Life's a beach...

Life's a beach...

Another exciting Friday, I was picked up at 5 o’clock (actually just a little bit before), not all Tongans are on Tonga time. Jumped in the car all decked out in my sun shirt, big baggy (boys) swimming trucks feeling pretty covered and ready to swim. As I hopped in the car Mo’ua let out a laugh at my stylish outfit… and I realized that as covered as I was I was still not covered enough… next time grabbing my lava lava (wrap skirt). Live and ya learn! We headed out on our way to Vakaloa beach on the west side of Tongatapu. There is a resort there, most beaches I’m finding here have a resort connected, however the beach is free to anyone who wants to go.

I live pretty far by Tongan standards from the beach, so this was a big treat (it’s a 15-20 minute drive)! On our way we of course had to stop by the falekoloa ( convenience shop) and pick up some snacks, which consisted of peanut cookies and two bottles of sprite!

Once we got the beach we wasted no time, as the sun was starting to set and jumped in. I’m not generally a huge fan of seaweed, so I found a seaweed free place to stand and wade. Generally I’ve found that you don’t go past the reef area, you just kind of swim on top of it and around it, because if you go too far past it the rip tides and waves get pretty intense. So Mo’ua , ‘Ena, and I sat/swam in about waist deep water and talked. The boys meanwhile braved it and walked all the way out past the very edge of the reef and swam there.

After about 45 minutes of swimming it was taimi kai (time to eat)! We had a delicious dinner of baked fish and ufi (a common root crop and what Mo’ua and Maka grow on their bush land).

It was delicious! We took another quick swim and then decided to head out because it was starting to get chilly (even in the South Pacific….).

Sadly when I got home my water was off so I took a quick bucket bath and cuddled up in my sweatshirt. I am in severe trouble when I have to face actually cold temperatures again…

Vakaloa beach!

This is Siosi, Mo’ua’s son, he’s in class 5 and had a blast swimming!

 Mo'ua my class 4 teacher lathering up with that sunscreen! (p.s. this is not a common thing...)

Maka (Mo'ua's husband to the right) and Siosi to the left

Taimi kai!!! There is truly nothing like fresh fish on the beach after a swim! (of course with a little root crop on the side...)

Photo drop! These are just a few gems that I haven't had time to post, but are fun :)

Gorgeous Hibiscus flowers!

These cuties waiting to be called up during the graduation/achievement ceremony!

 Our class 1 students receiving awards at graduation!

Sidenote: At the end of the school year every school has a ceremony where the highest achieving students are given awards and certificates in each subject (Classes 1-6 and the all of the high school).
   

 (Trouble is a brewin'; it was about a two hour ceremony, but the kids were champs and made it through; can't say their kahoa's (lei's) fared the same)

                         Ima my class 1 teacher, at her hopa & banana plantation!

Ma'vae!

At the blowholes with Polis'i!

Host family chillin' at the beach...

Class 1 & 2 girls dancing their tao'ulunga at the school fair!

                                              There are bats in the trees!!!

                                               The official crest of Tonga.

Last Few Weeks of School

These past few weeks have been spent getting to know my community (so lots of eva-pe-ing , a.k.a walking around and talking to people), organizing my school library, teaching the students Christmas songs and how to start using their library.

Christmas is in full swing here already, they had the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in town today, and island Christmas music is all over the place. (it's still a little strange to listen to White Christmas when it's hot and sunny everyday...)

 The students finished their testing last week and have been practicing very hard for their end of year faiva or show.

These are the kiddos all dressed up for our dress rehearsal faiva (show) for their parents at the school.

                                                     My class 5 and 6 girls!

                                 Esther a class 6 student (she's pretty awesome and has been a huge help as I get settled in the community and my school)

                Another class 6 student with David (or Vida) Makisi's & Alofaki's (my principal and neighbor) 9 month old baby!

                 Saliema (or Ima), the Class 1 teacher and my language tutor!

                     Soeli with his little brother getting ready for the performance!

                                         The students performing the faiva!

       The students did 2 dances, a sitting dance with all the grades, and classes 3-6 did the Kailau (traditional spear dance).

                                      All dressed up for our practice faiva!

 The library, I've been working to get organized and ready before summer school starts!

        My school is a Free Wesleyan Church School, so our colors are blue and white.

 The school field in the back of the school. This is where all the activities happen, and the community practices soccer and rugby every night! (It's also where I get a beautiful work out in the morning, when I'm feeling up to it...)

  Works in progress:
     -  I just sent in a proposal to the Rotary Club in Nuku'Alofa to see if we can repair our library.
- This tuesday we have our Graduation Day, where students who did well throughout the year are recognized.
-Then it's malolo (rest) time! Until summer school starts on the 2nd of December. I am very excited, I just printed out flyers for the whole community to attend. It will be twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tuesdays class 2 & 3 students will come from 9-11 a.m. and Wednesdays class 3 & 4 students will come from 9-11 a.m. My class 6 students and the Form 1 & 2 (equivalent to grade 6 & 7) will come and be mentors and helpers on both days. I am very excited and hope we get a good turn out!

Nuku Nuku!

I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer!!! 

Group 79 was successfully sworn in on October 31st 2014, and ready to start two years of service in the Kingdom of Tonga! 

After taking the official oath, speeches, and of course dancing, I grabbed a quick bite , met my principal and was off to my site after swearing in. 

I am placed at the Free Wesleyan church school in Nuku Nuku ( which happens to be the same village we trained in for pst).

My school has 150 students, classes 1 through 6, and the secondary school (referred to as a college here in Tonga) is right next door with about 60 students. 

 As English education does not start until class 3 ( still then it is only verbal no written until class 4) I will be teaching classes 3-6 as a part of my primary project. ( However, it sounds like I will be working with classes 1 & 2 as well as formes 6 & 7 during summer school held at the beginning of December)

I live right behind the school , in between my principal and other school teachers and their families.  ( I literally could throw a rock and hit  the school, I'm technically on school grounds)

My house is wonderful, I got really lucky, it's a good size and the sima vai ( my water tank is right outside my door)!

Shelving and my prep table in the kitchen.

Other half of the kitchen (the big white bucket contraption is my water filter, and was the first thing  out and together in my new home)

My desk ( which is more like my vanity/ everything table) 

My lovely shower, I gotta say when there's water it's pretty fantastic!

Bed #1 plus storage! 

Entryway and view to my room.

Inside my room.

I found this cutie out by my sima vai scrounging for some water, brought her in and gave her some water and food. After a couple traumatizing baths, lots of mortien, and picking the fleas off of her, we've basically adopted each other ( the names peanut, and she's about as fiesty as they come...) 

My house from the road.

Front view of the house.

The primary school is on the left and my house is on the right.

My school! (From what I understand Akoteu translates to Free Wesleyan School)

My principals house to the left of me and the huge garden in back!

My first home cooked meal in my new house!

( I have to admit this is really the only meal I've cooked since I got here, my neighbors and community are wonderful and feed me so much food (they're secretly trying to fatten me up and marry me off..)