Grazing the Corners

2008-05-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Special Day: Becoming a Samoan High Chief

I was presented with an Alii title, Muliagatele, by my village council. I knew, but the secret was kept so that my parents could enjoy a big surprise. I had a pulatasi (womans outfit) made up for mom, and a matching shirt for dad. For about 2 weeks before the ceremony i was practicing my lauga (speech) and going over all that i knew about this process so that i'd get i just right. Everything went off without a hitch, even my dad accepting the ava (ceremonial drink), which includes a short thank you in Samoan (no easy task!)

Muliagatele, is a title that has been apart of Samalaeulu and Savai'i for a very long time. It relates back to Salemuliaga which is the name of a man (this mans 'respectful' title) who was once a part of all of the villages that this suafa (title) resides. As i was told, he was the paramount chief of certain regions of Savai'i, Samalaeulu included. Today, Muliagatele, is an Ali'i title that is uncommonly used and although respected doesn't carry the extraordinary village responsibilities that more common titles do. Thus, they have humbly presented it to me as a gift of thanks for my service.

2008-03-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

Lately......

I've been to PagoPago, by 12 seater airplane, a ride offering magnificent views...
I've been putting togeather the new primary school library, donated by NZ Aid, Fautua Sagato and my Mom....along with the help of Pelenatete the principal...
and took the computer kids on a combo field trip with Sarah's sisters to use a nice new computer lab a few villages over....
as well as having a great time with my friends, all while conquering the Shingles!!!

2008-02-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

AL's A-BOMB CHILI PLANT

getting an A+ in its tropical testing phase.

2008-01-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

HOT LIKE A CHILI:

Fiji on a flipflop

Many places in this world the budget we kept during this trip would have been laughable but being seasoned PC volunteers we packed our frugality and made Fiji work on less than $500 for almost 2 weeks. We are learned in the way of Fijian public transportation, especially the car pool minivans which are the most inexpensive but theme park scary method available and employed our "throw a can of tuna in that" habit of cooking, which we did ourselves in our Dutch wooden clogs and windmills esq. bungalow. For fun we stuck to our "once you go cheap you never go back" approach and snuck into luxury hotels to satisfy our need for the high life. Here's a few pic's to put it into perspective and add a bit of color to the lives of those back home wrapped in winters cold white blanket.

Nothing like explosive goat curry to clear out the sinuses!

Looking on home base from the pool.

Sarah borrowing the royal chair at the 5 star worthy Outrigger Hotel.

A filtered look at a market corner in Sigatoka where we got our first glimpse of the ethnic diversity in Fiji.

Here's a very very narrow glimpse at Suva, its actually just the bus stop. We did spend a day there, getting Sarah some antibiotics at the Peace Corps office, drooling for two hours in the supermarket (its been a while), shuffling among the shops.

A real Suva butcher!

These pots are maid from a variety of local trees and are driftwood like in design. I looked everywhere for one that was affordable and ended up taking home a small vase, a shard of these magnificent pieces but a token of the art.

Our last 2 days were spent in Nadi, where we wandered and investigated some more glam hotels.

Single file taro in the market.

This is the largest Hindi temple in the southern hemisphere. It was being redone and got to take a peak at the new ceiling art depicting Hindi gods acting out traditional stories. No pics allowed though....sorry.

This officer's outfit would certainly be a national security concern in the US.

Finally we were forced to leave but got a quick photo next the a chili pepper poster in order to

enforce the well known fact that Fiji is "HOT like a CHILI".

2008-01-08T16:14:00.001-08:00

Just got back from BULA land (Fiji) on a turbulence jarred flight that left at 2am Wednesday Fiji time and arrived here in Samoa at 4am Tuesday. Did i mention that i can bend time!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE TO COME!!

2007-12-16T12:32:00.001-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME and LEAH POST!! ENJOY or ELSE!

Here is a small mealofa (gift) to you for my birthday, which was a really great day. I did a bit of gardening, sign painting, and visited some of my friends. Later on Sarah and i mixed up some makeshift Mexican cuisine and a had a burrito feast!

Vaifale making his signature SUPER burrito under the watchful eye of Ava, a first timer.

Vaifale Sofe is finally building a new house. Eight kids and an uncountable number of grandchildren have grown up in this open fale. You cant send the kids to their room in this house.

Vaifale here with his granddaughter.

My poor pet pig Elvis, who i found abandoned in front of my house and tried desperately to nurse back to health is now in a better place, but we can remember him together through these pictures. This little guy reminded me of Leah, Sarah, and i rescuing birds from the gutter in PA, something i hadnt thought about in a long time.

Elvis's final resting place. RIP little brother.

2007-11-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

SnapShot: What i've been up to lately.

Farming with the Onosa'i Society has been an all consuming task as of late. We are preparing for a big subsidy from the UN and are busy getting things together. Planting is the tedious part but it pays off when the harvest comes. Here are some photos of recent harvests.

Bok choy - Chinese Cabbage

Long Beans - some arms length!

White Sunday, the most anticipated religious Holiday of the year, occurs on the first Sunday of October. Its a celebration of the children. They put on plays and dances at church in the morning and then are served first at brunch (to'ana'i).

Some of my buddies before church (Congregational Christian)
Most of my mayors grand kids awaiting their meal.

My afternoons are spent with a few dedicated village kids. We play on the computer, do homework (sometimes), and hang out (most of the time).
Koso made a paper crane, which he later shot down with a rubber band gun. Sorry Mom.

I hope your all having as much fun as i am!!! Enjoy.

2007-09-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

South Pacific Games

Check out this website to see some of the pics from the games and me with large Cross dressers a.k.a. Queen Tutti Frutti (Ms. Strawberry) and friend (Ms. Grapes!)

http://picasaweb.google.com/sswanson04

2007-08-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

Samoan National Boxing Team training session

Training photos of the Samoan National Boxing team. All of the National athletes are staying at local primary and high schools, Samoa is at a Saint Joes Catholic High. The Boxing squad was one of the first to show up last MMonday and start training at their new home, as you'll see they have created an efficient little training facility for them-selves and are putting it to good use in preparing for their run for gold.

Semoelo works on his nifty jump-rope skills for the camera.

Ring and training area at St.Joes with Oti and Semoelo in the foreground.

Light-Heavy weight contender Vaitele is so powerful the bag doesn't even want to play.

Team warms down after their mid-afternoon sparing session.

Team and coaching staff.

2007-08-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

South Pacific Games website CHECK IT OUT!!

I'll be writing for the Boxing page, probably daily during the event. I posted an article last week along with some pictures.

www.samoa2007.ws

2007-07-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

Cultural Experience Series :

What I Ate for Lunch

Food is a large part of Samoan culture, as it can be considered a subsistence living type of society. This has resulted in some interesting and creative ways of using natural resources. I have offered my Sunday "To'ana'i" (lunch) as an example. How about a little game!!!

Pictured above is:

A) Pork, coconut cream in multiple kinds of leaves, and breadfruit.

B) Pua'a, Palusami, and Ulu umu.

C) Fruit bat meat, green fish, and a slice of moldy bread.

Please respond with your answers!!

2007-07-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2007-06-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

HOLY COW! What a trip. After wondering for a year about what Viks life is like on the other side of the world, I now know. The first couple of days were spent recovering from jet lag and getting used to a culture unlike any other I've experienced. We arrived in Apia in the early a.m. then set out to the beautiful beach in Lalomanu. We then set back to Apia for a night then it was off to the big island of Savai'i where Vik and Sarah live. We traveled around the big island staying in beach fales, riding the local buses (thats a whole other story!) and staying with local families. We were treated like royalty by the locals. They fed us, gave us shelter, told us about their culture and even fanned us while we ate. Soon it was off the the famous "pilage" fale (meaning white persons house) in Samaleulu (viks house). As we crammed in four people in to a one room house it was destined to be an adventure. There got to meet all the people that are an everyday part of Viks life. His village fathers, the kids ( who whisper into his window everynight, pssst VITA, VITA VITA!) and even baby Vita and baby Shirley. After 5 days at Viks, Chuck and Vik set off back to Apia where Chuck got his permanent Samoan souvenier while Jak and I stayed in a beach fale in Manase. Soon we all met up in Apia for our final stretch of time in the SOuth Pacific. We went out to eat, drank plenty of Vaillima and experienced a peace corps "fia fia" (party). We were blessed with an opportunity to experience 'fa Samoa' and all these wonderful things, but were more blessed to see Vik again. It was a hard goodbye and one I hope to do again.

2007-06-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

Lonnie, Jak, and Chuck have come to the end of their journey through Samoa. They were shown the Fa'aSamoa as best as i knew how to present it, were given everything edible to eat, beaches to swim, local folks in my life to talk to, daily experiences to live. We have exhausted ourselves with bus travel, sea travel, and sleeping on floors. They've witnessed the hardest of rain storms and the blazing heat. They're headed weathered and worn, tanned as well, and with a whole new image of the Samoan way. It was to short but we made the most of it and everyone has lived to tell the tale.

More pics and tales to come.

2007-05-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Leah

Leah, I’m so proud of my little sis and her most recent accomplishments. You have been dragged through a year of unknown experiences, powerful feelings, life’s most fierce pressures and now your making another step forward. I love your resilience, ability to see the most in the darkest corners, and the way you revolve in the center of our family as its energy and passion. I wish you the best of luck in the near future and hope you have an incredible Graduation day.

