Hagatna, GU 96932
Last Updated: 08/24/09 01:00:43 EDT
Local Weather:
Current Conditions
86°F
Partly Sunny
Real Feel: 105°F (41°C)
Relative Humidity: 71%
Wind: SSW at 7 mph (11 kph)
Visibility: 10 miles (16 km)
Sunrise: 6:05am
Sunset: 6:35pm
Man I can't wait for Christmas!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tryin' out the new underwater camera!!!
HA~ I finally got a new camera and it's waterproof! I love it! I cannot wait to take more on another day...we got rained out today, but it was nice for the most part.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The calm before the storm
So we've received several informative emailings about typhoons in the surrounding areas, Tropical Depression Maka:
415 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF WAKE ISLAND.
and
Tropical Storm Vamco (pictured above):
575 MILES NORTH OF POHNPEI...
655 MILES NORTHEAST OF CHUUK AND
785 MILES EAST OF SAIPAN.
I'm slightly nervous. In fact, I had a hard time sleeping last night and I'm going to blame it on my fear of being hit by one of these storms. Neither of them are yet classified as typhoons, but they are both expected to intensify in the next 24 hours...yikes.
So I walked outside to see what the weather is doing now...
It's so calm and still it's erie...
There is no wind.
The air is warm, not too hot,
And so humid it feels like you are underwater...where's my snorkel???
The sky is still.
There are some clouds.
Some are white,
Some are light gray.
The water is calm and gunmetal grey...
I'm nervous. But I'm holding out hope that they dump their rain and leave us unscathed. We do have scattered rain fore casted for the next four days...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I CANNOT WAIT for Christmas
I know it's still four (count them 4!!) months away, but I CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT WAIT for Christmas.
On December 16th, we will board a plane headed for HI, which will ultimately put us in Seattle on December...16th. Thank you International Date Line. Do you know how excited that makes me just thinking about it? I am not kidding. I know that the 24 hours it will to take us to get home will be tedious at best and seem like an eternity, but will be worth it to see my family and friends again.
I hope the airline brought enough little bottles of Cab for me! Did you know you can only use your debit card on certain planes now? Poor Boy-O will be losing his mind thinking about seeing his Mimi and Auntie and Uncle and hopefully his Daddy too. That's one of the reasons I haven't told him we're going yet, I wouldn't hear the end of it for the next four months. I bought the tickets in April...I like to plan ahead. I figure I'll start packing for him two days before we leave, as my bags are already packed and waiting. When he asks me what I'm doing, I'll pretend he already knows and make him crazy, until he starts getting mad at me and then I'll break down and tell him. I'll be sure to insert ear plugs before hand. I can just imagine the scream of delight now. Merry early Chirstmas buddy.
I sit here and day dream about going home and what we will do when we get home. I day dream about it on the way to work, at work, on the way home fom work, on the way to TKD, during TKD when I'm supposed to be meditating, on the way home from TKD...you get the idea. Pretty much occupies a great portion of my day.
I think about circling SEATAC looking out my window and seeing Mt Rainier (14, 411 ft.). Mt. Lamlam, the highest elevation here is only only 1,332 ft. above sea level. (but when measured from where it actually begins on the bottom of the Marianas Trench, it is the largest gain in elevation on Earth, approx. 38,300 ft!)
I think about how I can't wait to be cold after being so darned hot for 11 months. People here look at me funny when I say I can't wait to be cold, but they don't understand what a cold weather person I am. It makes me cranky to be hot, oh so cranky. Thank goodness for all the aircon here!
I think about the lights of the Space Needle and all of Seattle on the way to my momma's house. The lights of hotel row along the shoreline here are beautiful, but nothing compared to Seattle's skyline.
I think about the wonderful 8 lanes of interstate we call I-5. It's a three lane here on a good day heehee, and the potholes are much worse, bone-jarring even with good suspension.
I think about the pine trees lining the roads, sigh, I miss coniferous trees. Palm trees are beautiful, but I loves me a pine tree. Love the smell.
