Training

I survived my first sickness!!!!!!!
I shat liquid for four days and spent a great deal of time in the bathroom. This experience was even more difficult since the water in my host family's house gets shut off around 8:00 PM. But as I said before, I survived. Hopefully that's it for a few months. I've got a routine down for taking a bucket bath in the morning. I'm getting used to my life here in this small town of  'Utulau. In a few days I will be moving to Okoa, which is a small island in the island grouping of Vava'u. I'm excited to meet my new host family.  These month long stays can get a little stressful. Privacy is not something that is valued here. Maybe I will miss this all when I'm living on my own.

I've started my meetings with staff to determine my placement for the next two years.  This is a subject that is on everyone's minds. I'm living in the moment and trying to appreciate all the stages in this experience, but I can't help but jump to thoughts about my site.  I have another seven weeks before that comes, so I better learn some patients. 

Training is a daily grind of language, culture, technical skills, health, and safety/security. I waiver on my feelings from day to day. The language is the worst for me. I'm actually doing okay, but it is a struggle. My mouth is just not used to  putting so many vowels together at once. The kids in my current host family have been great.  I'm not sure how many people live in the home.  There is the main house and then there are two separate buildings outside that are each an additional bedroom.  My estimate is about 13 people plus the 5 of us peace corps trainees. The five of us share two bedrooms, which means that the living room is now full of people at night. It is so different than my life back home.

I've been...
Attending church with my family.
Watching waves crash against the shore.
Hand washing my laundry (Oh how I miss the feeling of clothes dried in a dryer).
Visiting the National Youth Congress.
Visiting the Ministry of Agriculture.
Planting cabbage.
Attending feasts.
Watching dog fights.
Eating like I didn't think was possible.
And loving life.

I miss you all and have loved hearing from everyone.
Keep the emails coming. Also feel free to write me letters.  It's nice to get stuff once in a while. My address is listed on the side.

Love,
Adrianne  ('Ateliana)

Safe Arrival

I'm here!!!!!!

Stepping off the plane I realized that I am so very fortunate. Not only because of the wealth and and life I had back in the States, but b/c of the opportunity I have here. This place is so beautiful, the people are amazingly friendly, and the Peace Corps has been great. We are now managing through Pre Service Training. Everyone says that this is a difficult time b/c they rush through so much information, but I'm feeling pretty good. I heard volunteers gain weight during training and then lose it all when they go out in the field. This is b/c they stuff us full of food and then we have to cook for ourselves during field. We leave for our home stays tomorrow. We will actually do two separate homestays. One with a group of volunteers, the other by ourselves.

I feel like I have so much to say, but not nearly enough time to say it all.
I have experienced two Kava ceremonies. (Relaxing)
I have had incredible feasts. (You Vegans wouldn't last and hour)
I have met great people.
I have slept little and woken up to the neighbors rooster every morning at 4:00 AM.
Showers are freezing cold, but at least I have access.
I ate octopus.
Today I have opened my bank account and am getting an ATM card.
There are only two ATM's on this island and none on the others.
We are going to an outer island in two weeks for our second home stay. I think it is in the Va'vaua grouping. I think it is about 8 to 10 hour boat ride.
Okay I need to go.
I'm at an internet cafe, but I have to get back to training.

Love you all,
Adrianne

Tonga or Bust

Feelings of excitement and nervousness have overtaken my body.
I am very much living in the present moment. This combined with 20 second freak outs of "what am I doing?" that occur randomly. These have occurred while driving alone in my car, while playing cards with friends, while taking Shang on hikes in the woods, while saying, "see you later" to friends and family. I do however realize that joining the Peace Corps is the best decision for me at this time in my life.

I have been brainstorming with the notion that serving in the Peace Corps is either a selfish act or a selfless act. Everyone approaching me has stated such things as, "I commend you for doing something so wonderful." People feel that you have to be a very giving person to be able to share time and energy for this cause. I, on the other hand, have been feeling very selfish. I chose to volunteer to expand my own knowledge. To help me grow into more of the person I desire to be. I realized I was making many I and Me statements. Then I came to a place where I realized it is possible to be both selfish and selfless. I no longer feel guilty for my reasons behind joining. I have come to terms with many things these days.

I have many thanks to say these days:
Thanks you Pieter and Jeanne for such a wonderful weekend. It is an amazing feeling to not see someone for a long time, but still feel so comfortable and relaxed while in their presence. I guess that's the joy of family.
I want to thank everyone for coming to my going away party. I had a blast and you all will be greatly missed. I have the best family and friends.
Thank you Joel, Gillian, and Anna for a great time at Kings Island. It was a great surprise that means a lot to me. You guys rock!!!!
I also want to say a special THANK YOU to my parents. I wouldn't be who I am or doing what I'm doing without your guidance and support. I know that sounds a little cheesy, but it's the truth.

Okay, now logistics.
I leave Wednesday for LA. Then Friday it is off to Tonga. The anticipation is almost unbearable. I will miss you all. I will try to write often.
See you on the internet!

Nofo a
Adrianne