Love you Leah!!!

2007-04-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

Cultural Experience Series - The Samoan Pe'a

Today were going to focus on traditional Samoan tattoo's. Samoa is know worldwide as the culture with the longest practice of traditional tattooing, it is often seen as one of the arts birth places. Today this art is practiced as vibrantly as it ever was and certain professionals still hold true to the ancient method - the use of boar tooth combs.
Samoan men and women have their own respective cultural ta too, the 'pe'a' for men and the 'malu' for women. These are both located in the midsection, for men it starts above the belly button and covers almost every nook and cranny down to the lower knee cap, womens starts at the upper thigh and sprinkles down in a star shaped pattern to their lower thigh as well. These were usually acquired with a partner, either man or woman, and were seen as a right of passage in to adulthood. What a passage it is, this is no simple walk in the park. Most pe'a take upwards of a week, 4 hours a day.
In order to create a closer bond with the culture many Peace Corps have turned to this unique tradition, most dont get the full pe'a but do get some ink using the boar tooth combs. The current god father of this practice in Samoa is a legendary man named Suluape. He is world renowned and has been inducted into The Amsterdam Tattoo Museum. This is the man you wand behind the tooth...he is an artist, Samoan, 30 practitioner of the trade.....and is very clean and safe.

Suluape is the man that Sarah Swanson and I would seek out to quench our curiosity. We both walked away water logged to say the least.......pictures and captions below:

Three is a party.

I went first and told the creative genius to work his magic...no other instructions. Thats how he likes it. He said he doesnt keep books of his past work like other tattoo artists because it would impede his originality. He wants every piece to be unique. This pic is of the tools and the fist few taps on the back of my arm.
One...two...3 hours later and its starting to come together. I've been moved from my stomach to my side and Suluape is having a great time shoving his elbow into my face as he tap..tap..tap's away. This is VERY painful to say the least...i cant stress that enough.

4 hours and 12 menthol cig's later and the master can see this emblem of Samoan culture come down the stretch. Blood, sweat, and a lot of cringing (no tears). I have yet to see what hes put together for me...absolutely in the dark. It was amazing to hand something so permanent over to a stranger...i trusted those steady hands from the beginning.

This is the MAN, Afioga Suluape. He's made his way through Sarah's spine here...almost finished with another permanent souvenir and he takes every one very seriously. Here he is reprimanding Sarah for kicking a fly off her leg and making him miss-tap...that fly will always be apart of her through that almost unnoticeable arrant line.

Sarah final shot. Sorry there isnt a better picture. It works its way from the beltline up to mid back. Pretty big. A 45 minute battle.

Minutes after and thats the smile of a very happy man. Sweet tattoo parlor huh!

This was an incredible experiance that will be with me for the rest of my life....HAHA. Im really happy with how it turned out, Sarah as well, and would love to hear some of your reactions. Also, our friend Dane got inked the day before we did..check his out on the blog attatched to this page. His is a replica of the male pe'a from the waist up. Pretty awsome.

Mom-you've been asking for a blog entry for a while. I hope you like it and i love you.

2007-03-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

Vik,

Much better picture!!! Your smilling face is so much more handsome than your *****. I have been collecting some books from Saint Monica's and from our home library. What is the best way to ship them. I heard if you ship by boat it is slower, but cheaper. What is the address where I should ship? If Michael and I were to make a monetary donation, who should we make the check out to and where would we send that. Love you, Aunt Rosie

2007-03-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

Reading Comprehension is NEEDED!!

This is the Primary Schools current library situation, very dismal. I've asked my mom for some books and am currently putting a proposal together for a NZAID small grant for books and a nice mat for the floor. Im working with the principal to start up a reading program using the parent volunteers. Supplies are whats needed most. If you can send some books, or are interested in helping in any other ways please let me know. I've also writen a letter with more information regarding the school and program. Thanks.

2007-02-28T13:20:00.000-08:00

Itch Free and Smiling

(this is an apology picture for the last post..sorry!!)

2007-02-26T17:30:00.000-08:00

Well Vik, That picture is a sore sight for sore eyes!!!! Hope that nasty rash clears up soon. Love Aunt Rosie

2007-02-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

Interesting and Uncomfortable
I recently acquired a lovely new addition to my world, a temporary resident i hope. Below are the pictures from my mysterious jungle rash that creeps into all corners and is instigated by heat and humidity, meaning it was feeling like an grandson after Thanksgiving dinner at his Italian grandmothers house.

Leah: thanks enormously for the note. I had a wonderful Valentines and fortunately i got to spent it with someone, not just pillows and blankets. I would live to hear about the BIG paper, the DECIDER. I support your perspective, thumbs up or thumbs down, it all about the larger learning experience. I'm getting a dose of that as well observing and participating in a mentality some call fatalism, something that I'm beginning to think is reaching to many other peoples not just secluded islands and day to day gatherers. Very interesting to flash between long term consideration and today's concerns. Seems like those without a calender laugh more. You should check out this author - Tom Robbins - hes an interesting and fun author. Love you.

2007-02-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

VIIIKKKKTTTTOOOOORRRRRR!!!!
Its me! I haven't hit the old blog in a while and am splashed with joy and love to see your pictures and hear your stories. Hope you had a good v-day, I held a lovefest for single girls to assuage some of the brooding that seems to sweep over my kind on this day. We got a huge snowstorm and everything was canceled, so we went sledding and I made my room into a sheet fort and we all sat in there and drank hot coca and read children's books. Everyone felt loved, even the random guy that followed us into the fort- nevermind who he is, just share the love! I am about to plunge into study jail where I will remain until tuesday when I have to hand in my senior midway so they can say 'hmmm, interesting." or "sorry sister!" Should be ok, I have too much privelage to complain about a stinking paper!
I am reading Dante's Inferno for my class- evokes a firey and twisted movie in my mind. But it is even more interesting to think about someone pulling all of their conceptions and their societie's connections to Divine space out of the imagination and into the elevatated public eye, for one of the first times. Humans are so weird, we invent, channel, respond, recreate.... articulating and living in a world that no one is sure exists entirely. We move towards and away from desires, virtues, needs that we may well have made up- we even try to convince others that we have found reality and the proper ways to interact with it. We all want to survive and be remembered, or to preserve or move the world forward. Where do all these yearnings come from? How do we shape and become shaped by the way that we interact with them? How does that effect the stories that lay through and around our people tales?
There are days when these questions are entirely irrelivant, perhaps among palms and children's hands you have found some quiet truth about love and peace.
Sometimes I can't help but wonder....
I love you, did you get our package?
leah

2007-02-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

Lending a Hand with Computer Basics

Over Christmas i had the opportunity to do some fundraising (bingo's) and purchase two computers from a local High School. On January 1st we (the village) received the goods, 2 Compaq Pressario's in decent condition and i set them up in the Mayors office adjointed to my house.

Since then the office has been alive with kids, mostly grades 8-13, some older but none younger (not due to lack of interest by the little ones, they had to be excluded from the program for the time being), learning how to type and use the basic Microsoft office programs, i.e. Word, Powerpoint and Excel.

Nights are shifted between the boys and girls, at the parents request, and run from 4-5 and from 7:30-9:30 at night. In a few weeks i hope to add a program for the 8th grade kids in Samalaeulu's Primary School, to allow all of them to get their hands on the key board.
As foreigh as Computers can be for new commers these kids are really picking it up fast. We use a basic typing program, Typer Shark, practice mouse skills with Solitare (its working), and i've been making simple lessons (fonts, sizing, tables, pictures, spacing) for Word and PowerPoint, soon Excel.

Having access to computers outside of the school setting is very reare in Samoa, not only because of the lack of machines but more so because of the deficiency in educators and maitenance knowledge. Computers left in this climate without a fan or AC actually get moldy and die very quickly. When a school or village gets some machines they are very relictant to use them and dont know how to set up a good climate to ensure longevity. A current PC volunteer has just been assigned to act as a regional coordinator for the island of Savai'i, to help increase village's knowledge. Also, the most recent capacity building group (teachers) was mostly IT specialists, placed in schools with computers in order to get their progams running.

The future of my small lab will hopefuly include growth. Currently the time kids have is very limited and the numbers in attendace keep growing. Short Term may include some fundrasing for more machines, (maybe with some help from home???) which can be bought used and relatively cheap from NZ. Long Term is leaning on a program set up by the Ministry of Communication who has been setting up Communiaction Centers on both islands. These include computers, fax, printers, maybe a projector, and focuses on linking villages to the internet. This looks promising for us but wont happen until late this year, Sept. or Oct.
Let me know if you are interested in supporting this program, either by fundraising or sending over used machines (laptops are the easiest), and i'll get the info togeather, costs/needs.

Enjoy the pics below.

2007-01-26T05:14:00.000-08:00

Hi Vik. Thanks for the Christmas card. Good luck with your soccer program. Is there any way we can help you with supplies? Katherine's teacher, Meg Nelson, asked if she could view your blog. Don't know if she wants the kids to communicate. What do you think? Katherine brought pictures of you in Samoa to school to share with her class and the teacher was very excited you had a blog. Everything is going well here. Grandmom got three teeth pulled yesterday, but she is doing great. John has been accepted to every school he applied to. Yesterday he received notice that he got a substantial scholarship to St. Joe's. He is not really interested in the school at this point, but his Dad is!!!!!!! Anna continues to swim like a champ and Katherine is riding horses and writing books. We love you and miss you. Aunt Rosie

2007-01-13T12:30:00.000-08:00

SOCCER PROGRAM for the TAMAITI

Before Christmas, just after school break, i set up a week long soccer camp for the year 5-8 kids. We got together in the evening when chores were done and it wasn't so hot, and do some drills until the attention spans were gone and then scrimmaged. Huge success!

