Somewhere

Ticket Lady #1: Where is she going?

Ticket Lady #2: First Newark, then Honolulu, then…somewhere…

It’s humbling to know that you can spend two amazing years working and living in a country that the average American doesn’t even know exists.  Does this make me sad?  Well, yes.  Does this make me more determined than ever to bring back and share my experiences with anyone willing to listen?  Of course!  That’s the elusive “third goal” of the Peace Corps, which also happens to include this very blog.

Before I left Pohnpei to visit the States on break, I received something that I have been wanting for quite a long time – a traditional title in my community!  About two months after my host parents asked the Soumas (remember him?) about this, I was granted one – Nahnsou Deleur.  Nahnsou is the title, Deleur is my village.  I grin uncontrollably whenever someone addresses me as such because it signifies that now, after being in my community for a little over a year, I am no longer mehn wai.  I am mehn Pohnpei.  And that is awesome.

K-Ben can dance and say my title!

Travel time from Kolonia to Chicago – 40 hours.  Luckily not all of that time was spent on airplanes.  This trip is not for the faint-hearted!  When I finally arrived at the correct place I was just so glad to see my family and my house.  After being extremely cold for a few days I was pretty much able to adjust (except for the food – explosions of flavor!).  I hung out with long lost family members and reliable college buddies, played mahjong and took advantage of Netflix, explored Chicago and remembered why I value diversity so much.  I was able to do everything I needed – spend quality time with my family and friends (Wii!), take full advantage of the internet, go shopping for my host family and me (books!), and eat lots and lots of FOOD.  I also experienced the very first snow fall of 2012 – it’s going to be a while until I see snow again!

Enjoying snow with the Santos ladies

Travel time from Chicago to Kolonia – 38 hours.  I ordered Starbucks and fast food from all the airports I went to – because I could.  I was also pleasantly surprised to sit next to two fellow PCVs on their way back to Chuuk.  When my time traveling was done and I stepped off the plane, I remembered just how HOT Pohnpei was.  My host family was there to greet me at the airport and return me back to my second home.  I apparently got fatter and whiter – that about sums up my break.

I blame you, delicious Christmas lechon!

“We were desperate and you weren’t here” are not what one wants to hear upon return to one’s place of work.  Hear them I did.  This semester I am teaching two junior World Cultures classes (which have been great so far) and one junior Algebra II class.  AHH!  I am also running the library since it is officially open for student use.  Right now I am helping the Language Arts department out, preparing the seniors for the College of Micronesia Entrance Test (COMET).  Intensive vocabulary practice, reading comprehension, and essay writing for them – intensive grading for me!

Future Peace Corps Micronesia Volunteers: if you are reading this blog (along with the other ones conveniently listed to the right of your computer screen) in preparation for your departure in June, do know that all of us here are SUPER EXCITED for you to come!  If you have any questions, comments, or just want to say kaselehlie, please feel free to email me.