Majuro, Marshall Islands
Sunday, January 28, 2006
Today my family celebrated my Dad’s 70th birthday. His birthday is on January 30th, but they had a surprise party for him at my Aunt Rosemary’s. I am sure that he was surprised, and I bet everyone had a great time. I am slightly bummed that I was not able to be there for the big event in person, but I know he knows that I love him. It is amazing to me to think that my own Father is 70 years old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
On a somewhat unrelated topic: I am also amazed to think that I will have been in the Marshall Islands for 6 months next Monday, February 5th. Every day has proved to be a challenge that has only helped me to grow as a person. At the same time I would also say that at times I find myself becoming comfortable with my surroundings. Lately, this has in effect been not only a blessing but a curse. “Why do today what you can put off ‘til tomorrow?” has become a personal conundrum, with an answer more elusive then my efforts. As a JV, I am here to better understand what life is like in Majuro, which at times is not as adventurous as it sounds. It takes time to build relationships and acquire a sense of belonging. And by belonging, I am not referring to simply fitting in because I feel welcomed; but more accurately in the sense of purpose. Why am I here? (Side note…. As I am writing this I am only imagining the love filled responses that I will receive, providing words of support and small antidotes expressing with unadulterated sincerity the impact that I will have on the people that I serve. And I smile and laugh knowing that I am blessed to have the family and friends that I do.)
Returning, however to the question that I am rhetorically asking places me in a position that is not as comforting as I once thought this experience would be. As a kid I was taught to believe that one could be anything, one wanted to as long as long as one merely worked hard enough. The possibilities that laid before me were only limited by my imagination. This idea, weather or not it is true, or just the propagation of an unattainable “American Dream,” provided me with the allure to go out and change the World. Weather it be by finding a way to end hunger, a cure for cancer and AIDS, or stopping all forms of discrimination did not matter. What was important was that if I truly wanted it, if I did everything I possibly could and I worked hard enough I could make the world a better place. I could fulfill the cliché, I would make… “Peace on Earth.”
So I ask myself, “Why am I here?” not because I feel that I have awakened from a dream of wishful thinking, but because I am in the process of waking up to the true meaning of why I am in fact here. The downfall is that I have never found it easy to get out of bed in the morning; which has left me in a rather disconcerting position. Now that I have woken up I have to make the decision of weather or not I plan to get up, or roll over and go back to sleep….
************************************************************************
I find that it is very challenging for me to maintain a journal which is unfortunate. I have a hard time putting this experience into words and feel overwhelmed with the idea of recording the events of the day. Instead…My life in a nutshell….. “How did I get in this nutshell?”
The High School put on its annual Variety Show last weekend. It was a good time, and was a lot of work for the students and teachers. They raised 12 grand….which was Awesome! I was in two different dances that the faculty put together, and am in the process of getting a tape of the show to send home. I am currently teaching about epithelial tissue in biology and my students are constructing diagrams of skin out of construction paper and labeling all the layers and parts. My English classes are going well and hopefully we will get started on our quarter project this week. My plan is to get all of Assumption involved in putting together a collection of poems and short stories about the nuclear testing that occurred in the Marshall Islands. March 1st is our deadline, which is Nuclear Victims Day. This is a project that has been done in the past, so I am a little apprehensive about taking it on….I’m sure it will be a great learning experience for everyone! Community life is going alright. We some how managed to bounce a check…Yikes. We had the money to cover it. It was just a miscommunication. I am taking over all finance business….Starting now, so wish me luck….
I started running/jogging/walking briskly/walking/sleeping….LOL! Not a big deal but it’s a start. Don’t hold your breath. The Weather has cooled down a bit and it’s been rainy and wet. Next weekend we have our JVI retreat. I’m looking forward to it, we have decided to make it a silent retreat so I hope to write a lot of letters. I saw the a couple movies including “Wedding Crashers” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” I have also heard that the there has been a lot of hype about the author of A Million Little Pieces exaggerating the truth and would love you forever if I could get the scope on the issue either on tape ie Oprah….or any articles. It kind of makes me sad, but hey it was still a good book….And as we all know “If it sounds to good to be true….then it probably is…..” Or in the case of A Million little Pieces…..If the story sounds to awful to be true…..
