Throw away your television…

Is the song I currently have in my head, by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Why?” you may be wondering. Quite simply because we’re reading what may be one of my favorite books again in Sophomore Literature: Animal Farm. I’m asking students to pick a song they think is/can be used as propaganda and explain why. Yes, I would let “Throw Away Your Television” count.

In short: I am really enjoying being a second year teacher and JV, although I have discovered that I am still probably just as busy as ever now that College Counseling has passed on to my responsibility and certain JV activities (ie, Language Training) are very hard to coordinate. In regards to College Counseling: it is amazing what plans some of our students have as their goals and it is humbling to be a part of their process (as well as more than a little stressful, for students and teacher alike, thanks to things like the SAT and TOEFL).

One thing I have been thinking and praying about lately is what it means to be a teacher and seeing the face of Christ in my students. Students expect and want the best, they are demanding of time and energy. But why shouldn’t they? This is what God expects of us, and if I see Christ in the faces in the classroom, in offices, around campus, then I will be energized for work: to come up with ideas and work within and outside the class that will help each person become who he or she is with an understanding of both the world around them and the life within them. Yes, this may mean giving up some of those things that I find comfort – I would love to sit and watch a DVD, but why do that alone when I can be in my office with the door open for students who may want to stop by just to know there is someone there? The anticipation of grading can be dreadful, but students want feedback.

Even if the work of a day seems fruitless, simply being present for students whose lives are being filled with almost constant change – changes in culture thanks to Westernization, changes in themselves thanks to adolescence, changes in school policies, faculty, family, whatever it is – is an opportunity to remember that Jesus wants company. This begs the questions: How can I be more present to students? How can I be most loving? How can I make sure my lessons are student-focused and Christ-centered? How will I continue to do this and keep it up, when it's a Tuesday night and the week seems like it will never end? No answer other than to say: I'm sure the grace of God will keep me moving when it seems like I can't go, and I am glad that there is community for support and sharing.

Kinamwe. Peace.

Lots of Events!

When new JVs arrive, second years are asked to put on a "phase-II" orientation in which we offer opportunity to give a more in-depth orientation regarding specific site placements. For Chuuk, this includes myself and the Saramen second years. All of the FSM JVs arrived only 3 weeks or so ago, and time has flown! Here's a little bit of info on things we've done:
1) Gone over some Micronesian Counselors from MicSem and talked about them and culture.
2) Went to an ordination Mass on island. It was originally supposed to be on a Mortlockese island, but was moved to Weno. Coolest moment was seeing the ordinand being processed in by his family after the homily and then afterwards listening to some good singing from youth groups (Tonoas did great).
3) 50th anniversary of Sr. Faustina's vows. It was a bit hectic getting there, but it was a splendid event. The Mass lasted two hours, after starting a few hours late (typical), and was filled with beautiful singing and an unexpectedly large amount of local food.
4) The 16th was the 1 year anniversary of my host father's death (I had never actually met him). It was difficult to tell if it was a particularly sad event or just a simple time to remember him. I know it was difficult for at least a few members of my family. After the lunch offered, I got to spend the night with my family (two nights actually). It was nice (for me at least) to learn a little more Chuukese and spend time with everyone and a few new family members who came in for the anniversary.

In other news, the school week starts in just over a week on the 31st!

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

Forgot one other couple!

Congrats also to my cousin Cara and her husband Caleb (I hope I spelled that correctly), who were married last weekend!

New post possibly on Sunday (your Saturday) before heading back to Chuuk).

Kini...Kasalelie!

Whoops, almost said Kinisou! I am currently in Pohnpei, the capitol island-state of the FSM working with the High Achievement Program, a Xavier-Pohnpei Catholic School summer program for students going into eighth grade. As you may or may not know, each island state has a unique language. My time here has been fantastic so far, living in a new summer community with Jessica (from Chk-Saramen) and Samantha (from PNI). We head back on August 1st for Chuuk, just in time to make sure we're ready for the NJV's!

What's happened since the last post? A lot!
I guess start with end of the year activities at Xavier.

