Tourist for a couple hours

On Wednesday, my "off", I decided to go to Tumon, the one area on island really made especially for the tourists. There are a bunch of high end stores including Cartier, Rolex, Fendi, Birkenstock, etc..... We even have a Planet Hollywood and a Hard Rock Cafe. For the most part I just took a stroll. But I did treat myself to a visit to "Underwater World". It is not as big as the Baltimore or Camden aquarium but it is quite delightful. You actually walk through a tunnel built through the aquarium. I also happened to see divers in the tank feeding the sharks and the MantaRays so they did not eat the exhibit. It was fun. I wanted to go for a swim but it was a bit too chilly. The woahs of winter on a tropical island. :o)

Suppose you were taking my midterm

Here are some things you would definately want to know......

When I passed out chocolate in class I was demonstrating or illustrating a behavioral concept from B.F. Skinner...... what was it?

In class I poured water from a full glass glass to another glass which was not full. You might want to know what cognitive (piaget) concept that illustrated.

You also might want to know what 4 factors effect observational learning.

Of course there are other things you will have to know....... but well these might be something you might want to know.

What's Wrong with this Picture?

You are probably wondering what is that big black object in the photo. It is not something magically floating in air. One thing I have learned is that Micronesians love to laugh and so they are always being silly and playing jokes. As I took this picture when we were waiting at the airport - another student told me to count to 3. So on three when I snapped the picture, he threw his "slipper" or flip flop to all you state siders into the picture.

Happy Birthday Sharon!

Today is Sharon's birthday. A number of her friends threw her a party and were nice enough to invite me. It was very nice.

Sharon is the leader of the student discipleship group that I attend. She is very sweet and smart. It is always a joy to spend time with her. She is always very encouraging to me.

So once again sweet Sharon, Happy Birthday! Apparently Ektor (one of our male students also had his birthday today. - Unfortunately I didn't know this until almost curfew and I didn't get to wish him a happy birthday - So Happy Birthday to you too Ektor.

Crystaleen's Vacation

Crystaleen left this week for a two week visit to her home island in Chuuk. I took her to the airport on Sunday. Chrystaleen always makes me laugh and is a huge help to me understanding the different cultures and the students. I miss her already. :o(

PIBC Travelling Ambassadors

Every Sunday there is a small team of students which travel from church to church and really are ambassadors for PIBC. They usually lead most of the service with music, testimonies, skits, and a short lesson. They are really quite gifted students. I am most regularly their driver - although sometimes I just drop them off and go to my church (especially when the service is not in English) and pick them up when they are finished. This last Sunday they went to Tamuning Christian Fellowship. As always they did a great job and were well received.

PIBC Clean Up

During the end of March and the beginning of April there is a big competition on campus to celebrate the founding of the school. Apparently there are sport's competitions, and times of spiritual renewal. There will aslo be food and all kinds of other fun activities planned for that time right before spring break. Or so I am told never having experienced a "PIBC Days" in the past. This year there is also a new competition. The campus has been split into 3 section and each team of students (There are 3 teams) have been assigned an area. They each are supposed to do work on a section of campus and "Beautify it"..... And during PIBC days the different areas will be judged. The students have been taking it very seriously and have been working pretty hard. These pictures are of Team "B"..... I will be part of Team "A". But I have stolen these pictures from Peter's blog. :o) I have no idea what he might have said about them since his blog is in Dutch.

Time for Midterms

Although some classes have already had their midterms, I take my midterm literally and have scheduled it for next Thursday March 15th which I calculated as the exact middle of the semester. Although those of you who are familiar with my math skills realize that it is not necessarily the case.....but regardless March 15th it is.

This week I am trying to prepare a study guide and plan to spend some time in review for the midterm during class.

Pray for my students that they might be diligent in their studies that they might be able to understand what they need to know for the midterm.

Discovery Day

I was listening to the Radio this afternoon while driving the students around and the DJ was talking about a 3 day weekend. I didn't have any idea what he could possibly be talking about. But Lo and Behold there is a Guam Holiday called Discovery Day on Monday.

