BS: Studying in Guam

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 05:55 PM

I was filling out a job application to be a teacher next year. When I got to the space for ethnic origin I refused to call myself "white." Here is Guam white is a minority. I am vastly out numbered by people whose ethnic origins are Chinese, Korean, the Philippines, Japan, the Caroline Islands, Yap, Chuuk, Palau, Pohnpei, and more. White, as a race and as a color, is outnumbered.

I thought about it. They use African-American for black people. Hispanics used to be call Spanish-Americans. There are Filipino-Americans. Indians are Native-Americans. So I've decided to try something new.

European-American!

It fits, it's fair, and I like the sound of it. European-American doesn't sound as elitist as "white" and it is more accurate. Let's give it a try.

From now on I ask those who have to fill out forms and anything else that refers to your ethnic origins to use this term. When speaking with friends and acquaintances about ethnicity please use European-American to replace the former word White.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 06:17 PM

The thing that bugs me (as an occasional pedant) is that ethnicity and origin-country is NOT race. There IS no defined "white" ethnicity. Religion is probably closer to ethnicity than race, but still, not really. European-American DOES fit, in a vague, generic way.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 11:05 PM

I think all such designations are more or less generic. It used to be easy, White, Black, Red, Yellow. It was easy but not fair. My history professor used to quote somebody from the 17th or 18th Century who said something like "Some are born booted and spurred while others are born with a saddle on their backs."

Thank God those days are gone.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 12:08 AM

I notice now most forms say tick all that apply. I've been tempted to claim the smidgen of Native American we have in our family along with "white."

Here is what I tried to post earlier, Brett:

I like it Brett. Just the other day I hesitatingly ticked the WHITE box, but I didn't like it. I DO like what Morris Dees uses, i.e. American of whatever descent, so maybe American of European descent, though that is a bit wordy. His thing was to show we are all Americans first.

From now on I will also list European American.

Thanks!

BTW, I have part of your package ready.*bg*

(this is weird. Each time I have tried to submit this, I get a Babel pop-up window asking me for text to translate!)

Trying one more time. Nope. Back in a moment.

Turns out Max was experimenting.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 06:46 AM

I was surprised when updating my organ donor form (the Skiffler remains are going to medical science- to give students a laugh!) that Irish was one of the ethnic categories they need to know. Are there specific Irish genes that would affect the use of organs? I had one grandfather who was born of Irish parents in India, but spent all but a few years of his teens in Birmingham, does that make me 1/4 Irish or 1/4 Indian?
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Mar 11 - 07:52 PM

I remember an artist introducing a song and saying he is of Irish and German descent. He claimed to have all the charm of his German ancestors and all the efficiency and control of his Irish background.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 22 Mar 11 - 08:28 PM

Reminds me of my friend Cormac McCarthy who claimed an ancestry that combined the wit and charm of the Germans with the iron discipline of the Irish - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 08:43 AM

That might have been who I was thinking of, Tom. Nice to see you back on this thread.

Yesterday I finished watching the first season of Sea Patrol on Hulu. For those who do not know of it Sea Patrol is an Australian TV show about a Navy patrol ship operating in Australian waters. It's very well written, nicely acted, and very nostalgic for me because it reminds me of some of the TV shows I watched as a kid. I loved it.

Unfortunately Hulu only has the first season available and I understand there are four more seasons available in Australia. I will have to wait until I have a job in order to buy the seasons on DVD.

But that's OK because I need to watch the first season again in order to try to understand what the hell they are saying! There were no subtitles or closed captions and it has been too long since my ear got used to the dialect spoken down there. Hopefully the DVDs, when I can get them, will have closed captions (if they can find a translator).

Wakana is funny. She goes through her days convincing herself that she isn't a very good teacher. Then she undertakes her latest effort to make FD a cutting edge school on Guam. Starting tomorrow some of her students will be taking the National Japanese Language Exam. FD is the only school offering it this year though next year other schools will follow suit.

Then they'll have to follow her again because this year she will be the first on the island to enroll students in the Japanese National Honor Society. The effort is making her very tired but she is really cutting a swath for herself. I'm very proud.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 08:54 AM

Brett,
We hear of shortages of basics in Japan - toilet paper for instance. Would Wakana's parents be offended by a CARE package for themselves or to share with neighbors? Any idea what to include?
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 09:51 AM

congratulations to Wakana!

Sea Patrol

Google Australia search for Sea Patrol

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Mar 11 - 09:05 AM

Mary, you are so kind. Wakana is touched by your offer. Her parents, though, are not in any area affected by the shortages. They have all they need. Besides, sending such a package to Japan would be prohibitively expensive.

