Oh, Bulindi!



Bulindi was my home for three years. I lived in the village of Kyhambia; Bulindi was the name of the parish. Bulindi is part of Hoima District on the western side of Uganda. Hoima District borders on Lake Albert that borders on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

I am still quite attached to Bulindi and keep regular contact with many for my friends and family there. I have never been so well cared-for and accepted in my life as I was in Bulindi. The community adopted me as their own. At least three men considered themselves my adopted father, and twice that many women considered me their son. It was nice to have so many people concerned about my well-being. I never felt a need for anything. My physical necessities were always taken care of: food would be brought, water fetched, grass cut. I could always count on friendly visits and good conversation. I truly felt like a member of the community.

I knew my way around Bulindi very well, discovered most shortcuts and cut a few of my own. No matter how often I took a walk in the evenings, I was always amazed of the view in the horizon: the rolling hills of green cut by deep red clay roads, the thick forests with black and white colobus monkeys spying above, women and children working in field after field of peanuts, beans, sweet potatoes and corn.

My daily routine included going to the shop across the road from the school's compound. I went there for supplies as much as I went there for social interaction. The barbershop is where I could count on learning all the village gossip: Who was afflicted by witchcraft? Which corrupt politician was trying to rob a poor villager of his land? One of my best barbershop memories is sitting, waiting for a hair cut. There were two other people waiting on a bench across from my chair. We were all in a "ho-hum" mood; everyone was quiet, staring at the floor. On the radio, a familiar tune came on. It was "Born to Make You Happy" by Britney Spears. Intantaneously, the mood of the salon changed. Toes began to tap, faces lit up, and before the 4 minutes and 5 seconds of the song had passed, every person in the room was singing the chorus. It was a scene right out of a musical production. The POWER OF POP!!!

Being near Bulindi, my village, and the people who became my family is this week's reason I am happy to be moving back to Uganda. I will not be living in that region of the country. I'll be working in the capital city of Kampala, Central Region, but Uganda is a small country, and I'll be able to visit any weekend I feel the need. Yay!

_______________________________________

Palagi Beach

(My favorite beach on the island)


All the good beaches in American Samoa take effort to reach. You must hike up and down hills, scale the sides of ciffs, climb rocks and wade through the ocean; however, the beaches are usually well worth the effort.


The first time I went to Palagi Beach, I was not prepared for the journey, and it wore me out. Now it is my favorite beach to visit. It's quiet, clean, has places to dive and explore the reef, there is a cliff over a deep pool where you can jump, there's a cave; it's just a neat place. In fact, it is one of easiest beaches to reach. The journey to and from the beach is now a piece of cake.


Going to Palagi Beach is an activity that I will greatly miss when I move away from American Samoa.

I was inspired by the coconut trees today. They brought me thoughts of Britney and Herb Ritts in Miami.

Here is my tribute to Brit:

Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go
I need to hear you say
You need me all the way
Oh, if you love me so
Don't let me be the last to know

Compatability

We go together!

But do we?

This is what I recently discovered about my personality.

I'm a generally unf#ckwitted, liberal, tight as f#ck, relatively well adjusted human being!
See how compatible you are with me!
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

Are you surprised? I found out that I'm 93% compatible with my roommate Nicole. She's such a hag.

How compatible are we? Take the test. Find out.

The verdict is in...


How evil are you?
And I'm proud of it.

I knew something was up with all of the bad karma coming back at me.

So to all you suckas who thought I was a nice guy, I had you fooled. HA, HA, HA (Imagine Vincent Price on Thriller)!!!


On a truly somber note...

I received an email today from Mr. Kato in Uganda, and he informed me that Harriet's huband, Doreen's dad, passed away. They buried him two weeks ago. Harriet and Doreen were my next-door neighbors at the school where I worked for three years in Uganda. (Doreen has starred in a couple of my blog entries.)


They were fantastic folks and a beautiful family.

I am heartbroken.

I announed the sad news I received today to my class, and my students asked me why I did not take the day off from school. Aren't they not the sweetest bunch of kids?

Hatcher out.

Is it too
early to begin
writing one's
Christmas list?

Sure, it's only April, but next week it will be May, and before you realize it, it will be December once again.

What's got me pondering such a deep question? Like I'm not always pondering deep questions. It's what I do.

I was listening to my iPod today that I randomly loaded from my Britney Spears playlist. One of the gems that happen to load was her 2000 contibution to Platinum Christmas: My Only Wish (This Year). I <3 this song. I was dancing around the kitchen this afternoon singing, thinking about what I would wish for this year.



Santa, can you hear me?

Oh yeah

Last night I took a walk in the snow
Couples holding hands, places to go
Seems like everyone but me is in love
Santa can you hear me?

I signed my letter that I sealed with a kiss
I sent it off, and it just said this:
I know exactly what I want this year
Santa can you hear me?
I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me, someone to hold
Maybe, baby
He'll be all my own in a big red bow

Santa can you hear me?
I have been so good this year
and all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is near
He's all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa, that's my only wish this year

Oh yeah...yeah

Christmas eve, I just can't sleep
Would I be wrong in taking a peek?
Cuz I heard that you're coming to town
Santa can you hear me?

