New Room Mate

Tobby my old room-mate from Germany left this morning and Pung Jon Kim or PJ as he likes to be called arrived this afternoon. I went to work at around 9.45am. Didn't do much as usual at work. There's a hearing at the Hill next Thursday on the current situation in Burma and the Embassy has been invited. The ambassador extended the invitation to the staff at the office and Diana (Ambassador's secretary) provided me a copy of the invitation. I don't know yet if I am going. Will probably decided over the weekend and let Diana know. I think Diana and Mary aren't coming to work tomorrow. Mary is probably traveling somewhere, out of state.

There was a Korean party this evening with food and Soju (Korean liquor). I didn't go. I went and got Muse and the two of us went and grabbed a 6pack Heineken and 6 pack Red Stripes (Jamaican Beer). We sat outside at the garden and had a few beers before Rivo (Muse's room-mate) and laters others joined in.

Arlington Cemetery

Visited the Arlington Cemetery today. We got off work at 12.30pm and met Gene at ISH. I chatted with Vincent and told him that I have an organized visit to the AC. Rushed back to my room, got changed out of my working clothes and met Gene and Ninou at the lobby. We chatted for a while until Fotu and Abby arrived. We left to grab lunch at the Buritto place. After lunch we caught the Metro and went to Arlington Cemetery. We visited President J.F. Kennedy's grave and Robert Lee's mansion. It was more than a cemetery. Actually more like a tourist attraction place. US Service men are buried there. About 250,000 of them. We then went to the Ampitheatre where President G.W. Bush gave his Memorial Day speech. Then we went to see the mast of the US Navy ship that sank during the American-Spanish War in the 1800s. We also visited the tomb of the Unknown soldiers who died during the war.

Tuesday after Memorial Day

The ambassador is in NY. I went to work today at around 9.30am and the ladies were already in office. Didn't do much as usual. I really need to be in the mood to work so that i can do something. that's weird but i don't know what will give me the urge to work, i mean write. I returned to ISH and was quite hungry coz i didn't have anything for dinner. slept for a few minutes then i woke up around 5.52pm and went to the dinning room. Fotu and the other girls were already there. after dinner Fotu, Ninou, Abby, Karla and i chatted. Karla is the girl from Holland. She was doing some moving in her office and injured her finger. I went to my room and my room-mate was doing some packing. He's leaving for Germany at the end of the week. I am now in the library trying to continue with the typing. There's no coke (classic coke) in the vending machine so I have to go all the way to the shops at Dupont. I bought a 710ml bottle of coke and a Kitkat bar and returned to the library.

Canoeing in Potomac River, BBQ and Memorial Day

We went canoeing up the Potomac River on Sunday. There were eight of us including Muse. It was a lot of fun. We stopped on a small island for rest. The island was so muddy that the mud went almost right up to our knees. We then paddled towards Roosevelt island to see the Roosevelt Memorial but the girls were exhausted so we had to turn back.

We came back to ISH contributed money for BBQ in the afternoon and Kurt and the others went shopping. We started the BBQ at around 6ish in the afternoon but there was a heavy storm that prevented us from sitting outside. Kurt was so adamant that we continue on with the BBQ despite the rain. Later in the night Justin and I went looking for beer but all the liquor outlets were closed. They guys later went to another place which was open and go a carton of Heineken and Miller Lite. Nobody really liked the Miller Lite. We finished late in the night. I must have left around 2am and came back to my room to sleep. It was a great day yesterday.
---
Today is Monday and is the Memorial Day. The ISH organized a BBQ for us. Everyone was out there enjoying the BBQ and tok stori. Earlier in the morning Kurt led some of the folks to Rock Greek Park for a game of soccer and volleyball. I didn't go as I decided to stay back and try to do some work.

Saturday at ISH

I spent most of the time finishing up the casino commentary to send to The National. After sending the article I went up to my room. My room-mate Tobby was packing. He's got 5 days left and will be leaving at the end of next week. I tried doing some work at the library but am always distracted by the internet, surfing and checking emails. I'll see if I'll be productive over this long weekend. I went to CVS this afternoon and bought a laundry detergent to do some laundry tomorrow or on Monday. I got a Fujita Buritto today--the place were Neils' and I used to get Buritto last summer. Neils will be coming in the morning for us to go out kayaking. I'll ask Abby and Fotu if they want to come along.

