'Eva mai 'eku fa'e - Mom's visit

After waiting weeks and weeks, Mom finally arrives and exits the airplane in a hot pink outfit. I then thought to myself – this will be a great vacation.

To keep all the rambling to a minimum here are a few of the highlights up to date:
Snorkeled off the cement dock below Mom’s bungalow. The water is perfect and it is so nice to be able to cool off in a private close location.

We attended the Free Tongan Church service on Sunday followed by and amazing umu meal. Mom was a little overwhelmed with the powerful voices of the female members of the church. She was catered to by women fanning her during the entire service. Mom was also able to see the whole preparation process for the umu (detailed on video) and really enjoyed the feast.

Saturday morning was spent at the highly hectic market. We bought enough food to fill the fridge and sat to enjoy an ice cream.
Mom spent this morning helping out with the Disability program. It was great to have an extra helper and we enjoyed the mask making art project.
Tonight we fit Mom with a mat to prepare for the putu she will be attending tomorrow. I’m sure she will have some great stories.

I know some of this might not sound very exciting, but we are having a great time and staying busy (Tongan style).
Hope all is well.

Love,

‘Ateliana & Malisia
(Adrianne & Marcia)

hodge-podge of thoughts

No vegetables are available right now in the market. My youth group has the monopoly, but I have long since realized that the demand is much higher than our supply. I have since moved to supplements. I read a Newsweek article from a few months ago that detailed the importance of various vitamins and I realized that I am plentiful in some, but lacking in most. With my current diet of starch root crops and fried meat, my body is suffering. I’ve decided to make a change by adding a multi-vitamin.

The heat has got me going crazy. After being here a year and 8 months I still manage to get sunburned. You would think I had learned something and knew how to manage myself, but I still turn bright pink when I step outside to do laundry. I feel a definite lull during mid-day, but a burst of energy always comes around sunset. Sunrise and sunset are the most perfect times for me.

I reviewed with a staff member the other day my ‘accomplishments’ since being here in Tonga. We came up with a very hearty list that made me feel a great sense of joy. On most days it is difficult to see any outcomes to the tedious effort put into projects. But in times of reflection my heart swells with pride. I still question the overall purpose of my Peace Corps experience, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

SO, the countdown is on. My Mom will be here in a matter of days. I feel like I’ve lived in a bubble from all my friends and family at home, so I am completely excited to finally be able to share it with someone. I can’t wait to hear her perspective on things that have become so normal to me. The first year here everything is so new, but I have definitely moved to the stage of normalcy. My Mom will sure throw a twist into things.

That’s all for my hodge-podge of thoughts. I think the heat really is affecting my brain.

Love you all,
Adrianne