Farewells

As time came closer for me to leave the island, I became busier doing things for the last time.

I had several farewell parties. The first one was with re early intervention families that I worked with doing home visits.

The families brought food to share (different kinds of chicken, fish, breadfruit, bwiro (preserved breadfruit), and of course rice.  

We all sat around chatting and playing with the children. Then it was time to eat.  Someone said a prayer then we ate. 

(He slept through the entire party... Party pooper haha)

Food time!

After we ate, I was told to sit in a chair facing all the people who were standing up.  They sang two Marshallese songs and then gave me their gifts while singing and dancing.

They couldn't decide who would start so I put my head on the table while they discussed. 

The two videos below are of them singing their farewell songs.

Early intervention families (missing one)

Then the last day of school was our Laura beach day where we all went to Laura to swim and have a bbq.  It was good to spend some time together.  We swam, ate, and just chatted until it was almost time to go, the parents and children gave us gifts. They also sang and danced while giving us gifts. 

Cooking the food

One of my students' mothers took my phone and took pictures with it.  When I looked at the pictures later, I found this gem.... It is a video of one of my students dancing to music, then another joins him, then another student join them... It is 3 minutes long, but adorable!!! Click on the blue link below. 

Video of students dancing 

In the middle of receiving gifts

Two of my students' mothers and myself

Family

Three of my students

Gifts

On the way back from Laura, the buses was full so we hitchhiked and got a ride on the back of a truck.  It was so much fun.  My last time riding in the back of a truck for a long time :( 

Finally, on my last full day on the island, my Marshallese family gave me a farewell party.  Of course, there was food, a prayer and gifts. After the gifts, we went to see Chinilla's niece graduate from high school.  I borrowed her dress to go to the graduation because I did not bring anything "nice" to wear (I did not know about the plan after the party).  Like the dress! 

Kaile and Kima (Chinilla's younger brother) giving me a gift

Chenille's step mother giving me a gift

Chinilla's cousin giving me earrings (her husband and son is in the background)

Olya (Chinilla's youngest sister)

Rimajol baamle (Marshallese Family)

On the way to graduation with my new bling (Chinilla, Olya, and myself)

Chinilla's nieces and I.

Poster size pictures of all the graduates were above the graduates.  I enjoyed looking at the pictures. 

People line up to give them gifts.  One guy's neck was covered with gifts.  Poor him! 

Chinilla's husband's baamle (sisters and mother)

I admired one of the women's crowns and she gave it to me.  

I have so many Marshallese handicraft, and am excited to decorate my new apartment with them.  I also have so many earrings and every time I wear one, I get at least one compliment about it.