Flex, Boys, Flex!...

Sup, everybody...How y'all doin'?...I'm actually doin' pretty good...Since I have all Seniors, school's done...So, I think a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders...Now all I gotta worry about is finding a job and getting back home...Oh, and helping Sammy and Gene find colleges...But, for the most part, I've really been able to relax this past week and spend time with the boys...It's been excellent...Man, it's gonna be hard to leave them...I've also had time to sit and reflect on my experiences here and focus entirely on myself...Being a teacher is wonderful...The benefits of having winter and summer vacations are boundless...School's out for summer, biznitches!...

Anyways, those two pics above were taken at the filming of a commercial...Yup, it's my first commercial I've written and co-directed...You see, a local television network asked if I could assemble a few actors from the high school to perform a Public Service Announcement about the dangers of teen drinking...They told me to write the script...I guess with my past accomplishments (Cinderella, Speech Festival, etc.) they knew I could put together something film-able...I wrote a little two minute skit about a kid who takes a few shots one night to relax and ends up becoming addicted...Alex and Moana were my stars...The director seemed to really like the concept and performance...I am so excited to see it on TV...Oh, wait, I don't have a TV...Well, I'm sure I'll hear all about it from the kids...

This blog entry should be short and random...Let us start...

Okay, so I decided to post some "Before and After" pics of Gene and Sammy...Exactly one year ago I took some pictures of the boys...I just took some similar ones, too...And, sole, the pictures really do show a change in them...As weird as this sounds, they've become men...I swear, they look like they're 12 years old in some of those old images...(The ones with the Green Monster house in the background are the "Before" pics)...And now they're ginormous...I suppose I still see those young boys even in the "After" pics...It's just now they're in these gigantic, masculine, manly skins...But I'm sure if we unzipped that skin, those same lil' kids would be hiding somewhere in there...In fact, I bet we could say the same about all of us...

...By the way, some of you may find these pictures disturbing...You might think I'm some kinda sicko taking pictures of the fuams like this...But, seriously, it is all them...Sammy and Gene are obsessed with their bodies...I don't know if this is true with all teenagers, but these guys love looking at themselves and they live to critique their bodies...They're obviously in love with working out and lifting weights...I bet you they spend about two-three hours everyday in front of a mirror...Flexing and smiling at their reflection...It's all about how they look...I guess you could say all teens are ego-centric and self-conscious and stressed about their body image...Afterall, their bodies are changing as the years go by..Evidence of this is in these pictures...Anywho, these guys force me to snap these pictures...And they analyze and evaluate themselves...Nevertheless, they're interesting to notice...I mean, the changes are astounding...My lil' fuams are gettin' old...Awwww...

Gene AFTER:

Well, my next blog entry will be the third installment of our Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five...And I need you guys to vote and give me some ideas for the list...This time I'd like to find the list of the "Top Five Samoan Cultural Traditions Joe Disliked"...(Yeah, I know...the title is long and awkward but there's no other way to say it!)...Over the past two years, what cultural aspects of American Samoa did I have most difficulty with?...Which cultural practices drove me crazy?...What about the Samoan culture made it so hard for me to adjust to?...In other words, what parts of Samoa did I absolutely hate?...(Don't worry...I'll make the next list the stuff I loved about American Samoa...We need a balence, of course)...

Oh, and since my birthday is on Tuesday (I'll be, depressingly, frickin' 27 years old!), I consider my gift from you guys to be a suggestion for our list...Yup, that's kinda a bribe...But I do wanna hear what you guys think...So, peeps...Say "Happy Birthday" to Samoa Joe by voting in our Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five...What are the top five Samoan cultural traditions that I disliked?...Thanks for the birthday gift ;-)

Gene BEFORE:

