Bought ticket to Cincinnati, Ohio

After learning that Maku and I couldn't go with Vince, Nita and their family, the Ambassador bought us our bus tickets to Cincinnati for the PNG July 4th Bung. What a wonderful person! Below is our itinerary:

PASSENGERS
Mr Solomon Kantha $98.00 Adult
Mr Maku Komun $98.00

AdultCREDIT CARD BILLING ADDRESS
Evan Paki
511 Lowell LN
NW, Washington, DC 20016
United States(202) 739-4667

Pick up ticket(s) at the following station at least one hour beforeboarding. Tickets may be picked up at either the counter or Ticket CenterExpress kiosk. Kiosk pick up available only for transactions with cardholder traveling.

WASHINGTON GREYHOUND STA1005 1ST ST NEWASHINGTON, DC
PAYMENT Subtotal: $196.00Gift Ticket Fee: $15.00Tax: $0.00Total: $211.00

INFORMATION Here is your arrival and departure information, including any connecting bustransfers:
-------------Trip to CINCINNATI, OH-------------
07/06/07 12:45am GLI-4447 * Depart WASHINGTON, DC
07/06/07 06:50am GLI-4447 * Arrive PITTSBURGH, PA
07/06/07 07:30am GLI-1685 * Depart PITTSBURGH, PA
07/06/07 11:45am GLI-1685 * Arrive COLUMBUS, OH
07/06/07 12:20pm GLI-4381 * Depart COLUMBUS, OH
07/06/07 02:15pm GLI-4381 * Arrive CINCINNATI, OH

-------------Return Trip to WASHINGTON, DC-------------
07/08/07 06:15am GLI-1150 * Depart CINCINNATI, OH
07/08/07 08:10am GLI-1150 * Arrive COLUMBUS, OH
07/08/07 08:45am GLI-1679 * Depart COLUMBUS, OH
07/08/07 12:45pm GLI-1679 * Arrive PITTSBURGH, PA
07/08/07 01:25pm GLI-1602 * Depart PITTSBURGH, PA
07/08/07 06:40pm GLI-1602 * Arrive BALTIMORE DOWNTOWN, MD
07/08/07 06:55pm GLI-4311 * Depart BALTIMORE DOWNTOWN, MD
07/08/07 07:50pm GLI-4311 * Arrive WASHINGTON, DC

Note: * denotes Carrier and Bus Schedule Number.GLI: GREYHOUND LINES, INC.To pick up tickets, the recipient must present both valid photo ID and thereference number (displayed above).Pick up tickets during station hours.The password you chose for the Gift Ticket Order is displayed here. It isyour responsibility to communicate this password to the ticket recipient.Will Call Password: kyte4945This ticket purchase confirmation page is NOT a ticket. You must be issued aticket to board the bus.Please arrive at the station one hour prior to scheduled departure,depending upon its hours of operation. If you will be checking baggage,please visit the counter in advance of the scheduled departure time. Seating is first-come, first-served. In case of insufficient seatingcapacity, passengers will be placed on succeeding schedules that haveavailable seats.You have chosen to pick up tickets at the station or designated stop. It issolely the passenger's responsibility to pick up tickets in advance oftravel.Please retain this receipt for your records. For more information about bustravel, please consult the Travel Information section of greyhound.com. Forgeneral schedule information, call 1-800-231-2222.Tickets are non-transferrable and, if presented for transportation by anyperson other than the one for whom it was originally purchased, will be voidand may be confiscated by a Greyhound agent or authorized employee of anybus carrier over which the ticket is issued.Thank you for choosing Greyhound.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please visit these other websites for your additional travel needs:Greyhound Package Express - for shipping services across the United Stateshttp://www.shipgreyhound.com Greyhound Canada - for travel and shippingservices across Canada http://www.greyhound.ca

Rotary function at Hotel Washington

Alisha and I went with the Ambassador to Hotel Washington for a Rotary function. On the way we picked up a WWII veteran who fought in PNG. They introduced us at the reception. The ambassador is an active member of the club and spoke for a few minutes. We returned to the Embassy and I faxed a condolence letter to the NZ High Commission for Bernard Narokobi. I tried faxing it to Narokobi Lawyers in POM but it didn't you through. Will try again tomorrow. Jude the Embassy driver sent the original letter by mail to NZ.

Visit by PNG Travel official

PNG travel official visited the office today. He returned from PNG 2 weeks ago. He has been taking tourists to PNG for the past 27 years. He said he'll be doing his final tour travel with tourists next year. The ambassador gave me some work today including drafting a condolence letter to the Narokobi family for the passing of their mother Regina. She died tragically from cancer.

Pwapei in Oklahoma/Leo called from HI

Getting lazier to write this freakin event everyday.

Pwapei arrived in Oklahoma yesterday. Called me today and we chatted. Thinking of visiting DC and then NY.

Leo called from Hawaii. He gave me O-Shen's number and I called Os and we chatted. Said he completed his album and they are working on the cover and printing. Should get a CD before I go to PNG.

