The 48 hour Christmas

Wow. All I can say is that I woke up today at 10 am, record breaker time of sleep in Samoa and did nothing all day but read a book, sleep, and well go for a run, cause that will always be in my blood I suppose. Christmas can be exhausting, ha. So it all began Christmas Eve, 2 days after coming back from Austrailia and I just knew we needed a tree. I asked the kids what they thought---and what do you suppose the answer was? So, one of the kids (there are 6 here now, 4 came over from Aus), chopped down the tree and then we all decorated, and decorated, and decorated. Called home to America---so good to talk to everyone. Whoever invented speaker phone was genius. Now let me say something about this place, this is definitely a participatory place. So if I am in the village and there is youth group or something going on, they just love it when I participate. It is amazing how encouraging they are too cause I am not exactly Miss Grace. So I was writing some Christmas cards (seemed like a good thing to do Christmas Eve, esp since all letters to the States take atleast a month!) when one of the girls called and asked me to come to the practice. I missed a bunch of practices being in Aust but hey, it is Christmas so okay, I better get in the Christmas spirit and dance. At night, another church in the village was doing dances, songs, plays will 2 other youth groups from the village (not ours though). I know a lot of people over there esp kids from school so I went to watch. Started around 9- the church part- and then afterwards they all went outside and danced on a stage outside all lit up with lights...very cool! I really don't think people here sleep sometimes, well that is at night anyway, I guess the key is long mid-day naps! cause they started the dances at midnight and it went on until almost 3 am! They rang the bell at midnight, and people were walking around kissing everyone wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. So Christmas Day, 9 am I went to my church, the Methodist the one I usually go to, followed by Prize Giving for the Sunday School (kind of like an awards ceremony given at end of the year), followed by a Christmas breakfast of steak and eggs yummmm. Played with the kids and wished a Merry Christmas to people walking around in the village, went to the beach and then hung out until 5 pm, when our dances were to begin. Now...I have already mentioned this to some of you but let me explain the concept of "Samoan time" which is what Samoans call it too. My Samoan family got an invitation saying it started at 5. Well they were all playing volleyball at 5. Samoans are really funny cause they always say that if they tell you something starts at 5, well add Samoan time, so it really starts at about 7. The add 2/3 hours thing is not so rare at all. The other thing is bells here. Let me tell you, it is quite a confusing system. For this event, there was the bell at like 5 to end volleyball and to say start sweeping the church, and getting ready. Another one an hour later, which I got up and thought I should get going but looked out the window (Thank goodness I can see the church from my house or I would either be 2 hours late or 2 hours early every time!) and the guys were still hauling logs for a skit and such. So I stalled. Then another one like half an hour later, looked outside nothing, but a few minutes later music began, so I knew it wouldn't be long. In conclusion, it began around 7:30/8...pretty simple really just add 2 or 3 hours to stated time. It ended up being a very enjoyable evening. Danced, sang (like 1/3 of the words...it is hard to memorize Samoan songs!) and then we ate and chatted afterwards. I have to admit I started tearing up when I was watching one of the plays (I danced only 2 and watched the other ones that they had just learned) realizing it was a year ago I came and next year will be gone. I guess next year the only word to explain it will be bittersweet. The youth group that I go to has just been so amazingly welcoming, always encouraging, and just chill and nice about everything. Afterwards, all the ladies from the church invited me over to eat with them, but I decided to eat with the rest of the youth group instead. They always make sure I have all I want. One of the guys asked me 4 times if I wanted tea, then another one. Then, after another person asked to make sure I was full and didn't want more. There was a little meeting afterwards to figure out what to do with the money that was raised and another person sat down next to me, and translated into easier Samoan so I would understand. It really is incredible and I know I will miss them. Anyway, that ended around 11 pm, making this Christmas an enjoyable 48 hour Christmas. It is a good thing it wasn't any longer however, I am bad at choosing trees I guess, and that thing was dead by today. Oops guess it wasn't an evergreen!


Miss Photogenic! And she now knows my name... Practically whenever she sees me, she says "Ally!" Very cute and nothing like an almost 2 year old to make you feel special.

Our top year 8 girl at Prize giving with one of the pastors.

The year 8 kids all dressed in white with their candy necklaces.

Timber! Here is comes!

Christmas trees are always bigger after you cut them down!

One of the other kids from Aus decorating the very different looking Christmas tree or maybe we should call it a Christmas bush

Happily making decorations


The EFKS church decked out for Christmas Eve service

Midnight. Let the dancing begin! On the stage next to the church

The EFKS girls all in red in the Christmas spirit


Can you see me? Trying to be graceful.

All dressed up for the play

These boys don't mess around. One of the plays.

Two youth group boys and yours truly


Now, isn't that a scary picture? Don't worry it is only baby Jesus and I am not the Virgin Mary

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Love, Sally
(Sadly, I couldn't get the pics from Aus and when my aunt and cousin were here from Samoa---I will try again cause they are good!)