tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57108283953764338482024-03-27T16:28:58.978-11:00My Year in American SamoaAn easy way to share my adventures of my year in American Samoa with friends and family (and other interested folk).Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-62644968248193945742008-06-07T07:52:00.009-11:002008-06-07T09:23:52.937-11:00EpilogueShockingly (at least to me), it has been ten months since I left Am Sam. Some days it feels like it was yesterday and others like it was a lifetime ago. Before I left, I told Moi that if he married Polu within the year of my departure, I would return to the Rock. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209225837057131778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5NkauKcc_mCAVhFOLYn8aSYEUFuQQzsxe9tYP3M2hca79zF2_qjA5YWRkQUArWmP_wXxjOyO9un5AgUJFFckuDvCHGBkNHGgjPlJjKwzzJ2zzKSAOdzOi31D09sxGOxDQylcnnPjqIRA/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+054.jpg" border="0" />Well, he called my bluff and they got married on May 30. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209222764540389442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ta5cgpCKecv6UuEgdCaX-dgOfTpom26TLAyGmIWzFFTF4gOSy7-M_B7NGl4joRES1Rn7tCZ-2eCH5ZjaBmHCUro-uLjb9Jc98ng4X0DEg9vlHgGQw8TRQaME95I7CJ7ByZWna0o0s_RH/s400/Moi+020.jpg" border="0" />He is really in love with Polu, so I think that had something to do with them getting married beyond wanting me to return to the island. I spent about ten days in Am Sam - and if I say so myself - it was awesome. When I arrived at the airport, immigration went really fast, and my bags were the first ones to arrive - which is a small miracle for the Pago Pago International Airport. Even better, my friends met me at the airport - with new T-shirts saying "Weave is Risen" and more importantly - some big Vailimas. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209229371304870690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLk4CNXeF44-X-tmRnytj1WKW1_vYYTeyh75_LcNY1tGnDCTfYTU72pVg9iQtzcBA77iI8ZF0-ZhM1Bx3O47hPdSpdHZEhP87gri7yh3qhYg3R5gFy5SefN2mGrfB_3PudcilzQ6yFfqNn/s400/Samoa+006.jpg" border="0" />I knew it was going to be a great week. The first weekend was Moi's bachelor party - I am prohibited from blogging about most of it - I will say - it was hilarious, Phil Murphy is a trooper, the song Stand by Me will never be the same for me and New Guy welcomed me back to the island by throwing up on me. good times. During the week, I visited the High Court, enjoyed the local cuisine - two new restaurants opened on the island - Carl's Jr. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209227525893970546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwE6Flx6uoBsfXqZYUuiGCV74iSJiFLpWHeIe2UoXG6jMdVAKoex9VAB6Qj0AMd3Dy2Ms-jZcty4Ism6yY4rYiEEQwbZnI8BtOdYbh51-mCZ2HwKZI3G0NO8eZL2DdRZHuYfvHSUTAxK6d/s400/images.jpg" border="0" />and Rose Garden <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209222779777723474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYsmNzDcfosmJ4ZsiOTujz7IYMC2VdZAOt93rXgDuHFv1ZIcuC0oeDxw3rBuCkeIxAK2lmnbt6lNGKxqJiovewIsLMAeQ9m3vNt5NKXjlrjxfAkAXkOkWAFzM7aI-CxGzvq0q2mOLabN_/s400/Moi+068.jpg" border="0" />(a Chinese place), and caught up with all my friends. It was a little strange to be back - it was all familiar - the wild dogs, the slow driving, the bad beer and food, but with new palagis. Also Nate, New Guy and the Lady live on the east side - they have great places - right on the water with decent beach area (for Am Sam). <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209223352206608130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE8dN8edvrTKh3HkEdm3zDXf2dX5EpWQiUkAESSRMy6QbLzUuHo_mLZYlYceh7N6L4Zst4SujQAXMdiLMM1GiTC3ay_-ghSNC4MSk5b2cU4cT01wz1WC2GZgEx3hI2iXi7NhfYSh2G7ua/s400/shane+2+020.jpg" border="0" />I spent many, many, many hours in that water. The wedding itself was great. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209225849518863506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFI1v56SG_MwZvZUYVjTsWafyoQJaYw41sMLNRRyY6W7qL1UbSUkBlZ8UepVjxIRGG8cB_7WyZBsDvdVtauraaOt8UMWy_zTbhnyCY1pycnX3X-B3stntbnVnout3uzv3qh2n0hIGxwcK/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+208.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209222759181150306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygnbYVVZotgtarEHryPGFe_s8EQ_KLhaYqTRhJHp0Ri4kZxAdVExjCiRhooD-vnAFE3Uct5sE-hgm577BYosWWFktLCeICx7WSP8xiTZPJ-bq6z-xlOw88rbeTLUOFxEvYkhOoimwQzd1/s400/Moi+012.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209225819868721394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEb0e2Qs6D4T4g0T96s4wwMZGC20gFAO3TE4hd94i-Npr94rIBXi1eZPTZ969o8Vs_EcrgtqYnJXxSQ8xzuLcV3aRNyxkzk5zRdkCNNg8QtKSMaEGuqhsePtlgSnOopaVlzgHi66UazgM/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+005.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209221937578596562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXhnxZ0DM-qhyYAvE6WtNZCs7KddcKj0fqFX8rwhuAY105_TV8K_gcLa3AAplXWJdnKG8jIECPbjnYwZeeQWwmztmhxvjZlIFg_BgOK3Qg-iZcPUb467WcX8Y0RBSwIlX644-5Y3QBjBx/s400/Moi+018.jpg" border="0" />Polu was beautiful <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209225845760390706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu138RTXWFlaT1ptZNBYngsRdKnqirlyeVhNHFZMkpGMlzu4da7pxv8tIX4G5XA_gQmtpGWm-SrFjPeM8gbpyDouOrLoe0SNuRDqOPv9fwwDaxAZzadJRJga-gIC3EdCvFm7tz_yVsRj5/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+113.jpg" border="0" />and I think everyone had a great time. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209221925647784274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig60hf17svsqEY9c5-z2T5BdfaJ4l3ATn9mJNA7sfF5Yp5C37LymYQTfoBPYAZ-Zw4tI2TeOfFDQ77Flioj4DjDO9h0BmVjXw8yz3Oezw_-fCmdWj6mIFRxK4f-TwWhsvE1la8r0clDrwc/s400/Moi+037.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209222775083822066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHUHyZo8IcYEhPgS2o752k7PXGEnsHsURLtnJ0wgjpR3sE0gXkLARw_EpMyPzxUSg6dSq3R9nxOSZikyE8pgVr1xSBop1R6BIszfv0Hs1-38-OJZhHs1mm8sCBtyKY6m1XKIzme339B42/s400/Moi+041.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209227538403169234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWygtAVrKnclVw9pdJodBJzA9PXQ-cUbd_Vv9SxDExi1hQFJuI1fOuCQbR0tlt0MiH1F_vCXJRzrYTqgUaVgrl-KOFf_MXnpf9qPQZpB46ycMIXgrVkPtOklP_MqkPTuJUMAOsK4sWwB8r/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+384.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209223361680585522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yEfTqE8-XbC2eJwZ4l37faVa3isY5ziQ7vCWnjhnqcdqc2bS4q28SaFsLLSXORwS6RrHLM1nENMax8Zu11nxSYIDX9ahPkamwRQSDRuDhTy28RfroQu-uG4LGvhxfxz1OaEmWWA39O2N/s400/Moi+032.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209227530117896050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhievyHzb4FicTOKXWdYBftjwdHiT-8X8oFT6RTz54rXhCt9AfGXj-t_h6GNo11RFxS4uJKWvpsAfInUGTWfOsfmdEhI9jWdxac8y9u89exUmcy1fZ0WLcZSHvJJ1IOmWr4Lc_knrnoRpEs/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+327.jpg" border="0" />As is tradition - the couples all wore matching outfits.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209223352059449650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEXHkNnAz3CPIPL2Avgg9R5tEPTCBncggEYclmlXuAAZLRjQH7jYluuzXhyC_h2d18zRseZNCQ3Ypd0BSyRzWjjGNS2BcxguZuPSIyeDNXQ5t6Sfojo7PVPfXlqP5o46dCi3BPpR4mCBa/s400/Moi+039.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209225829784889810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR4HTQVZkAHoVQfHDqWAAv3GYe0w5z2q6agcRZvlCLQ-33fV3uL_1Kxp2dQbyssyGivwqjkWWOgGqqwReCZCr8qUfEDxakSSutN17lFheDb4qISb9O-7q9QflBwCEx4F5sTqBGFmCvuTy/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+034.jpg" border="0" />TNG is so Barney, he doesn't know how Barney he is....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G59r6jsbfiCWz8fKqDu15dIC1mctmUNXJq8KIRVpFeLt4lF1TS8WrfGjcHDqa-5bOGthmQogQQDlfqY6yOV-7Dy5RHQC2DHup63LifoobVdcSop0k1Acj4kNFG2-T-3wO7Le-EfwKE5n/s1600-h/Moi+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209221859701930610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G59r6jsbfiCWz8fKqDu15dIC1mctmUNXJq8KIRVpFeLt4lF1TS8WrfGjcHDqa-5bOGthmQogQQDlfqY6yOV-7Dy5RHQC2DHup63LifoobVdcSop0k1Acj4kNFG2-T-3wO7Le-EfwKE5n/s400/Moi+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtRNlua5nSJikNAAp5xA24fjPC2gZZGn5n8N3T437CV-nTcKiZszQ8KXLHmK2DcoScXTZOdFrkU3jWsbjuatVvYPrlGyGQNBaEz8mm4xJc0e0u8Af2aKVoX-JTE0O8mG2PEOCoGQrTHFa/s1600-h/Moi+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209221880059029826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtRNlua5nSJikNAAp5xA24fjPC2gZZGn5n8N3T437CV-nTcKiZszQ8KXLHmK2DcoScXTZOdFrkU3jWsbjuatVvYPrlGyGQNBaEz8mm4xJc0e0u8Af2aKVoX-JTE0O8mG2PEOCoGQrTHFa/s400/Moi+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwJQLLbrj0BTx-vOqvzfbHeUyAysfSZkCDt7z87I7rlzOWN5dHV8IvB4x8o2EzgRPH_KOTyHav05xSu3C-gZRhKH6JakQP_hxfVET6dZvsuDWSUsmtMHh5ZEME0s2wILTppj9AU0ItxWb/s1600-h/Moi+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209221901728115506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwJQLLbrj0BTx-vOqvzfbHeUyAysfSZkCDt7z87I7rlzOWN5dHV8IvB4x8o2EzgRPH_KOTyHav05xSu3C-gZRhKH6JakQP_hxfVET6dZvsuDWSUsmtMHh5ZEME0s2wILTppj9AU0ItxWb/s400/Moi+023.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Lt. Governor even made it to the wedding - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209223357362307074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKyTyHNWECsT8IZiZFEbzlxOx_9i04ywLEac1vxe19IoBl3AaICKEJYlVPqzoatxZb4LV0gSY2KzFPqZDIeHJG3nJUXixK5ouc5xOFSa-DrmJ60XlloZM_yLrsSIQpmQ9v2X-bPAniDYl/s400/moi%2527s+wedding+093.jpg" border="0" />I am glad he found time to go since he is busy being Lt. Governor and fighting federal corruption charges. The FBI agents who help build the case against him were also at the wedding. Aw-Kward. After the wedding we went to "Haz-Matts" place (a new palagi) for post-party. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209227548009922146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS4DHUja2mAG6JBMek8atQFKyGThq8h3VP_kJKWK8eUNs_iLr3hyphenhyphen4cw2ywMMJrl00IAlNxFt_ZB0RI_f8sUIF3-9xzBPKG47k2UgdscvEFss9vAeytxXTHZ9B4bf3PYUBjEt2lz291Gsp/s400/Moi+and+Polu+Nuptial+409.jpg" border="0" />At the end of the trip, I was sad to leave the island and at times thought about staying - but how could I pass up another Chicago winter, working 12-14 hours a day at Big Law Firm and wearing shoes instead of sandals and a man skirt. Oh no, I have made a horrible mistake! No plans for future visits, but I have learned never to say never...Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-79464678219464288492007-08-19T17:22:00.000-11:002007-08-22T05:42:39.973-11:00The End<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I have been told that all good things must come to an end. Well, a really great thing for me is ending - My Year in American Samoa. I was not sure that I was going to make it my first two weeks - a six hour delayed flight to Pago (4 am arrival), a shattered windshield four days after buying my car and then almost drowning on my birthday - not a good start to my adventure. However, I am sure glad that I stuck around for the year - cause it has been one of the best years of my life. I am going to miss this place a lot, the High Court, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099893746719943986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B0RBvNCTPg4AOsXA_X7gtlfcjtRi6wYHpMVbO0U9yu6AyFwb_UPnadiuqZ_WTjOs-3X4rUNrLFXAG9uIWq6HGntLOBOpTE8mnWYCNpqfN8-E54Ti6-zXani-hJ9XklnXNN4sxTbpb-G8/s400/Samoa+254.jpg" border="0" />my drive to work, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099894807576866130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdkqjmDePYwXYg3cQzEj73Zd-7rgaN7IaX1_AuhWp92yPMOs1JvQvEG1fm_fLzGfYyf4iq59AghNfHt-ahIAX60FtAtcn_POhDPZTEXqwAZ8edNn6VW7HSD4Zcs_uOUG7oyeVlwAApS7a/s400/Samoa+167.jpg" border="0" />the wild dogs <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099894794691964226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EwI-1RsK-X0jy25x7cXWH_VywrwXPvuA2nP8GxX2EztLNZrdcpB9tbdfYXytqIK1NXlfRwaSDTtFZy5nm_t-Ou2GyT-nXBrlV5Z8By9t6v9uFe2bL7NJ-HyZJ1oEiZxi-cojELKb8M2d/s400/Samoa+666.jpg" border="0" />and especially my friends on the island.