tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59431602011-09-05T08:21:05.685-04:00This is a public journal and documentary of my Peace Corps saga to the Island of Samoa.Amandanoreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1134360885534997442005-12-11T23:00:00.000-05:002005-12-11T23:14:45.543-05:00

I have one more day left in Samoa and then it's back to America via Air New Zealand. I'm feeling a little anxious and unsettled at the moment. It kind of like someone is pushing me out of the country and I'm not quite ready to go. Time has just gone too fast this last week, with farewell after farewell. It's emotionally draining. I'm so exicted to see my family as two years is a long time to

Amandanoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1133409318094557012005-11-30T22:12:00.000-05:002005-11-30T22:55:18.180-05:00

As is customary in Samoa, when someone leaves she is given a "fa`amavae" or farewell ceremony. Today the school gave me my fa`amavae. It was a two part event actually. The first half of the morning was our Parents' Day, where we sold items the children had made or cooked, performed traditional dances and songs, and displayed the children's work from the throughout the school year. It was a

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1132980534034862272005-11-25T23:31:00.000-05:002005-11-25T23:48:54.043-05:00

With only two weeks left of my service in Samoa, I'm undergoing what I can only describe as "twisted up gut". In some ways, I am so ready to go and yet, on the other hand I feel like it's not yet time. I have a project under way to build an accessible playground for the school. Last week, I heard from the funding agency that my proposal was approved. We've ordered our building supplies and

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1131419965390411262005-11-07T22:16:00.000-05:002005-11-07T22:19:25.403-05:00

No, your computer is not having problems with my site. It's me. I'm having a really hard time uploading the video clip of my taupo dance. I thought it would be really easy to do after I made that last post but alas, it has not. Keep visiting the site though. I'll keep trying. Thanks for your patience

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1130905318395536222005-11-01T23:19:00.000-05:002005-11-01T23:33:28.476-05:00

About 2 weeks ago Group 75 arrived in Samoa. They are the 75th group of Peace Corps volunteers to come and assist Samoa in its development. As senior volunteers, the rest of us put on a traditional welcome fiafia for them to showcase traditional Samoan entertainment. We had our senior boy volunteers perform a “slap dance”, our senior girl volunteers a “siva teine”, and even a “sasa”. Someone’

Amandanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1129952865168540492005-10-21T23:41:00.000-04:002005-10-21T23:47:45.166-04:00

I just want it documented that there was a pig on my bus today. I live just outside the main town area and not in the faraway village area, but today I shared the bus with a pig inside a rice sack. The young man who brought him onto the bus dropped off the rice sack next to the bus driver in the front of the bus and then went to sit in the back of the bus as where, young Samoan boys are to sit.

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1129952476404277972005-10-21T23:18:00.000-04:002005-10-21T23:41:16.420-04:00

As I near the end of my time in here, I find myself becoming more and more reflective. Every moment seems to capture an essence of Samoa that I will forever want to carry with me. Such a moment, happened several days ago that I would like to share with you all.It was a particularly hot day. The kind of hot day that makes wiping sweat off your brow pointless because it will only reappear with

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1128206385741642112005-10-01T18:26:00.000-04:002005-10-01T18:39:45.746-04:00

It's now 10 weeks before I say goodbye to Samoa and I'm feeling quite anxious, excited, sad, and stressed all at the same time. The last two years have been the most soul-changing of my entire life. I've grown in ways that I'm sure others won't be able to see as they are changes that are internal. I know, however, that I am a completely different person than who I was when I first stepped onto

Amandanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1124338635892164972005-08-18T00:07:00.000-04:002005-08-18T00:17:15.903-04:00

At the risk of offending people practicing the Mormom faith I will limit my comments regarding the newly built Mormon temple here in Samoa. Our school was privileged to be invited to take a tour of this architectural monstrosity before it is officially closed to the general public. After this short viewing/touring time, the Temple will only be open to those of the Mormon faith who are

Amandanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1122436401006252462005-07-26T23:44:00.000-04:002005-07-26T23:53:21.010-04:00

The school I work for has received an enormous, prolific, gigantic, gift from a wonderful woman in the US. She has been a longtime donor to the school and has just sent us a shipping container full of supplies for the school. It included wheelchairs, med supplies, art supplies, toys, paper, pens, markers, educational materials, music, etcetera etcetera. There is no way I can list everything.

