Greetings,
Well, I have finally arrived home in Georgia, safe and sound. Wow, I didn't realize how much the time difference and jetlag would effect me. I think I am finally getting used to the time difference and all. It sure is great to be home. My room here is actually dark, which is nice. I am used to sleeping with the security light for the church coming in my window. Even with curtains and a blind it was still kind of light at night in my room.
Well, about my trip home. It started out pretty uneventful. I got to the airport about 5:30. There was only one person in front of me for the inspection of checked luggage. They literally open the suitcase and check it out. I'm thankful everything got back in there and without damage when they were finished and zipped it back up. Then, I was next in line to get my boarding pass and pay an exit fee. While I was at the airport with the Bucks, I had some visitors come by. Pastor and Mrs. Lang, Miko and Donut, Bertha, Mrs. Joseph, Deeyon, and Mr. Kablo and his son, Eric, had all come to see me off. Here is Donut and me.

I'm sure gonna miss Donut. He is a cutie. He even gave me 2 hair flowers as I was about to go in through security. How sweet! About 6:30 we go were called to go through security. Then, we just waited in the holding room until we boarded. The flight from Majuro to Honolulu served dinner. I ordered a chicken dinner. They also had lasagna, but nothing can beat my mom's homemade, so I didn't want to get that. Of course I wasn't able to sleep. Then, the flight got into Honolulu about 3 am. I had to go through customs since I was reentering the country. Finally, I made it through everything and came up to enter at street level, and met the couple that was kind enough to put up with me...for a few hours... Steve and Patty. I was able to crash for a few hours before we went sight seeing in Hawaii! Got a few souvenirs, and we were off. They even bought me breakfast, lunch, and a shaved ice from North Shore! Very nice people. Well, I got checked in and my boarding passes for Honolulu to Houston, and Houston to Atlanta and went through security there. I get to my gate and find out it has been delayed! Not a long delay, but the problem comes when I land in Houston. Originally, I have a 30 minute layover from arrival to departure of the next plane. There was an airline worker that was helpful. He was able to move me from row 33 up to row 18! This way I would be able to get out of the plane sooner. The airplane from Honolulu to Houston was 9 seats across with 2 aisles! We even had our own tv screen in the seat back in front of us...we were able to watch whatever we wanted out of 9 channels. I didn't sleep again! Well, I got off the plane in Terminal E and the final plane was in Terminal B...and I had about 15-20 minutes before departure...which meant they will be ready for take off, not just boarding in that time! The little shuttle/train ride was a good 5 min. or so walk from where I was...one of the last gates in the terminal. While on the train, I met 2 other ladies traveling on the Atlanta flight. We finally get to the gate and...the doors are closed! They had already closed off the plane from the walkway. Well, they do our ticket things and send us down. Well, we get to the end, and the airline worker said that she was going to have to rebook us. She thought the first lady was only sending 1 person down, not three. So, we walk back up to the gate and while we are waiting...one of the crew guys...either pilot or co-pilot...came up and asked if we were going to Atlanta. Yep...he said, "So, let's go. We've still got 6 minutes." He wasn't allowed to escort us by himself. So we followed her down the walkway, down the outside steps, and around to the steps outside to the plane, and up the steps into the plane. We were finally on our way! I want to give a shout out to the crew member of the United flight that was able to get 3 of us that were late due to late/delayed flights from other parts of the airport! 
I still was unable to rest/sleep. However, I had not eaten anything since lunch the day before in Honolulu...I did have to purchase a snack box on the plane to Atlanta. I thought of getting one item, but when those things cost 2.99-3.99 for one, I figured I was better off paying 7.49 for a variety of small items instead. So, I had that and was on the final leg of my journey. I finally arrive in Atlanta!!! We are in D Terminal. Well, I walk all the way to Terminal C before I even think about the tram thing. So, I finally get on that, and it takes me to baggage claim. I come up the final stop steps to baggage claim where my parents are waiting! Finally I'm home!
Now the unpacking of all the boxes I sent and getting adjusted to American home life again. It was a great experience and blessing. I've learned a lot. I was able to get the pictures finally to work on my computer. Took camera to Best Buy. They couldn't get the pictures to show up on the store computer, so one of the guys tried it in his phone...the mini sd card. He was able to pull up the pics on his phone. So, he was able to transfer all 760 (remember these are all pictures from right after Thanksgiving until now) pictures from the phone to a computer and save it to a new thumb drive. It took probably close to an hour! Oh well, at least I now can get to them! Just unpacked my other camera...the one that stopped working...today. So, next time I go into Athens, I will be taking the camera to Best Buy to see if they can fix it, or if I need to get a new camera. 
Thanks so much for reading and following the blog!
Sarah

