Welcome home sun!

*sigh*

how good it feels to wake up to the beautiful sunny sky I am in love with here in Saipan! If you happen to stumble across the weather radar over the past week here you will see that this part of the pacific ocean has been stalked by a huge weather bully. He made it rain terribly, he took the blue away from the sky and replaced it with thick mean clouds- the wind on the other hand I wont complain about because that was nice to be cool at night. But I woke to the warm rays of the low sun and instantly am in a happier mood.

Jan is almost done with her training/family time/medical leave trip to the states. It makes me think about how hard it has been all these years when loved ones from the islands have made the venture - back then with no plane - to the main land. I cant imagine... I would have been so worried about my loved ones leaving for so long. Its not that traveling from Saipan or any of the many many islands here in the Pacific isnt like a flight across country- but- the scary part for me is the long flight across the Pacific Ocean!

My second year of NMC has started. I complete my first week just yesterday.

NMI History, Current Issues in CNMI, General Psychology,& Physical Science.

Not too bad except that my science is from 9am-330pm Saturdays! But- it is nice to have the class just once a week... it will definitely be the hardest for me, but I plan on a grade no less than a B!!!! A's & B's baby!!! I did it last semester, and I plan on it again this semester!!!! But I will admit I am leaning more toward all A's of course! :-)

Im meeting a friend for breakfast over at Java Joes. So- its fun time for now, then after I come get the boys- and some laundry and hit the washing machines!!!! YEP! its laundry day people! :-)

I leave you with this fine quote: Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.
Leon J. Suenes

Just one of those reads...

So last semester I took Mrs. Arriola's Pacific Literature class. It really was one of my most favorite classes I have every taken. One of the books we were to read was called "Warriors in the Crossfire" by Nancy Bo Flood. Wow- what a read! I remember pushing it off till last minute. But the day I picked up the 141 page book and began to read. That night I was finished! I remember having to put the book down for certain things like cooking, getting Jan from work, taking Tasi out to pee. Im sure my potty breaks that day were down to none!

Anyways- if you ever want to have an easy yet awesome read- I suggest this book!!!!

Good morning rain, hello wind.

Woke this morning from an awesome un disturbed sleep last night. Oh yeah. Jan spoiled us with some cool aircon, and every time we sleep with the aircon I literally sleep like a baby.

Today is a wet and soggy day, but I am thankful. The rain has brought with it the cool breeze. And the cool breeze is my best friend. Every time it rains here I think of all the positives. The rain of course keeps the land healthy and usually brings us a short relief from the heat, but also the rain brings drinking and washing water to people here. Some people rely on the rain. Even my own apartment almost gave out of water just before I left for the states. Its something you don't normally worry do much about in the states. But, hello rain... You are welcome here any day!

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Our trip to Managaha

Here are the pictures from managaha island. Jan took me there on her day off. I don't think I have been anywhere this beautiful!!!! We even did some snorkeling

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Jet Lag Hangover

Back in may I went home to spend some time with my family after being gone for a year. the night before leaving Saipan I did not sleep. jan and I stayed up all night packing. when it was time for me to board the plane I was delirious, sad, happy, anxious, and every emotion you would expect to have when you are heading to see family and friends you haven't seen in a year, but at the same time you will be away from your partner and dog child. I remember knowing that once I went through security that was it. Jan and I said our goodbyes and I kept my composure.... That is til I turned and walked away. Tears fell like crazy. Like I hadn't cried in 26 years and I was making up for it that moment. My whole body began to go numb. But I knew the next three months were needed. So, I dried my eyes and soaked cheeks, and told myself this was time to enjoy my family.

Needles to say it was a great visit. It was nice seeing my friends and family which I had not seen in a year. But, somehow, in the back of my mind and the beginning of my heart I knew I wished to be back in saipan.


The summer there went pretty fast. I was able to see my sister katie graduate from high school, see her turn 18, and even take her and her bestie to register for college.