I really hope that you're on your way
With something special for me in your sleigh
Oh please make my wish come true
Santa can you hear me?
I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me, someone to hold
Maybe, baby
We'll be all alone, under the mistletoe

Santa can you hear me?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is near
He's all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa, that's my only wish this year

I hope my letter reaches you in time (oh yeah)
Bring me a love I can call all mine (oh yeah)
Cuz I have been so good this year (oh)
I can't be alone under the mistletoe...
He's all I want in a big red bow

Santa can you hear me?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Tell me my true love is near
He's all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here (oh yeah)
Santa, that's my only wish this year

Ahh...Oh Santa, can you hear me, oh, oh Santa
Well he's all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here (oh yeah)
Santa that's my only wish this year

Santa that's my only wish this year

The 25th of December holds a special place in my heart for a reason that has nothing to do with the birth of the little baby Jesus.

baby, baby

I'll just keep my wish to myself for a while. I don't won't to jinx it.

Change of topic:

Wasn't Britney so much cuter before she lost her job as a stripper, became a truck driver, then got knocked up by some unemployed dude wearing a wife beater?

I want my Britney back in a BIG RED BOW.

International Fair

At

Pacific Horizons School

I am so tired, but all the hard work paid off ten fold tonight. My students did a fantastic job putting on the first International fair at Pacific Horizons School. It was a beautiful occasion. I am so proud of their achievement.

We have a very diverse student population at our school, and tonight was our chance to celebrate diversity and learn more about each other and a few places in between.

Africa was there, and we got a taste of Benin.


The Asia booth represented Taiwan, Philippines, China and Korea.


The Aussie students did a great job displaying Australia.


Europe was snazzy and full of attitude.


North America showed us the USA and Mexico.


The Pacific Islands booth went all out. I was quite impressed with the effort and creativity these students put into their display. Not only that, but aren't they the cutest bunch of kids?


I saved the best for last. I teamed up with students creating the the South America booth. We focussed on the countries of Peru, Brazil and Argentina. We served coffee and herva mate. These two students were a pleasure to work closely with. We succeeded in putting together a really colorful, informative booth. I <3 Latin America.




My favorite innovation of the night...


Egg crate Mancala!

I L-O-V-E it.

What a great idea! I'm definitely stealing that idea.

Where's my photo? Alas, I was the photog tonight, and I never ended up on the other side of the camera. Too bad. I was damn sexy in my sexy jeans.

Ugliest Sign in American

Samoa...

...Possibly the World.

Tradewinds Hotel, the biggest, nicest hotel on the island and owned by one of the richest families on the island. Couldn't the they get a better sign. What's up with the blue arrown pointing you towards the left but down? Is that indicating that the hotel is to the left and on the gound? Thanks for making that clear. The last time I stayed in a hotel not on the ground, I get a little motion sick from all of the bobbing.

The Clarion Hotel sign makes me think of Miss Saigon for some reason.


Maybe I'm confused.

What the hell are these?


They look like a couple of dead shrubs to me. Imagine: On a day with hurricane-force winds, they spin. YIPPY!

The part of the sign that I don't have a problem with


Black and white. Simple. Inviting.


Welcome to Ottoville.


My feelings exactly.

Kids With Knives


This week, the reason I am happy to be returning to Uganda is that kids bringing knives to school is a good thing. When the children would bring knives to school in my village, it meant that there was going to be a special celebration that included food, and there was a pile of matooke (green bananas) that needed to be peeled.

I remember seeing my neighbor's three year old son running around their yard with a big knive the first week I moved to Bulindi. I was concerned, so I walked over and took the knive from him and found his mother to return the knive and let her know that her little boy had found it and was playing with it. She looked a bit confused. I walked back over to my house, and I watch her give the knife back to him. I had a lot to learn.

For a Ugandan child, learning to use a knife is a life skill that is acquired at a very young age. Many of the foods that they eat must be peeled: matooke, sweet potatoes, cassava, Irish potatoes, yams. Young people are the ones who often are responsible for food preparation, so the children are helping out in the kitchen when they are old enough to find their way there on their own. Children with knives is a good thing. They are learning skills necessary for their well being and survival.

The peeling is usually left up to the girl children. Boys usually take care of slaughtering the animals when there is meat available. Where I lived, there were several Muslim families who sent their children to the school where I worked. Muslims don't eat meat from animals that were not slaughtered by Muslims. None of the teachers where I worked were Muslims, so when there was meat to be cooked at the school, one of the Muslim boys would be pulled out of class to do the deed.

Kids were very skilled with blades in Uganda. No one used scissors. They used razor blades when cutting papers. Parents saw nothing unusual when you instruct the kids, "We're going to the swamp tomorrow to collect reeds. Everyone bring a machete to school." The next morning, every child came to school toting his or her panga. I'd lose my job if I tried that now. My students recently complained because I made them carve potato stamps using spoons. "Mr. Hatcher, why can't we use knives?" Because your parents would have fit.

