Friday was my last day working full time in the preschool classroom and although i am excited to spend a couple of weeks with my hubby, i am a little sad not to see the other ladies in the room and all the cute kids everyday. Working in that classroom off and on the past year and a half has been such a blessing. Not only have I made some friends, I have also discovered that I have a strong interest in special education--a career choice I have never thought i would want. I will still get to fill in from time to time for them, but i will miss the feeling of purpose i get from working there everyday.
One thing i will not miss though are all the germs! I have been consistently sick for about 2 months now and was given the worst cold yet just 2 days before my last day. I guess I couldn't stop myself from playing with them even though they were sneezing and coughing all over me!
Hopefully I will feel better soon, because Mike and I are going camping tomorrow for the week at one of our favorite beaches, Bellows Air Force Base. We will be out of touch until next Saturday, so I hope you all have a great week, and spring break for you Hawaii friends and we'll be back next weekend with fun new pics and stories!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Hawaiian Word of the Week
Pau;
pronounced: "pow"
definition: actual Hawaiian word meaning finished or done.
Typical uses are:
I thought you pau already. --Translation: I thought you had already finished.
All pau. --Translation: I am done now.
Also, the word "pau" is used in the phrase "pau hana" meaning the end of work. This is also an actual Hawaiian phrase (no slang). Pau hana is typically used when referring to going out for drinks after the work week. Just as Raleigh has "First Fridays", Hawaii's bars and restaurants have "Pau Hana Fridays".
This word is used constantly here--it actually completely replaces the word done. Hardly anyone on island says the words "done" or "finished" and most little kids don't understand you if you don't use the word pau. There is actually a student in our preschool class who is technically considered "non-verbal", but the one thing he can say, and very clearly may I add is "all pau". I mean he doesn't say yes or no, hello or bye, mom or dad....you name it, he doesn't say it...except for "all pau". It's the strangest thing!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
and the winner is....
In 2nd place are Megan and Thomas Tetter with 9 correct... and yes, you two have a prize coming in the mail!
and the first place winners are Kim and Jordan Howell with 15 correct! We awarded them their grand prize tonight at our St. Patty's Day party. Here are some fun pics of them so excited on their victory!
I would also like to give an honorable mention to Jennifer Allen, who guessed well, with 12 answers correct--but she was late turning them in, so better luck next time friend!
if you are curious the answers are:
Mikes Movies
1. Napoleon Dynamite
2. We Were Soldiers
3. Black Hawk Down
4. Forrest Gump
5. 300
6. Office Space
6. Office Space
7. Ace Ventura
8. Caddyshack
9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
10. Top Gun
Jessi's Movies
1. Forces of Nature
2. Hope Floats
3. Garden State
4. Australia
5. Elizabethtown
6. Dirty Dancing
6. Dirty Dancing
7 .The Notebook
8. Moulin Rouge
9. Juno
10. Footloose
So congratulations to the Howells and Tetters and thanks for participating in our game.
To everyone else, we are going to try and post a game every quarter. So check back in the summer to play for a chance to win an authentic Hawaiian surprise!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
MOVIE QUOTE GAME
okay guys...we are giving you until Sunday to finish our movie quiz. I know there are some of you out there who would be good at this! Did i mention there is a prize for the winner???
Welcome Home Mark!!!!
Now I can officially say....THEY'RE ALL HOME!
We welcomed home Mark Saturday night about midnight. Carrie was so excited it was super hard to get her picture without a blur!
Now that everyone is home, we are just trying to settle back in. We had our first big dinner on Sunday night and we are all going out again this weekend. Hopefully I'll have some pics of us all soon!
and again...Welcome Home MARK!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Movie Quote Game
this is another facebook steal...
Mike and I have each given 10 of our favorite movie quotes...see if you can guess what movies they come from. Good Luck!
Mikes 10:
1. Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, N?
N: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!
2. Sgt. Ernie Savage: Beautiful morning, Sergeant!
Sgt. Major Basil Plumley: What are you a freaking weatherman now?
3. "Hoot": When I go home people'll ask me, "Hey Hoot, why do you do it man? What, you some kinda war junkie?" You know what I'll say? I won't say a word. Why? They won't understand. They won't understand why we do it. They won't understand that it's about the men next to you, and that's it. That's all it is.
4. F: I'm sorry I had to fight in the middle of your Black Panther party.
5. King L: This is Sparta!
6. Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Peter : Yeah.
Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.
7. Ronald Camp: I'm so Sorry Mr. A, I'll have the plumbing checked immediately.
A: Well I hope so, had I been drinking out of the toilet, I might have been killed.
8. Carl: License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote.
9. King Arthur: Look, you stupid, You've got no arms left.
Black Knight: Yes I have.
King Arthur: *Look*!
Black Knight: It's just a flesh wound.
10. Maverick: I feel the need...
Maverick and Goose: ...the need for speed!