Then it began, the prep to travel back to saipan, back to the life I had made with my own family. I went through all those normal anxieties that comes along with traveling 30 hours across the globe. But as soon as my bags were checked and mom, katie, and I sat together I began to feel at ease in a way. I wanted to cry to have to leave mom there. But I just knew I had to.

The trip back was long but not so bad. I guess I'm somehow getting used to siting in a small space for 10~16 hours at a time. I did talk with a lady from new bern to seattle who bought me my starbucks. I told her I hadn't had any while I was home do she said she wanted to do that for me. She was do interested in me and saipan. Ended up she works with special needs children. Awesome how we meet someone only to find out how much a like you are. But soon enough we parted and who knows if I shall meet her again.

So before I knew it I was siting in japan waiting to board my last plane. I honestly was delirious from not sleeping in over a days time. I may have gotten a total of and hour the whole half around the world trip. Lol

So I watched as the plane touched down in this beautiful land. Walking to baggage and customs I began to get excited. I was about to be reunited with my lil family, including our newest puppy addition.

Finally I was walking through the doors looking for the familiar faces. Jan was surrounded by some asian girls ooing and ahing over the pups. How nice it was to be back.

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Time flies when your letting life sink in

Half the semester is almost here. I can't believe in only 2 months roughly I will be done with my first year of classes here at NMC and coming up to my year of being here in Saipan. Time has flown by so fast this year. I don't know if it's the salty pacific winds or the bright warm skies, or maybe it's because I am happy here? Either way, whatever it may be, I accept it because I am very happy here right now.

Jan and I have had our share of hurdles and fallen to our knees both together and alone, but, we always know the way to help the other one back up to our feet.

I have gained a lot since taking the long journey across the whole US and Pacific Ocean. I am stronger in a way I never felt. I feel almost like I can do anything. I have lost 36 lbs and still going. I love the feel of the sun more than ever. But most of all, my core is expanding.

Not only am I gaining an education through books and teachers, I am gaining an education that ONLY is achieved through one thing. One very important thing. LIVING.

I am not living, If I am not feeling or seeing. I am not living if I can not enjoy the earth around me. Every waking moment here I am looking at something. The sky, clouds, the sun setting or rising. But not only is it that I am looking, but I am absorbing! You may not know it, but the earth around us is so full of energy it is maddening. This energy is something I have always known was there. As a child I loved the trees and the water. I was always more connected to the earth than any religion. I couldn't explain it. But, I can now. It was life. Life is my religion. Happiness. Love. Compassion. Forgiveness. Earth. This is MY religion I found here on this small magnificent paradise. All of this I found and yet it has only been but 9 months.

Why am I saying this? Well because I want to. Because I can. See, to me there is nothing worse than having religion shoved in your face. Some people think of me as evil because of my lifestyle and non acceptance of a religion. Some thing of me as weird to look at my Buddha figures as my religious icons. Or Gandhi. Or to call books like The Secret and A New Earth or even Eat. Pray. Love. my bibles. But that's who I am. Everyone has their own beliefs. I am HAPPY to hear someone excited about their religion. And I feel honored when they even share it with me. I am not against it. I do not dislike any form or denomination of religion, I just have a wide eyed approach to it. And a wide heart. I don't care what religion you are or political side you root for. If you are a good person then that is what I see. Just think how different the earths inhabitants would live with those around them if EVERYONE was able to just live and let live.

I don't want to keep blabbering on about this because it is only my own feelings on the matter. But, just remember, everything comes back around. Try to be the best person you can possibly be. Turn your negative thoughts into positive and see how your life changes. Love your family, your friends, and most of all: love your enemy. They are the ones who need the love the most. Try to think " that rude angry person may have been going through something awful. " and if not, then allow life to decide their fate. Just remember to live your life.

And to those reading who feel for whatever situations they are in that they may not be able to do the adventurous things they wish for, reset your thinking. If you want something and believe that it WILL happen then in time and when you are ready, believe me, it will happen!