Okay, I need y'all's help...I'm beginning to pack up my stuff and sendin' it back home...I have a ton of stuff I've accumulated over the past two years...I mean, I literally have boxes and boxes of things I'll be sending back to Wisconsin...Plus my baggage that I'll take on the plane...I'm wondering if I should just have a rummage sale and sell most of it...Not only will I save myself the headache of packing and sending boxes (remember, the Post Office is 45 minutes away and I don't have a car), it will also save me money...A box to send is about $10 depending on the weight...Besides, most of the stuff is junk that I can buy again in the States...Although, I am having a real problem deciding on whether or not I should sell my holiday decorations...I got a bunch of holiday home decor from friends and family...And for some odd reason they have a sorta sentimental value to me...They helped make my house a home here in American Samoa...Those cute Easter bunnies my mom sent me made me feel right at home, loved and secure...Those scary Halloween candles Dana sent me made me nostalgic and warm...And those Christmas tree ornaments Kristy sent me made me feel like Christmas was spent with my friends and family even though I was all alone on an island in the South Pacific...I know for a fact I won't be sellin' my Nativity Scene my mom gave me...Y'all know what that thing means to me...But what about the other stuff?...They all bring back memories of this experience...They remind me of this island and the home I created here...But, at the same time, there's so much of it!...I probably have at least two boxes of holiday decorations...Do I really want to spend the time and money on packing, lugging it to the post office, and spending $10-$10 sending it back home?...Afterall, I can always buy new stuff when I come home...Therefore, what do you guys think I should do?...Keep it and send it all back?...Or should I sell it and make some money in a Fuamination Rummage Sale?...Or maybe I can just keep some of it and sell the rest?...Is it totally rude of me to even ask this?...I mean, my friends and family spent time and money to send me those decorations!...And now I'm thinkin' of makin' a quick buck off of 'em?!...Argh!...What should I do?...

Sammy's BEFORE and AFTER:

My Top Five Obsessions of the Week:

5. Eddie Cibrian on Ugly Betty = Not only is he and Hilda the hottest, freshest relationship on television, he is also by far the most gorgeous gym teacher in all of high schools...Don't believe me?...Check out the pic from the show...

http://televisionista.blogspot.com/2008/04/updates-return-saturday-morning-900am.html

4. "Always Be My Baby" by David Cook = This guy totally deserves American Idol status just for this song alone...A sorta remix from Mariah Carey's classic, it's the male perspective of the song...Like all great covers, his version makes you look and feel the lyrics in a completely different way...Brilliant...Too bad it's not available on itunes anymore :-(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8j0_qfxL-0

3. Callie and Erica on Grey's Anatomy = This surprising, budding lesbian romance between Seattle Grace's most powerful women is funny, sweet, honest, and dirty...And I'm lovin' it...Can't wait to see where these gals go next season...Oh, and lets give a hand to the gayest network on TV...ABC, or GayBC, has gay characters on Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, and Ugly Betty...Go gays!...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1tcmATZvjw

2. "Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop" by Landon Pigg = The loveliest song I've heard all year is dreamy and warm...Just like a mug of soothing coffee...The only thing that sucks?...Landon Pigg's other songs aren't that great...But this one, available on itunes, is a Paul Simon-esque beauty...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQO7IUrqXqY

1. Five Years Later on Desperate Housewives = Now this was a genius idea...Season 5 of this soapy nighttime show will take place five years in the future, giving Wisteria Lane a much needed spark...How juicy will next season be?...Bree as a famous Martha Stewart-like cookbook writer?...Interesting...Lynette with criminal sons?...Hmmm, has potential...Susan with a hot new boyfriend?...Anything's better than stupid, humdrum Mike Delfino!...And Gabriel with two chubby Mexican daughters?...Oh, my goodness gracious!...I'm as giddy as a housewife eating BonBons!...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGn-udGmng

It was Teacher Appreciation last week...Samoans really know how to appreciate their teachers...The students bought, prepared, and served all the teachers breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday...And I won't even mention the plethora of gifts I was given...The States really do need to adopt this celebration of Teacher Appreciation...I mean, an apple or a mug is alright...But breakfast and lunch for a whole week?!...Now that's appreciation...This is just another cultural practice I'd love to try to bring back to Wisconsin...Will I succeed?...I don't know...Americans are hella busy with themselves...I don't think they have the time or money to appreciate teachers like Samoans do...Eh, I'll try my best...

You're probably wondering what the heck that fafafine is doin' in that snapshot above...Well, we had a Teacher Appreciation dinner and she did a performance for us...She sang and danced to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"...It was, needless to say, a lively performance...Those silly fafafines...

Those two pics above crack me up...They were taken on the last days of school...This is a typical day of Seniors...They're crazy...And anxious to get out of school...That girl with the wild hair is one of my students who is quite a handful...She's hyper and has a quick temper and is always, ALWAYS talking...But I am proud of her...She's truly become more mature since last year...She's still Manilyn...But just a tad bit more respectable...

Alright...I gotta go now...I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend...

And don't forget to give me a birthday present...I want some comments!...What should I do with my holiday decorations?...Should I keep and value them forever?...Or should I sell them in a rummage sale?...What do you think of those Before and After pics of Gene and Sammy?...Are you as stunned by them as I am?...How about my top obsessions of the week?...Do you like the Erica and Callie romance?...Is GayBC every gay person's best friend?...Did you dig the five years ahead concept on Desperate Housewives?...Isn't Eddie Cibrian the hottest gym teacher of all time?...Do you think David Cook was the right AI choice?...

