Congratulations!

So proud of Zion! He has been promoted a level on the Tsunami swim team- he has the best kick ever!

I am taking the night off blogging- so sleepy..... Aggie kept me up last night with licking and gagging :(

Already in my jammies.......

More Culture 101

China!

Hawaii!

Poutine?

Ok, so no one did Canada..... but one student heard me describe poutine before and decided to try and make it..... no cheese curds available on island and I think the gravy is made with soy sauce- but poutine nonetheless.

.... and Germany. Really didn't know Gummy Bears were German! And the student made the German Chocolate Cake from scratch.

So impressed with my students!

Fun with Culture!

Lumpia....
Suman.....
Sushi.....

Seriously, you say culture to these kids and they think food.

Actually food is a huge thing on Guam no matter what you are talking..... they are all about their food here!

This is the week that my students are presenting their big project. They had to choose a culture and research it. Love seeing the amount of effort they are all putting into this!

Had a teacher come up to me and ask if it was my class that was studying culture- she said she thought it was a really great idea having students think outside their own culture.... it was a nice surprise complement about my class!

We still have three days of presentations left...... I don't think I will bother packing my lunch tomorrow...... Guam being all about food definitely has its advantages for me :)

Tsunami CPK

Every once in a while we have a fundraiser for the girls swim team which comes out as a treat for us! An American restaurant - California Pizza Kitchen- down in the tourist section lets Tsunami take 20% of the profit from sales on certain nights. Gives us an excuse to get out and have some good- expensive, but good- fun food. A lot of the team members were there.

We had one of Maddy's favorite friends- David- come over and sit at our table for a while. I swear they are so funny together. They think so similarly. He was liking her Kindle- which you will notice by the picture above has become her new sidekick!
Both coaches came over to the table to say hi. Nice to see how well the girls respond to them.

The only issue with tonight was the lack of homework time for Ellie. She ended up having to do homework until 9pm because of our restaurant romping..... 3rd grade isn't just rainbows and ponies you know- she gets some serious big girl homework! Good thing she takes it in stride- tonight with being so late, not as "in stride" as usual, but overall a really good homework-doer.

Glad for the night out- sad that it took up our usual stay-at-home Monday night... its truly sad how hard I hang on to any down time we get.

Guam is definitely keeping us busy!

Maddy's Birthday Weekend

First off- thanks so much for all your birthday wishes and e-cards for Maddy. She has been really enjoying the cards and knowing everyone is thinking of her.

So Maddy's birthday fun......

It started with a swim meet on Saturday- which Maddy did well at. Coach Toshi was kind enough to choose events for her that were at the beginning of the meet. The busy birthday girl had a party to go to that wasn't hers- her friend Rebecca had a manicure birthday event. Maddy had a nice time- and nice nails to show for it.

We pulled them out of swim practice early Saturday evening to take them to Maddy's birthday surprise. Dinner at Planet Hollywood down in the tourist area followed by a Vegas style show. She was over the top excited....LOVED it.

An illusionist, two contortionists, dancing girls, acrobatic boys- crazy fun show.
At Planet Hollywood the waiters sang happy birthday to her and delivered a brownie cake- she was obviously embarrassed but really enjoyed her moment of fame.

Maddy was quite happy with her main gift from us- a Kindle with three brand new books already loaded on it....... oh ya, a happy, happy girl! According to her Kindle stats as of bedtime tonight, her first book she is reading is already 75% done...... reinforces to me that the Kindle was a good idea for our reader girl.

Had the Thornton's over for pizza and cake after lunch. Melda pulled out the miracle of the laces..... she was able to find on this island the fancy shoe laces for Maddy I had tried to find weeks ago..... man I thought I was the shopping guru- good on 'er!

Our Maddy.

She woke up today an 11 year old girl.

As usual with Maddy, she was slightly depressed at the loss of her youth. Can't get around it with her- always sad when any loss is involved..... bedtime tonight was a real downer, not only was she never going to be 10 again, her 11th birthday was over- oy. Rough night.....

