Random Thoughts From the Past 11 months.

Some random thoughts from my in a journal...

• During the first few months of my working with my counterpart at site i found myself having a conversation with him about evolution and how interesting it is to find similarities between cultures/people of different countries. For example, the custom culture of Vanuatu and its rituals are similar to those that my family have practiced and our foods and dishes are also similar. So while in discussion I mentioned that some scientists theorize that back in the day our continents were all one massive land mass not separated by oceans and that why some similarities between people exists. When I said this he looked at me like I just told him I was from Mars. Apparently, he's never heard of such a theory and it ludicrous. I found it funny how quickly he was to disbelieve instead of considering the idea. I even when on to say that if you look at a world map continents look like they would fit perfectly together like a jigsaw puzzle. My explanations were in vain. However, this is the same person who is ok with believing that a man dying in the middle of his garden from a heart attack really died from black magic. Awo!
• Happiness is riding int he back of a pick-up truck with the wind and rain in your face. Unless the truck driver speeds up in which case happiness is ducking your ass behind the back window cause rain pelleting at your face hurts like hell.
• Happiness is seeing my little sister at a community event wearing the Peace Corps T-shirt I gave her for xmas with such pride.
• Sitting in a staff meeting listening to a colleague speak while she "digs for gold"in her nose is really distracting.
• Was speaking with a student and he began walking away from me as I was speaking because he was embarrassed that he was the center of attention. Initial reaction was anger. Afta I laughed at what a dummy he was.
• It's interesting to find out that countries like Australia, New Zealand and China give $$ to the people of Vanuatu to develop projects, but yet they don't teach them how to manage it. No skill in financial management = no forward movement as a country.
• Happiness is spending 4 hours in the back of a mango truck with a good friend and several Ni-Van Mamas selling the mangos allow several villages. It was longest time/distance from my site to town, but well worth it.
• During Term 1 I realized that the student roster of names had spelling errors for many students. Then I realized they are not really typos its that both students and parents choose to change the spelling of their name regularly. Kranki!
• Only in Vanuatu would I teach a class while my dog, Spanky, sits at my feet along with his buddies Rusty and Boss.