Lastly, Postage to the RMI has gone up so check with your local post office before placing your letters in the mail. I love you and pray for you. Peace and Justic.
PS. The blog below is also new....So go pee and come right back....LOL
Sunday, January 29, 2006
It's your lucky day....mine too!
Majuro, Marshall Islands
Sunday, January 28, 2006
Today my family celebrated my Dad’s 70th birthday. His birthday is on January 30th, but they had a surprise party for him at my Aunt Rosemary’s. I am sure that he was surprised, and I bet everyone had a great time. I am slightly bummed that I was not able to be there for the big event in person, but I know he knows that I love him. It is amazing to me to think that my own Father is 70 years old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
On a somewhat unrelated topic: I am also amazed to think that I will have been in the Marshall Islands for 6 months next Monday, February 5th. Every day has proved to be a challenge that has only helped me to grow as a person. At the same time I would also say that at times I find myself becoming comfortable with my surroundings. Lately, this has in effect been not only a blessing but a curse. “Why do today what you can put off ‘til tomorrow?” has become a personal conundrum, with an answer more elusive then my efforts. As a JV, I am here to better understand what life is like in Majuro, which at times is not as adventurous as it sounds. It takes time to build relationships and acquire a sense of belonging. And by belonging, I am not referring to simply fitting in because I feel welcomed; but more accurately in the sense of purpose. Why am I here? (Side note…. As I am writing this I am only imagining the love filled responses that I will receive, providing words of support and small antidotes expressing with unadulterated sincerity the impact that I will have on the people that I serve. And I smile and laugh knowing that I am blessed to have the family and friends that I do.)
Returning, however to the question that I am rhetorically asking places me in a position that is not as comforting as I once thought this experience would be. As a kid I was taught to believe that one could be anything, one wanted to as long as long as one merely worked hard enough. The possibilities that laid before me were only limited by my imagination. This idea, weather or not it is true, or just the propagation of an unattainable “American Dream,” provided me with the allure to go out and change the World. Weather it be by finding a way to end hunger, a cure for cancer and AIDS, or stopping all forms of discrimination did not matter. What was important was that if I truly wanted it, if I did everything I possibly could and I worked hard enough I could make the world a better place. I could fulfill the cliché, I would make… “Peace on Earth.”
So I ask myself, “Why am I here?” not because I feel that I have awakened from a dream of wishful thinking, but because I am in the process of waking up to the true meaning of why I am in fact here. The downfall is that I have never found it easy to get out of bed in the morning; which has left me in a rather disconcerting position. Now that I have woken up I have to make the decision of weather or not I plan to get up, or roll over and go back to sleep….
************************************************************************
I find that it is very challenging for me to maintain a journal which is unfortunate. I have a hard time putting this experience into words and feel overwhelmed with the idea of recording the events of the day. Instead…My life in a nutshell….. “How did I get in this nutshell?”
The High School put on its annual Variety Show last weekend. It was a good time, and was a lot of work for the students and teachers. They raised 12 grand….which was Awesome! I was in two different dances that the faculty put together, and am in the process of getting a tape of the show to send home. I am currently teaching about epithelial tissue in biology and my students are constructing diagrams of skin out of construction paper and labeling all the layers and parts. My English classes are going well and hopefully we will get started on our quarter project this week. My plan is to get all of Assumption involved in putting together a collection of poems and short stories about the nuclear testing that occurred in the Marshall Islands. March 1st is our deadline, which is Nuclear Victims Day. This is a project that has been done in the past, so I am a little apprehensive about taking it on….I’m sure it will be a great learning experience for everyone! Community life is going alright. We some how managed to bounce a check…Yikes. We had the money to cover it. It was just a miscommunication. I am taking over all finance business….Starting now, so wish me luck….