My final exam experience went much smoother than last year, partially because we didn't have the difficulties of the database crash and also because I finally figured out how to make easy-to-grade exams (but, of course, they still required some knowing!). I received some personal affirmation in seeing how much many of the students learned and what they took out of their year and courses.

After finals, we had a big senior dinner with the staff which was fun. I cooked pizza for the first time in about a year and it was great. Steph even taught me how to make the dough a bit better and how to form it without a rolling pin!

Graduation, which is put on my the Junior class was also fun, exciting, and as all things seem to be, hectic. President Mori came as the commencement speaker and gave a nice speech. I was very impressed that both he and Fr. Rich talked about freedom so much (what does it mean to be free? what does it mean to be responsible people?), a topic I discussed with the graduates in religion class (ooo, so it's not just some weird thing Mr. T talked about!). After the graduation, we had some downtime until the big dinner, which included a bit of local food and music. The students sang some of their own songs on the CD that they just put out (XP 4, or Xavie Productions 4...don't worry, I bought a copy for you all to listen to when I get back home). You could tell it was a better sweet experience for the graduating seniors, but the atmosphere was overall a joyful one of celebration.

After graduation, was relaxing for a bit. Finished up grading, cleaning up the office (oh boy, was it messy!) and hanging out with everyone as well as the slow good-byes to those who were leaving for home.

Eventually, the JV office rolled around for the annual Re-O/Dis-O retreat which was held on Pisar. It was a great experience, both in terms of location (Pisar: the most awesome place on the planet), the company, and the reflection. One memorable moment: the sand sort of just dropped and one point, and we realized it was really fun to just run into the water and fall in. This entertained us for HOURS. :)

A few days after Pisar, Jess and I left for Pohnpei. We found ourselves in awe at the contraptions in the airline magazine and, when we landed, a bit taken aback by the speed of cars on Pohnpei thanks to paved roads (seriously? The cars can go over 25 mph? That is FAST!!). While here, I've gotten to spend some time at MicSem (which is actually where I'm typing now), as well as see some of the sights (Nan Madol, via a HAP field trip; some waterfalls, etc). It's relaxing. Perhaps one great thing here is I get to cook. Although I've discovered I'm not horribly inventive, eating something not that I usually eat at Xavier has been nice (at Xavier, the food is prepared for us and we have a regular schedule, it's wonderful, but breaking out of the cycle is nice too). I've even learned how to make Teriyake burgers!

Again, in August the NJVs are coming out. The biggest event is, if it works out, a trip to the outer islands for an ordination on Etal. We'll be taking a big boat. More on that after it happens!

This year has been great. And not necessarily in a "fun, happy" great way. This year has been incredibly difficult, with huge highs and very low lows. But in each, God has been present and helping me grow in each thing. As the next year makes its course, I'm sure this will only continue and perhaps even be amplified as I continue to get to know my students and community more.

A shout out to Erin and Dave; Tommy and Jackie; Andy and Holly; and Brian and Amanda on their new married life together. I’m praying and thinking of each for each of you!
Peace!

Simple Teaching?

Far be it from me to do a post two days in a row (has it been two days? I really don't remember). But today during 4th period I was hit with a sudden realization, which is the purpose of this inspired blog post (as I was typing this, I had a sudden loss of sanity due to a request from a student, so if this seems disjointed and funnily worded, that's why...I'm just finding many things funny at the moment).

Here at Xavier, it becomes very easy to ponder if one is "living simply" as a JV. We get our $60 a month, but we also have our laundry done for us by a worker and all of our meals are prepared for us every day. We have internet access and a number of movies and other things at our disposal to spend time with each other as a faculty and unwind from our 12-14 hour a day schedule of work.

However, today I think I got a glimpse of what "simple living" really means, particularly from a teaching perspective. You see, currently our generator only covers half of the school due to the engine getting weaker, and we chose that half to be the main building where the administrators work and we teachers do our lesson planning and printing. Unfortunately, it does not include 7 of our 8 classrooms, nor does it include our computer lab. So for four hours of the school day as well as past 8 pm, only part of our campus has power. As I was teaching fourth period in a classroom dimly lit and incredibly warm due to lack of lights and ceiling fans, I was realizing that at Xavier we are somewhat forced to live and teach simply. Not only that, but I realized today that I never teach in the same classroom twice in one day, meaning that I must always be re-writing my notes...unfortunately no overhead projector and even if we did it wouldn't work without power, and where exactly would I get the transparency sheets? I *could* do some powerpoint with a laptop, but having 17+ students trying to look at a 17" monitor is not always easy (difficult to actually see the notes).

