Saipan Holidays

My December started out pretty good. As soon as it rolled around, the festivities began. On the first day of December, we had our talent show and celebrated Eva's birthday.

Eva has been one of my closest friends here on island. I'm truly glad to have her in my life and thank the Lord daily for her. I call her my Island Angel because she has helped me through some of the tough times. So Happy Birthday to you. Te Quiero Amiga!

Eva and Me

After that, my first order of business was to decorate my room and make it more "Christmasy". Thanks to my elfs in Miami (aunts), my room was able to have the Christmas spirit. It truly allowed me to feel the spirit a little more.My Christmas Corner

Our School this year was involved in a competition with all the schools in the area where we had to make Christmas ornaments out of recycled items. It was lots of fun to do, but also a lot of work. Since Eva and I have the young ones, we spent a couple of sleepless nights working on it, but it was quite worth it. Our "Recycled" Christmas Tree

About mid December, we had our staff Christmas party. Instead of giving each other gifts, we bought presents for the children at the hospital. Then we went (with a couple of students) and sang Christmas carols. It was a GREAT way to spread the holiday cheer!

Our Staff and some students at the hospital

After the staff party, all our efforts went into the school Christmas program. This year we had a Mission Impossible theme. It was truly a GREAT play and the students did an AMAZING job! My kiddos were the sheep and also were little spies as part of the K-4 choir. We spent probably the entire week practicing with a dress rehearsal the morning of the program. The students (and teachers lol) worked really hard and the turnout was an amazing performance with a really great message behind it.

My sheep waiting patiently at the dress rehearsal

My personal spies!

Our staff....at the half-way point!

The next day was the last day of school. We had our class Christmas party. It was a REALLY crazy day, because our pizza order could not be made so I had to go out and buy some frozen pizza's and returned at around 11:00 and school was being dismissed at 12:30. Eva and I combined our parties and although it was a crazy day, it all worked out really great!

My kiddos with their antlers

Our class in front of our Christmas tree just before they ripped through their presents

Just as they started ripping through their presents.

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I do have the most AMAZING parents in my class. Thanks to one of them, I was able to have all these great pictures with my kids! Thank you Lord for my parents!

The following sunday (day before Christmas Eve) I spent the entire day baking cookies and wrapping presents for the kids of the island. As I had mentioned before the Lord allowed me to collect gifts for the children here who otherwise may not have had a Christmas. It was a lot of fun both preparing and actually handing them out. I baked about 20 dozen cookies and wrapped about 30 something gifts. I truly felt like an elf! lol Then on Christmas Eve day, we went out and distributed the gifts and cookies. That night we went to the Paez's house and had some yummy food and games.

Christmas cookies for all

Some of the kids with their gifts.

(The cards are specially made by Kindergarteners in GA. Thanx Allison!)

Tali Paez with her sparkler (cool pic huh?)

Christmas day started to feel a little hard since I was alone for the beginning of it. Then the Lord gave me an AMAZING gift. I was able to spend about 3 hours on the webcam with my family back home while they were having their Christmas Eve dinner. It was a true blessing. Later that evening, I went to the church for our Annual Christmas Party. I was in charge of games for the little ones and we played 2 games one of which was called a Rudolph Relay Race. Later we had a gift exchange among the adults where we played the game "White Elephant". It was fun to see the adults become kids again while they "stole" each other's gifts.

Our church kiddos with their red noses!

During this time, our school hosts a winter school where students from Korea come down to learn english for about 2 months. I decided to start tutoring them during their time here. I have 3 boys in my current group right now and they are a blast to be around. I really enjoy spending time with them and helping them learn english.My three boys after our last class

Finally, as we all tend to culminate our holiday season, we come to the end of the year. This year I spent New Year's Eve with the Maycocks and Riki's parents. First, we went to The Garlic Restaurant. It was really yummy food and we all shared plates so we could try everything. Later, we went to the Mandi Spa and just relaxed around lazily talking and getting to know each other better. It was awesome to be there at night and was just a great time. Finally, we welcomed the new year at the top of Mt Topochau. After a very fun and rough ride to the top, we met up with Virle, Joeie, Girle, and Antonee. From this point, we could see the entire island. It was really cool because we could also see all the firework shows being displayed throughout Saipan. At around 11:50 p.m. Sean brought out some glasses and bubbly cider and we welcomed 2008!

