Beam me home, Scottie

It is now officially the 23rd of June...the day I come home. It is shortly after midnight and I will be leaving for the airport at 2:45am. I am determining whether I should really try to stay awake for the next couple hours or if I should catch a little shut eye.

I have great internet access right now, so I am taking advantage of it by uploading pictures to facebook, which normally took me hours on my slow internet. I am out of my apartment, and have been staying in the spare bedroom of my pastor's home until I leave. I am so thankful they have welcomed me into their home for a couple days.

This last week has been really great. I have finished school, spent a lot of time with friends, and enjoyed the island. I had my last Street Market and really enjoyed my eggplant curry soup. It was some of the best I've yet had. I got a manicure, pedicure and a haircut for 1/4 of the cost you would pay in the States. I swum in the Grotto and it was beautiful. What an incredible place. The tide was not low, but not overly high, but unfortunately there were a ton of Korean divers in the grotto today. Not quite as relaxing when there are so many people, but it was still good.

It has been a wonderful year in Saipan, but I am ready to come home for a little while. I dread the flight, however. On the way out here I was so excited that I didn't care how long the flight was, but now I am feeling absolutely drained and 24 hours of flying is not appealing. I really wish they could "beam me home, Scottie!" I just know that on the other end of the long trip are my wonderful parents and puppy waiting to greet me!

Well I am actually kind of exhausted, so I think I will try to take a short nap before I have to get up and fly home. I hope to see many of you soon!

Managaha

I just realized I have never told you all about one of the best parts of living on this island--Managaha. Managaha is a tiny, uninhabited island just off the western coast of Saipan, and is located in the reef. The island is considered to have some of the best snorkeling spots in the world. These are a few pictures taken here. My friends in their snorkel gear are the sisters Andrea and Amanda Allen. Andrea was here visiting for a week.

My friend, Daniel, owns a small boat and he is frequently willing to ferry a few of us across the half mile of azure blue ocean to Managaha on the weekends. Half of the island is covered in bright yellow tents teeming with Korean and Japanese tourists laying on the pristine white sand getting massages. The other side of the island has slightly smaller beaches, is more private, and has covered shelters with picnic tables and BBQ pits. My friends and I usually find a quiet spot to lay around on a Sunday afternoon. It is the perfect place to read a book, take a nap, BBQ, and snorkel.

"To life, to life...L'Chaim"

I am sorry everyone that I am such a bad blogger. I will try to be better at it, but I won't promise you anything.

I am finishing up my year here in Saipan. It is amazing how time flies. I have been here for 8 and a half months and sometimes it feels like I've just arrived. I still vividly remember my first meal on the island--Oish. In my opinion, it is still my favorite place. There is just no sushi or sashimi like it. And Thai House. Their eggplant curry soup is to die for. I will miss that so much when I leave. Thursdays just don't feel like Thursdays without it.

"These are a few of my favorite things..."
Melona bars
Chocolate pillows
Sashimi
Eggplant curry soup
Mangos off the tree
Sour sap fruit
Amazing sunsets
Managaha
Watching stars up on Suicide cliff
Salty dogs at Johnny's
Meat on a stick
Oish
Saipan Community Church
Daniel's boat
Amanda Allen
$12 pedicures
The ocean and views from Beach Road
Ube flavored Otap
Ukulele music
Carolinian dances
Street Market

When the boonie dog growls, when the cockroach stalks, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel "plenty" bad.

I will miss you Saipan. You have been good to me!

But I love change. I love new things, and I get a thrill out of the unknown. I am leaving Saipan (hopefully not for good), and embarking on new things. In August, I am off for Moscow, Russia!!! I will be teaching 4th grade English, and middle school English at Moscow Economic School. I will be living in downtown Moscow and am so excited to live there. I've been hoping and praying to live in Russia for years, and the Lord is answering my prayers. As I learn details, figure out my visa requirements, and buy my plane ticket, I will try to keep you updated.

Before Russia though I have "plenty" things to do with family and friends this summer in Montana. I cannot wait to come home. I miss my family and my dog and look forward to nights that cool down in the evening. And fishing--I can't wait to get in the river--even if I never catch a fish.

Life is so good and I am so blessed.