Hello friends, family, and all others who apply but don't think you fall into one of the previous categories.
My journey is finally about to begin! It has just been confirmed that the plane will finally fly, and I will be leaving tomorrow for an outer island of Yap! The island of Falalop. This is where I will be having my remaining language and technical training. I will finally be able to learn Ulithian! (I have been sitting in on the Yapese trainings for the past few days...and I am eager to start to learn something I will actually use on my island!)
Yap proper is beautiful, but I am so anxious to see what is yet in store for me! Unfortunately, I will not be on my permanent island of Federai until around the end of November( depending on when the ship/plane leave!)
So tomorrow is the day I say good bye to electricity, cars, internet, phones and all the other little luxuries I have become so accustomed to in my 24 years. I cannot wait. I have already been wearing my outer island lava lava (traditional women's skirt) the shirt that I will be wearing every moment for the next 2 years. Just one of the new customs I am attempting to get used to (there are so many rules that go along with this skirt! The way I can or cannot sit, how I walk, how I wear it, even how I fold it and carry it!! It is crazy!!!)
The way my life is about to change I cannot fully even begin to understand, or try to explain.. Therefore, your just going to have to wait for the updates and learn as I go. On that note, I will stop rambling for now and get back to my training....this afternoon we are having a cultural training....we will be learning all about coconuts!!! I am very excited.....Love you all ....more to follow...Alyssa
Friday, October 17, 2008
E-mail news
9/30/08
Hello Y'all! Greetings from Pohnpei, Micronesia!!!
Wow has it been a busy, crazy couple of weeks! So far some of my highlights include jumping off a cliff into shark infested water, fish and rice every meal(yum), exploring the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, climbing and swimming in a waterfall, snorkeling coral reefs-and seeing the largest manta ray of my life! , learning how to cut grass with a machete, meeting the American Ambassador, sakkau, attending church with my family, rafting out to islands, an outdoor toliet full of hundreds of cockroaches, sleeping on a mat on the floor, ants everywhere...and I mean everywhere!! , bucket showers, attending a ladies festival where pigs were definitely sacrificed, boating with the host fam, ...I promise pictures will come!
I am in love with Micronesia!!!! I am still in shock that the U.S. gov is paying for me to do this! I love America!!!
I also learned this last week of my permanent placement... I will be placed on an outer island of Yap call Ulithi....I am very excited . This island does have electricity ...sometimes, but no phones or computers. So other then snail mail I will only be in contact every three or four months.
It is one of the most cultural places to be in Micronesia - meaning lavalava's and thu's all around.(Lavalava = lady skirts and Thu = loin cloth!!!) I will be learning how to weave....This is truly going to be an amazing place to be, and I promise to tell you more at a later date.....
Kaselehie!! Alyssa Joy
Hello Y'all! Greetings from Pohnpei, Micronesia!!!
Wow has it been a busy, crazy couple of weeks! So far some of my highlights include jumping off a cliff into shark infested water, fish and rice every meal(yum), exploring the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, climbing and swimming in a waterfall, snorkeling coral reefs-and seeing the largest manta ray of my life! , learning how to cut grass with a machete, meeting the American Ambassador, sakkau, attending church with my family, rafting out to islands, an outdoor toliet full of hundreds of cockroaches, sleeping on a mat on the floor, ants everywhere...and I mean everywhere!! , bucket showers, attending a ladies festival where pigs were definitely sacrificed, boating with the host fam, ...I promise pictures will come!
I am in love with Micronesia!!!! I am still in shock that the U.S. gov is paying for me to do this! I love America!!!
I also learned this last week of my permanent placement... I will be placed on an outer island of Yap call Ulithi....I am very excited . This island does have electricity ...sometimes, but no phones or computers. So other then snail mail I will only be in contact every three or four months.
It is one of the most cultural places to be in Micronesia - meaning lavalava's and thu's all around.(Lavalava = lady skirts and Thu = loin cloth!!!) I will be learning how to weave....This is truly going to be an amazing place to be, and I promise to tell you more at a later date.....
Kaselehie!! Alyssa Joy
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Alyssa's new address
Last and maybe final address for :
Alyssa Gruett
PCV
Falalop, Ulthi
Yap, FM
96943
She will be on Falalop, Ulithi, YAP
After Nov 11 she will be going to a different outer island....Fedarai
As you can tell from her emails......It is just what she asked for and loves it.
I was told that if you insure a package it will get there sooner then if not insured, but we are still waiting to send anything. She asked for us to wait until she as her assigned island.......She has to carry everything she owns....and we do not what she needs???
I will attempt to update this blog thing....but I told Alyssa I think we all would rather wait for her to tell us her stories. It is much more adventurous then I ever thought it would be, but we are very happy for her opportunity to serve and learn . (We are all learning along with her!!)
Thank You for your concerns and letters to her. It all helps so much.
Love and PEACE to all .....Momma G
Alyssa Gruett
PCV
Falalop, Ulthi
Yap, FM
96943
She will be on Falalop, Ulithi, YAP
After Nov 11 she will be going to a different outer island....Fedarai
As you can tell from her emails......It is just what she asked for and loves it.
I was told that if you insure a package it will get there sooner then if not insured, but we are still waiting to send anything. She asked for us to wait until she as her assigned island.......She has to carry everything she owns....and we do not what she needs???
I will attempt to update this blog thing....but I told Alyssa I think we all would rather wait for her to tell us her stories. It is much more adventurous then I ever thought it would be, but we are very happy for her opportunity to serve and learn . (We are all learning along with her!!)
Thank You for your concerns and letters to her. It all helps so much.
Love and PEACE to all .....Momma G
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