Happy New Year to all!

So as look back at this year, I thank the Lord for His many blessings that He's poured down on me this year. Whether I've counted them blessings at the time or not, I know that everything has worked perfectly for His will. As I sit here in my living room floor on my little island in the Pacific, I pray that the Lord pour down His many blessings on you and your family this upcoming year. Whether you're a close friend or just an acquaintance, I thank the Lord for you because in someway, you impacted my life this year. Thank you for your prayers and support. I love you all and many blessings in 2008!

I LOVE my job!

Not many people can say that they truly enjoy their job. Yes, like many people, I have my rough days. However, when my day is at its roughest, just the smile, hug, kiss, or look from one of my kids puts my life back on track. So here's a little something from my kiddos that might just touch your heart as much as its touched mine.

Well, on Monday morning, we're getting started with our morning activity, when one of the boys comes to my desk and asks me to sharpen his pencil. While doing so, Alannah (one of my little girls) comes up to me with her pencil. So I ask her "Let me guess, you need your pencil sharpened?" She looks at me and replies "No, I just need a kiss!" This just made my day. I thought it was WAY too cute!

There's this Korean boy that I tutor 4 times a week. He's 10 years old and basically here alone. Here's a background on most Korean students: They usually come here alone to learn english for a year. They stay at a dorm type house with a guardian. Most guardians run this EXACTLY like a business. So on top of being in a brand new country without knowing the language, they don't quite get the TLC that we all need from our parents and families. Well, back to the story. His name is Joon Seo and he's really compassionate. He's definately brought out some of my gray hair, but he's AMAZING! Well, today, he had a bad day at school. We're both hovering over the internet translator, trying to understand what the other is saying. After sort of talking about his day and why he was upset, we realize that my ride is here. So I get up, but notice him still frustrated. So I type in the translator "I care for you". He read it, and said a simple, but heartfelt, "Thank you". This opened up my floodgates! He drives me crazy, but I love that little boy and i'm just so thankful that the Lord finally allowed me to tell him that I do care.

Ok so, now for some cheering up: My mom has always had this special phrase with us where she'd say "Mommy loves you..." and we'd respond "No matter what". One day this year, I remembered the phrase while explaining to my kids that Jesus loves them in that same way and that I do too. So I changed around the phrase, and well here ya go!

I want to say thank you to all of you who pray for me and I ask you to pray for these kids as well. Pray that they may get to know Jesus, and that the Lord can use me to minister to them as well! Love you all!

Tooth Wisdom

Yesterday, I went to the Dentist to get my wisdom teeth extracted. After Dr. Pierson explained what the procedure would consist of, I laid in the seat filled with anxiety. My wisdom teeth had been bugging me for a while. Then, when i finally had made the decision to get them extracted, I didn't have the money for it. G-d provided and it was D-Day! They gave me these cool "futuristic" glasses where i could watch a movie while they did the procedure. I apparently was the first patient to try it. YAY ME! lol =) Well, the first shot of anesthesia went in and it hurt a little. Felt more like someone was putting a rod in my gums that just didn't fit. Of course that description sounds so much worse, but that's what i imagined. After all my gums were injected, i sat there for a while, trying to control my tongue which felt bigger than my mouth. By the time i was all numbed up, i felt like Will Smith in the movie "Hitch". Thankfully, i looked pretty normal. Then he started with the first tooth. I mentally prepared myself...but before i could even think of the word "ouch:", the tooth was out. I was pleased...but it was only 1/4 of the way. Then came the second one. I felt some pain...and it got worse. Then Dr. Pierson noticed and asked me if it was hurting. I said yes. He then put some more anesthesia. He let it kick in and then when he came back, he said something that stuck in my head for a while. "You don't have to be a hero, let me know if it hurts, that's what the anesthesia is here for". You may think that this is pretty normal to hear, but immediately, all i could think about was G-d. So many times he tells us the same thing "You don't have to be a hero, give me your load, that's what I'm here for! The Lord has many ways of speaking to us, yes, even in the middle of an extraction, while sitting in the dentist's chair. I'm glad the Lord spoke to me that day. I know he speaks to us at all times, we just got to listen.

