Saipan Sunrise

STAR OF THE WEEK and HALLOWEEN

2009-11-02T13:39:00.005+10:00

Here are some random photos. The big one is Clark's "Star of the Week". We put up a lot of photos in his classroom. Plus, pictures of Halloween (Clark was a Ninja and Amaris was, suprise, a princess). Amaris playing with her princesses, Clark skating and climbing a tree. Both ready for bed.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY AMARIS!!!

2009-10-06T15:29:00.004+10:00

Amaris had a party at Grace Christian Academy on September 29th, her Birthday. There was a "Princess Castle" cake, which contained six princess she could play with after the cake was gone. She also got a mermaid and a couple of Barbie dolls as well as a Disney Tea Set, make-up, stationary, and other things. She is still having fun with her toys.

Guam/CNMI Visa Waiver Program

2009-09-28T17:12:00.002+10:00

Who are these Kids?

2009-09-22T14:01:00.003+10:00

Well, its David Corely Birmingham, Mark Edwards Birmingham, and Rebecca Marguerite Birmingham. We are all in our mid to late forties now. Ok, I turned 50 this month, but who's counting. Thanks, Cousin Doug for the pictures.

Playing Piano with Mom and Blessing Granny

2009-08-27T14:16:00.003+10:00

Mom gives Clark and Amaris their first Piano lesson. Better keep their day jobs. Also, Amaris blesses Granny Filipino style. Hong Kong Airport after 14 hours on plane!

Family in the Philippines

2009-08-26T16:34:00.003+10:00

Clark, Amaris, and Doris went to visit family in the PI. I stayed in Saipan to work, but met them there and spent three days. This is up in Lubao, Pampanga at Tita Rose's house as well as Manila Ocean Park, an aquarium in Manila.

Birmingham Family Vacation Texas 2009

2009-08-26T15:59:00.002+10:00

Going on Rides at Six Flags on July 23, 2009. We had a great time! Also, Tita Becky at the "Best" Mexican place in Arlington. Becky and I have a tradition of going to out of the way places to eat. This place did qualify. I think it was called My Amigo or something like that.

Birmingham Family Vacation Texas 2009

2009-08-26T10:06:00.003+10:00

Here are some videos from our vacation. This was Joan and Amaris reading a book and then having an afternoon choclate treat. Next, is Adventure landing in Dallas. We also played golf and both kids rode the big go karts with Mom.

MANILA OCEAN PARK

2009-08-07T09:00:00.004+10:00

The Family (without yours truly) went to Manila Ocean Park which is (and I paste) "The Philippines’ first state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall, restaurant row and function facilities all located in one complex at the back of the Quirino Grandstand".
They had a good time with the highlight being the little fish that eat the dead skin off of our feet. Whatever.

BIRMINGHAM FAMILY VACATION 2009

2009-08-05T14:44:00.020+10:00

OK, I have not updated the blog in a while, but then again the rest of my family has been gone! They left for Manila on June 16th. I joined them in Manila on July 5th and we all left for Texas on July 8th. We left Texas on July 25th for Manila. I spent one day in Manila then left back to Saipan. The family stayed another week and came back on Saturday, August 1st. Clark and Amaris started school (Grace Christian Academy) on Monday, August 3rd. They only spent two weeks on Saipan after school was let out and one week of that they had Vacation Bible School. The breakdown of our Trip:
Mark: Gone from Saipan 24 Days
Family: Gone from Saipan 45 Days
Flew in eleven different planes for a total of 46 hours in planes (including two 14 hour flights). Drove over 2500 miles in cars. The family stayed in six different Hotels for a total of nine different locations. Highlights of the trip include:
* Manila Ocean Park
* Dora the Explorer live show in Nokia Theater (Dallas Area)
* Six Flags over Texas
and, of course, seeing family. There is lots more and lots of pictures. Video will come soon, but it takes a while to upload to YouTube. We had a great time and hope to come back soon.

Going to the Cliffs, Washing Dishes, and Stuff

2009-05-06T10:55:00.005+10:00

We went up the Cliffs...again. We like it up there. We flew the kite and the kids had doughnuts. I had a sandwich. Clark also did his skates and we played kickball. All in all a good time.
Check out the video of Amaris giving Mommie at neck massage and helping was dishes. Every time mommie washes she gets her stool and starts to help.

