Cockroaches, Humidity and a Cock-a-doodle-doo 8/7/09

The first cockroach was not that big. It was a relief because I had conjectured these gigantic monster cockroaches in my imagination. The second one was bigger but honestly they’re not that ugly. I think they’re kind of beautiful actually. The wings are a dark mahogany brown and are nice and smooth. Their heads are a pretty caramel color. The antennas are very long but are rather cute when they move around. The legs are very bristly which is a little creepy and the way they scuttle about is sort of charming in a way but only when they’re not headed towards me.

Oh my word! It is hot here yes, but the air is so thick! It’s very humid. Last night I slept without any covers of any kind. Jet lag is pretty rough. I woke up several times during the night and had a hard time falling back asleep but am not quite sure if that was because of the jet lag or just the excitement running through my mind.

In the morning I woke up at 5 and could not fall back asleep. I wandered into the kitchen and tried some of the tiny bananas that the principal had provided for us. They’re so good! Nice and sweet but not mushy, almost chewy in a way. I like these bananas. They’re about 6 inches long, nice and fat and easy to peel. When I went back to my bed it was starting to get lighter out and a rooster began crowing. It’s all kind of charming. Now the next big thing is to unpack…

Arrival in Yap

So when we flew in there were about a hundred people gathered around to see who came off the plane. After going through the small customs booth the Yapese girl put a lei type thing around my neck but it was not like a necklace. It was more in the style of graduation cords. It was braded leaves with flowers along it; very beautiful. Then teh principal's wife gave each of us a head wreeth made of the same sort of thing. The Yapese girl was in the traditional dress with the large grass skirt and a grass decoration around the neck. We were introduced to several people and I even got to meet a futre student. He seemed happy to meet me which is a good sign. When he smiled I could see the red staining in his teeth from the beetle nut which his common here. It is in some ways similar to chewing tobacco. I hope I don't have many issues with that during class. I need to come up with a way of discouraging it's use in class.

We then got into this reckety old van and drove on a pot hole covered road to the school. That was the longest 7 kilometers ever! I thought it would never end. At the school us 5 girls moved into our apartment and chose rooms. I am in the green room with Kirsten. I made curtains out of the airplane blankets. It looks very homey. One more girl will be coming later. Since we came in at night it was hard to really get a good look at things. Tere were a lot of stray dogs runing around.

Reassured

So I've been increasingly becoming more nervous about teaching in Yap. The intimidations of controlling a classroom of students that very likely don't care about learning have caused me to be kind of scared. But then while on the plane I was thinking and came to the realization that this whole time I've been getting more nervous, I've actually been thinking in the wrong way. I've been thinking about myself and my decision to come and had forgotten about God's decision to send me. God has things that only I can do for him in Yap. I believe that there are specific people that God may be trying to reach by my being here. I think that God has specific people for everyone to reach. For what other reason are we here then, but to somehow reach out to someone who needs to see the love of God? Why am I worrying? Yes it's going to be hard at times and the things I'll have to face and overcome will be difficult but I have nothing to worry about inthe end. For God will not give us anything that we are not strong enough to withstand, especiallyl with His aid. I've known this all along but why do I forget so easily? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Realizing this once again has caused me to be a bit more at ease. If God has the confidecne to use me then I really don't need to be scared about this at all.

Hawaii Orientation

This place is really beautiful. I spent Sabbath in LA with a nice family and then flew to Hawaii on Sunday. It was really cool to meet all the future SMs. We went to Waikiki which is the famous beach here. It was actually quite small but the water was great. I've met a lot of really great new friends. We all met here to be taught how to teach in 2 days. There were some really helpful videos and now my ideas are so ambitious I hope that I can do them. I got a better idea on how to manage my classroom. This blog is not very thought out as I still have to get ready for the flight to Yap today. today is the 5th of August and we are going to be flying over the international dateline. When I get to Yap it will be 9pm on the 6th I think. The 6th is my birthday and I will have completely lost most of it into the abyss of.... somewhere? haha. It's kind of funny actually. While in LA the pastor found out who I was and where I was going and had me come up and tell a little about it. That church was very supportive and said that if I need anything, I should contact them and I will have it. Everyone keeps telling me that this experience is going to change my life. I've probably heard it at least 40 times in the last couple months. How much will it change? I kind of like my life. I am in aww at the thought of how it might change. The important thing is to embrace it I think, for God is in control. I look forward to telling about the experience I will have. I've realized that I feel less freaked out if I make myself not think about the year as a whole and as just a day at a time. It's not that bad, just one breath after another and I'll still be breathing at the end. God is good, and I can't let my insecureties get in the way of what he want's to do. I just need to be open and forget about being nervous. Above are some pictures of Hawaii. 1st is Waikiki, 2nd is an amazing view of the mountains, 3rd is on a jungle hike to a waterfall and 4th is the sunrise this morning at the SDA school here.