So, I've sent over a letter to the Samoan Soccer Federation and FIFA asking for support, equipment and logistics. Hopefully a mini league can be set up between some villages close by, and I'll keep up with the camps now that school is starting up again.

I'm really excited, not only about playing, but also to offer the kids a constructive way to spend time, work on teamwork, and leadership skills. Just need some balls, nets, and kids!!

Team "kick it as hard as I can!"

Check out the goals.

Probably on the same team!! HA

2007-01-05T19:20:00.000-08:00

NEW YEARS PHOTO'S
Some pictures from a gathering of fellow volunteers at Falealupo, Savai'i for New Years. This is one of the most westery points in the world and in turn the last to be living in the year 2006.

Final sunset of 2006

Corps on the Beach

Showing the Samoan girls how to dance.

The Digs

2006-12-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

hey Vik,We are all in Kutztown with Hilary and Sheldon.We just saw this movie called Borat. It was funny sometimes and if you get the chance..... So we have only missed you forever but we just watched a slide show of all your pictures and your joy is contagious. Next Christmas we shall hopefully toast to you and with you. We love you.Mom
Hi Vik, So good to hear about you. You look great in your pics. I wish I was there with you. We miss you. I think it looks great there. Shel and I are the same as always. He loves going to college. It looks like you people are drinking alot of beer there, guess its the same the world over!! Have a wonderful new year Vic. Love you and thinking of you. HIlary.

2006-12-25T19:20:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from the "I'm stuck in Apia for some reason or another" Gang!!

Vik and Sarah's story: We tried to make it back out to our homes in Savai'i, but due to an increase in village to village traffic we were unable to get on the boat home. Stuck!

Tim (Giant Hat): He is waiting patiently for his parents and sister to make their way over for a visit, he doesn't know when this will be...maybe a few months or possibly within the next few days. Were hoping for the next few days Tim!!!!

Eric (Samoan style bleached hair): Eric is heading back to the States to pay is family and friends a visit..in the Philly area! Its his birthday TODAY and i saw him walk on water at the beach today...coincidence???

We're making Mexican food tonight, seeing Eric off to Faleolo (airport) and then the countdown begins for next Christmas when my family promised to come and visit me!!!

Manuia lou Kirisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou!!!!!

2006-12-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

Swimming with the Turtles

Thanks for the Birthday wishes!!! So kind! I'm being taken care of very well here on this "special" day. Indian food and a few beverages are in order....its nice to be appreciated sometimes.

A few weeks ago Sarah, Jordan, and I took a little bike ride to see a tourist attraction (something we usually stay away from) called Swimming Turtles to check out what all the fuss is a about. Fuss in this situation includes both positives and negatives. It is an amazing opportunity to see and interact with sea turtles but just like the zoo they are captives and this doesn't allow them to follow their natural life flow, breeding, migration, diet, habitat, etc.

Negatives aside, as you can see, it was pretty cool. Imagine this with goggles on!!!!

2006-12-12T05:44:00.000-08:00

Vik,

Happy Birthday from your family in PA. You are always in our thoughts and especially in our prayers. Love Aunt Rosie

2006-12-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

Vik! Miss you so much- The AVA BOWL looks fabulous in our new house! It is the perfect centerpiece on our table and we absolutely love it ;) We've been messing with that MP3 player but we aren't having much luck. We've been trying to load songs on it for you; some are successful while others are not. We also noticed that the only way to charge it is by plugging it into a computer. Will that work for you? Let us know if we should get you one that charges from a dock that plugs into the wall. Oh yeah- and Happy (early) Birthday in case I don't talk to you- I wonder what the Samoan birthday song sounds like...
jak

2006-12-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Expedition into the Interior

Their motivation was exploration and discovery on this burning Saturday morning as they faced the mysterious jungle landscape ahead, also known as the ‘Interior’. Team “Breakthrough the Bush” comprised of three veteran trekkers Tim, John, and Vik along with their new addition and rock climbing expert Dane Worthington. The seasoned trio’s first attempt at reaching Savai’i’s southern coast was thwarted after conquering six magnificent waterfalls they reached the seventh, a towering 100 plus feet (approximate) of surging water emptying into an eroded basin reaching depths of over 30 feet (gestimation). They were turned away soaking wet, mildly satisfied and determined to try again.

On November 27th the “Breakthrough the Bush” team was fresh and with their two new additions, Dane and Tim’s brand new GPS, were in high spirits. The planned route steered them away from the Maliolio river, their original trail, and in a more southern direction. Great time was made through Stage 1, Patamea’s maumaga trail, but the road through stage 2 was not as easily traveled. Attempt after attempt to penetrate a seemingly unending wall of carnivorous strangle vine was unsuccessful and by 11oclock fatigue was setting in. One last attack was made to break the front lines of the hungry ‘eatushuminus’ vine and almost resulted in loss of lead trailblazer, Tim “The Devastator” Martin. Facing certain disaster the decision was made to turn back towards the river bed and a more relaxing day by the falls.

The battered Breakthrough crew settled in nicely on the rocks beneath the mountainous waterfalls gaze. Sowers, lunch, and sling shot practice with tuna can targets filled the afternoon nicely. The group was so thrilled, or tired, that they decided to build a fire, pith Vik’s 1 ½ man tent and stay the night amongst Samoa’s natural splendor. With the fire ablaze the darkness was received and travelers were presented with a gift from the jungle...3 billion mosquitoes (fact). This drove the four men to their fortrouse where they were greeted by the claustrophobia of being confined in a space meant for 1 person and their backpack. The heat, close quarters, and the chorus of namu plotting a hostile takeover just outside drove the fearless four to the brink of insanity and out of the tent. In a frantic two minute period bags were packed, shoes and headlamps engaged and the journey home had begin.

With the groups mental GPS turned on they were able to slip through the woods unscathed, except for a near collision with a stone embankment, and back onto the dirt road traveling through Patamea and to Vik’s estate in Samalaeulu, but not without an audience. The Palagi foursome dawning headlamps a knife and lots of other gear was quickly spotted in Patamea, a village well off the main drag and at the time captivated by a village wide street dance party. After a very concerned Matai explained to them that they were the first Palagi’s to come from the woods at night and had put a good scare on everyone the weary travelers were finally able to conquer the home stretch and begin discussion on Expedition 3. No details are available as of yet.

Thats an article i wrote for the PC Samoa newsletter, its all true except for the vine (if it wasn't obvious, but thats truely as close as you can get to describing its nature..hungry and ferocious!!)

2006-11-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I hope your all fat and happy today and have the TV on whichever NFL game suits your fancy. Enjoy this day of family and food, its is well deserved. My favorite Thanksgiving food is a compilation of a few delicious staples; a solid spoonful of sticky stuffing, followed by a hearty helping of sweet potatoes (i can smell them right now), and then a glistening blob of canned cranberry sauce. Without these the meal is worthless.

So, today i am not going to be eating the melody of flavor and happiness that i just described. I have had the opportunity to scarf down a bundle of banana's from the market and hope to make it home in time to eat leftovers from last night for lunch...rice and black beans with a topping of chili sauce i found on a dusty shelf the last time i went to Apia. My current method for picking out chili sauce is pretty through, if its label is in Koren/Chinese/Japanese im buying it and its going to be good.

Dont feel to bad for me though because all the PC got together last weekend and had a HUGE feast. Im talking 6 turkeys and 20 homemade locally grown pumpkin pies (real nice w/ ice cream) courtesy of the Chargeis (sorry i cant spell french words) wife. Bless her soul. It was quite the spread and the quality of food was not a disappointment. Im telling you, maybe its just this post, but PC Samoa volunteers know how to cook. I think i strained my rotator cuff shoveling the mound off of my plate and i had a few fork marks on my face from 'just misses', it was a deliciously rough day!

My contribution: Cole Slaw - it should be called 'THE SLAW'

Recipe: market bought cabbage and carrots, mayo, old vinegar from the PC community fridge, random spices from on top of the PC community fridge - next to the moldy blob.

Make if you care about your palate at all.

Id make it for you because i care about all of you and you palates.

I love you as well.

Book suggestion: My Uncle Oswald - Roald Dahl. Genius.

2006-11-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

"Big Love!!! Thanks for an amazing trip."

2006-11-13T17:04:00.000-08:00

Vik,
Wah Gwaan Brudda?
I am still in a state of shock. These past weeks have been the highlight of my life. You traveling 10,000 miles for me, marrying the woman of my dreams, being with family in Jamaica... it was all very surreal. You played a major role in remewing my spirit and life.Thanks. Cant wait to see you again, miss you already. Your the best!!!!!!! Love, Peace, Unity & Respect. Lon

2006-11-11T05:03:00.000-08:00

Vik,
In the stillness of the night we woke to a flash across our minds, a twings of light across our foreheads, a fnowing of something we don't know about, certain that we love you.

