cookies, smiles, and Otai

Mango season is almost here and I've already got a hold of a few ripe ones. Delicious. There is also a drink that I enjoy here called Otai, which is a mixture of coconut milk, watermelon, and mango. All the flesh of the fruits make is taste like a mouth-watering dessert. I have adjusted to the diet here, but I still miss American cooking. The availability of American food is very random. There is not one big grocery store, so I find myself traveling to about five or six searching for the best price and availability. There are also four falekaloas (mini-stores) in my village. They carry the basics and it's also a good place for socializing.

I've been in a better mind frame the past few days. Some days I hold onto my disappointments and other days I just let go. Intellectually I realize that I have control over this, but emotions are pretty powerful. Letting go has helped my relationship with my family, helped my productivity at work, and helped me to smile more often.

Tomorrow is supposedly going to be a productive day. I read to the kids at the library in the morning and then quickly head to the soccer field for a game. Tomorrow is also the big work day on my temporary house. In one day the youth plan on repairing the house and building a fence to protect me from the pigs. I have my fingers crossed. So after soccer I will come and encourage them with my smile and some cookies. We then have another night of fundraising in which I might get to sit on the sidelines for once (which would be wonderful). I normally have to serve Kava until around 1 or 2 AM and be "sexually harassed" by a group of drunk men. It sounds awful but it can be entertaining (depending on who is in your Kava circle). I'm just a little burnt out because we have done so much fundraising the past few weeks, so a night off is just what I need.

Time to hit the road and hitchhike home. I got a ride to work this morning so my bike is at home. No worries.
Love you all,
Adrianne