(This first photo is me with one of my best students, Sinclair. The second is me with a few of the carolers from Tol.)
This past week has probably been one of the most hectic I’ve had so far at Xavier. Final exams began on Tuesday, so both faculty and students were going crazy trying to prepare. I think my finals were relatively easy (maybe TOO easy!) – for the most part, the students finished pretty early and did really well. I mostly stuck with objective questions since they are easiest to grade! :) I also told the students they were free to evaluate my class on the back on their exams. Some of their notes to me were really funny, others were really touching. Here are just a few of them:
Sophomores:
From Sanchez:
Dear Ms. Lydia,
Merry Christmas and a happy new year! You are one of the most beautiful and intelligent teachers I have ever had! Hope 2 c u next semester
LOVE Sanchez
PS looking forward to learning more about other civilizations, especially the Chinese dynasties. That is my favorite out of all cultures.
From Myova:
Dearest Ms. Lydia,
I hope this letter finds you in good condition. Just wanna write to wish you a merry Christmas and advance Happy New Year. It’s a pleasure having you as a teacher. Your class is totally awesome. Like… I never get bored like when I do in the other classes. I’ve been struggling to pass SS class. I thought I wouldn’t get a D but it’s my own fault. I’ll try my very best next semester to get a better grade than this and I’m sorry. I still like your class and you’re still my best teacher Ms. Lydia O’Connor! Ha ha! Lyk 4 reals! So yeah – have fun on your Christmas break and I’ll see you next year. God bless!
With love and care
Mymy_Jury Maram 96
I LOVE U!
From Lyra:
Dear Ms. Lydia,
It’s been a great semester! Thank you for all the good times and for teaching us interesting stuff. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
From Lyma:
Merry Xmas! And happy 2010!
We love and will miz u muah!
Thx 4 everything you’re a great teacha!
From David:
Ms. Lyd,
This test is badass!
-The Great Lelet
From Laura:
I LUV HISTORY!
Thanx 4 a fun semester and have a merry xmas
And tell your brother the tempchix say hi! LOL
From Judina:
MS. LYDIA YOU ROCK! JUDINA LOVEZ YOU!
From Skylynn:
Hey mommy! Happy holidays! See ya next year! LOVE YAH! I’ll miss yah! Enjoy Guam!
From Alex:
Merry X-mas Jera (Marshallese for best friend)! Hope you enjoy your first Christmas in the Micronesia. Thank you for a fun and exciting semester. Please teach us again next semester… Anyways, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless!
From Andy:
I LOVE U MS. LYDIA!
From Tyrone:
Universal equation: T-Rod + Lyd = <3
From Jasmine:
You’re the most badazz teacher I’ve ever had! Thank you for everything you have taught me! By da way juz droppin by 2 wish u a Merry Xmas and Happy Advance New Year! I and yea say hi to your brother from me! … hehe… like 4 reals!! :)
Juniors:
From Harvest:
Hey Miss Lydia! You’ve been a great teacher throughout the whole semester. You ROCK big time! I wish you could be our teacher again for next semester
From Chris:
Dear Mama Dya:
You have been one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had. I really like World History and I like the way you teach it. I like you being our teacher. I was pleased to be part of your class. I and the rest of the Argonautz wish that you would teach us some subject next semester.
World History class is a great class. I would like to thank you on behalf of the myself and the other Juniors. Thank you for the movies, games, jokes, laughter, and all those times we had together. Just want to wish you MERRY CHRISTMAS! ENJOY TO THE MAX! PEACE OUR
Love always, 0326
From Ben:
Thanks Ms. Lydia for the best Junior first semester class EVER. Merry Christmas and enjoy grading all these exams! Hehe
From Kalvin:
I do not have any complaints, comments, suggestions about your class because your class ROCKS. I love you!
From Roxanne:
Hey Mama Dia-Dia! …
Just spotting here 2 wish you an elated Christmas and a spicy New Year!! Hope you party hard but be careful! LOL Shake it!
Love always
Aiirox69
From Sinclair:
Merry Christmas to you my friend and Mama Dia. Enjoy your stay in Guam and have a nice new year… thanks for the badass semester and I will see you soon
Sin2 (is hot!)
From Lalo:
Ms. Butterfingers (lol)…
It was great having you… you kind of suck though for ditching us next semester… lol kidding!!!! ENJOY GUAM!
Love ALWAYS
Lalo
From Gayle:
Dearest Mammadya aka Mama Dia, Madya,
Thank you so much for the very fun semester!... it was nice having u as a teajer… have a pleasant Christmas break and may you always be filled with the spirit of joy wherever you are… Merry Christmas and Advanced happy new year!
