I am punishing my dogs for one week. They are crazy! Lately I have been taking them for about 30 minute walks in the morning. The bigger one, Nosa, likes to bark at random people, but mostly men on bikes, so that they just bout fall off. Today, however, was a nightmare. I ran after them 3 different times to try to stop them from attacking other animals! I do not know what their problem is, but if i were a dog physchologist, i would say that they, especially Nosa, have anger and abandonment issues. Nosas last 2 owners left her here with us to go back to their own countries.
today they nearly mauled two scrawny, helpless street dogs and left them squeeling like little piggies. But the worst was when they ran ahead of me around a corner and i heard squawking, and stopped at the intersection was a man on his bike watchin, so i knew it was bad, but i thought it was another dog. Well, when I turned the corner, each one had one end of a chicken in her mouth! I sprinted after them, screaming, waking neighbors, and grabbing their necks while all the while thier mouths are filled with feathers! The poor creature had just enough time to hobble away, probably to die peacefully at home, if not from body wounds, then froma heart attack. As we walked away, i saw a lady standing outside her door. I felt like saying, [All right, everybody back inside. There isnt anything to see her. Right then we came upon a man walking his dog. I told him what had just happened and he said, Oh, my dog is well educated and polite.
Well, good for you, i thought.
my rude and poorly educated dogs will be incarcerated for the next 5 to 7 days, depending on their behavior.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
I’m beginning to see that my first grade class for which I’m the homeroom teacher is going to be a big challenge. I teach English and Math to them in the morning and the same subjects to the other 1st graders in the afternoon. I think I’m going to get some gray hairs over about 5 of them, out of 20. One of them has a muscular disorder that causes him to fall or accidentally hit other kids, but he is smart and pretty obedient, when he chooses to listen.
Please pray for me that I will show Jesus’ love and patience to all the children in my classes this year and to have God’s wisdom especially with these challenging ones.
I’m beginning to see that my first grade class for which I’m the homeroom teacher is going to be a big challenge. I teach English and Math to them in the morning and the same subjects to the other 1st graders in the afternoon. I think I’m going to get some gray hairs over about 5 of them, out of 20. One of them has a muscular disorder that causes him to fall or accidentally hit other kids, but he is smart and pretty obedient, when he chooses to listen.
Please pray for me that I will show Jesus’ love and patience to all the children in my classes this year and to have God’s wisdom especially with these challenging ones.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
This morning we got to school around 8:45 instead of before 8. There was what one might call a “traffic jam” on the last hill up to the school because of all the mud from the rain. The busses wouldn’t go up full of kids for fear of fishtailing into someone’s corn field, or worse yet, a parent’s car, so we waited in the bus for about 45 minutes. One bus let all the passengers out and they had to walk up the hill, some little preschoolers with backpacks bigger than them. Our buss driver, the same from last year, is the best, and he waited until everyone was cleared out, almost, and then sped his fastest and let us out at our normal drop off in front of the school. I white-knuckled it and closed my eyes because I could feel the bus skidding. One of the new teachers turned to me if this was normal. “Well”, I said. “It’s not normal to have to wait like this because of mud, but it is normal in the fact that something exciting is happening the majority of the time like this.”
For instance, it’s not normal to have ugly, skinny, mangy, dirty, stray dogs running around a school, but today I saw one of my petite first grade girls run one off from the playground.
Today was very hectic at times. We don’t have our completed schedules yet, so I was with one class the whole time instead of rotating to the other first grade. I’m not really able to teach much yet. All of the students have to bring all of their own supplies, including things like a hand towel, toilet paper, soap, toothpaste and a toothbrush. I have to go through a list of what seems like 1,000 things and check off for all 20 or so students that they brought it all. Some of them don’t even know what some things are when I say it in Spanish, so I have to go through their bags and help them. Meanwhile the boys are playing sword fights with their rolled up poster paper and no one can hear me asking them to put their supplies in a certain place, etc. Tomorrow I will have more help and maybe get to rotate to the other room. I seem to have some mighty challenging students. I was going crazy so they got to play a lot today. I just couldn’t finish checking the supply list even though I just wanted to get it over with.
Please continue to pray for all of us as Hepatitis A is going around. Today a family owned pharmacy brought in someone to give injections to anyone who wanted them, so I got one. Mr. Ken is doing a little better but has beeen suffering with back pain and is slow to get better. Thanks.
This morning we got to school around 8:45 instead of before 8. There was what one might call a “traffic jam” on the last hill up to the school because of all the mud from the rain. The busses wouldn’t go up full of kids for fear of fishtailing into someone’s corn field, or worse yet, a parent’s car, so we waited in the bus for about 45 minutes. One bus let all the passengers out and they had to walk up the hill, some little preschoolers with backpacks bigger than them. Our buss driver, the same from last year, is the best, and he waited until everyone was cleared out, almost, and then sped his fastest and let us out at our normal drop off in front of the school. I white-knuckled it and closed my eyes because I could feel the bus skidding. One of the new teachers turned to me if this was normal. “Well”, I said. “It’s not normal to have to wait like this because of mud, but it is normal in the fact that something exciting is happening the majority of the time like this.”
For instance, it’s not normal to have ugly, skinny, mangy, dirty, stray dogs running around a school, but today I saw one of my petite first grade girls run one off from the playground.