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099898196306062818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-WW71os12-RxA5hpa1nyNhbqhsGKKY53l6ZBRixnP-u07o5KXY3xczyBG9M5plk2GDbgBk9EorGiyJygUXoOvLua9Ve8GF-dKQJsLeHd-m6N9UBV_SLaTaEpYZdwj3V2cV8p7VDiZfj4/s400/Samoa+154.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099896697362476450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlHtATi2_OFY9rJL507t1jgZ8ydgU_3mJeoieBT2LTRkb_c4gBw4AAy9BGk5VK3CpC_5CiQKhWMYsPo6vIecHiZ-xRLFpte8iytUiCmqWF79-sjsxLxqiU1krs8mFCkoLU2Tqu0aV4P6s/s400/Samoa+031.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099895915678428546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsK7rx7jK56fvE9sUQODevkMH9o2PrThM8loom0zriDcS2q4wqQaVRTIJTi5SuKLvvSuT9sLKUcEdreAgjw_RW4xitIzZcklPFbcd981-l377aeqYoWpe7m4LzZUfX2v95hLVr1Yin5s0/s400/Samoa+696.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099898703112203778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L9-da5bNPDZ7sYYuRXBGK5C-FVtA8x1aJsDvDVVnYJRjnM5_yXI_6Pi4FO3PvNAciyt0ElLI8rhVH4EvlEIqKuBdinqY1pBxoDKijHZ1LJnPDPg7VLT2oRWPg9L4pSum-vdAssPr6TmJ/s400/Samoa+001.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099898707407171090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzte68CtPu26sp8sTibXpdUVmRQQV2Gg7rqAnQvoYcETgMNEbUiUcHhD1JHTV0yitZlMsZxnB-c50CUuS2RZTIUWCekx-LsHv9RsL7ltS-cUaprufcDcpYsuWxjUD5jnycx1VgokjNFCQd/s400/Samoa+041.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099898200601030130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TLr1STBfNEVMaRAwZzqzK9zDaMZK-gzsZuIdl4K2L9q8BM5BJY2N9qQGva9W9ezajIPtAZOtC4t2j0V0jfMtqWVzVCIjcv_wHAkxRHJTq3zWJN5Kl2xIuix9VsFq-yzrYcu3WV6mH9eP/s400/Samoa+165.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099898192011095506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDWYf2WO-N_vww60kGeUqi28qBN1O5psp-3JiVQyivG9_2ncJYszNRK3u3sFOtGBntAke7eZxKPuErU9_BdgJc2feacY1ZnJ3C8If99OzcgMCGW3sBARYJxq8iZ5F1vnrFDrF3KgZIlvs/s400/Samoa+717.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099896693067509138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHCsL68xvuikOEqndgSLas14vW_cpiGBetcUnkvFvywy2S6eEONkF4Spm3hd8PitVPbzlzIk4ywOtnsvQptY8Fd5jxJbfsXJPa-4jUhfvgjRMeiNG8w83gI4AmZOL5qZrJHd-y3129EfY/s400/Samoa+404.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099897298657897922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUPwC0YmhoeKFgOb0Wp0s1pzukn9xeE7QO39gEqLBHLuNyGETnFOv_YaOHyXqQ3p_HD7VWQaXjjLrxDD8QaNs2MEGPtYF7d2GOXDSDgN_Qwd9GBXboNH7DEbc8KOeJGPebQzyuHw9dYgG/s400/Samoa+690.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099895280023268706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQp-esKjKoGdv4zxl7lZ5aBk01PerSiHseXIYbDVQVaoN_kGONAbvMFN5Kk43urvs0GfPR2lIsf7QBR4eihZoNkzKKeZ6hetfKoJqOC1YmanpOOr9ljFUh8PePQby3FDeotfpfndXjN_1/s400/Samoa+706.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099899759674158642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita11rfsb_-m75Asgzwnq7U7Y8wagEMpMVQG6RfDJIrkNKtRbP0ihCJTT0lPCqos0jW1f7nLYfLYLO60Z_NX5fT3jGB_2wf9HYRrTGYEKEo6F0AIig3tP9SF6SFr44VL19p9TluJzHARON/s400/Samoa+094.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099897294362930610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_BXgfZHoDc6i3xSoTNHFhk1nrbhm4914xZqr5lxg9OoK9S6ONo4IM66wHtDPL22KqOMILqYF9s3-u5w3JYng6_WQ2mPrP1b7rnj_tHroyDe-UM3ujksv9kqAQuLHECVmT-CYnIcdPD9B/s400/Samoa+685.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099895911383461234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NO_LZBJvM7AvyKP1xqP3-eGoWkpDbDITXsDk6fKijw8FvZZmvr1GNOWOeDbIy05j-wA3WjJHNOEae7Am31Wm1hr2HXA9FgL1ZiB0hTCrwR-y8QnS4fbmbaP0zxnNQIR5CjfAxxVBymTd/s400/Samoa+676.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099899755379191330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekuaHwObM30G7a4qXCG3k2Fc7k08L1jmWlPsL4mHbodU2XC00Gpmc_7RGpI94KFUXVSNRDSauC0xeRAPALDhqDmCCCA8TlDRsZe_CTuCqDF__VTKUUd2qUPnBDS-6TTQleyYOmXQvL_wj/s400/Samoa+153.jpg" border="0" />Without them it would not have been such an amazing experience. So all that is left is for me to get on the flight and give a big Fa'afetai tele lava to everyone. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099893098179882274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t9QalOVtaoD_UwlyvHTq5pYWrI55U4mnG8tXhIo4Eu4KURbEofLzDPNdjZ5G8Ptt3j-GYOnapyY1B-ihWAvpJpdCDl6gshNoM7dOvojnUfJSGA0GcLpcpL2dzPjgb38cXG7iGVDFXpyx/s400/Samoa+070.jpg" border="0" />Fa you later! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-80356741098868064342007-08-18T05:35:00.000-11:002007-08-22T05:41:10.214-11:00A Perfect DayMy last full day in Am Sam was sad, but great. I stayed at the Castro's B&B. I highly recommend it. Freddie cooked me breakfast, we chilled out and watched TV for awhile. Then a group of us went to Airport Beach. The weather was great as well as the blowholes. New Guy sprung for my last meal - which I should have know was a bad idea. He combined two Double Quarter Pounders with Cheese. He called it the Pounder. I ate it (had to - a matter of pride). However, I felt so sick. I was actually sweating trying to digest it. I finally had to pull the trigger in the bushes - I felt much better. That night we played some poker at New Guy's place. I won, sweet. I don't think they let me win cause the Samoan gods were looking over me - during the night I got four of a kind twice - including four aces. Awesome. Why am I leaving?Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-18545435281198376842007-08-18T04:55:00.000-11:002007-08-22T05:35:20.400-11:00Fa'alavelave<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Nate with the help of the Association organized a (surprise) palagi Fa'alavelave for me. A Fa'alavelave is a traditional Samoan celebration normally associated with funerals or weddings. As I was going off-island, it was my funeral. It started with a funeral procession<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558196870999634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwhB69cufdHQswSHllPWzL5Pw_877WdFqLv_SxkWNVa6nRjl-YLOW2GLvjk0UuSESoJdYUdkXgU8TrU3q1KplTQuFtKkwb2WoEDiLUovVVtAPDuJ-q_nZgf5fTGj-n0m6NSor2YoZDtob/s400/Samoa+007.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101557509676232258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDhgK5xC9Y8oV7jVfXJfjvlKDTgKGrFOF3GjeYtHvbTwztuqK6syMU-mwAxu4tLb-_PBx9pppeOrzUQYeaL8T0J0LAi77pqHJxBFfqApg7IFbGv9FnzNZtfS-07YI83DqkYzokdq07NO7/s400/DSC01401.JPG" border="0" />- we drove around the neighborhood - and cars even pulled over for us. We went to New Guy's place, which they had transformed into a Samoan fale - palms and all. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101561787463659458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7gEmwcsKG7U3WZCAaByG56EyLjNMAUtYQdAKVlwjBYJBtMYH7dpsZiqbU7q0nDrqhaU_s_cA21VJTUf18DTJZd1qCOLiZNRDdwukLhRs6RYLZpNKUEHm8F7fhyphenhyphenLpH-Riz-_RuwW9W1Ok/s400/Samoa+183.jpg" border="0" />They also made T-shirts. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101561748808953778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_QfEB0zh5q_uAi5b0Yh3oQ2QEk4YCqeTqTn3TM7_CYi34l759Tl0W4omo84e0h7qHhAGYvXZrXbWW4C-tFbj0To_91Uqc5HuyygOq3kw4O3EsARTQbcis6XUhTbSjLXq8IQkuJVDmfEh/s400/Samoa+166.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101561151808499570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnTspU7vCGIP3wCgDNC4b83uTYp9tpsCzpHH4eAX0mCcORdTQvyYG_FApxgpTIHYgUjq6-B_ttyF3cZk50Ycnky4wCX0uHf-2A7LzLPKDJLI0tn01suaSzYNicJXZasDMb_U67frYDLZ9/s400/Samoa+087.jpg" border="0" />After I got over my initial shock, they started with the presentation of the gifts.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558209755901554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEmqmklXB8E8sOHkPd5oi64ohzsz2bHHicpa_iymhmNKDTrifUW79E5CzWmBmVY7Yswmk8fEpAEkraycGAwUPvE6JSvP4eceVAX9psgowDIBqqyKN-ZKercQIsFlEZ-3T5jgJDw7yG_gP/s400/Samoa+016.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558214050868866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizb7Q_rbbI0BmcWPRqmtwoWrs1FYaiMbGhajHX7UAPvAlBQMFy7FjixSzEq_Gb-AvU_wrjxGSMFSLwSFUDKzsb7fB0zuepLHPOmTvyQ8wTz1nqnN_Nz9IKXiE3wnBpi1I9wn8qU7oX-GLc/s400/Samoa+017.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558905540603586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzq_brgVTNYkPQwYVkrkEbX96pvZIyB_eaB8fnsJiTdxRbFCpo2pLuB-Id9wBoDf9WJupNei6FhpC4Q4PFf1S2tFMOJUffOqkraukB877K2jSLO3qY_7Ch2WEOR5LdvSnePusoFiexaDY5/s400/Samoa+022.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558896950668978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg44HcIX7q9fhXE87D2Ssfp9fPuZ1kCtVQ8tyC910ba_GWYo8dWvM3kRmLLnjQ5_r4CNYiYlsNleeNTtLC5b-1QFxZOslyKlCEg9PPcqwLt4pU11ciyjuG0Un9uMQwY_6AOt-DWWa7xLR/s400/Samoa+021.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101559554080665298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGasi_aKxnHYMdhKo50G2prBBVe0_O06X6aBGIheoADA4FcmlnZMQfokiGv0SSpIujSf_CPqvPplm_pljneMCM_G4TWWH4vNhys4racT2egpdwWrAlJ45Bm3CVuuPOpQZZi_xxBIkMOiS/s400/Samoa+025.jpg" border="0" />Nate served as the High Bullshit Talking Chief <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558201165966946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLpnihLuaKWK5il9nZ_aD6NCniCBuuDs8sf2zMUAoxJBkFLpQzf0RgHEp7L9zgWTrpRIq_dJnvPVqhIlAv7mxkJNNxI9SMmfFDxuC_XdlL5_FyDmsvZTKJXNde0S4gDff2z1IPlR-fq1A/s400/Samoa+009.jpg" border="0" />and thanked everyone for the wonderful words and gifts. The gifts and food was great, but then, they took it over the top. They presented a Size 2 pig.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558884065767058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx00EnOv5m7-ugtj3H96ze_tSQRFbgTwmW6OFAW5ihJptm_ZOuVjKTKf9_nfs2SuNFzNrrL1-8le1NykQikn4mAu3EjiHbwAJIQ5VDZoj3Rmz6wpHDBgxGB5p7MKOKnGxCfLahjLGbuP7/s400/Samoa+018.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101558888360734370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj-icYHmGCm77yFUWI0v8zUkDohowKgvA3qZefzo0oXsS2kurTx76N3zwPR4k1DQoBLW3NZZ1IZuWNq6To4FnJUkrrB7CZ02NEz_KLuYwdG-O8w1h7sOuvx6Zrc8NOnfDvaVGawuRHfRG/s400/Samoa+019.jpg" border="0" />It was awesome. The feast began. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101560400189222690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjawZUIqk8c8r18HdUQHQzGYuF6LH3a6W2cFa6zp15LQ_PZ1sNxBihMoyGNoSkPnAUGsLbrWWFE0zKGKZbpuLCsEjd_bR_Q-y_yZp0ygC-dy9np01wNlC-FpB52cxnjcFsbp6nwOAVlmi/s400/Samoa+051.jpg" border="0" />I got to carve the pig.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101559558375632610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHfo9RSfcixgJgbPw2qEAkfoBwBZieN7RTaPI5Hp2SgFlSKnZenoxajEJMTp_Yjx6MSlDZnEmU2GYmKadUDY31AeySMWo4FHQ-VH5Xz_WUIvbcj6XgsRpTwhJ3OyiLd2vu2gWMqOmWi9F/s400/Samoa+029.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101559592735370994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhp3zXdUeNPXebbIMJ4MxgyDeu6hhFNSNfIjUvxvHMV-9sU1yuPR7nAVe0_0CQwokFYHYg5A1dC-EiRv16v3u5-nPrbCs5DenprKmOH5DcJ786S7lQbARXuGzl8PJ1Ql4VfGNQHPq_LCcU/s400/Samoa+036.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101559601325305602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFJOCaaAN3V42px1ytEx2n5tVIa2yfbZGoC-tCM8g0u0E5PJIBeCy15LjKCpa1CwK7rhEadJOVdRzSqoUxQZJcAi1sItP3RnD77E8erW2ogeNRv62qsNcqhWZOrvP2OJo04j8YyK_Fi_7/s400/Samoa+041.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101560395894255378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyCWOoK-RxHYuIfU2IOwEZl9RpNpI2ugTvWnIC8JJhIukExnJjzWJmn484Yj4KlxVSiSIMU3Ltc6cXrJMCAGIbl7pvsFQL17cHkDbKCl1A8MEkHbcGCev3JcYxhK59m4xqhlrUNTm2Rib/s400/Samoa+050.jpg" border="0" />Thank goodness Leti was able to help me out. I had a great time and it was just so amazing that my friends organized this for me. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101560421664059218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3j-v6uIF-bQ0QX6Q6RT63Z45_cAQG3xWfz80kAG7T8GnYxRSqe-QgT0srDGu7cW0FOhcJvHYuPEH97feG29zOZAHRE9tZx5QzQwVzxsRRCqE6YpDOrUGPB-fyf9u2UqpwD50XsRoBb9-z/s400/Samoa+057.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101561147513532258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8q80cTja2e8qbuuJHJIq0i_q9X8GjDXndTt30W2Sutfqvj2ZK5ZxqCzkgFlQGs27MpOUzcF-KAn4v4YM52s_HWfW2QZXfRj7QMVdtsAJSllzhgsZv4dR-3aoexYkI4gBEfuUdFSu7qeK/s400/Samoa+062.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101560408779157298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKeFcNAT_pID2CIhLnrVvO9Kz2TSqwzJBjIirpTkN2otrf9fyPK9QXFrLC49z6bZ8-Wy_1iKFZHfH7iBSUCfQphr5vNRR_6lzdFDoXSbKyfDvpHZKi7Dz-Iiy7loquhOKzf0gOzpCjrFW/s400/Samoa+056.