summary of the year

Hey everyone. So I haven’t been the best at writing long e-mails to let you all know how things are going here or what’s new. I’m more spermatic than consistent in my e-mails, letters, and blog posts. So, I’d like to give you an overview of my year. But before that, you need to laugh.
“Teacher, come.” Says one of my really sweet and innocent junior students writing a research paper on a foreign concept in Chuuk.
“Wooo” I reply Chuukese style to let her know I heard her call.
“Teacher, what does this mean” she asks pointing to a paragraph.
I read the paragraph and ask, “Which part dear?”
And she points to two words and says, “anal sex?”
I think to myself, Oh my God! Is this really happening. Knowing she’s asking honestly, I take a deep breath and explain. Her response is a flat “EWWWW!”
So today, I had to explain anal sex. How’s that for a story.
Now, onto some substance. I entered my JVI placement in Chuuk skeptical and a little worried that it would have been more brave of me to reject my placement than to accept, but I accepted believing God opened this door for a reason. Getting to Chuuk I was slow to warm up and struggled at the beginning as I usually do in new situations. I started teaching to learn that it is a hard occupation and students don’t realize that the teacher is really working for them, but I stuck with teaching, and Chuuk. I struggled to learn that I didn’t fall immediately in love with Chuuk and the people here and that life here is just plain different than in Latin America and everywhere else I’ve lived. I learned I’m no longer in the western hemisphere and the culture is plain backwards to my culture.
Christmas and a little before were hard months. Being away for Christmas was challenging and news that I was going to have a niece was bitter sweet. Knowing I would be an aunt and being excited for my brother and sister in law was wonderful, but also knowing I was going to be missing the first year of her life and all the things leading up to it was not as wonderful. The news that her middle name would be the same as mine made me tear up a little and wish I could be home to hug everyone and let them know how touched I was.
After Christmas things started getting a lot easier and better. Second semester was much more enjoyable teaching. I started teaching units rather than randomness! I think that’s the key! And I enjoyed my units. In Soph. Lit I taught mythology and then went into the Holocaust. I really really loved teaching the Holocaust and Anne Frank. I wish I could have talked more about the book after it was over and done more review/teaching of the book but in general, I really loved that unit. I also was teaching essay writing in English Skills which gave space for really challenging students to think critically and get to know their own ideas. I have been more confident in what I’m teaching this semester and began enjoying it.
I finally fell in love with being in Chuuk this semester and am able to understand a little better why God put me here. I never would have seen this side of the world had I not been placed here by JVI. I will go back to Latin America some day, but I would have never come here. Furthermore, I feel like I have been able to help students get through struggles, be someone students can trust and ask questions, and laugh with them. It’s been really a beautiful second semester. I have been much more positive about Chuuk and really wish I could show Chuuk to more people. I realized the other day that even though I miss people, I would rather them come visit me than me to go to them at this point.
Living in community has been difficult at times, but in general I think community has made this process of living and working in another culture so much better. I love my community. We really are like a family that loves each other even when we get mad at one another. We laugh together and even do things like “book club” and “star of the week.” Haha.
Spirituality has been interesting. I NEVER want to go to church which is hard because I used to want to go to college mass because I just thought it was a beautiful experience, and at home, although I didn’t want to get up early, I loved going with grandma and grandpa in the mornings. It was special time for me to be with them. Here, I just don’t want to go and don’t enjoy it. I find it one of the most challenging parts of JVI at this point, but am frequently seeing where God is in my life in other ways through nature, student interactions, conversations, and joy.
Education has become a social justice issue for me. Education here is just not what it should be. It’s been a real struggle. I know I’m teaching at a private school so the poorest students are not able to attend in most cases, but even the students who can pay for education are not getting a just education. Teachers don’t always show up, the resources are less (but not horribly limited) and parents for the most part do not support education past financial assistance. There is no follow up at home to make sure students are learning. Education in Chuuk is subpar and makes me realize that every day in the classroom I am working for social justice whether in the lessons I teach, or in planting seeds to get the students to go out and work and care for one another.
And the final pillar of the JVI program has been simple living. This pillar has been hard and easy. I’ve been fine spending only $60 although I realize how little that really is, but I can do it. I live in Chuuk where there is no AC in our apartment but it’s freaking hot, and power is fickle and off as much as it’s on, my i-pod was stolen and I never got another... We’re on a budget for dinners and such, and just can’t have everything we want…but, I’m not so excellent at this beings I request anything at a whim from home. This would be my simple living flaw. It’s easy to stay under $60 when shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, snacks, and tons of love is sent from home, yet sometimes I love the boxes, feel loved when I get them, and realize how much time and thought goes into them from home. I constantly think if I should ask for less boxes, but I’m not sure…They’re such a joy…
So, I’m not a perfect JV, but I try and am enjoying the program and my time in Chuuk. I miss people at home, but can’t express enough that through the struggles I’m really in a good place. It’s hard, but it’s good. I think of home a lot, and the people from home, but life is wonderful and I am having an opportunity of a lifetime. I do feel that I’m getting closer to being ready to settle down…in the way I call settling down (that means I’ll probably leave the country again if there is a good opportunity, but only if it’s in the process of something else, like traveling for a month with a job. I’ll probably go away for grad school). Chuuk is probably the longest I’ll live out of the country. I’m happy, but miss being in touch with family and friends. I love the people in my life, and truly want to be more of a part of their lives while still living mine. So mom, dad, grandma/pa, family and friends, know you are still special and important to me. I really do miss you even though I’m loving life here.
Ok, I don’t really know what else to say about the year. It was hard at first, and now I’m good. I’m heading to Pohnepei for the summer to co-direct a Xavier development program called HAP. We’ll be teaching 6th and 7th graders, and then doing Friday field trips which I’ll probably coordinate. I’m very excited about this although sad to leave Caroline and Tyler for the summer! My mailing address will change from June 14th to Aug 1 and I will post that sometime….haha.
Thanks for reading! Love and miss ya’ll!
Jessica