Christmas Eve was very exciting. We woke up and had very chocolatey pancakes and then the girls took me on a tour of the school. Then we went to the airport to pick up Brian! After knowing each other almost all our lives and going to school K-12 together, I never would have guessed that Pohnpei would be our next reunion! It was sort of like a class reunion since Corey and Charlotte are there too. It wasn't even weird to see him; it was like no time had passed at all. Too bad we only had about 24 hours together!
That night we went to the Spanish wall to see a youth group from Guam perform. We couldn't find a driver, so poor Brian had to drive the truck there. And he was so tired!! Besides stalling out several times in front of telecom (I think the brake was on) he did a good job. We went back and had a Christmas Eve party at Corey's apt. (the lions' den). We had dinner and a gift exchange. Then we watched Home Alone.
Christmas morning I popped out of bed really early (rare occurrence for me, even on Christmas). I had a very bittersweet feeling. I was excited it was Christmas, but sad to leave Pohnpei, but also happy to see my Majuro family, but sad about flying by myself. Anyway they took me to eat breakfast at the Village. It was so pretty. I miss those mountains a lot. We played up and down the river (or pirate's bridge) which made me pretty happy. Then we drove back, I packed up and we went to the airport to check in. I was planning on coming back to the school and chilling for a little bit only to find my plane was 30 MINUTES EARLY. What the junk! Of course my plane would be late arriving and early leaving. So we sped back so I could say goodbye to everyone. Then we came back to the airport and I was the last one on the plane...I think I barely made it.
It was really hard leaving. And since I was early returning to Majuro no one was at the airport to pick me up for awhile. I just sat by myself trying to be happy. I knew I shouldn't be down or complain since I did get to go somewhere and everyone else didn't. But it was hard! I was actually depressed for a couple of days. It was probably a combination of feeling weird since I wasn't home for Christmas, the weather is very Julyish, travelling makes you tired, and I had a lot of fun/freedom in Pohnpei. Plus I didn't feel trapped there! But it was definitely worth it all. I had an amazing time.
We came back around vespers time, then afterwards Alise took me to Lenney's to get Christmas dinner leftovers. I had been expecting a Christmas package from home, only to find it wasn't there. Then yesterday I found out it had been here all along but Jhan Dale FORGOT TO TELL ME. warrarrr! But getting that package really made my day. :)
Saturday afternoon there was a "concert" at the church where anyone from the church could come and do a musical number. The girls suckered me into singing "My Grown Up Christmas List" again. I wasn't too thrilled. But a girl had a little violin there that I got to play! I'm hoping to get mine from home somehow. We'll see what happens.
Break has been really nice. I've been staying up late, sleeping in and just chilling doing things I don't usually have a lot of time for like reading, journaling, uploading pictures, etc. Sunday we went to Enemanit for the day and just played. We dove around the ship again and played on the floating dock. Several of the guys decided to hike/island hop to Kalalan...the girls and other guys decided against it. It just didn't seem fun to hike all that way in the hot sun and possibly get stuck on a different island because of high tide, darkness, etc. We relaxed and watched movies here.
Today we were going to rent golf carts and drive down to Laura, but they only have 2 and one was broken. :( So we decided against it since we wouldn't all be able to go otherwise. But Christmas break is still great and going way to fast! :)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Pohnpei
Last Friday after school it hadn't really hit me that it was break. Or that I was going to be on a plane headed for Pohnpei the next morning. Friday afternoon I did some laundry and very nicoleishly waited until the next morning (and the last minute) to pack my things. A lot of the other SMs came to see Rob and I off. We checked in, went through security and boarded the plane in the rain. We sat on the plane for a LONG time. We were late so we had to let a couple of planes go before us. I wondered if I was ever really going to get off the island...
Then we took off! The plane stopped in Kwajalein then Kosrae and finally Pohnpei. We were about an hour and a half late so I felt bad that Charlotte and Corey and everyone had to wait so long. I wore a muu muu because everyone in Majuro wears them and they are super comfortable. But nobody wears them here! Instead they wear their skirts up by their armpits like dresses. It's so weird. lol It's funny what becomes "normal" after several months of living somewhere. We drove to the school in the back of their red fire truck in the rain! It was so incredible to see mountains!!
Saturday night we went to a basketball game and then a birthday party at Coco Marina. There are a lot more white people here than in Majuro. And the SMs here can wear pants, shorts and/or tanktops out! It felt really strange at first. They can also drive the school vehicles and take the boat out whenever. The apartments are also bigger and a lot more spread out than on our campus. We're pretty contained at school, but there's a lot more to do here.
Sunday started out with a bang. Sam, an older maintenance man, fell off the roof he was working on. He didn't fall all the way to the ground but it was still 10 feet or so. He hit his head and was knocked unconscious for a little bit. They took him to the hospital in the back of a truck. So we all went to see the hospital and be there for his wife. I think he is ok, but the next day they flew him to Guam to make sure it wasn't too serious. Later on me, Charlotte and Katie went to Cliff Rainbow for dinner and got fried ice cream! Mmm
Monday Corey and Charlotte took me shopping everywhere. We went to Kapinga Village and Grace’s bakery. Late in the afternoon we went and climbed Sokehs ridge and watched the sunset. It was so beautiful! It’s such a nice change to be able to actually climb something besides the bridge in Majuro lol. (Sadly it’s the highest point). On the way home we got coconut pops or “ice pahr.” They need to start making those in Majuro I decided.
Tuesday me and Charlotte went with the guys to Palikir. They went surfing and I tried my hand at spear fishing with Corey. Not exactly my talent but it was fun trying! We saw a little reef shark too. After awhile the fins were hurting so I hopped on a board with Andrew and we paddled out to get a closer view while the guys surfed. It was a good day and very clear. Hence why Charlotte and I got burnt! :( That made for a rough sleeping situation last night. Lol After several hours we went back and ate at Ocean View overlooking Sokehs rock, the bay area with boats, etc. We had coconuts with straws in them. So good! Then they cut them open and we ate the meat inside. Later Charlotte and I walked with Alex to this little pier so he could take pictures. It started raining so we climbed over the fence into this abandoned restaurant over the water. It was really cool.
Today we went shopping for a little bit and got gifts for our white elephant get together tomorrow. Then we went to Twin Falls, but it was too dangerous to jump. It’s ok though. I still swam some and took pictures. Now we’re just chillin and might watch a movie later.
I can’t believe it’s the eve of Christmas Eve! I’m enjoying this break soo much. I’m so relaxed and haven’t really thought about school or stressed about anything. As much as I miss Majuro and everyone back at home I don’t think I’m ready to go back. I just want to chill here for awhile. ☺ But I sure miss my Majuro family! They’re the best!
Then we took off! The plane stopped in Kwajalein then Kosrae and finally Pohnpei. We were about an hour and a half late so I felt bad that Charlotte and Corey and everyone had to wait so long. I wore a muu muu because everyone in Majuro wears them and they are super comfortable. But nobody wears them here! Instead they wear their skirts up by their armpits like dresses. It's so weird. lol It's funny what becomes "normal" after several months of living somewhere. We drove to the school in the back of their red fire truck in the rain! It was so incredible to see mountains!!
Saturday night we went to a basketball game and then a birthday party at Coco Marina. There are a lot more white people here than in Majuro. And the SMs here can wear pants, shorts and/or tanktops out! It felt really strange at first. They can also drive the school vehicles and take the boat out whenever. The apartments are also bigger and a lot more spread out than on our campus. We're pretty contained at school, but there's a lot more to do here.
Sunday started out with a bang. Sam, an older maintenance man, fell off the roof he was working on. He didn't fall all the way to the ground but it was still 10 feet or so. He hit his head and was knocked unconscious for a little bit. They took him to the hospital in the back of a truck. So we all went to see the hospital and be there for his wife. I think he is ok, but the next day they flew him to Guam to make sure it wasn't too serious. Later on me, Charlotte and Katie went to Cliff Rainbow for dinner and got fried ice cream! Mmm
Monday Corey and Charlotte took me shopping everywhere. We went to Kapinga Village and Grace’s bakery. Late in the afternoon we went and climbed Sokehs ridge and watched the sunset. It was so beautiful! It’s such a nice change to be able to actually climb something besides the bridge in Majuro lol. (Sadly it’s the highest point). On the way home we got coconut pops or “ice pahr.” They need to start making those in Majuro I decided.
Tuesday me and Charlotte went with the guys to Palikir. They went surfing and I tried my hand at spear fishing with Corey. Not exactly my talent but it was fun trying! We saw a little reef shark too. After awhile the fins were hurting so I hopped on a board with Andrew and we paddled out to get a closer view while the guys surfed. It was a good day and very clear. Hence why Charlotte and I got burnt! :( That made for a rough sleeping situation last night. Lol After several hours we went back and ate at Ocean View overlooking Sokehs rock, the bay area with boats, etc. We had coconuts with straws in them. So good! Then they cut them open and we ate the meat inside. Later Charlotte and I walked with Alex to this little pier so he could take pictures. It started raining so we climbed over the fence into this abandoned restaurant over the water. It was really cool.
Today we went shopping for a little bit and got gifts for our white elephant get together tomorrow. Then we went to Twin Falls, but it was too dangerous to jump. It’s ok though. I still swam some and took pictures. Now we’re just chillin and might watch a movie later.
I can’t believe it’s the eve of Christmas Eve! I’m enjoying this break soo much. I’m so relaxed and haven’t really thought about school or stressed about anything. As much as I miss Majuro and everyone back at home I don’t think I’m ready to go back. I just want to chill here for awhile. ☺ But I sure miss my Majuro family! They’re the best!
Friday, December 18, 2009
It has been awhile since I updated, but the end of the year gets crazy! It just blows my mind that Christmas break started 3 wonderful hours ago, and I am now halfway done. I have to pack up soon since my flight to Pohnpei leaves in the morning. I suppose the anticipation of break has made this by far the LONGEST week of the semester, even though we've only had 3 full days of school. Monday we spent all day practicing for the program (read on), and today was just a party day. Thursday I had 4 final tests for my kids - Bible, math, science and English. I haven't graded them yet, but I felt a sense of accomplishment making and giving those to them. Hopefully they passed! lol
I do love the holiday season though. I had a lot of fun shopping for things to send to my family, and to give to my kids as well. We've also put up lights in our apartment and outside on the railing. They give it such a cozy, homey feel! And we have a few small Christmas trees and a wreath. And of course Christmas music playing constantly. We also decided to rearrange the furniture in our kitchen/living area. It's such a nice change! It almost feels like a whole new apartment. After being in the same routine for awhile it's nice to do little things to make it less monotonous.
Well a few weekends ago we decided to have a swing dancing party. Everybody dressed up and we went upstairs in the high school English classroom. It was so fun! I really wish we would do things like that more often. (Rather than sitting around in the av room on our computers.) No one really knew how to swing dance....lol so that made for good entertainment. But it was fun anyway, plus we had some great music going.
Our principal had some meetings in Guam recently, and we got word that there is a Taco Bell there! Obviously we were drooling at even the mention of the place. So we sent him our orders. WOW! Best cold 7-layers I've ever had! And I fried up a cheesy rice and bean burrito the next day.
Last weekend we had our Christmas programs. The high school was sort of a flop because none of them really cared. The stage we created for them was pretty awesome though. I almost got dragged into playing a few fill-in parts, but luckily the girls showed up 45 minutes late to take them back. I was already in costume and everything! Monday night we were able to get the ICC (government building) for the K-6 program. And as Lenney would say, "It was rockin'!" The kids did a FANTASTIC job. Kudos to Kat and Shari especially for pulling it all together. It took a lot of work but it was all worth it in the end. (And endless hours of Dr. Newheart songs stuck in my head.)
