So I don't have much news to share this week. . . nothing too exciting or out of the ordinary. My project is really coming along. I am pretty much done with my interviews, so now I just need to compile everything and put it together in some sort of organized paper. . . this should be fun!! That's what I have been doing with most of my time lately. It's really interesting how much I have learned about families here. Basically what I am finding is that the term family here refers to more than just father, mother, and children. There is so much love for everyone in the community and everyone kind of works together to help each other. It's really amazing to me. I'm still making a lot of observations and learning a lot, but basically I'm realizing how natural it is for many Tongan's to share and help each other because that's what they learn from birth.
So the only other exciting thing I have been doing is practicing for a dance I'm going to be in on Friday. This is where the prayers come in! Anyone who knows me knows that I have the coordination and grace of a four year old, so I'm sure you can see why this is so challenging for me! There are like ten couples and we are doing three dances (kind of like line dances, with a lot of kicking, spinning, and feet movements). My partner is really nice and it is really fun, but I'm starting to freak out a little bit for the actual dance, especially the part where we have to do it in front of so many people! So please pray that it will go well and I won't look like too much of a fool. It's just me and one other palangi, so we are already going to be the object of everyone's attention, add that to my lack of dance skills. . . clearly I wasn't thinking when I said yes! But I'm excited, and it's fun, so hopefully it will be good!
I can't think of anything else to share today, life is good! I'm sad to leave. The people are amazing and I am really grateful for the opportunity to learn from them and to see how much love they have for everyone.
