Who needs a dog?

I never thought I would fall in love while I was here. But after the last couple of months I realize I may as well own up to it… I am in love with pigs. They are absolutely the cutest things. Piglets chasing each other across the lawn will mesmerize me every time. When they get up to speed they draw their front and hind legs together and move across the earth in little leaps and bounds. The adults are cute too… I adore their deeper, full bodied grunts… really just too cute.

During training I very nearly had a pig. It was the runt of the litter and had been abandoned. The night before Ema had saved it from a dog but with no mom feeding the poor thing it was getting weak. Leo brought it into the classroom and the next thing you know it mine for the day. I fed it and it slept in my lap during class. I was getting quite attached. Unfortunately there was no way I could keep it… how in the world was I going to get a 200 pound pig back to the states… furthermore what was I going to do with it in NYC? It’s not like I could give the pig to anyone here they’d just eat it I went in search of my darling pig’s owners, who turned out to the be the pastor and his family. I was asked if I wanted to keep the pig and upon my response in the negative I was assured that they would take care of the pig. So I like to think the pig is growing up happy and safe with the pastor… I try not to think of what will happen when it gets big.

I have resolved to have a potbelly pig when I return to the states… just as soon as I move somewhere that has space for the pig to run.

Group 77 Welcome Fiafia

This weekend was excellent. We threw a fiafia to welcome Group 77 into the country. They got to sit front and center for the entertainment portion of the evening. I did the PC sasa, sang with Ema and did a siva teine. The siva teine was executed with style and grace. Much thanx to all the lovely ladies (Texas, Candice, Ema, Julia, Robin, Cecelia, and Sefa) that made time to practice… you guys rock! The guys did their “warrior” thing. And we had a hot siva afi performance. After the requisite showcase the fun really got underway… with the food!

The food was plentiful and delicious. Sefa, Jordan and I made a fettuccini alfredo with tomatoes and freshly crushed garlic… and get this instead of using milk we used coconut cream, a delectable non-dairy substitute. Candice and her roommate Sarah made some really good oka (sashimi with cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and coconut cream). And then there was the dessert side of the table… banana bread, koko Samoa brownies made by Robin, sponge cake, chocolate chip cookies, and a lovely fruit salad with esi (papaya), mango, banana, and coconut cream.

After food and a bit of conversation I spent most of the rest of the night dancing, you have no idea how happy that made me. Candice had the foresight to put together an excellent music mix. There was some techno, hiphop, we had some Jackson love (Janet and Michael), and one of my favorite India Aire songs (the one from the diary of a mad black woman soundtrack). I’d say the night was a success I can’t wait till the next one. June 2007 here we come!! LOL ^_^



Some of the lovely ladies of Group 76 (l to r: Sefa, Me, Ema, Jordan)

A look forward and a look back

WOW!! I climed out of bed at 4am this morning and headed out to the airport to welcome the new group to Samoa. Here are some stats on Group 77. There are 12 guys and 4 girls. Most are in IT but there are 2/3 music teachers and 2 who work with people with special needs. I really can’t believe another group is here already I still feel like I just got off the plane yesterday. I figure this is a good a time as any to look back on the past 4 months in Samoa.

Ahh… I have many fond memories of the Apia Central my first “home” in Samoa. It was the birthplace of “Potu Ono” which means room six in Samoan. Texas, Jordan and I bonded through late night talks and plenty of hilarious happenings. Texas was even my roommate in LA… who knew the first PC person I met would end up being one of my best friends? Potu ono now sports matching clothing items… and if anyone has an idea for a logo we’d love to adopt it ^_~






Another stellar Apia central moment was definitely the day the guys bought their first ie faitongas. “Work it boys!”








The first week we got here we had a day of “cultural exploration.” Here’s a pic of what we explored. It was definitely one of those can it get any better than this moments for me. The natural beauty here is such a comfort. Moving halfway around the world can be nerve-wracking at times but some quality time outside on the beach or sitting under a tree can really help center you again.



Here’s another one of those views. This was our water safety day. Perfect snorkeling weather wouldn’t you agree?






Then there was my next home in Samoa… Isn’t it the cutest house? I had a room in the back of the house that overlooked the bay. I really wished I could have gotten a picture of the full moon over the water... really words fail when trying to describe it.




Thankfully you can capture the sunset view from my window and you’ll have to agree that the sunset picture brings to mind the words “tropical paradise”.