Today after our parties we had chapel (like usual) to close the day. Earlier this week the other SM girls decided they wanted to sing "My Grown Up Christmas List" as a special treat for chapel. And they wanted ALL the girls to be involved. I'm not a huge fan of getting up front in the first place, but singing? Definitely opposed! But I agreed since I didn't want to be the annoying one who didn't get involved. Then Char starts dishing out solos to everyone. HAHAHA! I refused. Then I decided I needed to do it for Jesus. So I agreed and very fearfully overcame one of my biggest fears. During the performance the kids were screaming so loud you could hardly hear us anyway! lol But I was really glad I did it.
Well now I gotta pack for my trip in the morning...you know me. I'll probably end up doing most of it in the morning anyway. Happy Holidays everyone!! :)
I do love the holiday season though. I had a lot of fun shopping for things to send to my family, and to give to my kids as well. We've also put up lights in our apartment and outside on the railing. They give it such a cozy, homey feel! And we have a few small Christmas trees and a wreath. And of course Christmas music playing constantly. We also decided to rearrange the furniture in our kitchen/living area. It's such a nice change! It almost feels like a whole new apartment. After being in the same routine for awhile it's nice to do little things to make it less monotonous.
Well a few weekends ago we decided to have a swing dancing party. Everybody dressed up and we went upstairs in the high school English classroom. It was so fun! I really wish we would do things like that more often. (Rather than sitting around in the av room on our computers.) No one really knew how to swing dance....lol so that made for good entertainment. But it was fun anyway, plus we had some great music going.
Our principal had some meetings in Guam recently, and we got word that there is a Taco Bell there! Obviously we were drooling at even the mention of the place. So we sent him our orders. WOW! Best cold 7-layers I've ever had! And I fried up a cheesy rice and bean burrito the next day.
Last weekend we had our Christmas programs. The high school was sort of a flop because none of them really cared. The stage we created for them was pretty awesome though. I almost got dragged into playing a few fill-in parts, but luckily the girls showed up 45 minutes late to take them back. I was already in costume and everything! Monday night we were able to get the ICC (government building) for the K-6 program. And as Lenney would say, "It was rockin'!" The kids did a FANTASTIC job. Kudos to Kat and Shari especially for pulling it all together. It took a lot of work but it was all worth it in the end. (And endless hours of Dr. Newheart songs stuck in my head.)
Today after our parties we had chapel (like usual) to close the day. Earlier this week the other SM girls decided they wanted to sing "My Grown Up Christmas List" as a special treat for chapel. And they wanted ALL the girls to be involved. I'm not a huge fan of getting up front in the first place, but singing? Definitely opposed! But I agreed since I didn't want to be the annoying one who didn't get involved. Then Char starts dishing out solos to everyone. HAHAHA! I refused. Then I decided I needed to do it for Jesus. So I agreed and very fearfully overcame one of my biggest fears. During the performance the kids were screaming so loud you could hardly hear us anyway! lol But I was really glad I did it.
Well now I gotta pack for my trip in the morning...you know me. I'll probably end up doing most of it in the morning anyway. Happy Holidays everyone!! :)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
La La Land
It's Sabbath afternoon. Boy do I LOVE Sabbath! Well here's news about the last week and a half.
Last Thursday we had our "fun day" or picnic for the kids. Grades 4-8 went to the beach by the airport. It was really nice to interact with my students outside the classroom setting. I mean obviously I love them so much already, but this was even MORE FUN! I had girls from all grades hanging on me basically all day. And I got a little sunburnt but it was well worth it. You can't even really understand how much the kids can grow on you until you experience it yourself. It's so incredible!
Friday we took 2 boat trips to Callalan (sp?) which is an outer island owned by Dennis the wellness center guy. I think it's the second to last in the chain. Anyway we didn't get there till late afternoon (of course...island time). And we had to go in this little tiny boat that went so slow. It took about an hour. But we got there and it was so beautiful! Beach....mmm I wish we had beach at the school. But still I can't complain---the ocean is right there lol. To our dismay we discovered 2 high school students somehow came along. So all the teachers went down the beach in this big tree where we all hung our hammocks. It was pretty sweet. The stars were so brilliant and it was so peaceful by the water. Boy am I going to miss that!
We were all a little concerned since Lenney had told us we couldn't swim on Sabbath. But Sabbath morning I woke up to Lenney making a lot of noise and pointing toward the water. What the junk? Hahaha There were sharks in the shallows and he was telling the guys to jump in after them. I guess that solved the swimming issue. (Oh yeah the girls all got to wear tank tops and short shorts. It was AWESOME!) A couple of the guys had built a hut in the woods and they decided they wanted to play capture the flag that night. Well....I was defending our flag when I saw someone in the shadows. (We played by moonlight.) It ended up being Zac and I chased him down the beach. Apparently he didn't see this palm tree that was laying across the beach. He hit it full speed at hip level and flipped over it onto his back. Poor guy! HAHAHAHA It was really hilarious looking but he actually hurt himself pretty bad. He could barely walk and was in so much pain. Then he's been sick all this week with congestion, occasional fever. And early this morning (3AMish) he went to the hospital with a fever over 105! So pray that he kicks this thing.
Sunday morning I heard was the best time to go snorkeling (and supposedly it's better than Jeh). So me and Jon decided to check it out. It was so beautiful and clear! Then we tried to get back and it was extremely shallow and full of color. Quite treacherous! Hahaha Jon was scooting on his butt for the longest time. We broke off so many coral and scratched ourselves. I was so glad to reach the beach. Then later in the day when we were waiting for the boat me and Katrina decided to blow up Dennis's little two-person tube. There was also a kayak so we decided to tie it to the kayak and have Tony pull us. He pulled us quite a ways out and it was a lot of fun. Then we got stuck in between currents and couldn't get back lol. I had put 50 spf on twice but I felt my shoulder burning. It was funny for awhile...then it got annoying. The kayak kept filling up with water LOL so we were all trying to take turns emptying it and paddling back. Poor Katrina got knocked out by a big wave! Finally Alise came to our rescue bringing me my water shoes so we could walk it back together (because it was shallow enough to touch between waves but was covered in sharp coral). I was even more happy to reach shore this time! We felt like such idiots out there HAHAHA.
That night when we got back we all showered, did our hair and went out to eat. I think that's the longest I've gone without showering. 3 days! It was pretty awesome. We went to Tide Table and there was a REAL Christmas tree! We all took pictures by it :)
This week I didn't get a lot of work done. I was tired from the weekend, plus we had Friday off (Gospel Day or something...) so we all just kind of lazed through the week. I think I've kind of checked out for Christmas break already.
Our coordinator from Southern came Monday night and left on Wednesday. It was nice to see a familiar face and have some encouragement from SAU. She took us out to eat Tuesday at MIR and we just talked. It was fun. We continue to remember the Wolcott family here, and also hope that other students aren't discouraged from being future SMs after this whole experience.
It was super nice to have the day off yesterday. We went to the wellness center for breakfast. Then I did a tiny bit of grading. But I was sooo tired. Most people weren't very motivated to do anything. But I did get all my Christmas shopping for my family done! It was a lot of fun actually. :) Tonight we're going to have a swing dancing party in the art/music room. Should be good times! Well I'm off to write some letters. Happy Sabbath everyone.
1 John 4:4
Last Thursday we had our "fun day" or picnic for the kids. Grades 4-8 went to the beach by the airport. It was really nice to interact with my students outside the classroom setting. I mean obviously I love them so much already, but this was even MORE FUN! I had girls from all grades hanging on me basically all day. And I got a little sunburnt but it was well worth it. You can't even really understand how much the kids can grow on you until you experience it yourself. It's so incredible!
Friday we took 2 boat trips to Callalan (sp?) which is an outer island owned by Dennis the wellness center guy. I think it's the second to last in the chain. Anyway we didn't get there till late afternoon (of course...island time). And we had to go in this little tiny boat that went so slow. It took about an hour. But we got there and it was so beautiful! Beach....mmm I wish we had beach at the school. But still I can't complain---the ocean is right there lol. To our dismay we discovered 2 high school students somehow came along. So all the teachers went down the beach in this big tree where we all hung our hammocks. It was pretty sweet. The stars were so brilliant and it was so peaceful by the water. Boy am I going to miss that!
We were all a little concerned since Lenney had told us we couldn't swim on Sabbath. But Sabbath morning I woke up to Lenney making a lot of noise and pointing toward the water. What the junk? Hahaha There were sharks in the shallows and he was telling the guys to jump in after them. I guess that solved the swimming issue. (Oh yeah the girls all got to wear tank tops and short shorts. It was AWESOME!) A couple of the guys had built a hut in the woods and they decided they wanted to play capture the flag that night. Well....I was defending our flag when I saw someone in the shadows. (We played by moonlight.) It ended up being Zac and I chased him down the beach. Apparently he didn't see this palm tree that was laying across the beach. He hit it full speed at hip level and flipped over it onto his back. Poor guy! HAHAHAHA It was really hilarious looking but he actually hurt himself pretty bad. He could barely walk and was in so much pain. Then he's been sick all this week with congestion, occasional fever. And early this morning (3AMish) he went to the hospital with a fever over 105! So pray that he kicks this thing.
Sunday morning I heard was the best time to go snorkeling (and supposedly it's better than Jeh). So me and Jon decided to check it out. It was so beautiful and clear! Then we tried to get back and it was extremely shallow and full of color. Quite treacherous! Hahaha Jon was scooting on his butt for the longest time. We broke off so many coral and scratched ourselves. I was so glad to reach the beach. Then later in the day when we were waiting for the boat me and Katrina decided to blow up Dennis's little two-person tube. There was also a kayak so we decided to tie it to the kayak and have Tony pull us. He pulled us quite a ways out and it was a lot of fun. Then we got stuck in between currents and couldn't get back lol. I had put 50 spf on twice but I felt my shoulder burning. It was funny for awhile...then it got annoying. The kayak kept filling up with water LOL so we were all trying to take turns emptying it and paddling back. Poor Katrina got knocked out by a big wave! Finally Alise came to our rescue bringing me my water shoes so we could walk it back together (because it was shallow enough to touch between waves but was covered in sharp coral). I was even more happy to reach shore this time! We felt like such idiots out there HAHAHA.
That night when we got back we all showered, did our hair and went out to eat. I think that's the longest I've gone without showering. 3 days! It was pretty awesome. We went to Tide Table and there was a REAL Christmas tree! We all took pictures by it :)
This week I didn't get a lot of work done. I was tired from the weekend, plus we had Friday off (Gospel Day or something...) so we all just kind of lazed through the week. I think I've kind of checked out for Christmas break already.
Our coordinator from Southern came Monday night and left on Wednesday. It was nice to see a familiar face and have some encouragement from SAU. She took us out to eat Tuesday at MIR and we just talked. It was fun. We continue to remember the Wolcott family here, and also hope that other students aren't discouraged from being future SMs after this whole experience.
It was super nice to have the day off yesterday. We went to the wellness center for breakfast. Then I did a tiny bit of grading. But I was sooo tired. Most people weren't very motivated to do anything. But I did get all my Christmas shopping for my family done! It was a lot of fun actually. :) Tonight we're going to have a swing dancing party in the art/music room. Should be good times! Well I'm off to write some letters. Happy Sabbath everyone.
1 John 4:4
Friday, November 27, 2009
Island Thanksgiving
It is strange to think that everyone at home is having their Thanksgiving dinner right about....now. And it is weird to think that I would be in Georgia celebrating and feasting on deliciousness with my family! But although I miss the great food, I have so much to be thankful for here!