Front Page/Mai Thai dinner

Went out to Front Page (night club) with Muse on Saturday night. We tried calling Maku but only reached his voicemail.

Had dinner at Mai Thai restaurant today. Muse's last dinner. The girls (Abby and Fotu) didn't come with us. They went to some Malaysian restaurant. Nino wasn't in.

Last day at work for USSP-ET interns

Today was the last day for work for the USSP-ET interns in DC. They'll be leaving for NY next Monday leaving me as the only one from EWC-Hawaii at ISH. The ambassador didn't come in today. Only Vero, Alisha and me. PJ must have left for NY to visit his girlfriend coz he's not in the room.

Dinner with Meg Taylor

Left the Embassy at around something to 12.15pm. Met Maku at the Dupont Circle Metro station. We caught a cab to the Thai Kingdom retaurant. Muse and Abby joined us a few minutes later.

When we finished I ...(to be continuted)

Visit to EWC-Washington Office

At 2.10pm today we visited the EWC-Washington office. Spoke with the staff there namely Mark, Barbara and the new Director. He seems to be a nice guy. Muse also gave his long-beaked echidna presentation. After the visit Gene left us and went to his apartment. The rest of us went to Rumours for a drink. We later went to the Union Station to watch a movie. It was the Fantastic 4. I hate the movie! Didn't feel too well today as I am really tired and didn't do any work.

ISH new director

I was invited today to a welcome reception for ISH's new director. i however turned down the invitation as i was so tired. I did some work on my papers in the office today. it wasn't an interesting day. as usual, i was so tired in the afternoon after i returned from work. the dinner was good though. i slept for an hour after dinner and then woke up to do some work.

Gene's Visit to the Embassy

Gene came to the Embassy today at around 11.30am and we had a chat with the ambassador at the Embassy's conference room. After a few minutes of chatting we went to the Front Page for lunch. Gene came up with his Pan Amercian stories and got the ambassador really interested. We had a good time.

After lunch I came back to the office and tried to work for a while. I decided to call it off for the day at 5.00. The ambassador and Alisha were still in the office. There were only 3 of us.

Mt. Vernon/Pacific Island Night

Went with the group (Abby, Fotu, Gene, Nino, Carla) to Mt. Vernon yesterday. I was up early and went to have breakfast. When I went down at 9.30am the girls were still having breakfast. Was a bit pissed. Eventually they were done and we went to Mt. Vernon. The place was refurbished unlike last summer. There was a new visitor center. And it was splendid! We were supposed to go to Alexandria for lunch but Fotu was in a rush so we had to drop her off at ISH. After we left her we went to this Vietnamese restaurant and had lunch.

After lunch we went and dropped Nino off at his Embassy bldg. Abby, Carla, Gene and I then left for Safeway to do the shopping for the Pacific Night. We came back dropped the stuff off and went to FDR Memorial (Franklin Delano Roosovelt) the only US President to serve for 3 terms. We then left for a tour around DC's ghetto area and Gene dropped us off at ISH. I was very tired and went straight to bed.

Boring Friday!

Worked today. Vincent, Diana and Mary will be taking leave. The office will be boring with only Vero, Alisha and I. I have to finish my paper this weekend. God! I can't believe I took this long. Talked with the ambassador in getting some remuneration while working for the Embassy. Have to discuss this with Gene to seek the State Department's approval.

East Timor Seminar - EWC-DC Office

Today was one of my boring days at work. I left office and went to a seminar on Timor Leste today at the EWC Washington DC office. I met Mark Borthwick and Barbara. There's also a new director who replaced Mutia. Gene and Nino were there. Nino and I walked back to ISH after the seminar.

6 Flags America!

Riding in a rollercoaster is an experience of a lifetime. The Embassy had a staff outing today and I skipped the State Dept visit and the visit to the National Geographic Society to go to the 6 Flags America today with the PNG Embassy staff. I was a lot of fun. We rode on most of the rollercoasters. I particularly like the Superman and the Batman rollercoaster rides. We finished late around 7.15pm and drove back to Washington DC. On the way we stopped at KFC and Joe's Pizza for dinner. They dropped me off at ISH around 10.00pm.

Office Printer working!

I went to work today. Did some work today and an IT person was brought to my office by Vero to fix my printer. My office printer is now working but it's a Deskjet 3845 that takes forever to print a page even though it's a color printer. The folks at the office advised me that we'll be going out to an amusement park tomorrow. An Embassy organized activity. So I called Gene and he gave me the green light so I'll be missing the visit to the State Department and sadly Muse's presentation.

Queens Birthday!

It's the Queens B-day today and is a public holiday in PNG. All Commonwealth countries have the Queen of England as the head of state and therefore the Q-Bday is a public holiday in those countries. I didn't go to work today and the Embassy adviced me to take the day off. I was hoping that I'll do some work today but didn't do anything at all. It's one of my worst wasted days.

