Oh wow - I haven't written since August! That’s a bit poor form! Sorry. I guess I have gotten so used to life on the island that less and less things strike me as 'something to write home about'. As well as the fact that my time in Vila is spent on different things now. Well, the school year is finished up, it was a mad crazy dash to the finish line with lots of things left in disarray. We had a hap-hazard farewell and everyone sort of dissipated, which was a bit sad, as some of the year 8 students will be off to different islands for year 9 so I won’t see them again. I have worked most closely with the year 8 this term in preparation for their exams. These exams are quite major, as they decide both wether the student gets into year 9 and also what school they get into. Kind of like our Tertiary Entrance Ranking
Now that the exams are over and done with and the school has closed for the year the teachers have headed back to their home islands for Christmas. The village is in what they call “Christmas lazy” mode and most people spend a good portion of the day sitting underneath coconut palms sleeping and chatting with friends. There is a lot of sleeping going on, which I must say, really works for me at the end of such a crazy school year.
We have spent lots of time crashing around the bush collecting firewood, ready for the Christmas feasts. My papa is currently on the look out for a pig to kill and madly trying to finish the renovation on the bathroom in preparation for the arrival of a very honoured guest. Mum! Jo-mo is heading over to Vanuatu on Dec 22nd to experience a village Christmas. I’m looking forward to it myself. I’m told it involves lots of church, fancy island dresses and general laying about eating. Sounds great!