WWII Relics and Exploration on Saipan

Dear Friends, Family, & Readers:

It is time for me to write again about my adventures while exploring, but rather than write too much about the experience I'm going to let the pictures do the talking and write information below them for those that are interested in the history or may be interested in proper identification of things. I hope you enjoy the pictures and find the information useful in your relic hunting and boonie stomps. Oh, and before I forget, these photos are taken from Naftan Point and from the public land between the two cliff lines near Santa Lourdes Shrine Saipan.  Remember to click on the pictures for a better view.

A picture of me wearing my dad's old Martin Sexton (an indi-rocker) shirt with five of the six blue WWII Japanese bottles I found.  I cannot say for certain if they were beer or wine bottles as I am finding there is a lot of misinformation out there on the internet as to their identification.  I do know that the bottle making process was different as the tallest bottles have holes near the neck where the could be opened like expensive beers from Europe.  The smaller blue ones I believe to be wine bottles that once held a simple cork.  While at this location, I also found a dark olive green bottle that is smaller and has Japanese writing all over it.  I am not sure yet what it is, but from what I have read it may be a Japanese cider bottle.  That was probably my find of the day I think.

This a WWII beer bottle from Nippon Brewery LTD of Japan.  Dai Nippon was originally founded jointly in 1906 by three different beer companies in Japan.  After the war, this beer company was bought by Asahi in 1949 and split into two major groups one that continued to produce Nippon Beer and the other Asahi. I am not sure if this bottle will be worth something someday, but perhaps it will because of its uniqueness.

Some cool sites for identification of Japanese bottles are 

Japanese Beer Timeline for Research of Dai Nippon Brewery LTD:

http://www.asahigroup-holdings.com/en/company/history/index.html

 

Great PDF Link for Proper Identification of Japanese Bottles:

http://www.sha.org/publications/technical_briefs/volume04/article_02.pdf

This is a Bireleys Soda bottle from circa 1940's. This particular bottle was most likely an orange soda bottle; however, it may also have held grape.  I couldn't find too much online about this bottle, but Bireleys produced at least 4 main products including: orange, grape, natural fruit (w/o carbonation), and milk.  I didn't really find this bottle so much as I came across a pile of bottles someone had left near the side of the road at Naftan. Since this was the only bottle of the three Bireley bottles that had the stamp still visible I took this one.  On e-bay they are selling for $4-10.  Websites that talk briefly about Bireleys are listed below:

 http://www.angelfire.com/tn/traderz/bireleys.html & 

 

http://www.usasoda.com/Bireleys.htm

View from the cliff line I was exploring near Santa Lourdes Shrine

This is a picture of one of the three/four?  gun emplacements at Naftan.  You can see the small ammunition storage bunks.  I'm guessing there would have been a huge gun in the center of each of these.  I'm really not sure what the history is behind these emplacements but seeing how well they have withstood the test of time shows Japanese skill. Concrete reinforced with re-bar. To see them in the jungle is really astonishing.  I may update this later if I find out more from American Memorial Park in Saipan.I imagine Iwo Jima as having similar heavily fortified gun emplacement designs.

I thought this was a pretty cool picture of a Japanese grenade that had been decaying where it was left.  You can see the fuse to the left surrounded by the hard metal shell.  The green,white, blue inside is the decaying T.N.T.  While watching a documentaries of WWII I learned that Japanese used all sorts of grenades and mines.  On Guam, one was so powerful it flipped a Sherman tank on its back!  This was taken at Naftan.

A bomb or at the very least some type of mortar lying in the middle of a trail at Naftan, undisturbed.

This is a bomb or large mortar shell I found split open and decaying at Naftan.  The length of this shell was at least 4 ft. long maybe longer.

A friend of mine said this structure at Naftan was located on the highest point and once held a Japanese radar dish on top of it.  To the left of this structure, not in the picture, are the remains of a fortified building that was destroyed.