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101561156103466882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqjn3CDQ9CFjBHJNV6OIYXcdRHqgZfOlPUPlJg1mJCGgC3yRoc9tmm06aL7apwWlhTDWXnPgQHt2yJy3s51E8ZltCn23WisdoDZx86F02pOd-jp3ER4ff0YgoVtamX6Ek3MsPUi00KZrK/s400/Samoa+089.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101560413074124610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rTX8y0KLTJTSZTbPm6mWFkLw8zhQYuJsh_ZKuJ2ek3JBitzoDrhBr-Qg46pqh3iJX2XkLDkfhN3U02rQxfVDhRN9jpo2TCjNwKVfBvc1PV5WuW1CL_t7Rpm4YuZwlSnCsveuFTU3WPCM/s400/Samoa+053.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101561177578303394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYiK0Sbev77pMqwCHUTHTkg06e6C35iN23PVdro8ggbz0nJOLGQBWL28dNPCJHybl12dt4ROaD6svB_AcDjPeRGSLI0gNOEZvrhXCgqClDZJokV6U5NyR5ZDAUaIzRUggrzSvj-zmyyrX/s400/Samoa+109.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101561173283336082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYcgSoRI9zhYQ3miLJZ3-Jj_7lqjMV4SGRVqWDG-QG4Pr8FoEZgx4zcWhTSAtoZtogVIQ5G1RJ7ITiQv-_LxqDlVUE78vW0o1KjpTSQ-ihzfC8WR1P50B0tgCH1oRmX7mirNNG3LibgZ-/s400/Samoa+094.jpg" border="0" />It was the best send off I could have imagined. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-75912657052662726242007-08-15T15:00:00.000-11:002007-08-16T09:00:36.634-11:00Am Sam in the NewsAm Sam is all over the news - first our Delegate appeared on the <a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=91015&ml_collection=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ml_gateway=&ml_gateway_id=&ml_comedian=&ml_runtime=&ml_context=show&ml_origin_url=/shows/the_colbert_report/videos/district/index.jhtml&ml_playlist=&lnk=&is_large=true">Colbert Report</a>. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099116271740022018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQR2qeBwTvUBJRtGBvD3K-RbcJN706fUWiBDpPkzNy8dmZyOsIQcr1NMgxcFQWqRkec9JG1-t6hyphenhyphenQL1z-SwyDIQqmZyW9Je1oEZUVitOl-vsS2xFfPpKTKNdhyeKsIdri1N_GIoWiMg1W/s400/hunkin-photo.jpg" border="0" />Nice going Eni. Then the Washington Post ran a <a href="http://blog.washingtonpost.com/why-we-compete/2007/08/opportunity.html">story</a> about Am Sam and their obsession over football. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099116692646817042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69byW13Y1aaEoPMZczHQn1w9On7ozninWAYzY1gJqvQ07e9v_3MejpcEScw-jjiXvEZmOpPEToOs8xS_B6ITM3hg-dxO44hVQE0NBd3xpKZCkn9iB4WtzFt99QPPZGBhqfP1vNHCzdEvH/s400/American_Football.jpg" border="0" />And now, we are going to get our <a href="http://samoanews.com/saturday.08112007/story2.html">own stamp</a>? <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099114162911079666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNscoAeboZJRg-zOhz7p6fxhvSMfKA1oeTzzaMJEocBIHDqs7mm9YgjovDiAH3AcIGP1tACHMc-5EEloS8zBBddErEs-mNElJVOeZcVKM-OlPLlyzOXBmUFYaVb59p1QSGO0MPCt_BkUQl/s400/ASstamp.jpg" border="0" />Wow. Perhaps I picked a bad time to leave this lava rock.Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-63841819510083293422007-08-11T12:32:00.000-11:002007-08-11T13:05:59.130-11:00Gonzo is Gone!After four years, Gonzalo Iglesis aka the Badger is leaving Am Sam. It is a major loss for the island. At times the Badger would hide in his den playing video games all night, but when the Badger made an appearance - watch out - fun times have arrived. We all enjoy the official <a href="http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/">Badger song</a>, and New Guy made a T-Shirt for Gonzo. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097591987981014770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGXsGnV40amgUWtBHB8MtOdPHIrXN0WCaZ96IZjgi1w-fJRtwy_JNVJkyiYEuawloGwmcKxiKVLJGy5ezuNbU5Sn3iLCXoLs-_mUYHGwucCpbq-Iq2-7Bc0zdRv1GRBwLSsYU_hj_Kptg/s400/Samoa+040.jpg" border="0" />Nate made one as well - but I didn't get a picture of it. After the Mexican Fiesta last weekend, Gonzo and Max hosted a Pizza Party. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097591979391080162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcbdsjz2rmDlxexfjxIBakT3hstP5LhfFTiNlSNhaEdcyQujKtz_bPXdXFBleL21_ZnzANCKdmqKs_EckUrhYL44PnyJXJw_XPquTSD8k_49Qv2OzQPGuKx2Nlp-4ZDPN0PzM9tzfLHrN/s400/Samoa+033.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097594401752635170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jV4I_vcBQKjKIbobhvJlRnREiYt5ZfA2vlRY9m1T3s2IIUG-u5PqGkdH97QXksrr28C6EaG2tNmBx2zZEkmPpRubKhxzO21ez6d7YbqHGmQ9riAyg9eIc-1Au_M2Z5DDp87bMDI2NaFK/s400/Samoa+076.jpg" border="0" />Good times <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097594393162700562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6Exkmm9rM8FYQ4E8G_6__fY2G7nHrnqzPdCb34cn9f83KA4c6AP5cNi90ualr-x9WW_TtdH88XPmWbpGoetmvtcxx1tnZgmkUeU2d708g4drDEiCxljRc_F7ff7j-y4BopMtQINW0exr/s400/Samoa+058.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097594384572765954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHv8vnoTEnGaSpcksJ6XkX9HNW3rtApZcG371t3lUC8wyHAtfpkBll0LbyGyDi1rbBNufJ8cI9K92NAOzfk049YdUOjPXjTPgsZPUz8qH9At5_Pw_gLHEvoje8ElVn-6Ns6By16edB4Mh/s400/Samoa+039.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097596072494913346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtquhPA1wT0UJF9PS3zoPol_BgftLIKR9UD9O-agPWkSaDoZHcKtY4B-pfLvpa1POG1ZEU5JyWHuLi1-UhedbURGev6O9fegyanH2eIepO1mu5X7kOuz_mQAmuaGjO50VEesQ3hrmaXz-/s400/Samoa+127.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097596063904978738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXLqMu4UBoY1jKXHN-ePBjKTAsmTvHxf4IXq-gXLoyTOkbjx77Yh0hQFhfjR43ODRp14MmJcNeojLih9wbgo5_U5Z9vybZNIZWWokvpeE2G1EO3d3IUBkw63H8hcoNjJ2Oa13CBvjUFqx/s400/Samoa+088.jpg" border="0" />with Dancing. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097597202071312226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqV_dWodYsB9Vax0c5VxWQ0-wLlidkxcg0YlSEClO2xoFIdZ0_eO3r52rfoqXE8Tzx58cDRkQ3fAlkB2ZM3xoDsqOT9P7BqdVNvNY8qoUlplypcdkxOe2893_x9b1QooiLQ8u_0ZuYaXa/s400/Samoa+139.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097597206366279538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzyfAiNWhyu3DB8_AROubZf8ahzKvbuIYmrPuTdAP-p6K0sHTGOBM1LW7gjLa0_qbvxa3edYz4qP5IPa7RHbsvmFMBLOHp6qqdx8KyiR6WgwWcKHGb7aJfhWoMxhfNQtNponUaPcqoE4h/s400/Samoa+141.jpg" border="0" />While New Guy doesn't really know how to smoke, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097596081084847954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7seRZtCuIZrPdRZVq9EA2jIglPdRFvMk0MSCq82pFGakt7UY7rKHAlkAf4_JdKPBvlw2RNmxjI-ZDVMs0YyPQub0eOiFY3iJhQQFVW0Rg7l73UDTfShrsqIW-nBfNveFn4OvuRGjc8fC/s400/Samoa+137.jpg" border="0" />he sure can KRUMP IT.<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mwAPbNiiNgk" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br />Gonzo, good luck in Argentina and we miss you already...Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-22078799493227803042007-08-10T12:06:00.000-11:002007-08-11T12:32:18.951-11:00Return to FalepuleTo celebrate New Guy's Birthday (again) and Gonzalo and my departure from Am Sam, we were able to secure reservations at Le Falepule. They are hard to get. It was my <a href="http://weaver-in-samoa.blogspot.com/2007/01/le-falepule.html">second time</a>, but first time for the Castros, New Guy and Naomi. It is really beautiful. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097585253472294450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxyWWa7QNZ6gAmjiDmojADmoYw2APFoIGgaO4VazMwtp4898voKJJU23EZGyckAYcpRTaPuqLwekldy8wAzO6Dp6j519UtzdLkEtZA_WzN4j0r1mKjCWPASUv1UnkqUZge18gR8Z_Z7Kg/s400/Samoa+002.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097586073811048018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43C6QneYy664SJ-JOYVnQYqxCGy_Ltf_lVfCnf-TSSKxMYAtoSxwBbeP10icrgcJgOZFoNgUsfptH92oMLcPOyqaYNVVSR9cFpwwpdg8LaC_ycZrgywLn0NkfZNDiboy5SFBtfyUnbbHk/s400/Samoa+005.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097586739530978930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-jGqkLqq0bSJxCTtPuOB9oq3PVWzkNdk2O9bmKLS7VShQeNlUt7y5Ai03Vme1nwRSUZo-EpgGA0NUphsQYtQOhF6Kple-5lvedRyaPfXHnhyphenhyphenhwECaNnLQsuS7DgJtUWkSsMEa8t81INA/s400/Samoa+008.jpg" border="0" />Awww, how cute. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097586078106015330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbDevkdSSlbGO4w8qdcVLtdNVGE0CIGjju7iH77cdoiJuqW6bKGKmfAHUbSWp5jl16FWX0C9D0g6Jp4UJay8FHdIGGhF1nM7a0lW_bLlwfAGucl2dpVGFi2t0QqPdsTjQ5i44gK9t4dVn/s400/Samoa+006.jpg" border="0" />Dinner was outstanding <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097586065221113410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVOOJUHoKk1lr_qj9llNXuXjiPzc1sJKVAes7EOsgF484Ick5gcTU2MEv7NKN2G8xdlQFnJ-Lo_IzOYPWastU93la9Mxwyyo7EFf-wU-hjmpm7s8JHO1E774ofu8kYVH8jDGLIeZ_oA1x/s400/Samoa+003.jpg" border="0" />- so tasty - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097586752415880850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6DMRkNrKFuNxBjTu92mlth_IY5k_wAVFnvN0VkkDoaXo6hYnOBtXVuOgFFWnV7hxElnCMlnig9atqJmeimwIWtkHqlmB-jdMuwLXtkBvTeMPyUs44UX5_0kxXfWX7JVzxxnAHFX-Eepk/s400/Samoa+013.jpg" border="0" />New Guy was really excited that we had ice cream for dessert, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097588277129270946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSomJ3fErNkh1bCT_oQPjcj9WLnh25371U_KJtxh3vXDGRzurpeOCmoTif4ezsUVEuOKqV2kqP8MQ1CgbhHhuKPAeQtvqLX8wws4cDDPy2JiPDI-2_d6GGw_TaRtjHneD-PX5jZcAmJxtu/s400/Samoa+015.jpg" border="0" />but became sad when he found out that it was topped with papaya. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097586743825946242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivD9Hf8iwxbt3DmqQB3AcaLwt8BjbKcpzB_M5vTUb7Z7FrgVixWC9Xg4ewzoODjEv9oLI1o-awz7VVfJu9IoQ7vhrsCUk9hAWpOsbsINBhljp_nQ_6JrgvVJum-RsJ5VAsz3go1nadPrH/s400/Samoa+014.jpg" border="0" />Regardless, everyone had a really great time <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097588298604107474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnNa4av9jIDPYL-cDBO9KL7jAdYbLsgaFUEN654T_zF7_sv4WZlGYVKym2GDspe-fXErMv5g4L07yu8ue9yDe_Vfo5RoopO5eN9pWUnz3fp7m3BAnZjE-ZRxvDNII8N0StLnZxU7VKkyG/s400/Samoa+031.jpg" border="0" />and we even had a Badger sighting.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097588294309140162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif28bcb0Qhv0_qrazEU02ZPCD8uLaRhD8KJ8MAy6tXzjsLTjWYm6XEM-BGA0u_eEeSZYwoXYLzgxSeU2Byg8L41HBFrpegNY_oKJ7J5RFiWi4pC5T1nY4vxYqoO8Aa30hHZnEm3U_sh4-7/s400/Samoa+021.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097588285719205554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh381uGnTo0ICA7qh6fLVkriDuWGJ6zAJ8wXcwpFHcg9SMZXcYSzxKqdFGvonVHNzJsWtrHA3s9ePWIKAZmoDXXvs8whLc_dJOREbvVmlm9pOGJT21LodIUle-yZT_z661H_Xd0BDZRtFyb/s400/Samoa+020.jpg" border="0" />Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-80086735327186907982007-08-06T18:27:00.000-11:002007-08-06T18:46:37.788-11:00Dance Dance RevolutionThe local bowling alley got the hit video game <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Dance_Revolution">Dance Dance Revolution </a>(or DDR). The DDR sensation swept (yes, past tense) the mainland years ago, but Am Sam got it a couple months ago. Gonzo and Sharon were the best. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095828800826791378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9bsE2_UtMTwG0KeA5R4Pt6gLfw3N5GGHNGLC_z38SrO67KAQGWoNAzCWoI0PEw3zN4rFJS2r3djxlv2hizsb9_Ezkq3ls-7kHj2kiz6MX1QWyJ2kapjqVGS7YesRRuKj3QOkf7SlUA8B/s400/bus+042.jpg" border="0" />New Guy and I did okay. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095828805121758690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PYpi1TivNB8KW68QUT2HjfjjCgeKApdAC8JC4FPQxHOftSF6M4P_hyQUGz1fUGKISrfXqBm6ijtO5OKsfl38VG-geyB-s-BqrkGnLNx0Dbkz_iWt1YFHSXMxbgl0yoAI7q9RfB90M23e/s400/bus+046.jpg" border="0" />Fred and Nate were just confused. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095828818006660610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SrwVUi4MNNDpBlGD3Lls9DwdJ7Mno9_BqEgB_HdolTmoUeP1_CxHfy7Foi8igy5d5Tap6yfV8_afKmo_7Nl0nwFljlsksDOb8LDRM6MtBFo0sJvm3SRRU_hExD-J8YalnnuBJXFpcsCN/s400/bus+059.jpg" border="0" />But the Samoan kids rocked it. