Food and wish list :)

Food I miss...
My dad's cooking
Chik Fil A nuggets, waffle fries with polynesian sauce and milk shake
Cracker Barrel veggie plate with cornbread, biscuit, apple butter and sweet tea
Biscuitville biscuit
Bojangles
Kings Inn
Thanksgiving turkey, green bean casserole, stuffing, pumpkin pie with cool whip
and so much more...

Some of you have asked what to send...Here's my wish list :)
dried fruit
condiment packets
syrup
hot sauce
sealed candy
small snack packs
contact paper
magazines (time, snowboarding, Nat'l Geo(we get Newsweek)
outdoor thermometer
doritos or sunchips
anything that does not need refridgeration
air freshner (not the spray kind, the ones that you stick or stand)
PICTURES OF Y'ALL
I know there is more but I can't think of them right now! Anything is wonderful to receive over here. THANK YOU for the packages and letters...Heather (Triplett) McNamara, Timeri & Jon, Hagan, April, Annie, Lauran and of course MOM, my cousins Monica and Robert Li.

Lindsay's correct blog address

The Chi-town gal, Lindsay, who I've talked about has a blog with a few pics up. Sorry I haven't been able to post but it takes way too long here. They will get up there eventually.

lindsaypeacecorps.blogspot.com

My last day in Port Vila

There is so much I want to tell y'all but time in the city is limited so it will come later.

Today is my last full day in the city...6 other volunteers have left and it was sad to see them leave. We will all see each other again in March for ESC (Early service conference). Our group has bonded and everyone is so vastly different in personality but the path we have chosen connects us. This can easily be said for my NC friends and Chi-town crew...and I wish so much that y'all could be here...or that I can beam myself to y'all for a hug right now.

I'm excited but terrified about life in Tahi, Paama. Will I fully integrate? Will my Rural Training Center succeed? Will my physical limits be stretched to a breaking point? Will I miss home too much? The language is actually so easy (which is a blessing) but it's hard to express yourself fully. One word can have a multitude of meanings so there are few adjectives to describe things.

I am getting a solar power panel so I will get some power in my house...just one lightbulb and my laptop. I'm hoping to find a fan today. SUMMER is definitely here and it's so odd. Christmas music and summer just don't fit. I heard Chi-town had a downpouring of snow and I can just imagine being all bundled up with hat, scarf, gloves, coat drudging to work in the blistering cold but beautiful snow. I never would have thought I would miss that...but I do so much.

I will post my satellite phone # and email address in the right margin...I can receive texts and calls. And this will save my sanity. I will of course appreciate snail mail so if you would like to write my address is also in the margin.

Amy Chan
Peace Corps Volunteer
Liro, Paama
Republic of Vanuatu
Phone: 00816-4148-7746
email to come

Missing home...

The Prophecy of TAZ

Okay...so Lindsay (gal from Chi) and Mariel have given me the name Taz. How fitting some of you are thinking now. Bouncing off the walls, hyper and happy. As you may know now, I am in Port Vila for the weekend and enjoying "city life". Have gotten to know some other Peace Corps Volunteers. Oh, I still need to upload my entries about our swearing in ceremony and that we are officially Peace Corps Volunteers now and not just trainees. Hip hip hooray!!! (Our trainer actually let that chant) So, life is great right now with showers (hot and cold), toilets, ice cream, A/C, cold drinks and English speakers. Fantastic. Even going to get sushi tonight. 2 more days of luxury...then off to Tahi, Paama.

Took our 21B group to eat chinese food and we had a feast...family style of course with the lazy susan...there were 13 of us and I was soaking up all the chinese I got to talk with the owner and her family...made me miss my family and my dad's food! What I would do for that right now.

Spent the past few days shopping for stuff...house stuff and there's no Target or Walmart to buy everything but there are Chinese shops that have pretty decent stuff. I'm looking forward to getting my house set up...so nesting will do me good when I get to Tahi and the entire country of Vanuatu is on holiday until end of January practically. Truia! (that's an affirmation in Bislama) So, since it is summer here on the southern hemisphere, we have hot, sunny holidays...a far cry from the blistering cold of Chicago. Because of this heat and the holidays...Ni Vans do not do alot of work during Dec and Jan. It's spel (rest) time in Vanuatu...so no matter how bad the mosquitoes and heat are, I know I should appreciate the "vacation" time. Remind me of that when I have my second breakdown :)

I will write more later and appreciate your emails...if I don't write back, try me again just in case I didn't receive it. Use amyhchan@gmail.com until Dec 5 and volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov (sub: AMY) after Dec 5.

The Journey

There have been current volunteers in the training village and they have been wonderful... technical training for teacher trainers, IT and RTC (Rural Training Centers, that’s me) There are three girls who have also taught us book making, sewing, cooking and other creative activities…it has been such a release and so refreshing. Therapy. It will help me get through the next two years.

Janey, one of the trainers has been a blessing. She’s in her 30’s, from ATL, yoga instructor and we have similar paths. We’ve been doing yoga and talking about the “spiritual journey” that Peace Corps can be. I’m sorry if this is cheesy for some of you to read but I’ve come to realize that not only am I here to help the Rural Training Center and my new community but I am here for me…to find my inner self, to absorb, think, read, write, meditate, pray and create. What I do each day is my choice instead of being dictated by my Outlook calendar. I must embrace it. This won’t be easy and of course my physical wimpy-ness may be my downfall!