Today, I had a paper due for the Juniors. To say the least, it was a comical and frustrating experience as they had very little class time to actually type their final drafts due to 1) the power and 2) the lab being already in use by other teachers who signed up before me. I blame the power for most of this frustration but at the same time can't help but laugh at this whole situation and think to myself: I wonder what teachers back home would do in these situations? Would they not know what to do? Would they be just as crazy as me right now? Or would they be calm and composed and able to easily handle these situations? I don't know (if any teachers want to answer in the comment box, that would be dandy). Perhaps this is cultural, but I'm amazed that students share their USBs so much. This causes issues throughout a paper writing process of needing to find the person with the USB that has a paper or research on it as well as a plethora of other complications. I can't help but laugh at it all right now.

If that sounds like a rant, very sorry...just trying to explain what simple living may mean up here at Xavier.

One last thing: I am realizing how much something which has become so obvious and simple to me must have been taught to me at some point in time...Apparently I completely forgot to tell the Juniors that a Works Cited page should be done alphabetically. Good to know that i still have things to teach them for this next paper! I understand that first year teaching is a time of learning what to do; but there is a type of desolation that comes with knowing that the mistakes come at the expense of those I am teaching right now!

Ok, another thing: this Thursday afternoon and Friday is Track and Field Day. Looking forward to seeing how our students do and how the other high schools do. Rather than have track and field meets against one school, we have them all at once!
Next week I'm going to be on the Junior's Emmaus Retreat. Stoked! It's basically like a Kairos retreat. Please pray for our students especially next Thursday through Sunday.

Ok, I think that's all.

Some poems

No, not by me, but the students! (Happy Easter, by the way!)
These poems are from last quarter as extra credit assignments for English Skills. They had to incorporate vocabulary into a story or poem. Most chose poem. Here are a few...

The world is corrupted
rancor filled the hearts of the people
guns are fired, bloods are everywhere
who would accede to a world like this?
What about the leaders?
Are they such cheaters?
The people don't listen
not even the demagogue can be recognized
kids vituperate adults
thinking it's a saccharine thing to do
but I bet you
if you pore over the law book
you will be amazed
at the highlighted phrase
that says "to abuse verbally
is not of paramount importance."
Some used calumny to make a distance
between groups of people.
What's wrong with the world??
Why are people using malediction
to make someone cold
is it to cause corruption?
The government can't husband well
making the society dwell
many are hated
because of their hubris created
no lithe movements are seen
everybody is frightened
no one has great aplomb
that they could make a change
nefarious deeds can't be change
the good image of the world is being sullied.

----
"For my Love Has Gone with the Plane"
My heart beats with abandon
Actuate pain when you're gone
your love forgo me and expunge me
my eyes are razed and my heart can't see
For my love has with the plane.

I know I'm tawdry in your eyes
But you forego me and go with other guys
It is a total gauche to my heart
Oh my tortuous heart has torn apart
For my love has gone with the plane

What should I do to stymie you girl?
Rapacious words or a beautiful pearl.
Your love is untoward for me
Oh why am I in pain for thee?
For my love has gone with the plane.

It is an onus to jump off the zenith of Fonachaw
My pain piles up to a palimpsest now
For my love has gone with the plane.
---------------------
The elephant danced with abandon.
He was at the zenith of his dancing career.
His rapacious love for peanuts
stymied the blood pressure of his heart.
He danced with gauche,
showing his palimpsets fats
which razed the audience down to their feet
His clothes were tawdry!
Making him untoward.
The judges fore[went] his silly dances
and decided to forgo him.
The onus of owning this elephant
has actuated his owner
to expunge him, for his dance could not meet the
standards of the tortuous dancers.
-----------

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did :)