What's a Kwaj?

Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands, is where I lived from 2000-2005.  The Marshall Islands, formerly a US Territory, are now an independent republic in Micronesia.  They lie about half way between Hawaii and Australia.  The RMI are made up of many atolls, Kwajalein being the largest.  An atoll is a circle of coral islands that surround what used to be a volcano.  The island I lived on is also called Kwajalien, Kwaj for short.

Carving for Clinton

Bill Clinton's plane landed on Kwaj to refuel while en route to East Timor.  Clinton de-boarded and took a short tour of the island.  A few of us greeted him at the airport and got a photo op.  Our friend Smiley agreed to take our picture with Bill.  Do you think there is a correlation between Smiley being a Republican and him cutting off Clinton's head in our group pic?

Then we went wakeboarding in honor of the president.

me, Simone, Erika, Bill's chin, and Scotty

Simone and Erika on the ski boat





Kai (Nalu)




Scotty getting ready for a pull




Sader and Boogie (that's what they called me on Kwaj) hanging on the ski dock



If you were to swim from me to the shore, then walk about 50 yards, you'd be at my trailer. 

 

Sader!  The water color is amazing -- our friend Sue calls it "windex blue"

The Clubhouse

The Clubhouse was what we called the trailer I shared with my roommate/homie Amy.  Unfortunately, it's no longer there; all the trailers on Kwaj were removed.   Many good times were had at the Clubhouse; seemed like there was always something going on:  potlucks, brunches, baby showers, holidays, pre-games and "dance anything" parties. 



Emon beach (our trailer is just off this beach)



The Clubhouse with my custom Kaicycle (made by Kai) parked in front

kitchen

living room (pre-furniture minimalist phase)

front yard

front porch (Emon beach in background)

My Kaicycle



My homie, Amy



Sadie's PCS party at the Clubhouse  (PCS = Permanent Change of Station, military speak for going away).  We didn't want her to leave.



Smiley's kids:  Trevor and Caitlin (wearing some fake hair we bought in Majuro) in th kitchen



Our porch at tie dye party, for Relay for Life.  We got serious about tie dye after this.



One of many parties at the clubhouse.  At this one, my mom had sent me a bunch of clothes from Richmond Salvage, and everyone put something on.



Amy and Simone modeling my Richmond Salvage clothes.  The back of the pink shirt had "SAMPLE" written in sharpie.