learning journal #27: Preparing for change

The month of March is nearly coming to a close, which makes it that much closer to my departure date, May 4th.  Time is going by so fast and before I know it, I'll be in Tonga.  I've been thinking about my research project a lot lately and about things to expect when I get there.  I am so fortunate to be able to stay with my first cousin on the main island, who is married and has four young children.  I'm really excited to meet up with them again.  Looking at what is expected out of my field study kind of feels overwhelming because I will be out there in Tonga by myself and the other two girls will be on another island.  To be honest, I'm really nervous that things won't go the way I planned and I won't be able to adapt to the changes.  I'm reminded of a quote once said that change will always happen and sometimes we may not have control over it, but we do have control on how we react to change. 

The King of Tonga's funeral services will be held today.  King Tupou VI (the new king) has stated that the country's mourning period will last three months, from March to June.  We will be arriving in Tonga in May which means we will be there for the last month of the country's mourning.  I wondered if the country's mourning would have any effect on my research project.  For example, no celebrations or events could be held during the mourning period, which I think includes dances and sport events.  If so, I would have to make a few changes in my field study to make use of all the time I have there as my time is limited.  I think the best way for me to prepare for change in Tonga, is to brainstorm other plans that relate to my research project, and explore those.  I can refer to my web of ideas that we did in class earlier in the semester to look at other things such as exploring the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education, availability of health clinics or hospitals to the people and other things like that.  I think what plays a big part in adapting or dealing with change is attitude.  How we manage or deal with stress plays an important role in our attitude.  I think this is a great time to step back and evaluate how I'm doing, because in the next month or so, I will be alone in Tonga and may deal with stress there. 

I think for the most part I can prepare more for possible changes in the field by being prepared with back up research projects and preparing myself mentally for it now.  The semester is coming to an end and finals are coming up, which means a lot of stress.  I think by managing my stress and dealing with it could help me deal with any sudden changes in Tonga. 

learning Journal #26: IRB

Yesterday the IRB application was due.  I'm really glad that part of the process is done!  I took an english class last semester (Engl 216) in which we wrote proposals and at the end of the semester, filled out an IRB application.  I'm really glad I took that class because it helped so much especially in writing the background and significance section.  I know I would've had a harder time filling it out, if I hadn't taken that class.  I think the hard part of the IRB application, was filling out everything and making sure each part matches and was consistent throughout the application.  There are so many different parts to the application that it is easy to say one thing in one part, and forget to mention it in another.  Last Friday we had an IRB mock session, where I received great feedback from my group!  It's amazing how many different projects will be carried out this spring and summer by other field study students.  Well now the IRB part is done, we're moving on writing up our proposal for the Kennedy Center and also starting to nail things down for our projects.  I'm really excited to go to Tonga! 

Learning Journal #25: Royal death

Yesterday, King George Tupou V passed away in a hospital in Hong Kong.  He was 63 years old.  According to newspaper articles I had read, the cause of death was not given, but the king did suffer other health problems and had a liver transplant last year.  He reigned in 2006 when his father, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV passed away.  Because of the riots in Nuku'alofa, the coronation wasn't until the summer of 2008.  He will be remembered as the King who pushed for democracy and political reforms.   

 

Funerals can be complicated to understand as people have specific roles and many people are involved.  All of my grandparents and close relatives are still alive, so I haven't had the whole "Tongan funeral" experience yet.  Sometimes funerals last a whole week, in which that village would have to close their stores and businesses until the funeral is done, to show respect.  There was a funeral in Fahefa last summer while I was in Tonga and the two stores in the village had closed down during that time.  If we needed to go to the store, we would have to go to the next village which wasn't too far.  If activities were scheduled during that time such as dances, they would be cancelled.  Other ways we would show our respect to the family and deceased person was by not making any noises (laughing too loud, talking too loud..etc.) especially at night and by presenting mats and "koloa."  Purple material was draped across the front of the deceased person's house.  I think that's one of the signs to recognize as there being a funeral.  In the Tongan culture, wearing all black and ta'ovalas is expected.  

 

"Tupou, who studied at King’s College in Auckland, New Zealand, and in Britain, is credited with championing a more open system of government, advocating technological improvements and introducing a more open economy in the kingdom.  He will be remembered by many for his throwback fashion choices — which included wearing, at times, a top hat and even a monocle."

                                                               (Wellington, New Zealand Newspaper source)

  

Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka, heir to the throne, was with the king just before he passed away.  In one of the newspaper articles, I had read that the King's last words was, "the sun has set."  The king brought in things like mobile phones and other advances that people wouldn't dream would come to Tonga, and pushed for democracy which made a big impact on the people there.     

Back in the days, the mourning period lasted a year.  Which meant all these things would last a whole year.  However, Queen Salote shortened the mourning period because it was too long.  She changed it from a year to a month.  The King of Tonga passed away, and I'm not sure how long the mourning period will be, because this is a royal funeral.  If the mourning period will last a whole year, then I would pack a lot of black clothes to show my respect to the King and to my culture.  I think funerals can be a great thing on the other hand because it brings people together.  I know the death of king will bring many Tongans across the world together in one way or another.  I'm still excited to go to Tonga and think it will be a great experience to see the after effects in Tonga, of a royal death.  People from all around the world has sent their condolences to the royal family.  Flags in London are at half mast due to the royal death.  I'm sure there are many who will continue to send their condolences and respect to the royal family, near and far.  "The sun has set" for King Tupou V.  

Rest in peace King Tupou V.