tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43254913899610641972024-02-19T16:08:16.055-08:00Palagi PostElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-81519258700495973552009-09-30T09:10:00.000-07:002009-09-30T09:20:28.211-07:00Tsunami in American SamoaI have been back on the mainland for months so no posts. However, the tsunami that just hit is devastating. All of our friends are safe and accounted for, thank goodness. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those suffering from this awful experience.<br /><br />Here's an account by my friends the Browns:<br /><br /><a href="http://tropicalbrowns.blogspot.com/2009/09/tsunami-in-american-samoa.html">http://tropicalbrowns.blogspot.com/2009/09/tsunami-in-american-samoa.html</a><br /><br />Photos from a friend on CNN:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/30/samoa.earthquake/index.html#cnnSTCPhoto">http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/30/samoa.earthquake/index.html#cnnSTCPhoto</a><br /><br />Video footage of the water entering Pago Harbor and Interview with one of the local radio djs.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5352464n&tag=api">http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5352464n&tag=api</a><br /><br />User video on The Weather Channel<br /><br /><a href="http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?from=email&bcpid=823425597&bclid=877032950&bctid=42801725001">http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?from=email&bcpid=823425597&bclid=877032950&bctid=42801725001</a><br /><br />MSNBC is constantly updating the story on their website:<br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33075304">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33075304</a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-77734399602450991062009-03-11T09:59:00.000-07:002009-03-12T10:00:51.116-07:00Tofa Markus!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3286111504_d97e2445d2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 536px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3286111504_d97e2445d2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3285296481_5bacb98328.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 261px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3285296481_5bacb98328.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Markus (and Einstein) have departed the rock. And you are hearing about this way after the fact, because I wasn't interested in advertising on the internet that I was without dog or husband.<br /><br />There are two ways to check in at Hawaiian on flight days. Well that is if you don't want to stand in line for three hours. There is "early"-come at 5ish and stand in line until the desk opens at 6, be done hopefully by 7. Go out to dinner with friends and come back at 10pm. There is "late" check in-come at 9 pm and really, really hope you can be through the line by the time the desk closes at 10pm. Late check in seems to be working well these days. However, since we had to drop Einstein off at the cargo at 9pm, we checked in "early."<br /><br />Chase was in line too. Notice all the bags holding places. This is the line <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> the desk is even open! Markus is on the phone to the cargo guys who are supposed to be there meeting us with Einstein. We can see them going in and out of the cargo building, apparently ignoring the phone.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We had a bunch of "lasts"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3284851289_5459a837e4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3284851289_5459a837e4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/3286171458_16babce212.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 406px; height: 362px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/3286171458_16babce212.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Markus' last dive with Paul & Melanie<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3286093062_8aa955bd1b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 272px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3286093062_8aa955bd1b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3285281165_b3937835ca.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 414px; height: 277px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3285281165_b3937835ca.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our last Mt.Alava walk (Markus did this every day with Einstein, sometimes even twice!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3266244900_fab15e8de0.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 275px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3266244900_fab15e8de0.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Last dinner at Tisas with the Browns (we are a few coladas into the night)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3265394299_b86417a2b5.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 420px; height: 278px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3265394299_b86417a2b5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Last amazing Candy Man Pina Coladas<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3285317065_12fb60d857.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 282px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3285317065_12fb60d857.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Special island banana splits made by Emma for Markus<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3285776896_9a025c37e7.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 284px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3285776896_9a025c37e7.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tired Markus waiting for the plane.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Some lovely things our friends said about Markus for his departure:<br /><div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Things we'll miss about Markus :</div><div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Einstein</div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Someone to Pitch for us in Sloshball Games</div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Being the only person on the island qualified to fix our most complicated computer problems</div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">A Dive Partner</div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Your steady, genial demeanor</div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Einstein</div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Einstein</div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Einstein</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> We'll miss you big guy, and your little dog too! </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Going all in on the first hand, and losing.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Emailing me seemingly every twenty minutes asking where his payment is and why ASG is so fucked up.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Being introduced to the always-humble Markus' alter ego on Ofu... </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Reno Markus</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> Thanks for the laughs during a great weekend!</span> <div style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Seeing him faithfully walking Einstein at Utulei Beach nearly every day</div> <div><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">easy going, friendly personality</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">His infinite patience with people who he is trying to help...</span><br /></div><br /></div> <div style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Dear Einstein,</div> <div style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I, and the Association as a whole, will miss you. Your sloshball abilities, relaxed attitude, and political insights will not be easy to replace. I hope you have safe travels back to Portland and don't get too cold on the flight. I only wish you could have spent more time with and helped Pu as he has some serious psychological issues to work through - like realizing that despite being fixed he's still male and shouldn't be so motherly to the cat or chirp like a startled 3rd grade girl.</div> <div style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Please keep in touch and despite the fact you lack opposable thumbs or fingers I hope you write often. </div> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">P.S. Give your owner Marcus my best as well. He will sorely be missed as he was one of the more upbeat and happy individuals on the island, probably because he gets to hang out with you. Happy travels to him as well.</span> (No mention of wife here, hmmmm.....) <div style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Now me and jeremy will need to find someone else to weigh as much as. </div> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">We'll also miss your laid-back style, and your dog... what's that Snowy? yeah, I mentioned his dog. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tofa Markus!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/3284953611_cfcc1e80ec.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/3284953611_cfcc1e80ec.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/3284971647_cb7f854e33.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 224px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/3284971647_cb7f854e33.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-88856135992041730922009-03-11T09:47:00.000-07:002009-03-12T09:48:45.299-07:00Sliding Rock with the Girls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3348614961_5451897254.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 248px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3348614961_5451897254.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>One beautiful Sunday afternoon just a few short weeks ago (hard to believe as I sit in multiple layers of fleece, freezing in unusually chilly weather in Portland) a group of us girls headed out to Sliding Rock for cocktails and soaking in the pools. It was the loveliest time I've ever had there. Beautiful skies, cool blue water and fabulous company. And a great idea for a Girls Spa Day was hatched here....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3349452954_97ac6ea863.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 257px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3349452954_97ac6ea863.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3348617665_54129ea665.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 266px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3348617665_54129ea665.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3349474046_79d7fd5e7b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 265px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3349474046_79d7fd5e7b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3349459212_acf13d9767.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3349459212_acf13d9767.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3348648493_8ca8e58fd5.