In My Own Little Ocean...

Hi!...How are all my dear, dear blog readers doing today?...Well, that sounds fine, just fine...Tonight's blog entry is a hodge-podge of exciting news and happenings here on island for Samoa Joe...Oh, and there's also a seki Top Five...So, let us launch...

On Sunday, I got to finally go snorkeling in American Samoa...It was absolutely beautiful...Yes, I was pretty scared to go at first...We went to the beach near the airport...I guess it's supposed to be a good place for beginning snorkelers...But we went around dusk and the waves and current were actually, in my opinion, kinda strong...And powerful...John took me and Gene and the boys...Anyways, to organize my thoughts I'll first list my fears I had when doing this adventurous activity...(Remember, I've never snorkeled before)...And then I'll list some of the profound feelings I had while swimming in my own little ocean...

I was afraid of:

-the current sweeping me away...When I came to the first drop as I was looking down into that unfathomably bottomless ocean, I realized once I couldn't touch the bottom I was screwed...Especially, if a current sucked me out farther...I imagined my flippers frantically pumping as the cold, dark waters eat me whole...

-the waves pushing me towards the rocky coastline...As I said before, the waves were pretty fervent, and I couldn't help but picture my poor body being smacked against the rocks like a dead fish...And my skull exploding into a million pieces...

-the small, gorgeous tropical fish attacking my fuams...For some odd reason, I had this fear of the vibrantly blue and yellow and wonderfully striped fisheys swarming my twig and berries and biting the heck outta them...Is that weird?...

-the sharp, jagged coral puncturing my skin...The coral at airport beach was livid (it wasn't the coloful kind you see in the travel brochures) which gave it a more threatening appearence...I just kept seeing my hands stabbed by the ancient skeleton of the sea...

-losing John...It sounds nerdy as all get out, but we were darn far out there...And sometimes John would disappear mysteriously...The smokey liquid bubbles would engulf my mask and I'd be surrounded by a cavernously ominous ocean...And I'd peek above the water to see nothing but a wavy surface of salt water...I almost peed my trunks...

-panicking...John kept insisting "whatever happens, don't panic"...Which made me want to panic even more...He said sometimes water could flood your mask or breathing apperatus...And he said most people begin to panic and then they drown and die...Needless to say, I was panicking not to panic...

I was amazed by:

-becoming one with the ocean...Sounds like a big ball of cheese, I know...But you really do transform yourself and melt into the water...As the silence of the water flowed around me, all I could hear was my own breathing into the snorkel...Breath by breath by breath I floated with the waves and fish, undulating to the tide...

-the magnificence of the ocean...I realize this is old news...I mean, how many writers have described the ocean as magnificent?...Probably millions...And I'm sure that many of you peeps who have snorkeled and scuba dived have experienced this splendor of the ocean...But I suppose I was an under-the-sea virgin...And now I'm addicted to it's whole-new-world vibe...

-my bravery...As you can see from the initial fears I had, I was terrified of what I was about to do...I even got a little sick to my stomach...My heart was pounding...I was inches away from chickening out...The fierce, bloodcurdling waves and the gloomy, menacing wind was freaking the hizzous outta me...I was about to say, "I don't know John...Maybe we should do this on Saturday"...But I swallowed my nightmarish emotions and couragously conquered the South Pacific...And, sole, am I proud of myself...Similar to when I hiked that dangerous, enormous mountain, I ended the thrilling exploit feeling mighty and uplifted...I felt bold and alive...

I had my auditions for the role of Cinderella today, and the outlook ain't good...You see, I'm directing the Tafuna musical Cinderella and I only had three girls try-out for the main character...And all of them had potential but I just couldn't see my Cinderella...Of course, we could just plan on molding one of these girls into a thriple-threat mega-star, but it's going to take a lot of work...The assistant directors and I decided to have one more audition for the part...And we're hoping we'll find our princess then...One of my choeographers mentioned that she might decide to audition...I'm crossing my fingers on her...She would, I think, be glorious...She's a good singer, good dancer, and a good worker...I could depend on her...Well, I'll let y'all know how it goes as the audition process moves on...