Today was very hectic at times. We don’t have our completed schedules yet, so I was with one class the whole time instead of rotating to the other first grade. I’m not really able to teach much yet. All of the students have to bring all of their own supplies, including things like a hand towel, toilet paper, soap, toothpaste and a toothbrush. I have to go through a list of what seems like 1,000 things and check off for all 20 or so students that they brought it all. Some of them don’t even know what some things are when I say it in Spanish, so I have to go through their bags and help them. Meanwhile the boys are playing sword fights with their rolled up poster paper and no one can hear me asking them to put their supplies in a certain place, etc. Tomorrow I will have more help and maybe get to rotate to the other room. I seem to have some mighty challenging students. I was going crazy so they got to play a lot today. I just couldn’t finish checking the supply list even though I just wanted to get it over with.
Please continue to pray for all of us as Hepatitis A is going around. Today a family owned pharmacy brought in someone to give injections to anyone who wanted them, so I got one. Mr. Ken is doing a little better but has beeen suffering with back pain and is slow to get better. Thanks.
tues. aug. 22
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
This afternoon, since school let out early, I went shopping for some necessities, like a hairbrush, which I forgot in Long Beach. Beto accompanied me and after shopping for about 2 hours, we were both tired and hungry, so we went to the only fast food place, Mike’s fried chicken. Fried being the understatement of the year. Singed is more accurate. Anyways, as we were eating there were two young girls just staring at us straight on through the window as we ate. Whether they were trying to make me uncomfortable or not, I did and so we bought them some food and began talking with them. They are sisters (2 of 4 kids) and one is 10, the other 8. Their clothes looked like they needed a real good washing, their hair needing some care, and they shouldn’t have been out alone at night. They said they weren’t waiting for anyone or anything and weren’t on their way anywhere. They live nearby, go to school and help their mom in the market selling tortillas, mostly on the weekends. The older one makes about $10 a month with whatever work she can find. Their dad lives in the States, which is so common here, but doesn’t help them. Like so many children, even those more wealthy, they live with their grandparents, or someone besides their birthparents, because their parents are in the States working and have been for many years. We talked to them a lot about Jesus’ love for them, that He is always with them and that the most important thing they can do in or with their lives is to follow Him and give to him their lives. We hope to see them in the market on Saturdays and we invited them to church with us this Sunday. Please pray that the words spoken to them with grow in their hearts. May you feel God’s love surround you today.
This afternoon, since school let out early, I went shopping for some necessities, like a hairbrush, which I forgot in Long Beach. Beto accompanied me and after shopping for about 2 hours, we were both tired and hungry, so we went to the only fast food place, Mike’s fried chicken. Fried being the understatement of the year. Singed is more accurate. Anyways, as we were eating there were two young girls just staring at us straight on through the window as we ate. Whether they were trying to make me uncomfortable or not, I did and so we bought them some food and began talking with them. They are sisters (2 of 4 kids) and one is 10, the other 8. Their clothes looked like they needed a real good washing, their hair needing some care, and they shouldn’t have been out alone at night. They said they weren’t waiting for anyone or anything and weren’t on their way anywhere. They live nearby, go to school and help their mom in the market selling tortillas, mostly on the weekends. The older one makes about $10 a month with whatever work she can find. Their dad lives in the States, which is so common here, but doesn’t help them. Like so many children, even those more wealthy, they live with their grandparents, or someone besides their birthparents, because their parents are in the States working and have been for many years. We talked to them a lot about Jesus’ love for them, that He is always with them and that the most important thing they can do in or with their lives is to follow Him and give to him their lives. We hope to see them in the market on Saturdays and we invited them to church with us this Sunday. Please pray that the words spoken to them with grow in their hearts. May you feel God’s love surround you today.
monday aug. 21
Thanks to Sylvia Heida for accompanying my mother and I at the airport Sunday night. She stood up for about 3 hours straight while we waited in line. It was such a comfort knowing my mother didn’t have to leave the airport alone after I went upstairs.
I had a great trip. I fell asleep before the plane even took off, and didn’t open my eyes until after the movie when “Smallville” was playing. Also, a bag of chips had magically appeared on my tray table, but I quickly went back to sleep. I opened my eyes a couple of house later and moved around some. The lady to my right didn’t waste anytime getting my attention and looked right at me and asked me if she could get out to go to the bathroom. From the sound of desperation in her voice I guessed that she’d been patiently waiting for me to wake up and move my feet out of the aisle for quite a long time.
I stood in line too and not 3 minutes later did they say over the intercom, “Please take your seats, we are getting ready to land.” I felt so bad for her!
I thought Amber was out of town but she surprised me and came to pick me up, so we sat in Dunkin donuts and talked for a couple of hours before she took me to the bus station. One home I had an apartment to unpack. It was going to get painted during the summer, so when my mom and aunt were here we took everything off the walls and shelves and covered it up: on my bed, on my kitchen table, and on and inside the stove/oven. I was so dreading having to clean my apt., unpack, and go shopping for food, but it didn’t take very long at all. With all the sleep I did during traveling I wasn’t too tired, and even got to bed at a decent hour, so today wasn’t nearly as exhausting as I’d expected.