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1121649634473350872005-07-17T21:12:00.000-04:002005-07-17T21:20:34.473-04:00

Click the image below to see lot-o-pictures of my New Zealand and Samoan adventures.s

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1119325868455430112005-06-20T23:48:00.000-04:002005-06-28T21:41:42.626-04:00

The long awaited follow upNow that a significant amount of time as elapsed to ensure proper reflection I am now ready to record and share my own personal experience with the “pe’a Samoa”. (Actually, I was having problems downloading my pictures of the experience from my laptop and I didn’t want to have you all read this without a visual).It was Saturday the 7th of May 2005 that my very close

Amandanoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1119321211429106102005-06-20T22:21:00.000-04:002005-06-20T22:33:31.433-04:00

I am really horrible at keeping this site updated. I apologize to all of you who are trying to maintain some picture in your head about what my life is like in Samoa. Last week I was in Fiji. My boyfriend and I headed out on Air Pacific airlines on a late Monday night. A flight that was delayed twice and then even when we did finally get airborne had to turn around and land only 15 minutes

Amandanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1115863244170274222005-05-11T21:53:00.000-04:002005-05-11T22:00:44.226-04:00

I have had one of the most thrilling, exciting, unbelievable experiences in my entire life this past weekend. Before I write about this experience I would like to share a written piece by another PCV who has since returned home. As many of you know, Samoa is known among anthropologists as the first place in the world to tatoo the body. Here is what my friend, Mindy, had to say on the subject

Amandanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1114835822837111272005-04-30T00:24:00.000-04:002005-04-30T00:37:02.836-04:00

It's not everyday that one wakes up to a cow in her yard, yet, that's exactly what happened to me this morning. I had just awakened and was shuffling around my house when I heard some unusually loud "mooing". Now, I am not totally unaccustomed to hearing cows hear. There are several cow pastures near my house and I can occasionally hear some distant "mooing". However, this morning it was so

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1114145342576280872005-04-22T00:37:00.000-04:002005-04-22T00:49:02.576-04:00

If someone out there can help me understand and deal with the angst I feel about the following re-occuring situation, Please by all means leave a comment. I just successfully completed 30 Sun Salutations (a Yoga move) and was feeling pretty good about myself when that good feeling quickly came tumbling down. I was leaving the Peace Corps office and the lady that sits at the front desk at the

Amandanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1113685784646231342005-04-16T16:54:00.000-04:002005-04-16T17:09:44.646-04:00

This has been a particulary rewarding and exciting week for a variety of reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with why I am writing this post. Please be assured that even though you might be scared for me and concerned about my well-being after reading this post, I really am happy and healthy. Okay, with that being said, I would like to write to you about the "maile" here. Maile is the

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1112239858364061432005-03-30T22:22:00.000-05:002005-03-31T22:24:38.433-05:00

As request by my family, I am once again sending out a list of items that I and my school would like and definitely would use.First, I'll start with me.My Listhigh-tech floss from meijerdouble AA batteriesCrystal LightZone BarsMediteranean Food mixesRunnning Shoes (*i want these the most as I'm training for a half marathon and currently my shoes are crap) I run in size 10 Width B New Balance.

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1111636675820436972005-03-23T22:51:00.000-05:002005-03-23T23:02:00.510-05:00

I have no real excuse for not being terribly active with my website other than I’ve been choosing to be busy as a volunteer and perhaps a bit lazy when it comes to carting myself into town on a hot, bumpy bus ride to then only have to pay for Internet time at a café. But alas, I now have my laptop computer hooked up in my fale and can now pre-write all my documents and spend very little time in

Amandanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1107574309512651822005-02-04T22:28:00.000-05:002005-02-04T22:31:49.513-05:00

Okay, okay, I realize it’s been nearly a month since my last post, but please, please be patient with me. Peace Corps has drastically reduced the number of hours we are allowed to use the Internet at the office. We can only use it at certain times of the day and this makes it difficult for one to organize her day just to get online and have to battle other volunteers for Internet time. However

Amandanoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1105418812660362762005-01-10T23:30:00.000-05:002005-01-10T23:46:52.660-05:00

After 3 extraordinary weeks of fantastic New Zealand weather (a.k.a. lots and lots of rain) and unbelievable sight seeing I'm back home in Samoa. New Zealand taught me two things. Number one, how to drive on the left side of the road and number two, that I really do love where I live now. I had a fabulous time in New Zealand enjoying their wine, beer, and expensive over priced coffee. I did

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1101874489033763282004-11-30T23:09:00.000-05:002004-11-30T23:14:49.043-05:00

Click the image below to see the photos....