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095828813711693298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgam-ak6nkin_dPTXdOLaLlPxH8bRZqb_gatyPMFeMM54RiCTCY2S8e9cvVy6igBVmblTza50kmIpKQ7hiATka7X4-wC0OPz5oV8VwwsVTeNtl00epq_LwwRkDwgJ4J0YbZpteQeuQRc3/s400/bus+053.jpg" border="0" />We were going to hit some balls at the Batting Cages (also located at the bowling alley), but the sign confused us. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095826902451246530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OlyY8aal4HPQa3VxpyAzhMRy7bmgjPL3WtFH3UnpIliTJIbNPtMm8kkBecTJX5Wt_gyoyEA0NU5QeQVcYISFrTh10vpM82tpq3bgIg0rdSzAvD4BFw7isqG0ooAhS6W_tX7rURAI9c2Q/s400/bus+043.jpg" border="0" />We were not sure which side was "Reft" Hand. And it also prohibited drunks, so half of us were excluded. Instead, we went to the dance club (also at the bowling alley) and danced. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095829835913909778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzWjkZ6ef9hyJ-F7y8jfLjSAR44BMh3wNiBAYeGdFJf4UKknTgZ5Ebgm9CXZLXIfw5KmfcZBs270KcQ-7QQAjeykQLGQVcrqXi-B6ebbmFdO0WPMtzs_P3jLd4laJgEggJn8HSIj0NLYz/s400/bus+070.jpg" border="0" />Or at least Sharon and I danced.Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-55372940809054606272007-08-05T09:49:00.000-11:002007-08-05T10:10:44.774-11:00Nu'uuli Falls<div><div><div>About ten minutes from Palagi Village are the Nu'uuli Falls. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095323210161608018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kzIMFFZOiZ_7e8KE8epDvnkAaTFhYo4KnJ0G3q4aNkOIgI2sXXO5vk0U6wkDDbx0jTJc6wd-AvNTTTn5jBaUM6XJi0cdj9CwTUAX6wFoA8dysIrJTdESbLdh8UllSQxnV-uFZXn4OEIt/s400/Samoa+133.jpg" border="0" />After a short walk past a pig farm <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095323201571673410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKHO_YKZ14OltGMxV4I-Lymn4MhKcx76Vcbs2M65wpHkMM0JR99gYeZIlNBogjwRrqSmbT80s82EDVkA88eDe7cdmgnuxgFQe7WASswz5WF4zn9_4MtrNzl-7Npp88hoPflieOC0r7lta/s400/Samoa+131.jpg" border="0" />and through the jungle <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095324743464932706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqu6LwDvtm5qOhXtYxOQK4SafJts_vDkkHdv9Z2D2INYgXhyphenhyphenaMmyG2A3vZyrfz3DjNl-CVQa85o5TYHwim3CWMMCvNqbJzlCcQDteRSB0EPAh5BD1VhLsN1PAmEF0SdYkmGHGqTUfLiNo/s400/Samoa+136.jpg" border="0" />you find a really refreshing pool and waterfall.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095324752054867314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfYH1YIf3g2YxyOURMVm0kdTNBovbQkORxPC9NqfoYyY4B62-3vipJvfWc9ZCPhwQnJwmYUzEKYIkFVQWSjnaX0-7QkyrPxkMfTlvfV4EV_z_MbZzI5FdNnhCFPc-oneLHH3Ph1p7v3OO/s400/Samoa+139.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095324764939769218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN804peSylSt5apYWDb6mVIh4GCN145SipTdtBD6ELYFKRnRGM8T3txcyb-PqIkkbrOcSZRAQcq0e4vZHkV6Dh08kOiK3oSFohMHtUQ59UcY7feZTVy1dPVMnEO8PWCMi8jaGF_knj6S-/s400/Samoa+140.jpg" border="0" />Awesome. After the falls, we made some enchiladas and watched "The Big Lebowski" on the really big screen.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325499379176866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT1UJEp9mvwbRPSdI1seXmNHMOOqorpfEchnMv68zUOr0qXw0SJfrVQ3qTS2LjtfIwFIXbe1143unC_U8QjsFnbY_lIJExPSP2neqCKz-peillN-OX17wF2lbVdr3gEzjPpXRcsPmtawC/s400/Samoa+149.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325507969111474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUT4N8sYzIimvCog1lnxjfnrl9O19dD-5LDKL7Px_FH5FHbKj1WDFjcrfC5yDhIsY1XknnOls2rFifdZ6Ovq_I2QN25gpPOcYRfrbnfx8YEwwO1GbMaX9SiIvXt8iOT0Sfz77RPoVVYFP/s400/Samoa+150.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325486494274962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiYeiH8VBccEdaAnEhIIetRH0UaDS3n_RmQ_pbb22_rs31Dt0g1MSwls2DjXTOOozivGItgBKJjx-mWmfigTC3zbL00LwnUrH2di0Z1elMKlMLaAMGDE8GSGLPQeXd94SVTm9lhH6914-/s400/Samoa+146.jpg" border="0" />Thanks Aldin for the wall. </div></div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-72456910645471980462007-08-05T09:11:00.000-11:002007-08-05T09:49:44.381-11:00Mexican FiestaMax & Gonzo hosted a party on Friday at the Argentine compound. Actually it was at the Kato Kailian part of the compound, but still a lot of fun. It was one of the last parties for Gonzo cause he leaves next Saturday (which sucks). We thought it would be a good idea to get a pinata for him. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095313142758265842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8tTl_Gml9ZvKkx_3zxY6hEnYSRFJ2VvhXNINBLUqVKNWAOFFqjGQgxmKOJw3qZL-c_IjfTzeExUddUEg4pR0kORroBFJ7MIbU47udZrI6WTCj8-bMIbR3jFZP9g4n43KFDl3ysJkUFji/s400/Samoa+013.jpg" border="0" />We are told it is part of his heritage. As he is starting a new adventure, we thought the Dora the Explorer pinata made most sense. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095313151348200450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOURYGATMKkhsgL0g6E4zC3a9GbpgUaahGvJXsrAR5CRP6XBpFBZXfJ2ZGNN175Km-uQaWMORTLjOxiE9pzwsW6VnOYY6HbYa-b2hwfGI1Y_M-aHh6IV1Oes8CIB4LgNGk_ekuJxWCVWl/s400/Samoa+014.jpg" border="0" />He really got into - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095314044701398034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_cO7pQTFMNwkea1nYzfh_rkQoMpAn3uUGM5IxByYRtB4U0WlQ8lfGppgrZgfDsscaqJRMzOnNbW7ywqETRYKE4eNdZMS9rGuI8AZVLYTWIWtfi8hp5eq1KmR9_n_oup5cDoCUj3du0Es/s400/Samoa+015.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095314048996365346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fPQZigT8NM_3swf4mq90A4N3dqNumkrcYnjJqrN4dHJOo9Qxo2Ojt-c23HcyAvR_GrWh7Br2XSdbDLMNx2U6jgJY8ycYab-ZhkSgYcVlVfnbS_1GmVX5bcwsZDuIVl_llsAIawJTBhdd/s400/Samoa+016.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095314057586299954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-xdmEtCl_Q7zOiDnxoTiTNmh_8IcmuY0FTdN7JVHYERqT3kUyqTD5CYAIkQGwOvPZ2eoYc3SqaDnPFa0pRIu0wuWP7_45BDPIYGsn5QKvfL33oFCDCiqHFuh2X1BSwosHyfots9RV3E-/s400/Samoa+019.jpg" border="0" />but Max caught some of the "treats"which included sauce from Checkers. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095314341054141506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4NipEWoiYKW4mK92H-FMZHGnwAim5xdIzv7eE6Xl8sSNkpi3vpPbVX3Kc0ZT2qztUrNwdD1Zv6OGjCY2QyIher4MDEgl5TyFfSpBcGPUMsSFoHFolT8y6Na7HP96NgDEjUHAasAWlaLS/s400/Samoa+022.jpg" border="0" />Parts of the pinata also served as fun party hats <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095315208637535314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv04cJNAsQfWpVPhku7LXGF8ERzaVvI0oy9jAngVtnqQGKHuXDVDy6PezmHa8Tc-w7_LrNnWYDhS5b7AZ-ylSWb-41D1e216OLcSUuyKRAedIypsq7c33QX9e-SVr0xs2dnfom1sRnC9H8/s400/Samoa+026.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095317940236735714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoOkgGe7DQyIfSOqq07DFsV26hEZZw9IRoV6ICX6agvMNcCUtJYQmEt4P-ko0QfpIqbXeIeJRfxQgtPTmgWqHOcdx9_JZYu2m4O9juwc6Sw2Wna6fc5wYPAmCXeh3372m9hyX3a6ueH4h/s400/Samoa+024.jpg" border="0" />and props to recreate Madonna videos. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095316059041059986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jMaPKzZe5ioMwn03Fzebl7DEXMhn91dTmum52f2KVOGOz6mlEDWe1mD6I8ypai5hYlBadLjmb2EonvnOva7rc1PFRh9uqnKfgptzoNvO0-UNVLXRFvYQWZOdKwzP06-pffFsmSgFhDMa/s400/Samoa+035.jpg" border="0" />New Guy also made one of his (in)famous vats. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095315217227469922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61Z7gfkZFi92XEQUmF_y_1uUiobX04i3MPkCctej8hNk7e2hxUrYItDKS75XJGn8GAbYJFkKHTHoWrp0Q3i1XADXGmeRcg933EZdrkvmbUl1Qzds7he_TOnP6Etg9lH7qVqagOWgwiqsJ/s400/Samoa+027.jpg" border="0" />I know it looks like vomit, but was actually very tasty. And he liked it. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095316050451125378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTLIlLeHSrC25trzlYsGNEcoi2XHT62LHg49XMJRlpyC00j4Pv33Bn_20GrkILHlS93XpcIhxHcUH8QQmo2zlpr-kASzv24tQrRlujPC_dQ4JL63yY3u_i0Bg6Bh5HI4idqUWx_aJq98q/s400/Samoa+032.jpg" border="0" />Or maybe it was the Hinder shirt. The music was playing, so we had to dance.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095320345418421538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9M68frgtyoWCEy0ZQk83Bylt8SwdxuoQJsTmmR2VHjfavHBTS1xjX_jvss6r1C_eZhP-0v1oUnHVhzSaBv_82b_KTdl2Ri1AYS3dfDbudutccRWYwGaujf5W-f0t6XsNFHDHK3ObJhLQ/s400/Samoa+105.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095317119897982146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3iHo6XL5TLLWDJduAV6q9GLHeMTVO6zhEI-62r06OqBYJafz6wmCofN24f2ibCbDvs5E1uGp5ur-F8voKKhJ3dWQSPCVkbFNL_joNtpMy-rj1GXLJEbRbKH0fQOOEaO-HVeRsgdGW5Rb/s400/Samoa+054.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095317124192949458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciIagihItchtWcUqv8D6n1wBfRFdQUG0awS6Y8LBsbTJGqsNnYOsYqWiSzbO1y4mF7zYkyGf64DtrJCnPmsmCohbLEN9QSxlQUIwhRI7s25ki3JAiTPxc55HXs2VN_cUsn-JCpNAfGYh9/s400/Samoa+078.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095317944531703026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo3whkUhHThd6HfaraCcf20Gk8ufM79V6CJ8EOCEcuHeCjuYWBeTziCfDaEJTnoovdeAfV_2LjKt-uY4CzL7gcJXHYc_SBDTfFa8-b6MYjZQX7NH1YYKfYF0gMfcWnkokgKsStrzFlqc3/s400/Samoa+115.jpg" border="0" />There was even some chair dancing.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095316063336027298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFuv4rhFXDgM_Pc4dBeBOx6pWN87yDBJeJJb30qDoZRKdzUm5h_D8g4vaAUrsKgh4_94YqpNiU72rV9NLKUc6LulH5U4NmepcMFgwRYDRNjvHH_x98EFtSQ_JB573N_lf4c2MQw6hEcLM/s400/Samoa+045.jpg" border="0" /> Another successful Association party.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095320332533519618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpqryTR96DeOwupjoZE5L494KY7qcn0k77hInUO_7xRy1z2D7nDN4yI1v1PH_sYlkwRp4zYVoclrzZznE4ad0o03t_ComTiIBoDcix6us-bsIHjtIxmbhF9qqezH58fzx8XW3-B9-aOU4/s400/Samoa+030.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095320341123454226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N0y-Flub47qrmpmYNQDzWN0OyGLV9jseX3PEnep-p3TSsy9CWZeObbcjQ4F6Oom64harc4WuisXT1UlAmfyR8IWE7M5Px9Ypq2XTpDMm5CWMSmK9Wx8eaV6ZWWBWeN5jBR6v3XV7uC81/s400/Samoa+099.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095320354008356146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmeJ35cdR-KQkMPv5Eso2SGlHHCLXujR4vElYpsNtkBJghh-NNoC5T7jA0eYR2NT2ipWUcHqi6daDU8ePE8gNxhc8uz2VKYqfOcrEvEKIVjPFGZObRAEBX5c6VnjcbnCQw15c5Nm0P96Z/s400/Samoa+108.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095315221522437234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvaikTSl7Nooo3C9RRNpNtwAuYZrNrkCHh0EbDtZBm9B-svyNQRzNd2EBsm40bGueVelf0zTj-cWd1GVQ0oMUwlSlM3P-vxEizxD2C-CQwLDIHROh4e21RaHNYF-p5eo8bjGC_5PIRKrm/s400/Samoa+029.jpg" border="0" />Oh No - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095317115603014834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bsODS1ZtPfd_N0z8ZEFGXBlNtYbazelovNvE8xSy4zleKUeHrAM6Vgn-KCGwQ54lyH4i_3-l2hPZL4jMiyEbGvyQ7RcygjgQqFLK3sRrCePjfM30FjehMYufJTJtdYmeSm7k1_QgPx6A/s400/Samoa+055.jpg" border="0" />Gonzo only has a week left on island and I only have two weeks!?!Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-81243075771738368832007-08-02T17:36:00.001-11:002007-08-02T17:55:54.283-11:00Happy Birthday New Guy<div><div><div><div><div><div>New Guy is not so "new" after celebrating a birthday on Wednesday. To celebrate, a bunch of us took him out to the Equator Restaurant ("Where North meets South") for dinner. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094329526528004946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4o_d3NYtHn3lMMJ1VTtG9HtiD8uYvFQrRZ8c-oJGeA0UlOzVeqjdrD2bksKZmA-wJdN06MHiaF4wggOoGsq-_8ZnOR8lPaZEqCWerYoIj2JQZJY5pgob16ujuFcOteokx-brjl01l5dz/s400/Samoa+004.jpg" border="0" />It is suppose to be one of the better places on the island - but a "better" place doesn't mean much in Am Sam. However, we were all pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. It was delicious. As it was a formal event, Nate wore is fancy safari suit. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094328895167812402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXysW4X-H3RPUOrKgxYVkjvSXRo2eQvsuC1imbQXjdOV72WBDbaWPDHMRTudvV5PMoVyUxZM0yYK8CV32DRShJm2aTDxWF1CcMIVcO5Tco2-G3BigF3qQbUR1SSXli64hB0WiLQ4v3skOB/s400/Samoa+002.jpg" border="0" />Go Bills! