A blog about my adventures, wherever I may be.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Stateside

Before heading off on vacation I spent my last few weeks on Pohnpei wrapping up my classes (juniors wrote outlines and essays, seniors compared the novels they read the past semester and retold Micronesian legends), marveling at the progress of the MHS library (all thanks to the librarian), submitting my graduate school applications (wish me luck!), witnessing a reconciliation service in Pohnpeian, bonding with my fellow volunteers through baking cookies and Christmas shopping, enjoying island style advent season, attending pre-Christmas parties (complete with plenty ice cream), and watching The Hobbit at the only movie theater in the F.S.M. (on opening night, no less!).

Reconciliation service with three priests and sakau (in this case used for asking forgiveness)
Diana (right) did all the work, but Christy (left) wanted some of the credit!
Good times with the JVI’s
The nativity scene with a Pohnpeian twist
Having fun
My second trip back home was a much needed break and energy booster.  I saw pretty much all of my family and friends and ate “exotic” foods (like freshly baked lembas) that resulted in me gaining five pounds (which may be a slight exaggeration).  I met a new family member and caught up on the current happenings of my friends, as well as re-explored the Chicago public transportation system and gawked at all of the technological advancements I have missed.
Who is this strange person holding me?
Good food, good friends, good beer
My favorite family members
Maine South High School Stargate crew, reunited after six years

How old are we?  :)  Love my IWU buddies

In CHUUK

Let’s start with the basics.  The Federated States of Micronesia is composed of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap.  As you know from following this blog, dear reader, I have been living on Pohnpei for over two years.  During this time I have often wondered how the experiences of my fellow volunteers serving in the other states compared to my own.  What better way to find out than actually visit?

 I had the opportunity to get a little taste of life in Chuuk thanks to my friend Becky, M77 volunteer on Tonoas (a lagoon island).  She is one of two volunteers (the other one being myself) who extended her service to oversee a project, in her case a basketball court.  Becky completely amazed me with her fluency in Chuukese, her level of integration into the community, and her ease in navigating Chuukese daily life.  I was not the only one impressed – the Chuuk State Legislature even wrote a resolution recognizing all of the things Becky did for her school and community!

Ran Annim
At Sino Elementary's Christmas party
Becky with the chief supporter of the community basketball court
I played games and sang with some of Becky’s current and former students
Slightly jealous that Becky got to see the ocean everyday!
Can you spot the PCV?  Ben W. is the M78 at Sino Elementary

Becky and Ziggy, her rambunctious host nephew (very similar to K-Ben)
Now I’ve attended Catholic mass in seven different languages!
English, Italian, French, Tagalog, Korean, Pohnpeian, and Chuukese in case you were wondering.
The infamous road of Weno, the capital
Kinisou Chapur for everything!