Realizations

We have known since the beginning of our time in Saipan that this place is different. It is beautiful, in a way that it cannot be compared to any other place we have lived. When we first got here I was surprised every time I saw someone using American Dollars. Tourists would pay with cash and it was like "look, they're using US Dollars!! Oh, yeah, this is America too..."

Even with that understanding, I still come to realizations about Saipan and it's differences on a regular basis. Maybe I should expect them by now, but sometimes they just come out of the blue...

I was talking with one of my Korean students earlier this week. He is one of my peer tutors and works with the students who need a little extra explanation. Like usual he was sitting around waiting for the students to show. He began looking at my Texas map. It's not uncommon, they all do at different times, if they're waiting to talk to me at my desk, or they get bored. I like to think they are memorized by how awesome a place it must be... Anyway, we started talking about Texas and that he has a friend who lives in the Houston area and how since he is in Texas and I am from Texas we must have run into each other at some point. (It's the same with Chuck Norris, If I am from Texas, I must know him!) Here is kind of how our conversation went:


(This is all in somewhat broken English)
Kelvin: What kinds of things do they have in Texas?

Me: Do you mean like, what do they sell?

Kelvin: Yeah!

Me (thinking): Um, how do I say "everything" without making it sound like I think that was a pretty obvious answer...
Me: Well, see how close Texas is to Mexico? Texas has a lot of influence from the Mexicans in the area. Just like in Saipan, there are lots of Asians that live here and visit here, so the stores sell lots of Asian foods and things Asians would buy. It's the say way in Texas, there are a lot of Mexicans who live in and visit the area so a lot of our products are things they might buy.

Kelvin: Oh, do people in Texas eat tacos?

Me: Heck yes!

Kelvin: Oh, I have never had a real taco before. Are they good?? Maybe someday, I will go to the states and have a real taco.

Me (thinking): How in the world have you never had a real taco??? Followed by the sudden thought that I hope my expression didn't just give away what I was thinking, it's not like he can help it.
(saying): Um, tacos are amazing! They're probably one of the best foods ever. You know how here, there are lots of Chinese and other Asian food restaurants? They have to be really good in order to stay in business. It's the same way in Texas. There are so many Mexican food restaurants that the ones that stay in business for a long time have to be really good. So, almost all tacos in Texas are amazing.

Kelvin: Does everyone eat tacos?

Me: Let me put it this way, tacos in Texas are like Kimchi in Korea.

That brought a smile to his face.

Anyway, it hit me that these things that I take for granted, (Mexican food, Target, Hobby Lobby), and have missed so much the last 6 months, are things most of these kids will never experience. Many of them will never leave this island. Some will travel as far as Guam or go back to Korea or China after graduation, but most will never make it to the states.

I am a big city girl. That I know. Saipan is not big or city in any way, shape or form, but I love it. And I love that I have been able to experience both worlds. But I am ready to be back in my big city world.

Life Below the Surface

Saturday we went out with our friends, Rachel and Brian, to Wing Beach. Wing is a nice beach on the north end of island. The snorkeling isn't the best on island but it's a beautiful beach.

The pictures from our new camera speak for themselves.









Can you see the fish? This is a what we refer to as a pencil fish. They're always in the water, and the usually swim right along side us.



This is a parrot fish. They eat the coral. If you hold your breath, you can hear them crunching on the reef. This guy isn't the prettiest. We've seen turquoise and bright pink parrot fish
























This last one is Suicide Cliff. There is so much history here, but that's for another post.

Happy Birthday...

...to most wonderful puppy around.

I remember when we first met. A little ball of energy that captured my heart in an instant.




We had some issues choosing a name for him the first week or so. I wanted to name him Jackson, a sophisticated name for dog. Dad had a couple of names for him. First, he wanted to name him Judge, because he's black, like a judge's robe. Then, thinking he'd be out boating more often than he actually has time for, he suggested Captain or Skipper. Theoretically, the dog would have been his sidekick. Catherine had another name in mind that obviously didn't stick and I really don't remember. We each called him what we wanted his name to be. He was very confused.



It did not take us long to realize that he loved to be around people. He always plants himself wherever the people happen to be. Whether that be in the living room, the kitchen or the bathroom. Most of the time this was okay. He didn't bother us and we liked having him around. But other times, he really was in the way. Right at your feet when you really needed him not to be. Hence the name that stuck: Tripper.



He loves to play, especially chase the birds/ squirrels, tug of war and tag.





Tripper is also a licker. He just can't keep that little tongue of his in his mouth. It doesn't matter if your toes or hands are exposed and accessible, if he can't reach those, he'll just lick your clothes. Weirdo.



He also has some bum-ish tendencies. He sleeps practically all day. He doesn't have to get up and go to work. His only (self-appointed) job is to keep the backyard free of birds and squirrels and cats, and that's hard to do when you're locked inside. As Josh would say, "bum, bum, bum!"



Happy 4th birthday, to Capitan Jackson Tripper.

Yeah, we did that!

You know you're a "cool" teacher when your students ask you to do awesome things with them.

Example: Repelling with ROTC.
Teaching Algebra II verses any of the other math classes means I am teaching the older kids. I don't interact much with freshmen and sophomores and I kind of like it that way. The juniors and seniors have established themselves as role models and leaders across the campus and in various areas of study. They are not the puny little wimps getting yelled at for not doing something right. They're the ones doing the yelling.

They have more responsibilities and therefore, for the most part, are more reliable people. This last semester I had most of the commanding officers in the JROTC in my classes, including the top student leader for our school. Needless to say, these students are some of my highest achieving students in my classes (and they don't usually complain when they have to do work which is very nice.)

Anyway, several weeks ago these students randomly asked if I'd like to go repelling with the JROTC. It was part of this weekend camp the group was having and they thought I might like to join them. Not for the whole weekend but for the repelling Saturday morning. It took me about .0003 seconds to answer them. Heck, yes! But more than me loving it I knew Josh would jump on the the opportunity.

So early one Saturday morning in back in January, Josh and I and a couple of our friends went and literally, jumped off the side of a cliff.

This is where it all went down:


We're harnessed in a ready to go.

A view from the top.

Almost time!


Down we go






Did I mention that I was the only teacher invited? There were no other school staff members there expect those that work with ROTC on a regular basis. Yeah, I'm pretty cool.