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Birthday Me

This post was from a few weeks ago, before the tsunami. Now that things are calming down, I thought I'd post something from our normal lives.

I'm so loved! I had a great birthday on the 23rd. Ali Pili watched Isaac for me in the morning and they made a carrot, pineapple, raisin cake with cream cheese frosting! De-lish!

We went to library time, then to lunch at Sadie's with some friends. We went high-class with dinner at Carl's Jr. (hello, $6 Bacon Guac Burger.)
Then home for cake.

Look at that BLAZE! I left two candles burning after the first breath. (Does that mean I'm going to have two children? Too late!)

The best part was that my children were so nice to me that day.
And the best best part was that Ephraim and Ella had practiced a song on the ukulele to sing to me.
And the best best best part is that I love where I'm at and who I'm with and what I'm doing at 31.

Tsunami, Week After

I wouldn't say things are normalizing here because hosting hundreds of aid workers, managing without our only city, and living without power on half the island are not really "normal" for us. A definite change has taken place on the island. But schools are back in session after being out last week. And people are shopping, working, and living like normal.

We are definitely skittish here. Did you hear about the earthquake off of Vanuatu Islands today? I did. At McDonalds. From the janitor lady. News like that travels very fast. After that every person I saw was on the phone. I got in my car and joined the sudden traffic, all of us tuned into the weather service alert on the radio. On my way I noticed school kids in trucks, so I picked up Ella from school. She was tearful, worried about another tsunami, and felt the panic in the air. I assured her this earthquake was too far away to do damage, and that we had a few hours notice until it came, so everyone would be fine. But I also felt emotional. It's been a rough week for everyone.

(You can look up SamoaNews.com for updates and specifics.)

My friend Melanie posted a fitting description of the state of the island.

I agree that the Samoans are a resilient and happy people. I like to think their simple faith helps them move forward through difficulty. E muamua le Atua. God first.

This is the Browns' picture taken Day Of Tsunami. I love it.
I can just imagine:
"Hey, guys, you know there was a tsunami here this morning. There are cars slammed into second-story windows. Massive flooding, dangerous chemicals, stuff like that..."

"Yeah, that's cool. But check out this EEL!! It's AWE-some!"

Rediscovering Tula

On Monday the Browns and Temples went on a mission to Tula--delivering notebooks, art supplies, books and toys to the poor, bored school children whose school really has "no more pencils, no more books." (Just "teachers with dirty looks.")

Our family had been there exactly two years earlier. It's a beautiful place. But now it looks like a bomb went off.

Tula October 2007



Tula October 2009





I could post hundreds of wreckage photos. But we're all getting tired of those images.

Instead here's the Brown ladies on their first and final trip to the NOAA lookout.

Tsunami, Day After

We ventured out this morning to check on some friends and witness the damage. It's so bizarre because most of the island isn't affected at all. Around our area things look the same as usual.

But when you drive into Leone or into Pago Pago, everything changes. It's like you're driving into a movie set of a warzone. People are sitting around taking in the situation. Many have begun cleaning up with rakes, shovels, buckets, and hoses. In Pago Pago most people are wearing face masks or t-shirts to protect themselves from the dust and fumes. Everything smells like dried up salt water, or mucky brine, with whiffs of fuel.

Here's what we saw.




















Everyone has a story to tell. We've heard tales of heroism and very close calls. You can see people in groups raising their arms to show the water level or waving them to show the waves. There is a slow line of cars and buses--locals trying to take in the magnitude of the damage.

Now as the numbers are being reported, people are finding out who made it through, and who didn't. Everyone is emotional and dealing with the the tragedy as best they can. We sadly found out that two of our dear friends were casualties in the village of Asili.
This is what remains of their home and store.


These photos are from the village of Leone.


Here's our what's left of the Leone Post Office.

I never got my birthday package. Maybe someone else did.

Life will not be the same here, but Samoans are strong and positive.
Thanks for your concern and prayers.

Tsunami Damage Pictures

Our next door neighbors, Paul and Melanie Brown were in Pago today cleaning debris at the National Park Service office. The office is in Pago Plaza which also houses USDA, NOAA, Social Security, FBI, KHJ radio station, a jewelry store, a clothing shop, DDW internet cafe, and the island's only optometry clinic. It's location at the end of Pago Harbor made it a target for the most intense waves.

They posted pictures and observations on their blog here.

Again, we're safe and not really affected by the disaster, but our prayers go out to the many people who lost homes and loved ones today.

Tsunami Tuesday

You may have heard of the earthquake and tsunami in American Samoa today. Our family is fine, and so far all the families we know are fine as well, thankfully. Our house is nestled in a valley at about 200 ft above sea level and about 2 miles from the ocean. So we haven't been really affected by the tsunami.

Around 6:50 this morning as we were getting ready for the day we started feeling shaking. Everything was rattling: doors, fans, windows. It felt like someone was picking up our house and swaying it. We quickly gathered the kids and got under two doorframes until it finished. We estimate it was about a minute, but some people say longer. It felt long, so we knew it was a big earthquake.

After things calmed down, we got dressed, ate breakfast, and wondered if we should send Ella to school. We decided to keep her home for awhile because they send kids home for tsunami warnings, and we hadn't heard anything yet. We didn't know the extent of the damage until we started seeing the news.

We've been hearing news of damaged buildings, roads, and homes. Heavy damage in Pago Pago and Leone. We've heard of looting, injuries, and casualties. Ephraim's coworker Francis witnessed the tsunami in Fagaitua, and said it looked like footage from Indonesia. Our neighbors Paul and Melanie and James are out right now to clear roads and help out. I'm sure we'll get a report from them this evening. Our Filipino neighbors are hosting a dozen families today until things clear up and they feel safe enough to go home.

American Samoa is so close to the Tonga Trench where the earthquakes happen that there is no warning--just the earthquake, and if it's strong enough you head for high ground. People here panic and clog up the roads. We're staying home and staying safe.

Thanks for your prayers and concern!