Life on the Rock

PAWS for a Good Cause

2009-06-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was the Saipan's Annual Best of the Worst Dog Show. Meatball and Rescue joined the fun but beforehand we did some costume fitting...

Meatball as Princess Leia

"I don't really wanna do this..."

"What!? There's prizes!"

Rescue as Yoda

"Judge me by size, do you?"

"Skilled with my tongue, I am"

After all the planning, Brad and I packed up the Rav and headed to the airport field for the competition. Meaty won a couple of prizes for her costume and her talents, but PAWS was the real winner for bringing together a group of people for a celebration of man's best friend.

Thanks to all of the organizers like Katie Busenkell, Angelo Villagomez, Cinta Kaipat, PAWS, Beautify CNMI! and all of the volunteers who helped make PAWS WARS III: Revenge of the Boonie possible.

The Great Circle of Life

2009-06-06T05:01:00.000-07:00

I love when creativity is challenged. This year, Rhonda and I orchestrated Walt Disney's The Lion King for Rotary's Parade of Books. With 35 students from grades 2-6, we bagged 2nd place with $750, The Most Spirited award winning P.I.C water park passes for all the participants, and The Best Producer award garnering a free night stay at the Pacific Islands Club with free breakfast. WOHOO!

We went all out, not just sewing costumes for the characters but fashioning each child so they could fully portray their role. Okay, we really wanted them to look cool.

Greg Sablan, my 2nd grader, stood in front of about thirty older kids during auditions and jabbered through an African Chant because he knew he wanted to be Rafiki.

We practiced every day, after school, for a full month. Some days, we kicked back and designed our props using whatever we could find in the classroom. I treasure the bond it created between our upper grade and lower grade students.

During D Day, teachers and parent volunteers came out to braid hairs, iron costumes, paint faces, and helped with last minute errands. Every child, including Rhonda and I, were styling corn rows.

Crazy duo, Eugene Mendez as Simba and Micheal Cerna as Scar (4th graders)

Maria Terlaje, one of my sweetest 2nd grader, smiles with me and her little brother Jared after the performance.

Rhonda, her niece, me and Tori Jade (Rhonda's daughter) display our cool dude poster.

It didnt stop there, the cast and crew were asked to perform in front of the PTA and the entire student body. After all the hard work and the amazing performances, we set a date to have FUN! Each student received a special T-Shirt from our winnings (approved by our ever supportive principal) and ate some not so healthy but incredibly delicious chicken at the beach.

The Pacific Islands Club with Mr. Mendoza, the artist! oh, and Shieky the huggable mascot

Thank You Rotary Club of Saipan for making this happen!

Check out the performance on YouTube: Parade of Books or SaipanKat

I Love You Papa

2009-04-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

It happened all too quickly. From the frenzied phone call to the numerous "my condolences, he was a good man."

Papa lived his life. A life filled with faith and love. During his last hours, familiar faces came and went even after the hospital recording announced that visiting hours were over. Within that short span of time, the room was filled with songs, prayers, kind words, and silent sobs. A little after the family finally had a chance to be alone with him, I was torn between staying over for the night and going home to feed my crazy dog (what a stupid thought). I watched mama leaning on his bed, stroking his face over and over, whispering things like "Ayaw na kabalaka To,' the kids are big now and they promised to take care of me." My heart ached, and still does, thinking about how Mama must've felt saying those words. I probably drifted to sleep with those thoughts. Around midnight, I woke up with a cramped leg and saw that mom has moved onto the bed, next to Papa. She said to Kuya Randy "his face is changing." She then turned to me and asked me to time his breathing. I learned earlier that night that he needed between 15 to 20 breaths per minute but was slowly reducing by the hour. I set my watch and waited for the inhale, ready to count the next one. I waited and glanced at the timer. Thirty seconds, forty five... when the minute passed I began to panic not seeing any signs of breathing. I didn't know enough information about the counts so I had no intentions of telling mom that two minutes is about to hit. Within the next second, mom started shaking him, crying out his name. I rushed over to the bed and from there everything was a haze. I remember sitting on the cold floor waiting for the nurses to clean the room, I remember feeling tired yet fighting the exhaustion.

Within two days, Ate Ta, Ate Kristie, and Kuya Bong, arrived from Vegas and Washington. This kept mom strong. We all had to say or sing something during the funeral. It was incredible how each of my siblings shared aphorisms that Pa had instilled in them, in us. I found it funny when Kuya Bong mentioned how Papa used to wait up for him during his teenage midnight escapes. Pa would just wait for him to come in or listen for his car pull up then without saying a word walked to his room. I clearly remembered my first rebellious act. A friend invited me to her sisters 18th birthday. We had just left Hafa adai Hotel when a group of people I met that night decided to go Karaoke. I didn't think it was a big deal since I had a good hour before midnight. My singing was interrupted by "You have to call your parents! they're looking for you, they called my mom and my mom had to call Jeff to find out where we are!" I couldn't believe it! I decided to ignore the urgent remark until my conscience got the better of me. I called the person least likely to get upset, my brother's friend Rodel, who lived with us at that moment. He picked me up with my parent's car and said "They woke everyone up at the house. They almost called the cops, your Pa said he's going to sue the bar that let you in when you're not of age!" My heart pounded hysterically, I imagined different scenarios, different alibis. When I got home it was quiet but the light from the living room felt like lightning about to strike in my direction. I slowly walked in and saw just Papa heading towards his bedroom. Before he completely left from sight, he said "did you eat?" and closed the door after he heard my shaken "Yes."

His funeral couldn't have been more beautiful. The Mt. Carmel Theater Group orchestrated "What a Wonderful World." The cathedral was packed with family, friends, and people I have never seen before. It was incredible to hear "I was his student 30 years ago" or "I worked with him for 17 years before he moved to PSS." His good friend Jess Sonoda gave a remarkable eulogy. I never fully understood why he and Ma did certain things like invite random strangers from the airport to have dinner or had non-relatives spend holidays with us. We've gotten quite used to it but there were definitely moments when we wished that it was just going to be a small yet intimate Christmas Eve. Hearing his life from a friend, listening to the priest talk about how he was welcomed into our home even before he was a seminarian, helped me realize that it's simply who he is. He accepted me and Lovelle like his own, why not others?

During the interment, Brad whispered "you better cry like your mom when I pass." I knew then that our fathers' love has inspired our future.

Beach Clean Up

2009-03-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

Picking up trash along the way, my 2nd graders, accompanied by parent volunteers, hiked to LauLau beach on a beautiful Wednesday morning. Our fieldtrip was tied to the study on coral reefs and the ongoing effort to beautify our island. Here are some journal entries that our students wrote beforehand.

We need to clean our beach so the animals in the ocean can be safe. We can also eat some of them but not every animal. That’s why we need to make the sea creatures healthy by keeping our ocean clean. Our class will also clean Lau Lau so the sand can be white again.
-Neilihner

We should clean Lau Lau or any other beach because the fish would die and get sick from pollution. The sea turtles might eat trash, too. People could also cut their feet from the glass. That’s it folks!
-Gary

There are five reasons why we need to protect our ocean.
1. If people will continue to throw trash in the ocean, the fish will die and we will have no food.
2. The corals will die and the big wave will just swap our island when it comes.
3. When the water is dirty the corals can’t breath and no one will like to go diving anymore.
4. When you drive on the beach the turtles nest will be destroyed.
5. When you drive on the beach you will kill the vegetation and the other animals that eat the plant.
-Lisa

We’re doing a beach cleanup to keep our corals and sea creatures from dying. We are going to help the animals and the environment that they live in.
-Jehpnyll

When the trash goes in the water it makes water pollution. That makes the coral die. It also makes the fish die, when the fish die bigger fish won’t have food and people would also run out of big fish to eat. But San Vicente 2nd graders will clean up the beach so we can help save the ocean animals.
-Rayanna

Why is it bad to throw trash on the ground? Because when it rains it flows down and it usually ends up in the sea. People just don’t care that’s why we will hike to Lau Lau beach. Now the sea could be clean and the coral could be safe.
-Noah

Love Scavenger Hunt

2009-03-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

It was a typical Wednesday afternoon, little warm hugs of goodbyes, supervision, and then staff meeting. I stared blankly on the paper I was doodling when Betty handed me a familiar set of keys and said "check your text messages." Like most days, I overlooked to charge my battery so I waited to call Brad after our ‘How to care for your fish’ assembly.

On the first ring, Brad picked up and announced "you're not following the rules, you can't call me" and hung up. I stood there puzzled about the unusual phone call. Less than a minute later, he called back and said "I'm guessing you didn't charge your cell phone again?" I answered with a quiet "Yes". He replied, "well I guess I'll see you later."

"Okay, should I pick you up from work? Meet you somewhere for dinner?"

"Nope. You'll just have to figure it out" and hung up, again.

Still baffled by the conversation, I got in my car and found a paper on the dashboard. It had a spiffy K written on the folded note. Inside was a fancier type written message

Here's your invitation to a day full of mystery.
If you solve all my clues, it'll be one for all history.
I'm waiting for you at the end of the journey.
But your first steps will take you to a place with a gurney.
Your next clue awaits plain as you can see
Just look on the road sign in front of CHC

A silly grin was slowly forming my lips at the same time thinking, this should be effortless.

As I reached the hospital sign closest to the main road, I saw a similar paper to the one I had on the passenger seat. Although, this was secured in a Ziploc bag attached to the familiar signpost. I ripped out the plastic eagerly and read the next one.

You've made it this far
I'm so proud of you.
Now let’s see how you manage with Clue Number Two.
The answer to this one is not very far
In fact you can solve it from inside your car.
This one may sound seedy
And just a bit shady,
But you'll need the assistance of some Barenaked Ladies.
(I played my CD without delay)
Press play on the disc,
Pick song number one, then continue your journey
For the next round of fun.
The next clue is three, and after is four,
But to find them you'll have to check
The sliding glass door.

I drove down North as the song played "Broke into the old apartment this is where we used to live...” I thought of possibilities on where this hunt would end. I was certain this would lead me to Marianas Resort and Spa. My fantasy carried me further to a relaxing afternoon in a hot Jacuzzi, watching a bit of light pass through the clouded sunset. When I got to the old cozy pad there was the next clue, taped on the sliding door.

That was too easy, but it shouldn't be hard
Just solve all the riddles I write in each card
Think of the beach, your feet in the sand
And an ice cold beverage in the palm of your hand.
It's close to you than you might think
(PAU PAU? my thoughts interrupted)
Just head back from where you came, and claim your cool drink.
Drive to the place where I finished my "half" run
And sat down with a cool towel because I had too much fun.
Once you are there, get out of your car,
And walk 'round the corner to the beach side bar.
Be sure to tell the bartender your name
And soon after that you'll be happy you came.