Discovery Day symbolizes the landing of the Portuguese captain-general Ferdinand Magellan at Umatac bay on March 6, 1521. Sailing for the Spanish crown, Magellan stayed for three days on Guam before resuming his quest to circumnavigate the globe. A re-enactment and mini-carnival is held every year in Umatac around March 6, much to the delight of young and old. This year it is Sunday but the 1st Monday is the official government holiday.

We don't get the day off of school but aparently the DJ gets the day off. I will be curious to find out who else will be closed.

Hazy Daze

The air on Guam is generally some of the cleanest in the world -- thanks to the trade winds. But right now we have a cloud of smog hanging over the island. The Guam Office of Civil Defense has issued an advisory attributing the haze to dust from the Gobi Desert in China.

However, on Saipan, 150 miles north of us in the CNMI, they canceled school today because of haze there. And they're saying that it's coming from the volcano on Anatahan, which has been puffing a bit recently.Anathan is about 200 miles north of Guam and the volcano there suddenly appeared in May of 2003.

IOW, whether the haze is from China or Anathan it's looking a lot like LA in the 1970's.

The above comments are from my friend Brad's blog. He also said that one of the parents of one of our students is a meteorologist and she confirmed it is from the volcano. However the article in the Guam Pacific Daily News does not agree. Whatever the reason there is a haze over Guam for the last 2 days and could be for about another 2 days potentially unless the trade winds pick up. It is causing all kinds of respiratory problems. I for one was having problems before the haze and now am feeling pretty poorly with a sore throat and painful sinuses. :oP

Flyboy

This Sunday night we had our staff Prayer and Praise covered dish at Aaron and Hollie's House on Anderson Airforce Base. Before we started Aaron (a Navy Helicopter Pilot) took some of us to the hanger to see the helicopters that he flys.

The first picture is me and "Mr. Hottie" (See August Archive if you want the story behind the name)

An no I do not know why their are Navy pilots on the Airforce base..... but there are. We also have a seperate Navy base - perhaps their are Airforce Shipmen there?????

Beach Birthday

Four of the students have birthdays this week. Marda, Breechlyn, Joyleen, and Mac. A group of the students went to Ypao beach park this past weekend to celebrate with a picnic and swimming. Although I have learned that Micronesians do not like to swim until the sun goes down. I as one of their drivers got to go along. Since I hadn't been to the beach in awhile I really enjoyed my time swimming except for when Mac was throwing Sea Cucumbers at me.

Anyway Happy Birthday ladies and gentleman......

Discipleship Groups

At PIBC the students are all assigned to "Discipleship" or Small Groups. Last semester they tried to make them completely student led and student run but the students wanted to have a staff or faculty to be part of their group.

On Wednesday afternoons we spend time talking about God's word and praying for each other. Sometimes we sing. And in the future we will do some fun things together.

This is my group. From left to right: Verlyn, Alicia, Giftlin, Sharon, Marsa, and Lydia.

Since you asked

Betel Nut is the fruit of an Areca Palm which gives a mild narcotic effect when chewed.

These green pods can be chewed as is but most who chew cut them open and add a limestone (or coral) powder and tobacco. Then they wrap the whole thing in a pepper leaf. The packet is then stuck between the gum and the cheek much like chewing tobacco.

Chewing changes the saliva red and ends up staining the teeth of those who chew regularly. It is also known to produce mouth, throat, and stomach cancers in those who chew.

The difficult thing is that on the Island of Yap betel nut chewing is so prevalent, it has become part of how they communicate. While on Yap over break, it was very interesting to watch since almost everyone chews constantly. Just one after the other and it is culturally accepted and encouraged. Then they come to school and are not supposed to chew at all but many of them are addicted to either the nut or the tobacco. Both are prohibited on campus.

Apparently from what I read in the web, Betel nut chewing started in south east Asia but it is now wide spread. There are some interesting videos on YouTube about Betel Nut chewing if you are still curious and have some free time on your hands.

