Valentines Day approaches, & love comes in many forms: including but not limited to 10 lb. balls of mechanically separated turkey breast

It was February 9th, in the freezer section of Assa, when we first met.

I looked at it, it looked at me, and I knew life would never be the same.

I picked it up and carried it with me. I didn't care that I couldn't feel my hands.

The price was missing... I didn't care what it was... love has no price tag.

Just bring it back cashier lady... bring my sweet sweet 10 lb. hunk of freezing love

back to me...

It was 20 min. before she returned... and with her, my sweet sweet mechanically separated baby.

(Out of context = Horror story.)

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not gravy, it is honey roast, it is 10 pound.  It does not dishwater others, it is not self-seasoning, it is not easily thawed, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but three slices with the truth.  It always protein, always trusts, always hopes, always preservatives.

Love never fails. But where there are pickle cheese, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be salted; where there is knife, it will pass some of that luncheon meat this away.

Catholic Schools week

I've been feeling exceptionally driven to create lately. Today I was about to get some supplies for my art class, as well as score a Dremel from ACE. Sooooo excited to make some progress on my chess set! I'm still thinking "sea" themed.... yeah tacky, I know. Bite me.

Today is the start of Catholic schools week, so classes start on Wed., which are shortened periods anyway. As for today and tomorrow, we're participating in several activities planned around socializing with the other two Catholic schools in the area. It'll be a nice change.

Rescue mission: Kittens!

1/11/19

         Friday, I was sitting in my office working on my UCTC application essay, when I over heard my office mate talking about coming back from a trip to town,
       
        "There were these 2 tiny kittens in the middle of the road, and I got out of the ATV to move       them and they tried to follow me. It was so sad."
       
          Of course being me, my ears perked right up.
         
         "Where?" I asked.

   She told me where they were, and it wasn't far from Xavier.
         
         "They probably won't make it, they were so tiny," she added.

           I went to talk to James, thinking he'd tell me it was a bad idea, and that the kittens would be fine, and they probably are hiding safely in the jungle somewhere, and that they were going to live.
       
         "Kitten rescue mission?! Is this how you become Catwoman?" was his response. Not helpful.

           As we approached the spot where Krista had seen them in the ATV, we slowed down. Sure enough, two sets of little ears were sticking up out of the middle of the road, huddled together tightly into a ball. Behind them, a couple trucks were steaming down the road. As we stopped the ATV,  the kittens got up and pitter-pattered over to us, scarred and anxious. I scooped them up into a blanket and box that I had brought, and we turned around, and headed back toward Xavier.

           I couldn't help but turn into a squealing pile of excitement. BABIES!!!

          Back in the common room in the dorm, we unleashed the cute typhoon... and they were no bigger than bars of soap. I. am in love. This is, of course, a recipe for disaster and heartbreak... but i'll do everything I can, to make their lives happy for as long as I possibly can. <3

Damn kids these days / millenials and their phones

6 hours.

6 hours that I'll wish I had while lying on my death bed.

6 hours that I could have used to save/change the world

6 HOURS THAT I COULD HAVE USED TO PUT A STOP TO WORLD HUNGER

AND WORLD PEACE.


Ok. So none of those things can be done in 6 hours anyway, but it IS how long I've spent completely lost driving around this rock. I'm a little peeved.

I hate to sound like a snake people (millennials), but the combination of not having my phone, and the ingenuity of the roads NOT BEING MARKED, makes it great to travel around without a phone. I NEED MY PHONE. THIS IS DUMB.

A night in at Fumiko's : American Rambling

• So America...  Obsession with grilling outside? Stereotype or culture 

• The Japanese are convinced that the way they do things is the perfect way... how about genetically modified food? Apples half the size of my head? 

•  Update: The apples are too damn good. I need a second suitcase. 

• Dogs and chickens. The logic behind housing 20 of each in your backyard: 

• You don't hear them = You don't have to train them. 

• Not having to train them = Let them run free and multiply because who doesn't sleep like a baby at 3a.m. while your stupid dog eats your other stupid dogs face off.

• I wonder if Fumiko ever had any kids. I don't think so.