Heedlessly, my feet carried me back to my Rav while reading the clue. I sped, once again, to where the riddle led. "Hyatt, of course" I told myself, the silly grin still stuck on my face.
As soon as I got to the beach, I took my heels off and started walking in the sand. The warmth was soothing on my bare feet. Surprisingly, the weather was beautiful after a morning of rain. I got to the bar and asked the bartender if he had a note for “Kathy”. He gave me a genuine smile and said "I do, and I also have a present for you." He handed me a corona, definitely a gift from Brad, as I sat admiring the view. After a quick conversation about my unexpected afternoon, I chugged the drink and read the next one

You're in Garapan now
And I'm not far away
But you'll have to work harder to end this foray.
Get back in your car and drive to the Paseo
And soon you will find
Your next piece of mail-o.
Walk up the stairs
To Saipan's home of Rasta,
(Is he trying to get me wasted? as I thought about another drink

waiting for me at Oceans Bar and Grill)

Grab the next clue
And then join me for pasta.
No, I’m not there
You'll still have to follow
Just grab the next clue
And fly like a (canary) swallow

I held my final clue, thinking about my options

As the zodiac goes
Tomorrow it expires
Come claim your Scorpio
And fulfill your desires.
If you need one more hint
To get your brain clickin’
I’m behind the tallest building
Where you get tasty chicken

Hafa adai Tower was the tallest building I knew, but where does the tasty chicken fit in?
Aquarius made more sense, given the zodiac and chicken hint. I stopped and talked to a police officer I knew and asked what he thought about it. He threw in Hard Rock and the possibility of a restaurant that served really good chicken at one of Hafa Adai’s restaurant. That made sense, so I drove to the hotel and walked around the area. I was feeling a little woozy, the anticipation and early alcohol didn’t blend well. After what seems to be forever, I decided to give Aquarius Beach Tower a shot.

There he was, my personal dose of natural high, attempting to make a large blue tarp look like a tent. I nearly tripped as I excitedly ran to his arms, but I composed myself just in time to make my clumsiness the topic of the night. He handed me an exquisite bouquet of lilies, another personal favorite. I smiled as I realized here is my taste of magic in my ordinary life.

The rest as they say is history.

Will you come visit us, please?

2009-01-22T21:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a student council member came to my classroom and asked if I could read this letter to my 2nd graders. I thought it was the most amazing project the kids put together this school year. It made me proud to be a Canary.

After I read it, I told my kids that it might just happen. My 7 year old student replied "If it doesn't, at least we gave it a shot."

Meatball Trouble

2009-01-19T04:55:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Marley and Me? Marley the sweet, affectionate puppy who grew into a mischievous hyperactive dog.

Meatball falls in that mold.
Maybe worse. Who knows, she's still growing.

Last July, Brad and I picked up the cutest well-mannered puppy at an unusual pet store. Let's just say we joke about saving her from being on the Menu. She was the sweetest thing on four legs. Now, not so much.

Among the many antics she gets herself into, chewing is her top priority. She chews anything that would fit in her mouth. Gum. A piece of Frisbee. Shin Guards. A large rawhide would last 3 days before it would vanish in thin air. If it weren't for the splinter on her lip, she wouldn't have stopped chewing on our furniture. She has also managed to chew on all my sandals before Christmas, giving Brad the perfect opportunity to buy me six new pair of shoes :D
The best part is when she chooses one out of a pair leaving the other unharmed.

hmmm... left or right?

One beautiful day my neighbor called me with a muffled laugh and said "um, Kathy, I think Meatball ran outside with your bra." Movie fans, sounds familiar?

Another time, she started her very own top soil business right in front of our door. Now, we don't keep any plants on our porch. Just last week, Brad came home to a clay covered Meatball. As he forewarned me about her appearance and the giant red paw prints on our stairway, he hadn't the slightest idea on where or how she ended up that way. Before the day was over, Brad had solved the mystery. Our poor neighbors came home to this...

Sorry Glen and Lindsay.

And while I am in the subject of deep remorse, I would also like to apologize to the Church of Latter Day Saints for interrupting your baptismal ceremony at Wing beach. *blush*

I was packing our things after a day at the beach, when Meatball decided to acquaint herself with one of the girls from the congregation. The little girl was trying to run away from her, while Meatball thinking "PlayTime!" The ceremoney came to a complete stop as they heard little shrieks of help from the girl. As I was running to resue her, Meatball thought I came to join in the fun. You could imagine how much chasing I had to do with a wet sandy dog.

I know Meatball's heart is huge and her love boundless despite her lack of social graces but I sure am looking forward to that day when she decides to be a fire place dog.

For the meantime any suggestions from all you dog lovers out there?

For my Teacher

2008-11-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

A folded up filler paper was left on my table this morning.

This poem painted a big smile on my face...

I have this teacher
she is very pretty
She lets us play games
like “centers” and “Jeopardy”
She brought Meatball once
her little loving dog
I remember that time
when she chased Brandon like a frog
She took us to the movies
and she is very kind
Another person like her would be to hard to find
She has a funny boyfriend
His name is Mr. Brad
This woman is Ms. Kathy
Best teacher I’ve ever had!

From Breyandel Santos

Thanksgiving Break

Happy (almost) TURKEY Day

2008-11-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

I could just picture Gypsy (Glen and Lindsay's dog) and Meatball having this conversation. I just can't decide who the instigator would be.

YES WE CAN!

2008-11-04T23:38:00.000-08:00

AMAZING!
As unpolitical as I choose to be, watching Obama give his victory speech was overwhelming. Having Brad and Angelo cry at the same moment was just as priceless.

What Fairy Tale?

2008-11-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

Fairy tales are myths. Happily Ever After’s are as uncertain as the vote Sarah Palin will receive from her mother in law. That is just the painful reality of love.
I’ve been living with my boyfriend for quite a while now. It was a decision that hurt a lot of people in our lives (but that’s a whole different story). There are days of exhilarating happiness, of natural high, and moments when confusion is strapping, it binds you in pain.
A few days ago, Brad was talking to a mutual friend on the phone. After we said our hi’s and hello’s she mentioned how different Brad and I are although we are both water signs (Scorpio and Cancer). Whether I believe in the interpretation of stars or not, the truth in her remark astounded me. This wasn’t the first time I’ve heard it but it was surprisingly the first time my thoughts swiveled … was her comment just based on astrology or was it because she knew us in various periods of our lives? It’s true both Brad and I enjoy the outdoors and revere the thrill of new adventures (among others) but there are a lot of things we say or do that raises an eyebrow and some that gets our blood churning.
He could make himself laugh when I could find the same comment completely insulting. We could be wrapped in a sweet snuggle at the same time he decides to pass gas. He is amazingly comfortable and great at entertaining big crowds while I have to seek for familiar faces in a small room. At times I wonder if our unlike personalities would clash and leave us in pieces.

When we have days where we struggle to adjust or accept differences, I often ask someone what ever happened to happily ever after. Once a wonderful friend, Vince, said “oh sweetie, it doesn’t exist.” It was like watching the beginning of Shrek when it starts off with the traditional opening 'Once upon a time...' and is then cut off when Shrek says 'What a load of...' (for the record, I thought that was hilarious).
Albeit that painful reality, my heart continues to skip when I hear his car pull in the parking lot or when I get a random call that begins with “I just had to tell you first.” I still love the comfort of having him in the next room or falling asleep on the sofa watching a movie (especially without the flatulence) and of course the lilies that make an ordinary day special.
I don't envy those who live in blissful ignorance, waiting for their fairytale to happen, not anymore. I’ve already accepted that my life won’t be filled with dragons, witches, damsels in distress, or a pineapple under the sea, that’s what Disney World is for. Although I will continue to believe that once in a while in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a taste of magic.

Happy UN Day!

2008-10-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

We will be judged in the future on the actions we take today -- on results. On this United Nations Day, let us rededicate ourselves to achieving them."
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General

One of the wonderful things about celebrating United Nations Day is that it isn’t solely an American holiday but a day to celebrate unity with countries that form the UN. With all the negativity and chaos in our daily lives, it is a relief to know that other people continue to make an effort to uphold social progress, human rights and world peace.

Last year, my 2nd grade class represented India. With the help of Rahul’s parents we were able to dress the kids in Sari and Dhoti. Today, we were the Boricua’s and Borrinqueño’s of Puerto Rico! Ms. Nora and I had a blast painting the flag on our kids faces.

HOLA! from PuertoRico

Ms. Aguon with her beautiful dress and GiNOROMOUS hat representing the CNMI

This kids class made up commandments to represent Egypt...

(zoom in to the first commandment, you'll get a kick out of it)

Classroom Conversations

2008-10-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

Anakin: Fish belongs to meat and beans category
Armstrong: No it doesn’t
Anakin: Of course it does…
Armstrong: It doesn’t because when we go to church and we can’t eat meat, we eat fish. So it doesn’t belong there, right Ms. Kathy?

In this case Anakin is right, but I’m not saying you’re wrong. When it comes to religion or culture a lot of things differ.

Anakin: Well that explains it, I’m American.
Well so is he.
Armstrong with a bewildered look: Im not American, Im Chamorro.

Cinquain

2008-10-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

A Shot Glass
See Through
Confusing Thoughts
Painful
A Tear

Dog Eating Moth

2008-10-05T23:57:00.000-07:00

Meatball has grown twice her size in the past three months. She learned how to sit, lie down, crawl, and give her paw when you command her to do so… alright so there’s gotta be a treat on the other hand (it's a work in progress).

Although, she'll jump in the water without a command or a goodie. We might have her take diving classes soon :)

Brad also managed to teach her how to chase her tail and eat live animals such as baby geckos and moths. She can now survive in the wild!

Three Liner Pix

2008-09-18T00:30:00.001-07:00

UNDER THE SEA...

(Brad Derksen Photos)

WHERE IS MEATBALL?

HUGS AND KISSES

READING WITH CAUTION

HOPPIN' WHITE PARTY!

THAT'S A PLANE?!

The Beautiful Blue

2008-09-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

As I stand on the shore, the ocean calls me into submission.
As I feel the warmth of the tropical water, my heart beats a little bit faster.
As I submerge into the beautiful blue, I gaze at this world…

vast, magnificent, both eerie and astonishing.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Brad and I went on our second couple dive at Lau Lau. We followed the familiar pipe that led us out into the open. As my senses were heightened to the cracks and pops of the crustaceans, Brad pointed at a Green Sea Turtle. While its rear flippers were steering itself and its front were gliding through the water like a bird using its wings, we found ourselves swimming alongside it. It was INCREDIBLE! The next morning, we drove and dove at the same sight before we headed to work…

The weekend before that, we went out with veteran divers, Harry, Kelli and Mike. Harry suggested we take a look at Wing Beach and Grotto. Brad looked at me and knew I was doing a silent dance of joy. In my excitement, I plunged in the waters of Wing Beach with the snorkel still in my mouth... drinking enough salty water to keep me hydrated for a marathon. The crevasses at this place were unimaginable.