Memorial Day

We knocked off early from work today at 1.00pm. I went to work this morning but didn't do much at work. A former PAU staff visited the embassy today with 3 of his students. They met the ambassador and when they were about to leave for lunch the ambassador invited me over with them to Front Page. We had lunch over at Front Page and after we finished I left for the office. As soon as I arrived Mary advised me that they are closing up for the long weekend. There's no work on Monday as it is the Memorial Day--one of the public holidays in the US.

I came to ISH around 1.30pm and went straight to bed. I was so tired. I woke up around 6.30pm and went to dinner. I met Abby there. I was still full after having a huge lunch with the ambassador. Later in the evening I was waiting around for Neils. He turned up at the ISH Garden around 10.30pm. We are planning on go kayaking up the Potomac river this Sunday and have a BBQ in the evening. My friends invited me over to have a drink with them. They had this spanish/portugese drink which sounds like 'sanguine', it's wine with orange juice and sugar. Really sweet but takes effect after a few cups. I wasn't drunk at all coz I think it was too sweet and not strong. I left around 12.ooam for the room left my bag, coz i can't do any work and returned to the ISH library and typed. I will be doing some work all day tomorrow to get this thesis out of the way.

Chatted with Prof. Francis Fukuyama

Yes, guess what! I chatted with Prof. Fukuyama today at his Johns Hopkins SAIS office. My friend from Pakistan, a career diplomat, took me for a brief tour today around the SAIS buildings. We went to the SAIS office where the International Development Program is located as he has an appointment with Prof. Fukuyama. The good Prof invited both of us into his office and we chatted. It was a priviledge to meet someone of Prof. Fukuyama's standing. One of the world's famous contemporary political philosopher and the author of 'The End of History and Last Man'.

I went to work around 11.30am. Didn't do much though at the office. At around 12.30pm I went to Starbucks and grabbed myself a tall vanilla latte. Went back to the office and stayed till 5.00pm. A PNG guy from the highlands dropped by at the office. He's working with the Auditor General's office in POM. He's here in DC for 4months staying somewhere at Arlington. Vincent Sumale brought him into my office and we chatted. We later went to the office of the ambassador and chatted with the Ambassador. We all left the office, the two of them caught the Metro to Arlington, the Ambassador stayed back in the office and worked and I came to ISH. I met Fotu and Abby at dinner. The two of them wanted to do some shopping so at 7.30pm we left ISH and went to Marshalls at Pentagon City. Fotu bought herself a running shoe, Abby got a slippers and I got a shirt, short and a laptop bag and carry my laptop to work.

Got a reader card from the Library of Congress

We met at the Union Station today and visited the US Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. All of us met at the Union Station at 12.30pm today. Ninou was half an hour late. We were frustrated but he eventually turned up. We had lunch and then visited the US Supreme Court and the LoC. Gene and I had to go to the LoC Medical library to get me a reader card. I now have a reader card and can use the LoC over the next few days to complete my research if it warrants any new input. Most of the research I've already done in Hawaii but just have to complete writing my paper.

2nd day at work

The ambassador and I discussed some of the things that I might have interest in doing whilst at the Embassy. He was very flexible, allowing me to complete my thesis, but the sooner I complete my work, I will have the opportunity to engage in other activities organized by the Embassy.

I went to work around 9.30ish going up to 10.00am. Most of the staff were already in office. That's good coz the first day i arrived i had to wait another 15mins before anyone comes in. I spent most of the day working on my paper. I also discovered that the Embassy's 'library' has some reliable books and articles that might help in my research esp. development reports and government documents.

After work today, I spent the time chatting with the ambassador in his office. He encouraged me to look up University of Calgary to find out about the programs they offer that are relevant to my area of interest. I shall be doing that and get into some serious business of writing my PhD proposal once i get this thesis out of the way.

First Day at Work

Today was my first day at work. Actually it didnt seem more like work as I was just shown my room (an office) and a computer to work. I am at my liberty to do anything at the staff at the PNG Embassy understood that I will be working on my paper.

