Alaskan Comes Home

...and she rolls!!

2011-11-11T14:10:00.001-05:00

Mothers Day

2010-05-25T18:30:00.001-04:00

Got to hang out with these lovely ladies on Mothers Day. I can't even explain how fun it is to laugh & love with these 2 gorgeous gals.

Is it any wonder why I love Haiti??

2010-04-13T18:59:00.001-04:00

Gigglebox

2010-03-29T21:13:00.001-04:00

Week in review...

2010-03-27T15:32:00.005-04:00

Bought some gorgeous potted tulips

Enjoyed the view from my living room

Not quite finished project.... its getting there, though!

Planted some goodies, yay spring!

The daffodils at work thought it was spring already... they missed judged the forecast ;)

My goodlookin boss-man

2010-03-25T17:19:00.008-04:00

Finally did my taxes this week (yay!) and came to an astonishing realization: I worked 360 days in 2009. Yes thats right. Take 365, as in 24/7/365, and subtract the 5-day trip I took last June for Laura's wedding. What does that mean? Its about dang time this girl took a VACATION & got out of Alaska for awhile!

But he sure is cute, right? :) :)

Ladies of the Midnight Sun

2010-02-22T02:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Presidents Day!

2010-02-15T19:59:00.008-05:00

Someone asked me if I had today "off". I was unsure how to answer.

Haiti Relief

2010-01-22T01:27:00.007-05:00

Give some love:

http://www.canaanorphanage.org

Magdelena & Caridad thank you.

In Honor

2009-10-29T21:20:00.003-04:00

Today, October 29th, 2009, flags all over Alaska were lowered in honor of Corporal Gregory Fleury, United States Marine Core, who died Monday in Afghanistan. He had completed 2 tours in Iraq, and was 2 weeks away from returning to the US. Gregory was a born & raised Alaskan, and he will be missed greatly by family, friends, and all who knew him.

Photos of the week...

2009-10-15T01:06:00.004-04:00

Karate KidMe & the Man Sleeping boys - (FAKERS!)
Baby sister all grown up! & our Nephew

Winter Sewing

2009-09-19T15:07:00.003-04:00

One of my many dreams for this upcoming long winter... (*The key to survival is planning ahead, I've determined) ...is to learn how to sew! So...gotta love a fabric giveaway, right?

http://retromummy.blogspot.com/

2009-09-16T01:47:00.001-04:00

Events of the last week...

2009-09-08T01:30:00.002-04:00

1st Day of Kindergarten

View from the window

Look Ma, I can cable!

Yet another Larkspur throw-down... Happy 30th Silver Jax!

Blessed.

2009-08-23T03:36:00.002-04:00

You always have the most introspective thoughts when you really ought to be sleeping. I'm not sure if that's really true, but I ought to be sleeping now, so perhaps even that statement is written out of introspective grogginess. Either way - It occurs to me this evening, not for the first time, that I have gotten to live in some rediculously amazing places in my relatively young life. (*Though my upcoming birthday feels a bit daunting... beside the point)

I feel particularly thankful for that at this moment. Here are a few of the fabulous places I've gotten to call home at one time or another:

Photos of the last week...

2009-08-05T00:41:00.003-04:00

Homeskillet Roadtour... Sitka, Juneau, Haines.

*photos 3,6&9 taken by Andrea Moreno-Beals

Samantha Austin

2009-06-22T16:28:00.002-04:00

I had the biggest privilege of hanging out with my sweet little Samantha today. I have been friends with her parents for quite a few years, and even got to be in their wedding awhile back.

A few months ago, Sami's daddy, Jerry, was on the flight that landed ever-so-miraculously & gently in the Hudson River. Today I am blessed to be able to hug Jerry & give thanks that he is still with us, to rejoice with Rebecca, and to cuddle sweet Samantha, who, by Grace alone, gets to know her Daddy. I am just so humbled by God's goodness & love.

Samantha & Auntie Mel A pregnant Rebecca & Jerry with pilot Captain Sully at the NBC TV reunion specialHanging with the newlyweds a few years ago.

Random fun photos

2009-06-12T17:31:00.001-04:00

Summertime fun at the beach...

Swan Lake finally thawed out!

Natalie (12!), Nova, Scarlet & Wesley...

A fun old one along the family theme... on the beach in New Zealand

Me & the bros at Nick's wedding in New Zealand

OK, I know I've been a terrible blogger lately - my appologies. But I did recently purchase a laptop (finally!) so hopefully I'll be back & and a little more consistent. I know my faithful followers Renae & Janeen will appreciate that. :)

Creativity

2009-04-06T04:21:00.006-04:00

How do Alaskans keep from losing their sanity after 4 months of continuous snow and decreased daylight?
I'm glad you asked.

1. Embrace the pow pow.

2. Gingerbread house competitions.

3. Ferry the car to Juneau for a Costco run. Nothing brings joy to the soul like cheap, bulk TP.

4. Learn to play the banjo.

2009-04-05T23:12:00.005-04:00

5. Drink coffee. Frequently.
6. Sunbathe at the beach.

7. Snow+fire+beach+bbq+whales = a good thing.

8. When all else fails, succumb to the insanity, dress up like clowns & drive aimlessly around town in a '77 Scout. I mean, Why the heck not.

Rowdy & TomTom

2009-03-24T15:47:00.003-04:00

My life be like...

For those interested, both featured have blogs, with loads of photos & videos of their crazy mountainous adventures
Listed in the links at right--
Aaron & Tommy

Po Po Blotta

2009-03-18T14:52:00.004-04:00

While intended to be a serious reporting of Sitka crime & delinquency, one can't help but chuckle at some of the events that Sitkans feel are 911-worthy. Hypothetical, theoretical people who shall remain anonymous have been known to have ongoing tallies of how often they make the Blotter. Some carry clippings in their wallets for bragging rights. Not that I would know any such people.

March 11, 10:49am "A woman reported a male had tried to write an obscene word using his urine in the snow outside her living room. She said someone who was not supposed to be in the vacant house next door might have done it."
'Tried'? Was there a spelling issue? Did he choose a lengthy obscenity and have to break for more water consumption? Riiiight, water was the beverage of choice that morning I'm sure.

March 12, 8:27am "A woman reported tires on her vehicle had been slashed but it was found her tire was just flat and she had driven on it.
How embarassing

March 13, 3:45am "A woman called 911 and asked for help unlocking her cell phone."
Because the ATT office is closed at 3:45am. Obviously.

March 16, 8:16am "A man reported receiving a check from an organization claiming to be Readers Digest, and said he believes it to be fraudulent. He said he wanted others in Sitka to be on the lookout for similar scams."
Thank you sir. Consider the town warned.

March 15, 9:13am "A resident reported the traffic light on Lake Street was not working. Police found that was not the case."
When they first installed the traffic light, they printed usage instructions in the paper. Just saying.

Lil man wanted to play his recorder this morning. I suggested he serenade the neighbors. He was game. Snowstorm? What snowstorm?

Fun times in Alaska

2009-03-08T00:27:00.002-05:00

Clean Water for Haiti

2009-02-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

New nose, new wheels.

2009-01-26T03:56:00.002-05:00

My new ride: 1977 Intl Scout II

This morning's sunrise.

2009-01-08T00:57:00.003-05:00

Winter Wonderland

2009-01-07T13:03:00.001-05:00

My new man.

2008-12-28T13:04:00.002-05:00

Playing on the frozen lake...

Watching the snowstorm from the living room window...

Christmas morning!

Crafty Crafty...

2008-11-21T04:15:00.002-05:00

Too many chilly dark evenings in Alaska have reverted me back into a fervent crocheter... here's a Christmas gift I just finished.

Alaska Day!!