When we immersed in Grotto waters and went through caves, I looked up and realized I could hardly see the surface. There was no shore waiting for me, just open water. I started feeling tense and woozy, it didn’t help that my mask was fogging up. But in spite of that, there was a greater sense of satisfaction than fear…

(pictures taken by Kelli Blalock)

Fan belt and beyond

2008-09-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

So my fan belt broke. Now I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere waiting for rescue. Okay, so it’s not the middle of nowhere. I’ve managed to name at least three landmarks such as the stoplight by NMC, Western Union and the old garment factory. If you live out here, you could locate me in a jiffy.
While Boy, the mechanic, and his partner are mending my ant infested Rav, I am typing away, thanks to the power of my smart phone and EVDO, as well as enjoying a power bar called TWIX.
We literally had three months of summer during which I’ve managed to check most blogs in a week and have discovered new ones that are just as fascinating. Now, nada. Despite bloggable moments, there was no way I could manage to sneak in a few minutes to type out a couple of lines. I guess breaking down isn’t so bad, especially when you’re not in the middle of a freeway.

So here are some updates.

Papa. Seeing him in his current situation is heart breaking. He usually has a million things to say when I drop him to dialysis on Mondays and Fridays. But now, the most I get from him is an unsure “NO!” (I asked if he wanted to listen to some music). I just found out that he’s back in the hospital, under observation.

My new set of 2nd graders. This year I have 7 staff kids and more from parent requests. My coworker said that this is probably the highest form of compliment I could get from the other teachers. It is pretty flattering but I also feel pressured about the unspoken expectations. Also, I could never get used to not missing my old class.

Meatball. She is a giant terror! She responds to Brad’s “HEY!” while she barks back at my “NO!”
When I ignore her, she puts on this pouty face and hides behind the couch. How can I not fall for that?

Alright, they are done with my ride. More updates later…

Diving… I gotta write about diving. It’s been a definite thrill.

Bubble Paradise

2008-08-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

I looked up and saw the stream of bubbles coming out of my regulator. I couldn’t believe I was down there. I couldn’t believe I was 38 ft. underwater. A wave of nervousness came over me, but I suddenly realized that everything as incredible as this holds a piece of peril. It was now up to me to either face my silent fear or bask in this beauty. I’m glad I chose the latter because I gazed and marveled at this new world.

(pix: I can set up my gear!)

Thanks to the other Brad, My Brad and I were fortunate to have met a marvelous PADI dive instructor, Mike. He and dive masters, Harry Blalock and Brad Derksen (aka: the other Brad) led us to scenic Lau Lau where we did our first two open water dives. During our first decent, I had trouble equalizing, causing a squeeze in my ears. It took me a good three minutes before I got to 20 ft. where they were patiently waiting. Truthfully, one of the three frequent divers made sure that I was taking my time to get use to the pressure and led me to slightly ascend if I had too. It made such a difference. As we swam towards the coral, it made me think of all the walk-through aquariums I’ve visited and submarine rides I’ve taken my classes to. I knew then diving was exponentially beyond compare. When we reached the reef, we saw a Hawksbill Turtle feeding from the corals. How lucky was I?! My first dive and a turtle was in plain sight! The reef was nothing like I imagined. An array of creatures brilliantly illuminated the water. From a school of diverse fish and a scorpion stonefish creeping in the sand to the marvelous tube worm and Christmas tree coral, everything was incredible. We swam for 38 minutes before we did our initial ascend.

During our second dive, we demonstrated skills that we learned the day before. We had to be able to take off our weights in the surface in case of an emergency, perform a snorkel/ regulator exchange, tow a tired diver, and remove cramps. Then we submerged back into the beautiful blue, this time equalizing wasn't a setback. We executed how to get rid of a flooded mask, what to do when someone or you signal that you're out of air, manually inflate our BCD (buoyancy control device), and breath bubbles when sharing air with another diver. Then we went back to exploring the reef. This time we saw a Green Sea Turtle, again, amazing!

Diving will undeniably be part of our adventure. Well, that is if we start reading our books and pass the certification test.

Meet MEATBALL!

2008-08-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

Sisters Day Out

2008-08-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves

and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double.

-- Toni Morrison

A relaxing day at Mandi Asian Spa

We battled, we patched up. We die laughing at secret jokes when no one else was amused. We threw some of the harshest words at each other but guarded ones back when others meant harm.
Through some of the toughest times, we were stifled and muted by each others presence. Yet through it all, the cold eventually thaws and melts away and we're right back to where we've left it, that is, like nothing has ever been missing...

'Tis a Mad, Selfish, Hungry World

2008-08-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

The dogs are happy biting bones, Though meat, they never meet;
He’s back to work upon the pile And sorts the rocks from leaves;
There’s silence excepting the noise of scrambling for food found;
The garbage-dump’s a blessed spot, Where man and beast share food!
-John Celes

My selfish version of hunger:

A famished, lone-clad lady stands amidst a pot of soup
All searching through her mothers kitchen room for some left-over food;
The aroma of freshly baked empanada
Oh the thought of fruits, yogurt and granola;
Each time taking swigs from a bottle,
filled with cayenne, lemon and maple;
No hunger-pangs from master cleanse
yet thy lip yearns as she willfully contends.

Personal Legend

2008-07-31T01:26:00.000-07:00

"The Soul of the World is nourished by people's happiness.

And also by unhappiness, envy and jealousy.

To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation.

All things are one. And, when you want something,

all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

- The Alchemist

The Alchemist made me think about my personal legend. Did I learn early in my life my reason for being and gave up on it so soon? Or am I already living the path that would take me there?
My favorite part of the book was when the boy looked up to the sky and said “You old sorcerer, you knew the whole story. The monk laughed when he saw me come back in tatters. Couldn’t you have saved me from that?” The voice on the wind said “No, you wouldn’t have seen the pyramids. They’re beautiful aren’t they?”
The book tells how we seek our dreams and treasures elsewhere and then find it at our doorstep. But it also spoke of love and how love leads us to strive to become better than we are.
On our way back from American Samoa, Reo (a colleague) and I were walking around Pago Pago airport to kill 4 hours of waiting time and to find gum. We ended up in this little café that sold native war clubs, artifacts, and a few selections of books. As we were scanning through the pages, a man sitting on a wooden stool jumped in our conversation. He recommended this tiny book on the shelf. Before we knew it, he was telling us about his journey through Tahiti, Bora Bora and the other exquisite islands of French Polynesia. Evan, who is a retired pilot, was on a sailing trip. During his voyage he obtained a near death concussion that made him pray for death daily. The one thing that kept him from giving in was his quest for love.

You see, this Irish guy met an amazing surfer who is currently sailing her 40 foot sailboat to surf spots around the world. In order for him to be with her, he has to catch up on his own boat. In fact, he was on his way home that day and had made plans to sail off from Florida. This quest for love would take him almost a year. As he was telling us his story, we were immersed in his passionate pursuit. He talked about how a girl like Liz could possibly chose to love him. I don’t know what kind of guy Evan was before or what he will be in the future, but in those few moments I knew he has found his treasure, his personal legend. And hopefully like the boy in the Alchemist, the universe would conspire to help him achieve it.

I googled up Liz's sailboat and found this...

"The voyage of Swell is a return to the essence of surf exploration. It is the pure enjoyment of elemental pleasures and absolute indulgence in the enlightenment of travel. It is a journey to promote respect for our natural environment, especially the ocean, to appreciate cultural differences, to challenge myself, and to inspire others to face their fears and live out their dreams." - Liz Clark

I know I’m not destined to do great things that would awe or influence the world like discover how to turn lead into gold or transform man into wind. But I hope that the little things that I do, the things that I’m passionate about, would turn into something great, someday.

Diving Anyone?

2008-07-24T17:51:00.001-07:00

I don’t know what it is but when I don’t see anyone within three yards I panic underwater.

At times, those lovely seaweeds that lend beauty to the underwater landscape scare the beejezus out of me. When I swim over it, I imagine creatures dragging me underneath the deep dark end, even though I know that those large marine algae grow exclusively in the shallow waters. Once, we were snorkeling at Forbidden Island and I had to muster all my strength to swim through a small cavern.

So here I am on a beautiful Friday morning searching online for a dive instructor. That’s right folks I am determined to overcome my inhibitions, my ingrained fear of the deep beautiful blue.

Now, will anyone help me out of my dive-despair?

Why Teachers Rock!

2008-07-16T01:17:00.000-07:00

Mr. Evangelista (aka: Double E) handed me my birthday cupcake first thing in the morning...

Mr. J Hofschneider gave me this beautiful Samoan Lei and bought me ICE CREAM! These wonderful educators sang "Happy Birthday" on the windy streets of Samoa.

Witnessing the traditional Samoan dance was a GREAT Bonus!There are a lot of uncertain things in life, but I know that teachers will always find a way to make you feel loved, no matter where you are.

Fa'asamoa, The Samoan Way

2008-07-14T04:34:00.000-07:00

With culture and tradition still preserved and practiced in their way of living, American Samoa has been a magnificent venture. A mural painted on the sidewalk

This rosewood tree is being carved for the upcoming Pacific Arts Festival held once every four years. More than twenty Pacific Island countries and territories will be present during this long awaited event, including the CNMI!
The bottom part of the trunk depicts a young man fishing, above it is a beautiful Samoana princess, weaving... the wood continues to tell a story about service. They believe that a great leader starts from serving your family, your community, and your country well.
Julian, Samoan carver (sorry couldn't remember his name), ME, Connie and Adel

Along with other amazing carvers, this Samoan man has been working for weeks to create beautiful signs to welcome each entity. He said the youngest carver is only in elementary. Men, women, children everywhere has been assigned a special task for the success of this event. The festival is meant to maintain the genuineness of Pacific cultures and is an amazing opportunity to share their tradition, beliefs, myths, legends, dances and songs.