I think that it is unhealthy that kids in America are so overprotected, and it is unfortunate that teachers have to protect themselves from lawsuits, so we are not always able to use the most efficient or convenient tools. Let's be safe.

Loungin'


After dropping a couple of items off a the post office, I walked down to Utelei Beach. Today was a bit hazy, so there were not too many people out at the park. A couple of families were swimming, and there was one barbecuing chicken on a small grill by the water. The fales at the beach were vacant, so I climbed up on one to do a little reading. Some of my students are reading Secret of the Andes, a Newberry Medal winner from the 1950's. I want to get ahead of them so I can be a better guide. The sound of the waves washing up on the shore was very relaxing, and the view of the mountains across the bay was spectacular. I was only able to spend a short time there, but I found it very refreshing. I enjoy getting out of the house and just loungin' sometimes. I have a difficult time relaxing; I'm always occupied with something, physically or in thought. Taking time to observe and enjoy life is something I'm trying to learn to do.


Soon after I got back to the flat from Pago, a friend called to invite me to go with her family and some friends to Leone Falls. None of us had ever been there, so we relied on the Lonely Planet guide to get us there. NOTE TO READERS: Lonely Planet guides do not contain the gospel. They are not the Bible. I've always been a Lonely Planet fan. They are the only travel guides I use. The information contained in the 2003 guide for Samoa is a little outdated. We learned that you cannot freely approach the Leone Falls, you must get permission from the family who owns the land. There is also no swimming. Apparently, a few years ago a rock fell from the side of the mountain by the waterfall and landed on a swimmer. The family that owns the land are very hesistant to let people go back to the fall, but we were just too charming. We were escorted back to the waterfall and instructed more time than I can count that we were not allowed to go swimming. When we reached the fall, I had no desire to get in the water.

I love waterfalls. They are beautiful, and this one was no exception. However, the basin below the fall was not very inviting. It was also man made. There is a much better waterfall that is more accessible to the public (although the hike to it is more demanding), and the pool below it is natural. It's a bigger fall, and the scenery around it is much more impressive. I've made the trek twice, but I never took a camera with me. I have to get back there before I leave Tutuila.


All my Army training is being put to good use.

I have less than two months left on the island. I've done a lot in the few months that I've lived here, but there is still so much that I would enjoy doing before I leave. The Historic Preservation Office has organized a self-guided walking tour of Pago Pago. I have to do that before I leave, maybe next Saturday. If I can focus my attention long enough, I'll make a list of the things I'd like to do before I fly out.

If only I could get my life in order and make a little progress!

Let's imagine I am swamped with work. Let's say that I have a ton of work to get done this weekend. Let's say that I have a big assignment due on Monday for my UH class. On top of that, I need to get some lesson plans churned out because it's coming down to the wire, and I really want my kids to learn a thing or two. Vamos supor that I need to get my share of my group's display prepared for the international fair that will take place at the school's open house on Tuesday. I need to go to the post office in Pago Pago, I want to get ahead of my students in the the books they are reading, I need to grade exams that my students took this week, and I must, must, must watch the latest episode of Veronica Mars that we just downloaded.

If the above were true (it is), this is how I'd organize my weekend: Sit on my lazy bootay, lay myself on the sofa and watch a lot of nothing on tv, surf the net, blog, read Pink is the New Blog, eat too much junk, nap, worry about getting everything done, put everything off for another half an hour (repeat the last two steps until weekend is through). I might just end up going to a waterfall that I have not yet visited. That could be fun. Watch Veronica Mars.

Ordem e progresso.

Apparently
Australian men have quite the reputation.


As seen in store fronts around Apia, it's the word around town.
You have now been warned. Whether or not you heed the warning is up to you, but I did my part. I, personally, know too few Australian men to know if there is any truth to the rumor. I think I've met one in my entire life. I have good reason to believe that someone was quite disappointed by our Aussie brothers. But like I said, personally, I do not know. I was not there. I have never been a witness of the above-mentioned difficulty. I'm just playing my role in the grapevine. I repeat: You have been warned.

If you happen to be the disappointed, the disappointer or both, and if you become one of these in the future, I have three words fo' ya:


Sorry for you!

At this point I'd like to include a quote from Drew Barrymore as Ivy in Poison Ivy, but my mom occasionally reads my blog so I'll keep it to myself (for now). If you'd like to know what I have in mind to say, I encourage you to go to your local video store and rent the 1992 film by Katt Shea. Drew gets to make out with both Tom Skerritt and Sara Gilbert. It set Drew back on her path to mega-stardom.


I <3 Public Transportation.


Wouldn't it be cool to wait for your bus under a bus stop designed to look like a Samoan fale? I agree. Yes, it would be one of the funnest things ever! Almost as fun as:


Hello Kitty games on the back of Pop Tart boxes! How many bows can you find?

A little sightseeing,


a bit of shopping,


cheesecake,


sleeping beauties,


two little mermaids,


Mary and the little baby Jesus.