Top Five Movies of 2007 So Far:

5. Black Snake Moan = Christina Ricci as a chained-up, sex-obsessed, crazy Southern girl and Samuel L. Jackson as an electrifying, thunderous, Bible thumping kidnapper/guitar player make this gritty, jawdropping flick unforgettable...

4. Surf's Up = Yup, another CGI animated penguin kiddy show...But this one is so much better than Happy Feet...It's, surprisingly, inspirational and emotional...

3. Knocked Up = Another hilariously smart and perceptive film by the makers of Wedding Crashers and The 40-Year-Old Virgin...I laughed throughout it...And I even got teary eyed at the end...But what's so great about this romantic comedy is how modern, insightful, and observent it is...The movie understands humans...And love...And popping out babies...

2. Transformers = Sure, the whole save the cube, save the world plot line is a tad bit 80's Saturday morning cartoon, but this action-packed, dazzling thrill ride is exploding with hella tight robots...They're every boys dream...Strong, violent, and valient...There's even a wonderfully quiet and charming scene where the robots hide in a suburban backyard...Oh, and did I mention Optimus Prime?...Orgasmic!...

1. Hairspray = A sparkling musical that everyone in the family will adore...The amusing songs are catchy, the fabulous dancing is marvelous, and the zany acting and singing is terrific...From the stunning, smile-inducing opening of "Good Morning Baltimore" to the delightfully energetic closing of "You Can't Stop the Beat" this movie is wonderful...And John Travolta is lovely in drag...

That above picture is of Holy, Sammy's brother...He's a funny kid...Kinda like that annoying lil' bro...Here's a video clip of our trip back home along the coastline after snorkeling...Holy kept asking me to take a picture of him with the splashing waves (or pisisami) behind him...I kept telling him I was taking the picture...When in fact I was filming...Man, I crack myself up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7vEpvmtONs

Where in the world is Gene?...Here's a clip of one of Gene's play-making runs during Saturday's football game...Y'all should see me at those football games...I turn into such a proud parent when Gene goes out onto that field...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btepq9Z1NA0

Okay...I gotta go...How about some discussion ideas...Have you ever snorkeled?...Are you afraid of the ocean, too?...Or do you think it's beautiful as I learned?...And what do you think I should do about my lack of a Cinderella?...Should the show still go on?...And did I miss any great movies this year?...What's your Top Five Movies of 2007 so far?...

Love ya and miss ya...

-JOE

"Under the sea, under the sea!

Darlin' it's better down where it's wetter

Take it from me!

Up on the shore they work all day,

Out in the sun they slave away,

While we devoting full time to floating,

Under the sea!"

-from 1988's The Little Mermaid

Kill 'em With Kindness...

Yeah...Hi...Lets begin...

First of all, the pictures on today's blog entry were taken on my walk home from school...All of the images are of my village, Fagaima...You'll notice that many of the houses, like the one above, are pretty much just small, rickety ol' shacks...I particularly like the house in the image above...You can also see a memorial or grave site for a lost loved one...I know I've mentioned this a long time ago, but I feel that's a wonderfully heartfelt and beautiful way to remember family and friends who have passed away...Sure, it's a little macabre and morbid, but it's better than what we do in the states...We bury 'em and forget about 'em...I'd like to be buried right in my children's front yard...So I can constantly keep my eye on them ;-)

So, the last couple of days have been a real rollercoaster of events...Mostly in regards to my housing situation...I'll try to report all of these happenings briefly, and then I'll reveal a truth I learned about my experiences so far here on this island...

Last Week:

I was told by the DOE that I'd be getting a roommate...They told me he'd be showing up "anyday now"...They informed me that he was from Western Samoa and that he was old (like in his 60's!) and single...Now, this brought me some anxiety...I mean, living with a Samoan isn't really what I wanted...Technically, I'm with them all day...And I would've much rather had a palagi roommate that I could've vented and connected with...But I just swallowed this sorta jagged lil' pill and kept a smile on my face...I suppose I was content with this because at least they weren't moving me out of my house...Which I've grown to really dig...

