The End!!

It finally happened. I never ever thought this day would come. The day I'd leave sweet samoa and move back to the mainland. We always joke around and say Samoa is like Neverneverland. You work (kinda). You're a responsible adult (kinda). You play (A LOT). haha. The average work day lasts from 730 to about 4pm. 4pm is when you clock out but in actuality, your work day ends after lunch time. When the sun is the highest in the sky and the hottest. Everyone stays indoors in their ac (if they r lucky, like me!) and "works". Haha. Very island style and slow pace. Nobody is in a real rush and there are no tight deadlines. It was a nice way to live for a while but I'm ready for a transition. The best part about Samoa is the play. Playing in the beautiful water or enjoying the beautiful outdoors. I'm really going to miss that.

Saying goodbye was the hardest. I've made so many good friendships and my relationship with Jameson is so strong. We have really grown living in Samoa. It has taught us so much about ourselves. I loved experiencing this with him. Packing up the house was so hard too. I cried all day and night. I'm gonna miss our little home on coconut point. But I'm not going to cry because it's over. I'm going to smile because it happened. My heart is full of love and gratitude. Thank you for this life!!!! I'll never forget you Samoa. ❤❤

Faaa soifua for now. ✌

I can't believe it

I really can't believe that next week is my last week in American Samoa!!! How did time escape me so fast?? I am full of emotions. Sad, happy, anxious, excited, curious!! I can hardly stand it. The worst part about all of this will be being away from Jameson. :( I wish we were moving back home together but he will have to come back in May to finish out the school year. I'll also miss our kitty!! That's ok though because we are taking her back home with us (obvi). Haha! Wow this Samoan cat really scored!!! She gets to live the lap of luxury in sunny San Diego!! ;) But most of all, I'll miss the friendships I've made here. I know I've made some life long friendships here in Samoa. I will forever miss my home on coconut point! This isn't a good bye but see you later! I truly want to come back one day. ❤❤ to the place where I called home for 2 long years. My home away from home, Sweet Samoa.

Full Moon

They say the full moon makes you do crazy things! On our island, it makes the power do crazy things! We have had so many power outages in the past few days. The entire streets are pitch black. It's so scary. It really starts to sink in that you're on an island in the middle of no where! Luckily we all have candles and head lamps. Totally prepared. We all went outside and gathered in our tree house. I always feel so safe there. ❤❤

One thing I will miss...

Relaxing on a sunny Sunday in our magical tree house with our amazing friends. I try to cherish these moments because my days are numbered. Soon I'll be back in the rat race.

One thing I won't miss...

The way Samoans burn their trash!! Over the weekend, our neighbors decided to build a giant fire in our back yard. Before you call the police, you have to know this isn't a crime. It's actually an effective way to get rid of trash. Just burn it to the ground. The drawbacks: getting smoked out of your own home!! We left the windows open and now our entire house has smelled like bon-fire for 2 days! I don't know if the smell will ever leave!!! :(

Honeymoon Vacation

So Jameson and I never had an official honeymoon. After our wedding in Hawaii, our best friends Gina and Anthony came back with us and celebrated our marriage in Samoa! It was amazing and we wouldn't have had it any other way!! Jameson and I have been saying that we wanted to do a big trip to Savai'i. Savai'i is one of the Samoan islands. It's on the western side and apart of Western Samoa. Western Samoa is such a trip!! They all drive on the other side of the road and all of them have British accents. It's too funny. When we got there, we rented a car and took a ferry to Savai'i. There were so many animals! Horses, cows, and pigs just roaming the roads. We finally set up shop at this amazing place called Vaimoana. Beach front with an awesome bar all to ourselves! We even met some Kiwis (new Zealand peeps) and made them be our friends, haha! We arrived on NYE night and to our dismay, the place was dead! Luckily the kiwis couple we met was down to rage with us! We went back to our room and played games like catch phrase. They were cracking up bc they have never played catch phrase before. Before we knew it we were all enjoying ourselves with coconut rum! ;) We decided to jump into the water off the dock at midnight!! So we ran out there and counted down ... 3 2 1.. Happy New Year!! We jumped in insanely warm water and just glared at the stars. They were so big and bright!! This is the 3rd New Years in Samoa for me and Jameson. Every year, we spend it in the water. We love it!

The next few days were a blur. We stayed at 5 hotels in 6 days! We swam with turtles which was probably the coolest thing I have ever done in my life. They were so tame! In Samoa, it's not against the law to touch turtles, so we were able to pet them and everything. I'll never forget it! Even though we waited an entire year for our honeymoon, it was well worth it! I'll never forget you,Savai'i!!

Work Christmas Party!

In my office this year, I am the ONLY palagi in a sea of Samoans. Palagi means foreigner. And that, I am!! I love everyone in my office. They are all so thoughtful, caring, and generous. Especially when it comes to learning the Samoan culture. This year, our related services department was nominated to be on the social committee and throw the Christmas party. I was asked to bring a side dish so I brought Mac and cheese! When I got to work I quickly realized that my Mac and cheese dish was A LOT smaller than everyone else's! I forgot to Samoan size my meal! Haha! Everyone brought so much food! I'm talkin spaghetti, chop suey, ham, fish, Mac salad, potato salad, sausages, breadfruit, taro. You name it! We were all asked to help put all the food in styrofoam containers. I asked why don't they just have it buffet style? Why place the food in containers? I was quickly told no. I realize now that the left over containers were taken to other family members and co workers. This makes a lot more sense now. Haha! Put all the food in a to-go boxes- ensures that all the food will be taken somewhere to get eaten! 

While helping my co-workers I notice everyone was in "helping mode". There was an assembly line of people and they all knew exactly what to do. They all gave each other orders strictly in Samoan. Usually when I'm around, they will only speak in English but not today. Today was a Samoan day. You can feel the intensity in the air. You can tell that they have done this several times before. There was this buzz - a natural high from being around all the food. Everyone was in work mode. The food preparation was taken VERRY seriously. I was on napkin duty. I had to put all the forks in napkins. Haha. They didn't trust me with the food! I took my camera out and took a few pics! Even though they yelled at me to come back and work, I still managed to get a few pics in! ;) The party was a success! I'm going to miss fun days like this!! 

Watching them work from my desk ;)

Sooo much food!!

Love my co-workers! 

Musical chairs! Haha! 

Of course I find a puppy and make him sit with me! 

Siva! (Dancing)

Samoan food! Looks like its a cheatday today! Lol. So many carbs!