Oh, and give me some suggestions for out Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five...What Samoan cultural practices annoyed the heck outta me?...

Love ya and miss ya...

-JOE

"That's the second biggest monkey head I've seen on this island!"

-from The Secret of Monkey Island computer game

The Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five: Part Two

Hola, mi amigos!...Susu polo afu?...Anyways, it's time for another list commemorating my two years here in American Samoa...Lets all reminisce together as we remember the most memorable video clips I've posted on this blog...

That video above actually IS NOT one of my favorite videos...But I decided to introduce today's entry with it because it's my most watched video clip on YouTube...Out of my 101 videos I've posted on YouTube, that clip of the "Singing Tafuna Warrior Trio" has gotten almost 12,000 views!...By far, the most views outta all my vids...I don't know what's so special about it...Maybe it's the cute Samoan boys singin'...Or maybe it's their actual singin'...Eh, no one knows...But it's a popular video...

Top Five Samoa Joe Unforgettable Videos:

5. Sammy's Birthday = Okay, so maybe this clip isn't much fun for everybody else to watch...(It only has 98 views on YouTube)...But it's a flood of warm, fuzzy memories for me...Plus, you can hear each of the boys and their charming personalities...



4. Cinderella Practice = About 1,000 people have watched this romantic, beautiful practice performance from the Cinderella Musical I directed at Tafuna High School...I was so proud of Geno and Tino...Their hearts truly are worn on their sleeves in this clip...(Plus, my two wicked step-sisters in the background are hilarious)...




3. Rolln on the River = This was one of the first moments I had on the island where I witnessed the wild, funny, and exuberant entertaining that Samoans are famous for in the South Pacific...Esecially when it comes to Fafafines...The Tina Turner-wanna-be makes the entire audience smile in delight...



2. Lotoasi Wave Pool = Now this video clip is hilarious...Holy almost drowning is excellent...And John saying, "Oh, Shit, Neman!" is classic...And this dangerously fun pool we swam in will always be in my memories of American Samoa...



1. Flag Day Girls Dance Practice = This video clip is the epitome of the elegance and uniqueness of the dazzling Samoan culture...Not only are the girls lovely to look at, but the rememberance of Flag Day 2007 will always remain in my heart...



Alright, that's it for this week's Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five...Did I include all the best videos?...Which video clips did I totally forget about?...What do you think of the videos I put on the list?...And, hey, if you have time, try to watch all 101 videos I've posted on YouTube...It'll probably only take you ALL DAY to watch 'em all!...

Love ya and miss ya...

-JOE

"Nobody invades my island and gets away with it."
-from 2008's Nim's Island

I Outwitted, Outplayed, and Outlasted...

Good evening, blog readers!...Man, y'all are so loyal...I mean, I can't believe you even come back to this blog and keep reading it...Especially when it takes me so long to post new entries...Well, I thank you all...Anyways, I, as always, have been hecka busy lately...In fact, I need to apply to two schools after I'm done with this entry...And I need to correct a ton of work...Oh, and there's also the newest Gossip Girl I need to watch...Therefore, I need to get goin'...Tonight's blog entry will be short...Lets begin...

All of the pictures on tonight's blog entry were taken a couple of weeks ago on Flag Day...I rented a car, and the boys and I drove around the island...I even let Sammy and Gene drive which was exciting, to say the least...We also went to the boat races...The image above was one I captured on the side of the road...When I saw those ominous clouds and dark mountains and eerie waves, I knew I had to snap a pic...That white cross in the foreground is also gorgeously goth...

There's Gene, Holy, and Sammy...Cruisin' the streets of American Samoa...We drove all the way to the other side of the island...The boys had never been that far...They've lived here their whole lives and haven't seen much of this rock...It's actually kinda sad...But if I think about it, I've lived in Wisconsin my whole life and I haven't seen much of that state either...I mean, people are always tellin' me cities in Wisconsin that I've never heard of...Of course, Wisconsin is huge compared to Tutuila...And it's much cheesier...

That's the new mural that was painted on the government building in Utulei...It's breathtaking...(However, does anyone else think whales are so ten years ago?!...I've seen murals of whales and underwater life similar to this one a gazllion times...Hell, even Milwaukee has one...Isn't there anything else to make a mural of?)...I forced the boys to get outta the car and stand in front of it...I thought these teenage guys would be too cool for that...But they willingly got out and even posed in front of this majestic painting...I love Samoan kids...I think the picture turned out kinda cool...