This is a picture I took at Naftan Pt. On the right side of the road there is a short trail leading to this vantage point.  During the war, the Japanese must have had this exact view because just below the picture frame is a coral wall they built and while looking out at Obyan Beach you stand on large slabs that they must have used for traction.  I'm sure This would have been a great gun emplacement at one time.

Crazy picture of a butterfly at Naftan next to where my car was parked.  Turning on the flash in a dark jungle makes for a cool picture sometimes.

Saipan Time is also Guam Time:

High in the Sky!

On Saturday, Feb 18, 5 of my girl friends and I went parasailing! It was the last thing to do on my Saipan bucket list. (trust me I will still enjoy the last 3 months of my time here)  We went through the company B- Sea Sunsports  http://b-sea.com/en/marine_sports/ and were able to get the local discount on the price.  It was fun getting to ride in the speed boat and to enjoy the beautiful day! We could not have asked for better weather! Each of us had around 8 min to be 40 feet in the air. When you first start you get strapped and hooked in and then you are ready to go, from there you stand in the back and then they bring you straight up. It was so amazing to be able to see the beauty of Saipan from the sky! It was neat to be able to see Managaha from up high, which is something I have wanted to see.  I had a really great time being in the sky, it was very peaceful and I did end up taking my camera up there so it was neat to be able to share the view that I got to experience. I was not scared at all and had a blast being able to fly for a bit. Then they slowly bring you down, dip you in the water, and then bring you back up one more time before lowering you back into the boat. It was fun to be able to watch my friends go up in the air and to have fun hanging out in the boat, listening to the island music. All of us talked about how we wish that we had a boat, because that would make Saipan even more fun.

Taking a picture of myself while parasailing!

Looking at the water below.

The view of the boat from up high.

Managaha!

Me chillin in the air!

Me in the air!

Amy getting excited to go!

Here we go!

Lynette, Rachel, and Anna telling what order they were going.

Rachel in the air.

The whole group: Lynette, Becky, Me, Rachel, Anna, and Amy.

Amy and I on the boat.

Rachel and Anna on the boat.

Getting ready to go!

This is one of my favorite pictures from the day, Anna getting nervous about going and Becky in the background in the sky!

Anna and Becky on the boat.

One of the guides took this artistic shot.

It was one of the best Saturdays ever of being in Saipan! It was a wonderful experience I was able to share with my friends!  I would recommend parasailing to anyone who has an adventurous side!
-Kara-

Saipan Life @ Random

Dear Friends, Family, & Readers:

     Since my wife wrote for Valentines Day and is making dinner, I thought I would write about some random things that have happened in the past week etc.  First, I wanted to share that on Valentines Day my wife bought me a protein shaker from 24 hr Fitness.  Inside the shaker is a wire like steel ball that is flexible and helps mix the protein with the water and milk.  I thought it was kinda cool how the ball is made out of  "surgical steel" so that it will probably never rust.  Thus I say to my wife of almost three years, Thank you. 
     This past weekend was the last NJFL competition for my students.  With the energy costs from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. being so high, the competition almost didn't happen because no school wanted to open their doors to any use of energy especially the air conditioning units called "air con" by locals. The fact of the matter is that the Public School System in Saipan has been thousands of dollars in debt to the government for various reasons and one way to cut costs when the energy is going up and to pay back what is owed is by cutting off what is not absolutely needed.  Our public school teaching friends have been annoyed by this as you can imagine, but hopefully this measure will help the schools get back on track.  At Saipan Community School our energy costs have gone up too and we are doing our best to incorporate energy saving into our building.  I feel a little bit like an AC snob because I am allowed to run my AC during the day at school because I am in the middle room and I only have one window in the front with no window in the back to create a draft in my room.  I do my best though by sometimes teaching with the middle set of lights completely off and by turning off all lights and AC when no students are in the room or when I can handle some heat.  At the NJFL competition, no one used the AC, but we knew this would happen in advance all the judges brought water and some even brought fans.
     I have been busy packing up stuff for our trip home and have eight boxes ready to go... the majority of things we need to send home we won't get rid of until the very end.  I'm surprised how little we accumulated while in Saipan...or at the very least how little we are planning on taking back with us. In the time that I am not packing I am sometimes creating artwork, and I thought I would show one of my most recent creations having found shells over a long period of time.  It is just one way to decorate our apartment and give it some life. An exploration/WWII blog will be coming later as I still have to clean some glass bottles and do research for some of the pictures I want to post.  I hope to get that up in a week if I have time... this weekend looks like a weekend of exploring and grading papers.    I hope you enjoy the pictures, remember to click on them to see them enlarged.