Perhaps you could take the money you would have spent on this and give it to the Red Cross for Japan. Alternatively you could send the money to the nearest Japanese embassy or consul. I think the Red Cross is the better choice.

The other day an old friend (American) sent her a check for $100 for her parents. Unfortunately there is no way to forward the check to them in any way they could use it. Cashing a personal check in Japan costs upwards of $50 what with the fees and all. The Japanese just don't use checks.

This makes life interesting for lottery winners because they are given their winnings in cash, sometimes a large enough bundle to fit into the trunk of their car.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Mar 11 - 09:21 AM

Will do, Brett.
The news from Japan just gets worse and worse. No, the sky is not falling but now they are saying it will be years before this nuclear mess is over.
I keep you and Wakana in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 11:29 PM

I finally had my first morning class yesterday. The professor has been off island dealing with the death of a parent.

This class will require some changes on my part. Usually we can pipe up when we want to contribute to a point or ask a question. Professor Miller is partially deaf. If you want to contribute to the class you need to get her attention then wait for her to come and stand in front of you. She reads your lips to augment her limited hearing. C'est le vie.

This term is proving to be a little difficult to schedule. Usually we have to do observations or some other community activity. This term Professor Hendricks is conducting a study on change for students moving from middle to high school. We have to devote 10 hours to interviewing kids, parents, and teachers. This is not popular with most of the class because it is more difficult to schedule than observations. I have no opinion.

Our third class, the practicum, has not yet started. This is serious because we are now three weeks into an eight week term. We are rapidly running out of time and we have no professor or schedule. I'm glad I'm not paying for these classes.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 11:22 PM

I am remiss in not telling the story of Wakana and the pigs. Our mountain apple trees are bearing, and dropping, their fruit. About two weeks ago when Wakana went outside to walk the dog she heard a strange noise and found a pig snarfing down apples under the tree behind the house.

Now, we aren't talking about the cute little pot-bellied pigs nor are we talking Piglet. No, this creature must have weighed in at around 200 pounds! Shawna gave chase and the pig ran off but he has been back. The plus side is that we don't have to rake up fallen apples. The down side is that the pigs have rooted up a couple of areas in the back yard.

More fun in Guam.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 05:52 PM

Latest pig count: at least a dozen. We have a family group. There are a couple of large pigs, i.e., about twice the size of our dog, several smaller pigs (about Shawna's size), and a mess of small piglets (about half her size). They visit our tree pretty much every evening. Wakana is thrilled. Usually the apples spoil and smell up the yard. Now the yard smells of pig. Not much better.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 09:17 PM

"Pigs is pigs!"

I seem to remember that from American literature.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 10:29 PM

Personally, I don't trust pigs. Not since I was three or four and visiting relatives on their farm in northern Vermont. They had a very large sow that was kept in a box stall. Twice during the weekend we were there, she broke out and went for me each time. Pigs are omnivorous, and I probably looked like her mid-morning snack.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 May 11 - 01:07 AM

The other day I noticed a little shrine attached to our telephone pole. Back in October Wakana and I had a car accident and wiped out the only wooden pole on that stretch of road. The pole was in sad shape and needed to be replaced. Thanks to us the town of Talofofo lost its power for a few hours and the road got a nice new concrete pole.

Now another car has hit the same pole. That stretch is very dangerous and needs to be approached with caution. This time someone died.

It makes me feel a little strange. If we'd not had that accident nobody would have died.

Our neighbor with the herd of dogs told Wakana that the pigs killed one of his dogs. He was out in the back yard shooting at them with a bee-bee gun. I expect we'll be hearing the sound of guns shortly.

I hope they'll use guns. Hunters on Guam tend to use snares to catch wild pigs. The animal squeals in the bush until the hunter gets back to check his trap. I don't care how many dogs a pig kills to protect its young it doesn't deserve that.

Yesterday on Mother's Day Wakana and I went to Chili's for a steak dinner. While we waited for the food I was amazed to hear Richard Thompson's 1952 Vincent Black Lightning on the muzak system. What a great piece of music.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 May 11 - 01:58 AM

Just heard him sing that in Santa Monica last night! It is a good song. And we got to hear him do it solo, from about 15 feet away.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 May 11 - 11:03 AM

"Now another car has hit the same pole. That stretch is very dangerous and needs to be approached with caution. This time someone died. It makes me feel a little strange. If we'd not had that accident nobody would have died." Naemanson

Sounds to me like they need to make that stretch of road less dangerous. For all we know, the previous pole before it rotted also claimed fatalities. Looks to me like your experience made them take notice.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: gnu
Date: 09 May 11 - 07:25 PM

