alive-ing and thriving?

I'm alive! I have been here in American Samoa for a week! We've hit the ground running with orientation and our days are full of teaching instruction as well as culture exposure and my favorite, Samoan language lessons! Here's the skinny on what's going down so far:

-The other volunteers, our Field Director, and our Samoan Sweetheart are awesome. I've had so much fun getting to know 22 other weird, adventurous humans who are taking on a year in schools across 3 islands with lots of unknowns. Everyone is super chill and nice, and we've been able to bond really quickly by riding around in the back of pick-up trucks, being the palagi spectacle on the dance floor at Icebreakers, and snorkeling in the Pacific. Even the less exciting things, such as doing each others' dishes or sweating it out in Insanity workouts before bed, have been super enjoyable in our little WorldTeach fam. 

-American Samoa is amazingly beautiful! (Don't google pictures unless you want to become extremely jealous.) It still hasn't set in that the ocean and the mountains are a daily view. I also found out that my new house that I'll move into next week is on the hiking trail in front of a waterfall! I'm excited to continue to explore this island of Tutuila, and hopefully get out to the outer islands for a visit.

-Daily life is really busy, and is about to get even more so. We're packing at least 3, if not 4, weeks of orientation into about 2, so our days are especially full. Near the end of this next week we will begin moving into our new houses, meeting our principals/getting acquainted with our schools, and learning how to get around on our own. As it stands right now, I will be a 3rd grade teacher at Manulele Elementary, with anywhere from 15-30ish students. I have no idea if this will change, what my classroom conditions will be like, if I'll have to walk or take the bus to school, etc. As overwhelming as it sounds, I am excited to embrace these new challenges as they come! I have frequently been reminded that this opportunity is going to teach me so much about myself, and although some of the "growing pains" have already set in, I'm super appreciative to experience them in such a unique, exciting way! 

In just one short week I've already held a Samoan/Tongan baby, had fresh coconut ice cream, and played volleyball on the beach with some Samoan kids. Basically, you could say things are going pretty great. My heart is very full as I reflect on how #blessed I am to be where I am and to have the love and support of all of you back home! So much love. ❤️ Fa'afetai tele lava (fah ah fay tie tay lay lava) and until next time! ✌🏼