Uike To'utupu

My trip back from Nuku'Alofa was great. We got to hitch a ride with the Crown Prince and his crew. He sat two seats in front of me. I was surprised that he spoke English the whole trip.
I was then welcomed back into my village with the notice that the village water pump had broken. After two weeks of no water the "water committee" still had not decided whether it was important enough to have a meeting to solve the problem. It is not only difficult for bathing purposes, but not being able to flush the toilet has been a major problem for me. I try to hold it and only go when I go to the office or another village. I've heard rumors that it will be back on in the short future.
This week was supposed to be my Uike To'utupu - Youth Week.
To say the least it has been a bust. All my planning and preparation has all gone down the tubes. We were going to have a greased pig contest, a relay obstacle course, a scavenger hunt, and a picnic. My youth President has been a pain in the you know what. I've tried to deal with him in a respectful and polite manner, but I feel it is about to turn ugly. I'm planning a revolt with my youth. I had a meeting last night to try and at least have the picnic before Christmas. Hopefully it will all work out.

I'm off tomorrow to go on a kayak trip. I'll let you all know how it goes.
I love you all.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adrianne

PS. New photos have been posted, just click on my "Photo Album" link

Fakataha

A Fakataha is a meeting, which has been this weeks main activity. Now when I say meeting, I mean a meeting in Peace Corps Tonga style. This means that the All Volunteer conference was held at a little "resort" on the beach. We ate semi decent food, talked about some semi relevant topics, and had the waves crashing in the background the entire time. I shared a bungalow with two other girls from Vava'u and we were right on the beach. Swimming and bonfires were a definite must over the two day conference. Then we ventured back to the city for some down time over the weekend. The stimulation was too much for me. Two more days of meetings which were actually very awesome and now it is time to head back. I may be stuck here an extra few days due to the airline unreliability, but I won't find out until tomorrow morning at 6 AM at the airport.
There are some program changes that I have just learned about and so I may start doing some teaching in the primary school near my village. I'm excited for the change and hope to implement a few new things in my village. I feel like I always start off with high energy at first sight and then as time passes I get stuck in the routine of village life. I really would like to stay on top of my game and bring life into my projects. I guess I need to focus on some personal motivation issues. Maybe that is where you all can come in. Give me energy!!!!!!!
It's hard to describe the changes that I am going through while I'm here. I do feel that I have experienced some major personal growth that was needed. I wish everyone had the opportunity to see the best and worst side of themselves.
It's pretty much settled - I'm going to kayak for Christmas. It's a seven day camping trip where I get to kayak from island to island. It will be a new version of a Christmas experience, but I'm looking forward to it. Not to say that you all won't be missed because it definitely won't be the same without you all. I can't believe that the countdown is so close. Time feels different here. I also don't have all the advertisers telling me that it is Christmas time and "time to shop". Christmas here is about Church and food. I don't know which version I like best.
Anyway - hope all is well.

Love,
Adrianne

Fakamalohisino

I feel like I've been in a whirlwind. So much to say, but never enough time.

I guess I'll start with defining fakamalohisino = exercise.
Malohi is strong and sino means body - Add it together and it makes great sense.
The females in my youth group are training for netball season. Although I'm not a fan of the sport I feel it is my duty to participate in the activities. We had a meeting and I was elected treasurer. I figure I can speak the language of money so this is a job I can gladly handle. Then we discussed starting an exercise program in the mornings. I was excited to hear their enthusiasm and told them to stop by my house in the morning when they got started.
I was awakened to my neighbor saying: 'Ateliana - 'Ateliana.
I answer: Ko au.
He says: Fakamalohisino
This was at 4:30 in the morning mind you. I was in shock. My youth show up 1 1/2 hours late to a meeting, yet they are at my door at 4:30 in the morning. Go with flow, right? We run around the field and do a series of sit ups and push up before heading back to someone's house for bread and tea. Food is a center piece of all activities. I slide back into bed at 6:30 and surface around 9:00.

We had a Christmas party for the Alunga disabilities group last week. I was full of good cheer the entire day. The dancing, eating and gift giving made for an amazing time. They really brighten up my days.

The gossip has struck my village in full force and I almost drowned. I started talking with a guy in my village and the next thing I new an announcement was made at the youth meeting about our "relationship." I was unaware of this so called relationship and it's relevance to everyone else. My peace corps advisor was brought into this gossip and I had a lot of cleaning up to do. I also received a 20 minute lecture from my homestay father about relationships and the importance of marriage. I'm 27 years old and I was made to feel like I was 12. As my peace corps advisor stated so nicely, "Welcome to Tonga."

After this frenzy at home, I was excited for my little get away. I'm now in Nuku'alofa (the capital) and trying to relax and catch up with the other volunteers. Oh - I got to see the Queen at the airport. It was pretty uneventful - but funny to see her fly commercial. Nuku'alofa seems so big to me right now. I can't imagine what it will be like to go back to the States. I'm already in stimulation overload.

Miss you all,
Adrianne