Today was a great day! First day back. It was pouring rain this morning when we got on the bus. It stopped around 8:30 but supposedly we’re going to get a lot of rain this week from the Hurricane that’s in the Yucatan Peninsula right now. It took us about an hour to get started this morning as busses were late, causing the secretary, who had my room key, to be late. But it gave me a good chance to talk to the parents more and get to know some names of my students.
I’m really excited about this year and my students. They seem like they’re going to be a good class. Today all I did was try to get their supplies organized, labeled, and checked off, but since that leaves them nothing to do, I’ll probably be spending after school hours on that.
Please be in prayer for our health. Mr. Ken and Ms. Corita already have Hepatitis A and it is going around, I know some kids have it too. The administration was going to pay for all the teachers to get vaccinated this afternoon but the clinic misinformed. They only have the Hep. B vaccination, which most of the foreigners like myself have already had, and doesn’t help the others much anyways since that’s not the virus that people have.
Thanks always for your prayers. I’m so hopeful this is going to be an even better year
I had a great trip. I fell asleep before the plane even took off, and didn’t open my eyes until after the movie when “Smallville” was playing. Also, a bag of chips had magically appeared on my tray table, but I quickly went back to sleep. I opened my eyes a couple of house later and moved around some. The lady to my right didn’t waste anytime getting my attention and looked right at me and asked me if she could get out to go to the bathroom. From the sound of desperation in her voice I guessed that she’d been patiently waiting for me to wake up and move my feet out of the aisle for quite a long time.
I stood in line too and not 3 minutes later did they say over the intercom, “Please take your seats, we are getting ready to land.” I felt so bad for her!
I thought Amber was out of town but she surprised me and came to pick me up, so we sat in Dunkin donuts and talked for a couple of hours before she took me to the bus station. One home I had an apartment to unpack. It was going to get painted during the summer, so when my mom and aunt were here we took everything off the walls and shelves and covered it up: on my bed, on my kitchen table, and on and inside the stove/oven. I was so dreading having to clean my apt., unpack, and go shopping for food, but it didn’t take very long at all. With all the sleep I did during traveling I wasn’t too tired, and even got to bed at a decent hour, so today wasn’t nearly as exhausting as I’d expected.
Today was a great day! First day back. It was pouring rain this morning when we got on the bus. It stopped around 8:30 but supposedly we’re going to get a lot of rain this week from the Hurricane that’s in the Yucatan Peninsula right now. It took us about an hour to get started this morning as busses were late, causing the secretary, who had my room key, to be late. But it gave me a good chance to talk to the parents more and get to know some names of my students.
I’m really excited about this year and my students. They seem like they’re going to be a good class. Today all I did was try to get their supplies organized, labeled, and checked off, but since that leaves them nothing to do, I’ll probably be spending after school hours on that.
Please be in prayer for our health. Mr. Ken and Ms. Corita already have Hepatitis A and it is going around, I know some kids have it too. The administration was going to pay for all the teachers to get vaccinated this afternoon but the clinic misinformed. They only have the Hep. B vaccination, which most of the foreigners like myself have already had, and doesn’t help the others much anyways since that’s not the virus that people have.
Thanks always for your prayers. I’m so hopeful this is going to be an even better year
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Ouch!
My parents have a high tub/shower. I always have to be conscious of lifting my foot up extra high, like doing a reverse back-kick, when I get out of it so as not to bang my foot/feet. we have sliding doors that slide on a metal track, and we have to be careful not to cut or jam our toes in there either.
Today I was hardly half awake, let alone thinking with my conscious mind, when I wickedly banged my right foot on the metal track while exiting the tub.
Not only did my mom hear me scream from where I was in the back to where she was in the front of the house, but she first heard the thud of my foot hitting the tub.
It made me think(because by then I was awake!) how fleeting life is. Now, I know this is no big deal compared to what so many people are going through today, but it did make me think that we never know what can happen to us. We go through life, years sometimes without any major accidents, and then out of nowhere something happens to alter our lives dramatically all of a sudden, without warning.
It's a wake up call of sorts, and today for me a tiny reminder, that I shouldn't take anything in life for granted, and that I also have nothing to complain about.
and of course, a simple reminder to lift my foot up extra high.
May you be accident free for many years to come!
Today I was hardly half awake, let alone thinking with my conscious mind, when I wickedly banged my right foot on the metal track while exiting the tub.
Not only did my mom hear me scream from where I was in the back to where she was in the front of the house, but she first heard the thud of my foot hitting the tub.
It made me think(because by then I was awake!) how fleeting life is. Now, I know this is no big deal compared to what so many people are going through today, but it did make me think that we never know what can happen to us. We go through life, years sometimes without any major accidents, and then out of nowhere something happens to alter our lives dramatically all of a sudden, without warning.
It's a wake up call of sorts, and today for me a tiny reminder, that I shouldn't take anything in life for granted, and that I also have nothing to complain about.
and of course, a simple reminder to lift my foot up extra high.
May you be accident free for many years to come!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Get me outta here!
Well, "culture shock" is beginning to happen. I nearly had a nervous break down the other day in Wal Mart.
First of all, just being in Wal Mart is difficult enough. I confess, I'm more of a Target girl.
Anywho, now that I've stepped on some toes, I'll try to gracefully finish my story.