Wednesday night we had our own Thanksgiving dinner (since the power was out on Thursday). It was so delicious. We pushed all the tables together in the library and my housemate Alise made a lot of the food. UHHHH it was soo good!!
Yesterday we had our "fun day" or picnic with the kids. 4th-8th grades went to the beach by the airport. I had so much fun playing in the water with all the kids. It's nice to interact with them and NOT be in the classroom. I got burnt on my face but that's ok.
Today we're packing up to go camping on an outer island. Hopefully it doesn't rain! It's going to be nice to get away from campus for awhile. Speaking of which the second group of us is about to leave soon. More about this weekend later! :)
Wednesday night we had our own Thanksgiving dinner (since the power was out on Thursday). It was so delicious. We pushed all the tables together in the library and my housemate Alise made a lot of the food. UHHHH it was soo good!!
Yesterday we had our "fun day" or picnic with the kids. 4th-8th grades went to the beach by the airport. I had so much fun playing in the water with all the kids. It's nice to interact with them and NOT be in the classroom. I got burnt on my face but that's ok.
Today we're packing up to go camping on an outer island. Hopefully it doesn't rain! It's going to be nice to get away from campus for awhile. Speaking of which the second group of us is about to leave soon. More about this weekend later! :)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Invisible Battle
I forgot to mention in my last blog that I went muu muu shopping! Last Friday me and Alise went to New Hope where they sell muu muus for $6.50. We both got 2 for ourselves. I never thought I'd be so excited about a muu muu! They are actually quite comfortable and very practical for the hot weather here. I'm going to upload pictures soon so I'll try to include some of us rockin the muu muu.
Last Saturday night Dennis (who runs the wellness center) invited us over for a free dinner. It was sooo good! There were different soups and homemade bread and of course the amazing chocolate frozen bananas. He was gonna let us watch a movie but it took awhile to download and get setup so we ended up playing a bunch of goofy games. AND we weighed ourselves....this is the most I've ever weighed in my entire life! Hopefully the most I ever will too....man I'm glad it's volleyball season.
Speaking of which we had our first "practice." But grades 5-12 all met so it was a bit crowded. We just wanted to see who would show up and practice a few drills. I'm pretty excited about my girls. They're pretty good so I don't have to worry about teaching basic skills. I feel a little bit of pressure though because they've won the last 3 or 4 years or something crazy! I'm coaching with Ben though so it's gonna be fun for sure.
This past Tuesday was Presidents' Day here which means NO SCHOOL! Oh it was amazing. We woke up early for breakfast then came back and went to bed. I leisurely finished all my school stuff, and then it was pouring in the afternoon and we went and played in the rain. Too bad we can't have every Tuesday off. They are seriously the hardest day of the week for me...I don't know what it is.
The craziness started on Thursday. Our power went out which meant no electricity for the fan I finally got in my classroom (oh yeah!), or for cooking on the stove at lunch. There was also no water which meant no showers and no flushing the toilet. YIKES! (haha I'm not sure which was worse for us.) Anyway it kind of sucked at first, but then the guys couldn't get on their computers or play video games, so they hung out with us all night! We made a fire and people made food over it. We decided to do pancakes lol. All we had to put on them was jelly though.
After I had gotten into bed I heard people talking excitedly outside. Of course I had to know what was going on. Apparently there was a prison break on the island (there's a prison here?) and 12 guys got out. By this time all but 3 were rounded up. I wasn't too scared because I feel safe here on campus, but HAHAHA Zac was definitely scared. He is so funny. Him and Rob "patrolled" with a baseball bat and fishing spear. Much of it was for our entertainment, but they claimed the next morning that they actually got up every 30 minutes to check. LOL
The next morning we headed to the wellness center for breakfast. That's when we heard the tragic news. Dennis had gotten word that a girl from Southern---Kirsten Wolcott---had been killed on the island of Yap. I honestly am not exactly sure where that is in relation to here, but it hit home because that's still in Micronesia, and she was one of our own. I was completely in shock. I still don't think I've wrapped my mind around it. It's so surreal. I've heard that she was raped and stabbed to death. Why? We can never know. But I just trust that God sees the big picture when we cannot. He would never want something like this to happen. But we live in a sinful world, and the devil is out to get us in any way he can. And he knows all our weaknesses. This is why it is so SO important that we continually strengthen our connection with God through prayer. The invisible battle---the Great Controversy---is as real as ever, and it is so dangerous when we forget about it. We live thinking this world is our home and shove the knowledge of Jesus' soon return in the back of our minds. I know I've been guilty of that. This is why we MUST continue to pray. Pray for ourselves and for each other. And live every day as if Jesus was coming back. Because He is!!
Last Saturday night Dennis (who runs the wellness center) invited us over for a free dinner. It was sooo good! There were different soups and homemade bread and of course the amazing chocolate frozen bananas. He was gonna let us watch a movie but it took awhile to download and get setup so we ended up playing a bunch of goofy games. AND we weighed ourselves....this is the most I've ever weighed in my entire life! Hopefully the most I ever will too....man I'm glad it's volleyball season.
Speaking of which we had our first "practice." But grades 5-12 all met so it was a bit crowded. We just wanted to see who would show up and practice a few drills. I'm pretty excited about my girls. They're pretty good so I don't have to worry about teaching basic skills. I feel a little bit of pressure though because they've won the last 3 or 4 years or something crazy! I'm coaching with Ben though so it's gonna be fun for sure.
This past Tuesday was Presidents' Day here which means NO SCHOOL! Oh it was amazing. We woke up early for breakfast then came back and went to bed. I leisurely finished all my school stuff, and then it was pouring in the afternoon and we went and played in the rain. Too bad we can't have every Tuesday off. They are seriously the hardest day of the week for me...I don't know what it is.
The craziness started on Thursday. Our power went out which meant no electricity for the fan I finally got in my classroom (oh yeah!), or for cooking on the stove at lunch. There was also no water which meant no showers and no flushing the toilet. YIKES! (haha I'm not sure which was worse for us.) Anyway it kind of sucked at first, but then the guys couldn't get on their computers or play video games, so they hung out with us all night! We made a fire and people made food over it. We decided to do pancakes lol. All we had to put on them was jelly though.
After I had gotten into bed I heard people talking excitedly outside. Of course I had to know what was going on. Apparently there was a prison break on the island (there's a prison here?) and 12 guys got out. By this time all but 3 were rounded up. I wasn't too scared because I feel safe here on campus, but HAHAHA Zac was definitely scared. He is so funny. Him and Rob "patrolled" with a baseball bat and fishing spear. Much of it was for our entertainment, but they claimed the next morning that they actually got up every 30 minutes to check. LOL
The next morning we headed to the wellness center for breakfast. That's when we heard the tragic news. Dennis had gotten word that a girl from Southern---Kirsten Wolcott---had been killed on the island of Yap. I honestly am not exactly sure where that is in relation to here, but it hit home because that's still in Micronesia, and she was one of our own. I was completely in shock. I still don't think I've wrapped my mind around it. It's so surreal. I've heard that she was raped and stabbed to death. Why? We can never know. But I just trust that God sees the big picture when we cannot. He would never want something like this to happen. But we live in a sinful world, and the devil is out to get us in any way he can. And he knows all our weaknesses. This is why it is so SO important that we continually strengthen our connection with God through prayer. The invisible battle---the Great Controversy---is as real as ever, and it is so dangerous when we forget about it. We live thinking this world is our home and shove the knowledge of Jesus' soon return in the back of our minds. I know I've been guilty of that. This is why we MUST continue to pray. Pray for ourselves and for each other. And live every day as if Jesus was coming back. Because He is!!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
late night swim
Every Wednesday night a group of us drive to Rita which is about 10 minutes away. We go to Angie's house (a lady who goes to our church) which has AC and is always so nice and clean. Kids come and we sing songs with them and then we always act out a story for them. Me and Rob have become the weekly story tellers. Sometimes I think it's more entertaining for us than the kids! Last week we did Esther, and this week we did Elijah vs. the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Of course we put our own little touch on the stories...like Esther won a baking contest to become queen. :)
Last Friday night was pretty exciting. There are some crazy guys here and after vespers we were all out looking at the moon over the water. A couple of them came out in their boxers. We had a good laugh. Then 3 of them climbed down the rocks and went swimming...leaving their underwear on the rocks. HA! A bunch of us went and grabbed them and ran away. HAHAHAHAHAHA Stupid boys....luckily this is a trashy island. They grabbed random bowls, plastic, rocks, etc. to cover themselves as they ran back to their apartment. Who could blame them though. The guys in that apartment had a terrible day the Wednesday before. First they had money stolen out of all of their wallets in their apartment during school. Then they went surfing and screwed up their boards because the waves were so huge...
Monday this week my computer arrived! I was so happy. It took exactly 2 weeks from the day I sent it till the day it returned. Now I'm super paranoid about it. haha This week was week of prayer. On Tuesday morning when we went to the chapel it was sunny. Then it got cloudy. Then it started raining. But my class had the closing song so I didn't want to run out. As we're singing it starts POURING! I wasn't worried about my apartment because we closed the windows. But all 4 windows in my classroom were wide open and the rain was coming down at the perfect slant. Lenney held the school in the chapel while it continued to downpour, but I knew the longer I waited the wetter my classroom was getting. I ran outside and my contacts blew back in my head from the wind. My shoes flew off but I left them behind and kept running. I was SOAKED! I stormed into my classroom and it looked like someone was spraying a hose in the window. There were puddles on the desks, benches and the floor. And the textbooks were completely drenched. Luckily the library was free so we could have class in there. I didn't even consider changing. It felt so good to not be sweaty for once.
We've started a Friday morning tradition where we walk to the wellness center before morning worship to eat breakfast. It is so good and so healthy! It's only $4 too. Mmm they have oatmeal with bananas and pancakes. I've gotten so used to eating my pancakes with honey. Then after chapel we walk there again to buy frozen bananas (covered in chocolate and peanut butter and nuts on a stick).
We played volleyball a couple more times this week. I love it! It feels so good to be playing something. I feel more confident about coaching the girls now. Me and Ben are going to start tryouts next week. It's going to be interesting.
Pray for us and our principal! He is not really a good principal lol. He is so frustrating. It's ok though I love the group of SMs that are here.
Last Friday night was pretty exciting. There are some crazy guys here and after vespers we were all out looking at the moon over the water. A couple of them came out in their boxers. We had a good laugh. Then 3 of them climbed down the rocks and went swimming...leaving their underwear on the rocks. HA! A bunch of us went and grabbed them and ran away. HAHAHAHAHAHA Stupid boys....luckily this is a trashy island. They grabbed random bowls, plastic, rocks, etc. to cover themselves as they ran back to their apartment. Who could blame them though. The guys in that apartment had a terrible day the Wednesday before. First they had money stolen out of all of their wallets in their apartment during school. Then they went surfing and screwed up their boards because the waves were so huge...
Monday this week my computer arrived! I was so happy. It took exactly 2 weeks from the day I sent it till the day it returned. Now I'm super paranoid about it. haha This week was week of prayer. On Tuesday morning when we went to the chapel it was sunny. Then it got cloudy. Then it started raining. But my class had the closing song so I didn't want to run out. As we're singing it starts POURING! I wasn't worried about my apartment because we closed the windows. But all 4 windows in my classroom were wide open and the rain was coming down at the perfect slant. Lenney held the school in the chapel while it continued to downpour, but I knew the longer I waited the wetter my classroom was getting. I ran outside and my contacts blew back in my head from the wind. My shoes flew off but I left them behind and kept running. I was SOAKED! I stormed into my classroom and it looked like someone was spraying a hose in the window. There were puddles on the desks, benches and the floor. And the textbooks were completely drenched. Luckily the library was free so we could have class in there. I didn't even consider changing. It felt so good to not be sweaty for once.