Greetings!
I am pretty sure this will be the last post from this side of the International Date Line!!! You probably won't hear much from me until I reach Georgia sometime on Tuesday. As, I will have no way to update anyone until I get home and get to Internet access again. One of the first things I will be doing when I arrive home( after some sleep I'm sure!) is look for a phone. I am considering StraightTalk through Wal-Mart. Believe it or not...I do kind of miss Wal-Mart! I guess not being able to go there for almost a year makes a difference. Of course, that was not by choice. :) Another thing I will get to do is get my hair cut! I haven't done that since I've left the states! Definitely in need of a cut! 

I can't believe the time is already here for me to leave! It seems like yesterday that I got here. I remember being homesick at first and wanting to quit after 1 semester. But I would have missed all of the Blessings that the Lord had for me, if I did quit. He helped me to persevere! He has taught me a lot of things along the way, too! God is good all the time. All the time God is good.! 

My bags are packed at least as much as I can pack! I do have to still get up in the morning and get ready. As, we give out report cards tomorrow. Bertha, our school secretary, will be calling first thing in the morning to make sure that the flight and everything is ready to go. Meanwhile, I will be handing out report cards from 9-4, and yep, taking my lunch one last time. Then, shortly after 4, we will be heading to the airport. I will be heading to Hawaii for a few hours. I will be staying with a couple that will be taking me to do a bit of sight seeing. I asked them what would they do if they only had one day because that is all I will have. Can't wait to see what they have planned! Then after visiting in Hawaii for a little while I am off to Houston, TX. I actually will probably only have enough time to get to the other flight...as I think I have about a 30 min layover from arriving in Houston to departure time to Atlanta! Then, it's Atlanta or bust! 

Last night the church had a farewell party for Lucy and me. It was great! One of the teachers, Charlene even made purple rice~because she knew that was my favorite color! How sweet! I have pictures too! So many handicrafts too! Love everything. And of course Marshall Islands water bottle and mouse pad to help remember my time here! I will certainly miss everyone here a lot. I will always have the memories that we have shared. Maybe one day I will return, if the Lord leads here again, or just for a visit! Either way, I know I will see many on the other side of Heaven one day. Boy, that will be a great reunion! 

Anyway, it's about 9:30 Sunday evening here. So, I better get some shut eye as it will be a long day tomorrow! 
Blessings!
Sarah

Greetings!
Time here is certainly drawing to a close quickly! It's Thursday here already, so four days left. On the night of the 4th day I will be boarding a plane. Thanks to Mr. Buck, I was able to get all of my stuff boxed and pretty much cleaned and put in suitcases. He generously gave me the day to work on packing and shipping, as that was his best day to go to the post office. So, I sent off 4 more boxes, which I believe will be my last ones, unless I get a lot of stuff at the farewell fellowship that won't fit in my luggage. Today he is picking up our high school graduation speaker. Later today is K5 graduation, and tomorrow is high school graduation. Busy, busy! Then on Saturday night, the church is having a farewell fellowship for Lucy (one of the other girls/my roommate, who is also leaving) and me. Then, on Monday is final report card, from 9-4. I will not be there after 4 pm, as I will be heading to the airport. I think we have to check in about 2-3 hours before takeoff.
This morning I got up and milled around a bit. Then went to clean my classroom. Done! Boy, sure missed my mom today. She usually comes to help me clean up the room at the end of the year, and she helps set up at the beginning of the year. I love her payment...for helping I take her out to eat! Great company. Oh well, not this year. :( While I was cleaning, mom was on her way home from Ohio, actually. She went to visit family. She will get home just for a few days of resting before I get home. Then, I get to unpack all of my boxes that I began shipping awhile back! Plus the 4 I sent yesterday will not arrive until after I get home. So, after addressing 1 of them, I thought to myself, "Oh, I can send it to me!" So, I addressed the other 3 to me! 
So, instead of having to work these last few days, they became optional if we were finished with our work. We just have to be at the church by 1 today in case there are any last minute things to get done before the ceremony. So, I went in a little later and cleaned the classroom. Now, I'm waiting for the van, so Lucy can take me to the bank. I had the school pay me with a check instead of direct deposit. So, I will go and cash this one, and then close the account today. This way I will take care of everything before I leave. Well, I think that is all for now. Talk to you soon!
Blessings,
Sarah 

