Germany...

aloha everyone,

i have accepted a teaching position in stuttgart, germany.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttgart#City_districts

i will be leaving maui at the end of july and plan a visit/packing trip to va on the way to germany. i accepted the job on 6/28 and my landlords were leaving the next day for 2 months in australia, so the timing made things interesting. i was not supposed to be notified about whether the job was mine or not until 7/1 which would have made things much more difficult to arrange with them. anyway, they have agreed to let me sublet it, so i am busy trying to make that happen. running all over preparing everything for the big move to the other side of the world- i think it's 10,000 miles from where i sit right now.

my dad was nice enough to inform me that they don't have beaches in germany. while i was aware of that sad fact, he brings up a good point. i'm leaving my lovely maui for cold weather. what am i thinking//// well, for starters, teaching overseas with the department of defense has been a goal of mine for years. i will be teaching preschool special ed. on an american army base in central germany, and report to work on august 20. hoping to use mass transit primarily as i have been told that traffic is a nightmare in stuttgart and i'm a little scared of the autobahn at this point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttgart_S-Bahn

my little sister- jill- will be arriving on maui tomorrow and leaves 7/22. great timing, and not pre-arranged. her trip will be now be super sweet for both of us. i plan to follow her to va not long after she leaves. still waiting on confirmation on a few things before booking that flight.

i have found out that i am able to have a 'split shipment'of my things, which means that they will ship my stuff from hi and from va. i am excited about this b/c i have several things that i didn't pay to ship here that i will now have in stuttgart. i put my notice in at work today and called the parents of my students. the second was the harder to do by far. i packed up most of my things from my classroom today and will finish that in the morning.

i am entitled to 90 days of temporary housing in a hotel while i find housing. my shipped belongings will be held until i have permanent housing. this is in stark contrast to my move to maui 3 years ago when it was all on me. my housing and utlities will be payed for the duration of the 2 year contract which i am seriously looking forward to - especially after paying most of paycheck in rent and food here on maui.

a point of contention right now is my sweet jack. i just don't think it's fair to him to put him through the move. 25 hours under an airplane is just brutal. he didn't eat for 2 weeks when i moved him here and i swore i'd never put him through that again. i am considering options regarding him staying here. i cannot wrap my brain around leaving him right now, but i am trying to put his needs ahead of mine.


i will try to update this a little more often- haven't written since April i just noticed. always love to hear from friends and family and of course love to have them visit. consider a trip to Germany anytime after September if you please.

much aloha, susie

The last of the whales, pics from all of my company...

Aloha! It's been a while since I've written! I have finally downloaded pics from all of the company that I've had since January, so here are a few of my favorites. I love having the people I care about the most come to visit me! However, it has been nice having my place all to my self for the past several weeks. First came Ashley and Bennett in January. Then Kurt came for several weeks to work and stayed with me most of the time. After Kurt left, I had a week to recooperate and then Aimee came for a very busy, fun week. A week later, my mom arrived and was here for 3 weeks. My mom is an pro at visiting maui at this point! She helped me improve my living space (like she always does!), and after trips to the thrift store, garage sale, and every kmart like store on the island, i have so many home improvements! she even left projects for me to do that we didn't get to, but i haven't touched them yet (sorry, mom!). she is such a worker bee! anyway, now i am typing to you with my laptop on my nice oak desk, sitting on a new chair from the thrift store, and i have more plants than the four seasons maui (they are all still alive at press time). anyway, i have been off island all weekend visiting some friends, charlie and Jim, and it was a nice "get away." I met up with an old high school friend (Brent) while we were there (honolulu) who i haven't seen since 1991. Brent and I each got "most talkative" as our senior superlatives. Needless to say, no one could keep up with us at lunch yesterday!! We got to see Jack Johnson and friends play at Jack's earth day festival on Saturday (The Kokua Fest). It was a great experience! Anyway, I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world.