Nasty rigs them pigs. When I was about ten my old man's cousin took me out to see the piglets and encouraged me to jump up on the stall... HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER THEY ARE NASTY! Knocked me on my ass and the stall was made with 3" rough sawn timber. She was chewing the splinters and making lots of noise when I peeked through the "slats" after I stood up.... while Thomas, Henseley and my old man were laughing their asses off.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 May 11 - 08:58 PM

There are a lot of accidents along that stretch, Ebbie, and the person who died was not the first.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 May 11 - 02:02 AM

As of a few moments ago I sent off my final project for my assessment class and officially finished the third term. In two weeks the summer term begins. Summer term ends on July 29 ( my b-day) and the Fall term begins on August 13. I only have one class during that term but I will be also teaching and writing lesson plans. I expect that will be the session that kills me.

My dad is in the hospital again. I don't know what will happen next.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 May 11 - 08:26 AM

Brett-

Please convey our best wishes to your family, and we hope for the best.

Charley and Judy

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 May 11 - 09:10 AM

best wishes to you & your family

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 May 11 - 10:54 PM

Life goes on. Today is Wakana's last day of classes. She has two days of final exams, correcting the exams, and then she is done for the school year. I, on the other hand, have about 10 days until my summer classes start. I'll be in class all summer. Technically my next vacation will be about this time next year! The thought wearies me.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 11 - 11:42 PM

Ouch! No time off at Christmas, even? Maybe they need a few good snowstorms to give you a bit of a respite!?**bg** Of course, snow in Guam would mean a major shift of the Earth's axis or somesuch, so... just think, you'll be done with all of it, soon, right (close to done in a year?) And then, able to command a proper salary as a prof with more paper to his name. Or, am I remembering wrongly?:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 May 11 - 08:51 AM

Brett-

Well, won't it be nice just to know that Wakana has some time coming up to relax, recharge her batteries, putter around in the yard planting new green things and chasing away the pigs and goats, while you are reading more exciting educational literature, writing research papers and preparing for exams?

I truly envy you.

Time for another cup of coffee and a stretch.

Sure, you can't find some time to fly over to join Roll & Go at Mystic?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 May 11 - 12:37 AM

Oh Charlie. I would LOVE to be at Mystic. Tell you what. Let's start planning now to be there when they first sail the Morgan. That is a sight I really want to see. And it's far enough away to make it possible for me... assuming they don't do it during the school year.

I am now on track to qualify for two teaching certificates. On July 21 I will take the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam and the Praxis Literature - Content exam. If I pass the first one I get to be a social studies teacher. If I pass both I can be a language arts (literature) teacher.

If I don't pass the first one I get to be unemployed. No pressure.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 May 11 - 12:42 AM

By the way, Wakana and I were driving to the cemetery to walk the dog the other day when we passed through a rain shower. We were driving down a steep hill that looks out over Talofofo Bay and the Pacific Ocean. A rainbow blossomed off to our right and ran down into the water of the bay. No pot of gold though it could be under the water. If so it an stay there. That is where a ship loaded with ammunition was wrecked during the war. The bottom is scattered with old shells and no sea creature made them.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 May 11 - 11:38 AM

Here's to rainbows!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 May 11 - 07:40 PM

This is it. My first day of summer classes. I'll be in class as a student until August and then as a student teacher until June. Then I should have my degree and be able to pull down the big buck ($1).

I am worried about my father. He seems to have given up. He won't eat much and just sleeps all the time. There's nothing wrong with him. The doctor's say his blood work is fine. He just won't do anything. It's not looking good.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 May 11 - 07:56 PM

Brett-

How closely are you and family members following his medication? Sometimes one's attitude can be radically altered by new medication.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 02:55 AM

I just got a message from my mother. Dad is fading fast. He's in the hospital but has lost 11 pounds in the last two weeks. My brother is headed out there to try to help. Dad is very weak and sleeps most of the time.

My sister, the doctor, talks to Dad's doctor all the time. She is monitoring things from Montana. She says Dad's doctor is doing a good job. The problem is Dad. He has given up and only wants to fade away.

So I might be coming east sometime this summer. Maybe I can shake some time loose to visit some of my old friends. It would be a quick trip because I need to be here for my classes.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 02:14 PM

Oh, Brett. It is so hard to be faraway when something like that is happening. Do you think he is depressed? Have they tried to treat him for that? It's hard to understand why someone who seems to be healthy has just decided to give up and let go, but then, maybe it's not for us to know. Sending you hugs, anyway. Take care,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 11:39 PM

hugs from me, too

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 11:48 PM

And from me.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 08:59 PM

Brett-

We can always fine some overnight space for you here in Richmond or in Georgetown, and some musical distractions too if you like.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 11:32 PM

I got the word a couple of hours ago that my dad died. The world is so much smaller now.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 02:34 AM

Oh, I am so sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 03:59 AM

sympathy & more hugs

love from sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Dahlin
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 09:01 AM

My sympathies old friend.