Visit to the Holocaust Museum

I went to the Holocaust Museum today with Karla, Abby and Fotu. We met at the lobby around 2.15pm after lunch and caught to Metro to the Smithsonian Mall. Abby and Fotu went ahead of Karla and I inside the museum. It was sad visiting the sights and seeking pictures and films of the Holocaust. There were 6million Jews killed in the concentration camps under Hitler's reign. It was unfathomable thinking how human beings could kill themselves like that. It was more shocking than sad for me. Sadly, these human atrocities are still happening in other parts of the world and the international community has given little attention to the plight of others who are being exterminated. It reminded me of the Burmese group at the House hearing earlier in the week who were seeking the US's help to stop the 50yr atrocities that are happening in Burma.

Recovering from Hangover!

I went out with Maku from the Auditor General's office in POM. Maku is here in DC for 3 months. We went to Rumours. The bar and grill that the Pacific Island ambassadors including Robert Aisi, Tara, Scott and I went to last summer. Maku paid most of the beers, Heineken of course, we drank till I was really drunk. I came back to ISH very drunk, struggled to have a shower and went to bed. My room-mate PJ from South Korea was also out and didn't come in. He arrived later during the day and told me that he was also drunk and threw up LOL.

Matu actually came to the office around 2.00pm and the ambassador and us went for lunch at the Mexican Restaurant. We stayed until around 4.30 and returned to the office. I clocked out early with Maku and went to ISH to change into my casual clothes and the two of us went to Rumours.

Congressional Hearing on Burma

Elisha the new intern at the Embassy and I attended the congressional hearing at the Hill today. The hearing was on the situation in Burma after almost 50 years of civil conflict. The Burma situation encompasses two dimensions. One concerning the military rule and abuse of human rights and the compromise of the various ethnic groups. It is really sad to learn of the military atrocities, rape and murder of the people in Burma. The group from Burma who gave the presentation are hoping to gain the attention of the US and the international community on the plight of the Burmese people.

Elisha and I went to the Union Station food court for lunch after the hearing. I had Indian curry rice with Beef. It's becoming my favorite. When we returned to the Embassy I didn't do any work at all. Almost fell asleep again around 3pm. Perhaps because I had a heavy lunch. I am now back at ISH in my room and am trying to do some work.

Enid's Birthday/Visit to Capitol Hill - Congressman Eni Faeomavaega

Today is June 7 in PNG and is Enid's B-day. I know she will be expecting a call from me but unfortunately it's really difficult to get a calling card here.

We met at the Union Station today. I arrived late and met the group at the dinning area. We went to the Rayburn House which houses the Congressmen and waited for Congressman Eni. He arrived 20mins later after a sitting at the House and had a chat with us.

Called Ponipate today at Office

I did some work at the office today. It wasn't very much but was progressive. I called Ponipate in Honolulu today at the office. He left his domitory and is taking care of an elderly in exchange for accomodation and food. I went out at lunch and bought a McDonalds pack. It wasn't a very interesting day. I came back, had dinner and went up to my room to take a nap for about an hour before start working again. I hope I do some work in my room.

New Intern at Embassy is half-PNG

We had a new intern at the Embassy today. Her name is Elisha is she is half PNG and Java (Indonesia). I was so tired today. Didn't some productive work at the Embassy but need to continue tonite. I met Ninou this afternoon and he told me about the East Timor girl who's studying in NY got drowned. It was a tragic situation.

Abby's BDay and Kayaking at Potomac

We went kayaking at the Potomac river yesterday. Gene, Fotu, Abby, Ninou, Muse and me. After kayaking we had lunch at Georgetown. Abby and Fotu left to do some shopping and the rest of us returned to ISH.

Meeting with Lutheran Education Association Executives

Perhaps the only highlight for the day was the meeting at the Embassy with the Lutheran Education Association (LEA) executives. Jon Laabs is the Director of LEA and he was in visiting PNG last month. The Lutheran Church in PNG is working towards setting up a Lutheran University in Lae. The seventh university in PNG.

I went to work this morning still very tired. Didn't do much at the Office. Got a Vanilla latte at Starbucks at lunch time. Went back to the office and tried to work.

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.

700F

I had to find out about my summer registration today. I am going to be registering for POLS 700F which is an extension of thesis writing. I'll be giving the first draft of my thesis to my committee before I leave for DC this summer and work on their feedback whilst in DC and forward my thesis to them .

I emailed John Stanley (the PolSci Dept. specialist) and he sent me the CRN for POLS 700F. I then went to the Graduate Office to find out about the process and filled a form for them to cross-check against my records and allow me to register. I came back and worked in my room. In the evening I went down to grab a take-out of seasonal veges and beef. I met Tara and his wife (Louisa) and Tara told me about the Pacific Island journalists who are coming. I guess they'll be transiting via Honolulu for DC for the Pacific Island Leaders meeting with the State Department. We might be having a kava mix tomorrow afternoon. I met Tutii on my way back from the restaurant and the two of us walked back to Hale Manoa.