And then there is Dominique who has shown us an amazing side of Vanuatu...the bountiful and enormous Pacific Ocean is her playground. We snorkel and she points out all the sea -life...starfish, huge clams, sea turtle and even sharks. AND kava. She is the co-chair of the kava guild and gave us the official intro to the kava world. Thank you, Dom.

Mark my words, despite breakdowns, I will get through these two years. There, I said it. I have to say that getting emails from you all are so wonderful…my sanity is revived and my mental stability balanced. Thank you.

We are sworn in officially as Peace Corps Volunteers on Thanksgiving, then a few days in Port Vila to buy things for our site, enjoy the city, take showers, use the internet and eat ICE CREAM! I believe I leave for Tahi, Paama on December 2 and the two years will finally begin…ready or not.

So, what am I doing here?

So, more details about what I will be doing work-wise. I will be supporting Edward Harris the Vaum Rural Training Center Manager with teaching, operations, recruitment of students (there are none!), teacher training and other income generating projects. The RTC was started in 2005 by Jamie, a past volunteer and since then there has been another teacher but following him, two trainees who went to wokabaot but ETed (early termination) afterwards for various reasons. So…the RTC has not had students for over a year it needs some maintenance. The walls are cinder block grey and too dark…so I hope to paint them white as my first project.

The RTC is essentially a vocational school for the community and school drop outs to learn skills that can be used to sustain the local economy/village. Classes offered include carpentry, business skills, home care (cooking/nutrition, sewing) and mechanics (although we don’t have a teacher yet). I still need to figure out how mechanics works since there are no cars on the island…just boat engines and a few generators. I also didn’t notice much equipment so resources are limited. There is an association that supports RTCs called VRDTCA (they call it vodka essentially :) with teacher modules and how to obtain funding. Graduated RTC students then get certificates from VRDTCA that can be used to strengthen their resume.

Edward and I will be visiting nearby villages to recruit students and I also want to survey locals on what is needed.

We are learning about income generating projects next week and I already plan to do a sewing workshop. I also want to look into a faol (chicken) project in order to build a hen house for chickens to lay eggs and then sell them at the mama’s market along with the crafts from sewing. There is a nearby fisheries board that has an ice machine so that local fishermen can get money for their fresh catches which are flown to Port Vila for sale. There’s also a need for awareness workshops to encourage kava, sandlewood and vanilla growing but it’s more long term. Kava takes 3-5 years to grow!

Sorry, I rambled but I am pumped about the opportunity at the RTC. More on it once I am at site.

OHBAMA!!!!!

Read Obama’s victory speech at Grant Park…to think it was just blocks away from my office downtown! One part made me cry...Not only did he speak to me as a proud American but he says…“And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores…to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.” The moment that I heard Obama won was in Tahi, Paama…drinking a shell of kava with my host papa and my counterpart walks over with a static-y radio tuned to Air Vanuatu. It was night, there were no lights, just the stars and crescent moon above looking down at my story. It was surreal.

I have loved the emails I’ve received about your elections experiences. Both Timeri and Rob out there bringing in the votes! So proud of you for your commitment! I drink a shell to you!

Paama...home sweaty home

First a little about Paama...

It is a small mountainous island of only 32 sq km. It's of volcanic origin as is most of the South Pacific with five mountains that run the length of Paama. 21 villages comprise Paama and Tahi, the village in which I will be living is on the side of a cliff with a small view of the Pacific Ocean and black sand beach with about 100 inhabitants. Economic activities include farming (yam, island cabbage, manioc, taro and banana), bread bakers, kava and fishing.

There are no motor vehicles…only walking on Paama which is great…less pollution! There are no cell phones yet but there is talk of a provider coming soon to Paama. I will have a land line close to my work/home and possibly a satellite phone so I can make/get calls! Yay. Mom, start researching phone cards to call Tahi, Paama.


Liro is the closest "big village" in which there is a mama's market and some small stores though only open on Tuesdays and Fridays. Julie, another PCV is currently living there now but she is leaving as soon as I get there :( There is one Registered Nurse and one policeman in Liro.

My counterpart is Edward Harris, the Rural Training Center (RTC) manager. The training center has two classrooms and has courses in carpentry, mechanics, home care, business studies and English. I will be assisting Edward to evaluate, implement and monitor the business practices of the programs as well as with grant writing/sourcing funds, teacher efficiency, team teaching and marketing classes to other villages. There is a list of 14 duties but I won't bore you with them now…

Took a small 8 seater puddle jumper airplane to Paama. The pubescent Australian pilot even read the paper while the plane was on autopilot! Pics to come to prove it. The 45 minute flight is inspiring with views of Lepevi volcano, expansive reefs and bushy stalks of broccoli top islands. We landed on a short grass runway...man it was crazy but safe. When I arrived to Paama, there was a short walk on the black sand beach with warm grey and burgundy lava rocks and cow chomping nearby. We boarded a boat which took us to Tahi, my village...about a 15 min boat ride away. My counterpart Edward Harris greeted us and we were welcomed at my host family's house.

