CATCHING UP

I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by. I'll give you a quick run down of what a fun weekend we had a week ago.

Saturday, we spent time at our Turtle Bay beach in the morning. It's a nice little bay to lay out and do some good snorkeling too. We decided we also needed to spend some time at the PCC to walk around and visit the villages and to do the tourist thing. It is an amazing place. I'm so impressed with the quality of students that volunteer and the workers that do this everyday except on Sundays. Of course, our favorite place to visit. You guessed it, FIJI. Some of favorite Fijian's were performing, Sitiveni, Regi, & Peniette. They are so great at what they do. I even got to fulfill my dream of dancing in the Fiji Village. Wow, it made my day complete... The parade of the canoes are not to be missed either. We spent 5 hours there and still have to go back for 3 more villages and the big show.

We spent a nice day at church and met some really nice people. As of this Sunday, we have been asked to serve in a Student Ward. Let you how that turns out. We did go to the Fiji Forum (fireside) Sunday night since we joined the Fiji Club. My goodness, there were about 70 people there. We have been asked to speak next month.

Monday was a holiday for us also, so we took off and went looking for more beaches, Costco and a Walmart. We did make a side trip to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. We did the tour by Pineapple Express Train. Saw so many plants and tasted some pineapple. Never saw that many plants ever in Fiji, but the pineapple in Fiji is still #1. By the way, we have apple bananas here instead of ladyfinger bananas, delicious. Stopped at Teds Bakery on the way home, could become a habit.

Professor Stagg's week finished off very good especially since there were only two class days. I started my volunteer job this week for 2 days at the Mission Settlement House. I am sure I will like it. Who knows I may turn out to be a quilter. I would like to try anyway. There are other things to sew also. There is quite a history with the Hawaiian Quilting. I'll get to that when I know more.

All you runners out there will appreciate this. Ted is loving his morning runs (which last about 2 hours). After the run, he spend time sitting on a bench at the hotel watching & listening to the roaring ocean. His question for me this morning was "Where will I find that in Draper?" I had no comment for him except enjoy it while you can. We just heard Brighton received 30 new inches of snow yesterday. Burrr, we are so happy to be here right now.

Here we are, it's Saturday again. We are off for another road trip. Aloha and we love you all.

2nd WEEK IN PARADISE

Well, I thought it was time to catch up on the things we have been doing. First off, be patient with me on trying to figure out how to make the blog easy for me to write and easy for you to follow. The pictures posted are backwards from what I wanted, oh well.

Last week, a new friend Tarisa Kimball, whose husband is over Ted, invited me to go to Walmart & Costco for the day. She really knows how to pack her car up (picture). On Sunday, after church they had us over for dinner. They have five very cute children who called us Grandma Pat & Grandpa Ted right off. Their family is from Wyoming so their names are cities in Wyoming (Sheridan, Laramie, Cody,Sage (forgot one).

Saturday we found Ted's Bakery, yummy donuts, sweet rolls and had breakfast too. There is so much to see on this side of the island that we just went exploring and found many places we want to go back to. We had our first visitors from our neighborhood back home came to see us, the Farnsworth's. It was so fun to see someone from home. We spent the evening with them & also Mark Eubanks & his wife, they are the directors of the Temple Visitor Center.

Ted has finished his first full week of classes and he felt good about it(except today the computers were down) He really likes the teaching part but the preparation part is really interfering with his free time on the beach. He says he has a new found appreciation for all teachers. It is hard work.... He loves the students and I have heard some students say "Hey, Bro. Stagg I love your class". that's gotta make him feel good. It is always fun for us to run into some of our Fiji friends while walking around campus. We were invited to join the Fiji Club, how fun that will be for us. I really wanted to volunteer in the Fiji Village in the PCC, but I guess I am the wrong color. They want to keep things authentic. So next week I start to work at the Mission Settlement for 2 days. Last night we volunteered taking tickets for the Luau 4:30 to 6:30. It was a blast(600 came thru our line). Ted was the ultimate greeter. "Aloha, we're so glad you came". Can't you just hear him. It was a great night then we got to go to the fancy restaurant for a free dinner. We will be able to do this at least one night a week. It really is a wonderful place to be, and it is all run by volunteers and the students. I am excited to part of the team.