Personality Development Homework 4

This blog entry is for my personality development class. Here is your assignment.

Copy and Paste the following questions into a Word or Text document and then answer them.

All answers should be able to be found in this weeks reading.

Print it out and bring it to class on Thursday. 3/1/07.

Define gender role or sex role stereo type.

Describe a gender role stereo type for your gender in your culture.

This week we talked about Bandura's Social Learning theory. How does it apply to gender development?

Define differential reinforcement. Does this concept apply in your culture? In what ways?

What is Margaret Mead's contribution to the study of gender development?

According to Kohlberg's theory of gender development what stage of development would Joel Farnsworth be at? What does this mean about how he thinks about gender?

What is psychological androgyny?

A Sad Week

This week was one of the hardest weeks that I have had since I got here. I found out that two of the students who were on probation for violating campus rules regarding chewing betelnet on campus last semester had again broken the rule.

I spent much time talking with the campus director trying to come up with another solution but in the end we came to the conclusion that they had to be dismissed from school.

Coming to that decision and having to tell the girls was one of the most difficult things I have done and was not without much prayer and tears.

Tonight as they left there was much sadness and tears among the girls as well.

Times Up!

For my timer anyway. Unfortuantely it seemed to have gotten too close to my pot of boiling potatoes. Now it is just one piece of plastic. Even Peter our matienance supervisor announced that it is beyond repair.

What's Cooking?

I had fun this weekend preparing and cooking a dinner for some of the staff and faculty on campus. I had the other half over on New Year's Day.

This time I made Roast Beef. My Chuukese friend never saw "Cow" in that form before. There are no cows on the islands, except for their Carabao cousins. All beef is shipped in from the US or New Zealand.

I also made my first gravy without help from my Mom. And the really exciting thing is Nobody died. :o) At least not that I know of yet.

Students from Yap Lead Chapel

Last Friday (2/16) - The students from Yap led chapel. This included our Yapese students and Tim (Orange) and his sister Charity (not pictured) who are actually Chuukese but grew up in Yap. They are the son and daughter of Aseal and Techimy Ruda who are Liebenzell missionaries in Yap and run the Yap Evangelical Church.

Pictured - Stella and Percia doing an "Action Song"

Mac, Everly, Sato and Tim sing a "special number"

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

I don't know but if you figure that one out maybe you can tell me how this one got in my back yard. Did he fly over the fence, dig under it, climb it, or maybe they had those catapult machines like in the movie Chicken Run.

I don't know but for some reason lately chickens from the Rooster farm next door have been showing up on campus.

Yes, Roosters are popular here in Guam. They are not only eaten but used for the popular Cock Fights. What's a Fiesta without a good Cock Fight? That's what I always say. Actually I have not been to either yet and I am not sure that I really want to go.

This chicken seems to be a little camera shy. As soon as she saw my camera she started running.

Getting Buggy with it.

This week I also saw one of Guam's creatures that have eluded me up until now, the dastardly termite. It is beyond my imgination why termites would take up residence on an island which is made up mostly of cement and ceramic tile but they found food in my apartment in the form of my flat rate boxes that I had on hand from the post office. I found out after I cleaned up that the school has a termite plan. In fact they have these tubes in the ground all over campus for termite bombing. Well they are gone for now...... Hopefully I won't seem them again in awhile.

Valentine's Day

Even though Valentine's day is typically an American thing, it is clear that the Micronesian students are glad to celebrate it. The Student Council (AKA StuCo) sold "candy grams" as a fund raiser. I sent them to 3 of my favorite people. Joel, Amelia, and Micah. For the girl students I made my own candy treats with a valentine. The boys were sad that I did not make them for them as well. I told them my rule. No valentines for boys I am not related to or dating.... (with an occasional exception for a well established long standing friendship - although I didn't explain that part).

I actually got a Candy gram from my "little sister" Crystalene and from "Unknown"..... Hmmm... I have my guesses.... but so far no one fessed up. One student even bought me a carnation which was a fun surprise to find it on my message board.