Twenty Five Years Later

2008-07-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

For three days now I have been in the heart of the South Pacific, American Samoa, with the CNMI delegation for the Prel Conference. The journey has been absolutely exciting, even the part where we were held at the airport for not having a visitors pass. Due to the dial up speed on the only existing computer in our hotel, my attempts to write about our Samoa adventures have been unsuccessful. Today was a bit different, it's a special day for me back home and I couldn't help feeling a hint of sadness about not being there. Luckily, Julian invited me for a walk with the intention of finding the closest catholic church. When we walked in, I felt a bit uneasy... no, not because I was about to melt... just one of those "you don't know what to expect" uneasy. The front pews were filled with these young Samoans clothed in white. The keyboard was in perfect melody while four beautiful girls sang in prayer. It was an overwhelming experience. As I fell in solitude, I thanked the Big Guy for twenty five incredible years.

I love you ECO CAMP!

2008-06-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

When good friends are leaving, daily power outages are beyond control and monthly gas inflations are drilling a hole in your pocket, it really helps to find the positive in our lives. This summer, I was fortunate enough to join Marianas Trekking’s Eco Camp as a counselor. Everyday, I find something I am grateful for...

The $5 Brunch Buffet: Complete with salad, soup, any choice of meat and an array of scrumptious desserts, especially the famous fondue (aka: the chocolate fountain)

The Water: A child will do anything for you if your bargaining phrase is "do you want to go swimming?"

A crazy game: No seats for musical chairs? No problem. We've got counselors and older campers to sit on.

New Friends. You can't beat that!

The Gratitude Game

2008-06-12T14:55:00.000-07:00

I finally found the time to read Dr. David Khorram's book, World Peace, A Blind Wife, and Gecko Tails, last weekend. It has been proven by a study conducted over a number of years that "you just have to start thinking grateful thoughts to feel happier."

In just one day I found at least 5 things that I am grateful for...

The goofy war paint on our faces during last Saturday's Championship match.

These beautiful little people with their big slobbery dogs (Max-C , LuLu and Honey).

My pouty sister Lovelle
Winning the championship game! But most importantly the camaraderie of our team.

(What is Meaghan looking at!?)

My number 1 fan!

The HighLights of SY 07-08

2008-06-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

ME NO WANT! My little Korean girl came to class with just a Hi and Goodbye in her English Vocabulary. She is naturally hard working and patient but she came in one day with such a heavy heart. I asked her a hundred different ways if there was anything I could do to help. Using our only means of communication, the dictionary and hand gestures, We were both struggling to comprehend what the other was trying to say. Finally, she took the book and threw it towards the trash bin and put her head down. I came home, helpless, feeling like the worst teacher in the world. Today, she could tell you what happened in the movie she watched in both English and Korean. She has also been our interpreter every time her mom dropped by for a visit.

BROKE POCKETS, BIG HEARTS. For teacher’s appreciation week, I did not receive a basketful of candles or store bought chocolate cake. I received home made cookies, freshly picked flowers and specially made for my teacher cards.

CAKE FACE. On his birthday, Brad came to class with cake for everyone to share. When he called for seconds, my naturally sugared students all yelled “ME me ME!” He engaged them in a Rock Paper Scissor tournament and finally declared a champ. But then, Brad said “you can’t use your hands.” Without thinking twice she stuffed her face on the tray and ate some. Every single kid followed. It was priceless. To top it off, I didn’t even get a call from a parent the next day.

HEALTHY COMPETITION. Diana aka: Ms. Felix and I had always competed for the fun of it, okay maybe for GLORY as well. We didn’t intentionally drag our kids along but somehow it happened. Whether it was the number of books read, the highest reading level or the kickball challenge, our kids were going for the WIN. It got ridiculously out of hand that our students assigned spy’s and gave us, the teachers, a daily report. It was too late to stop until a kid got suspended for cheating (he took a quiz for his classmate who couldn’t pass the test). His reason: I just wanted to beat their class!

CONFLICT-RESOLUTION. The same boy kicked at least 3 balls to the building roof. They didn’t have any other ball to play with for days so he asked me if he could use what he learned in our class meetings: Problem-Solving. I was so stoked to hear that, and I assumed he would either borrow a ball from a different class or ask the maintenance men for help. He came back a couple minutes later with two balls in his hand while kicking the other. I asked “Good Work, did Mr. S help you out?” He replied calmly “No, I climbed from the back of the building and took all the balls down.” I stood frozen for a couple of seconds and yelled “WHAT?!” He looked at me and said, “You told us to try to fix our problems without asking an adult.”

And just like that... another school year ends.

I know I am going to miss those little monsters who drove me insane some days but gave me a reason to smile in most.

T.T.T.Thrriiileeerr...

2008-05-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! After three years of knocking our heads together to find a perfect book to portray, we won the Rotary’s Parade of Books! Fake Fat Frugal Felix came up with the idea of dancing thriller. For some reason she started listening to MJ again, maybe because she bought the CD for 50 cents in Bali (if you know Di, anything below a dollar is worth buying or when it's free it's worth keeping).

So we brainstormed a couple of scary books and decided on “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. Between Flipflop, Frugal and I, the Fish-lover, we have never read the book. So as responsible teachers, we “googled” up the summary and figured we could create our masterpiece from there. To our surprise, Frankenstein was not the monster! He was actually a scientist who wanted to solve the “riddle of life.” He wanted to create a man that would be a symbol of the power of science, a science that would determine life and death. But when his creation came to life it was extremely hideous he ran away from it, leaving his monster forlorn and unwanted. The story continues on with revenge and death… pretty scary actually… so we just told our students the “kid’s version” and the lesson to be learned (which is: don’t run away from a monster). We did encourage them to someday read the book when nightmares are not an issue.
Anyway, after weeks and weeks of rehearsals, the 2nd and 4th graders were able to pull off the dance without bumping into each other or obtaining forehead cuts.
A big shout out goes to our chunky monkeys, “princess lea, smart alek” and “tiny curly!” Your head bops and zombie portrayal gives us a reason to smile everyday. We are proud to be your teachers!
To Mr. Ar-tis who drew gravestones and ships on cardboard as realistically as possible, our hearts go out to you.

To Mr. R who recorded, narrated and made us laugh till our stomachs ached, you know you are our hero!

To my co-best directors, it wouldn’t have been as amazing if we didn’t gather our creative minds *tear*. Side note: we need to start planning our director and friends’ party since the cast is too young to drink magic juice.
In the end, it was all worth it! It was an incredible feeling to see the outcome after weeks of shimmies and dealing with irate parents. Whether we won or not, we made the crowd roar!

The Good, The Bad and The Uuugly!

2008-05-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

The Good: Kids looove sitting under a tree or laying on the grass
The Bad: School wide AC shutdown for 2 hours daily, not including power outages
The Ugly: The stinky “fa-fa” smells once we head back to class

The Good: 75 crunches every morning to warm up my body
The Bad: Early morning cold showers
The Ugly: The water heater and air-conditioning are off limits this month, and it’s only the 8th day!

The Good: New faces for the Women’s Football Rec League
The Bad: A good friend is leaving next month (What will you do without Diana, Kathy?)
The Uuugly: JUDGE GOVENDO (I know it's mean to talk about other people, unless you have something good to say... but I had too, at least I didn't draw on his face.)

Happy Teacher's Day

2008-05-04T19:01:00.001-07:00

I like Ms. Kathy because she is teaching us so we can be good people and smart people when we grow up. All the things that Ms. Kathy is teaching us are so-so-so wonderful. Ms. Kathy loves us because she wants us to learn a lot. We like to do art and we learned about Pablo Picasso and about Paul Klee. Every Thursday we play Jeporty so we can study and have fun. On Fridays, we do do centers like Computer, Game, Art, Science and Math. We also learn different songs and Ms. Kathy plays the ukulele. My favorite ones are Sea Bird, Here's a little song, and Baa Baa Bamba. That's why Second Grade is a great place to be in. I wish I can stay here.

- The Greatest Place to be

by Isa Rabago 2nd Grade(unedited)

My student teaching mentor, Ms. Elaina Weimer, said that if she becomes worn-out, she would simply quit this profession. "A person risks a lot when one stays in this line of work if she or he can’t sacrifice the time, the energy and put in the heart a classroom has to have." Thank You Ms. Weimer for making me realize how much my daily mood makes the weather.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Find time to thank or remember "the teacher" who made a difference in your life.

Cunctation, Somnolent and other 50 Cent Words

2008-05-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

A recent conversation led me to look up an old blog. We didn’t even call it “blog” back then, more like journal or diary. I had to look through the archives since I’ve long abandoned this site.

As I read through the opening entries I wasn’t too sure if this was the right journal. It had words like “cunctation and somnolent” I would’ve never thought to use those 50 cent words unless Microsoft thesaurus recognized them, and it doesn’t.

Then, when this came up I knew it was me ...

“I Drove off with John, Paul, George
and Ringo this
morning. I was trying to beat 7:10, its
Tuesday, supervision again. At the
same time I was hoping that NX
wouldn't have the audacity to screw up this time… been' cranky lately”

I loved listening to the Beatles on my way to work (still do) and I referred to my first car (Nissan NX) as a being. He even had a name…

As I read on, I laughed about my grievances and objections that came with adolescence. Although I seldom swore, I was quite a potty writer and said weird things like “obey the cow god and goodnight moon.”

I’ve forgotten that I also had “in the depths of despair” phase and found some entries quite alarming…

I need to stultify and dampen certain senses.
I'll probably fall into a stupor, have
convulsions, and even slip into a coma.
But it’ll leave me less aware and
alert... and that's just perfect.
......
If I had a Gun, Id shoot
whoever said writing down
the Pros and Cons of a situation would
work.
.......
I lost sight. No ones there.
The idea of Anguish.
From anguish to outrage.
Rue. I hate you… but despise myself more.
.....
From a distance
her smile signifies content
From a
different angle
she hides behind that fair facade

Then of course entries about love lost and love found made me smile

I just drove. I kept reminding myself
about the promise I made.
But there was this deep-hollow feeling
that just tore me apart.
I tried to keep an optimistic
expression…
but I could just feel my tears
gradually flow..
So, I tried to keep my eyes and mind on
the road…
yet I could solely feel your gaze.
I wanted to hold you so bad and tell
you not to...
.....

The boy- just like some,
he'll have to go.
And just like the others, the reasons were
clearly set.
But unlike the others, a light of hope has
been lit...
I don't know if I should blow it or let it
flicker until it flickers no more.
Yet the memory remains of "Velma and Darthvelma"
and the little sand prince whom she loved
…

But I knew I wasn’t such an unhappy and desperate kid because of entries like this…

If there was an altoids dance,
I’d dance it.
If there was an altoids song, I'd sing it.
Absinthe!!! We have altoids and a
constant supply of King Car.
We have Soy Sauce too and some
Breakfast Pockets
that would last the whole day
through.
.....

I considered the stick as a
priceless possession
even if it implied, "runner 107 was here
30 minutes ago.”
And for the rest of the day, I ate enough
turkey and pie to last me 'till Christmas.
.....

