BD's, Black Coral, Spear Fishing, School, Welcome Party

Well, it's been a while since I've written. It seems like forever. We haven't seen a rat in over a week. We killed 3. We hope that's the end of it. Last week there were 4 birthdays here. Albert Benjamin (the principles son and one of my students) had his birthday first. Then Mandy, the vice principle's daughter. Then another Mandy, an SM. And me. So we had a big meal at Mr. B's house to celebrate the birthday's. Mr. B felt kind of bad that we had to do a mass celebration instead of one at a time. But none of us minded. It was fun. We ate lots of food. I was so full. My apartment took rice and homemade flour tortillas. But there was a lot of other food; fish, fried bananas, cornbread, cake, noodles, etc. A few days later Tiffany threw a surprise birthday party for me. It was really sweet. But I feel kind of bad cause I was a little rude to her when she was trying to get me out of the house. I was behind on my grading and recording, so I was determined to get that done. And if any of you know how I am when I set my mind to something then you know that I had focused and dedicated my entire birthday evening to that. Tiffany's first attempt to get me out of the house (so they could decorate) failed. She wanted to get me in another room. She used the excuse, "Erin, I'll help you clean your room." I told her that the grading was more important but she could clean my room if she wanted. Lol. Then she tried to convince me that it would be more comfortable for me to grade in the workroom cause it had AC. But my papers were all out and organized around me. I wasn't about to move. By now I was wondering why she hadn't taken the hint that I wasn't going anywhere. Then she tried a point that is always my weakness. She asked if I would go play basketball cause the gym was open. I told her that I would go when I was finished. So she sat down and started to help me grade. Lol. Two other SM girls came and said Mr. B wanted to see me. But I took it as not an immediate need, so I decided to go after I finished. Finally they got me out of the house. One of Mr. B's daughters called up to the apartment and said, "Are you coming?" I was confused as to what she was talking about. They pretended like I knew that I was supposed to go out to eat with the Benjamins. And they were all waiting in the car for me. So I decided I should probably go. So very confused, I dressed into something nicer and went to the truck. Mr. B kept snickering the whole night. But he likes to do that. So I still didn't think much of it. And then he joked about my roomates having something for me when I got back. So finally by the time the surprise came I was suspicious...but it took me long enough. The party was fun. Erin and Melissa made DELICIOUS brownies. And Tiffany and some other teachers had their students make cards for me. They are so sweet. Even though the kids don't know me they say how wonderful I am. I thought that was cute. And the SM's signed the tablecloth with notes to me. It was really nice of everyone. But unfortunately I had to stay up late again to finish my stuff that I was so determined to do. Oh well...but it was worth it. The students were also very kind to me on my birthday. Calvin, one of my seventh graders bought me a fish burger. I'm still trying to break into eating fish...but I can't ever make it past a few bites. Some other students were giving me money. I was trying to tell them not too, but they insisted that it was Pohnpei tradition. So I made about $4.00...which I put into a student fund where I may buy them cookies or something.
Last weekend was really incredible. We went to Black Coral island. The snorkling was great. I saw angel fish, clown fish (living in an annenamie like in Finding Nemo!) a stingray, an eel, and the scary one was a lion fish. Don't go too close to those! I saw parrot fish and other things. It was great. No sharks though. A lot of people saw sharks...cause they were there...but I never saw one. I was disappointed. I was most facinated with the clown fish, because he wasn't afraid of me. I would swim towards him and he would just sink into the annenamie. But once he started to swim towards me in an aggressive manner...I saw his jaws...he's got teeth. Never would have known. He was certainly guarding his territory. He was blue, brown, and a little orange...so he's in the same family as nemo...but not exactly the same.
I also went spear fishing. One thing I never knew from linds was that spear fishing is often done at night. So we got our dive flashlights and spears and bags. I was a bagger. Meaning someone spears the fish and the bagger holds the fish. Talk about feeling like live bait! Evidentally sometimes the sharks will come and try to steal your fish...so you have to poke them with the spear...but I didn't have the spear. So I stayed very close to my fishing partner, Matt Witzel. It was during spear fishing that we spotted the lion fish. But still no sharks. I still had the adrenaline though swimming through that dark water with fish in a bag. Ooh...fun stuff.
I was one of the only sm's that didn't sunburn. I was happy about that. It's easy to burn here. After the weekend we headed back to start school again.
So school...heh heh. It's going well. The students are starting to push their limits even more. I'm still going through a lot of demerit slips. Somehow my reputation went from the strict teacher to the nice teacher. The other teachers that weren't disciplining laid down the law...and laid it down hard. The kids still respect me...hey! I see my first cockroach in the house! Maybe that's a bonus for no rats! Ok...back to the subject. Most of the kids respect me. But some are really bad. And from what I hear that's how they treat their parents. So it will be a year long battle. Almost all the teachers agree that the 8th graders are a handeful. So please continue to send your prayers. They are still needed. I felt a little irritable today cause the kids were not respectful at all during my morning worships and during chapel. They don't listen to me in the morning when I do worship. I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall. So I tried music...it was a nice solo. It's so hard with those 8th graders. God is going to have to reach them, cause I can't do it alone.
Last night was the enfamous freshman party. Some of you may have heard about it from lindsey. This is the party where the guys like to dress up like girls and they do a beauty pagent. It was definitely special...um...yeah. Some of those guys can strut better than I can. It was a lot of fun. There were some games played and some music and dancing acts performed. The students really enjoy it and it's a good time to get to know your students outside of the classroom. I took video, so maybe some of you will get a chance to see this crazy event.
Today I'm quizing the 8th graders on US geography. That's during 6th and 7th period...which is coming up soon. So I should probably conclude this e-mail. I hope you are all having a wonderful time in the states. You are missed. Love you all.

Erin Abston (a.k.a "Miss")