Island Update!

Yikes! I just looked to see when I wrote on my blog last and it has been quite awhile!! Let me update as best as I can on all that has been happening here in Tonga!

I have been on many adventures after school and on the weekends...really whenever we get the chance to get off of our compound here at Liahona.  A couple weekends ago we went to these caves on the north part of the Island.  The caves are pitch black except for what you can see with your flash light. When you get to the bottom of the caves there is a pool of fresh clear water.  We got to jump off of  cliffs in the caves and go swimming around for a bit.  The water wasn't as cold as we were expecting so it was doable! It was a really cool experience.  Jumping off a cliff into what looks like a black abyss is an experience I shall never forget! (I've got some pictures of us swimming in the caves but they are on my camera so I will try and add those later).

My roomies and I were invited to go to a Kava Circle this last weekend.  This was a pretty cool experience as well! Men have Kava Circles every Friday and sometimes Thursdays. They raise money for different things in their community villages.  They don't typically have women there unless she is the Tou'a which is just the person that serves the Kava, or unless they are invited guests/visitors.  So luckily my gals and I were able to attend.  It just so happens that I was the chosen Tou'a  at this Kava Circle.  So what is Kava you ask?? Its just a root that they grow here.  They grind it down to a powder and combine it with water.  This root is supposed to help you feel calm and relaxed and it also numbs your mouth for all of about ten seconds.  All the men sit in a circle passing around cocoanut shell bowls full of Kava. There are also a few of men that play ukuleles and guitars and sing.  That was a really cool cultural experience.

Me Drinking Kava! (And Tongan Man)

         

The Big Kava Bowl!

 

This last Sunday my professor asked if we wanted to go for a Sunday drive and cruise around the North side of the Island. We saw Captain Cook's Landing as well as the "Tongan Stonehenge."  One of the earlier kings built this Stonehenge thing.  We saw some locals climbing on it so we decided to give it a try as well!

Paige, My professor (Patch) and Me! (Tongan Stonehenge)

Hmmmm what else to tell you about! As far as teaching goes I am finally getting opportunity to actually my students. Thank goodness!!! I was really over observing...and sitting....  My teacher won't be in the classroom tomorrow and on a whim I told her I would take over and help the kids review for their big end of term exam that is coming up next week.  I have been really studying and catching up on chemistry.  Wish I would have payed more attention in high school! Whoops! My brain hurts from trying to study this type of nonsense.... Anyway! This review should be an interesting experience since my teacher won't be there to correct me on any content mistakes.  I'm sure the students won't mind correcting me at all! We also started my capstone and classroom management class this week so I think I am going to be a little bit busier than I have been the last few weeks! Its all pretty exciting though because we are preparing our portfolios and whatnot to prepare for graduation!! Just another step closer!

Well all is well here in Tonga!  I love every minute of everyday! I am learning and experiencing so much!  I hope all is well back in Utah! I love you all so much! Hope you enjoy the pictures.  Here are just a few more of the beautiful scenes I get to see here.

Oh! And I got to drive the truck! The wheel is on the wrong side! Kinda sketchy!