:) Peace. Susie

spring cleaning, spring break

i love spring break. not b/c i don't love my job. i do. but because i get to do whatever i want whenever i want to do it. and here is a shocker: i went into work today! my mom left last night after a really great visit :), and today was the first day that i could have done ANYTHING that i wanted. and i went to work... what?! so unlike me! but i have so much to do in my classroom and my house looks so awesome right now (thanks, mom) that it just made the most sense.

after working, i came home and watched this week's webcast of the book i'm reading (again) called A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's True Purpose. and then i set up a last minute book club meeting at the beach park by my house. i just had to discuss this week's chapter and couldn't wait until sunday, our regular meeting day. four of us ended up meeting and as always, it was totally inspiring. as i was leaving i noticed my friend jenn had text me and i went to her house to see her new baby boy, liam. he's sooooo sweet. i think i'm in love!

the only thing i have planned for the rest of the week is tennis practice on hursday and a match this weekend. that's it. and i love it!

jack has arthritis. :( it comes and goes and is worst in the morning. we are experimenting with supplements now. it's hard to believe that my baby jack is 9 years old!

i sign off by saying that i have the best mom in the whole world. i already knew this before she came to visit, of course, but i am just more positive it's true now. such a giving, awesome woman, my mama! thanks mom for being you, for putting so much hard work into my place, and for testing my strength in resisting shopping by having us go into every store from lahaina to paia. i loved the time we got to spend together!

Aloha, Susie

Happy Aloha Monday

Greetings from the Valley Isle. I wanted to write to say that I had a most wonderful visit with my good friend Aimee over this past week. She had never been to Maui before and it was a great adventure! The second day she was here, we went on a kayak tour (thanks for the freebee, Peter!) and saw several humpback whales, 3 seaturtles, and a black and white mantaray right beside or boats! WOW. I had never seen a mantaray in it's natural setting and I will never tire of seeing whales and turtles. What an awesome experience. We went to a luau that I had never been to before called the Feast at Lele. That was the best laua I had ever been to and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to go to a classy luau here. Aimee explored the island while I worked much of the week. I would get home from work and off we'd go on a next excursion. We went to Oahu on Thursday and had the opportunity to go to the north shore. Stopped in Haleiwa and had huli huli chicken at a church stand on the side of the road. Got to go to my favorite store in that town, and then headed to Sunset Beach, hoping to be able to feed the sea turtles. The beach was beautiful and the surf was huge, but no turtles. It was not so much of a disappointment as you will see when I get a chance to post some of the pics we took there. We got back to Maui Friday night and went to see my friend's band, A Kettle Prime, play. Aimee loved them as much as I do! Saturday we went to the beach by my house and then to a bbq at a beach park on the way to lahaina. I took her to the airport Saturday night (we stopped to get her pineapples to go and I bought her another lei) and I got a message that she made it home to Michigan. I am sure it was a shocker when she got off the plane! Anyway, work calls so I must sign off for now. Have a super happy aloha Monday.

Susie

Watchin fireworks in my hammock

I just had to post that I just finished watching fireworks that one of the big hotel puts on from the comfort of my hammock on my lanai. How cool is that? Well, Jack didn't appreciate it, but I did!!

Super tired after long day and work and nanny job this evening. Looking forward to the long weekend! Also looking forward to Aimee coming to visit on the 23rd. After Aimee leaves, my mom gets here!! I am loving it.

Aloha from the valley isle...

Feb 2

Hi! It's been tooo long! Just in from ping pong at the Peitscher's. Kurt is visiting from Michigan until the 8th. Planning a birthday party for myself and two friends who share my birthday for next Saturday, the 9th. Looking forward to it! I hope the weather improves soon. It's been overcast, raining, and windy on and off all week! I know you mainlanders don't want to hear me complain, but I need my sunshine soon or someone might get hurt! Anyway, not much to report... just wanted to write a bit.

Be in touch!

Aloha, Susie

Virginia is for...