2008-10-17T18:51:00.007-04:00

Its that time again... time for the biggest holiday in Sitka -- in fact, Sitka is the only place in the world that celebrates it... and celebrate we do. ALASKA DAY commemorates the purchase of Alaska by the US from Russia. The American flag was put up right here in Sitka... and boy we don't let you forget it. Theres at least a week of celebrations, ending in one final hoorah on Oct 18 aka... "The Day". While the parade, the bands, the ball, the concerts, the food booths, the roadraces, and all the rest are nice... perhaps the wildest Alaska Day tradition are the Keystone Kops - local women who dress up and run around KISSING PEOPLE all week. It is completely normal to see men, women & children walking around with lipstick smooches on their cheeks all week. Occasionally the "Kops" will toss you in their pick-up truck jail and ride you up & down through town until someone pays your $5 bail.

Parade Day!

Army Band from Fairbanks...

Tina Fey & the First Dude in last years parade...
Sarah actually wrote a letter of apology to Sitka in last nights paper.
Her schedule is too busy to partake in the festivities this year.

Keystone Kops... notice the lipstick cheek of the guy on the right.

Keystone jail!

**disclaimer, these are not my photos, I google-imaged them**

Bakie Bakie goodness!

2008-09-30T16:46:00.006-04:00

Thanks to SOUTHERN PLATE
for the wonderful Apple Spice Muffins recipe... Mmmmm!

My usual breakfast... homemade Granola - SO TASTY.
I have to make a double-batch about once a week, and I'm the only one that eats it! If anyone wants the recipe, let me know. (Its my grandmother's)

Native Foods!

2008-09-27T15:53:00.004-04:00

Kipnuk Grandma drying fish to send to Edgecumbe... I ate this fish last week for dinner!

Huckleberries I picked last month... which became:

...the MUFFINS I baked yesterday!

RA from Barrow slices frozen whale blubber (Muktuk) with her Ulu.

Dipped in salt... this was dinner last week too!

Gettin in the groove

2008-09-24T02:38:00.008-04:00

AKUTAQ

So I've been in Alaska for 6 weeks now...
and I'm just about finding my groove.

For one thing, the temperature dropped considerably yesterday, and I spent the whole day miserable and shivering in my fleece jacket. So this morning I sucked it up and dropped some big cash on a Fancypancy NorthFace jacket, and I have been toasty warm all evening. Yesterday it got so bad I cranked the heater to max and cuddled up in front of it on the carpet with hot tea & and blanket- And still couldn't shake the chill. So I feel fully justified in my splurge purchase.

Had a very busy night at work, but loved every minute of it. I took a few kids on a bike ride around Japonski Island... and noticed a familiar boat passing by - MINE. So we sped to catch up with my Pops who was pulling our boat out of the water for the winter. My kids thought it was super-cool to meet my dad. During our Island tour we discussed siblings. Including halves, wholes, steps & adopteds... I was in 3rd place with 6. One girl from Unalalkeet had 13!

Next I loaded up a van & headed out for Youth Court night, watched a hilarious 80's video of a mock-youth court trial. The kids were lovin the bad hair. Then sped back to campus for Inupiaq Dance, which I am the adviser for... and I'm actually getting better! The kids commented the second week that their White Advisers never dance with them, so I hopped right up and started to learn. Kuvasuq and Egyptian are my favorite. I can even sing them!

After dance, I decided my day was finished, but it took another hour to actually get into my truck. The Kipnuk girls had Salmonberry Akutaq to share, 3 girls stopped to swap cell numbers, 2 stopped to discuss make-up tips, the curfew horn blew & the lobby swarmed with girls signing in for the night & hugging all around. Any job where you get hugged at the end of your shift, is alright by me.

Montrouis River, Haiti

2008-09-13T00:49:00.004-04:00

Montrouis River, March 2008
photo - mine

Montrouis River, Sept 2008 (After hurricanes Hanna & Ike)
photo: Leslie - "Clean Water for Haiti"

Gustav...Hanna...Ike... Josephine

2008-09-09T03:18:00.004-04:00

Hurricane season has been ravaging Haiti over the last couple of weeks. I haven't known what to say, so I haven't said anything at all. Flooding... death... homes (shacks) destroyed, bridges collapsing, no water or food... Those who've been there through the years are saying they've never seen it this bad before. For Haiti, that's really saying something.

Most of these are from the Montrouis area, where I lived, and my friends still do.

2008-09-09T03:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Leslie, PiH and others for the photos.

Alaskan excitement.

2008-09-04T03:43:00.006-04:00

So I haven't been very good about updating you blog-readers on my Alaskan adventures thus far... so here goes:

**...you will purposely find NO palin-related comments in this post. you'll just have to wait...**

I accepted a job at Mt Edgecumbe High School within 48 hours of stepping off the plane in Sitka mid-August. Mt Edgecumbe is a boarding school for kids from ALL over Alaska, many who've never set foot in a city as large as Sitka, or seen so many trees and mountains (*the tundra is remarkably flat!)

For a 14 year old Yupik kid 1,000+ miles away from their village & family for the first time, (*Yes, Alaska IS that big!) Sitka & Edgecumbe can be super-overwhelming. So my job is to prevent homesickness by building relationships and providing activities afterschool to keep them from getting bored, dropping out, and moving home (a common problem).

So far, the students & I have been: Rock climbing in the gym, Avoiding close-calls with Sea Lions while kayaking in the Ocean, Picking huckleberries in the woods, "Night Hike" to the grocery store, REAL hike to Beaver Lake, Bonfire w/S'mores, Playing pool, watching movies, eating Dried fish, fry bread & looking forward to more native foods like Caribou Stew & Muktuk!

PS - My job is AWESOME! :)

Kayaked to the Lighthouse - had a little run-in with some Sea Lions!!

Amazed at the size of the trees on our hike to Beaver Lake

Hiking in the clouds... Confused by the new terrain -- "Muskeg" was the word of the day!

Kotzebue vs Sitka

Common area for kids to be from.... compared with mountainous, forested Sitka!

Baby shower goodness

2008-08-30T00:28:00.001-04:00

Berry Pickin time!

2008-08-15T20:18:00.003-04:00

BlueberriesHuckleberries

This afternoon the sun *finally* came out, and I went berry picking with my mom and sister. We've had some bears hanging around our backyard the last few nights, so we opted out of our own bushes, and hit the woods closer to town (and more people... which keeps the bears away!) Plenty of slow tourists milling around, so if any grizzlies were interested, I knew I could run faster than the cruise ship folks. The key to escaping a bear attack is, afterall, the presence of a slow friend. :)

Rainy, Cloudy, Sitka.

2008-08-13T16:03:00.004-04:00

After a series of uneventful flights, I arrived in Sitka last night! Here's a wet photo from this morning... Sitka weather is what it always is, buts its a refreshing break from the heat! These are a couple of cruise ships, so downtown is hoppin with folks meandering in and out of tourist shops.

And for all those curious, yes, of course I knew everyone on my plane from Seattle. I got off the Atlanta flight and made it half way to my next gate before I started seeing familiar faces. An old teacher hugged me on the spot.

More photos to come when the weather clears.

Canaan crew

2008-08-11T09:25:00.003-04:00

Link to Nurse Elsie 's blog at Canaan... Here's one of her patients from last week.

My 6th car.

2008-08-09T11:05:00.008-04:00

THE LEGEND

I don't enjoy buying and selling cars. But I still end up doing it a lot. The life of a nomad, I suppose.

Spending large sums of money for any reason tests my anxiety. And selling... well, the haggling, the stranger-danger factor... It all ranks up there with a dentist visit for me.

But THE LEGEND wouldn't survive a roadtrip on the AlCan, so alas, it must be relinquished to to a life in Charlotte. At 250k+ miles, that life may be short lived, but that didn't stop Jocelyn & Billy from Boston from taking it off my hands, cash exchanged in my driveway. Totally legal, a little scary, a little thrilling. Craigslist, basically a giant-continuous-online-regional-yard-sale, is a wonderful thing.

And THE LEGEND lives on...