I think about Starbucks...yes, Starbucks. You may laugh, but YOU try going without for almost a year...heck, they have Starbucks in every country I've ever been to. I have pictures. But they don't have one on Guam, an American Territory!
I think about going to a Seahawks game. That's what I want for Christmas, tickets to a 'Hawks game. The cold, crisp Seattle air. Wearing a hooded sweatshirt, fur-lined coat, green 'Hawks gloves and covering with a blanket, shivering and cheering. The smell of garlic fries and beer. The sound of the crowd cheering and the beer guy/girl yelling "cold BUD!" and paying 8 dollars for it...yep, absolutely can't wait!
I think about how it's going to feel to hug my mommy again after almost a year. It's the longest I've ever been away from her and my sister and brother. I know, it sounds pathetic, I'm 30 years old...and I miss my mommy. But thats only because you haven't met her. Haven't heard her laugh or the silly words she makes up, or smelled her or seen her, or spent a holiday with her. She is the most beautiful woman in the world, inside and out.
I think about the feeling of calm that will come over me when I walk through her door. Her house is so soothing to me. It doesn't matter what house she's living in, it's her presence and what she turns a house into. It's like a drug to me. Everything smells good, everything is beautiful, matching, and clean; home. Home is where my mom is.
I think about taking a train to Oregon to see my best friend that I talk to on the phone everyday. It will be Boy-Os first train ride. Seeing my best friend in Mukilteo and her two beautiful kiddos. Borrowing my little brothers car (this makes me laugh) to go to Whidbey to see my friends that I miss so much. Visiting my old squadron and saying hello to my old "kids" there.
Christmas dinner will be amazing as always. This year it will be extra wonderful because I will be seeing and spending time with people I haven't seen in a year, and probably won't for another year. Christmas at momma's is always great. One of my favorite holidays, right along with Halloween.
Going to Trader Joe's, buying two buck Chuck (or is it four buck Chuck now?) and some yummy trail mix. Me thinks I'll have to be maling a box to myself on Guam, chock full o'Trader Joe's goodies.
Playing in the snow, even if it doesn't snow while we are there, I will make my way toward the snow if I have to hitchhike! Snoqualmie Pass, here we come!!!
And last but certainly not least: going to Leavenworth (WA). Stepdaddy already said we could go. For those that know me, this is a sorta big deal. I love Leavenworth. It is a little slice of heaven for me, even with the history I have with it. There is snow, beer and brauts! Can't beat that with a stick.
So, now I have exhausted my brain finally getting down in type why I CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT WAIT to get home. I hope this helps me think about something else for a while...but I doubt it.
124 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes and 47 seconds until Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 8:00:00 AM.
But who's counting???
On December 16th, we will board a plane headed for HI, which will ultimately put us in Seattle on December...16th. Thank you International Date Line. Do you know how excited that makes me just thinking about it? I am not kidding. I know that the 24 hours it will to take us to get home will be tedious at best and seem like an eternity, but will be worth it to see my family and friends again.
I hope the airline brought enough little bottles of Cab for me! Did you know you can only use your debit card on certain planes now? Poor Boy-O will be losing his mind thinking about seeing his Mimi and Auntie and Uncle and hopefully his Daddy too. That's one of the reasons I haven't told him we're going yet, I wouldn't hear the end of it for the next four months. I bought the tickets in April...I like to plan ahead. I figure I'll start packing for him two days before we leave, as my bags are already packed and waiting. When he asks me what I'm doing, I'll pretend he already knows and make him crazy, until he starts getting mad at me and then I'll break down and tell him. I'll be sure to insert ear plugs before hand. I can just imagine the scream of delight now. Merry early Chirstmas buddy.
I sit here and day dream about going home and what we will do when we get home. I day dream about it on the way to work, at work, on the way home fom work, on the way to TKD, during TKD when I'm supposed to be meditating, on the way home from TKD...you get the idea. Pretty much occupies a great portion of my day.