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1100997787931432152004-11-20T19:20:00.000-05:002004-11-20T19:45:24.936-05:00

So last Thursday, at around 12pm I noticed little white things on the head of one of my students. He's three years old with Downs Syndrome and wasn't too happy when I tried to examine further. I called his teacher over to help and sure enough she told me she found the "utu" (lice.) My own head had been itching for over a week but I thought it was just because I hadn't been prudent in shampooing

Amandanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1099975070227349032004-11-08T22:48:00.000-05:002004-11-08T23:37:50.226-05:00

It has been promised for some time that I would write a little piece about what it's like to travel by bus across Samoa. Well, wait no more because the time has come. I was just waiting for a particular experience to talk about. One can write pages upon pages on bus culture here in Samoa however, I will try to keep it brief without losing the mental image of riding a Samoan bus. First, let's

Amandanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1099357952669235492004-10-25T20:08:00.000-04:002004-11-01T20:13:00.263-05:00

So, if you can believe it I've now been here on this tiny island one whole year. I've now just seen the second group of new volunteers arrive after my own group. This past week I met with the new girl trainees to prep them for life in their training village. Two other volunteers and myself took them to a volunteer's house for pizza and girl talk. I had forgotton how much I didn't know when I

Amandanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1099357280603458862004-09-17T19:58:00.000-04:002004-11-01T20:02:11.476-05:00

It was expected that when I decided to embark upon my Peace Corps journey to a developing nation that I would encounter many challenges and be stretched in ways I had never known before. I was warned in my interview that I would deal with child abuse, alcoholism, being in a > fish bowl, and harassment and that I would have to learn to deal with it and accept that these things will not change

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1099356990434555812004-08-05T19:53:00.000-04:002004-11-01T20:06:46.443-05:00

Hey, everybody. I haven't heard from a lot of you in awhile. I'm desperately needing some gossip or something. So, somebody email me already... So, I thought I would write about why I believe Samoa is poor. There are of course, like every nation, a wealthy minority but the majority of Samoans live in what the western world would consider sub-standard living conditions. I have come to the

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1099356786815329552004-07-27T19:48:00.000-04:002004-11-01T19:53:06.816-05:00

I think it's high time for me to write something for the website. I just haven't felt motivated to sit at a computer or haven't found enough time to write something good. So here goes. I don't have a specific story to tell or any particularly interesting experiences to write about but I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the many cultural rules, habits, and quirks that have taken

Amandanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1099356435640831162004-06-20T22:39:00.000-04:002004-11-01T19:57:21.810-05:00

So, I finally finished this roll of film. I actually took these picture back in March. Unfortunately, these pics are just now getting up here...better late then never. This roll spans from February thru April. There are pics of I took standing outside the Peace Corps Office. Some of my travels to Savaii over Easter Weekend (we swam with huge sea turtles) and lots more. The photo gallery

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1099355918464872992004-06-18T19:34:00.000-04:002004-11-01T19:38:38.463-05:00

Do I ever think about quitting? Yes, actually, I do! Sometimes this experience just plain sucks and I wish I could go back Stateside close to family and friends doing something productive and efficient and in English.But then I have nights when I’m out paddling with my team and I get to glide across moonlit water set against a pink and purple sky bordered by palm trees and I think, “God, could

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1086582587788128062004-06-06T23:45:00.000-04:002004-06-07T00:30:56.713-04:00

Yesterday I had my first ever competitive paddling race. It was an all day event of races, BBQ, and getting lots of sun in the harbour. Three different paddling clubs competed with two women's only teams. My club's name is Nafanua and we had both junior and senior female and male teams. Our only gold was taken in the 250 meter sprint by none other than our Senior women's team. We won it by