Well, here are some words from the "less-wiser"! =) lol

Love you all!
G-d's Island Girl

My four wisdom teeth. The one on the right (the painful one) has some bone attached.

Thanksgiving Break!

On Tuesday, my kiddos and also the 1st and 2nd graders joined together to tell the "ABC's of The First Thanksgiving" to all our parents. Afterwards, it was chow time. So many parents...so many kids...SO MUCH FOOD! It was a wonderful time for all of us. When everything was finally done, I went and did some much needed laundry. The next day, I woke up early to go scuba diving. It was absolutely AMAZING! It was my first open water dive and I honestly can't wait for the rest. However, I was EXHAUSTED! When I got home (around 3:00 p.m.) I decided to take a "nap". So I laid down and went off to sleepy land. When I finally opened my eyes again, it was roughly around 4:00 a.m....the next day! It was definitely some much needed rest! I couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up, and was able to "web cam" with my cousins back home. It was really great to do so! I missed seeing their faces so. Then around 8:00 a.m., I realized that it was Thanksgiving Day. So I got up, picked up Eva from her house and we started cooking. We later were on our way to do run some errands, and then maybe lay out by the beach for a while. Then we decided, hmmm...we have our bathing suits and practically the whole day ahead of us...so lets go to the MANDI! The Mandi is this AHHHMAZING spa and since we're locals, it only costs $15 to spend the day there. So we went and had a blast.

Later that night, we went to the Maycock's for Thanksgiving Dinner. I remember starting to feel the knot in my stomach at the thought of spending Thanksgiving without my family. I kept telling myself "It's only a dinner...JUST A DINNER". When we arrived, everything was perfectly set. From name tags to fancy cups....it was just perfect. I found myself that night looking around the table, and thinking, "These people here ARE my family and I'm sure I'm going to miss them even more, when my year here is finished." It was truly a perfect night!

So here's my list of only five of the things I'm thankful for this year:

1 - My G-d

2 - Family (including Saipan Family)

3 - My kids and their wonderful, comforting words, hugs and smiles

4 - My church Family (back home and here in Saipan)

5 - For the privilege to serve G-d

G-d's Plans for My Christmas

"While i'm in Saipan, i'm going to travel to as many places as I can. I love traveling and everything is just so close and cheap" I remember these words coming out of my mouth throughout the entire summer. These were MY plans for every break that I would have while here. Philippines...Thailand...Bali...Japan...Australia...New Zealand...my plans kept changing. Nothing seemed to be working out. When I would finally decide on one place and it seemed like it would work....WOOSH something would happen and those plans would get demolished. Time was running out, and I was getting frustrated. Then one night, while talking to my mom about my frustrations, she said "Just Pray"...I had done so, so many times, but I always prayed for the Lord to allow this trip to work out, or for that trip to work out, and so on. But that night, I prayed a very heartfelt prayer about something as simple as Christmas plans. I awoke the next day with the thought "It'll be okay if I stay here in Saipan" (I didn't want to because I knew I would miss my family too much over the holidays) I felt a peace in my heart, and the words just started rambling in my head. "If I stay here, I can show everyone how we celebrate it back home" Then that thought led to another... "What if I can give a Christmas to those children who wouldn't otherwise have one?" Immediately, I started planning it out in my head. The peace I felt for staying here is how I knew that it was an answer from G-d. So my Christmas Plans? To continue the work that I believe G-d is doing here (and hopefully through me). I will be collecting Toys, Clothes, and Cards for those kids here. I have some people from the States that will be sending some of these items. If you are one of those that is interested, please let me know. Starting December, my house will look like Santa's Workshop as I will be baking cookies, wrapping presents, and hopefully bringing some Christmas joy to some less fortunate children. Please continue praying for me and all my....no...I mean...G-d's plans for me here on Saipan!