Greetings!
In one week from this time I will already be on a plane headed towards Hawaii! I can't wait. Tomorrow is the last day day with kids, and it's Honor's Day. So, that will start at 10 am. With each class going down to the church for their awards...I was told only do 6 awards in the church. And I've been told that some classes will also sing, but they aren't supposed to. I mean think about it...there are 14 classes. If every class takes 10 minutes, we are looking at this taking over 2 hours! So, they said only 6 for presentation time. It doesn't mean we can't do more in class. I came up with 6~actually I had a boy and girl tie for highest GPA for the year and 2 improved the same amount of GPA from the beginning of the year. I also have a fabulous drawer in class, so an artistic ability award goes to her. And the happiest cleaner goes to a girl that loves to clean. She will actually take the broom from someone to sweep the classroom, even when it's not her turn to sweep!!! And she does it happily! So, I think she deserves an award. Don't you?
Anyway. I just found out today that I am not actually off at all before I leave. Apparently, we still get to work even at 7:30 each morning!!! Ugh! What's up with that? I have no idea. I guess they work all summer, so when he said "vacation days" are next week, he was implying that meant we continued through this week...full days! Well, I'm just about done with everything. I have attendance to do for report cards. Then, I guess I will spend some time cleaning my classroom. Because when I'm finished with all my stuff, I get to help everyone else that isn't finished with their stuff. If I knew that before hand, I would not have worked so diligently getting all my stuff done,"Thinking wow, the more I get done now, the sooner I will get off on Tuesday after the kids leave!" So I worked so diligently on finishing all my stuff, just so I can help the others that didn't work so diligently and waited until the last minute to do their things. The principal said don't wait until Monday afternoon to work on awards...cuz something may happen~power goes out, printer stops working. Well, at least 3-4 people were working on them when I was in the office about 2:30 or so. I got mine printed and all on Friday!!! I was planning on finishing up my packing on Wednesday, since I thought I had it off. I knew Thursday and Friday would be kind of crazy because of the graduations being in the afternoon. Interesting to say the least. 
Then, this evening we had a funeral to go to. It is quite different from the states. One being they keep the body in a casket with class on it in their home for about 7 days, unless it's going to a different place. Another thing that is different here, I noticed is the men sit in chairs, while the ladies sit on the floor...even elderly ladies sit on the floor. Then at the end when they are done speaking, it is time for us to go around and shake the hands of the relatives. By the casket is a basket. At all funerals we give one dollar to the family. Well, we were sitting there waiting...and no one was moving. We were waiting on the men do go through and shake hands first. Families do not sit together nor greet the grieving family together. In fact, for the most part husbands and wives do not sit together in church (they don't even sit on the same bench) or Sunday School or anything. It took me some time to figure out who was married...and then I got help from Mrs. Buck on exactly who was married. 
Well, I guess that is it for now. Talk to you soon! Come on next week! Get here already, will you?
Sarah 