Timothy and the Case of the Missing Mattress

I had a very interesting experience on this trip. I have to say that it was a first for me. Nicole and I were staying at Outrigger Hotel. Frommer's called it "One of the best budget hotels in the South Pacific". I agree. At the least, it's quaint, clean, close to town, and has a pool. We'd already spent one night there, and we spent the day out and about and at the pool at the Kitano (where Nicole's parents were staying). We came back to the hotel to get ready to go out to dinner with Marques, and I entered my hotel room to find no matress on my bed. It was not like the bedframe was bare. No. The bedsheets were put over the frame very neatly to look like a made bed, but there was obviously something missing. I almost did not believe my eyes, so I went over to feel the hard wooden slats that ordinarily would be supporting the matress, holding it in place. So I went to find the receptionist.

I found her in the lobby, and I explained to her that the matress was gone from my bed. She looked at me with total confusion on her face and asked, "Are you sure?" Could I make it up? She insisted that she go to my room and check for herself. After she was satisfied that there was indeed no matress on my bed, she said, "Maybe it was not there last night, and you just thought it was." WTF! I assured here that there was, infact, a matress on my bed the night before, I'd slept on it, and I would really love to sleep on it again that night. She came back with, "I'm sorry. We had other guests arrive this afternoon. They needed a matress, and we gave them yours. There is another bed in your room, so we did not think you would mind." Yes, there was another bed in my room that would be used by the other person sleeping in my room. We'd booked and were paying for a double room because there were definitely going to be two people staying in the room, and we wanted two beds.

After a little negotiation and an ultimatum, a matress was again placed on my bed. I slept fantastically well that night. Case closed.

I <3 Chameleone!

Jose Chameleone, Uganda's biggest pop star, is my favorite Ugandan artist. He's got it. He's not much to look at, and I don't understand many of the words that he sings, but his songs always make me want to dance and sing along. Chameleone is this week's reason I am glad to be returning to Uganda.

I was never able to see him perform. Everytime he came to Hoima on tour I was either out of town or previously committed to something. I went to the Sean Paul concert in Kampala two years ago. Yes, I wanted to see Sean, but I really wanted to see Chameleone, who was the opening act. As luck would have it, as soon as Chameleone strutted his scrawny ass up on the stage and started to flail about, there was a sound problem, and he left the stage PISSED. No show from him.

I ran into him once at the shopping mall. It's better to see him at a distance. Whew! As I said, not much to look at.

Let's Eat!

I dedicate this post to Melissa, my eating partner.

Leaving American Samoa meant going to a place where they serve good food, something that is not fried or a sandwich. In Apia, one can find a wide variety of restaurants. The first thing Nicole and I did when we arrived after checking in to our hotel was to hit the Italian restaurant: Giodanno's. Who does not <3 Italian food? We sure do, and we ate and ate.

We were not so lucky on Friday. Nicole and I spent the day at the pool, so we ate pool food (Imagine Lucille's face here as she complains on the phone to Michael.). I ate the worst club sandwich I have ever tasted. How can you screw that up? After wandering the (ghost)town a bit, we popped into the McDonald's (I know. Don't say anything.), and I ordered a chocolate milkshake. Yuck! It tasted like the chocolate was manufactured in the Middle East. Warning: Chocolate made in Dubai, NOT SO GOOD.

Friday day night was the best! We discovered this placed called Bistro Tatau


The food was amazing. I ate some Thai seafood concoction, and Nicole ate lobster ravioli in a lime/ginger broth. For dessert we had crème brûlée and cheese cake. Heaven. Nicole and I met up with a Peace Corps Volunteer working in Samoa, Marques (Peace Corps. YAY!!!), and we invited him for dinner. Great food + great conversation = PERFECT NIGHT!


Saturday was once again spent by the pool (Different hotel. Yeah, we got around.), but I was not having pool food. We had a fantastic lunch at Sydney Cafe. Nicole and I were in a very similar mood, and we both had vegetarian Italiano sandwiches and lemonade.

At the cafe, I was inspired by the food and grabbed my camera.


I call this "Boobs and Food."


We also had a man capri encounter at the Sydney Cafe.
I think it was their uniform. Poor guys.

Dinner was fun. We found a little hole in the wall pizza place. Cheap, great, relaxed. . . A great way to spend my last night in food paradise.

I love food, but I really love good food. This weekend trip gave me what I needed to get through the next two months until I can get what I need. YUM!

Melissa: Ya feelin' me?

Guess who's back in the M-Fin' house!

Vacation, all I ever wanted...


You know, we really did not do a whole lot, and I have no problem with that. You would not imagine there would be such a difference between Samoa and American Samoa. They are populated by the same people, but for about 100 years, they have had very different histories. The differences of Apia were refreshing to me, and I am so glad that I took this chance to go for a visit.

There is so much that I want to tell, but I've had a lot to do today, and I'm preparing to retire for the night. I will make a post each day this week and fill you in on my adventure.

I <3 Samoa!!!