Love always
Gayhalla234
1234 Reppin
From Correy:
Dear Ms. Beautiful Lydia,
I just want to wish you a Happy Holidays and enjoy your break!! Remember what I told you? … you’re my number one teacher and the most PRETTIEST teacher! I had fun learning in your class … may God bless you next semester!
Your boyfriend,
Correy A.
From Luan:
Hey Ms. Lydia
It was nice having you as a teacher. You rock! It’s always fun talking sazzy with you!! Hahahaha! Anyways, I don’t know why, but I’ve been failing your class. I remember 1st quarter, my grade as an A. Now it’s a C!!! and now that I’m gonna fail this exam, maybe my semester grade would be an F! tsktsktsk. Sorry for that. Anyway, Happy holidays! Hope you enjoy your Christmas break with a joyful heart!
Love always
From LeeRoy:
Sorry Lydia for being nukamach (naughty) in your class everytime you lecture!
Besides that, I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your class and it’s one of the most badass classes! We learn a lot! Hope you enjoy your Christmas vacation! Merry Xmas and Happy new year in advance! Just give me points please! If you give me extra credit, I will buy you dinner at Blue Lagoon! LOVE YOU FROM THE MIDDLE OF MY HEART!!!
From Omekar:
Dearest Ms. Lydia
Hi! I know I know! I should have done this extra credit essay but that would have prevented me from writing this letter to you!
I just wanna say thanks for your teaching and with gracing us with your presence. Thank you for being really understanding and patient, especially with the others (they are so childish! Haha)
I also want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope you enjoy your break here in Chuuk!
So see you next time, and you see me next time.
Sincerely, Omekar
PS you are very pretty!
From Bridgette:
Dearest Ms. Lydia
I am writing this on my behalf…
I greatly thank you for a wonderful and enjoyable semester. Hope that you enjoy your vacation in Guam with your mother.
Thanx for being a badass teacher. Haha! Have a wonderful Christmas break/vacation and may God bless you…
Oh yeah! Don’t forget to PARTY HARD!!! But be safe and take care.
Merry New Year and Happy Christmas
With lots of love straight from my heart to yours,
Bridgette aka Byiddi 21
Seniors:
From Alex:
Miss Lydia,
Thanks for the great class. Honestly, Lit class is the best because you let us do fun stuff and I hope we have you again. It’s my favorite class because you teach us so many new things and help me think about things in different ways. Sorry if we misbehave in your class, but know that we all love you. Hope you enjoy your weekend and your Christmas break!!
You may or may not be wondering why they all use the word “badass.” This is one of the many “Xaverisms” frequently heard around campus. For the students, badass is not profanity – it’s as innocuous as saying “cool” or “wicked” or something to that effect. It’s become an acceptable word in class, and the students express confusion when new teachers at first scold them or look shocked that they use this word so frequently and in formal settings. It’s a second language word for most of them, so the connotation of being a swear word is not necessarily present. The same is true for certain Chuukese strong words such as “mwasa mwas” (an expletive like damn or shit) – for any students who are not Chuukese, this word has no negative meaning and doesn’t have any strong cultural significance. As such, it is also an expression used frequently around campus and sometimes in class whereas in Chuukese culture, this is not a word men would ever use around women and vice versa and one which would certainly not be used in a formal environment or in front of authority figures. Students also invent words like “pissifying” which just means annoying or agitating, as in “that exam was really pissifying.” English and certain Micronesian languages are often morphed by the students to create their own, unifying language system that bonds the incredibly diverse and linguistically fraught Xavier community together.
You might also be wondering why many of the students express hope that I’ll be back next semester to teach them. Sadly, students here have become accustomed to teachers coming and going – rarely does anyone stay beyond two years. Some teachers, like the Australians, leave in the middle of the school year so for the students, there is never any certainty who will teach their classes. But, with the exception of the juniors for whom world history is only one semester, I will be teaching all the same students the same subjects next semester.
Another interesting thing to note in these little letters is the use of nicknames. This, as well as some of the spelling and grammar, has a lot to do with the “gangster” culture with which many young Micronesians identify themselves. It’s interesting to see the aspects of Western culture that infiltrate and impact the styles and behaviors of youths on a more global scale. Even though hip hop and violent movies are not the only taste of Westernization young people in Micronesia have, I think the aggression and control associated with the gangster lifestyle gives many of them a feeling of power in the midst of powerlessness – poverty, unemployment, bad healthcare, substandard education, etc. Sadly, violence is often the result as gangs are prevalent in Chuuk, but even the students at Xavier who are not the perpetrators of violence still express a strong adherence to gangster culture. They draw mock teardrop tattoos under their eyes, almost exclusively listen to rap and hip hop, dress in conventionally “black” styles, create their own little groups and cliques with inventive names, and tag their homework, tests, desks, lockers, and clothing with their nicknames. They’ve given me various nicknames, and it’s generally some sign of belonging or inclusion – or importance.
