Photos from a SCUBA Trip with Sam’s Tours

Our first day of SCUBA

So this happened awhile back, like weeks ago. Our first day of scuba class was on Aug. 13. But, that was only textbook stuff and videos and a swim test (which they said was actually pretty important… meaning the instructors have had students that actually finished the SCUBA Diver course without actually knowing how to swim…How dangerous does THAT sound?!?!?). These pictures are all from the 14th when we actually breathed SCUBA for the first time.

Our views during our first ‘confined space’ dive.

This school of like 8 inch fish was always around.

Don’t worry I took all of these underwater photos while snorkeling during a break

Our first sight whilst breathing underwater for the first time was this school of fish.

Except they were being followed by several 2 foot-long tuna (I think)

We weren’t able to scuba by the reef this day. Because we were just starting.

But snorkeling is a different story.

I edited out the blue haze you get when underwater for a lot of these.

Plus, I put in the corner effects.

Our ride to the island-beach we walked into the water from.

That is Kostas, in the navy-blue, our Greek dive instructor.

It started raining on the way back.

Pretty heavy, cold, and gorgeous.

Plus we were traveling at pretty high speeds across the water.

I loved it.

Jeff & Misty didn’t mind too much either.

Kostas and our Palauan boat captain.

When we saw the rainbow, we KNEW it was worth the rain.

Some call Palau “Where the Rainbow ends”

Yeah… it was a full-double rainbow.

Every time I get on the boat for scuba I say “I love this place”

You should definitely come to Palau. It is gorgeous, even when it rains.

Jesse

The first few weeks…..

We are still alive here in Palau! Sorry we haven’t kept up with the blog since we have been here. Today is our fourth Sabbath. Hardly seems like a month, but we have been here almost a month. I wish I was better blogging consistently. Ideally, I would write at least a few times a week but NO time. At least when I do write, they are long posts!

The second full week of teaching finished yesterday at noon. These first two weeks of teaching have been absolute craziness. I teach two sections of sophomore English, two sections of Junior English, as well as two sections of Senior English. Which means, if I gave a written assignment everyday I would have around 120 papers to read/grade EVERYDAY! And, this is no plush English job like one in the states where every academy teacher has at least one reader to grade, if not two. Nope. I do EVERYTHING myself. Then, I have to upload all the grades onto the computer, which takes a super long time. The first two weeks were also difficult to learn all my students’ names. Many of them have names in Palauan or Chinese, and are then given English names. At times, I thought these kids were two different students until I figured out that the office had them down with one name and yet another in my classroom. CONFUSION. I think I have most of that situated now. We have many students attending PMA that are from other Asian countries, mostly China or Korea. They are here strictly to learn to speak English. I learned this past week that many of them have already taken most of the core classes we offer at PMA (like maths and sciences) at an earlier age. They can pass those classes easily since it is a review for them. But, the history classes and MY ENGLISH classes are very difficult for them. And, key to helping them learn the language. Students that have been here multiple years are now seniors and are NOT at a senior level. And in my class I’m expecting my students to read literature, analyze poetry, and WRITE. How can I ask these students to do those things???? And when do I have TIME to differentiate their lessons and teach them how to speak english and write correctly???? I’m hoping that I will figure out the best way to help these sweet kids. Right now, it is really difficult. But, God knows their needs and He knows my earnest heart to help them. With His help, we will get through this school year. I will try to upload some pictures of my classroom soon too, if not today. I have the nicest room in the school, which is nice for me! It has a lovely air conditioner, desks, and white board. You guys will see it soon.

The one fun thing we are doing here in Palau is taking scuba classes. Well, fun for Jesse and stressful for me. For as much as I love the water, I’ve been surprised how much I do not enjoy scuba. It is really stressful. But, this last trip I was a bit better. We go again tomorrow and take the final test. Last week we took some quizzes and were absolutely starving because it was right after our half day of teaching (Fridays are half days). We were provided lunch but they made us wait until after the quizzes, so we ate on the tiny boat while everyone gathered their gear. It was a rainy day and the sea was rough. Even though we were tied to the dock, I was getting sea sick. I didn’t know I was the seasick type, but between the sea and the lovely (joke) chicken masterpiece (NOT) before me, I didn’t really eat. I didn’t want to be one of the statistics that throws up in their regulator under the water.