Okay, the latest season of Survivor just finished on Sunday, and it was probably THE best season of this perennial reality show staple...Yup, I even believe it was more surprising, twisty, and devious than the first season...I mean, this season of Fans Versus Favorites had everything...Painful injuries...Wicked backstabbing...Brilliant, strategic maneuvering...It was awesome to watch...I have enjoyed four seasons of Survivor while being in American Samoa, and I have, since being on this island, related to the show in a different way than I did before...I know, I know...Y'all probably think I'm crazy for connecting my life in American Samoa to a reality show about surviving the elements in the wild...But I truly have felt colser to the contestants on Survivor over the past two years than I did when I watched it from the comfort of Wisconsin...Here are just a few of the reasons...

-The homesickness...The family reunion episodes always made me cry...But since being on this island, these episodes make me bawl my eyes out...Aww, I wanna see my Mommy, too!...

-Surviving in a unique environment...Sure, I'm not trying to survive the natural elements of a desert or jungle or tropical island like the players in Survivor...But I am trying to survive the cultural elements...And sometimes a human can be much more complex and frightening than a bunch of rats or mosquitos or snakes...Hmm, the differences between humans and trying to adjust to those differences can even be more horrifying than sharks!...The wild world of culture...Now try to survive that!...

-The challenge...Although I am not reachin' for a million dollars, I am reachin' for that goal of fulfilling my contract...I promised I would dedicate myself to this island, and finishing my devoted time here would be accomplishing my challenge...Finishing my two years here will be a proud, joyous moment...I defeated my fears and conquered my task...Who needs a million dollars?!...The pride that I'll feel in my heart as I say "goodbye" to this island is worth more than gold...I survived American Samoa for two years...Not many people can say they've done that...

Alright, those were just some of the reasons why I can relate to the contestants on the reality show Survivor...Every season finale has a segment where the final two Survivors remember their "fallen comrades"...This usually includes them walking down a path and visiting the torches of players who have been voted off...The producers always throw in some sweeping music and a canoe ride and some tears just to shove the emotion of it all down out throats...As the final two, talking to torches, say things like "Hmm, I never really got to know 'so-and-so'", clips of the loser show in slow-mo...And then they'll have that contestant who was voted off say something about their experience on the show...(If you're a fan of Survivor, you know exactly what I'm talking about)...Well, during my years on this island, I not only find this "fallen comrades" segment somewhat heartrending (because I too will soon find myself saying "goodbye" to an island), I also have totally associated myself with these final statements made by the players of Survivor...Mostly because I feel I will have similar feelings when I say "Fa" to my experiences on this island...In other words, look at the quotes from voted off contestants during the season finale which aired on Sunday...I really do believe I might be saying the same sorts of things when I hop on that plane in about a month or so...

"It really felt like a ton of bricks came over me...And game over."

-Mary

"Even though I got voted off kind of early, it was still a fun experience."

-Yau Man

"It was a life-changing experience, and it reminds you that life is good."

-Mikey B

"It was something extremely special, and I will always hold this near and dear, and it's a once in a lifetime experience."

-Jonathan

"It's the most difficult thing I have ever done. Childbirth, I thought that was tough...Nah...I'd rather whip out eight more kids in ten minutes...That's how much harder this was."

-Kathy

"You just can't be that same person any longer because all you have is you and the elements. I am not the same person any longer, and I don't think I ever wanna be again."

-Tracy

"I found myself being so much more sensitive than I was before...I've learned the balence of vulnerability and strength, of walking into a situation and being strong with who I am and knowing that I don't need the feedback from other people to know I'm okay with who I am."

-Ami

"It's like a chance to really search your soul and get to know who you are and what you're made of."

-Ozzy

"I don't think you can have this experience without changing as a person. I mean, I've seen so much that I've never ever seen in my whole life..."

-Erik

"I think I learned a lot about myself. And right now I'm kind of my biggest fan."

-Natalie

"In a weird way, I came into this a little girl and I got to grow up and leave a woman."

-Alexis

...(Okay, maybe not so much that last one)...

Those were some of the boats paddlin' in the race on Flag Day...A bunch of villages have their own teams that they enter into the race every year...My favorite team?...The Satans...Yup, there's an actual team named after Satan...This is the most Christian, bible-thumping, Jesus-loving population in the universe, and there's a popular boating team called the Satans...People all over the island were wearing shirts and hats with the village mascot and emblem...And on the day of the races there were hundreds cheering for Satan...It was so bizarre...And wrong...In this week's episode of The Twilight Zone, a town of Christians become Satan's biggest fans...Creepy, crazy...This island gets stranger and stranger...

