Hafa Adai everyone!
I'm writing this short blog to let you all know that I've safely arrived in Saipan at... 3 in the morning! *yawns* Melisha, who is a teacher at Oleai Elementary school, and her husband, Shawn, picked us up from the airport. Both are really nice and sweet people. The apartment where Roy and I are sharing is really great! I'll take pictures of it and post it soon. It has living room with couches, a table and chairs, kitchen, refrigerator, bathroom, and two bedrooms with beds. We also have AC in apt, whew because it is really hot outside, even during night! Melisha and Shawn live below us (we live on 2nd floor) in apartment complex, which is owned by Melisha's family. She has several family members living in that apartment and nearby as well.
I'll write more next time. Gotta go and check out the island!
By the way, I won't be using my pager since it's expensive to use services. If you guys want to talk to me, feel free to email me! I'm using internet in cafe near Oleai Elementary School and will hopefully check my email regularly.
Monday, May 31
Saturday, May 29
Aloha from Honolulu!
Tonight is my last night in Honolulu. Tomorrow I am leaving for Saipan. I will certainly miss Oahu and its warm locals!
I'll summarize here a bit about my visit to Hawai'i. Upon landing, I was greeted by Judy Coryell and got my first lovely lei in Oahu. Then, I found myself going to a beach and a local eatery, Rainbow Drive-In (HIGHLY recommended if you happen to be in Oahu!), with Gisella, Austin (both are Deaf locals), and Nicolas (a Deaf visitor from France). I stayed at Austin's place (mahalo so much, Austin, for opening up your place for me!). Next day, on Thursday, since Gisella and Austin were busy with school/work, Nicolas and I embarked upon Diamond's Head on our own to grab the opportunity to have a truly amazing view of Oahu. After that, I met Roy Balantac for the first time when he and Judy and I had a meeting to discuss about Saipan so I could get a better idea of what I am getting myself into. It is beginning to finally hit me that I am actually going to Saipan and work with Deaf kids there! Lots more questions popped in my mind; but I will find answers when I arrive there and see it for myself. That night, Austin, Nicolas, Bryce (another Deaf local), and I went to check out free Hula show then off to BW3 restaurant to meet up with two other Deaf locals, Hank, and Jake. I had blast time chatting with them all!
Next day, on Friday, Austin, Nicolas, Jake, Bryce, and I went to North Shore to go to Waimea Bay to chill a bit at beach. On way there, we drove past the site where TV show LOST was filmed at. Sweet! At Waimea Bay, there is a cliff where bunch of people climbed it and jumped off the cliff into ocean. I jumped off the cliff, but not without having my heart stop for a second! After that, we went on a stunningly beautiful hike (surrounded by colorful flowers, very green big leaves and plants, and peacocks wandering around- yes, peacocks!) to Waimea Waterfall. I went for a little swim in small pond and stood beneath the waterfall, having waterfall pouring on my head. Amazing! Then we went to L & L for dinner, another awesome local restaurant.
In whole, it was a very wonderful experience staying in Oahu. It is interesting to see the similarities and differences between Oahu and Maui (which I've visited last winter). I will certainly miss Oahu- my stay was too brief indeed (only 3 nights). Someday I will and must come back to Oahu and check out more things and meet more Deaf locals!
But, I can't wait to visit another new place to officially start my internship: Saipan!
I'll summarize here a bit about my visit to Hawai'i. Upon landing, I was greeted by Judy Coryell and got my first lovely lei in Oahu. Then, I found myself going to a beach and a local eatery, Rainbow Drive-In (HIGHLY recommended if you happen to be in Oahu!), with Gisella, Austin (both are Deaf locals), and Nicolas (a Deaf visitor from France). I stayed at Austin's place (mahalo so much, Austin, for opening up your place for me!). Next day, on Thursday, since Gisella and Austin were busy with school/work, Nicolas and I embarked upon Diamond's Head on our own to grab the opportunity to have a truly amazing view of Oahu. After that, I met Roy Balantac for the first time when he and Judy and I had a meeting to discuss about Saipan so I could get a better idea of what I am getting myself into. It is beginning to finally hit me that I am actually going to Saipan and work with Deaf kids there! Lots more questions popped in my mind; but I will find answers when I arrive there and see it for myself. That night, Austin, Nicolas, Bryce (another Deaf local), and I went to check out free Hula show then off to BW3 restaurant to meet up with two other Deaf locals, Hank, and Jake. I had blast time chatting with them all!
Next day, on Friday, Austin, Nicolas, Jake, Bryce, and I went to North Shore to go to Waimea Bay to chill a bit at beach. On way there, we drove past the site where TV show LOST was filmed at. Sweet! At Waimea Bay, there is a cliff where bunch of people climbed it and jumped off the cliff into ocean. I jumped off the cliff, but not without having my heart stop for a second! After that, we went on a stunningly beautiful hike (surrounded by colorful flowers, very green big leaves and plants, and peacocks wandering around- yes, peacocks!) to Waimea Waterfall. I went for a little swim in small pond and stood beneath the waterfall, having waterfall pouring on my head. Amazing! Then we went to L & L for dinner, another awesome local restaurant.
In whole, it was a very wonderful experience staying in Oahu. It is interesting to see the similarities and differences between Oahu and Maui (which I've visited last winter). I will certainly miss Oahu- my stay was too brief indeed (only 3 nights). Someday I will and must come back to Oahu and check out more things and meet more Deaf locals!
But, I can't wait to visit another new place to officially start my internship: Saipan!
Tuesday, May 25
Hafa Adai, everyone!
Welcome to my blog!
To those who do not know, "Hafa Adai" means "Hello" in the Chamorro language. Chamorro is the language of the indigenous people of the Northern Mariana islands and Guam.
My blog will be all about my experience in Saipan (part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or CNMI) for a 10-week Summer 2010 internship. I will be working with both Deaf and hearing communities in Saipan along with Roy Balantac, a teacher from Kapi'olani Community College in Hawai'i. Roy and I will work at Kagman High School and Oleai Elementary School. We will provide ASL support for teachers, parents, and community members. We will become role models for Deaf people, serve as bilingual language models (ASL and English) for deaf students, their teachers, interpreters, families and others, and spread awareness about Deaf people. In turn, I expect to learn a lot about the beautiful culture and people of the CNMI!
I will be leaving this Wednesday to stop by Hawai'i then off to Saipan on the Memorial Day weekend. I can't wait!
To those who do not know, "Hafa Adai" means "Hello" in the Chamorro language. Chamorro is the language of the indigenous people of the Northern Mariana islands and Guam.
My blog will be all about my experience in Saipan (part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or CNMI) for a 10-week Summer 2010 internship. I will be working with both Deaf and hearing communities in Saipan along with Roy Balantac, a teacher from Kapi'olani Community College in Hawai'i. Roy and I will work at Kagman High School and Oleai Elementary School. We will provide ASL support for teachers, parents, and community members. We will become role models for Deaf people, serve as bilingual language models (ASL and English) for deaf students, their teachers, interpreters, families and others, and spread awareness about Deaf people. In turn, I expect to learn a lot about the beautiful culture and people of the CNMI!
I will be leaving this Wednesday to stop by Hawai'i then off to Saipan on the Memorial Day weekend. I can't wait!
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