One week (and one day) ago, Matt, Chris, Jackie and I moved to our new homes on the smaller outer island of Ta'u!! Since, then, a lot and not that much has happened. Everything happens on island time in Samoa... in Manu'a, things seem to happen at a speed slower even than that, so that sometimes it seems like time stops. Jackie and I live in an adorable little beach house at the very end of Faleasao, the smallest of the 3 villages on the island, but also the one that happens to have the largest population of palagis (white people). It's absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever lived. Our house is nestled in the edge of the jungle, and the Pacific Ocean doubles as our backyard... this leads to everything being a little moist, and a huge amount of big spiders and ants, but it also means that I go to sleep to the sound of crickets and wake up to the sound of ocean waves.
School was supposed to start last Monday, but the Department of Health decided that the schools (mainly the kitchens and bathrooms) weren't clean enough, so it was pushed back a week. This morning, while we waited for our ride to school, Jackie and I were informed that Manu'a schools were actually the only ones reopening today- the other schools all failed again, so the first day was being pushed back another week. The DOH never actually came to do another check in Manu'a, so I have no idea why they think we "passed with flying colors", but I'm not opposed- one extra week was perfect for cleaning, setting up the classroom, and planning ahead a little, but I was excited to actually start teaching!
Today was the first day! I have 4 classes for now: 2 sections of sophomore Earth Science, freshman General Science, and (so far my favorite) senior Life Science. The first day was short- only 35 out of 80 kids were here, and the periods were only 15 minutes long- but a lot of fun! It's going to be a challenging year, but I can't wait!
As always, I miss everyone back home tons and tons! And, as an added bonus, we also had to say goodbye to our Tutuila friends last week, so now I miss them too! Good thing we'll be reunited again at Thanksgiving!
I have pictures for next time, but the bus is leaving soon, so gotta go!
School was supposed to start last Monday, but the Department of Health decided that the schools (mainly the kitchens and bathrooms) weren't clean enough, so it was pushed back a week. This morning, while we waited for our ride to school, Jackie and I were informed that Manu'a schools were actually the only ones reopening today- the other schools all failed again, so the first day was being pushed back another week. The DOH never actually came to do another check in Manu'a, so I have no idea why they think we "passed with flying colors", but I'm not opposed- one extra week was perfect for cleaning, setting up the classroom, and planning ahead a little, but I was excited to actually start teaching!
Today was the first day! I have 4 classes for now: 2 sections of sophomore Earth Science, freshman General Science, and (so far my favorite) senior Life Science. The first day was short- only 35 out of 80 kids were here, and the periods were only 15 minutes long- but a lot of fun! It's going to be a challenging year, but I can't wait!
As always, I miss everyone back home tons and tons! And, as an added bonus, we also had to say goodbye to our Tutuila friends last week, so now I miss them too! Good thing we'll be reunited again at Thanksgiving!
I have pictures for next time, but the bus is leaving soon, so gotta go!
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