Happiness is spelled: T-A-L-I

Nothing is better than this!

Well, except maybe a visit from my lovely Tali! After 8 months of living in Portland after she and her family relocated to the States, my girl came home to the surprise of many.

Amy and Tali

I missed my girl so much. She is the closest person comparable to a daughter that I have here on Saipan. I've known her for almost 8 years now. When people asked if we were father and daughter, Tali was quick to say (albeit long), "He is my non-biological father...figure." What is not to love about that?

Hayden, Laurina, my non-biological daughter-figure & Amy

We got to spend 10 days with her: going to church, watching her act a skit, eating, going to parties, eating, hiking, swimming, eating and just getting and giving updates on life. I did however missed a Managaha Island day trip. Darn work! Did I say that I miss my girl yet?

We ate at Coffee Care overlooking the Saipan Lagoon and Managaha Island one evening.
Although I didn't catch it in picture, I got to show Tali her first green flash! She said, "It wasn't much of a flash." But she was happy to see one non the less.
We got to do one of our Sabbath afternoon rituals with my other church "daughters"- Eat! Here are my girls. We often played a game with the waitstaff asking them, "Which of the three is my real daughter?"

Joy (got 2 votes), Jirene (got 1 vote) & Tali (got 2)

NOAH & THE MAYCOCKS

Of course Tali's younger brother Noah was there. They had a "vacation from each other" vacation since Noah stayed with one of his classmate's family for most of the 10 days. Here he is (don't the two look so light complected? Not a whole lot of sun in Portland I guess) with the Pierson family. This was also the first time I met Shyla!

The Maycocks! Sean, Babs and Elijah got invited by the school for Week of Prayer. Sean did a fantastic job firing up and inspiring the students, staff and the church family for our Lord. Our life with the Lord is not just a sprint, he says, "It's a marathon."

Babs chatting with Amy in the foreground. Sean with Frank at the back.

Joy said something pretty descriptive of the quartets' visit. She said, "It's weird, but it's not." She was saying that it was strange to see them again after being gone for so long, yet they simply still fit in, like they never left at all.
I suppose that is the way with most of our friends and church family after they leave and then return. Saipan will always be "home" for a lot of us and if it was for you once, maybe it is time to come back. I hope you know that you are missed. Sorely.

Until we meet again... Ti napu.

The Beachcomber

Mi madre, la mer

We're beachcombers, he said.
What is that?
It's people who walk along the beach looking for things of value that might have washed up.
What kind of things?
Any kind of things. Anything that you might be able to use.
Do you think we'll find anything?
I don't know. We'll take a look.
Take a look, the boy said.
from The Road by Cormac McCarthy

What would I do without the sea? I am sure there is a way to live without but I would prefer to always be close to her. It is actually pretty sad that I haven't had a lot of time to spend in the water these past few months. I miss her enough that I plan to see her today. How lucky are we to live surrounded by the water? Can I afford a lunch hour swim? Why not?

A few days ago, DJ, Hayden Lucas, Laurina and I to Wing Beach. It was a good day.
Here's Hayden pointing at a balati (sea cucmber). He was calling it ga'ga' (animal or insect), one of his first words in Chamorro. I tell him Holothuria leucospilota but I'll save that prank for him when he is a lot older.

I love Wing Beach. This was once an ancient Chamorro village. From time to time, you can still find evidence of their presence here. I think it was part of the village of Luyo which usually described at Paupau Beach.
This is prime hunting grounds. Most of the rocks I use for slingstone replicas are from Wing Beach. She offers a lot of colors and varieties.

Hayden's momma asked me, "Why does he look up like that all the time?" I told her it was probably mostly my fault as I tend to point out birds, clouds, the moon and stars to the boy. I think he was looking at a bird flying overhead.
Do you see the two butterflies?
Or do you see the angel taking flight?

