No work and ALL play :)

What a great two weeks it's been!!!! We made it to Managaha thanks to our little friend "Captain Fred". We were able to frolic about in the cool waters while watching the fishies swim to and fro right in front of our masked faces. Managaha has tons of fish and coral, along with some friendly black tipped sharks that like to make themselves known from time to time. Nothing beats a three dollar diet coke and an afternoon at the wee island of Managaha!!!

Some call it FORBIDDEN...took my parents on the Forbidden Island hike which was a hoot as always. The wind about knocked us over on the hike down but good times all the same! Sadly it was SO windy that the water was crashing and churning like I've never seen so we were not able to splash about in the lava rock surrounded pools at the bottom ): I was ever so sad as this is where much of the fun is created. BUT we were able to wonder around and imagine ourselves swimming in the cool pools :) We also did a small hike down to Bird Island which was fun. Gotta love living on an island surrounded by islands. Remind me again why I'm leaving this place in three months?????

*** We did a lot of swimming and snorkeling and received our fair share of sun. Before my parents visit I didn't even have tan lines...AND now baby watch out!!! Instead of "peach" I'm more "yam" color :) Besides swimming and hiking we toured the North end of the island and brushed up on our WWII history. Crazy to think what was happening here not that long ago! We visited Bonzai, Suicide Cliff, the Grotto, Calebara Cave, the last command post, ETC.

Good times in deed...Thanks for coming Mom and DAd :) YOu made my last two weeks two of my best!! I love you !! Now back to work I must go tomorrow...it shan't be the same without ya :) See you soon!!!!

GUAM...well we took a little stroll down memory lane :) What fun it was to go to Guam with my mom and dad in tow!! It put a whole new spin on things hearing about all of the changes that have taken place since my parents lived on this small island that I am currently able to call my neighbor! We were able to find my parents old apartment abode (a wee bit more sketchy now than 32 years ago mind you), we visited remnants of taga stones, the queen's palace, lookouts of Agana and beautiful bays, a local swimming hole, the main city strip...speaking of "strip" we saw our fair share of strip clubs (Your mama's would be proud boyZ!), and a complete drive around the island. How grand to compare the pictures we now have to those my parents have from over thirty years ago!!

We even found THE bridge!!!! Last time I was in Guam I had the desire to find an old spanish bridge that my mom stood on in a picture 32 years ago, and take the same type of picture with me on it instead, but alas we were never successful in its' discovery. The bridge had seen better days and therefore was blocked off to those wishing to get pictures atop from tourists trying to recapture history :) But this works all the same :)

HOTEL TROUBLE.. we were able to stay at
the P.I.C. hotel during our Guam stay which usually entails a rather nice, luxurious accomodations. When we arrived in our room we noticed we had an unusual view from our balcony...there wasn't one, well cept for the lower alley garbage bin. So being the outspoken gal that I am I called the front desk and asked if there was possibly a room with a view...of perhaps water or something along those lines instead of the "forest", trash view we were given (forest=jungle in Michigander). Luckily the girl at the front desk was very helpful and gave us a new room with a view, thank you front desk girl!!!! We shall not forget you!!!! After receiving a new room assignment we set out to see our new view...first we took a right from the lobby and then another right to the elevators. From there we were to take the elevator down one flight and then take a right out of the elevator, while taking another right following the buffet lounge where we then took a left. We then followed the corrider and passed the first set of elevators and continued down where we took a short left and right. Then about ten meters later we were to take another left at the exit sign and a right. After the right turn we entered a narrower doorway and took a right at the ice machine, then a left and then a right where we came across another set of elevators. We then were to take the elevator on the right or left, NOT the one in the middle for it would often get stuck, to the 7th floor. We then took a left out out of the elevator and then a right where we would find our room #731 about 10 yards down. AWE the exercise we acquired from just departing and returning to our room!!!! BUT we did have a wonderful view and that's what truly mattered :)


We were also able to see some local dancing and music at a small village. Guam has turned into an "American" city and often local culture is lost.

What a great trip! I feel so blessed that my parents are here!! A lucky gal I am :)

They made it :) After 24 hours of airline food and gazing upon motion sickness baggies in the seats in front of them they made it to the little island I call home. It was so wonderful to be able to greet them in style with mar-mars in hand to give them a proper island welcome!

How great to have my two best friends here on Saipan to share with them all of the sights I have been speaking of for the past year and a half. So far they believe me to be a bit of a fibber with the whole "It's the hottest place on Earth!" story I've been dishing them since my arrival. So far it has been the coldest and rainiest days I've ever seen on Saipan...yup the "dry" season ain't so dry so far. But we're having fun all the same :) :) Lest you forget they're here with me...how could it not be fun I ask?!!

So far we've had the joy of attending the ocean front Saipan Community Church Sunday morning service, we devoured big dipper ice cream, rented ourselves a groovy ride, walked through fancy-shmancy DFS shopping center in Garapan, went snorkeling at PauPau beach (hence the picture above), ate some fine three dollar chinese, ate some fine vietnamese finery, played some intense scrabble, and my parents have had their first experience with red ants in their pants while trying to get some jetlag ZZzzzz's...awe all good times in deed :) We even found the hotel Mom and Dad stayed at over thirty years ago!!!! THE HYATT mind you :) Classy they were and classy they remain. The next few days I work and Mom and Dad are even coming in to my classroom tomorrow to see the kids and tell them a little bit about themselves. My students have been praying for them and talking about their visit for the past few weeks!!! EXCITED they are! Should be fun times all around. This weekend we will be going to Guam which should be a hoot in deedy! I get to see my parents old hang outs :) Please pray for nice, sunny weather for the remaining part of their visit....either way I'm so excited to have them here and we'll make fun no matter how many clouds are in the sky.