Friday, March 28, 2008
Forgot to mention the earthquakes
There have been two earthquakes (Joe and I slept through both). Anne was at work for one and charts starting falling from the nurses station. All of the other nurses were shouting at her in their Filipino accents to get under something, and she froze. I guess she was thinking that her fate was going to be "trapped in a pile of rubble of what was once known as GMH-aka, Get Me to Hawaii, as the educated locals call it.
Wishing for Ruby Slippers at times
Hello to all who are reading/viewing our blog and photos! (It's Brenda-Joe usually does this) So it is 6:00am now in Guam and I am anxiously awaiting 7 when I get off of work for the night. Not that I wasn't thankful before, but recently I have been so thankful for everything that I have been given in life. Living in South eastern Wisconsin may be not so fun at times (snow, cold, more snow, freezing, more snow-not that I know a whole lot about that now), but I really am thinking that there is no place like home. I know everyone sees the photos of the beach, sun, and fun that we are having-don't get me wrong-it is nice and we do have a lot of cool experiences, but as we are getting to the end of our trip we have been really missing everyone and everything about home. The hospital here is really wearing me out, and I think my complaining about it is wearing Joe out (he needs something to wear him out!). Every time that anyone gets sick, needs medical care, has a baby, etc. PLEASE be thankful for what we have at home. This place is pretty aweful and most people don't even know it. Also be thankful for our urban planning, water treatment facilities, and things like that. This week there was a sewage spill at the beach of Joe's favorite hang out Jimmy Dees and everyone has been getting sick because of the water! (they are still dragging the Japanese tourists through it on banana boat rides-sick) Also, be thankful for law enforcement-cops here are paid minimum wage and literally hang out in our hotel lobby to watch TV all night even though there is tons of unreported crime and domestic violence on the island. Anyway, just thought I could be the one to share some of the not so great things about Guam. We'll be home soon and can't wait-even Joe who is having a great vacation has realized that he actually likes work-or maybe he just says that so that I'm not jealous... Love you guys and miss everyone very much,
Very thankful for home, the experiences that I have been given here, and lessons learned,
Brenda
Very thankful for home, the experiences that I have been given here, and lessons learned,
Brenda
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Time
Hello again and Happy Easter! This week was obviously Easter and we went to church on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Some pictures of our church are in our album if you would like to see them. After sunrise service for Easter, Brenda and I went to Ritidian Beach. It was really cool and was a perfect day out, pictures are also in our album. On Good Friday, I climbed Mt. LamLam, it is a really high point and on the top of it is crosses that you do the rosary to. It was quite the hike and I followed that up with a 5k run Sat. morning for the Make a Wish Foundation and then went on another boonie stomp. The Stomp was very hard and had plenty of swordgrass to compete with. I have some really nice gashes in my arms and hands, there getting better though. Also, on Sunday night, we went to Jimmy Dees Beach Bar and relaxed there. A lot of pictures taken so please look at them in our Guam Album. Take care and have a good rest of the week, Hope everyones Easter was a ton of fun. Brenda and I miss a home cooked meal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Its some Fish, a Run, Couples Massage, Palm Sunday and St. Patty's Day all on Tumon Bay
This past week we went on a 5k run that benefited fitness here on Guam. It was a ton of fun and we also got a shirt for running in it. Brenda did great in it and finished in the top 1/4 of women. Joe S. and I also finished in the top 1/4 of the competitors. These finishes were all very good for us considering we were the last 3 competitors in line at the starting point.
The other day Brenda and I also got a couples massage. It was my first massage ever and let me tell you...it felt great and Brenda said "it was the best massage she ever had". I like to think it was because I was there with her. Great spa in general and I was very impressed and it made us both feel more rejuvinated.
Last Tuesday, we went deep sea fishing on the Mumulan II. Our captain was Joyto "Joe" for short. He was great and our excursion was outstanding. We had a completely sunny day, 4 mahi mahi, and a great time with great friends. The picturs are in our Guam Album! Joe Smycheck got a little sea sick but not bad at all. Joyto fillets the dolphin right on the dock and we ate some sashimi, outstanding! He then filleted the rest out which we cook out every other day or so by our pool. Brenda was REALLY happy that she got out on a boat and I think it took some stress off her from all the late hours she had to work that week at the Hospital.
Yesterday, we went to church for Palm Sunday and next Sunday we are going to church for Easter. The church we go to has a 6am sunrise beach service so we are going to that one. I'll take some pictures of the view next sunday. The people at the church have been very friendly and they always have a potluck after church. We are going to have the free breakfast at the church after the sunrise beach service.
Today is St. Patty's Day!!!! Somehow, Brenda and Anne both have off today so we are going to drink some nice cold green beer today. I'll take some pictures and update the blog later this week about it. Gotta go find some green shirts although I think Brenda and I both have green t's here, so no problem.
I met a bartender here that is here because of her husband and the military. The world is so small because her parents best friends are my parents friends too. It was crazy to have someone know where Grafton was. It was too funny and it got me a free beer too!!!
Brenda is doing very good at her job, but it is very different from the hospitals she is used too. She has to work a lot of nights and doesnt get 2 days off in a row, except this weekend (Easter weekend) she has off Saturday and Sunday. Wooohooo!!! The hospital is not really up to standards but they do use the same medicine as back home so nothing too drastic. I usually drop/pick her up from work everyday, which is nice and it gives me a chance to go up in her Unit to see how things are going. Other than that, I'll let Brenda update you about her job when she gets a chance. I'll take some pictures the next time I visit so everyone can see it.
The other day, I went with a doctor Brenda works with to the ocean and he taught me how to Kite Surf. It was a lot of fun and I can't believe how powerful it is, one time the kite threw me a good distance and it felt like a giant picked me up and threw me. The Doctor said I was a natural though, I told him I wasn't surprised that I picked it up quick because I'm a Nowak. HA, just kidding.