This Past Tuesday Night:

Faoui, the lady who recruits new teachers to the island (including Lisa, William, and I), came over to my house to tell me that they were planning on moving me out of the house...Yes, the house that I love and feel comfortable and safe in...The house that's in a nice village that I've become accustomed to...She warned me that a family was to move into the house by this weekend and that I would need to be out of the house by Sunday...I, of course, was a little distraught and upset by this revelation...I felt a tad better once she told me that I'd be living in David and Rebecca's old house...If you don't remember, they were a couple of palagis from the states that finished their two year contracts last May...Their house actually isn't that bad...It's relatively new and it does have a washer and dryer...And it even has ceiling fans which are hard to come by in American Samoa...Oh, and it's in a village called Mapusaga...They're one of the many villages that have strict prayer times and stern curfew hours...You're probably thinking why I would think that was a pro for living in this new house...But I just kind of think it would be cool to experience a village like that...I guess when the prayer times begin (in the morning and around dinner time), the village chiefs will walk around with big wooden sticks and will hit people who are not praying...I just thought it would've been a fascinating experience...And a unique, new vision of the island...There were a couple of things that I was worried about though...I heard from Rebecca there was a problem with bugs...Mainly termites and roaches...Yeah, I don't know if I'm completely ready to be living with those things again...I think I would've gotten really depressed if that would've happened...The house is also kind of far away...There's no way I could've walked to the school...I would've had to take a bus everyday...And transfer busses, too...After Faoui told me this, I felt sick to my stomach...The change would've been difficult to say the least...I was scared and angry after she reported this to me..."I don't want to move!"..."I was just getting settled down!"..."I was just getting used to this place again!"...But I just kept all of that to myself and was patient and cooperative...

(I'm so mad that the above image didn't turn out...Those were some kids sitting by the road...They begged me to take a picture of them..."Hey, Mistah Palagi!"...I quickly snapped one to their joyful approval...They were so giddy about it...I've always wanted to take pictures of the children in Fagaima...I was so disappointed to see that this one was fuzzy...)

Yesterday Afternoon:

As I was walking home from school I suddenly see David riding his bike...He's the guy that I thought moved back to the states with Rebecca after their two year contract had ended...He's the guy that I thought used to live in the house that I was apparently moving into by Sunday...Well, he stops to say, "hi"...And he tells me that he never left the island...That he stayed over the summer because he'll be playing basketball in the South Pacific Games (this area's version of a mini-olympics)...He tells me that he's still in that house in Mapusaga, and that he'll be there until the end of September...So, this is where I really started to worry and get irrate...I was frightened that the Department of Education was going to put me in the government housing because they didn't have anywhere else to put me...I do not want to live in Lion's Park or Freddy's Beach...The homes are dilapidated, bug-infested, ghetto-ized crap shoots, and as David was talking I could sense an urge in me to leave the island...I know, I know...Sounds overdramatic and exaggerated...But I truly feel that I would've been awfully depressed and sad if I would've had to move into one of those areas...I don't really know why but I would've felt disrespected and used by the DOE...I walked away from David planning in my mind excuses for going home...Dreaming of ways I could leave the island without repercussions..."My grandpa died"..."I wasn't given enough notice to leave the house"..."My dog has cancer"..."Aliens abducted me"...

Last Night:

Well, I get home and my landlord is outside doing some work on the yard...He's a really, really old Samoan man (like prehistoric, dinosaur old!) with about three teeth (total!)...And the man loves me...Everytime he sees me at the house he will talk to me for an hour about the most pointless stuff...Although I'm busy and could care less, I've always smiled and listened to him carefully...I've always been extremely kind to him...Hmm, I guess it paid off...He tells me that he heard about the DOE's plans to move me out of the house...And he reassures me that that will not be happening...He told the DOE, "I will not let you move Joe out of that house...I am not allowing anybody else to live there except for Joe...He's a good teacher and if we want him to stay on the island we need to keep him in that house...I forbid anyone else to live there!"...I was shocked that he told them this...But I was also totally thankful and pleased...I shook his hand and said, "faafatai, faafatai, faafatai"...Now, he didn't have to do this...But, apparently, the old man loves me...So, all that conversating with him really paid off...I guess the DOE is still looking for a roommate for me...As of right now, I'm still going to be living in the green monster...Home sweet home...Fagaima's where the heart is...And I've definetly learned a lesson with this situation...