Three Quotes and I'm out
(Hardy-har-har-har)

Television programming arrives to the rock a tad bit late. Usually there is a two week delay, taking all the fun out of the Academy Awards. I finally was able to watch Britney on Will & Grace tonight. Amber Louise. I've read online where some people thought her character's name was a bit lame. I just have to say, "Kiss it!" I think Amber Louise is great. Being a proud Southerner, I love the two-name first names, and one of the names being Louise is just keeping it real. Side note: I remember when my little sister was born, my brothers and I were all piled into the back of my parents little, green Datsun station wagon to go to the hospital to meet the newest member of our family and see our mom. We did not know that she'd already been given a name. At the time, the very early eighties (Sorry, Melissa, I don't remember which year you were born; thus, I just kind of guesstimate your age. You're still, like 12, right?), my brothers and I were HUGE fans of the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters series. The biggest. So we were all arguing on what our new sister should be named. My older brother, Larry, insisted that she be given the monicker Barbara, and I was insistent that it were to be Louise because she was the prettiest of the three. None of us wanted her name to be Irlene. I think that needs no explaining. As you all know, my parents went with Melissa. I have no idea where the hell that came from.

Back to the quotes. . . I've been watchin' my shows, and tonight there were three quotes that were so gosh darn funny that wanted to share them with the world. . . or with the 20 visitors who visit my blog on average each day. Two of the quotes are from the Buy Buy Baby episode of Will & Grace featuring a dazzling Britney Spears. The last one is from My Name is Earl: the one that guest stars Walt from Lost. So that's where The Others took him.


"If you question our president, then you're a dirty traitor!"


"Stars and dikes forever! Where did this come from?"


"We do not snatch the bullhorn!"

_______________________________

I'm heading out for a little R&R tomorrow afternoon. It's a four-day weekend, so I'm heading over to Apia for a couple of days. I've not left this island since I got here in July. I need a little change of scenery. Since there are no neighboring cities, I'm heading to the next best thing, the neighboring island. I'm not sure if I'll be able to post while I'm away.

I'm following your words of wisdom B. Thanks for the letter! (kiss noise)

My mother, who got me into this business, always said to me, "Make them beg for me, then don't give it to 'em," but I'm not my mother. So if you beg, I'll give it to ya, and we'll have a real good. . . Beg!!!

As I've mentioned before, growing up we had a satellite dish. We could watch everything. Our parent did not approve of much (During the era of George Michael's "I Want Your Sex", MTV was completely banned. "If BYU does not allow it, then I don't allow it either." That really worked.), but we watched all we could when they were not around. My brother, Larry, introduced us to the Playboy Channel where we could see women in bikinis run through obstacle courses (and much more). Parental control devices did not to keep us off. I remember teaching my dad how they worked. It reallly pissed him off that a 12 year old could figure out what he couldn't.

Aside from from porn, having a dish meant we could see any animated feature that was made. . . Ever. We saw Herself the Elf, My Little Pony everything, Rainbow Brite, and Rose Petal Place. My brothers and I LOVED Rose Petal. My sister loved her too. . Or. . . Maybe it was just my mother and I who were infatuated. To make matters worse better, Rose Petal on Rose Petal Place: Real Friends was voiced by Marie Osmond. Being the good Mormons we were, we worshiped her. It was the best made-for-television animated feature EVER!!!

When ebay was new, I found a VHS copy of the film, and I bought it for my mother. I could not wait to view it! It had been so long. It was like candy. I'd forgotten how EVIL Nastina could be. However, nothing could beat the music of this show. I've mentioned the lyrics from this film on by blog before. I wish I could have all of the lyrics, but I cannot find them. I've googled everything I can think of to get the lyrics to no avail. If anyone out there reading this can hook me up with the lyrics, I'll add you to the list of gods that I pray to. Ah, Rose Petal:

I hope that we can all become very good friends at Rose Petal Place!

Never hear of Rose Petal? Here's a brief summary:

Rose Petal Place is a beautiful garden and home to
Rose Petal and her friends who came to life when they
were touched by a little girl's tears. She cried when she
had to move away and leave her lovely flowers. Rose Petal
loves to sing, in the cartoon she was voiced by Marie Osmond.
Each of Rose Petal's friends is a different flower and has
her own special talent or interest. Rose Petal is the music lover,
Orchid is the stylish, fashion plate, Lily Fair is a dreamer
and a dancer, Iris is an artist, Daffodil is business minded
and always carries around a calculator, and Sunny Sunflower
loves to laugh and talk and brings sunshine wherever
she goes. Their other friends include a hedgehog named
Tumbles and Elmer the Elm tree. Their enemies are
Nastina the Spider and her henchman, Horace the Fly.

I took a quiz to find out which Rose Petal character I am.


You are Lily Fair!!!


Take the What Rose Petal Place Character Are You? Quiz!

This quiz was created by Kara


I always had a crush on her!!!

Yay!!!

-----------------------------

We all needs friends. Rose Petal sang "nothing's better than friends", but some time they hurt. Friendships are not always easy to maintain, and sometimes it's not worth the effort. Everything changes, and we just have to know when to let go.