The thought of me cooking just puts a
silly grin on everyone’s face.
I, on the other hand, am very proud of this
achievement
despite the unbearable taste of my
provisions.

Reading through my entries was like a blast from the past but it also made me realize how much of my life changed and remained the same.

Some things like my addiction to altoids, daily breakfast pockets and calling kids aliens, has changed. But certain things like the Beatles, my passion for teaching, and using my favorite tool, the thesaurus, to make my adventures sound exciting and my confessions moving, remain the same.

Marianas Cup 2008

2008-04-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

The CNMI National Teams brought their A game this weekend. The women held strong, played their hearts out against Guam and ended with a victorious tie during last Saturday’s match. It was undoubtedly a success story after last years 7-0 defeat. The men, who played on Sunday, made that day a moment people would be talking about for a really long time. From headers that ended in head collisions to power kicks, it was by far the most exhilarating game I have ever seen. I was watching the entire match through my video camera and I bet the crowd’s roar was recorded way better than my attempt to film the game. It was not only a showcase of athleticism but also of dedication and team work. Although Guam made the winning goal during the last 30 seconds of overtime, we, the spectators, knew that our men gave it their all.
You guys and gals are truly an inspiration!
Go Team CNMI!

Battle Wounds

2008-04-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

It was five past five. We were trying to beat the sunset as I drove up to the radar station with my mountain bike crammed in the back. Brad, on his bike, held on to the Rav for a joyride. This was going to be a great downhill ride, I thought to myself. I got on my bike and glanced around the unfamiliar path. To my surprise, we were heading the opposite direction… no pavement, just some good ol’ dirt and loose gravel. I felt unsteady on alien ground and focused on things that I didn’t want to encounter. Eventually, I skidded and fell off. Aside from busting the front brakes, I didn't really hurt myself but I held on to my hunny for dear life as he gently helped me up.

I finally gathered up the courage to shake off the shock and got back on. Oddly enough, I felt more confident and went whizzing downhill. But before anyone could say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious I flew off, hit the ground hard, face and all! I knew I wasn’t superwoman because this time I was hurting all over… I couldn’t even tell where the pain was coming from. I had my face buried on my knees and was crying like a little girl. As I struggled to stand up, I examined the injuries I’m sure I obtained. My right calf was as swollen as a bruised peach, my thighs were bleeding mercy and a tiny piece of skin was hanging out of my thumb. My black clothes were filled with dust and dirt while my watch got all scratched up! It was one of those unfortunate moments where I couldn’t help but laugh in between tears.
We continued on our adventure with extreme caution and saw some amazing sights. Somehow because of the pain, i overcame a steep hill that I use to bike-walk. I’m glad I rode on.
Three days later, with a body filled with battle wounds and discoloration, I rode with the dream team (Vince, Rhonda, Tawny and other crazy bikers) up the dusty Far East Hill and down the paved road.
Riding is definitely a new thrill!

Goodbye Lola

2008-04-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

The last conversation I had with Lola (grandma in our dialect) went something like this “for shame, I have a boyfriend and you don’t!” this was spoken in Visayan which made it sound a lot funnier. Lola always made sure that she had her hair combed before picture taking and had a full on smile. At the age of 90 she still wore a bathing suit and joked about meeting guys.
Lola Cheding, as she was fondly called, passed away two weeks ago at the age of 92, she has 10 children (whom she named alphabetically from A-J) and has numerous grands and great grands. In the past months, our family back home said that she had been in bed and could hardly open her eyes. The Lola I remember would walk up a flight of stairs and had great eyesight. She could spot us from her house to the plaza and would yell if we were hanging out with the wrong crew, she was feisty too. When we visited her, she would unload her imported chocolates and goodies so we could enjoy a special treat (most of the time they were expired, but who cares, it made us feel loved). Whenever she stayed with us in the city (Philippines) or visited Saipan, she always worried about her grandchildren in the province and made mom find out if they were doing okay without her. I especially loved her stories about the Japanese era and how she was a guy magnet.

It’s hard being far away from home in times like these but I know she lived a full life and was where she wanted to be…surrounded and remembered by people she loved and people who loved her.

We will miss you dearly Lola.

Crazy Hat Day!

2008-04-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

The best thing about teaching is the unexpected highs,

especially when you're just about to give up and consider waitressing

Kickin' Back

2008-04-01T03:33:00.000-07:00

Kickin Back Players:(Top) Alleny, Lovelle, Connie, Gayle, Noi, Mel (Bottom) Rhonda, Toi, Fong, Natalie and Me!

I Love FOOTBALL! This season the women’s recreational league played 7 aside. I was a bit disappointed at first since I've always enjoyed the team spirit of a larger group (okay, and the subs) but now, I wouldn't mind playing seven on seven again. We used a much smaller field but it made us RUN! By half time we've soaked our shirts and guzzled our drinks.
Alleny and my sister Lovelle were our team captains, both had high spirits and the determination to win and have fun. The team also decided on getting shirts, on the back it says "Seven days without soccer makes one weak." It was dorky but we pulled it off (we're purty like that)... we even had a team cheer everytime someone scored a GOAL! (courtesy of Rhonda's attempts in bicycle kicks).
Another season has ended but Kickin' Back will always be remembered by our unmatched socks and self-cheering abilities (Go Rhonda GO!)

What a Beauty

2008-03-31T00:06:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day. The sky and the water spilled shades of blue, it would’ve been a sin to stay indoors. So I gathered up the courage to ride to Wing Beach. I packed a couple of sports drink, some good ol’ sushi, oranges, and a book. I had my favorite poncho liner stuffed in the bag as well. As I rode to the beach, I realized how much more independent I’ve become. Although I love going on adventures with others, I was never brave enough to do something alone. Fear of the unknown always held me back. When I got to the beach, I found a perfect shade and knew I was going to be okay. What a great way to end Spring Break. I’ve been reenergized, ready to tackle those little monsters with a big smile and a firm NO!

Another Random Thought

2008-03-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

Are you a stronger person when you've lifted a car or when you've gotten out of bed when everything seems to have fallen apart?
Are you a braver one when you've jumped off a plane or when you've walked on without someone holding you hand?
Are you wiser when you've made a decision that would benefit others or when you've chosen to follow your passion?
What makes a better person?

Jumping Flea Master

2008-03-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

In Hawaiian, ukulele roughly translates to "jumping flea." It got its name because the instrument is so tiny, the fingertips on your left hand "look like little jumping fleas on a fretboard as you're playing it.
-Jake Shimabukuro

Downbeat…Strum. Strum
Upbeat. Rhythm Strum.
I’ve played enough to produce a rhythm from my Uke, enough to where my students sing a country song about the sheep that goes “Baa baa bamba” but watching Jake Shimabukuro perform last night influenced a different passion for this wooden instrument. He was able to confirm that there is much to discover and develop in something so small. He not only performs for the audience but for himself. His eyes are closed and his body moves as he generates such genuine music. Using his fingers instead of a pick is just as mind blowing. The kids are crazy about him and he shows the same likeness. What’s more, he encourages them to keep playing and stay inspired.

If only he could sing *sigh*

I Need Training Wheels

2008-03-22T00:57:00.000-07:00

I am engulfed in fear. When did I stop yearning for thrill? Or was I never a risk taker? Was I always satisfied with what I had or the nature of how I’ve always done things?

I’ve been playing the guitar since high school. I learned how to sing and play at the same time but when I strum B minor, F sharp or the likes of it, I never made an extra effort to make it sound right. I just sang louder on that note or simply tried a new song.

My present goal is to complete a triathlon race. I inserted an Xterra/Tagaman postcard on my windshield as a reminder of what I wanted to achieve. I wrote “I’m doing it! 2009 here we come!” I started to read the Triathlon bible, trained with Coach Mike for the swim, did a couple of runs last week and found some girlfriends who were willing to ride with me. I was ready to fly like a BUMBLEBEE or at least I thought I did.

Today, I was ready to get my new used bike. We went down to Romy’s bike shop and found this beautiful light weight green Gary Fisher. They told me to try it out but when I got on, I knew I wasn’t gonna reach the seat. Apparently the seat had to be high enough to stretch your legs. I got off and tipped the bike while my foot somehow got stuck on the frame. That did it. There was no way I was getting on that bike. Brad gave me words of encouragement and somehow convinced me to try again, plus there was a boy watching from the side. So I did, and I rode it… and the 30 seconds i was moving felt AMAZIZING until I had to stop and tip over (which felt more like falling over) . Now there was definitely no way I was getting on a bike that soon. We asked the owner if we could test the bike for a couple of days but someone else was coming over to check it out. A good sales pitch, but I wasn’t ready to buy something I wasn’t sure of, so I left the shop with feelings of regret and a childish pout. Although, there was still a bit of hope, Leila was selling her mountain bike. There was no air on the tires (easy fix) but she told us to take it and bring it back if it wasn’t what we wanted. Great deal! The minute Brad tested the bike on the rode, I felt like I was ready to try it out, plus the seat was reachable. To my dismay, as soon as I took it to a safe place to ride, the tire went “psssss….” talk about luck.

So now it is with a heavy heart that I assume it will take me a lifetime to find the right bike and another lifetime before I learn how to ride it right. Maybe some training wheels would help?

Fun Fact: Bumblebees are not capable of flight. Fortunately, no one told the bumblebee.The silly insects go right on believing that flight is normal for them despite what the best minds in the scientific world know as fact.

- The Triathlete's Training Bible

BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER are bloggers

2008-03-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

I started a class blog to motivate my kids to write. So every morning instead of a sweet smile and a warm hug they say "can we blog?".

Xterra: a looong term goal

2008-03-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

I was one of the many Saipan Xterra spectators last Saturday. Competitors came in different age and sizes, driven by different reasons. I was enthralled by these triathletes. Their willingness to finish and accomplish this grueling mission was remarkable. I was actually jealous. So I made a decision to complete, not compete, next year’s race. Although this decision may change as quickly as I have made it.
Mountain Biking. I’m positive that this would be my first downfall. Getting on a bike from a slope absolutely freaks me out. The one time Brad took me out on Brenda's MTB he spent an hour, not consecutively, trying to convince me to get back on the bike instead of walking with the bike. Downhill was fantastic! But it didn’t take long for me to realize that I could hit a speed bump, a road kill or maybe even a branch and fly off to never never land.
Another hindrance would be self-motivation. I lack that. Individual sports require self-motivated athletes, telling myself I have to do this for myself doesn’t always work. This is why I love soccer, it’s a team sport. Knowing that I could be a ‘gain’ to others is inspiration enough. While you might have seen me jogging at beach road alone, it has been a weekly ordeal. I draw strength from knowing how much soba I ate.
Lastly, a major deterrent, aside from all this negativity, is running or biking through boonies. As much as I love nature and the relief I gain from being around it. I easily scare. Whether it is a twig snap or a dog bark… I almost always think of the worst.