My host papa Asyiah is a fisherman (we ate fresh fish daily), involved with local politics and knows custom medicine...usually this involves using a special local leaf (not what you think... more details to come). They talk Bislama only so I get about 70% of the conversation at this point. He loves to storian (story-on i.e. chat) and he had much to share. Eva is host mama, generous and sweet then daughter, Lisa (age 4), a couple cousin brothers and cousin sisters. Leweia (age 28) will definitely be my tawi (ie buddy) and we laugh and poke fun of each other. There's 2 little bros (age 7 and 11). I also have another cousin sister Carlene (age 17) who just helps Leweia in the garden.

Carlene and I took a walk inland toward a few other villages and we walked no more than about 40 minutes and she turns to tell me that this was her first time ever in that village! I about fell out. After traveling thousands of miles, taking a 12+ hours flight...she had never been to this nearby village just a quarter of a mile away. wow.

We then headed to the shore and climbed boulders along the ocean to reach her family's village. All of these villages were quiet and most people were up in their gardens. Houses range from some cement/cinder semi-modern houses to custom houses similar to where I live in my training village. There are separate enclosed structures which are kitchens marked by dark and sooty walls from the open fires for cooking. They also use earth ovens where hot lava rocks (similar to charcoal) are placed in a wide hole in the ground, then food that is being cooked (usually lap lap or meat) is laid over the rocks and then rocks over the food. A sink is made up of two xlarge wide bowls that are filled and dumped each time...one for washing and the other for rinsing. Most villages either have a rain tank where water is collected and stored or water from a spring. I have a spigot with drinkable spring water luckily.

So my host family fed me well...fresh cucumbers, the sweetest pineapple I've ever tasted, cabbage salad, lap lap (more on that later), catch of the day fish, chicken and rice. They were wonderful and will be my saving grace...

My first Peace Corps breakdown happened during this visit...mosquitos were relentless that day, the heat was sweltering, I was dirty, amongst new people speaking another language (they have their own dialect, Paamese), a few issues with my house and just overwelmed. While I was melting and scratching away, I called my mom and dad to check in. My dad tells me that he hopes I am not suffering and that I can come home if I wanted. This was the first point that I considered it. Tried April to wish her a happy birthday but didn't catch her. Called Hagan's house and just broke down...she eased my insecurities but this was my first test, my first bump in the road and I am still here...it just jarred my sanity and I know that it will not be the last.

On a happier note, when I flew back to Port Vila, I got to stay the night and go out with some current volunteers. Some of who are COSing (close of service) and returning home...to talk to them is to envy them. Not just because they are going home but because they made it. All 27 months. We had kava, went to a nice waterfront bar, talked and danced the night away. Late night food too. Bedtime at 230a. This has been the latest I've been out my entire time here! Shut eye is usually by 930.

Today we went to Le Lagun, a resort hotel with several overlapping pools, view of the lagoon, drinks, food, ICE and hot shower. Not but 12 hours ago, I was sitting with my host papa and counterpart having a shell of kava listening to a static radio, staring up at the southern stars and realizing a clossal event was happening on the other side of the world. Obama is president. It was a surreal moment.

So, I jammed alot in here...thanks for reading. It's therapeutic to get it out. A few other volunteers just got back and we are sharing stories in the PC office...not wanting to go back to our training village. (driver Matthew is asleep)

Thanks for those who hollared on facebook...the support is keeping me on track. I will have some time in the city in a week on Saturday then swearing in on Thanksgiving. After that we have a few days in the city to prepare for our departure to our sites early Dec where we will be until March when we have Early Service Conference (ESC).

Missing home...

Bislama language lesson 2

We are actually extremely lucky that the language here is Bislama...a quick history lesson (courtesy of Wiki) During the period known as Blackbirding, in the 1870s and 1880s, hundreds of thousands of Pacific islanders were enslaved and forced to work on plantations mainly in Queensland,Australia and Fiji. With several languages being spoken in these plantations, a pidgin was formed, combining English vocabulary with grammatical structures typical of languages in the region.

More than 95% of Bislama words are of English origin; the remainder combines a few dozen words from French, as well as some vocabulary inherited from various local languages. Since the influence of these vernacular languages is low on the vocabulary side you basically have to be very descriptive and use the 50 word Bislama vocab to get to the point.

For example, there are plenty of synonyms in English...pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, cute...all various degrees but in Bislama it's "gat kala" (got color).

Here are some other ones...

Yufella i stap go.
You (plural) are going.

Hemi gat bel.
She is pregnant.

Hemi gat gris.
He/She is fat.

Hemi gat sit sit wota.
He/She has diarrhea.

That time of the month

The ladies of our group had a special session with our female language trainer about "that time of the month" better known here as "sik mun" (sick moon). First off, women do not handle/prepare food during this time, only what she is eating because it will make men sick if she does. Ha. Guess it is a good thing if women can get out of cooking for a few days. Also, they claim that men can look into a woman's eyes and know when that time is! Really, they believe that. I mean this screams out Vegas act or TV talk show…bring a Ni Van male onto stage and have him point to every woman in the audience who have their period! Ha.

Going to Paama Island!