Hollie and Aaron (Mr. Hottie - see post in August?) came to campus for the evening devotion and shared their very exciting story about how God brought them together. They also brought sugar cookies for everyone shaped like hearts which they made together.

All in all it was a good day.

Overall it was a pretty nice day.

Random Pix

Lot's of Class

This is my class. We had our 3rd week last night. We talked about Sigmond Freud and a few other of the Psychoanalytic theories. There only 24 in the picture. One was missing last night. Aren't they cute?

Mel and Ameilia

This is just a cute pic of me and my friend Ameilia. She is sporting here new Chuukese dress at our first PIBC staff Prayer Meeting and Covered Dish this semester.

Cool Siting

Today I saw a Green or Carolina Anole. Although this is just a picture I got from the web and not the actual Anole I saw. He expanded his throat just like the one in the picture. The one web page said they do that when they are trying to attract a mate or defend their territory. I think I might have confused him with my green shirt..... Being Friday and all I am assuming he was probably looking for a date for the weekend. Well since I did not speak Anole before today I lost my opportunity and I am spending a quiet evening alone.

Second Week of Class

Well 2 down 13 to go. I tried to go slower but it certainly is a great task for me. I did teach until the end of class this time this week. In fact I was about to go over when the students all pointed out that we were out of time.

I enjoy being in class with the students as I almost always enjoy being with the students. I still believe I need to find my grove as a teacher. Thankfully the students have been very patient and gracious with me so far.

Greeting Cards

Maybe I missed it but there seems to be no good place to get greeting cards in Guam. Back home in the states there were always one or two card stores in each and every mall. I have not found one card store so far on Guam. This leaves a small selection in some of the grocery stores, book stores, and of course Kmart. Good thing I brought some of my own cards with me and there are always electronic cards for free on many sites. So this is the way of life here on Guam.

I'm it!

The first couple weeks of the semester I have so busy between being Dean of Women and being a new professor that I barely noticed that my friend Brad Boydston "tagged" me. Basically he responded to 6 question on his blog which someone else had "tagged" him with and now I will do the same.

1) What is the most fun work you've ever done, and why?
I would have to say my current job of being Dean of Women at PIBC in Guam is about the most fun and rewarding job that I have ever done. Why? I am thankful for the opportunity to serve God in full time service. Also I believe doing my job makes a difference in the lives of others. (I pray for the positive) The people are tremendous. Both the staff and students fill my life with joy on a regular basis. (Of course there are days which are more stressful then joyful but fortunately they are the exception so far.) Each day is different and often somewhat of an adventure.
2A) Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did?
Wear a size 10. :o) Although over all I am happy just the way I am.
2B) Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off?
Go back to Ecuador and visit the people of Cotachaci whom I met on a mission trip there.
3A) What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why?
I would like to learn Guitar and be fluent in Spanish. I love music and to sing. (Not that people like to hear me.) I especially singing praise and worship to accoustical guitar plus being in ministry it is not always easy to find a guitar player when you need one. As far as Spanish I have been to 3 missions trips in Spanish speaking countries - I love the language and Latin American people. I hope to go back some time.
3B) If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn?
Ruthann Batstone - she actually was the first counselor that I went to. She and her husband also run a discipleship ministry in which they travel the world giving seminars. She is an amazing woman of God, and I would hope to learn to be more mature in my faith, compassionate and a better counselor from her.
4A) What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
Thoughtful, Crazy, Faithful
4B) Now list two more words you wish described you. Neat (All my past roommates are shaking their heads) and Calm (I had a hard time picking the right word to describe my need to slow down a bit and be less anxious - Sometimes my speed makes Micronesians nervous)
5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes) God, Relationships (Family and Friends), Laughing
6) Write and answer one more question that YOU would ask someone.
If you had a chance to ask God one question that he would be guarenteed to answer what would it be?