Well, miss everyone very much and cant wait to see everyone when we return to Milwaukee for a week or so (April 27th, 6pm arrival). Things are gooing good out here and its always nice to see people commenting on our blog or sending us emails. Thanks everyone and Happy St. Patty's Day!
The other day Brenda and I also got a couples massage. It was my first massage ever and let me tell you...it felt great and Brenda said "it was the best massage she ever had". I like to think it was because I was there with her. Great spa in general and I was very impressed and it made us both feel more rejuvinated.
Last Tuesday, we went deep sea fishing on the Mumulan II. Our captain was Joyto "Joe" for short. He was great and our excursion was outstanding. We had a completely sunny day, 4 mahi mahi, and a great time with great friends. The picturs are in our Guam Album! Joe Smycheck got a little sea sick but not bad at all. Joyto fillets the dolphin right on the dock and we ate some sashimi, outstanding! He then filleted the rest out which we cook out every other day or so by our pool. Brenda was REALLY happy that she got out on a boat and I think it took some stress off her from all the late hours she had to work that week at the Hospital.
Yesterday, we went to church for Palm Sunday and next Sunday we are going to church for Easter. The church we go to has a 6am sunrise beach service so we are going to that one. I'll take some pictures of the view next sunday. The people at the church have been very friendly and they always have a potluck after church. We are going to have the free breakfast at the church after the sunrise beach service.
Today is St. Patty's Day!!!! Somehow, Brenda and Anne both have off today so we are going to drink some nice cold green beer today. I'll take some pictures and update the blog later this week about it. Gotta go find some green shirts although I think Brenda and I both have green t's here, so no problem.
I met a bartender here that is here because of her husband and the military. The world is so small because her parents best friends are my parents friends too. It was crazy to have someone know where Grafton was. It was too funny and it got me a free beer too!!!
Brenda is doing very good at her job, but it is very different from the hospitals she is used too. She has to work a lot of nights and doesnt get 2 days off in a row, except this weekend (Easter weekend) she has off Saturday and Sunday. Wooohooo!!! The hospital is not really up to standards but they do use the same medicine as back home so nothing too drastic. I usually drop/pick her up from work everyday, which is nice and it gives me a chance to go up in her Unit to see how things are going. Other than that, I'll let Brenda update you about her job when she gets a chance. I'll take some pictures the next time I visit so everyone can see it.
The other day, I went with a doctor Brenda works with to the ocean and he taught me how to Kite Surf. It was a lot of fun and I can't believe how powerful it is, one time the kite threw me a good distance and it felt like a giant picked me up and threw me. The Doctor said I was a natural though, I told him I wasn't surprised that I picked it up quick because I'm a Nowak. HA, just kidding.
Well, miss everyone very much and cant wait to see everyone when we return to Milwaukee for a week or so (April 27th, 6pm arrival). Things are gooing good out here and its always nice to see people commenting on our blog or sending us emails. Thanks everyone and Happy St. Patty's Day!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
This Brats for You...Milwaukee
Hafa Adai,
This past week we grilled out BRATS..so good...it made us all feel like we were back home in Milwaukee. I even found sourkraut at the store, obviously distributed from Green Bay. The pics are up. We also went to Horse and Cow, a country bar, with Anne and Brenda's hair stylist Skye. She is hilarious and is not afraid to speak her mind. The Joes went on another boonie stomp that was rated "difficult". Fun and great scenery so check out the pictures in our album.
Notes:
Congrats to my brother Paul and Allison on their new family member, Booker, a cute boxer dog. He looks like a healthy one! My friend Dan Marshall is visiting us in April and a couple of Brenda's friends are looking into it. Take care everyone and have a great rest of the week. Oh...Just got done watching Duke lose. Great Day!
This past week we grilled out BRATS..so good...it made us all feel like we were back home in Milwaukee. I even found sourkraut at the store, obviously distributed from Green Bay. The pics are up. We also went to Horse and Cow, a country bar, with Anne and Brenda's hair stylist Skye. She is hilarious and is not afraid to speak her mind. The Joes went on another boonie stomp that was rated "difficult". Fun and great scenery so check out the pictures in our album.
Notes:
Congrats to my brother Paul and Allison on their new family member, Booker, a cute boxer dog. He looks like a healthy one! My friend Dan Marshall is visiting us in April and a couple of Brenda's friends are looking into it. Take care everyone and have a great rest of the week. Oh...Just got done watching Duke lose. Great Day!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
We Miss You
Hey everyone, these last couple days we have been talking (phone) with you. It has really hit home that we miss you very much and can't wait to see you again. God has given us many different things, but the most is prayer. Prayer has got Brenda and I through some difficicult times and across the world, he still works...so BELIEVE! We love everone very much.
Today, we went on another boonie stomp and had to climb down a steep cliff, you wont see what that is all about, but the photos show our destination and reaping what the Lord put on this world is very rewarding. Some big spiders on the way (Brenda wouldnt let me tell her about them until we were past them) that were the size of my fist. Anyhow, God is very strong in OUR lives and we know its only 3 months total, but we rely on him to give us guidance and strength as we need it to without our family and friends. Love you and God Bless!
Check the pics, new and updated.
Today, we went on another boonie stomp and had to climb down a steep cliff, you wont see what that is all about, but the photos show our destination and reaping what the Lord put on this world is very rewarding. Some big spiders on the way (Brenda wouldnt let me tell her about them until we were past them) that were the size of my fist. Anyhow, God is very strong in OUR lives and we know its only 3 months total, but we rely on him to give us guidance and strength as we need it to without our family and friends. Love you and God Bless!
Check the pics, new and updated.
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