Sunrise Sunset

Today I got up very early to watch a sunrise from Marine Beach. While most of my part of the world was still asleep and the stars still shining, I met friend at Jin Mart in San Antonio and from there we began our journey to see the sun come up.

Vanessa Pritchard and I on Marine Beach

With a beach blanket and flashlight in hand, we found a good spot on the beach and then waited for the dawn of a new day. Of course we had our cameras ready too.

Dancing shadows!

The waves were huge and loud as they crashed to shore. The air was cool. So cool in fact that I needed a jacket. Seldom do I need to wear a jacket on Saipan, but this morning I was glad I had a blanket to wrap in.

Crab crossing!

As the black sky began to turn a lighter shade of gray, I closed my eyes and said a prayer. I asked for God's blessing upon this day. I had a lot to do and I wanted to get some things accomplished. I thought it couldn't hurt to ask God to help me with that.

Crab home

The pictures captures the sunrise pretty well, but nothing compares to sitting on the beach and watching the sun inch its way up over the cliff as though it were winking at you. It was peaceful and powerful at the same time. Simple, yet magnificent too.

I'm glad I set the alarm for 4:45 a.m. and made the effort to see the sun rise. I should do this more often....in fact, I think I will.

God did indeed grant me his favor.....I accomplished the things I wanted to do....and then I ended the day as I had begun it.....watching the sun do its thing. The sunset was just as beautiful as the sunrise. No camera this time....just me and my journal watching the big orange orb slowing disappear on the horizon. And if that wasn't wonderful enough.....I saw my first "green flash" just as the sun went down. Awesome!

This is not the sunset I saw today, but this is a typical sunset I see from the beach near my apartment.

My Classroom

Since I spend so much of my time in the classroom, I thought you might like a peek at what it looks like. Now, I confess that I am generally a fairly tidy person and I do try to keep my classroom clean and somewhat organized, but as my sister, Becky, will tell you, I am not a neat freak. So, keep that in mind as you tour my room.

The classroom before students and classroom "decorations".

My adorable students on the very first day of school! They were on their best behavior that day!

There are days when I feel like I live at school, especially my classroom! I spend a lot of time in there doing all sorts of things.....planning for the next week's lessons, grading papers, tidying up after a busy day with students, tutoring, or checking my email.....ahem, I mean doing research for professional growth and development!

From the moment I unlock the door of my classroom at 7:30 a.m. until I leave for the day, I am constantly on the go. I am either busy walking around checking on student's work, or I am busy talking and explaining a lesson. It is like a marathon everyday. Some days I have the drive and energy to run this marathon. Most days, though, I am dragging my feet by 2:30! And, my day doesn't end then. Oh no, after the students are gone, I privately tutor a few more. When they go home, then I can finally sit down to grade papers and think about what is coming up next. If I am lucky, I am in bed around 10:00 p.m. Lately, I have not been that lucky. The life of a teacher is almost consumed with school. Good thing I love my work.

My desk before school began. I wish I could tell you it looks like that still....but, um, I try.

We are growing a garden of readers in 4th grade! My students love adding petals to their flowers once they've read a new book.

Each week I challenge my students to find a country on the map.

We are "traveling to each region in the United States this year. So far, we have visited the Northeast States. Do you know all of the Northeast States? I know a song to help you remember.

We are a good bunch of grapes!

Skeletons invade our classroom during a unit on the different body systems.

"He's got the whole world in his hands......" I have this blowup globe hanging in my classroom for a special reason. When I see this globe bouncing violently around, I know we are having an earthquake. Sometimes, my students like to play practical jokes on me and hit the globe when they walk by, and then shout...."Earthquake, Miss Mac!" Ha ha...funny boys!

Planting Seeds of Knowledge and um, Bean Seeds

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the responsibility I have to my students. Each morning I greet them at the door and look into their eager faces and dancing eyes and I am humbled and yet grateful for being their teacher. So many of them are like sponges; ready to absorb knowledge and expand. Can I do this, I wonder? Some days I am confident and know that I am doing a good job, then on other days, I ponder...did I plant seeds of knowledge today, or did I just keep them busy?

Recently we have been learning about the parts of a seed and what seeds and plants need in order to grow and mature. Our experiment began with a lima bean. I knew this seed would show results quickly. We discussed the parts of a seed and what is inside, and the basic needs of a seed. Then we "planted" the seed wrapped in a wet paper towel and put it in a plastic cup. We measured, made predictions, recorded information and then discussed the virtue of patience while waiting for our seed to "do something." And something they did do. They sprouted and within a week were ready to be transplanted into a bigger container. I simply asked my students to bring in an empty can to use as a pot. We filled the "can pots" with potting soil, put our bean seedling in the can and again discussed the virtue of being patient while waiting for our seedling to "do something."

And do something it did. Our seedlings grew into plants. Now we wait even longer for our plant to blossom and bloom and produce beans. I wonder....will they like lima beans? Um...

Whether or not they like lima beans is irrelevant. The students are so excited about their very own bean seed plant. Every day someone comes up to me to tell me about his or her plant. Wow, how exciting that my students are excited about science! Can I do this? Why yes, I believe I just have.

My Home Sweet Saipan Home!