We've started a Friday morning tradition where we walk to the wellness center before morning worship to eat breakfast. It is so good and so healthy! It's only $4 too. Mmm they have oatmeal with bananas and pancakes. I've gotten so used to eating my pancakes with honey. Then after chapel we walk there again to buy frozen bananas (covered in chocolate and peanut butter and nuts on a stick).
We played volleyball a couple more times this week. I love it! It feels so good to be playing something. I feel more confident about coaching the girls now. Me and Ben are going to start tryouts next week. It's going to be interesting.
Pray for us and our principal! He is not really a good principal lol. He is so frustrating. It's ok though I love the group of SMs that are here.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Parent-Teacher Conferences....ooh boy
To my plethora of faithful readers --- my apologies for being so inconsistent with my posts! I would like to attribute the unfaithfulness of this past week to my unfortunate state of computerlessness. Yes as you know I cracked my lovely computer screen, so I mailed it home on the 25th. I found out from my mom that it is fixed and on its way back now! I can NOT wait for our reunion!
So I love fast card games, which makes me sad that I have waited over 20 years to discover Dutch Blitz! Now I want to play all the time. Lucky for me there are other people here who love it too. (Note to my family: Can you believe there's a GUY here who is really good?? hahaha) This note has nothing to do with island life really...it's just something fun I've been doing recently.
I am now certified to scuba dive! I passed the written test last week, and just yesterday me and my totally AWESOME scuba buddy, Katrina, went out on our own with Rob and Jon. It was not the best for visibility, but it was one of the funnest dives I've gone on. It was definitely scary at first being out on our own, but it was so exciting too! We went down into a ship...it was scary at first but really cool.
Wow...parent teacher conferences. A new experience for a student turned teacher without any training! Our principal said maybe only 5 or 6 parents would show. Yeah right! I went 17 for 22! At least I wasn't bored though. We had a half day so we got out at 12pm. Then we were in our classrooms from 4-7pm. I felt a little intimidated because I didn't know how the parents would react to grades (or to me). Some just wanted to pick up the report card, others had some advice on how I should teach. But overall it went well! I was excited because I felt like I would be able to understand my kids more once I met their parents. If that isn't the truth!
So...I really can't believe it's November already. It's been almost 3 months. It feels like I've been here much longer than that and known these people a lifetime. The church choir has grown in number due to increasing SM participation. (Not me of course! Come on guys...) But almost ALL the SMs are in it now. They sound much better I'll admit! lol
This last Sabbath I started reading Redeeming Love. Oh it's such a good book! I used to read all the time and this is the first book I've really read for enjoyment in years I think. I can hardly put it down. It's a novel about the story of Hosea. So incredible.
Saturday night was Halloween and also Katrina's birthday. I do have pictures but I'll have to wait till my computer comes back to post on facebook. We had a bonfire/costume party. It was pretty rad. We had a cat pinata (get it?) and ended up in a frosting fight so we all got in the water and swam some. Then we sat around outside telling scary stories, some real some not.
This week our principal has been gone to the outer islands. Party! No but seriously our morning meetings have been so much more concise and to the point. It's amazing!
I've gotten more exercise this week! I feel so inactive here. Monday it was rainy and after school we went to the bridge. We played off the pier in a whirlpool. It was crazy! Then we jumped off the bridge several times. Last night a bunch of us played volleyball! You get REALLY sweaty here...but I loved every second of it. We played like 7 games and if it had eaten supper I would have played ALL night!
Anyway things are going great! :) Thanks for all your prayers everyone.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thoughts on being Miss Ley
Well hello friends and family. I apologize for my lack of consistency in keeping you posted on my island life in these past few weeks. I am trying to be better, but lately my work has been taking up a lot of my time! Teaching is quite the challenge. But if you're reading this you probably know I enjoy challenges so it suits me well.
This was quite the work week! 1st quarter grades were due Thursday night at 10:00pm. Being the procrastinator I am I got mine done at 10:05pm. It wasn't a huge deadline though so no worries. I spent many long hours (especially Wed. and Thurs. afternoon) finalizing grades and writing rough drafts of comments on my students' progress. Then of course there was the grueling task of writing names, grades, comments, etc. on each of 22 report cards (one of my students transferred a week or so ago). I never realized how hard it is to write with enough force to make the letters go through each of the 5 pages. Teachers do so much thankless work! Wow...my fingers, hand and even elbow were sore. I had to trace everything at least twice. But it felt so good to finally be done. Then we had a half-day Friday (what would we do without them!) and after school I finished ALL my lesson plans and grading for next week. Incredible! This is the first time that has happened. I'll be completely free on Sunday. We're going for another dive and to the bridge to jump off it and play around.
Speaking of diving! We went on a really sweet dive last Sunday. But first let me tell you about Saturday night. There is a lady here named Sylvia whose kids go to our school. She is so hospitable to us girls. She invited us over to make Marshallese plates! It was pouring rain so we got soaked on the way over there, but luckily her house is right outside the school gate. We all sat on the floor and she already had the palm branches ready. You split them down the middle and cut till there's only 5 fronds on each of 2 parts. Then you weave them in and out of each other and tie off the ends. It's pretty neat! I have pictures I'll post on facebook later.
Anyway Sunday we went for another dive and practiced buddy breathing and trading equipment underwater. I'm definitely starting to feel more comfortable with it now, and my ear didn't give me hardly any trouble. We saw tons of jellyfish again, and this time we got to go swim in and around 2 ships! It was so cool. It's such a different world down there.
Anyway it's been a pretty great weekend. We had fairly cool weather (so I'd say it was in the 80s?) so I straightened my hair! I felt sort of nice for once. Haha It's kind of sad I know. I probably already mentioned the time all of us girls put jeans on. It felt so strange...like I actually had legs. I'm so used to wearing skirts now. I thought I'd never say that!
Teaching is going well. I pray every day that my students see Jesus in me...and that maybe they can learn something haha. Really though I feel so unequipped to teach them, plus the fact that we have such limited resources here. We had a copier the first half of the quarter and the last few weeks it's been broken. One is supposed to be in the mail but....you know how it goes. I think God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me 6th grade. They are such a great class! Definitely rowdy sometimes though. The reason I say that is because all the 7th grade boys are in love with me. One day they threw a rose in my classroom. And the junior boys apparently were chanting my name in the high school halls?? It makes me feel very awkward! haha I must say though I'm getting used to being Miss Ley. It almost seems strange to hear someone call me Nicole! And it's weird if I ever write my name. Just think how many times a college student writes their name in one day....and here I am never writing my name! Instead I've memorized the first and last names of 22 kids.
In closing I just want to say that I've made some really incredible friends here. They make this whole experience that much better. And I'm still loving every last minute of it!
This was quite the work week! 1st quarter grades were due Thursday night at 10:00pm. Being the procrastinator I am I got mine done at 10:05pm. It wasn't a huge deadline though so no worries. I spent many long hours (especially Wed. and Thurs. afternoon) finalizing grades and writing rough drafts of comments on my students' progress. Then of course there was the grueling task of writing names, grades, comments, etc. on each of 22 report cards (one of my students transferred a week or so ago). I never realized how hard it is to write with enough force to make the letters go through each of the 5 pages. Teachers do so much thankless work! Wow...my fingers, hand and even elbow were sore. I had to trace everything at least twice. But it felt so good to finally be done. Then we had a half-day Friday (what would we do without them!) and after school I finished ALL my lesson plans and grading for next week. Incredible! This is the first time that has happened. I'll be completely free on Sunday. We're going for another dive and to the bridge to jump off it and play around.
Speaking of diving! We went on a really sweet dive last Sunday. But first let me tell you about Saturday night. There is a lady here named Sylvia whose kids go to our school. She is so hospitable to us girls. She invited us over to make Marshallese plates! It was pouring rain so we got soaked on the way over there, but luckily her house is right outside the school gate. We all sat on the floor and she already had the palm branches ready. You split them down the middle and cut till there's only 5 fronds on each of 2 parts. Then you weave them in and out of each other and tie off the ends. It's pretty neat! I have pictures I'll post on facebook later.
Anyway Sunday we went for another dive and practiced buddy breathing and trading equipment underwater. I'm definitely starting to feel more comfortable with it now, and my ear didn't give me hardly any trouble. We saw tons of jellyfish again, and this time we got to go swim in and around 2 ships! It was so cool. It's such a different world down there.
Anyway it's been a pretty great weekend. We had fairly cool weather (so I'd say it was in the 80s?) so I straightened my hair! I felt sort of nice for once. Haha It's kind of sad I know. I probably already mentioned the time all of us girls put jeans on. It felt so strange...like I actually had legs. I'm so used to wearing skirts now. I thought I'd never say that!
Teaching is going well. I pray every day that my students see Jesus in me...and that maybe they can learn something haha. Really though I feel so unequipped to teach them, plus the fact that we have such limited resources here. We had a copier the first half of the quarter and the last few weeks it's been broken. One is supposed to be in the mail but....you know how it goes. I think God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me 6th grade. They are such a great class! Definitely rowdy sometimes though. The reason I say that is because all the 7th grade boys are in love with me. One day they threw a rose in my classroom. And the junior boys apparently were chanting my name in the high school halls?? It makes me feel very awkward! haha I must say though I'm getting used to being Miss Ley. It almost seems strange to hear someone call me Nicole! And it's weird if I ever write my name. Just think how many times a college student writes their name in one day....and here I am never writing my name! Instead I've memorized the first and last names of 22 kids.
In closing I just want to say that I've made some really incredible friends here. They make this whole experience that much better. And I'm still loving every last minute of it!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
island life...
October 7 - People say some hilarious stuff around here. We decided to start putting Post-It's with funny quotes on our wall. A couple of the girls also started a warm fuzzy board in the AV room (our staff lounge basically). It's been a big hit actually. People love it. I hope it keeps going.
October 9 - I held my first party for my class. They get graded on how well they behave each day on a scale of 1 to 10. When they reach 200 they get a party. So after lunch we went in the library and watched Monsters vs. Aliens, and all the kids brought the food for the party. The girls made up plates for everyone with pizza, cookies, chips, popcorn, drinks, etc. Afterwards we went outside and I took pictures with the kids. They can be so rambunctious but I love them so much. I hope I can come back and see them graduate from high school!
October 14 - Shari's 21st birthday. We showered, dressed up and went to Tide Table for dinner. I wished that I could wear jeans so bad! Maybe next time I'll wear them under my skirt haha. After dinner we went to the library and watched Surf's Up. The library has AC so I wore jeans in there. It felt so weird...
October 16 - Ben spoke for vespers and did a really good job. In part of his talk he mentioned how God sees us the way we see our students. We don't give them everything they want or make life easy because we don't love them. We do it because we do love them, and yet sometimes they're so hard headed and they don't understand. Afterwards we had another bonfire. (Yeah I know it's hot what are we thinking.) It felt good because there was a strong breeze and we didn't sit too close. Me and Alise made Damien his first ever s'more! The chocolate was sooo expensive but we decided to splurge.
Last night we went to Sylvia's house and she taught us how to make Marshallese plates out of palm branches. It was so neat! I'll try to post some pictures of it soon.
Thank you for your prayers everyone! The island is amazing and I'm loving every second I have here. It's so bloody hot but I don't even care. I'm having the time of my life.
Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
October 9 - I held my first party for my class. They get graded on how well they behave each day on a scale of 1 to 10. When they reach 200 they get a party. So after lunch we went in the library and watched Monsters vs. Aliens, and all the kids brought the food for the party. The girls made up plates for everyone with pizza, cookies, chips, popcorn, drinks, etc. Afterwards we went outside and I took pictures with the kids. They can be so rambunctious but I love them so much. I hope I can come back and see them graduate from high school!
