Happy New Year!

It’s New Years Eve in Samoa and the day has been pretty much like any other for me here in Samoa. Most of the volunteers in my group headed out to a village on the far western edge of Savaii (the other Samoan island) for the new year. I decided not to go for three main reasons, the first being the cost. After transportation, food and lodging it was going to cost in the area of at least 150 tala if my calculations are correct, which is more than I want to spend for a mediocre holiday. Two; if I go there by the time I have a few drinks, New Year hits and want to call it a night there is really no out to get away from those who choose to stay up and be loud and obnoxious (so I will pass on that). And three; I thought it would be interesting to go out in Apia for a few drinks and see how some of the Samoans celebrate the New Year in the city. There are a few volunteers going out in Apia so I will probably hook up with them and I have a few Samoan acquaintances that I know are going to be out and about.

I asked if they have a New Years count down on TV here and I found out they don’t which is a bummer. I was really hoping to see Samoa’s version of Dick Clark! I will be interested to see how the bars handle New Years because they close at 12:00am here. I heard they stay open a little later for New Years so we’ll see what happens.

I will miss having Whitney here for New Years but I have a back up, I am bringing a picture of her with me to the bar and I will kiss that at midnight. Ok, that’s very, very sad and total untrue. As far as the kissing thing goes here I am wondering if many Samoans participate in that tradition. I’m going to take a stab and say no because of the local views towards public displays of affection (I believe I mentioned in a previous post that it isn’t considered appropriate for a man and woman to even hold hands in public here).

I’m going to switch gears here and mention a conversation I had with the man that owns the house I am currently living in. We were discussing a number of things including tobacco control, health effects of local tobacco and child discipline. This was a challenging, while interesting conversation. The gentleman I am talking about is an older man, I’m guessing in his 50s, who holds a chief title. Keep in mind it is absolutely, 100% inappropriate for me to challenge or argue with his views and beliefs. To summarize his views expressed on the above topics:

Tobacco control - he is against the new law passed that outlaws the sale of loose cigarettes (I am for that law)

Health effects of local tobacco – he does not believe local tobacco prepared and smoked the traditional way causes cancer or heart disease (I do)

Discipline - He believes physical discipline at home and in school is necessary to raise a well-behaved child, and I’m not talking about a swat on the behind. (I think physical discipline is wrong, save a spanking for the truly bad occasions and teachers under no condition have the right to lay a hand on a child)

During this conversation I felt that I could not sit there and just listen to his views without any form of rebuttal. (those of you who know me, I’m sure you aren’t surprised) Choosing my words very carefully and avoiding terminology that would suggest he is wrong or sound argumentative I did manage to present my views and supporting information in the form of generalizations about the way some people in America think and feel about the topics. While I did not change his mind in the least I am confident that even if I had argued with him the result would have been the same but with the negative effect of me insulting and disrespecting him thus potentially destroying any social relationship established. I feel this type of conversation is the first of many I will have here in Samoa (at work and in social interactions) where I will need to employ this technique and as I practice it more I will become better at presenting any objections or alternate views in a culturally appropriate manner and hopefully be able to change a few minds or at least get some people thinking. I will tell you this, it is very difficult to do coming from America where you are free to express your opinion and that freedom is not limited by your lack of age or title.

Well I’m off to post this at the internet café now. I hope everyone had a great New Year’s Eve and I wish you all the best for the New Year!

Manuia le Kirisimasi ma Manuia le tausaga fou

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that the weather wasn’t too cold. We didn’t have to worry about that here. As with every other day I managed to sweat for a good eight hours straight! It did not really feel like Christmas what with the 90 degree weather and coconut trees. I went back to the training village for Christmas eve and Christmas. I got into the village late afternoon after riding for an hour and a half on a crowded bus. Lucky for me the day was cloudy with some intermittent sprinkles which helps to lower the temperature to a bearable level. Without that I would have been soaked with sweat by the time I got to the village. The bus rides can be interesting here. People bring anything and everything on the bus here including bags of groceries (lots!), recently slaughtered pigs, full gas cans and propane tanks to name a few. When the bus fills up (and by that I mean all seats are taken) it is common practice for people to sit on each other’s laps. Luckily I have not been on a bus that full yet, though I am sure it is something I will experience at some time during my service. I will be sure to keep you updated with any new bus experiences!

