Poksai at the Micronesian Cup

This year at the Micronsian Cup, Poksai took it all. 14 women traveled to Palau this year to make up 2 boats, one of which was JILL SULLIVAN (seen in back row holding paddle up)! There were 2 days of racing, 1 of sprints (500M and 1500M) and 1 of long distance (8 miles). It was Jill's first time paddeling in an international competition with this already very successful, motivated team.



Our training was 9 weeks, 2 mornings of 4:45am paddling, 2 of 5:45am for sprint practice or distance, the 2 of cross training on land. I'm not sure how it happened, but Jill was actually able to get up early.

The five trophies consisted of a 1st in the 500M, a third in the 500M, a 1st in the 1500M (involving 3 turns), a 1st in the Long Distance (about 8 miles), and the Overall. Jill sat in seat three or four and was part of the boat that earned the 3 - 1st place and overall trophies!









The trophie ceremony was held at Sam's Dive Tours. This is also the dive shop I used the next day to go diving. Poksai women: Back Row - Rachel Santos, Estelle Alig, Annette Aguon, Venessa Quinata, Tina Nelson, Nancy Grieder, Diane Vice, Megan Sullivan. Front Row - Natalie Calvo (coach), Annie Gayle, Katrina Atoigue, Anne Marie Gawel, Me!





Prior to the trip at the airport the team had a logistics meeting. I (Jill) was so impressed with how together and prepared our team was. The Poksai women have been paddling together for years and have raced all over the Pacific; Hong Kong, Fiji, Australia, Hawaii, etc. They are all so committed it made it hard to miss our 4:45am practices!

So Liam and I (Sean) had to entertain ourselves...



The excitement was in the air as the first of two days of racing was at hand.



Again, Liam and I had to entertain ourselves...

Prior to a race the teams had to all be on the bench waiting...Boat 1, from left to right Annie, Ann Marie, Nat, Jill, Kat, Michelle.

Liam encouraged Mom between heats, "GOOO BOAT!" he would say.

Here is the 1500 M race, the boats are traveling from left to right...the boat Jill is in is....well...IN 1st PLACE!!! Hong Kong 2nd, Palau 3rd.

And here they are shown crossing the finish line. Notice nobody is close by!

The triumphant return to dock after a great success. Jill is in seat 4 from the front.

Liam had a little time with some island girls later on.

After all the racing everyone did some touring. Sean was off diving, so Jill and Liam did a little island touring. Liam is standing in front of a "Bai" or meeting house in Palau. This one is at the national museum, but there are still many around the island that are used in different villages.

The last day Jill and I took Liam with with us plus Megan, Rachel, Estelle, Venessa and Annette out on the boat to go snorkeling in some of the most amazing coral gardens in the world. This was his nap. The noise, speed, waves put him to sleep. He had a big day! We all had a big weekend!

"Japan" by Liam

I sit in Japan and wait for a hand 'cause not a word of the language I read,

While Mike and my Mom stand dumb found yet calm,

we did finally make it someplace to eat.

We strolled up the street,

saw gardens so neat,

And now my favorite new word is bamboo!

It was all quite clean,

And very serene,

putting me into slumber so deep.

But finally I woke,

And the women they spoke in words that I assume were sweat.

My friends they are fun,

we walked until we were done,

And on the subway did yawn.

The food was generally super,

And Lynda she was quite a trooper,

But the time in the stroller was not great.

Mom would get excited,

and the ladies faces I lighted,

But it was in the trains which I truly delighted.

I waited for monkeys

and waited some more

And finally they showed their faces.

My mom she does love me.

and fills me with rice,

And the view...it was very very nice.

Even with me out of the photo.

Then the time came,

and the bikes they did flame,

so fast it all was a blur!

But then the hunt was on...the reason for the trip...

we did spot a Geisha and made all of us flip!

Tired and finished, asleep I did fall so once again my parents shoved me under the seat of the plane. (Sorry the last line does not rhyme - I'm tired)

The Dump Truck!

Fun Video of Liam and his Dump Truck!

A Good Day

It was a pretty great day! We started out with a 5K nice and early - 6am start time! I actually managed to run the whole way and Liam had a nice ride. My running companion (shown in picture) is training with a team to go to Palau for the Micronesian Cup as a member of an outrigger canoe team. Instead of the team practicing this particular morning they ran the 5K.

After the race we headed to Gun Beach for some snorkel time. Very nice! Liam thinks the beach is pretty cool...as do we.

After the beach we all took naps. Then we packed up and headed over to Jeff's Pirate Cove for some burgers with the Bantz's. Liam is able to carry his own stuff now (and is doing a great job while learning to use the toilet)!

No cake...which is fine...because Jill did arrange a big cookie! I heard from my family, friends, didn't have to work, had a great burger, ran a 5k, went to the beach, took a nap

chased Liam around a golf green,

Had a nice family photo taken, and
bowled a super 71.