Ghosts of Litter

Remember the hubbub of our school public service announcement? Well we finally got it on youtube, so you all can enjoy it. Remember, we're beginners, so be kind. We had lots of fun. Hopefully there will be a little less rubbish around our parts now.

If you love it and want to donate to Ta'iala Academy, you can go to our website here.

(I have lots of updates, for later. Sorry for blog neglect.)

34 Years

Happy birthday dear Ephraim!

We Have a Baby

...And he's cute.

We all think so. Ella made him a bracelet.

This kid is super cute. Especially when he prays for cows (?).

I think this guy is cute as well. And we let him know on Fathers Day.

And there was a fat green caterpillar in our yard. The kids thought it was cute.

the end

The Mystery of 90.1 FM

I may have mentioned before that when it comes to the radio, we basically have three choices. There's the top hits station, the Samoan hits station, and the religious station. Despite the claim to be "the only station you'll ever need", we rarely like anything playing.

And then there's 90.1. A mystery.

Why is it bizarre?

1. It doesn't broadcast all the time. And we can't figure out its schedule.

2. It has no DJ and no commercials.

3. It plays RadioFree (talk radio guys ranting about stuff) and VOA news

4. And the music it plays? Like, B-side tracks of Steely Dan, Queen, and Frank Zappa! Whoever sets the playlist is obsessed with obscure classic rock.

My questions: What listener pool in American Samoa is being targeted? Who besides us likes this stuff? You never see a 90.1 bumper sticker around the island. In a society where many people haven't even heard of the BEATLES, I'm wondering who is playing Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix? What's the deal?

We DO have a curiously covert collection of skinny old white guys with graying ponytails and funky aloha shirts quietly going about their business on the island. I bet they're all in on it. A 90.1 Club, organized to help ex-pats keep hold their teetering sanity using the comforting chords of hard rock.

I'm gonna get some answers, and I'm not leaving here til I do...even if it takes another 4 years.

In the meantime, keep on rockin', Mystery Rock'n'Roll Radio Man.

Ta'iala Academy Public Service Announcements

A few months ago at school, our director Mr. Alaiasa challenged our 5th-7th Grade class to create Public Service Announcements addressing the huge litter problem we have on our island. He arranged a partnership with American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency to publicize the end products.

In March we got to work brainstorming, writing, and editing. We selected one script to make into a 15 min short film and a few other ideas became 1 min PSA's.

In April I wrote a proposal and borrowed equipment from the handsome UH Sea Grant Agent here. We spent many Language Arts and Recess periods trotting around in costumes, staging scenes, and yelling "Action!".

In May we edited the films, added cool effects, and laughed everytime we watched it.

In June Mr Alaiasa and EPA arranged our World Premiere Red Carpet Event. What? You didn't hear about it? Well, you should have, you were invited! But if you missed it, don't worry.

Flight Night Samoa featured our Red Carpet Event. Have a look, and tell me if it's impressive. My internet is too slow to watch it right now.

The Leone High School JROTC provided the flag ceremony. My kids loved their uniforms and "guns".

Hueina Hemaloto (a.k.a. H Squared) introduced her film "The Ghosts of Litter" and represented our student body wonderfully.

Hopefully soon we can have the videos on YouTube. (But at 23 KB/sec I don't know when that will happen.)

For those tuning in locally, look for our media on Channels 10 and 13, and listen for us on the radio.

The moral of the story?

#1 PLEASE Stop Littering! I mean, c'mon. It's not that hard.

#2 A humble class of 10 kids really CAN make a difference!

These are only some of the great students involved.


Check out video:

It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes

Grandpa Fillmore has been visiting us this week. It hasn't been a real vacation for him--more like a mission of mercy. As you can see he hasn't been relaxing much. I, on the other hand, have had a nap everyday and sometimes pretend to be napping just so I can observe how he'll handle my rowdy kids. I'm taking notes.

Grandpa's trip has been good for each one of us individually. "It's always fun for everyone when grandpa comes."

Linus

Wednesday May 11, 2011, Linus Was Born. Here's the story, if you're interested.

First, let's remember that my babies usually come late. The due date was May 16, so I wasn't expecting to go into labor until the 20th or so. My last day teaching at the school was Friday May 6. After that baton was passed, my body seemed to slip into exhaustion and prep for labor. I rested for the next three days.

On Tuesday morning Ephraim went to my appointment with me. We saw Dr. Aguilera from Mexico who told me el trabajo could start en cualquier momento. In other words, anytime.

That afternoon we stocked up, packed up, and rested up. In the evening we put the kids to be, and alerted Damien next door to be "on call" just in case. I got comfortable, watched some Spiderman 3, and went to bed around 11. All night I had contractions every 8 minutes. Not sharp ones usually. Just steady. I got out the iPod stopwatch and hit "Lap" for every one. It wasn't a very good night. Doze... feel it mounting... click "Lap"... breathe... relax... doze...tightening... "Lap"... breathe, etc. They weren't getting any closer, and I wasn't terribly uncomfortable, so I let Ephraim sleep. I figured once I had the baby I could sleep all day in the hospital, but he would have to single parent the other three kids all day and night. He needed the rest.

I was kind of lonely during that long night. Fortunately I heard that familiar coughing and moist expectorant sound coming from the next room. Sure enough Isaac had gotten sick all over himself and his blankets. I showered him, changed the blankets, and settled him in bed. This happened two more times, so the time passed rather quickly with this distraction from my discomfort. And Isaac and I had a really nice talk about our family and his role as a big brother. But I don't know if he remembers any of it.

Around 5:15 am, I heard some roosters and thought it was about time to get the day started. Ephraim called the Webbs, a senior missionary couple who volunteered to help with the kids. Once I started moving around labor became more intense. When the Webbs came, we scooted off to the hospital, and after a brief but brutal labor he was born at 7:25 am. All white and creamy and puffy and warm. I was just amazed that I was done! That it was over. That I was myself again. And that I had a new baby to get to know.

He has fine features and a straight nose. Not the ski-jump nose the other kids had. Dark, fuzzy hair like newborn Ella and Isaac. And light hazel eyes. For now.

Now the name. Linus has been on our list since Ella. So were Owen and Isaac. We just liked it and couldn't think of any bad associations. Linus Pauling was a Nobel Prize winner and OSU graduate. Linus from Oceans 11 is a little insecure and a target for jokes, but he can swipe a Faberge egg, no prob, so that's pretty amazing. And Linus from Peanuts is by far the wisest and most sincere character despite his affinity for a blanket and thumb.

Ta'iala is Samoan for guide or leader. Literally, ta'i is to lead, and ala is the way. It's also the name of our school that I've been dedicated to for the whole pregnancy.

We're all doing fine. Adjusting. (Okay in reality, we're exhausted and hanging in there.) But we're also thrilled to have this sweet little one in our home.

El trabajo

My victory breakfast: scrambled eggs with veggies and toast, kokosamoa, banana mash with tapioca, and milk. Mmmm.

Here you bring your own pillow, blanket, and towel.

Good ol' LBJ

He's bundled up to protect him from the arctic air conditioning.

My victory Oreo milkshake from Carls Jr.