While you, my readers, may enjoy my deeper thoughts, I figured I would update you all a little on life in Saipan. I can hardly believe how fast time is flying by. In 102 days, I will be back home in Indiana, far from my beach, my friends and family here, and my simple life I have grown to love. But no need for sadness yet-I still have 102 days to live it up!
Teaching is going well. This semester is definitely better than last. I am able to plan better and more accurately assess my student’s needs and weaknesses. I am still not in love with teaching, but I am very thankful that I have had this experience and can attest that it has stretched me in ways I never thought possible.
Anna and I have been spending a lot more time with some of the other teachers which has been a huge blessing! I am really enjoying getting to know them and it is just nice to have people to hang out with! Last night we grabbed dinner and watched The Bachelor. Opinions aside, sometimes you just need mindless TV to let your brain unwind. We have also found a new show we love-Off the Map. Friday nights have turned into Off the Map night with our good friend Andrea. It is fun to have a few things each week to look forward too! Other than that, we have been spending as much time as we can at the beach and filling our weeknights with running, working out, and school work. I am going to miss her so very much!!
I picked up a tutoring job 3 days a week so I either coach or tutor or both everyday after school. This makes for a busy life, but I love it! The boy I tutor is the most adorable first grader and genuinely wants to learn which makes my job so much easier! He is super smart too.. I find myself running out of things to do because he finishes everything so fast. Coaching is going great too! Our girls are improving SOO much! Yesterday the score was 11 to 18. They are not winning, but that will come. I am just proud of them for trying so hard. And one of my players made a last second shot right as the buzzer sounded! You should have seen how proud of herself she was! And we are slowly becoming better coaches too which is exciting.
Saturday I am going to go to a mountain biking clinic. I am super excited! They are going to teach us a lot of the technical skills you need and some basic bike maintenance like how to change a flat tire. I think it will give the boost of confidence I need to keep working on it and I am gearing up for some serious mountain biking and rock climbing and running excursions when I get home! I have also been swimming and taking lessons. It is going well and I am actually looking into getting my lifeguard certification.
The weather here has cooled off some and most evenings there is a breeze that, dare I say, actually makes it slightly chilly. We are definitely enjoying it though because it means we don’t have to run the AC which is VERY expensive.
In other news, life at home is ever changing. My little brother joined the Air Force-passed his tests with flying colors. So I will get home, he will get married and head off to basic. I am very proud of him and can’t wait to get home so I can hopefully spend a few weeks with him before he heads off! And his basic is in Texas so my parents and I are already planning a trip! And my dad is going to tackle teaching me to drive a stick shift this summer in his new Miata.
I think that about sums it up. All in all, I cannot complain. I am so glad I came to Saipan and am enjoying my time here. I will be glad when I get home and I miss my friends and family dearly, but most days all it takes is a run along the beach to remind me to savor these moments. 🙂