All Kinds of Stuff

2009-04-07T13:16:00.005+10:00

I have been a bit remiss about updating the blog. Actually, only missed about a month, but when you have a 4 and 7 year old, a month is a long time! Here are some things in order: Wennie roast at Pala Pala, Doris helping at GCA, Clark and Amaris playing Candyland, Clarks Science Fair project, AMARIS (one name), Fun at the Cliffs

Grace Christian Academy Spring Production

2009-04-07T09:38:00.004+10:00

Clark and Amaris had their Spring Production. Here are the pictures and video.

Happy 7th Birthday Clark!

2009-03-19T15:25:00.003+10:00

We celebrated Clark's 7th Birthday with his 1st Grade classmates at GCA. He got a new pair of inline skates. We had double choclate Oreo cake and ice cream. They all had a good time. He also got a water gun and more cake! The "Superman" ad was seen on channel 41 on MCV.

Basketball and Sleeping

2009-02-11T14:22:00.004+10:00

It has been a good January for us. We have a new basketball goal. It's only 8 1/2 feet high, but it's fine for Clark (and me to). We have a junior basketball for him. He plays about every day. And Doris shoots hoops in the morning. We had someone make it for us for about $200. We can move it if we like.

Birmingham Saipan Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T16:18:00.007+10:00

It was a great Christmas in the Birmingham house. Amaris was the first to wake up and ran down the steps to see her new pink scotter (see YouTube video) Clark got a skateboard (with protection)and a real basketball (we are having a basketball goal installed next week). It will not be sturdy enough to slam dunk, but if he's doing this, were moving back to the States and contacting the NBA. Amaris tried to sneak a "Santa Cookie". Santa might be better off if she did, but that's another story. They also got one of those dance games you hook up to the TV. Clark seems to have fun with it. We did our usual trip to the suicide cliffs with a Big New Yorker Pizza from Pizza Hut. The played with their toys. In the afternoon we went to see "The Tale of Desperaux". We all went to bed about 8:30pm and had a good night's sleep. Again, another great day on Saipan.

December 2008 Happenings

2008-12-23T10:56:00.005+10:00

It's been a busy December. MCV Broadband had it's Christmas Party at the World Resort. Employees brought their families for the noon buffet and all day passes at the Wave Jungle Water Park! Clark went down the slides for the first time. He was little scared at first, but, as usual, once he did it once we couldn't keep him off. Amaris liked the kids area. We have gone several times, but this was the most fun they (and us) had. Video of Mom and kids going down the "lazy river". I got there early and had about two hours of swim time before they came. Also, pictures and video of Amaris's class party on the last day of school before Christmas. I also read to Amaris's and Clark's class the pop-up book version of "A Night Before Christmas". We also have some pictures of Carolers from Grace Christian Academy. They came by Friday night and did about a fifteen minute show. We were up on the balcony. Clark went down and starting banging some old toys together to keep time with the music. Christmas is in two days. I told them that bad kids only get a stick and a rock for Christmas. Well, it works for a while!

Grace Christian Academy Christmas Production

2008-12-10T14:10:00.006+10:00

Clark and Amaris both had parts in the GCA Christmas Production. The K4 class goes first (they are not going to wait)and they sang a song. Clark did a dance. Both were good and each got a cupcake and juice after the performance, so it was a VERY good night. I have included the rehearsal video instead of the actual performance of Amaris because you can see it better. One his her singing and the other is the "diva" getting ready. Note: She acted better in the production.

Doris's Thanksgiving Trip to Guam

2008-12-04T14:17:00.006+10:00

Doris left for Guam on Wednesday morning right before Thanksgiving. She had a great time. Just look at the pictures. I was at home with the kids. We went to the Suicide Cliffs and ate Pizza for Thanksgiving. We went to a Birthday Party on Friday. We went to see "Bolt" on Saturday. We also saw, for the first time "The Little Mermaid" (the Sea Witch scared Amaris and she ran over and grabbed me) and "Ice Age". We did other things to and had a good time. Doris bought a bunch of stuff on Guam. Thanks to Jeanette and Brian for letting Doris stay with them. To Margie and Patrick for the annual party (wish I could be there, but I doing real work for a change)and Katherine (thanks from Amaris) and Bob for... well, for just being Katherine and Bob. Plus, some shots of Clark and Amaris dressed for Church.

