Do you ever stop and realize how fast time passes? To stop and give yourself the time to reminisce? To embrace the days when the afternoon's climax consisted of Uh-Oh Speghettio's and a rerun of "Scoobie-Doo"? To remember neverending days filled with hula-hoops with the water swirling within, and bike riding with the more than necessary pink banana seat underneath? Or the "NO splash rule or we're all going home this minute" at the beach, to the sand castle building contest with five sand eggs for the grand and final creation?

Days filled with duck taping one's mouth shut in the kitchen after a hard day's work of accidental-continual breakage of cookies, or falling asleep in Mom's lap in the old rocker after a thunderstorm finally passes? Why don't we stop and breathe in the memory of sleeping under the bed capturing the furnace's heat in it's entirety or roll around in the imagination that once sparked a cute bedroom delicatessen with a unique menu overflowing with Easy Bake Oven entrees and crushed sweet tart and water chilled soup?

Who stops us from dreaming of daydreaming of days filled with afternoon naps with the sun peaking through drawn shades, waking up with the cool breeze of outside and complete peace and comfort blowing in and landing on one's pillow creased cheek? Why don't we stop to remember the look on Mom's face when she thought she had lost her prize possession at the grocery store, when we were only two aisles away glancing at the My Little Pony collection on the shelf just above our reach? Why don't we keep close the pink corduroy overalls radiating a supersize plaid "K" on the breast pocket or the big brother hand-me-down bell bottoms that had somehow encompassed every shade of brown and orange?

What has become of the joyful sprinkler frenzy on a hot summer afternoon, or the guilt trip offered to the neighbor's daughter who would rather return home instead of spending an hour with two overly excited small children in a blow up pool? Where are the leaf piles one jumped into and there wished to remain or the monkey bars that opened up a whole new view of the world upside down? The Christmas mornings all snow covered and filled with anticipation to open THAT present, and then to watch as Mom and Dad opened THAT amazing golf ball ornament or THAT very special crochet pastel green napkin holder? Easter mornings searching for clues carefully hidden under sofa cushions and in microwaves that would eventually lead to a creamy chocolate trade, colorfully wrapped in pastel splendor?

***Don't forget how easy it was...don't forget how easy it IS...to smile :)

Welcome to my soon to be new island home...Maui :) I just found out this morning that I have been offerend a teaching position at Doris Todd Memorial Christian School for this next school year!! I have been skipping around all day with a smile plastered to my little sunburned face...my cheeks hurt (face cheeks that is) !! I am so excited and honored and can't wait to see what God has in store for me next year. I have seen miracles this year in prayer and now I have experienced it myself. I will be teaching 3rd grade and living in a small town called Paia which if you look on the map above is to the right of the "cinched waist"...if you will...of the island right along the coast. Awe grand times to come in Paia for me :)
Paia is described as a small surf town with an artsy feel. I guess people come from all over the island to surf and windsurf here! Perhaps I shall have to give her a try :)
One of many surf shops. Paia is a very small village with less than 2,000 residents I believe but it gets much traffic from people on their way to Hana. There are several boutiques, coffee shops, surf shops and cafes but not much else. Thank goodness there are some larger towns near by to buy school supplies and other unmentionables :)

Here is the Paia general store...very island in deed :) I can't wait to meet the locals and get to know them! Being that it is such a small town I'm sure I will start recognizing and hopefully forming relationships with them quickly.

AND here is my soon to be new school!!! I wonder if that rainbow is always present :) I am relieved and thrilled to finally know where I will be next year.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS THESE PAST FEW WEEKS!!!

*** Me happy, Me likey Managaha, Me likey spring vacation!!!***

A little Managaha getaway once again, how lovely in deed. Yesterday Sara and her lovely mom, Ruthie and her lovely 4 children, Jean and myself all frolicked over to Managaha for the lovely afternoon. It was so nice to just go and relax for a few hours. I think we should have spring breaks every other week...just a thought. Perhaps I shall have to mention this dynamite idea to our principal Mr. Smith when we return. He could kick it back and forth and play with the idea for awhile and then let me know :)

I love plumerias!!! How gorgeous are these!!! I've been thinking about perhaps getting myself a little tattoo of one of these lovely flowers. What a beautiful reminder it would be of the beauty I was given the opportunity to be a part of for the past two years! These trees grow everywhere here on Saipan...Speaking of trees the flame trees are also starting to bloom...just in time for the Flame Tree festival which will be at the end of this month. Nothing spells good times like the Flame Tree festival. HEY perhaps I could get my tattoo there!!! Last year the local tattoo fellow was giving tattoos at this festival underneath a thatched roof hut, outside as all the tourists watched!!! Um...maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea. Doesn't sound too healthy, or steril for that matter. Only on Saipan could one get a tattoo outside in a bamboo and palm branch made hut!

Today is the day I believe Maui is making their decision regaurding my possible employment, so if you think of it pray for me and them as they make their final decision. I'm looking forward to knowing whether this is the place God wants me to be or if he perhaps has another place in mind. As long as it's not Mancelona I think I'll be okay :) This particular school is in a small town called Paia which from what I have read is a small surf town in the middle of Maui along the coast. I have grown fond of this island, slow paced life I must say, and this sounds like it would be very similiar in that aspect. PLUS my parents have a time share on Maui which means I would be gauranteed some visits :) Pray I shall.

Well....I must get busy being lazy. OH how I love spring break!!!!

****SPRING BREAK****

Well it's official, spring break has begun! I get very excited and filled with joy when I think of enjoying the next week with no work and much sleepy. Awe good times to be had in deed. Besides sleeping in and enjoying the company I plan on starting my packing and addressing and mailing employment portfolios to everywhere and anywhere.

I started my spring break already with a little sleepover at our neighboring island of Tinian. I was blessed to be able to tag along with Sara and her mom who is hear visiting over spring break from Amish country :) We enjoyed a fairly smooth boat ride over yesterday morning and then frolicked to and fro in the lovely Dynasty pool for a couple of hours. There were three Japanese lads enjoying the facilities as well with inflatable toys aplenty and straw cowboy hats to add to their water sliding experience. They were pretty darn fun and cute to boot I dare say. I think I would do alright in Japan...yes I do :)

***Our little view wasn't too shabby either...much better than a garbage bin with "forest" like scenery...PIC Guam has much to learn :)

Our good friend Stacy took us on the island tour...the old runways from WWII, shrines, the Tinian Suicide Cliff, a lovely sea turtle lookout where we gazed upon our hard shelled flipper friends, some fine beaches, old Taga stones, and the atomic bomb loading pits. Tinian is where the two atomic bombs were loaded and taken off from to Japan to do the unthinkable. Such an eerie sight to see on Tinian.

We also took a peak inside some Japanese shelters that hold the power to make one slightly claustrophobic.


Watched some Japanese fellows jump into the ocean below...after they finally stopped pointing at things in the water :)

Shame, shame Stacy!!! I do believe she is OFF the walkway!!!

Uh...I think this one speaks for itself.

So thank you Mrs. and Miss Frakes for a lovely Tinian adventure filled with much good times!!!