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3348648493_8ca8e58fd5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3348644933_5c2cd73806.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3348644933_5c2cd73806.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3349453784_4d039e3c9e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 277px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3349453784_4d039e3c9e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3349470084_3139366ed1.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 275px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3349470084_3139366ed1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3348656187_de7e9f8bf6.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3348656187_de7e9f8bf6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3349485756_ca45494dbe.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 261px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3349485756_ca45494dbe.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-50286917334709146232009-02-24T17:54:00.000-08:002009-02-24T18:27:01.874-08:00Palagi Beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3265031171_5e38315838.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 575px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3265031171_5e38315838.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>There is a magical place on the island that is only arrived at after a long drive and a long hike. Since only palagi's are willing to do this for sand and surf it is rightly called Palagi Beach. Markus had never been so we went on his last weekend on the Island.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3265894140_a31d193237.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 534px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3265894140_a31d193237.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Einstein sunbathing.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3265036899_354c2d5444.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 276px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3265036899_354c2d5444.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3265740150_3a40c75b6e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 419px; height: 278px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3265740150_3a40c75b6e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/3111656178_a1dca546a7.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 311px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/3111656178_a1dca546a7.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3111660036_051d6f88da.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 412px; height: 308px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3111660036_051d6f88da.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Find the treacherous trail to the left of this driveway-it's where the little palm tree is there. Follow the trail and the beach all the way to an amazing beach with great views and a small area that's good for soaking (snorkeling is not really an option here).Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-23394198932490199932009-02-24T11:10:00.000-08:002009-02-24T12:35:22.211-08:00Get LOST Already Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3305012199_bee914f575.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 381px; height: 285px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3305012199_bee914f575.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Barbara who's been here for three years left on Sunday for adventures unknown. Read her <a href="http://barbisuperestarblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-want-to-live-i-want-to-die.html">blog</a> about her transition off-island. Since I leave this upcoming Sunday we had a shared goodbye party.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ocs4lSd1lp5dEZ_IzcyBxt41TfoJmg5Gn32ZyrLDsURvI2Hv7nxJGlgtFymO9LPDlNizS81Dpvcz9lo3OW6lCVpx32JsSZIeCg1POP6m7SVxEdmZ5SMOStOPzFi_rPAugpnh5SVmgnA/s1600-h/n580977684_1604235_2358.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ocs4lSd1lp5dEZ_IzcyBxt41TfoJmg5Gn32ZyrLDsURvI2Hv7nxJGlgtFymO9LPDlNizS81Dpvcz9lo3OW6lCVpx32JsSZIeCg1POP6m7SVxEdmZ5SMOStOPzFi_rPAugpnh5SVmgnA/s200/n580977684_1604235_2358.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306453680029287778" border="0" /></a>Again, Matt opened up his house to the festivities including filling up the pool!! Good thing he had an umbrella or he and Kayla could have gotten wet!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3305836404_97f460ca4c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 414px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3305836404_97f460ca4c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The theme was LOST and a few brave souls dressed up and there was lots of Dharma Initiative brand food. (Please ignore the fact I spelled Initiative wrong on all the labels!) Note the cool "The Rock" station logo that Paul Brown made for me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3305838808_e2e67ca213.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 287px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3305838808_e2e67ca213.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And, of course, Fish Biscuits from the Polar Bear cage episode. They tasted horrible, just like you would imagine the ones sitting in the cage all those years would have. I need to find a new gingerbread recipe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3305030867_850768ae8a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 421px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3305030867_850768ae8a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I made a special Crash Landing Cake (that's supposed to be Tutuilla there).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3305850304_3e8979606b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 433px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3305850304_3e8979606b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Kim and Mike as Kate and Locke<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3305014321_1d30e1f562.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 390px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3305014321_1d30e1f562.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lisa as Pregnant Claire admiring the LOST t-shirts<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3305035315_89b1b1b6c4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 441px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3305035315_89b1b1b6c4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ned sporting the back of the LOST tshirt.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3305865410_5fba731305.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 277px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3305865410_5fba731305.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Kelly sporting the front.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3305865410_5fba731305.jpg?v=0"><br /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-30888996872604889932009-02-08T13:06:00.001-08:002009-02-08T15:38:02.572-08:00Getting LOST<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/13/lost.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/13/lost.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I've been struggling with some angst this past month about leaving the island. I know, I know. "What about the count down? What about the complaints?" I think this happens to a lot of us who come here hoping for paradise, looking for change, needing some sun. We go through culture shock, we find things we like/love about the place, we adjust, and then we get antsy, thinking it's perhaps time for something different.<br /><br />But what are we looking for? Often what was going on back "home" wasn't so great that's why we are here in the first place. So what are we running back to? Grocery stores and shopping? We all know, living in a consumer culture, that there will never be "enough". As soon as you have what you've been waiting to consume for two long years then you'll be looking for something better or different. Newer. Better. Bigger.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/11/28/lost460.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 230px;" src="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/11/28/lost460.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We know that <a href="http://chasingmylife.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-trip-to-office-of-motor-vehicles.html">inefficiency</a> and corruption is rampant here. Efficiency is nice and so is customer service. But remember there are long waits in the states and stupid people everywhere. Is sitting in rush hour traffic for 1 to 2 hours better than having a blank stare when you need something done? I think I'd rather deal with the stare.<br /><br />We don't make much compared to salaries back home, but you won't spend even a fraction of what you do in the states. You aren't bombarded with crap that you think you need. Your clothes are secondary, your car acceptable if you gets you from point A to point B, your house fantastic if it's not infested with termites or mold. We've learned to live within our means, unlike many unfortunate souls back home. And hey! We have a job.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fuzzmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/eko_smoke.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 211px;" src="http://fuzzmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/eko_smoke.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ok, so job satisfaction can be the "biggie" here. People get "in trouble" by superiors for "just doing their job" because it might in some unknown/unforeseen way be upsetting to the Samoan culture. Change is nearly impossible and when it does happen it's at a snail's pace. Your boss can be completely ignorant and never at work. You have to learn to pat yourself on your back and be happy if you are making small changes in people's everyday lives. This is not a big picture place. Living for today is really the motto. Future orientation is slow in developing here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/070503/scifigallery/lost_l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/070503/scifigallery/lost_l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Yeah, the internet sucks. But really, should you be spending so much time on the internet? Yeah, the cable is delayed by two weeks and the commercials irrelevant (christmas sales after christmas). Will the world fall apart if you watch LOST two weeks late or when it comes out on DVD?<br /><br />The schools are awful I must admit. If I had kids this would be one of the greatest challenges. When teachers drop curriculum because the "students won't read the book" (speaking of High School kids) instead of, oh, I don't know....flunking them, then there is a real problem here.