Tonga Voyaging Society

So I've always had a thing for sailing. I don't know where this affinity for anything and everything nautical comes from because I grew up in the Midwest and that just doesn't make any sense. Aside from the Great Lakes, I have not really ever lived near big bodies of water. But sailing intrigues me. There is something about paying attention to the wind and letting it guide you that is really beautiful and empowers you to get closer to nature (which I think is what a lot of us need these days!).

Aunofo (the captain) and I.

When it's not windy, the boat moves thanks to solar power!

These words represent stars and directions.

When I worked at summer camp, I loved to be on the water (when I wasn't in the art room of course). Sailing around (or attempting to learn to sail) a Hobie was so much fun. I love anchors. I love ropes. I loved watching the sailing counselors do their thing. I was jealous and was dying to learn. I only ever really got the hang of operating the jib but every little bit counts! It's all just so interesting to me. I'd like to think I was a pirate (a nice one) in a past life or something.

Detailed carvings line the boat.

I've already mentioned the Hine Moana on here. It's a Polynesian sailing vessel that was created (along with a fleet of 6 other boats) to inspire Polynesians to get reacquainted with their culture, specifically the sailing portion. These boats are replicas of the great seafaring canoes of ancient Polynesia. They are open-decked catamarans that are about 70 feet long and about 20 feet across. Besides being beautiful boats, what makes the wakas (pronounced: vah-kahs) so awesome is that their motors work because of solar power. Not only are these boats here to educate others about Tonga (and the other Polynesian nations and cultures), but a climate change/environmental emphasis is included as well.

And because I love facts so much I want to share with you another reason that these Polynesian boats are special (and the people who sail them): with no GPSs or maps (because those weren't around thousands of years ago), Polynesians needed to be creative and smart when sailing the open seas!

 Wade Davis, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, writes that the crew of these boats only use their "knowledge, and the pride, authority, and power of an entire people reborn". Faced with the vast expanse of ocean, Polynesians had to sail using "the fundamental elementary of the world: wind, waves, clouds, stars, sun, moon, birds, fish and the water itself" (Davis, The Wayfinders). These sailors would train their entire lives - testing hypotheses using astronomy, animal behavior, meteorology and oceanography. Amazing stuff.   

Here's an example - clouds provide clues to the Polynesian sailors - "their shape, color, character, and place in the sky. Brown clouds bring strong winds; high clouds no wind but lots of rain. Their movements reveal the strength and direction of winds, the stability of the sky, the volatility of storm fronts."

Mandy, why are you writing a novel on your blog? What does this have to do with anything?

Because I am going to be volunteering with the Tongan Voyaging Society until the end of my Peace Corps service (!!!!). They are in need of somebody who is experienced in social media, Tongan culture (still working on this), and who has an enthusiasm for sailing (raises hand!). I'm a little nervous, so excited and so grateful for this opportunity. Plus I get to embrace my love of sailing without getting motion sick! High five. Check out their website here.

some tuesday/wednesday advice

This week my Class 6 students took the biggest test of their lives (the one that determines what school they will attend next year). What did they do when they showed up to take it on Tuesday? They sang. They sang loud. They sang  happy songs and literally danced around the school yard. I'm going to remember this the next time I have to do something difficult - it's all about making life fun.

The Class 6 Test - Day 1

Today was an important day in Tonga.

It represents what we (and our students) have been working towards all year.

Today my oldest students took the Class 6 Test. 

Like I've talked about in other posts this test is even more intense than standardized testing in America. It determines what secondary schools students will earn admission into. The secondary school many times determines whether or not you will go abroad for university/college or any sort of post-secondary. And this is all decided when you are 11-years-old. Talk about intense.

But my students did awesome. I reminded them last week to make sure that they were drinking plenty of water, getting a good night's sleep and eating lots of fruits and vegetables (not root crop... but green veggies!). 

So today dawned and at about 8am the first Class 6 students arrived at school. The rest of the students in the school were told to stay home for the next couple days. This will give the Class 6 students plenty of quiet time to concentrate on doing their best on the exams. 