I should try sometime and give her a reality check........ maybe let her talk to Grandma with her 93 years of experience. Might make 11 look pretty good :)

Happy Birthday Maddy- we love you!

Parent-Teacher Day.

I could go on and on about Parent/Teacher conferences at Southern High..... but I won't. Suffice it to say that I am home with my feet up after a LONG Friday.

I am taking tonight off blogging. But before you get too disappointed, keep in mind that tomorrow is a swim meet, and Sunday is Maddy's birthday so you are in for a fun-packed-blog-o-rama weekend :)

Oh Southern High..... again.....

So, here is an article that ran this week in the Guam paper:

The changing face of Southern High: Santa Rita school makes effort to better its image

It's no secret that Southern High has been known for student violence and drug abuse. But with James Petitte as Southern High's principal, the high school is undergoing a huge change.

The school's once deteriorating, graffiti-covered buildings were sharp and clean for the start of the new school year last month. Petitte also instituted random drug searches and has more staff on hand to monitor the halls during breaks. Several students also were expelled for their role in an Aug. 19 riot, Petitte says.

"The students need to know that we have a standard of zero tolerance for violence here at Southern High," says Petitte.

"Southern High has good students here. There are a lot of people that want to learn. We're here to create an environment where students can and are able to learn -- students aren't able to learn if they're high, drunk, or being bullied."

In line with the zero tolerance standard, the school already has removed 16 students because of violent behavior, the principal says.

Better Than Its Rep

The news of fights is the main reason freshmen are scared to come to the school, students say. Entering high school for the first time is always going to be scary, but for Southern students there's a fear of fights and being bullied. Natasha Crisostomo is one of many freshmen who feared her entry into Southern High. After a couple of days, she says the school isn't as bad as its reputation and she enjoys attending Southern High.

"I like it here," she says. "In a way, I was scared to come to Southern but now that I'm here, I don't feel scared anymore."

Crisostomo says she also believes that the drug searches are better for the school.

"Southern is actually a good school no matter what people say about it," the freshman says. "You would really have to come here to understand it."

"I seriously don't think anything changed," says sophomore Jason Miller. "The random drug searches scare the freshmen."

He says he's not in favor of the school's decision to put all the benches together, forcing students from different villages to sit together. Miller feels that much of the conflict between students comes from "bringing the villages together, (because) there's always going to be village rivalry."

Sophomore Gerian Toves says he thinks people still bring drugs to school but "they're just more careful about it."

Repairing Its Image

While students are adjusting, administration officials have seen the new rules bring positive changes. To help ease the problems with violence, Petitte has instituted a peer mediation club to solve problems through compromise instead of violent acts.

The riot may have passed, but the students are still working for their privileges. In response to student wrongdoing, Petitte says he takes away a privilege, such as break. Earning the privilege of dressing down on Fridays is the biggest project for Southern High as a whole.

All Southern High students needs to work as one to take this step on the path of improving their school.

They have to reach 30 consecutive violence-free days to regain their Friday freedom.

As of this morning, it's been 11 day

So the funny part of this- I was reading this article at my desk. Feeling a little proud of our 11 violence free days! As I finished, I heard a familiar sound..... it always sounds to me like a huge crowd cheering after someone scores. Fight broke out, right outside my hall. Man! - Even better, as the fight is ongoing, I get a text on my phone....my friend texting me to congratulate Southern on their violence free days...... cause really....

Back to day zero.

First time to the eye Dr.....

And look what happened!

Ya, thats right- apparently both my children have been walking around half blind in great need of vision correction...... I lost mom of the year again.....

Ellie was way excited- Maddy had some tears, but has gotten past it and is happy with her new most excellent vision.

Yes it was an expensive day...... but it could have been worse....... since there were so few frame choices at the exchange the choosing didn't take too long!

Love my beautiful girls!

Huge happy birthday to Barb! We love you and miss you daily.