Much love!! Lauren










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Pacific Breeze

As I got outside tonight and looked up at the sky I suddenly lost my breath. The dark night was filled with cool whispering winds and the moon was making the huge clouds seem like giants. Tasi and I fed the homless kitties that we keep happy and made our way to the car. Going to pick Jan up from work now. But I couldn't take my eyes off of these large outlined clouds that seemed to want to devour the earth. I wanted so bad to be able to snap a picture but my phone just can't handle that sort of beauty.

Today was a long day for me. The first of 15 Tuesdays I will be in class. Meaning today was the first day of the semester. Today was Pacific Lit , Geography , and Intro to Teaching. Thankfully I have good teachers. Two of the three I have had already and the third who teaches , well, teaching is awesome.

My pacific lit class is going to realy open my eyes to Micronesia culture. I can't wait to start the reading material. This tiny island has more history than most big states have. It is just all so intriguing to me.

Now that I am back in school I will be writing more. I am happy to have my little piece of Blog land for those moments where I want to share what is going on.

At the moment and for almost a month now I have been sleeping on a makeshift bed I conjured up one night. Couch cushions, one hard as a rock body pillow for my real pillows and a nice folded up blanket for my feet to sleep on. Hey its way more comfy than the bed we had and all three of us can at least sleep in the same room again. Damn bed that came with the apt. Hard as the damn road. Lol I am thankful for creativity between Jan and myself and the ability to make an uncomfortable situation, comfortable.

And I end with this quote from my Intro to Teaching class today :"To live is to risk dying"

Signing off.
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New year new opportunities

So I welcomed in 2011 with Jan and Tasi. Sipping my Lemon Black Tea juice box I sat watching the fireworks go off for more than an hour. Though we did not watch them the whole time we were able to hear them all night long.

But let me go back a little.

I finished up my first semester here in Saipan. Its exciting to know I am on my way to getting that BS degree in Special education. I took Speech which I received an A. Then there was my Disabilities in Society class where I also got an A. Political Science, my least fav class I got a B. And last but not least a C in Math. Not too bad. But I want to do better next semester.

Jan surprised me with a 4 day trip to Guam from Dec 20th - 24th. I was so excited to go. We packed the day before and I had to take Tasi to Dr Tudor's office AKA tasis vet. To make it sound better I told tasi it was the Puppy Hyatt. Didn't work really because he gave me the sad eyes all day. But once I dropped him I knew it was real. Being here on the island I haven't been off in 7 months so I was definitely excited. Jan was able to get off early and we got all the odds and ends we would need.

The flight was only 40 minutes. Small plane. Hot. But it was so nice flying over Tinian, and Rota. They are other islands between here and Guam.

I was in awe of Guams coast line. High cliffs and bright blue water as clear as glass. I found myself looking very intently down at the clear bay hoping to maybe see a shark or something swimming. No such luck though.

The island is much bigger than SAIPAN. But so was the heat and humidity. I couldn't keep my hair straight. Every time I did it, I'd step outside and it would be wavy.

I got to meet some of Jans family I had not met before. We spent most of our time with her niece Nicole. She is such a good person and we had so much fun seeing the island together.

Our time went by so fast though. And I was ready to get back to our small tiny quiet island.

Once we landed I got this bit of sadness that came over me. We flew back on Christmas eve our time. Memas birthday. Not to mention grandaddys would be the day after Christmas. So three importants day were passing by me. I thought of what we always did this time of year at home. All the family around and seeing everyone. All the smells of a feast coming from memas kitchen. I missed everyone. I really did. But, it felt really great to be riding in our car again. Tasi hanging out the window, jan driving, and the cooler saipan air just kissing every part of my smiling face.

It is hard, very hard when we begin to venture out. Especially when where we go is a bit too far to visit family. But, its ok. I am learning that yes, I have my sad days but I love saipan. I love jan and she and tasi are my own little family too. And though jan asked if I wanted to fly home for Christmas, the answer was simple. HELL NO. I miss them, and I love them, but there was no way she would spend yet another Christmas alone.

So, 2010 went out with a bang for us , literally and 2011 came in with a kiss. From someone that no matter what struggles we come to, we find our way through them together.

Hello new year. I'm excited to begin living yet another year of adventure love and accomplishments.