I leave for wokabaot (site visit) on Tuesday to check out Paama, my home for the next 2 years. It's a small island north of Efate (Port Vila) and south of Ambrym. Lindsay, the gal I met in Chi will be in Ambrym which is only an hour boat ride. I will also have a PCV about 30 min from me in Liro, Paama. I will write more and post pics when I am back.

I have heard/read up on Paama and it's known as the island of rats!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :( Since there are no snakes on the island (my mom will be happy), there is a rat infestation but I've also heard that many have been exterminated so hopefully they won't be too much of a nuisance. I am right by the water, however swimming is minimal or not at all because there are sharks. Hm...

My house has cement floors and running water but I'll have to walk a few meters to get to the smol haos. As long as it's just mine, I will make it work.

More later. Continue to update me on what is going on in your world! volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov (sub: AMY) Once I am on Paama in Dec, I may not be able to get emails so thanks for sending!

Rats, sleep, kava and a bride

These past couple weeks have been a roller coaster ride, albeit a slow one. I have limited time to be online when we are in the city so I type these up at the training village to then upload. Sorry if I am not able to type more personal emails. HOWEVER, I would love to know what is going on in your life no matter how eventful or not. Even current events and pop culture would be great to read about. (volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov subj: AMY)

So…torrential rains one day and then a hot day followed by a cool one…it’s pretty unpredictable now but summer is coming and so is cyclone (hurricane) season. We’ve learned ways to deal with natural disasters such as cyclone, mud slides, bush fires, flooding, earthquakes and volcanoes. Vanuatu sits just on the “ring of fire” from which the archipelago was formed. Peace Corps safety and security is very thorough and we feel well cared for but ultimately the Ni Vans have lived through them for years and we will just do as the villagers do. Just hope this isn’t the year for anything too extreme.

About half our group got sick last week but luckily I did not. However, it is bound to happen. The thought of being sick in the smol (out) house is terrible! I have a new friend in my custom house…a mouse and he’s been doing laps around the rafters above, getting into some food and keeping me up at night. AH! Then there’s the mosquitoes who love me and cases of dengue fever have appeared in Vanuatu which is carried by morning mosquitoes. It causes a migraine, fever and just feeling miserable for 6 weeks. So, now every bite I get during the day, I diagnose as dengue fever. AH!

I never realized how sound proof our western lives are…sleeping here can be difficult when you have roosters crowing at each other from across the village, dogs barking while bullying the pigs, people laughing and talking and a string band video or actual string band playing. It’s great music but not all the time! Then the little critters I’ve mentioned. Geckos, frogs, chickens…it’s a zoo over here.

The Bislama classes are coming along but I am still not proficient. They say it will come by the end of training. We leave next Monday for “wokabaot” where we live at our sites for a week, meet the community and take inventory of what settling-in supplies we will need. I have no expectations but do hope I am near the ocean at least.

Today, back at the village there is a bride-price celebration happening. Preparations have been occurring all week and essentially, once a woman is “blocked” by a man or in our words, engaged, it is then followed by the bride-price, similar to a dowry in which the man’s family comes to the bride’s village to “pay” for the woman. It’s more symbolic now…mats, calico, island dresses, shirts, food and yams but still costly. Then a wedding will follow in December. Interestingly, most couples have kids before all of this happens since it sometimes takes time to prepare for the bride-price and wedding. Even more interesting is that the family name passes through the woman! Fantastic! J

Kava…so Peace Corps Trainees are only allowed to drink it on weekends and in many of the outer islands women are not allowed or can only drink at home and not at the nakamal (kava bar). On a side note, other than at home, men and women are very much segregated. Women cook together and men fish and drink kava together. So the affects of kava are not strong and some batches differ in degree. It’s often just a nice chill buzz, makes you lethargic, decreases appetite and too much can make you pass out or nauseous. As I’ve mentioned it smells and tastes terrible but nonetheless it’s enjoyable…really. For the Ni Vans, it’s less expensive than alcohol but drinking both (called kale) has been blamed for belligerent Ni Vans.

Pics from the village

One of the host papas caught this shark just off our coast

Under the mango tree...where we often meet and eat mangoes from...

My back yard...a daily activity

Making kava

My custom house on the left...while I am here, the family lives in the tin house on the right. Peace Corps pays them a daily allowance to feed us everyday.

The inside...nothing is on the ground to prevent creepy crawlies from getting in there!

My host sister Shirley (age 7) and bro Jecob (age 5)

Host Mama Larina (age 31) and Papa Stephen

Kids (Pikininis) welcoming us to the village

Country director Eddie and wife Debbie

Village Life

Only a short amount of time in the big city today...we only get here every 2 weeks so we can access email so apologies for the rambling...also pics to come.

The 21 of us arrived at Mangelilui which is just an hour drive from Port Vila (where you will fly in to visit me!) on Sunday two weeks ago to chanting and singing young boys dressed in leaves and dancing around us. We were then welcomed by Chief Mor Mor…a stout and jovial man. We all met our host families who we now call mama, papa, sista and bratas (my English spelling as since gone downhill now that we are learning Bismala). I arrived donning an island dress that my mama sent to Villa for me. Not entirely uncomfortable but swallows us whole. Woman are not allowed to wear pants or shorts. If you are seen without a skirt or lavalava on, then a fine is a pig or a mat to the chief. We can play sports and exercise without them at least.