Okay, the last thing I wanna do is remind y'all to leave me a comment on what you think are the best video clips I've posted on this blog...My next entry will be devoted to our "Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five"...The 2nd edition deals with the video clips that best sum up my experiences here in American Samoa...Which video clips were the most entertaining?...The most beautiful?...The most memorable?...I felt bad because many of you voted on the last Top Five dealing with pictures I've posted on this blog and many of your choices did not make the list...So, I may change this edition's list to Top Ten...But that's only if I get a lot of comments from you guys...Come on peeps!...Help me create the list...Which video clips were spectacular?...Vote now!...

Alright...I gotta go and get some shiznit done...Leave me a comment to show your alofas...Did you watch this season of Survivor?...What'd you think?...Do you agree with my belief that it's the best season EVER?...Do you think my experiences here are similar to the contestants on Survivor?...What is your opinion on murals of whales?...And what are your thoughts on a boating team named after Satan?...Oh, and give me some suggestions on our Top Ten Samoa Joe Video Clips!...

Love ya and miss ya...

-JOE

"I hate islands. I want to go to Brittany, where it's cold and raining, and there's nothing fancy about it."

-Julie Delpy

The Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five: Part One

Okay, y'all...It's our first edition of the Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five...This week's deals with the most memorable pictures I have posted on this blog in the past two years...Since I'll be leaving American Samoa in about a month or so, this is a perfect way for all of us to reminisce about the experiences I have had on this South Pacific island...Anyways, I sorta cheated...I really wanted to remind y'all of those pictures above of my family dressin' up as grannies (including myself)...Not only because they're embarrisingly funny, but also because those pics really represent the reason why I love and miss my family so much...They're silly, and I'm not afraid to be silly with them...I'm completely my true self with 'em...But then I was thinkin'...Do these pictures really represent my experience here in American Samoa?...Do they embody my adventure here?...Well, besides maybe symbolizing my homesickness, I thought I better stick to the topic...Let us begin the countdown...

Top Five Samoa Joe Blog Unforgettable Pictures:

5. Miss Josephina Nemina = Mmmm, I look sexy as a lady...Don't I?...Aww, don't be hatin'...Jealous!...I will always remember this day...I was the star of Tafuna High School that day...The kids were surprised and delighted by my bravery...And I was proud of myself, too...Not only because I had the guts to dress as a chick for the day, but also because I truly felt I was comfortable with the island that day...I put myself out there...And I became a part of the island high school history...The first palagi man to become a fafafine!...

4. Lisa and William In the Kitchen at the Tessarea = Wow...I look at this image and I cannot believe I was there for it...Do you know what I mean?...I know I was there to take the picture...And I have memories of experiencing this place...But I don't believe I was really there...This was actually taken on the first weekend we came to American Samoa...The Tessarea, a hotel, was our home for the first two weeks...William, Lisa, and I would have to cook all of our meals in this kitchen...In a matter of three days or so we three were suddenly thrust together, forced to shop and explore and cook and live together...It's crazy lookin' back on this picture...

3. Gene and Sammy on St. Patrick's Day = I, of course, had to include a photo of Sammy and Gene...I know, I know...There's a ton of pictures of the fuams...And there's probably better pictures...Besides, this picture was not taken too long ago...But, for some odd reason, I feel this picture best represents Sammy and Gene...Their spirits are captured wonderfully in this image...And my heart can't help but be warmed when seeing this image...I'll never forget this obnoxiously green moment...A moment of fuam-tastic cheers...

2. House on Top of Asu = I adore this picture...I think it's beautiful...And it shows the glory and stunningness of this island...Do you notice the shoreline towards the rear of the photo?...That always reminds me of how tiny this lil' rock in the middle of the ocean is...But then I see the mountains and it reminds me of the majesty of this island...And then there's the heavenly, peaceful white home...This photo authentically encompasses the exquisiteness of American Samoa...

1. Me in My Lava Lava = There was no question at all about this picture being at the top of the list...By far this is the one photo that appears in my mind when I recall my experiences here on the island...When I think of my Samoa Joe Blog, this is the image that comes to my mind...There I was...I never knew American Samoa even existed a few months before this pic was flashed...And suddenly there I was...In a "man skirt"...In a tin roofed classroom with no windows...And ghetto wood tables...It's all very surreal...Ethereal...I mean, were those first few days and weeks a dream?...It's like when people say that victims of abuse mentally block out bad memories of their childhood...It's a defense mechanism...I sometimes feel that's what I was doing in August of 2006...Because if I really sat and thought about what I was doing and the culture of Samoa and how different it was from my own culture, I would've ran far away from this god-forsaken island...So, I pretended it wasn't real...A dream...And now when I look back at this picture, I can't believe the strength, courage, forbearance, and patience I showed...Me in My Lava Lava...A proud, otherworldly moment...