In loving memory of my Grandaddy Baby. I live each adventure for him.

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|One Clean Puppy|

So, I totaly crack up every time Tasi does his business. you know, poops.

when we are at the apt, we have to follow him out the door and around the corner on the big balcony with a napkin ready. then as soon as he squats, you got to put the napkin under him and catch his lil poopies. sounds gross, but you get used to it. anyway, as soon as he is done he peels out, rounds the corner, and doges three circles in front of our door. then as soon as you open the door, he takes off inside, jumps on the couches and is the happiest lil pooch on the earth. oh, side note, if he poopies, and its messy, yeah, we wash his tooshie hahaha. hey, at least we know he is one clean puppy!

Some Pictures

PLACE DOWNTOWN WHERE WE GET OUR SUSHI

VIEW FROM OUR BALCONY

SUGAR DOCK IN THE EVENING

MY SCHOOL CAMPUS

CAMPUS

MEMORIAL PARK

MEMORIAL PARK

WHERE WE GO WALKING OUT BY THE AIRPORT

CRAZY CLOUDS THIS DAY!

THE CLOUDS WERE LIKE A HUGE WALL

AWESOME CLOUDS, THE ROAD HEADING TO OUR APT

BEACH ROAD WALKING PATH. IT RUNS FOR LIKE 3 MILES OR MORE. BEAUTIFUL

November 15, 2010

As i sit here on this new old couch i look around me. Tasi is laying on the cool linoleum floor and Jan is sleeping on the couch. The longer couch mind you. Though I'm ok with the short couch. Its rather snuggly over here. The aircon above me is dishing out nice crisp cold air while the fan in the corner fights to push the cool air around the room. Thank god for aircon aka A/C. My eyes are getting heavy. For some reason I was extra tired today.

Classes are coming to a close for fall semester. and amazingly the second semester begins soon. I was hopeing to get all A's but it looks like probably A,B,C,C. Ugh. Ill def report once i get my real grades though.

The weather here is the same. Though i am seeing pictures of the pretty yellow colored leaves at home, here the suns still hot, and the palm trees still stay in the breeze. I cant wait to take pics of us on christmas day, on the beach.. how weird haha.

jan and i have thought about trying to fix a video of us driving through the island and going to some of the more important places and uploading it to youtube or something. I will def put it up here though.

Well, im out. Its 11pm here tuesday and should be 8am at home, Tuesday. I miss you home, but this new spot of earth feels so right.

Happy 3rd Birthday Tasi Boy!!!!

Wow. So Tasi is turning 3 tomorrow! So I guess in doggy years thats, what, 21? So I thought about grabbing a pony keg down the road, but I think he is a bit too conservative. Soooo I think Im going to stick with the midget strippers and that chick that dances with fire. All dogs of course. I mean, my boy, ok, OUR boy (Jan did technically have him fiiiirssttt... *rolling eyes*) well, he deserves the best. So, he will get it! hehe


Here is a little memento of him! Enjoy!

Looking deeply out the car window is a typical moment with this boy!

These two are INSEPARABLE!

"Yes I am cute. I get it from my mom"

Best Friends. 

My sweet boy. 

Laundry day. October 24

So lits laundry day. The sky is grey. A car just came cruising in to the space next to me almost blocking my ass in the car because they parked two inches from me. I loaded my clothes, poured in the detergent, and began putting my quarters into a broken machine. Thankfully the maintenance man was here. He usually is because there has to be a machine breaking down every day. And I sit here. In the quiet safety of the car with tasi boy. I take a deep breath, push out any wanting, begging thoughts I may have of the nice house with a balcony, fenced in yard and get this washer and dryer, out of my mind. Its ok. I can deal with this. Whew. Don't I feel better.

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So today I met up with a woman over in the Education Dept for my school. It was yet another incidence that happened that made me very happy and excited at the thought of working with Special Education. She has already said which classes I should take and I will be in there to register the FIRST day of registration!! But the thing she said to me today was something that gave me this feel good feeling all day...

