There i sat, on a tightly packed pontoon boat, in awe of The Milky Way reaching from horizon to horizon. As the lingering swells lulled me into a sleepy and unsuspecting dizzy haze, i struggled to focus on any one star. Maybe it was my need of glasses, or maybe the daunting task of choosing just one, but my eyes wandered from place to place in search of that one twinkling light that shone brightest. There are many "life" parallels that i could draw from this, but i'll leave that up to the reader's imagination.
As the moon began to peak over the horizon, i gazed at the palms leaning out over the sandy beaches. Inadequate dreams of waking up in your June calendar spread wafted through my head as i pulled my hammock over my face. The most surreal calm settled over me as i let my surroundings sink in; the kind of surreal calm you can't describe to anyone, not even to someone who was there with you.
i awoke to the faintest pitter-patter of rain falling on the leaves overhead. i longed for the lack of stars overhead to be just another dream, but off in the distance i could hear the ever too familiar sound of pouring rain headed our way. The cold drops made their way through my hammock and began methodically falling on my already goosebumped skin. I willed myself to fall back asleep, but was soon aroused by a violent gust of wind as the heavens were opened above me. My heart sank as i reluctantly lowered myself to the ground. As i ran across the beach, i paused to take in my surroundings. A lone lightning strike in the distance lit the beach just long enough for me to see the sheets of rain falling across the sand. Though partially hypothermic, i couldn't imagine a more beautiful scene to wake up to.
It's hard to imagine that in less than 24 hours, the exhaustion and
monotony of my every day routine can turn into the most surreal
experiences i've had in a long time (maybe the most surreal i've had in a
days, but that's not the point).
Updates: Ben Howard is a musical genius, that man's voice is incredible. Trekking barefoot through the jungle in the middle of a monsoon using a machete to cut a trail and then climbing a coconut tree is most fun i've had in days. Yes i know i said we'd play a game next time, but i'm still getting together pictures for you. I'm actually excited about being evicted and having to live in a local house (the local house we stayed at in Walung was the perfect size for us). I had my first fleeting twinge of homesickness. When dealing with kids, always undersell yourself, it makes it easier to live up to and exceed their expectations that way (i don't suggest this for job interviews). Our second 2.5 bag of candy corn lasted an astounding 4 days.
Stay inspired,
Tyler
Friday, October 25, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
First-Third World Problems
Every blogger/missionary is entitled to one post where they complain about everything to gain pity from others. Here is mine:
My alarm didn't go off this morning. i had to make coffee during recess instead of before school
Our water is brown from the recent rain so i have no "clean" pants. i had to wear shorts instead
i put sugar in my coffee for the first time here. i over sweetened
i had a discipline issue that took up half of my lunch time. i had to eat during my free period instead
We are a living RedBox to the locals. i spent my free period summarizing and transferring movies
My 40 minute free period went by too quick. i had to eat my ramen before it cooled all the way
i asked a student for a word with the sound "OH" in it. They replied "umbrella"
i asked he next student for a word with the sound "UH" in it. They replied "open"
We made hummus and bread yesterday and left the bowls sit overnight. It was my turn to do dishes
i drove to the store for a rice and toilet paper. We forgot toilet paper
We found oranges at a roadside "half-opened-can" (aluminum shanty) AKA store. They are green
While we were out, we stopped at the Post Office. No packages
The waves were big so i went surfing. The wind was blowing and the waves weren't glassy smooth
Heavy rain clogs the water debris filter. My shower was like a man with prostate issues peeing on me
i headed to the bathroom to think. River yelled "don't forget a napkin" (remember, no TP?)