I think about circling SEATAC looking out my window and seeing Mt Rainier (14, 411 ft.). Mt. Lamlam, the highest elevation here is only only 1,332 ft. above sea level. (but when measured from where it actually begins on the bottom of the Marianas Trench, it is the largest gain in elevation on Earth, approx. 38,300 ft!)
I think about how I can't wait to be cold after being so darned hot for 11 months. People here look at me funny when I say I can't wait to be cold, but they don't understand what a cold weather person I am. It makes me cranky to be hot, oh so cranky. Thank goodness for all the aircon here!
I think about the lights of the Space Needle and all of Seattle on the way to my momma's house. The lights of hotel row along the shoreline here are beautiful, but nothing compared to Seattle's skyline.
I think about the wonderful 8 lanes of interstate we call I-5. It's a three lane here on a good day heehee, and the potholes are much worse, bone-jarring even with good suspension.
I think about the pine trees lining the roads, sigh, I miss coniferous trees. Palm trees are beautiful, but I loves me a pine tree. Love the smell.
I think about Starbucks...yes, Starbucks. You may laugh, but YOU try going without for almost a year...heck, they have Starbucks in every country I've ever been to. I have pictures. But they don't have one on Guam, an American Territory!
I think about going to a Seahawks game. That's what I want for Christmas, tickets to a 'Hawks game. The cold, crisp Seattle air. Wearing a hooded sweatshirt, fur-lined coat, green 'Hawks gloves and covering with a blanket, shivering and cheering. The smell of garlic fries and beer. The sound of the crowd cheering and the beer guy/girl yelling "cold BUD!" and paying 8 dollars for it...yep, absolutely can't wait!
I think about how it's going to feel to hug my mommy again after almost a year. It's the longest I've ever been away from her and my sister and brother. I know, it sounds pathetic, I'm 30 years old...and I miss my mommy. But thats only because you haven't met her. Haven't heard her laugh or the silly words she makes up, or smelled her or seen her, or spent a holiday with her. She is the most beautiful woman in the world, inside and out.
I think about the feeling of calm that will come over me when I walk through her door. Her house is so soothing to me. It doesn't matter what house she's living in, it's her presence and what she turns a house into. It's like a drug to me. Everything smells good, everything is beautiful, matching, and clean; home. Home is where my mom is.
I think about taking a train to Oregon to see my best friend that I talk to on the phone everyday. It will be Boy-Os first train ride. Seeing my best friend in Mukilteo and her two beautiful kiddos. Borrowing my little brothers car (this makes me laugh) to go to Whidbey to see my friends that I miss so much. Visiting my old squadron and saying hello to my old "kids" there.
Christmas dinner will be amazing as always. This year it will be extra wonderful because I will be seeing and spending time with people I haven't seen in a year, and probably won't for another year. Christmas at momma's is always great. One of my favorite holidays, right along with Halloween.
Going to Trader Joe's, buying two buck Chuck (or is it four buck Chuck now?) and some yummy trail mix. Me thinks I'll have to be maling a box to myself on Guam, chock full o'Trader Joe's goodies.
Playing in the snow, even if it doesn't snow while we are there, I will make my way toward the snow if I have to hitchhike! Snoqualmie Pass, here we come!!!
And last but certainly not least: going to Leavenworth (WA). Stepdaddy already said we could go. For those that know me, this is a sorta big deal. I love Leavenworth. It is a little slice of heaven for me, even with the history I have with it. There is snow, beer and brauts! Can't beat that with a stick.
So, now I have exhausted my brain finally getting down in type why I CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT WAIT to get home. I hope this helps me think about something else for a while...but I doubt it.
124 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes and 47 seconds until Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 8:00:00 AM.
But who's counting???
Monday, August 10, 2009
From the mind of my 10 year old
Tonight during the 45 minute drive to TKD, my son asked me a question...
him: Mom, if I had twin sisters that were geniuses, and they had their own lab in the house,
would you let them do experiments on me?
me: Holy cow no! Would you want them to?!?
him: I would as long as they are not toxic or deadly, then I'm okay.