After breakfast I came up to my room and got dressed. I went down to the garden and waited for Abby who wanted me to escort her to her workplace. Abby and I left ISH to her workplace. It was like 15mins walk down to the Rhode Island street where the Mercy Corp is. The Mercy Corp is located at the Rhode st. 1730. We enquired at the first bldg and it was the wrong one but the security showed us the correct bldg which was actually just across the road. I left Abby and went to my workplace. It was around 9.00am and when i went to the office there was no-one there. I came down and waited for another 15mins when i was just about to go back to the bldg I met Mary (another intern at the Embassy) who was just going in. When we went up Veronica the visa officer was already there. They showed me my office and i did some packing to clear up the office. The office wasn't used for a while so i have to remove all the books and other stuff.

Vincent Sumale came in around 10.00am and the two of us chatted. I left a pkt of Hawaiian choclate that i brought for the ladies in the office. The ambassador called and Vincent and I had to meet him at the Front Page restaurant for lunch. The three of us had lunch and chatted. I worked till 5.00pm and left.

After dinner at ISH and got my laptop and books and was going to the ISH library when i bumped into my French friend whom i just met the previous night. He invited me over to a party they were having at the garden. I joined him with the other folks at the ISH. The french and Italian girls came up with a crazy guessing game and we played while drinking. Darn! another missed night. I didn't do any work. I left them at 11.00pm and returned to my room.

Farewell for ISH Director

I woke up at 9.30am and went for breakfast. Lunch was at 1.00pm and I was with the other ISH occupants to occupy the tables for a family-type dinner. Muse came in 15mins late. I didn't tell them that they had to be at least 15mins early to hear announcements and introduction for new students. Fotu, Abby and Ninou were not there. Abby and I stayed up till 5.00am in the morning at the computer lab. Ninou needs to get some work clothes today but I didn't meet him. I was going to take him to Pentagon City to do some shopping. I slept around 4.00pm and woke up around 6.00pm. I am going to get prepared for work tomorrow by ironing my clothes. I met Muse and the two of us went down to the TV lounge where the vending machines are and grabbed two cans of coke.

Memorial Tour

It's now 1.05am Sunday and my body is not yet acquainted with the time in DC. Ninou arrived from NY last night and Gene met him at the Grand Station and brought him over to ISH. This morning we all met and went for a tour to the Memorials. Fotu was a little bit late and we all have to wait for her. We visited the Washington Cathedral, Georgetown University, the White House, a trip around Capitol Hill, the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. Tom the bus driver dropped us off at the ISH around 2.30pm when we finished and all of us went to a Thai Restaurant for lunch. Fotu and Abby finished their lunch early and left for shopping. When we were done eating Muse and I left for ISH while Gene took Ninou for a Metro orientation ride to his work place - the Timor Leste Consulate Office.

I came back to my room and was very tired as I stayed up late last night. I slept for about 2 and half hours and woke up around 7.00pm and went to Starbucks for to grab coffee. Returned to my room and tried working but left again for the ISH library room to use the computer there. I left and went again to Starbucks and CVS. My room-mate went out and just returned so I didn't want to disturb him when he's sleeping so I left for the computer room at ISH to do some work. I am working on a commentary for the National newspaper on the casino Bill recently passed by the PNG parliament. I'll be staying up late to see if I still can do some work.

Shopping at Pentagon City

We were suppose to visit the zoo today but the weather was not so good as there were light showers in the morning making the place so chilly that we chancelled the zoo trip and visited the Smithsonian Museums again. This time we went to the Smithsonian institute, the sort of information center for the museums at the National Mall. We also visited the African History museum. Fotu left us to see her cousin and the rest of us went to the Pentagon City at the shopping mall to do some shopping. I bought a pants to go with my jacket. When we came back to Dupont Circle, I called the ambassador and talked to him. He's going to the Metropolitan Museum in New York to give a speech and will be returning on Monday.

Orientation Tour in DC

Gene and I took Muse, Fotu and Abby on a Metro orientation and brief tour of the Smithsonian Mall. We visited the Natural History Museum particularly the gem and minerals section to see the Hope Diamond. We also bought tickets to watch the Imax 3D film "King of the Kalahari".

