No Place Like Home for the Holidays.

The pure AWESOME-ness that was our Christmas Vacay is impossible to capture in just one blog entry.. and because I'd rather not spend hours in front of a computer updating a blog that only a few family/friends check out, I'm just going to share some of the highlights...

Pre-Christmas... The fam & Jeff's parents went to Blue Man Group. The Gamett's had seen it before, but we were pretty stoked to see it again. Its always a solid show... and it was. The following night the entire family gather to see Nathan set apart as an Elder (or whatever it is officially called...) it was such an awesome experience for us all.. My little bro is growin' up so fast *sniff*

We spent the Christmas Eve in Gamett Tradition... The whole clan came over, we had soup, sandwiches, treats, the annual Talent Show and the gift exchange. LOVE IT!

We spent the next few days in Parker with the Wheatley's. It was SO much fun! The kids were down, and we did LOTS of playing at the park. There was food, and plenty of fun for all!

We made our way back up to Vegas, made a stop in Bullhead for a night to see where Summer and Richard were setting up shop... We LOVED their little condo! Can't wait to have one of our own... We spent New Years Day in Vegas on a Shooting Range. It was SO much fun! David is definitely the best shot in the family, and I'm about the worst...

Our Christmas Vacay got us SO excited to head back, closer to family. We're so blessed to have such an amazing family! We want to be close and can't wait to be soon!!

en route.

We flew back home for Christmas with Jeff's parents and had a lovely 9 hour layover in Narita, the airport just outside of Tokyo. Instead of wasting our lives away in the airport, we decided to venture out and get a little taste of Japan... Def. one of the better ideas we've had! We hopped on a little Trolly/Bus that took us to a Buddhist Temple in Narita, a suburb of Tokyo.

The Temple grounds went on FOREVER. There were stairs, after stairs, after stairs. It was amazing! We were lucky enough to catch some Buddhist Monks perform some type of prayer ceremony. We didn't really have a clue what was going on, but it was fascinating! They were chanting, and praying, and burning things, and banging drums... I want to do more research so I can truly appreciate what was going on.

After walking the Temple grounds for a while, we decided to grab some lunch. The cute little elderly women running the restaurant didn't speak a lick of English, and the very little I knew of Japanese was all food related. Luckily one of the women and I came up with our own way of communicating with one another.. it involved lots of pointing, shaking heads, and bowing... I managed to order us a pretty stellar lunch that included some Ramen, Tempura and Eel. it was DELISH!

After lunch, we braved the serious wind-chill, and wandered the quiet little streets and shops of Narita. It was AWESOME! Before we knew it we were back at the airport and ready to board the plan for HOME! I def want to make an official trip to Japan. I loved what I saw and experience in the short 9 hours we were there.

Grajuashun.

We did it! After a year and a 1/2 of hard work... Long Saturdays... Internships... Exams... Etc. Our Cohort Members, Jeff & I finished the program!

Our cohort became like a second family because we spent SO much time, and shared so much stress... We were 'hooded' at a Convocation Ceremony for the school of education. Our Chamorro brother, David (sitting next to me) opened the ceremony with an AMAZING version of the National Anthem & the Guam Hymn, accompanied by his middle school Ukulele club.

Graduation was held on the following Sunday (December 20th or so....) Jeff's parents were able to come out for the festivities and my bro represented for the Gamett clan.

We figure if we could survive our 1st year of marriage, moving across the world, a masters program, and our 1st year of teaching... and remain friends/husband/wife/etc. We can handle anything else that comes our way!

We were also surprised from some of my old YW & members of the branch.. They came to our graduation, made us leis and a sign, just so show our support... How awesome are the people we've met???

Very awesome.

Who Let the Dogs Out???

Yes, I am referencing a hit from the early 2000's by a forgotten band, the Baha Men. Not because this is popped up on my iTunes shuffle, its not even in my iTunes, but because...

the Okkodo Bulldogs pulled out their 1st win in the school's history today, under the direction of Defensive Coordinator Jeff Wheatley! Exciting? Most def! Especially after their disappointing 1st game loss...

So, CONGRATS to Coach Wheatley (My Husband, jealous much??) & the rest of the Bulldogs!

Birfday..

Weather... We had none. And that's that.

This past weekend was my Birthday Weekend. My 24th B-day was on Saturday. Friday night Jeff orchestrated a semi-surprise dinner. I knew we were going to dinner, & I knew that a few friends were joining us, but I was surprised at the larger group of 13ish. 

I walked into the Restaurant (Sugar & Spice) & our friend David (Mr. Chamorro) blew a conch shell, presented Jeff & I with leis & then proceeded to sing Happy Birthday on the Ukulele with a couple of younger boys. It was so much fun & such a good surprise. Good friends, good food, and AMAZING bread pudding!

Saturday I woke up, headed to Yoga, and then to Lunch with Ashlie & Mama Fee. Then I headed out, solo, Jeff was exhausted, to spend some of my birthday money. Later that night we went to dinner, & then met up with Nathan to catch the Toy Story Double Feature in 3D. All in all, a pretty stellar b-day. 

All is Well.. For Now.

Well, our 1st "Tropical Storm" turned out to be a dud. They canceled school, closed the island down for 1/2 a day and... it turned out to be a gorgeous day, with a few showers in the AM. 

We're not out of the clear yet. Typhoon Malor is headed toward Saipan & Rota, islands a bit north of us, but we're under a Tropical Storm Watch, which means something may be headed our way. We'll see what we get. Probably just some wind & rain this weekend. We're prepared, I think, for whatever comes our way!

Remember to keep the people of Samoa, American Samoa, the Phillipines & Indonesia in your prayers!

The New Addition to Our Family

No cause for excitement. We are NOT pregnant.

Our family has grown here in Guam. Nathan has been a permanent resident, and he's got the license to prove it. We invited Nathan to extend is vacation, and begin anew, and he jumped at the chance. He loves the island. Loves his job (Ruby Tuesday Hostess). Loves his calling (assistant Scout Master). He's doing really well, and its been SO fun to have him here. I haven't been as homesick for the rest of the FAM with him here, and he livens things up for us.

I blame the lack of updates on the lack of time. School began back in August, and its kept us busy, busy, busy. Jeff is coaching Football at a new high school here. They're struggling to build their program, and I think Jeff is grateful to be back in the game, even if it is the IFL (Island Football League). He may also coach Girls Basketball at the same high school. We'll see what happens. 

My Principal "asked" me to be an "Academic Coach" for MATHCOUNTS, a math club/competition. We'll see how it goes...

All in all this school year is shaping up to be a good one. We've got a good group of students that present a variety of challenges, educational challenges. A nice change from last years explosive combination of educational and behavioral challenges.

And on a side note... If you read anything about a Typhoon/Tropical Storm heading our way, it is.. We'll see what happens over the next few days. Presently, its only a Storm Watch, we're keeping an eye on it and we'll see what happens over the course of the next few days. I'll keep you posted!

And that's an update, in a nutshell. I need to take some pictures, I always feel obligated to post pictures if I post an entry... So, pictures are sure to follow!