i forgot the napkin. i wiped with soggy toilet paper instead (rain came in the window last night)
The Pastor's wife gave us fried fish and boiled bananas for dinner. The fish tasted too fishy
Updates: We have no toilet paper
With love and satire,
Tyler
My alarm didn't go off this morning. i had to make coffee during recess instead of before school
Our water is brown from the recent rain so i have no "clean" pants. i had to wear shorts instead
i put sugar in my coffee for the first time here. i over sweetened
i had a discipline issue that took up half of my lunch time. i had to eat during my free period instead
We are a living RedBox to the locals. i spent my free period summarizing and transferring movies
My 40 minute free period went by too quick. i had to eat my ramen before it cooled all the way
i asked a student for a word with the sound "OH" in it. They replied "umbrella"
i asked he next student for a word with the sound "UH" in it. They replied "open"
We made hummus and bread yesterday and left the bowls sit overnight. It was my turn to do dishes
i drove to the store for a rice and toilet paper. We forgot toilet paper
We found oranges at a roadside "half-opened-can" (aluminum shanty) AKA store. They are green
While we were out, we stopped at the Post Office. No packages
The waves were big so i went surfing. The wind was blowing and the waves weren't glassy smooth
Heavy rain clogs the water debris filter. My shower was like a man with prostate issues peeing on me
i headed to the bathroom to think. River yelled "don't forget a napkin" (remember, no TP?)
i forgot the napkin. i wiped with soggy toilet paper instead (rain came in the window last night)
The Pastor's wife gave us fried fish and boiled bananas for dinner. The fish tasted too fishy
Updates: We have no toilet paper
With love and satire,
Tyler
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Living
i've strayed and i've wandered; i've written for others rather than for myself. No more games, no more fluff.
The routine has set in. Life is "normal" now: less discovery, less excitement, less curiosity. Rather than experiencing, my mindset has shifted toward the desire to learn. No longer am i enamored with fried banana blossoms or the way the locals clear land. Instead, i want to find out how to do it for myself. i'm not visiting anymore, i'm living.
Since i've missed some things, i'll do a brief overview to trigger my memories:
PTA meeting: president talked forever, parents said nothing
Stingrays: within touching distance
Sharks: spotted fins 4/5 nights i was out
Oci: he was sent back to kindergarten, parents got mad, had long conversation, now in 1st grade again
Mt Okat: this 1,526 ft mountain has been added to my life bucket list, will need gear to summit
Electrocution: our stove has a short in the element, we get zapped daily
Birthday party: i have over 75 no-see-em bites on my feet
New truck: automatic transmission stuck in sport mode, revs to the moon
Bread: made our first loaves of island bread
God is all powerful: surfing alone is my favorite place to pray. As i asked God how His week was going, the biggest wave i've seen in a long time broke right next to me. i'll take that as a "I'm fine, thanks for asking"
Next blog will be great; we'll play a game. i'm calling it: "Interesting International Ingredients"
Updates: Ryan learned what what the reef feels like on your back, i learned what its like to clean it. Coconuts are STILL addicting. Iced coffee is a blessing. A pig being slaughtered is a horrifying sound. You attract more flies with honey than vinegar (this applies to parents too). There is a large animal/rodent living in our ceiling (large rat or small cat?). The Jags are having a rough season, but a conference title is still possible (and so is a manned trip to Mars). i'm turning 22 next week, i'm taking out life insurance. Most of the parents think that we are trained teachers (what they don't know is that i don't even have a school curriculum let alone any elementary education training).
If you have another SM's blog that you read, please share it with me. I enjoy hearing about other people's experiences. River is also blogging about our experience on Kosrae. You can read that here.
Thank you for your prayers and reading,
Tyler
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Impossible to Fail
After much thought and introspection (3 cups of coffee before bed and the clock at nearly 4am doesn't hurt), here is a painful and heartfelt blog post.
Test week. "The tests designed to be impossible to fail"
Writing test: Those who wrote their alphabet passed and those who did not, failed (the alphabet is written in the board and was pointed at many times throughout the test). The passing grades were then determined based on fine motor skills and attention to detail.
Science test:
Question one - make a COW sound
Question two - draw a circle
Question three - draw a rectangle
Question four - draw a triangle
Bible test: Draw the burning bush that Moses saw in the wilderness (among other drawings)
Language test: write any letter you recognize.....the word is "basket, bah, aaaa, ssss, k, eeeee, t"
Math test: 2 + 2 = and 6 - 2 = (these proved to be too hard for my students so the answer was then worked out on the board and left there for the duration of the test)
After two days of testing, 50% of my class will be returning tomorrow to retake a test in which they utterly failed. Two students will be sent back to kindergarten (thus is the consequence of sending your 5-year-old to first grade). No test was spared from a student's ability to fail, yet, all 5 tests were also aced by at least two students.