<br /><br />Health care is an issue, esp if you want any specialty services. However, there are more and more US trained physicians and health care providers. At $10 a visit, $10 a RX and many services offered free through Fed Grants, you can appreciate what we DO have. AND many, many, far too many, people in the states are without any type of health insurance. That $10 doctor's visit, is $150-200 out of pocket. That RX? Try $50-100+<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://flowtv.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/sawyer____lost_s_capitalist.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 242px;" src="http://flowtv.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/sawyer____lost_s_capitalist.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I think I've learned a lot about slowing down that I NEVER would have been able to learn back home. It's impossible. I've also learned a lot about what I don't want back in my life when we get back. I wish we were going on to some new adventure, but there are a few practical reasons why we need to go back, at least for the time being.<br /><br />Most people who leave Samoa, remember it longingly afterwards. Some say it was like a dream. They won't come back because we all leave for some very good reasons (because some people do stay for very long periods verging on "forever"-of course, we call these people "Tropo" ;), As the time nears to leave I think it's impossible to wonder if this is the right move and what are you gaining/loosing. I had very little hesitation on leaving and much more on returning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20080530/425.lost.053008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 261px;" src="http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20080530/425.lost.053008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I'm hoping this isn't like some episode of LOST where we spend two years connecting with people, trying to survive and figuring out life, the universe, and everything; all while desperately trying to escape at the same time. Then when we finally are "free" and back in the "real world" we are not quite sure what the big rush was to leave. And may just have to return to save our friends we left behind on the island. ;)Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-80166738931239681222009-02-08T12:58:00.000-08:002009-02-08T14:35:02.235-08:00Yet another farewell BBQ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/3264634226_99dec3ac7b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 263px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/3264634226_99dec3ac7b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>A tradition on-island is to see your friends off at the airport when they are making their final departure. The flight leaves late and it's always a school night, Sunday and Thursday (thanks Hawaiian!), so this takes commitment and love (esp from us as we live on the opposite side of the island). I have done this a few times but I'm rather choosy with my airport goodbyes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/3264503648_68c8ee91a1.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/3264503648_68c8ee91a1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Aaron and Naomi who fell from the sky around the same time I did were leaving this past Thursday and I really wanted to see them off at the airport. Matt opened his house for a BBQ with the plan to "do the airport" afterward. Unfortunately, there was something wrong with the plane (I've yet to find out what) and the flight was delayed until the next morning. Having to work, there was no way to make it all the way out there the next morning. I was convinced that this was some crazy plot development out of LOST where Naomi and Aaron wouldn't be able to make it off the island. And eventually, by extension neither would we. Which leads me to my next blog entry....Getting Lost. (Naomi and Aaron and there kitty did make it off the island afterall).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/241/3264565866_900e615e61.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 414px; height: 341px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/241/3264565866_900e615e61.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Aaron decided he wanted to do politician handshake series with everyone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/252/3264591860_2016bb32c2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 410px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/252/3264591860_2016bb32c2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/3263818193_9c5806228f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 255px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/3263818193_9c5806228f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/3263818193_9c5806228f.jpg?v=0"><br /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-77439454320379400212009-02-08T12:42:00.000-08:002009-02-08T15:25:18.606-08:00Palagi Olympics 2009-We are the champions!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/239/3264857300_b85f6fb478.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 247px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/239/3264857300_b85f6fb478.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>This month will see a lot of palagi losses. As you know, Markus and I are heading back to Portland, Aaron (of the AG's office) and Naomi (librarian extraordinaire) and Barbara (EPA) will all be gone by the end of this month.<br /><br />We had some farewell festivities to commemorate. Lisa and Nate organized a great Palagi Olympics/Sloshball game and lots of people showed up for the fun. Markus and I were sloshball captains and, of course, my team won. Which is good because I almost never keep score on these games and have to depend on the more competitive on the league to know if we are up or down. I believe in delegation. Thanks Doug and Amity. I was on Naomi's team for Palagi Olympics and we came out the overall winners on that one, as well. It's nice to go out on top! Afterward we ate well at Samoan Steve's house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/3264792808_09b64d268d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 244px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/3264792808_09b64d268d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Naomi up to bat (no Naomi that's not how you play sloshball!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3263979529_e8ecde4c01.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 295px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3263979529_e8ecde4c01.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Steve after astronaut game.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/3264777478_e9cb9e2fa4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 289px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/3264777478_e9cb9e2fa4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gwen & I go down on the three legged race.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/3263910975_727f5764c9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 305px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/3263910975_727f5764c9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Markus up to bat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3264802196_6cf8a4af68.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 304px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3264802196_6cf8a4af68.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Team Matt & Team Naomi<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3264795938_b9794d93c9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 278px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3264795938_b9794d93c9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Erick on his way to victory!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/235/3263913479_1d62fa6532.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 287px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/235/3263913479_1d62fa6532.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lisa going for the gold.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3264746592_64c731cf64.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 299px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3264746592_64c731cf64.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Einstein thinking Aaron's hit was for him.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-89880267584072539582009-01-25T18:51:00.000-08:002009-01-25T19:15:23.521-08:00Lalomanu Beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3224193802_34f4489190.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 258px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3224193802_34f4489190.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This island off shore from Lanomanu was an old Leper colony.<br /><br /></div>One of the best known beaches in Western Samoa is Lalomanu. It is also one of the most densely built up beaches with cheap beach fale accomodations. If you want a beach front accomodation for a mere forty tala and don't mind sleeping on woven mats and fighting off mosquitos-this is the place for you!<br /><br />Luckily, our resort Seabreeze was just a short drive down the road. I think the crowded accomodations is just a breeding ground for dengue. Not that I can prove this but it just stands to reason. Plus I enjoy sleeping off the floor. But I'm old what can I say.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3226239922_69c559138a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 290px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3226239922_69c559138a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The beach and reef here offers some of the best snorkeling and swimming around. It does come with Samoa's own form of adventure with ava's (rip tides) and strong currents, but with fins on, strong swimming skills and knowing where the avas are you can have a great time.<br /><br />I actually saw my first turtle in Samoa there. Yes I'm leaving after two years and this is my first turtle. I have been extremely unlucky in this department-other people see turtles all the time. It was a nice parting gift.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some lovely photos from snorkeling:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3225386619_ece1a34bc2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 274px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3225386619_ece1a34bc2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3225380797_78b2b16562.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 279px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3225380797_78b2b16562.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3225383513_260d3beb11.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 265px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3225383513_260d3beb11.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3225397967_b253122acd.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 193px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3225397967_b253122acd.