Jessi's 10
1. Ben Holmes: I haven't known you that long, but I think there may be something wrong with you.
2. Justin: Dancing's just a conversation between two people. Talk to me.
3. Sam: OK, so... so... sometimes I lie. I mean, I'm weird, man. About random stuff too, I don't even know why I do it. It's like... it's like a tick, I mean sometimes I hear myself say something and think, Wow, that wasn't even remotely true.
4. Nullah: I sing you to me.
5. Jesse: I teach my kids about the things that really matter. I will teach them about Abraham Lincoln and Ronnie Van Zandt, because they are equally important in my house.
6. B: I carried a watermelon. [Johnny walks away]
B: [to herself] Carried a watermelon?
7. Allie: Now, say you're a bird.
Noah: If you're a bird, I'm a bird.
8. The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
9. That ain't no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, homeskillet.
10. Willard: People think she's a hellraiser.
Ren: Is she?
Willard: I think she's been kissed a lot.
Okay now, we are on the honor system here, so no cheating--you can only use your brains! Comment us back your answers and we'll send the winner a prize!
Mike and I have each given 10 of our favorite movie quotes...see if you can guess what movies they come from. Good Luck!
Mikes 10:
1. Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, N?
N: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!
2. Sgt. Ernie Savage: Beautiful morning, Sergeant!
Sgt. Major Basil Plumley: What are you a freaking weatherman now?
3. "Hoot": When I go home people'll ask me, "Hey Hoot, why do you do it man? What, you some kinda war junkie?" You know what I'll say? I won't say a word. Why? They won't understand. They won't understand why we do it. They won't understand that it's about the men next to you, and that's it. That's all it is.
4. F: I'm sorry I had to fight in the middle of your Black Panther party.
5. King L: This is Sparta!
6. Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Peter : Yeah.
Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.
7. Ronald Camp: I'm so Sorry Mr. A, I'll have the plumbing checked immediately.
A: Well I hope so, had I been drinking out of the toilet, I might have been killed.
8. Carl: License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote.
9. King Arthur: Look, you stupid, You've got no arms left.
Black Knight: Yes I have.
King Arthur: *Look*!
Black Knight: It's just a flesh wound.
10. Maverick: I feel the need...
Maverick and Goose: ...the need for speed!
Jessi's 10
1. Ben Holmes: I haven't known you that long, but I think there may be something wrong with you.
2. Justin: Dancing's just a conversation between two people. Talk to me.
3. Sam: OK, so... so... sometimes I lie. I mean, I'm weird, man. About random stuff too, I don't even know why I do it. It's like... it's like a tick, I mean sometimes I hear myself say something and think, Wow, that wasn't even remotely true.
4. Nullah: I sing you to me.
5. Jesse: I teach my kids about the things that really matter. I will teach them about Abraham Lincoln and Ronnie Van Zandt, because they are equally important in my house.
6. B: I carried a watermelon. [Johnny walks away]
B: [to herself] Carried a watermelon?
7. Allie: Now, say you're a bird.
Noah: If you're a bird, I'm a bird.
8. The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
9. That ain't no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, homeskillet.
10. Willard: People think she's a hellraiser.
Ren: Is she?
Willard: I think she's been kissed a lot.
Okay now, we are on the honor system here, so no cheating--you can only use your brains! Comment us back your answers and we'll send the winner a prize!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
New Traditions
Every time Mike gets back from deployments there is an adjustment period where we try to get back into a routine, and obviously now we are married and living together this adjustment time is even more significant than before. It seems to be true for us though, that instead of falling back into all old routines, we create new ones.
The most recent addition is "walk to your favorite treat night". See, we have started walking every night (or at least 5 nights a week). It has been a good thing for us, obviously for exercise purposes, but also it gives us a chance to spend time with each other and just talk-- instead of being distracted by things around the house. But in true "jessi fashion" as Mike would say, I have dubbed Tuesday nights as "walk to your favorite treat night". I know it kind of defeats the purpose, but that is half the fun of it for me--and i am much more willing to walk for longer if i know i get a treat at the end! Like last night we walked to TCBY (tried to take the longest route possible) shared an ice cream and then walked back home.
Definitely my new favorite weekly activity!
The most recent addition is "walk to your favorite treat night". See, we have started walking every night (or at least 5 nights a week). It has been a good thing for us, obviously for exercise purposes, but also it gives us a chance to spend time with each other and just talk-- instead of being distracted by things around the house. But in true "jessi fashion" as Mike would say, I have dubbed Tuesday nights as "walk to your favorite treat night". I know it kind of defeats the purpose, but that is half the fun of it for me--and i am much more willing to walk for longer if i know i get a treat at the end! Like last night we walked to TCBY (tried to take the longest route possible) shared an ice cream and then walked back home.
Definitely my new favorite weekly activity!
Monday, March 2, 2009
thoughts from the weekend...
1. Mike's home and life is good. It's funny how everything is instantly better when you have your "person" with you. There are obviously the things that i was looking forward to again, like sitting beside him in church, having some kind of human touch/contact every day, waking up in the morning and him being there---but what has been even better are all the little things i didn't realize i missed, like just the sound of someone else in the house and how secure that feels, not always riding by myself in the car, getting that smile and hug that will instantly calm me down when i am irritated or anxious... Obviously, we can live on our own--life goes on, we can function separately and even have good times apart--but things aren't near as fun, as beautiful and as meaningful as they are when we're together and I am thankful to God that I know this and don't take for granted the time we are given to be with each other.