Updates and Advice: A parent's involvement in their child's learning makes all the difference. Don't drink lots of coffee before bed. 5 pounds of candy corn will only last a few days in a house of compulsive snackers (2 pounds have already been consumed in the last 8 hours). The post office closes whenever it wants, not when the sign on the door says it closes. Hot sauce doesn't make very good fake blood, use ketchup instead. Poverty cheese can grow legs and walk. The BBC Sherlock is brilliant, watch it immediately. Rare but genuine compliments are appreciated more than frequent and insincere ones (genuine and semi-frequent are good too: keyword "semi"). Coconut is addicting. Bigger isn't always better, unless it's a fish and it's your dinner. We're still bad at fishing.
Good night/morning/afternoon/evening,
Tyler
Test week. "The tests designed to be impossible to fail"
Writing test: Those who wrote their alphabet passed and those who did not, failed (the alphabet is written in the board and was pointed at many times throughout the test). The passing grades were then determined based on fine motor skills and attention to detail.
Science test:
Question one - make a COW sound
Question two - draw a circle
Question three - draw a rectangle
Question four - draw a triangle
Bible test: Draw the burning bush that Moses saw in the wilderness (among other drawings)
Language test: write any letter you recognize.....the word is "basket, bah, aaaa, ssss, k, eeeee, t"
Math test: 2 + 2 = and 6 - 2 = (these proved to be too hard for my students so the answer was then worked out on the board and left there for the duration of the test)
After two days of testing, 50% of my class will be returning tomorrow to retake a test in which they utterly failed. Two students will be sent back to kindergarten (thus is the consequence of sending your 5-year-old to first grade). No test was spared from a student's ability to fail, yet, all 5 tests were also aced by at least two students.
Updates and Advice: A parent's involvement in their child's learning makes all the difference. Don't drink lots of coffee before bed. 5 pounds of candy corn will only last a few days in a house of compulsive snackers (2 pounds have already been consumed in the last 8 hours). The post office closes whenever it wants, not when the sign on the door says it closes. Hot sauce doesn't make very good fake blood, use ketchup instead. Poverty cheese can grow legs and walk. The BBC Sherlock is brilliant, watch it immediately. Rare but genuine compliments are appreciated more than frequent and insincere ones (genuine and semi-frequent are good too: keyword "semi"). Coconut is addicting. Bigger isn't always better, unless it's a fish and it's your dinner. We're still bad at fishing.
Good night/morning/afternoon/evening,
Tyler
Saturday, October 5, 2013
The Simple Life
A lot has happened in the past two weeks, yet i still sit here blankly staring at a white and empty screen unsure of what to write about as i kill my fifth flying termite. Meanwhile River is commenting on how dark his bellybutton hair is and Ryan is listening to cows and sheep on Age of Empires. It's a simple life that we lead here.
We've begun to number our reoccurring conversations to save ourselves from that awkward "i think we had this conversation two nights ago" comment. Anything related to Guam is "convo 1" while Canadian bands have been affectionately named "convo 2". And now we're at 7 dead termites. Such a simple life.
In fact, life couldn't get more simple. i wake up with the sun in my eyes, roll out of bed, make a "Tasty Bread -- Mechanically Sliced!" PB&J, stumble to staff worship, start class whenever the bell decides to ring, spend my day frustrated and confused as to how you fail a spelling test with a word bank provided, pass out exhausted, wake up and spend the afternoon at the beach, make beans and rice (River makes rice in the afternoon) for dinner, and repeat. This doesn't mean that our days aren't exciting, but just very simple.
Speaking of excitement, it was put to a vote (silent and unspoken, but still a vote) that the ocean is the most terrifying place on our planet, day or night. Fishing last week i could not figure out where all of the fish had disappeared to. It wasn't me, i wasn't moving. Fed up i turned around to find a better spot. As i turned, there was, 10ft in front of me, a 5-6ft long (yes the water magnifies things and that has been taken into account for this very accurate measurement) black tipped reef shark who had been following me. So THAT'S where the fish went. Much satisfied that it wasn't me who had been scaring the fish i decided to chase the shark. Being the superior human being that i am, he quickly out swam me and was no where to be found. i'm convinced that as he was running he secreted a "fear virus" into the water that i managed to soak up, because the next morning i was decrepit and in bed with a fever (and then the next day and the next and the next as well). One week later and i have regained 5 of the 8 pounds i lost and am caught up on all 4.5 hours of grading.