On to Christmas. I went to the Christmas Eve service with my Samoan family. Much like back in the states the Christmas service was a bit longer than the usual service. We also went to the large church located in Mulivae (don’t know if I spelled that right!) I believe 5 of the villages (including Fausaga) around that central village and church go there once a month for a large service and on special church holidays. During this service each village had a choir in attendance that sang different hyms/prayers during the service. This was different than the usual Sunday service. I would also assume the sermon was about the birth of JC but my Samoan is not nearly good enough to understand the entire message of the sermon. There was also a “prize giving” or award ceremony for the alter boys but again the language barrier prevented me from understanding what the awards were for. After the late service we went home and called it a night. The next day (Christmas) was uneventful. It is really just a day to spend with friends and family. I am unsure about the gift giving practices of families in general but my Samoan family did not have a big gift exchange on Christmas Day. Christmas is definitely a time when gifts are given though, that is obvious through the sales in Apia. Having experienced only one family though I cannot provide any sort of generalization that would suggest what is common practice here. Because we went to church the night before I was told we did not need to go on Christmas. So for the most part I just hung out with my Samoan family. After much asking and coaxing I did manage to get the ok to help my brother make the lunch. We had bread fruit, turkey soup and fish. I helped with the soup and I only cut myself once! (which I did not tell my family about because they would have dragged my out of the kitchen fale immediately) While we were waiting for the soup to cook I got a nice treat for the day, ice cream, awesome! Had to eat it fast though before it turned to soup. So there I was sitting in 90 degree weather eating ice cream in the middle of the pacific on Christmas! No wonder it didn’t feel like Christmas. So that was my Christmas in Samoa, hanging out and eating ice cream.

Quick note on the touchy feely side of things, I feel that during these holiday times a volunteer’s commitment is tested the most because although it is fun to experience another culture’s approach to the holidays to put it frankly holidays suck otherwise when you are that far away from those you love. Without a doubt Christmas was my hardest day so far. Though it didn’t help that the cell phone system here was overloaded that day and calling home was nearly impossible. I am confident however that if one can make it though the holiday season here their odds of completing the two years are much better. Granted that a person does not dwell on those hard times once they have passed and let them build up over time! I must say I am looking forward to next year when I come home for Christmas and can spend it with Whitney and my family. I have a feeling that next year’s holiday season will be one of the best I will ever have. For my friends and family that gives you a year to plan a stellar Christmas for my visit home. I would suggest not putting it off and getting to work on the plans right now.

Back on my feet and ready to go!

Back to 100%!  That little flu bug I had seemed to last quite a while but after a few days rest I am back on my feet and out and about sweating my butt off again!  As I posted earlier I am in Apia for good now and getting settled in.  Let me give you the run down on my job:

I went to the university today and managed to catch up with a few of the faculty members along with the gym supervisor.  So I have started to develop some of those ever important business relationships.  I have yet to meet the Dean of my department but I will meet him after the new year.  I did meet the Associate/Assistant Dean and she was very nice and helpful.  The sports and fitness degree program is under the Business and Entrepreneurship (or Commerce) Department.  There are two main reasons for this, the first is financial and the second is that the program is not big enough to be a stand-alone department.  It appears that I will be responsible for teaching classes, coordinating the course work for the degree program, hiring part time teachers and researching and developing course work to expand the program from a 2-year diploma program to a 3-year bachelor’s degree program.  It looks to be very interesting and I am looking forward to getting started!  I would hope that by the start of the next school year the three year bachelor’s program will be off and running.  The only down side is that I will not be here to see the first graduates. I also have concerns about the additional staffing this program would require in addition to my vacated spot at the end of my service.  These are concerns I will definitely be discussing with my dean! 