Taking off!

1.5 weeks before plane leaves:

This summer has been a good one. I had ample time for planning and shopping for this trip. It was ever convenient to be at Andrews for when I had any questions regarding the trip I could just meander over and simply ask.

I"m glad to be finished with the early morning hours at Lamson Hall desk. I've concluded that being awake from 12:25-3:25 am is not healthy for me... 3:25-6:25 is not much better.

I made a handful of new friends as well that I'll miss.

I fly into Hawaii on Sunday the 2nd for a 3 day training session for the island missionaries. That will be interesting. I look forward to meeting the other student missionaries as well as to gather any additional advice that will be given.

These couple weeks before I leave have been sort of a surreal experience, for my mind did not and still does not fully grasp what I'm about to be doing. I understand it but I feel like I"m being way too calm for what the reality of situation should call for. I can't believe I'm going to be teaching. It's beginning to baffle me how I'm actually am doing this. I feel like my brain is way behind and has not clue as to what is about to happen. it'll be jolted into position soon enough.
Culture shock here I come! haha. It'll be and adventure.


Half a week before flight:

I'm about to take off! As the days I have left here dwindle, I am beginning to realize exactly what I signed up for. I'm having increasing feelings of apprehension. All I can do is ignore them though because I've made up my min that I will do this whether my lesser willed self wants to or not.

Many other missionaries are leaving around this time as well. Keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as we travel to our new temporary homes. We each have our own mission to fill, and God willing, we'll be able to give the most where it's needed.

Oatmeal Tartlets! yummmmmm.....

I made up a recipe! and I'd like to share it with you! So I had a lot of extra pie filling left over from a Sabbath lunch and needed to do something with it. I made up this crust recipe on the spot and then wrote it down when I repeated it last week. It's really good and more or less healthy. I think I may post some recipes that I try during my stay in Yap as well. For the record, I am vegan and all of the recipes I post will also be vegan. Feel free to print this card out, just click the picture and then proceed to print. Hopefully you will find it delicious as well!

Preparing to embark!

So, only about 46 days until I'm off! I still have so much to do to prepare and gather together. I need to buy luggage next. My to do list and to get list is kind of scaring me but it will get done slowly but surely.

Go to Dentist
Go to Doctor for last check up

Get year supply of contacts
Good flashlight

Figure out how to use Skype

Copy important documents

Find some really good roach killer

Water purifyer tablets

Bugspray

Batteries

Dryer sheets

A decent pair of sunglasses

Sunscreen!! Equator rays? yikes! my last burn was very unpleasant.

Print pictures of family and such

Some comfy shoes that are inbetween flipflops and sneakers

Ziplock bags

2 Giant Suitcases

First aid kit with all the essentials

Maybe some gifts for the people I'll meet

Finish finding skirts

Make a book of recipes to bring

Familiar spices for cooking

Sewing kit

A better alarm clock

Calling cards for internet
Hair things

Gladware

This is only a start. I think I need to go to Costco. How will I ever fit everything in my bags? I need to think, 'minimalist.'

Also, my address on the island will be

Katherine Miller

Yap SDA School

P O Box 700

Colonia, Yap FSM 96943

Advice for shipping stuff: Get a flat rate box and ship by priority mail. It'll get here faster and you can fit a lot more stuff in the box for the weight.

The next post will probably be right before I leave in July.