I’m on term break, for a total of two weeks. I’d say my break officially started
last Thursday, after my school’s Community Day (I’ll blog about it in the
coming weeks). After the event, my school’s principal took a co-teacher and me
to a nearby resort for drinks. It’s not appropriate for young females to drink
in Samoa; resorts and Apia are the exceptions. While I was at a resort, I was
with co-workers, so I opted out of the alcohol and chose a soda instead. I had
a great time. At one point my principal made me laugh, saying that he brought
me to the resort because he thinks I’m “so bored” in my village and I “need to
have fun.” It’s nice to know that he cares about my well-being.
The following
day was a district rugby tournament. I misunderstood my principal, thinking
that we were leaving to the tournament at 8:30 am. Nope, the tournament started
at 8:30 am, so I missed my ride. Since I was ready to go, and I wanted to see
my students play, I decided that I’d take a bus or hitch to the tournament. As
I was walking to the next village over to catch a bus, a vehicle saw me walking
and stopped. The driver was going to a village nearby, so I hopped in the car.
He was nice enough to drive past his destination and drop me off at the tournament.
I love how things work out sometimes—I didn’t have to wait for a bus for hours
because the first car I saw had a kind driver who took me where I needed to go.
The rugby
tournament was a great time filled with several games, and a ton of food for the
teachers. Also, Michelle, a fellow PCV in my district, was at the tournament so
it was nice to see and chat with her. Near the end of the tournament, my friend
Danny, a RPCV from Group 83, picked me up and we went to Apia. Danny finished
his Peace Corps service in December 2012, and is back in Samoa for a total of
three weeks because of two weddings. The night was great, filled with friends,
laughs, dinner, and dancing. I met a lot of new people on Friday and Saturday—many
RPCVs are in Samoa for a few weeks because of the weddings I’ve mentioned
above. It’s been a pleasure meeting and chatting with them.
On Saturday
Madi, Chris, Danny, and I went to Lalomanu for a weekend at the beach. Many
people I met on Friday night were at Lalomanu because of a wedding reception
for a RPCV from Group 81. Once again, it was a great weekend. I was back in my
village on Sunday afternoon, exhausted, sleep deprived, sunburned, and sick. I
called the Peace Corps nurse, explaining my symptoms. She asked me to go into
Apia the next morning. This meant I had to wake up at 5 am to catch the 6 am
bus. In case you’re curious, I have a viral infection. I don’t feel good, but I
don’t feel like death either (like I did when I had bronchitis back in June),
so I’ll live. I was prescribed anti-viral meds for the next 5 days, 3
times/day. I have to wake up at 3 am to take a dosage. Just lovely. But on the
positive side, I am on break, so I go back to sleep and wake whenever my heart
is content.
This brings me
to the present. How will I be spending my term break?
VRF: PCVs have to complete a VRF several
times a year. A VRF is a volunteer reporting form, in which volunteers report
the work they’ve done over a specific amount of time. This will be the second
VRF I’ve completed. What is interesting about this VRF is that it covers school
terms 2 and 3. If you’ve been keeping up with my blog, then you know that I
moved from Savai’i at the end of Term 2, now living in Upolu. Thinking about
reporting work from two different schools, along with volunteer work I did
while living in Apia for a month, gives me a headache to think about.
Particularly because the data for my Savai’i students was left in my old
classroom since I wasn’t allowed to pack up my house or classroom. The VRF is
due next week, so I’ll be getting it done over the next couple of days.
Samoan
Language: Two weeks ago,
I made a decision to improve my Samoan. How am I doing that? I’m making it a
point to learn 20 new words each day. I gave myself last weekend off, but
besides that, I’ve been keeping up with it. One day I learned 40 new words! I
intend to keep this going. I’m hoping the strong motivation continues.
Exercising: Just because I’m on break, doesn’t mean
my body is—the workouts will continue.
Reading: I picked up several books from the
Peace Corps office yesterday.
Hard Drive: I have a 500 GB hard drive that’s
nearly full. I’m not ashamed to admit that a majority of my break will be spent
on my laptop, putting a dent in the movies and TV shows on my hard drive. Right
now I’m on Season 4 of Scrubs. I won’t be surprised if I finish watching the
series during the break.
Beach: My village is on the beach, and resorts
surround me, so I’ll be taking advantage of this.
Lina Returns
to Savai’i: Jim, from
Group 80, is getting married in Savai’i during the break and I’ll be attending
the wedding. This will be my first time in Savai’i since I moved in June. I’m
excited for the wedding and to spend time will my fellow PCVs, along with new
friends I’ve recently met. Also, my group is having a party, celebrating our
1-year anniversary in Samoa. I haven’t decided if I’m going to Savai’i early
enough for the party, but it’s a possibility. And YES, MY 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN
SAMOA IS APPROACHING!! It’s true: time flies when you’re having fun! And I’m
not just talking about fun with other PCVs and friends (I’m having a good time
with them), but I’m having a blast with my students and host family, as well.
I have a lot to
look forward to over the next several weeks. One being that the new group,
Group 85, arrives in-country. The Upolu girls and I are in charge of Girls
Night. It will happen the first week Group 85 is in Samoa. I’m excited to meet
and talk with the new trainees!
In the coming
weeks, I’ll post photos from Community Day and Term 3 break, along with
thoughts on my first year in Samoa.