Till my next post,

G-d's Island Girl =)

Ode to October

If you've been checking my blog, (and i hope u have, and I'm also sorry too) you've noticed that October started out GREAT with a pretty good blog on my part (or so i like to think so lol). From the moment school started i heard many comments about how HORRIBLE October was going to be. "If I can only survive October, I know I'll do just fine the rest of the year." or "I don't want October to come." Phrases like that were quite commonly heard around the school. Me, the person who doesn't like to "pre-destine" things, thought people were just over-reacting. Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, I've got an announcement to make....I WAS WRONG! October was indeed a CR@ZY month! I would like to refer to it as my ROLLER COASTER month. I had my highs, i had my lows, and then i had my upside down moments that also sometimes feel kinda great during and afterwards (sorry to you who get sick on roller coasters, i LOVE em). Here are some of the highlights of the month:

October 1: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAMSES!!!

October 6: Baptisms This day, Nate and Tali made a public decision to follow Jesus. I was so proud of them. Nate, I've just recently gotten to know better, but Tali I've gotten to know quite well since I've been here. It was great to see them make this incredible decision.

Tali and I

Nate and I

October 6-7: Managaha Weekend We went camping to this island just next to Saipan. Its a "deserted" island but is very touristy. However, that night we had the island ALL to ourselves. It was SOOO MUCH FUN! It truly was absolutely beautiful! We even saw some shark....very cute....from a distance lol

The Over-Nighters!

Eva and Me

October 14: Scuba Lessons Begin We finally begin our actual scuba lessons after much study and prep. It feels so cool to breath underwater. I'm having a BLAST with it.

My Roomies and me

October 15 - 19: Spirit Week Spirit Week was a lot of fun. This was the schedule:

Monday: Pajama/Bad Hair Day

Tuesday: Cartoon/Super Hero Day

The Lovely Ladies of Saipan SDA School!

Wednesday: Decades Day

Dongham and me on Decades Day!

Thursday: Dress Up Day

Me and my kiddos on Dress up Day!

Friday: Olympic Game Day

October 20: Kagman Evangelistic Series Begins since last year, our pastor, Pr. Eliki has been working out a vision that he sees with one of the villages on island, Kagman. He's been working REALLY hard, and finally the day arrived. It has so far been a great turnout and true blessing. I will write more on it at the culmination this Sunday. I've been helping out with the children's program and it truly has been a major BLESSING! PTL!!!

Me and Jack Jack

October 23-24: Parent Teacher Conferences These are probably THE most dreaded day in a teacher's life. I was quite nervous and scared, but at the end of each of them, i was REALLY happy, because i was reminded once again of the GREAT parents that my students have and just how much they want their child to succeed. A little 411 on my parents: All my students have at least 1 parent that is a teacher.

October 25: Happy Birthday Abuela I love this lady sooo much. She means the world to me!

October 30: Shrew Enters Classroom Today started out great with Picture day. Anyone who knows me, knows that i LOVE pictures, both taking them and being in them. But unfortunately, the day did not end so great. I have a little shrew that LOVES my classroom, but we've never come in contact. Well, today, was the day. Coming back from teaching my other students, Alannah and Rita look at me and tell me "Teacher, there is a rat in the classroom" I laugh, look at the teacher in charge, and soon my face changes when she nods in agreement with the girls. From that moment on, there war fought in my room. My kids were sent out and in came our tough 8th grade boys. Through my screeching, they were somehow able to scare it away. We're not sure where it is, but we're coming for it later. And can you believe that it even had the audacity to walk on my foot before it exited the classroom. lol SHREWS!!! Its bad enough i live with one (lives in our ceiling, loves to play when we need to sleep lol) let alone have to share my classroom with one as well lol



All in all, as I bid Adieu to October, I cannot complain. Many emotions were experienced this month, but it truly was a good, blessed month. I can't wait for November though!

