Observations

This was finals week at school. Next week is only 4 days, since we have Monday off to celebrate Mother's Day. I've heard that we won't have regular classes, but much like the first week of school it will be a time for cleaning, gardening and general mayhem.

It was a challenging week, since the Year 7 teacher was off on paternity leave. I supervised the test taking and then tried to maintain control as the kids were given 'quiet time' to study for the next day's test. Quiet time consisted of spit balls, hitting, wrestling and other non-educational activities.

I'm a believer that busy hands are happy hands and if the kids are occupied, they're less likely to drive me crazy, so I took on both Years 7 - 8 for the last couple of days. They're learning a new song - Faith of the Heart, by Rod Stewart (from Patch Adams) and by the end of class today had the first verse and chorus down. I also had a math challenge between the grades. I'm preparing now for next week because with the excitement of end of term combines with lack of structure, it's all fun until someone gets hurt. And a few kids were in tears this week because of fights. I plan to be ready to keep them active and occupied.

In the meantime, here's some stuff you might find interesting:

Every morning I arrive early. I set up my laptop for the kids to play the few educational games I currently have. Hangman and word memory are VERY popular and it's common to have 15 kids huddled around the laptop screaming which key to press to the two kids with access to the mouse.

Almost equally fascinating to the kids is the copy machine. The office was off-limits to students before I arrived. I suspect the other teachers wish it still was since they now stay away. The kids had never seen a copy machine before and love watching me make copies. When I hand out fresh copies of a puzzle they marvel that it is hot. When I make two-sided copies, they stare at the machine as it alternately spits out then sucks in the page before spitting it out for good.

Loading paper is exciting and a paper jam is best of all. As I open various compartments and show them the inner workings of the machine there is much discussion in Samoan as they check it all out.

I figure it can't hurt for them to see how the equipment works and with luck I'll have a new copy machine helper. They just think it's entertainment.

The other fascinating piece of equipment in the office is the two-hole punch. Not power, just a standard, small hole punch. I showed them how to use it. They were excited. I showed them how to make patterns of holes and gave them a couple of pieces of paper and it kept 12 boys occupied for 30 minutes. One little hole punch.

I mentioned the sexual joking and grabbing before. Today after interval one of the teachers tried to pull my skirt off. Elastic waist, so easy to do. I saw her coming though and had a firm grip. We're a wild bunch in the elementary school.

I still haven't figured out how Samoans are not comatose all day. I prefer 8 hours sleep...in a row. They may get 8 hours, but not at one time. The other night I woke up exhausted. It was light out and music was playing. I thought I was late so jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Then I realized it wasn't actually light out. It was the light from the house next to mine. Then I heard the shower outside my back door. I checked the clock. 3:30 a.m. I have no idea why someone was showering at that hour. Or why they had all the lights on. Or the music playing. They all get up the same time I do...about 5:30 a.m. They usually go to bed around 1:00 a.m.

With my new house,I have everything I need. Indoor plumbing, a kitchen with a small fridge and electricity. A view of the ocean. I did realize the other day some things I don't have:

I haven't had a steak or glass of red wine in over 7 months. A rare porterhouse and glass of good Malbec would be nice. I've only had beef a handful of times in 7 months. Good thing I love chicken.

For the last six months I've done all laundry in a bucket. I'm used to it now but if you want to share my experience, this weekend try washing your sheets and towels in a bucket in your shower. Hang them outside and hope for no rain. Since I only have one set of sheets the rain thing is a critical factor.

Silence. When I walk down the street there is traffic noise, normal noise of people's lives - music, etc. and the sound of people (mostly children) screaming my name. I hear it in my sleep.

Yesterday I was swimming toward shore after snorkeling. Just lazing along in the water and I heard my name. Yup, seven boys walking boy screaming my name. They seemed very excited that I was swimming. "Nancy's swimming!" They asked "Are you swimming?" "Yes." "Why?" "Because it's fun." "Oh." When they see me at the village store, which happens at least once a week I get the same reaction. "She's shopping!" "Are you shopping?" "Yes, I'm shopping." "Why?"

Then there are the things I have now that I didn't at home...

People screaming my name and being fascinated by every thing I do. Wanting to know what I eat and when. Where I'm going and why. Who I'm talking to and what we're saying. At home, people don't notice when I step out of my house. Fame is kind of fun. Most of the time.

I have stars. I step outside at night and I can see the Milky Way.

I have a sense of purpose, greater than just a paycheck. I may not change the world or even this school, but I may help one child. The goal of any teacher.

I have palusami. Yes, there are a lot of foods I don't have but taro leaves baked with coconut cream makes up for a lot. I also have Samoan oranges. They call them Chinese oranges. I call them tangerines and they are cheap and delicious. Don't get me started on Koko Samoa. What's not to love about having people bring you really sweet, rich hot chocolate everyday?

I have laughter. Samoans are good at laughing. The family I live with and the people I work with all enjoy laughing. They don't take life too seriously.

Dogs. The neighbors dogs have adopted me. They now sleep in front of my house. They are the dogs I thought most likely to bite me when I moved in. Now they are the most likely to bite anybody who comes near my house after dark. I appreciate that.

I have a kung-fu panda. It's small and someone puts it on my porch, every afternoon. In exactly the same location. It disappears at night. I have no idea who or why.

I have helpers. I no longer carry bags because I have Year 7 and 8 boys and a few girls who walk me to and from school and carry my bags. I figure they're young and strong so I'm happy to let them.

Last weekend I fell as I was walking home from the store. I fell hard enough that I broke the power strip and light bulb that I'd just purchased. I scraped my hand and knee but no lasting damage. My family, however, now wants me to take their 17 year old son with me every time I go shopping. To carry my bags. I explained that the bags had nothing to do with it, I'm just clumsy. Imagine your neighbors sending their teenager to the store with you so you didn't have to load your own groceries.

I'm off to do a little shopping (without an escort) and some snorkeling to start the holiday weekend. More next week, along with some new photos.