I learned that killing people with kindness really does work...Especially when it comes to Samoans...You see, I've been a really patient, nice, cooperative person on this island...And I feel like I've been vindicated in a way...I feel like I've finally been paid back for my kindness...When She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was here she dealt with the Samoans in a horrible way...When they made her upset or whatever she would often become quickly, visibly angry and begin shouting at them...She'd totally lose her cool...And I have found that Samoans utterly despise that reaction...They absolutely turn themselves off when someone loses their temper...It's ova to them!...But if you, like I have, deal with the situation smiling and being "chill" and "cool" they will slowly but surely fix the problem for you...All you gotta do is kill 'em with kindness...Just as I did with the old landlord...Yes, he was annoying and I hardly can understand a word he says...But I always was patient and pretended to listen...I killed the dinosaur with kindness and I was paid back handsomely...With the ability to stay in my house...The green monster...Yin and yang...What goes around comes around...Whatever you want to call it, I can play Samoans like a violin...

Just some final comments on the last blog entry...

-I think I counted about three fafafines...Maybe more like two...

-To answer Nellie's questions about Gene, I'll just quickly say that it seems like family is just wholly different here...Gene's pop died when he was in 7th grade and his mom seems like a good mom...She's a little bit older and has a lot of kids...So, maybe Gene just doesn't get a lot of attention...But I simply think it's just different here...Family's are close...But they're not like American families where they're constantly worrying about their teenagers...And constantly having anxiety attacks...Even with their small children, they seem to be less sensitive about what could hurt and harm their kids...Remember that early blog entry I wrote about?...Where they let their kids all sit in the backs of their trucks...With no seat belts or anything...I guess that sums up their parenting right there...

So, there's some new pictures of the green monster...My home...But what's different about it?...Lets see if you guys can notice what's changed...

Alright...Thanks for the advice about Gene...

Love ya and miss ya...And keep keeping in touch!...

-JOE

"The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn't you ever dream of a house up on a tree top?

-Father Robinson from 1960's The Swiss Family Robinson

At Least He's Not a Volleyball...

Hey, Bay Bay...How y'all doing?...Yeah, I suppose I'm alright...It's been a busy, overwhelming day...The teenagers are already driving me insane...And I'm already sick of grading papers and stuff...I have a feeling this will be a long year...Then again, I probably just woke up on the wrong side of the bed...Oh, and I also started out the day horribly...You see, I was walking to school with a 30 pound backpack (filled with books, a laptop, speakers, etc.) and my strap broke...So, I had to carry the bag awkwardly to school...I was so mad...And crabby after that...Well, anyways, enough about myself...Wait a minute...That's not enough about myself...This blog is MY blog...It's completely about myself...So, lets keep talking about myself ;-)

The image above is of Gene and his madre...He's one of my students and the captain of our Tafuna Warriors...And he's also a kid that many of you have recently heard me talking about...Including right here in this blog...He's sort of become like a lil' Samoan "brada" to me...Like family...But there's also been a lot of controversy because of our friendship...Not from anyone on the island...The controversy is coming from you guys and myself...Today's blog is going to be all about this controversy...And I'm gonna make it the shortest blog EVER!...But before we get to that discussion, it's time for everybody's favorite game...



"Guess Who's a Fafafine!"...Look at the image above and tell me how many fafafines you see in it...The answer will be revealed in the next blog entry...Thanks for playing!...

... (By the way, all of the images on today's episode of Samoa Joe's Island Life were taken at the season's first football game that was on Saturday...The Mighty Warriors beat the Samoana Sharks 34-28...It was an awesome game...It should be an exciting year)...

