This month was the Women & Sports Fun Run. Again, it started from Palm Terrace, but this time we did the "upper route". There aren't a lot of route options in Kolonia, but it's nice to have at least a little change every once in a while.
It was an especially warm morning, so we all had a good sweat going. The turnout of runners, joggers, and walkers was really good. People were gathering even before 6:30 to get their t-shirts. I must say I think they did a really good job on their shirts.
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We got the shirts before we ran this time. Good thing
we're not in it just for the t-shirt :) |
After the race, I took my position to congratulate other finishers...
...but at one point I got really thirsty and decided to go back for some water real quick. In the few minutes I was gone, Lori and Cori Jo made their epic finish. They were not so happy with me.
Luckily, they quickly forgave me and were willing to take a finishing picture with me.
We all enjoyed a wide variety of bananas after the race.
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| I tried them all of course! |
Cori Jo gave us a demonstration of how you can eat a karat banana by squeezing it out of the top.
This race's mango treat required everyone to come back to our house. It just couldn't be transported to the race.
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| Re-hydrated mangoes |
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Add milk and ice - blend
Voila! You have a Mango Lassi |
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| Becca approves |
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| Cheers to mango! |
This was not even the best part of the day. There was much more fun to come that evening. You see, Lori's birthday was coming up that week. Her favorite color, by far, is yellow! In Pohnpei, yellow is oangoahng. We decided it would be really fun to surprise her and have a completely oahngoahng party. She had no clue! She actually worked out the surprise herself without even knowing it. She and Cori Jo were coming over for pizza as far as she knew. So the rest of us got our yellow clothes, made yellow food, gathered yellow decorations, and even prepared yellow water balloons for some entertainment. Only yellow allowed at this party!
Cori Jo had Lori call me to ask if I needed anything for the pizza. That was the signal that they were coming. We all ran around to the back of the porch where we were just going to hide until they came up. The plan was to jump out in all of our yellow and surprise her. Joseph had his own plan though. The water balloons were also on the back of the porch. He thought it would be a better idea to surprise bomb Lori as she walked up to our house. We're yelling at Joseph to stop, but next thing we hear is a big "SPLASH" followed by two girls screaming and laughing. At this point Lori is now wet and completely confused. She eventually made it up the stairs to be bombarded by all the yellow.
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| "Why are you guys all wearing yellow?" |
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| "Because it's your birthday!!! Surprise!" |
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| The water balloons continued to fly |
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| Check out that action shot |
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| Even during the group photo, Joseph is caught in the act... |
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| of soaking Laurel :) |
After forcing Joseph to stop taking all the water balloons, it was time for a few little gifts.
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| Crowning the birthday girl with an oangoahng mwaramwar |
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| Super cute local purse, but what's this inside?! |
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We have yet to see these worn.
Certainly not Pohnpei appropriate :D |
Next, we turned to the spread of all yellow foods.
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Yellow chicken, yellow refried beans on corn tortillas,
safron rice, fresh Pohnpei pineapple |
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Cooked bananas and breadfruit with extra yellow food coloring,
yellow papaya, yellow corn muffins, and lemonade |
After filling ourselves with more yellow food that we thought possible, it was time for a water balloon toss. A little throw-back to the fun games of childhood. It still holds true that the team who picks the smallest balloon will more than likely win. I don't think anyone got to stay dry though with Joseph around. Hey, at least it keeps you cool!
Then it was dessert time!!! I bet anyone could guess what kind of birthday cake she got...
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Yellow cake!
With yellow icing, yellow pudding, yellow M&Ms and yellow
candles |
And Cori Jo made us her grandma's special dessert...
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| Lemon Fluff |
I believe we then proceeded to light the candles 3 times and sing all 3 verses of the birthday song. First try the wind got to blow out the candles, second try Lori forgot to make a wish, and third try was the charm.
We even had time to sneak in a few rounds of Phase 10 - another one of Lori's favorites!
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| Mike had total beginner's luck |
Oh what fun it is to celebrate life! Happy Oangoahng Birthday!!!