I have not been cooking much since we arrived. There is just no time. Although, last night I did make mashed potatoes (from scratch) with cream cheese and garlic for potluck today. Our kitchen smelled like Sabbath. Something about the smell of garlic that always smells like Sabbath to me. Cooking is difficult when we get home around 4 in the afternoons. I jump right into school stuff until sundown. I know if I waited until after supper I wouldn’t make it. Then, we just eat whatever is easy……..toast, cereal, one day I made chicken and potato wedges. I did cook that time. So, that is a  total of two great meals. Oh man. That sounds so terrible. I am now motivated to do better. We also make lots of rice in the rice maker early on in the week and have been eat on that. We bought the old fashioned beans that you have to soak at night. They didn’t taste as good as canned black beans. Any suggestions on how to make those taste good??????

Sabbaths are nice here. Sabbath school starts at 9 and it is just like in the states. Only the retired folks show up at nine, and of course us missionaries:) Today the Chinese/ Korean/ Taiwanese students from the dorm at PMA helped make it look at little more crowded. When the classes split up we had at least 450 or 50 people in the youth room by 9:45. .It is called Youth Sabbath school and meets in the youth room.It is the youth room but it is also the only English class at the church so its very crowded.I guess technically, Jess and I aren’t even youth anymore:) The Chinese students love songs with motions, they do those even if they don’t sing since English is so terrible. I think this makes the singing more fun for them to have motions so I tried to pick songs they would like. It is different from the States; back home youth hate motions it seems. They are too cool.. But, I successfully taught the lesson this past week. Jesse led the activity because I didn’t want to just sit in a circle and talk. The last 2 weeks only the student missionaries were talking. The local kids weren’t, so we tried to do something a little more fun today. I think it worked.

The pathfinder club is getting started up again here too. Our friends, Jeff and Misty are in charge of that(They are a sweet married couple, I call them my instant best friends).  Jess and I will help, but we aren’t in charge (whew). They are worried about next year because they leave in May………I’m not sure we can take that on and they know that. We are praying that someone from the church will step up. Last week we had a meeting that was just for leaders and to see what kind of support we will get. This week it starts officially with meetings every Sabbath from 5:30 until 7:00. I think it will be good on Sabbath here. The youth are bored…..

I haven’t had time to do anything fun like run or go to the water (aside from scuba class) I can see the water from our bedroom window…I know its there but I haven’t walked that direction. Koror is pretty narrow so you could walk across the island in a short time, but haven’t done this yet. I should be napping right now but my mind is so active I decided to write instead. Maybe we will go for a walk and find this mystery ocean……

I know I’ve said this before but I will again:I have NEVER been so exhausted in all of my life. I thought that student teaching and wedding planning was exhausting, but piece of cake compared to this. It is really draining. I want to be a good teacher but there are many obstacles. I feel like I’ve been an ok teacher this past week. Not good. I’ve been keeping my head above water.

Well….a long post from me. Thank you for all the prayers and support. It is nice to know that so many people from back home are praying for us. We definitely need it. God is good. We feel very blessed to be here. The people in the church are so great. It already feels homier than our time at church in Michigan. I love that about Palau. I love my students too. One last story about school……

On the bus the kids aren’t allowed to have headphones and listen to music (sounds like Highland back in the day). So sometimes the bus driver turns on the radio for the kids. Thursday a couple of kids must have used the cell phone (which of course they are also not supposed to use on the bus) to call into the radio and they dedicated a song to Mr. and Mrs. Malin! It was really cute. Some island song that of course I have never heard before. The dedication said……….”From the freaks on the bus who really need Mr. And Mrs. Malin”. It made me smile, especially because the day before they were all mad at us because we had reserved a row for us to sit in each and every time we are on the bus. They apparently thought this was unfair and we should have to scramble for a seat like they all do, pushing and shoving to get a seat. But, they were over it the next day and they were dedicating songs to us. God is good. It was an uplifting encouragement for me that I desperately needed that day.

For anyone who is interested in our address here in Palau here it is.

Jesse Malin

PO Box 1166

Palau SDA Schools

Koror, PW 96940