2. Our lesson during Children's Church yesterday was on Daniel and the Lion's Den. I asked how many of the kids knew the story (ages K-5), and there were about 4 kids out of 16 who had never heard the story before. What a blessing, and yet a huge responsibility it is to be the one teaching these children for the first time the stories from the Bible and building their biblical foundation. It's so easy to take for granted the way so many of us grew up--knowing these stories by heart even before we could really speak, and being saved while still children. Here in HI, one of our 50 united states, there are still so many children who never hear Jesus's name. They don't know the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and Moses. In our adult bible study, where i am the youngest member, there are just as many if not more people who have just been saved in the past 5 years as the amount of people who have grown up the church. I believe as a result of this, the Christians here really know what it means to be a Christian and how truly God has changed their lives because they have lived so much of it without Him. They praise the Lord louder and more passionately than any church I have ever been apart of even the 80-90 year olds, they are genuinely thankful for everything in their lives--even their trials, and most importantly to me--they genuinely care about every person who walks into that church--they get beyond the surface and really want to know how you are, what you are struggling with and they pray for you continuously and you never feel like you are an unwelcome or don't belong. These people don't just stand still singing hymns from a book while really thinking about something else, and they don't just go through the motions week after week reciting verses and prayers. They study theology and what exactly they believe and then they question things when they don't understand. I am blessed to be a part of them, to have been taken out of the church "box" i grew up in and see the way that I believe God meant for us to be.
3. I am re-learning the joy of cooking. I have always found cooking fun and relaxing--that is until i had to just do it just for myself everyday. Then i decided it just wasn't worth it, and because of that I ate the most peculiar things for the past 15 months. But now that Mike is back, i am going back through the cookbook and trying new things again, and i am really enjoying it. So I gained back a hobby, and i am certainly eating healthier because of it!
4. Yesterday we spent the afternoon with our "gang"--4 couples, 2 halves of couples (still deployed other halves) and 2 singles. We spent the afternoon riding waves at Bellows and then we all went to eat at Chili's. Sitting at the table there were 12 of us, all talkin' story and laughing, and I just had to sit back and smile at the family God has created for us while we are on this island and it's ever growing! Just like a biological family, we are all very different but also very similar, and together we work, we just fit and when one person is missing it's just not the same. God is so sufficient, He gives us everything we need, even a huge family on the most isolated set of islands on Earth.
2. Our lesson during Children's Church yesterday was on Daniel and the Lion's Den. I asked how many of the kids knew the story (ages K-5), and there were about 4 kids out of 16 who had never heard the story before. What a blessing, and yet a huge responsibility it is to be the one teaching these children for the first time the stories from the Bible and building their biblical foundation. It's so easy to take for granted the way so many of us grew up--knowing these stories by heart even before we could really speak, and being saved while still children. Here in HI, one of our 50 united states, there are still so many children who never hear Jesus's name. They don't know the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and Moses. In our adult bible study, where i am the youngest member, there are just as many if not more people who have just been saved in the past 5 years as the amount of people who have grown up the church. I believe as a result of this, the Christians here really know what it means to be a Christian and how truly God has changed their lives because they have lived so much of it without Him. They praise the Lord louder and more passionately than any church I have ever been apart of even the 80-90 year olds, they are genuinely thankful for everything in their lives--even their trials, and most importantly to me--they genuinely care about every person who walks into that church--they get beyond the surface and really want to know how you are, what you are struggling with and they pray for you continuously and you never feel like you are an unwelcome or don't belong. These people don't just stand still singing hymns from a book while really thinking about something else, and they don't just go through the motions week after week reciting verses and prayers. They study theology and what exactly they believe and then they question things when they don't understand. I am blessed to be a part of them, to have been taken out of the church "box" i grew up in and see the way that I believe God meant for us to be.
3. I am re-learning the joy of cooking. I have always found cooking fun and relaxing--that is until i had to just do it just for myself everyday. Then i decided it just wasn't worth it, and because of that I ate the most peculiar things for the past 15 months. But now that Mike is back, i am going back through the cookbook and trying new things again, and i am really enjoying it. So I gained back a hobby, and i am certainly eating healthier because of it!
4. Yesterday we spent the afternoon with our "gang"--4 couples, 2 halves of couples (still deployed other halves) and 2 singles. We spent the afternoon riding waves at Bellows and then we all went to eat at Chili's. Sitting at the table there were 12 of us, all talkin' story and laughing, and I just had to sit back and smile at the family God has created for us while we are on this island and it's ever growing! Just like a biological family, we are all very different but also very similar, and together we work, we just fit and when one person is missing it's just not the same. God is so sufficient, He gives us everything we need, even a huge family on the most isolated set of islands on Earth.
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