Okay, lets begin our conversation on Gene...If you remember, I mentioned before that Gene was a student of mine who has been hanging out at the house a lot...Well, he's actually been pretty much living here with me in the house...When I told all y'all about this I got about three or four emails and messages asking me if I thought this was professional and appropriate...Being a teacher from the states, I've obviously thought about whether or not this relationship he and I have is appropriate and professional...However, here is my defense...Take it or leave it...And let me know what you think...Am I crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed?...

First of all, as I said before, I have totally questioned this friendship I have with Gene...I mean, if I were teaching in the states I would never have one of my students stay with me at my house...I would never even have them over...I would never even fathom it...Not only would I not cross this teacher/student relationship line because of the legal and professional ramifications that could happen, but I also just wouldn't want to cross it...It's hard to explain but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I would have no desire or need to have a bond with a student like this...I'd have family (hopefully, my own) and friends that would keep me company...I'm in a unique situation on this island...Maybe I'm just trying to think of excuses but I truly think that on this island it's acceptable and tolerable...Gene and I's affiliation is accepted by the island...As well as myself...I have personally supported this situation...And I think the island has, too...Here are some random feelings on why I think Gene staying at my house is okay while I'm in American Samoa...

• Teachers are seen as family here...In the Samoan culture, teachers are considered second parents to the students...So, you'll see many of the students having close relationships with the teachers...Also, everybody is family here...In other words, many of the students are related to many of their teachers...It's utterly different than in the states...In fact, it's almost the opposite than in the states...Here school is familial...One big happy family...The relationships between all teachers and students is more intimate and loving...And that's why no teachers or students have come to me to express concern over Gene and I...It's simply accepted here...And, sometimes, encouraged and embraced...A lot of teachers have actually been happy for me to have had the companionship...They understand that I'm living alone in the house and that I'm far, far away from my family and friends...Hence, according to them, having a family-like brotherhood with Gene is beneficial and innocuous...

• Now that I've justified the friendship by telling all y'all that the community accepts it, I'd like to tell y'all why I, myself, have accepted it...This may sound hella weird, but I have found myself liking the feeling of taking care of someone...If you guys know me, I've always wanted a family...Er, a family of my own...I've always dreamed of having a bunch of kids...Now, I don't really see Gene as a son or anything...That would just be disturbing...But I am recieving a sense of family with Gene sleeping over at the house and eating here and stuff...For example, a normal day for me and Gene is this...I usually get home from school around 6:00...I'll make dinner and leave some for Gene who comes home around 7:00...(Just like my mom did for me)...We'll usually talk about his and my day as he eats supper...Most of the time this conversation deals with girls...He's a typical teenage boy who is always thinking about girls...And how crazy they are...And how heartbroken he is over one...I then make him do his homework before he can go on myspace or play video games or whatever...(By the way, I now know how hard it is for parents to help their kids with homework...That time of the night is very stressful...Gene doesn't have much patience to stay focused on his work...So I'm constantly redirecting him...I appreciate the fact that I have now seen both sides of giving homework and how it effects my students)...Then he'll have his free time while I do my work...Sometimes we'll play ping pong or video games...Finally, we go to sleep...(We have an extra bed and room since I don't have a roommate yet)...In the morning I'll wake him up and leave breakfast out for him and maybe some vitamins or whatever...On church days I've even ironed his clothes and got them ready...I've turned into a bonified mama...A housewife...As I said before, I kinda, oddly, have enjoyed it...It's made me feel valued and loved...I guess it's a feeling all parents feel...On this island at this moment in my life, Gene has been family to me...And I believe that's innocent enough...Right?...

So, what do you guys think?...Even after all of this justifying, will I still get a million "is that professional" comments from all y'all?...Is this relationship wrong?...Should I keep it strictly teacher/student?...Or is it acceptable while I'm on the island to be teacher/student/friend?...Or is it immoral and unethical?...And is it corrupt of me to lose or ignore my principles while I'm here in American Samoa?...I mean, I said I'd never have this relationship in the states...I think that'd be improper and illegal?...So why don't I feel that here on the island?...Am I losing my morals as I stay here?...Am I compromising my beliefs?...Or are my beliefs, created by the good ol' U.S. and A., mistaken and flawed?...Please, let me know what all y'all think...Who knows, I may have to kick Gene outta the house depending on what you guys tell me :-)

Miss ya and love ya...And remind me to tell you all next time about the roommate that's supposedly coming soon to live in the house...