To have and to hold... x17

2008-07-25T18:18:00.010-04:00

Congratulations Kristen, Bill, Damon, Jen, Dan, Corrie, AJ, Kelly, Norm, Leah, Peter, Katie, Catherine, Micah, Meredith, Caleb, Madison, Canadia... et al

I've survived! Attended my last wedding of the summer today- Truly, I couldn't begin to count how many I've attended in the last few months. At least 2 hands worth. Thats a lot of cake. And a lot of 1 Cor 13.

Yesterday was my last day of work as a Window Washer.
Job perks:
- Improved muscle tone
- Improved tan... (esp around the neck line and ankles... even better!)
- Quality time with the fellas... (read: burping, farting, and the more-than-occasional off-color joke)
- Being the object of fascination by customers, surprised at a female romping around on their roof:
"Does she do everything y'all do?" --Customer to Lucas
"They don't let ladies climb ladders do they?" --Customer to me
"You're not afraid of heights?" -- 1 customer per day, every day, all summer... to me

10 Day countdown til Alaska. 2 quotes of the week:
"So are you gonna get a check when you get there? They pay people to move there, right?"
"No, actually there aren't any places in Alaska where the US Post Office still delivers mail by sled dog."

Homeward Bound

2008-07-25T17:51:00.002-04:00

So my Charlotte-for-the-summer stint is winding to a close... The Window washing biz has proved to be quite a work out - and the 90 degree heat / 90% humidity combo is an awesome benefit package. Its improved my tan, as well... tho more or less in a farmers-sense. My feet are a starkly different color than my legs. Awkward.

While I had all intentions of returning to Haiti next month, the Lord, as He tends to do, changed my plans for me. He apparently decided I've fulfilled my sweat-requirement for 2008... So I'll be spending the remainder of the year in Alaska. YUP. The displaced Alaskan wanderer is going... HOME. I'm gonna have to change the title of the blog. Any suggestions?

I'm flying north August 12th... but do NOT be dismayed! Alaskan adventure stories will surely be found right here at AlaskanMel, so stay tuned for fish-and-snow related hilarities. Because as we all know, if it would happen to anyone, it would happen to me.

Cheerfully leading an abnormal life...

July 4th

2008-07-05T22:36:00.006-04:00

An uptown bash last night, in the home of the Teppig newlyweds (wedding featured in preceeding blog).

I love my friends. We had a fabulous night.... I haven't laughed (or danced) that much in a while.

Mrs Teppig

2008-05-26T13:15:00.004-04:00

My beloved Kristen got married last week... I got to be one of the many to march down the aisle and be by her side... I even got to get my groove on in celebration afterwards. All in all, a successfully fabulous wedding.

Can you believe a couple of Haitian chicks clean up??

The kids totally wouldn't recognize us!! :)

a very inconvinent truth.

2008-05-04T19:26:00.006-04:00

James Woodward, convicted of murder in 1981, walked out of a Texas Courthouse, a free man last week. 27 years later, DNA & the Innocence Project of Texas, cleared Mr. Woodward's name.

The following is an excerpt from tonights 60 Minutes interview, regarding his 27 years falsely imprisoned:

(Reporter) Pelley: "...How did you stand it?"

Woodward: "...every day I have hope."

P: "You had hope?"

W: "That's all a man has. I had hope for parole. I think it came up about 12 times."

Woodward was told by the Parole board, until he admitted his guilt he would never be granted parole.

But Woodward refused to admit his guilt.

P: "You chose truth over freedom?"

W: "I mean, a man has to stand for something."

The judge who released him told Woodward he was not granting him justice that day, only ending the injustice.

Summer 2008

2008-05-02T22:56:00.009-04:00

WHERE IS MEL?

I am in Charlotte for the summer... living, working, praying about the Fall excitement.

I no longer own a laptop, so blogging, emailing, etc, will be limited in the coming weeks... months... until I break down and purchase one. Its a good thing I have a paying job these days.

What is that job you ask? I'm so glad you did. I'm washing windows. Random? Yes. But I'm getting plenty of fresh air, a good tan, and some sweet guns. (I carry ladders.)

No Mel-in-action photos as of yet, but no worries, once some exist, you'll see them. I can't wait to read my resume when I'm 30. It'll be a best-seller novel.

Food Riots in Haiti

2008-04-11T22:48:00.000-04:00

Hey yall -- many of you have asked about the current situation in Haiti, and have seen on the news about the food riots that began this week. The price of food in Haiti has been outrageous for quite awhile, I have mentioned it before. But it has recently become even worse. Even before, many people had resorted to eating dirt to quell the pains of hunger. For example, a single bag of rice, which previously cost US$31, unaffordable to many Haitians... has jumped this week to $75. Impossible. Gas is over $6 a gallon.

The following is an email I received from Canaan yesterday --

"The situation in Haiti has shut down most banks, commerce, transportation and government offices. We have not been able to get into Port au Prince, and there has even been some demonstrating in Montrouis. Canaan buys propane about every 2 weeks in PaP, and we will be running short soon. Pastor Henri has the kids gathering wood to cook with. If we run low on food we will start butchering some of the pigs. Probably the biggest problem is diesel fuel for the generator and trucks. The Montrouis stations are out, and are having to buy gallon jugs from fuel men who buy ahead in anticipation of outages then charge higher prices. President Preval is caught in the middle and says he can only lower taxes on some imported food items but has no control over lowering food prices.

Preval's political opponents are using this as a way to force him out of office and will probably try to maintain the demonstrations and violence if they can. Pray that things calm down soon and that Haiti and the U.N. can find a peaceful way to resolve this grave situation."

The UN has a very strong presence in Haiti, as many of you have seen in the photos. They are everywhere, and very armed. An orphanage in Southern Haiti wrote that the gunshots in their area are "really terrible", and that barricades of fire have threatened their property.

What can you do?
- Remember to pray for Haiti, for Canaan, and for the Haitian people, who are hungry, frustrated, and discouraged. One idea would be to print a photo from my photo page, and stick it on your fridge.
- Stay informed on the current situation in Haiti, via the news/internet.
- Give financially to Canaan Orphanage, which, despite the outrageous food prices, is still attempting to feed its 100+ residents 3 solid meals a day. 100% of donations sent to the MO address below go immediately to Canaan for food.

Thank yall for your concerns, your prayers, your donations... your love. The kids thank you, and I thank you.

Post-posted Haiti Adventures

2008-04-01T12:06:00.002-04:00

As predicted, Haitian internet wouldn't let me post on Blogger. So now that I'm home, I just posted all the email updates, in order, that I sent out from Haiti. If you are on my email list, these are the same. If you're not, then enjoy the following stories of daily life in Haiti. To start from the beginning, use the "previous posts" navigator below, in the righthand margin. "Life in Haiti" is the 1st story.

Photos are all posted as well, click the top link to the right.

And in Closing...

2008-04-01T12:00:00.001-04:00

Some highlights of the last week:

A cockroach ran into my skirt while I sat on the ground one night talking. I jumped up and did a little dance... he fell out. Conversation continued. Niiiiice.

Falling asleep everynight in bed with 19yrold Yolene, as we worked thru her homework together. She's the tallest 2nd grader in her class.

Gaining 2 new students into my 1st Grade class. One of whom is Yolene's 6 year old daughter.

Finally learning to confidently ride on the roof of the truck cab, after filling the barrels in the bed full of water from the river.

Dance party at the beach with the older kids... attempting to teach Tamara how to swim.

Reprimanding Fanise for not sitting at her desk when told. Then realizing there was a long-dead lizard infested with ants sitting smack in the middle of her desk.

One hour later, a spider the size of a tennisball scoots across the floor. Atleast I never got any snakes in my room this year.

Explaining to SerPaul why I have no hair on my legs. She said, roughly translated, I looked like a plucked chicken. When I showed her under my arms, she lost control laughing. Needless to say... Haitians don't shave.

