Update and Retreat Reflection

Update:
First, I am sorry for not updating. As always, time here has flown and how I've spent my time has not included a desire to blog. In fact, right now it's my inert procrastinating tendencies which help me find time to update (grades are due on Monday, the pile is increasing slowly but surely).

Life at Xavier and in Chuuk has been a jumble of ups and downs to the extreme in the past two or three months. To focus on the highs...I have been really enjoying teaching a Church History elective. Although it only meets twice a week, it has been both fun and challenging to teach some concepts (like how the Cappadocian Fathers came up with their Trinitarian Formula) which has left me feeling quite fulfilled. The Juniors I teach seem to be enjoying it, or at least enjoy my teaching of the material (a few comments about how I'm "more excited" than when I taught them Literature last year). I'm spending a lot more time in the office, rather than resource room, which has also allowed me a chance to get the students more, which is fun.
On a negative note: I never want to be a college counselor again, or perhaps its just because I'm also teaching 3 courses while being asked to fill out recommendations for different schools and summer programs. I want to, but the process is very taxing of energy and time. Frequently, it has been a struggle to discern if I should write one students recommendation, who I want to!, because of the timing.
Trying to remain present with such little time (a week or so more than 3 months!) has been easier for me than I initially expected, I think this is because there is still so much to do with teaching. For those I haven't told yet though, I am indeed planning on moving to Boston to begin the MEd program at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. I'm very excited for the opportunity lying ahead and seeing where my time in Boston will lead me next in terms of job and location.

Finally, last weekend the JVs were on retreat with our ICC, Fr. Marc. I'd like to share a short little prayer I wrote during that time, which I hope may also be something you (the reader) may pray with (I'm leaving an introduction out...). It may help to visualize the heart as a local hut (like the one on the bottom of this post):

Education.
This is what I feel called to.
My mind enjoys, but my heart needs more than knowledge.
My heart yearns to live, to sing, to dance
with Your joy and love.

Come, Lord Jesus, and enter under my roof.
I bend low, finding You are already here.
The bramble and branch are sharp, they scratch.
But you yourself have many wounds as well,
just so you could greet me within myself!

It is quiet.
You speak softly.
I long to hear the refreshing words you speak,
gentle calm, cooling as a breeze on a hot day.

Humility.
Peace.
Stay, remain with me.
Stay a while longer, so that peace may reign
over anger, fear, and doubt.

New Addition...

To this blog that is...at the very top of the page I have included a little box which should hopefully let you know the current day and time in Chuuk. Just in case you forget. A new post by Friday covering Thanksgiving holiday.

Also: Happy New Year! New Liturgical Year (Cycle A, I think) has begun!

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!