I was just trying to pick out some toothpaste. OH MY GOODNESS! How many choices does a person really need?! In my town I always buy the same thing: the only paste that is approved by the "American Dental Association" out of the other 5 pastes. I don't even browse; I go to the one 3' x 5' shelf in the corner, find my box, and that's it. There's no new choices, ever. There arent' any that whiten, or have baking soda, or floride, or all kinds of protection against any possible disease that could possibly, someday, take up residence in your mouth.
I eventually caught up to my mom, exhausted, having not picked out anything. I couldn't do it. I didn't have enough hours to contemplate and read the 100's of different boxes in able to make an informed purchase. By that time, the high shelves, heat, music, crowds, and merchandise was beginning to make me a little light headed. I was happy to get back out to the great outdoors of Lakewood, CA!
So while I love Long Beach and visiting, I'm looking forward to getting back to my one grocery store with its 5 boxes of toothpaste. Although there I can't find the same people I love seeing here.
That experience just makes spending time with my family and friends that much more enjoyable. I have been so blessed with, given, wonderful people by God. I couldn't have chosen better if I'd had to choose my loved ones among 100's of people. All are unique, special, and talented in their own ways, and are encouraging and blessings to me in different ways, but all together complete the mosaic of loved ones in my life.
I wouldn't trade my hometown and not one family member or friend for anything. I am so thankful to God for the wonderful family he's given to me.
Psalm 37:23
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."
First of all, just being in Wal Mart is difficult enough. I confess, I'm more of a Target girl.
Anywho, now that I've stepped on some toes, I'll try to gracefully finish my story.
I was just trying to pick out some toothpaste. OH MY GOODNESS! How many choices does a person really need?! In my town I always buy the same thing: the only paste that is approved by the "American Dental Association" out of the other 5 pastes. I don't even browse; I go to the one 3' x 5' shelf in the corner, find my box, and that's it. There's no new choices, ever. There arent' any that whiten, or have baking soda, or floride, or all kinds of protection against any possible disease that could possibly, someday, take up residence in your mouth.
I eventually caught up to my mom, exhausted, having not picked out anything. I couldn't do it. I didn't have enough hours to contemplate and read the 100's of different boxes in able to make an informed purchase. By that time, the high shelves, heat, music, crowds, and merchandise was beginning to make me a little light headed. I was happy to get back out to the great outdoors of Lakewood, CA!
So while I love Long Beach and visiting, I'm looking forward to getting back to my one grocery store with its 5 boxes of toothpaste. Although there I can't find the same people I love seeing here.
That experience just makes spending time with my family and friends that much more enjoyable. I have been so blessed with, given, wonderful people by God. I couldn't have chosen better if I'd had to choose my loved ones among 100's of people. All are unique, special, and talented in their own ways, and are encouraging and blessings to me in different ways, but all together complete the mosaic of loved ones in my life.
I wouldn't trade my hometown and not one family member or friend for anything. I am so thankful to God for the wonderful family he's given to me.
Psalm 37:23
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."
Monday, August 06, 2007
Hanging out with family
Lately I've been spending a lot of time with my family and it's been really great.
Last week Shelby spent at my parent's house and we had a lot of fun. Saturday she got up early with me to hunt used books at yard sales. I rewarded her with a sugary fruit drink from Starbucks, but she had all day to work it off, so all was good.
I have enjoyed seeing my brother in law and sister, but i'm sad that he left for 3 weeks because of his job so I won't get to see him till December.
This morning on the way to It's a Grind I saw two friends who worked with me in Watts. They were driving next to us, and I knew they were going to their usual spot...Starbucks, so we ended up going there instead to visit with them a few minutes.
I love when God puts people in your path like that and does "little" things to bless us and remind us of His presence and love.
May you feel that today!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Stinking Rose, Shelby's Yatzee
Just another tough day in SoCal. Today my two aunts, mom, Shelby, and I had to go up to LA to the TACA office, and while we were there we ate at the Stinking Rose. If you don't know, their slogan is "We flavor our garlic with food." Let's just say that I'll be able to ward off vampires easily for the next week, at least. For example, we had garlic bread and garlic french fries as appetizers! mmmmm mmmmmmmm...
Last night Shelby and I were home alone...dangerous, I know. We played yatzee, watched a movie, and made our own Oreo Milkshakes! There's Shelby with her first Yatzee of the evening! Congrats, girlfriend!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Carrot Juice, anyone?
So far my time at home has been really nice, a good balance of rest, play, and, well,,, no work! Yes , quite the perfect balance!One of the things I look forward to when I come to visit is FOOD! Not that we don't have that in La Esperanza, but many of you probably have guessed by now that there's just not the best selection there.
I enjoy the conveniences here...bagged salad, already cut up fruits and veggies, healthy frozen foods, etc.
I have a juicer at home, but of course, to buy it already made is so divine. But alas, I realize that convenient doesn't equal perfect! Here's my friend, Vanna Heida, nicely modeling why I couldn't (sigh) drink my carrot juice when I so wanted to! It must've sat in the sun too long on the truck or something, because it was a thick, slimy, smelly thing! Just a reminder that there's nothing like the real thing, baby.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday...wow
Today I had to get up soooo early...8.30! But at around 9 I got a call from Beverly in Mississippi. She and her husband work with me in La Esperanza and she's visiting her family here too. She's been there since the end of May and I won't see her till the 20th of August, so that was a nice treat to talk to her!