The realization that I hadn't looked in a mirror in about a week.

Unbraiding, combing, and rebraiding Edna's hair before bed. In the middle of combing, they 'took' the light. Rebraided in the dark.

My next morning amazement that she left her hair in ghetto-white-girl-did-this-to-my-head-in-the-dark fashion. Also amazed, it didn't look half bad.

So I'm back in Charlotte, well rested and well bathed, and happy to be seeing friends and eating frenchfries (my first stateside food) Also missing the kiddos, the heat, the noise? and the coffee ...and wondering what God's got in store for me in the coming months. The rough plan is to work and pray. And see what the future might hold. Specifically, I'm praying about whether I will return to Haiti for a longer stay at the towards the end of the year. Obviously I love the kids, and even the madness. But I need to make sure Canaan is where God has me for the longterm.

What's hit me in the face in 24 hours of being in the country?
- The cold.
- The politics. - bumpersticker sightings on the ATL-CLT drive yesterday ranged from "Obama girl"... "Hillary 08"... "I miss Bill..." and "Proud of my Country, Appauled by my Government"
- The cherry blossom trees in bloom everywhere.
- Southern accents.
- Davidson's still in it? Whaaaat?

For those of you in Carolina, I'll be around at least the next 4 months. Lets do coffee.
(Even though American coffee is truly more like dirty water than anything found in Haiti. :)

A HUGE thank you for all the support and love and prayers. Much love to each.

The Language of Easter

2008-04-01T11:59:00.000-04:00

Easter... Canaan style.

Some guests showed up last night - 2 eccentrically French women, as only the French can be. Their Black, Southern, American friend Calvin, and their young Haitian friend Robinson from PortauPrince. The fact that Calvin, while Black, speaks English, no Creole, and Funny-Southern-English at that, had 4 yr old Sanders in absolute hysterics and amazement. I wasn't as quick to notice, and continued to speak to him only in Creole, until his blank stare and Sanders laughter enlightened me. Calvin's blackness but no Creole was perhaps as strange to Sanders as MY whiteness and Creole was to Calvin!

Church this morning was slightly delayed while discussing who would translate, and to which language. It was decided Pastor Henri, (white Haitian), would preach in Creole, while Erve, (black Haitian), would translate in English. Fre-Alma, was out of luck being our only Spanish speaking resident besides Nurse Elsie, who's white Canadian, but born and raised in Costa Rica. Her English is great, and Fre Alma is fluent in Creole, English, French and Spanish, so he's always jumping in SOMEone's conversation. **He's also blind, after an accident took one eye, and disease took the other. I think he uses the blindness as an excuse to join conversations that aren't his. I think he's just fiesty.** One of the eccentric French woman speaks better English than the other, but 3 translaters was out of the question, she'd just have to make due.

Mid-service Pastor Henri randomly announces in English - "I want to praise God for Yoldy! Yoldy come here!" (*At which Erve automatically swaps to translating into Creole). Henri: "I praise God for Yoldy because she has no knees. And she can't walk. Club feet also. Yoldy, come here. She's also sick today with an eye infection and rash on her face." Yoldy waddles her way 5 steps to Pastor Henri. Without holding onto anything. "You see, the Doctors say she can't walk. Yoldy, go over there -- " Yoldy waddles back to her chair. Everyone erupts in claps and praise. She can indeed walk. Henri: "This is not normal!"

Around this time I realize Sanders on my lap (whose mother was a prostitute) has snot running down his face. I take him outside, no paper product for atleast a 10 minute walk, so I have him blow into the wind, I wipe with some leaves, tidy with my shirtsleeve, and call it close enough. I didn't have a shower this morning, and they were yesterday's clothes anyway. Thanks Jesus for taking us just as we come, dirty and stank, even on Easter Sunday!

Helen, our French friend, (Born in Africa, but raised in New Caledonia, near New Zealand, now living in Florida) - starts to share in French - but Erve can't translate English AND Creole, so she swaps to her Second language, English, and Erve back to his first, Creole. Nobody's speaking French, thus French lady #2, again, sorely out of luck.

Lunch was a feast, with a handful of invited guests - the guest of honor, a Haitian man recently released from prison. Pastor Henri promised him during a visit in jail, to prepare a feast of rabbit upon his release. Not only Rabbit today, but goat and pigeon also. A grand celebration. Henri and Edgard went Pigeon hunting the other day. It was quite tasty. The rabbits are from our collection here. We have millions, it seems. More than a hundred, anyway.

The only problem at lunch was how to pray... Gladys speaks 3 languages, and she decided she would pray, but only once in one language. Some at the table only spoke Creole and French, some only Spanish and English, A few poor souls could only speak one language! Imagine! ...We decided on English for prayer, and anyone not understanding could pray for their own food!
Jean Robert, our resident mentally impared friend, may insist on only wearing 1 shoe, but even he can speak 4 languages, and will respond to questions according to the language asked... I've tested. The reason he can do this, and the reason he is now, not as he once was, is subject for another email. Quite a story indeed... His father was a friend of Duvalier.

He is indeed risen... For all, regardless of language, color or history. We come to God with one shoe, the child of a whore, snot on our face, speaking all the wrong words in the wrong language. And all He can say, with open arms, is... I've been waiting for you.

You are loved. By Him, by me.

Gourde Job, Wesh.

2008-04-01T11:57:00.000-04:00

Another pen and paper attempt. I'm sitting in the chapel, watching a dragonfly surf in the wind. He rides in with the breeze, thru the open door, and then is swept out again. Yesterday's chapel excitement was a lizard who made the bad decision to come in and check out my class. they're quick as lightening on rocks and dirt, but on the tile of the chapel floor, this poor guy looks like a toddler iceskating. Admittedly rather amusing, but I have to warn repeatedly not to stomp him, just play. The kids, correct that, the boys, have a nasty habit of killing all the lizards they can. Typically its a more fair fight. But not on tile.

Back to the surfing dragonfly. I'm writing all this while Steve Petit-Frere (whose last name literally translates Little-Brother) painstakingly attempts his ABCs on the blackboard in front of me. The blackboard being the main reason I chose the chapel for my literacy...(or more accurately illiteracy) class. That and its relative emptiness during the day. It allows for individual attention and instruction as I pull kids one by one from their typical class.

As Steve finished, the preschool teacher brought me Stefani, complaining of a stomach ache. More likely just wanted to cuddle. So now my lap is occupied, but the preschool teacher has 2 hands free to wrestle her other 13 kids.

A bell donging (literally someone smacking a metal pipe with another smaller pipe), indicates break for the classrooms - so suddenly my chapel is flooded with kids showing off their skills on my board. Wendy begins to instruct smaller Stefani on her ABCs. After each letter, he stops, turns, "Ou Konprann?" (Do you understand?) She nods.

...Wendy (boy) has moved on to demonstrating his words. "Go"... "nO" Wesh grabs chalk from me, and challenges Wendy silently- "know". Grins. While the same height, Wesh is in the higher class. Wendy retorts with chalk- "good". Wesh... gleam in his eye... "gourdes". Pronounced identically, Gourdes is the Haitian currency. Tricky one, that Wesh.

The whole scene reminds me of my brothers, who still drop everything and wrestle til pinned when they all get together. Something about re-establishing dominance and pecking order, I suppose. Evermore so in an orphanage setting, having to constantly measure yourself against 43 brothers. Myself, I'm just glad they chose to battle with writing, today, instead of the usual breaktime activity - Chasing lizards with sticks. What is it with guys, anyway?

**A big thanks to all who donated clothes... we finally organized and distributed, It was wonderful. The rest of the night seemed like a fashion show, everyone running around showing off their outfits. one little girl actually wore both her new sundresses, one over the other, the rest of the night. As you note on the photos, me and some kids went thru a bunch of OTHER clothes, NOT from you guys. Jennifer said 'I do not look like a trash can? I don't want your trash!" It really made me proud of the wonderful things you gave... nice clothes my kids are proud and excited to wear. Such a contrast to this load of goodwill rejections!! These others we will sort and give to villagers in surrounding communities, they will probably use them for fabric.