On Tuesday, we went exploring to some of the beaches close to us. Hukilau Beach was our first one. The sand is so smooth and the water is so pleasant and warm. We walked forever and enjoyed watching the waves. Everyplace we have been this week the waves have been huge(they say they have been 15-30 feet). Next, we went to Sunset Beach to watch the surfers and to end the day with a beautiful sunset on Sunset Beach.

On Wed. I decided to have my own adventure and take the bus to Honolulu. I left on the bus at 8:45am and got home at 8:30pm. It took 2 hours to get to the AlaMoana Shopping Center (which is so huge). I probably won't do this very often, but it was fun to see all the little towns along the way & the pineapple fields,& the shrimp ponds. I actually shopped till I dropped on the bus.

I was thinking tonight while cooking dinner things I'm glad to have here in Hawaii. Hot water out of the tap instead of out of the Hot Pot you plug in and a dishwasher. Not Ted this time as he is way too busy studying and preparing for class. This Saturday we will spend the afternoon at the PCC getting aquainted with everything there. Nice perk, we always get to go in for free. Ahoha for now and Mahalo for looking.

NEW PHOTOS FROM OUR PARADISE

FIRST DAY

Here's Dad leaving for school at 6:45 am. He does look a little nervous. He called me later and said class went pretty well. He has some lesson problems to work out and he now has a teacher's aid which will really help him out especially with the computer (blackboard) whatever that is!!!! There are 8 students in the first class and 24 students in the afternoon class, sort of lopsided, huh. I think "Life is still Good"

For me, I went to a 2 hour class today to get ready to be a volunteer at the PCC and a three hour class tomorrow. People have been really nice to us. Tonight we stopped by the "Giovani Shrimp Truck" for a great dinner of large shrimp scampi. There are about 6 of these outdoor shrimp trucks along the road we drive on. Sort of like Taco Stands but shrimp stands. DELICIOUS!!! I am still living out of my suitcase, the ants will not let me move into the "small" closet. (Pictured here also). I'll probably have to become friends with them if the ant traps dont't do their job. I guess they were here first. Aloha to all

More Photos

A Few Photos From Me to You

Of course, I'll be surprised if this works for me...

SAFE & SOUND

After a very hectic week, we have arrived in Honolulu on Sunday the 3rd of Jan. Our flight getting here was very interesting to say the least right from the time Julie dropped us off at the curb. The agent informed us that our plane had been delayed so there would be a good chance we would not make our Hawaii flight, but not worry they would do all they could for us. They did waive our luggage fees of $40 each. In the meantime, while we were having a bite to eat, Delta found another plane to leave at the right time. By the time we found this out we had 15 min. to get to the gate and get on the plane, gee whiz we almost didn't make it. What a close call... The rest of the trip was great. Of course, it was too long for Ted and for the very unhappy baby next to us. Not too much sleep on the plane for anyone. We have arrived safe and sound and glad to be on the ground. Actually, we arrived 30 minutes after Pres. Obama left the airport, so things were a little chaotic at the airport.

After a good nights rest, we had breakfast at the Paradise Cafe and then rented our car. We then proceeded to make our way up to the College and Turtle Bay Estates. We only got lost once, that's pretty good for us.

The area of the island we will be living at is really beautiful. We have the beautiful palm trees, blue sky and we look out on the golf course. Wow, what a view. We are by the famous Turtle Bay Resort. We didn't know what to expect in the apt., but it is very nice, small but nice. Not much storage space especially in a closet form. It is sooo small you wouldn't believe it. I guess we both brought too much stuff. Oh well, we are slow learners as Dad says.

Today, Dad went to the school to get things organized for tomorrow. He feels a little overwhelmed of what's ahead of him, but I have faith in him. He will do fine after he gets his feet wet. The students will love him anyway. He starts on Wed. at 7:30-8:30 and then again at 2:30-3:30. Tune in again tomorrow. I'll have some pictures for you then, also.