So what do you think, should I start training for next year?

Congratulations to Brad, Bev, Lewie, Kimi and the other triathletes you are truly an inspiration.

But if I die from training or entering the race, I blame all of you.

A Fairy Tale

2008-02-11T18:15:00.000-08:00

This is the fairy tale that should have been read to us when we were little:

Once upon a time in a land far away, a beautiful, independent, self-assured princess happened upon a frog as she sat contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a verdant meadow near her castle. The frog hopped into the princess' lap and said: ' Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome prince, until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper, young prince that I am and then, my sweet, we can marry and set up housekeeping in your castle with my mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, and forever feel grateful and happy doing so. ' That night, as the princess dined sumptuously on lightly sauteed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled and thought to herself: I don't think so.

"Would've saved us a lot of heartaches" - Forgetten

Wolf's Honor!

2008-02-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

In the land of make believe anything can happen! My kids (for non teachers, my students) love magical-mystical happenings with uncanny characters and cruel villains. Growing up, I remember the mean step-mother in Cinderella, the three bears who scared Goldilocks away and the Big Bad Wolf who huffed and puffed and blew the piggy’s house down. But lately, authors have started a series of ‘the other side of the fairy tale’. One class favorite is the The real story of The Three Little Pigs.

According to the wolf he doesn’t know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started and explains “maybe it's because of our diet. Hey it’s not my fault wolves eat cute little animals like bunnies and sheep and pigs. That's just the way we are. If cheeseburgers were cute, folks would probably think you were big and bad, too.”

We also remember that he huffed and puffed to blow the pigs' houses down, it turns out that he simply had a bad cold and had a powerful sneeze. Who could blame him for eating the pigs that died when their houses fell as a result of his sneezing? “It seemed like a shame to leave a perfectly good ham dinner lying there in the straw. So I ate it up. Think of it as a big cheeseburger just lying there.”

He continues to explain that he was only visiting the pigs to borrow a cup of sugar to make a cake for his deal old granny's birthday. The pigs wouldn't even give him any sugar! When the third pig insulted his grandmother, he got a little crazy. The police found him trying to break down the pig's door, “The rest, as they say, is history. The news reporters found out about the two pigs I had for dinner. They figured a sick guy going to borrow a cup of sugar didn't sound very exciting. So they jazzed up the story with all that "huff and puff" and "blow your house down" stuff.”

After we read the story, I asked my kids whether or not they were convinced by the wolf's version of the story. One of my boys answered “Yes, because I like to eat pigs and cheeseburgers too.”

random thoughts

2008-02-05T15:08:00.000-08:00

I am wasting energy worrying over things I cannot control.
Is this a pathway to insanity?

High's and Low's

2008-01-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

Evermore in the world is this marvelous balance of beauty and disgust, magnificence and rats - Ralph Waldo Emerson

High: Clearing my desk over the weekend
Low: it only lasted for a day and a half

High: My little girl saying “Ms. Kathy, my mom said if you need a back rub I should give you one, I’m real good at it.”
Low:going to a “professional” masseuse who assumed “ow.ow.ow” meant “I’m lovin it! please continue." I should’ve taken my student’s offer.

High: My students finally reading along with a novel: Junnie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Low: constantly reminding them that it’s rude to call someone “Stupid”

High: Five puppies have a new home
Low: seeing "Momma" watch me take her puppies as she quietly sat by the stairway

High: Being able to run from Hard Rock to Ada Gym and back
Low: the reason why I’m able to run that far

We need a home...

2008-01-06T23:03:00.000-08:00

My neighbor's dog gave birth to seven puppies a couple months ago. She can't afford to take care of these cuties. If you or know of anyone who is interested in raising a dog, feel free to leave me a post or call me at 287-7551. They're FREE! They just need a happier home...

Rough Neighborhood

2008-01-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

Last night, on my way home from karaoke with Tracy, the streets were as dark as a raven's wing. Damn CUC! I was thinking of the worst, tataomonas, machete serial killer, the drunken rape gang (It was past midnight, of course my wheel wasn’t working right).

Then a car drove out from NMC and started tailgating me all the way to Dandan so I made a sharp turn to the vacant lot close to my apartment. The silence was deafening. I used my cell phone to light my path when all of a sudden someone jumped from the stairway followed by a scream and raucous laughter. I was ready to whip ‘em with my laptop when I realized it was the neighborhood kids. MONKEYS! I was furious! But I have to admit, last night, their crazy laughter was what made me feel secure.

P.S I Love You

2008-01-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

Ellen invited me to watch a sappy romantic comedy starring Hilary Swank and the hot warrior from 300. I haven’t raved this much about a chick flick since “The Notebook”. Holly (Swank) was inconsolable from love lost but turns out to find unique solace (I won’t give it away; I recommend you watch it unless you have a problem with goofy Irish hunks).
It wasn’t hard to empathize because the movie emanates an aura of hope, something that I constantly searched for in 2007. From heartbreaks to independence it was my by far the scariest most exciting year. So here’s my tribute to the events and people that gave me strength to live to see 2008 and beyond.

To my family in Saipan, I’ve shaken your trust from the decisions I’ve chosen and yet you’ve learned to forgive my shortcomings. Mom and Pa thank you for keeping us together. Our mistakes, though we are your children, does not make you less than wonderful parents. We love you always.

To my family in the Philippines and in the States, despite the distance, you have not failed to inspire and remind me that strength comes from overcoming difficulties in life. I miss you guys, till’ we meet again.

Hunny, although you throw lemon and sea cucumber with mundane (I didn’t say terrible) aim, you have given me a reason to look forward to a wonderful day, every day, even when it seems a bit too hazy. Baby pigs, I-mart, killer pumpkins, and the untouched nature of Saipan would’ve never been as lovely if it weren’t for you. I miss you…
To the F Crew, theme parties, birthday parties, just a weekend party and the Academy Awards wouldn’t have been as entertaining if we didn’t have Betty’s jello shots, Diana’s cheap vodka, Ellen’s creativeness and Rhonda’s full on mouth support (okay fine) dress codes. You know I heart ya’ll.

To my fellow comrades in the trenches, I still think it was a wrong move to nominate me “Teacher of the Year” but thank you for having faith in me and for next year’s TOY you need to find a way to enjoy strangers walking in and out of your classroom or you’ll go insane!

To Shelly D Slider aka Shelly Belly, please don’t die on me. The kids love you and I need you to be “living” proof that I didn’t kill Swimmy (may the fish rest in peace).

Fellow campers, soccer players, ISP, Kevin JLO and the random people I’ve met this year thank you for giving me a reason to laugh out loud.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2008 bring us love, laughter, and strength!

Favorite quote of the year: Real relationships (the kinds that last) have plenty of coral roads. I mean, that’s how you get to some of the best parts.

Why Santa shouldn't bring toys for big boys

2008-01-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day 9:00 am

Ever had popcorn for lunch?

12:00 pm

Conquering the galaxy could be a tiring job

3:00 pm

I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now *I* am the master.
9:00 pm

The first W!

2007-11-14T23:05:00.000-08:00

It was a mud-spattered Monday morning at the field but team PIC’s dedication finally paid off as we completed our game victoriously!
Our First BIG W of the season! WAY to kick it Paradise in Cleats!

Halloween Experience by Noah

2007-11-06T17:59:00.000-08:00

On Halloween Mr. Brad came and showed us how to carve a pumpkin. He talked funny and he was wearing a Japanese costume. We wanted the pumpkin face to be scary instead of happy. Mr. Brad also made us take the brains out, it was slimy. We named it killer head and said it again so we can remember it. We were very loud but Ms. Kathy wasn't mad. Then Mr. Brad left and there was an earthquake . We didn’t feel it cause killer head saved us. We went back to class and had a lot of candy.

Favorite quote of the day:
-Why are you wearing girls slippers Mr. Brad?

OPOTG!

2007-11-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

My name made it to the OPOTG (Offensive player of the game) list for soccer! Wohoo! I don't know how they pick, but I'm not even gonna' ask. I just love that someone thinks I'm getting somewhere with this sport. Finally!
Lovelle also made it :D And although she's been featured on the NMIFA blog countless times, I'm still really proud of her.
Rhonda was picked too! another Wohoo! It wasn't too long ago when she was struggling with the thong-like shin guards.
http://nmifa.blogspot.com/2007/10/women-of-game.html

1st THOUGHTS

2007-11-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

LIFE IS: a roller coaster ride, after the loops and the drops you just have to smile and thank God you’re still alive
LOVE IS: a word I Google-d up to find the right meaning but couldn't
GOD IS: my strength
THE PERFECT WEATHER IS: a long walk on the beach waiting for a beautiful sunset
THE BEST SPORT IS: soccer and “Citrus” whipping
I’D LIKE TO LIVE IN: Marianas Resort and Spa
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: is for the people I love to get along
A DREAM COME TRUE WOULD BE: unlimited supplies for teachers!
VANILLA ICE CREAM IS: better with freshly baked brownies and whipped cream
I PREFER: being in an argument where I know the facts rather than saying “I just know I’m right”
GUYS: have an attention span of a seven yr. old (this is why I teach 2nd grade)
GIRLS: are often right
I REGRET: not going to Fen way Park while in Boston. Cuz now that they’re the Champs I would’ve been able to say “I’ve seen them play!”
I MISS: my family’s affection
MONEY IS: always a good thing to have
BEAUTY IS: skin deep
PEACE IS: what the world always needed
I LIED: about the number of pet fish that died in my classroom
THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL: is selfishness
THE MOST INTERESTING THING IS: how time flies
WARS ARE STARTED OVER: pride
LIFE AFTER DEATH: is full of angels playing a beautiful melody
HOMOSEXUALITY IS: a bizarre state of being
ANGER GIVES ME: EVIL THOUGHTS
IF I COULD PERFORM MIRACLES I WOULD: be physically fit while watching T.V, with a tub of junk food, all day
I WAS MOST HAPPY: when my family laughed together
TEARS SIGNIFY: character building
A SMILE: creates fewer wrinkles than a frown
CHANGE CREATES: new experiences
MY FIRST LOVE: was the Nissan NX (I took care of that baby), until rust engulfed it :’(
MY MOTHER: is a family martyr
MY FATHER: was the scariest person during my teen years
MY WORST MEMORY: having to explain why our class fish died to 24 seven yr. old
MY BEST MEMORY: head banging with my brother while singing the Bohemian Rhapsody
PEOPLE INTERPRETS ME AS: one who attended church camp
I AM BEST AT: staring at the computer for hours before I could complete a sentence
I POSSESS: a futon, a CD player that won’t work, and less than a hundred DVD’s
NAKEDNESS IS: now a private obsession because of the the Spanish influence
HOPE IS: being a better person tomorrow than I am today
DREAMS GIVE: me a reason to move on

All RAMEN-ed out

2007-10-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

An old friend asked me how I was, my response: “I don’t think I’ve eaten this much Ramen in a week.”
I’ve taken a BIG step and it has been a bit overwhelming. The change and independence has done me well but the family consequences was something I was not ready for =(. The first night I ate cornflakes without milk since the stove was Kathy-proof. Tony’s 6 pack and Diana’s all purpose knife was the only thing I had aside from the beautiful roses that “spruced” up my place (thanks hun =). I did have a fence of a bed to sleep on and my clothes that served as a cushion. Although I think I’ve gone a long way after I’ve hit all the garage sales on island… I have a working fridge, a couch, some gratis painting, and a comfortable futon on the floor. Food wise: still Ramen for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the occasional instant oatmeal and spicy canned tuna. It hasn’t been a month and I might crash and burn the way some expect me too but every night I’m still praying for the best, for the choices that I made and will make.