Dick D

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 09:04 AM

Brett-

I'm so sorry to hear that.

Please give our condolences to your mother and the rest of the family.

Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 08:21 PM

On Tuesday there will be an open house commemorating my father and his work. Lots will be on display. If you can get there you should go to see how busy he was in his retirement.

Featured will be the rifles and pistols he made or restored, the ships and birds he carved, the gnome houses he built, the varied stuff he filled his house with from the stone arrow heads he collected as a child to the replica viking ship candle holder he too from a book and the wax tablet he made copying one he saw in Archaeology magazine. Featured will be Rachel, the Civil War musket carried by his great grandfather, a Civil War pistol carried by Commodore Perry's physician, and the cannon that fired the first salute to this nation's (USA) 200th birthday. (My friend Richie and I did that in advance of the official salute fired by the National Guard on Mars Hill at sunrise on July 4, 1976.)

Basically if it attracted his attention he tried to make one. The house is not to be believed.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 12:16 AM

Wow, it sounds like a great museum and testament to an very interesting and talented person, Brett. My condolences to you and your family. It can leave one feeling so bereft when a parent passes on. Much strength to you and lots of love,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 01:00 AM

Here is Dad's obituary. I think they did o good job on it.

Bruce Barkley Burnham
NEW LIMERICK - Bruce Barkley Burnham passed away June 3, 2011. He was born Dec. 16, 1927, in Clinton, Conn., to Carroll Ackley Burnham and Marjorie Schmelke Burnham. His sister, Barbara Philippe, lives in Bonita Springs, Fla. Bruce graduated from Morgan High School and attended the University of Connecticut and Louisiana State University studying oil geology. In 1946, as a Marine stationed in Guam and Beijing, he worked repatriating Japanese prisoners of war. Bruce was a draftsman for Electric Boat, New London, Conn., and for Hughes Aircraft, Tucson, Ariz. In 1956, after several years bent over the drafting table and eager to feel the desert sun on his back, Bruce joined the Border Patrol, serving in Texas, upper New York state, Miami and Vermont. He went on to become an Immigration Inspector in Maine and Freeport, Bahamas. In 1949 Bruce married Dorothy Darnstaedt. Bruce and Dottie crafted an original and unconventional life, living for a time on a schooner in Noank and without running water in Vermont, but loved best their red farmhouse in New Limerick. They raised their children to be open-minded, unconventional thinkers committed to a highly personal view of happiness. Bruce was an intellectual, a craftsman, a botanist and gunsmith. He crafted muzzle-loading rifles and ring boxes, built furniture, HAM radios and fireplaces, carved scrimshaw and made ships in bottles. He enjoyed nature in all her forms and was widely read, particularly in the fields of history and science. Endless curiosity, a rare sense of humor and limited patience with fools were the hallmarks of this unique man. Learning was his passion, dogma his antithesis. Bruce opened his home and his heart to those who sought shelter or knowledge. His wife, children and grandchildren love him dearly and will seek to live up to his ideals of intellectual vigor, scientific inquiry and reliance on the natural world to provide answers to life's questions. As a friend or relative of Bruce's you will have feasted on milk weed, paddled a canoe and sailed it home, pondered the origin of boulders and come to understand your place in the universe. To live in the world was not enough without the endless quest to explore and understand it. Bruce is survived by his sister; his wife; his children, Brett, Bryn, Dana, Dori and Nathan; his eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. There will be an open house in honor of Bruce 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at Burnham farm, County Road, New Limerick. Friends may make gifts in Bruce's memory to Cary Library or Houlton Humane Society, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online guest book and condolences at www.dunnfuneral.com.

Cast my ashes to the wind, and let my soul go free. Cast my ashes to the wind, And hope the best for me. Let me drift on wind and tide, mountain and forest and ocean's shore, cast my ashes to the wind, that I might be with those gone before. - David Darnstaedt April 17, 2001

Published in Bangor Daily News on June 6, 2011

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 01:24 AM

Lovely testamonial to a remarkable man.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 01:24 AM

an amazing man

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 05:18 AM

Condolences, Brett, and what a life well lived!

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 08:10 AM

Your father's obituary certainly rings true to me.

Charley Noble