Some Quick Clips

First, yesterday I was completely creeped out by a dog that had walked upstairs to our screen door and was having a peek! This dog is someone's pet, not a stray, but they still fight outside in gangs, just like The Outsiders.. The other clip is a view out our deck towards the ocean (too grey to see), and all this liquid sunshine that is keeping me indoors! Booooo!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!

Day three of being here has brought not much activity, sadly!! It has been pouring rain. If I can get to the porch in time to capture some of the deluge on video, (it takes a LOT of rain to capture it on video) I will send you a little liquid sunshine!

Despite the downpour, I still hear so many birds!! And my first night here, I heard the strangest sound of an animal coming from the breadfruit tree in our backyard (which is neither bread nor sweet), to which Mr. Runyon said, "Oh, that noise? That's just some bats..." AWESOME! I will get video of that too!

Declaring war on the sugar ants today... just like Bill Murray in the movie Caddyshack!

A Samoan Greeting

Polynesian cultures are very ceremonial! One traditional greeting is the placing a garland of flowers around a person's neck. This symbolizes welcome and love, an idea that pervades the polynesian ideal. Samoans, and polynesians in general do wear leis daily. Some are extravagant, others are very simple, consisting of seeds or greenery. 

This is a picture of a traditional samoan lei, and also a huge floral arrangement made from both local flowers and domesticated American traditional carnations and mums. 

On My Way!

As I begin to type this, my plane just flew over San Francisco and out into the vast Pacific!

Somewhere over Cleveland I read some amazing cards and letters! I loved how some of you incorporated science knowledge into your well wishes. Zoe’s potential/kinetic picture brought a huge smile to my face, and I began to instantly think of ways to use tropical themed items as a review for that lesson! Alex’s message in a bottle was clever, and made me think of doing a lesson involving sending messages in bottles to each other from American Samoa to Plymouth using the world’s oceans currents as our guides to our routes. I’ll try to work on something from my end of the world! You have made Hello Kitty proud! She is well-represented in my bon voyage extravaganza!! And I must thank my very good friend, Mr. Hall, and all the teachers for encouraging you to make these cards for me. Some of your cards are so funny!! Others are heartfelt and very genuine. When I decided to share my reasons why I was leaving for third term with you, I chose to invite you into a very private part of my life through the Coast Guard. I am proud of my hubby, and pleased that all of you know him now in some way. Maybe some day you can actually meet him! When I show him all of your cards, he will see why I am such a lucky teacher to have you all. 

My trip so far has been an adventure in itself. Once we were finally leaving New York City (school was just starting for you) I felt the difference of my journey immediately. Hawaiian Airlines brings the feel of Hawaii in everything they do! My lunch onboard was:

Champagne/guava cocktail

Smoked salmon pate and grapes

Mahi Mahi fish in a Thai green/cream sauce over angel hair pasta (incredible)

served with 2 samosas (Indian style hot pocket) and Thai cucumber salad. Delish!

Each course was served with a small orchid flower. (I am saving one- pressing it in a book)

Dinner was wrapped up with a just-big-enough piece of carrot cake and a cup of green tea.

Since then, I have only been drinking guava juice, which is absolutely delicious, by the way!!

My trip is only half over...12 more hours to go!!

Tofa, PSMS!! (Good Bye!)

I want to thank you all for a wonderful send-off for my last day!! I will miss you! I will take my cards on the plane with me and enjoy bragging about you all to my fellow plane passengers!! See you from the other side of the world!!

Welcome to my blog!!

Hello Everyone! Here you will be able to keep tabs on all of the cool adventures that I hope to have while in American Samoa! Find where American Samoa is on a map! (Pretty far, right??) I hope to hear from you regarding my posts!!