Thursday, January 21, 2010

Odds and Ends Thursday 39

This week has been a series of changing gears as Chris left Monday, I went to mid-service training on Tuesday, we came back to Apia on Wednesday, today is the All Volunteer Conference, and tomorrow is the Congregationalist Teacher Conference. It’s a series of changing hats, but I think I’ve been able to keep the multiple personalities in line okay. I do feel a certain amount of dread for school starting next week, if only because I’ll have to start waking up at 7:00 a.m. again. Here are some other odds and ends from the last month:
  • It’s obscenely hot in Samoa right now doing little in the way of movement, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I can feel a steady stream of sweat running down my back. It’s gross.
  • I wrote the “Bye-Bye” post poorly. My short essay didn’t capture how annoying it is to have countless children calling at you from afar with the same nonsensical sing-song syllables over and over. I couldn’t articulate the grating sound or the aggravatingly pointless interaction initiated by having children yell “Bye-bye” at you from 20 meters away. At first it’s cute, and the little darlings make your heart melt. But after the 4 millionth time, it’s simply obnoxious. These kids aren’t babies. They’re in school. I would prefer they greet me in Samoan, or with a more meaningful English phrase that is not sung.
  • Results are in for my year 12s’ SchoolC exam. They receive a grade from 1 (the best) to 9 (the not best). My top three students got 3s. This is less than ideal, but my pule seemed quite pleased with these results. Cool.
  • Let me explain the caption to this picture from last Sunday. I only noted Jordan didn’t jump from the top of the waterfall because look how high that water fall is! The jump is dangerous and ridiculous, and I didn’t want the world thinking we were a bunch of lunatics with a death wish. So I clarified Jordan jumped from halfway up to highlight the guy’s sanity.
  • The kangaroo pizza was a lot better than the crocodile. The crocodile tasted a bit like old chewy fish. I also felt like the crocodile’s co-toppings didn’t go very well together.
  • The best meal we ate in Australia was at a place called Solitary up in the Blue Mountains area. I had a chicken sandwich with pesto and balsamic onions. Luisa had a roast beef sandwich with avocado and homemade tomato relish. Neither was particularly exotic, but each was tasty and fresh.
  • I’ve been getting more and more interested in bourbon during my time in the Peace Corps, and at one bar in The Rocks, there were a whole bunch of ads for a bourbon called “Slate.” Giving into advertising, I ordered a shot of it. I had a sip, and it was delicious. Luisa tried it and said, “Wow. That’s dangerous [because it is delicious and smooth and easy to drink].” Going through duty-free, Luisa wondered if she should buy a bottle, but I talked her out of it since it would be a hassle to lug home. But it turns out they don’t sell Slate in The States. See, Australia is the world’s largest bourbon consumer (bet you didn’t know that), and D’Agio is test-marketing Slate. Thus all the ads. But if Slate is a go in Oz, maybe they’ll eventually sell it in America.
  • Posts to Matt's Samoa Blog now automatically post to Facebook. Hello, Facebook readers. You should check out the actual blog here.
  • Finally, while playing euchre at the river fales, Blakey made a joke while explaining to Chris why she was so tired lately: “I’ve been running a sleep deficit—so I’m thinking I might just cut education. (beat) (beat) That’s what you’d do in California, right?” ZING!
That’s all I got for this week. I hope you’re well. Pictures below.


The new Farmer Joe in Vaitele.


I made Chris try Pinati's on his last day in Samoa. What a mean friend I am.


Out with the 82s. Left to right: Jenny, Jenny, Kaelin, Trent, Me, and Leah.

5 comments:

Luisa said...

Actually mine was a steak sandwich with caramelized onions and tomato relish. The chicken and pesto came with a side of something like guacamole. You also forgot to mention the fries and killer aioli.

Chris said...

My stomach is still in recovery. I wish I was kidding.

Mom said...

What is Pinati's?

Unknown said...

I'm starving. Thanks for answering.

Anonymous said...

Pinati's is the place you want to be went its your turn to pay. Zing ha ha ha. Cheap & Nasty but delicious.