Then my mom and I were off to run a crazy amount of errands! First stop...DENTIST! It wasn't so bad. I actually like it. She's really gentle, and today I think she was really hungry because the visit was really short and to the point (and I could hear her stomach growling!) I will have to remember to go just before lunch time from now on!
Then we visited my aunt romaine and uncle bruce and their adorable new dog ivory. She's jsut a big violent beast! quite the opposite, really. Despues, we went to the post office and next door was a used book store where i bought about 23.5 books for less than $13! I'm going to sell them in my bookstore(God-willing) in Honduras.
By that time we were both hungry and went to eat at Pick Up Sticks by the Lakewood mall, but they officially open tomorrow and it was by invite only today. My mom told them I live in Honduras now and REALLY NEEDED to eat there, but they didn't get the hint, so we went next door to the Corner Bakery. Mmm.Mmm!
Finally we went to Bed Bath and Beyond. Oh my word! That should be a prize on Wheel of Fortune or something....30 min. get all you want. Well, we got some much needed stuff for my apt. in Honduras, like a Pineapple decorer/slicer, but I decided to pass on the talking bottle opener. I already bought like 5 of them in La Esperanza. They're really popular there. We saw Linda Cron there. Hi Linda!
It's great to be here!
Then my mom and I were off to run a crazy amount of errands! First stop...DENTIST! It wasn't so bad. I actually like it. She's really gentle, and today I think she was really hungry because the visit was really short and to the point (and I could hear her stomach growling!) I will have to remember to go just before lunch time from now on!
Then we visited my aunt romaine and uncle bruce and their adorable new dog ivory. She's jsut a big violent beast! quite the opposite, really. Despues, we went to the post office and next door was a used book store where i bought about 23.5 books for less than $13! I'm going to sell them in my bookstore(God-willing) in Honduras.
By that time we were both hungry and went to eat at Pick Up Sticks by the Lakewood mall, but they officially open tomorrow and it was by invite only today. My mom told them I live in Honduras now and REALLY NEEDED to eat there, but they didn't get the hint, so we went next door to the Corner Bakery. Mmm.Mmm!
Finally we went to Bed Bath and Beyond. Oh my word! That should be a prize on Wheel of Fortune or something....30 min. get all you want. Well, we got some much needed stuff for my apt. in Honduras, like a Pineapple decorer/slicer, but I decided to pass on the talking bottle opener. I already bought like 5 of them in La Esperanza. They're really popular there. We saw Linda Cron there. Hi Linda!
It's great to be here!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
More pictures of La Esperanza!
Us ladies in the smallest taxi in the world, with all of our luggage (3 big suitcases, 2 backpacks, and 3 other types of bags.)Beto taking a picture of A.Glenda taking a picture of our room in La esperanza.
Just call me "Mama's Mule". Just Kidding. I love to help!
2 real mules...a popular mode of transport. Mom, Beto, and A. Glenda waiting for our bus to take us to Teguc. to go to the States the next day.
Notice the lady with the basket on her head. Totally normal. I plan on learning that soon. In the blue truck...cheese, anyone?
and another ox cart parked by a valet.
Shelby's party and Seth and Ben's last night
Grandma with her favorite East Coast Gangstas!I made the cake! Not professional, by far, but scrumpteously delicious!
Kinda blurry, but Seth with some of his favorite California girls! We drove to the top of Signal Hill to see the lights, and it was a beautifully clear night!
Seth and I at Shelby's party, and with their adorable dog, Jazmin.
We miss you Seth and Ben!
We love Seth and Ben
This morning my mom and I left at 5:30am to take Seth and Ben to LAX. Since we were already up, we went to Bake n Broil for breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal and Bake n Broil is my favorite restaurant. I'm going to have to buy new bigger pants after my one month here in Cali. I had blueberry pancakes, the "short stack" of just 3 huge pancakes. we get a lot of fruit in Honduras, but no blueberries, well, in the capital, yes, but not in my town.
We saw my mom's cousin there and had a nice breakfast together. Now I'm about to go back to bed till 11-ish when we leave for a King's Kamp meeting. I'm so excited to go to Kamp this year. I don't even remember the last year I was there. I'd have to really rack my brain to think when that was and I don't even like to rack my brain on a good day, let alone in a half asleep state.
I'm sad to see Seth and Ben go. It was an absolute RIOT to have them here. I hope my own kids are half as funny as they are some day. And they are considerate, strong Christians, and very helpful, just all around great young men.
Last night we drove out to the Riverside area to my sisters "new" house (my first time there) for my neice's 11th birthday party. It was a lot of fun, a lot of kids watching amovie, but we had Dominoes...mmm...,cake and ice cream, and she gave me a special party bag which wasn't a bag at all, but a leopard print chinese take-out box filled with girlie goodies! I love kids' birthday parties. Why don't adults hand out party bags anymore??? Filled with, like, phone cards, or starbucks gift cards, or movie tickets. hmm...getting some ideas...
We saw my mom's cousin there and had a nice breakfast together. Now I'm about to go back to bed till 11-ish when we leave for a King's Kamp meeting. I'm so excited to go to Kamp this year. I don't even remember the last year I was there. I'd have to really rack my brain to think when that was and I don't even like to rack my brain on a good day, let alone in a half asleep state.
I'm sad to see Seth and Ben go. It was an absolute RIOT to have them here. I hope my own kids are half as funny as they are some day. And they are considerate, strong Christians, and very helpful, just all around great young men.
