Last Week of Training:
Peace Corp Volunteer in Tonga

I feel like I finally have time to take the 10 deep breaths I have needed for two months. In a way I have just collapsed into this new perfect house and I wonder how many days it will take for me to pry myself up again. Let alone unpack! Either way I am here and I have been intermittently writing, unpacking, sleeping, and of course eating (hey this is still Tonga)

Given this time here is an update of the last few weeks after homestay.

Well after our 6 week home stay I was ready to be back at Sela's Guest House with the whole gang and have all the comforts of Nuku'alofa. The first time I walked by a falekaloa (convenience store) and noticed how much stuff they had, (not just the pure number of goods you can buy, but choices even) I thought, "Let's see am I in the mood for orange juice, or pinemango?" We were lucky to get any juice in Holonga.

Beyond material possessions we also had our friends. All 33 people not just in the same city, but in the same guest house. I was so exited to hang out with everyone. Unfortunately it was a little too overwhelming and the first two days I spent mainly in my room. I just couldn't handle everyone. The crazy part is I really wanted to hang out with someone, even two or three people. And I didn't really care which group members it was, I like everyone in the group, just not all at the same time. Luckily I calmed down and had several days of fun times with the group.

Part of the stress was just the end of training. We had our OPI language test, classes, swearing in ceremony, meeting our counterparts, shopping for everything we need for our house (which some of us have never seen before) and of course this is the last time we will all see each other for three months and that is huge after spending ten weeks living and learning with each other. Any one of these can be a big stressor but all together makes it a full crazy stressful week.

OPI was not too stressful for me because I didn't let it be. I knew that if I stressed and studied every moment and didn't talk to anyone unless it was in Tongan or we were discussing Tongan I would want to cry and my score wouldn't be that much higher so I decided to just study a little and let the test come and go as it would anyway. I don't know if my brain agreed because when I woke up the morning of the test I was studying in my sleep. I wouldn't say I was dreaming in Tongan, but going over dialogues we had practiced in my mind while asleep. Nice when your brain just studies for you. In the end maybe I should have studied more and made myself insane. I was placed at Novice High, a little low in my mind as the goal was Intermediate Mid. Oh well at least now I get extra language lessons!

The swearing in ceremony was great. The guest of honor was the Minister of Education of Tonga. His speech was reassuring, pointing out how former and current peace corps volunteers have helped students and encouraging us to do the same. Yea this is what we are here to do. After the ceremony we had dinner and my counterparts found me and invited me to talk with them after dinner. We talked a bit and watched traditional Tongan dances.
As of about a month ago all the guys (well almost all) started growing out their beards. We are Peace Corps Tonga group 73, but they decided to make it more interesting by all shaving and leaving just mustaches so we looked like Peace Corps Tonga group 1973. A lot of the women straightened and flipped their hair, I don't have enough hair to flip so I wore a headband. All together we looked almost convincing, but the real fun was just getting ready. No one person could have pulled off what the group looked like, except for Bear. He had this crazy sideburn connected to mustache in addition to brushing his curly hair, wow what a look. As soon as it was all over several guys ran to the bathroom to shave, guess it is not their style! Sai pe.

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