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094329238765196098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GGblkzc7UFBDXwC5lenu7n9t-fQErf-gx7NCgSnBzGpE5qGB5_xIqi0g8wy_9LCwerYaO2Gz-jxIoW2iVq8hhihgiLK5o_uVcz8klZ_UGukxXedKL-K4a8dzVcfbw4UMR0DOToaGH-ru/s400/Samoa+003.jpg" border="0" />Not sure if Nate and Niki should stand that close together. After dinner we went back to my place for pie and drinks. New Guy brought over some Bailey's type of liquor that he got free with purchase from the local liquor store. Sadly, it had solidified. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094330913802441634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iLMpGdWebeJHk7kQqKuVqIoYsy2kYWIkKHSyA_uuhT4ZI4s9ip-Gn4th3cTj0-6QauGwrqWgIuuJte7QrJqM5yLRskEQtTMfb4-soVcTp5IgE4nYXEnwtOhbWXM6sh2tx16dbxJBS8CA/s400/Samoa+015.jpg" border="0" />We realized why it was free. The pie was better, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094331248809890738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOXx8-vdAE3QP5XV627aF_xGkZuK_o8kmCgo_Q8WmEMVEX__6q2D5N5WTesgLaMfwQAFjRJ-JFCf8s1jMQNlmP72fiFj23W9tWFDzFu6cYewRNA58FcfKxGeWudYPLCZsGqpfqxH2gb6A/s400/Samoa+013.jpg" border="0" />but New Guy wasn't able to blow out his candles, because The Lady Naomi walked the pie with burning candles in front of the fan. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094329801405911906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jyXR1cSb4rZOJ7LqYYAl5ytwvxoDFTrB53vyUEg9LmXaLgQFe3wka6IItGyPYdSxsw6lHOg9XspKWzBE2CR6XV4XBgaW6063s48TUK97_GAAySzJyvviSRgVaBDLBZX6ZQbF485M-nwN/s400/Samoa+011.jpg" border="0" />So I guess the fan got the wish this year. However, I think New Guy's birthday wish did come true cause I was able to secure him the Hinder tour shirt. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094330905212507026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7Tu4cIaZJl4FOpFYUhciIBxS42etHCESXfkOtNQ3VLuvgStJPnrDd8Jbir-VaarzWQR8Sh1jO0145nUMmKTB5fIgwSuZNyeCWbV1Z4w6bXaKaSMdc-NSrojlukjsYVURIzHMSHlcv7om/s400/Samoa+010.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094330896622572402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtzMwmcjHVcm9K6MC1EJZIZQrISwfsvEb0lk8E-leUGhwoWQDYeP2vSRmc7Kd5SxQ2hce376cUr3j0ImSHWfxbU_YhlkXGCvRqQsKk7Szx0b3dgEOd-PpfuvRwBNx3QjRlMChlEDAVsfy/s400/Samoa+007.jpg" border="0" />He really wanted it.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094330900917539714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzR2msQWwJSSihGSdbeBK2uTB1zCDaXZmii7WZisweE6O9X5dcsE11q8E6b4ZQ5zBbp5SJ2_iRJYAZxw4q9T8_6AAQdEP4gNCqpWUV6B_iwtOtrRU6aHcAbIfhWUFIBCiC7ZJsIL8PJjc/s400/Samoa+009.jpg" border="0" />For those of you who don't know, Hinder is New Guy's all time favorite band. Lucky for New Guy (and really all of us) the local radio station plays Hinder songs ALL the time. If you miss it, don't worry they will play it again in like ten minutes. In case Hinder is not as big outside Am Sam, which would be shocking, here is the video for New Guy's favorite Hinder song - Lips of an Angel. The lyrics are pure magic.<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gtnf9EqijT0" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></div></div></div></div></div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-90756183517234635122007-07-31T21:46:00.000-11:002007-07-31T22:14:06.016-11:00Surprise, Goodbye & The RockEven after the Dance Party - I had a busy weekend. On Saturday, Sean hosted a <a href="http://potatoestopapayas.blogspot.com/2007/07/more-jaydn-soccer-pics.html">surprise party</a> for Jessi cause it was her birthday. Happy Birthday Jessi! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093653318286987938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Fxycpq_iLUk4yQ3NH3LFPsYqhwVg8Mict9s1a3QBIJJxxnbf9wDz-43Xsaey9M0mcMsACIheA4289SWq-F6DAK6Yyz96IS0476-hTFveIYL5PLqDU8rcn21NA9U_HITWC70A6GJg9kDp/s400/Samoa+001.jpg" border="0" />After the surprise party, I went to Jeff & Mer's <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093653816503194290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylUG2j3Uw88NU0pYp0rZBTThevxWfVL7Jvjq4xfMbQ5ozM1qJvhhhvhyphenhyphenqL0cSeWu9ONZuLUq-PjTd5PwZNCcOSlsHlYmx-ACW31EVHl8XY0N3RBtq5CTpnk6hoJTHRze6qNJGnjUVwcVU/s400/Samoa+006.jpg" border="0" />so we could say goodbye to Samoan Steve - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093654198755283650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM5krnD9Ps-0f4fKspLY5jRoX0g0ai0Iq5gXfxiypHxJqVBYYjqygMLyqyPT9KUvECQugrGPU8zug2x4QatS_oQS75K4aPjHc8Rgdoq9EssjnECgz583h09LoM7qcJEeC-cnL5bKyN00e/s400/Samoa+012.jpg" border="0" />doesn't he sort of look like Judd Nelson? He is leaving for Hawaii for a new job. He should be back in six months, but that is a lifetime in Am Sam - or at least half a contract for a law clerk. On Sunday, after brunch at Deluxe Cafe (perhaps the fourth Sunday in a row), a group of us went to <a href="http://weaver-in-samoa.blogspot.com/2006/10/sliding-rock-american-samoa-style.html">Sliding Rock</a>. The walk over is pretty cool.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093657076383372066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgkCSLocC2UpCCDiZkM3FBRSxhGs7qzMlvdRypWJ3Qb8cvDkPmL3M0HWHgRWU4pBOzwLtKt06IKzYpzbw6L0TFEbCqYFy7hr5tcGCxn5meRloZN_HL5FGJzQ6hDVCDz_BqqW5bS33QHuz/s400/Samoa+023.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093654576712405714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgsObQ-Kn2b5IYWEKE9mUR1807l_jp0vvQyTWimWUaWdcHwTLt224j4f2i8GapwG7_dNI-d1m6eg__PXX69GUHNH5-3Og-JF9WJSGCr2yBYvhm8xAqV9QIBXmc7_igjAlF2nGtk_gL6Pv/s400/Samoa+012.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093654946079593186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0zcOXGCJzCJLgLc1h10aIf5X4586_8l0as9NBU8Kr4SbSbKIBy3HtrPg7B4WcFWigTsdyGQG4rNLqMONDC8UPwH6eCEHGlLI2RhPhw94lpmRnHVVQC1tlcqMI30dtjBJpafhwSpBgtCg/s400/Samoa+013.jpg" border="0" />Unlike last time I went, it was low tide, so it the pool was nice and calm. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093656024116384498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViDnFi5MN-F-1bBfqZBiCPg4szXUeDP0HKdNHikLiOD91LNzR3w_yZwZxXWNvkmHWRDx-8fJLsQmgw3i8m_s-4R3VhjSdvDZyvLPpKl7JaBHJYdZVXHd6uw5Ms2rcPGxV6aLROW24vRpZ/s400/Samoa+016.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093657046318600962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMavwpD0ITTQ94TE6u3IAEaNbgqacEUrgEUB6qEwgkzttyEI-rfcf4m_fqQa6dt364Z8rWEFgi8Wafo_KaE0rz1kFDhJzlUTqDAYG88mYVFQ7egQD_bzUTvahA1_LoYPZFeIItO5DaCUy2/s400/Samoa+018.jpg" border="0" />However, every once and awhile a major wave would crash into the pool and push us around. It was really cool. This one Samoan kid was running on the (slippery) lava and jumping into the pool. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093657059203502866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7grfwFB2lZ0uoX-z_ktUCee0dpeeOcW3XATdbP6dPq-_VKi-LOVRZ3muYBSbcMQHtECftKPzYMC3a1Mt3-QaWVzaIMpqyoApH5QXBXJAME8nuiWxNBZ6WjxAmHKetwLlyQU3x6y5mej4/s400/Samoa+020.jpg" border="0" />CRAZY!Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-30068101205919730602007-07-28T16:09:00.000-11:002007-07-29T10:57:52.340-11:00Dance Party<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>The Castro's decided to host a Dance Party on Friday. They turned this - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092454558554935794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrXA3SooPiX6ysRolqaJGm5A7eTMfpgFsMTawSVlCp-F0wpFEuVsYQHytJehDg-I3GamhJg1M2SUv1DBpyE63i7Wk_kSeeTVqyUPP59voHaMTJgBEgcoUpeRtm2wPv_rzl2hh0xaU0RWM/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+001.jpg" border="0" />into this.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092724789307265586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXHzfTfzmplFnjC9i-V8FLEivvq74S15JWhEUEXFQBdqvyGknX9NQfjKj0-_Mm4G2zq5Nl-FRrc8Etw7MRmNeEU1uOjLCoorWomNSZ4KMz89rPA09DlfSZcfaa3UHILSWe4mRm3s2G5dq/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+016.jpg" border="0" />Awesome. Samoa Steve showed us how to get down.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092454962281861634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLqfSUhCxzxE54pkeRQyNFNqZSvy-m5cz-liLyFhJPP8IOGCW9lWKrVZwlTiD0zwMSbXE4a040pAKWASs7AbE3QhU7KDh6QrGvy6nvswj9VEm7Zu-j5Zm6CWPPVzPlzIGc9-fddY2qF5L/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+013.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092724802192167506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP5SV_L7wqit-7R9AMch_Jnm_5c1M_T5k0Ry53PtVDfOT86YGzaQuPX9QRQF0qbLNyoxGFu5BUdOglr0cQoz7FxjQucHUg-roYPR6Zaeum_aLyEqDLg8LeJIsCaOCGSVgDoEqexdeR4_K/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+018.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092724793602232898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGOwBuQlxdHR2acA5UMjQX0vem8ZjyqiDzK2ifFwnsVpqkAskNlBRFcACc7HeyoWRekQmHq05OnTnIYr9cUHblFQ9f-AQJxswu_NL-jbGbC-fRvynwGAaphyKL5XVnT9LimC0hcNFqVyS/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+017.jpg" border="0" />A little video...<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yLZRwfGMPrk" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q9R9d7d0eUQ" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></div><div>Everyone had a great time.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092724011918184994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCTDgueiUsQghcwF917SHyEuAU8iOUuOcRXEs8fmr0MiwS5f-wb9M27iBUBTfB8ouJOPElYkFEhxbW69_YXrD52DvDBCrJEYJSIBEjWQwmrWmjfz3su5XIl0qwIK9RLMy_SyruwJ7N8ey/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+015.jpg" border="0" />As you can see.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092455241454735890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlHZn7Kfph6bk_GqvnDoaM6G5v7mroq9ZOBrYjTtHnHMoo6lJWATqYNnXcKpkF-uHqIBTrslXl500qa94PiPkUo_9C2HCtri9jMamVRCrXUdQUTFMJHE0fH-hfwoEhs1WCc8onAiwTYTZ/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+004.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092728251050906258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnWkaNkTeP5j-ERuwu5S-r1hgiaN6AOgN30ue1CTyvR70eM_nu7yDLtbnYAc9CEIc8O6jRxBOLAjkGwRuMd_Za5vntaBlYMTrS4J7pt_NVIL0j7pnz-cHdZloq4E8g_foVhyATfjEHLKf/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+037.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092725485091967602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRggN6IlOWImYwraqiqIULObfMnKkNQGAMNdUn467JCPBcGt_v1ImiWQ8jo3ML5ZZoxFV3sdZNTkGSE1M__W8EniE98W3XobfyNMqm0s-9c0J1NN3keqGdaSYc9mVBk5rs_Wa00vrHN9t/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+021.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092725480797000290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAG6UBaAyjsIMY3ryeJaT2pYYfOgr31TWLnAuhyphenhyphen6EoDiujy6tpPsc7kOe8Og6f5SvFcTDpz1JU-G_UWBvjBnEhquUWdLDV04Y2D56gTUIT_tiPJuybRpgrk3iFmr5W4GUTQdpaHQglx3N/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+020.jpg" border="0" />Yes ladies, this a black velvet leopard print. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092727770014569090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOv6tAbY_YkY1y2sgdZHKEsvr9ef7ULBV9m3zhmF2YnIwB34zPTe6mPu4iywlkJxyVSnuSdTib620KiiulENme5mfynXr0on5AsexwzA7yh25-QmsWGP30OinKvt2p9lV0gG_GblK-nG-/s400/Samoa+Dance+Party+026.jpg" border="0" />And yes, his fly is down. good times.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-29297769541703815342007-07-24T18:12:00.000-11:002007-08-02T18:48:15.559-11:0050 Cents<div>It is a big day for 50 Cents. