Happy UN Day!

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

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

A Shot Glass
See Through
Confusing Thoughts
Painful
A Tear

Dog Eating Moth

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

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

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

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.