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.