October 14 - Shari's 21st birthday. We showered, dressed up and went to Tide Table for dinner. I wished that I could wear jeans so bad! Maybe next time I'll wear them under my skirt haha. After dinner we went to the library and watched Surf's Up. The library has AC so I wore jeans in there. It felt so weird...
October 16 - Ben spoke for vespers and did a really good job. In part of his talk he mentioned how God sees us the way we see our students. We don't give them everything they want or make life easy because we don't love them. We do it because we do love them, and yet sometimes they're so hard headed and they don't understand. Afterwards we had another bonfire. (Yeah I know it's hot what are we thinking.) It felt good because there was a strong breeze and we didn't sit too close. Me and Alise made Damien his first ever s'more! The chocolate was sooo expensive but we decided to splurge.
Last night we went to Sylvia's house and she taught us how to make Marshallese plates out of palm branches. It was so neat! I'll try to post some pictures of it soon.
Thank you for your prayers everyone! The island is amazing and I'm loving every second I have here. It's so bloody hot but I don't even care. I'm having the time of my life.
Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
I love it here!
I realize it's been about 4 weeks since I've written. That's probably due to the fact that I'm soaking up every minute here so much I've hardly been on the internet! But here is a brief (yeah right) update on the last month:
September 25 - This Friday we had no school because of Manit Day. (I think it's like a labor day maybe? I don't know I forget things.) Everybody gets together and sells food and people/kids do performances. So our gymnastics team was going to do a show there. It was supposed to start at 1pm, but it was pouring rain so it got delayed some. Then we were supposed to perform 2nd, but 3 other groups went ahead of us...and well you know how island time is. And apparently island performances too. But we finally got to go. And although the rain had let up, the hot, tropical sun beat down mercilessly.The show went good though. The guy coaches tossed me and I did a flare! It made me happy to do something gymnastical.
September 28 - Me and 3 other SMs started a little morning worship group. We go out and watch the sunrise and read our Bibles, pray, etc. If we read something cool we can share it with the group. It's a pretty amazing thing and it helps us keep each other accountable. The sunrise over the water is so incredible each morning. I'm going to miss that so much!
September 29 - At recess I'm massaging Shari's shoulders when I look left in mid-sentence and some lady starts breastfeeding out in the open. hahaha It was so hard to not scream and continue talking normally. LOL
September 30 - TSUNAMI WARNING! Some kids' parents actually came and took them out of school. Apparently we're supposed to go to the second story of the gym if there's a tsunami...hahaha really? If there's a tsunami we're toast. We live on a sandbar you can hardly see on a map. But we practiced our "fire drill"/tsunami drill. (The alarm is hitting the gas tank hahaha). Nothing happened all day. Damien and Zac got on the roof of our apartments with their surfboards waiting for the wave of their life I guess hahaha. After school the swells were huge! I just stood on the rocks with my mouth hanging open. Of course the guys went out having the waves of their life beat them to a pulp. It was pretty amazing.
Sad story - My mom sent me a hard cover for my computer to PROTECT it. I put it on and then realized I hadn't wiped the dust off the inside, so I was trying to pry it off to no avail. I stuck my finger between the cover and the outside and pulled (but not too hard because I didn't want to break anything). Then I opened it up to discover I had cracked the screen by pushing from the outside. That's right I'm an idiot. Now I have to ship my computer home (so I'll be computerless for at least a month) and it's going to cost me. I went outside and cried. It was so terrible. But it is just a thing.
By now we've gone on a couple of dives. Today will be our third. The first time we went down about 40 feet. On the way in we got swarmed by a huge school of fish. One swam (haha I almost said flew) into my hand and I screamed into the regulator. (Can't you just imagine??) It was so cool. This last Thursday we went to a different part of the lagoon and saw heaps of jellyfish. Don't worry they're little blue guys that don't sting. We saw a whitish colored ray too. Unfortunately my right ear wouldn't equalize very well so I was in a bit of pain when we got back...I'm really hoping it'll be ok today! It doesn't help being slightly congested. Hopefully the drugs will help. :)
October 3 - Walking back from Payless we heard a little meow. Damien caught a little kitty and now the guys have adopted her. It was really hilarious when Tony had her on his lap and Alise says, "Uhh...I think she's pooping." In the most calm voice imaginable. In seconds Tony is covered in kitty diarrhea. LOL Ohhh I laughed soooo hard. He was amazingly calm about the whole situation.
October 4 - Trip to Laura! This is about a 45 minute drive from our school. The other end of the island and there's beach! We went for a few hours to just play and have fun. We snorkeled some, but the current was really strong, so we spent most of our time throwing the football.
October 5 - World Teacher's Day! We went to a convention they were having for the island teachers. They had a few speakers, but more importantly they had prize drawings! I won a free lunch for 2 at ENRA (MIR). So I was pretty excited. They had cash prizes (one was $200), and free tickets to anywhere in the islands. It was cool seeing other teachers.
Ok this is getting long so I'm going to continue in another blog. :)
September 25 - This Friday we had no school because of Manit Day. (I think it's like a labor day maybe? I don't know I forget things.) Everybody gets together and sells food and people/kids do performances. So our gymnastics team was going to do a show there. It was supposed to start at 1pm, but it was pouring rain so it got delayed some. Then we were supposed to perform 2nd, but 3 other groups went ahead of us...and well you know how island time is. And apparently island performances too. But we finally got to go. And although the rain had let up, the hot, tropical sun beat down mercilessly.The show went good though. The guy coaches tossed me and I did a flare! It made me happy to do something gymnastical.
September 28 - Me and 3 other SMs started a little morning worship group. We go out and watch the sunrise and read our Bibles, pray, etc. If we read something cool we can share it with the group. It's a pretty amazing thing and it helps us keep each other accountable. The sunrise over the water is so incredible each morning. I'm going to miss that so much!
September 29 - At recess I'm massaging Shari's shoulders when I look left in mid-sentence and some lady starts breastfeeding out in the open. hahaha It was so hard to not scream and continue talking normally. LOL
September 30 - TSUNAMI WARNING! Some kids' parents actually came and took them out of school. Apparently we're supposed to go to the second story of the gym if there's a tsunami...hahaha really? If there's a tsunami we're toast. We live on a sandbar you can hardly see on a map. But we practiced our "fire drill"/tsunami drill. (The alarm is hitting the gas tank hahaha). Nothing happened all day. Damien and Zac got on the roof of our apartments with their surfboards waiting for the wave of their life I guess hahaha. After school the swells were huge! I just stood on the rocks with my mouth hanging open. Of course the guys went out having the waves of their life beat them to a pulp. It was pretty amazing.
Sad story - My mom sent me a hard cover for my computer to PROTECT it. I put it on and then realized I hadn't wiped the dust off the inside, so I was trying to pry it off to no avail. I stuck my finger between the cover and the outside and pulled (but not too hard because I didn't want to break anything). Then I opened it up to discover I had cracked the screen by pushing from the outside. That's right I'm an idiot. Now I have to ship my computer home (so I'll be computerless for at least a month) and it's going to cost me. I went outside and cried. It was so terrible. But it is just a thing.
By now we've gone on a couple of dives. Today will be our third. The first time we went down about 40 feet. On the way in we got swarmed by a huge school of fish. One swam (haha I almost said flew) into my hand and I screamed into the regulator. (Can't you just imagine??) It was so cool. This last Thursday we went to a different part of the lagoon and saw heaps of jellyfish. Don't worry they're little blue guys that don't sting. We saw a whitish colored ray too. Unfortunately my right ear wouldn't equalize very well so I was in a bit of pain when we got back...I'm really hoping it'll be ok today! It doesn't help being slightly congested. Hopefully the drugs will help. :)
October 3 - Walking back from Payless we heard a little meow. Damien caught a little kitty and now the guys have adopted her. It was really hilarious when Tony had her on his lap and Alise says, "Uhh...I think she's pooping." In the most calm voice imaginable. In seconds Tony is covered in kitty diarrhea. LOL Ohhh I laughed soooo hard. He was amazingly calm about the whole situation.
October 4 - Trip to Laura! This is about a 45 minute drive from our school. The other end of the island and there's beach! We went for a few hours to just play and have fun. We snorkeled some, but the current was really strong, so we spent most of our time throwing the football.
October 5 - World Teacher's Day! We went to a convention they were having for the island teachers. They had a few speakers, but more importantly they had prize drawings! I won a free lunch for 2 at ENRA (MIR). So I was pretty excited. They had cash prizes (one was $200), and free tickets to anywhere in the islands. It was cool seeing other teachers.
Ok this is getting long so I'm going to continue in another blog. :)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Demons are real
Torrential tropical rain. Last night. On my bed....
So before I get to my story let me tell you about my week. Overall it went pretty well. Tuesday we went to the gym to practice gymnastics with the kids only to find that they're having basketball competitions or something for a few weeks, so we ended up practicing in the grass behind our house. Wednesday was a pretty rough day at school. I was just really worn out for some reason...but we got wireless that day which was AMAZING! Unfortunately you have to pay $5 for a 50 minute card which goes WAAAYY too fast if you're trying to skype people. So that's only convenient for uploading pics, emailing, etc.
Wednesday nights we always hop in the truck (or van...our 2 school vehicles) and drive out to Rita to Angie's house where we sing songs with the kids and then have a story. It's a lot of fun and this week me and Rob tag-teamed a story about Joseph....yeah I thought it was brilliant to tell about the coat of many colors, but the story of Joseph doesn't really have a good stopping point so we had to finish it. There was only a slight problem when Potiphar's wife came on the scene....luckily she just got angry because Joseph didn't clean the floors well :)
Friday at recess I got to talking to 2 of Tony's 5th grade boys - AJ and Hilario. They started talking about demons and asking me all these questions. Apparently AJ's dad has a demon that has blond hair and wears a white shirt. He's seen it too. Hilario was asking if demons were real and who is Lucifer and how did he fall from heaven. And he also asked if Satan was red with a pitchfork and about the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It was a very intense conversation and I definitely prayed right there that God would give me the right words to say to these young boys. If anyone that reads this would please pray for these 2 right now I would really appreciate it!
Fridays are so nice because they're half days. My class did chapel which is always a little rowdy since it's the last event of the day (and week for that matter), but it was fine. After that I went to MIR for 5 hours and skyped friends and family. I didn't even eat supper I was so excited to talk to people!
Saturday night Alise had to go to the hospital because she was pretty sick, and when she got back we watched A Walk to Remember. Then me and Kara went over to Lenny's to see what everyonew as up to and that's when it started POURING rain. We had our rain jackets on because it had been sprinkling a little and that's when I realized OH CRAP I left the windows open!! So I rushed downstairs, threw open the door, screamed and immediately closed it. It was raining and blowing SO hard. Then I opened the door and ran as fast as I could but the wind and rain were so intense my contacts blew back in my eyes and I couldn't see. The 40 feet to our house completely soaked me. I slammed our windows shut but unfortunately our beds were soaked. Me and Kara went and ran around in the rain because we were already wet and it felt SO good to be cool and not hot and sweaty! We splashed around in puddles. Then we went back, I stripped our beds and blow dried for about an hour. Then I finally went to bed at 2am. That'll teach us to close the windows!! Whew....
This morning we went for our first scuba experience!! We snorkled around for a little bit then we all got to practice wearing the tank and using the regulator. I am SO excited about SCUBA! Ok well I gotta go do lesson plans here pretty soon. Thank goodness we get Friday off. I love these 4 day weeks. Miss you all! <3
So before I get to my story let me tell you about my week. Overall it went pretty well. Tuesday we went to the gym to practice gymnastics with the kids only to find that they're having basketball competitions or something for a few weeks, so we ended up practicing in the grass behind our house. Wednesday was a pretty rough day at school. I was just really worn out for some reason...but we got wireless that day which was AMAZING! Unfortunately you have to pay $5 for a 50 minute card which goes WAAAYY too fast if you're trying to skype people. So that's only convenient for uploading pics, emailing, etc.