My answer: As I try to think of my questions I imagine myself in God's presense and all my questions seem so small..... I will post the answer at a later date but right now I need to go check on some things on campus.

Yap Mission Team

This week the Yap mission team shared about their experience on the mission trip during chapel. Stella shared how God provided for her financially to go on the trip. Mac shared how his little brother and several cousins came to know the Lord while the team was doing ministry there. The team also sung one of the songs we sang while the trip. Micronesian students sing like angels. They even let me sing with them. What gracious students we have.

Fun Pictures

The Students like to go to one of the local malls and have their pictures taken together. This week I got in on the act and saw how it was done. Pretty cool actually. You stand in front of a green wall. They take several digital shots. Then remove the background on the computer and insert the background of choice. This is me and my friends Crsytaleen, Sharon, and Verleen.

First Class

So last night was my first class teaching Personality Development. As far as I can tell over all things went well. One complaint from the students was that I talked too fast. So I will have to work on slowing down. I have already been told I need to slow down in general..... it some times makes the students anxious because I am zooming around them...... The other problem with my first class is that I ran out of material before class was over. Imagine none of the students complained about finishing early. :o)

Also Thank you all for praying.... I definately felt the peace of your prayers.

The Old Gray Mare Just Ain't What She Used to Be!

Well it is official I am 40 and my mind is now going. This morning on the 24th, Peter came back from the Philippines. He was able to get his passport situation resolved with only a little bit of flack from the airline but they let him travel anyway. Anyway some how my old brain convinced me that the 24th was ALSO Peter's birthday. When I heard that Peter gave his key to the Dean of Men, the plan was set in motion. Crystaline, myself and some of the students decorated Peter's whole house (Really only the size of most of your living rooms) with Balloons, Streamers with a sign that said "Happy Birthday and Welcome Home".....

Of course Peter was VERY surprised when he arrived back at 5am (I am assuming since I was not awake) ESPECIALLY since his birthday is apparently NOT until January 30th.

Oh well.... we had fun doing it..... and Peter thought it was funny even though he had to tell people over and over again that it was not his birthday today.

They're Back!

The last couple days have been quite busy. The students have been arriving back slowing over the last couple of days. Monday morning at 4am is the last known airport student pick up, although there are still missing here on the island of Guam.

Yesterday we had registration here on campus where the students who didn't pre-register got to pick their classes and a few who did changed a class or two. Books were purchased and at 4:30pm the first class of the semester began.

My class is not until Thursday night and I am still trying to finalize my syllabus. Having not taught before it is difficult to determine how much material is needed to fill in a 2.5 hour class and what assignments might truly assess the students learning without overburdening them since this IS an undergraduate class unlike the graduate level classes I took in the same subject.

Although I will obviously be much busier - I am very excited to have the students back.

Getting dusting

It's been almost a month since the students have been in session. It would look like from this picture I have been sitting around the whole time just getting dusty. :o)

Fortunately (Or not) depending how you are looking at it - the students will start coming back at the end of this week and classes will start next week.

Passport Problems

Today Peter, our maintenance supervisor from the Netherlands, leaves for the Philippines. His passport will expire in April and apparently this is the closest place that he can go to renew it. The very fact that his passport expires in April has made it difficult for him even to purchase a ticket to the Philippines. He will have to stay there over a week until the embassy there forwards the passport information to the Netherlands and it is returned at the beginning of the next week.

Please pray that Peter will make it through customs and immigration in the Philippines with no problems. Also pray that the passport situation will be solved in the promised time frame so he will be back to start the semester on time since he is also a student.

Back from Yap

Although I really enjoyed experiencing the Yap culture and spending time with the students, I am glad to be "home" in Guam. I spent the first couple of days catching up on laundry and sleep and a few errands. Today I focused on class material although I have a lot more to go.

I have a little over a week until my class starts but students start coming back next week. And of course there are meetings next week for the beginning of the semester as well.

So here we go again..... Looking foward to another exciting semester.

