Hashers and Cave Dwellers

My first Sabbath in Guam proved to be quite interesting. After a wonderful service potluck and a twenty minute nap, Silvia, Tina, John, Monica, Louis, Gabe, and I went for a hike. The name of the trail we went on was called … As we were walking we went through the many phases of a jungle and such. Phase one was a lot of shrubbery or itchy grass phase two was down hill and mossy phase three rocky terrain lots of dead trees and  phase five rock climbing down the rest of the mountain side.  Now it took us a good minute to make it down this hill or mountain side whatever you want to call it and I was hoping our final destination was worth this effort.

Our final destination was a cave with fresh water pools inside of it that we were going to go swimming in. We started down our decent in the cave and I had a tiny slip up and stub my knee and then scrapped my arm against the side of wall. It wasn’t much father down when we got to the pool.  We slowly got in the water because since the sun never warms the water it was Ice Cold. But all of us kids (im still a kid) climbed in and explored the cave. The water got deep enough to cover our whole body standing.  We had flash lights and we swam around because soon our body acclimated to temperature of the water. Of course I soon suggested that we turn off all the lights and play Marco polo. That was interesting cause no one could see and all the polo’s kept quiet so we ended up randomly flashing the lights on and off so Marco could get a small idea of where people where. We stubbed our toes on underwater rocks was able to walk right by people without them knowing and we were scared cause we had no idea what was in front of our faces. When we finally reemerged from the cave we took a short water and apple break while the mosquitoes took a break on me. As I’m writing this I can count at least 17 mosquito bumps on me.

We were about to head back when Monica told me there was more to the tail and we were going to see the coast line we just had to climb this small little incline and go through the trees. I don’t know how this happened but Silvia John Gabe and I got lost mid transaction and could not find our way to this alleged coast line.  We were walking around trying to find the others and or the coast line for about 30 minutes with no luck.  All the while there were about a hundred hashers running up and down through the forest. I asked them what are they doing they replied, “Were a drinking club, with a running problem.” What they do is follow some trail of flour to get to a final destination and when they do they drink to their hearts content. This trail had them jumping up and down looking for the next flour spot and they get lost find their way it’s pretty intense. I was shocked to see one man who looked to be 60 years old bringing up the rare. So here I am lost in jungle like surroundings with all these runners who think it’s funny to lead us the wrong way too getting eaten alive and then I think. Let’s just walk up the mountain and wait at the car. And that’s what we do but right as we get to the start of the mountain we bump into our lost comrades Tina Monica and Louis. Which is great we walk up and that in itself almost kills me make it to our truck ride home bathe and get ready for outback steakhouse. Cause for those of you who don’t know “I’m in steak eating club with a running problem”

Tsunami Warning

 As many of you I am still keeping Japan in my prayers. They had like a double whammy earthquake and tsunami destroying and killing so much. During that time there where still many more countries that were scared as to what the after effects was going to be. For Saipan we were worried that the shock would cause a Tsunami to come headed our direction wiping this tiny island out and most like the surrounding islands as well. I found out on Friday while I was waiting for my last student to go home. Joey came in and was like "So we have a tsunami warning." and then walked out the room. I can honestly say I wasn't even slightly scared. I just kept talking and doing whatever. At least on the outside. On the inside I wasn't as calm I wasn't wreck but I wasn't as lackadaisical as I was ten min earlier. I mean I was kind of sad that I could die millions of miles away from home with out those that I am closest to.

A few minutes later my last students parents arrived I shot off a few emails and Joey and I headed home. The streets were unusually packed I dared to wonder why, Police were up and down the street flashing lights, and if any one had the guts to J-walk that day I'm sure they would have become a pancake because no one besides Joey and I were driving under 60 miles per hour. When we got home everyone was in the same sort of state I was quite but still moving about packing things. I put a change of clothes my laptop and passport in bag and sat and just waited with the guys for what to do next.

Then we got news from the police that we needed to evacuate to higher ground my compound came out and said a prayer together and we all (each group) went our separate ways. My group went to Mount Tapachow. There was a family from the church who lived up there and a few other family's were going to have haystacks there as per usual Friday night dinners. On our way no gas station was empty people were lined out of them and the gas station attendants were closing. Driving up the mountain you saw people just sitting on the ground waiting with a six pack of beer and their radios. Soon we got to the family's house which was really nice and started our own little camp out. So there we were with a panoramic view of the ocean high up in the mountain waiting for a potential Tsunami while eating Haystacks and singing worship songs. By nine it was told we could go back to our house and the threat would be over so that what we did. We went home, called our family's and went to bed. (I actually slept in my house alone cause my room mate got scared and slept in the other peoples house.)

It wasn't the most fun experience but still something I could learn from. Today is promised to no man. What happened to Japan could have happened to Saipan lucky for us we had warning I was able to say what could have been last words to my loved ones. Were as those in Japan could not. So take this away if anything leave nothing that needs to be said unspoken. You might not have a second chance.

That Janitor Guy

So my duties as a teacher flip flop all over the place. Im no longer a Coach and I must say my last game was AMAZING AND HEART PUMPING for the last 16 min maybe I’ll tell you about that later. The reason I’m no longer coaching is because we got knocked out so as a result my schedule changed. Instead of going to the elementary (which I must say I did enjoy doing) I stay at the CDC with the adorable 2-5 year olds. Around four o clock I start cleaning.

Now you know in the movies you have those high school Janitors in overalls and rag hanging out their back pocket with yellow head phones in their ears grooving to some out of date music oblivious to the world around them. You can say that’s me minus the overalls, out of date music (though tony might beg to differ) and a rag out my pocket. LOL so how can that be me. I am oblivious to the world I blast my music grooving while pushing a vacuum cleaner periodically nodding my head at children running by me. Each day I’m asked about my selection of music and the teachers tell me how cool I am. Either way I just imagine I’m THAT Janitor guy I guess the lesson I get from this. I’ll know how to clean I mean I’m cleaning the whole class room, washing the dishes, cleaning up bathrooms, and still finding time to be a teacher. BOO yah. It’s still fun losing myself being that janitor guy.