• Kristen vs.  Rice Cooker with Japanese buttons = Rice cooker +1, Kristen = 0.

• $150.00 to fix my iphone...are they ripping me off? Should I have checked elsewhere before giving it to them? Do I even want to know?

• If the distance between here and home was broken up into 20 metric "too far" aways, then how far is 1 metirc "too far"?

• Is it normal or paranoia to feel like you're being watched when you're living in someone else's home?

• Ice cream truck?!!?

• No it was just the neighbors stereo. Sad. 

Photo J Group Photo

Here they are <3

Escape to Guam

12/19/18

First of all, I'd like to point out that the theme of the week is "You never told me that."

This Christmas will be my first Christmas celebrated without anyone. On the 22nd I'll be flying to Guam, where I'll have a ride waiting to take me to a house and car that I'll be staying in, under the condition that I clean and prepare it for new guests coming on the 5th. (The trade seems unbalanced, but I'll find a way to make it up to them.)

What I know about the trip:

1. I'll have a place to stay, near to the University.
2. Dennis will be on Island, and he'll most likely want my help preparing entrance exams.
3. I'm going to eat like royalty (aka organic, fresh veggies.)
4. Bathing suit, shorts and tank tops will be utilized (because I can.)

What I don't know about the trip:

1. How I'll spend Christmas and New Years day.
2. What to expect of "my" home and car.

I'll be playing most of the trip by ear, which will make things more interesting.

I'm excited to see what I've been missing. It's not that I'm missing things at all, but more of, I'm excited to experience the "oh yeah, I forgot about _______" moments. There're so many blanks that I've forgotten about, including but not limited to: Bathtubs, roads, groups of people, food, internet, shoes that aren't missing, hospitals, public anything, etc.

I can also promise you that I won't miss: Children with machetes (drunken or otherwise), patriarchal bigotry, my knees being considered perverse, limitations as to where I walk, what I buy, who I'm with, what I "am"/ my general existence as a female, MSG in everything, sugar in everything, grease in everything, bones, blood and guts in the kitchen at all times, and other daily norms.

Don't get me wrong, It's amazing here, I love this place, its beautiful, and the kids I teach are magical, but my preferences are slightly more westernized and liberal than is preferred.

It'll just be nice to rebuild myself over the break. Just 2 more days, and I'm free to relax.

12/22/18

I've arrived at my destination in Guam.

Firstly, I can't believe the kindness i've been shown by Roberta Abaday and Fumiko Harada.

I contacted Roberta expecting to make plans for dinner or an evening out, and she's introduced me to Fumiko, who's given me her home and car, and a refrigerator stocked with food, and wine that i'm instructed to drink or throw out. I mean... if you insist...

Roberta greeted me at the airport with a string of shells, took me to the store and bought me groceries, gave me a Christmas gift, and made plans to pick me up tomorrow to show me the island, before leaving me to do whatever I would like to do. I'm overwhelmed with all of this... not to mention the shock that i'm already in from getting back in touch with the modern world...

First of all, grocery stores hurt to be in. There's too much crap.  Quality crap, but still too much.

Secondly...women have knees, and you know what's attached to those? Thighs. Also, holy hell.

Thirdly, a house is a big room that is so large, that you can put walls inside of it to make "rooms". There are windows, air conditioning, and beds inside too... I wish I could expound, but my brain has reached its data limit.

Christmas Party

We had a faculty Christmas party last night that I had totally forgotten about considering time is flying by, and exams are fast approaching. They killed and roasted one of the Xavier pigs, although I didn't partake. Sensei made sushi, Mrs. Carl made a rice dish, I made the mashed potatoes, and Dennis made grilled reef fish. Minus the pig on the table, it was simple and sweet.  After dinner, we had our secret santa / white elephant game, and after we chilled. All of the above was greatly needed.

Trash-a-thon = SUCCESS!!

On the 5th of December, my Photo J. class put into motion our trash-a-thon  "downtown" Weno. Locals commented/thanked us, giving my students the encouragement and confidence in their ability to make a difference. Everyone had fun, nobody got hurt, and Chuuk is hopefully inspired to think twice about throwing their trash on the ground.

