It has been a long time since I have written anything on here, so I am at a bit of a loss as to where I should begin. First off, I am officially a year older and I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and deeds and support. Things in Chuuk have been busy as ever. In fact, just last week there was a bank robbery. Yes, you read that right. You can jog around our entire island in maybe 6 hours (as you all should know, I am not much of a runner, so this is something I do not know first hand). And everyone either knows, or is related to, everyone else. Yet some people tried to rob a bank. They were caught shortly after when they stopped to buy alcohol at one of the maybe 4 places on the island that sell it. They are currently being held in police custody. It was not exactly Ocean’s 11.
That made last week very exciting. That and the Zags run to the sweet 16. I still do not understand how any team, even UNC, can shoot 57% from the field in a sweet 16 game. I wish I could have seen it.
As the end of the year quickly approaches I catch myself marveling, more and more, at how fast this year went. I also am growing more and more excited for the summer and next year. It looks like Luke Lavin (a friend from Gonzaga and a volunteer in Pohnpei) will be in Chuuk for the summer and we are going to have a great time. I have so many ideas of things we can do, and knowing Luke he will have some great things in mind of his own. We even have been given initial approval to put a team in the local canoe race around the lagoon that will happen in July! I could not be more excited.
We have also gotten some positive initial responses about a grant that Saramen Chuuk put in to the USDA Rural Development program to obtain some desperately needed solar panels for the school. Also, the group that Jake, a local Peace Corps, and I have been working on, called the Chuuk Local Food Community, has officially been formed and we should have the Strategic Action Plan completed by the end of the week. That, unfortunately, is moving a little slower than we all hoped, but it is still moving and I honestly believe that an organization centered around supporting local food is much needed here, not only for health reasons, but also economically.
Classes are going well and our community is abuzz with post-JVI ideas for both of the girls. It is an exciting time to be in Micronesia, particularly Chuuk. They are beginning to pave the roads (in some instances repave) and we are currently awaiting the results of the Chuuk Gubenitorial election. Apparently there is a runoff in the works soon.
Our Easter Break is coming up and Caitlin and Jessie are headed out to an island group far far away from home. It is about a 24 hour boat ride to get there. Which means that I will be home all alone for break. I have some pretty good plans in the works though. Some different island visits in the lagoon and some practice on the local canoes before the possible race in July.
Well that is enough for now, I realize that this isn't the greatest but I just wanted to put a quick update because I have gotten some emails asking about the blog.
