Thursday, March 11, 2010

Odds and Ends Thursday 46

We’re on the verge of finishing week 7 out of the 15 in the first term of the school year. Term one is the longest and tends to be the most formal and straight-laced time of the school year. With after school sports, I feel like working at school has been almost non-stop lately, and I’ve spent much time this week calculating the number of school days until Easter break. Three weeks from today. I can’t wait. Here are some other odds and ends from the week:
  • I realize I’m starting to sound like a lush with all this talk about Guinness, but does anyone know what the rules are for checking beer in one’s luggage? Aside from the weight restriction, is there a limit? Say I was to go to American Samoa. Could I bring back a case of Guinness? I mean, hypothetically. Just throwing it out there.
  • Today after school I was in the computer lab waiting for one of my students, Taua, to finish what she was working on. And for whatever reason, I started whistling Barbra Streisand's "Woman in Love". "What are you whistling?" Taua asked. "Nothing," I said quickly.
  • Cheers to Vero for getting 16/24 in the Oscar pool. Did you guess right on the shorts? Or did you know Avatar was in for a rough night?
  • My sixth grade rugby team won their game today against Avele College, 19 – 21. Avele missed one of their 2-point kicks, and that proved to be the difference. All in all, a very close game.
  • The past 3 weeks in a row, one of the math teachers has come up to me early Wednesday morning to ask me to type up worksheets for his evening bible study. I’ve been able to churn them out in full and on time, but I realize it’s that sort of effort that ensures he’ll have more for me the following Wednesday. No good deed goes unpunished.
  • I asked him to start giving me his worksheets on Tuesdays.
  • After watching an episode of “The West Wing,” I’d usually feel inspired, but after watching an episode of “Ally McBeal,” I’ve been feeling bleak and depressed. I think they try and play down all the dark stuff on the show with Vonda Shepard, but sometimes that’s not enough.
  • It’s been very windy in Apia lately, and in the middle of the night there’s been some pretty crazy rain. And often just moments after it let’s up in the morning, I can hear students on campus already. That’s gotta be a lousy commute for them.
  • For the most part, recycling is not an option here, except in the case of beer bottles and Coke bottles. Apia Bottling will pay 40 sene per bottle, and most faleoloas are willing to split the difference and offer 20 sene. So inevitably, many households—mine included—accumulate Coke and beer bottles eventually intent on turning them into money. Thus the Coke bottles in this picture.
  • Last month I nearly took in a couple bottles so I could piece together enough change to buy cell phone credit. It was a little pitiful.
  • On the old Windows Spider Solitaire, you can’t undo a deal?! WTF?
  • Due to school cancellation and the SchoolC meeting on Tuesday, I only taught my science class once this week, which brings the total number of times I’ve taught that class to an astounding 2.
  • Speaking of the meeting on Tuesday, I ran into blog-reader Rob there. Rob had emailed me at the end of last year from Sydney. He and his wife just moved here to do some work with the Palms organization. Pretty cool.
  • To the person who leaves comments under the handle “BusyCorner,” please shoot me an email at the link on the righthand column. I have a couple questions I’d like to ask regarding American Samoa.
  • What did people think of the “My Goodness, My Guinness” ad? Did anyone notice in the original post that my right hand was a nubbin? The nubbin’s been replaced. It’s not the perfection I saw in my head when I thought of the idea, but I think it works pretty well.
  • Comments are way down on a day-to-day basis, but site visits and page views remain steady. What’s up with that?
That’s all I got for this week. I hope you’re well. My camera’s battery died right at the beginning of today’s rugby match, so no pictures today. Sorry.

15 comments:

Jane said...

Okay, so here's a comment. I hear your birthday is coming up. Let me be the first to say Happy Birthday Matt. 'Hope its a real good one.

Cale said...

You should know that before there was Guinness in Samoa, Cale too was planning an impromptu trip to American Samoa. He cancelled when he learned there was no Guinness or BBQ ribs there.

Cale said...

Also, I like My Goodness, My Guinness. However, I feel like there is something about the cartoon mustache that makes you look a little creepy and old. Like the 50 year old guy that hangs around at little league games even though he doesnt have any kids.

Kelly said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you are having a great day!! Wish we could celebrate our birthdays together this year. You and Katie could compare notes on Irish Car Bombs. After her trip to Ireland, she is a certified Guinness something or other.

Mom said...

Happy Birthday Matthew L. I guess I'll have to settle for being the second one to wish you that. I remember that several PCVs have a birthday around this time. Happy birthday to all of you. Shoot - I didn't see your aunt's comment. Now I'm number three!

Anonymous said...

I think the only limit for checking alcohol is related to proof -- must be under 150, if I remember correctly. Not sure how that applies to international travel, though.

Jennifer said...

Happy Birthday! (no. 4!) <3

Amanda said...

I read every day & I thoroughly enjoy your posts, but I often can't think of clever enough things to say. I'll work on it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTCHOO! I hope you have a good day & a great weekend! I love you, you're my brother.

Anonymous said...

Malo Matt - manuia le aso fanau!

Anonymous said...

Malo Matt - manuia le aso fanau!

Dad said...

Happy Birthday! I hope a you celebrate with the view of the southern cross. Be safe!

nancy whitmore said...

Happy Happy Birthday Matt! Hope you are having a great day celebrating birthday #? 28? I remember when your parents were 28!! Of course your dad is the oldest and always will be....
I have enjoyed reading your blog and following your experiences. Hesitated to comment cuz wasn't sure you would remember who I am. But I figure on your birthday, when you are away from home, all greetings are nice to get.
Hugs from sunny California!

Annie said...

Matthew, Happy Birthday! I love you with my whole heart. Love, Annie

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Matt! Wish we were there to help you celebrate. Have a good one.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday! and although I read your posts on an almost daily basis, I only comment when I feel like I have something fun to say. hey how about you turn your coke bottle money into a new backup sponge!