wonder of wonders

This is the official logo for the Office on Aging, in the Northern Mariana Islands. Here on the island of Rota, we call it the "Man Amko Center" (translation: Center for Senior Citizens).

Decided to start attending every day, 5 days a week. Have been able to reconnect with lots of friends from the past 4 years (Fillipino, Chamarro, Palauan, Carolinian, and other Micronesian Islanders, as well as two or three Americans).

The center van picks me up every day at Teteto Beach, and then in the afternoon, drives me right to the front gate of the jungle-farm where i reside.

Got a little bored, so they let me do calling for the daily Bingo game and join the Chamarro Croquet Team - really enjoy doing those things. Tried to get into the kitchen to help wash dishes, but they wouldn't let me.

At the Man Amko Center, we have a Rota Man Amko Association, an actual licensed, not-for-profit government recognized business (of which i'm a member). Today, we had a business meeting. Our numbers have been dwindling, and it's been a long time since the last election for new officers.

Spare you all the details - put up the best fight i could, but was immediately nominated, then unanamously elected president (wonder of wonders). Quite humbling indeed - could only lift my hand to heaven for help from the Lord (everyone laughed).

Was given a VP, secretary, treasurer, and board members. Have been doing all business off my cell phone these past four years. Realizing this new responsibility would require a computer, went to the PC graveyard in one of the back rooms, borrowed a screwdriver, and cannabilized a few broken ones to make one good one. In the process stumbled upon the minutes for every single business meeting for the past 7-8 years. Hoping to get a hard copy of our association's charter, articles, biz license, etc. soon.

Excited? Not really. Still scratching my head, wondering, "Lord, what's going on here?"

jungle sounds

This morning, right before the sun came up, heard sounds coming out of the jungle not far away. Turned on the recorder, hoping to get something good to post.

Turns out, there were about three or four Sanbar deer about 50 yards from my back door, out of sight in the jungle. Still not sure what to call the sound they make, so i'm calling it, "barking", for lack of a better word.

Of course a blue-collared kingfisher had to chime in. Such beautiful birds.

Only my 1st week here, have observed this farm, or ranch, as well as the surrounding areas,  have lots of Sanbar deer. Haven't actually seen any yet, but hear them every night and early morning before sunrise. Thinking maybe there's so many because this place is so close to Mount Sabana.

Man Amko Center

Going to the Rota Aging Center (Man Amko Center) now, on Fridays. First time back in a long time, it was good to catch up with many friends.

In the CNMI, people like to pamper their Man Amko (senior citizens). So, we get free transportation services - pick up and drop off at Teteto Beach. From the farm to the beach is only about 5 minutes, by foot to the beach, through the jungle, on the back road.

They want me to join the Man Amko Chamorro Croquet Team. Years before, was always the score keeper. Every May there's an inter-island competition. This year, it will be held in Saipan. 

 

 

new place - happy resurrection day

 new place (thank you, Jesus!)

Finally got my new place to live on Rota. As always, God blesses beyond all our dreams or wildest expectations. The new place isn't in Songsong (aka, the Village), or in Sinapalo. It's almost a mile from Teteto Beach, almost a mile into the jungle, towards the mountain. Want to thank everyone for your prayers. It's a beautiful place! 

Teteto Beach is perhaps everyone's fav. It's about the halfway point, on the road, from the Village to Sinapalo. On the west coast of the island, it faces the Phillipine Sea. Only a few minutes up the road from Teteto Beach is one of the only two gas stations on the island.

Thought you might enjoy a picture-walk from Teteto Beach, through the jungle, inland to the mountain. Not quite a mile from the beach, but a really nice family farm. Glad to have the opportunity to live there.

The dirt road to the farm, off the main coastal road, goes through the jungle to the base of the mountain. It's probably best traveled in a 4-wheel drive vehicle and is a  commonly used backroad by farmers, farm workers, biologists, and deer hunters. So, it's not that remote as other backroads on the island, which don't have street lights, utility poles, or even internet access.

Was a little humbled to get a key to the main gate - such a nice farm.

A couple days ago, during the cook's tour of the farm, completely lost track of all the mango trees - old ones, newly planted ones, and various strains. Could only think of two things - fresh mango smoothies, and mango sorbet. Saw many mangos already weighing branches down, but still green. The owner equipped my room with a brand new upright freezer, and a good friend is giving me his gourmet glass blender. Don't think it will take very long to fill up that freezer with sorbet.

Here'a where I live, a single unit, brand new steel-enforced cement construction, totally typhoon CAT 5 proof. Also have a brand new air con (only use it for the fan), a small fridge, and a stand-up freezer. Already have my own flatscreen TV, etc. Also have a seperate adjoining bathroom/shower, etc. (all newly built and painted, same construction).

Surrounded by a large mango tree, a tagerine tree, and a soursap tree, Right out the backdoor, is my kitchen - Chamarro style, outdoors and open. Using a Coleman dual-fuel double burner camping stove (using car gasoline saves me about $40-$50 a month). Most families on Rota use small butane cannisters, which are super expensive. So, glad too have bought it 2 years ago (and it still works well).

Thanks for viewing this post. Appreciate your prayers. So glad to be re-connected with many family and friends again over the internet. God be with you and continue to bless you all! 👍🙂

apocolypse spinach

apocolypse spinach, aka, swamp spinach, kangkong, kung-xin tsai, is an extremely prolific strain of spinach, which is quite common in the Phillipines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bangledesh, and the Mariana Islands.

in the United States, swamp spinach is banned in most states (much too invasive and prolific). fortunately, out here in the Mariana Islands, which are new U.S. island territories, kangkong is not banned, and is a common vegetable raised and eaten by many.

as yummy as our Stateside baby spinach is, swamp spinach requires very little effort to grow, maintain, and harvest. so, now, whenever there's a hankering for yummy green veggies, i get the scissors, harvest a big handfull, and enjoy fresh apocolypse spinach (unbelievably delicious, and super healthy).

Swamp spinach, in Chinese, is literally, "empty-heart vegetable." Without the presence of the Lord in our lives, our hearts feel very empty.

wedding cake mountain