I was also able to put cash in Gladys hand as she left for market. Thanks to each and all who gave.

A rat just appeared on the rafters above my head. At least the mouse that lives in my room is smaller than this guy.

Photos posted correspond with stories...
http://picasaweb.google.com/Melissa.Canaan/March2008

I have no belly button.

2008-04-01T11:54:00.002-04:00

I woke to Cenofa banging on my door this morning. The "wireless" stuff is in my house. Its not worked in 6 months, but they've decided to fix it. So now this morning, I have the privelege of sitting at a TABLE to check email, instead of carrying down the mountain to pickup wireless from a 'resort' across town. Sister Gladys also decided to give kids Easter Break from school, which this 1st grade teacher is incredibly thankful for... This morning was the first in 3 weeks that I've slept past 6am. Amazing.

I'm also simultaneously washing my clothes. Which is more complex than it sounds, and more impressive multitasking. Normally I handwash with a bucket, on a 3 legged chair. Why is there a 3 legged chair next to the basin? Great question. But it gives better leverage for scrubbing than sitting on a rock, so I utilize it. Except for when I get too vigorous in the washing, and I lose balance, tipping backwards into the dirt. Happened twice last week. Praise God the kids weren't watching.

But this morning EDH (Elektriciti de-Haiti) is turned on... city power. So I'm using our washing machine. Which means fetching buckets of water...3... and dumping them in the washer. then starting the washer, after tying UP the drain hose. If the hose is left down, it will all drain out as you pour in. So you rig UP the hose, fetch 3 buckets (spill the 3rd down the front of your skirt... ) start wash. After 15 minutes, washer stops. Let DOWN hose to drain, put hose back UP, fetch 3 more buckets for the "rinse" cycle. Completely DUMP the 3rd (or 6th, cumulitively) bucket down your front. Its cool, these aren't my clothes anyway. I ran out, hence the need for washing- praise God for the Doctor who left a change of clothes as a donation. I found them on my couch this morning... don't know which one it was, but she apparently was my size. Thanks God. The washer stops again, let hose down to drain, flip to "spin", walk away.

Its quiet now. I guess the washer is finished spinning... Which means I've gotta haul them up the mountain to hang on a line in the sun. Hope the goats don't get to them this time.

Besides, Bonnie is on her way back. I'm using her laptop after she got called away mid-email herself, to turn on a veggietales for the kids, since there's power. She and I both knew 'turning on' the movie would be a 30 minute task, so I hopped on. We love some Bob & Larry around here... the kids randomly shout "I HAVE NO BELLY BUTTON!!" which may only be funny to me, the Hattaways, and a rare few other parents. But that line will forever make me think of Jacob and Daniel Hattaway.

Speaking of Jacob... there's another one in the world. Just discovered last night my fabulous Alaskan friend Janeen, gave birth to baby boy #2, Jacob, since my being down here. He joins big brother Jimmy. Congrats Neener. Love you, so happy for yall.

Bondye bene-w, Mesi pou renmen-ou pou-m.
God bless you, Thank you for your love for me.

A week of nonstop madness. As usual.

2008-04-01T11:53:00.000-04:00

I promise I havent forgotten yall. I actually had a story written out atleast a week ago, but just haven't had internet since then. Had some Doctors come from Charleston for a few days, and they filled me in on a few news-updates, like a random tornado in downtown Atlanta?

Highlights of the last week...

The 80yr old man I wrote of earlier, who chopped a tree with a machette last year... he pushed his wife in a wheelbarrel to Canaan to be seen by the Doctors who came. She had a stroke last week, and is now paralized on one side. One of over 250 patients seen by the Charleston Doctors in 2 days of clinic craziness.

John Robert, our mentally disabled adult resident, still insistent on meandering around with only one shoe.

This afternoon me and the kids cleaned trash, loaded the flatbed repeatedly, and hauled it all to a clearing, where the older boys lit it. Talk about a nasty, stank bonfire... that is the typical way of disposing of trash around here... not a particularly pleasant aroma... esp after we thru in a few old tires, and some old netting. The boys had fun chucking things into it, of course.

Hung out singing Nsync songs with the middle-girls while the little girls put on a dance show this afternoon. Hilarious.

As for me... I'm now taking over and completely revamping the 1st grade class. Rumor has it God doesn't call the equipped but equips the called. Holding onto hope on that one... Cause I'm way out of my league.

A very long day, and the Govt power is liable to cut off any minute now, so I'm gonna head out. Gotta get up early and wash my clothes, so they'll dry by tomorrow evenng... I run out after a week without washing.

Laboui & the ABCs

2008-04-01T11:33:00.000-04:00

Decided that if I'm ever going to write good stories or use decent grammar, I ought to do it by pen and paper, so when the power comes, I can copy and send, with less pressure of the inevitable loss of power. I can't write well under pressure! :) It takes long enough to notice the power is on (the shrieks of joy help in that department), then locate someone, who knows the whereabouts of someone, who has access to the laptop, then walk to get the laptop, then stand around letting it charge, since someone's drained it dead after the last power-sighting... then carry it down the mountain in the dark (because we let it charge til power disappears), to the one spot that usually gets wireless picked up from... truly only God knows where.

**What i didn't anticipate this morning writing this by pen & sunlight, was that copying from paper to computer is difficult in the pitch black. also, the laptop screen attracts an infuriating amount of bugs. Ahh!**

So here's a shoutout to those of you reading this on the blackberry you carry on your hip.

Here I sit, on a concrete slab, on the side of a nameless mountain, overlooking the Carribbean, and a large offshore island they call LaGounav. A pack of dogs just startled the dozen goats grazing next to me. There's no grass for miles, so I've no idea what they're finding to eat amongst the rocky hillside.

Earlier this morning, laughter and outbursts of hysteria drew crowds of kids to watch a few younger boys chase a rooster amongst the brush. One boy, Stevenson, emerged victorious - carrying the bird to meet its fate in the arms of Ser Edna, waiting at the kitchen door.
Yesterday was 2 meals of Laboui, with bulgar & chicken for dinner. Laboui is a thick dark gray soup, some combination of water, sugar, and brown flour. Today's "brunch" was also Laboui. So perhaps you'll understand why I shed no tears for the rooster this morning. Here's hoping for bulgar & chicken tonight - its definitely a favorite, considering the alternative! :) **Dinner was chicken & rice. It was great.**

An old man is working the land below me & the goats. Swinging the *pic-ax? far above his head and breaking the ground. I just realized I recognize him. I watched the same man chop down a solid tree last year, with 2 bare hands and a machete. He's got to be near 80 years old!

Yesterday I developed an imprompto test at the request of the adults, to quiz the 1-3rd graders on reading/writing. Question #1: write your ABCs. As suspected, a number of them obviously use eachother as crutches, and, well, cheat. Once I gave secluded, individual tests, a handful could not even write their ABCs. Such is the reality of an orphanage setting - with so many kids (90+), the 1st and loudest answer the questions, the boldly disobedient recieve reprimand, and the rest can choose to slide thru unnoticed. But its being noticed. So now, we brainstorm a solution.

Unfortunately, for children born of prostitution, or those abandoned too early to remember a face, those who watched their parents die, by gunshot or disease, or whose earliest memory is rape, or living as a slave... for these children, cheating on schoolwork gets pushed to the bottom of the concern list. Our problem is never identifying problems, but coming up with enough resolutions for that which we've already identified.

Out of the 11 kids I tested, 1 currently has Typhoid, 1 Malaria, & 1 couldn't identify more than 4 letters in the English alphabet.

In Jesus name, doing what we can with what He gives, and praying He continues to provide abundantly, in patience, compassion, food and clean water.