Have you ever been stabbed in the back
By someone you thought was really cool
Did they steal your heart or was it money
Or was it lies they told
Strangers just disguised as your friends
Never again cause now you know

That friends will let you down
Friends wont be around
When you need them most
Where are your friend

Friends are hard to find
Friends, yours and mine
I'm talkin bout your friends

Smiles they hide behind
Never know whats on their mind
Could be true deception
Jealousy and envy reign
They never want to see you get ahead
They just hold you back

Friends will let you down
Friends wont be around
When you need them most
Where are your friend, oh, oh

Friends are hard to find
Friends, yours and mine
I'm talkin bout your friends

Friends are hard to find, so be careful
You could find an inch or mile if I pay you
But some aint that bad, but one might back stab
To get the fake tips of what one might have
Bite the hand that feeds you, leave the people who need you
For those who hold you back and mislead you
To be a needle, dont get lead on unleaded
The wrong direction, a dead ends next then
Heed the detour, lifes like a seesaw
The ups and downs, and Ill bet therell be more
Potholes and obstacles in our path, thats righteous
At times you need a hand to fight this
Way of life, straighten up, take the door to the placid
And dont you act two-faced
Cause jealousy and envy, and you still act friendly
You could find the end and pretend to be

Friends will let you down
Friends wont be around
When you need them most
Where are your friends, yeah

Friends are hard to find
Friends, yours and mine
I'm talkin bout your friends

Used to me kiss me, tell me you missed me
But now you try to glaze me, play me and diss me
Uh, wide awake, ready to break, so we argue
What happened to the kisses, and, Why, how are you?s, yours and mine
I'm talkin bout your friends

Friends will let you down
Friends wont be around
When you need them most
Where are your friends, yeah

Friends are hard to find
Friends, yours and mine

Circle in the Sand

I had the biggest crush on Belinda Carlisle when I was in the seventh grade. I was turned on in the era of both the Heaven on Earth and Runaway Horses albums.

My jr-high school English teacher, Ms. Ruby Sue Knox, asked us one day in class to describe our dream girl or guy. When I closed my eyes, all I could see was Belinda walking on the beach. She was the pink of perfection to me, a 13 year old pubescent boy. I knew what I liked, and she was not a blonde.

What got me thinking of this former Go Go? Well, iTunes can really bring back the memories. I was walking today listening to my shuffle, and my favorite song from the Runaway Horses album came on and flooded me with memories of 8th grade, of lying to Dana's parents to get the station wagon and riding out to the beach. I'm pretty sure this was the same night that Crystal Dean flipped her little Suzuki Sidekick out at the piles of dirt behind Highland View.

Summer Rain

Whispering our goodbyes
Waiting for a train
I was dancing with my baby
In the summer rain
I can hear him saying
Nothing will change
Come dance with me baby
In the summer rain
I remember the rain on our skin
And his kisses hotter than the Santa Ana winds
Whispering our goodbyes
Waiting for a train
I was dancing with my baby
In the summer rain
I remember laughing 'till we almost cried
There at the station that night
I remember looking in his eyes

Oh my love it's you that I dream of
Oh my love since that day
Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain
Doesn't matter what I do now
Doesn't matter what I say
Somwhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain

C, I'll b bk 2 dance w/ u soon!

Just diggin' in the garden with
Comfort.

COM-FOR-TEE!!!

I mentioned in a past post that life in Uganda is simpler, yet it is not so easy. Conveniences are limited, and one has to work very hard for what he/she gets. Especially food.

This week's reason I am happy to be returning to Uganda is that I will be forced to get off of my bootay a little lot more. My days of vegging in from of the television stuffing my face are limited. Food preparation takes more time in Uganda because most things have to be prepared from scratch. Packaged, frozen and microwaveable foods are not very common. The benefit to this is that, when prepared, food tastes better and is better for you. Another benefit is that when food takes more effort to prepare, one does not sit around all day eating; and when one does papare something, he/she has already burned off so many calories in the proecess that no matter what is consumed, it usually does not leave any evidence on the body.

I had a garden for a while when I was in Uganda. Everything had to be done through man-power. After a few seasons, I decided to give it up and "contribute more to the local economy" by purchasing foodstuff from local farmers and merchants. Going to the market was an activity that I loved. I'll blog about it another time.

SCARY!


Atauloma Girls' School

Just look at it. OOOOOOOOOO! It's so scary!

To the extent that ghosts represent the past, history is haunted. And indeed unattached spirits are most often associated with places that carry some antiquity. A touch of strangeness helps, some aspect of the place that sets it aside from other places. Ghosts are cross-culturally universal, but they seem to congregate in special places.

Like Atauloma, a most renowned haunted house.

John Enright

Nicole and I, ghost hunters extraordinair.

Just look at us. OOOOOOOOOO! We're so brave!

I even wore my sleeveless ARMY t-shirt. How intimidating is that? Ghosts (and Samoan landlord who might want to chase us off for tresspassing) beware.

Let's take a look around...


It is so CREEPY inside.


Despite being completely renovated in 1970, the place is falling down. People on contract with the American Samoa Government and their families lived here until the building was condemned in 1995.

Lights on!


Lights off!


So, so SCARY, but don't turn back.

We didn't.

We read that there was an an overgrown cemetary a short distance up the hill from the school with about 20 coral slab graves. We hiked in the bush, were scratched and stabbed by branches and Nicole slid on her bum coating the backside of her jeans with mud. Did I mention that we got a fair amount of rain today? The place was damp, and water was dripping making for a very SPOOKY experience. After all that, we did not find the graves.