Lovers? I'm enjoying my time with family and friends here in the commonwealth. Been lying pretty low!! I did get to play tennis indoors with my mom the other day which felt great. Planning a fondue party with my friend Kimberly for New Year's Eve. Just a small gathering of friends. Leave on Thursday for Miami to watch the Hokies kick butt in the Orange Bowl. Have to admit that I am looking forward to palm trees and balmy weather even though I've only been gone from Maui for a week! I called to check on Jack yesterday (he is boarded in Makawao) and it seems that he is hanging in there. Poor baby had a few hotspots that were healing when I left. We will both enjoy a long walk on the beach when I get back!

I have a steady flow of visitors coming to Maui starting the 9th of January and ending when my mom leaves in the middle of March! I am really looking forward to seeing Ashley and Kurt (friends who used to live on Maui who now live on the mainland, mom of course, and my good friend Aimee who is in school in Michigan and has never been to hawaii! Jill is even making the trip out in June!! I have to admit that I'm most excited about Jill and Aimee b/c they have never been to the rock! We will get in some great hiking, kayaking, and exploring.

Gotta go for now. Much aloha!!

Susie

It's almost winter break!

Aloha from the Valley Isle. I am getting ready to make the big journey to the east coast this Sunday. :) I have tons of stuff to do before I leave and currently don't feel like doing any of it! I have been under the weather for a week and I am over it!! The low energy part is lingering and I have been sleeping a lot. I am reading Memoirs of a Geisha which is a great book! Jack is going to be boarded while I'm gone, which I'm not thrilled about. I do have a great kennel for him, but I wish he could stay home. It was an option, but it would have been with my ex-boyfriend and I am trying to keep him out of my life!! Anyway, Jack will be fine. I am hoping for a few nanny jobs before I leave so I will have some extra cash. The new car payment will make my funds tighter than ever. I love the car though!

Today is Gavin's 6th birthday. I called and sang him happy birthday and he is having Lisa put a piece of his cake in the freezer for me! Miss those kiddos. Anyway, I have to make it thru 2.5 more days at work and then I'm off for 3 weeks!! WOOHHOOOO!

ALoha, susie

rain, rain, go away...

it is a mess here in kihei! it's been raining for at least 10 days and yesterday we lost power most of the day. the power is back on now but it's still pouring and school is closed due to flooding, high winds, and power outtages. they dismissed at noon yesterday b/c of the weather. i'm just so glad to have my power back. reading by candlelight was fun for one night, but i've had enough of that for now! jack was a little spooked when i got home from work yesterday, but now is doing fine. sleeping it all away! i'm just hoping he doesn't need to go out anytime soon! well, i long for a sunny beach day as it's been over 2 weeks since i've enjoyed one. looks like it's not going to happen for sometime! :( oh well.

take care! aloha, susie

New car, good company, new student, new nanny gig

The week of the new stuff. i bought a nice used honda accord, got a new student in my class, started taking a few shifts for a nanny company, and had company all in the last week! the car is AWESOME and such a nice change from my major "Maui Cruiser" I call "Little Red." That car is still running with 167,000 miles on it. The convertible is vandalized and so you can't put the top up, the mirror is broken on one side, the other side has a moped mirror, the paint is peeling, the a/c doesn't work, but other than that it is in perfectly good condition. Hey, I think I just wrote my classifed ad for it! Who wouldn't by that car?! My new student is a sweetheart and is extremely bright. he has an articulation problem (speech clarity) and is extremely shy. A quiet kid who wants to please his teacher? Oh my. I never get students like that!! He's a doll. The nanny gig got off to a rough start as the first job i took was 4 kids ages 9 yrs., 5 yrs., 2 yrs. and 9 months! Besides the parents getting back to the hotel after midnight and tipping me 7.50 on $200.00, (they were gone 8 hrs when it was supposed to be 6 hours)and the fact that the 9 month old was teething and used to breastfeeding, it was SUPER. I was less than pleased! Anyway, the next job was a breeze and tipped really well, so I guess it all works out in the wash. My company was great. They just wanted to lay by the pool at the Grand (super nice hotel they were staying in) and have cocktails, watch college football at the bar and have cocktails, and go to dinner and have cocktails. While it was great to have them, my body is thrilled to catch up on some much needed rest!