The clouds did not offer a clear view of the sun setting. It did however give us a glorious sun burst.
Hayden has a thing for chucking stuff. He laughs at the sound coral rocks make when they hit the ground.
I am sure that arm will be good for something as he grows up. Too bad his uncle's sport growing up was tennis and volleyball. Oh, I see where that can be developed into a smash or a spike.
Is it time to go already?I hope you get to enjoy the sea soon, my friends.

Ti napu.

The Beachcomber

Did I Just Meet the Future Tesla?

It is science fair season here on Saipan for the grade schools. I actually only joined one science fair in my life while growing up on Guahan. I honestly didn't think that the teachers gave us enough time to really sink our teeth into the experiments so I was often unmotivated to do it for school. I always wanted to be "scientist." My mom could never get the concept of being a scientist as a career, so she often teased me that I'd only end up being a "sayang-tist": sayang meaning "too bad" or "what a pity" or "what a waste" in Tagalog.

I usually had my own thing going on anyway, so I don't feel like I missed out on much. I do however, encourage the kids that I know to learn the scientific method and discover the magic of science for practical reasons.

My BFF's son, DJ, asked me to help him with his project this year. He wanted to see if you could predict a person's height by measuring their feet.

DJ already impress me each time we hang out in nature as he absorbs most everything I tell him. He usually has a hundred questions about everything.I know that the kid is smarter than me, because you see, I have a weakness in math. I love the concepts of geometry and physics, but I have to work on them for a long time in order for me to grasp them. DJ had to deal with measurements, ratios, fractions, and decimals. It was so impressive to see him get into the project and crunch the math like a bag of sembe (his favorite Japanese rice crackers). DJ got selected as 1 of the 3 that would represent his class for the entire school, but unfortunately did not place in the overall judging. I'm so proud of him though!
San Antonio Elementary School Science Fair
I also had the privilege to be a judge at San Antonio. Who can resist right?SAES' mascot is the gamsom. I often tell kids that I do not eat gamsom because it is such a shame to eat such a smart creature.
I had to judge 12 projects with a 1 page (front & back) scoring sheet with 6 criteria, and 31 categories that include, "Does the project follow the scientific method?" to "Has the student acknowledged help received from others?". I didn't think that it would be so extensive! but I had fun anyway as I tried to judge fairly.


These kids has a lot of brain power I tell you. June, Ruth, Jiana, Mary Kay, Davina, Patty, Mae, Christina, Czarina, Jazmine, Tichina, Christian, John, Robert and Reyna Fe: you all did a great job! Thank you SAES!

The Renaissance (Little) Man
My buddy, Hayden Lucas Scott is growing up too fast. He is already tech savvy already at the age of 1.5 years. He also likes the hook on Solja Boy's Churp (..."kiss me through the phone...I'll see you later on"...).

(Sure his phone is pink, but that's just 'cause he has a busy, stressful lifestyle eatin', sleepin' and poopin', but he understands color psychology. Pink = calm). Dig?

He already understands concepts of Physical Science......the importance of not only being smart but looking smart...
... can identify his seasonal shorebirds by their foot prints...... notes the composition of sand being an avid psammophile and naturalist.
When one spends a lot of time in nature, one becomes a naturalist. Once a naturalist then one elevates one's self eventually to a naturist. It is the evolution of the man of science: The Renaissance Man!
I am sure he'll make me regret this when he is older. I love you, DJ and Hayden.

Ti napu.

The Beachcomber.

7724: Better

This is Hayden Lucas Scott. He is my buddy.

Hayden wasn't feeling good when I left.

Danged stomach flu!My buddy didn't feel too good.

There, there, my boy.

I know how you feel.
Don't you worry, all right? Just listen to Nana and Mommy.I just heard that you were getting better!There's my boy!
Sunshine! I'm glad you are better.

Your buddy loves you and misses you. I'll see you soon, okay?

Ti napu.

The Beachcomber

PS. Thank you Nana, Mommy, Auntie Ashley, Uncle DJ, nurses, & doctors. Thank you for taking care of all of the people that I love, no matter where they are and no matter where I am, Abba. You are worthy of praise and I love you.

Your son