I started running/jogging/walking briskly/walking/sleeping….LOL! Not a big deal but it’s a start. Don’t hold your breath. The Weather has cooled down a bit and it’s been rainy and wet. Next weekend we have our JVI retreat. I’m looking forward to it, we have decided to make it a silent retreat so I hope to write a lot of letters. I saw the a couple movies including “Wedding Crashers” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” I have also heard that the there has been a lot of hype about the author of A Million Little Pieces exaggerating the truth and would love you forever if I could get the scope on the issue either on tape ie Oprah….or any articles. It kind of makes me sad, but hey it was still a good book….And as we all know “If it sounds to good to be true….then it probably is…..” Or in the case of A Million little Pieces…..If the story sounds to awful to be true…..
Lastly, Postage to the RMI has gone up so check with your local post office before placing your letters in the mail. I love you and pray for you. Peace and Justice.
PS. The blog below is also new so go pee and come right back....LOL
Sunday, January 28, 2006
Today my family celebrated my Dad’s 70th birthday. His birthday is on January 30th, but they had a surprise party for him at my Aunt Rosemary’s. I am sure that he was surprised, and I bet everyone had a great time. I am slightly bummed that I was not able to be there for the big event in person, but I know he knows that I love him. It is amazing to me to think that my own Father is 70 years old. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
On a somewhat unrelated topic: I am also amazed to think that I will have been in the Marshall Islands for 6 months next Monday, February 5th. Every day has proved to be a challenge that has only helped me to grow as a person. At the same time I would also say that at times I find myself becoming comfortable with my surroundings. Lately, this has in effect been not only a blessing but a curse. “Why do today what you can put off ‘til tomorrow?” has become a personal conundrum, with an answer more elusive then my efforts. As a JV, I am here to better understand what life is like in Majuro, which at times is not as adventurous as it sounds. It takes time to build relationships and acquire a sense of belonging. And by belonging, I am not referring to simply fitting in because I feel welcomed; but more accurately in the sense of purpose. Why am I here? (Side note…. As I am writing this I am only imagining the love filled responses that I will receive, providing words of support and small antidotes expressing with unadulterated sincerity the impact that I will have on the people that I serve. And I smile and laugh knowing that I am blessed to have the family and friends that I do.)
Returning, however to the question that I am rhetorically asking places me in a position that is not as comforting as I once thought this experience would be. As a kid I was taught to believe that one could be anything, one wanted to as long as long as one merely worked hard enough. The possibilities that laid before me were only limited by my imagination. This idea, weather or not it is true, or just the propagation of an unattainable “American Dream,” provided me with the allure to go out and change the World. Weather it be by finding a way to end hunger, a cure for cancer and AIDS, or stopping all forms of discrimination did not matter. What was important was that if I truly wanted it, if I did everything I possibly could and I worked hard enough I could make the world a better place. I could fulfill the cliché, I would make… “Peace on Earth.”
So I ask myself, “Why am I here?” not because I feel that I have awakened from a dream of wishful thinking, but because I am in the process of waking up to the true meaning of why I am in fact here. The downfall is that I have never found it easy to get out of bed in the morning; which has left me in a rather disconcerting position. Now that I have woken up I have to make the decision of weather or not I plan to get up, or roll over and go back to sleep….
************************************************************************
I find that it is very challenging for me to maintain a journal which is unfortunate. I have a hard time putting this experience into words and feel overwhelmed with the idea of recording the events of the day. Instead…My life in a nutshell….. “How did I get in this nutshell?”
The High School put on its annual Variety Show last weekend. It was a good time, and was a lot of work for the students and teachers. They raised 12 grand….which was Awesome! I was in two different dances that the faculty put together, and am in the process of getting a tape of the show to send home. I am currently teaching about epithelial tissue in biology and my students are constructing diagrams of skin out of construction paper and labeling all the layers and parts. My English classes are going well and hopefully we will get started on our quarter project this week. My plan is to get all of Assumption involved in putting together a collection of poems and short stories about the nuclear testing that occurred in the Marshall Islands. March 1st is our deadline, which is Nuclear Victims Day. This is a project that has been done in the past, so I am a little apprehensive about taking it on….I’m sure it will be a great learning experience for everyone! Community life is going alright. We some how managed to bounce a check…Yikes. We had the money to cover it. It was just a miscommunication. I am taking over all finance business….Starting now, so wish me luck….