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090630211066417618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxpCvQ-zQD5VgmxVIqRXw01FX85hqupKiN-Xlacz2IWKM-aEn5lRTP-J9vFcKhDFYMlQaMjSUjodcnbXm-BZPcTxFOUVHJQzNrVj2mK0OFeoxcEnUNrKH9SGRBjYbyHHb4yOhk665s53x/s400/MassacreBonusDvdChiDlx-50Cent20054770_f.jpg" border="0" />No, not that guy. The new 50-cent per hour minimum wage hike for all industries in American Samoa goes into effect today. Am Sam thought they dogged that bullet, but Congress attached the wage hike to the Iraq funding bill - and it passed - so in a few years Am Sam will have the same minimum wage as that of the mainland. Right now, with the 50-cent jump, the highest rate will be $4.59, while the garment industry will have the lowest minimum wage at $3.18 per hour. Cannery works will make about $3.76 per hour. No sure how that is going to work out for the territory - the standard of living is a "little" bit different then the mainland. The major employer - the canneries -<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094346813771371474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUe_Sg9nHKhXUfr0JN4cPnnOw0xwKYuL_4wtZe5Iiv30Uebr4cub_FB-QRbgMqsiAr12s23XndGauO42GNV-3jaMU_r6j9Cunr2dGuYiRtWauEBdelFhgg22Xx3RwovxvXDhra_Dkvnb3/s400/Samoa+008.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094346805181436866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh4yA_Hc77abigJxSYHDCg7WkvFppZI6nTkKv61s0OuB8l1m3RlUmeq5eJXWO8jQbKIOPtCp0Ld2EbOsSaRW-sq47tqu5HMtXUA1NoVD7r2ov5n8I57qpID8wM8W_NIb9e8OSCG1sXZz_/s400/Samoa+007.jpg" border="0" />have kept relatively quiet, but strong rumors persist that they are looking to leave. If they do leave, at least the stink will not be as bad, but not sure what the economy will be looking like - guess not everyone is a fan of 50-cents.</div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-22820530137326941832007-07-23T17:59:00.000-11:002007-08-06T20:55:28.111-11:00Paperwork<div>What happens when you "go to bed" early on a Friday night? This...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090624142277628306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T4KDIfZCrZm-6HuNpthHmI2-Aom2Cnc_2Ylab4yZsmEklI-ybPkqKviVLMAI0mnQOQZHNuo7eg8pucX0yjkyi0hJEIg1fElxrjgmOj5ioSHCyJQ_kxuoHPcCZhjSxu-BVG1ntoQFOOWm/s400/Samoa+010.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095863955134109218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eVOJCeQuxLCX8DQ3QFHtIz_XrR7uDx7aDc3v7u_NMrooH61LoU81VHiJZAOjH5sdvzfB8GvJVYtQwLgpLao9dXqbCG2wx5-hZYV8k_IWpCvDzZVHnyRFG_lvU20GY-41h6KGsodqJtbs/s400/bus+002.jpg" border="0" />New Guy learned a valuable lesson - never allow Gonzo and Nate near your unlocked car. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090624666263638434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxhqqEMsRVqrsmqe9msg79JhgiLf0YrohxJ807fu5hi7cCysXno2AsSJo1PQaDPywfNpf9YSLPtiX8g52D8eC_MLbY-yMBG7QurewLCyEAjHpKm1X5s9qvZY4cRDswNhsZKAa2FSBjAt5/s400/Samoa+013.jpg" border="0" />Now the saran wrap and palms were bad, but they left a special gift inside the car. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090625061400629682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGx9AlDWgjFaStGsndqU0O9umKvBOCEwV-T792yY-Pdf79FJi7AVgsDq0QThupwefNtFFlqkF6khNasxDkFowspKK7vV6yzyua-HPvD1UdxAcm5JkvLsyuODVc8BQRS8AXQ-vJF79S_zs/s400/Samoa+022.jpg" border="0" />A box of green printer paper. It took about one hour for us to mash up the paper - but that also involved a great paper ball fight. We are not sure if New Guy will clean out the car - I mean he can still drive it, right?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090625344868471234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9DE3syMYFgV-cqwVeYA-3PIxevIJQ68Jne0JVoZbyz0CxfDHeVWl_xZ4_At9WU873dauOtUMv9VvQByZrZEmdx_mPPI69KZBKKFeOy2rXw0qCTx0a1KO778L2RM2NGRmy24e2Ja7WoQ9/s400/Samoa+024.jpg" border="0" /></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-30822744270918556292007-07-22T17:33:00.000-11:002007-07-23T17:59:38.499-11:00Moving Karma<div><div><div><div>On Saturday, Nate, New Guy and I helped the Keysers move into their new place on the Westside. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090617669761913170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_QTXZBr0_SophsQoyzO-K7N_2dvcbmUr0QxUZtcbXFpjiPZCh93BWO4NPU3Fuu2SjN5y-XcuC4RppCrEzU1-OCpM95lnNLMt6U3RaQMW-ohydJcKqf-CcZFabOIJ0RVgfGV_R5ouZKAG/s400/Samoa+026.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090622514485023106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4MCe30Kqbvfplh-Fbith70fI_KNVjUAkF2vzSNLJFGpoMLFnDPpuxgOoHYKzJ5jlL1Nv-ILjlH43BNF60o5DFBW73xQgXhYkqe2L2HWZUodYm72ooeD30oW56CCSGFwiS4yJU5fGJ0w2/s400/Samoa+028.jpg" border="0" />Besides helping out my friends, my moving karma required me to help. While in DC, I moved about a dozen times in about 10 years. Part of reason I moved to Chicago is that my friends refused to move me anywhere else in DC. I guess they got sick of moving my random possession which include a butter churner. Go figure. Luckily, the Keysers had moved almost everything minus the heavy stuff - like the washer and dryer. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090617978999558498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Pla-QrTPwuMLTELOANBLdjbbo755XFVdyFKINZEZZP0Kj6cokuUY2GYYOs89WrpZ8z2GWT8TEKGiL6d3JfI4Hgf-u2MlOftbWx_A0elf87UksRnhy2uwTQ9_42lfbpl92miHkhJLWOxy/s400/Samoa+025.jpg" border="0" />Not that bad. I wasn't sure why they were moving from a pretty sweet place in Beverly Hills, but once I saw the view from the bedroom - I knew why.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090618288237203826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8mi6z23bPY4NSnRnpDWWAdXzd4okaKzDxK8j2GowlaSRtn4mzwUuzzG6nCfGP7qHtPjBXUO-4kAFSuhhQ1J0Rvuh0VXJ5xw-X4zBtbE2655HCh1fmxYP7ZxFJdXNYc9L08oJ1JtpCjlf/s400/Samoa+027.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-69139975167150649952007-07-20T07:55:00.000-11:002007-07-20T07:58:00.252-11:0030 Days<div>I have 30 days left in paradise. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089355211899861138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Eh6jSzTI9X3Ud6-QqZiyYa4bD_fms9lV4boVjf_ux6lqJhe-u3jZ6ZnWTrLo-UncFuPSq6PMQnVclmcJvlR64Ylu2Eu2Nxg080eCl0_sM3R6yxrQM6UhXfeEFCS5TFLnX5-SJYAtRpy/s400/sunset+2.jpg" border="0" />crap.</div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-6718133953457147622007-07-17T12:47:00.000-11:002007-07-18T12:55:16.055-11:00Another Three Day Weekend<div>Government offices were closed on Monday to celebrate Manu'a Cession Day. The Manu'a Islands are composed of Ofu, Olosega and Ta'u. The Cession Day marks the Islands' birthday (they are 103 this year). While the islands are thousands of years old, in this context, by birthday, one means the day the Chiefs of the Island ceded the their land to the United States of America. It is nice to see that people still celebrate colonialism. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088689577868327042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtNAmxkBOpkG0mMtM9EmENZ1QqCYdofGC8kUdp46PNMAX5R7sjm1KxBig3Ayayvz84trZcwLwCkw59HyeeK45TLc75ISd9CRBL6Z-EoXe3dKJUWPeHeIaz2sz2E3xnaMzvJtjJL1Gjp0O/s400/MFD11Olosega_supporter.jpg" border="0" />I properly celebrated by sitting in A/C watching TV and eating fast food for most of the day. Happy Dependence Day!</div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-4273589212244667202007-07-15T10:31:00.000-11:002007-07-16T09:57:30.204-11:00Get on the Bus, GusThe group decided it would be smart idea to rent an aiga bus for the day and have it drive us around the island. It might have been one of our better ideas. New Guy's assistant at work has a brother who owns a bus. It is the Massacre Bay Express. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087540618282071970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGentdDR7O-xC5_Zx86zCEK7YW5fE3W9wyua6kh9o8qwoBhpT0OQKLVO82c2kG5Npwn5tGT_JthDwlHpYM6wtZqor7dtS8lXTOHEyV6gGLbUdNshwk0sd5jJgJ9DceXtx-UnG6tlLYYEzb/s400/Samoa+117.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087540605397170066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpX9ZCenBsYLB05qR9M9niYSeU6R-b1ttopNibzZ_cI6aQT5XXBLYqgjxHDLz6-HgYp3PlXL26GkBtBTFpfxIoTmyAZ7zUd0Xj3AHb8dyV8KoqRrLqsfvuPwzUlo26ubxsRLVeWMkYKMz/s400/Samoa+116.jpg" border="0" />We left Palagi Village around 11 am, which was basically on time for us - a surprise to all of us. Ed wanted to come with us, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087543607579310130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz4Ym09-0QWyn0yXzE0ggjx0dnKTzVvYuKGnnjzqvvjymVAeNtD_AxIF33_XdPDz3dYmLVZMVEYpkRqqqSR3OxVR-O3zx7mG68hkk-p3KEi_1V2cH6jQfzgSdSwDxpU8zMAOpPqhyphenhyphencsUs/s400/Samoa+139.jpg" border="0" />but we realized that none us were responsible enough to make sure Ed made it back to Palagi Village. However, Ed being the smartest dog in the world, would have been able to find her way back. We headed west, and started to pick up people. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087540940404619186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv6OZynCSrDA6oWu-qmk6jpfxMQ41jGP9-VlNDt7rLxWicAFg9GScwrua8r5-RH28V4kVdM31fPXwBstBsyDnEP2YxQuTvVOJoU0b9TTlEfBQnye4dUu2OZUnfjnc6XKyx3amjmawY4EE/s400/Samoa+119.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087541408556054466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGgRtRzzXcVsD9ljk7ImHMVUmDUqOEoucnEqQLIuMuHyI8P9cQ9VW3v_k6SWn025BKGlNCuunDdbqH56rV2Z6V0RNjCGAAhyJ9qBpS0yt3Af2aFllJ1yBocddKyNGbBJRSpXytmtg1xWq/s400/Samoa+122.jpg" border="0" />We had to stop at one point to reconfigure the coolers. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087539995511814018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WHtPBFKPpXuudK5gFehe0LjMGCXxGtTEAt0LbNGOreeh6jZcEmGji6D5Z8jx81JlqjgC5oOy5ysJqVcoLy8AHJYA5E98Cg-3xC3ZiNx2-PvgA4ROTjwmrkc_nQrCl7K4WGvbXlUWHKPf/s400/Samoa+114.jpg" border="0" />We were quickly running out of space on the bus. Luckily Samoa Steve brought his own bottle opener - his mouth. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087543598989375522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92NoxrLH9HMDsViMsrz8sIHWGNmkzF57EFmAiAXXG4b4DLwLRbmjm1e-AirxPAVIe3Cox0pjIOczu3BGws3DJjT_JkihIv_hJNQDzsJqL9DCvdMxihVr7UYSsVC89PoTEQHjic7WsfbrS/s400/Samoa+136.jpg" border="0" />ouch. By the end of the trip we had 30 people on the bus. Even Mr. Kava came back to Am Sam from the mainland to take part in the ride.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087542327679055858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSWGTzXZ269uAMlubXKjW9PpovX7JjxechUHk3NdZULFcl5dLld1MRDe5OLRHVWmbiiIwmNy6luacOvsQB5KMCKz4y487U35Vaqlaran_FLKcKwI1wdgy4vAzTsYcYfLqNtrYefmGIZVc/s400/Samoa+128.jpg" border="0" /> Everyone had a blast on the bus. As you can see & hear.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087542319089121250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUTT2e6PsY6BsFm_YclowFp430MCQzV4stFqmUdN0jdTUgMX4_Lyi7OLkcC3kt5SnGrORR8Y9jCFaaAoZVtGPJnehiYJMGreDlCrKQOHTkv-ha7VS8vBAl2LN6h2-KU2HiBGRqcQub5UW/s400/Samoa+127.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087541760743372754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySLwBX_I4sHGc8FHMoVzD_zpdpchC0V0qXDChqlIHZ-4jnt0k4nJvuxjtKfdxPkRN-w5tdwqTgawICSiuy_nq0erRT3XMTfgWDuNm0Wfw82706Za7u4qWdsxRrMUE5uTPEF_cAaG3YIv2/s400/Samoa+124.jpg" border="0" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pQjteJhUNqQ" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br />On the westside we stopped for barbecue - it was outstanding.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087543023463757826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v0b5eouYU3eSyyCTeOjdrRTfauQgARQS5aJ7FtSZkQfFpfGVgT-f9L7t6hYkNdCYQgMrNB2s4s7KgwiJPoEn9pK1IevTv4_UfVME0t2VS3-miYYyidXqGmOE2MYa_KMHLdqH-58P8QrJ/s400/Samoa+131.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087543032053692434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ip_6ULmxntkDBJXp9Y-XvtxZNaQdGY6DU0uhtgzQJnLkndduZtVb2bELY_Q4deWX37SUu-wV5D5gBzO44mTXH7s7WpjjmtOhAyy11eBOHGsVtYIzJqAqcYZTUi4LnU9I1m4MKPf8GEqL/s400/Samoa+133.jpg" border="0" />Due to our load, we were not able to make it up the hill on the westside. We turned around and headed east. We drove through the canneries - it was an especially stinky day. Nevertheless, we pulled through and made it to Tisa's Barefoot Bar.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087545097932961890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaseg2DkLn88WeCZ7uzMEWz1klc8MRuPT0Njm6uop1FToq4YRgq9OVdXl371uLn2AySakUbRIkbMvOlha9Ch_MxOxgyJksnUBN-yfzCED0X6srHRAliHs6lBVv25R1GaIstjfKPzjXI2M8/s400/Samoa+166.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087544599716755538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYW4n8zMmNHpx56GPDKIGMuUVBhPUr-FpV-LPcyPpYcj4ux0y_v6pEOZaP7Pwy33zNHZ45ClVDSr69NcDEGVRL1vWLN2NB0iemVaIpKcR5u2MCOi2jzE3hI0G8SdPxGrF7Prly8ZvOq0Ke/s400/Samoa+157.