Me and the girls at NJFL competition! Totally Awesome!

The school that was willing to let us use its facilities was Cha Cha Oceanview school in Kagman Village.  This created a little bit of discomfort among locals as Kagman Village is in the middle of nowhere and takes a little while to drive too, but hey most people should be glad there even was a competition.  In the above picture of the girls, perhaps they weren't smiling for the camera but were laughing at this picture of the Chamorro farmer or "Lancheru" as someone has disrespectfully placed a piece of gum on his left nipple.  I find this picture/mural fascinating in that the farmer has a sword and haircut like that of the warrior class of ancient Chamorro... not sure why this is but it is interesting. 

This is my art creation full of Cowry Shells that have been broken.  The large bottom shell I found while at Forbidden Island (the island itself).  Everything about this piece was found on the beach except for the white nylon string used to tie the shells together.  The driftwood piece I found while at Bird Island Beach, which has a lot of driftwood.

 Saipan Time is also Guam Time:

Valentine's Day!

Yesterday was Valentines Day and it could not have been more perfect! I had a great day at school, it truly is my favorite day of school, because I love to watch the kids pass out Valentines to each other and to share in all the excitement. After school was basketball practice which the girls were doing a good job of being aggressive. After practice Grant and I decided it would be fun to work out together and then go out to eat. (yes we did come back home to spruce up for the dinner) We went to Hard Rock Cafe for dinner since it is a fun atmosphere with great food. The performer Jerry was singing and playing the guitar which was entertaining to watch! We had a great time during dinner and enjoyed sharing a shake. For Valentines I bought Grant a protein shaker bottle for his whey protein shakes and Grant surprised me with flowers. The roses are blue because blue is my favorite color. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who loves and cares for me every day of the year! I also thought a lot about God's great love on Valentines Day and how we can only love because He loved us first.

My V-Day Flowers!

Me holding the flowers from Grant!

Grant and I at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Jerry, singing and playing the guitar.

Grant's dinner.

The middle of the restaurant.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
-Kara-

Bees and Basketball

Dear Friends, Family, & Readers:

            I thought I would take a break from writing about exploring and share some of the latest from our life around Saipan Community School.  On February 3^rd, our school had its annual Scripps Spelling Bee competition.  As the English teacher, I am responsible for planning/organizing it.  There is a fair amount of copying involved in the planning process, but everything else is well planned already by the Scripps organization.  They have a great website that has every resource a person could ever need in order to run a spelling bee.  Our school allows grades 1-8 to compete.  We do an elementary (grades 1-5) spelling bee first, and this year a fourth grader won.  Afterward, we had a short bathroom break.  Then it was time to start our junior high spelling bee.  The winner of the elementary spelling bee is then allowed to participate and compete against the older kids.  When the competition was all said and done with our overall winner was Ms. Tiglao (an eighth grader) who had won the competition the previous year while in seventh grade.  Our little fourth grader, Tommy, ended up being the runner-up!  It just goes to show you that good spellers can be of any age.  Ms. Tiglao will now go on to the regional competition in Guam.  Last year, I allowed one of the parents to use my ticket to see their daughter perform; however, this year I will be going to see the competition for myself since it is my last year.  I have always wanted to see a spelling bee competition. Mrs. Tiglao said it is exactly as you see it on TV; I am looking forward to that. 

