I had strep throat or something like it, and finally went to the hospital for antibiotics last week. My doctor's visit did not include taking my temperature or looking at my throat; so how they knew I had strep other than me asking, I have no idea. Healthcare here is certainly different, though it has its benefits.
Morgan and I went one Sunday to the Kwajelein military base, which requires a ride from Ebeye to Gugeegue and then a quick ferry ride over. To go to the base, you have to have a sponsor which Morgan already had from past months. The base was like a little bubble of America- Burger King, Subway, a cleared beach that you could actually wear a bathing suit on. We went just for the afternoon to do laundry, take hot showers, and make calls etc., but for being so close to us it certainly is a whole other world. Our sponsor was nice enough to make us up some salad goods to bring home, as fresh fruits and vegetables are really hard to find here (the base gets shipments often but only workers on the base can buy them). The day was relaxing except that when we got back to Ebeye, our ride didn't show so we had to wait in dumptown to hitch one... it started raining and we had all our clean laundry with us- it took 2 hours to find a ride!
School is going well. My students have found it entertaining that I occassionally show up at their houses now when they don't come to school. Making house visits has also showed me a new side of Ebeye, the living conditions, and family life. It has also made me realize that there are many absences that occur because the parents keep the students from going to school. One mother told me as I showed up at her house to get her son that the boy was "lazy" and not good enough for school. Shocked, I explained he is great at school and very smart.... when he shows up. As hannah montana, jonas brothers, and high school musical have hit it big here, my students have been beside themselves with a rumor circulation around Ebeye that Troy (Zac Efron) has died. They continually make me check the internet to reassure them that he is well and alive.
Around Gugeegue the water levels have gone down and some beautiful beaches have appeared. We had a tv in our apartment with a dvd player, and our neighbor just got an antenna. After thinking we broke the tv trying to hook it up to the antenna, we finally got it up and working and now have 6 tv stations from the military base. They arent any exact channels from back home just a mish mosh of news and random shows. It's nice to keep up though.
This week we had Liberation Day, which celebrates Kwajalein atoll's liberation from the Japanese by America. Each atoll has a different liberation day. The holiday is mainly focused around the schools. Wednesday we had "field day" which was a running competition between all the schools at the beach in Ebeye (there was supposed to be tug of war, muscial chairs etc. but it didnt happen). Of course, this one day took lots of preparation, so last Friday had no classes for practice (practice took 1 hour), Monday was a half day (so the one runner that was decided from each grade could practice for 10 minutes), Tuesday was no school, Wednesday was no school and was a parade of all the schools followed by the real competition for field day. No one from my class qualified to run at field day, so very few showed.
All the elementary students in green waiting for the parade to start with our float:
A few of my 5th graders:
There was also a Liberation Day 6 mile race from Guegeegue (the island I live on) to Ebeye. My roommate Morgan had been training for it, and when I found out you got paid $10 or so just for partipating, I decided I might as well walk it. About 50 or so men participated and maybe 15 women. While I hate to run and can't remember the last time I did, my competitive nature took over and my "walk" turned into a run and I placed 3rd for the women, winning $100! Morgan placed first and won $200, so we both came home happy.
Morgan and I at home after the race:
Today is Thursday, the day after Liberation Day and we were supposed to have school. I arrived at 8:00 and by 8:30 I only had 3 students. According the principal, a private school had announced no school, and all the children took it as a general no school announcement. By 9:00 we sent the few kids who showed in all grades home (though mine stayed to play games) and cancelled school. I was excited to go home early and was really sore still, but then I found a teacher meeting was scheduled for 1pm, despite school being over by 9. After 2 and a half hours of waiting around, I found out the meeting was cancelled. Though I've gotten used to it, the lack of communication and efficiency here can still be frustrating. I did finally make it home by 1, which is making for a nice afternoon.
Morgan and I have been helping our neighbors, Andrea and Terry (they have a 3 year old son, Sebastian) make wine over the past few weeks and today is finally the bottling day, so if all goes well we'll be drinking some tonight!
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