The proctors of the exams are principals and veteran teachers from other schools across the island. The thought is that this will cut down on cheating. The Ministry of Education stopped by this morning and dropped off the examinations. Today's tests? English and Science.

When the test started I asked one of my fellow teachers what I should be doing while they were taking the test (since I'm not allowed in the room). They motioned to my classroom and said "go and sit in there". I walked to my classroom door to find that all of the tables were taken out and that I was being recruited (unbeknownst to me) to serve kava to all of the men who had a child currently taking the test. Sweet deal. So I did some leg stretches, said a big malo e lelei (hello) to the men and sat down. The town officer handed me a giant cake with frosting and sprinkles and told me that that was my payment for serving kava. Thank you, Alavini. Then I spent the next 3 hours serving kava to the ministers, the town officer, a fellow teacher, the dads and the grandpas of the children taking the test. 

Discussing the tests and what's been going on in the village.

Chatting away.

My view from the kava bowl - the cups are made from coconut shells and the bowl is carved from wood

The conversation was interesting - topics ranged from talking about the tests, to rugby, even to my marital status. At one point an older gentlemen (who had a grandson taking the test) inquired about my age. I replied with "29" and he said, "Really? I'm only 28. We should get married. You like younger men, right?" All the men started laughing, throwing their heads back in the air. Not only was this man probably close to 70 years old, but he also has a wife. The men then encouraged me to up my efforts and find someone to marry right here in my village because it would make me less homesick (I'm not), a better Tongan speaker (ok, maybe) and cause me and to gain weight (Just what I've always wanted).

When men want kava they will clap. You continue stirring the kava until everybody has been served.

The town officer - Alavini - is in the center of the picture.

So after 3 hours of kava and va'e ma'mate (dead legs), I excused myself and went and sat with Ane (my counterpart) and talked with her about the test. We went over the English portion and found that what I had been teaching all year was right on par with what appeared on the exam. Fist pump. It was such a good feeling. When lunchtime rolled around Kalo (Caroline) a little 2-year-old cutie patootie in the village found me and wouldn't let me put her down. We split a nesi (cross between a pear and an apple) and just hung out. Every time I  walked across the school yard to talk to somebody else she would come running at me with her arms spread wide and jump into my arms. I love little kids and their enthusiasm. Hugs are nice too!

Tonight my village will feast to celebrate the end of Day 1. Tomorrow the students will take their Maths (they add the "s" here) and Tongan Language tests.

My Happiness Project: September/October

So another month in Peace Corps has come and gone and with it another month of the Happiness Project. Man. Learning to love yourself and be happy is such a ride. Some days you feel like you are at the top of a beautiful look out and just loving everything and other times you feel like you're out of control and not sure where you're going... trusting that your path will lead to something.

Here are the themes I've determined for my Happiness Project for the next year:

August: Vitality.

September: Love.

October: Work.
November: Lighten Up.
December: Play.
January: Friendship.
February: Self Love.
March: Money Matters.
April: Contemplate the Heavens.
May: Grow.
June: Attitude.
July: Happiness.

Here's a review of September
My resolutions:
Exercise better: I have continued my yoga practice and training for a multi-sport race that is on October 5th in the "big city" on my island. Aside from a couple bouts of sickness, I kept true to this one.
Proofs of Love: I found myself looking for ways to tell others that I appreciate them - whether through compliments, baked goods, facebook messages, etc. it felt good to let others know how much I appreciate them.
Quit complaining: This was the hardest. I used to think I was just sharing statements of fact when I'd say things like "It's so hot" or "That's so expensive!" but I'm not really adding anything positive to the world when I talk like that so I'm starting to catch myself and stop it, but it's way harder than I thought!
Thank people: This one was fun! I went about my day and sometimes thanked people for the littlest things (and occasionally people would question why I was thanking them for such a small thing), but showing gratitude is important and something that I think I need more of in my life.

