danaleeling

The new year brings a new medical treatment to Pohnpei. When I am out running I often get thirsty - water sometimes seems to be the limiting performance factor in the tropical heat and humidity here on Pohnpei. I have been on a running binge this Christmas, racking up hour long runs every single evening without a break. I suppose one of my motivations has been in part the somewhat regular visits to the hospital in the evening and visiting with other friends who are not well. Micronesia is a particularly unhealthy place apparently. A friend my age who was an active basketball player, is dying of kidney failure due to untreated early onset adult type II diabetes. He is inflated like a balloon, almost like some cartoon figure prior to popping. If the situation were not so tragic and the end result so grave, his appearance would be darkly humorous. Unfortunately he still has young kids who will lose their father all too early in their lives. Another friend burst the vein used for dialysis...

This shot of Zephyranthes rosea was taken in order to display the nature of tepals in Lilliaceae . The color gradient observed was used to inform the design of floral formula symbols in Scalable Vector Graphics . Opening for the first time yesterday, a pure white Spathoglottis plicata (Philippine ground orchid).

Color coordinated clothes and sunglasses will be all the rage in 2009. A former student of mine had been staying with a colleague for the past four years. As her parents were unable to make the trip, he was asked to stand in for her father. This was his first time to give away a "daughter" in marriage. Kosraen weddings maintain the culture of Kosrae. Pastor Skilling leads the newlyweds through their vows. The newlyweds along with the wedding entourage. After the ceremony, the happy couple along with family and friends adjourned to a nearby cafe for food. At home a pure white Spathoglottis plicata has gone into bloom.

Christmas means marching in the Kosraen Congregational church. The Sunday school led off the marching and singing. Christmas also brought memories of the past including an HO gauge train set.

The shortest day of the year clearly demanded a good, solid long run. I headed out the door at 16:30 under a bright tropical sun with three tennis balls. I ran out into Nett across the Dausokele bridge to Palipowe junction. Turned around and ran towards the setting solstice sun on the inbound trek to Kolonia. The sun was settling into the taller mango trees at 17:15 as I headed past the state hospital and the road side purveyors of bottled sakau. A day of snorkeling at Nett Point the day before had worked muscles unaccustomed to being worked. Nett Point is also a good work out for the kids. The boat channel is deep, and jumping in means having to tread water and swim back to the dock. I stopped by Ace Commercial to pick up a CapriSun sport drink. A few minutes on a cement parking bumper and then I was back on the road headed for the causeway. Small children called out to me, "Doh me eho!" Some who knew me better moved their hands up and down in alternation and I obliged them ...