Special Chapel

This past week on Wednesday was the beginning of the board meeting which ended today. To start of the meeting there was a "special" chapel. The Men and The Women each did a special number. The Board members were welcome. And Peter preached. Then all the faculty, staff, and the board enjoyed a nice lunch of Hot Dog Goulosh. A very interesting choice. But it wasn't actually as bad as it sounds.

It was especially very good to see my friend and old boss George Hege. I even volunteered to pick him up at 1am.

Spring Break

Less than a week to Spring break!!!! Wahoo!!!!!

Afterward only 5 weeks left in the semester..... Can you believe it?

Me either. Lots to do before the end, but I am looking forward to the break and the opportunity to catch up on my work for class.

Board Meeting

This week is the last week before Spring break. It is also the PIBC Board Meeting. Board Members from around the world will meet to talk about the future and direction of the school. I am looking forward to it.... Not just because we are having a special chapel and Peter is preaching (which I have heard he is good but I have not heard him preach before) And we will have a nice lunch with the board members. But I am excited to see one of my friends, George Hege who is a friend and the previous director of Liebenzell USA global missions who will perform his last official act from his prior role which he resigned in August 2006. The only thing that would make it better would be if his wife Linda were coming along for the ride.... but I will be excited to see someone from "home". So excited in fact that I promised to pick him up from the Airport at 1am.

Class Update

Midterms did not go as well as I would liked but I realized as I was making the test that I had covered much more material than I realized. Of course this being the first time I taught I am learning many things in hindsite. So in the end I had to curve the scores so that the range of grades were more reasonable.

This week the students are presenting on their temperament type as per the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. A personality test based on the Myers Briggs Indicator test. It groups the 16 personality types into 4 Temperament. Very similar to the DISC personality inventory and a few others that I have taken.

Unfortunately there are no students who ended up in the "Rational" -Very Intellectual/ Logical and Non-Emotional personality type. This does not surprise me too much since Micronesians are very relational and the those with a Rational personality type tend to be more of a loner. Of course I am sure there are probably some of that type that exist but not in the 24 students in my class.

However what this does mean is that I am not off the teaching hook for this week completely. I will have to present on the last temperament type. Although hopefully this week I will spend my time preparing at the pool. :o)

South Pacific

Last Saturday I went to see the Musical South Pacific. It was put on by the high school GATE program. This is an Arts program which brings together the Youth from all the high schools on Guam. Over all the musical was entertaining. In general South Pacific is not my favorite musical but it was well done for High school. Some parts - like the part of Bloody Mary was just well done period. However it was a bit weird to see Asian, and Islanders play the parts of the American Soldiers and the French man. There were a few Howlies (The local word for White people :o) in the play but most were in minor roles or the chorus.

Since there is not much in the way of the Arts here on Island - even High School productions draw a pretty decent crowd.

Oh Yes.... Some of you may remember me talking about Betelnut.... for those of you who also remember South Pacific - there is a Song about "Bloody Mary is the girl I love".....there is another line in the song that states that Bloody Mary chews Betelnut.

Vog

Today I learned a new word. And you guessed it! It is Vog. This is when Volcanic emissions combine with Fog. I have never had a use for this word before but this is the second time in less than 2 weeks that we have had Voggy conditions on the Island due to a volcano on some island near Saipan. It smells somewhat like rotten eggs. I am told there is also smoke due to some fires some place in Asia. Either way it just stank around here today and people were advised to stay indoors.

Leaping Lizards

This week as a group of guys were trying to eliminate a "Burn pit" outside of my apartment since it is now illegal to burn - they found this monitor lizard. He was pretty neat looking but I was not so anxious for him to stay were he was.

Friday Afternoon Shopping

Starting at about 1pm on Friday afternoon until about 7pm. I start shuttling students around shopping. From 1pm to almost 4pm, we go grocery shopping for weekend food for the students in the dorms. At 4:30pm we head to one of the two main shopping centers. This week we went to Guam Premiere Outlets. Here are some of the students who went with me.

Weekend Hangout

This little video store is about 4 miles from the school. On weekend nights often a van full of students will go with Peter to rent and return movies. I will also go on occassion, although this semester preparing for class often keeps me too busy to rent too much. Plus I get free rentals from Blockbuster when I drink Diet Coke. :o) The mystery is what will happen in the Fall when Peter goes back to Holland. Will the students still be able to get there and rent videos? Will U.A. go out of business without Peter? Hmmm.... I suppose only time will tell.

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.