Another Sunday

This is the second last Sunday of the semester. The summer break will be after next week. I woke up today around 1pm and decided to go to Safeway (Manoa Valley). When I went out there was a light drizzle so I thought it won't be a good idea at all to get wet going up to Manoa Valley so I went to the Sinclair Circle to catch the "A" Bus to Ala Moana. Dammit! I waited there for about an hour before the bus finally arrived, and when it arrived there was this "No Service" sign on it. It dropped off a few passangers and when the driver responded to a commuter that there's "no service" I began to walk back to Hale Manoa turning away the idea of going to Ala Manoa as I might have to wait for another freakin hour for another bus. I was about 50meters away when I looked back and saw people getting on the bus, so I ran back and got on the bus to Ala Moana.

When I arrived there I went to Wal Mart. I spent a few minutes there eye shopping and decided against buying anything. I then left and went into KFC to grab myself some lunch of chicken and biscuits. After I had lunch I went back to catch the bus to UH and as soon as I arrived at the bus stop the "A" Bus arrived so I got on gave my transfer pass to the driver and realized that Peter Larmour was at my back. Peter and I chatted in the bus on the way to UH.

I am now back in my room doing some work. At about 10.40pm I went down to the Korean shop at King St. and got myself an ice cream and a bottle of Pepsi to keep me going working through the night. I also have to prepare for a presentation in Nevi's class on Tuesday. I'll see how that goes tomorrow. But for now, I am getting back into writing my paper...

Taro at Indian Shop

I slept later in the morning around 3.30am. Woke up around 1pm, put my clothes in the washing machine, had my shower and went down to the Indian Shop at King St. and bought a small plastic bag of taro. It's been a while since I last had taro and when I woke up this morning, then only food I was thinking of was taro. I still have a lot of meat (chicken and fish) in my fridge and have to finish them before I leave for DC. I have 1 week left to complete my thesis as well as finish the remaining food stored in my kitchen drawer and fridge.

Long Live Wailers!

I went to Peter Larmour's brown bag talk at the EWC at 12.00pm. When it ended it left as soon as possible to return to my room. Ponipate is flying to Fiji tonight. He is going to visit his family and spend a week in Fiji.

I went to the Wailer's concert at the Campus Center this afternoon. They are the legends! An opportunity of a lifetime to see Bob Marley's bass guitarist Aston "Family Man" Barrett, lead guitarist Al Anderson and Earl "Wya" Lindo. The "family man" or fam for short was considered by Bob Marley as the person who held the band together. He was the man who introduced the reggae genre and one of the finest bassist in the world. They played all the Bob Marley numbers. A local Hawaiian band and Fiji played before the Wailers. It was the end of Spring semester bash I believe organized by the UH SRC.

Ticket to Washington DC

Yes, things are progressing. I got my Ticket to Washington DC today. I am leaving Honolulu to Los Angeles, Denver and Washington Regan Airport. I also saw Cynthia and signed my ACN form. I then saw Gene and he told me that he was having problems contacting Unitech to have the University send them one of the new student's academic transcript. Unfortunately, it was really weird that he couldn't get thru by phone. I emailed the secretary to the Registrar and she provided me the contact for someone at Student Records. I sent the info to Gene.

Ponipate is leaving for Fiji tomorrow (Friday). I don't think I'll be drinking kava or having any alcohol tomorrow. Gotta finish my thesis. I'll try and do some work tomorrow.

Appointment to PolSci Dept - UPNG

Yes, guess what! I received a confirmation email from Dr. Orovu Sepoe from the PolSci Dept at UPNG about my appointment. Unfortunately, I won't be going home soon as I will be doing an internship at the PNG Embassy in Washington DC.

Rodney also sent my Beno's email address today. Bendix left KKKingston and is now the warehouse supervisor for BOC (I don't know what the heck this acronym means). Rodney requested a T-Shirt from DC so I will be looking around for one when I get there.

I saw Prof. Nevi to discuss my paper and have confirmed that I'll be submitting him my draft when school ends before I leave for DC. The last class for Prof. Nevi's "Seminar: International Relations" class is next Tuesday so I have decided to give a presentation of my paper in his class. I am hoping to get a grade for POLS699 for this semester.

Enid Money

I woke up around 1.30pm today. Went to Star Market and sent $100 (K284.62) to Enid. This is the last time I am sending money to them as I will have to budget to send my books home and buy a mobile phone to take home and a suit for work in DC.

Bored

I woke up around midday today as I stayed up doing nothing till 5.00am.

Did some work during day. Cooked noodles and had it with a tin of sausages.

Went down to the King St. to get a phone card to call Israel in Vanimo and Enid and baby Essie in POM. I checked the western union online and saw that the money I sent to Israel was already picked up. I called later in the night and spoke to Israel. He went to BSP and me Stalin Sakei who now works there and Stalin helped him to fill out the papers and he got the money. He also picked up the K50 Dorris sent him at the Post Office. He said he bought his medicine with the K50 and was going to get a trousers at the Border with the money I sent him. Wawo Helmut met him at the bank and got his share. Wawo Daniel said he bought a phone card for his mobile with his share of the money. I am glad Israel is happy as I owe him a lot. More than money could ever repay, for looking after my brother Michael when he was at Boram Hospital.