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087544586831853634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-IVXd9SQwrNWTFV08WDXMxGbktW-IHn_e76Ff4lDChB_1TAtPKJ-8FGiyPal-Avn29XyVbBWm6XyxY1DkVWoctpYaDooz-3pk4rKCBUOzTDSYGyez1Fm1J4zBAaCbc_yOtuH3u8mV6zd/s400/Samoa+155.jpg" border="0" />We spent a couple of hours at Tisa's. On the way back, the police pulled us over. We thought it was going to be jail for us - which would have been sort of funny since we had the entire Public Defender's Office and all but one of the Assistant Attorney Generals on the bus. However, the police simply told us to keep our beer cans inside the bus instead of hanging outside the windows. We stopped for pizza and ended our trip back at Palagi Village and New Guy's place where we burned stuff. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087545505954855026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21BV4RCdZAK4c-HsDPDlalnG25gUjwvsrmwYqnFiY_cTXTPMcULJBSPppgYBlWFcWUkhwN5TaksXyIY-ppxJIva0FG9Czi23hUJ16sBCGSPJApruhuFkdAi5B8s_WynY-Cx9PhBOeao9b/s400/Samoa+181.jpg" border="0" />Good times.Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-83590260792280163752007-07-13T18:51:00.000-11:002007-07-13T19:06:18.052-11:00Appellate SessionThis past week, the High Court of American Samoa held a special Appellate Session. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086926755786323794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK60Kkr_7uz7uefSu_AiILLCUJGvvZCVVYA34v4FXpHJ_NcPDlCDSa4ODXVNngr7IfQQ5sKRchmhtIZFHxeKrDtUzNMLNuF-T_KVD7BVCIN6BOA96T5xC6RtG5blb6G0M37S1IRb7RPmR/s400/Samoa+097.jpg" border="0" />It was special because two federal judges traveled to Am Sam. to hear the appeals. Senior District Judges Consuelo B. Marshall and Terry J. Hatter Jr. from the Central District of California served as Acting Associate Justices on the panel along with Chief Justice Kruse, Associate Justice Richmond and Acting Associate Justice Ward as well as the Samoan Associate Judges. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086927408621352802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-lHiUX8OeBzjLf3Vkvao9P1Uk-PbgvJQy6pIVlh6yTrEbUVzoR633HAczUyp2sh6x3n3WpoeJWM-0MFjqwYJ_AlAz3OW2pCBJud9y6dz8eaPDfYGAvyLxEyoWQcdSCRCIQJaXZFoCAg4/s400/Samoa+099.jpg" border="0" />Over two days, the Appellate Division heard ten cases. The off-island judges were really great and I think they enjoyed their time in Am Sam - Judge Hatter even got a manskirt. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086927417211287410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyh-GPrZtn15lGFQCP1Bp_nHpAmjk-f69GEDhoEQNJn3UzNDAv4plfLSzbPjhax0NILAsfc_JbhASxEamnyCXHz_2JrBH3QnWFVRQaKloodv6pbPumFefpWRkr1t9fxABvHUu4khZMZUu/s400/Samoa+103.jpg" border="0" />I promised them that if I ever appeared in their courtroom that I would wear my manskirt.Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-75869504412065164282007-07-12T18:42:00.000-11:002007-07-13T18:51:18.846-11:00BarbieThis Guy (aka New Guy)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086924226050586402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffV6qCb6NQD-wx00YBVX0Au8hLplp1BRd596RlybgXHfduKqXYHK43xq65eXzn5C7PETJWI1GcPE1GGd2BEle8L8wEuHoATdZt7ZYLJlLRO6eNmyF5kFSCDOHq3dxNATNt2liQb3bs0bF/s400/Samoa+043.jpg" border="0" />drives this Car (aka Barbie)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086925398576658226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AXgwel7NsXuE-6vSFF1rfhBz5WCOnFoAnx16QWg2MLq8xedEI4AY7C0EM9XVHNKBYNMvoOMJcdZRDwiQSCl3llYGXAAqXmd0_QAbU3MgqTdQ82Q6B35KRSgyVPm8YE3bFAPeWpZpdqd0/s400/Samoa+072.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086925407166592834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oCxt8kVJzayM97UihOV18Uw_yk1BqGPqtbLHrLqwcLCgKB-mhUFV0DReuPkGGApROFxFZszsTLvfv6WNzZdbVIQ8nouHCWz8uYVdG1WgJh5_8lafoFGOU2i4r8rr3UXZr1p0K-7H43TU/s400/Samoa+078.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div>'nuff said.</div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-1074976170426995692007-07-11T18:31:00.000-11:002007-07-13T18:42:22.184-11:00My Friend San Mig<div>Living on an island in the middle of the South Pacific means that everything, minus 16 different types of breadfruit, need to be imported onto the island. Haven't seen salad for two months now. Sadly, prices for foodstuffs are a bit higher then on the mainland. This includes beer. It is sad state of affairs when Coors Lite is one of the "good beers" on the island and retails for $34 a case. Recently, we heard rumors that the local distributor of San Miguel Light beer was discounting the price of cases. It turns out the rumors were true and they were selling it for $10 a case! Sweet. While San Mig should not be considered one of the "good beers" on the island, cheap beer beats out taste - after awhile, the swill tastes fine. The Association has been buying case loads of it over the past two weeks. Sadly, I was told that they were almost out of cases and that they would no longer import the fine Filipino beer. Oh, San Mig, how I will miss you.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086921833753802514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uvkQxcONAAnzeUoBZQlQuz0iOqsuC6mS7EBb2cK4e0z8ykDyJNqeYnSm27zmyCjV8_96X1t0pkwnAHVTx9CemqWwDxXJmU0hthlUfJhFWqKXoQVNr5t1vGi9B-d0-iwie4TNhpF4JAug/s400/Samoa+033.jpg" border="0" /> Guess it is back to MGD and Vailima. </div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-68362547075675396122007-07-10T18:00:00.000-11:002007-07-13T18:31:14.573-11:00Sunday @ Airport BeachNew Guy took his folks to Airport Beach on their last day in Am Sam. Naomi and I tagged along.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086913819344827922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5Pu0ruEDOXNNO-W32W-jVTFRnXXZMbw36McUb9TzzTPxkbBwWLW-4aeS3gqUhQFNvwdF2ZhwPfBa-DKHOEuMmPZmi7zU0a23l8juO6fB9EcL5lV-hom6X6ZZW4rzZiNjSpiGeTNIUn4F/s400/Samoa+036.jpg" border="0" />The sea was angry that day, so the blow holes were very active. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086914210186851874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SxBqpL1LPUMDaMnQ9pcHFuW3_LW6ko9y8ynwRg3lyZPHcdCXUURSm0s1sc3A2dtEzXgfp8pZUO5KOm9cP7IuOpUngfTvHGK9VVh60OYRSmCxx6_beWB66Xvk5NrtZqkj1RrGIzb_5GwJ/s400/Samoa+035.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086914656863450674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSJy1o68vhx5pYepVgLDctkbzsqKhvW3LbdXjcXxDRXFKVVyLykbeYquEhYqixzfosip3ezzneTMCCzH-tdQEixKlzJSn4xLPW-EcsbJwCye77-44KTDbekafWsaVjpYt4b4nJ1Blc5L2/s400/Samoa+040.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086915009050768962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM9dS1tEBZiHfVXD3nJPUSq4qqAWnugJiAWaAXMrnt8My07pOC5Kf7VE7C1lHJg7eVwsX9JpDpoWHwQKumayp6bv9qB0opirPN46fYNS2K4e5brI3_zHwybgbumlcbgRnO-ieZSbOT7o3/s400/Samoa+042.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086915451432400466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciMPlP7AFwfsh698e0vsQpYe3YX5GWG2WtQZrD3B6hwvRz-Jz91_y5nVGgPDKsL9UPofApIgIr1PRpCtpB8SEDJEYdsDL7zej1IpLfmuxJGdYo-oOvQQL1M9KZfteeQ_rl5Xbp2AH_oYt/s400/Samoa+045.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086918140081927890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp9ogY0iivwbI_iGlbJWU020Jqu5YnlFh0VODwOmQJfLD8AFNSvD77K2kxC2KNvfz6EAxjAdUGtn6ZxfuleukHvT3uQ4m2LvH_SNLitTb82oWlyfHBE4NVAWhq8oB29YPjlDZlk1JXFVe/s400/Samoa+068.jpg" border="0" />It made the walk to the beach even more beautiful. We reached the beach during high tide, so we didn't have much beach to work with <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086916310425859682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1WRxDd4MvEuN4j0gCHvwPAwaZ07iX8se8uSrmGY66mlolHUj2_pMGVNPM1wl1XGwdqzNgLMnUX4T3IfXibHMG-uGAduyDLt3wKtlW8mtXrk4yc0acwceD63nYA5tjTyovgLhDigbvi3t/s400/Samoa+056.jpg" border="0" />and had to walk through the water to get to it.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086916327605728882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDFlgARtl-3sQgzN8w66OqvUGgE05D_Y8G774jFX5AFMVi6CjIaKfxcCY-F_poHdrwTz7a9Jvq-uwDrsItIuLv1KLAindjr_ktP0_4sw40cZUyCEQRfrLC0KRxOkwT6fP8cSXk4c0SnGE/s400/Samoa+057.jpg" border="0" />But who cares. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086916331900696194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VCC5rCOLceErpK1xCibgX3mgCeISMYS7-WE1HHhdUM8mjrMlkxWLFF8U_dkKfzG5UzPUMuVGXWMWv1jeqdtP2ecobDri_bbmtxwD_ZbMtd_epR8-V5yNASYkfr-byIg3FprNeOOCf4OF/s400/Samoa+058.jpg" border="0" />We snorkeled for a long time - I saw a ton of fish, including whole schools of fish that just swam right around me. Pretty awesome. It got a little cloudy and with the breeze, we were actually cold getting out of the water. Never thought I would be cold when it is 80 outside, but it is winter here. We walked back along the airport fence, which was a little overgrown. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086916804347098770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJYvXpzp-swsEu3qD5-njh1igBYnKGWxrWyInlDGgXojBrr9k5CfOlnKBO9TdPyjRpzFdaIghvyjkXdEBCRtwjTE_KlokiM7aVR1S2YGDa9FkHgcTIOFrT8BqsCAuUhnl_Xl7nT-2qh62/s400/Samoa+061.jpg" border="0" />On our walk back, I was reminded why it is called Airport Beach. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086918122902058674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHr4RnLI2qUlCWYN-lztHl0z8_6pPUG-RGBwUzrBSOE3PtuH6fhvEd7Bzsqojugm5MtA6iKlor2DTlFjmTsMaDex3q2fpgSfAkR6QItqsWHc4fnaXk7SUO3dXFSK65Havx4a8x-PBF_9M/s400/Samoa+066.jpg" border="0" />New Guy also got nailed by a blowhole wave, sadly I only got the end of it.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086918127197025986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx-DzNpT3hwC51KkK6EoZum-WWSUvuTQKD9Ad4sEJ1BXbdvk5AowtH182jeKjhpukoPx8oxVsA_Un-85tl_0qzYblThyphenhyphenYJyDsshar8RtVp1Bv5z1eihHF0cWczI_Vmc8x9bn6oY3G8PBR/s400/Samoa+065.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086917397052585634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6GOJtt2kkOwHQ0kPk1cQKK5fxzSQ3VUyKUAUvWFcasutFbDKY5BvfqpdzjHJYH8Bck3mpRRNEgZMuSpml4LkXQkB51crZ-Lgf1Ts7-XzcWQ0BT4tZe0J2CadXUDwg02qOr1R1mBafoVh/s400/Samoa+063.jpg" border="0" />We decided to stop at Maliu Mai Beach Resort <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086919072089831154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTS87sgRAfgZnf2CT03lDlrq_Wa1naG58nlTcim5U_yoVVJLXtKw8iMw30Qsty3QJDPTGGkKI4bCyXyQGwNfdpjGSsYSgLYClv7M1_85CJFJJQoPbcX2pZooyhJWyXjm95zxPmYR6DOsB/s400/Samoa+074.jpg" border="0" />for a drink <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086919063499896546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP69g2pmJCm4Xi6qhfwvsj6ED4OO-URxbP65hAeTjqhZGGCW_7DUzNheaaI04wiIwAlDX2E33se-m5WZaAJwkhfTdTTALI3OzWGSmjVtwrrpBXNDcQ6tR8PnUfzLYbT62XoHkprCUFef8u/s400/Samoa+073.jpg" border="0" />and enjoy the great view. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086919084974733058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xhPF4mx6NXDTM-ETYTkSASdKbp96QFCj6_tFFI1JkiH_s9WhSoH3juYT_6tU2our217zM2iJW3OYV4SOTPdL17Mrc-XvjHfiVAeIKwttl1eav97gO-1tbpg11hUrAYW-OtwDomncYbyW/s400/Samoa+075.jpg" border="0" />Another nice Sunday at the Beach.Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-47884118376327815612007-07-07T10:49:00.000-11:002007-07-07T11:30:47.843-11:00Aunu'u<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>A few days ago we went to Aunu'u. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084584461340441026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gBUMb96mzI29SicRtEPJ16sYmEZfDGOzamAPyE23IAt6Ipc131w8Tm4Dv0s7k8_Yf4CvVf7_1Xa4kte5FvRUUgKGsNO1DBXH0UrKEHwlmN-57bzHIJY-Lv3jtTGW0BClz56x6N2VoHtG/s400/Samoa+086.jpg" border="0" />It is tiny island (1.9 square miles) off the eastern coast of Tutuila (my island). You have to take a small boat to the island. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084576116218984594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29kwKa6swMzRAeVLybKlpYgf4bWzBm5YmNDQ_zNI8_JWZ27Gj2MVa1wTr7-g9rgUkLLRs5wf9dqlnS_jHhd6unqVhRYHfug7cfyPiPcD4S_EI_huCdEoFMkFvgNztCmafFNvWYZnsW1QG/s400/Samoa+033.