Easter in Saipan 2009

Today began very early...before the sun came up in fact.

It's Easter today and I went up to Capital Hill for the annual Easter Sunrise Service that Saipan Community Church puts on.

I don't know exactly when the tradition of going up to Capital Hill to have Sunrise Service began, but I know many people from different churches gather with SCC for this special occasion.


It was windy up on the hill and a bit chilly this morning and I was glad to have my blanket along. As I bundled up I couldn't help think that I am becoming a true islander now. The slightest drop in temperature or humidity I get cold.

Pastor Dickerman led the service, but he also invited at least five other pastor's from different congregations to participate throughout the program.





After the service everyone forms two lines and makes their way through the tables of food. This is where you can mingle and have fellowship together before leaving and heading to your own church service (that would be the 2nd service of today).

The day ended with my neighbor, Amanda, hosting an EGG-IT Brea-nner event at her apartment. Something like dying eggs at Easter, but not quite. A lot work, but fun!

It began with each guest poking a needle through the top and bottom of a raw egg. Then we blow on one end of the egg and try to push out the contents of the egg through the other hole. Not as easy as it seems. Try it! Once the contents of the egg are out, the creativity begins. But the egg is not wasted...oh no. While some guests are painting their eggs, others are put to work making the omelette's for everyone.


Amanda is very good at delegating and she wasted no time putting Dan to work as the main chef in making the omelette's. Others helped with homemade biscuits and gravy. The omelette's were very good, and as much as I had to admit it, they were better than mine.

It has been a wonderful Easter day. I am blessed to have wonderful family and friends, a job I love, and my faith.

Vanessa's egg. My egg. Egghead

Getting a Tattoo

Today I went to some tattoo place in Garapan to watch my friend, Amanda, get a tattoo. I was curious about how they did it, so I asked her if I could come and watch. It was interesting to see. First the tattoo artist draws the design in permanent marker where the tattoo will go. This allows the customer to see how the tattoo will appear before it is actually inked on.


When the customer is satisfied with how it looks, then the process of inking begins. Depending on where the tattoo is going, this process can be painless or painful. Amanda chose to have this tattoo placed on the inside of her left foot. Judging by how hard she was gripping her right toe as the tattoo artist was inking, I'd say this tattoo was painful. From my perspective,though, it looked flawless. I was fascinated.

Amanda tried to read a book to distract her, but I don't think she read too many pages.

After watching for about 30 minutes, I told Amanda good bye and good luck. I don't know if she wanted me to stay or leave, but I had seen enough to know that it was pretty cool....and I wanted one of my own!

But tattoos are permanent and I am not sure that I want something etched on my skin permanantly. Luckily for me I found a great alternative.

Outside the JoeTen store in Garapan, there is a small booth manned by a Chinese guy who will give you a "tattoo" for as low as $3.00. Curious, I walked over to his booth and asked him, "How long will this take? How much will it be? And, can you make it look real?" He said, "For this design I will charge you $5.00. It will take just three minutes, and Yes, I can make it look real." Alright then, let's do it.





This is my tattoo.






This is Amanda's tattoo. Isn't it beautiful?

An Afternoon in the Park

Sometimes something unexpected comes your way. Sometimes the unexpected is bad and sometimes it is rather nice. Like today for instance. I was taking a break from working in my classroom and was heading out for some lunch when Amanda said, "Bring your camera and come to the park next door. Mrs. Winkfield is making a video of some Junior High students playing their ukelele's. She wants different angles and perspectives."


Sounded like a fun way to practice filming, so, I gathered my camera, ran to the park next door and began taping the kids playing. Some of the footage from the videos will be used as part of a presentation during the Uke Jam '09 and some will be used during this year's graduation program.

After we finished filming the kids, I decided to stay in the park a little longer and take some pictures of the park, and just enjoy the peacefulness of it.

Chapel Performance March 2009

Every Friday morning the entire school gathers at the Chapel for a brief time of singing praises and to hear a short inspirational message. Once a month a different grade is responsible for leading the chapel service. In March it was the 4th grade's turn. I don't usually like doing chapel services, but like it or not, I am responsible for guiding my students in doing something. This year I decided to use two songs from the movie Sister Act. One song was I Will Follow Him and the other was My God. I downloaded the two songs from YouTube onto my computer and taught my students to lip sinc the words. Thirty minutes every morning for about three weeks we practiced "singing those two songs" and putting motions to the words. To further help my students look the part of nuns, I borrowed choir robes from the church and let the students wear them. My students loved it. Then the big day arrived. My job was easy....just click on the music! Once my kids heard the first note, they knew what to do and they did it well. I am so proud of them and they were proud of themselves when it was all over. It feels good to be proud of the work you do.

Catching Up

Okay, I admit it. I am a lousy blogger. It's not that I don't enjoy writing and posting pictures here, I just get busy with other things and before I know it weeks and even months have gone by without so much as a peep from me. Would you like to know what's going on in my world?

If you remember my last post...way back in early January, I mentioned that I had Pastor Abe to pray over my year, especially regarding my work with my students. About a week ago, Pastor Abe asked me how things were going since we prayed. I told him that God has indeed blessed me with a wonderful year so far. Things are going very well in my classroom, better than I could ask or imagine. I have a wonderful group of 19 boys and girls who I dearly love. One day I overheard some of my students say, "I love 4th grade and I don't want to leave." Hearing them say that made me feel so proud and I thought that is the greatest compliment I could receive as a teacher. I give credit to God for that. God gives me the strength and wisdom I need to teach and I just plan and try to do my best and let God take care of the results.