Ripple Effect

We are supposed to get a ripple effect from a storm around Hawaii. The effect is a higher surf than usual. It has been higher for a couple days, but so far not that much higher. There is supposed to be a 10' surf today and possibly tomorrow.

They have been sand bagging around the Col. house for days. It must be nice looking out your window at the surf until the weather turns scary.

The surf first hit Roi-Namur (an island that is a part of the Atoll at the Northern most point) and flooded most of the island. They are even smaller than Kwaj. I'm not very concerned at this point. We do not have a scenic view on the ocean. If the water gets this far we are supposed to go upstairs to the second floor. I would be really surprised if we got one drop of the surf washing this far onto the island.

Christmas Tree Lighting

There was a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on 'Main Street'.

There were performances by the Jr/Senior band and chorus, the girl scouts, a dancing school, and the community band.

There was a good crowd.

These are the words to Jingle Bells, Kwaj Style. If you enlarge it you can read the words.

.....And the Christmas Tree lighting. It looks crooked because it goes up a coconut tree which are rarely straight up and down.

The plane that picks up and brings the mail broke down and we did not get any mail until late Sat. afternoon. We received several boxes with that delivery for the kids Christmas. I will wait to thank individuals. Watch for pics of the kids Christmas the Sunday before Christmas.

This a part of the unofficial main street. The post office is just to the right and not in view. The building to the right has the beauty/barber shop and the white building has the Affes PX and the second floor is a part of the hotel. On the left is the Affes PBXtra and the Shoppette. Around the corner to the right (out of view) is the Affes food court. There is Burger King, Subway, Anthony's Pizza and Baskin Robins. There is an all-you-can-eat cafeteria and another fast food place at the boat dock. People cook at home a lot.

We had 42 kids at church Sunday. I was too busy to get a pic.

Happy Thanksgiving

We pray everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Lee and I ate at the 'all you can eat' cafeteria. It was a bit expensive but it is one of the best meals of the year. They had lobster, shrimp and a fish bar, none of which Lee or I eat. They did have Turkey with all the trimmings and Virginia Ham and lots of deserts. Unfortunately, I did not see one piece of pumpkin pie. Everything was good. This is our tree this year. Without any Grandkids around, this is all Lee and I need. These apartments are too small to put up too big a tree. My Christmas trees have been getting smaller every year. It became too much work for me to put up and take down. Lee never liked putting up lights and taking them down. We prefer to concentrate on the kids Christmas at church this year. We have bought our Christmas for this year. The AFFES store had some adult tricycles with baskets on the back. I wasn't looking for a tricycle, but I wanted something with some gears on it. Gears do not last long here but it is easier to ride into the wind. This is the most corrosive atmosphere in the world. A brand new car or bicycle, will not last more than a few years in the Marshall Islands. Everyone understands that a bike referred to as a "Kwaj bike" is a bicycle that is eaten up by corrosion. The aluminium cart will last a little longer than a regular metal cart. Since there are no cars or pick ups, it is important to have baskets and carts to haul stuff around.

This little light of mine

This little light of mine needed a few more lights shinning bright.

We had a special project we will reveal in a few weeks that involved some poster paint and all 39 kids were 'hanging off the rafters' but they enjoyed playing in the paint.

We have had a good response to our 'Christmas Helpers' call. Some have sent a check, some have boxes full of Christmas goodies in the mail. A big thank you to all who have helped to make this Christmas a good one for the kids. I will be more specific with thank yous later when all the boxes arrive. I know the kids will be thrilled with everything.