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3225391527_25d998567d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 263px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3225391527_25d998567d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/3226244848_81fd1fbf4d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 444px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/3226244848_81fd1fbf4d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-43272087962403627172009-01-25T17:44:00.000-08:002009-01-25T18:47:34.476-08:00Western Samoa-One More Time (this is it I promise)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3223946632_18f6f47532.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 392px; height: 260px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3223946632_18f6f47532.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>If you are keeping up on my blogs you might recall my last trip to Western Samoa (which was literally supposed to be my LAST trip). Weeeellll....have I mentioned how much I love Western Samoa and the fact that I didn't get any market shopping done last time and that, combined, with a three day weekend (thanks Dr. King!), and Markus being back on island, all added up in my mind to another trip to Western.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I got this awesome shot of Apia from the plane when we were leaving. Yup that's it. The grand metropolis of Apia. That's exactly what it feels like for us, too.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3223068817_843f9090db.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 248px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3223068817_843f9090db.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Aerial shot of part of the hillside in Upolu.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3223079017_2dcd138de2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 379px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3223079017_2dcd138de2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We stayed again at <a href="http://www.manumearesort.com/">Manumea</a> in Apia. I highly recommend this place. We got to watch some really bad tv to remind us not to miss TV. The highlight of which is the following expert from what appeared to be a lip sink music video.<br /></div></div><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/adTHAmvA3wk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/adTHAmvA3wk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />We had our usual amazing pizza at Giordanos pizza, where Markus had to sit with his back to this painting as it creeps him out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/3222948097_4a008ed998.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 277px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/3222948097_4a008ed998.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The next two nights we stayed at <a href="http://www.seabreezesamoa.com/index.html">Seabreeze</a>. I've blogged about this place before, but I can't say enough good things about this place. The food was great again in their wonderful cliff hugging restaurant.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> The little fales have giant hammocks in them for lazing, as below.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3223743229_677a9a0c5b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 232px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3223743229_677a9a0c5b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3224204840_a9bc57d4fa.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3224204840_a9bc57d4fa.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Driving on Upolu is one of my favorite things in the world. The roads are awesome (esp compaired to American Samoa), the views are incredible, there are no cops (I'll leave this to your imagination what this implies), and there are NO cars on the road, esp on Sundays. American Samoa is literally overrun with cars and the citizens are not better off for it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3222970177_d5cafd4db2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 228px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3222970177_d5cafd4db2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few shots from the roadside:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3224222354_b58d1b0d1c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 272px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3224222354_b58d1b0d1c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome fale with Samoan tatau designs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3223904022_3756c379b9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3223904022_3756c379b9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3223371077_4a43b48fa3.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 253px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3223371077_4a43b48fa3.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Horses grazing under palm trees.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3224591114_002a17dc6e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3224591114_002a17dc6e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-46989454015042472422009-01-02T09:30:00.000-08:002009-01-02T12:34:44.796-08:00A few things: L&DA Few Things I'm Going to Miss (some of you will have no idea what I'm referring to herein-that's ok)<br /><ul><li>Zero Epidural Rate</li><li>Women who can push out a baby in one or two pushes and who think a long push is over 15 minutes.</li><li>Women who want to walk and move around in labor and are surrounded by female family members that think birth is natural and not scary.</li><li>Fast labors</li><li>Women who want to go home in early labor</li><li>Women who labor at home until things are really cooking.<br /></li><li>The hard working and under appreciated nurses (somethings are the same no matter WHERE you are)</li><li>An understanding of what a midwife is WITHOUT having to explain it.</li><li>A preference for midwives as birth attendent</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?6666660Zjcf6lVs6EVs66SzF7c7rrrrQ-"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?6666660Zjcf6lVs6EVs66SzF7c7rrrrQ-" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A Few Things I'm Not Going to Miss:<br /><ul><li>Putting my foot into my shoe in the middle of night to feel a cockroach (a large one) squirming around in there. (Insert high pitched scream and shoe flying across the room).<br /></li><li>Sleeping in the linen closet on a gurney.</li><li>Routine episiotomies (by OTHER practitioners)</li><li>Latex gloves that are moldy and disintegrate as soon as I put them on.</li><li>Lack of systematic health care</li><li>Going to the "delivery room"</li><li>Lack of adherence to Universal Precautions (gross and scary)</li><li>Chromic suture as the only suture</li><li>The lack of a neonatal crash team (hmmm I think there is a name for this but I've been without one for so long...it's like some sweet memory) Good thing bad babies are so few and far between.</li><li>Lack of urgency when a crash csection is called.</li><li>20 minute Decision to Incision Protocol</li><li>Women who refuse induction when they are REALLY, REALLY, REALLY overdue.</li><li>Babies going straight to the nursery because there is not enough staff to monitor babies during transition.</li><li>Lack of position changes for delivery.</li><li>No IUPCs<br /></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hot-screensaver.com/wp-myimages/cockroach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 236px;" src="http://www.hot-screensaver.com/wp-myimages/cockroach.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-43228883091031361962009-01-01T10:09:00.000-08:002009-01-02T12:31:24.951-08:00Bright Lights, Big CityMy time here in American Samoa is rolling to a close. I have two more months left on island. Though there are many great things about being here, I've decided not to renew my contract.<br />I had hoped we would be able to move to Hawaii, but Markus found a good job at his alma matter, Portland State University, writing programs for researchers. So we will be returning to our old 'hood. It will be great to be close to family and friends in old Puddletown. Let's just hope I can adapt to the rain and cold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/43594692_843c93b63d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 414px; height: 310px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/43594692_843c93b63d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ourdrivetoalaska.com/portland3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 433px; height: 278px;" src="http://ourdrivetoalaska.com/portland3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thelearnersguild.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/portland-oregon-skyline1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 504px;" src="http://thelearnersguild.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/portland-oregon-skyline1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-71045499272407358322008-12-31T15:51:00.000-08:002009-01-02T12:23:46.725-08:00Samoan Xmas ReduxYes, I've been here long enough for the holidays to repeat themselves.<br />Though Markus was off-island there was plenty of activities to keep me busy.<br /><br />The now traditional Christmas Eve Gift Exchange at Naomi and Aaron's. I tried hard to get me the ukulele or the American Samoa flag (a few of this years "hot" items). Sadly, I came away empty handed after a cut throat round of ro0-sham-bo. As a wonderful surprise Dr. Dave came through for me and gave me my very own ukulele!<br /><br />A few highlights:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Aaron, sporting his awesome Xmas shirt getting just what he asked for:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/3142061666_fb26cf5083.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 281px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/3142061666_fb26cf5083.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The much sought after ukulele<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3141206281_15b2d09db1.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 281px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3141206281_15b2d09db1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Einstein getting into the fun with Ben:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3142028394_7927daf046.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3142028394_7927daf046.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Kelly gets a shoot a Parrot game:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/3142049274_d2932efb37.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/3142049274_d2932efb37.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Matt super stoked on his ping pong equipment.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3141259709_d698cc40bd.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3141259709_d698cc40bd.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Lisa and the much sought after American Samoa flag.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/3141263233_031a8c1d15.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/3141263233_031a8c1d15.