Mr. Carl also came down and helped pick up trash. The students LOVED that. In addition, he gave us a task to paint the bridge "while we're down". Painting the bridge means painting 2 bridges, (6 hours of painting)... all 35-ish of us...with the 3 small brushes we were given...in the sun... without sun screen... probably not the most thought out plan of action.

I'm hoping that the bridges didn't take away from the student's idea that a "trash-a-thon" can be fun, and steer them away from participating again in the future. (but hey, the bridges look great.) Going down for only the trash-a-thon would have lasted 3 hours, but with the additional 6, they were desperate to go home.

I drove by the bridges again today, (a week later,) and still no graffiti. I'm impressed. I don't want to speak too soon, but all those "badass" graffiti rebels aren't really that rebellious. Even they can appreciate how much better it looks without blemishes. It just goes to show that the local Chuukese have good hearts, no matter how "badass" they want to be.

Waking up is less helpful...

I've been having dreams lately, and I can't tell or remember what is real and what isn't. In the past, my dreams focus on a place or experience, like falling through the windows of buildings into darkness, A place that is not my home, but feels as though it is, or with someone as a presence rather than a person.

Lately though I'm remembering people as individuals, and the things they are telling me; Words, names, numbers, etc. These are all the things I'm usually less apt to remember. Am I dreaming, or am I remembering? I think that maybe i'm to embarrassed to ask the people around me... It's not that i'm not listening...

Been busy, but Happy Thanksgiving!

First off... HAPPY THANKSGIVING to friends and family back home.

(I'll post more about the holiday later on.)

Firstly, as of November 11th, I'm finally open water certified. I also much prefer being in the ocean to being on land. Nothing personal.

In classes, things have been going as smoothly as possible:

• In English III we're still trying to finish up V for Vendetta (It's taking us way longer than I wanted it to.) Next up, i'll have ACT prep. It's hard keeping the Juniors motivated. 

• Computer skills class has been moving slowly but surely toward learning the basics of typing. The one thing that drives the students is competition. As soon as they smell blood in the water, it's on, so i've been keeping them busy with races, practice, etc. There's really no other way to teach typing.

Computer Skills (Vanguard)

• Study Skills has been fine, although it's hard to fit everything into a class period. They usually are engaged in my lectures throughout the entire period, so i'm thankful for that. They need it.

• Lastly, I'm so proud of my Photojournalism class. For one, Dennis has been generous enough to provide us with 5 Nikon D3500 DSLR's to learn with. AMAZING! These kids are so lucky.

Unwrapping our beautiful new cameras!

• Anyway... the pride I have in them...They all (or mostly all) have taken the initiative to set up interviews, research, and cover stories that have weight in the community. One class aims to educate the general public of Chuuk on the current Chuuk Succession movement, so that the average Chuukese citizen can understand the movement, and can make decisions to vote in favor of whats best for themselves and the future of Chuuk.

• The second class has joined with the Chuuk Conservation Society and other local businesses to host a "trash-a-thon", raising awareness to the huge issue surrounding environmental health and waste. We're also promoting our involvement in the community as a school with a great rep.  Because Xavier consists on so many different students from different islands and cultures, students that are not local Chuukese that dedicate their time, picking up trash on an island that isn't theirs is a strong statement.

Interview with Mars Akapito at CCS

Canisius @ CCS

I'm excited to see where 2019 takes us! Almost there.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

In computer class currently... They just can't follow directions, or stop talking. Halloween has been 2/3 fun, 1/3 obnoxious. I've been in a bit of a funk for the past 24 hours, however its comforting to know that no matter what happens here, as long as I get to teach my students, i'll be just fine. <3

Freshman decked out for Halloween

Jelome and Carmen <3 Juniors

Primortians

Illuminauts = Thug life 

Every night of my life from 7:15pm-9:45pm...

Every night of my life here, from 7:15 - 9:45 is the most beautiful spattering of chaotic non-sense to ever grace my office.

Thank you all for your input. Your absurd questions, your obnoxious pranks. For hiding my most prized possessions from me, just so you could watch me spaz out and chase you down the hallway.

Classroom

"E" day free day

Today Is my "E" day, which means no classes for me today. What a huge help this is, considering my healthy dose of grading, and the need to spend a little time relaxing, sleeping in (usually), and doing other things that I otherwise wish I had time to do.