She asked how I liked the Disabilities in Society class. I told her I loved it! I got a 100% on the midterm, and everything we did in that class just came so naturally to me. Thats when she looked at me and said "well then, thats how you know you NEED to do that as a career" I know something so simple may seem like nothing to most, but I guess to me, to keep meeting new people everywhere I turn who seem to be guiding me down the path I must go, honestly just makes me straight up EXCITED to be in school!!

I am constantly posting pictures on my facebook page of the sky here in Saipan! I swear to anyone reading this, that every day here there is some sort of magical show going on just overhead. Whether it be lightening, rain, a beautiful deep blue sky, or clouds that look like they could engulf you any moment. But honestly, the most amazing things to me, are the the sunsets. I think Im going to try and start catching as many as I can just so I can post there here. Who knows, maybe this will just end up being my Sunset Blog! :-)

I want to end with a quote I found:

“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”

The clouds tonight are like huge fluffy monsters being illuminated by the bright full moon. Jan and I went out to the balcony and once the cool breeze hit us I looked at her and said " hey, why don't we go for a drive". So we did. With tasi hanging out the window and the breeze that makes me happy to be alive pushing my hand back I could only smile. How the little things mean so much to me now in life. I think I have gotten to a point where I have been through so much now, I am done with freaking out over the small stuff. I am learning more how to stand up for myself.

So jan and I have been together for a year and 7 months. I can't believe how fast this has gotten here. I remember in the times we had our downs, and I just kept wondering if we would ever even get to live together. Little did I know it would be living on this cute, lively little island.

The past two days its been raining. Its funny how even when its raining here I find it beautiful.

So one thing I want to bring up. Fixed up cars looking and sounding like they are ready to race you every time you pull up next to them. Its especially funny when they pull up to our gold nissan sentra, tasi hanging out the window, jan looking all bad ass, and me laughing and looking away. .... Please don't tell me jans going to try and race this dude. Of course she's smart enough not to ~looks at jan~ I guess its something to pass the time here. Its just funny bc I'm always thinking, where the heck do they race?!

Well, I'm peacing out now. Much love. And even mucher laughs. :-)
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How time flies...

So tomorrow , Sept 20th, will be month number 4 for me being here in Saipan. It is funny how I feel like I haven been here longer, yet how time flies...

I am now feeling comfortable in my classes. Even have made some friends there. I share more than one class with at least 6 people, so its nice to have familiar faces around.

Today it has been rainy all day. I woke up to Tasi barking at the thunder. He gets pretty scared of it, and though it rains almost every other day here, we rarely get thunder and lightening. I miss thunderstorms. Though I have been keeping my fingers crossed that we will go untouched by any big storms. Many have been hitting China, which is good for us, but not good for them. Especially with the landslides they are having right now!

Saipan is beginning to feel like home to me now. I have always felt comfortable here, but now I am beginning to feel like this is yet another home for me.

Jan and I have now moved on to not only feeding dogs but now cats. We have two grown cats and this cute lil black and white kitten down in the parking area. I want to just pick them all up and bring them upstairs. Every time I mention it, Jan gives me a look like "I dare you".... hmph I can save the kitten if I want to hehe

I cant believe how fast this year has gone. Jan and I are talking about the possibilities of what to do for Christmas this year. Going home is probably out of the picture since its hella expensive.

Well, im going to wrap it up. While everyone at home sleeps, Jan and I are going to pay a few bills, check the mail, and enjoy the rest of our Tuesday!

Its that time of year

So this morning I woke, threw on some outside clothes, leashed up tasi boy and walked out the door to let him do him morning business of peeing on our car tire. Most mornings its already hot and once I step out I'm usually already forming sweat beads on my back. But today was different. The wind was cool. Almost like the end of september can be at home. The sun is still shining through but that wind was just amazing. I think tasi was even surprised because when it was ready to go in he punked me into thinking he had to go number two. And after a few minutes I realized his deep black eyes were closed in the wind. I'm such a sucker. Or he is just hella good at being all cute and getting what he wants.