-JOE

"We might just make it. Did that thought ever cross your brain? Well, regardless, I would rather take my chance out there on the ocean than to stay here and die on this shithole island spending the rest of my life talking to a god damn VOLLEYBALL!"

-from the 2000 film Cast Away

The Weight is Over in Samoa...

Sup, fuams!...That's my new saying...(It's pronounced fw-ua-mz)...I'm addicted to it...My boys taught it to me...They were always saying it and I asked them what it meant and they told me it means "balls"...Vulgar, I know...But I'm fascinated with how they use this term...They use it as both a term of endearment and a diss...For example, the boys will welcome eachother with "sup, fuams!"...Or if they've just lost a game of ping pong they'll say, "what a fuam!"...So, the English translation is "sup, balls!"...and "what a ball!"...Huh?...See, isn't that strangely fascinating?...Oh, and it also just rolls off the tongue...Fuams...Fuammy Fuam Fuam...It's great...

Anyways, this blog entry should be short...I'm really tired...I've only got a few hours of sleep every night this week...So, I wanna take a nap...In other words, let's get this party started...

The picture above was taken from our high school...That's pretty much looking over the village of Tafuna, one of the most populated areas on the island...That's the main road I walk on everyday...You can kinda see the yellow McDonalds sign in the distance...Almost looks like a city in the states, huh?...Except there's those misty, dark, Lord of the Rings-esque mountains in the background...I love the depth the rain and clouds create with the mountains...It's enchantingly spectral...

The next few images are of Samoana High School...It's another school on island located in Pago Pago...Their football team is obviously called the Sharks...It's actually known as one of the crappier high schools...The kids, supposedly, behave horribly and the teachers are unmotivated and unprofessional...Last semester a group of Samoana boys beat up a drunk man and killed him...It, of course, was all over the news around here...David and Rebecca used to teach here...

Okay, today I want to talk about my weight loss program here on island...Essentially, it's not really a "program" at all...It's simply living on the island...In other words, while I'm in American Samoa my lifestyle completely changes...I eat less and I walk everywhere...And I always lose about 20 pounds...My diet has become this island...My weight loss program is living on this island...I've decided to report my weight loss on this here blog...I'll call it my "Weekly Samoan Diet Update"...Well, here it is...

Weekly Samoan Diet Update:

August 4 (the day before I left for the island) = 200 pounds

August 16 = 195.6 pounds

Now, I'm not too happy with that 4 pound weight loss...I mean, I eat very little...Although, yesterday I eat three peanut-butter sandwiches after school...Yup, three!...I musta needed some carbs or something...I also walk at least 2 miles everyday...I think I might've walked almost 4 yesterday...So, why the heck did I only lose like 4 pounds in 2 weeks?...I guess I should be patient...If I lose 2 pounds per week I'll have lost 20 pounds in about 3 months...I wouldn't mind losing 30...I'm hoping this Weekly Weight Loss Update will hold me accountable...And I'll weigh 170 pounds by next May...

I suppose the issue I'd like to discuss here is how my own issues with weight is conflicting to the island's...You see, I'm obviously fanatical about my fatness...And I know I shouldn't be...I know life is too short to worry about that...I mean, Samoans are telling me this all the time...When the English teachers were all at the school last week preparing our classrooms, they kept wanting to get food...I swear every hour or so they would leave and get food and bring it back for everyone to eat...These Samoans love to eat...They love it a lot more than working that's for sure...I kept wanting to say "no" to their constant offerings of food and sometimes I did, but they just would not accept my refusal to eat...They'd say "come on Joe, you've been working all day"...and "Joe, you need to gain weight"...and "we'll start that diet tomorrow"...I even began to think "yeah, I do deserve this food"...and "hey, I'll just start my diet tomorrow"...and "hell, I only live once, right?"...

