A picture of me?

 Pohnpei reflects the rest of the world.  Students here are so like students any where.  Social interactions are primary and a camera is a great chance to pose with friends






I have the pleasure of teaching math and science and the biggest difference I see here, compared to in the States,is attitude.

I am always surprised at how delighted the students are to be doing activities.

Give them a simple data collection activity and they work quickly with a few jokes but never a "this is boring" or "why?"
















Although there may be chatting, the students manage to accomplish their assigned tasks without being off-task.

 As for presenting to other student, there are a few shy students, but they adjust.  And the students are positive with each other.

Our Campus has an excellent tourism program which includes all aspects of restaurant and hotel operations.




















Students learn the good, the bad, AND the UGLY of planning the food, cooking, taking orders, serving, and the clean up.






































  Even the dirty jobs are learned!








  
 With Founder's Day celebrations coming up, students are enthusiastic about fund raising.







Food is always in demand, particularly sweets!
















On weekends, students are involved in community activities.



 A 5K walk / run is great for competition and for raising money for scholarships. 






Posing with friends is not a problem, sweat and all!









No matter how you slice it, students are delightful where ever you go!




A picture of us?

Coconut Crab!

For a few days, a number of black crabs huddled (if crabs can huddle) in the utility sink downstairs.  Their end was pre-ordained.

Maryana declared Friday a coconut crab night..

First the coconut is prepared.  This involves the breaking of the nuts and the collecting of the meat.  This often ends up being a social time and neighbors will pull up a chair to help out.

Coconut husking and cleaning is an opportunity to catch-up on the news of the various goings-on in the neighborhood, or to share a few laughs!

Once the coconut is removed from the shells, it is shredded, placed in a bowl, and water added. 

After stirring, the mixture is strained and the ‘milk’ poured into a large pot.




 Now comes the crab’s moment.  

 

 With her trusty knife, Maryana stabs and then splits the crabs.

Female crabs, identified by their collection of brightly colored eggs, are particularly priced for their flavor!














The cut-up crabs are placed in the pot of coconut milk and additional milk is poured over them.


 






 

 At this point the crabs have a dark black shell, but after boiling,

the shells turn bright red.












Laurie was thrilled to indulge!

  .

 Mornings are not always beautifully cast, but when they are, you can't help thanking the universe for the varied hues.

February has been busy with daily life, rain, school without power, walk / run events, and more rain.

During the week, we have traffic problems, just like back in the states.  By 5:30 the street outside the school has cars backed up for almost 2 blocks!

 

 Food is always an item of interest!   We have discovered a new variety of breadfruit, this one from the Philippians, in our neighbor's yard.

 

 Although visiting the market is often a weekend endeavor, there are often better selections during the week.  Ask a question and you learn so much!

For those with transport, each weekend is an excellent time to attend to that onerous cleaning chore.  But wait!  You have only to go to a nearby corner and the cry of "Car wash!" will tend to that chore.  .   And for a small one dollar fee!

Weekends are also a chance to enjoy Marianna's grilled fish!


Check out the pigs,









and exploring changes along the causeway. . .

Weekends are also for participating in the 5K walk / runs.  There is one every month and often an extra one is slipped in, making 2 in a month.



The Breast Cancer Fun Walk included a skit by students, appropriately attired in pink.


 
 The Rotary Club 5K, this weekend, was a great opportunity to enjoy the Saturday morning drizzle AND support scholarship funds for the students.
















 It's also a great time to see the students being themselves -- Hams like the rest of us!

Or to capture the new President and Vice President of the college joining the walk / run!








Mostly, though, weekends are times for enjoying neighbors!



 

Santa receives Police Escort

Sunday was busy.

 Up at 5:15 and out the door by 5:45 for the 5K walk/run.  Laurie and I arrived in the parking lot while the organizers were still setting up.  Turns out that “6 a.m. start” means "begin registering."  

One hour later, at 7, the event actually begins.

 This 5K seemed a little longer than the other two but who’s counting steps?  There were water stations at about half-mile intervals which was particularly nice since this time I did not bring my purse which slaps about feeling awkward when jogging. . .  But this also means I did not bring my water bottle. 

The start was uphill so another pleasant aspect of this event was the down hill second half – YES!

 

Laurie won the 1^st place for women.

Right behind her was a little 12 year old darling!

Once again, the entire event was completed by 8 and Laurie even had time to shower and dress for church!

In the afternoon, rumor spread that the Island was hosting a special visit from Santa AND he was scheduled to come right past our little corner of Kolonia!  The kids began gathering with plastic sacks (in case there was lots of candy  -- ‘cause that’s what Santa has!) at the top of the street. 

Time seemed to crawl by as it always seems to while waiting for any big event.  But, as always, kids are inventive so they sang and played a little hand jive.  Laurie learned a few new moves!

Then -- what’s that  -- not the sound of hoofs but the wail of horns and beeps and sirens!
Everyone headed for the top of the road.

    

 Sure enough, a police escort comes into view.  Santa is highly protected behind dark tinted windows and only a glove-clad hand can be glimpsed tossing morsels out the window. 

The children keenly watch that hand and the trajectories of those morsels.

Santa’s helpers ride behind Santa's vehicle, on a special commandeered flat bed.  They are exposed and happy to share Christmas greetings and spread season cheer! 

 

It was a brief moment with the big man, but even here in Kolonia we rate a moment of his time.  Naughty or nice, we are all children at this time of year. . .