Wednesday nights we always hop in the truck (or van...our 2 school vehicles) and drive out to Rita to Angie's house where we sing songs with the kids and then have a story. It's a lot of fun and this week me and Rob tag-teamed a story about Joseph....yeah I thought it was brilliant to tell about the coat of many colors, but the story of Joseph doesn't really have a good stopping point so we had to finish it. There was only a slight problem when Potiphar's wife came on the scene....luckily she just got angry because Joseph didn't clean the floors well :)
Friday at recess I got to talking to 2 of Tony's 5th grade boys - AJ and Hilario. They started talking about demons and asking me all these questions. Apparently AJ's dad has a demon that has blond hair and wears a white shirt. He's seen it too. Hilario was asking if demons were real and who is Lucifer and how did he fall from heaven. And he also asked if Satan was red with a pitchfork and about the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It was a very intense conversation and I definitely prayed right there that God would give me the right words to say to these young boys. If anyone that reads this would please pray for these 2 right now I would really appreciate it!
Fridays are so nice because they're half days. My class did chapel which is always a little rowdy since it's the last event of the day (and week for that matter), but it was fine. After that I went to MIR for 5 hours and skyped friends and family. I didn't even eat supper I was so excited to talk to people!
Saturday night Alise had to go to the hospital because she was pretty sick, and when she got back we watched A Walk to Remember. Then me and Kara went over to Lenny's to see what everyonew as up to and that's when it started POURING rain. We had our rain jackets on because it had been sprinkling a little and that's when I realized OH CRAP I left the windows open!! So I rushed downstairs, threw open the door, screamed and immediately closed it. It was raining and blowing SO hard. Then I opened the door and ran as fast as I could but the wind and rain were so intense my contacts blew back in my eyes and I couldn't see. The 40 feet to our house completely soaked me. I slammed our windows shut but unfortunately our beds were soaked. Me and Kara went and ran around in the rain because we were already wet and it felt SO good to be cool and not hot and sweaty! We splashed around in puddles. Then we went back, I stripped our beds and blow dried for about an hour. Then I finally went to bed at 2am. That'll teach us to close the windows!! Whew....
This morning we went for our first scuba experience!! We snorkled around for a little bit then we all got to practice wearing the tank and using the regulator. I am SO excited about SCUBA! Ok well I gotta go do lesson plans here pretty soon. Thank goodness we get Friday off. I love these 4 day weeks. Miss you all! <3
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What better place to be sick....
Thankfully I'm not sick anymore, and it wasn't anything too serious. But I was feeling pretty bad Sunday-Tuesday. I just had a headache, congestion, phlegmmy cough, continuous bouts of sneezing...etc. It makes it a lot harder to muster up the energy to face 23 6th graders! But I made it through the week.
Wow I love Sabbath. More than ever before I think. I am less busy than at Southern but it's a lot more high stress, so the Sabbath is a welcome necessity. It's so nice to relax on Friday afternoon and take a good long cold shower. Plus I try to look slightly nicer for vespers. Sometimes I wear my hair down and put on a little eyeliner. It's the only way I feel dressed up because I always have to wear skirts! And I always wear my hair up at school because it's way to hot otherwise. I was just thinking how ridiculous I'm going to look trying to walk in heels when I get back! hahaha
Teaching is going well. I gave my first social studies, Bible and science tests! I have to make them myself so I feel quite accomplished afterwards...except when some kids are failing. hahaha My students are pretty well-behaved overall. My classroom is as hot as it's ever been, but I'm used to the continual sweat flow. I love love LOVE it when it rains! (except when I'm wearing a white shirt) I don't even care that I'm getting soaked because it feels so amazing. I mean it's either soaked with rain or soaked with sweat right!?
My Friday night ritual is go put shorts and a t-shirt on, and take my hammock out by the rocks. It's right by the ocean so I get 3 of my favorite things: listening to the ocean, watching the stars and laying in my hammock! It's so relaxing. Usually Alise and Damien and/or Tony come join me and we just chill and talk. We decided to wait and watch the moon rise over the water. So by the time we were ready to go to bed it was around midnight. We walked back to our apartment and the door was locked and neither of our roommates were there! Neither of us had our keys so we had no idea what to do. Long story short we didn't get into our room till 2am and didn't get to bed till after 2:30am. Damien had to bang really loudly on a lot of people's doors! We found out Lauren was spending the night in the hospital because she was sick and Kara had decided to sleep in the AC in the library, but she didn't have her keys. We debated whether or not to wake up the principal, but none of us wanted to and it didn't sound like a very good idea anyway. We ended up waking up the accountant who is sort of the vice-principal now and he was cool about it. I think we scared him though! hahaha Ohhh....so now I'm super tired from Friday night.
So I napped Sabbath afternoon and watched one of the most amazing sunsets ever. The clouds are just so incredible here. Then we watched Up at the principal's house. I swear the kid or "small mailman" in that movie looks EXACTLY like one of my students! (Of course my student is darker) but they look the same in the face.
This morning we went and talked with a guy on the island who does SCUBA certs. I've heard he's the best in the islands and I'm SUPER excited about diving!! Oh I can't wait. And I think I'm starting to get the courage up to try surfing again...we'll see!
It's really just amazing what God is doing here at the school and for all of us SMs. I usually wake up right before the sun is rising to pray and read a little bit, and as I was flipping to where I'm reading in Psalms I came across a verse that I had underlined. Psalm 46:5,10 - "God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. Be still, and know that I am God." The first verse just really reassured me that God was going to be with me. I can't teach these kids by myself! Without God working through me they are not going to learn anything and I would lose my patience with them for sure. The second verse reminded me to listen for God's voice. So often I just pray asking for this and that or thanking God for everything, but I don't bother to listen to what He has to say. Thank goodness God understands our simple human nature.
Wow I love Sabbath. More than ever before I think. I am less busy than at Southern but it's a lot more high stress, so the Sabbath is a welcome necessity. It's so nice to relax on Friday afternoon and take a good long cold shower. Plus I try to look slightly nicer for vespers. Sometimes I wear my hair down and put on a little eyeliner. It's the only way I feel dressed up because I always have to wear skirts! And I always wear my hair up at school because it's way to hot otherwise. I was just thinking how ridiculous I'm going to look trying to walk in heels when I get back! hahaha
Teaching is going well. I gave my first social studies, Bible and science tests! I have to make them myself so I feel quite accomplished afterwards...except when some kids are failing. hahaha My students are pretty well-behaved overall. My classroom is as hot as it's ever been, but I'm used to the continual sweat flow. I love love LOVE it when it rains! (except when I'm wearing a white shirt) I don't even care that I'm getting soaked because it feels so amazing. I mean it's either soaked with rain or soaked with sweat right!?
My Friday night ritual is go put shorts and a t-shirt on, and take my hammock out by the rocks. It's right by the ocean so I get 3 of my favorite things: listening to the ocean, watching the stars and laying in my hammock! It's so relaxing. Usually Alise and Damien and/or Tony come join me and we just chill and talk. We decided to wait and watch the moon rise over the water. So by the time we were ready to go to bed it was around midnight. We walked back to our apartment and the door was locked and neither of our roommates were there! Neither of us had our keys so we had no idea what to do. Long story short we didn't get into our room till 2am and didn't get to bed till after 2:30am. Damien had to bang really loudly on a lot of people's doors! We found out Lauren was spending the night in the hospital because she was sick and Kara had decided to sleep in the AC in the library, but she didn't have her keys. We debated whether or not to wake up the principal, but none of us wanted to and it didn't sound like a very good idea anyway. We ended up waking up the accountant who is sort of the vice-principal now and he was cool about it. I think we scared him though! hahaha Ohhh....so now I'm super tired from Friday night.
So I napped Sabbath afternoon and watched one of the most amazing sunsets ever. The clouds are just so incredible here. Then we watched Up at the principal's house. I swear the kid or "small mailman" in that movie looks EXACTLY like one of my students! (Of course my student is darker) but they look the same in the face.
This morning we went and talked with a guy on the island who does SCUBA certs. I've heard he's the best in the islands and I'm SUPER excited about diving!! Oh I can't wait. And I think I'm starting to get the courage up to try surfing again...we'll see!
It's really just amazing what God is doing here at the school and for all of us SMs. I usually wake up right before the sun is rising to pray and read a little bit, and as I was flipping to where I'm reading in Psalms I came across a verse that I had underlined. Psalm 46:5,10 - "God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. Be still, and know that I am God." The first verse just really reassured me that God was going to be with me. I can't teach these kids by myself! Without God working through me they are not going to learn anything and I would lose my patience with them for sure. The second verse reminded me to listen for God's voice. So often I just pray asking for this and that or thanking God for everything, but I don't bother to listen to what He has to say. Thank goodness God understands our simple human nature.
Friday, September 4, 2009
I miss Southern!!
So last Sabbath I was thinking about Southern starting...it's so weird. It's slightly depressing because I like school and I miss my friends a lot. I don't want them to have fun without me! But that's selfish and I know God needs me here. Saturday night a bunch of us went and got ice cream and then learned this hilarious game called "Bunny Bunny." I laughed till it hurt! I love it when that happens. I could barely breathe. :)
Sunday a group of us took a 30 minute boat ride to a little island. Nobody lives there, but people take day trips. It was so beautiful! The water was so many different shades of blue and there was even a beach! That's one thing I miss. We have the ocean in our backyard but no beach. Just rocks. There was a floating dock with a diving board and slide, so we played all day. There was a crashed plane in the water not too far from the beach so we went snorkeling around it and a couple guys even swam through it!! We had lunch there and napped in some hammocks for awhile. Then we went to this really cool tree that grew over and into the water a little bit and went snorkeling some more. Then we threw a football around on the beach for awhile. I am going to miss intramurals so much! Oh and fun times! I love fun times... I feel like I definitely don't get enough exercise here. I got burned a little bit too. Especially on my head! I had my hair in 2 french braids so my part in the middle got burned...hahahaha
The education direector for Guam-Micronesia came to visit our school. She visited all the classrooms and took pictures. She said she had only been to Pohnpei and Majuro, but if she had to choose she'd come to Majuro!! She really liked how we were right on the ocean. It really is beautiful. I think I take it for granted, or else I just forget because I'm so hot. hahahaha
Thursday was an interesting day. It was going well till about 2:45pm when I had the kids start cleaning up for the end of the day. Two of my boys started hitting each other so I had to take them to the principal's office. Then I finally got everyone settled down for prayer. I have a different student have prayer every day even though they all hate it. It was one of the hitting boy's turn to pray, but of course he didn't want to. I said, "Ok we're going to stay here until Doughton prays." So all the kids started telling him to hurry up and he got mad and cussed out the whole class. Then I had to go straight to gymnastics till 5:30pm....boy was that a long day.
But we did go to get internet last night which was nice. I had a big salad. When we got back it was pouring rain so me and Alise decided to go run around in it because it felt so good after a hot sweaty day. But of course by the time we got outside it had stopped. But the breeze was amazing! So we decided to go sit on the rocks and watch the lightning in the distance. It was so incredible. After that we watched Father of the Bride and stayed up waaay too late. But now it's Friday and we got to sleep in this morning because there's no school so I'm really happy!!
Hopefully this afternoon I'll get a nice chunk of grading out of the way. And hopefully on Sunday we'll get to go do something fun again!
