Speaking of water, a weekend (or maybe two) previous a number of us went on a trip to Joy Island, which is located near our house, just nearby Nan Madol (maybe even part of considering the basalt logs on the island). I've been meaning to write something of or about Nan Madol, and I will get around to it, it needs some pictures to illustrate though (some of which are up here), and some more sitting and pondering.
Joy was somewhat of an adventure, we had only a small inflatable raft and two local kids, along with four of us menwhi. We swam, paddled and walked out to the island and spent an hour or two, it was raining a bit all day which is ironic because the two times I've been on a nice beach it has been overcast and raining. I don't mind the rain, especially since I waded and swam the whole way, which proved to be a great snorkeling opportunity. The sting-rays around the island move in and out of the channel and on the way back, I saw three large stingrays in the deeper part of the channel, amazing coral, and sting-rays darting around quite speedily while we waded back nearer to the Mangroves. There are more sting-ray stories, including an encounter at Nan Madol with one just last weekend, but still no sharks unfortunately, but there around for sure, being as Matt saw one last weekend at Nan Madol as well.

I'll stop apologizing for not posting more up on this and more frequently.


Things in Pohnpei that I've sort of integrated into my worldview (of sorts)
Roosters crowing all day long, it's like I have some kind of button that I can push if I'm on the phone. "Cock-a-doodle-doo" (or the local version which sounds like "cock-a-roach" to my ear)
The sounds of dogs fighting, mostly briefly, but some times not.
The change of the day "plans" because of what seems like torrential rain to me.
Not being able to buy any beer where I live (i'm still working on this one).
A pseudo-comfortability with not understanding the language that's being used.



I've been "busy" here, mostly just being occupied with life, and constantly adapting (which like some kind of exorcise for a part of the soul or something). I am constantly amazed by the island and what is here and how much the U.S. is sort of ever present. I heard today that the US holiday of Thanksgiving might be declared a FSM national holiday!? Read this as you will I guess, I've sort my thoughts on that particular one.

I'm in mid-stride in finding a car to purchase. It seems odd, but transportation is sometimes difficult, especially since we are on the almost-opposite side of Pohnpei from Kolonia. There's lots of people, fun and interesting things to do, and of course school every day up here in Madolenihmw, but sometimes you just wanna move around, go out for a night, go pick up a package, or go to Nahlap (an island inside the reef), a $5 trip, for the day, and you really gotta have a car

The power has been on and off the last couple days, never for extended periods, if it happens at night and you happen to be outside and it's clear (not often, maybe surprisingly) you get an amazing view of the stars (this can also happen without the electricity going off). The breeze is almost constant into our little pad which is also nice and i've been in the water more than once since I last told here.

Halloween in Pohnpei

This Halloween was an interesting one. I went into town for the weekend (without a costume) to go the local menwhi (foreigner, USer) bar which was having a Halloween party. They had decked the place out in some great decor, including all the usual suspects, spider webbing, blood, skeletons, ghostly ghoulish things, etc... The place was full of a ton of mostly American expats who had done a fairly good job of costuming themselves. I had purchased a Clark Kent mask, which was more killer creepy than super hero, but I ended up "loaning" (read giving away) it to a kid I met on Halloween night who was pulling it off much better than myself, oh well. The party was a good time.
It was interesting to see Halloween transposed to another country and culture, in town, the night is a spectacle of mostly un-costumed Pohnpeian kids and teenagers who do the usual trick-or-treat gig. Erin and I sat on the street for about an hour just watching the movement of people. It was sort of surreal (or oddly not surreal) to see the whole thing unfold. It was a good time overall and it was perhaps the first (or maybe second) time that I've actually stayed out late into the night. It's easy to get into a rhythm of earlyish sleep and waking up at 7am everyday (which isn't really my M.O.), so it was night to get to be a night owl for once.
Saturday evening we went back to the Rusty Anchor (that's the bar) to see an expat band called "Wetter than Seattle" (an ode the amount of rain received on Pohnpei I would venture to guess), they placed most classic rock covers. We stayed only briefly, I was spent from the previous nights endeavors and debauchery. I was feeling like a bit of a splurge because for two nights in a row in town, I went to one of the hotel's where they serve up some not to shabby pizza, it aint no New York style, but it's real melty cheese and good crust, so it satisfies the cravings.

The Homestead

I've been busy these last few weeks, lots of sakau, a birthday party, helping to carpenter windows for a house, some trips into town which have been really nice as well. Life on the island is good, it's relaxed and enjoyable. We have had a chaotic school school schedule. There are lots of holidays in November which makes for short weeks, which is both a blessing and a curse. It makes it difficult to have solid lessons week to week and day to day, but its nice because of time off and time to just get to know folks and enjoy life.
My teaching is getting better, I have resolved to be more structured and disciplined in my classroom (imagine me saying this), which has helped to improve my classes behaviors. I have a mixed bag of students which makes teaching difficult, should I be focusing on the better students who have more chance(s) of passing the College of Micronesia entrance exam, or trying to be more broad to reach more students...? It is a constant battle of how to teach in this situation. Today, I talked about the U.S. election and gave a brief overview, it's amazing how little many of my students know about the U.S. given the relationship between the FSM and US governments. Many are fairly aware of the "historical significance" of a black man being elected to the U.S. presidency and they have some interesting takes on the whole thing. Many people also have interesting views on race and color as well, it makes for some lively interactions. I am slowly learning to not necessarily hold back or lighten up my opinions of world affairs and the U.S. government as well.
These pictures are of the campus where my house is located. It's an old technical/vocational high school which has been closed for at least a few years, but the grounds are really nice and well kept. It sort of makes up for the lack of any kind of space in our house. On the space note, I rearranged our "kitchen" last week which opened it up a bit and made for some improved feng shui in the place which is good. I still struggle with the lack of space though. I am still attempting to purchase a vehicle as well and have found some possibilities, although once I do it, I'll have to be uber cautious with money here. It a trade off I think I willing to take though.

One of the views from a bench near our house

One of the empty buildings near our house

View from in front of the large building above