Finally, what I thought was interesting is the interchangeability of some of the letters. In Gayle’s note for instance, she spells “teacher” “teajer.” This is because many Micronesian languages, including Chuukese, are traditionally unwritten languages and are really just starting to become standardized in terms of spelling. As a result, certain letters become interchangeable depending on the context, or even just the person who’s spelling them. One student’s nickname is Kijo. When I asked him if that’s spelled with a “j” or a “ch,” he replied that it didn’t matter – either way was fine. The same with “b” and “p” and for Chuukese speakers, “n” and “d.” I think that’s why students like writing in “internet language” so much because phonetic and ever-changing spelling is acceptable (i.e. spelling “like” “lyk”).
The last day of final exams was also the last day for the Australians. I haven’t felt that sad since I was leaving home. I think I took it the worst out of all the volunteers, maybe because they were the first friends I made in Micronesia and I associate them with feelings of comfort and relief after a long trip of anxiety and fear of what I was about to encounter. The Xavier students gave them a send-off on Tuesday by giving speeches and blessings in the student center, as is tradition. The day before they left, I tried to spend a little time with all of them, but it still didn’t necessarily feel satisfactory. The trip to the airport was emotional for everyone. I waited by the terminal until they all went in, dressed up in mar mars from their host families and students, and I wondered what they were feeling, and what I will feel when I leave. I’m not sure I’ll anticipate going home as much as I thought I would, not because I don’t miss it, but because this place will fade for me after I’m gone. I’ve already talked to Robin a few times on skype, and it still seems surreal that people who were always around me all the time for five full months are just suddenly gone. The attachments one can make in such a short period of time are astounding and unreal. Before they left, they packed up draft items for us (small, random things they leave behind that we are free to take). I’m now in possession of a large conch shell, an umbrella, a CD case, organic peanut butter and honey, some school supplies, a paper fan, a torn-up Australian flag, pairs of shorts, t-shirts, a koala keychain, and most importantly, a letter from Robin which meant the most. Visitors expressed some confusion as to why we would want these things and there’s really no answer other than that these are all iconic things we associate with close friends whom we spent every day with. Wearing their clothes and using their things, as mundane as those things might be, are small reminders of them – really the only things we have left of them. For me, the campus feels a lot more lonely, empty, and quiet, not helped by the fact that since school is out, I’m a lot less occupied. Guam is the next big thing on my list, and I need it to take my mind off the chaos of the end of this semester!
The day after the Australians left was the school picnic on Pisiwi, a small island in Chuuk lagoon. It wasn’t as nice or as aesthetic as Pisar, but it was still a beautiful island. The boat ride over was long and bumpy, but as usual the students kept me entertained. Much like on Pisar, the water was completely clear, and I combed the beach side looking for small shells and pieces of coral. We swam, snorkeled, ate local foods, and to the students’ mystification, I slept on the sand in the sun. Some of the Yapese students climbed coconut trees and husked them. Others played ukulele and guitar, built fires, and just generally relaxed. On the tent that had been set up by the senior boys the night before was the Yapese flag on which is a picture of a canoe and one of the Yapese students explained that the traditional, indigenous name for Yap is actually Waqab (Wab), but when white explorers came, they pointed to the flag asking what the name of the place was. The indigenous people thought they were pointing to a part of the canoe on the flag, which is called a yap, and so that’s the word they gave them, and that’s how the island became known as Yap. Between these cultural stories and having some of the students tutor me in Chuukese and Marshallese, I sometimes feel like I am learning more from them than they are from me.
The rest of the weekend has been quiet. Yesterday, a large group of children from Tol (another island in Chuuk) came to sing Christmas carols for us. The songs were unrecognizable to me, but they included a lot of singing and dancing. The enthusiasm that goes into ceremonies and celebrations is really unlike anything in the States, especially in regards to school children. We made lunch for them and let them play around campus. It was explained to us that this would probably be the biggest Christmas present they could receive. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but they seemed to really enjoy performing, and enjoyed even more the chance to play basketball and volleyball and just run around with some of the Xavier boys. As difficult as it is to get into the conventional Christmas spirit in 90 degree weather surrounded by sand and palm trees, it’s not totally impossible to still garner the generosity and joy associated with the season. I hope the feeling lasts until Guam – only four days left!
This post is a monster. Apologies!