She is someone who chooses to be a part of our lives (really isn't obligated to be stuck with us), one of my favorite family members- who is actually extended, extended family! She is always giving.... I love the person she is, and I love it when we are hanging out together :) Miss my coffee time with you Barb! 8 and 1/2 months and counting......

PS

*I've got a fun post for tomorrow night :)*

We went for stools.....

....and came home empty handed.

Cause seriously, I am not paying $200 per barstool! And there were no other cheaper options. This was it...... literally the only choice. Honest, I wasn't being picky- these were it!
Ellie adored this life-size jewelry case. She said that it would fit Barb's collection nicely. I'll have to check shipping rates to Canada......
And the girls fell in love with bunk beds.

As most of you know they are now sharing a room and a queen size bed. This was an effort to bring some unity to their relationship....... it has worked- somewhat. They often talk about our next house where they can go back to having their own rooms.

But with these bunk beds in their sights- they swore they would share a room for the rest of their lives if they could just have the bunk beds! Please! We promise!
So we left the furniture exchange with no barstools- and no bunk beds. The girls however decided they were still going to use the counter- who needs stools when you can push up your chair and sort-of see your homework and kind-a see what you are eating?
Of course Kevin and I spent our supper looking at the back of our stool-less but determined children....... see, it works fine if they sit on their knees....

Stools! Who needs em?

The family event we weren't at.....

Just a quick note tonight- wanted all my family and friends back home to know that I am missing you. Makes me especially home sick when I have to miss the family get togethers- like the recent one at High Park:

Love you guys!

300!

Can you believe that we are at the 300th blog! Wow. Really started this when we got here last year August thinking that this would help family and friends keep up with us. But I sincerely doubted my ability to do it at a steady rate. I am so glad that I have. Its nice to know that even with the distance between us, that you guys are still getting a piece of Maddy and Ellie at the age they are now. That you are able to get a glimpse of Kevin and I. Nice that you aren't missing out on everything :) Your reading of this blog is what keeps me wanting to write it, so thanks!

Saturday- long course swim meet today.....
Kevin and I were there to help as usual.... timing. We like to try to get the exact same time down to a hundredth of a second..... not that great today, think we had only three. But in our defense we had finicky watches.... ya thats right, I am blaming the stop watch.... thanks for the candid photo Ellie!
The girls had all best times, minus Ellie's 50 free. Not a bad year opener.
Maddy is officially saying goodbye to the 9-10 year old category. Next week she turns 11 and so will age up for the next meet. The sad part is she will be leaving all her "B" times behind and be in a whole new timing bracket. The good news- she'll have all new goals. Godspeed Maddy, so proud of you.... "B" times or not :)

Easy Friday.

It was suppose to be an easy day all around- the girls off school and Kevin home from work to take care of them. Well as you can see above- Kevin had to go to work. Meetings and a change of command.

Thank goodness for Melda- the girls played there all morning until Kevin picked them up. Thanks Melda!

*Side bar- love that Kevin wears his Dad's shoes when he wears his whites. Nice sentimental hand-me-down :)

So the girls started their morning easy- but ended up having to rush out the door so I could drop them on my way to work.

Their "easy" day ended with a hard swim practice and rushing to bed so that they are all ready for their swim meet in the morning.

First meet since back on Guam- Maddy's last meet in the 9/10 year old division. I am sure to have photos!

It's that time of year again.....

Infant unit for my second year nurses! Part of their grade is carrying around a sack of flour as their "baby" for a week. They have to research babies and journal their 7 day-daily schedule. They really get into this!

Last year was all about cute.........
this year not so much!

This baby is funny, she has an awake face......
and a sleepy face, depending on which way your turn the flour sack.

This is just weird....

Then of course the classic Gerber.....

Followed by cute-y Hollister baby.....

And then "where is my neck" baby....

Love to see them participating! Also love to hear them complaining about carrying around their flour sacks all week.... gives me an opening to remind them that they wouldn't want to get pregnant because a real baby would be far more time consuming. The teen pregnancy rate here is heinous.

So this was day one of the project- I'll do an summary on day 7.....