Lost in translation

Saipan has a large immigrant population. Mainly Chinese. They come here because they don't need a visa or anything and they come here to work in the Garment Manufacturing industry. They make clothes by Liz Claiborne, Abercrombie, Polo, etc. The rest of the population is made up of: Filipino's, native Chamorro & Carolinian's, Russians, some Japanese & Korean's, and some Thai. Very few Americans. They call us "Haolies" (pronounced like howl-ie).

That is where it gets interesting...going out into the public areas where locals shop and do business. DH & really didn't have much planned for yesterday so we were driving around and saw an ACE hardware store. Imagine our excitement! And it was big. Well, I have been saying all week that I want to find the library. I had heard that it was a good one with up to date books and magazines...that is like a second home for me, a library. I could spend days in there. Just throw me a cheeseburger or a pizza every couple of days and I will crawl back into my little hidey-hole to read. Well, we pull into the ACE parking lot and on our left is a small "Bestseller Books" bookstore. It is a small chain that has some nice books and crazy prices. Well, I said to DH, "Do you think that they know where the library is?" (Meaning, ask the bookstore clerk) So, in we went. I perused the magazines to get the latest update on why Jessica left Nick and where the spawn of pukey homewrecker Angelina will be born, and then went to the counter and asked the clerk the all important question. I kid you not, this is how it went:

Me: "Excuse me, but do you know where the library is around here?" ( I knew it was in the area, the phone book said "Susupe", it just didn't give a street address)

Him: "Library?...What is this Library?"

Me: *now looking even more puzzled than the clerk as I try to explain what a library is* "Hmm, a Library...where they have books that you can check out...books" (while making a square shape with my fingers for some stupid reason)

Him: "I know no Library."

Me: "Okay thanks."

Seriously...I was baffled and still am. We happened to spot the library about an hour later as we drove down the road.

I could have just called them and made it easier on everyone. :)

Another example:

DH & I were in search of something different to eat the other night. We eat out every meal (since we are homeless and living in a hotel) and it is getting old. Sad to say, I know. Boo hoo for us. So, we went to this place called "Bobby Cadillac's" (another chain...there is one in Guam that we never ate at) because I was hungry for pizza. It is kind of like a casual deli. We went to the counter and decided on a pizza and DH put the order in with the clerk. Here is how it went:

Her: "Can I help you?"

DH: "Yeah, I'd like a large Bobby Cadillac Combo pizza"

Her: "Thin or Regular crust?"

DH: "Regular please"

Her: "Pick up or Dine in?"

DH: "Pick up"

Her: *in a very shocked and alarmed tone* "Pick up what do you mean, PICK UP?"

DH: (now looking puzzled) "We will take it with us, carry out"

Seriously...I almost busted a gut trying not to laugh right there in her face. He was just repeating the phrase that she used. It was funny then and it is funny now.

Stitching
I finally finished a 4 My Boys Design..."Bless Us" It is cute, I think that I might use it for my Christmas in July exchange piece.

I tried to do a Prairie Schooler bookmark but decided that I need to use the recommended 32 ct fabric not my 28...and I want to swap our some colors. So, it is on the back burner for now.

I have to work on my "Joy" tree this week.

House hunting

We have seen some interesting places. Would you believe that people would rather signt a 55 year lease on a house than a 2 year lease? Crazy. We found a cute one that is very private and could be nice...just needs some work. I guess we will see if the owner is interested in doing more to it for an extra $200 per month for 2 years. That would bring us up to our housing limit.

Blog

Can anyone tell me why my sidebar is at the bottom of my blog? I haven't done any adjustments to my template or anyting. It seems like the green area is wider than it should be, which in turn pushes the sidebar. I have been thinking about buying a blog design like ones I see on other blogs. Might wait on that though.

Maybe this week DH will upload some pictures for me so I can post them.

Here are some pictures that I found that I will link from the web:

This is the island...Saipan lagoon is on the top part of the picture, it is the lighter aqua color.

Peace!