One thing that was always on the back of my mind was the thought of "Am I going to miss fall/winter?" The answer to that is and will always be, YES. Don't get me wrong. Being able to wake almost 6 days of the week to bright blue skies, a low hot sun, and clouds that seem close enough to touch is pretty amazing. This is something that never gets old to me.

I am going on 4 months here this month and its weird because one part of me can't believe I have been here this long and the other part of me feels like I know this place. Its so strangly awesome to be uprooted to a place you have no way of preparing for but getting there and feeling like you have been here before. This place is somewhere I will tell people for the rest of my life to come and visit at least once. I would love to see the islands here, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Well I'm gonna wrap it up. I'm going to finish my coffee, get jan ready for work, and come home and do some class work. Or better yet, maybe ill take tasi and my books to the park.
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Blog Chats

So it is coming to an end of my 3rd week in classes. I really am enjoying school. I told Jan that I am focusing my mind in on all A's! I know I can do it and I know I WILL!!

Saipan weather lately has been beautiful! Sunny days, hot sun, yet the breeze is cool. I wish we could be laying out on the beach right now or out on some adventure, but I have another class in 2 hours. Maybe tomorrow..

I will admit that a part of me has started to think about how the weather might be back home in a month or two. Cool fall weather kicking in soon... but here it will be hot still haha... It makes me feel like summer is constant here. The funny thing is though, I dont mind it. I was laying down on the couch this morning and looked at my feet and I actually have a nice lil tan line from my reef flip flops haha its always the little things....

I know this one is short but Im going to go enjoy my few hours I have with jan and tasi boy... I will admit it sucks that when she has off from work I have class and when I have the weekends off shes working... but, its what we do... and sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do...

Butterflies Gone Wild Family Affairs

So, for the first time Friday I was going to be meeting one of Jan's brothers, Gerald and his family! When I got the call my belly started to flutter around like mad with nervousness. Over a year and a half I have only talked on the phone with any of Jans family, and that was 2 of her sisters actually. So this was something I was very excited about. Jan was able to take off work so that we could spend time with them. They had their twin boys with them who are so polite and cute and entertaining! We drove them around the island and got to have an awesome dinner with them at the Hyatt where they were staying. We shared so many laughs and stories. Patty got her nails done. That was our "girl" time. And that night at dinner we found her getting down with the band that was playing. All i remember is one of the boys looking at Gerry saying "Daddy, look at what your wife is doing" Cracked me up! And to top it off, we got the band to also sing happy birthday to Gerry. They live in Guam, and I hope that we get to go see them

soon! Family is something that I cherish, and thats something I have to thank MY family for! No matter what, you should always be there for one another. I have already considered them as a part of my family now! And I hope that is mutual! :-)

So now I am back to being a student, and somehow it feels great. After I went to Cortiva in NJ and had to take and pass classes like Anatomy & Physiology, Kienseology (or muscles), Business all of which in 6 months instead of a year, I have had a lot more confidence in myself when it comes to being a student. I left Cortiva with a 3.8 GPA and a built up self esteem. So now, yes, I am in fact that student whom is always sitting at the front. I even try to arrive extra early to make sure i get a front seat, though here, its like Im usually the only person in the front anyway.

So I declared my Major. Teacher in Special Education. The funny thing is, teaching has been something in the back of my heart and mind since I was little. And the even funnier thing is, without Cortiva I would have never really known that I have a passion to work with children with mental and physical disabilities. Even Autism was really introduced to me at Cortiva, when I decided to do a report on it for my class. Though my report was actually more on the different therapies you can do with a child with Autism, its almost like, that was just a small part of what I am supposed to do in my future.

So, this semester I am taking 4 classes, which add up to 13 semester hours. 2 classes a day M-Th and one evening class F. Not bad actually. Perfect for me.