One of the blessings of living in my apartment here on Saipan is the beautiful view of the ocean. Literally I live about 30 feet from the beach! My neighbor says that is just about right for kicking a soccer from the top balcony right into the ocean. Why would she do that? I don't know, she's crazy! :D Just kidding. Really she is a great neighbor who brightens my days with her smile and enthusiasm for life. I know she likes me because she will jog with me even though I am very slow.

But wait a minute this blog isn't about her, it is about my home here in Saipan. As I said, I live right on the beach. Everyday I thank God for the beautiful sunset I see from my window.

Some days as I walk to school I still feel in awe that I live on an island. What an amazing God we have!

Welcome to my home!

Saying Good-Bye

Today I said good-bye to a dear friend. Hozumi left Saipan this morning for Singapore to meet up with her husband, Bryan. We knew the day and time was coming when she would finally leave the island, but it is never easy to say good-bye when that moment comes.

For the past several weeks we have had long talks over breakfast at Shirley's. We shared stories, disappointments, heartaches together, frustrations, faith, and good memories. We laughed, cried, and encouraged one another to keep our chin up and keep going. We promised to pray for one another.

I admire my friend for so many reasons. She is beautiful and kind. Thoughtful and generous. Elegant and stylish. I will miss having her near. I will miss our morning talks at Shirley's.

Dear God, please take care of my friend. Thank you.

An Evening With Friends

Last Thursday I had several friends over to say goodbye to David Creel, Marissa Lodgson, and Hozumi Redd. All three are leaving island in mid October and I wanted to have a farewell dinner for them and some other friends before they left. My aim was to keep things simple. Since it is Fall back home, I wanted to have homemade vegetable soup and fresh baked bread from Ebisuya. For dessert I served orange cake with cream cheese icing. That's it...real simple. I also wanted this evening to be a time of relaxing with friends, having good fellowship with one another, and singing praise songs to God. All three were accomplished. It was a nice evening and I hope my guests of honor will have a sweet memory to take home with them. Unfortunately, Hozumi couldn't make it because she had another dinner engagement that night, but we prayed for her anyway. Something that I like to do with my guests is to have them draw me a picture and add to my sketch book. The artwork is fun and usually has a story behind it. The guests enjoy looking over what others have done before them. And, it gives me some nice memories as well as artwork.

Baptism of a Dear Friend and Former Student

Last Sunday, September 21st my good friend, Hozumi Redd was baptized in the ocean. It wasn't planned, but it was inspired. Two sisters, Abby and Emma Martinsen, decided to be baptized together. Their decision inspired Hozumi to take that step of faith. She wasn't sure if she should go ahead with it right then or wait until next week. But moments like this come to us and we must seize them or lose them. Hozumi did not want to waste another moment, so with Pastor Dickerman on her left and Pastor Abe on her right, they led her into the water where she was able to let go of the old life and emerge clean with a new one. We both know that situations in her life are still there and she needs to deal with them. But this step of faith is heading in the right direction. For all who read this I ask this from my heart....please lift up Hozumi and her husband, Bryan in prayer to God. He will hear the prayers of many and He will be their source of strength.

The Frustrations and Joys of Teaching and Learning

I love teaching 4th grade at Saipan Community School. I enjoy living in and working among so many different cultures. One of my biggest challenges, though, is trying to ensure that all of my students are learning. Several of them do not speak my language very well, so communication is difficult. SuYoung Kim in this photo is a good example of the frustrations some of my students must cope with on a daily basis. Before he can answer any questions on the Social Studies test, he must first translate the English words into his own language. I do not mind that some of my students use this in the classroom, but I do stress to them to read and write in English as much as possible. Since hearing and speaking English come easier than reading and writing English, I sometimes let them tell me verbally what they know about a concept. If they can explain to me verbally what something is or means, then I trust that knowledge is taking place.



The frustrations, however, melt away when
I look into the faces of my students and see their eagerness to learn.
Shirley Qian is one of my ESL students from China. Her spoken English is not too good at the moment, but she can understand me quite well. She is quick with a smile and a hug and I am so thankful to be her teacher.

Homeless Dogs In Need of a Home

A soccer buddy of mine asked me to pass some information along about some puppies on island that are in need of a good home. If you are interested in adopting a puppy or know of someone who is, then please contact PAWS for more information. I am sorry, but I do not know the phone number.

Hi. This is my very first blog. I have been wanting to try this for a while, but never got around to it until now. And now that I'm finally here, I don't know what to say. For a long time I have just been sitting at my computer staring at a blank screen wondering what to write. What are you supposed to write about in your first blog? I don't really know, so I just write what is coming into my head at this moment. It may be random....it may even make some sense from time to time, but it is "my world" and this is who I am.

I am many things, among them I am a daughter of Ruth and Alvin, a sister of Becky and Alvie, an aunt to Lisa, Michael, Hannah, and Oliva, a friend to many, and a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior.

My world at the moment is teaching 4th grade at Saipan Community School on the island of Saipan. I love my job and my school! The picture you see is of me wearing a mawr mawr on my head. It is a traditional head piece that is given to you upon your first arrival to Saipan. Usually the mawr mawr's are made of local fresh flowers, such as plumeria and hibiscus, but the one you see me wearing was made from various palm leaves and dried flowers. I think it is pretty....the mawr mawr that is. What do you think?