Thursday, August 19, 2010

Odds and Ends Thursday 65

Tomorrow I will proctor the Pacific Secondary Senior Certificate Common Assessment Task for my year 13 students. I also need to mark the final School Certificate Common Assessment Tasks for my year 12 students. Beyond that, term 2 is finished. From here, I’ve got 3.5 weeks of break, and then I’ll start my final term of teaching here in Samoa. It’s a little surreal. Here are some other odds and ends from the week:
  • Two weeks ago, I received an email inviting me to attend a circuit-training class at a local gym here in Apia. It was only after I agreed the class was revealed to be ADF: Aerobic Dance Fitness. I was put off by the ideas of aerobics and dance, picturing some sort of cross between Sweatin’ to the Oldies and Jazzercise, but already having committed myself, I attended. All I can say is it was quite the workout. In addition to the ridiculous Fame-style moments, there’s a whole lot of weight endurance. For days after I didn’t have full use of my left tricep on account of soreness. Since then, I’ve attended twice more, and I have to admit I enjoy it. It’s me and a bunch of women, but I’m not complaining.
  • No really. I can’t get enough “Waka Waka”. A month since the World Cup has ended, and the song is still all the rage in Samoa.
  • When I assigned the my hand-picked reporters to come up with articles for the school magazine, I gave them until yesterday to give me a final draft. A day after deadline, I’ve received 5 of 9 articles. Then again, yesterday’s blogpost went up a day late. I guess people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
  • Monday’s Above The Fold photo was the senior Netball team with Coach Bernie.
  • Group 83 is beginning to come out of the woodwork. I’ve heard from 2 newbies already. Anyone else out there showing up for staging October 5?
  • Last week a student asked me to type 2 separate documents, which I did in exchange for 2 separate niu. She followed through on her end of the bargain (as did I). All I can say is I should have implemented this policy a year and a half ago.
  • Correction: Someone pointed out my ’ie is a little short in this picture. True. The ’ie should cover the knee. My apologies to everyone offended by the sight of my partially exposed knees. Matt’s Samoa Blog regrets the error.
  • Answers to Tuesday’s maths workout:

    1. B.
    2. D.
    3. B.
    4. B.
    5. D.
    Good job, Mom.
That’s all I got for today. I hope you’re well. Pictures below.


One of my 10.4 students Andrea sharpening her pencil with a boxcutter. Hardcore.


Proof to RPCV John 6 (and Jim 80) I gave the last piece of pizza to the cat.

6 comments:

Mom said...

I can't believe I didn't get question 4. Once I saw the answer it was so obvious! Oh well, how many brain cells are lost every day? Help me with question 1. Why is it b instead of d?

Ansel said...

What will you do for breath-taking photos of clouds when you get back?

Amanda said...

Thank you for making my day. I enjoy imagining you in an aerobics class with lots of Samoan women.

Lauren said...

PS. The other day I happened upon a fantastic west Texas sunset. I realized it was Thursday and thought it was so fitting!

Timmi said...

last week i had to improvise with a potato peeler to sharpen my son's pencil. your views + experiences will be widely missed, great work matt.

Anonymous said...

Re: Waka Waka, having been here in Apia for the past 6 week we have well and truly realised the love affair Samoa has with this song. I even heard it come on the stereo at Farmer Joe's while telling my partner about how often I had heard it that day- twice in one five minute car trip. At least it is better than Justin Beiber which seems to be the other fave.