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1085369621919987942004-05-23T23:06:00.000-04:002004-05-23T23:33:41.920-04:00

After four days of a lovely get-a-way in American Samoa I'm back on my own turf. American Samoa provided me with some much needed time away from life as a volunteer. The two countries are still quite similar to each other (tropical islands, Samoan ancestry, common language, etc.)but because it is a U.S. territory the standard of living is considerably higher there. It was even a bit

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1084677809987508172004-05-15T22:50:00.000-04:002004-05-15T23:29:07.536-04:00

Expect to see some more frequent posts over the next three weeks because I will be having a lot more time on my hands. The first term of school has just finished and I have a three week break. I still have other projects, meetings, and trainings to attend but I definitely will have more time to come in to the office and play on the computer. This Wednesday I will be taking some leave time and

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1083019438202394542004-04-26T18:05:00.000-04:002004-04-26T18:51:39.403-04:00

You have to love the three day weekends and the four day work weeks! There sure are a lot of them here. Today is a holiday. Happy ANZAC Day, everyone! I understand that it's a veteran's day for Austraila, New Zealand, and I'm not sure who the A and C are for....maybe American & Cananda? At any rate I have the day off work today and everything is closed and there are no busses. However, I

Amandanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1082780104684822392004-04-24T00:07:00.000-04:002004-04-24T00:20:07.233-04:00

This is just a quick post to let you all know that I do not deserve everything that I've be receiving. I have received 5 packages in the last two weeks full of all kinds of goodies. Let me assure you that I will now be in complete supply of sugar free gum and lotion for the next two years. I will also not be needing any tuna fish or zone bars for quite some time. If you are reading this and

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1081997738488237692004-04-14T22:41:00.000-04:002004-04-26T18:54:25.610-04:00

I'm now nearing the close of my first 90 days of "actual work". This period is supposed to be alloted for adjustment to the job and establishing rapport with co-workers. I feel like I have a good handle of these two objectives and now feel ready to "get the ball rolling" on about a million different projects I have in mind. I need to prioritize my ideas and really think about what's feasible

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-108182959745404422004-04-13T00:00:00.000-04:002004-04-13T00:17:11.950-04:00

Today marks exactly to the day six months since I left the comforts of familiarity in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I have no idea how it is that I've been in the Peace Corps for half a year. I've now spent two major holidays without my family and I'm still here. Easter wasn't nearly as tough as Christmas was and I spent a wonderful 2 1/2 days in Savaii. I left Thursday and caught the last boat to

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1080789573907703932004-03-31T22:05:00.000-05:002004-03-31T22:27:20.590-05:00

I'm two weeks away from being here on this island for a full 6 months. I just heard the other day that at the sixth-month mark volunteers often go through a down period. I think I'm there, which might be surprising given my last entry. There's just a bit of uncertainty now with my assignment. Last week the prinicipal at my school was terminated by the board of directors. The principal is

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1079066684946154812004-03-11T23:23:00.000-05:002004-03-11T23:51:23.340-05:00

Yesterday, by far, has been the most rewarding and uplifting days at my job assignment. I have been working at the school close to two months now and rarely feel as if I accomplish much but I had a moment yesterday when "it was all good". The school had a field trip to the beach to collect shells for the arts & craftts class. We loaded up our 30+ students into our big new bus and away we went.

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1077486289009368252004-02-22T16:44:00.000-05:002004-02-22T16:50:31.153-05:00

This is a message from your friendly neighborhood webmaster: On the left-hand side, there is a new "Photo Galleries" section. Clicking on the links will take you to an individual photo gallery. If you have any issues or problems viewing the photos, please leave a comment on this post or email me.