After our welcome, we go with our host family to our custom house…much bigger than I’d expected. It’s basically a small room with thatched coconut leaf roof and the inside is blanketed with island cloth and coral floral with mats on top. Beds have mosquito nets, no electricity for all…only if you have a generator which my family does for the kitchen area from 7p til 10p. It gets dark by 6pm however so mood lighting of candle in my house every night. How romantic all by myself!

My host mama is Larina who is 31 and host papa is Stephen who is 28…even so, I still call them mama and papa. I have two sisters, Shirley (age 7) and Lyndiana (age 11) and brother Jacob (age 5). They are a warm and happy family.

Most of our days are Bislama classes, lectures about the culture, econonomy, school system with speakers and panel discussions. We even had a test last week! We often have class on the beach…not sandy as we all know but of coral. The snorkeling is phenomenal and right in our back yards. Sunsets are inspiring and stars are full force and brighter than I have ever seen them.
Fresh, ripe, off the tree mangoes fall daily and are favorite snacks while chickens and their chicks peck around, pigs and piglets rustle through the leaves for scraps…. Bucket showers and smol haos (out house), I am still not getting used to. I have become even more low maintenance that ever and seldom look into a mirror…probably a good thing! The creepy crawlies have been minimal so far for me but they are there and freaking me out nonetheless. Sleeping at night has been a journey in itself…the odd sounds…chirping geckos (or like a kissing sound), rustling legs, whistleing beats and the wind running laps through the trees. It’s not easy falling asleep and forget going to the smol haos to use the bathroom.

There’s also the threat of creeping…this phenomenon is actually a form of dating in Vanuatu. If a fella wants to “talk” to a gal, then he will scratch or knock on her door late at night so if you open it, you’ve invited a suitor. Best to just ignore it or yell NO! but then responding could mean yes?! Either way this is freaking the Peace Corps girls out a bit but no worries, Mom and Dad…we are safe since we live so closely to our host families.

We have been fortunate enough to experience a few special events in the village. A marriage, ordination of a chief and sadly, the mourning of the chief’s brother. There’ been visitors often and family gatherings. They have been welcoming and gracious for us.

Today…we had a “culture” exercise where we were split into four groups. Group 1 made fire, Group 2 opened coconuts to make coconut milk, Group 3 made simboro (manioc grated and then wrapped in island cabbage.) and Group 4…get this…killed a chicken! Yep, I said (typed) it! I won’t go into details and sorry to the weak of stomach. (I made simboro, by the way.)

Gosh...there is still so much more to say and that I am forgetting. Some days are great and some days are kinda depressing...but isn't that how life is? I hear some things are looking bleak in the US so part of me is glad to be away from the chaos. I am yearning to call, at least text y'all...

Week two is about over and we have eight more in the training village. Week five or six, we are going to visit the village in where we will be living for the next two years and we are anxious to know where we will each be. Of the 21 who started, 19 still stand and are holding strong. We’re bonded as a group and created “talk it out Tuesday” so that we can vent to each other and prevent anyone else from leaving. I’ve vented about the bugs, missing home and awaiting letters from home! ;) This is not going to be easy...

We will be sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers officially November 28 and head to our village early December. Am I really doing this??? Missing you all on the northern hemisphere!

volunteer@vu.peacecorps.gov (subject line: AMY) They will print and bring to the training village.

Peace Corps Vanuatu
PMB 9097
Port Vila, Vanuatu

The first days of our journey...in Port Vila

I look forward to showing you all who visit me, Port Vila…it’s a small town with all the essentials. There is even a Chinatown so my parents will love it here! Tap water is drinkable here which wonderful. The supermarket sells fantastic fruits such as pamplamoose which is similar to grapefruit and papaya, called popo. You can get Doritos for 5 bucks although, I’ve enjoyed their local snacks which are far less expensive. There’s even a “movie in the park” as known in Chicago on a couple nights with the ocean sunset as the backdrop.

A couple nights ago, a recently retired Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV)…who served a max of 5 years invited the trainees to her house where she was house sitting. It was a mansion of the house with a view and access to the lagoon. A few of us jumped in for a night swim…it was quite scary diving into dark water but we went for it. What we soon saw made it all worth the apprehension. When we waved our arms and feet around, bio lumeniscents (probably butchering the name) would glow…they were tiny sparkling lights shimmering in the black ocean water all around us. It was an amazing sight. There was a casualty…when getting out of the water I did get a few pricks from a sea urchin but the pain was brief and the stingers were out in a day. It was definitely all worth it.

Yesterday, we spent the morning and lunch at Jane’s house…she is our PCMO or Peace Corps Medical Officer, a native of Australia. Her house had an amazing garden with tomato, pineapple, passionfruit, pamplemoose, broccoli, cauliflower to name only a few, a pool and amazing view of the ocean. She had a nutritionist come to show us all the local foods we would be seeing at the markets which we will soon be preparing for ourselves. Realzing that we will not have a refridgerator, I am still trying to fathom exactly how I’ll manage.

