Bah Humbug

Yesterday, my Facebook status read, "Saipan clouds, how I love thee. Please do not go anywhere!"  This was not, however, an invitation for Tropical Depression 08W (soon to become a tropical storm) to visit bringing with it: Marine Weather Warnings, Special Weather Statement (Marianas), Small Craft Advisories, Airport Weather Warning Guam International Airport, and a High Surf Advisory. I'm sure I am missing a few watches or warnings.  The Pacific just might outdo Oklahoma when it comes to excessive watches.  Thankfully, since I watch last weeks television in Saipan, it won't mess up my programming.  (Until the power goes out, that is.)

I had just returned home after dropping off the last of the girls from our (what ended up being) 4 day girls retreat.  It was surprisingly a lot of fun...and NO drama! Hard to believe, I know.  Within 30 minutes of returning to the house, the skies opened up.  [Note: Part of our late morning retreat activities was to visit a few of the touristy sites on the north end of the island.  One of my favorite places to go just before a storm is Bonzai Cliff.  Sure enough, this morning it didn't disappoint as huge waves were crashing on the cliff.  (I do have video and pics to show, but the computer I'm using in Saipan doesn't seem to have a  slot of my camera card. They'll have to wait.)] 

Since about 2:30pm this afternoon it has rained.  There are flame tree petals and plumeria flowers scattered all over the yard from the wind.  A little before 5:30, I decided I was going to head out to see if Street Market was still going on tonight. Street Market happens every Thursday night. I have a feeling that in all the times I've been on island (including the 2 years I lived here), I can count on one hand the evenings I did not attend street market. If I did nothing else while on the islands except go to street market, I would consider the trip successful.  

As I headed down the mountain, I hit road construction that actually just added itself to the Saipan flood zone.  With the road being narrowed to a single lane at times, I pressed forth through high waters to get to Street Market. (They weren't really that high. I mostly wrote that for dramatic effect. Mom and Gayla, please don't worry.)   About the time I hit the port, the rain began.  It was soon so heavy I could hardly see to drive. I decided that this was not the time to go to street market, so I stopped off for a massage.  (It was on the evening's agenda.) I had a great time with my Chinese friends as I learned more about them this evening. Sadly, more customers came in as did the mama-san so they had to hush. I don't really like when the mama-san is there because then they are all business, and we don't get to laugh and talk.  Rabbit trail. Sorry.

After the marvelous massage, I was able to get in my car just before the rain and head towards street market. As I approached, I could see lights and I was hopeful!  I could hear the ridiculously loud music and I was double hopeful! I parked my car and waded in water above my ankles in the rain to the OUTDOOR  street market. I frantically searched for Thai House, Poons, Buttercups, the smoothie stand, the handicrafts....any of my favorite booths. Sadly, only about 1/4 of the vendors were there. I left, wading in water up to my ankles in the rain, back to my car empty handed and starving. Sigh.  I decided to go to Thai House restaurant instead. I sat there as the only costumer dumb enough to get out in the weather and talked to the waitress as I ate my order of Spring Rolls.  My Thursday night without my beloved street market was ruined. (As is the shopping I had promised for my mom and MaKenzie.)

If the ruining only stopped there.  Tomorrow's 4th of July activities have now been postponed.  It is tentatively rescheduled for Sunday.  This means no parade or fireworks tomorrow. And the parade and fireworks will be probably be during church on Sunday so no one will come!  The ruining means no snorkeling since we have a high surf advisory and the water is pretty rough.   And since tomorrow is a holiday, everything is closed! (I know that doesn't happen in the states, but islanders take holidays seriously. And everything shuts down.  Including Thai House buffet.)  I would say I was going to start watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel (yes, they are having a week of Christmas movies kicking off July 4), but since my TV is a week behind, I can't even do that!

Bah Humbug. 

On a very bright note: the house is cool...I'm cool...and I will sleep. Hallelujah for rainy weather at bed time!