My Class

I have officially been here on island for 2 months now and well i've been busy with some cute little munchkins that i haven't been able to post some pictures of them, but here they are! I started out with 4 during my first week, got another one the 2nd week and just last week, we had a new student join.

From L - R: Miss Veronyka, John Christopher, Irene, Kyle, Alannah, Christian, and Rita

Here we are doing our "Cheerleader" picture.

Although they are all part of my kinder class, there is something unique about each one. They make up the great class that I have. So i'm going to tell you a little bit about each one.

MY GIRLS Alannah (left): She reminds me a lot of myself. I'm not a morning person, but as an adult you tend to have to just play it off, but she doesn't. When she first gets to school, don't talk to her. Well you can talk to her, but she may not respond. She is very independent and has a mind of her own. My favorite thing about her: She always starts her sentences with "Teacher, you know...."

Rita (right): Rita is a sweet little girl who has blossomed so much since she's been in my class. At first she was quite timid and shy, but i've seen her confidence build quite alot. Although she may be quiet at times, she takes in every bit of detail. She has a warm smile that can brighten any room. My favorite thing about her: How excited she gets about everything and the excitement that is portrayed in her face.

MY BOYS

Christian (Left): Don't let that innocent smile fool you, this little boy is a handful. However, he is so passionate about everything he does. His facial expressions are endless and he gives some amazing hugs that only a child can give. Whenever you are having a bad day, Christian is always there to brighten it. My Favorite thing about him: He's genuine and truly cares for others.

John Christopher (Center): This little boy is still very much a little boy. He's always playing and trying new things. He tends to worry about everybody and definately speaks his mind. He has an amazing smile (when he shows teeth) that is so pure and innocent. My Favorite thing about him: His "uhoh i'm in trouble now" look.

Kyle (Right): Kyle is a little smarty pants. This little boy came into my class already reading and has since then moved onto a 1st grade reading level. He's great at math and is always the first to finish EVERY assignment. I've noticed that besides the fact that he's advanced, he truly is still a little boy at heart. My Favortie thing about him: Just how much of a little boy he truly is, oh and his smile =)

IRENE

Finally, we have Irene. I leave her for last because although ALL my kids are special to me, she has this "specialness" about her, she's my first ESL student. I loved hearing my kids call me teacher for the first time, but there was something about that first time that she called me teacher. I'm not sure if it was the timidness (which doesn't exist anymore) or her struggling accent, that just seemed to say "help" at the same time, but just something about it, just warmed my heart. She LOVES to play around, and although we had a tough start, she truly has a beautiful spirit and is always smiling. My Favorite thing about her: She loves to sneak up behind me and just give me a hug.

My kids in general are all amazing. I could not pick a favorite because they all complete my heart and my purpose for being here. Its just amazing how much you can grow to love someone in such a short time, but honestly, I have! I love to just look at their pictures when i'm at home. I miss them during the weekends and the only reason I look forward to Mondays is because I know I will see them again. They are very opinionated, and have some amazing comments and questions. They brighten my day and warm my heart with just their smile or group hugs. They all have wonderful hearts, and although they are a handful, they truly are good kids. But they are just that...kids! We laugh together, cry together, and boy do we have some silly times as well!

Eating Ice-Cakies after Community Service Day

I continue to pray that the Lord will keep using me here with them because I want them to know just what a wonderful G-d we truly have. All in all, I LOVE my kids. They are amazing little people. They are the reason I stay up late, and wake up early. They are the reason my room is never SQUEEKY CLEAN. They are the reason for most of my headaches as well. They are the reason for most of my smiles throughout the day. They are my passion and the reason I want to be a better teacher. They are my reason for being in Saipan. They are my mission. THEY ARE MY KIDS!!!

Teacher Dogpile!

Teacher Dogpile!