Obama will be President

2008-11-17T16:00:00.005+10:00

Well, it was an historic election. The idea that the USA could elect a black man president says more about the USA than Obama, and I mean that in a good way. I do understand the pride that the black community must feel.
There are as many ways to look at Barak Obama as there are people looking.
My main concerns are the following:
First: Forget the fact that he's African American, he's a liberal democrat which is scary for anyone that wants to get ahead in the world. His "redistribution of wealth" (his words) already has the stock market moaning. Those evil rich people! I guess I could agree because I'm not rich, but it's the Democrat definition of "rich" that should have everyone concerned. Although the Dems won't say it, if you have a job, your rich! If they CAN take money from you they will. After all, they need to give to the people that have nothing so they can have the good life also. Nevermind that they don't work or do anything else for society. It's someone elses fault that they are in the shape they're in. And the Democrats are there to make everything better. And to give them a ride to the polling places.
Second: This financial mess that we are in is not his fault, but he will be the one responsible for cleaning it up, which is a bit unfair, but hey, that's the way it is when you're President. He can blame the actions of the former administration, which may be true, but in the long run it does'nt give you a free ride. He has promised alot, but I don't really think he will be able to deliver and I will hold his feet to the fire when he does not. It's not OK for a politican to say anything to get elected, but get elected they do. Getting re-elected is a hard thing. And you better believe, like ever other President, he started to run for re-election on November 5th.
Third: How far to the left will Obama move to serve his radical constituancy? We already have nationwide protests for gay marriage. They feel more bold now that their guy will soon be in the White House. This is the part I fell best about. I think he will move to the center. Bill Clinton governed from the center and did a good job for eight years. I don't like the Democrat agenda much, but I would probably vote for Bill Clinton again.
I don't feel bad about Obama as President, but I don't understand why some people are just so gaga over him. For black americans this would be understandable just for the fact that he was black. I would say that he has basically a cult of personality feel about him. Let's face it, the real competion for Obama was not John McCain, but Sarah Palin, which is why the media and other Democrats treated her so shamfully. What about Joe Biden? He has promised that America will be attacked, and soon. The man is a human gaff machine, but the media did not seem to care. And now the McCain staffers are coming out with negative things about Palin. Why? Because they are scared of her to. Remember, most of the comparsions in the elections were made between Obama and Palin. What does that mean? Forget what she did in this campaign. The only reason that McCain did not get beat by 10 points was because of Palin. She will be back and she will bring her A game.
Am I worried? Not from the perspective of Obama being president. He is a smart guy and I would expect him to the smart thing. I really hope he is successful.

Sunday with the Birmingham's

2008-11-10T12:52:00.003+10:00

Doris and Amaris get ready to go to Church. Amaris and Clark have their weekly "Pala Pala" race on Sunday afternoon while I watch College Football and grill Chicken, Ribs, and Fish.

Halloween at the Hyatt

2008-11-03T15:51:00.003+10:00

We went to the Hyatt Hotel for Halloween. The kids went to their party while we ate at the Kili Cafe buffet. After that, they went door-to-door in the Sugar King area (aptly named)which is close to where we live. People were having outside parties and lots of candy and trick or treaters. Amaris got a couple of blisters walking in her "princess shoes". Clark was a ninja.

Nikon CoolPix S210 is a PIECE OF CRAP!!

2008-10-30T14:17:00.005+10:00

I hope you enjoy the pictures associated with this posting. They were taken with a Brand New Nikon CoolPix S210 camera. I got it on Thursday, took these pictures on a Saturday, and then the camera stopped working on Tuesday. I tried to fix it using comments I got on line, but in the process, I scratched it thus voiding the warrenty. I got online to find that the "Lens Error" problem is very prevelant in the camera. This POS crappy (and realatively inexpensive) no-good NIKON camera should be banned for sale in the USA. The pictures are not even that good as some were blured. The video was not bad, but is was a bit choppy at times. The other pictures are of a party at Grace Christian Academy. Enjoy the pictures of the soccer game. Snacks at the game: $10 New Soccer Shoes: $30 Clark making his first goal of the season: Priceless? No- $179.00 Thanks a pantload Nikon

Grace Christian Academy Activities

2008-10-20T10:31:00.005+10:00

The kid's school, Grace Christian Academy, had a full weekend starting with the Fundraiser dinner on Friday where Clark performed. Also,the "Parade of Nations" on Monday. Clark's class dressed as Cambodian children and Amaris's class dressed as Chinese children. All classes dressed up.

Amaris 4th Birthday

2008-10-07T11:36:00.005+10:00

The Lovely Amaris celebrated her 4th Birthday (Sept 29) at home and at Grace Christian Academy. She got some dolls, which she dismembered within a few hours. She also got a Junior Doctor set, which we would hope would help with the dolls. The baloons were the big hit as usual.