Enough about that! I'll be in VA for Christmas! I get in on 12/24 and stay until
1/6. Can't wait to see everyone, especially my babies! Thanks, mom, for the free miles!!

Signing off for now. Be in touch when you can. Miss all of my friends and family on the East coast.

Aloha! Susie :)

Kauai Trip...

Aloha! I just got back from a weeklong trip to Kauai last night. Got up early to pick up Jack (45 minutes away) and then played tennis for the first time in a few weeks (we pulled off a win!). I will be posting pics soon of our adventures. There aren't as many as i would normally take, but the rainy weather affected that! Anyway, off to catch a catnap. Back to work tomorrow! I hope things are well in your world...

someone stole my slippers!

aloha,

after 4 days of being stuck inside with a nasty sinus infection, i venture down to the beach with jack for sunset. while i was walking him, someone stole my slippers! i usually don't wear decent slippers to walk jack, but tonight i did. and some chick stole them!! i can't believe it. now how's that for aloha spirit??

i lucked out and got the most awesome exchange for my time share for fall break! it's on the north shore of kauai, another hawaiian island about 45 minutes away by plane. i can't wait! the only other time i've been to kauai it was to hike the kaulalau trial. that was no relaxing, leisurely hike! the place we're staying in has a spa, tennis courts, several pools, and beach access at Hanalei Bay. now, that's what i'm talking about!! not many friends have the week off so the few that are coming will just come for as many days as they can. i have to arrange for jack to be taken care of tomorrow.

i am sad to say that there will be a memorial service this week in NY for my 30 yr old cousin, Ronnie Mayfield. He had been missing for several weeks and they found his body on the bank of a river near where he lived. :( I know his mom is absolutely crushed. I will call her tomorrow. I haven't known quite what to say to her. I still can't believe it. :(

back to work tomorrow. will be playing catch up for a few days i'm sure and hopefully the kids' behavior wasn't affected much by my being out! Happy birthday mom (it was yesterday) and happy early birthday to Kathy Gontarek!
Aloha, Susie

September 8

Aloha. Haven't posted in awhile... School is in full swing.. I only have 4 students at this time, but that is sure to change soon. Just joined 2 USTA tennis leagues (finishing a mixed league right now) that will start in October. Looking into doing an exchange with one of my timeshare weeks for fall break to another island (9/29-10/6). so far nothing is showing available so if it works out, it'll have to be last minute. Yesterday was Jill's 30th bday!! Old lady! Which makes me an even older lady, of course. The construction continues behind my house (as it has since I moved in over a year ago). I am seriously thinking I may lose my entire view by the time it is complete. They are putting up a retaining wall. I hope that is not the case obviously. Going to lunch with this new guy I met on Sunday. We shall see. I am starting to think that single is just the way for me. I just can't seem to meet the right guy yet. Not sweating it too much b/c it doesn't do any good anyway!

Gavin started Kindergarten this week. I talked to him the other day and asked how kindergarten was. He said "I'm not done with it yet!" Ha ha. That boy is something else for sure!

Off to walk Jacko. Have a great day!

First day back at work

Went back to work after 7 weeks off today! The alarm went off WAY too early. Anyway, I only have 3 students to start off with. A nice way to ease back into the routine. I'm sure there will be several more to come in the next few months. It's super windy out and Jack is freakin' out (as he always does when it gets like this). Finally back on Hawaiian time after my trip to VA and NY. Glad to be back. I enjoyed seeing everyone. It was especially good to spend time with Gavin and Katie. I really love Kimberly. She is such a great friend. It stinks we are so far away from each other most of the time! No plans for the rest of the day right now.. just relaxing... Will walk Jack shortly. Bye for now!!

Going home...