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Maria super excited by her awesome tie.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3142107410_1f974e8ce6.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 287px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3142107410_1f974e8ce6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Naomi gets a calus cutter from Ned. Awesome.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/3142133624_e904d2a435.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/3142133624_e904d2a435.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ned gets this hat as Karmic payback.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3142134468_3d42b2f36f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3142134468_3d42b2f36f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />View from Naomi and Aaron's bungalow:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/3141993230_cbe8bf447a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 311px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/3141993230_cbe8bf447a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>View from Brian and Nadia's house on Christmas day, where we had a nice feast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/3141334591_fc037dce4d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 272px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/3141334591_fc037dce4d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/3142165856_3700ccfef6.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 414px; height: 310px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/3142165856_3700ccfef6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>And every Xmas post should end with a cute baby picture (Ona ready for walk):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/3141318591_ae40fc52ef.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 302px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/3141318591_ae40fc52ef.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-49148387789225106662008-11-26T12:44:00.000-08:002008-11-29T16:51:45.432-08:00McCastle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3053025471_4057484815.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 327px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3053025471_4057484815.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>This week ushered in another blow to Samoan health and culture.<br /><br />ANOTHER McDonald's franchise was opened in American Samoa.<br /><br />Here are some statistics:<br /><br />Population: @ 65,000<br /><br />Health: WHO (2004)<br />75% Obesity Rate<br />47.3% Diabetic rate in 25-64 yr olds<br /><br />Fastfood Establishments: 6<br />McDonalds (2)<br />Carl's Jr.<br />Pizza Hut<br />KFC<br />Checkers<br /><br />Amount of money McDonalds Corporation donates to the health care system of American Samoa: $0<br /><br />So what does a population like the above need? Well.....ANOTHER fastfood establishment, of course!!!!<br /><br />Can you all put your hands together for the McCastle which celebrated its Grand Opening last Friday?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/3052707149_d3c29e98f8.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 247px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/3052707149_d3c29e98f8.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Because one story is just not big enough in American Samoa!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/3053018941_87e199ac91.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/3053018941_87e199ac91.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bigger is ALWAYS better. And a McCafe!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/3052795897_693490da90.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 233px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/3052795897_693490da90.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Allegiance to what?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3053779944_8d2524eac5.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 340px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3053779944_8d2524eac5.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The line for obesity, clogged arteries and diabetes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3053587456_0dc0981925.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 232px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3053587456_0dc0981925.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>And then there's the issue of traffic on our one road island...<br />This guy was directing traffic.<br />I wasn't sure if he volunteered for the job or was hired by McDonalds.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3052725315_9a2c9b7cc7.jpg?v=1227733979"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 262px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3052725315_9a2c9b7cc7.jpg?v=1227733979" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lunch crew stuck in traffic.<br />I'm assuming they think it's AWESOME!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/3052957689_2ba2581866.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 346px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/3052957689_2ba2581866.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>And as an attempt at undercover reporting ....ok it's really the drive through of shame.<br />Damn McDonalds for being soooo convenient on a Friday when you are tired and late to attend the island's finest in live entertainment.<br />And those fries are soooooo good.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">To experience this yourself:<br /></div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ZZI6bSkjus&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ZZI6bSkjus&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-81817763649279231302008-11-25T17:38:00.000-08:002008-11-25T18:29:42.981-08:00HalloweenJulia put on the best Pirate Party ever for Halloween!<br />Here are a few highlights!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3008070397_104eaff174.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 293px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3008070397_104eaff174.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Julia in her HOMEMADE costume-no kidding from SCRATCH.<br />And she did one for her husband and two sons as well. Super duper.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/3008923642_7e411a00e8.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 285px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/3008923642_7e411a00e8.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Samoan Pirate a la Johnny Depp<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/3008886528_21d272d27a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 305px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/3008886528_21d272d27a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Markus' Wait Wait co opted Halloween idea with his own Pedro flair.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3009008826_3600499a3a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 312px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3009008826_3600499a3a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lisa in her "concept" costume Doug's Dirty Apartment.<br /> For more on concept costumes (Markus' is one too) check out <a href="http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/10/30/113-halloween/">What White People Like</a> have to say about it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/3008203835_a4ae492cea.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 315px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/3008203835_a4ae492cea.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Barbara (as Peter Pan) with the coolest guest, "Bat Boy", an adolescent bat.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/3009024452_773831dafa.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 314px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/3009024452_773831dafa.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Clerks in their random Tropic PJs that were adamantly NOT costumes.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They had this done for real.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3008110173_da03230b43.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 381px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3008110173_da03230b43.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Carol walking like an Egyptian.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/3008220821_7c933c623c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 253px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/3008220821_7c933c623c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Naomi and her friend?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/3008105211_9d1b1e43e1.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 412px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/3008105211_9d1b1e43e1.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Fred, Pebbles and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/3009021079_b1f2eee72a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/3009021079_b1f2eee72a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Chris who is always a pirate but came as a punk rocker and still looked like a pirate, with bat boy on his head.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/3009004150_35f2587763.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 303px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/3009004150_35f2587763.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Aaron as himself! I mean the weight liftin' dude.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3008113279_2eb4a0796d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 364px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3008113279_2eb4a0796d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Me and Helen Elizabeth at her first party. <br />She's clearly a party animal!<br />She was just born the weekend before, delivered by yours truly.<br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-12520202743102862212008-11-17T12:43:00.001-08:002008-11-17T12:55:32.006-08:00My Few of My Favorite Things...I've been meaning to start a "favorite things" about Samoa post. As I get closer to leaving more things are endearing me to Samoa. Here are a few from today. There are sure to be more in the future.<br /><br />Ad in Samoa News Classifieds:<br /><br /><div align="left"><b>GINSENG TREE (OR CUTTING)</b> [14 Nov]</div> <div id="classified">(Panax). Will pay $30 & $10 to who finds person to sell me tree. Send postcard/e-mail to: billreader3@yahoo.com, PO Box 7422, PagoPago, AS 96799.