Muse would be doing his internship at the Natural History Museum. We went to lunch at the National Arts Gallery. The cafeteria is at the basement and a really amazing architecture work of the bldg. We came back to Dupont Circle and Gene left us to do some work at his place. The rest of us went to CVS to do some shopping. I bought a shampoo, toothpaste and some soap but forgot to get a laundry detergent. Might get that later tomorrow. Muse and I left Fotu and Abby and went to the PNG Embassy. Veronica and two other ladies were there. One is the ambassador's secretary and the other is an intern. We chatted for a while and then Muse and I returned to ISH. I was very tired to went straight to bed early in the afternoon. I woke up around 7.30pm and went for dinner. Tried doing some work but when my room mate returned I left the room and came to the computer lab. My room mate Tobby is from Germany.

Arrived in DC

I arrived in DC today after a long tiring flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles, Denver and to Washington Regan airport. I met Fotu when I arrived in Denver. The two of us boarded the same plane to Regan airport. I hate long flights. 4 hrs from HI to LA and then 3 hrs from LA to Denver and another 3-4 hours from Denver to DC. Fotu's cousin brother picked us up from the airport and dropped us off at ISH. Muse arrived early and was in the ISH computer lab when I came. I also just learned that Muse's wife and son are with him at St. Louis. After sorting out stuff in my room we had dinner at 6.00pm with other ISH occupants. Gene joined us for the first dinner. The food was same. I realized also some changes at ISH. First, they have a more fancy up to date phone now in the room where you can leave voice messages and record messages. They've also replaced the internet LAN cables with wireless. That's really good news. Abby arrived later in the evening around 7.30pm. She joined us for a briefing and we all went for a walk to Dupont Circle i.e. Gene, Muse, Fotu, Abby and myself. Ninou from East Timor who's at Stony Brooks University in NY will be arriving on Friday. We will be going out to check our work places tomorrow and for some shopping. I will visit the PNG Embassy and then return to my room to do some work--complete my thesis. Probably also look up Library of Congress to use.

East Timor Party - 9th Floor HM

The East Timorese students invited me over to their party tonite. Tara and Louisa, Takuya, Ronney and Mike were also there. There quite a number of people there. Last night we were drinking at Hale Halawai. That was the last kava of the semester and the last Friday of school for the Spring 2007 semester. We stayed there till 3.00am in the morning. Francis Dhoro (my friend from Zimbabwe) were the last ones to leave.

Book Allowance

i gave in my zero balance today tt get my book allowance. cyndy will be depositing it into my account. i also saw Prof. Nevi today about my paper and will be giving it to him later this week.

Korean Restaurant - Manoa Valley

Takuya and I went for dinner this afternoon. We went to this Korean restaurant at Manoa valley. It was OK. The food was good and cheap. I spent most of the day today in my room. I woke up early in the morning and went to Burns Hall to pick up my Third Party Billing form. I went to where the student services was to pay my summer tuition but the guy told me to go to Kraus Hall to pay. So I went there and gave the cashier my billing form. I checked later today but the fees are still indicated in my account. I check again tomorrow and if its still there I'll check up with the cashier at Kraus Hall.

Registered for POLS 700F

I registered for POLS 700F today. It took the graduate office almost a week and a half to allow me to register coz apparently the lady who's responsible for the verifying the status of graduate students was not available last week. I went to Burns Hall to give Gene my class schedule in order to get my Third Party Billing form but he wasn't in so I slipped my class schedule under his door with a note. I'll be going to check up on that tomorrow and complete the registration process. I have to return all the books I borrowed from the EWC library as well as Hamilton library by the end of this week. I'll also have to furnish Prof. Nevi my draft of the thesis to get a grade for POLS 699.

Kathrine Higgins leaving for Boston

Kathrine is from Boston. She was enrolled in the Pacific Island Studies at UH and recently completed her MA. I got to know most of the Pacific Island Studies students when I was invited by Prof. Vilsoni Hereniko to give a presentation in his class in Spring 2007. They are a great bunch of people. Tutii called me this afternoon and told me that they were at Manoa Gardens having a few beers. I went, met them, and spent an hour with them. When we all broke up, I went down to the Curry House and got myself a take-out of stewed chicken with spinach. I am now working on my final chapter and hope to get it done by this Friday.

