Sunday, April 23, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Saipan Relief Society Cultural Night
After growing up in Maine (a beautiful place with many wonderful aspects, cultural diversity not being one of them), it is a cultural feast, or fiesta in this case, to be here on Saipan. I only took a few pictures tonight, but they make my point. Besides the many varieties of food on the buffet table, we enjoyed presentations from Pohnpei, Thailand, The Philippines, Japan, Chuuk, U.S., Peru, the Marshall Islands, and Kiribati among others. Some of the people that are in our church here that did not present tonight are from China, Samoa, Nepal, etc.
Pohnpei, Chuuk, the Marshalls, and Kiribati are some of the other Pacific Islands. There are thousands of islands out here with rich and widely varied cultures; over 1,000 islands make up the Philippines alone! The Pacific is amazingly vast--for example, Saipan is 10 time zones from Maine (going across the U.S.) with 7 of them being over the Pacific!
I mixed up a little in posting these, but it's too late to bother to try to fix it. Enjoy!
Pohnpei, Chuuk, the Marshalls, and Kiribati are some of the other Pacific Islands. There are thousands of islands out here with rich and widely varied cultures; over 1,000 islands make up the Philippines alone! The Pacific is amazingly vast--for example, Saipan is 10 time zones from Maine (going across the U.S.) with 7 of them being over the Pacific!
I mixed up a little in posting these, but it's too late to bother to try to fix it. Enjoy!
Pretty Young Women:)
Friday, April 21, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
A Little Delusion
Ahhhhh...a quiet moment. What to do, what to do.... Casey just took off with Sam and Ezra to run Sam up to a Boy Scout campout and pick up a friend to come over and play with Ez for a while. Alexa is taking a nap. Kait and Eden have friends over also and are outside playing something; when the older kids were their age it was always Roxaboxen and I think this playing is similar but with a different title. Jacob is upstairs reading--he's grounded until tomorrow morning, so no campout for him.
Okay! That was a nice, quick breather. In the time it took me to write that paragraph Mal has come online and now I'm chatting with her. I then turned around and realized that the room behind me looks like a typhoon went through. The girls and their friends have come inside and started a video and Eden is popping popcorn for them. I just glanced at my watch found that it's time for me to get upstairs and make pizza for all the kids who are going to be here tonight!!! What was I thinking?!!!!
Okay! That was a nice, quick breather. In the time it took me to write that paragraph Mal has come online and now I'm chatting with her. I then turned around and realized that the room behind me looks like a typhoon went through. The girls and their friends have come inside and started a video and Eden is popping popcorn for them. I just glanced at my watch found that it's time for me to get upstairs and make pizza for all the kids who are going to be here tonight!!! What was I thinking?!!!!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The 7 Habits . . .
As we homeschool our two teenage boys (along with the three younger kids), we have been struggling with finding ways to motivate them to do the things that they know they should do and I believe they really want to do, but have trouble disciplining themselves to do. They come by it naturally--their mother is a world class procrastinator.
We've found that "school" vacations, especially long ones, are not for us--it is so difficult to get back into a routine--so we have decided to ignore summer break (luckily, that's easier to do here where it's always summer) and just loosen things up a bit instead.
One of the things we've decided to do is to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It's been years since I read the book, and I'll admit that I lost some interest in it when I realized that it was just basically paraphrasing truths that are found in the scriptures--not that there's anything wrong with that:)--I'd just rather read the scriptures themselves. However, in looking around the web to find some support materials (anything works better with Sam if it's wrapped in a computer), I found that the Franklin-Covey website has a wizard to help with developing a personal mission statement. I think there is a lot of value here for these young men to actually state core beliefs clearly in their heads and aloud and on paper (yet another connection to church). Anyway, this seems like a great little tool that gives several different avenues to that end and then sends the final result (actually the rough draft--you can go back and change, update, whatever), to your email box.
We are also having them read Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl and . . . hmmm . . . . Okay-- another argument for the two-parent home. Man! I hope Case remembers that other book. . . .
We've found that "school" vacations, especially long ones, are not for us--it is so difficult to get back into a routine--so we have decided to ignore summer break (luckily, that's easier to do here where it's always summer) and just loosen things up a bit instead.
One of the things we've decided to do is to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It's been years since I read the book, and I'll admit that I lost some interest in it when I realized that it was just basically paraphrasing truths that are found in the scriptures--not that there's anything wrong with that:)--I'd just rather read the scriptures themselves. However, in looking around the web to find some support materials (anything works better with Sam if it's wrapped in a computer), I found that the Franklin-Covey website has a wizard to help with developing a personal mission statement. I think there is a lot of value here for these young men to actually state core beliefs clearly in their heads and aloud and on paper (yet another connection to church). Anyway, this seems like a great little tool that gives several different avenues to that end and then sends the final result (actually the rough draft--you can go back and change, update, whatever), to your email box.
We are also having them read Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl and . . . hmmm . . . . Okay-- another argument for the two-parent home. Man! I hope Case remembers that other book. . . .
