Merry Christmas?
As I was riding in the car with Emily and her dad, Juanito, a familiar tune came on the radio. For a moment I had to stop and think of what the tune was. Then it hit me…”Santa Clause is Coming to Town”. I sang along much to Emily and Juanito’s enjoyment I’m sure. The following song was “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, which I sang along with as well and reminisced about watching Home Alone 2. Now, I know these things sound like normal events to take place in November, however, here they seemed quite out of place in Yap. There is no Christmas music playing in the in all of the stores you go into. There are no big sparkly red bows hanging from the streetlights or the beginnings of Christmas cheer in people’s homes. And there is DEFINETELY not a slight chill in the air…in fact it is downright sweltering outside! Ok, maybe sweltering is a bit intense, but it is pretty darn hot!
Actually, one of the first songs I heard anyone sing here was a Christmas carol. “Jingle Bells” to be exact. I guess it does not have to be any specific time of the year to sing Christmas tunes, especially since the weather never really changes to make it seem like it is anything other then high summer.
It is strange to think that Thanksgiving is so soon and that Christmas and a new year are right around the corner. It feels like it is Florida summer here and that the holidays are months away. I will be in Woleai for Thanksgiving...and Christmas, and all of the holidays for the next 2 years, but that is not the point. This will be my first Thanksgiving away from family and friends and it is strange to think that there will not be a plump turkey on the dinner table along with cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. Mmmm that sounds so yummy!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Family!
The family that I am living with here is absolutely wonderful! I have a father (Mathew), mother (Francisca), brother (Lynwood) who is 17, and sister (Adrienne) who is 14. Now, there are about 7 other people that are staying with us right now for all different reasons. There is a family of three that is staying with us because the mother is pregnant and is here to have her baby sometime this month. They are from Falalop, Woleai (the island that I will be on) so I am looking forward to when they return because I will get to meet their new baby boy! They also have a daughter Khanysha (3) that is absolutely adorable. Sometimes she walks into my room at night saying good morning over and over again, not really having any idea what she is saying. She tries to speak to me all of the time in Woleaian, but I really just have no idea what she is saying. I usually just smile and tickle her or say one to two word sentences to her that she just laughs at. It has kind of become a game that we play. It does not really matter that we do not speak the same language because we can communicate through giggles and smiles. At least that has worked so far. J I am glad that Khanysha lives in Falalop because that means for the next two years I get to play with her and watch her grow up. It is things like this that make me feel connected to the community here. I am going to be a part of their lives for the next 2 years! That thought is very exciting for me.
Family here is such a big part of every ones lives. Probably because every one here is family! I will meet people on the street and they will say “oh you are living with Mathew? He is my wife’s cousin” or “who are you going to live with in Falalop? Simion? Oh he is my second cousin on my mothers side” I swear every one is every ones cousin. Which is probably why the crime rate is so low here…you do not want to kill someone because the chances are they are your cousin!
Family here is such a big part of every ones lives. Probably because every one here is family! I will meet people on the street and they will say “oh you are living with Mathew? He is my wife’s cousin” or “who are you going to live with in Falalop? Simion? Oh he is my second cousin on my mothers side” I swear every one is every ones cousin. Which is probably why the crime rate is so low here…you do not want to kill someone because the chances are they are your cousin!
November 7
Alright, I am just going to fast forward a little bit. I realize that I am skipping over a whole month but I just want to get to the good stuff. I am now in Yap and have been for 6 weeks! Our swear-in ceremony is on the 6th (Friday) and we will finally be official volunteers! For our ceremony each volunteer has to say a little introduction in the language of their island and do a dance or song with the people that will be on that island with them. The three of us going to Woleai wrote a song and had it translated into Woleaian for us to sing. The song is about 3 little birds that have traveled far from their nests to make new nests here with new families and how grateful they are to the people of Woleai for welcoming them with open arms. It is a very sweet song that was inspired by 3 bird finger puppets that my dad sent to me. It really is the little joys in life here that make a difference.
Depending on the ships schedule, we are supposed to leave around the 11th or 12th to go to Woleai! However, I have found that information about the ships departures and arrivals tends to be quite unreliable (everything here is usually hearsay and what they heard was probably started as a rumor). I guess that is due to the high cost of fuel and the fact that there is only one qualified captain and he likes to take periodic vacations whenever he feels the need. Needless to say, people have serious island time syndrome here. Which I am still adjusting to by the way. With everything I just have to say “hey its ok, I have 2 years right!” I also make sure that I always have a book with me so that I have something to do if I end up waiting for an hour…or two.
Ok, so I wrote that a few days ago. We are leaving today! Pray for calm seas and not rain! That way my things stay dry and I don’t barf! J
Depending on the ships schedule, we are supposed to leave around the 11th or 12th to go to Woleai! However, I have found that information about the ships departures and arrivals tends to be quite unreliable (everything here is usually hearsay and what they heard was probably started as a rumor). I guess that is due to the high cost of fuel and the fact that there is only one qualified captain and he likes to take periodic vacations whenever he feels the need. Needless to say, people have serious island time syndrome here. Which I am still adjusting to by the way. With everything I just have to say “hey its ok, I have 2 years right!” I also make sure that I always have a book with me so that I have something to do if I end up waiting for an hour…or two.
Ok, so I wrote that a few days ago. We are leaving today! Pray for calm seas and not rain! That way my things stay dry and I don’t barf! J
Monday, November 2, 2009
Mail time!
For anyone who is wondering my address for the next 2 years is:
Gita Drew/Peace Corps Volunteer
P.O. Box 190
Colonia, Yap, FM 96943
Once I am out in Woleai I will not be getting mail very often....meaning anywhere from 1 to 4 months! But I will get it, so don't hesitate sending letters or packages :)
If you are wanting to send a package and are wondering "hmm I wonder what Gita needs..." well I don't really NEED anything. However, dried fruit and vegetables, granola bars, any kind of nice soaps, zip lock bags/tupperware, reading material (both educational and good for the brain or trashy but totally necessary), reminders of home or you, tea, any food that is just add water, or anything else that you think I might need! Really anything and everything is welcome and loved!
Let me just say that for those of you who have sent me letters or packages, I want to tell you how much I appreciate them! Mail is most definitely the highlight of the day/week! It makes me feel connected to home and reminds me that I have wonderful friends and family. So thank you so very very much!
Sa ila! (goodbye!)
Gita Drew/Peace Corps Volunteer
P.O. Box 190
Colonia, Yap, FM 96943
Once I am out in Woleai I will not be getting mail very often....meaning anywhere from 1 to 4 months! But I will get it, so don't hesitate sending letters or packages :)
If you are wanting to send a package and are wondering "hmm I wonder what Gita needs..." well I don't really NEED anything. However, dried fruit and vegetables, granola bars, any kind of nice soaps, zip lock bags/tupperware, reading material (both educational and good for the brain or trashy but totally necessary), reminders of home or you, tea, any food that is just add water, or anything else that you think I might need! Really anything and everything is welcome and loved!
Let me just say that for those of you who have sent me letters or packages, I want to tell you how much I appreciate them! Mail is most definitely the highlight of the day/week! It makes me feel connected to home and reminds me that I have wonderful friends and family. So thank you so very very much!
Sa ila! (goodbye!)
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