Alright...That was the first edition of our Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five...Thank you all for your suggestions and votes...I got a ton of votes for the most unforgettable pictures, and I was about to make this list have ten images instead of five...But I didn't have the time...So, it was difficult to just pick cinco...But I encourage all of you to go back to those old blog entries and remember, along with me, this bizarre, splendid Samoan adventure I have had...Anyways, the next list deals with the Top Five Most Unforgettable Samoa Joe Video Clips...Which YouTube vids did you watch and enjoy?...Which videos are memorable to you?...Which video clips summarize my experiences on this island?...Which video clips were awesome?...Entertaining?...Please, send me your votes so I can compile our next list...This blog has been yours as well as mine...Therefore, I need all of you to help me create this list of the Top Five Most Unforgettable Samoa Joe Video Clips...Thank you all...

I love ya and miss ya...And wish I could meet ya ;-)

-JOE

The following dialogue is from 1996's Muppet Treasure Island

Dr. Livesay: Say, I know what's happening here. You chaps are planning to sail to this island, aren't you? To dig up this treasure.

Jim Hawkins: Yes, but we must be quiet about it. There are pirates looking for this map.

Gonzo: Yeah, and they want to KILL us for it! Isn't that exciting?

Who Are You Wearing...

Hey, everybody...Wow...It's a miracle!...I'm back...Sorry about the long delay...We lost our internet for a few days...But now it's back up and running...And so is Samoa Joe's blog...Well, I really have no idea where this blog entry is gonna go...It's a surprise to me...I do know there'll be one list...Lets begin...

All of the pictures in today's blog entry were taken at the Senior Ball...This is American Samoa's version of a Senior Prom...Everyone looked lovely, and the night went pretty smoothly...One thing that kinda sucked was that I am a Senior advisor, so I was runnin' around all over the place trying to make sure everything was goin' good...But there were no major problems...No drunk teens...Food was plentiful...And the facility (Tafuna High School's gymnasium) was gorgeous...The image at the top is of me and Gene...The FuamMasters...Don't I look sexy in my black and gold?...I designed the suit myself...Yes, it a little bit waiter...And usher...And butler...All rolled into a single wonderful tux...But I still think I looked nice...More on the fashions of the night later...

That's Gene and his girlfriend...Don't even get me started on the grill he's wearing...I did not approve of that...He's so fia gangsta...

Now, a lot of people seem to disagree with me about that girl's dress above...I think it's adorable...It's unique, bright, and perfect for her short stature...But many of the kids were callin' her munchkin after seeing the dress...Poor girl, bless her soul...She's addicted to Bollywood Indian musicals, and I told her the best one is "Lagaan"...Here's a clip from my favorite Bollywood extravaganza...Whatchu think of it?...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=872LRkujZ3E

Alright, let me discuss these fashions with you guys...If you remember from last year's Junior Prom, all gowns and tuxedos are made on island...In other words, every girl and boy gets to design their own outfit, they then take the material they desire to a sewing shop (usually run by phillipinos), and get their finished outfit in a week or two...It's actually a lot of fun...I wish we could do this in the states...I mean, design your own dresses and tuxedos and get them created exactly how you planned?!...It's like Project Runway!...Without all the work...Anyways, the outfits worn at the Senior Ball were all literally specially created for each individual...I think that's pretty darn cool...It's like we were all red carpet celebrities, and instead of wearing designer threads, we were wearing local sewing shop creations..."Who are you wearing?"..."Oh, this is Marie's Sewing Shop"...My vest and tie and shirt and pants were produced at Island Image...I thought of the concept myself...I saw an episode of Gossip Girl, and this one guy wore a suit with black and gold...With gold only on the back of the vest...I thought it was tight, and stole the idea for my Senior Ball tux...Yeah, it's kinda plain and simple...But that's what I wanted...Afterall, it isn't my prom...(I've been to three of my own!)...Oh, and I also didn't want to spend too much money...

Okay, so here comes today's first edition of "How Many Fafafines?"...In the picture above, how many fafafines are there?...Ten million dollars is at stake!...