Greetings!
I know...another post so soon. 
I didn't tell you that for Mother's Day the men served us soup, donuts, and ice tea after the morning service. Before the servie, some of the men were giving out necklaces to the mothers...well. they were lei's with a string of gumballs wrapped around them too. The deacon that was passing them out, came over to me and, "You're not a mother, but Happy Mother's Day anyway." Then he gave me one to wear! My roommates also got one, but they didn't wear it during church. In fact, they put them down in their bags. :( I did b/c if he thought enough to include me, then I should feel honored, and I wanted to show him that I appreciated the thought. 
Today, 6th grade had the MISAT test. It is Marshall Islands SAT. Third grade, sixth grade, eighth grade, and this year tenth and twelfth grade students take the test. The guy got to the classroom about 8:45. Then, he was done by 11...the paper said the test time was 8:00-12:00. So, that was interesting. Anyway, the guy said that I didn't need to stay; I should be back by 11. I came back at 10:45. On my way up to the classroom, I noticed most of my students were outside...along with kids from other grades. I get to the classroom, and there are only a few still taking the test. Apparently, he sent them outside to play as they finished the test. Only problem was that there weren't any teachers/staff out there watching any of the kids. So, while the others finished up, I watched the ones outside. 
After school I ran up to the apartment before I started tutoring. All looked normal...door locked, no one was in there. I did think it was odd that the ac was on, since we usually turn it off for the day. I was in my room when I heard a baby crying. At first, I thought it must be someone coming up to see our neighbors...Pastor Lang and family...with a baby. But I thought I would go closer to the door and see. But wait! I hear the crying coming from one of my roommates' rooms! I go in. Sure enough, one of the other teachers has a little one...and she was in the room. I think she was asleep and had woken up. No one was in the apartment, and it was locked up. Wow!!! Well, Lucy, my roommate came up a few minutes later. I told her what happened. She said that she has brought her up b/c she was asleep. And that another teacher was up here with her. I said that she was no longer up here, in fact...door was locked too. Lucy said she had even seen the other teacher outside earlier, and just figured the baby was awake! But alas, nope. Baby was left upstairs in an apartment alone. Different culture to say the least! The staff member probably didn't think twice about leaving the sleeping baby. Oh well, all is good. I'm glad I came up when I did and found her.
Well, I gotta get ready for Wednesday evening service. Less then 3 weeks and counting!
Blessings,
Sarah

Greetings!
It is already May 13! The day after Mother's Day. I am so excited to say that I have only 3 more Mondays before I am on my way home! After tomorrow gets here...I will be home in 3 Tuesdays! YYYYYYAAAAYYYYY!!!!! I cannot believe it is finally so very close.
I finally received my flat rate boxes, and I have filled 2 already. This week, or weekend, will be used to pack up maybe one or two more boxes to ship. I'm thinking I will still have a couple of more after that, but then most of it should fit in my luggage~checked and carry-on. Bertha's (the school secretary) mother-in-law is making a couple of island lady tops for me. I saw some at the yard sale that the Sr. had, and I thought~"I wonder if she makes those too..." Since I wear skirts/tops more than dresses, I thought I would ask because I would like some tops too. And, by george, she makes those too! So, Bertha and I went out last Saturday to look for material, which is called "yards" here because they measure it in yards. Found some nice prints. Can't wait to get them back. :)
This week we have what is called MISAT, Marshall Islands SAT. Tuesday, 3rd grade will take it...Wednesday, 6th grade...Thursday, 8th grade...and Friday, 10th/12th grade will be taking it. I guess this year 10th/12th grade has been added. It is usually just about half a day. New experience again. From what I understand, in years past, they have their own testers come...and I guess last year the testers told the teachers they needed to leave the room b/c they couldn't stay. So, I will make sure that is what may happen...and I may be hanging out at the apartment Wednesday morning! Cool. 
I found out last week that one of my student's mom is in Hawaii because she is pregnant. Apparently, many women do this...better healthcare there. Well, not a surprising thought...one, it is a socialist government and two, it is a third world country. Interesting, though that mothers would do this and leave husbands/children and other family here while they leave for months. 
Next week is called "Exam Week". They figure most students are not going to be sitting in classes all day all week taking exams, so every day next week is half day for the students, not teachers. I'm fine with that...I can hang at the apartment and work on entering grades and such since no internet access in my classroom. Teachers are having afternoon workdays to grade exams and get report cards and all ready. So, I will probably leave things for me to grade in the afternoons, then come and enter grades. It will be nice to enjoy hot meals for lunch, too. The week after that is 2 days of school...Monday not much happening, while Tuesday is Honor's Day/Last Day. So, I've got to be thinking of a few awards to hand out on that Tuesday...not everyone will get one. Well, I am getting sleepy...it's about 10 pm here Monday, May 13 here. So, I think I'm going to turn in for the night. I hope all Mothers and Moms-to-be had a wonderful Mother's Day!
Have a blessed day!
Sarah