2006-11-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

The week has come and gone and so have you. Time, at its best can provide us with all the pictures we need, for as long as we need them. I have an album from just two days. It's raining and rainy but not cold. It was only 37 on top of Mt. Washington today. I found the Che book and when dad returns with your address I'll pop it in the mail. Tell all of your friends I said hello. Take care of yourself, for you and for us. We'll see you, I know we will. Love ya, Mom

2006-10-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Leah,
Its amazing to hear your light and seemingly joyful take on life at this particular moment. You keep after yourself, the positives, and that there is a huge world ready to receive anything you have to give. Your the blazer of a path im strolling down, and others are looking at in wonder and curiosity, especially our little sis. Lets keep going and we'll try to take along as many as we can.

Tons of love

Mom,

I really hope to see you...NEXT WEEK!!! Cant believe how fast this trip has crept up.

"Grazing: Cultural Exploration" Samoan Ava

Ava or Kava is a root that is ground into power and dissolved into a large wooden bowl of water to create a drink that is used for ceremonial occasions, meetings mostly. It has some mouth numbing properties and is great as a center piece for just sitting around, relaxing and having good conversation. Its grown and drank all over the Pacific, and some islands have stronger stuff than others (I think Fiji is known to have the strongest). Matais and man drink it mostly, women can but arent known to. We drink a lot of it in the village, and when i go into the market will sit and hangout with oldtimers and drink a few epu (cups). There are only a few families who are traditionally known for having the ability to carve the bowls, and they are made from a special type of wood that is found in one region of Samoa, its on Savai'i north of my village. This is something im excited to bring back to share with everyone, its definitely a Pacific experience.

Sorry i just looked for some pictures..no luck. I think the next "Grazing: Cultural Exploration" should be of Taro. Get excited.

2006-10-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

My Goodness be gracioubees! What a wild world!!
Am sitting on the couch in my suite, listening to the tireless rain. The floor is covered with dried leaves that we have decided to use for carpeting! I haven't been here to read your thoughts for a long while, but I have been thinking of you always. It is so exciting to read your updates, and to try to coreograph my own....
Things are changing to quickly to say much for sure, but I am feeling really present, sometimes that means strong, sometimes so soft and weak, sometimes blazing with joy, sometimes breaking with sobbs, but the thing that is consistent is that I am. I am all of those things whenever and wherever they come, I am learning how to just be with myself, to be powerful as who I am. It is strange how these things come to us, this growth is not what I expected to burst out of the sad sorry ground. But I have been ready to flower for eons, and now I beleive with newly present might. I beleive in all of us and I beleive in you vik, I am so glad to see your smiling face in the sunshine with new friends. I am so glad that you are being available to this world
to sit with her rocking tears and bounce on his leaping laughter.
There are volumes and volumes of pages to read,
but it was warm flesh hands that wrote them,
it is from the sky and the skin that the prophet
speaks and you must be him to be with him.
Love
Leah

2006-10-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is the Mayor (Pulenu'u Office), 1st in the country and outfitted with the essentials, a teapot and the Ava Bowl.

Emral would be jealous of this kitchen set-up.

Fully furnished and packed full of random colors!!!

2006-10-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
There are many ways to tell that the glory of summer is over and here in the western mountains of maine one of those ways is that the large and imposing leaves of the backyard pumpkin plants appear black, rackish and spent. They curl on themselves and become brittle, all life juices gone. They resist the urge to fall on the ground, they insist on posturing tall and protective over the small orange orbs at their base. The thrill of pulling the fruit from the vines is never quite the thrill I expect. I want to leave them intact, together, whatever their fate they have come along this far. I know full well that the reason is just not to leave them be but to extract one from another so that the joy of the harvest can be shared and know its fullness. I struggle to seperate them, I creep out in the dark thinking the leaves, giving their last bit of life, will forgive me or maybe even not notice that I have taken their reason to live away. But I do it and share the pumpkins with whomever I see, hoping they know the past, love the present gift and plant a seed for a new spring. Fall A mom knowing that children grow up.

2006-09-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
vick WUTS UPP its Dru how is somoa i hope its better then highschool cus thats real boring. i hope you work on your basketball game cus i grew a couple inches. Also i hope your playing soccer cus i am playing soccer for my high school and i got alot better. Have u seen anyone get hit on the head by a coconut yet cus u told me the number one cause of death thier is coconuts. If you havent heard yet the celtics got allen ray from villanova and randy foye went to the timberwolves and i am not sure about kyle lowry. my mom got a 5 pack of celtics tickets it sucks that you cant come but when you come back we can see a bunch of celtics games. so how are the ladies are there any hotties in somoa cus there is alot of cute girls in high school. over the summer i had a camp basketball game and i dropped 27 points and 11 assists and i hit a buzzer beater that went into overtime. i aslo went to sixflags newenglan and i didnt girl out of all the scary rollercoaster rides i actual went on the superman. so when you come back we should go to six flags and go on all the kick ass rides. your mom sent the picture of you and me when you graduated NU and i look really special in it it was an acedent i was trying to smile but it didnt come out to well. I think i am getting all a's in my classes but its only two weeks into school. oh ya and after week three in the nfl the eagles are leading there divison but they had a pretty easy schedule.and jackass two came out in theatres on friday. i wish i could see it with you cus its rated R but i can sneak in with some friends hopefully i will not get caught. when you get back we can rent it and watch it at my house. i saw rocky for the other night the one were he fights that russian guy and it had the corniest ending ever but eye of the tiger pumps me. i got to go PEACEHOMEDIZZLE
as a wise min named snoop doggety dog once said-Dru MCINERNEY

2006-09-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

PICTURES OF HOME!!!

A few promised picks of the new digs, and to start is one of me and the hardest female worker on the job Pisi, my new neighber and painting budy.

Here is an acrobatic look at the unfinished interior. Im am so unprepared for this post...honestly i didnt think this would work so i dont even have any new pics. This is my bedroom and kitchen which is now finished and furnished, almost fully. Excited to get a good pic of its present state.

A few promised picks of the new digs. This is a frontal, im standing on the road, and gazing back at my new luxury flat. Amazing colors huh!!!

Hope yall like it and are super excited to visit, maybe wait untill you get some better pics.

2006-09-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

BACK in the OFFICE...not really

Some really great and exciting things are happening in this little village i've been living in for one month now (anniversary this weekend).

Last Friday my new house (room) was completed and i've been living there since. Its a cozy studio like sanctuary with a toilet/shower, kitchen area, and a nice outside space, both in the front and back, for a garden and hanging out. I really love it and the carpenters did a great job. We had a BBQ on friday to say thanks.

Attatched to this room is an office for the Pulenu'u (mayor), sort of a central location for the village and its elected official to come together. This office is the first of its kind in Samoa. The Department of Internal Affairs has expressed its expectation that all villages begin to create these "offices" or central, established places for the plan to work from and village affairs to be handled, and Samlaeulu is the first village to successfully create one. This is a big deal! Next Saturday, Sept. 30th, we'll be having an opening ceremony and have invited the heads of the Ministry of Women, Youth and Social Development, the Peace Corps Country Director, and local leaders. We also plan to have media coverage, newspaper and TV. The idea is to set Samalaeulu and its hard work as an example to other communities to show the importance of having a public space like this in every village.

Very good stuff. Next is outfitting the office with essentials...hopefully a computer later.. and putting it to good use. This is really a big step for village development. I didn't have much to do with its start but hopefully will be able to help with the direction the office takes in the future.

Just as important but without the media coverage is teaching kids about the water cycle tomorrow in the year 8 science class. See how it goes.

Fam.- Im very lucky to have grown up aroung such strong and insightful people, thank you for the strength you have given me and i hope we are all able to keep it through these difficult times.

Love you all promise pics of the new house soon!!!

2006-09-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners

With the passing of 9/11 comes the understanding that it remains a constant in the hearts and minds of many people. If the strength of the suvivors and loved ones of those who survived could be bottled I think we would finally see some light of love and acceptance in the eyes and hearts of peoples across the globe. In lieu of that we should shake a hand and look into the eyes of someone new every day.
Mom

2006-09-02T03:53:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
This is the morning that I take the 4white chickens to the slaughter house. I am curious but nervous. Someone has to do it. I know that chicken doesn't grow from styrofoam trays in the freezer department of the supermarket at the same time I'm not certain about being part of the process. I suppose I should feel good about it since I will know where my meat comes from and I do know they are happy, or as happy as chickens can be, beause they have a great life. Mike hand picks dandylion leaves for them in the evening and they scratch all day for bugs in the dirt. So as we eat that next chicken cutlet know that there are some very happy, well cared for chickens in this world . We are thankful for their life and their sacrifice. Do the Samoans eat meat?
Mom

2006-08-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

vik, good to hear your voice, it sounded fresh and full with quiet attitude. we have 3 trail walkers in the house tonight, they stopped in , by chance to hear the schraders playing on the parkside deck, in the cold august night. thinking of your life and these boys and moving on... good luck. love dada.