I already have some staff and the gym manager asking me about personal training or teaching aerobics classes as side projects.  I am going to look into possibly setting up some trainings for that to maybe get some of the current students or staff with sports/fitness backrounds involved.  I do not want to be doing that as side projects!  Though I understand people want those services and would benefit I feel I have more to offer the Samoan people through work with their National Diabetes Program or the local Red Cross.  On the topic of side projects I will post a blog soon outlining some potential projects I have been kicking around in my head.  (I think some of them are really good ideas-that is if the local community expresses interest!)

Work actually starts January 5^th so I have until then to do a little research on the current programs at NUS (National University of Samoa) and some potential model programs from the states.  Then I have a few weeks to figure out what classes will be offered for the degree program and who will be teaching them!  Talk about off to a running start!  But that’s ok with me, I have missed the work and the good stress!

Now a few quick notes about the house.  I didn’t get the house I was hoping for, but it looks like where I am staying can definitely be a temporary location.  I am staying in a community living house.  I have my own room but all other facilities are shared.  It is about a twenty minute walk from NUS or downtown Apia.  It is quite nice actually but there are two down sides, first and most important I can’t get my own internet connection set up which is really the one thing I wanted to be able to do, the rest of the house I couldn’t have cared less; that way I could talk to Whitney and my family at any time.  The second is that come mid-January the rest of the house is going to fill up with international students coming here from other Pacific Islands to attend a tertiary hospitality school set up here in Samoa.  I am anticipating that being surrounded by 18-20 year olds will lose its novelty fast!   I was that age once and it was fun, but I sure as hell down want to re-live it or deal with the fallout that is sure to come from a large group of college age kids living together!

After talking with the NUS staff it appears I can search for other accommodations once all staff return from the holiday break.  They recommended asking around and I would be sure to find another place in time.  So that is on the to-do list for the new year as well. 

I may get a chance to hit the internet café tomorrow as well so I might get one more post in before Christmas hits.  If not let me say Merry Christmas to you all!

And I'm off to a shaky start!

So I come back to Apia to get settled into my place and I get a case of the flu!  Not the best start I would say.  It has been a mild one though and right now I am just trying to shake of the lingering fever and headache (which is quite the task in 90 degree weather with no AC!)  I managed to hobble my way into downtown to stop at the internet cafe before I go to the grocery store.  Thought I would just post a quick note that as soon as I shake this I will be sure to hop online and provide a rundown of my accommodations and more about the training village.  I am doing well though and consider myself lucky this is the first time I have been sick and it is really a mild case at that.  

A Breath Away!

Malo and manuia le aso to everyone who is following this blog!  We are back in Apia for the day to run errands and pick up thank you gifts for our host families.  Our Swearing in Ceremony is this Monday, two days away!  I passed my language assessment on Thursday which is excellent news!  All trainees had to pass with a rating of at least Intermediate Low.  I managed to get an intermediate medium which I think was really good considering my struggles with the language.  We had a few volunteers who even got an intermediate high.  

Unfortunately this is going to be a quick post because I was unable to type this post ahead of time and as I type I am burning precious Tala ($) for the internet!!!  We have been learning a Samoan dance/performance/play to put on for the village.  It is going to be a lot of fun on Monday when we perform!  Everyone has picked it up pretty well for the most part.  I am hoping we can get is video taped so I can share it with everyone.  If not, pictures will have to do.

Quick update on my living situation, the university has not finalized what house I will be staying at but there is a 50/50 chance it will be the same house two previous volunteers stayed in and that house would be great!!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed! 

I am doing well and, knock on wood, no ailments so far!  I will be back in Apia on Tuesday as an "Offical" Peace Corps Volunteer (instead of Trainee).  I plan to post much more at that time and share more details about my experiences in the village and with the local culture.  After that I hope to post very regularly so I hope for the sake of everyone that is following this my life here is interesting!  

Last thing I have added pictures to the slideshow/snapfish account so check them out!  Take care everyone and incase you were all wondering I don't miss the snow! (only Whitney, my family and my friends.....well some of them! ;)