Introducing...THE BAND...well part of the band

***** "THE BAND...well part of the band will be an ispiration to all who are graced with their slightly disturbing angelic like vibrations..." ****

***** "THE BAND...well part of the band should change their name to Summer cause they're HOT!!!"*****

***** "THE BAND...holds the power to make those not so musically inclined feel even worse about their not so musically inclined skillZ."*****

Karen (aka: K-ditty)
...Karen (aka: K-ditty) tells us that she has been dreaming of this opportunity for days!
"At this point in our journey I am just so overwhelmed by the support of our fans!!" Karen (aka: K-ditty) is hoping body gaurds will not be of necessity until the upcoming weeks.
"I love MY fans...but they need to remember, I'm a person too...I can break." While THE BAND, well part of the band's route to fame has only begun Karen (aka: K-ditty) tells us her biggest fear..."I never want to forget the little people...those who look up to me or those I had to step on along the way."
Karen (aka: K-ditty) loves her MR. Potato Head and her uke. "We're all kinda like a MR. Potato Head...if you take away our nose, ears, eyes, feet, arms, glasses, snorkel mask, and hair piece...will we not crumble?"



JOLENE (aka: Canadianism)
Jolene (aka: Canadianism) tells us that THIS is why she moved from Canada to Saipan.
"This is where dreams come true...even for Canadians!"
Jolene (aka: Canadianism) is thrilled to work with such a legend..."Karen (aka: K-ditty) is a true inspiration to us all. She's got moves...man those moves!!!! She's totally sweet! While others are forced to jam with hosers, I'm working with a musical miracle genius."
Jolene (aka: Canadianism) loves ping-pong, and her Uke.
"A ukelele is like a Chia Pet...it'll grow into something amazing when it's watered and treated with stroking hands. Before you know it you'll say...WOW it's a sprouting rinocerous!"

"Sometimes I like to laugh at my Uke"














Karen (aka: K-ditty) says of her band mate Jolene (aka: Canadianism).... "She Completes me...she's like a real American friend, cept she's Canadian."

(We had to break from our exclusive interview after such a heart felt response to allow our plethera of camera men to grab some aloe enhanced tissues for their tear stained faces.)

Tunes to come by THE BAND...well part of the band.....

* "I love my uke, do you?"

* "Would you wish upon my uke?"

* "Two ukes beat as one"

* "Like a guitar but smaller"

Stay tuned for more on the marvelous travels of THE BAND...well part of the band!

Monday...

This past weekend some fine ladies and myself...and Dave went on a wee hike to Old Man by the Sea. Can you spot him in the picture?? What chiseled features he has!! A handsome man is he :) It was a toasty hike involving much glistening (for girls don't "sweat" mind you) There were many rocks to play on...nothing like a good rock to climb up on, then back down on, etc. Awe good times all around. The waves were massive as were my glute muscles from all the climbing :). On the hike out we came across two men in the jungle like terrain in full camouflage with machete's in hand. Now mind you while one is hiking in the mid jungle and all of a sudden hears footsteps in the bush unknown a wee feeling of terror might evolve in one's stomach. Especially when the two men continue to follow from behind. Now again I know what most are thinking...with Karen's massive physique and Hulk Hogan like bi's and tri's what is there to be scared of? While most think otherwise, my muscles are truly no match for a rusty machete!! But alas we made it out safe and sound with our machete and beetlenut chewing, camouflaged stealth like friends behind. So besides our sketchy "friends" it was a hoot as some might say.





STRONG LIKE BULL...

Saturday...

Awe pictures are a blessing when one is far away from home! Now I know what you're thinking...YES, I get my ankles from my mom :) Had a grand Saturday filled with nothing which delighted me to no end. Now that's a lie...I made some dynamite buttered and brown sugary yams (sweet potatos as some do say). It's not every day one is so inclined to make up some buttery brown sugary yams (aka...sweet potatos) for no apparent reason other than to fulfill a sudden one's buttery brown sugary yam craving. Delectable in deed!

Missing family today.............the yams just don't cut it :)

JAPAN = Just like Montana...cept for all the Japanese people.

Jolene and I got back from Japan late last night, or I suppose one could say early this morning. We had grand times of frolicking about to and fro while absorbing the beautiful Japanese sights. What sights you ask...mountains (JUST like Montana mind you), coastal towns, rocks placed in random places, temples, shrines, many a feathered-mullet-potential hair due, sand dunes (sand dunes = dunes made from sand :), gnomes in random places, hot springs, naked Japanese man bathing in hot spring, an in love Japanese lad with a heart for a girl named Jessica, scared Japanese women clinging to grocery store aisle ways, natural foot bath with a lake front view, beautiful Japanese homes and gardens, a delightful local family who makes a mean fish ball soup, and the true beauty and scerenity of a quaint "country" town that Japan city life could never encompass. Grand times in deed.
We spent the first three days with Jolene's friend Jacoby. I must take a moment to say...darn fine tour guide (even if he did say "narly" once or twice :) tour guides are people too :) Without Jacoby I truly believe Jolene and I would still be trying to find the OKAT bus sign at Namba station. Who would have thunk Japanese characters were so tricky to understand...I understand lines, lines drawn into shapes, and shapes made out of lines, hence it should have been no problem!!! Also had no idea how tricky it is to find vegetarian meals in Japan. While I had some who broke into laughter after hearing of my anti-flesh stance I was able to enjoy many a noodle dinner filled with warmth and love. It's not that I like animals, it's just that I hate plants :) Have you hugged a vegetarian today?


We were able to visit so many places while we were in Japan...places that most visitors probably do not get to enjoy. While I know most of you are saying "How could you call your Japan trip a successful one without visiting a Japanese massage parlor!!!!???", I am here to say while our trip was short in length it was not short of memories and delightful times :)

Thursday night...(aka: Subway night)

AWE, a veggie delight with extra lettuce, pickles, black olives, green peppers, and mustard on a cheddar herb 6inch...truly enough said :)

ONE more day till Japan...

happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday. I'm officially 27 years old on Saipan and in Michigan the same. As my grandma told me the other day, "Wow, you ARE getting old!" Guess you don't feel old when you are still living like a child. And the child-like flame continues to burn within :) That's ok though at least for another year or so, right? Or two?

My students were so sweet today and bombarded me with gifts and hugs alike this morning as I opened up the door. They were so eager for me to open up all of my presents and of course all at the same time!!!! Yes fun times in deed. I was given a variety of things such as...a dynamite diamond apple pin, back scrubber, chocolate, soap (should I take that as a hint...D for YOU!), chocolate, blueberry kool-aid (even my children know of my child-like tendencies I guess), chocolate, candles, chocolate, and many other things!!!!!!! How sweet they are. Of course all those who brought me a gift shall be receiving A's all around :) I even had one little boy bring me a bouquet of flowers. If he was only about 20 years older :)

Tonight the teachers and I went to a Vietnamese restaurant called Traungs. SO deliciously fine. They have the most wonderful food...including a curry veggie and tofu stir fry! Awe yes the taste buds danced tonight. Afterwards we came back and set up a sheet and ducan projector outside by the water and watched a little beach side movie. Also had ourselves a "little" bonfire...who says you can't have a bonfire in 90 degree, 99% humidity, climate!!? All around so much fun. Also had the finest of company which always adds to the occasion.

Now I must sleep...after all I am getting older. Thanks to all of you who sent birthday wishes by phone, email and REAL mail. As I told me children today...you made me feel very special today :) When I told a little girl Hae Mil that today she just looked at me and said "Miss Carlson you ARE special!" Be still my heart :)

nite nite :)