Yes, we’re still alive!

I can hardly believe that it’s been 6 months since we’ve posted anything…what a bunch of losers we are! Well, here’s an abbreviated version of what’s happened since our last post:
1. I got a job.
2. I quit a job.
3. Millie had a hospital stay.
4. My parents came for a visit.
5. Michael’s birthday.
6. Christmas (warmest and strangest one ever, I’d say).
7. Andy’s birthday.
8. My parents left.
9. We moved from Koror State to Airai State.
10. Michael got promoted to special prosecutor.
Yeah, well, I guess we’ve been a little busy…More pictures/videos to come!

My First Day of School…

Yes, we apologize for the posting delays and although we are ordering another camera, we must continue to rely on our wonderful friends/neighbors. Adding to the mayhem, I have now started a new job at Palau High School teaching English….imagine me teaching a bunch of crazy teenagers-we’ll see what happens. Here’s a shot of my fine freshman students working hard, or is it hardly working? Judge for yourself…oh wait, I guess that’s my job now!

First Day of School for Andy!

Andy had his first day at Maris Stella, the only private Catholic school here in Palau. There are no public kindergarden programs with the exception of HeadStart, and we felt that Andy was ready for more academics (organic chemistry, Latin, calculus, etc.). Here he is looking a little too giddy with an unhappy Jackson before the sendoff…

Here he is with Miss Cami….

Hmmm, I wonder which one he is here?

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jackson!

done

We had a little soiree for Jackson’s birthday on August 5th, at none other than Captain Finn’s Restaurant at Waterfront Villa. Although it has a bar, we did not allow Jackson to belly up to it, at least not until he’s 4. Here are a few pics of friends from Waterfront that came down for the party, thanks to Jamie and Arnold, the owners of WV…

Neighbors (and newlyweds) Greg and Jamie joined the festivities…

Intense concentration on the b-day cake…

Neighbors Joe and Sue on the right.

Getting ready to sing and blow out the candles!

We just couldn’t drag Millie away from the bar…

Present time!

Jackson with a gift from “Auntie” Susan!

Jackson and Alex playing with presents from Jamie and Arnold.

They just had to get a closer look at some of the goods.

Downtown Koror (by Eliz.)

Since Koror and surrounding states/hamlets are basically connected by one main road which branches off at times, the main stores, restaurants, schools, etc are found on that road. Unfortunately, when school starts again, the traffic is crazy since everyone essentially has to be somewhere at the same time. So the 25 mph speed limit changes to 2 mph, then my road/traffic rage kicks in…Here’s a map of Koror, compliments of Lonely Planet (just in case you didn’t know, the white lines are roads):

Here are some various pics around town…

Palau post office (which doesn’t exist according to some individuals at the U.S. post office)

Moving west on the main street in downtown Koror

Yano’s-our favorite local market

Maris Stella Catholic school-Andy’s new school this fall (a little blurry)

Western Caroline Trading Company-locally owned grocery store

Mike’s home away from home…

Aquarium Field Trip (by Eliz.)

We took another field trip to the local aquarium, Palau International Coral Reef Center, this time with the Pfalzer family who live upstairs from us. This is another facility that performs research, increases community awareness about marine life, and kept the kids busy for an afternoon!

Front view of the PICRC.

I’m suspicious of this alligator since it’s always in the same spot each time we come here.

Andy and Alex checking out the cool fish.

Andy blatantly ignoring the “do not touch the glass” sign.

Helen, Alex, and Andy looking at jellyfish.

Click this picture to read the Palauan message.

Waterproof? I don’t think so… (by Eliz.)

We had a tragic mishap with our camera during our last dive at Blue Corner..our “waterproof” case did not live up to it’s name (or maybe we just didn’t read the directions right, you know anything’s possible). So long, dear digital camera…Please keep visiting as we continue to post pics from our current collection to keep the blog going while we get another camera (according to the shipping schedule will be sometime next year…kidding I hope).

Andy Gets His Yellow Belt (by Mike)

After many long hours of practice, painting the fence, and waxing the floor, young Andy has finally been promoted in his karate class. After demonstrating that he knows all of his kicks, strikes, and blocks, there was only one task left for him to accomplish: he had to demonstrate Form One. Form One is a Kata that incorporates all of those elements one after the next.

After successfully demonstrating Form One, Andy was given a certificate suitable for framing and his Yellow Belt. Yeah Andy!

done

Mike

Another Day, Another Dive. (by Mike)

On July 12th, Liz and I went for another dive with an operation called Splash. We were lucky to find two of our friends, Carmen and Erin, going out on the same boat.

The dive was nice, we saw several huge schools of fish, a few sharks and some turtles.

Between our first and second dive, we stopped off at a little island and had lunch.

Except for Erin’s emergency rescue of a Japanese diver who shot to the surface, it was a really relaxing dive. All-in-all, it was a nice way to spend a Saturday.

Check out the video.
done

Mike

Turtles, Sharks, and Jellyfish Lake (by Mike)

Last Saturday we met up with Michica, a Japanese friend of ours, and went for a dive.

Our friend is somewhat of a celebrity in Japan. She’s a singer who has been in a few musicals such as Cats and the Lion King, and she has her own fan club.

Anyway, we had a nice time. We went to a place called Turtle wall first. After that, we stopped by a little island and had lunch.

Then we went on to the Big Drop off, and finally Jellyfish lake.

I should mention that jellyfish lake is a salt water lake that is disconnected from the rest of the Ocean. Because of that, the jellyfish have no natural predators to worry about in the lake. Over the last million years, they have lost their ability to sting. So it’s one of the few places where one can swim with millions of jellyfish without having to worry.

Checkout the video, (if it loads!) done

Mike