In other news, the Kosrae government is still open and running fine. Along those lines, i just drank the greatest coconut, until i cracked it open to find out that half of the fruit was rotten and fermented. oops *hic* no wonder it was so good. This paragraph is not political in any way.
And now for the beloved "updates" paragraph: Surfing at low tide is bad, scraping your toes across the rocks while paddling for a wave hurts. We are bad fishermen as demonstrated by our machete fishing attempt tonight (River and i caught one each while the locals caught 20+ each). Peanut butter, cold cereal, coffee, and trail mix is cheaper on amazon than on the island (it's $4.50 for a loaf of that "Tasty Bread" and $6 for a box of raisin bran). You can never have too many green tangerines in your fridge, while, one slice of poverty cheese in your fridge will always be too much. Poverty cheese grows and multiplies. Our vegetable seeds (still in their packets) have neither grown nor multiplied. There is a such thing as a 4ft long aquarium fish, i've seen it with my own eyes, and about peed my pants i was so scared (i chased it too, but it disappeared very much like the shark). And finally, don't make plans for your 12 day Christmas break, the youth Christmas program will be scheduled dead in the middle of it.
Enjoy and Happy Sabbath,
Tyler
We've begun to number our reoccurring conversations to save ourselves from that awkward "i think we had this conversation two nights ago" comment. Anything related to Guam is "convo 1" while Canadian bands have been affectionately named "convo 2". And now we're at 7 dead termites. Such a simple life.
In fact, life couldn't get more simple. i wake up with the sun in my eyes, roll out of bed, make a "Tasty Bread -- Mechanically Sliced!" PB&J, stumble to staff worship, start class whenever the bell decides to ring, spend my day frustrated and confused as to how you fail a spelling test with a word bank provided, pass out exhausted, wake up and spend the afternoon at the beach, make beans and rice (River makes rice in the afternoon) for dinner, and repeat. This doesn't mean that our days aren't exciting, but just very simple.
Speaking of excitement, it was put to a vote (silent and unspoken, but still a vote) that the ocean is the most terrifying place on our planet, day or night. Fishing last week i could not figure out where all of the fish had disappeared to. It wasn't me, i wasn't moving. Fed up i turned around to find a better spot. As i turned, there was, 10ft in front of me, a 5-6ft long (yes the water magnifies things and that has been taken into account for this very accurate measurement) black tipped reef shark who had been following me. So THAT'S where the fish went. Much satisfied that it wasn't me who had been scaring the fish i decided to chase the shark. Being the superior human being that i am, he quickly out swam me and was no where to be found. i'm convinced that as he was running he secreted a "fear virus" into the water that i managed to soak up, because the next morning i was decrepit and in bed with a fever (and then the next day and the next and the next as well). One week later and i have regained 5 of the 8 pounds i lost and am caught up on all 4.5 hours of grading.
In other news, the Kosrae government is still open and running fine. Along those lines, i just drank the greatest coconut, until i cracked it open to find out that half of the fruit was rotten and fermented. oops *hic* no wonder it was so good. This paragraph is not political in any way.
And now for the beloved "updates" paragraph: Surfing at low tide is bad, scraping your toes across the rocks while paddling for a wave hurts. We are bad fishermen as demonstrated by our machete fishing attempt tonight (River and i caught one each while the locals caught 20+ each). Peanut butter, cold cereal, coffee, and trail mix is cheaper on amazon than on the island (it's $4.50 for a loaf of that "Tasty Bread" and $6 for a box of raisin bran). You can never have too many green tangerines in your fridge, while, one slice of poverty cheese in your fridge will always be too much. Poverty cheese grows and multiplies. Our vegetable seeds (still in their packets) have neither grown nor multiplied. There is a such thing as a 4ft long aquarium fish, i've seen it with my own eyes, and about peed my pants i was so scared (i chased it too, but it disappeared very much like the shark). And finally, don't make plans for your 12 day Christmas break, the youth Christmas program will be scheduled dead in the middle of it.
Enjoy and Happy Sabbath,
Tyler
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