2006-08-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
Hey brother,
Got your pix!! they were awesome. There has only been two times in my life when I have looked at another person and thought they looked like me (or I looked like them). One was on the back cover of a magazine for Adidas Taekwondo (kinda freaked me out a little) and the other was the pic of you and the kids in what looked to be a truck. I was like "I've never been to Samoa, and I have never seen those kids." "What a minute...thats Vik." holy cow! Kind freaked me out...Damn your handsome. haha.
I had an exciting weekend. Friday I did personal security for Rip Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons. He is from Coatesville and does this huge charity event at Ash Park and I was supposed to be watching Chauncey Billups all day (as security, as funny as that sounds, a 5'10" 190lbs white kid from D-town security for a 6'7" NBA player) but he didnt show up so I spent the day at Rips side. Really nice guy does a lot for the community. He also got my number so when he comes to play the Sixers he gonna "toss me tix." I told him I must cheer for the hometeam cause I dont stray from my roots. He said when he plays the Sixers he's not sure who he wants to win cause he grew up a huge Philly fan. Kind cool. N e way. Hope all is well with everyone reading this. Power to the peaceful. LOVE!
Lonnie

2006-08-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
Viko sent you an email but thought id weigh in on the blog for good measure. things are going well. bought my tix to jamaica the other day so that will be cool, hope to see you there. kneil is back for a few weeks then going back to mississippi. i guess his first trip with his batallion will be to ohkinawa japan then he gets leave for some amount of time then he has to go to either iraq or kuwait. hes signed up for 5 years though so there will also be some stuff after that too. as for the homtown teams the sox have been sliding a little bit lately but the pats start playing for real sept 10 and look to crush the entire nfl as they did in the years of 2001 2003 and 2004. we have a favorable schedule and a weak division so im assuming we will cruise through the regular season and then bust some heads in the playoffs for our 4th title in 6 years. and if it sounds like im baiting some of the philidelphia fans that may be reading this blog then you know me too well.

Shirley - i actually have been to maine quite a bit on the weekends, just keep missing you. i ran into leah at the pub one nite and escorted her back to the house but you were in philly with gmom. i stopped by one other time but no one was home. saw jaque, looks like hes adjusting to the great outdoors fairly well. not sure when im coming up again but ill try and stop in again.

Everyone else - [fill in witty and inspiring quote here]

Take it easy, all the best,
Chuck

2006-08-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners Viko,
I can just imagine a big Samoan guy whackin' you on the back "HEy Viko". I picture the big Hawaiin guy from 50 first dates, Tattoo face. HAHA. I read the blogs and picture everything immediatly, its really fun for me to do that thanks for the good descriptive letters. I went to Assateague Island this weekend in MD and went swimming at night in the ocean (HUGE fear of mine, but I did it!) I experienced the glowing phosphorous that comes off your body in the water, kinda freaked me out at first but then it was cool. (Leah the roots you talked about were giving off phosphorous also, so we both experienced the same thing for the first time...at the same time...away from each other, weird) HAHA. Anyway, had a great time thought of you all a lot. Can't wait to hear the next one. You crack me up.
p.s. we had a long ride to the island so we all started telling stories and I busted out the one where you drove down to G-moms around Easter time and ventured into the easter basket your family gave you and how about you found the "special" egg that Leah put Goat poop in....AND YOU ATE IT!. Everyone was laughing uncontrollably.
Love!

2006-08-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

Vik!!!!
Reading your blog made me so happy, I can really imagine things better now. I am so proud of you! You're really doing it!!!
I went to the island party this weekend and found these roots in the woods that glow in the dark! I also saw a bald eagel poop in the lake, and of course played some wild music all night long!!!
I cannot say all that I am experiencing now, a letter is on the way. Point is, I am learning how huge life is, just how far away the sky is, and how close hearts can live.
I love you so much
leah

2006-08-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

INCHING TOWARDS THE END OF THE BEGINING

I LOVE my blog, even though i hardly ever get to post and read, when i do it really lifts me up!!! Thanks so much for your support and loving words, it feels amazing to know that we are all still living togeather while worlds apart.

Over the last month a lot has happened. Training has begun to show signs of completion and i think the group is in a state of disbalief, that we will be on our own soon, and ecxitement for the next step.

So, in talking to my mom a few weeks ago i realized how poorly i've described what is actually going on here. For the past two months our entire group has been living in a village togeather, each with different familes and going through intense language and cultural training, mon-sat (now you know why were so excited to get out of class!!!). This past week was a huge deal because we found out where out true - permanent - villages will be and took a week to visit them.......on our own!!! What a crazy time that was.

My new home..Samalaeulu...is on the island of Savai'i and is a monster of a village, 800 + people, 5 churches (diff. congregations), a primary school, the biggest river in the country runs through the center (but only flows....rages actually....3 or 4 days out of the year, the rest of the time its bone dry, i hiked it to the ocean on thursday, it took 3 hours round trip!!!) and is surrounded by lava fields (which are odly alien like, i had no idea what it was when drove by, it looks like some exploded a huge Bic pen all over the coast line, blobs and bubbles).

So, my counterparts seem extreamly proactive. There is a committe that was set up to wirk alongside me, and they have list os projects they are intersted in working on. The most apparent at the moment is education. Math and Science!!!!! The primamry school is so so short staffed, and from tuesday trough the end of the week i had ad-hoc tutoring sessions in my "room" at the Womens Committe house. What a trip that was. It was great though, math, drama, accounting, essay writing, were the main subjects. I think theres enough kids that need help that i could bring every reder of this blog over and keep you busy day after day. Pomento genes kicking in again....love it!!

I think a book drive might be in order, for all the teachers out there. Maybe a whiteboard and markers aslo for the tutoring session.....details later.

This last week got me really excited. I was worried as to how i would fit in, and how useful i could be in my community. Even though it was only a week i felt really good.....ALIVE!!!!!!

On August 23rd, we all swear in, become true volunteers, are cut off from the training staff and pushed out on our own. Right now i'll say that it cant come soon enough....check back in a few months for a response to this note...i think it will be possitive.

-Sarah, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! I sent a letter and some picture of you and Leah, i hope you receive them!!!! Love you and hope you have a hell of a good time. Your old!!!!

-Grand Mom and Aunt Rosie/Lisa, thanks so so so much for the cookies, the made it into my stomach and those of the other volunteers and my Samoan brothers and sisters just fine. SOOOOOO good. Thanks!!! Also, G-mom, i hope your feeling alright, Im so sad that you fell and hope your feeling better.-

-Mom and Dad, Thanks for the notes, it was so good to hear from you on the phone mom, i have a new number for you (give it later, and i hope it didnt break the bank). Sounds like your having a great summer. Please send little Drew's address i write him a letter but have no where to send it.-

-Jaque, good to hear you the man of the house again, keep up the good work. Try to talk less and listen more, its a skill i've been learning as well. Also, keep a big smile and laugh...they may be the key to happiness.-

-Lon, i ove the reflections and words of wisdom, your spark inspires us all. The kids here would love a round house kick lession!!!! Natural atheletes.

Im headed off to play a softball game with the Peace Corps, Japanese volunteers, and a bunch of Aussie volunteers. Should be a hell of a good time.

I do need some things, not extreamly urgent...but welcomed. - new watch, plastic/rubber band w/ an alarm, not expensive. - new books, from my pile at home -board shorts, one pair, not white, style is welcomed, size 32 (and not really shrinking or growing) - gum, granola bars, box of mac and cheese, little stuff like that, im in a country where these easy to grm items at the store are not so easy to grab - crayons, the kids tear through the boxes !!!

I healthy, happy, having fun, speaking Samoan pretty ok ( i can get through conversations with out english...simple ones), anjoying this beautiful country and its people and felling realy alive!!!

"The more challenges the situations you put yourself in, the higher you set your goals, the more you will get out of life"-Lost in Mongolia, Colin Angus - DONT BE SCARED!!! -

Huge hugs and silly kisses from Samoa,

Viko (new..new name)

2006-08-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
Schraders
As I walked down the uncertain road of life I felt the warmth of light in front of me even though I could not see it. In my path were slippery rocks, sharp branches and suffocating darkness yet I still felt the warmth of the light which I could not see. With each step I encountered unparallel disaster and life ending threats, yet, I still felt the warmth of the light which I could not see. As I tried to maneuver I became more disabled but at the same time more intelligent. I was now able to move with ease even though I became battered and bruised along the way because I felt the warmth of the light I could not see. There is no map for this journey however there is a guide that will lead the way if you find it. Hope is the emotion that will let you feel the warmth of the light that you cannot see and keep you moving through with reason. Lon
My love is with you always.

2006-07-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

vik, big J cat was hunkerd down on a wee little bird today. he can also enter the house by the back screen door. creak, slam. the boy has learn the ropes. runs the whole yard with big sauntering loops. talks alot too. a regular guy. dada.