I called Dorris at Tokara after talking to Israel to let her know that Israel picked up his money and really appreciates it. I then called Enid and Essie and spoke to them and told them that I will be sending them some money tomorrow for food in the house and also Michaelyn and Kathleen's busfare. Enid said she met Johnson Pundari. Johns asked for me. He's probably working in Enga.

Will do some work tonite.

Nothing interesting today.

Called Israel in Vanimo

Last weekend I called Michaelyn and Kathleen at Tokara and got Israel's number from Mickie. Israel was trying to contact Sammy at Tabubil to send him some money as he was trying to get a ship ticket to go back to WWK. Israel is staying with Damien Navara in Vanimo. Mickie gave me Daniel's number 6926083. I called and reached Daniel who was driving home. I called again 20mins later and talked to Israel. I'll be calling them tonight again to talk to Wawo Helmut. Helmut is now the Supervisor at the Vanimo Timbers. I sent Israel $100 (K284.62) to help him with getting his bicycle which was locked up by the police and also for his ship ticket back home.

*I owe Israel a lot coz he took care of Michael at Boram Hospital until Michael's passing. I'll be putting him into school may be at Don Bosco Tech in POM when I get back to POM in August. The folks in Vanimo wants me go and visit them. I might probably go for a week when I get back to POM. Might also bring Enid and Essie with me to WWK and then to Vanimo. May be spend the x-mas there. I know my uncles would be happy. I owe them a lot and I miss them too.

Ponipate Drinking

Today was my first time to dine at the C&J Restaurant. It's close to the Chinese Dynasty Restaurant--one of my favorite places. Takuya and I went out this evening to dine there. It was my treat.

Last night was a long night. I was at Tara's place. We were having a small gathering there for Boboi. Boboi was going to Philipines with his family for 4 months. Ponipate, Ronnie and Mike were also there. It was the first time I saw Ponipate drinking alcohol. Poni is like my best Fijian friend. He's a cool guy and is a very nice person. In most of our gatherings like kava secessions we used to have Poni mixing us kava and he sits there and doesn't drink. He was very different last night. I guess that was probably because he was happy that he and Tara won a consultancy job doing something on Fiji and he got paid the first half this week ($3000). He settled his dorm rentals this week. He's a great guy.

When I came back after being at Tara's place, Tutii, Ross and some other folks were still outside Hale Halawai drinking . I joined them for a couple of minutes and then left.

I got bored today and was watching Casino Royale (James Bond). Takuya called me at 6.30pm and we went for dinner. I might probably be watching a movie again tonight. I just doesn't feel like doing any work usually after a previous night of drinking.

Takuya Back!

(L-Takuya, R-Solo @ Mt. Vermont)

Yes! Takuya Murata, my Japanese friend gave me a shock we I saw him today. He arrived from Kergistan (former Russian federation) today, don't know if the spelling is correct.

Takuya and I arrived together at the EWC in August 2005. He is enrolled in the PoliSci Alternative Futures program. I didn't know him quite well then until we took the same class (Futures of Political Systems with Prof. Jim Dator) in Spring 2006. I got to know him well when the two of us were assigned a group presentation project. After the semester ended I was surprised to see him in DC when I did my internship there in Summer of 2006. We hung out and he use to visit me at the International Student House. He also came with us (the intern group with Gene) to Mount Vermont and also to a BBQ when we finished our internship in DC. He took off to Kergistan after that and I went home for my community service. We have been corresponding through email since then until I was surprised to see him today back at the EWC-Hale Manoa. Well, the two of us will be going for dinner tomorrow evening.

Tara and Boboi (Filipino friend) will be having a small 'sindaun' at Tara's place and Tara has invited me to go. I am doing some work, just completed a draft of my 2nd chapter and will be waiting for 'Illusive' Michael's call. I hope I don't drink too much alcohol so that I can do some work tonight.

2nd Chapter Done

Hooray! I completed my 2nd Chapter today and will work on the remaining over the weekend and the subsequent days. Spent most of the day in my room working on my paper. Chatted with Pwapei. Put some fish in the oven and had it with rice.

Small Axe

Small Axe is a Solomon Islands reggae band. Ronnie from SI gave me the songs yesterday and since then I didn't do any work. It must have been their first album. I had my head phone on and the volume at full blast. My favorite song is "Darlin mi no misem u".

Solomon Islands music is really heating the air waves in PNG. They have been for the past 3-4 years dominated the radio stations with Sharzy being the most popular. There are others now such as Kekene and Saba coming into the music scene in PNG. Their music is cool and has a vibe the really stucks with the listeners in PNG. It's a unique kind of flavor that goes with the music. Most of their artists have recently been touring Port Moresby and Lae. PNG has about 5.5 million listeners and is a huge market for the SI artists. SI has a population of about 500,000 people.
---
I assisted Nene from East Timor with his Political Philosophy & Theory assignment today. He was discussing the difference between Rousseau's philosophy of "general will" with the concept of majority vote. I think the concept of "general will" is intangible and cannot be measured whereas a "majority vote" can be given a numerical value. For instance, on any issue where people are required to vote e.g. elections, there'll always be a majority and minority. Say in a situation where the people are required to vote for the legalization of guns and from those who voted the majority of 70% voted against whilst 30% voted for. Now, we have already given a numerical value to the opinion of people on the issue. General Will, however, cannot be measured. It is impossible to give a numeric value to a 'will' as it is an intangible variable.