Friday, April 07, 2006
Family News
Our "family" computer crashed and we had to buy a new hard drive...groan..., but we're back in business now.
The big news in our house this week is that Casey (actually Conner, Inc.), has been hired to direct the Lieutenant Governor's Water Task Force. Of course as he comes on the scene the water utility here on island is in extreme crisis mode. They are on the verge of being taken over by the Department of Justice (like the one in Guam was) because of EPA violations, so he'll have to be a magician to save this one. But hey, he's made magic work before, so we'll see what happens. If he can pull it off he'll be a hero at least to the local government which is pretty much a step or two from being taken over by the feds on a regular basis! After that little trick the goal is island-wide potable (or not) water 24/7.
One other news item about my honey--he's started playing drums again! Oh yeah. A couple of the girls in my Seminary class play for the Pacific Winds, a community concert band here on island, and they heard that "Brother Conner" used to be a drummer. Evidently whoever was playing drums for the band left so they were in a spot. He was afraid he would embarrass himself because he hasn't played in almost 20 years (I can hardly believe I just wrote that considering what an important part of our life his drumming was back then!) But he went to rehearsal this week for the first time and wowed them. ;) I think it was a lot of fun for him and we got to go to the Street Market last night and here them play. I realized that this was the first time that any of our kids had actually seen him play!! That seems incredible to me!
The big news in our house this week is that Casey (actually Conner, Inc.), has been hired to direct the Lieutenant Governor's Water Task Force. Of course as he comes on the scene the water utility here on island is in extreme crisis mode. They are on the verge of being taken over by the Department of Justice (like the one in Guam was) because of EPA violations, so he'll have to be a magician to save this one. But hey, he's made magic work before, so we'll see what happens. If he can pull it off he'll be a hero at least to the local government which is pretty much a step or two from being taken over by the feds on a regular basis! After that little trick the goal is island-wide potable (or not) water 24/7.
One other news item about my honey--he's started playing drums again! Oh yeah. A couple of the girls in my Seminary class play for the Pacific Winds, a community concert band here on island, and they heard that "Brother Conner" used to be a drummer. Evidently whoever was playing drums for the band left so they were in a spot. He was afraid he would embarrass himself because he hasn't played in almost 20 years (I can hardly believe I just wrote that considering what an important part of our life his drumming was back then!) But he went to rehearsal this week for the first time and wowed them. ;) I think it was a lot of fun for him and we got to go to the Street Market last night and here them play. I realized that this was the first time that any of our kids had actually seen him play!! That seems incredible to me!
Sam is our newest licensed driver in this house. Coming back from class the first time that he drove the van completely alone he said that now he realizes how far he is above those "peons" who do not have their license--he obviously does not yet realize that "family chauffeur" is largely a grunt job. Ahh, well, let him have his moment...
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Ode to Saipan
It's very early Sunday morning here in the CNMI and the sun has just come up over the Pacific. The sky has a few puffy white clouds and the palm trees with their heads stuck up above the rest of the canopy are swaying in the gentle breeze.
Our house is situated on the "back" side of Mt. Topochau. Looking out over island and ocean I can see that we are positioned in the bowl of a
natural amphitheater. The shape of the land in this spot causes the tradewinds to make a haunting "woooo" sound that I notice especially during the quiet of the night. For the longest time after moving here I would wake up with the thought that it was blizzarding outside from the sound of those winds. It still occasionally surprises me to go out early in the morning into the warm, balmy air.
There is a hymn that says "This earth was once a garden place, with all her glories common..." Saipan certainly fits that description--a beautiful garden place between the Pacific and the Philippine Sea.
Our house is situated on the "back" side of Mt. Topochau. Looking out over island and ocean I can see that we are positioned in the bowl of a
natural amphitheater. The shape of the land in this spot causes the tradewinds to make a haunting "woooo" sound that I notice especially during the quiet of the night. For the longest time after moving here I would wake up with the thought that it was blizzarding outside from the sound of those winds. It still occasionally surprises me to go out early in the morning into the warm, balmy air.There is a hymn that says "This earth was once a garden place, with all her glories common..." Saipan certainly fits that description--a beautiful garden place between the Pacific and the Philippine Sea.
Del Benson Photography
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Home Sweet Home
My niece posted a blog (www.mainegirll.blogspot.com) in which she quoted C.S. Lewis as saying that a homemaker has the ultimate career and all other careers go to support that. In reading her comments and the comments others left on her blog I realized that my feelings on this require more space.
Many of the comments assumed homemaking had to do with mothers as the homemakers. My great-grandmother died in childbirth, leaving behind her husband and 9 children, which included my grandmother who was 3 years old at the time. Although he never remarried, with the help of all of the children, he made a home. His "outside" work, of course, supported that home. Throughout the rest of her life, my grandmother praised and honored her "Papa" for keeping their family together and organizing the children to create their home.
It's true (thank goodness!) that being a homemaker is more than performing a list of cleaning chores and doing crafts. Interestingly enough, when I think of the homes that stand out in my mind, they weren't all that clean! But there was a feeling there--an acceptance, an understanding of priorities, a quiet, firm feeling that was above the hubbub of everyday activities.