Last night we drove out to the Riverside area to my sisters "new" house (my first time there) for my neice's 11th birthday party. It was a lot of fun, a lot of kids watching amovie, but we had Dominoes...mmm...,cake and ice cream, and she gave me a special party bag which wasn't a bag at all, but a leopard print chinese take-out box filled with girlie goodies! I love kids' birthday parties. Why don't adults hand out party bags anymore??? Filled with, like, phone cards, or starbucks gift cards, or movie tickets. hmm...getting some ideas...
Friday, July 27, 2007
Tijuana
Today, Seth, his friend Ben, and I drove to Tijuana, Mexico. We parked on the U.S. side and took a shuttle across. This is the way to go, except that on the way back there was still an hour wait at the border crossing. We walked around, ate, and shopped for about 3 hours before heading back. We're at the border under the arch. That helped us many times to get "unlost". Ben and i trying on hats, and a sign that says all you need to know for a visit to Mexico (except you gotta watch some tacos, know what i'm sayin?) We had a lot of fun but were exhausted!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Back in LA
Today was my second real official day back in Long Beach visiting the fam and friends. My nephew Seth is visiting from Florida with his friend Ben. Today, we, my mom, my neice and nephew who live here and Seth and Ben all took a tour of LA, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills.
As we drove past the Kodak Theater, we could tell something big was going on. There were news cameras, vans, and a large crowd of people standing around, but we couldn't really see anything. So we parked and went across the street for coffee. Then we walked across the street, went in a gift shop, and looked at the hand/footprints of some stars. Finally we reached the crowd and saw that it was Matt Damon getting his star on the walk of fame! It was so cool, but crowd control was...out of control. We couldn't seem to ever stand in the right place, but eventually we found a place about 10 feet from his SUV, so when he went to get in it to leave we were close and go some great pictures.
We also saw Johnny Depp just walking along the street in his pirate costume, coming out of a mini mart. REally it was a wanna be, but i rolled down the window and yelled "Johnny! Johnny!" He waved, smiled, and I took a picture as we slowly rolled by. It was awesome.
We didn't have a lot of time, but it was an amazing day...perfect weather, lots of laughs, and unexpected surprises!
Later we went to my aunts to swim and then to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner, where one of my nephews played a trick on Seth by telling the waiter it was his birthday, which really isn't till October, but Seth had to wear a "crown" and walk around the restaurant waving to his "fans" as we all sang "Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday Seth! We love you!
As we drove past the Kodak Theater, we could tell something big was going on. There were news cameras, vans, and a large crowd of people standing around, but we couldn't really see anything. So we parked and went across the street for coffee. Then we walked across the street, went in a gift shop, and looked at the hand/footprints of some stars. Finally we reached the crowd and saw that it was Matt Damon getting his star on the walk of fame! It was so cool, but crowd control was...out of control. We couldn't seem to ever stand in the right place, but eventually we found a place about 10 feet from his SUV, so when he went to get in it to leave we were close and go some great pictures.
We also saw Johnny Depp just walking along the street in his pirate costume, coming out of a mini mart. REally it was a wanna be, but i rolled down the window and yelled "Johnny! Johnny!" He waved, smiled, and I took a picture as we slowly rolled by. It was awesome.
We didn't have a lot of time, but it was an amazing day...perfect weather, lots of laughs, and unexpected surprises!
Later we went to my aunts to swim and then to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner, where one of my nephews played a trick on Seth by telling the waiter it was his birthday, which really isn't till October, but Seth had to wear a "crown" and walk around the restaurant waving to his "fans" as we all sang "Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday Seth! We love you!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Vacation fotos
You can find Pepperdine fans ANY where!
Yummy .25 cent pineapple popcicle.
Us in front of our beach cabin in Roatan. Sooo hot and humid, but very fun, well, except for the sand flies! yuk!
All the iguanas just chillin'.
Me after translating nearly constantly for 2.5 weeks! Oh! And here specifically, I was trying to translate Italian to Spanish to English. Let's just say I had an appetite for dinner!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Snapshots
Just a few highlights from the trip. Mom and I (always sporting Waves pride, baby!) on the bridge over non-troubled waters at the bird park. I had the best cheeseburger in all Honduras. It's actually charbroiled, perhaps only 1 of 2 places that does that here!
The HOT MAMAS in our rented jeep! Look out!
At the iguana farm. The man and his wife have had the farm for over 25 years and it's a refuge for them (the iguanas, that is). People in Roatan burn hillside fires to drive them out, then kill and eat them. They started the farm just taking in a few and now have over 4,000! I got to feed them. We got there right at lunch time, so it was neat to see how they all scramble for the leaves. It sounded like pouring rain when they all walked (ran) at once. It was one of our highlights!
We've been having a good time relaxing in La Esperanza. Last night we moved to a smaller 2 bed room becasue the 3 bed room we had the first night was already reserved for these last two nights when we reserved our rooms. The bigger room had a nice big coffee table, a chair like a throne, a large cushioned bench for 3 people, and a mini fridge, with drinks!
This morning we were awakened by our neighbors and their tv at 7am. The hall isn't insulated like in a Marriot or something, so I had to politely tell them to please SIMMA DOWN NOW! The whole country seems to awaken at 5am, but at least they,for the most part, go to sleep early.
