Shake, rattle, and OMG

So, today, at 344pm I felt my first REAL earthquake. I know the first night I was here I felt a tiny one, so tiny i thought it was just a neighbors door shutting. But today, I was sitting at the computer, and I felt the same thing. I looked around to see if tasi boy was maybe laying beside the chair and itching, but he wasnt. Just as I was texting jan that I felt a tremor, it really began to shake for maybe 3-5 seconds. I know thats not long, but for an East coast girl, it felt like the biggest known to humanity! haha

The whole entertainment center was shaking and I was trying to stand to get to the boy. He ran to me right after and once it stopped I went to the balcony to look out. Of course, I wouldnt see anything, and of course everyone outside this apartment were fine. Driving like nothing, walking around like nothing. Maybe I imagined it? How the hell could I?

Then the phone rang. It felt comforting to hear Jan on the line. Asking if I was ok and telling me that it was indeed a good almost scale of 5 earthquake. I am not sure what made it happen. I know there have been some volcanos around that have been erupting and having some life, so maybe thats all it was... all i know is... its been almost 2 hours and I am STILL shaken up!

When ants fly.....

So, I know this one will be a short post, but i HAD to share...

This morning on our way to go feed the doggies, Jan turned the car AC on pretty high. I started to see these little things flying out of the vents and onto me and tasi boy who was sitting comfortably in my lap. I ignored it at first, thinking it was nothing, then realized.... ANTS!!!!

About a week ago, I had mistakenly left some mentos in the car. YES. Sooo we were greeted the next morning with a colony of ants taking over our car.

Needless to say.... THEY ARE NOT GONE!!

I hope to bring out my killer side, and fix this problem, so as I can finally enjoy sitting in the cool air on a blistering hot day here in the pacific ocean.......

Doggie Days - kinda sad

Jan and I both love animals, especially dogs! Here on the island are, I have no idea how many, dogs that roam the streets. They have nowhere but under cars to sleep and are lucky to find food and water. Well, Jan and I currently are feeding 3 of these dogs. We even have 4 others here at the apt in the parking lot that we feed.

There is Brownie here at the apt.

Brownie 2 at the airport. I had a picture of him but not sure what happe

ned to it. I will try for another. He is an all brown street dog. Very sweet, gentle. Has been hit before. Has bad legs in the rear and is hard for him to run, but just seeing our car, he comes as fast as he can.

And our newest addition, the saddest, lil princess. Jan saw her one day while working and we have been feeding her every day. Its so sad.... I hope to get a good picture of her sitting in the tall grass under her tree.

Jan saw her one day when she was working. She is so skinny! She stays under this tree beside the road. Right now there are construction workers there, and she is STILl right there. We drive there every morning looking for her. It tears into my heart when I see her and all the other doggies here that are suffering. But, we are doing the best we can, as 2 people. We cant afford to provide as we would like, so they get doggie bisquits and food scraps, bread, anything we can muster up. Leftovers go to the babies, as we say.

Jan and I keep dreaming up this ranch home here, were we could bring the doggies into the yard and make sure they are fed, have water, and feel safe. It is very sad, but, it feels good to know that today, when we are able to feed them, they have had a meal.

If i had the money, I would fix all the dogs, put those who are suffering down, and take all the ones who still have a chance and give them the love they need. :-(

Days to remember

Well today started off like any other day. Lazy, tv, music. Though I did walk 2 miles this morning. Then jan decided we should go riding. I know its so simple but I love riding around with her and tasi. I don't care where we go, its just nice to be out taking a car stroll around the island together. We got lunch. Parked on what they call a dock but is a piece of land that juts out in the water and you drive on it. There were some men coming in from spear fishing. here are some pictures, they are a bit small but for some reason i cant get them bigger. ugh haha

After lunch on the dock, we drove up towards the mountian. There she showed me some of the places. Amazing land! Amazing VIEWS! Saw where the governer lives.

She also took me to this religious shrine here. I want to research it some so I can add the history to this and I have awesome pictures. This shrine is in the side of the mt. The roots from the trees above are like enveloping the mountain! The pictures will def show it!

THEN she took me to these apartments. Valley view apartments. OMG I fell in love. Ok, at first glance you are like, um no. But... When we drove around to the front and I saw the mountain and the lagoon view I was in love! Flame trees, coconut trees! It was QUIET!!! I just was in awe. We took a look inside. Awesome places. So, please please keep me in your thoughts, prayers, fingers crossed!!!! It has some perks on distance but... When I think of me and my lil family here , sitting there together... Sigh... Haha

On the way home we stopped at this store on the mt. Expressions. I loved it! It is run by a woman from the states, Alison. She sells so much! Wine, candies, jams, spreads! Scrapbooking things!!! It was awesome! I might even look into emailing her and asking if she would ever need some part time help around there. Maybe run like a class or something in scrapbooking or arts and crafts. Hey, it cant hurt right?

I love every day I have given to me in my life. And knowing I have an amazing partner to share this life with is breathtaking. No matter how many times I see the same flame tree, just seeing it with her beside me makes me enjoy it more and more every time!

Pedestrians and speedlimits

So, I cant believe I havent written about this yet, but I remember the first day Jan drove me around the island, on a busy ass highway, all of a sudden, all the cars, traveling both directions all put on their hazard lights and completely STOP to allow pedestrians cross the road!!!!!

The asian pedestrians facial expression of surprise, matched mine. I almost freaked out when I saw that. All I could think of was, wa wa wait a minute. At home, cars SPEED UP toward pedestrians!!!

So now, I have to keep my eyes peeled to look for the random people standing on the side of the road. Usually trying to get back to their Resort. And every time, I see that same look of confusion when the fast paced highway turns into a sort of walkway to the other side!

Speed limit. Ok, so... at home, going 5 over is just the norm. When it says 35, you go 40. MPH 50, car going 55! Well, HERE 40.... 40 is FAST! I mean, dont get me wrong... you have the speeders that fly past going like.... 50.. WOOHOO but, it took me awhile to get used to going 35. But now, now that I am used to it, i like it. I like being able to relax when I drive. It sounds funny coming from me, especially those who know me, but, who knows... maybe Ill stick with 35.... even back in the states...... HA

A walk in the park with a cute white dog

Memorial Park, Saipan

July 3rd 2010

Just a white girl and her white dog go for a lil walk....

Tasi boy sleeping after a lil walk in the park..... what a beautiful day

Laundry day

It has been awhile since I last blogged.

Life here is beginning to get into a steady motion. I am beginning to feel more and more like this is my home right now. Today was laundry day. The laundry facilities here are way different than home. Here they facility is completely open. You just walk up to it and there you are... inside hehe Washing here isnt cheap either, and before you know it, I might be washing by hand!!!! This picture was take from inside the car. That opening is NOT a glass win

dow... haha

Jan and I have been doing really at at trying to watch what we eat, but this morning when I was at Fresh market, I saw these cute little doughnut sized bisquits that were purple! Blueberry bread with a filling like cream cheese. But I dont think it was cream cheese... it had a lil less flavor than cream cheese. ANYWAYS, I must say, it was delicious! I love being able to try all these new foods! Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Chamarro, Chinese.....