Invasion

Aloha all! Do I have a story for you!

So this morning the school counselor for K-1 came in to do a lesson with the kids. Part of the lesson involved watching a video. As she talked with the kids, I got the tv ready. It was the first time I have used it all year and needed to make sure it was plugged in and ready to go. Well, as I reached to the top of the tv to grab the remote I noticed on the top a swarm of bugs. What kind of bugs you may ask? Well... they were baby praying mantises. And there were a ton! I left them be while the kids watched the video. Afterwards, while the kids went out to recess the counselor helped me get them outside. A few of the boys stayed around to help as well. After she left, and before recess ended I found the egg sack. It was on an extension cord that was on the bottom level of the tv stand. For the rest of the morning we kept finding little "friends" all over the place.

When I told my story at lunch one of the other K teachers gave me a book about a kid who has a praying mantis and while the family is away all the eggs hatch, but the lid to the terrarium was off, so they were all over the house! We sure could relate. The kids were really able to use their schema then! (Note: If you don't know what schema is, look it up... My Kindergarteners know what that word means so you should too!)

It was a very eventful day to say the least, and hopefully that will be the end to our infestation.

Top Five

I really enjoy living in Hawaii and feel very blessed to be here. Hawaii has lots of great things like the continuous warm weather that allows me to go swimming even in the middle of October and the beautiful scenary. However, it's not all just sun and fun. So, as a tribute to all my peeps back home, here are my top 5 reasons why Rohnert Park is better than Kona.

1. In-N-Out
2. Target
3. Shangri-la
4. Taquerias
5. Tuesday night dollar scoop night at Baskin Robbins

Weee!

Today I went to a 1 year old's birthday party and had so much fun! The little boy whose birthday it was is brother to one of the girls in my class. It was at one of the pavillions at the old airport which is on the beach. The food was phenomenal and there was a blow up water slide! So awesome!!! I went on it a few times with the girl from my class, but when we would get to the bottom I kept squishing her! My friend Chrissy came with me as well, and it was really nice getting to hang out with her.

Keahou

Today I went to the first seminar of Kahua, which is a component of the teaching induction program that focuses on Hawaiian culture. I did the orientation 2 day part during my fall break, and really liked, and enjoyed today just as much. Though it was a loooong day. It started at about 7:30 and went to 4. That's actually a little less for a normal work day for me, but it's different when you are the listening the whole time I guess....

The seminar took place at the Keahou Resort. It was so beautiful there. We had breakfast and did our morning protocol which involves going outside and doing a chant to welcome the sun. After some indoor stuff, we went outside and walked through the tidepools and learned about the history of the land. There were these stone walls forming squares that were built in 1200AD! That's pretty heavy (No pun intended!)

Afterwards was lunch, and I ate sooo much!!!! There was salad, macaroni salad,pasta, bread, rice, chicken, fish, and vegetables. And when I went back for more there was poke!!!! My favorite!!!!! Mmmmm. And for dessert there was bread pudding, which was the best bread pudding I had ever had! After eating a full meal, these two teachers presented a restoration project that they do there with their classes, and they had the lights turned off because there was a slideshow going on at the same time they were talking. Well, when you add a full stomach and a dark room, only one thing can happen.... sleep! I think I nodded off a few times, but I sure felt rested afterwards!

All in all it was a great learning experience. I enjoy taking part of different Hawaiian customs at these seminars. I hope to learn a lot more as the year goes on.

Teacher Institute Day

Aloha friends and family!

Today was Teacher Institute day, which is a contractual day where teachers get paid, but instead of school we learn more about union stuff. It was at the Marriott in Waikaloa, which was nice to be somewhere other than school! The day went only until 12:30 and I even won a gift certificate! (though it is for a place in Oahu!) Afterwards a friend of mine from work and I went to outlet mall by the Marriott. I bought a book for school, a bunch of postcards to send to my kids back in Santa Rosa, and one Christmas present... though I will not say who it is for!

Yes, I have begun my Christmas shopping... I figure if I see something I might as well get it now since I will not know if I will have time later.

Tomorrow I am back at school, and for the first time I am going to have my class paint. We have used watercolor before, but this time we are using tempura paint. I hope that kids don't make too much of a mess!!!

All good things must come to an end...

Aloha! Well, the end of my fall break is coming to a close, and much to quickly I believe! The last two days I went to the north side of the island to Honoka'a for a Hawaiian culture course for new teachers. Despite the long bus rides there and back, I really enjoyed the experience. I have some follow up seminars to go to and a final project, but I think that this will be a really great experience to learn more about Hawaiian culture and language.

Last night I went with some friend to Koloko (I am not sure if that is right?) for a bonfire. It was a really great time and I brought rice krispie treats, so I am sure I will be invited again :)

Today has been a pretty chill day. Slept in a bit, hung around the house and did laundry, took a nap, and later today I am going to a friend's house to watch the latest episode of The Office, because we have Bible study on Thursday nights, so we have to watch it later in the week. But it should be a good time. Ironman is today also. I saw them biking on the road this morning where I live, but that's about all I am gonna see today. Maybe next year I will actually watch part of it.

I am really excited for tomorrow because I will be playing bass at church for the first time since being here. I knew a couple of the songs already from back home, and the new ones were easy to pick up. I also was asked to play for the women's retreat coming up at the end of the month, so that should be fun too!

The Other Side of the Island

Today I went to Hilo, which is on the other side of the island. It is a couple hours away, which goes to show how big the Big Island is! Ha! I went with a friend from work and her daughter. Amongst errands that needed to be done, we went to the zoo, stopped at the black sands beach, as well as the waterfall. It was a really fun trip. Here are some pics from the day....