Shout out to Charlie

Of course my Uncle would get a shout out, because he's the man, he helped create the universe, and the snacks and garlic tabasco sauce he sends me is glorious. Everyone here at Xavier is aware that I am really Italian because I would bathe in garlic if I had a chance.
Anyway...
Another shout out to my grandfather and Mary for awesome packages. They're great.
If you are planning to send more, send me your favorite books or colored chalk. That'd be great.

So about Chuuk...
things have been going very well these past weeks. Nothing very exciting. The internet has been down for a while, so I have not been able to reach many of you.
Teaching is getting better. I'm halfway through teaching about the Roman Empire. It feels great to know that I will be a World History Expert (at a high school level, of course) by the time I get home. I am also learning a lot while I am teaching (sometimes, I learn the night before my lesson). I am also learning a great deal with writing. Small things, but helpful tips nonetheless.
I am loving my students. I am getting a better read on all of them, and I am figuring out how hard I can push them and how intence my tough love must be. They are all great kids. Some are geniuses, and I try to stay away from them before I bring them down a notch or two. Some kids are really struggling, especially those who do not know english well. It's hard to teach about the Roman Revolution and all of its complicated twists and triumvirates and civil wars and other events when I realized, two days after teaching it, a kid raised his hand and asked me "What does 'Revolution' mean?" I'm making it though, doing the best I can.
Thanksgiving is next week. I cannot beleive it. I heard that most JVIs really feel homesick around this time, which makes sense. I get homesick from time to time, but nothing serious, because I'm so busy here and also relaxed. It honestly doesn't feel like I'm living simply anymore, even though it was a bit rough at first. Power goes off a few times a day, and almost every night? No problem. Cockroaches and termites all around my house? They are pets. Lack of homemade pasta and no Dr. Pepper in over 3 months? I'm surviving. Something that we just overcame, however: the ants. Here is an experiment for everyone at home...put down a piece of food. Anything. A chip, some meat, a piece of cookie, anything wet or dry. Now watch it. Come back to it an hour later. A few hours later. Are there thousands of ants crawling all over it? Can you see the lines of ants making their way to their new mecca? Well, you probably can't, so consider yourself lucky. ANY morsal of food that makes its way to the floor, or left untouched on a table, it will be covered with ants in less than 30 minutes. The ants here are ruthless. Teaches me to clean up after myself.
I'm going to try and send some of my student's essays to you soon. They're doing expository papers, and the ones they are writing about their home islands is very interesting. I'll send those over soon. Also, check out my pictures. I added some that were taking back during WWII, during the actual battles. And some pictures of the school when the Jesuits just took it over. They are really awesome. Also I will try to add some of me with a beard and what I was for Halloween. Who was the only fool dressed up for all of his classes? That's right. Me. Chris Dwyer dressed up after lunch. Anyway, my beard is gone. Keep in touch, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Peace out
AJ