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1077334766516456862004-02-20T22:19:00.000-05:002004-02-20T22:42:09.250-05:00

I've now been officially working at my school with the students for three whole weeks. It's been a whirlwind of an experience full of frustration, confusion, and laughter. My pule (samoan word for supervisor) has taken me to a gazillion meetings around town. I've met some very important influential people including the board that funds our school. It's been a time for just a lot of

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1076039989232840332004-02-05T22:45:00.000-05:002004-02-05T23:03:37.246-05:00

So I've just about finished my first week of real work here in Samoa. The children started school this week and Wow!....I've got my work cut out for me at this school. The teachers have been very welcolming and I'm growing to love my students already. It's a small school for Special Needs kids. On staff, there's the Principal, 5 teachers, the cook, the driver, and me. On any given day we

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1075255978135728482004-01-27T21:05:00.000-05:002004-01-27T21:16:22.140-05:00

There was a tragedy here this past Sunday. Another Peace Corps Volunteer had her parents visiting her from the States. She had been telling us all for weeks how excited she was to see her father. There is no other person in the world to whom she was more close to. Last Sunday she took her parents to Savaii, the bigger more rural island. She and her father were snorkeling when the tide

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1074917553642296472004-01-23T23:03:00.000-05:002004-01-23T23:16:14.263-05:00

I wouldn't normally ask for people to send me things and beg for packages and the like, but many of you have asked what things I need and what is really hard to find here. Sooooooooo, okay, I can give you a run-down of items that are always good to send. Sugar-free drink mixes (kool-aid, crystal light, etc.) Sugar free gum Tuna Fish packed in water (probably easiest to send the flavor fresh

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1074311163011038252004-01-16T22:26:00.000-05:002004-01-16T22:47:57.530-05:00

I'm attempting for the first time to actually type my own post. Up until this point, I've been mailing letters to the States and sending e-mails to my good buddy Todd, who has so graciously offered to help me with this little website record keeping of my Peace Corps experience in Samoa. Well, if you haven't already heard by now, Samoa started the new year off with a bang or as some might call it

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1073086486182969092004-01-02T18:31:00.000-05:002004-01-02T18:35:04.453-05:00

Hey guys, I have some more pictures for you. These were taken during the early to mid training period. See the photos here.

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1071628589782293822003-12-16T21:36:00.000-05:002004-01-02T19:55:55.953-05:00

During my trip to Samoa I took a few pictures. Todd Schavey (the webmaster of this site) created a 'quick-n-dirty' collage of these photos. The picture quality of the movie is decent but low as he wanted to keep the filesize (3.0MB) so that a majority of people can quickly download it. High quality version are on there way soon. Remeber to post comments, guys!

Amandanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1071627628872276162003-12-11T19:14:00.000-05:002003-12-16T21:20:42.800-05:00

I've escaped from the village to Apia for a few hours. Peace Corps drove us in so that we could buy farewell gifts for our familes. I can't believe training is nearly over. We leave the village Saturday morning!!!!!!! I'm pretty excited. I'll be sworn in as an official volunteer on the 17th. We had our language exam this morning. It was a 20 minute conversation with a host country

Amandanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1069291512983487412003-11-02T20:10:00.000-05:002003-11-19T20:25:19.750-05:00

It's taken me two days to write this posting. I just can't seem to sum up my week and do justice to describing my experience. The challenge for me was having to accept the role of a child agian. At age 25, I'm not an adult in Samoa. I am part of the family and under the authority of my Samoan parents. I am, however, treated extremely well. They cook me vegetarian meals and always ask if I am

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1069290503176146782003-10-31T19:56:00.000-05:002003-11-19T20:10:31.980-05:00

I've been in Somoa almost 3 weeks now. We just returned to Apia today after spending a week with our families in the village of Si'ufaga. We have trainings (i.e. school) everyday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Our trainers are native Samoans who work for the Peace Corps. They are the warmest, kindest, most giving people who take excellent care of us. The first week in the village was extremely

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1066356066051031082003-10-16T21:59:00.000-04:002003-10-16T22:10:39.820-04:00

Tolofa Lava!!!! I've been here 36 hours and it feels like I've been here a week.  You all would not believe how beautiful this place is.  palm trees, blue blue water, and sun sun sun.  i'm doing okay with the jet lag.  i got some dark circles around the eyes but otherwise i'm hangin in there.  i'm having so much fun.  this is by far the most exciting thing i've done in my life.  the rest of the

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5943160.post-1066170656957018592003-10-14T18:30:00.000-04:002003-11-19T20:27:54.496-05:00

This is the first of many posst to begin my blog. I hope you enjoy the future entries to come.

Amandanoreply@blogger.com0