These beggings to eat by my fellow teachers was naturally coming from over-weight, obese Samoans...And they seem happy and content with their bodies...They seem to be living life to its fullest...Apparently, I'm probably not...I'm constantly thinking about not being too fat...I wish I could be more like Samoans...And just simply eat...And be jolly...

My favorite movie so far this year is Hairspray and if you've seen it you'd know the moral of the story is that everyone should love themselves no matter how fat they are...The whole movie pretty much promotes being fat...I mean, don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore the flick...But I'm weary of the message...Can you really be that happy when you're obese?...Can you really dance like that?...Can you really have legs and curves like John Travolta's Edna Turnblad?...And can you really find the love of your life like that?...Where's the diabetes that comes with obesity?...Where's the lack of energy?...It's all a tad unrealistic and shrewd...Isn't it?...Or does this movie and Samoans have it right?...Can you be totally satisfied and blissful while being fat?...Can you truly love yourself while being obese?...And what in the world is wrong with me if I can't believe this?...Why don't I trust this notion of fat people being self-confident?...I see weight gain as a sign of depression...And that the person's life has become out of control...But Samoans, and apparently everyone who has fallen in love with Hairspray (including myself), deems eating delicious, yummy, and fattening foods can lead to joy and comfort...And self-confidence...That living life to its fullest means being yourself...And if your self is fat and loves food, then enjoying who you are, even if you're fat, is what's important..."Hey, Mama, Welcome to the Sixties!"...Why can't I for the low self-esteem life of me believe this message?...Why don't I trust Samoans in their eating habits?...Am I being a fuam head?...

The picture above is the classic moment when Shawn and I decided to throw pebbles at Charlie and Chase as they slept at the Jellystone Campground...We had a time...

My Top Five Obsessions of the Week:

5. Pop Tarts = An excellent breakfast snack that comes in a smorges board of flavors...Current favorite?...Strawberry Milkshake...

4. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling = No, I haven't finished it yet...(I've been too busy)...But it's still turning out to be Airry's (as Sue would say) most thrilling and profound adventure yet...And, perhaps, his most tragic...

3. Creative Writing = I'm teaching this class right now and it's awesome...I showed the class two pictures of an old couple and eskimos (from Shawn's America 24/7 book) and told them to write stories for the people in the images...My students created the most remarkable and splendid stories I ever could've imagined...I'm so proud!...

2. Fiji = Um, I'm not referring to the island that Shawn and I are planning to visit...I'm talking about the Hawaiian musician that makes groovy, Pina Colada-sippin, raggae-liscious, beach tunes that righteously chillax the soul...Wanna playlist?...You gotta download "Tequila Sunrise" and "Jowenna" and "Come on Over" and "Impossible"...Oi, and don't forget "Morning Ride", the song I listened to about twenty times in a row last night...

1. The Washington Post story about American Samoa = William told me that an article about his old high school he taught at in A.S., Leone, was the feature in the Washington Post's sports section just a few days ago...It's an outstanding portrait of life on the island...I NEED every one of you to read this story...I haven't read anything on the internet that correctly depicts this strange lil' rock and life on it...Well, until now...This is a superbly authentic tale of American Samoa today...And it also has some hella cool, 360 degree panorama shots...I wish I could take pictures like those...They illustrate so much...

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/why-we-compete/2007/08/opportunity.html

Alright, why didn't you guys stop me?...I'm like the fricken Energizer bunny...I keep writing...And writing...And writing...

Love ya and miss ya...

-JOE

"My dear guests! I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome...to Fantasy Island!"

-from the 1978 television show Fantasy Island

Awe, Deez Eez Not Zo Bad...

Talofa...How is everybody?...Well, I want to get started right now...So, let's do this...

Oh, before I begin, the pictures in this blog entry are of my new classroom in the brand spankin' new building at the home of the Mighty Warriors...Isn't it marvelous?!...It's a teacher's dream...Er, more like a Samoan teacher's dream...I never thought I'd ever be teaching on this island in a room like this...Ey, more on the pristine classroom later...

Anywho, last time I wrote on my blog about how difficult it was and is to be back in American Samoa...Today, I'm gonna go all glass is half-full on your cabooses...