Vigil for Virginia Tech University

The reality of coming to grasp with the Virginia shooting is still trying to sink in for most people. Flags in the US have been ordered by the President George W. Bush to fly half mask. It is really a sad and tragic incident which occured on Monday. In lectures today at UH Manoa the first topic of discussion was the shooting at Viriginia Tech and avenues for counselling for students if they are distressed.

The topic on the control of guns has also resurfaced in the US. Hawaii has been categorized last year as the second most safest state. Gun laws in Hawaii is relatively very strict.

More on the topic--I think it's an interesting juxtapostion when the Dateline NBC reporter asked his collegue who just returned from Iraq about how he felt about the dealths there and the recent massacre at Vtec. Although his response was not quite satisfactory to me, I think lives regardless of where we are from and our nationality, human beings should be more concerned in the protection of lives. The perspective of the American public to the loss of lives in the States might be different from the daily loss of lives in places such as Iraq, I am talking about civilian lives, the US government should do more to protect human lives as it does with its citizens. I sympathize with everyone who lost loved ones. And the recent incident at Vtec is something for the US government to seriously mull over the use of firearms either it be within the country or in terms of the military whose effect on ordinary lives is inexplicable.

Virginia Tragedy

I woke up this morning and read Henry's email from Belgium saying that he has been following the shooting in Virginia. Today is one of the darkest days in US history. A gunman apparently a senior at Vtec originally from South Korea, in two separate shootings, two hours apart, killed 32 people. 30 of them in the second shooting. It is the worst college shooting in US history. The assailant's name is Cho Seung-hui. He was a loner. Never said a word even if people greet him. A very distressed kid. Below is Cho's photo.

I woke up in the morning and was going to go grab coffee when I met Tutii at the lobby chatting with Miguel. Tutii and I went to Aloha Cafe and got breakfast. I had pancake with scrambled eggs, beef, a sandwich and french vanilla coffee. I came back and worked a little in my room.

Time is really catching up on me and I am hoping to at least get the first draft of my thesis done by this week.

In PNG Peter Tsiamalili, the Bougainville Administrator and former Secretary for the Department of Personel Management passed away in his sleep in Bougainville whilst spending the weekend in his village. His body has been flown to Port Moresby for postmoterm.

May all those who lost their lives during the massacre at Vtec rest in eternal peace. My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

There's a lot of things to think about but nothing to worry about

My favorite TV show every Sunday is ABC's Extreme Home makeover episodes. You can visit this link to learn about the previous episodes and about the program: http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/. I put away every thing I am doing and switch to TV when that show comes on.

This week's show was the Koepke family. The Koepke family lived in an old house built by Matt Koepke's grandfather. The family also have an old Mill. Matt unfortunately was diagnosed with Cancer and died 4 months later. Ty Pennington (show's host) promised Matt while he was still in hospital that they would help the family build a new home. However, he never got to meet Matt. But Ty fulfilled his promise after Matt passed away. They built a new home for the family and renovated the old Mill with a new turbine.

Matt was loved very much by many people which was evident in the number of people turning up to welcome the family into their new home. There were about 17,000 people in the small town at Wisconsin who turned up. Matt's inspirational words were engraved in a stone memorial which is now at the family's backyard.

"There's a lot of things to think about but nothing to worry about - Matt Koepke"

East-West Fest

Yep. Today will be the day that the East and the West will be showcasing their cultures. I stayed up late with my panpacific folks, drinking kava, eating roasted chicken with scones and 'wash-down' with Heineken - yeh my favorite beer since I came to Hawaii--the closest I can get to SP (South Pacific lager). Our group is called the 'kavaologists'. Now you might wonder what the heck is this. Well, the terminology is derived from the popular Melanesian traditional drink - Kava. It has been a tradition since the Spring Semester began that we gather every Friday evening, usually around 8 pm, outside Hale Halawai for tok stories. 'Hale' is hawaiian for house. Believe it or not, we are the only group at the EWC, the pacific islanders, that keep this place alive with our usual disturbances of laughing and singing. Last week the Housing people had to call the security on us 3 times. Well last night we stayed up until 4.00am. Geez, and now my eyes are sore red coz I only had two hours of sleep. Steve and Kuhio (my Hawaiian friends) joined us later in the night. Steve was drunk as hell. They were working at Steve's place and had two bottles of wine before coming over. Savada, my Afro-American friend came by as we were about to leave. Savada and I stayed for about 30 minutes after everyone had left. I still have a 6 pack of Heineken in my fridge.