Greetings!
I can't believe April is just about gone...tomorrow is the last day of April, at least where I'm at. And 5 weeks from today, I will be on a plane headed home. 5 weeks from tomorrow I will be arriving in Atlanta! WooHoo!!!!!
I'm diligently working on crocheting bookmarks for the kids, as an end of the year gift. Thanks mom for picking out and sending the pretty yarn! I'm also collecting gifts for an end of the year game. Mrs. Buck did it with our Sunday School class at the Christmas party. I will be getting a story with the words right and left throughout the story. The kids will each get to pick a wrapped gift from the pile. Each time I say right or left they have to pass it that direction. They will wind up with a different gift at the end of the game than they started with. Then, they can swap gifts if they want to. I ordered several things from christianbook.com back in early January. It still has not arrived. So, I contacted them, and they issued a refund. I reordered and got some of the same things and some different items, this time I had to pay a little more for shipping in order to get the priority shipping. I hope to have it in about a week. We shall see. I even found a few things at the seniors yard sale this weekend. I found 2 card games...phase 10 and blink...both brand spanking new. The cards were still in the plastic. Each game was $.50. I also found a like new "Treasure Island" book (a classic)...one of the illustrated versions, for a $.25~I have about 23-24 things so far. I was thinking for the other items I would get packs of cookies or some candy. Mrs. Buck suggested some of the little cans of fruit, which will cost about the same. She said they give them out sometimes, and the kids all tell her they don't get that stuff very often. So, I will be picking up some of those as the rest of the gifts. 
As the school year is winding down, time is speeding up. We have a lot of things to do between now and the end of the year. A few things just this week...Wednesday is May Day, also known as Constitution Day. We count it as a day, but we don't actually come to school. We meet in town and walk to the Capital building. Once we hear presentations or whatever, we are free to go. I plan to have some money. The Sr. are selling BBQ plates, and apparently, there are a lot of booths around. So, I want to see that. Then, Thursday, May 2 is National Day of Prayer that we will be recognizing as a school. Friday, May 3, is the 6th-12th grade Field Day. So, we have a busy week. To top it off, not only is May 4 the first Saturday of the month, in which we meet together as a church at 7:30 am for prayer time and after that work/clean day around campus and church, but this Saturday is also "MBCA loves Majuro Day". We did this a few weeks ago. We are asked as a school to help clean the island this day. So, busy week and weekend! Maybe I will get to rest Sunday. :) Then at the end of the month there will be k5 graduation and high school graduation. Next week is the Sr. trip. They are going to an island called Arno, I think. There is no electricity there, but people live there. So, all of their foods will have to be cooked before they leave. Many of the outer islands from Majuro, the capital, actually do not have electricity but are inhabited. Most people on the outer islands do not speak any English. They will be traveling by boat. One of the parents were going to let them borrow their boat...the sr. would have to pay for the gas. When they checked into it, it would cost $3,000 just for the fuel! They can rent a smaller boat for $500 dollars. Big difference~ They pay for the whole graduation and the trip. And they do tons of fund raisers to help with the costs. 
After the last set of boxes I sent home, I definitely decided to use only flat rate boxes for as much as I can. From the island no parcel post is offered, so everything is expensive! Thou we use the U.S. Post Office, not all the services are offered. They do not even carry the flat rate boxes...they don't make any money off of them. However, we can order them. So, that is what I did. I ordered a set of the Large flat rates, Medium flat rates, and on the website I saw another kind of flat rate...they are called large game board flat rates. They are longer but thinner...for a game box to be shipped in. I ordered a set of those too because I have some longer things I will be sending home, but I know I will be able to fit other things in there too. So, for now, I'm waiting on the boxes to arrive before I pack anything else to ship. I am going to be setting aside all school related items to see if the Bucks want to look through it and purchase it from me instead of paying to ship it back. I'm also going to be asking about a few things from the apartment...that I've either sent or purchased here about them purchasing instead of sending back. Some of the stuff is cheaper for me to sell and rebuy when I return home than it is to ship it back! 
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. A few more weeks and I will be in the same time zone of many of you!
Blessings,
Sarah