I started running/jogging/walking briskly/walking/sleeping….LOL! Not a big deal but it’s a start. Don’t hold your breath. The Weather has cooled down a bit and it’s been rainy and wet. Next weekend we have our JVI retreat. I’m looking forward to it, we have decided to make it a silent retreat so I hope to write a lot of letters. I saw the a couple movies including “Wedding Crashers” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” I have also heard that the there has been a lot of hype about the author of A Million Little Pieces exaggerating the truth and would love you forever if I could get the scope on the issue either on tape ie Oprah….or any articles. It kind of makes me sad, but hey it was still a good book….And as we all know “If it sounds to good to be true….then it probably is…..” Or in the case of A Million little Pieces…..If the story sounds to awful to be true…..
Lastly, Postage to the RMI has gone up so check with your local post office before placing your letters in the mail. I love you and pray for you. Peace and Justice.
PS. The blog below is also new so go pee and come right back....LOL
Back by popular demaind.....ME!!!!!
Today, January 21, 2006. I woke up at 8:20am and got to work I along with the help of the Small Island kids picked up trash from in front of our house, swept the porch and took out the trash. No, not because that is what I normally do, but because we were having a special guest over at 9:30. The Nuncio for all of Micronesia is visiting Majuro to present his papers to the President of RMI. He just like any other diplomatic ambassador is required to be formally accepted before he can officially begin his service. He stayed for about an hour an a half and shared with us his role and his calling, before he was on his way to his next scheduled visit. I then decided to take a nap.
This past week has been anything but a typical school week. The students had a High School Mass on Tuesday and of course a Mass practice on Monday. Followed by three half days of school, in order to give the students a chance to practice their dances for this year’s Variety Show. As is custom everything was very last minute, being that last night (Friday) was our first show I have to say that I was impressed to see the students pull it all together. Of course, as a faculty member I too am in two dances that in spite of my like of rhythm and two left feet don’t look half bad.
A brief word on Marshallese culture in reference to the Variety Show: Most students while dancing typically look indifferent, if not bored, and will only smile if they become embarrassed or mess up. As far as the audience is concerned they see nothing wrong with coming up on stage in order to capture their Kodak moment. “Say cheese!”
This evening we have our second and last performance, but before that we have evening mass. Tonight the five of us our wearing our Christmas presents to ourselves… Here in the Marshall Islands groups, clubs or organizations will uniform together, and in an effort to experience all that is Marshallese the five of us chose to get uniformed!!!
The guys in shirts and the gals in dresses all made out of the same floral print…. It’s GLORIOUS!!!! I can’t wait to get a picture taken of the five of us standing next to each other; we’ll look like a couch!!!! Or better yet like the Brady bunch….LOL!
Lastly, January 31st is my Dad’s 70th birthday, and even though I won’t be there I hope he knows how much he is loved. Boy time goes by fast…..They grow up so fast now days….. J!
Peace out,
This past week has been anything but a typical school week. The students had a High School Mass on Tuesday and of course a Mass practice on Monday. Followed by three half days of school, in order to give the students a chance to practice their dances for this year’s Variety Show. As is custom everything was very last minute, being that last night (Friday) was our first show I have to say that I was impressed to see the students pull it all together. Of course, as a faculty member I too am in two dances that in spite of my like of rhythm and two left feet don’t look half bad.
A brief word on Marshallese culture in reference to the Variety Show: Most students while dancing typically look indifferent, if not bored, and will only smile if they become embarrassed or mess up. As far as the audience is concerned they see nothing wrong with coming up on stage in order to capture their Kodak moment. “Say cheese!”
This evening we have our second and last performance, but before that we have evening mass. Tonight the five of us our wearing our Christmas presents to ourselves… Here in the Marshall Islands groups, clubs or organizations will uniform together, and in an effort to experience all that is Marshallese the five of us chose to get uniformed!!!
The guys in shirts and the gals in dresses all made out of the same floral print…. It’s GLORIOUS!!!! I can’t wait to get a picture taken of the five of us standing next to each other; we’ll look like a couch!!!! Or better yet like the Brady bunch….LOL!
Lastly, January 31st is my Dad’s 70th birthday, and even though I won’t be there I hope he knows how much he is loved. Boy time goes by fast…..They grow up so fast now days….. J!
Peace out,
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