Bamboo Boogie

A guy I met on my ride home from VA, Mike, came to visit this weekend from Oahu. We went hiking at the bamboo forest with my friends Arien and Maria. It was fun! There were 3 waterfalls along the hike, and to get to the last one you had to swim down this little river. No major cuts or bruises for me thankfully! I actually jumped off a 20 ft. ledge by a waterfall, which is pretty brave for me! There were people jumping off of questionable areas, but I played it pretty safe. Almost chickened out, but had to go for it. Everyone else was doing it!! Maria actually fell the next day on a different hike and is a little banged up. Thankfully nothing serious, but some major cuts and bruises. Oweee!

We went to see Katch a Fire, a reggae band from New Zealand, Sat. night. That was fun. Saw a bunch of people from Tuesday night volleyball there.

Planning a trip surfing in Lahaina for Sat. am with my tennis buddy Christine. I don’t go enough to get any better yet, but I did ride a wave in all the way to shore last time all by myself!! Progress.

Work is good. I just do my thing in my room and try to ignore the incompetence outside of my room. My assistant is AWESOME and my kids are really high functioning. I do have a new student on the way, so this may change soon!

Signing off for now. Aloha to you.

Susie

A positive post!

I just realized that I haven't been posting much positive stuff with everything that has been going on!! I am excited to report that my job is going well, Jack is good, and I have a cute friend coming to stay with me this weekend from Oahu. :) We are going to a reggae show Sat. night.. can't wait!

Played tennis tonight with Kurt (he leaves tomorrow to move back to Michigan) and some other friends. It was entertaining to say the least (the guys insisted on playing me and my partner, Christine and got beaten BADLY!!).

Well, just wanted to be sure I reported some really good things for a change!! Have a good one!

Jack's Scary Episode...

I had a scare tonight with Jack. We went for our evening walk around 7 pm. He was fine. When we returned, he was sleeping on the floor at the end of my bed. He tried to get up and walk towards me, but was unable to stand up. He crawled awkwardly toward me, shaking and drooling. I got him outside in case he got sick, and every time he tried to stand and walk, he staggered and fell. He lied on me for a few minutes, still shaking. It was super scary. I called the vet and he agreed to meet me & Jack at his office.

Jack walked to the car pretty much with ease. He staggered a little in the car. When we got to the vet's office (Dr. Dressler), he seemed to have improved dramatically. The doc and nurse did an exam and took blood and feces. They asked me a bunch of questions. They wanted to be sure Jack didn't get a hold of a toad-- they are poisonous here. I told them I didn't think there was any way he had. They ruled that out based on the fact that he wasn't ruling excessively and continuously. One of the questions ended up linking an odd behavior to what may have happened. Two days ago, Jack peed on his bed. He NEVER pees in the house, and especially not where he sleeps. I just thought it was wierd and forgot about it. Now the Dr. thinks that since he experienced loss of bladder control a few days ago and then he had this weird episode tonight, Jack is having seizures (two this week?). I told him that Jack had gotten into some bad chicken a few days ago and asked if any of this could be related to that. He said that the tests would help to rule out the seizures if the problem was with a parasite, or with the kidneys, liver, etc.

Dr. D. just called and is convinced this is all due to seizure activity. I hope he is wrong, but fear he is right. The bed wetting I think happened before Jack got into the chicken if I remember correctly. Now he wants me to get up with him every 3 hrs. tonight just to be sure he's okay, which of course I will do. The idea that Jack is having seizures and just having to see him so helpless earlier really is hard to deal with.

Keep your fingers crossed that this was all just some wierd aberration. I am hoping he is fine.

Good nite.

Susie

Kurt's leavin', getting settled at work....sick already...

Hi. I write tonight with a head cold (sinus infection?)... Fun, fun. Only been back to work one week and already a head cold! Damn that was quick. These Hawaiian germs are different than the ones in VA!!

It seems that the numbers worked out at work and I'll be staying put. Thankfully, the worst case scenario was avoided. My kids are manageable and fun, my room is coming together quiet nicely (very well stocked with new materials), and having a/c is great. Sometimes it's a little chilly, but nothing a sweatshirt can't handle!!

I'm having a some people over Saturday evening.. pupu's (appetizers) and drinks on the lanai. Should be fun. I invited the couple upstairs from Austria, but they said they are nursing colds and will let me know. I feel the same as they do, so I hope I get better quick! I plan to go to the doctor tomorrow if I don't feel substantially better anyway. I can always reschedule if I have to.

My friend, Kurt, is moving back to Michigan next week. :( He is one of my good buddies here and is about the 5th friend who has left since May! This is such a transient island.. it makes it tough when you get to know someone and then off they go. I know we will keep in touch, but it won't be the same here without him. I know he'll be happier in Michigan so I want him to go.

My Great Aunt Stella's memorial service was yesterday. I haven't heard about it yet, I'll call my gramma this weekend. I know it is really a difficult time for her especially. Stella was an incredible woman. Very positive, upbeat, kind, and fun. She and my grampa were really neat people.

Have a great day!!

Susie

Easy like Sunday Morning..

Aloha. I am lounging around today with a sore throat and low energy. BUMMER! My great aunt, Stella, passed away yesterday. She was 89 years old and such an amazing woman. I got to see her when I was visiting NY last month, so I'm thankful for that. Poor Jack wants to go for a long walk and right now I just don't have it in me! Maybe later today!!

The family staying upstairs (from Luxomberg) leaves today. The family from Austria arrived last night. I hope to get to know this new family as well as the last.

Things look good for my job situation. The principal at my school told me Friday that she is confident that our numbers are good. That's a relief!!

Bye for now!

No definite answers yet...

The following is an email I wrote to Kathy Gontarek (Scott's mom) which sums up the latest with my job situation...



Kathy,
Thanks very much for your concern and your email. I really have been going thru a time with this non-sense. The DOE here is so messed up, I just never experienced it until now. It looks like my current position will be secure, but not guarantees until the 9th when the student counts are reported. Based on the numbers today, if one new kid can get registered by that time (ie. their parents get their TB tests, etc), and one of my enrolled students show (he's been out all week b/c his mom just had a baby) than it's okay. I hate that my stability is relying on so many factors out of my control. Thankfully, the early intervention job I was offered is still available and most likely mine if I want it. The only reason I don't just say to hell with it and take that job is that the current one is closer to my house, requires no daily travel (the other requires homevisits), and my time off is much better. My poor mother has gotten so many frantic phone calls from me in the past week, it's ridiculous. Argh!!

Enough about me, how was the cabin? I am sure it was great! I know that is a special place for you all.

Everything else has been going well since I've been back... there is a family from Luxomburg (sp?) staying in the upstairs of the house where I live. They invited me to dinner Monday night and it was great! they are very colorful, kind, well traveled people.They have extended an invitation for me to visit them anytime. I'm telling you, this house swap thing is where it's at! They leave Sunday and a new family from Austria is coming in. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to spend some time with them as well.
Have a great day and thanks for keeping in touch!!

Aloha, Susie