So what's up in October?
Theme: Aim Higher (Work)

Resolutions:
Enjoy NOW. I have always been somebody who looks towards the future or dwells on the past. I don't ever seem to be content with where I am. Sad, right? But I don't think I'm alone in this. Comments like: "I will be happy when I lose 20 lbs." "I can't wait to get married." "After Peace Corps I will..." but all they do is take you away from here. And HERE and NOW is all you have. You aren't promised the next minute, next hour, next day. Here is where I need to be. I'm finding that through meditation, yoga, and reading so many self-help books that I could open up my own library, I'm getting there. I find myself enjoying the small things, not worrying about what will be (because I know it's going to be awesome and I'm creating my own path). I've let go of the past and what remains are lessons and memories that I will take with me.
Learn more about yoga. I want to learn a new pose each week and learn more about the other 7 limbs of yoga besides asana (poses). Yoga is exciting and so addicting.
Enjoy the fun of failure. I want to let go of fears I still have when working through Peace Corps. I am finding the more I "put myself out there" the more rewarding this experience is. And this hasn't been easy. There are times though that my projects, ideas, meetings don't go as hoped but I can find joy in that too!
Do only one thing at a time. This will be the hardest resolution by far. I am a multi-tasker. I constantly have 3 or 4 things going on at once, but I want to see what will happen when I concentrate on doing one thing at a time. Will I be more focused? Will I notice things that I may have missed by working on too many projects? Will I do more fulfilling work? Who knows!

Happy October, friends!
Thanks for letting me share about this. It helps me feel accountable.

 

The Story of Mt. Talau

This might be my most favorite Tongan tale yet.

Here it goes.

There is a "mountain" (I use quotes because I don't consider it a mountain, even though Tongans do) in Neiafu called Mt. Talau (pronounced: Tah-la-ow). 

What is unique about this landmark is how flat the top is.

Mt. Talau is right above the red flowers in this picture.

See? Pretty flat right?

Anyway, apparently Mt. Talau wasn't always flat and that's the story I am here to tell you today.

(Mom, turn off Criminal Minds and devote your full attention to this... it's pretty good stuff)

Once upon a time the Tongan Gods started bragging about how they had the highest mountains in the entire South Pacific. They were proud and wanted to let everyone know about the beauty of their island nation. However, the Samoan Gods disagreed.

In fact, the Samoan Gods were mighty upset that the Tonga would claim such a title so in the middle of a moonless night a Samoan God came to Vava'u and found Mt. Talau.

He began sawing the top of Mt. Talau off, but was not quiet enough.

He woke up a Tongan God who was not very happy. But by this point the Samoan God had already lifted the top of Mt. Talau from its perch and was carrying it over the water.

One of the Tongan gods heard him and remembered a unique and important fact about Samoan Gods: they hate sunlight because it causes them to turn to stone, so they only come out at night.

So the Tongan God did the only thing he could think of... he dropped his pants and mooned the Samoan God. With the Tongan's butt high in the air, the Samoan God became so frightened (thinking that he had come into contact with the sun) that he dropped the top of Mt. Talau in the water creating a new island.

This island is still around today and is known as Lotuma (pronounced Low-two-ma).

The End. 

And now you know.

in order to be, you must do.

in order to be, you must do.

all great things start from that one adventure. that one dream. that one idea. that one step.

 to adventure is to find yourself whole.

to adventure is to have a story at the end of all of this.

 the places you see, the things you make and the people you meet will fuel you forever.

 choose to see beauty where others see none. and strive for greatness always.

 do more, be more.

 be okay getting lost...

 ...and explore always.

Tapana.

In celebration of a year of Peace Corps completed and as a way to get out and do something fun before the big Class 6 test this week, we went to Tapana.

Tapana is a small island located off of Vava'u Lahi and is home to Maria and Eduardo, a fun couple who moved here 20+ years ago from Spain.

Maria used to be a professional flamenco dancer and is an amazing cook and Eduardo is quite the musician. The evening was full of friendship, laughing and great paella. 

The Vava'u Group (+ Michael who was visiting from Tongatapu)

 Harrison and I.

 Great dance skills.

 Smiling faces.

 Good times.