Micronesia NOW!
Pure Kosraean!
On March 28th and 29th Kosrae celebrated Cultural Day along with the rest of the FSM. Kosrae Field Director writes, "In Kosrae we were lucky enough to be treated to two days of cultural expression and recognition on Thursday, March 28th and Friday, March 29th. Visitors to Kosrae will quickly realize that Kosraeans are deeply passionate about their local way of life and roots, and in fact you will sometimes occasion on people wearing shirts that on the front read, “Micronesian? Hell no!”, and on the back read, “Pure Kosraean!” As you can imagine both days were filled with events to showcase Kosraean culture, and they also functioned as time set aside for members of each village to spend time together." Continue reading here! 
Thoughts on Micronesian Ease
by Laurel Steele
Life in Micronesia is mellow, unstressed, relaxed. I've written and said this often but I have difficulty explaining why...
Quiet moments are elusive between the shouts of children, the crowing of roosters, the squeals of pigs, and the off-key choruses of dogs. I notice the faces of children, so open and filled with warmth. But like children everywhere, Micronesian children are happy to be noticed, to win attention, to have pictures taken. Surely this does not define a special quality separate from the rest of the world
I notice how resourceful the children are...a trait practiced by their parents...A flip flop is also a paddle for a ball game. A flat ball can still be a soccer substitute. A pile of fresh cut branches can serve as a soft landing for a superhero 'cliff jumping.' Everyone on the Island seems to enjoy fun. Volleyball can be a street game or a tournament in a neighbor's yard. Young and old can play. The spare-parts auto becomes a 'taxi.'
I notice the sunrises and sunsets more frequently here. Perhaps the special quality I have been discovering is an innate joy, a welcoming acceptance of life, a quiet appreciation of the present, the "Now."
Thanksgiving in Pohnpei! by Emily Maretsky
I did indeed get some turkey on my holiday out here in the Pacific - somehow the Student Body Organization at PICS found some funds 
and splurged on a few dozen frozen turkeys for school lunch! One of the other teachers invited me to the school cafeteria and I ventured in at meal time for the first time. You think it’s awkward being the new kid at school? Imagine being one of the only teachers in a cafeteria with hundreds of kids! Luckily, the SBO officers swooped in and accompanied me at a table (of course, as only student government kids would be eager to do). The rice was no stuffing and mashed potatoes, but the cooks made a mean gravy. If you get a chance some time, ask Pohnpeians why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving…
Later that evening, since I figured I couldn’t be with my own family, I went over to my host family’s house to wish them a good holiday. They sat me down with a plate of Pohnpeian yams, which are surprising similar to potatoes…
Sunday was the “real” traditional Thanksgiving - a bunch of menwai got together for the monthly “international” dinner, this time a potluck American Thanksgiving. Scalloped potatoes, bread pudding, real Sam Adams beer (!), discussions with Australians about the origins of the holiday… Menwai gatherings are always interesting - people end up in Pohnpei for all sorts of reasons (usually job related) and it’s a really small place, so you end up chatting with archaeologists, filmmakers, other teachers, and various embassy employees. Anyway, I ended up at a table with the WHO director in the FSM, which was fantastic timing seeing as I had “find health-related mentor” for one of my College Prep students on my to-do list. Homemade stuffing and information on Fijian medical schools? Yes please!
Read archived posts of Micronesia NOW!