To the Airport I Go

Actually slept in a little this morning, not waking up til 6:45am. Not too shabby considering if was after 11:30pm I fell asleep. I also hoped this could be the one day I did not wake up around 5am on my own this week. Plane doesn't leave the island til 11:30pm American Samoa time. 

Cousin Angel picked us up in the morning with my suitcase to run me to the airport for early check-in. My Zumba instructor and friend works check-ins and had told me about the new check-ins from 8am-4pm. This would save me from having to stand in the generally rather long line at night to gain my boarding pass and check my bag. Great idea and so glad I did it. Everything should be pretty smooth now tonight.

Angel pulled into the airport and said she would wait for us and drop us off at Deluxe for our breakfast. This is just what these people do. I feel bad having her wait, but she wants to. The family wants to. (Auntie Tai sent her to pick me up.) Samoan hospitality. One thing I am going to miss. Checked in for my flight inside the office, not at the normal check-in kiosk. That was new. Boarding passes from here to Phoenix in my hand. Then, the guy carried my luggage up, weighed it (right at 50 lbs), and put the sticker on my rather full suitcase. 

Angel then dropped us off at The Deluxe Cafe. This is one thing I had planned on for a few weeks. One final brunch with my great friend/sister on the island - Hannah. This is one of the things we have done many a times down here. I am so thankful that she was here. Many of my adventures on the island would not have been the same without her here. Lucky the two slightly quieter and rather independent girls became roommates and the greatest of friends on the island. One day in the future we will meet up somewhere. Who knows where? We are both pretty crazy and adventurous. Will be following up on her travels in Asia and staying in touch.

We nibbled on our food, sipped our coffee and iced tea, and chatted for a couple of hours. Just what I was looking forward to on this Monday morning.

Caught a bus to the intersection and walked the 10 minutes to our place. We decided to buy a few ice cream cones at the store. One more time of having ice cream before noon. Not something I particularly do much back home. Sort of a Samoan thing. haha

Then, I spent some time uploading some photos on Facebook from this past week, making sure my carry-on was good to go, and some last minute cleaning. Pastor stopped by mid-afternoon to grab some the donations we are leaving behind - including clothes, shoes, and towels. I had originally asked if he would be able to help me get it to somewhere like the Red Cross, but he said often times people will come ask them for clothes and things. I know he will make sure it will get to people that need them and can use them. The yellow box and the full tote on the right are now with Pastor Scot. The tote on the left is being left for the next batch of WorldTeachers including some school and house supplies. No need to bring all of this back home, especially when many of the clothes don't fit anymore ;-) It's always nice to give things to those who need them.

I had to deal with one more large swarm of stinking ants. Gahhhhh. That is definitely one thing I am not going to miss. I had literally just made a comment how that would be nice to be done with and then here I walk up to the sink and one o the worst swarms lately was all over near the dish drying rack. Oh Samoa. I will miss thee, but not your stinking ants all up in my kitchen. Then, as I'm destroying them all, I end up with several crawling on my arms and legs. Took at least 20 minutes before I swatted the last one back off and didn't feel like they were sneaking around. haha

Spent my last 80 minutes of daylight in American Samoa laying and sitting on my bedroom floor staring at the rainforest-covered mountain out my window, watching the clouds roll by and the colors change. This was definitely a better use of my time than watching a movie for those 80 minutes. Pure bliss out my window. I will miss this view.

After my laying around while listening to some music, I found that Lilian's friend Chey had posted the group photos from our umu with the Uele family. This saved me since my camera battery died as did Hannah's before our day was over.

This is Lilian, Hannah, and I at the beach across from the Uele house.

My good friend Lilian. :-)

Here's the whole group that partook in the eating of the glorious food, except Heidi. She was hiding somewhere...

Fale, Heidi, Hannah, and I.

Thank you so much to Fale for showing us the ropes and involving us in a traditional Samoan umu. He's such a great man, and I am so thankful for his family.

Around 7pm I decided to eat a little dinner. Not particularly hungry yet, but if I don't sleep at all on the plane overnight I sure will be hungry by the time I'm having breakfast in Hawaii. My random concoction with what is left in the fridge - a piece of bread with peanut butter and brown rice. Actually good. Lots of rice here in American Samoa. You can make a peanut butter sandwich with just about anything.

Convinced my island sister to do one more quick photo shoot with me during our last hour together in our Malaeimi residence. Once again so thankful for my sister on island and will be looking forward to the time when life brings us together again for another adventure.

Talked with Isa and the family is picking me between 8:30 and 9pm to take me to the airport. Flight night is quite an event here. Many people are there to welcome those who come in and many are there to say farewell to those who are departing. I remember it being a madhouse when we came in way back in July. Now I will get to see it from the going out perspective. My suitcase is already checked, and I have my boarding pass. Practically all ready to go. I know I'm heading home, but you know sometimes how something doesn't really hit you until it's actually happening. Yeah, that's where I'm at right now. My bags are packed, my room is empty, and I know I've completed my year as a volunteer teacher in American Samoa. Time to head home for a while and experience more of life's adventures.

Hope you all have a nice Tuesday. As I am sitting in airports and have wi-fi I'm sure I will post some updates on what's going on and where I'm at. I left home with one suitcase, a carry-on, and my purse. That's how I'm coming home. I may look a little different, but Jessica Boschen is re-entering the States. Hope Nebraska is ready for me. :-) Omaha, we have a date at12:30pm Wednesday. Don't forget. ;-)