November 3, 2010-Eight to Eight

    

     Today was my 8 to 8 day at work.  Our Youth Center Director left for vacation, so several of us are filling in his shifts at the center with the youth and still doing our own jobs on top of that.  It’s only once or twice a week though as we are dividing it between three people, so it’s manageable.  For our co-worker, it’s his first vacation off the atoll after more than a year of being here. I remember my first trip back to “civilization” well. I don’t think you really fully appreciate the advantages of living here until you’ve taken that first plane ride back to the states. Back home, there’s traffic, lines, money flying out of your pocket at every turn, and major consumerism.  If you go back any time other than summer, the days are shorter, the commutes or drives to do anything longer, and there’s barely enough time in the day to take care of business, much less have time for entertainment activities.  Of course, there’s also family, long time friends, fresh and varied produce, 45 different kinds of toothpaste, 24 hour stores where you can get whatever you need at the exact moment you need it, and general life experiences that are simply not available on the island.  Advantages and disadvantages...

     My oldest son was telling me last year that he was about ready to PCS (permanent change of station OR move, in other words) back to the states because he was getting bored. As he seems to really be enjoying school and his friends and activities lately, I asked him at lunch if he was still ready to move because he’s bored here. He said, “I think I was bored because I needed a vacation. Once I go on vacation and get tired of the states, then I’m ready to come back to Kwaj.”  That sentiment is exactly what every long term resident figures out within their first couple of years on island.  In a nutshell, there are advantages and disadvantages to every place, and the grass is not usually greener on the other side; it’s just a different kind of grass with its own unique challenges for living with it and taking care of it. So, I don’t mind a few 8 to 8 work days in order to provide someone else with their much needed break from atoll life because it gives us time to reflect upon what we do love about living here, and it motivates us to come back with renewed enthusiasm for work and life.