Well, unfortunately I am not participating at the East-West Fest. My personal reason was that Ronnie (Solomon Islands' friend) and I were the only ones from the pacific manning our stall during the last Fest so I decided that I won't participate in this one. Well, my other more important reason was that I am really busy as this is my final semester and can't really find time to help out or participate in any cultural performances. Too bad! I'll see how the day goes. I wanted to do some work but my eyes are really aching. May be I'll take an hour or two of sleep and see if it helps...

I only managed to take an hours sleep. Went to the Festivities place and got myself a take-out of Indian curry chicken for lunch. At around 6.30pm I went down to the Chinese Dynasty restaurant and got a take-out of seasonal vegetables with beef. And as usual, dropped by the ice cream parlour and got a small cup of vanilla ice cream. Called Enid and Essie tonight. Enid arrived back from Motupore on Friday. They went up to Dr. Moiya's place at 9 mile to pick up his daughters coz I think Dr. Moiya and his wife were out of the country (PNG). Enid reminded me of Essie's birthday, which is on June 16th and Enid's is on June 7th. I do really have a bad memory.

Black Friday

I woke up around 12 midday. Had my shower and went to the cafeteria (Paradise Palm) to grab breakfast/lunch. I really wanted to have a blueberry muffin but everything was finished, even the ones at the Starbucks section. So I only got a small cup of coffee, and picked up some coffee mate packets to go with my Goroka coffee in the room. Tutii arrived back from Palau so I guess I'll have to finish my Goroka coffee and return his coffee maker. I was really craving for a blueburry muffin or a pound cake to go with my coffee in the room so I went to the Campus Center and Manoa Gardens checking all the vending machines for a pound cake. Couldn't find any so I returned to Hale Manoa. The vending machine at HH also doesn't have any so I guess I'll just have to put up with my coffee for the moment and wait for dinner.

So what is the significance of Friday the 13th or the Black Friday?

A Friday occurring on the 13th day of any month is considered to be a day of bad luck in English, German, Polish and Portuguese-speaking cultures around the globe. Similar superstitions exist in some other traditions. In Greece or Spain, for example, Tuesday the 13th takes the same role. In Russia, the unlucky day is Monday. The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia (a word that is derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Παρασκευή, δεκατρείς, and φοβία, meaning Friday, thirteen, and phobia respectively; alternate spellings include paraskevodekatriaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia) or friggatriskaidekaphobia, and is a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a phobia (fear) of the number thirteen.

"Who Killed the Electric Car"

"Who killed the electric car" is one of the most moving documentaries of the future that I've seen about the onset of a pollution free world with the creation of "electric cars" but its production was hijacked by the alleged suspects: the oil industry, the US Government, General Motors, the C.A.R.B. and the consumers - as most consumers never knew or did little to save it and its immense benefits. It is not a "dream". We were already in the future, until...

The documentary directed by Chris Paines and is 91 minutes long is a must see..

It was among the fastest, most efficient production cars ever built. It ran on electricity, produced no emissions and catapulted American technology to the forefront of the automotive industry. The lucky few who drove it never wanted to give it up. So why did General Motors crush its fleet of EV1 electric vehicles in the Arizona desert? “Who Killed the Electric car” chronicles the life and mysterious death of the GM EV1, examining its cultural and economic ripple effects and how they reverberated through the halls of government and big business. An official 2006 Sundance Festival Selection.

You can read more about the documentary by visiting: http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/

Quite productive but not so...

Woke up around 11.30am coz I slept around 3.30am in the morning. Had a shower and as usual went to Paradise Palm to grab lunch. Got some fries with tender chicken and a cup of coffee and returned to the room. Did some work until around 6.00pm and decided to go get dinner down at King Street. Steve and Keanu drove by and stopped so I hopped into the car with them and we went to Manoa Gardens. Kuhio was already there, in line to get some drinks. Kuhio got me a Newcastle beer. We were sitting outside and talking. Ross (the bloke from Minnessota) and Jose (East Timorese) were already there with a couple of folks from the PolSci Dept having a few drinks. We finished early around 8pm and I left to grab a take-out of seasonal vegetables and beef at my favorite Chinese restaurant (Chinese Dynasty). After I got my dinner I went to the ice cream parlour and got a small cup of vanilla ice cream. Came back to Hale Manoa and met Clarance at the lobby. Got a bottle of Pepsi and came up to my room.

I didn't do much today and will have to work twice as hard over the remaining weeks. I don't think I'll do a lot of work tonite bcoz of the beer I had. Usually I don't do any work when I have alcohol coz ma brain just can't stay focused. I didn't have much liquour though, but just that my body doesn't really work, or I should say my brain. I think I'll have a shower and see if it helps.

Another day of procrastination...

I didn't do any work yesterday. It's now 2 wasted days. I woke up at midday today. Just washed my face and then went to Paradise Palm, the campus cafeteria next to Hamilton Library to get lunch. I also got a mocha shake. It seems to be my favorite the first thing I get out of bed.

