A thought

As I stood in the back of the school bus, praying that the light right wouldn't hold us up on an awesome day and that the bus wouldn't get in an accident (because 5 of us were standing and there were no cushions on the seats should there be an accident, which I don't think there's ever been a history of here), I've realized how fast time has gone and how adjusted I'm becoming to life in the FSM. Seeing people walking around with machetes no longer frightens me, I'm less afraid of angry dogs knowing that all I have to do is pretend to pick up a rock to send them running, and the food tastes so much better (I like sashimi now, this is a big deal). Classes will (hopefully) be easier this second time around and there are some new things happening and new people arriving at Xavier which will add to excitement and renewal of the sense of adventure. It has been nice having some faster internet here in PNI and cooking for myself, but Chuuk has become a home for me and I'm looking forward to being back home and going back to the routine of random and scheduled power outages, regular meals, and the Nesor/Nepwong annim's in the early morning and evenings with M&R.

Again, if you have e-mail, I'd love to attempt to stay in contact with people and hear about what's going on in ya'lls lives (engagements, babies, new schools, whatever). I've discovered that I'm not so great with writing letters, but much better at responding and sending e-mails.

Peace!
Mike