We did not even find any ghosts on this trip. Maybe we'll find some orbs in our photos after more observations. We are already making plans for our next visit. This visit was more successful than the Halloween one when we were chased off by local villagers. I'm sure the next visit will have us finding the graves and maybe even making contact with the other side.

So scary!


TOO SCARY!


---------------------------

I cannot end this post on such a SCARY note.

I want to leave you with pleasant peaceful thoughs.

Tonight's the night for good BJ... Ben and Jerry's that is. We went to the supermarket to buy ice cream, and I ran into a treat that brought a smile to my face, and I hope that it will also bring one to yours:


Hello Kitty!
I don't even like cats, but this Kitty sure brings a smile to my face and makes me feel warm inside. She so cute!

Nice Kitty...

PPPuuurrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Candy Everybody

Wants


Don't you sometimes just crave


???

I know I do.


Mr. Goodbar, thou art so sweet. Yes, I mean sweet in the Ugandan sense.

Sometimes it takes more than a Snickers to satisfy my craving.

Who do I turn to?

You guessed it!


It's got all I need for a nice time,


and it's packed with. . .



!!!

I've taken a long while without a real


...

I know exactly what I want.


MMM...


!!!

MMM...


!!!

You know you want it, too.

Go for it!

Feel free.



Yay!

Ain't no

SUNSHINE

when he's gone.


When you looked into my eyes, and you said goodbye
Could you see my tears
When I turned the other way
Did you hear me say
I'd wait for all the dark clouds bursting in a perfect sky
You promised me when you said goodbye
That you'd return when the storm was done
And now I'll wait for the light, I'll wait for the sun

I've been kind of occupied this evening, so I'm just going to post a meme that I got from Nicole's blog. It's fun so read through it.

Here's what you do: Put your music player on shuffle. Press forward for each question. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense.




1)How am I feeling today? Pop (‘Nsync)
2)Will I get far in life? Just Don’t Tell Me That (‘Nsync)
3)What's your current state of mind? Light in Your Eyes (Sheryl Crow)
4)How do my friends see me? Feelings You’ve Got to Hide (Side Show Soundtrack)
5)Where will I get married? Too Many Walls (Cathy Dennis)
6)What is your view of marriage? Untitled (Simple Plan)
7)What is my best friend's theme song? All or Nothing (Cher)
8)What is the story of my life? Freak Out (Avril Lavigne)
9)What is/was highschool like? You Otta Know (Alanis Morissette)
10)How can I get ahead in life? Backyard (Pebbles)
11)What is the best thing about me? I Love You (Mary J. Blige)
12)What is today going to be like? Mary’s Joint (Mary J. Blige)
13)What is in store for this weekend? Eight Easy Steps (Alanis Morissette)
14)Describe my parents? Precious Illusions (Alanis Morissette)
15)Describe my grandparents? Gloria (Laura Branigan)
16)How is my life going? What You See (Is What You Get) (Britney Spears)
17)What song will they play at my funeral? Forever (Mariah Carey)
18)How does the world see me? Santa, Can You Hear Me (Britney Spears)
19)Will I have a happy life? Hard Enough Getting Over You (Cher)
20)What do my friends really think of me? Your Little Body is Breaking Down (Evita Soundtrack)
21)Do people secretly lust after me? Paradise Is Here (Cher)
22)How can I make myself happy? Belly Dancer (Akon)
23)What should I do with my life? Catch Me I’m Falling (Pretty Poison)
24)Will I ever have children? Old Man River (Paul Robeson)
25)What is some good advice for me? Too Much of Nothing (Tracie Spencer)
26)How will I be remembered? For All We Know (The Carpenters)
27)What is my signature dancing song? Mr. Lonely (Akon)
28)What is my current theme song? On the Bound (Fiona Apple)
29)What do people think my current theme song is? The First Taste (Fiona Apple)
30)What type of men/women do you like? Let Me Be the One (Exposé)

Tia Seu Lupe
Tia'ave
Star Mound


Right down the street from the school (and my apartment) is located a star mound. I've taken my class there twice in the past two weeks since it is in walking distance. It is kind of a neat place. We went accompanied today by a guide from the Historical Preservation Office.

Star Mounds were built on Samoan islands as far back as 400 years ago. Researchers have located around 150 such mounds on the islands, but there are some who think there could be more than 1000 that have not yet been found. It has been estimated that this one was built between 100-250 years ago because the mound walls were still in fairly good condition when it was found.


The star mounds were used for the chiefly sport of pigeon catching. Different chiefs would hide themselves at different rays of the mound and use a decoy to lure unsuspecting birdies into their grasps. He who ended up with the most birds won. This sport was only practiced by chiefs. In fact, it was taboo for anyone other than a chief to eat the meat of a pigeon. That all changed when the missionaries arrived. Not only did they bring their religion; they also brought guns. The missionaries also were not very fond of the sport (heaven forbid someone have fun) and discouraged it. The combination of guns and Christian pressure led to the downfall of the sport. For a better explanation of the star mounds, visit the American Samoa Historical Preservaion Office's website.