Today I was up early to take a Jesuit photo for Fr. Tom. I attended mass, and tried my best to capture a back lit photo for them. Hopefully I'll get to paint some more today, and grade a few more of the COFA research papers. Each one of the papers takes me a minimum for two hours to grade. There is no "skimming" with papers like these. English (being a second language) on top of several other things that high school juniors might struggle with, makes for long evenings and early mornings for me. It doesn't help that the Illuminauts keep coming into my office individually and asking if I'm done grading papers, to which I more often than not, respond to with a hearty chuckle. Oh you. Lets talk about the differences between past and present tense first. <3

(Primordians photo cred.)

I'm a Tech-Killer Black Thumb... But at least my kids are boss.

So the past few days have been rough. My phone is on the verge of dying for good, my computer in Guam is "refusing to produce results of error" and therefore, I am just getting a new Macbook with the slender means that I do have. 

Community wise I feel stuck in a rut... and I absolutely needed Maria and Mac today. They were GREAT. I'm so grateful.

Also, the kids save me every time. I absolutely adore my smart, hilarious, charming, goofy, crazy, wonderful students with every bit of my teacher-ly being. I can't wait to see them grow up and pursue their dreams. To see them graduate?! I might even cry. I'll have you know that I've NEVER once cried out of happiness. No such emotion exists in my spectrum, but these guys might just push that envelope.

We live for the "daily grind" (love)

Now that the internet seems to be functioning one metric step above than abysmal, I'd love to share with you of a small portion of the beautiful photography taken by our Primortians. <3

Linea 

Linea

Nawwww. Kobe and Deshaun

Merkii, Breaking the rules. (disclaimer, I wasn't here when this happened.) 

Garnett

Pua

Youth vs. Government : The future of Chuuk State

So it's been awhile since I've posted. This is partially because loading pictures is next to impossible on the network (when it happens it's usually a combination of dumb luck, and...well..more dumb luck.), and I don't like the idea of text updates without photos.  Yeah. So maybe I'm artistically shallow.

A lot has changed since I last updated: Keech is fatter, I've been to the clinic twice, no one has pysically died yet, and I'm learning a lot about Chuuk. Tomorrow I'm going to town because one of our best students has composed a speech to present to the Chuuk State Government. Very VERY exciting. She's one of my juniors, and even so, I take no credit for her amazing feat. There are rumours of Chuuk leaving the union of the islands, to become an independent nation... to do so would mean economic, social, and political suicide in many definitions of the word. This has much to do with the current COFA conundrum and other issues we are discussing in class.

Things here are so different from in the US. I was talking with other teachers the other night about how when a child in the US says, "I'm gonna be president someday." you laugh and tell them to follow their dreams. There's little chance in that happening. But if a child in Micronesia says, "I want to be president." you should take that child very seriously, because in reality there is a good chance that they will be the next President of the FSM. The current president attended Xavier, as did many other high ranking officials of the government. Very interesting. Both promising, and scary.

The scariest thing for me currently, is talking about our next assignment in class: 'V for Vendetta'. At first, I thought it would be a lot of fun, bringing up topics of debate, like violence as a form of protest or control, and questioning authority as a citizen.... but in Chuuk... things are different, in this small island nation. I didn't realise that when I brought up the topic of corruption in the government, protest, and trust, not only did this raise questions about America, Chuuk, and the fascist governments of old, but also questions like, "What if there is no corruption here?" and, "what if some people are Bias, because said persons' dad is a government official, and they have only heard good things?" that...those are both GREAT questions. It's common I hear the local people complaining about the corrupt government, and how they lie cheat and steal... so what IS going on here?

I never meant to offend or kindle anger, I don't mean to blame or question disrespectfully... because in America, there are so many "nobodies"... It's easy to talk about their problems from a distance. In contrast, here I find myself standing before passionate and fiery eyes. I hope they can understand what and why I question.