Life in Haiti.

2008-04-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

I've been in Haiti for 24 hours, after narrowly missing the storm in Atlanta by changing my ticket for a few hours earlier. I think ATL was ravaged by wind and rain minutes after liftoff... I got my fair share of bumps, but I made it.

Also, I got to stand around at the airport in Haiti fending off offers in Creole for people to "take" my bags for me. After 45 minutes, I borrowed someone's phone and called my ride, who said he'd had a flat tire on the way... if you saw the size of our potholes, or the nature of the road at all, you'd wonder why flats weren't a daily occurance, actually. Praise God I had peace the whole time I stood around at the front doors of the airport... the outsiders aren't allowed in, but I feared once i left, neither would i be allowed to re-enter. So I waited... but I was not afraid. I knew in my heart Jamil would have a good reason, and that he would come. And he did!!

OK, so it's pitchblack, and i'm sitting on a rockwall in the middle of nowhere because its the only place in Canaan with wireless. And its taken 24 hours to get enough power to charge the battery on Erve's laptop enough to carry it to the "spot" for the wireless, which of course is no where near a building or an outlet.

Before the laptop dies, I should go. Much love to each of you, and I'm sure we'll have more power and more opportunity to send stories soon... because of course, there are PLENTY. The sights and sounds of Haiti in general... distant music, the smell of fire, smoke and unidentifiable food... (*which i've eaten the last 4 meals!) and the sounds of Canaan kids singing and giggling familiar but forgotten melodys... its good to be home. M'contan we-ou. I'm happy to see you. I've said it alot, I've heard it alot. Its good to be "home" in Haiti.

Liz, everyone asks about you...

Much love to all... bon nuit! (Goodnight!)
Seester Mayleeeesa.

on the road again....

2008-03-02T12:54:00.002-05:00

Isn't that a Willy Nelson song?

Hittin the road this afternoon, bound for the big bad A.T.L.... Atlanta, for you non-southern people. I fly out from Atlanta Tuesday morning... off for my month-long adventure in Haiti. I'm back at the same Orphanage from last year... read recent posts for more info.

Just as FYI, last year the Haitian internet wouldn't allow me to access blogspot.com, for whatever reason... things randomly don't work down there, often for no explainable reason. If you want updates, and aren't already on the list, melissa.canaan at gmail.com is the way to go.

Later Taters. :D

"Home"

2008-02-22T15:38:00.002-05:00

Its always nice to come Home.

I've just never really known where mine is. I mean... I'm from Alaska. But my family's no longer there... and my friends are no longer there... And I've moved a lot. And I have friends and family all over the world.

But that said... arriving in Charlotte after 6 months away... just had a Homecoming feeling to it. Perhaps its the cold weather, the poinsettias, and bare trees... but it feels like Christmas around here. And with that Christmas feeling, I finally realized... Carolina is home for me. But not home in the I-must-live-here-always sense.

Home, as in the place you come home to for Christmas. If you live elsewhere, if you're away in college, if you're overseas in the military... the ultimate goal for most people is to come Home for Christmas, and see your loved ones. And it may be the middle of February, but I haven't seen chilly weather in at least 12 months... so this is the most Christmasy I've felt in a long time. And I've been getting a lot of hugs.

Its nice to come home. Even if I don't live here. Even if I'm going to Haiti next week. :D

the 2008 update. geez, i move too much. :)

2008-02-02T23:34:00.000-05:00

Well... its that time again.

Yeah, I know, I find myself saying that a lot. My feet don't like to stand around too long.

I'm crossing that great dark expanse they call the Pacific... in a week.

I'll be spending the rest of Feb visiting with friends in Charlotte... and anyone in driving distance from there... (KING!) And then I will spend the month of March in Haiti. The plan as of now, is to come back and work in Charlotte for the summer, and return to Haiti in the fall for about 3 months.

My time in Haiti this year will be spent at the same place I was last year, the Canaan Community, outside Montrouis. This is an orphanage of about 100 kids, a school, church, clinic, and just about anything else it needs to be. I am very excited to be returning "home" to my kids there, as they definitely feel like family.

I'm not raising "support" for my March trip, but I AM hoping to bring gifts down with me... a couple bags of clothes, as well as a cash gift to spend on food in the marketplace. I'm told its becoming more and more difficult to feed Canaan kids with the increasing cost of rice, beans, and other staples.

If you are interesting in buying a bag of rice or pair of new shoes for the kiddos, tax-deductible checks can be sent to:

Canaan Orphanage
4060 Tory Creek Rd.
Highlandville, MO 65669

And I can personally assure that 100% money sent will go directly to food & provisions...

For those of you who live in NC or the drivable surrounding areas... I'm excited to see you! I don't yet have a car... or a phone... (*or a job for the summer, if you know of anything fun!!) but no worries. I'll find a way to track you down. :)

MUCH LOVE.

Family bonding

2008-01-15T16:05:00.000-05:00

South Island beauty

2008-01-15T15:57:00.000-05:00

Family gathering

2008-01-15T15:43:00.001-05:00

Familytime

2008-01-08T02:19:00.000-05:00

An update from the homefront... the family has arrived! Its the first time all 6 siblings have been together in about 4 years, and my first time meeting my nieces- who, despite having no blood relation to me whatsoever, still managed to be incredibly cute. :)

My stepbrother Nick is getting married in Akaroa, NZ this weekend, so all of Alaska, (*or atleast the 78% that I'm related to...) has descended to the bottom of the world. As can be seen from the photos - the Tlingits are representing well in the Kiwi nation. Will was stopped in the Auckland airport by a big Maori guy - "Uh, you're not Maori". I guess that was his way of asking 'what are you?' Dave had a guy actually start speaking Maori to him on the street... Down here, there are only two kinds of people- Pakeha (White) and Maori. Well, and a handful of Asian immigrants.

Tomorrow morning, we're loading up the van with 7 Alaskans and beginning the weeklong roadtrip down to South Island for Niko's wedding. Should be quite the adventure. Enjoy the photos of family... and keep in mind, this is our "Summer", being in the southern hemisphere. So Christmas was spent sunbathing. Niiiiice.

The Bro: Jedrod. The Niece: NovaScotia.

2008-01-08T01:30:00.001-05:00

Tlingit Nation of Wainui Beach.

2008-01-08T01:16:00.000-05:00

Sup guys, howzit?

2007-12-24T23:05:00.000-05:00

Scotia

2007-12-24T19:02:00.001-05:00

Nick & Nova

2007-12-24T18:50:00.001-05:00

Nova Scotia Isabella

2007-12-24T01:33:00.001-05:00

Mahia Penninsula

2007-12-24T01:29:00.001-05:00

Mi Madre, lovin the beachlife.

2007-12-24T00:10:00.001-05:00

Traffic Jam on the busride home from Whangarei.

2007-12-24T00:06:00.001-05:00

Mahia Penninsula roadtrip...

2007-12-24T00:03:00.001-05:00

Pickin Strawberrys with Natalie

2007-12-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve at the beach.... Rough life! :)

2007-12-23T23:57:00.001-05:00

Like Auntie Like Niece.

2007-12-23T23:55:00.001-05:00

OUTTA HERE!

2007-11-20T01:04:00.000-05:00

Well, as I tend to do, I'm doing the opposite of what normal people would do at a time like this. I'm very counter-intuitive in that way. Thanksgiving Shmanksgiving, I'm LEAVING home for the holidays. OK, well, not exactly... Since they don't actually celebrate Thanksgiving here, its not really a holiday. But I am leaving... Heading out at 7am for a 12 hour bus ride north to Bay of Islands region.

For those of you tracking on Google Earth or whatever... I've been living in Wainui Beach, (town of Gisborne) on the East Cape... tomorrow I'm headed to Whangarei in the Northland. I'll probably stay there for a couple of weeks, and then I'd like to see Paihia, which is where my mother used to live a few years ago. And if you're lucky, I might just feel a bit touristy and hit up one of the buses that tour from Bay of Islands up to the northernmost point, "Cape Reinga".