            Another thing that has been going on is Saipan Community School’s basketball season.  My wife and one of her co-workers are coaching the girls team and it is a rebuilding year.  As with all rebuilding years, it is sometimes tough to watch the games, but my wife is having a good time.  Coaching is always something she has wanted to do and I admire that.  I have attached photos from the spelling bee, boys basketball, and of course girls basketball events.  I hope you enjoy the pictures, remember to click on them if you wish to see them a bit larger.  Below I have attached a devotional I wrote after thinking about how basketball could relate to God, feel free to read it is you have time or need a break time with God. 

The junior high spelling bee students holding on to Tommy the fourth grade phenom. I hope you can tell which one is me in the picture haha

I love the color in this photo and it shows Kara's dedication to the girls. This was taken just before their first game of the season.

Kara giving the girls a pep talk before their first game is about to start.

One of my eighth grade students making his way toward the opposing team's net.

 

Bunching

It can be very easy in basketball to end up bunching together, and it is perhaps

even easier in other sports.

            When my wife was coaching a middle school girls basketball team, she told me one night about how she was trying to teach them zone and/or player to player defense. I could not help but imagine that Christ has the same issue with his followers. This essay is not about which form of defense is better or easier to learn.  This essay is about how to move as a team in order to see God at work among the players on the court.  Christians often have a problem with “bunching” because the environment bred by Christianity today matches our perception of the status quo. The status quo of Today is one that is self-serving, but it makes us feel as though we serve others.  An example of this would be going to church on Sunday, but forgetting to serve others in various ways throughout the week in our own “zones” of influence.  Some people refer to this phenomena as a Christian “bubble.”  We must take ownership as believers of what is perceived by those in our churches as a bubble.  The problem with every bubble is that talking about it leads to the eventual loss of that bubble’s flimsy structural integrity, a pop.  

            In basketball, zone defense is a great way to move players around while keeping the same structural integrity and effective defense.  The issues that face churches change daily because Satan knows how to twist the truth. When the ball is passed from one player to the next or the player with the ball moves to another position, it is important for the defense to know their zone and adapt to the situation regardless of the height of the individual.  In a church the same may be true.  In churches, the issue might move from one zone to another but as a church we must know how to adapt and keep unity.  In his prayer for believers, Jesus mentions how important unity is to the relationship with his Father and among believers saying:

              “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their
              message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me I am in you. May they 
              also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the 
              glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May 
              they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved 
              them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23 New International Version)

Without unity there is every kind of discord because Satan can sense weakness as easily as an opposing forward can see a break in man to man coverage and go for a lay up or a dunk. If a team has unity, opposing players will know that your team is of one heart and mind. The gap will shrink at and instead of bunching up players will box up.  Jesus had to be one with his Father because any separation would have led to Jesus being vulnerable to sin. We all know, however, that he never sinned and remained faithful in obedience by death on the cross.

             In the above verses, Christ tells us that if we are not united with Christ the end goal of sharing the saving knowledge of Christ is impossible just as scoring a goal or having possession of the ball is impossible on the court. In order to be open for a pass, a player must not be bunched up, but open and ready.  The same can be said of Christians and God’s game plan. If we are open to receiving whatever God has for us we will be in the open and not bunched up, stuck, and uncertain of where to move next. Jesus alludes to this idea of unity and being bunched up in a sort of self imposed prison of thought by sharing wise advice such as, “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25).  I know all verses in the Bible are good for teaching and instruction, but this particular advice is given in three of the four gospels, which leads me to  believe it is maybe worth mentioning (Mrk 3:25 & Luke 11: 17).  A team is a sort of kingdom and realm of its own…perhaps more importantly it is like a family.