<br /><br />And this is how my Bank tries to find me:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6uQ2YEkPMFmpQQVhUZV-VmSo9DyWZ2VLQjmGpuelZsgLmNkSPsh_M3VyUuE-pOvCDxb9wPkBUJZGSPHrOHQvvgswBx1Cmg6vovkLC5R1zjuDRZVvUbAALnkPCE9n8sUiFMtCf_IOfaU/s1600-h/Funny+Address026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6uQ2YEkPMFmpQQVhUZV-VmSo9DyWZ2VLQjmGpuelZsgLmNkSPsh_M3VyUuE-pOvCDxb9wPkBUJZGSPHrOHQvvgswBx1Cmg6vovkLC5R1zjuDRZVvUbAALnkPCE9n8sUiFMtCf_IOfaU/s200/Funny+Address026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269731222806335682" border="0" /></a>I usually just tell people, up the road across from the giant Banyon tree, past the Korea house, but apparently both my general vicinity and PO Box seems to be appropriate for financial correspondence by my bank. You never appreciated street addresses more than when you are trying to give directions without them.<br /><br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-42305811386156200402008-11-05T11:47:00.000-08:002008-11-05T18:36:33.228-08:00O Beautiful Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/3006060458_ef4ff31d9a.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 208px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/3006060458_ef4ff31d9a.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Polling Fale in Pago-This not an official government building.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3005654389_8d46912646.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 277px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/3005654389_8d46912646.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Close Up Fale Polling Place (are those ballot boxes marked?)<br /><br /></div>Election Day in American Samoa was surreal. There has been a huge gubernatorial race, this person is basically the president here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3005227033_9ba74def12.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 275px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3005227033_9ba74def12.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>I think somebody called these Faafetai (thank you) tents-Vote and get a plate lunch that's been sitting around since yesterday! A little food poisoning with your democracy? Yes, thank you!<br /></div><br />The governor has a lot of power over the people in charge of the different agencies on the island so even if one might take issue with the incumbent, job security might be your motivation on election day.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3006079524_8ff35698f4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 294px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3006079524_8ff35698f4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/3005245925_515d06b5f8.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/3005245925_515d06b5f8.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Interesting places to put up campaign propaganda.<br /></div><br />There is a law on the books that legally Samoan's get two hours off in the day to vote. This didn't effect my work day too much but I'm curious how other departments faired.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/3006066110_aa54b32bd3.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/3006066110_aa54b32bd3.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Also there is no alcohol sold on election day until after the polls close at 6pm. By 6:30 pm we had heard on the raido that the first brawl had broken out at a polling place. That's some fast drinkin!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/3006088416_dba0cfd6a4.jpg?v=1225919628"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/3006088416_dba0cfd6a4.jpg?v=1225919628" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/3005251643_17ffcd9654.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/3005251643_17ffcd9654.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>For some unknown reason the signs require lava-lavas.<br />Perhaps the exposed legs of the signs are considered unseemly.<br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Many villages here vote as a whole-though ballots are cast individually. Today, American Samoa did not awake to a new governor or a reelected governor. No candidates acheived the 50% plus one,popular vote. So a run off between the top contendors will take place Nov 18. This gives me high hopes that the monday before Veteran's day will be declared a holiday by da governor...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/3006092346_5aa606f9f6.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 299px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/3006092346_5aa606f9f6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>This house (I suspect they were paid by the candidates to fund their home renovations) supported ALL the gubernatorial candidates.<br /><br /></div> I thought this was an interesting quote from Samoa News,<span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;">"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">The governor told supporters and committee members not to disrespect voters they suspect were supposed to vote for them but didn't. He said to always show a happy face and respect"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Yesterday was an anxious day for me. I had strong hope that Obama was our man, but having been burned four years ago-going to bed thinking the Democrats had won and awaking to a stolen election in the morning...I was not counting my chickens.</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/3005238005_e24b9ebba6.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 464px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/3005238005_e24b9ebba6.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Obama is President!<br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">We watched the final results coming through at the yacht club (we don't have cable and the only real-time results were on CNN). At 5pm the results were in! And we welcomed in a new era in America-while in American Samoa! Obama is our new President and there is new hope for our country. I think I'm actually feeling patriotic today! What a fabulous birthday present.</span><br /></span>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-46888434667491430382008-10-30T12:27:00.000-07:002008-10-30T16:04:37.527-07:00MangOOONOOOO!<div style="text-align: left;">For the last week and a half I have been in a weakened condition.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/1589142242_32f300f772.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 228px;" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/1589142242_32f300f772.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>One of my life long nemesis has been poison oak. Growing up in poison oak free Siskiyou County I didn't encounter this dire enemy until I went to college in Santa Cruz.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sbcsar.org/images/PoisonOak/PoisonOakLeaves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.sbcsar.org/images/PoisonOak/PoisonOakLeaves.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(So harmless looking...yet so deadly...ok, not deadly, but I want to be dead (ly))<br /><br /></div>I had no idea what had happened to me the first time I got the stuff-it vanquished me immediately . I continued to loose the fight with this foe through out my four years in the poison oak friendly Santa Cruz environment. The week before finals my last year of college I swear I got it from dust on the trail in Big Sur, evil and wily that poison oak.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.allstop.com/images/diagrams/poison-ivy-diagram.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 316px;" src="http://www.allstop.com/images/diagrams/poison-ivy-diagram.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Scientific explanation of why I want to rip my flesh off.)<br /><br /></div>I stormed into the Student Health Center demanding, yes, DEMANDING, prednisone. The poor medical Resident had no recourse. He fled the exam room for his preceptor (in those days to get steroids you had to twist people's arms) but he returned, first waving a white presription paper into the room as a sign of surrender before daring to enter the room. I won that round with poison oak and had the added benefit of not needing much sleep and having a lot of extra energy for finals week. Though I do remember eating my body weight that week as well. Steroids, they'll do that to you.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ccrane.com/images/medium/tecnu-poison-oak-ivy-treatment.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.ccrane.com/images/medium/tecnu-poison-oak-ivy-treatment.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />(Tecnu-my old friend)<br /><br /></div>I would continue to encounter ol' P.O. occasionally for years until moving here. Aaaha! At long, long last a poison oak free environment! A place of lush, safe folliage, and tropical fruit.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thaitable.com/images/Thai/recipes/pictures/5Mango%20on%20Sticky%20Rice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 228px;" src="http://www.thaitable.com/images/Thai/recipes/pictures/5Mango%20on%20Sticky%20Rice.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Good mango)<br /></div>It is mango season and lucky us our friends have a mango tree. Last Monday I decided I'd indulge myself and picked a bag full of mangoes. As I pulled them off the tree, sweet smelling mango sap oozed from the stem. MMMMMM, I inhaled deeply. Lovely mangoes. I've eaten mangoes and mango flavored everything my whole life.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.alibaba.com/photo/100474467/Banaganapalli_Mango.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 267px;" src="http://img.alibaba.com/photo/100474467/Banaganapalli_Mango.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Bad mango)<br /></div>I was not prepared for what was to come. Two days later my face was red, two days after that my face and eyes were nearly swollen shut. And then my arms and legs-blistering and redness. WHAT was happening? This looks like poison oak! How can this be! A little internet research and low and behold what did I discover? Mango sap and peel contain the exact same<a href="http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/faq.html"> chemical as poison oak</a>. If you react to the sap that doesn't necessarily mean you have a food allergy to mango, which is very good news, but I'm going to wait until I'm stateside to have an allergy test before I risk it. Apparently mango is very rarely a primary sensitizer, but if you've had a reaction to poison oak, ivy or sumac beware the mango tree! For good reading while recovering from your a case of mango contact dermatitis, check out this <a href="http://bodd.cardiff.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/ANAC-3.html">page</a>. Misery loves company (and case studies).Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-56539844059499760072008-10-28T13:55:00.000-07:002008-10-30T12:27:11.354-07:00White Sunday (and Monday)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2974940405_f0d2a2093d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2974940405_f0d2a2093d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2974940405_f0d2a2093d.jpg?v=0"></a><div style="text-align: center;">(Markus and our fancy drinks at Aggie Greys)<br /></div><br />We headed to Western as an early birthday present (for myself) over the three day Columbus Day weekend. This was to be our last trip to Western and I had luxury, good food and some heavy duty shopping on my mind. Western Samoa had something different in mind. White Sunday (aka Children's Day) to be precise. This is actually a nice holiday where children are all dressed up in white and are lavished with attention and sweets. They perform plays and dance and song recitals for their proud parents. In a culture that really values the elder (and the newborn) time off from scolding is really a pleasure for these kiddos.<br /><br />It's a well known fact that everything in Western Samoa shuts down on a Sunday. I realized that on White Sunday this would be even more of the case. However, I did not count on the Western Samoan's love of a day off, err I mean of their children!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2974867065_5beb0983ba.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2974867065_5beb0983ba.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Coke is only available in Giant Glass Bottles in the Bush Stores)<br /><br /></div>Hey, don't get me wrong, I too enjoy a good three day weekend (thus this very trip). But what's this about closing up shop? Haven't they caught on to the fact that a three day weekend is a retailer's best friend?!? They could easily pull the consumer in with White Sunday Specials-20% of all Lava Lavas, White Sunday Dresses slashed to 75% off! Pisupo 3 for a $1!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2974882353_9b904f17e9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2974882353_9b904f17e9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>(No one wanted by pretty tala)<br /><br /></div>And don't people want to go out to dinner and spend $$$$ for the treat? What's the point of staying home and cooking up a feast with family and friends when you can pay someone a lot of tala to grudingly serve you when they'd rather have the day off themselves?<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2974904283_bd6db1e887.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2974904283_bd6db1e887.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Oh no, these folks want to hang out with their families on a three day weekend. Geesh! How are they ever going to become dissatisfied consumers? Oh well, what are you going to do?<br /><br />So Monday was a day off despite my argument that White Sunday should be celebrated on SUNDAY! Not Sunday AND Monday! Or really they needed to change the name.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2975791414_0ec7a526c9.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2975791414_0ec7a526c9.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So I only got a little shopping done on Saturday. We did have a fabulous meal at Bistro Tatau, which I highly recommend. Gourmet meal made with local ingredients-wow what a concept. Are you paying attention American Samoa? You don't need to be ruled by fast food chains! The waiters were really attentive and polite and wore no shoes though they were dressed to the 9s. The inside of the restaurant is very nice though the location (across from the market) isn't spectacular.<br /><br />We saw a movie for about $2 (Tropic Thunder-yawn) but it was a night "out on the town" and no one was talking through the movie so this was a huge improvement over the theater in American Samoa.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2975717462_9e7e795e04.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2975717462_9e7e795e04.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Mantareva)<br /></div>We went to a nice beach on Sunday with decent snorkeling in Mantareva (it can be a challenge to find beaches that are open on Sunday) and stopped for drinks at Coconuts and GASP, saw my first kiteboarder in Western Samoa.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2974872943_4e1bd3be9f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2974872943_4e1bd3be9f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a> (Coconuts)<br /><br /></div>I knew it was possible to kiteboard in Western, but I hadn't seen anyone in all the times I'd been there. It looked like heaven. He was the only one on the water and the water and wind looked perfect. I was insanely jealous. Someday ... someday...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2974945495_4cd48eb15d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2974945495_4cd48eb15d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>We hiked the hill, Vailima, where Robert Louis Stevenson is buried (though not to the top, I was too lazy), entering through the Vailima Botanical Gardens.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2975750810_0177e17f9d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2975750810_0177e17f9d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>We stayed at a nice hotel, <a href="http://www.manumearesort.com/about.htm">Manumea Resort</a> in Apia, which has the added benefit of being nearly directly across from The Curry House (too bad it was closed!). I wanted to be in town to be close to the market and the restaurants-though this ended up not really being an issue. But I really enjoyed this place. The rooms are beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2974813059_b794ecb5ed.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2974813059_b794ecb5ed.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2974823577_5aafa03489.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2974823577_5aafa03489.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The rooms are in bunaglows (two suites per bungalow) there are private outdoor showers with rockery. This is a new place and they are still working out the kinks so we changed rooms twice (first room the fan didn't work, the second room the curtain rods broke with a strong gust of wind).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2975702350_9ebf10296e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2975702350_9ebf10296e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>This did earn us some free drinks at the hotel's restaurant. Their complimentary breakfast was really good and they offer an American Samoa resident price discount.<br /><br />It was a nice trip despite being deprived of my final Samoan shopping spree and Indian curry. I was hoping the planes would be in need of maintenance and we'd not make it back so I could shop on Tuesday. But in a rare instance of efficiency the planes left on time and without incident. Foiled!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-76825518372399914872008-09-23T23:05:00.000-07:002008-09-24T10:23:32.231-07:00Doggy Paddle/Rooster FightA few videos from Markus:<br /><br />How to NOT walk on the coral reef. Go doggio!<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxgGmrlCIBY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxgGmrlCIBY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />This next one illustrates how inundated we are with chickens. People back home always ask when I am on the phone with them and they hear the cockadoodle-do in the background, "Is that a <span style="font-style: italic;">chicken</span> I hear?" Yes, yes it is. And more than one. I think this video also might illustrate that my husband has too much time on his hands.<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bAV4bhYlCUE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bAV4bhYlCUE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-58908682761091741862008-09-23T22:29:00.000-07:002008-09-24T10:24:48.249-07:00Un-bottledI am going to vent my bottled up bottle frustration. We have a problem here in American Samoa (and worldwide of course). Though the local tap water is completely safe, and bottled water expensive, almost everyone drinks bottled water (Fiji water being the water of choice) or bottled Gatorade (don't get me started on that one-everyone thinks it's "healthy" (see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy">Idiocracy</a> for reference). There is (virtually) no recycling on island so these all go in the trash (if we are lucky) or in the streams, oceans or roadside vegetation if we and the planet are not so lucky.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the beach with some great documentation as to this fact:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2883952567_f51fba2a9c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2883952567_f51fba2a9c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2884657753_d2ef26db93.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2884657753_d2ef26db93.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2883940175_95219603c2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2883940175_95219603c2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2883946029_eb691eb179.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2883946029_eb691eb179.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So if you don't like what you see here, how about you pledge to <a href="http://water.newdream.org/campaigns/water/register/7a6c8a87bc56535d42878505dbaf0a9d/">Break the Bottled Water Habit with New American Dream</a>. It's easy and free and not a request for $ (in fact there are prizes involved so sign up on my page please!)Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-5219129245440883312008-09-19T17:32:00.000-07:002008-09-24T10:25:37.830-07:00Whack Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURx4v1PodQUbRVnNWT2m0ZKnCc-Mr1iB8TBniDNvSFq7bYLZr8XH_rEZuJMI9dkw3etv_lCWfCfKQr-75VV2INJe4aMzLpXFOQdOcX_Fro1b432ujMolVFq3xq70VRfu5SToiv_C9fIQ/s1600-h/WhackOut.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURx4v1PodQUbRVnNWT2m0ZKnCc-Mr1iB8TBniDNvSFq7bYLZr8XH_rEZuJMI9dkw3etv_lCWfCfKQr-75VV2INJe4aMzLpXFOQdOcX_Fro1b432ujMolVFq3xq70VRfu5SToiv_C9fIQ/s320/WhackOut.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247897347601366274" border="0" /></a>I know, I know, this comic strip is too small and hard to read, but if you click on it, it will enlarge. I couldn't figure out how to make it bigger. That's how I've been feeling a lot lately. Yes, yes , poor me. My life is soooo hard living . . . on a beautiful tropical island with a great set of friends, a great husband and a laid back job.<br /><br />But here's something I've discovered about myself lately . . . I like change. On the rotation of about 1 1/2 to 2 years something needs to happen! With my amazing wedding in the past and all the planning and activities related to it, I've been struggling to keep sane. I've started a Dinner Club which, so far, has meet with great success. And we have a book club that is resurrecting itself. And there's always a TON of parties/happenings. But I think I just need a change of scenery. I've started counting down the days left on-island (see countdown counter on the right) and we are talking the big "where are we going to move" conversation. We are leaning hard towards Hawaii, but it's all on Markus on this one, so well wishes are welcome for him landing some great job that we can actually survive on in Hawaii.