2006-07-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Vik,
I have become a yoga addict and my poor mother has become my newest victim. We went to one of crazy Brandon's classes and she reacted just like you did, remember? Gmom sent you a package so let us know when you get it (remember to mind your p's and q's just in case she left that out) We all miss you and look forward to hearing about more of your adventures. This message is also a tutorial for Auntie Kathy so stay tuned everyone for her first post!
Love you all!
Cuz Claire

2006-07-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

Vik,
I am in fact in Downingtown with grandmom. I am out on the town this morning and just posted your pack of letters fromthe home front. The postman said it will take 4 to 8 days!! So keep your eyes open. I am on Lisa's super bike and found the town library, I used to come here all the time when I was a kid and when I opened the door the entryway looked just the same. I don't think they have painted the shelves in 40 years. After I write this I will wander around and see what memories spring to life. What a trip!! I have to learn to be still and just be here for grandmom, that is difficult but perhaps it is my zone right now and it is good. I miss Leah and Sarah and the circle of Schrader but I'll be home soon. "Be well, do good work and stay in touch." Love to you ,Mom

2006-07-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hey Vik!!
Its me, leah, I'm home and so happy to be here in the green green and the honey water.... The family went to see some independent films last night, one was about three generations of women living stranded for twenty years on the shifting sand dunes of brazil, and the other was the story of a young man's struggle with AIDs and its stigma in India as told by his family and friends (super cheesy Indian film, but super powerful story). The love of the family for their son and brother made us all miss you a lot. We love you so much vik!!!!!!
I am sitting here mostly unemployed, picking songs to learn for the fiddle contest. Sarah is babysitting, she is the tannest little thing I ever did see from life guarding! Dad is at Ecopelagicon doing whatever it is that he does there (drinking coffe and borrowing demo CDs!). and mom just called from south station in boston where she is listening to a street quartet and waiting for a train to PA. She's going to stay with g-mom for a few weeks, did you know that she broke her collar bone (grandmom that is)?
I am drifting in and out of the passing bits of my reality, the river of love sprung up by children in so many places, the shifting beaches of the past build by sand spilling from the walls and alleyways of this town, the stacks of written and blank pages that lay in wait for me one more time at school.
I love you so much and wonder about your life all the time, I can't wait until you start your project, it will be so wonderful to hear how it unfolds. Knowing who you are is so reassuring because I have no doubt that the friendships that you are building there are rich and wonderful.

With eyes held carefully open my brother places one foot in front of the other leaving the notes of his heels and toes to be read by the ocean's orchestra. I close my eyes and pretend to hear, and the music is all there.
love and love
leah

2006-07-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners

Well thanks to Claire I can now write on the main page and tell you guys whats up in the 617. First of all the weather is almost as bad as what Lon was describing only we may be 5-10 degrees cooler which really makes no diference when all you can see is asphault and concrete. No major injuries to report but people keep asking me if I've found a new best friend yet and if its different with Vik not around. The best line of come up with so far is this, "I lived in the same room as Vik for 5 years and that doesnt count the time back home. So basically I'm trying to figure out how to live with out a hand. Sure you can get a hook but its still not quite the same." I thought that was pretty good after 17 budweisers. Anyway, as for the song, Claire said she has a kid that sings the Jay Z (I think it was Jay Z anyway) song, "dust that dirt off your shoulder..." or something like that. Just tell them its the urban version of the wheels on the bus, you could even try hand motions.
Other than that people in Boston are leaving by the day. Red, Steve, Leann, Git and all those guys are more or less out of here; we had a blow out weekend last weekend. I'll spare Shirley the details but it was quite a blow out. We were at the North End for probably 11 hours so you can pretty much figure what it would be like with those fools for that long with all those bars in between.
Work is pretty crazy. I have 4 main jobs I am working on that will probably not end for the next 3 years or something. One is for the MWRA evaluating the facilities between the Quabbin Reservoir and proposing upgrades, one capital improvements plan (CIP) for Salem MA, that involves telling the town how to not lose as much money on there drinking water system; one for the upgrade of a Wastewater Treatment Plant trying to get Government grants to pay for it and basically stop the plant from pumping wastewater into the rivers; and then making a water distribution system models for various towns; all this translates into I'm in way over my head and just trying to figure out which way is up. other than that work is going good!

Anyway this is probably rediculously long so that will be my blog for the next month or so... Glad to see everyone is well and see you all when I see ya.

-Chuck

2006-07-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
Hey All!! just dropping in to say HI! All is well here at home base. We are all enjoying the 95 degree days with 110% humidity. Welcome to PA, gotta loveit!
Well Vik, hope all is well in Samoa and I'm sure your having fun. Wish I was there to see you in action. Here is the update on my current injury list. #1 It was a tick bite on the back of my leg, no limes tho, pheww! #2 Seperated shoulder A/C joint by 6mm, feels good cause I got pain killers, woo hoo. "Every little ting is gonna be allright" -Bob-
Aunt Shirl and Sarah, thanks for being there for the ride. You guys are the best and I love you very much, all is well and we continue to smile everyday.
Lon

2006-07-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

WINTER IN THE PACIFIC

Just got off the boat that brought me back to Upolu after a first few days in Sava'i . I wen to visit a volunteer on the farthest corner of the island, in a town caled Pau-Pau, one of the last villages in to world to see the sun everyday. I went to get a little taste of what a 'day in the life' of a true PCV is like. Luckily we were pretty close match. We shared similar goals and expectations. He's been in country for about a year (Maka is his name). Hes got a neat little garden project going through which he is attampting to promote diversity, both in gardens and diets. Even though plants grow like crazy here diets include hardly any fruits and vegitables. He has also been spending sometime at the primary school, about 2 days a week. Teaching basic science and doing some simple leadership building activities.

He picked me up at the warf and we hopped on a bus, my first because PC has been driving us everywhere. It was a heavy 1st dose - 2 1/2 hours on a little wooden frame, including the 16 2 person bench seats. I was cursing my bony Pomento ass the whole way!!! The main rule is that talking is a no-no. Samoans seemed to have developed a non-verbal language for the trips, one very unknown to me. I got king of luck on my first trip and there weren't many folks traveling, but i know they can get pretty packed. Sitting on laps i very common, and now i think it may be more comfortable than the seats. Granted you get a nice cushioned pair of thighs!!

On our trip to the school the 4th/5th level (grade) teacher asked if i wanted to teach and sing the kids a song. I was already in front of the class and could tell they would be pretty disapointed so i went to work. -This is where the Pomento really helped out!- I grabbed the eraser, cleared to board, wrote down a few lines, turned around, smiled at the eager eyes, and busted out Row Row Row Your Boat!!!! With hand motions!!! within ten minutes they had it down, were harmonizing, and dancing along. I couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day, that connection, even on this simple simple level is what i've been craving and excited about.

If you have anymore song suggestions send them over. Hand motions are great but not essential.

I hope you liked to pics. I'll have somemore of my host family when i get back, this wont be for another 3 weeks.

I hope the wedding went well!!! Sent my congrats to Tiz.

Leah-Thanks for your note, cant wait to check out your blog, and see some pics. Please have a safe trip home!!

Lots of love.

Vik

2006-07-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

HEY VIK!!!
Can´t wait until you have a sec to write some more, but sure you´re experiences are beyond words anyway!!
I am thinking of you a lot, can´t even imagine what you are seeing and feeling and smelling and hearing!
I am doing really well, today we hiked up into a mountain village where a lot of the kids we´re working with live. It is a shanty town built on a nearly vertical mountain face by people displaced by violence outside of the city. I have never seen such poverty. It is a hard thing to hold, little makeshift shacks leaning on eachother, tin rooves held down with broken bricks, little kids everywhere, carrying eachother around, kicking trash, making the best out of it as kids are so great at doing. I was filled with a million little beginnings of ideas to help, but know that its not that easy. I envy the time that you get to spend in Samoa so that you can actually try to sit on a few attempts to support those who are so resilliant to want and need.
I fly to peru on friday for a short week. I have been so privelaged to be here. I am glad that you are seeing too.
This world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love and love and love you!
Leah

2006-07-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Well Whats UP!!!! Just got back from our first trip to a true Samoan village. My new fam was great, very accomidating, loving...it was tough to leave. I have tons of stories but i have to run...sorry about the tease!!!!

I headed out to play some golf with a few volunteers...and two lady's from the Samoan national golf team!! About to get creamed.

Hope all is well, wish you were here and i'll be back on monday!!!!

Toifealoat'i - Talk to you soon!!!

Vik

2006-07-01T04:18:00.000-07:00

V... sarah and mom drove to PA. last night to hook up with the family and then on to the wedding. I'll miss the ocean there the most. guess your getting plenty of that. people asking about you and leah. she's in columbia as you know and a big poem came a week ago. I ask her to try and learn the rhythm's of the salsa and maranga there. mom picked up a cd, " the music of oceania"... has some old recordings from different times including the history of the german and new zealand occupations and the songs of rebellion. also cleaning out the garage. found a book" once were warriors " by a new zealand author, alan duff. everyones seems to be in a good place. let's keep it that way with spirit and searing light. love. dada.

2006-06-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
Hey everybody, Just thought i'de update the blog with a new post. I ve been keeping Grandma up to date with print outs of Viks letters, most common response..." he's crazy, whyz he in Samona!?" I am also starting to think that my birth name might actually be Viktor- Brian- Bobby-Lonnie. She really does support you Vik, I promise.
Vik the move was streamline, we got all of our stuff into Som's house in one day and now we are comfy. His parents are up from FL. for a week so we are getting the home-cooked meals along with a free Indian food cologne. We are also getting ready to leave for NC. for Tizzy's wedding and I think Aunt Shirley and Sarah are riding back with Jak and I. Should be fun, I love road trips with Schraders (big part of my childhood memories). Anyway, Love you all. Lon
"Be the change you want to see in the world". Ghandi

2006-06-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

CURRY for the DOGS

When we first arrived our trainers hooked us up with a list of Apia's finest dining establishments. Pizza, Chinese, McD's, and a few delis were on the list, but at the top was a local hangout with local food. The catch was that our stomachs probably wouldnt be able handle what was on the menu. We needed to toughen up a bit.

Today we went to Pinatio's (the dangerous local spot). I had a HUGE plate of green curried chicken, a monstrous fried chicken leg, and toro (local starch, a cross between a potato and cardboard) the size of boulders. I could hardly make a dent. But what i did eat was pretty tasty.