We also learned how to open coconuts (or kokonas in Bismala)…which consists not only of the brown miniature bowling ball looking nut we all envision but it is also enclosed by a stringy wood-like thick outer shell. With a stake in the ground you plunge the coconut onto the stake and use it to pry the outer shell off. While the Ni Van’s can do this in seconds…it took us at least 20 minutes, if not more and a lot of muscle and sweat. We then learned to use a bush knife to crack open the coconut and scrape the insides to make coconut cream. This is used for cooking as much as soy sauce is used in Chinese foods.

The afternoon was sunny and beautiful as we headed to get on a catamaran for our water safety training. Mike, a dive shop owner explained some survival tricks such as putting out a fire with a can of coke and the many uses for a trash bag. After our talk, we were given life vests which PCVs are required to have with us when traveling by boat and we had to show that we could jump in correctly. We then had the rest of the afternoon to snorkel. Thanks Damian for the snorkeling practice…I felt very comfortable and was even giving some pointers to a couple beginners. The reefs here are amazing and I hope my village has access to the water. So many colorful fish and sea life…we even saw a couple of men spear fishing.
Last night trainees were invited to Voodoo club and I represented 21B and was the only one who went out…I’m thinking this is our last night of freedom so why not? There was a small dance floor and screen which showed the music videos…which kept me mesmerized…while I can do without TV, it made me realize that I’ve not had the visual stimulation for quite some time now! They played Daft Punk which I was thrilled about. We danced, sweated and the bartenders would light up the bar with flames. It was nice to get out for the last night out…we leave today for 10 weeks to our training village.

Mangelilui, our training village is where we stay with host families and are essentially adopted by our host mamas and papas. They are told to only speak Bislama to us so we can learn it quickly. We will have classes during the day…language, culture and technical training and then eat dinner with our host families. My host mama’s name is Larin and host papa is Stephen. They have two daughters and a son. During this time, we will truly get a feel for village life. We will essentially be rising and falling with the sun. The heat, humidity and rain will soon be arriving and I’ll see just how well we can handle that!

To the village we go!

A vacation like week in Port Vila...will write more about it once I get access again...and we are off to our training village, Mangulilui.

We are there for 10 weeks and will have language, cultural and technical training together. We'll live with our host family...my host mama is Larin who already sent me an island dress that I will be wearing there...it swallows me whole and is quite hot. Host papa is Stephen andthey have two daughters and a son...I am hoping that they are all wearing the same pattern dresses so we'll be in matching outfits.

I'll likely not have phone or internet access so I write me :)

I miss y'all!

Love you, Mom and Dad! I will call as soon as I am able.

Some pics of our first days in Vanuatu

The descent to Auckland, New Zealand

My training group 21B (Lindsay, who I met in Chi is in the front)

Drinking kava

Hideaway Island where we spent a relaxing day. There's an underwater mail box!

The Peace Corps Office

Our hotel...luxurious compared to where we will be living for the next 2 years.

April and Dee's Girls are Born!

Meet Caroline Mae Carter

and Cora Elizabeth Carter
Born on September 20th, both at 17.75 inches long and weighing 4 pounds, 10 ounces.

April and girls are doing well. I can't wait to meet them.

KAVA

As many of you know, I’ve been so excited about kava. Two of the current volunteers…the president and vice president of the Peace Corps Kava Guild gave us a run down…here are a few details and rules about drinking kava.

• Made of a root that is ground up…sometimes through a meat grinder but best when chewed up (ewh but better and potency can depend on this) then strained.
• Served in bowls called shells.
• Tastes and looks pretty terrible…like green, muddy water.
• You should drink an entire shell in one gulp and should drink with someone.
• You should drink to something or someone.
• The first sensation is numbness of your mouth.
• Spitting is accepted and expected.
• You become sensitive to sound and light so conversations are quiet, no flash photography or light.
• Kava bars are called nakamals consists of outside benches, chairs with little to no lighting and soft voices.

We took a few shells of kava, enjoyed each others company and especially drilled the current PCVs with questions. Overall, we’ve been told again and again that Vanuatu is one of the most amazing locations to serve though not without its challenges.

Pics to come...

The beginning days

DAY 1
There were issues with getting four onto the flight to Port Vila since they were waitlisted so after several hours on the phone and bribing the counter attendant, they got on. I took the reigns on this and have since been called the “Mom” of the group. I know you are not surprised.

Once we arrived at Port Vila we entered through the “Vanuatu citizens and residents” line which really made it real for us. Again, I checked names off as all 21 of us received our 2 year Vanuatu resident visas. As each of us exited the airport, we were greeted by the country director, Eddie, Peace Corps staff and several volunteers. We were lei’ed with beautiful flowers, wrapped with a sarong and given a coconut to drink.

Piled into a couple buses (more like small vans but called buses) we were given a quick tour of Port Vila and headed to the hotel which we are to stay for the next week. We met some more staff, mostly who are native Ni Vanuatus and prepped with safety and security information. Still not showered or rested after the 20+ hour travel day, we were given the “kava talk” and headed to our first nakamal (kava bar). More on that later...

Day 2
There are 3 other PCTs (Peace Corps Trainees) who live in Chicago and we found a current PCV who took us at 8am to see the Cubs v. Cardinals game. We were ecstatic to get a little piece of the Wrigleyville energy clear across the Pacific.