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084576567190550690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nJn_XUkVz9_F7EitqCl3GW3cGj9yOjVY5eI95LwPGjPS1YOYMwShjhWoy6Zlw6eSzDWZQJcbhovW3ReS6XELnwdCswwTgxTm2XkBdEPRuQ_9f_GbGnIXDxad7fRR6_H2QNwDIMRlvQLO/s400/Samoa+034.jpg" border="0" />There are perhaps two or three cars on the island. It is kinda great. We walked around the island for most of the day. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084577310219892914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpHPS74_zW_B92PpJ0PaKK8IkOhWoaLMjDjQXz42EqDjCD76SLPDNoJEOOJhddq28hLUbVG7EVP-fxgkhRyNSopG1owzeYONM3cCbqIDaYd080jXo2MvvJ6LqR54G9TCt5h51prZ1z6Rm/s400/Samoa+036.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084579225775306994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfL4H0hgxPtH0ieTRtFVlWXLE_Q0Inde1ZsiGfshsvO9n21l_fAOwU6P97LnSfoZE-AUacdJjKR9qY34Hg-R5XYekALHCJKJmODVzI98QO8tY3BYErgLQGeJKfYKQyHy8lwNxlpP_4g6n/s400/Samoa+043.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084582644569274738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-o5xac6QpLjjuRonv4t6kAq1gOqX7rQrmsH8OkR3wthyOtpZLm45JNn5kabczaKB47t7ff0_wK4Hmo4quii1sn9h0ClRsHBKcgF701KapoM404Bh3x_V7vx_nf1wuMCIXSsPPKXi-ZI_/s400/Samoa+065.jpg" border="0" />Nice trails and decent beaches. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084577739716622530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TWsdbe955l0LdSqIBjgWWdUwRmS7avf2Z5mj7ri5bqukEf5L76NCSbJLyLUJocIuy1QOtSeScdOV3e459ZQK8QYtI1PIxcYHRQste7Ep7_NouEncCb3gtgNIxit23ijcCT2toCCfelR8/s400/Samoa+038.jpg" border="0" />We spent some time at Markus' private spa area. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084578186393221330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoGIGk1fuJijfEMrSX_U_Yg3TzqX6hRwYjpUMEMzGA5o2gxFj_zuSidhBZJRu7CRv1VmtWfXH9tiLH5j44u976OCRKBFZopNkWgE39xl4Q2qU5HzofnmipQmhflCw2RpPiMuYtmxQpJ3p/s400/Samoa+039.jpg" border="0" />The water was a little rough, but still enjoyable. One of the highlights is the Pala Lake - or Quicksand Lake. It is aptly named. Sadly, we didn't make it to the Quicksand Lake - too much time at the beach. But we did see the Red Lake <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084578676019493090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WfRViaKGMa0iucefFrRW29DnOKE9ggYJ0044nL8a8aV4UoA-jPCSqTuLvlxI_nXJoE0Uoymkb2_8eJ3HFbvlxWs-NAl_nKkhsV32cc6ugilyuV2bMdfNiZ_WRg49IYQHzamZ_EBc5Guh/s400/Samoa+042.jpg" border="0" />as well as the Ma'ama'a Cove. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084579625207265538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThnzU4akMXlzamhBd0vw28sLNhw8FmBKAxl0cGc_vs3BCp3dysZ-cHkdqzreUaFokSAWafYw-Ry-CgRD-IDDEsKt36riP4UA3zjAQjSFEiCKdzTbez9Szpq9M-psZ2w8WhlEurUnizUk6/s400/Samoa+046.jpg" border="0" />A beautiful, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084580290927196450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif96zW1lGqzb_f8d7ohyphenhyphenP1cLBQu9CsLxnGXR6C0hWNxju799A2eSIUroes0JB2456N-llZWZes0NNb6WvtSD1j7iVXIsWLXuA6cf6Rnrb2U487DqKUDq6pidvYH6vY_nyrVk5XcqU-zzhn/s400/Samoa+055.jpg" border="0" />but potentially dangerous area. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084579994574453010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP8zGDFQIj8YHJaUxfvEMuLuL7l7MjmlWrAeZ41XE4GcV1-yQ9zW_edpcaQ_CIRRtaEtsRbB575baVC9-kw82rCahAXsG_GlJMiml6lsAntiaBkzb-1TdmEaW-hRNdLaTTgERpQJrDByA/s400/Samoa+054.jpg" border="0" />The waves can hit the cliffs and sweep away anyone too close. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084581094086080834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxe0aOyit-maMHsej-WrH-StCsr-TLy4oK_lbQIgNezhh_T1RU9OiC3IssZUM4W0vDz-9GcCQVocCGin82Fx7_NWRs89KP3qI5gNusQ8vU_nbc6RbnhsKHNUflJjXcYEza-SMiwJh69de/s400/Samoa+059.jpg" border="0" />Bonnie was thinking about going in for a swim. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084580686064187698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cYxylO7HC82LThY6BgUiBf-dY5d0ywrkFitrCSUqx979Wz3nkbVlPRVMTGHapoVj04ocJNz0sk4unls2rMWt-akkgqJRiyS0_YCYisKTTIZ___hNauNP8d9O5bsxtlt_vmKMtXzHJcUL/s400/Samoa+057.jpg" border="0" />For a minute, I thought we were in Ireland cause of the grass.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084581738331175250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82S97XVt3QcgbKtV0HiWt1OJHrH-EjBPyxwru0PYlWtRAuHJRPTPu4dczXUJHN2A47qVy-7OAf8lX24LcMYqSZCxfKTP2TH6sObtrBPQf3TUhBsbqS_VZM76FojUKfj_toDn823PUiDlp/s400/Samoa+061.jpg" border="0" />The Art Shot - <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084582090518493538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mdizGDQKEqRDbGBvf7_wwxzwky5boXNcj-8iZNDL1bnjDajUGC7_ik0FhpmdsAES7-wFpb6KxnGw2pvRxsQsE_iJh78txOlJ_LeesWd40ym-scHiSDTse4OZLSy49pEC1aDpvEcEtVdU/s400/Samoa+063.jpg" border="0" />We did see an old ship wreck. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084583099835808130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZqJpRCVC9p7EJArP_mVJ-XJeFW0AUr8m55rO5WGOWre9u3gJUmj3RvSX1bHtgkYf8r720JtCR9xblHx1UAYKhli-XqCMgYTSGNDYpKc0bxlDOZQBdxI81gstgYeJX5tFTjKuMpYIlFhyphenhyphen/s400/Samoa+069.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084583434843257234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWSoHlSdBTbtRvKXpp3-hxwQsqS0AIxqyUfUGbMhriapED8EqeBzF7iUJacsg53V_KbJ8R3sF2uM_I9P946-6j6EymClGVFjlNYgHsZmyCWEIqm9SYt17l_6dLsYp0l4fMd2CAIvwQYna/s400/Samoa+071.jpg" border="0" />At the end of the day, we swam in the harbor area. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084584143512861106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hqcHhWH5f8tm2pYmJyyyLBLZYrpweDYgWZ3Y07hq1QnBYJ7dWwyAbrk3-gZZXysVhY1x-CeFvx9yWHaOnW4rb6WhxfWtkAAyraKjZOxd9UoeVH6jsUB3sqU7fTbzxyZjkIq_Ldfo8FbE/s400/Samoa+074.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084584126332991906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB9mXUyygwbWG_PrN1RgOq2k5rvRDNDFbPXtLAkQMUI8zz5oTZIMSLYOsltdFaI5aTlhKvqJYxqFbo5sfLUuS7Q5mTQ4WfGP5WdjeOEPDK7RXhiI_muYvSNNVZRnmVUsH7IbRJ4VOmOZ2/s400/Samoa+073.jpg" border="0" />Surprisingly, it is really clean water. After Anun'u we went back to Tisa's Bar (I think New Guy's folks like that place - third day in a row they have gone for a visit). After Tisa's, <em>eleven</em> of us went to Hong Kong House for dinner. The <em>eleven</em> of us got the meal for <em>four</em> plus a dish of house chow mein. After the <em>eleven</em> of us had our fill of food - we still had leftovers. Can you say supersize me?</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710828395376433848.post-76469464392148859762007-07-07T10:10:00.000-11:002007-07-07T10:48:59.261-11:00Fourth of JulyWednesday was Independence Day. While we had the day off, it is not celebrated that much in Am Sam. Especially compared to Flag Day (aka Dependence Day). Dependence Day celebrates the Samoans ceding the island to the United States - we get two days off for that celebration and everyone goes crazy - big parties and celebrations. They didn't even have fireworks for Independence Day. We did get apple pie - thanks Liz. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084572448316913778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhrrv0NZ9Om3OFwCBX83Ot3vSg30YbnS7e5ob-NsQFS0tRWZV9J4Zd5fzpDBSvCgIT5x1YSp3yGL4ZfZk2uvsFyOW5TkCJ7FO_48aOQCZeb5ulQsplkG8Uv27sCY3GAVXaoUVAf7ZMLho/s400/Samoa+030.jpg" border="0" />Anyway, I guess it would be weird for Am Sam, a U.S. Territory (aka colony) to celebrate Independence Day. But I digress. Never wasting a week day off - we waste enough weekends, I tagged along with New Guy and his folks (who are visiting for the week) for the day. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084568076040206306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCGWMAXsfs2zCYoPLSEKd1797CJJSyun5KKznCtyTukKKfB6wm-M2R95SPIx4kuYyiqIz5zI07_HS07WiJsJawrdA7LjSF-JQvnnXtJ0S7WtBTJnBdqdsI2Qo8M8Fw2t99_upyy_z6mmC/s400/Samoa+003.jpg" border="0" />First we went snorkeling at Fagaalu. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084567487629686738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqywZFV3IjteDM66RBsGJfZoymthAeg1v47INMJtce6X-_Z5OWK2hkiF1jQwaMgt5Bp8RJBmkCRpjPRAKg3hYd8r-aPoU240oOG2WdDsFLPio4lTM2cwZuyflRULT3AOI7tPwARIHf1Si/s400/Samoa+002.jpg" border="0" />You normally can see some turtles in the area. New Guy says that he saw one, but not sure if we believe him. However, the Coletti's saw six turtles on the same day. go figure. After snorkeling we drove to the north side and the village of Vatia. The drive to Vatia is great, <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084568488357066738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SyvN1LwcDCtK2meroUqVTdlMzlz7TdzH2-Mqq-CDmp719-Ja43whiXeZgYI_0Kf1wol4s4WTsKRirl453zmOPQXW_rTt32HJVfzzKI8mZ42EaVIk-AIVujuruGl9W3EhJleCFdKlSMDI/s400/Samoa+010.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084570030250326050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnY5P9ckvQziLVsW6rqhlPWc3WgO5-rV_Id2ksJ7nJ17_89fBKpvvw4fM5T0yOAqD2L4qQ9AvkUA3f7cW8MT9vlXSjege6RuivYBDlDSpzt997SGMrUASHAZznGbOPedzqJIPmYVDOkfr/s400/Samoa+021.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084568780414842882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq9x2UJgEEcOfBwXkc6xUjRwhMTcMPOqS4eWkRXB39VQBMhANrYHc77K2ifU_RKqujakbvVzD4k9DoNS1B_I5vhl2YeRk5MA68IfHbxLxLAP8T8EYMF_9rLqhqUTfqknrx3rd-08k_9Jg/s400/Samoa+014.jpg" border="0" />and the bay is really cool. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084569390300198930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEucBok_gABsNC5Xx9OXjNfAdmTqZWQdyNGeNyq67_iFD7m2Ql93mH4NALLWyLxx68aqNWyeIuFvUYVmoQ4fH673ZOCrp9WH8whMSu3cJd0iqyS4PIgSX_nSh8PY4M-nOI4Qr4yA5P8HO/s400/Samoa+016.jpg" border="0" />After Vatia we went to Tisa's Barefoot Bar. The ava was not that bad, so we did a little snorkeling. We then did a little drinking. We went back to Palagi Village, cleaned up and went over to the Castro's for a BBQ. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084570468336990258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguehCX1ion3rHUKMq0_s1MBsHSVGVfQHOJwGzYXCRDoRDmQ_uw0bBhCTdpCusWt3yntlyUN5hJ79x5ZZFHbJ3KH-BMwhwMpb4m5hkTWIyp_xBz_jVWC1rM8_E_lUJpbmBjQkw12seD1-HJ/s400/Samoa+023.jpg" border="0" />Nikki's folks were also in town for the week - this must be family week. They brought Fred the Cadillac of coolers. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084572113309464674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3Aj7FtPRajuhxYEeDPzLTMwn7acI7kwvQTh3sipRGgvJXjl0KDi04i9xLTNiSAfJC9d5HZ6uIkQ2EZykU7JtNB0f1ZsvdPNdwilErcL2jB2NapaWVStC63pxTVkf4eUbo5zp4F-wB9C9/s400/Samoa+027.jpg" border="0" />Pretty sweet. Coolers on the island are like two or three times as expensive then ones on the mainland. Fred might be able to trade it in for a used car. As with any Castro BBQ, it was a huge success. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084570876358883394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QnYYkYM4EYREk6v3KZfudqvqQe_mM4iHgwP1mcH-Zsmkw2t8RgjfpaPJr4awLqKUxypKIP67j061pmCg1Zz2GgDfqTtzXxdzSHvuX1BlErsHFWMjI03Dd9J97vNLGMoCRK_g4emhmAi-/s400/Samoa+025.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084571288675743826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDV0hilSc0_gySdmxufXGmOe1dh84HXtcqrqjE5rE-5PNd5bJLS2JWJFU7Iw2DD8kD0vq68CY0BNH2O950cTM2o-4xVIoIt89WP9oL6giLam8BQrz_RnozqCYtLgCwcHfSFWQRKSUTFmW/s400/Samoa+026.jpg" border="0" />However, after a busy day, I was tuckered out. I left around 9 pm. About 15 minutes later, I heard the neighborhood dogs going crazy and a lot of noise coming closer to my house. I opened my door and found this...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084572856338806914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjkt2SffVhlTbCcr_bIHG0sqFZNlffO0u4-wKSVVZP6FfRqtKjb1NB_dAThKEaVzSKE5EnKVrz38dnnCHlOo6Ydjwg-br_72qLV04VgqBKTSGX22bCyKg_sUs5Epjz4rBiiaOr1BMGT3B/s400/Samoa+031.jpg" border="0" />I guess the remaining party goers were not happy that I left. They organized an angry mob to get me back to the party. Of course, one can't go against an angry mob, so I went back to the party. That angry mob might have been the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me - man, I am going to miss this place.Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775506619481946504noreply@blogger.com1