Giving advice

“What’s your future goal?”

“Well, I want to become a lawyer (doctor, teacher, stewardess, engineer, captain, electrician, fashion designer, military man, farmer).”

“Do you know how to do that?”

“Teacher, I don’t know!”

“Here’s what you can do…”

Do you remember your junior year in high school, trying to figure out what you wanted to do with the rest of your life despite the fact you really had no idea what was going on?  Those were the days, huh?  Since the juniors at MHS have no actual college or career advisers, I decided that I would do my best to inform them of their different options for the future.  Most of my students will be among the few in their families to attend the College of Micronesia and obtain an associate’s degree, let alone even think of pursuing a bachelor’s degree!  I wanted to encourage them that their dreams are very much possible, as long as they work hard to achieve them and never give up.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s library.  Many of my students want to attend UH to earn their bachelor’s degree.

I was able to do academic advising as a way of wrapping up the first half of second semester.  After the craziness of preparing for Championship Week, it was nice to get back to the rhythm of the regular academic day.  In my algebra classes, we completed the chapter by learning how to graph inequalities on a number line thanks to some fun hand motions and a Beyonce song (whatever works, right?).  My world cultures classes completed their study of Japan, which included a special Valentine’s Day / White Day presentation, karate lessons from ジャネル-先生, and even a Japanese language class thanks to my PCV friend.  ありがとう!  No updates as of yet on those academic programs my students applied for, but no news is good news, yes?

My host sister up to bat during a Championship Week game.  The MHS girl’s softball team was victorious.  Too bad I can’t say the same about the other teams (oh well!).

Outside of school, I have been playing lots with K-Ben (who can now accurately say my title), celebrating 18 months in Pohnpei with my fellow volunteers (can’t believe it!), pondering the cause of my swollen lymph node (which literally came out of nowhere), and planning for my summer trip to KOREA!  Yes, I’m going back, mostly to gorge on Korean food.  No joke.

반찬, wait for me!

In this extremely belated edition of Nahnsou’s cultural corner, I would like to present to you about an annual event that is very near and dear to the hearts of all Pohnpeians.  Growing up in the United States, I never even realized this day existed until I started taking Italian class in high school.  Every year on a special day in March, my signora would insist that the boys bring the girls flowers.  My impression was that this was a European holiday I could definitely get used to.  It was not until I came to Pohnpei that I realized the extent to which International Women’s Day could be celebrated.

Rahn en Lien Sampah (Day of the Women of the World) is a HUGE event, large enough that public schools and government buildings have the day off to honor the occasion.  Over 25 woman’s groups from all over Pohnpei, including Lien Madolenihmw, Lien Education, and Lien Mwoakilloa, practice choreographed dances that they will perform weeks beforehand.  All of the participants also buy matching uniforms in their chosen colors, better to represent themselves.  One of my own host sisters, all of 12 years old, was one of 60 females to dance as part of the woman’s group of Madolenihmw.

On March 8, the day of, everybody (pretty much) goes to the College of Micronesia’s FSM-China Friendship Gym, probably the largest structure on the island that is capable of hosting this event.  The stands are packed as people squeeze in to find seats where they can watch the festivities.  The MC announces each group separately, and the women enter the stadium to much applause.  With everybody crammed into the space, speeches are made by prominent figures in the F.S.M. government, such as the lieutenant governor and a very powerful female senator.  After those conclude, it is time for the dancing.  Each woman’s group gets a block of time to perform their three choreographed dances – one entrance dance, one main dance, and one exit dance.  Some of the dances are very traditional and are performed to Pohnpeian songs, while others include more modern moves and are performed to English hip-hop remixed songs.

I only stayed to watch my host sister dance, and then I escaped to find some food and lament the dying battery of my camera.  Overall, International’s Women’s Day was quite fun and the participants felt confidant about themselves and their identity as women of the world afterwards.

Check out all of the women!

Remember, if you are an invitee and want to contact me or any of the other PCVs about anything, please feel free to do so!  We would all be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have.  If you are a personal buddy of mine and want to update me about your life, I would love that too.  Tupene mwur (Let’s meet later)!