Moving on Up: My New Apartment in American Samoa

So like I mentioned in an earlier post, I moved to a second floor unit at Freddie's Beach.
Like so:

I am in the same building, but wow - the layout is much better!
And the unit is newer and cleaner.
It made me a bit sad that the quality varies so greatly among the complex.

It is great being on the second floor.  I feel so much safer not having street and foot traffic just outside my window.  I am not as anxious or jumpy when I hear noises now.
My new apt also gets so much sunlight throughout the day.
And there is a constant, cool ocean breeze that whips through the house.
In the evening, I don't have to use a fan to sleep!


Here is my kitchen:

I have the same tiny cabinets, but the layout is more open and I have more counter space!

 And check it out!

The former tenant left their washer and dryer!  I don't know why - but I am glad they did!
The baby is a regular load capacity, not the tiny ones that most people have!
And it looks like it is only a few years old!
This is a blessing!
Otherwise I would either have to buy own used or go to a laundromat.
 I am saving so much time and money!


Here is my living room.  Yes, I am took lazy to clean it up before taking this photo.

And yes, Mom, look at all those horrible, disgusting wires! Muwahahahahahahaha!
Just kidding.
I will probably buy some zip ties to organize them, and then place a table cloth under the TV to hide all that mess.
I really like the print I chose for the couches.  I just need some pillows! Yellow? Green? Magenta?  What do you think?

And here is my new bathroom that I am not afraid to be barefoot in.

Seriously, this bathroom was probably recently renovated, whereas my old bathroom looked like truckstop bathroom in Cairo.  This bathroom is much better.  Everything white and sparkly.  I intentionally placed the curtains lower so I can always see the sky and palm trees. 

Nothing like peace of mind for my behind.


And here is my guest room.  No puny twin mattress here.  That is a queen, baby! It takes up most of the room, but I still like it.  No sheets yet.  There is not much selection here.  The basic bed sets costs at least $25!  So I am just biding my time until I see something I like or find a fabric to use.

And here is my bedroom!  I sleep with the breeze and ocean sounds.  I wake up to palm trees and the sea. I love it so much!

I really dig that fabric.  Someone left it in my old apartment.  So I washed it and brought it with me.
I tried to find it or something similar, but to no avail...


And the best part:

My balcony!  There is so much room up there!  And it is so calming to sit out there with my tea.
I plan to hang a retractable clothesline. (Electricity is ridiculously expensive here).
And I am waiting for a sale to buy some plastic chairs and table.  I am even going to have a little flower and herb garden!


Here is the view from behind.

This is actually a good shot of the apartment complex at Freddie's Beach.  The units are either 2 bd units like mine or 2 story triplex homes for families.  All buildings are centered out a huge field and swimming pool.  Those hedges you see in the middle - that is privacy for the pool.
Once everyone's family arrives we plan on having a potluck BBQ swimming party.

And here is a panoramic of my side and front view.

The sun was still rising behind the trees.  That is why some of the picture is dark.
It is hard to tell, but I do have an ocean view.


I will post an update when I have settled.  I need to place proper curtains and do a bunch of little things to truly make this my home.  But I feel so safe and happy here, and totally unafraid for you to visit, sleep, bathe, and walk barefoot.  I am finally "at home" in American Samoa.

I can practice law in American Samoa!

Well, that took over two months!
But Tuesday, August 20th, I was officially sworn into the American Samoa Bar!

My Lei

I received the phone call on Monday afternoon.  I was right about to leave when I got the reminder from the High Court.   My first thought was, "Yes! Finally!"  Then quickly, "Oh crap!  I'm going to be in court once a week at least!"  But this is what I wanted - more litigation experience!

I woke up earlier than usual, did my hair and makeup and wore a light cotton blazer with a teal blouse and zebra skirt.  I was going to be sworn in with my friend Edwin.  Actually, they didn't even tell him. I mentioned it to him on the way home and he never received a call. He wore a very nice shirt and tie with a lava lava.  A lava lava is a traditional cloth worn as a skirt by all men.  His mom is staying with him right now, so she joined us for the ceremony.

We arrived at the courthouse early to allow time for security check-in.  Our Civil Division supervisor, Marian, surprised us with leis!  Edwin had a gorgeous bright red lei.  Marian gave me a beautiful white lei made from ginger flowers.  The fragrance was heavenly!
 (It now rests hanging by my bed.)

We waited on the second floor for the Chief Justice to address the cases first.  When he was done, he called us forward.  We stood and raised our hands.  The first thing was hand to state was our name and village.  I didn't know what to say...Sacramento...Manila...Fogagogo? (where I currently live).
I overthought it, freaked out, and just said my name.
We said the oath, and at first we were nervous...I even lisped a few words.  And I thought this is ridiculous, and I started say each word louder and with more confidence.
When we were done, everyone clapped.  We had to sign a document for the ceremony, and all the justices shook our hands.

We took more pictures outside.  Edwin wanted to stay and get an individual with the Chief Justice.  He had just started a hearing and it could take some time.  I preferred not to wait around.  Instead I went back with Marian.

