choice), pe’a (tattoo’s), Pacific style Christianity, free range chickens and pigs and cows, as well as the other fine aspects of a way of life that has managed to maintain, and continues to rely on, its traditional structure and methods despite today’s numerous pressures to conform.
I have been enjoying, as well as sharing, and am happy to say that in an ever changing capacity im at home here. In my “living space” I have junk and clutter, plans for upcoming months, multiple nicknames in my village, new friends that i now consider family, and a natural rhythm that I have had only a few other places in my life before. I never though that this level of integration would ever come, and its as multi-polar of an experience as I have ever had but also one that I recommend to everyone. Making a life change so drastic is an opportunity like no other. Just as advertised.
Here are some highlights, notes, thoughts from the past year and potential future happenings for the next:
· I’ve read upwards of 60 books...plenty of reading time!
o If your looking for something new I’m the one to ask
· Teaching local kids computer basics and helping with homework
o Looking to work with the Ministry of Communication to upgrade our rural computer center, maybe solar powered, and internet
· Sick at least once every 2 months
o Lucky compared to other Peace Corps friends who are constantly ill; flu, conjunctivitis, strep, unknown rashes
· Still love my village - Samalaeulu
· Completed Phase 1 (6 months) of the Onosa’i Society’s (group of local chiefs) semi-commercial vegetable farm project
o Crops: cabbage, green/yellow pepper, cucumber, squash, tomato
o Built a new small shed for shade and water collection
o Waiting on support from the UN – Development Program to fund irrigation, tools, etc. – maybe next month!!!
· Can comfortably speak Samoan and learned three great new words this week
o Amio: attitude/behavior
o Fa’ata’ita’i: to try in vain
o Fefela: when your lavalava opens unexpectedly and you expose yourself (have to tie them tight!!)
· Formed a great working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture’s extension officers
o Attended a week long pest management seminar
o They are teasing me with the possibility of a group trip to Fiji
· Job becomes more difficult as I become integrated, speak more Samoan, and understand more about the culture
o Hard to tell what is wanted and what is needed by my village
o I’m sure this will be THE constant struggle
· Rode around the island of Savai’i (my island) on bikes with a few friends. It took about 3 days. I didn’t even look at my bike for a month after.
· Currently cooking on a diesel powered kerosene stove due to an island wide kerosene shortage.
· Have considered packing it all up. Have to be honest.

What the future holds!!
· July should bring $5,000 worth of books to the Samalaeulu Primary School, new shelves, 2 computers, and a reading comprehension program. Fingers Crossed!!
o MOM and all others at RLRS who have sent out books, thank you!! And be sure to check the blog for a big new library post soon.
· August/ September are devoted to the South Pacific Games being held here in Samoa.
o I’ve applied to volunteer as a media coordinator for baseball/softball. Excited about the experience and about watching some ‘Olympic level’ competition. Should be awesome.
· December/January is steadily become a trip outside of Samoa, to New Zealand!!
o Hopefully I’ll be there for new years eve (1st place in the world to welcome 2008, compare to Samoa which is the last) and also be able to participate in what the “Extreme Sports Capitol of the World” has to offer. I may just stay there!!!!!