Photo J. (Seniors Primortians)

So today the Primortians (in my now growing class for Photo J) were SUPER stoked to play in the dark with the camera. Here are some of their stellar shots. I'm happy they are having so much fun :) They are taking great photographs, and doing so with NO editing. Pure manual Nikon goodness. <3

The Truth

It's the second week of classes, (although it feels like a month) and already I have learned several things:

1. Ball is life
2. Ants are the most destructive
    force in the known universe.
2. The Illuminauts are SO intense.
3. The Promethians enjoy crashing
    the server and ruining everything
    for everyone.
5. Your mouth = Troy
     Pancakes = Trojan horse
     Ants = the Greeks
4. Sometimes, no matter how hard you
    try, your best just isn't enough,
    so force yourself to be a mental badass
    and push through that shit like you're
    born for it.
5. Soak beans for as long as possible before
    Trying to cook them. If you don't, they take
    at least 2 days to become anything but
    cement pellets.
6. Don't eat sandwiches. Sandwiches are a waste
    of your time.
7. If 'Keech' means 'Us', then there is no way to
    stop 'Us' from peeing on everything.

MY STUDENTS!!!

After weeks of non-stop preparation, the day has finally come.

Today was my first day of classes... possibly the most exhausting, exhilarating, inspirational experiences of my life. I have 123 students to teach, made up of Freshman, Juniors, and Seniors.

My first class was English III... for juniors.  (2 classes, 100 min)

I heard that the Juniors were a challenge, but nothing could have prepared me for their intensity. On top of this, they were the first class I have ever taught in the history of my existence, and my nerves were high. None the less, I stumbled through class, trying to keep my head above water. I feel like i let them down a little bit. How to describe them? The majority of the classes favourite color is Black. I'm gonna need to get creative. I just wanna give them what they want, and inspire them! I know they are passionate, they just need a spark.

Photojournalism with Seniors was next. 2 classes, (100 min)

The Seniors in 1 of my 2 photo j. classes

THEY. ARE. AMAZING. I want to adopt all of them. They all are so passionate about learning, and even though a few students admitted that they took the elective class because the other two classes were "worse choices" for them, by the end of the class, they were talking to each other about how jealous their friends in the other elective classes  were going to be, because this class was "The best." Talk about feeling on cloud nine. They are already talking to each other about projects that effect them, like writing projects on how the marshall islands are going to disappear because of global warming (these islands are their home) and about how Chuuk wants to sussed from the union. MAGNIFICENT. These kids are going somewhere.

Bahaha! I love this.

Computer Skills with Freshman. 2 classes (100 min)

1 of the 2 very large Freshman classes

Loud. Just... so ... loud. It was the end of the day for both of us, and nobody wanted to sit through another review of the syllabi. And yet, we did. Kimo was in my class though, and it was nice to see a familiar face. They are so small and full of energy! I wish I could see them grow through all 4 years. How amazing it would be!

All in all, I loved today. I can't wait of more challenge, more passion, and more Xavier! On to the next lesson plan...

Too cool. (The students in my other Photo J. Senior class)

Attack of the Ants & A Night at Blue Lagoon

8/23/18

Today we had our final meeting with Fr. Dennis, Mr. Carl, and the rest of the faculty. We went over teaching Micronesian teenagers, and the things they might try and get away with in class. I HAVE to be firm, fair, and distanced more than my nature tells me to be. This is the point that I'll be breaking new ground; The point that i'll be growing and learning myself, as well.

The second computer casualty is fast approaching... Ants have now started attacking Jimmthy's laptop...Yesterday we tried finding compressed air, and concluded that we needed to go to Ace hardware around 3:30, although Ace would be closing at 5. The others were planning an evening at Blue Lagoon Dive Resort, so we planned to meet there at 6.

Jimmothy and I took the of road thing (I have no idea what it's called) to town. That thing takes pot holes so smoothly!! I can't get over it. It was such a beautiful day too. The sun was illuminating the whole island, and the mountains shimmered with saturation, light, and intense shadows cast from each tiny true at their tops. Jimmothy hadn't driven the vehicle before, so we gunned it and had a blast!




Blue Lagoon was beautiful, as we sipped beers and watched the sunset. Dinner, drinks, and heated games of pool were to follow. So much fun was had by all. Note: Don't order the B.L.Water. It will end you.