America already feels like a distant dream and I’m right
back into my Samoan life. My host family was extremely happy when I arrived. My
entire checked bag was gifts for them! The children all got backpacks and
clothes, while the adults got purses and chocolate. It was like Christmas
morning (except in Samoa, there is no such thing as gifts on Christmas, so it
was even better)! I showed them pictures from my trip back home and they didn’t recognized me! Apparently seeing my hair down was a big shocker!
 |
| "Wait, Sala, who is the girl in red?" |
While home, I got a mini fishing rod for Christmas, so I’ve
tested out the waters. So far I’ve caught three fish, but the most impressive
thing is that I cut up one of the fish to use as bait for the others. Have I
mentioned that I’m scared of fish?! Nowadays I can hold a live fish and even
cut up a dead one (although, there is still lots of screaming involved). I
haven’t broken out my pocket fisherman in Sili yet, but the time will come.
 |
| Yes, it's a mini fish, but I'm still terrified! |
Upon arriving back in Samoa, Group 87 had our Mid-Service
Training. It was at a wonderful resort and it was amazing to be together as a
group again. Every day after training sessions, we would go in the ocean until
the sun set. The South Pacific is really a great place to watch the sun
setting! Our training involved bringing a counterpart from our schools. When
the counterparts first arrived, we did an introduction where we had to describe
our partner using two adjectives. Most of the pisikoas were described as
“hard-working” or “determined”. Well, my counterpart described me as “young”
and “skinny”, so I’m really winning at this whole teaching thing.
 |
| Group 87 after 16 months in Samoa. |
We’re already halfway through the first term of the school
year! My students were so happy to be back in school after a two-month break.
It’s nice being back this year and already knowing the teachers, the schedule,
etc. I feel much more comfortable at school and it really feels like I belong.
The teachers and I have our inside jokes. Every morning they laugh at me for
running the previous afternoon (it’s really unheard of here) and I in-turn
laugh at them for not running. We have a good system of laughing going on! I’m
still teaching pullout groups from years 4, 5, and 6. I have a total of 8 at-risk
groups and 3 advanced groups. In addition, this year I am co-teaching! So, once
a week I teach all of year 7, working together with their teacher. It’s been
very fun so far and the students are already learning a lot this year!
 |
| Miss Sala's classroom, year 2! |