Some of us spent the rest of the day at Hideaway Island and snorkeled. It’s a coral beach so it was rough on the feet but beautiful. There’s also an underwater postal box!

The country director, Eddie, invited us over for tea at his home that afternoon and his wife made a spread of cookies, breads and local fruits…so delicious.

You can only guess what some of us did that evening…kava, kava, kava!

Day 3
Training begins...culture, language, disaster, survival and so on...
Got 4 shots and start malaria pills later this week…a swell time.

Let's go to New Zealand!

Just got off a 12 hour flight from LAX to Auckland, New Zealand and the descent down was breathtaking...the sun rise, mountains silhouetted in the horizon surrounded by a deep blue Pacific ocean. Who's gonna come to New Zealand with me?

So, my training class consists of 21, mostly female...2 couples and 2 who are in their 60's with grown children. Makes me think that 2 years in the grand scheme of life is not that long. There's one fella who is starting his 3rd mission!

We now have a 3 hour flight to Port Vila where we will be greeted by the host country family and other Peace Corps Volunteers currently serving. Training for the next 3 months will be intense and once we successfuly train, we graduate to become officially Peace Corps Volunteers in December. We are all anxious and excited.

Full steam ahead...

Mail and contact

Some of you have asked about sending mail/care packages (THANK YOU!) and here are some details and tips...

Address until training in December:
Peace Corps/Vanuatu
PMB 9097
Port Vila
Republic of Vanuatu

Shipping rates:
There is an international flat rate box that my mom has mentioned and you can obtain them from the USPS.

Some tips for mailing:
*Mail can take 4-6 weeks, packages possibly longer
*Postcards should be sent in envelopes--otherwise they may be found on the wall of the local post office.
*Do not mark anything as over $100. Customs will hold on to the package for several months if so.
*When the post office asks what you are mailing- state "Educational Materials."
*Padded envelopes mail much faster than boxes, Customs tends to leave them unopened.
*Obviously better not to mail anything valuable.

*If there is an emergency, contact my mom Catherine at 336.623.8695 and she can reach PC.

And so it begins...

I am off to orientation in LA tomorrow before I leave for Vanuatu on Thursday! Ready to get this show on the road and once in Vanuatu I'll be living with a host family for a few months and then sent to my very own village in December. If you didn't know already, there is only one Peace Corps volunteer per village so we can fully integrate into the community...I hope they like me! :) And thankfully I know someone who will be joining me on the journey...Lindsay, who I got to meet in Chicago...glad to have a buddy starting off!

I've had a blast visiting everyone before I depart and miss y'all already!

I am unsure of how often I will be able to check email or update this blog. You can still email amyhchan@gmail.com but excuse a delay in reply. I will also post travel details for those who plan to visit...come on down! While I am far away with limited internet...please keep me posted on your happenings!

Thanks for all the well wishes and as I've said before...you've helped me get here.

My last day of work and in Chicago

Almost 5 years in Chicago and what an amazing time it's been. Summer festivals and BYOB dinners with the crew, preparties at Reg, Kawar and Sunny's place, pumpkin carving, clubbing and standing in the dreaded cold to get in, Girls' nights out, bike rides with Steve, Hodes reunions and get togethers, late night eats at Baba Palace, my 30th and visits from my NC peeps...there are so many memories. Thinking of those times and everyone who were a part of these days and late nights are forever going to help push me through any difficult times that may come my way in the Peace Corps.

Now I am off to begin some traveling...Portland, Washington, Vancouver, Halifax and lastly a cruise before I ship off Sept 17. It doesn't seem real...not until I am on that plane over the Pacific viewing down at my new home for 2 years...Vanuatu, ready or not.

Where is Vanuatu?

Pronounced Van-ah-wha-tu.
It is located between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The map shows the flight times between countries. Hope you'll visit!

The language

Bislama is the official language of Vanuatu. It's a mixture of French and English pigeon talk. Here are a few interesting words and phrases translated into Bislama:

hello = alo
goodbye = tata
ocean = solwater
bra = basket blong titi
I speak little Bislama = Mi tok tok smol Bislama nomo
Thank you very much = Tank yu tumas

(and finally, my personal favorite)
helicopter = mixmaster blong Jesus Christ

Apparently, many languages developed over time across Vanuatu's 83 islands. Over 100 languages are currently spoken there, excluding English and French. So Bislama is relied upon as a secondary language for all these different groups of islanders to communicate.

Tata for now.

And the Winner Is...

I just got my assignment for Peace Corps AND...it will be 2 years in Vanuatu [vɑ-nuˈ-ɑ-tu]. Googling to commence :)

My program is "Strengthening Human Resources through Education Project" and my job title is Business Advising in the Rural Training Centers. Yep, rural. I didn't expect urban but I was hoping that it could entail improving tourism on a small island, starting up a surf store on the beach or something...ha. Essentially, I'll be teaching and training in a small village.

Orientation Sept 17-19 in the US and then off to Vanuatu for pre-service training Sept 20-Nov 30. Service dates Dec 08-Dec 2010.

Now to accept the invitation and begin reading through the details...