The following is a list of the moments I've had since returning to the island where I've actually thought in my brain "awe, this isn't so bad"...

Top Five "Awe, This Is Not So Bad" Moments Since Returning to the Island:

5. The New Classroom = As you can see, the new classroom is absolutely wonderful...Sure, it's not as modern or sleek as a school in the states (ahem, Muskego High!), but it's a world's apart from my old classroom...Look at those excellent ceiling fans!...Look at that brilliantly tiled floor!...And that amazing desk!...And did I mention the thing all teachers adore the most?...Gaze at and admire that storage room!...No, it's not a magical chamber for dwarves...It's where I can keep all my books and portfolios and supplies...And it's what brings me happiness...Yup, I'm such a nerdy high school English teacher...

4. Future Adventures with Friends = I haven't even got in touch with my palagi friends on island, but the Samoan ones are already planning some cool trips around the island...John and I will be going snorkeling and hiking (uh, oh...another possible brush with death while mountain climbing?!), and Gene, a student of mine who has literally become like family to me, is planning a trip to a small nearby island...I'm really looking forward to these adventerous, once-in-a-lifetime excursions...

...(That's the lovely bathroom right by my room...It doesn't smell the greatest...Have I ever told y'all about the toilet paper lady?...Well, she's in charge of the T.P. and gives you a roll to use that you must bring back when you're done...She gets paid to spare a square...This is when you know you're in a poverty stricken area of the world)...

3. The Disappearance of She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named = Like the death of Voldemort (don't even think about ruining the ending...I haven't finished it yet!), there's a little bit less negativity in my experiences on the island so far...Now, I'm not going to sit here and blame my pessimism from last year on She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named...But I will admit that without having her I find myself complaining less...In fact, I haven't really been cranky or irritable at all...I'm not quite sure if that's because I just don't have anyone to vent to anymore or if that's because I truly don't become frusterated or angry with the island anymore...I kinda believe it's the latter...My compassionate, patient, and tolerant attitude definetly shines more with She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named gone...

...(These last few images truly present the ghettoness of this island...The trash and the ugly buildings create an island that resembles a military base that's been converted into a 7/11 of the South Pacific)...

2. The Aiga Bus Ride to the Post Office = Okay, maybe this was a little strange without She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, but it is still one of my most favorite times of the week...I can't wait to show all y'all that decide to come and visit me this beautifully relaxing and humbling experience...Every Saturday morning I take the bus (owned by local families called aigas) to Pago Pago to open my P.O. box...And the 30 minute ride is some of the calmest minutes I'll have all week...Nothing soothes the nerves like waves crashing along the shore line...And a little Samoan baby touching your shoulder...

1. The Night I Returned to the Island = Y'all read my last Debbie Downer blog entry where I expressed my depressing, regretful emotions on coming back to Amerika Samoa...But those weren't the only feelings I had...When I walked out of the busy, hot, and dismal airport luggage area and saw my students waiting there for me I felt incredibly content, hopeful, and comforted...Sammy, Holy, and Gene came back to the house with me and helped me unpack and aided me in wiping the cobwebs away...I don't know how I would've reacted to arriving to that house alone and in the dark...I probably would've cried myself to sleep...These kids kept me company and were truly there for me when I needed someone...They kept me from leaving this island...I know many of you might hate them for that...But I'm awfully grateful for their presence...Gene has since practically moved in...He's like my brotha from anotha motha ;-)

Alright...That was way too long...Quickly, the house had electricity when I came back...And I don't have a roommate yet...(That was for all the people who were asking)...

Love ya and miss ya...Much alofas!...

-JOE

(The following dialogue was taken from an episode of Lost during season one)

Locke: I'm a man of faith. Do you really think all of this...is an accident? That we, a group of strangers, survived, many of us with just superficial injuries? Do you think we crashed on this place by coincidence, especially this place? We were brought here for a purpose, for a reason, all of us. Each one of us was brought here for a reason.

Jack: Brought here? And who brought us here, Locke?

Locke: The island. The island brought us here. This is no ordinary place, you've seen that, I know you have. But the island chose you, too, Jack. It's destiny.