Once again, if you remember from last year's Junior Prom, here in American Samoa parents are invited to the student dances...Which makes for a somewhat awkward, boring night...I hate this practice...I think the students should have a night to celebrate amongst themselves...With parents at the prom, it immediately becomes their night...The administration and prom officials inevitably ask, "How can we make the night pleasing to the parents?"..."How can we not step on any toes?"...Nonethelss, the prom becomes a sorta tight rope walk...It's like steppin' on broken glass throughout the night...If I woulda been the head prom advisor I would've completely thrown this concept of parents coming to prom outside the window...But I'm sure Samoan parents would've murdered me before I could even think it...You see, Samoan parents call themselves strict and respected...I just call them "pathetic"...I mean, they can't trust their kids for one measly night?...I know the prom is notoriously known for it's sinful influences...Especially in regards to sex and virginity...Not only do I think this is a total urban legend (do you know anyone who really lost their virginity on prom night?...Or is that just in the movies?), but I also think it's sad that they can't give their kids one night of freedom...I hope I can trust my teenager at least a little bit to let them have fun on one of the most memorable nights of their life...

Oh, my goodness gracious...It's that time again!...Time for the 2nd edition of "How Many Fafafines?"...Take a glance and guess...Who's the guy?...And who's the gal?...

Aww, there's my Latarah...She was my evil step-sister in the Cinderella musical...She was also one of the actors in my Speech Festival Humorous Play which got first place...She recieved Best Actress during the awards ceremony...Yay!...

That's Gene, his sister, and me...I felt horrible the other day...You see, by the end of the day I'm usually pretty exhausted...A day full of teaching teenagers and then coming home to take care of two of them really drains me of energy and patience...Well, when Gene and Sammy come home from work around 11:00, we sit down and talk about their day at work...The two putios ramble on and on about McDonald's drama...Last week I was feeling hella homesick...I mean, I felt really lonely...And I couldn't stop thinking about going home and being with friends and family...There were two nights when Sammy and Gene came home and I was kinda crabby towards them...I just wanted to keep to myself and be cranky...Finally, last Wednesday night, Gene came to me close to tears and said (and I quote), "man, all I do is can't wait to get home and tell you what happened at work and kick it wit' chu and, sole, you're actin' so crabby and shit..."...My heart dropped...There I was thinkin' only of myself and how I want to be with my family and friends...And I didn't even think that Gene and Sammy want to be with me...I felt horrid...Ever since that night I always make time for Gene when he comes home from work...Even if I'm exhausted...And even if I'd rather be with my mom, or Shawn, or Suzy...I try to put all of that aside, and talk with Gene...Afterall, we only have about five more weeks or so...

There's some of the FuamUsos...Gene, Sammy, Toetu, and Fred...Sammy didn't get all pimped out that night for a couple of reasons...First, he has no family here to support him and help him with buying the material and getting him to a sewing shop...Second, he didn't want to spend his own money and his own time to get a nice ofu made...The Gucci shirt, I guess, is his late father's...It's seki...And Sammy could've went naked and he'd still think he was the shiznit...

The two most famous fafafines on the island of Tutuila...Trina and Shiki...They're both teachers at Tafuna High School...In fact, Shiki is the Senior class Head Advisor...She planned and hosted the entire Senior Prom...She's actually a pretty amazing woman...She's professional and even esteemed...As much as I make fun of the whole "How Many Fafafines" situation, you gotta admit it's actually astonishing at the number of transgendered peeps in Samoa...Er, you may find it disturbing, I suppose...I do wonder why there's so many of them...But I do think it's kinda cool that they're still, for the most part, accepted into the community...And they can become teachers...And organize school proms...And go to their Senior Prom...In dresses!...Yet I didn't see any openly gay partners there...So, like America, this island still has to grow in that department...Men dressed as women walking men in the ceremony equals "thumbs up!"...A guy dressed as a man walking another guy in the ceremony equals "thumbs down!"...Eh...You win some, you lose some...

Speaking of of transgendered...It's our 3rd edition of "How Many Fafafines?"...Come on, blog readers!...I wanna hear those guesstimates...I'll send you a gift certificate if you get all three editions of this week's "How Many Fafafines?" correct...(Maybe)...

How these two got Prom King and Queen is baffling to me...They both skip outta my class to smoke in the bathroom everyday...Damn teenagers...Aren't the Prom King and Queen supposed to be responsible, pious lil' students?...These two are walking chimneys ;-)

Alright, every year I have my list of the Top Ten Films of that year...And I finally was able to complete my 2007 list...(Remember: I live on a small island in the South Pacific...Consequently, it took me five months to see the movies I needed to see because I had to wait for video for most of them)...Anyways, it's half way through 2008, but I still had to compile the traditional, annual list...I like making these lists because I enjoy lookin' back and seeing which movies I loved in that year of my life...Anyways, all of these films are on video...So, go out and rent 'em and let me know what you think...