Sunday a group of us took a 30 minute boat ride to a little island. Nobody lives there, but people take day trips. It was so beautiful! The water was so many different shades of blue and there was even a beach! That's one thing I miss. We have the ocean in our backyard but no beach. Just rocks. There was a floating dock with a diving board and slide, so we played all day. There was a crashed plane in the water not too far from the beach so we went snorkeling around it and a couple guys even swam through it!! We had lunch there and napped in some hammocks for awhile. Then we went to this really cool tree that grew over and into the water a little bit and went snorkeling some more. Then we threw a football around on the beach for awhile. I am going to miss intramurals so much! Oh and fun times! I love fun times... I feel like I definitely don't get enough exercise here. I got burned a little bit too. Especially on my head! I had my hair in 2 french braids so my part in the middle got burned...hahahaha
The education direector for Guam-Micronesia came to visit our school. She visited all the classrooms and took pictures. She said she had only been to Pohnpei and Majuro, but if she had to choose she'd come to Majuro!! She really liked how we were right on the ocean. It really is beautiful. I think I take it for granted, or else I just forget because I'm so hot. hahahaha
Thursday was an interesting day. It was going well till about 2:45pm when I had the kids start cleaning up for the end of the day. Two of my boys started hitting each other so I had to take them to the principal's office. Then I finally got everyone settled down for prayer. I have a different student have prayer every day even though they all hate it. It was one of the hitting boy's turn to pray, but of course he didn't want to. I said, "Ok we're going to stay here until Doughton prays." So all the kids started telling him to hurry up and he got mad and cussed out the whole class. Then I had to go straight to gymnastics till 5:30pm....boy was that a long day.
But we did go to get internet last night which was nice. I had a big salad. When we got back it was pouring rain so me and Alise decided to go run around in it because it felt so good after a hot sweaty day. But of course by the time we got outside it had stopped. But the breeze was amazing! So we decided to go sit on the rocks and watch the lightning in the distance. It was so incredible. After that we watched Father of the Bride and stayed up waaay too late. But now it's Friday and we got to sleep in this morning because there's no school so I'm really happy!!
Hopefully this afternoon I'll get a nice chunk of grading out of the way. And hopefully on Sunday we'll get to go do something fun again!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Surfer Chick
Soooo Sunday was Alise's birthday (one of my housemates) and I took her to Payless to get ice cream (the store where we get groceries). You can get 2 scoops there for $1.30!! Not bad. I finally bought a homemade hand fan too. I just drip and drip sweat in my classroom and it's helped a lot.
Yesterday (Monday) was your average day at school. I realized I was writing sentences on the board during English class about when women started wearing pants....hahahaha and the next group of sentences was about a pond freezing over and ice skating...I seriously considered whether I should make up my own sentences on the spot. Oh well!
So after school we went to gymnastics, and when we get back at 5:30pm we're sooo gross and sweaty. A bunch of guys were going out surfing and I've been wanting to try! So I asked Cameron (VP) if he would teach me, and he let me use one of his boards. So we got out there and I told him I had no clue what I was doing. He taught me how to paddle a little bit. Then he said, "Oh you're paddling really good let's go out." I'm pretty sure he was just itching to surf LOL I never realized how difficult paddling out is. I was SO tired!! Before I made it past where the wave breaks the biggest swell the guys have seen all season came crashing down on my head....yes I tried to duck dive but it was too powerful. Luckily I held onto my board but I didn't make it out before the next one thrashed me like your dirty underwear in the washer! I lost my board on that one....at least I had gum to stave off the salty taste right!? hahaha it was so NOT fun. But I got behind the waves and then I was too afraid to paddle back in! I really wanted to attempt to try and catch a wave but I was wasted. I was so exhausted by the time I got back in I went to bed at 9:15!
They chopped down all the old coconuts in the palm trees by the school so they don't fall on any little kids. So we had a coconut party and I drank and ate a fresh coconut.
Today I got up early and watched the sunrise. (Partly because I had to get up and do lesson plans since I went to bed so early.) But it was so beautiful. I love being by the ocean!! And the sunrise tonight was amazing too.
I got a couple more packages today too! I love getting packages. It's like a little taste of home. I just ordered a pizza here at the hotel and it was SO good! Reminded me of the good ole USA :)
Well I better start grading those papers!!
Yesterday (Monday) was your average day at school. I realized I was writing sentences on the board during English class about when women started wearing pants....hahahaha and the next group of sentences was about a pond freezing over and ice skating...I seriously considered whether I should make up my own sentences on the spot. Oh well!
So after school we went to gymnastics, and when we get back at 5:30pm we're sooo gross and sweaty. A bunch of guys were going out surfing and I've been wanting to try! So I asked Cameron (VP) if he would teach me, and he let me use one of his boards. So we got out there and I told him I had no clue what I was doing. He taught me how to paddle a little bit. Then he said, "Oh you're paddling really good let's go out." I'm pretty sure he was just itching to surf LOL I never realized how difficult paddling out is. I was SO tired!! Before I made it past where the wave breaks the biggest swell the guys have seen all season came crashing down on my head....yes I tried to duck dive but it was too powerful. Luckily I held onto my board but I didn't make it out before the next one thrashed me like your dirty underwear in the washer! I lost my board on that one....at least I had gum to stave off the salty taste right!? hahaha it was so NOT fun. But I got behind the waves and then I was too afraid to paddle back in! I really wanted to attempt to try and catch a wave but I was wasted. I was so exhausted by the time I got back in I went to bed at 9:15!
They chopped down all the old coconuts in the palm trees by the school so they don't fall on any little kids. So we had a coconut party and I drank and ate a fresh coconut.
Today I got up early and watched the sunrise. (Partly because I had to get up and do lesson plans since I went to bed so early.) But it was so beautiful. I love being by the ocean!! And the sunrise tonight was amazing too.
I got a couple more packages today too! I love getting packages. It's like a little taste of home. I just ordered a pizza here at the hotel and it was SO good! Reminded me of the good ole USA :)
Well I better start grading those papers!!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
I survived the first week!
Ahh the weekend. Where do I begin!? There's so much to tell about this week. Right now I'm sitting at the hotel waiting on my french toast MMM!
We have a lot of geckos (and cockroaches, etc.) in our apartments all the time and they make a little clicking noise. A bunch of us were talking about it and suddenly Zach (one of the SMs) says "What it's not rats??" Apparently he couldn't sleep at night because he thought there were rats in his room! haha This same guy also stepped through a weak spot in our vice principal's floor when we were having a going away dinner for the guys going to Jeh and Woja. So now there's a big hole in his TV room!
We started teaching the gymnastics class this week. Cameron (our VP) started the team last year (he used to be a gym-master) but he wasn't here this week so a few of us were in charge. It is really hot but we take a fan with us to the gym. It's funny because all the kids drink out of the same cup when we bring the cooler. They do that at the school too. I think it was Thursday after class when we got back to the school all hot and sweaty, and me, Tony and Alise all jumped into the ocean in our clothes. It is so nice having the ocean as our backyard! We saw the most brilliant rainbow I've ever seen too, from one end of the horizon to the other. It even reflected on the water. Supposedly there's some guys that play soccer here ever week, but I still haven't gotten to play yet! Hopefully I get to soon.
The funniest thing happened when I was here (at the hotel) on Friday after school. We were all sitting next to the window (which overlooks the ocean!) and an older gentleman with a nice black speedo walked by. I was skyping my parents who were lucky enough to see it! hahaha He kept walking back and forth and then sitting in a chair beside us and then standing up with chair marks on his legs....Alise said that was the most skin she's seen in a long time lol.
Friday morning in my class I was taking attendance when I felt a little tickle on my foot. Then it started crawling up my leg and I looked down to see a cockroach! Thankfully I didn't freak out in front of my class...and then Friday night before vespers I got out of the shower and our apartment was full of little bugs! The girls next door had them in their beds. We have no clue where they came from. They looked like little flying termites. It was so gross.
I also got a new kid on Wednesday who has never been to school before, and he's really shy. He came late and then after lunch he just ran away and didn't come back! Then his mom came and talked to me a little upset about him missing school. She explained they were paying a lot of money, he needs to learn, etc. Apparently he told his mom that I sent him home! I told her he never talked to me and she said to call her if there were any problems. So the next day he asked to use the restroom and ran away again! So I called her and she told me to tell his brother (who is in the high school). The poor kid is so shy! But Friday he stayed the whole day and I even got him to read out loud.
I love Friday nights here because I get showered and cleaned up, and then afterwards we go and set up my hammock and chill and look at the stars. It's so relaxing. Especially after teaching all week! God knew what He was doing when He made the Sabbath. We've had a good breeze the last couple of nights too. Apparently there is usually a better breeze, but lately it's been dead and hot.
Yesterday we had potluck at our principal's house and one of the filipino teachers made the best flan I've ever had!! MMM it was sooo good.
Well I have to go do lesson plans and grading :)
We have a lot of geckos (and cockroaches, etc.) in our apartments all the time and they make a little clicking noise. A bunch of us were talking about it and suddenly Zach (one of the SMs) says "What it's not rats??" Apparently he couldn't sleep at night because he thought there were rats in his room! haha This same guy also stepped through a weak spot in our vice principal's floor when we were having a going away dinner for the guys going to Jeh and Woja. So now there's a big hole in his TV room!
We started teaching the gymnastics class this week. Cameron (our VP) started the team last year (he used to be a gym-master) but he wasn't here this week so a few of us were in charge. It is really hot but we take a fan with us to the gym. It's funny because all the kids drink out of the same cup when we bring the cooler. They do that at the school too. I think it was Thursday after class when we got back to the school all hot and sweaty, and me, Tony and Alise all jumped into the ocean in our clothes. It is so nice having the ocean as our backyard! We saw the most brilliant rainbow I've ever seen too, from one end of the horizon to the other. It even reflected on the water. Supposedly there's some guys that play soccer here ever week, but I still haven't gotten to play yet! Hopefully I get to soon.
The funniest thing happened when I was here (at the hotel) on Friday after school. We were all sitting next to the window (which overlooks the ocean!) and an older gentleman with a nice black speedo walked by. I was skyping my parents who were lucky enough to see it! hahaha He kept walking back and forth and then sitting in a chair beside us and then standing up with chair marks on his legs....Alise said that was the most skin she's seen in a long time lol.
Friday morning in my class I was taking attendance when I felt a little tickle on my foot. Then it started crawling up my leg and I looked down to see a cockroach! Thankfully I didn't freak out in front of my class...and then Friday night before vespers I got out of the shower and our apartment was full of little bugs! The girls next door had them in their beds. We have no clue where they came from. They looked like little flying termites. It was so gross.
I also got a new kid on Wednesday who has never been to school before, and he's really shy. He came late and then after lunch he just ran away and didn't come back! Then his mom came and talked to me a little upset about him missing school. She explained they were paying a lot of money, he needs to learn, etc. Apparently he told his mom that I sent him home! I told her he never talked to me and she said to call her if there were any problems. So the next day he asked to use the restroom and ran away again! So I called her and she told me to tell his brother (who is in the high school). The poor kid is so shy! But Friday he stayed the whole day and I even got him to read out loud.
I love Friday nights here because I get showered and cleaned up, and then afterwards we go and set up my hammock and chill and look at the stars. It's so relaxing. Especially after teaching all week! God knew what He was doing when He made the Sabbath. We've had a good breeze the last couple of nights too. Apparently there is usually a better breeze, but lately it's been dead and hot.
Yesterday we had potluck at our principal's house and one of the filipino teachers made the best flan I've ever had!! MMM it was sooo good.
Well I have to go do lesson plans and grading :)
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Here I am...