Just in from a bead class. Learned how to make a silk wrapping necklace. Pretty sweet! I am going to try to make everyone necklaces for Christmas, so put your order in now!! :) Packing and getting organized at home. I leave Monday for almost three weeks for NY and VA. Really looking forward to getting off the "rock" as they call Maui and seeing everyone. Getting Jack straight (he will be boarded half and at home being walked half the time), big mahalo to Nikki and Katie for helping me out so much!!

It's gotten hotter here the past week or so. My convertible top is always down now (thank you very much vandels) so it makes for a warm ride around town in the middle of the day. Probably need to go get a newer car, but I'm being cheap and hoping "ole red" lasts a bit longer. No car payment is the way to go right now!!

Having a picnic in the park on Friday, July 13, in Newport News for any of you who will be around. Trying to avoid driving all over town to see everyone!!

Better get going. Have a ton of things to do. Keep in touch!!

Flo, Maui Film Fest, camping, trip home...

Here is a pic of me and Flo that he just sent me. I love it! (This is the guy that I met in Australia who is in law school in Germany. We share the same birthday and just really hit it off!)

Late night at the Maui Film Fest. Saw a film, La Vie En Rose, about Edith Piaf, a French singer who lived a life of tragedy and died in her forties after a long struggle with drug addiction. Not exactly uplifting, but very touching. I will be thinking about that movie for a long time!

I am able to go to the east coast next month after all. Thanks to my dad and stepmom's miles! :) I am going to NY to see family and then VA. Can't wait to see my neice and nephew.

Been through a ton since I wrote last. Met a guy who I thought was fabulous. In many ways, he is. Anyway, we dated for around a month and both realized it just wasn't going to work. I am still struggling with it a bit because I really like him. I'm trying to have patience with this. I am not that patient. I really got my hopes up with this guy. And it is such a let down that it isn't going to happen. :(

Been off work for a week and lovin' it. I have been getting so much done at my house. Also relaxing a bit at the beach. Something I don't do nearly enough lately. I did get to go camping upcountry last weekend with a big group of friends. Had a great time. Nature always has a way of making things okay. Anyway, I'm off to walk Jack here shortly.

Peace.

Aloha. Lazy day at home after too many days of running around in a row. The burning candle at both ends has to take a break today! I really want to go to the pool at the Grand Wailea, but I just don't have it in me! Here is the link for my new flickr photo site: http://flickr.com/photos/susieclaire/ . I am in the process of figuring out how to transfer pics from my yahoo photos to flickr.. if you know how, pls. help!

Not sure if I'll be making the trip to VA after school is out after all. I have been going thru some cash lately (Australia) so I'm watching the fares. They are around 900.00 right now! No way am I spending that much. I'll just wait and see if they go down. Maybe I'll be able to get a buddy pass or something from a friend who works for the airlines.

Found my mom the perfect Mother's Day present. She saw these golf Crocs (shoes) when she was here a few months ago, and loved them. They were too expensive, but I found them on sale yesterday and got them for her. I had to tell her about them so I could get the size right! She has just started taking golf lessons and is really getting into it.

Well, that's all for now. Just a month left of school... :) Susie

VT tragedy, new students, tennis champions!!

A week ago today there was complete mayhem at Va Tech. A crazy student killed 32 people and himself. It still seems unreal. The Hokie community pulled together, as would be expected, and the rest of the world followed suit. Even Ellen Degeneres wore orange and maroon on her show on last Friday, the day that was dedicated "Orange and Maroon Effect Day" to honor those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Some of the students and staff at my school followed my suggestion that we participate by wearing Hokie colors. I took some pics, but as usual haven't downloaded them yet. Will post them later!

I have had two new students start in my class in the past week and needless to say.. our classroom dynamics have changed! Today a little girl with Down Syndrome, Mary, celebrated her 3rd bday and her first day of school. Sweet little girl, involved parents, just really young developmentally. It's like having a new baby in the house. EVERYTHING has to be baby proofed all over the room. I have the greatest E.A. (ed. asst.) who always makes my job so much easier, but we were feelin' the stress today! And, on top of it all, we had a "lockdown" drill today. Do you know how hard it is to keep preschool students with disabilities quiet, in one space, and explain it all to them? All things considered, it went well.