Here's my list...It goes from number ten to my favorite film of the year...

My Ten Best Movies of 2007:

10. Surf’s Up = The only animated film on this year’s list is also one of the most inspirational…A bright, righteous penguin surf story with totally awesome waves…

9. Transformers = Yup, you’ll lose brain cells while watching this action-packed adventure blockbuster…But those damn robots are so fricken’ cool, man…

8. Superbad = A sex-obsessed, raunch-fest, teenage romp starring an extraordinary ladies man…McLovin’!...It’s also a heartwarming tale about love and brotherhood…

7. No Country for Old Men = Okay, so this has the most annoying ending EVER!...But that’s what makes it so memorable…And the intense, horrifying, heart-attack-inducing chase scenes are unforgettable, too…

6. Once = Now this quiet, independent rock love story has one helluva gorgeously emotional soundtrack…An honest, moving film…

5. 3:10 to Yuma = Not only does this thrilling Western have one of the best shoot-outs I have ever witnessed, it also has a violent, thought-provoking plot that will literally keep you on the edge of your saddle…

4. Knocked Up = A hilariously smart and modern flick about relationships and poppin’ out infants…I laughed…I cried…My water broke!...A great, romantic time at the movies…

3. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street = Tim Burton’s musical masterpiece, starring Johnny Depp, is a dark, lovely opera-esque musical about heartbreak and revenge…The actual center of the story is Mrs. Lovett, and her final fifteen minutes are a bloody blast to watch…

2. Juno = A movie that could’ve been a typical sentimental dramedy about giving birth becomes something heartwrenchingly unique with a dramatic turn of events involving a seemingly perfect couple played by Jennifer Gardner and Jason Bateman…Oh, and there’s also some of the funniest, wittiest dialogue I’ve ever seen at the multiplex…

1. Hairspray = By far the most energetic, dazzling, inspired film of the year…And also one of my favorites of all time…The happy lil’ musical actually has a ginormous message…”You’re beautiful, and don’t let anyone tell you differently!”…(And gay boys swoon everywhere!)…If this doesn’t get you dancin’ in the aisles, I don’t know what will…

There's me and Tino...She played Cinderella in my musical...Her dress was stunning...

There's me and Holy...Sammy's younger brother...He's only a sophomore...But he simply had to go to the prom...He's a Sammy-Wanna-Be...He also wanted to see all the "hot Senior chicks!"...Holy jumped the school fence to sneak into the Ball...Such a Prince Charming dis guy...

Oh, and tomorrow I'll be posting another entry with the Top Five Images of Samoa Joe's Blog y'all voted on...I'll calculate the votes and post the pics...And I'll suggest another list, as well...This is your last chance to vote in our "Bittersweet Island Goodbye Blog Top Five"...So far I have some votes for the pictures of me in my lava lava, of me dressed as a lady, and the ones where my family dressed up as old ladies...If you have a suggestion, PLEASE leave it and let me know...Which pictures sum up my American Samoa experience the best?...

There's Sammy and his date to the prom, Rina...It's not his girlfriend...She's "just a girl"...But he did get some action from her that night...Dass mah boy!...Wait to hit it, fuam!...Er, ahem!...I mean, did I say that out loud?...I meant, that was inappropriate...Love making should only be reserved for the ones you love...Go abstinence!...

Okay, that's it for tonight...I'm sorry there's nothing really to discuss here...But leave a comment anyway...What'd you think of the Senior Ball fashions?...Do you dig my suit?...Do I look sexy?...Do you think parents should be invited to the Senior Prom?...How many fafafines were in the three editions of the challenge today?...Isn't it amazing how many fafafines owned the Ball?...Do teenagers really lose their virginity on Prom night?...Did you?...Is how I ignored Gene evil?...Am I going to hell for that?...Although I'm awfully homesick, how should I spend my final weeks here?...What kind of attitude should I have?...What were your favorite movies of 2007?...What'd you think of my list of the Top Ten Movies of 2007?...Give me some alofas...I'm kinda sorta needin' it!...

Love ya and miss ya!...

-JOE

"In a sense, each of us is an island. In another sense, however, we are all one. For though islands appear separate, and may even be situated at great distances from one another, they are only extrusions of the same planet, Earth."

-J. Donald Walters