Yap Pictures

Here are some pictures from my trip to Yap. Unfortunately I lost some pictures when I seem to have accidently ruined my memory card. Also forgot to take my charger for my battery.

Picture 1 - Some of the Yap Mission Team Women. Charity, Jafflyn, Marda, Jayleen, Joyleen.

Picture 2 - Stone money used only in Yap. Apparently still used today for some things.

Picture 3 - Beach shot... taken on our island tour

Picture 4 - Men's House - not sure exactly what it is used for.... There is also a similar looking building called a meeting house which looks similar but is more open.

Picture 5 - Hollie and me on the day we arrived in our "mar mars" The Yapese people are very big into making mar mars which I love..... I was amazed to see home many different ways and styles of mar mars are made. Hollie is still in Yap but I received several Mar mars when I was leaving as well.

Inauguration Day

Today is the inauguration day for the new governor of Yap State. There is a big ceremony in town and we are all attending. There will be some people later performing the traditional dances of the islands. It is very fun to be part of a special day for the island.

There are 2 more days and ministry is winding up. There is not much scheduled but that is often the case in Micronesia but things can come up last minute. Last night we had a dinner with the Chuuk People from Yap which was a last minute thing. They prepared a meal for us and we had a time of fellowship. The students ended the evening by doing some of their songs.

Tonight we have a time of fellowship and follow up with a number of the students who came to the Youth Rally.

We also plan to do some work around the Liebenzell guest house and the Yap Evangelical Church where we are staying.

It has been great being with the students. I am always proud of them.

I am also looking forward to being back in Guam and NOT having rice at every meal and have some fresh vegetables again. My kingdom for a Potato...... :o)

When I get back hopefully I will be able to post some pictures for you all to see.

Greetings from Yap

Hope you are doing well. Arrived in Yap, 2 days ago. It is beautiful. However, it is very different than Guam. The island is much smaller and a lot less developed. There is no McDonald's on Yap. No not one. Nor is there a Mall. Mostly little shops and local restaurants.

On my first day here it was very good to see every one and hear of all their adventures in the first 2 weeks of their trip. We spent the day on an Island tour. The next day we were preparing for a Youth Rally which will take place tonight. Today was all about preparation as well.

Tomorrow is a beach party. On Sunday we will host a Children's day. On Monday we will go to the inauguration of the Governor of Yap. It should be fun and interesting experiencing many of the traditional ceremonies of the culture.

Well gotta go to the shopping center here to invite youth to the Youth Rally tonight.

Just wanted you all to know that I arrived safely and all is going well.

I will return to Guam on the 11th.

Thank You

Just want to thank all of you for your Christmas cards, photos, packages and etc. I love getting mail. (This is why I volunteered to pick it up several days a week.)

I noticed some of you put extra postage or paid for an air mail stamp, in doing this your mail will get here just fine. In fact the post office thanks you for your generousity. However, only a regular 39 cent stamp is required to mail letters and cards to Guam. Each additional ounce is an additional 24 cents.

Happy New Year

New Years Eve was kind of quiet here as I played games with one of the families on campus. Afterward a small group of us drove to a place to watch the fireworks set off at midnight.

On New Year's day I hung out in my apartment cleaning and preparing for a dinner of Pork and Saurkraut..... which has been my tradition for many years. I invited some of my friends from campus to experience a new tradition. It was different for them but they enjoyed it.

Today (the day after) I ran some last minute errands and have been reading and preparing for class. I am leaving in the early morning 3 or 4am for a week on the island of Yap. I will be staying and working with the PIBC mission team while I am there. Apparently also the new governor of Yap will be inagurated this week so there will be many celebrations.

Although Yap is beautiful (I'm told) expect for a few who chose to dive with the Manta Rays there are not a lot of regular tourists in Yap. Apparently you can not take pictures without permission and you can not make a lot of noise.... both things which concern me a bit but I suppose with God's help I will be able to do it.

Hope your New Year is full of God's great blessings upon you and your family.

P.S.
I love and miss you all. Come visit!!!!