As my laptop died this week, (LAME!), I may be slow on roadtrip updates for the next few weeks... but I'll load pics and stories when I can. I plan to return to Wainui Beach and Mums house for Christmas with the fam... so yeah... there's the plan.

Hope Turkey Day is fabulous for everyone... you are all loved and missed.

Culture clues

2007-11-07T03:45:00.000-05:00

Clothing choice here is a bit odd... I looked over and realized my sister was wearing pink plaid pants with a green striped shirt- and a navy polkadot hoodie over top. Although polkadot is called "spottydot" here. Which really makes more sense when you think about it.

The skirt-over-jeans thing is big here too - which i think is kind of fun. Went to a blues night on the town last night and sat next to a lady with pin-striped pants, converse hightops and a flowery top. She had HUGE frizz/curl red hair to top it off. Big hair... aka curls-gone-wild... also quite common. A boy in my sisters elementary school has dreads. Which my mother insists are called dregs. Thats just a generational misunderstanding, though, not a New Zealand thing. I continually correct her. We see a lot of dreads. Its a daily debate.

Folks of all ages go barefoot. Down the sidewalk... okay, sure. Downtown? In school? Elementary kids wandering the school barefoot. Its odd. They had a "sports day" last weekend, with lots of foot races-on-grass... makeshift track, i suppose. And they were all barefoot. Could you imagine a trackmeet on an unmarked grass clearing, in jeans, barefoot? Sheep and cattle grazing free on the hillside also, of course. Obviously.

But its not just the kids, either -- grown men and women steering their buggies thru the produce aisle at the grocery. barefoot. I actually saw a man in a tshirt, boxers and houseslippers at the grocery tonight. Thats the truth.

Instead of Whats Up? They say Howzit?
Instead of Good for you! They say Good on ya!
The cartrunk is a boot. Midmorning snack is called tea. Cakes, cookies, an orange or apple? = tea. Seriously.
But they drink an unimaginable amount of liquid tea also. At all hours. Its impossible to get a good cup of coffee in this country. Even so... I'm thankful to say, I haven't seen a single starbucks in weeks!!

**Also, I get a lot of email responses, so I know yall are reading this... but you can COMMENT on here too--- just below each post, click on "comments" - you DON'T have to be a blog member or anything to comment- I'd love your little notes! **

Roadtrip fun

2007-11-03T19:35:00.001-04:00

The view from the roadtrip today...

2007-11-03T01:50:00.000-04:00

Beach girls.

2007-11-03T01:43:00.000-04:00

Hobbit Sighting

2007-10-28T20:07:00.001-04:00

Lemons in the backyard

2007-10-28T19:50:00.000-04:00

Baaaa

2007-10-28T19:48:00.001-04:00

The adventures of travelling...

2007-10-17T19:46:00.000-04:00

I'm in New Zealand!! ....

After fire engines and abulances swarmed our original plane on the LA tarmack, all 300 passengers bound for Auckland and Melbourne boarded the NEW plane 2 hours late. While waiting for the new plane to arrive, 2 Aussie girls came up and asked the girl next to me for her autograph. On a side note, I flew with an NBA player from Houston to Oakland 3 weeks ago. Apparently just being IN California assures famous-sightings. Though I couldn't tell you either one's name. There was also a team of folks bound for antarctica on my flight. They all worked at the south pole. Whoa.

13 hours and 6000 miles later... I'd completely missed Tuesday, thanks to crossing the International Date Line somewhere in the night. I fell asleep Monday and woke up Wednesday. Actually, "asleep" is a loose term- it was more like the occasional doze, due to no leg room. Rediculously no leg room. And the lady in front of me reclining into my lap. That was cozy.

In Auckland, I cleared security only AFTER being sniffed out by a dog for the coffee in my pack. Costco brand, my mother's favorite- her only request from the Americas. In the brisk 15 minute walk (outside) between international and domestic terminals, I discovered I truly was in a foreign country. They were driving on the wrong sides of the roads, in funny looking cars, and pedestrians, I realized quickly, do NOT have the right of way. Mom confirmed this later- beware, they WILL run you down here.

I ordered a "flat white" (latte) and raspberry muffin in the little cafe at the domestic terminal, sat and had a lovely chat with the older man next to me. I then boarded a little 15 passenger plane bound for Gisborne. One aisle. One seat on each side, and one propeller on each wing. Oh, and it was an INTENSELY windy day. Even the pilot conceeded that. They'd already cancelled a flight to nearby Napier for the extremely high cross winds. Nonetheless, we took off, and I held on tight. One hour and 10 SERIOUSLY white knuckles later... Gisborne... and Momma waiting outside for me.

Gisborne, NZ

California living...

2007-10-09T19:13:00.000-04:00

Got the adventure of heading into the city (San Fran) the other day... here's a couple pictures from the outing. It's a fun city with some REALLY steep hills. (Yes, we DID drive down Lumbard Street). Had a great view of the bridge for the sunset... it was amazing!

A little lovin and some turbulence

2007-09-30T23:35:00.000-04:00

I dislike flying. It tends to force me to pray alot... not a bad thing in itself, but then my anxiety shoots thru the roof and I think I'm dying the whole time. For a girl raised on an island, you'd think I'd be used to it by now.

Somewhere over Louisiana, the shakes and the drops and the rattles all kicked in, and I was grippin the arms and praying with all my might, my poor little Ipod blaring Shanex2 just as loud as it could...

But I made it safely, made a friend named Gil somewhere 37,ooo feet over the midwest, and made an introduction to an NBA player sitting in 1st class.

Here's a couple pics from the goodbyes of the last week... Love you crazy girls... Tap it, kimmy, and son-of-a preacha man. sam, beware the bumps. I miss ya and love ya. Sleeping in Danville, California for the next while.

4 days.

2007-09-25T12:25:00.000-04:00

Well gang... I'm moving. In 4 days. Does that freak me out a bit? Of course. But still, I'm excited. Anxious, nervous, but excited. I leave Saturday for 2 weeks in California... then off to New Zealand... indefinitely. Um, I think I've lost my mind.

Haiti Video

2007-09-22T10:15:00.000-04:00

Hey all... As most know, I spent a few months with the coolest kids EVER - over 90 of them, living in the Canaan Community in Haiti.

Canaan is an orphanage, a school, a church, and an overall place-of-refuge for the weary. A community committed to lifting up the name of Jesus in spite of indescribable challenges. Voodoo neighbors, disease, lack of electricity, extreme poverty, and children redeemed from slavery, prostitution, abandonment and abuse.

Canaan is surrounded on all sides by difficulty - physically, spiritually, and emotionally. And yet amazingly, it is a place of hope, love... and beauty.
Beauty... exchanged for the ashes of a former life.

A video of my beautiful ones there:

**Forbes names Haiti in top 12!!

2007-09-04T19:46:00.000-04:00

Well... perhaps not the most desirable Top 12 list to be on.

According to this Forbes Magazine article, Haiti ranks with Iraq, Afghanistan & Lebanon on the Most Dangerous Destinations of 2007 list. The above photo was captioned with the following blurb:

There is no effective police force in Haiti, where the State Department calls the danger of kidnappings “chronic and growing.” ... violence persists, says Control Risks, thanks in part to the proliferation of firearms, an inefficient judiciary and police corruption.

Ahh, my beloved Ayiti. Ou pap craze!!

Gabe Scott is my hero

2007-08-30T17:50:00.000-04:00

Lets be honest, I've never given a lot of thought to the hammered dulcimer.

Nor the dobro.

But my Gabe Scott experience Tuesday night changed all that. He plays with Bebo Norman on tour with the Shanes, and is incredibly gifted on about a dozen different instruments. Here's a couple of examples - Enjoy!!!