Japanese Noodle Restaurant

The election writs were issued last Friday 05/04/07 in PNG. Election fever is now taking its toll with the nomination of candidates. Paps in the village requested for me to send him K1000. I can't because of a number of reasons. First is that I am not working. Second is that there are more other important priorities than wasting money on campaign handouts. Today is Sunday and is the beginning of the final week of this semester. I will be leaving for DC next Tuesday 05/15/07. I was only given $20 for each day that I will be in DC. No settling in allowance, No metro money and taxi fare from the International Student House to Washington Regan airport on my way back to Hawaii on July 31st.

Today I woke up around midday as I slept at 6.00am this morning. Didn't do any work, was just watching Tom and Jerry, my favorite cartoon since I was a kid. Tutii called me around 12.30pm and at 1.45 the two of us left for the Japanese noodle restaurant. They make their own fresh noodles. On the way we went into Star Market and then returned to Hale Manoa. At around 7.00pm I met Ronney at the elevator and the two of us went to Safeway. Ronney bought some food and I got some cookies, roasted chicken thigh to go with my rice in the dorm and my favorite crispie banana chips.

3rd Chapter

Completed the 3rd chapter of my paper. Now, that's not progress at all. Still have 2 to go. Will take me 1 week, believe me!

Ho'opuka Ceremony

Today was ma big day. We had the Ho'opuka Ceremony and I graduated from the EWC Fellowship Program. Word's can't describe the appreciation I have for the U.S. State Dept and the EWC for choosing me for the program. Ronnie and Sophronia however weren't there. Ronnie will be finishing in the same time as me. Tutii was the MC for the Ceremony. He was going to calll me after work at 10.30pm for kava but I don't think I can drink. After the ceremony I came back to my room and slept. I woke up around 6ish going 7 and went down to the Chinese Dynasty restaurant. Guess who I met there? Michael and Ronnie were already there. I ordered a plate of fried rice and sat with them. They told me about the student who fell down from the 3rd floor of the Engineering Bldg to his dealth. How tragic!

Parties!

Worked in the library today and returned to the room at lunch time. I have been invited to a lot of parties. It's the end of classes for the Fall semester. People are having parties everywhere. Unfortunately for me, I've still not learnt my lesson. I am still working on my paper. Wasted two months of sleeping and hanging out. Tara left for DC this evening for the Pacific Island Leaders meeting at the State Department.

Paper Presentation & Pacific Island Journalists Pau Hana

I gave a brief presentation of my paper yesterday in Prof. Nevi's class Seminar: International Relations. I have to give him my paper later this week in order to get a grade fro POLS 699. After class, we went straight for Hale Halawai where there was a pau hana for the Pacific Island Journalists who were traveling to Washington DC for the Pacific Island leaders conference at the US State Department. That would be the first time that the State Department would be hosting the conference for the Pacific Island leaders. In the past it was usually held here at the EWC.

I also received my per diem for DC today. It wasn't much as my internship arrangement was an exception so they didn't give me any settling in allowance. I will really have to budget everything coz that's the last money I am getting till I return home. I went down to Star Market and sent Michaelyn and Kathleen's money via Western Union. It was $50 = K142.31. Enid didn't go to Tokarara to give their bus fare as she was busy last week so I have to send the girls' money directly so that they receive it in time.

James emailed me and told me that O-Shen was expecting me at his place before I leave for DC. Oh Goodness! I just hope I get my thesis out of the way soon so I can visit him before I leave. Leo maybe is also expecting me. Geez! I just couldn't see these people. So freakin busy!

I was very tired yesterday evening. We also had kava at Hale Halawai during the pau hana. I came back straight to my room when we finished the last tanoa. I tried to sit up for a while but just couldn't and I went straight to bed as early as 7.40pm. I woke up early in the morning around 6.30am, met Tutii at the elevator and the two of us went to Aloha Cafeteria for breakfast.