FLIP FLOP's FIRST TRY...

2007-09-10T23:43:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Rhonda decides to try soccer... and may I say with a hangover. She used my shiny cool dude shinguards. How she managed to use the ankle support like a thong is beyond me.

But it's not just soccer with Rhonda... it's a little bit of kickboxing and cart wheels

While the Thai soccer community drums a heavy beat, Angelo decides to join in the crazy "Flipflop" fun.

After a looongggg and hot soccer day... we waited and whined til the BBQ started!
WOHOO to Saipan Soccer!

Too old for home

2007-09-05T00:55:00.000-07:00

When you come home at 2 and hear your mom say “is this a decent time?”
You’re too old for home.
When someone still adds a spoonful of rice in your plate though you chose not to eat
You're too old for home.
When you’re in a dilemma because you’ve neglected to clean the house this weekend
You’re too old for home.
When you’re twenty four… you’re undeniably too old for home.
Yet how do you explain this to parents who built this home for you?

Wear Sunscreen

2007-08-27T03:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks for sending this Turkey! I did enjoy it but I don't believe you when you said "there is no hidden agenda"...

It appeared in the Chicago Tribune but wasn't an actual commencement speech...though it should have been.

Wear sunscreen.If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy.

Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on.

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Nature's beauty at risk

2007-08-18T01:23:00.000-07:00

After an exciting “go places, do things you’ve never done before” summer, my days spun in a much different direction. Sentimental moments and working took place. I haven’t felt that spirit I possessed those past two months (aside from the recent dancing, sunset, and wine).

Although yesterday was unexpected, I attended the Coral Reef presentation by Angelo Villagomez and Bree Reynolds, whom by the way are both “Taya Talent” players. It wasn’t like the usual Professional Development Day workshops I’ve been in the past years. After a session of facts and some brutal information about what’s happening to our island we headed out to Managaha and Kagman for a real-life connection.

We took a ferry with lots of food to BBQ, snorkeling gear and our free yellow pads. Of course Diana got lost and missed the boat. She did manage to hop on one of the tourist boats with Tony by offering half-eaten food. Anyhoo, we took a walk around the small 10-acre island, saw the Shearwater habitat (nocturnal birds that build their nests underground that also sound like babies crying), talked about the positive and negative effects of tourism, and observed the geographical change the island has gone through over the years. I even picked up sand dollars; about 7 of them in one area, after Angelo said “take nothing and leave nothing but footprints.” I was gonna sneak it out but I felt guilty and showed one to him before we were about to leave, to my surprise he pointed out that it wasn’t sand dollars but sea urchins -bummer!

The best part though was snorkeling! The others went ahead while Diana, Tony, Asap and I stayed to complete the paper work. As soon as we were ready, we got our gears on and for some reason Diana couldn’t get the snorkel stuck to her face and ended up with water in her goggles half the time (special Diana moments, hilarious!). Our mission was to see the corals and everything that goes with it so our initial thought was to go far beyond the buoy where less damage has been done. You see, I’ve only done this a couple times before, and both times with experienced divers. Diana and Tony are from Randolph, MA (Boston), so you fill in the blanks. Asap, who canoes, was basically our only chance of survival against the strong currents. The struggle was absolutely worth it. We saw at least five different species we could name. The others, we made names for, until Bree shared her amazing knowledge on what they were. Swimming with all those fish was an absolute stress reliever!

When we got back we headed out to a protected area where volunteers have planted trees a year ago. It was an awesome hike with a great view. More information was said but the one that stuck to me was “whatever we do to our land greatly affects our ocean.” It’s depressing how we, humans, are the biggest reason why nature’s beauty is at risk.

Not only did I meet new friends, and survived the swim and hike with battle wounds, I am now more aware and know that it is essential that we should try to make a difference.

Head Over Heart

2007-08-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

Once I played the role of Aphrodite. I would never forget Ms. Jenny (my 6th grade drama teacher) jokingly saying “it s fitting since you look like someone who’s doomed to break hearts. I didn’t want to be that, other people might enjoy that lifestyle but it’s not someone I wanted to be. Whether I lived it or not is not really for me to say. Although over the years I’ve known people fight through heartaches and deceptions. I’ve met martyrs, my biological mom for one, always suffering for a good cause: to keep her family together, my good friend “Flip Flop”, now a single mother who was with her boyfriend for more or less a decade, a close personal friend, whose been through four long distance relationships and still ends up being oceans away from someone. Despite the pain we have shared and lived through, I still end up falling. Who doesn’t? The feeling of having someone you can share walks, good music and moonlit nights with somehow overpowers the notion of being hurt, and like many, being hurt over again. But is love really enough to go through confusion and inflicted agony? Do you really have to work as hard to make things work? Maybe time itself will tell, maybe its one of those passing thoughts.

Who knows?

I can still hear my dad telling me “The big guy placed your head above your heart for a reason” I guess he already knew I was vulnerable when it came to such things.

Learn from them

2007-08-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

In less than thirty minutes I will be trying out for the Women’s All Star Team. I figured this would be the perfect time to write before I severely injure myself and loose the ability to remember my favorite quotes of the week.

Have you ever felt your knees weaken Ms. Kathy? I’m so nervous my knees wont stop shaking.
– Iza playing a game of steal the bacon.

Me: Repeat after me, say pin
Student: Oh, Ive done this before!
Me: Great, this should be easy, say pin.
Student: pin
Me: Now say it without the 'p', what’s left?
Student: p… p… p… pencil!
- Phil, trying to impress my teacher.

You're forgiven, just dont think about doing it again.
-Bri, conflict resolution

Every time I write I have this funny feeling inside and that’s where I get all my words and emotions from – Iza, future writer

Teaching. Well it's its own reward.

Where's his teacher?!

2007-08-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

There’s a kid playing by the drainage! Where’s his teacher?

I thought to myself as I gratifyingly ate my turkey sandwich.

His rainy day boots will slip through that opening anytime soon. I would yell but he’s too far out. What kind of teacher would leave his/ her students unsupervised anyway?

I heard Mr. S blow his whistle just in time for the expected fall. The boy ran down the miniature slope as soon as he heard the warning. I went back to watching my students who were playing at our designated area. As soon as the recess bell rang the students ran in front of their classrooms pushing and shoving to be first in line. As I waited patiently for them to settle down I saw a pair of rainy day boots standing safely in my boys line.

A wonderful part of me

2007-08-06T05:24:00.000-07:00

I’m not an opinionated person. Some might say I keep a lot of things to myself, the reality is I mostly try to understand why things are the way they are. But if I do feel the urge to express one, I jot it down. I write to visualize intense feelings, both in joy and despair hoping that it will help me through perplexing emotions.

Today, I received a letter from you. I know you’ve sent a couple of them not too long ago. I haven’t responded to most of them, intentionally. There were a lot of sacrifices made in the past and we both knew that it was something we fought and faced together. We separated because I felt that I had to leave. Yet you held on till this very moment and this is what’s causing much anguish. More than anything you know that hurting someone I’ve loved so much is the last thing I would do.

For almost three years I didn’t think it was possible to let go of you, and then he came along. Meeting him made me content. He gives me a reason…

I’m moving on but I want you to know that you are a wonderful part of me. With all sincerity, I wish you would find the happiness and contentment I feel with Christian.

Soccer Princess

2007-08-04T02:49:00.000-07:00

After a trying game of soccer what do you do?
BBQ!
Chef Bradgelo has taken the liberty to start a fire and cook some delicious wieners on the sidelines. A free beer comes with it if your team loses and you show your poutiest face. Roxy will push you if you take one with a victory smile. These are some of the special things that happen only in Saipan.
Today the Women’s all star played a tremendous game against the men’s team from Hong Kong and Guam. Rule is: ask how the game was not what the score was. I only saw the 2nd half of the 2nd game so I got an earful of “priority speeches” from Lovelle. To make up for it I shall present this entry as a peace offering.
Lovelle, aka: ‘Lion on the field’ by Saipan soccer players and soccer fans. To me she is known as the unbearable sister who makes me look awful on the field. I’m naturally clumsy, that’s a given, but playing on the same team with the soccer pinay princess does not add points to my attempts to be coordinated. On the other hand, the slight facial similarity does give other people a reason to think that I’m good too. Congratulations today little sis you showed ‘em where you truly belong. Now all you have to do is to stop taking my ice cream after you’ve eaten yours!

Words Women Use

2007-08-04T01:22:00.000-07:00

My friend Ellen sent this a while back.
To the men out there, learn the terminology to avoid future arguments. To all women, this will give you a good laugh, you know there's truth behind these words.
Words Women Use :
1. FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. FIVE MINUTES: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five Minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. NOTHING: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. GO AHEAD: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5. LOUD SIGH: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing.(Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. THAT'S OKAY: This is one of the most dangerous statements women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. THANKS: A woman is thanking you, do not question,or Faint . Just say you're welcome.
8. WHATEVER: Is a women's way of saying F@!$ YOU!
9. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "what's wrong," for the woman's response to "NOTHING"

G n' R: Bula Talent

2007-07-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

Taya (translation: nothing)
Were my teammates in modesty mode while they were considering team names? After last nights game, my first after a month long slack of no soccer, I didn’t think our team had ‘taya talent’ we were more like ‘BULA talent’. Despite the 4-1 loss I witnessed great attempts and a whole lotta’ heart during the game. My only regret was holding back, too scared to get knocked out by men twice my size. It also felt funny playing against my teammates from last seasons women rec league, especially Captain Brenda. Before the season ends, we’ll take those Dreaded Pirates down…arrrr… especially when Angelo starts blasting “Welcome to the jungle” and Brad starts head banging.