An old man working on the front deck of the "restaurant" came by to take my plate when i was done. He politely asked if i was finished, lifted the plate, turned around, made a soft kissing sound, and placed the plate on the ground. Instantly three dogs sprinted over and licked my leftovers clean. Everyone was satisfied and i learned a bit about how this tiny island culture works.

Today we head off to our training village, Vaie'e. Its on the southside of Upolu. I haven't been there yet but i've heard really good things. I'll be sure to tell my new mom, dad, brothers, and sisters all about my amazing friends and family...as well as i can (which, suprisingly, is becoming more of a reality every day). This also means that i'll be out of communication for 2 weeks. I'll have some great stories then!!! Talk to you soon. Love, vik

2006-06-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Vik and everyone I have been at Camp Sunshine for 31/2 hrs. and the families have not yet arrived but any minute now. I have taken a moment to unpack my stuff and walk around the "campus" on Sabago Lake. I am already in awe of the work these people do, the simple beauty and the love that's all around. My work starts at about 4pm serving food and all that jazz, in the meantime I'm sooo hungry I could spit but there is nothing to eat until it's served! How much gum can I chew and swallow until dinner is served? Already questioning my "empathetic" reasons for being here, what do I know about pain? Nothing. I wonder if I will come to a totally selfless spot. I can tell the difference already between the way I have been living my life and other less selfish ways. There are a lot of young people here as volunteers, college kids I think, my roommate has the aura of a Kelly Brooks. So as the time moves on I will learn what I will learn. I think of Leah and you and the selflessness and community you must share doing the work you do and being among all of those other people. I admire you both so much. Love to you both. Mom

2006-06-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

So, hope all is well with everyone. Vik, sounds like the culture is perfect for you. I bet your making all kinds of friends, can't wait to meet them. Jak and I are just about 4 months away from the big day and we have all kinds of cool stuffed planned for Jamaica. Wedding is on Runaway Bay beach at 4 ( I thought it was 4:30, good thing Jak reminded me) then we will go to another section of the beach for a cocktail hour with a local steel drum band. Soon after that we will all pile into a restaurant for dinner the hit the beach for a party party Jamaican style (plenty of Red Stripe and Roots Reggae). Got my suit, its a white linen suit with a Spanish style wedding shirt ( my Mom said it looks exactly like my first communion suit only bigger) and no shoes. Its gonna be loads of fun. Catch ya on the flipside.

A toast to your coffin-
May it be made of 100 year old oak
And may we plant the seed together, tomorrow.
W.A.M.L. Laanzoe!!!

2006-06-15T19:42:00.000-07:00

Vik,
Leah left New Orleans for Colombia tonight. Dad talked to her but I missed the call. So what color is your lavalavas? Do you wear the shirt we gace you with them? Maybe you could cut the sleeves off the shirt and wear it with the lavalavas. You must be having rain too. We are too. Gardening is difficult but we did a little last night. I love digging in the dirt. Town meeting tonight, school budget and lots of other things. Such a tribal meeting. Glowing moon upon the sea of distant wishes, paving their way to you across the sea. Mom

2006-06-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

v, went over to new york state to retrieve sarah and leahs stored stuff. took a peace corp. V. back after 3 years, in Thailand, 1 year as a semi NGO. but with peace corp. connection, back home to potsdam... way up state. talked plenty about his time and his return. he's going to grad. school in denver for international studies, ????. or something like that. I asked, why not go to a school over there, way cheaper, the dif is getting the degree in the states has the prestige. only $ he gets is the P.C. grant... said the most important thing was the personal connections between 2 people from differant parts of the world. good luck. DADA

2006-06-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the Breeze

I bought my first "formal" lavalavas, it has pockets and is a soothing light blue. We call the cooling upward breezes "Samoan AC". Great feeling on a hot day...trust me!

-leah, i hope your able to move on smoothly, the next experiance will be just as challenging but hopefuly even more rewarding!! Happy hour IS a great thing-

-Clair, have your kids been talking about the new umpa-lumpa song remix. Its all the craze here...and it pretty creepy. -

-Lon and Jack, i hope the new situation is alright. miss you big time and i know you'd be right at home here. Its Jamaica with out the ya'mon...Bob even makes his pressence felt.-

I went to see the x-men movie in Apia's theature, its nicer than Rangeley's, and is right down the street from McD's. American influence is not only hiding below the surface. The village should prove to be much different. Well see on Sat!!

I was hoping to get into some rugby games but from the bone crushing i've seen so far i think the touch leagues are the best place to start. These kids are nuts!!!

Pics soon i promise!!!

2006-06-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Hey Vik!
So glad you're back!
I am getting ready to fly away again, thursday.
Sad to leave, but acquired many new penpals.
Tired tired, pulling together the ends is sticky, but if we didn't do it now we'd need to sleep for a week before going on!
Claire's happy hour sounds like a good cure.
Your enthusiasm for beginnings reminds me that the zonk disapeares when you start anew.
I can imagine you laughing on the beach!
love you
leah

2006-06-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

vik i've never used this thing (not sure where this is gonna show up) but i wanted to tell you how much i miss you!!! looks like everything is going great (i'm sure you do love those Samoan "coconuts") hope all is well, talk to you soon...love you~jak~

2006-06-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners
Vita,
Sounds like everything I have imagined. Although im sure thoughts and dreams dont to the blue of the Pacific its true justice. Guess I'll just have to see for myself, SOON!!! I have been brushing up on my Samoan, for instance...manuia moa is happy chicken, maybe you can tell everyone to call you that for a good laugh. They also call airplanes va'alele which means "flying canoe".
Hey have you been able to use the first phrase we learned in Samoan...tasi pia fa' amolemole??
Picturing you smiling. Lon

2006-06-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

Vik
Tonight, while attempting my 8th wheel, I wondered what do the beaches in Samoa look like? Then I came home and read your amazing description! Maybe yoga does really take you to a higher place :) Everyday I think about what you are doing and I am in awe. When we are old and can't find our teeth you will be able to entertain us with your adventures (in between lengthy discussions about or bowel movements, of course).

Today my sixth graders finished Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and to celebrate I dressed up like Willy Wonka and taught them how to make candy. It made for an interesting afternoon. We then made up our own Oompa Loompa Song "what do you get when your students are bootleg (which means bad)" I am not sure how the Samoan youth will react to seeing you dressed up like a scary candy maker, but I am sure I can help you think of something to win over their trust. That is the secret to teaching, that and happy hour of course.

Miss and Love you!
Cuz Claire

2006-06-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

Vik,

Have been reading some about Samoa. Am going to get the Margaret Meede book out of the library. Wonderful to read your postings. I have read them over the phone to Grandmom. Not sure she hears what I am saying, but she keeps saying "Bless his heart". She is right, I do know your heart is blessed. I have also taken Grandmom to the church to pray these last few days, when I was in Dtown ,and I know she prays for you as we all do. We love you. Rosie

2006-06-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry about my extended absence...this weekend i had plenty of time to write but no access, everything shuts down early on sat. and Apia is a ghost town on sunday. The day of rest is it its finest here...so quiet.

Im on an exteneded lunch right now, we talked about all the diseases we "may" get. I think the translation for "may" is "probably". but its all good, nothing to scary. i dont think i can get a worse stomach ache that the one i had in LA from all the fast food we ate.

-mom, i got all of my shots-

It is hot hot right now. The middle of the day is brutal and from what i've gathered this is the cool season..the real heat is yet to come.

Thanks for all of the great posts...truely apreciated.

-dad, the d. code came to Apia's movie theature but was banned after the first day. the theature owners family and a few other got to see it and then it went back to NZ. -

-clair, i may be hitting you up with some of those techniques you use on you kids. Samoan youth seem to be pretty similar to yours, and im sure just as fun!!-

We've been going at the language pretty hard. Basic spelling/conversation/sounds/alphabet. We learned a word the other day that had five vowels!! I'll write it down and stick it into the next post. crazy. i found out that i was producing 'thank you' wrong and was actually swearing at every one for two days..good thing samoans have a sense of humor.

yesterday we went on a cultural expedition...the BEACH!!!! You would think we'd be there every! Soon enough.

giant blue waves crashing and spraying the reef....met by intinmidating piles of lava rock...protecting communities of crabs and sparkling fish....sunshine blanketing the entire experiance...refreshing and energizing

i made friends with a hermit crab named Frank but my friend Jordan who is one of our marine experts wouldn't let me take him home...Frank and i were sad and vowed to meet again.

i've fallen in love with the coconuts. at market you can buy one for tasi tala (one 'dollar'). they shave the fur off, stab a hole in the top, stick a straw in and present you with all of its goodness.

gotta go and spell check takes a REALLY long time with this connection...sorry!!

