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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Birthday Me
This post was from a few weeks ago, before the tsunami. Now that things are calming down, I thought I'd post something from our normal lives.
I'm so loved! I had a great birthday on the 23rd. Ali Pili watched Isaac for me in the morning and they made a carrot, pineapple, raisin cake with cream cheese frosting! De-lish!
We went to library time, then to lunch at Sadie's with some friends. We went high-class with dinner at Carl's Jr. (hello, $6 Bacon Guac Burger.)
Then home for cake.
Look at that BLAZE! I left two candles burning after the first breath. (Does that mean I'm going to have two children? Too late!)
The best part was that my children were so nice to me that day.
And the best best part was that Ephraim and Ella had practiced a song on the ukulele to sing to me.
And the best best best part is that I love where I'm at and who I'm with and what I'm doing at 31.
I'm so loved! I had a great birthday on the 23rd. Ali Pili watched Isaac for me in the morning and they made a carrot, pineapple, raisin cake with cream cheese frosting! De-lish!
We went to library time, then to lunch at Sadie's with some friends. We went high-class with dinner at Carl's Jr. (hello, $6 Bacon Guac Burger.)Then home for cake.
Look at that BLAZE! I left two candles burning after the first breath. (Does that mean I'm going to have two children? Too late!)
The best part was that my children were so nice to me that day.
And the best best part was that Ephraim and Ella had practiced a song on the ukulele to sing to me.
And the best best best part is that I love where I'm at and who I'm with and what I'm doing at 31.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tsunami, Week After
I wouldn't say things are normalizing here because hosting hundreds of aid workers, managing without our only city, and living without power on half the island are not really "normal" for us. A definite change has taken place on the island. But schools are back in session after being out last week. And people are shopping, working, and living like normal.
We are definitely skittish here. Did you hear about the earthquake off of Vanuatu Islands today? I did. At McDonalds. From the janitor lady. News like that travels very fast. After that every person I saw was on the phone. I got in my car and joined the sudden traffic, all of us tuned into the weather service alert on the radio. On my way I noticed school kids in trucks, so I picked up Ella from school. She was tearful, worried about another tsunami, and felt the panic in the air. I assured her this earthquake was too far away to do damage, and that we had a few hours notice until it came, so everyone would be fine. But I also felt emotional. It's been a rough week for everyone.
(You can look up SamoaNews.com for updates and specifics.)
My friend Melanie posted a fitting description of the state of the island.
I agree that the Samoans are a resilient and happy people. I like to think their simple faith helps them move forward through difficulty. E muamua le Atua. God first.
This is the Browns' picture taken Day Of Tsunami. I love it.
I can just imagine:
"Hey, guys, you know there was a tsunami here this morning. There are cars slammed into second-story windows. Massive flooding, dangerous chemicals, stuff like that..."
"Yeah, that's cool. But check out this EEL!! It's AWE-some!"
We are definitely skittish here. Did you hear about the earthquake off of Vanuatu Islands today? I did. At McDonalds. From the janitor lady. News like that travels very fast. After that every person I saw was on the phone. I got in my car and joined the sudden traffic, all of us tuned into the weather service alert on the radio. On my way I noticed school kids in trucks, so I picked up Ella from school. She was tearful, worried about another tsunami, and felt the panic in the air. I assured her this earthquake was too far away to do damage, and that we had a few hours notice until it came, so everyone would be fine. But I also felt emotional. It's been a rough week for everyone.
(You can look up SamoaNews.com for updates and specifics.)
My friend Melanie posted a fitting description of the state of the island.
I agree that the Samoans are a resilient and happy people. I like to think their simple faith helps them move forward through difficulty. E muamua le Atua. God first.
This is the Browns' picture taken Day Of Tsunami. I love it.
I can just imagine:"Hey, guys, you know there was a tsunami here this morning. There are cars slammed into second-story windows. Massive flooding, dangerous chemicals, stuff like that..."
"Yeah, that's cool. But check out this EEL!! It's AWE-some!"
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Rediscovering Tula
On Monday the Browns and Temples went on a mission to Tula--delivering notebooks, art supplies, books and toys to the poor, bored school children whose school really has "no more pencils, no more books." (Just "teachers with dirty looks.")
Our family had been there exactly two years earlier. It's a beautiful place. But now it looks like a bomb went off.
Tula October 2007
Tula October 2009
I could post hundreds of wreckage photos. But we're all getting tired of those images.
Instead here's the Brown ladies on their first and final trip to the NOAA lookout.
Our family had been there exactly two years earlier. It's a beautiful place. But now it looks like a bomb went off.
Tula October 2007
Tula October 2009
I could post hundreds of wreckage photos. But we're all getting tired of those images.
Instead here's the Brown ladies on their first and final trip to the NOAA lookout.
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