Last Stop

2007-07-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

A known misconception: Seattle or Washington State in general has the highest suicide rate because of its weather. I ‘googled’ it up and here are some fun tidbits I found. (I felt like a myth buster when I saw this.lol.)

The western states have the highest suicide rates, with Nevada leading the nation at 23.93/100,000” (nice to know after I finally decided to move there)

Most of western Washington has a marine climate, with cool summers and mild winters. In eastern Washington the Cascades act as a barrier against the Pacific winds. As a result this section has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Eastern Washington is also much drier, with only about 10 inches (25 centimeters) of precipitation a year in the south-central part of the state.

I visited Washington (Milton) to meet my sister’s family. This was my last stop for the summer. I was wondering what someone could do on a rainy day and if the weather could really affect my euphoric summer mood. After three days I got the answer to my question:

Photos taken by Rick Henderson (my sisters fiance)

"Do not feed wildlife. Might be carrier of disease."

I couldnt help it.

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Meeting Chief Feather head and the shrunken head

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Of course my favorite F's: flowers, food, friends and family...

Thank You guys!

2007-07-23T03:16:00.000-07:00

I'm back home! Just wanted to thank you all for taking me in. I had an incredible time, the best summer yet -- and of course none of that would be possible without you (I'm in my sentimental mode, its too early in the morning and my Saipan body clock isn’t kicking in yet). To my Kuyas and Ates, you have crazy talented children who give me reason to stay young physically and at heart, so keep up! To my niece and nephews, more wrestling, tennis, movies, skating, hiking, camping, mafia and maybe an attempt in skateboarding to come. To my newly found friends, Kevin Danny (aka: Jlo) Rick and of course Christian, thank you for your bigheartedness and making this trip thrillingly wonderful. And now I move on with you in my heart and mind, hoping to see you all soon.

My 7 last

2007-07-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Brenda.

1. Last drink: A margarita yard drink while walking around Las vegas strip

2. Last live show seen: Mac King (Comedian/Magician)

3. Last movie seen: Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix

4. Last song someone sang to me: Happy Birthday

5. Last burger eaten: Sonic's Bacon Cheeseburger with tatter tots (it was soooo juicy)
6. Last (and first) time I saw my breath: Camping in Vermont (I miss the cold weather)

7. Last time I played soccer: Memorial Day Weekend (its been too long, sob)

Hike it out!

2007-07-10T12:20:00.001-07:00

Destination: Red Rock Canyons, La Madre Trail

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Caution Signs Everywhere!

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Should we turn around?

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Not a chance, lets hike this bad boy!

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I need a break!

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After 3 hours...
Look! Spring Water....

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We made it!
and now for a little snack...

The Lights of Summer

2007-07-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

I was beginning to wonder if it was worth it.
If the sound of patriotism and impressive
pyrotechnics fireworks display was worth the 4 hour wait.
Comfortably I sat as the instrumental ensemble began.
The warmth of the night and the wondrous music filled the heavens.
I lay on the grass as the orchestra played a striking melody.
Then before the hour struck, The sky illuminated with madness
as the Philharmonic played rousing works.
It was a phenomenal sight.
But inside me was a hint of sadness knowing that it would all be over soon.
If only the warmth would stay a bit longer.
If only the wondrous lights didn’t die out.

The Ultimate Camp-out!

2007-07-03T13:57:00.001-07:00

5 states within a month! From Vegas to Hollywood's behind the scenes at Universal. By the 2ND week I met the craziest characters of Randolph Massachusetts. We headed to Boston on a T with, Julie, Diana and Tony. We walked Paul Revere's infamous Freedom Trail for 4 hours, getting lost and trying to take Diana down under the beating heat of the sun, of course Tony succeeded. By night, we danced and drank all our troubles away. We headed to Vermont the following day with high hopes of crushing the boys in their ultimate camping cook off. To our dismay, they raised the bar with their Chub Chubs cowboy act. I would never forget how everything looked form Steve-o playing the harmonica while the rest of the guys were seated around the fire waiting for the phrase "New York City" getting ready for a water balloon fight. Everyday was something new, wiffle ball, knockout, mafia, jumping into a freezing grotto, road sing-along, and the crazy-wonderful friends I made. To Mammadukes, Deanna, Stephanie, Mai, Julie, Mandy, Bethany, Erica, Christen, I loved the company not to mention the rollover cuddles. To Dandan, Jon (special thanks for the recipe) J-poo, Mike, Chris, Tony, and Steve-o (u shur gotta purty mouth), the most talented group of guys Ive met, till next year. Of course, Diana, although I took you out every time in knock out, I still love you for tagging me in and having the smartest dog, Lucy. My first camping trip, and it was nothing short of AMAZING.

Venice in VEGAS

2007-06-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

You don't just see Vegas in Vegas. For instance, the ambiance at the Venetian Hotel was Venice, Italy itself. We went for a stroll along a cobblestone walkway, and witnessed the inviting ride in an Italian gondola where newly weds were taken across the grand canal. It was sooo romantic. The entertainers walking around and the living statues at St. Marks square were just as inviting. Of course, I shouldn't forget to mention the famous Madame Tussauds where we saw Whoppi and the infamous ghost rider.

Family in Vegas

2007-06-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

My first visit to the US of A and everyday has been fantastic. That long excruciating plane ride was definitely worth it. When I arrived, my kuya Bong (older brother) with Ron and Robby (his sons) took me around. He said as long as I stayed on Vegas time I'm less likely to get a jet lag. He drove on the free way and the tunnels, the speed was freaky marvelous. By the time we got home for dinner I knocked out on the couch and revived the next day. My ate Kris (older sister) then took me to their place. I finally got to meet the kids, Kaetia, Kris and Dominique. They're as talented and crazy as I pictured them. We wrestled in the pool, Kaetia and I against the boys--and of course we WON victoriously. Sorry MEN! (they said they weren't boys anymore) . We stayed up late watching movies or hung out by the pool singing and talking. Ive been here less than a week and its been incredible. I'm really blessed to have such marvelous family. As the saying goes "When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. "

Dedicated to SVS crew!

2007-06-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

Apologies my ladies. I haven't had the time to sit and add our wonderful "lava lava end of the year" bash to my blog. Anyhoo, for those of you who don't know, these are some of the ladies of the F crew. What does F stand for you ask? Everything! from Fabulous, Fantastic, Foxy, Fearless to Frenzy, Fierce, Filthy, Fortunate, Frantic, or maybe even Full of it j/p.

I am the invisible member, who lives vicariously through you, or as you like to call me "Fish killer" and here is my tribute to you.

C- controversial, is how it all started from "loosen up my buttons" and hoodies that went with the booties.

A - athletic, we all try to become from soccer and softball players to trench tech warriors

N - notorious, indeed, for breaking every "how my teacher looks like" stereotype

A - artistic when it comes to drinking and parties, from flip cups to jello shots, and mad hatters to lavas with style

R - responsible individuals who get to work on time even with a nasty hangover

I - intriguingly hot (cant argue with that)

E - every moment was as crazy wonderful as the last. So to my beautiful friends who will be moving on (Kimmy and Val) I wish you great luck and some tiny hope that you would somehow stay in touch

S - Shiny, oh oh shiny.

FIGHT AND FLIGHT

2007-06-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

I had to FIGHT the butt aching sensation during the 15 hour FLIGHT to Vegas. The sleepless hours, cramped up position, the kicker passenger and the screaming baby behind me was making the flight unbearable. Why did I choose to sit by the window?! And to make matters worse, the center and aisle passengers were heavy sleepers. So I pulled up the window hoping to shed some light on the sleepy joes next to me but instead I saw this...

The colors of the radiant sky. Ive always thought the sky was beautiful but this was way beyond compare. Below I couldnt tell whether it was the clouds or the ocean. It didnt matter, it was as magnificent. As the sun was slowly rising in the horizon, I could see the cotton clouds below, except that it looked more like chunks of snow. Just like how you would picture Santa's home. I wondered if I was on the right plane. The turbulenece didnt matter as much anymore, just the fact that I needed the bathroom desperately. Wake up sleepy joes!

Another Year Gone By

2007-06-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

I thought this school year would be much easier, having a bit more knowledge on how to manipulate 7 year olds with a few cool tricks in my pocket. For those who teach, you know this is wishful thinking. My 25 young ‘ens had more than enough characteristics in them including the energy level that each character possessed. Although I have to say, I am going to miss their “innocent” giggles, their tight little hugs, their creativity, and not to mention the attention. To my 2nd grade class of 2006-2007, thank you for sweet memories, trying days, and your big hearts. Believe in yourself. You will always be in my prayers.

38 Years and growing stronger...

2007-06-05T03:18:00.000-07:00

June 1st 2007 was mama and papa’s 38th Wedding Anniversary. The family prepared a simple celebration together with some close friends and CFC (Couples for Christ) members. The room was filled with joy and more blessings for both of them. I truly believe that their presence is living proof of how love and companionship overrules jealousy, selfishness and self-preservation. It’s a challenge for everyone, especially to us, their children, to be able to find such relationship and happiness in this life.

Congratulations Mama Cel and Papa Romy. We love you

SONIIIIIIIC BOOM!

2007-06-05T00:45:00.000-07:00

PICTURE THIS: tripping while walking with a ball. For those who know me well enough that’s an easy task. For those who don’t, that’s me, clumsy.

My first soccer season and I was fortunate enough to land with Smith’s SONIC BOOM. Despite the ZERO experience, I had a fabulous time with these wonderful, strange, funny ladies.
Right to Left Tomoko-san: one of the few people I know who can kick the ball away from the enemy despite a fall. Miyun, a great defender. Co-captain Brenda the ULTRA talented ball handler. Sue, the motivator (love the root bear float and cookies). ME with the weird smile. Toom, with her big heart. Amy, who is aggressive even with her loose tooth. The other Toom, who will take that ball, even from her teammates. Chen with the back kicks. Francine, small but big all over (Big Laugh, big heart, big soccer player). Maddie, with the long legs to kick that ball for a goal. Maryana, the only one I know who smiles no matter how tired she is on the field. Jannel, the runner without the ball. The SUPER gifted Captain EM who can dance (and maybe even sing) with the ball. Maria with her awesome dives and beautiful knees. Vanessa, the defense goddess. Irma with her cheerful hand waving stunt!and Coach Jesse who has to deal with girl talk everytime.

Love you guys! Thanks for an awesome season!