Fa,

Vita

2006-06-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Grazing the Corners: June 2006
Uncle Mel was right, lots of comments but no Vik. I feel we are all here as family so we might as well bore each other with our daily life happenings. haha. I got some boring stuff to tell you guys till Vik gets back so get ready.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Lon

2006-06-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

V,looks like your busy. plenty of comments, no vik. hope to hear from you soon. DADA

2006-06-11T06:35:00.000-07:00

Vik,
Struggling with the path to posting. As usual sometimes I have it and sometimes I don't. Things are going well on the homefront. School is still in session and the rain is still falling. Martha S. said you reignited the fire and she has applied for another PC experience, Aids Education perhaps. Watching the news, watching kids graduate, watching the time move by. The questions build up for you, like what does it smell like, look like, taste like, feel like. You and your youthful comrades continue to inspire us. I think that we can't all do what you are doing and so we should be using our own backyard to be more peaceful.I am in training. Love you, mom

2006-06-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

doodlegrace.blogspot.com
leah's blog

2006-06-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Vik,
Thought of you yesterday as I bravely boarded the Superman ride for the 8th time in row! My group consisted of all 10 behavior boys in the 6th grade. Our group name was G4L (ganstas for life) which basically sums up my day. My plan was to wear them out as quickly as possible, so we had a contest to see who could ride the Superman the most times in a row. In the end I had two kids crying, one puking, one "praising Jesus" for making it alive and me suffering a severe case of whiplash. However, my mission proved successful because my entire group, including me, was asleep before the bus even left the parking lot. It has not stopped raining here for three days and I am beginning to design an Ark, just in case.
Samoa sounds amazing! Have you been wearing your lava lava? You need to post some pics!!
I am off to yoga, namaste :)
Cuz Claire

2006-06-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

we need some sun shine like , desperate, but school is just about out and things and people are hoping to get real again, I guess? saw the D. code in rangeley tonight,was alright in my book. shed a bit of light on the grand skeem, sort of. might hook up with a P. corps guy back from thailand. I think he's interested in asian languages. hope to spend some time with him soon. you schraders keep it going for yourselves and stay tight with the right night and let that light shine.DADA

2006-06-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

Hooray! You're there!
First moments are hard to describe, but thanks for trying!
Here it all begins, glad you're safe and rearing to go!
My blog is doodlegrace.blogspot.com
Much love to you vik
leah

2006-06-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

IM ALIVE!!

We made it in ok...yesterday at about 5 am. Flight was brutal to everyone except me, i was knocked out before we got off the ground. Samoa is amazing, tropical, friendly, humid, and sunny. We have been in "class", learning the language, culture, and PC rules. All important stuff. The first thing we did was participate in a traditional 'ava ceremony..look it up..its pretty cool.

For the next few days we'll be in a hotel preparing for departure to our village. All the volunteers are great and we've been getting to know the volunteers that have been here for a year. Good people.

We have been able to venture out on our own a bit, but they have been keeping a tight leash. We've still managed to have a "good time".

I haven't had much time to miss every one back home but i hope everyone is well.

This net cafe is right down the street so i'll be in touch for the next few days. After that it may be tough.

talk soon...much love.

will someone post leah's blog address??!! Thanks

2006-06-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

"The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the US gov. or the Peace Corps."

I think im in the clear now

2006-06-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

I made it into LA, what a cool place....even though its seriously smoggy! Training is going pretty well and i think i have a really great group of people to take this journey with. Our flight has been changed, same day but much later at night. We wont be getting in until early hours of the morning, but considering this is the only international flight coming in all week our director said the airport will he "hopping".

Sorry this is short but im paying mucho dinero at the hotel for net time.

i'll post again asap...much love.

2006-06-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Cant stop thinking and believing in you! Im feeling all these emotions, as a big part of my life flies into the crisp night away from my body but not my soul. I feel your intense need to feed the world in my heart and respond by giving this energy to other people in hopes of even more positive actions for the youth. You are a soldier for faith, deternimation and the hope of a better world. Go on and get it Vik! Love you. p.s. Get the hell out of L.A. as soon as possible.
314407- Lonnie

2006-06-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Vik,
I'm back. I flew through the same clouds as you going west. What a different place west is. Will talk soon. Love Mom

2006-06-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

Doodle it gracefully
mindfull is the word, so hard at times, slowing the time of doing and not. fleece it for comfort as light washes the dream meal, to hot to bother___ not! had some quiet reading time with sarah tonight, finally. had to ask the beast to stay away please, tonight, give me space, he said sure then came back anyway. I can't explane it, it's always the same story, I just don't need to hear it or talk about it, can't they just do it. "yes I said that and meant it, oh sure it could be hippocritical, so what. that's just what I wanted to say. please think for yourself", said the father full of fat, talk, black, walk and blue, it's true? love dadada

2006-06-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

Viktor my son. the old world is waiting for you, treat it well and with mindfullness. it will be nothing like what you forgot. send what you need to forget back home. live well with your self and others. see you. love DADA

2006-06-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

Vik I love you so much, so glad that we could share such a heartfelt goodbye in the rain, and glad you've gotten safely on your way. What's LA like? That's an adventure in itself! I am thinking and thinking of you, so full of gladdness for who you are. I feel like I wake up in this moment of life and can barely beleive where we are- a dream with many peices and a very living core.
love and love
leah

2006-06-04T01:09:00.000-07:00

Its about 3 hours before departure and my bags are packed. Excited but tired and sort of afraid to sleep. I have the worst feeling of "im forgetting something" and i cant satisfy it....what am i forgetting?? It must not be important.

SO EXCITED!!! LETS GO!

2006-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Vik,
good luck & God bless.
P.S. Take the soap and shampoo from the L.A. hotel.
Love,
Katherine & Uncle B.

2006-05-31T14:56:00.001-07:00

Another beautiful day in Fort Collins. The kids just finished their problem and are getting ready to do their skit.

2006-05-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Just landed in JFK airport with my little middle school charges. We are on our way to Colorado! In my mind I am in Samoa, New Orleans, Rangeley, Downingtown and Columbia. I am all over the place but when I settle I can feel the place called "home"in my heart. I am always at home. Love Mom

2006-05-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

Back in Boston for a bit.....about 5 days. Its count-down time!! On Sunday afternoon i'll be checking into a posh LA hotel, sort of odd huh, to meet the 11 other future Samoans and enjoy the last taste of American comfort. Bring on the grass huts and coconut fur mattresses!

This past weekend i spent an amazing few days with my folks and sister Sarah. The biking, hiking, and sun left me a bit sore, but it's a good hurt.

-Dad, i can imagine your a bit pissed. I traded all of your cool camping gear for another cat. Bad deal...i'll get you back.-

-Mom, l-l-l-love you. What are the chances i'll be able to get my Samoan mother to go for runs?? Not great.-

-Sarah, now that you know you fart in your sleep PLEASE be careful.-

I am so lucky to have a giving, caring, and gassy family. Enough sap....thanks for a great weekend.

Story of the week: Man frees puppy from alligator’s grip!!

2006-05-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the posts....this is awesome!!!

-to any readers from outside of the family (Amber!!), im sorry if this is a bit confusing. This site will turn into a main form of communication between family members and could feature a number of random cameos from different relatives. if there are any questions please just ask and i'll clear it up for you. -

-Leah, i sooooo glad you made it into N.O. safely, cant wait to hear about the first few days. E-mail, call, or post.....whateva you want!-

This weekend i'm heading home to spend time with my fam. and a few friends. I cant wait!! Its supposed to be amazing weather and i think we're going to try and do some camping/canoeing/bike ridding.

I hope this is a joyful and positive parting......im sure it will be. Lots of love!!!

2006-05-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Being the mom of two of the travelers on this blog I find myself preparing for a trip as well. I will be taking four middle school students to Fort Collins, Colorado on May 31 until June 5. They are a group called the Future Problem Solvers and I am their coach. We are going to the International Competition where 5,000 other FPS students will gather to share their talents and understanding of the FPS process. I have coached teams for the past 5 years and really think the process is valuable in real life when it comes to looking at problems both large and small, in the present and in the future. It is a 6 step process that stimulates a variety of options and solutions ending with a plan for action. We've all been there and eventually we have to have a"plan for action!" May all of our actions be born of a thoughtful plan at some point or another!!

2006-05-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

Talofa,
Lon here, 1 year older than the last time we talked. 26 and counting, woo hoo! Just want to say that all is well down here at family headquarters and the boss (Flo) is holding onto her empire with many demands. I have been experiencing many things over the past weeks and I always come back to the Schraders for inspiration, strength and down right randomness. Hope you find what your looking for (ie. world peace, AIDS vaccine, Nobel Prize) during your quest of international exploration. Have fun, smile, pick your nose, let the gases out, breathe, meditate, stand your ground, be the change you want to see in the world. Love you, Lon
Tasi pia fa amolemole!!

2006-05-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hey its Leah! I'm so thrilled to see this story catcher begin, can't wait to follow it through your adventures vik!! Just thought I'd give my stab at describing what I'll be doing (maybe I should get a blog going too!!) In new orleans six members of Bard's Children's Expressive Arts Project (the group that I went to Myanmar with and that works weekly at a local home for emotionally disturbed children and a school for kids with autism) will be working at James Singleton Charter School in Central city. We are going with lots of art supplies and enthusiasm and open minds, as we are sure our vision will change to meet the needs and desires of the kids. But for now our plan is to work as teacher's aides during the day, and run an afterschool program that aimes to help kids build an expressive "tool box." We'll lead team building workshops and finger painting extravaganzas, allowing the kids to explore their own potential for creation, expression, and communication. As issues of conflict, greif, or celebration come up, we will move through them with varried pallets and safe support. In the end we hope to develop a preformance to share our voices and discoveries with the community.
Hmmmm, we'll see what that all looks like later on this week when we've actually landed in the heat and met the kids!
So, that's my story, and I am so glad to get to watch yours unfold vik! I am endlessly proud of your ambitions and even more full of love for who you are and always have been. To share that with the world is the greatest gift.
I mean it!
Love Leah