Where's Janelle?: Gunslinging

In two more months I will officially be finished with my 2½ years of Peace Corps service. My experiences here in Pohnpei, Micronesia have undoubtedly influenced my perspective of the world (how lofty!) and will most definitely stay with me for the rest of my life. I know I have changed as a person because of my service (I’m thinking for the better) and I hope that I have affected the lives of the people I’ve had the privilege to live amongst in my own small way.

Mushy thoughts aside, I have been up to plenty things since the last blog post. The seniors took the COMET and will find out their results in early May (at least that is what I am counting on!). I now teach a computer application class to 43 senior vocational majors (Trade and Industry, Home Arts, Auto-Mechanic, and Agriculture), but it is quite difficult to do so when there is regularly no power at the school or on the island. Improvising is a way of life here, for sure. I am continuing my work in the library along with the MHS librarian – we continue to diligently make envelopes and insert library cards into all of the books. I am also overseeing the debate club and beginning to hold meetings for a new batch of GLOW girls.

On a more personal front, I have started the process of ending my service, which means lots and lots of paperwork (thank you governmental agency). Much more significantly…I got accepted into graduate school! :) I now have post-Peace Corps plans, which I think will do wonders in readjusting back to the American lifestyle. I am not quite sure where I am going just yet, but I will be working towards obtaining my MSW (Masters of Social Work) over the course of the next two years. Now, onto the pictures!

Where else in the world can you see a Catholic bishop and the president of a country sitting side by side in easy picture-taking distance? Bishop Armando and President Mori are the two men on the right.

At this year’s Championship Week with the freshman, junior, and senior essay writing representatives.

My former student throwing a fast pitch. MHS did not fare all that well at these games, but the students did have a lot of fun!

This year’s Teachers Forum. I gave a presentation about “Intensive COMET Prep” and assisted PICS and NMHS teachers (the two other public high schools on Pohnpei) with ideas and materials.

With fellow MHS teachers during our Teachers Forum lunch break

At the Japanese gun site in Temwen. I can’t even imagine how Japanese soldiers managed to bring four guns of this size all the way up to this area during World War II!

The M78’s during their In-Service Training. I helped out a bit because I could (and because I am so experienced, hehe).

Technical Trainer Roan facilitating a session

I hiked with World Teach volunteers to see the twin waterfalls of Salapwuk on Election Day. Legend has it that two brothers raced to see which one they would claim, but the younger brother tricked the older brother into taking the smaller waterfall while he took the larger one. Oh younger siblings!