I promise to update the post with pictures.  Everyone took pictures and I am slowly gathering them all.

Back at the office, I told my bud, Lorna.  She was sad she missed it, but she is one of our criminal prosecutors, and had another obligation.  To celebrate, we shared sweet and sour pork and fried chicken.  Now that the deed was done.  I washed my face and put my hair into a ponytail.  I even changed my clothes.   Different people stopped by my office throughout the day to congratulate me.  It was hilarious.  Each time, they would hug me, then take a step back, and look me up and down.  Knowing what they were thinking, I assured them that I looked better in the morning.

That same day I had to return to court for my first appearance.  I am now officially in charge of all thing related to public health and the environment in addition to my child support program. 

After work I  watched the moonrise and sunset simultaneously.
It was a full moon.

Later that night my friends and I went to a hotel for a prime rib dinner.  (It is really hard to get quality red meat here!).  We stayed there until closing, talking all night.

It was a good day.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

It has been raining non-stop since last night.
I am really glad that my friend took me grocery shopping the other night.
I have everything that I need here.

I worked a little, but my concentration is just not there.

I almost made a salsa version of poke.  I chopped up my sashimi, adding lemon, spices, white onion, and green onions and tomatoes, and eating it with tortilla chips.  I still have that hunk of taro left.  I am thinking of making fries with it. 

There is nothing much I can do.  The rain is heavy and incessant.
The ground outside is soaked and swamp.
Even if I had a car, I would not want to be out on those slippery roads.

There was a thunderstorm and lightning storm this morning.
It shook the ground and lit up the ocean.

 I guess I will power through the Avenger movies, starting with Captain America.

And omg! it just occurred to me that exactly 2 months ago I landed in American Samoa.
Now I feel like doing something later....maybe if the weather clears, I will go out to dinner and the movies...well, first I have to convince a friend to drive to the boondocks and pick me up!

Lazy dinner in American Samoa

There are some days where I am just too lazy or it is just too hot to cook.
And today was one of those days.

Here is my dinner (enough for a few more nights, of course).

And I was so lazy that I ate them on my coffee table while watching the sunset.
I love that you can easily get any of these foods from any store and sometimes gas station.

 

This is oka popo.  It is raw fish in coconut milk, onions, salt, and either lemon or lime.  You can add other garnish.  Here they used some shredded carrots.  I am addicted to it.  Seriously, I think I ate it for one week straight, each time with different seafood.

The fish is so tender and sweet, and I seriously drink the sauce.

I didn't take a picture of the kimchi...because well it is just kimchi. I didn't eat much of it.
I actually like to let it ripen more  and then make kimchi omelets or kimchi pancakes.

No, it is not a rock. This is a peeled taro roasted over coals...mmm..mmm...good. The outside is nice and charred, and the inside is so soft. 

 

I just ripped a piece off...

and dunked it into the oka popo....Holy crap, it was good!

And what have we here......

 You can't tell from the picture...because I am a crappy photographer...but these little babies are wrapped and shaped like giant Hershey kisses.

But when you open them, instead of chocolate, there is an even better surprise..

This is palusami...or to me... taste of heaven!  It is layers and layers of taro leaves...shaped into a bowl.  Then they pour coconut milk, onions, and salt into the center and wrap the leaves over.
It is then wrapped tight with foil and slow cooked over fire or coals.  When done, it is a tender and sweet taro leaf surprise...every flavor just permeates every bite!

hmmm....I bought two because I know that I want to eat this again tomorrow night.
And of course, there are variations.  I know what you are thinking...what the heck can vary?
Some people put corn beef in the middle... others spam...some chicken..fish...seafood, and my friend's family puts lamb...mmm...I want to try as many versions as I can...

BONUS:
I guess the local fisherman were successful today because they were selling whole ahi on the side of the road.  Now I am not that greedy...but I did but a pound of sashimi for myself.

 

6 bucks for 1 lb!

 

Not every day is like this...some days the catch is bad and you can only find fresh fish at the nicer restaurants.  So on days like this - I totally stock up and enjoy it while it lasts.

 

And this is the post you get when I forget to eat lunch....

Programming Note

I'll probably won't have a new post until the end of the week for two reasons.

First, I am moving!!!  Hallelujah!  But not far ---just to a second floor unit.
I originally wanted to move for safety reasons.
I do not like being on a floor level apartment near the street.
Too much foot traffic!
The second floor unit is frakkin awesome!
The previous tenant left behind two air conditioners AND a washer/dryer unit!
The apartment is a bit smaller, but the design and layout of the kitchen and bathroom is infinitely better.  It gets a cool, constant breeze from the ocean.
And the best part, my bedroom and balcony has an ocean view!!!
Will post pictures soon!

The second reason is my pure nerdiness shining through:  BBC announced who is the new Doctor, and I am freaking out about it!  So much internet debate and discussion will be happening here...
I really need to find other nerds on this island....