Book recommendations please

Absence of TV, internet and you all = lots of reading...so hit me up with your favorites. Gracias!

And speaking of...I am determined to learn Spanish during my time there, despite my not being in Central or South America. (still a little bitter about that) I'm thinking Rosetta Stone has the best results. Any other suggestions appreciated!

Waiting

ARGH. Still waiting. I'm at the mercy of the DC placement office which is backed up and I could have to wait until 6 weeks before departure to find out the details! 6 weeks! It could be August before I find out. I'm already making plans to be off Aug and Sept. Also getting my place ready to be put on the market. So much to do.

Why Peace Corps and Why Now?

Many people ask me, “why peace corps and why now?” I guess the simple reply is, “why the hell not?” It’s an adventure I’ve always considered and now is the time...before I settle down. Um, settle down? I just don't want to grow up.

A dear friend, Rob Ferguson shared with me the NC state motto, Esse Quam Videri which means, "To be rather than to seem" and it sums up my motivation. My indifference regarding the state of the world had begun to plague me. I can do something to give back, learn about another culture and lifestyle and hopefully figure out what to do with my life when I am back home. A new perspective perhaps. 2.25 years of my life is only a sliver of time.

Turning 30 this year, another milestone that I've been excited about since age 28...telling people I was "almost 30". It's an accomplishment people!

So, in the midst of this milestone, I began to also reevaluate my life. College, work, move to a big city, Master's degree, buy my first home and now what? Not yet ready to settle down so why not Peace Corps to fulfill my adventure chapter?

Just as important, I have the support of my parents and their lives to reflect upon. I’m a first generation…an ABC (American born chinese) whose parents immigrated here to find a better life for themselves. I lived with an extended family of grandparents (nai-nai and dee-dee) who raised me and my ambitious, hard working and determined parents who built a comfortable life for us. They have supported me through college, grad school and move to Chicago. They never expected me to work during school but instead to study, study, study and no punky punky*! :)

Not only have they supported my educational development, but they have also been supportive of my adventures. My mom and I have traveled overseas ever since I was a kid. And though my mother is quite traditional, she is not, however, old-fashion when it comes to marriage. For most asian cultures, there is the usual pressure to get married by a certain age. I mean, by 30 for sure! I am so lucky to have parents who encourage me to experience life as a single woman.

Along with the above reasons, there are also personal motives...to learn about myself and become more well-rounded. My good friends know me as the planner, the organizer and communicator, always in touch, emailing (sorry for the mass ones), texting or calling. So for 2 years, I will be without many of these outlets and I think it will be brutal at first but it will be such a release to "disconnect". Will it? It's a scary thought.

And being the planner that I am, island time will be vastly different from the busy days I am used to with project plans, conference calls, meetings and schedules. I won't be able to control the speed of life or business in the Pacific Islands so it will take some getting used to but lessons learned everyday I am sure. Thankfully my crew in Chicago have provided me some IST (Indian standard time) practice.

It's good to see my reasons written down because I can't say that I don't have doubts about doing this. It's going to be tough physically and mentally but most of all, I will be missing my dear family and friends. Thankfully most of you are married already so I won't miss many weddings (hopefully not Amber and Josh's in Oct) and babies have been born (hopefully April and Dee have their twins before I leave!) but it will be sad to miss out on 2 years of life here.

Thanks y'all for being so supportive and encouraging of this next chapter.

*punky punky was a term my mother used to express physical relations with boys...funnier even when she says it! (and not meaning Timeri's mom, Punky)

Medically Cleared!

Received medical and dental clearance today...yes strong teeth are a requirement! The placement office should be contacting me soon and with it the formal invitation to serve. I am ready to know NOW...there's so much preparation. I need to tell work and hope they are cool about it...which they should be. I have to consider whether to sell my place or rent it and if it can be bought or rented then there's storing my stuff, planning visits this summer to see everyone before I am shipped out.

And also to prepare myself mentally. I've already started packing lists and reading up on other PC blogs and it helps but there's probably no way to really know how it will be like. Physically, I think I will be able to handle it. Living in a mud hut, bathing in a bucket, ziplocking everything such as toothpaste to keep bugs out, shotty electricity, no tv, internet or cell phone. OMG! Hardest part will be the distance from everyone. All know how I stay in touch always...whether it be an email or call and yes the occasional mass email or text just to say it's snowing in Chicago in Sept. Whew...I hope I can handle it.

My first blog

This is my first post! I have often written in a journal but have slacked on that. I'm excited to record my thoughts down again especially since such a major milestone has recently occurred...turning 30!

Threw myself a fabulous party, of which I can barely recall and friends from the west coast, east coast and Canada flew in to celebrate with me. I am so lucky to have such dear friends in my life.

I'm one of those optimistic people who is excited about every new chapter, including turning 30! Now for my next adventure...peace corps.

I was nominated for the Pacific Islands for business development and then went through medical clearance...lab work, doc and dentist visits, shots. I sent in all the docs a couple weeks ago. My parents are supportive and I am so very grateful for them. Next, hopefully a formal invitation and assignment to a specific island in the Pacific. My recruiter did say that "staging" is likely in October.

So this could very well be my last summer in Chicago until I return Jan 2011!