Well, guess what! I was reading through my article which appeared in yesterday's paper and discovered more mistakes. FUCK! You know, I am now so mad. Some scum bag editor who just don't know how to do their job. I sent this article like 6 months ago. It infuriates me, honestly. Well, I just don't wanna brood over this lousy article, otherwise it'll take another wasted day. Well, I'll honestly do some school work now and will give an update later today.

I called baby Essie last night and talked to her. It was the first time that we talked for quite a while, about 20mins. I asked her questions about school (said they are on Easter holiday), what she did (was playing with her parcel, went to the market and store), and what they were going to have for dinner (chicken, kaukau, vegetables and rice). She seems happy and is not really worried about her mum not being there (Enid was at Motupore). I asked her what she wanted me to buy her and she seems to be very adamant about her hair band/pins and drawing and coloring books. I'll get them when I am in Washington.

It's now 6.40pm and I haven't done any work yet. I just went down to the shops to get a cup of ice cream and returned to my room. I hope to get some work done before I sleep tonight.

Finding the urge to write my paper...

Woke up this morning around 10.30am. Had a shower and went to the Campus Center ATM to withdraw some money. Bought a mocha shake. Went down to University Shop and got a phone card. Returned to my room and am trying to get myself into doing some writing...started off with my journal.

You know what distracted me the most today? It was this article that I wrote for The National which appeared in today's paper (04/11/07). I don't know if you write commentaries or articles for newspapers but sometimes I kinda feel awkward when you realize mistakes in an article you wrote and was published. Oooh! I really don't like to imagine what people would be wondering about my competency when or if they are able to spot errors in my articles. But what is really irritating is that the editors or sub-editors, whoever that's responsible for editing, doesn't edit an article properly or in certain situations changes the sentence structure or words. I got really mad once, no actually twice, and almost gave up writing, when this was done to few of my articles. It is important to realize that once you change a sentence structure, that would entirely change the substance of the article or message which the author wishes to emphasize or deliver. What's worse is that the mistakes are of the editor's own making and not the original article I sent article...wooo!

Anyways, these are some of my writing ordeals or experiences. But essentially, I feel that I have a civic responsibility as a learned citizen, in whatever capacity I am in to highlight issues which I believe affect Papua New Guinea's national wellbeing.

I've wasted a whole day yesterday without doing any work. There's 3 weeks left before I submit my paper and I have 4 chapters to complete. Well, I guess working under pressure does get things done but the caveat is that the "quality" of the work is important and not the lenght.

SI Tsunami fundraiser Meeting

I went to the PIDP office today to meet with Tara and the PIDP staff. We were meeting on having a fundraiser for the tsunami victims in Honiara. We talked about most of the long-term benefits of things that we thought would assist the SI wantoks.

While I thought the brainstorming we did on the possible programs/projects that will have long-term benefits are good, a caveat which I pointed out was that I think it is important to have someone on the ground to do a reconaisance or ground work by talking with the affected communities, government institutions and NGOs and find out what are the most pressing issues that need to be addressed which aren't looked into yet. That is so that we (EWC) do not duplicate what other organizations are doing.

Latest updates of the tsunami in Solomon Islands (news and pictures) can be found by visiting www.tutuvatu.com - a Guadacanal website managed by Solomon Islanders at the East-West Center.

I came back to my room and tried to do some work but find myself into the usual distraction of listening to music and web surfing. Gosh! I wish I don't have an internet connection in my room...but the good thing is that I created a new blog which I thought I'll start keeping an online journal before I leave for DC.

Back in POM, Enid left on Monday (April 09, 2007) for a meeting or training of some sort at Motupore Island Resort. I'll be giving my baby Essie B. a call on Wednesday (PNG Time) to check on her.

Creating a journal for DC

Hi, I will be doing an internship at the PNG Embassy in Washington DC and as part of the routine to keep track of the days and events while I am in DC, I am required to keep a record of all the highlights every single day that I am there.

In the summer of 2006 I was working as a research assistant with the United States Asia-Pacific Council (USAPC) in DC. As part of my job I was assisting Dr. Mark Borthwick on the 3rd edition of his book. I also visited Capitol Hill regularly to observe congressional hearings and write reports. During my short stint I was able to meet some very prominent people, including the ambassadors of the Pacific Islands countries in the US. I also represented the USAPC as an observer at the Pacific Island ambassadors meeting at the National Geographic Society. I am hoping that in my upcoming stint with the PNG Embassy I would like to meet some of US prominent political leaders.

At first, it was kinda hectic and boring you know, to write down what I did each day. But after reading through my last summer's journal, which I did on a notepad on my PC, I find it an interesting reading, you know, to go back and reminisce on what I did and so forth.

So I thought, wot da heck! now I'll do a blog and keep my journal. I am a little bit behind time and perhaps technology too, mind you. So, there it goes. I am getting prepared well ahead of time and maybe start keeping track of the events now.

Oh gosh, I gotta get back to writing. I have to complete my thesis before looking forward to DC.

Until then...