Later we enjoyed Beto's homemade Guatemalan tacos, and tonight we're dining with a colleague of mine who's making Honduran enchiladas. Tomorrow we leave for Teguc. and Monday for Cali! HOpe to see you there!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Almost done!
Yesterday afternoon we arrived in La Esperanza. We decided to fly back half way this time to save 5hhours, but we didn't expect to havea 3 hour delay in the airport in Roatan. We miraculously made it in time to catch the bus to La Esperanza and were at he hotel here around 4pm. We had a nice dinner there with Beto and got to sleep in today!
Our last few days in Roatan were really nice of course, but I don't miss the heat or the biting insects, flies and mosquitos. It's good to be home! Today we've been relaxing. Did some laundry and mom and aunt glenda helped me pack up my apt. which only took an hour instead of 3 days like we thought. it's going to be painted while I'm in the states. white instead of peachy pink. ehg to peachy pink.
we had so much fun in roatan renting the jeep and snorkeling. Aunt Glenda and I got burned on the backs of our legs and our backs, but it was worth it. If only we'd had an underwater camera! We were going to swim out to the reef but it's a long ways, so we took up a guy on his offer to take us out in his boat for an hour for $35. It was really worth it. He took us to one of the best spots where we jsut jumped out the boat and he stayed close to us the whole time. We saw tons of beautifullly colored fish, coral, and went to the drop off of the coral to the deep blue abyss. next time If i go again I'm definately taking a diving course. It's expensive but well worth it. I was just so anxious to go below the surface and keep seeing stuff. It's addicting!
In our jeep we rode around the island 2 days seeing lots of scenery and stopping whneever we wanted. it ended up being cheaper and "funner"than taking taxi's everywhere, and i hate knowing we're getting really ripped off on the taxi's prices. We went to a butterfly farm, which had cages of them and birds you could walk through. we also went to the iguana park where we walked through 100's of them on the ground. they also had some monkey's and an enclosed part of the sea with huge fish and turtles. all amazing.
we dined at some pretty nice places. well, nice isn't doing it justice. the restaurant sat high atop 70 stairs and the weather was perfect at dinner time. sometimes during the day we'd just be sweatin just sitting there. we definately needed some sweat bands from the 80's!
we did a lot of shopping and reading and napping in the a/c cabin which was a big hit with the ladies. it had a porch with chairs and an outdoor shower to rinse off before going in, and a mini frdge it was my 3rd time staying htere. they were the first hotel in that part of the island 35 years ago so they'know what theyré doing and are really nice, family owned.
when we went snorkeling we droke over the the best beach on the island and afterwards since we rented chairs for the day we stayed and read and ate and just were luxuriously lazy. the most embarassing thing happened to me though. I had bought a bikini only to wear there, i never wear them but i'd forgot my other suit. anyway, the back snap of plastic broke, but luckily i had quick hands and a tshirt over it, but i kept he top on underneath as best as i could becasue the tank top was white and you know how that is when it's wet. after we went snorkeling the captain, Gary, was pulling me into the boat. all of a sudden they all start laughing and saying my name and to look down. my top was dangling down around my neck. i just took it off and put it down. I was so anxiuos to get out of there when we docked i forgot it. Then Gary asked,"did you want me to keep this?"I didn't understand till i looked up and saw my top in his hand. it was all i could do to not grab it out of his hand and run away! Luckily it wasn't any worse!
Our last few days in Roatan were really nice of course, but I don't miss the heat or the biting insects, flies and mosquitos. It's good to be home! Today we've been relaxing. Did some laundry and mom and aunt glenda helped me pack up my apt. which only took an hour instead of 3 days like we thought. it's going to be painted while I'm in the states. white instead of peachy pink. ehg to peachy pink.
we had so much fun in roatan renting the jeep and snorkeling. Aunt Glenda and I got burned on the backs of our legs and our backs, but it was worth it. If only we'd had an underwater camera! We were going to swim out to the reef but it's a long ways, so we took up a guy on his offer to take us out in his boat for an hour for $35. It was really worth it. He took us to one of the best spots where we jsut jumped out the boat and he stayed close to us the whole time. We saw tons of beautifullly colored fish, coral, and went to the drop off of the coral to the deep blue abyss. next time If i go again I'm definately taking a diving course. It's expensive but well worth it. I was just so anxious to go below the surface and keep seeing stuff. It's addicting!
In our jeep we rode around the island 2 days seeing lots of scenery and stopping whneever we wanted. it ended up being cheaper and "funner"than taking taxi's everywhere, and i hate knowing we're getting really ripped off on the taxi's prices. We went to a butterfly farm, which had cages of them and birds you could walk through. we also went to the iguana park where we walked through 100's of them on the ground. they also had some monkey's and an enclosed part of the sea with huge fish and turtles. all amazing.
we dined at some pretty nice places. well, nice isn't doing it justice. the restaurant sat high atop 70 stairs and the weather was perfect at dinner time. sometimes during the day we'd just be sweatin just sitting there. we definately needed some sweat bands from the 80's!
we did a lot of shopping and reading and napping in the a/c cabin which was a big hit with the ladies. it had a porch with chairs and an outdoor shower to rinse off before going in, and a mini frdge it was my 3rd time staying htere. they were the first hotel in that part of the island 35 years ago so they'know what theyré doing and are really nice, family owned.