This weekend, my tennis friend Julie and I won the 3.0 Doubles Division of a tennis tournament in Lahiana! I have never won any tennis tourney!! We were in the paper Saturday .. a picture!! Anyway, we played two matches yesterday (with a 30 min. break in between) in the scorching heat and pulled it off! We are sooo thrilled!! :) Pics to be added soon...

Be in touch! :) Suz

Back in Kihei

Things have returned to normal now that I'm back from Australia and my company has gone. These pics were taken while Maggie and Linda were here... I think they enjoyed their stay. I enjoyed having them! Jack was also glad for the extra attention.. thanks again to Linda for all of her morning walks with him. It made it so nice.. especially on school days! I have filed my taxes on time (a feat for anyone who knows my financial style) and I'm trying to be better with my spending. Have been getting a little carried away lately!! I was supposed to go to Oahu next weekend for the Kokua Fest (jack johnson), but I told my friends that I wasn't able to go. I've seen him a ton of times and it would have involved buying ANOTHER plane ticket, getting a walker for Jack, and spending money that I don't need to spend. Now I'm playing in a doubles tourney in Lahaina instead and my friend Jason is coming to visit me from Oahu next weekend. Good times!

My mom has decided to bring her mom to VA to stay with her for a few months. Kudos to mom! It must be difficult for Gramma not being able to be in her own space without someone watching over her. She is lucky to have such great children to help take care of her!

I go to see Gavin and Katie on the webcam last week for the first time in a long time. Katie is soo big! They both have grown. I miss them!! I hear Cindy has her webcam up (it's about time!) so I hope to see that gang soon. Welcome to the new millenium guys!!

Quiet weekend here.. going into "town" in a bit to pick up some things. I enlarged a few photos from my trip to Australia and need to pick them up at Costco. One of them is for my landlords for being so good to me. I hope they turn out nicely. Well, I better get going. Stay in touch!

Cheers,

Susie

The SUNSHINE Coast

Greetings from Noosa! I am just north of Brisbane on the east coast of Australia now. Staying in a backpacker hostel. Got in last night from the most unbelievable trip to Fraser Island! There were only 3 other people on the tour with me (all German) and we got along great!! Our tour guide, Adam, was a trip and kept things interesting. He is threatening to come visit me in Hawaii.. somehow I am sure he will!! The perched lakes were AMAZING... blue, green, brown. The sand was sugary like the Bahamas or the west coast of Florida. Pics above are of the beach on the island and of me enjoying Eli Creek. We trekked thru the rainforest and 4 wheeled on the beach while we were there. Dingos all around our camp (cottage actually) looking for food. They reminded me of Jack.. I miss him!! I wanted to pet the dingos, but you can't. They can be very agressive when they feel threatened apparently.

I really enjoyed the company of the Germans on the trip. My fav was a young guy named Flo.. who I gave the nickname "Captain Caddy Catwalk, the German shark"! He is in law school and traveling here a bit after an internship outside of Sydney. I have told him that I will ask a tennis friend of mine, Shannon, if she can arrange an internship for him on Maui in August. That would be great. His birthday is the day before mine and he really is a character!

I hiked in the Noosa National Park earlier with two girls from the UK. We will go out later for dinner and drinks. Then I leave tomorrow to fly to Melbourne. Sharon will pick me up at the airport (a houseswapper from Maui) and allow me to stay in her condo with her. Apparently it is right near the train station so that will make navigation easier. I understand it is much smaller and more manageable to navigate than Sydney. I am sooo directionally challenged that I hope it is!! The weather right now is rainy there I hear, so I hope it clears up before I arrive. It is already going to be chilly/cold while I'm there. And you KNOW I'm a wimp now more than ever in regards to the weather.

Well, I better go!! Hugs and kisses to you!! Cheers, Susie :) (pics to be added when I return)