I've also noticed that homes don't seem to depend on how many people are in them. Don't single people create a home for themselves? Don't childless couples make a home? Empty-nesters still have nests! For some, at least temporarily, home may be just a place to sleep, but it still provides the opportunity to close the door on the world and have a little refuge--make it what they will.
Victor Frankl, in his book Man's Search for Meaning, writes that there are three things that bring meaning to our lives--love, suffering, and creating. We position ourselves and promote ourselves throughout life in order to create for ourselves, in whatever our circumstances, a place we can call "home."
What I'm feeling is that C.S. Lewis was simply stating a truth as his observations led him to understand it. What was in his head we can only speculate, but it does seem that all the things we do support our homemaking--an innate need to belong somewhere, wherever and with whomever that may be.
Many of the comments assumed homemaking had to do with mothers as the homemakers. My great-grandmother died in childbirth, leaving behind her husband and 9 children, which included my grandmother who was 3 years old at the time. Although he never remarried, with the help of all of the children, he made a home. His "outside" work, of course, supported that home. Throughout the rest of her life, my grandmother praised and honored her "Papa" for keeping their family together and organizing the children to create their home.
It's true (thank goodness!) that being a homemaker is more than performing a list of cleaning chores and doing crafts. Interestingly enough, when I think of the homes that stand out in my mind, they weren't all that clean! But there was a feeling there--an acceptance, an understanding of priorities, a quiet, firm feeling that was above the hubbub of everyday activities.
I've also noticed that homes don't seem to depend on how many people are in them. Don't single people create a home for themselves? Don't childless couples make a home? Empty-nesters still have nests! For some, at least temporarily, home may be just a place to sleep, but it still provides the opportunity to close the door on the world and have a little refuge--make it what they will.
Victor Frankl, in his book Man's Search for Meaning, writes that there are three things that bring meaning to our lives--love, suffering, and creating. We position ourselves and promote ourselves throughout life in order to create for ourselves, in whatever our circumstances, a place we can call "home."
What I'm feeling is that C.S. Lewis was simply stating a truth as his observations led him to understand it. What was in his head we can only speculate, but it does seem that all the things we do support our homemaking--an innate need to belong somewhere, wherever and with whomever that may be.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Casey's Advice to The Romantically Inept Male
The conversation in our home on Valentine's Eve went something like this:Sam: "I really like her, but she doesn't like me 'in that way'."
Jake: "Well, mine knows I like her, but she's so pretty she makes me nervous."
Sam: "Yeah, I want to give her a valentine, but I don't know what to do."
Jake: "Yeah, me too."
Casey: "You need to suffer. Women want to know that the man has suffered."
Sam and Jake: "Huh?"
Casey: "The more suffering the better. Women like that. Men don't care--they're easy--but women want you to suffer."
MariLou: "What are you talking about?"
Casey: "It's true. You've gotten flowers before--what was your favorite time?"
MariLou: "The Mother's Day after we moved here. Levi took the kids out and they picked a huge bouquet along the sides of the road before I got home."
Casey: "See? They walked, they picked, they sweated...suffering."
MariLou: "Mmmm..."
Casey: "And if your finger gets pricked when you're picking those flowers, make sure you squeeze a little blood onto your hand-made card. Women love the idea that you went through physical pain and inconvenience. And if you have to crawl through the jungle and twist your ankle in a chuck hole that would be even better."
Sam: "So I should make a card? I don't know what to do."
Jake: "I gotta go out and pick flowers? It's dark--I can't see."
Casey: "Yeah, that's perfect. You struggle and stumble around in the dark--I'm telling you they love that."
MariLou: "I guess you're right--there's something so sweet about a guy standing in front of you with flowers he picked and a card he made."
Casey: "(the see-what-I-mean look)"
MariLou: "Of course, the other guys won't like you because all the girls will think you're so sweet and want them to do something like that."
Sam and Jake: Busily cutting, pasting, writing...
Well, they didn't get to bed until almost midnight and then had to be up at 5:15 A.M. for Seminary class. Mission Valentine was successful--they both got a "You are so sweet!" and a hug. Must've been the bloodshot eyes. . . .
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Fun in the Sun
One of the hotels here is adding a water park and Del was hired to do some promo shots. He called us and some of the others in the branch because he wanted kids in brightly colored swimsuits. If you look closely at the pictures you may see Jacob, Kaitlyn, Ezra, or Eden floating by.
The water park isn't open for business yet, but it ran that day for the photos and the kids had a ball as you can see. Tough duty!
The water park isn't open for business yet, but it ran that day for the photos and the kids had a ball as you can see. Tough duty!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
A Bit of Broadway
Actually, we called it "BoB" for short. We have a very active community theater group here on Saipan and I recently auditioned for a part in "You Can't Take It With You." Somehow from that I ended up in their 25th anniversary show, which was staged as an audition and included bits and parts from shows they've done in the past. It was fun, got me out of my comfort zone, and I actually know some people outside of my church by name now!
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