when we went snorkeling we droke over the the best beach on the island and afterwards since we rented chairs for the day we stayed and read and ate and just were luxuriously lazy. the most embarassing thing happened to me though. I had bought a bikini only to wear there, i never wear them but i'd forgot my other suit. anyway, the back snap of plastic broke, but luckily i had quick hands and a tshirt over it, but i kept he top on underneath as best as i could becasue the tank top was white and you know how that is when it's wet. after we went snorkeling the captain, Gary, was pulling me into the boat. all of a sudden they all start laughing and saying my name and to look down. my top was dangling down around my neck. i just took it off and put it down. I was so anxiuos to get out of there when we docked i forgot it. Then Gary asked,"did you want me to keep this?"I didn't understand till i looked up and saw my top in his hand. it was all i could do to not grab it out of his hand and run away! Luckily it wasn't any worse!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
een dee eye-lan,mahn!
It's saturday night...and we're exhausted.
yesterday we got up at 4am and our taxi was at the hotel at 4:45. That's right, we had our own personal taxi man the whole time we were in Copan Ruins. He was randomly selected to take us from the bus station to our hotel when we first arrived and he gave us his number, so we called him everyday to take us around. he was really sweet and didn't make mom or a.glenda nervous with crazy driving, so he was a keeper.
We rode the bus 3 hours and then had about a 1 hour, 45minute layover in San Pedro Sula, where A.Glenda and I walked to a mcDonald's to get breakfast. i'm not a huge fan unless I have it once or twice a year, and i think this may have been the second time of 07, so it was yuuuummmyyy!!!
Then we rode another bus for another 3 hours to the port, where we took a taxi about 15 minutes and waited at the port for about 2 hours. Lunch was microwave popcorn. yes, things were going a little downhill, but we weren't to be detered!
We boarded the boat and took a little bit of a choppy ride 2 hours to the island. They had to show the movie, "The Guardian" about scary Coast Guard rescues in dangerous seas. I tried to avert my eyes.
At the port they had the worst set up for people to get their luggage. It was all kept behind a waist high wall and behind it were only about 3 men working to get about 200 or more peopl's luggage. When we checked it we were each given a little ticket stub with a number, so the workers then had to go find our luggage with the matching number card attached to it. We just waited about 20 minutes till most people had cleared out. i was too tired to be pushy or aggressive at that point, something you learn you have to do sometimes in lines here or you'll stand in line aaaaaaalll day! We took about a 20 minute taxi drive to our cabin on the beach and have been relaxing ever since.
it's really hot and humid, but we got rain this morning and a lot this evening which helped to cool it off. This morning we found a really good New york deli, owned by New Yorkers, with good bagels, and the owner told us they had their first location on another part of the island. So we took a taxi late after noon to eat some snacks, but it closed about 2 minutes before we arrived. We paid $25, yes dollars! , round trip for the 40 min. taxi ride. You can pay for anything in dollars here and everything is so expensive. It's been such a shock for me to come from the poorest/cheapest part of the country to the most expensive! It's really hard for me to not feel like we're being taken major advantage of just because we're white, but at least I can "argue" in spanish if i absolutely have to.
yesterday we got up at 4am and our taxi was at the hotel at 4:45. That's right, we had our own personal taxi man the whole time we were in Copan Ruins. He was randomly selected to take us from the bus station to our hotel when we first arrived and he gave us his number, so we called him everyday to take us around. he was really sweet and didn't make mom or a.glenda nervous with crazy driving, so he was a keeper.
We rode the bus 3 hours and then had about a 1 hour, 45minute layover in San Pedro Sula, where A.Glenda and I walked to a mcDonald's to get breakfast. i'm not a huge fan unless I have it once or twice a year, and i think this may have been the second time of 07, so it was yuuuummmyyy!!!
Then we rode another bus for another 3 hours to the port, where we took a taxi about 15 minutes and waited at the port for about 2 hours. Lunch was microwave popcorn. yes, things were going a little downhill, but we weren't to be detered!
We boarded the boat and took a little bit of a choppy ride 2 hours to the island. They had to show the movie, "The Guardian" about scary Coast Guard rescues in dangerous seas. I tried to avert my eyes.
At the port they had the worst set up for people to get their luggage. It was all kept behind a waist high wall and behind it were only about 3 men working to get about 200 or more peopl's luggage. When we checked it we were each given a little ticket stub with a number, so the workers then had to go find our luggage with the matching number card attached to it. We just waited about 20 minutes till most people had cleared out. i was too tired to be pushy or aggressive at that point, something you learn you have to do sometimes in lines here or you'll stand in line aaaaaaalll day! We took about a 20 minute taxi drive to our cabin on the beach and have been relaxing ever since.
it's really hot and humid, but we got rain this morning and a lot this evening which helped to cool it off. This morning we found a really good New york deli, owned by New Yorkers, with good bagels, and the owner told us they had their first location on another part of the island. So we took a taxi late after noon to eat some snacks, but it closed about 2 minutes before we arrived. We paid $25, yes dollars! , round trip for the 40 min. taxi ride. You can pay for anything in dollars here and everything is so expensive. It's been such a shock for me to come from the poorest/cheapest part of the country to the most expensive! It's really hard for me to not feel like we're being taken major advantage of just because we're white, but at least I can "argue" in spanish if i absolutely have to.
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