Like many other places on the beautiful island of Tutuila, the Tiaseulupe Park is also being invaded by garbage.


God bless Samoa.

It is a crying shame. The park was leased by the government from the land owners, and Parks and Recreation is supposed to maintain this historic site. Unfortunately, it has become overgrown with bush, and the neighbors are using the park as a dumping ground. My students were outraged. I was so proud of them. They are planning a service project to go and clean the park.

----------------------------

I just watched an episode of Will & Grace, and it really depressed me.

What's wrong with me?

DIG IN!

(Meet my little friends Doreen, Birungi, and Wobusobozi.)

Put away your inhibitions, and just pick it up how you want.

This week's reason I am happy to be moving back to Uganda is the appropriateness of eating with you hands. It is not only an accepted way of eating; with many of the traditional foods, it is the only way of eating. Try eating millet bread with a fork. If I'm there, I'll laugh at you.

Eating food in Uganda challenges the idea of playing with our food. Oburo must be "played" with a little bit to ply in into the appropriate shape to scoop up beans or soup. This method of eating ensures that people observe basic hygienic practices like washing hands. Ugandans are so emphatic and picky about washing their hands before and after meals. When I lived there, I always got a good laugh out of "civilized" white people who would travel to my little area in Hoima and hold lessons on the importance of washing one's hands before eating. After attending one too many workshops dealing with this subject, I approached one of the missionaries and asked, "Have you ever eaten a meal with a Uganda?" The truth is, the average Ugandan will wash his/her hands more frequently and thoroughly in a day than I ever would and be offended if soap and water were not present when served a mere snack consisting of cookies and a Coke. So if you are reading my blog, and you are planning a mission trip to Uganda, I advise you to do a little research beforehand and try to figure out what they (our Uganda counterparts) really want to know. What they want to know is probably what they need to know right now and probably what they will absorb and actually learn and put into practice. Otherwise, you'll just be making yourself feel good for helping "poor unfortunate souls" which in the long run means nothing. Really.

There I said it.

I heard this told many times in my little 3-year tour. A Ugandan man was asked why he would not eat his meal with the provided fork. He was familiar with Western culture and was skilled in fork usage. His response was simply, "I just washed my hands and know that they are clean. You gave me that fork, and I have no idea where it has been."

'Nuff said.

----------------------------------

Next topic.

On a good day:


I <3 American

Samoa, too.

I'm going to finish this thought quickly before I come to my senses and delete it. Yes, on a good day, I love the island. It has its charm and beauty. My experience on the rock certainly has not been an easy one, but I'm glad I am having it. I have met some amazing people here. Some have been amazing but complicate, amazing nonetheless. One could not ask for better scenery when going through harshest trail by fire of his life.

I'm still trying to learn more about Samoan culture so I can appreciate the beauty that it must posses. I'm hoping that a trip to Apia will broaden my perspective and give me a better appreciation.

Steve, Cristy and I went to a place called Sliding Rock (pictured above) today. We did not know exactly why it was named sliding rock, and were having a brief discussion about the origin of the name. Steve totally busted his arse, and the debate ended there. His back flat on the ground and feet straight up in the air left no more room for discussion. Thanks, Steve, for that real-life demonstration. Now, that is authentic learning. Yay!



Bye ya'll!

Who Talks Like That?

Remember this from 1996? I sure don't, vacuum years. I never heard this ode to all things oral until last November (2005) when my friend Celeste pulled it up on her music player. I was shocked. Who talks like that?

Those of you reading this post who know me well are probably asking yourselves right now, "How could he not have heard this song until 2005? Is this another one of those two truths and a lie thingies? (By the way, in the latest episode of Veronica Mars, George Michael, from Arrested Development, leads the group of college newbies-to-be in a game of two truths and a lie. I made the post on Tuesday and Veronica did not air until Wednesday. Total (cool) coinsidence. Veronica Mars and I are so in sync.) Wouldn't "Put it in Your Mouth" be one of his life's anthems?" Yes, I must admit that I do put a lot of things in my mouth. My pens are put in my mouth. Your pen is put in my mouth if you let me borrow it. My glasses spend about as much time pivoting by a leg from my teeth as they do resting resting on my nose. I'll taste anything at least once. Spices are always sprinkled on my hand and licked. I've licked numerous deoderant sticks just to know what they tasted like.

Once I was traveling on a train in Germany. The train was packed, and all the seats were taken so I was left standing holding one of the poles near the front and center of the car. A student that I was traveling with (not really a friend, more like a colleague) was standing, too, holding to the same pole. You guessed it. I licked his hand. I'm not really sure why I licked it. I just did it. He did not seem to mind. I got a strange look or two from the people standing next to us. (Those abnoxious foreigners!)

Confession: I still chew my nails. It's gross, I know. I've made progress. Notice that I said chew and not bite. I stopped biting almost a year ago, but anytime I get anxious, stressed or nervous, the edge of my fingernail is back in my mouth. It's amazing I am not full of parasites.

Put it in my mouth!