Term Break

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.