First there is Math. Contemporary Math actually. Its more like learning and making your own strategies that can actually be used in real life. Like forming a rout for a postman so it lowers cost and increases profit. Those sort of, I didnt understand till now, sorta things. My Teacher is from the islands. Whether it be Hawaii, or CNMI I dont know. But all I do know is he is funny and smiley, and does a pretty good job at breaking things down for you. I am the only Caucasian in actually ANY of my classes. So, I have gone from being majority to minority, and honestly, I believe everyone should have to do that at some point in their life. Just to be clear that there are so many other kinds of people on this earth, and they too, are only humans like us.

I also have a Public Speaking class. Which I like. I can use the things I learned back in my drama days at Stuart hall for this. Though I still get nervous when I have to get in front of people and talk, I am learning to realize, its just talking. My teacher is Caucasian, but I believe she said shes been working here maybe 16 years? Very laid back. Nice lady. She seems to know and understand the culture here very well, which is nice to see. Every day she has us work with a partner, which I know is so we can meet the people in our class. Most of the students in that class are local girls and a couple local boys. I did have a funny guy from, I believe Korea sitting behind me. He was nice and we joked around a little on the group work. Its nice to be somewhere that I can be me, and make jokes, and not be looked at like Im some twenty eyed Medusa or something. Anyways....

Then there is my Political Science class.... "Principles of Democratic Institutions"..... *blank look, which then turns into a scared look, which then morphs into the oh shit look* I have never been good with history or political classes. Why? I am not sure. Maybe its a little things called apathy I might have over politics, but it has always been the class I did the worst in. This class is bigger. My teacher is like someone you would think to find in a movie or a book. He is 62 I believe and looks 43. Makes me wonder if living here slows down the aging process. He definitely knows his stuff in politics. Past, present, and he seems to think , the future. He is very proudly a republican, which is fiinnnneeeee but he does sort of teach as a republican, instead of being a political teacher, and allowing us to think our own things. But like I said, he def knows his stuff!

Then my class on Friday evenings is my Disabilities in Society class... but, our teacher didn't show last night. So, what does Lauren do? She jokes at the class about the "He's got 15 minutes, then we run" which everyone laughs, gets quiet for a second to think, "well thats true, the white girl might be on to something", and then we all get started on the count down. I know Im really going to love that class!! So far, it was only myself and 5 others. 4 women and one man. All of which are older, and I enjoy that. They know how to work and play, but come out smarter in the long run. So, I am excited to get started in that class.... next week I guess ha.

You know, most of my classes, there are at least 5 different nationalities. Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Philippine, and Micronesian or from the Pacific Islands. And the great thing is, I feel the most at home when i am surrounded by diversity. I have never known why, but I felt this even back in high school. Coming from an elementary school of 99% white and 1% black, (though I hate these labels because I know even with me, I am not white, but more pasty colored.. ) it was nice when I went to a more mixed school. That was just the beginning though. When I went off to Stuart hall Boarding school for Drama, I was then faced with meeting people I only read about in books back home. Germany, China, Japan, India, South Africa, Korea... maybe more but thats just where close friends of mine were from. I thrive in diversity. I thrive on learning about culture and religion and customs. Here, on the Islands, there are so many! Especially with the older generations. One day, once I learn a bit more, I will post them here...

I want to end this by saying:

Never say that you are too shy or to scared to do the things you want to do. Never allow language, or location, or distance keep you from being happy, and going places you wish to see. Yes, it can be scary to think of the CHANGE in surroundings, but, that change is knowledge. Learning to communicate with someone of a different language helps you with learning how to bring it back to the basics. Going somewhere far away, makes you realize that yes, you love your family and your home, but damnit, you are able to stand on your own two feet. And location... do you know the nearest walmart or real honest true western store except for the expensive duty free here on Saipan, is Guam? Dont allow fear of change to keep you from moving somewhere or even visiting. Go somewhere that the necessities might not be as attainable. Why? You learn to figure things out. You learn to work with what you have. You learn to appreciate things you had back home.

Many people take hard situations, (and I am as guilty as anyone) and turn them into negativity. But, we all have to take a breath, and make the best of what we can out of it instead! Keep your head up, and your abs in, and walk in the situation ready to get the most out of it. Every thing we fear, then get past, and learn from, is one thing more than what we had the day before. Strength.