            The signs of discord from bunching in a church related setting are similar to what you see on a basketball court and may include uncertainty, ball hogs, confusion, and even sadness due to the state of affairs. I find it ironic that basketball hoops are symbolic of Christ and should remind the players not to bunch. All a player has to do to remember to keep unity is remember the team objective is a goal/basket.  That basket can come from anyone, but in order for it to occur the ball must first find its way through the halo with white netting.  That halo is a sign of unity.  If a team is off by just a couple centimeters the ball is going to fall away from the hoop and the ball will be in the enemy’s hands.  May we all be able to work as a team, not bunch, and be open to whatever God has planned for us.

Questions for Discussion

1. How does Romans 15:6-7 relate to this question of community both in church and on the court?  What does this verse say the reason for unity is?  (note: think about God and not yourself)

2.  In the above devotional there is mention of a team being like a family.  If this is true, how does 1^st Corinthians 1:9-11 relate to unity?  (note keep in mind that in v.10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family)

3. Does unity have something to do with mutual submission?  If so, how is that achieved in church and on the court?

4. See the following verses for perspective on living with others and having unity:

2^nd Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 2:2/2:5, and 1^st Peter 3:8.

Saipan Time is also Guam Time:

What this is Winter? January Update

Hi Readers, Family, and Friends,
So winter in Saipan is definitely not like the winter in the Midwest. It has gotten cooler in the mornings where it will drop between 70-75 degrees and it is trade wind season where there is a breeze coming through but it does not compare to the snow and ice we are used to. For me, I love the change. I love summer and so a place that has summer all the time is amazing. Grant on the other hand, longs for snowy days and for spending time curled up inside reading a book. So when we move to MN he will be a happy camper!

The beginning of January started off with fireworks- literally and I was able to spend New Years with my Saipan friends and my friend Megan who flew all the way from Iowa to spend time with me:)

Megan and I at the spa.

 There has been a ton of time spent at the beach in January which is something I treasure since pretty soon going to the beach won't be an option. My girl friends and I go to the beach every Saturday afternoon and on most Sunday afternoons as well. It is a pretty great routine!

Pretty Nails at the Hyatt beach.

Becky, Anna, and I.

Anna and I.

Alison, Me, and Becky.

.
Grant and I also had a fun date night in January where we spent the Christmas money from my parents to go to the Hard Rock Cafe. The HRC is one of the most expensive restaurants to go to so we have only gone a handful of times to the eat there. It was a fun night since Grant and I were able to go out and to not have to worry about the cost. We ordered what we wanted and even shared a milkshake. We paid to keep the glass as a souvenir and we had spent so much money we were able to have a free shot glass. It was a fun night of getting to talk and have fun as a couple.

Eating dinner at the HRC.

Grant smiling with our shared milkshake.

One of our favorite places to go to watch the sunset and to eat is at Pacific Islands Club hotel. Anna, Becky, Grant, and I went out there one night and it was so much fun to relax by the water and to enjoy some great food.

Anna, Me, and Becky. Can't you tell it is a bit cooler in Saipan?

My hubs and I.

 Every month or so I go with my friends to make cards. It is through Jill Arvenoski who works with the company Stampin Up. This month we made birthday cards, valentine cards, and bridal cards. It was a relaxing way to spend a Saturday and it is ok to take a break from the sun every once in awhile:)

Me hard at work.

Amy, Me, and Becky with our finished products.

A bunch of us girls went to see our friend Laura K. perform in the Friends of the Arts play "The Miracle Worker." Laura starred as Annie Sullivan. We had a lot of fun watching the play, but since we had some time to waste before the play we had fun jumping and taking pictures!

Amy, Becky, Anna, Lynette, Grace, and Me.

Becky, Lynette, and Grace jumping!

Me, Anna, and Amy jumping!

Laura, starring as Annie Sullivan.

Let's fight?

So as you can see January has been another action packed month of fun for us in Saipan. To be honest we do work M-F but we always make time for relaxing and fun events with friends. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful Christian girl friends who make being in Saipan a party everyday!!!!
Hope you enjoy the pics and the stories! We shall see what February will bring!
Signing off,
Kara