<br /><br />In the mean time here are a few photos of the many, many parties we have had lately:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First Dinner Club at my house (Thai food). Twenty guests. Waaaay too many, but it was great fun.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2842014372_476576bf46.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2842014372_476576bf46.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Oscar's first (documented) partaking of boxed wine (courtesy Aaron)-or so he says . . .<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2842011832_40edf023dc.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2842011832_40edf023dc.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The best part of Dinner Club-clean up crew! Maybe I had a little too much boxed wine, this photo is a little crooked.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2842016920_7222cb8e9e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2842016920_7222cb8e9e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Oscar was the second Dinner Club host.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2841134373_8b02d8ba96.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2841134373_8b02d8ba96.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Oscar is Peruvian and hosted a FABULOUS dinner with china, actual wine glasses to drink our wine out of and linen! Of course he's lived here for years so he can accumulate such things. He made us Peruvian dishes.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2841967260_b69ca3b9a2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2841967260_b69ca3b9a2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>He also has a great house with an actual dining room!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2841975868_22d068c7c3.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2841975868_22d068c7c3.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our friend Sam had a going away party where we were supposed to dress like Sam, either in a very tight t-shirt with camo khaki shorts or pjs (as he is known as Sleepy Sam taking random naps at any given moment). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2841996930_4e58617afd.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2841996930_4e58617afd.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Naomi took it the extra mile with her Sam Stubble-apparently he is a scratchy cheek kisser. Matt just looks like Sam that's all there is to it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2841174373_f5af53f468.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2841174373_f5af53f468.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2841999096_4c2fee4197.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2841999096_4c2fee4197.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sam is also known for being a little hairy-thus Einstein, dressed up as hairy Sam. This is one for the books because Markus <span style="font-style: italic;">hates</span> dressing up the dog and he did this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2841158893_7dd4354b6e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2841158893_7dd4354b6e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And then there was Oscar's 70's/Toga party. The Italian dressed as a Greek in the kitchen:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2841153651_cd73d9e91f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2841153651_cd73d9e91f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Naomi, getting <span style="font-style: italic;">down</span>. What's missing from this picture are her knee high crew socks and Converse sneakers.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2841150675_0315d17983.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2841150675_0315d17983.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The hippies and their hippy baby show up:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2841978338_154bb8c136.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2841978338_154bb8c136.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>There is so much wrong with this picture I don't know where to start:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2841981402_231b015e7f.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2841981402_231b015e7f.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Jim in his crazy cop helmet and glasses. Very CHIPS.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2841156255_3a3bb6f45c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2841156255_3a3bb6f45c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And then there is Gnocchi night. Apparently this is a tradition in Argentina to have gnocchi on the 29th of the month. Barbara is the hostess with mostest and serves a slew off folks on this night (even though she is indeed not Argentinian, but Italian). This was my first Gnocchi night. We had fresh pasta lasagne, gnocchi, and polenta. All homemade!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2841124951_1086929395.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2841124951_1086929395.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Naomi made most of these darlings:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2841954900_cbd297cd66.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2841954900_cbd297cd66.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Michael is enjoying some Fresno State vino (only the best at our parties) contributed by SamoanSteve and Barbara bemoans her choice of seasonings at Michael's house (Pizza Hut red pepper flakes).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2841952000_12c9a44452.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2841952000_12c9a44452.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I made a lot of the pasta that was in this puppy:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2841957910_e7fffd4b09.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2841957910_e7fffd4b09.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, my life is sooo hard with all these great times. Yet still there are times when I feel like I'm going to Whack Out.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-76249861013161264282008-09-04T17:17:00.000-07:002008-09-30T12:11:31.063-07:00Things Are Not Right in ParadiseI know I haven't discussed too much the downsides of American Samoa. Sometimes, it's just too painful for such a beautiful place with great people to harbor such blatant corruption and systemic problems. Today, however, has pushed me to the edge. I am so furious I am at a loss for words so I'll just let it speak for itself:<br /><br /><a href="http://samoanews.com/thursday.09042008/story16.html">http://samoanews.com/thursday.09042008/story16.html</a><br /><a href="http://samoanews.com/friday.09052008/story6.html">http://samoanews.com/friday.09052008/story6.html</a><br /><a href="http://samoanews.com/saturday.09202008/story15.html">http://samoanews.com/saturday.09202008/story15.html</a><br /><a href="http://samoanews.com/tuesday.09302008/story12.html">http://samoanews.com/tuesday.09302008/story12.html</a><br />Without a healthy justice system there can not be a healthy culture.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-30480089688393489402008-09-01T08:24:00.000-07:002008-09-01T08:24:00.816-07:00Wedding: The Other Stuff<div style="text-align: center;">Cutting the cake!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2787038162_b3b326e148.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2787038162_b3b326e148.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Feeding each other.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2786186401_c5a4fc3df2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2786186401_c5a4fc3df2.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Mmmm...caaaake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2786189971_c432cb6f62.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2786189971_c432cb6f62.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Can you tell we are all faking this shot? Really the only person that had to sign this was Jim as the officiant (<a href="http://palangipost.blogspot.com/2008/07/presenting-party-aparty-b.html">you can read about that here</a>), they made us sign at the clerks office. Joe's doing a good job as the witness though.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2786197755_93e2f32484.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2786197755_93e2f32484.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4325491389961064197.post-59028821018201898452008-09-01T08:23:00.000-07:002008-09-01T08:23:00.810-07:00Wedding Reception: Guests<div style="text-align: center;">I loved having our dinner outside with a view of the mountain. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2786052953_01f8e9c336.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2786052953_01f8e9c336.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I think everyone really enjoyed it, too<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2805416148_224e905208.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2805416148_224e905208.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2804562849_623c971d80.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2804562849_623c971d80.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2786056645_32bf0a55f0.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2786056645_32bf0a55f0.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2786069125_965447d99d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2786069125_965447d99d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Michael and Kelly try to think of something witty for the guest book.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2786900340_8065f8b6bc.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2786900340_8065f8b6bc.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Reed and her Pops.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2786041403_ba5014c029.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2786041403_ba5014c029.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>The kids had goodie bags to keep them occupied.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2679411248_e373a6ca0d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2679411248_e373a6ca0d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Scarlett seemed to think the party was Number One!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2802394948_0f985b0b81.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2802394948_0f985b0b81.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Jessica and David got engaged the day of the wedding, though we didn't find out about it until later. Aaaah!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/2801544143_3a3f85d000.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/2801544143_3a3f85d000.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />These guys look like they are really enjoying themselves and their Newcastle.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2801551261_8666dbd5fc.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2801551261_8666dbd5fc.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04890593349863944916noreply@blogger.com1