It's Sunday before the first whole week! I have make lesson plans that I have no clue how to make... Yesterday we climbed on top of the roof of our apartment building for 3 hours and watched the sun go down and the stars come out. And then last night at 11:30pm some of us decided to go get in the ocean because we were so sweaty...it was so nice. Right now I'm at the hotel and I want to post pictures for everyone but it's so SLOW!! Hopefully I'll get some up soon. It was nice to just relax yesterday. We had the best potluck after church too...even though we didn't eat till almost 2:30pm hahaha all the SMs were dying. They had fresh coconuts and such good fruit salad MMMMM. Well I actually have to run to a meeting now. Yokwe!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Days 1 and 2 behind me
I was filled with so much anxiety on the first day of school! That could also be because I felt totally unprepared. This is because I'm a huge procrastinator and didn't plan my whole day out in detail which I should have. And also because we didn't do any curriculum on the first day...we were just supposed to meet the kids, have orientation and play games. Luckily it was only a half day because i was running out of things to do!
It is really scary because we haven't been told at all how to make lesson plans or record grades. And we aren't given books or curriculum. We just have to go in the book closet and pick out whatever we can find! And they say the kids are all on different levels and many of them are behind...but I think most of my kids are on approximately the same level.
I was expecting about 25 kids but I only had 16. I think total I'll have around 20. Thankfully the 2nd day was much better! My classroom is super HOT though!! It's right off the ocean so you'd think I'd have a good breeze but no.....we don't. The poor kids are just dripping sweat too. But I love them so much already. They range in ages from 9-14, and the little 9-year-old filipino boy is the smartest of them all! Genius filipinos....hahahahaha. I'm a little afraid that I'm not being strict enough, but my kids are pretty well-behaved and they listen to me (so far anyway!) so I'm not too worried. I actually had a lot of fun teaching today. When I get into the groove of things I know I'm going to LOVE IT!
HILARIOUS STORY---On the first day one of my boys (Peter) asked me if I was pregnant! BAHHAHAHAHAHA so funny....and no I haven't gained that much weight since I've been here.
Yesterday the VP (Cameron) took us all out to celebrate surviving the first day and we went bridge jumping into the ocean off the only bridge on the island. It was SOOO fun. Then we went snorkeling some and saw a couple sharks, bright blue starfish and an octopus and then we just went swimming in the waves off the pier. It was so relaxing...but then I stayed up till 1am chatting with people and making lesson plans for today. Today was also a shorter day so that was nice.
Cameron started a gymnastics team here at the school last year and I get to help coach it! So today he took us to the gym where he takes the kids and showed us around. Me, Lauren and Tony will be teaching the first week by ourselves since Cameron is going with some of the SMs to the outer islands. It's so dang hot in there but it'll be fun!!
We've been having problems with out water too. It was off one night and Cameron said "Oh, that's standard" like he always says...but it's been happening a lot recently! I went over 24 hours without a shower (GROSS!) and one of my apartment mates went almost 48 hours!! And the cockroaches are as friendly as ever....good times. Thank goodness the breeze finally came back last night. It's so hard to sleep here without it...
Thank the Lord for the Sabbath! Mark 2:27
It is really scary because we haven't been told at all how to make lesson plans or record grades. And we aren't given books or curriculum. We just have to go in the book closet and pick out whatever we can find! And they say the kids are all on different levels and many of them are behind...but I think most of my kids are on approximately the same level.
I was expecting about 25 kids but I only had 16. I think total I'll have around 20. Thankfully the 2nd day was much better! My classroom is super HOT though!! It's right off the ocean so you'd think I'd have a good breeze but no.....we don't. The poor kids are just dripping sweat too. But I love them so much already. They range in ages from 9-14, and the little 9-year-old filipino boy is the smartest of them all! Genius filipinos....hahahahaha. I'm a little afraid that I'm not being strict enough, but my kids are pretty well-behaved and they listen to me (so far anyway!) so I'm not too worried. I actually had a lot of fun teaching today. When I get into the groove of things I know I'm going to LOVE IT!
HILARIOUS STORY---On the first day one of my boys (Peter) asked me if I was pregnant! BAHHAHAHAHAHA so funny....and no I haven't gained that much weight since I've been here.
Yesterday the VP (Cameron) took us all out to celebrate surviving the first day and we went bridge jumping into the ocean off the only bridge on the island. It was SOOO fun. Then we went snorkeling some and saw a couple sharks, bright blue starfish and an octopus and then we just went swimming in the waves off the pier. It was so relaxing...but then I stayed up till 1am chatting with people and making lesson plans for today. Today was also a shorter day so that was nice.
Cameron started a gymnastics team here at the school last year and I get to help coach it! So today he took us to the gym where he takes the kids and showed us around. Me, Lauren and Tony will be teaching the first week by ourselves since Cameron is going with some of the SMs to the outer islands. It's so dang hot in there but it'll be fun!!
We've been having problems with out water too. It was off one night and Cameron said "Oh, that's standard" like he always says...but it's been happening a lot recently! I went over 24 hours without a shower (GROSS!) and one of my apartment mates went almost 48 hours!! And the cockroaches are as friendly as ever....good times. Thank goodness the breeze finally came back last night. It's so hard to sleep here without it...
Thank the Lord for the Sabbath! Mark 2:27
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
from student to teacher
I'm going to be a teacher YIKES! I feel so unprepared and clueless about this whole process. Trying to get into the mindset of a teacher is so foreign to me. Suddenly I'm trying to recall what my teachers used to do and what they must have been thinking. What a new perspective! I mean I guess I've taught gymnastics before, but this is a full-time job. And much more important for the kids. I hope the kids like and respect me, but more importantly I hope they see Jesus in me. That is what I'm here for anyway. School starts tomorrow morning!
About daily Marshallese life, well I bought a muu muu. Never thought I'd be able to say that...but I'm wearing it now. Pictures to come! hahaha I thought only fat old ladies wore these. The last two nights i've gone out to the rocks and watched the moon rise. It is so beautiful! It looks big on the horizon of the ocean too. Last night the stars were so brilliant. I guess it's been cloudy until now. I saw a few shooting stars too...my favorite. Two nights ago it was so hot with NO breeze whatsoever and I woke up in the middle of the night dripping sweat. I had to go get a drink from the fridge because i was feeling dehydrated from sweating so much. Then the next day I tried to take a shower in the morning but the water was out (which apparently happens every now and then) and then that night it went off AGAIN! So i went all day without a shower which is a very bad idea here. But thankfully I got one this morning. But I woke up with a huge cockroach on the wall over my bed. AHHH and a couple of the friendly flea-ridden dogs caught a rat last night. I guess these are all things you get used to.
About daily Marshallese life, well I bought a muu muu. Never thought I'd be able to say that...but I'm wearing it now. Pictures to come! hahaha I thought only fat old ladies wore these. The last two nights i've gone out to the rocks and watched the moon rise. It is so beautiful! It looks big on the horizon of the ocean too. Last night the stars were so brilliant. I guess it's been cloudy until now. I saw a few shooting stars too...my favorite. Two nights ago it was so hot with NO breeze whatsoever and I woke up in the middle of the night dripping sweat. I had to go get a drink from the fridge because i was feeling dehydrated from sweating so much. Then the next day I tried to take a shower in the morning but the water was out (which apparently happens every now and then) and then that night it went off AGAIN! So i went all day without a shower which is a very bad idea here. But thankfully I got one this morning. But I woke up with a huge cockroach on the wall over my bed. AHHH and a couple of the friendly flea-ridden dogs caught a rat last night. I guess these are all things you get used to.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Prepping for the year
Right now I'm watching the sunset here at the resort. We walked and I think we're going to catch a taxi back to the school for $1.00! Today we went through some of the textbooks trying to figure out what we're going to use. We finished cleaning and decorating our classrooms. Last night I was kicking a soccer ball around with some kids in my chacos and I went to kick really hard and hit a rock! I took a big chunk out of my big toe (pictures to come later :) and cracked my toenail. And then last night in my sleep I kicked the wall really hard and it woke me up hahahaha. Well it's still as hot as ever, but I think I'm going to end up loving it. Last night I went out and just gazed at the ocean and listened to the waves. I'm starting to get decent at playing the ukulele too! Last night we went over to the vice principal's house and watched Atlantis. Good times! He has the cutest little kitty named Vally (short for Valentine). Well time to get a good night's sleep.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Our first weekend
Today is Sunday and we're taking a lunch break here at the resort. Friday night we had our first vespers service in the church. The floor in the church is beautiful and we all took our shoes off. The dogs just walk in and out of the church as they please. The pastor from Jeh did the service and spoke in marshallese and english for us. Afterwards we went out to the rocks by the beach and sang songs and just chilled for awhile. Saturday we went to church...but didn't take our shoes off so I'm not really sure how that works yet. Then after church we were told we were going to a funeral. Apparently an elder asked us to come and so it's respectful to go. So we drove all the way to the Laura side of the island. We went to the funeral (which was in marshallese), paid our respects to the body and then went and visited the Laura SDA school, but nobody was there. On the way back (we were riding in the back of a little pick-up) our vice principal Cameron ran into a white couple he knows who are missionaries at Laura. We chatted for awhile with them and found out they've been here for 20 years! The drive back is about an hour and it poured rain on us in the back of the truck for part of the way. hahaha good times! In the gym we played a little volleyball/ping pong/soccer with the locals. It was hot but fun. And Cameron had had us over for dinner. Today we went to our classrooms and cleaned cleaned CLEANED! All kinds of bugs and cockroaches and dust and dirt. But they're starting to look good. I've met about 4 of my students now. I think I'll have 20-25 kids. We'll see!
-Nicole
-Nicole
Thursday, August 6, 2009
First Day
It is HOT! But it's a new feeling being able to look to the right or left and see deep blue ocean on both sides. We got off the plane and had to wait awhile for the bus/van thing to pick us up. It was the weirdest feeling seeing the plane take off again with everyone else! It's hard to believe I'm going to be here for ten months. It's a lot more crowded by the school than I had expected, and the school buildings are bright purple! I'm still in the moving in process in my upstairs apartment, but I can see the ocean right outside my window and feel the amazing breeze! I met my first student today! Her name is Sunbeam and she seems very sweet. A bunch of us went snorkeling too during high tide...it was a little rough but a lot of fun, plus it was nice to cool off after sweating buckets all day. We took our first big grocery trip too...we're probably gonna get sick these first couple of weeks but oh well! It's an adventure for sure. We have one week until school starts so hopefully I'll feel more prepared by then. Until then I'm just trusting God!
-Nicole
-Nicole
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Leaving Hawaii
Well, I must say my stay here in Hawaii has been rather blissful. The first afternoon we walked down to the beach. The first morning we went to the beach, and then went to a gorgeous lookout (Pali) for lunch. This morning we went and hiked up Diamond Head and watched the sunrise, and there was a rainbow in the middle of the ocean. Every night I've been sleeping outside on the porch here at the school because the breeze is absolutely amazing! We've had a few meetings and I've been getting to know a lot of the other SMs that are going with me. I'm so excited and nervous!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The night before
Anyone who knows me won't be surprised that it's 6:34pm the night before and of course I'm making a blog instead of packing! Yeah I haven't started yet....but that's how I roll. My brain is overwhelmed with last-minute things to pick up and stuff I still need to do...and anytime I do get a second to rest all I can think of is how much I'm going to miss Southern and all my friends. But I know God has a huge adventure planned for me these next 10 months and I can't wait to see what's in store! I have a few slight ideas of what's ahead of me, but really I have no clue. All I know is I've been eating my heart out this week and enjoying my big comfy bed! I just want everyone to know I miss you already and your prayers are very much appreciated! I know God will bless.
See you soon,
Nicole
See you soon,
Nicole
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
