Update

Ok I have been terrible at updating my blog and hopefully I will be better after the new years......I will post more pictures and more events that have been going on in my life once I get back.

Bringing my blog back all the way to thanksgiving I was able to spend thanksgiving with friends on the Island.  It was a really good time.  The food was pretty much the same along with some cultural extras that we had the opportunity to partake in.  The biggest difference was the meat that we ate.  Our main course was Duck, it was pretty good but I still enjoy turkey WAY more.

Early December I was able to ride the "Hell of the Marianas" this is a bike race for people of all ages and abilities.  Bike riders come from all over the world to compete in the 100k bike race.  It is a race all around Saipan up and down the biggest hills on the Island.  I was involved in a team so I only had to ride half of the bike race which was pretty difficult as well.  Especially, due to flat tires I was forced to run part of the race.

Christmas festivities in Saipan
I was able to go to the street market and watch some of the festivities that go on in Saipan.  They have many schools and clubs come to perform for the market.  They perform with singing and dancing as a group.  They also have a recycled christmas tree decorating contest.  This is to help raise awareness for recycling to keep the reef clean.  This is a very unique contest and I found the design of the Christmas trees to be very different and unique in themselves.  Saipan Community School had the opportunity to come up with their own tree and it was amazing.  I saw them turn detergent bottles into a fish ornament and old pill bottles into light decorations on the tree.

Traveling
Currently I am traveling through Manila, Philipines because I wanted to see the culture and how they work in this country.  Where I traveled it was very busy and the people and traffic here are extreme.  The culture is incredibly nice and welcoming.  I was able to see the very rich areas and very poor areas.  Meeting many believers and non believers to hear their perspectives on life and Manila in general.  I learned so much about the culture and the people and am very thankful for this. 

Hawaii
I also have the opportunity to see my family this Christmas.  I am very excited to see them and be able to spend real time with them rather than talking on a computer with them. 

I am very thankful and blessed for all the traveling that I am able to do over Christmas break. 

Merry Christmas to all

If you have any questions or any thing you would like to hear about please let me know I would be more than willing to write about it.