Fabulous night.

2007-08-29T00:50:00.000-04:00

Last minute decided to hit up the Shane, Shane & Bebo concert tonight after work. Ended up with a free ticket, a buddy to pick me up, and sat on the 2nd row.

And it was ROCKIN.

The openers - Monk & Neagle, two talented young guys. Definitely check them out.

Bebo and the Shanes... I mean come on. Of course they were kickin.

And I saw like 300 people I knew at the venue... which is always fun. A great night of worship, prayer, and contemplation. I am deeply missing my Haitian children this week... and was lost in thoughts of them thru most of the concert.

Timoun d'kanaran, m'rinmin-w anpil. mwen pap janm bliye-w. M'sonje-w Ayiti.

Car-empathy and heat-exhaustion

2007-08-23T21:34:00.001-04:00

Its been 100+ in Charlotte for a few weeks now... and apparently I'm not the only one frustrated and irritated by this. I drove to work the other day, and all was fine. But on my way home, I realized my speedometer was stuck at zero, while the rest of the car was zooming down the highway. (*Yes, I like zooming, I have the tickets to prove it)

Needless to say, car problems annoy me. So I was annoyed. But like most problems, car-related or not, I like to ignore them, and hope they go away on their own. And what do you know, the next morning I get in my car, and *poof!* the speedometer is working fabulously! If only ALL problems disappeared so promptly. But alas, after work, the blasted dial had no energy left to boost itself off the zero.

Sadly, it took 2 or 3 more days of this work-in-the-morning and die-in-the-evening pattern before I noticed, eh, the pattern. I'm kind of a quick kid. But, to my credit, I did, eventually, realize the pattern... and I have it all figured out: My speedometer is boycotting the heat!

Just like me, it wakes up in the morning rarin-to-go, well-rested, and excited for the adventures of the day. Aaaand... just like me, it laments having to be in this wicked-hot weather all day, commuting down the highway, and sitting at the office. By 5-oclock, its pooped, hot, and lazy. And it just doesn't feel like doing ANYTHING.

I am not angry with my speedometer, I am empathetic. And for what its worth, I'm not taking him to get fixed. Because, quite honestly, He and I, we're not broken. We're just hot... hot, and over-worked. I feel for him, and I feel that we've bonded more this week than in months previous. Its in the tough times, that good friends pull together.

Garage-dweller

2007-08-23T11:46:00.000-04:00

I killed a snake in my garage this week. All this moving and sorting and I picked up some drawers and found this guy living underneath them. Quick-thinking-Mel grabbed a shovel. Mr Snake is no-more. :(

Sorry... if you don't pay rent, you're outta here. And for the record, this is a first snake-kill for me. I was pretty proud of myself, I ain't gonna lie.

I'm a DOer

2007-08-21T00:30:00.000-04:00

So a realization this evening - I'm a do-er. I love the adventure, I love all the crazy things I do in my life - *yes, I know there are many. But... I don't like to plan. I don't like thinking for the logistics, or purchasing the supplies, or haggling specifics. And I came to this realization after coming up with more and more things I need to figure out/purchase/plan for before I leave. And it occured to me -- I hate this part!!

So, it may seem like a well-duh moment... but come on, we all know I have alot of those. (*Like last week's realization - that in 5 weeks, I will be leaving behind my beloved, my cherished, CHICK-FIL-A!!! I nearly shed a tear over that.)

It's official -- I'm a DO-er, not a planner.

Everything must go

2007-08-19T16:28:00.000-04:00

If you know me, you know - I'm anything but a packrat. But in preparation for the big move, I've been sorting, shredding, stacking and selling... everything. So far, I've sold $144.75 worth of household items, have a few more big items I'm wanting to sell individually... and then everything else will go into the GARAGE SALE I'm planning for mid-September.

Basically... everything must go. Cause it's not coming with me, and I'm not leaving it here.

So far I've divided my clothes and small items into 2 closets --

CLOSET ONE-- Selling

CLOSET TWO-- Keeping, and Not-Ready-To-Sell-Yet.

(*This closet needs to slim down a bit... Its a work-in-progress)

We're getting there. Still so much to do, but I have 5 weeks to do it in, so not QUITE overwhelming. Fabulously excited for what life will look like AFTER those 5 weeks!!

Movin on... Headin out...

2007-08-11T13:57:00.000-04:00

Well, the time has come for this SouthernHaitianAlaskan... A new continent is calling. I am currently in the preparations for moving. Where you say? Well... the land down under. New Zealand. Yes, that's right... and I'll be leaving in about 6 weeks! SO - this leaves little time and much to do! Including, but not limited to, helping me throw a Garage Sale! :) You know you want to...

So if you're wondering what I'm up to lately - it probably involves trying to rid myself from all my STUFF, and trying to scheme a way to make a little cash in the process. Craigslist, Ebay and garagesaling...are my new friends. Anything you want, just let me know! :)

The Abnormalities continue

2007-07-27T23:14:00.000-04:00

The following took place at 4pm this afternoon.
Standing in line at Starbucks.
The barista inquires of the lady ordering in front of me:
"Where are you from?"
Lady responds: "Haiti".

Lady turns around, I glance up and say - "Sak pase? (what's up?) I just returned from 3 months in Haiti."

Lady: "Where?"
Mel: "South of Saint Marc"
Lady: "What Mission?"
Mel: "Canaan, in Montrouis" -- please keep in mind that neither the village nor the orphanage are notable, large, or well-known.
Lady: "Wi, Wi! I know Canaan! With Gladys, and Henri! (Orphanage founders) I've known Henri for 20 years!"

For the next 10 minutes we swap names and updates on mutual Haitian friends, Canaan kids, and the landscape of the new orphanage property. While sipping our Lattes. In South Charlotte. Abnormal.

I Know Pam Robinson

2007-07-25T15:59:00.000-04:00

Just returned from 4 days in Tennessee with my Middleschool pals at a youth retreat. As an adult chaperone, I didn't really intend for the weekend to impact ME - but it did. You're gonna love this.

The first night - the message was on living an Abnormal Life. Encouraging the kids to chase after doing wild stuff - and praying for the Lord to use their lives in amazing and abnormal ways. I scoffed, to be honest - because my life is ALREADY abnormal. Anyone who knows me, knows that. There is absolutely nothing normal about my life. In fact, sometimes I find myself praying for a touch of normalcy. But nonetheless - Night One -- the Abnormal Life.

Night Two -- A tiny Ugandan girl walks on stage. After 9 years in her village, living alongside her 8 brothers and sisters, Compassion International shows up and signs her up to be sponsored. She gets picked up by a lady, and for the next 10 years her life improves, because of this lady's sponsorship. Her encouraging letters, her sending her to school, her providing the money to help with food -- This woman gave her the opportunities that changed her life, and introduced her to the Lord. At this point she says - "Her name was Pam Robinson, from Sitka, Alaska."

2 tears escaped down my cheeks before I got the chance to turn to the girl next to me and admit "I know Pam Robinson." She just stared at me. Her response: "That's Abnormal."

I got the priviledge of tracking down my old friend Pam and handing her phone number to this tiny girl from Uganda. They had lost touch after the girl had grown up and left Compassion - she is now 27 and travels around sharing her story, and encouraging people to be a part of Compassion. She kept hugging me and thanking me for helping her get back into contact with her sponsor, who she is immensely grateful to.

And me -- I'm realizing that being abnormal has its encouraging days too. Somedays I long to be more like my peers - a steady job, a steady home, a steady life. There's not a whole lot about my existance that's steady. Save my dependence on the Lord. But then again, not many people can stand up in the Mountains of Tennessee, in a crowd of 800 middleschoolers, next to a 4-foot Ugandan and proclaim: "I Know Pam Robinson".

Perhaps the Abnormal Life is more of a blessing than I tend to realize. May I be more thankful, May I be more abnormal.