Ahh, the way his mind works cracks me up! I love this kid.
him: Mom, if I had twin sisters that were geniuses, and they had their own lab in the house,
would you let them do experiments on me?
me: Holy cow no! Would you want them to?!?
him: I would as long as they are not toxic or deadly, then I'm okay.
Ahh, the way his mind works cracks me up! I love this kid.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Up to speed
Welp, let's see...we (my son and I) arrived on the beautiful, tiny island of Guam February 10, 2009. We were absolutely mesmerized by the view from the airplane as we circled the airport. White sandy beaches, water three beautiful shades of blue, and palm trees to boot, our own paradise. I must say, the initial shock of how gorgeous this place is has yet to wear off.
Did I mention we are from the Great Pacific Northwest? When we left Seattle, it was 35 degrees in the sun. When we landed in Guam it was about 89 degrees. Needless to say the jeans and sweatshirts we were wearing came off as soon as possible.
If you are scratching your head wondering exactly where Guam is, our latitude is 13 degrees North and longitude is 144 degrees East. Look for the Marianas Trench...only 7 miles deep! Guam itself is less than 40 miles long.
I came here with so many high expectations, hopes and plans. They have all since changed. Change is good, it all depends on the attitude you have about it. I know what Jimmy Buffet meant now.
"It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes,
Nothing remains quite the same,
With all of our running and all of our cunning,
If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane,
If we weren't all crazy we would go insane".
A newlywed of only 11 months, I arrived here very happily married to the man of my dreams (or so I thought). I was excited about the prospect of having a baby and heard Guam is a great family place. My husband never made it here. I am now in the middle of what I hope to be a quick divorce, being that it was such a quick marriage. Along with that I lost a woman (I use that term veeeery loosely) I thought to be a valued friend and confidant, although she was a bit obsessive. I no longer intend to have any more children (always subject to change) and getting married again is certainly not on my to do list for at least another 10 years, if ever. I haven't spoken that that "woman" in three months.
I have the greatest dog in the world. The Guam Department of Agriculture liked him so much they held him captive for four months because I didn't have the proper paperwork. It may have been easier for me to have said paperwork prepared and processed were the requirements updated and posted somewhere on the internet for personnel inbound to Guam. Lucky for me, my dog is one of the sweetest and loving animals I have had the pleasure of knowing. Let it be known that I was NOT a dog person. Until he came along that is. I love this mutt. His face is so cute and sweet and soulful. He'll make you love him, you don't have a choice. You won't know what hit you.
I also came here with a couple of flat screen TVs, a PS3 with blue ray, a digital camera, a laptop, two purses I liked a lot, my B&B Works collection of lotion (about 20 bottles, no I'm not kidding), and some jewelry. I have since been relieved of those burdensome material possessions. Some people I don't know broke into my house one day while I was at work and decided they needed them more than I did, most likely for drugs. I hope they OD. Eh, I was looking to simplify my life anyway, they just made it easier for me. Less trips to the Salvation Army for drop off I guess.
On a happy note of loss, I am down 20 el bees and counting. I started exercising a lot soon after I got here and now have more motivation than ever. What is more motivating than being single on a tropical island?!? There are hordes of shirtless, fit men that run every morning. If only I knew they could speak...
My son and I have started Taekwondo (henceforth known as TKD) and love it. We were recently promoted to Yellow belt. While that may not seem like a big deal to most, it is to me, especially because I am one of the oldest people in my class. There is only one person older then me and it's by mere months. He's a Blue belt.
The TKD dojong we belong to is wonderful. Our Chief Instructor is a 5th degree black belt and his entire family is involved. All three of his children are black belts and they are the most well behaved, intelligent and caring kids I've come across in a long time. Of course they are, they get to kick the dickens out of each other and call it sparring. The rest of the class is great too. Everyone gets along and treats each other like family. Maybe even better than family, because there is a mutual respect that you just can't get at Thanksgiving dinner at your grandmoms house. I also know that respect is one of the tenets of TKD. It is well practiced there.
My job is pretty agreeable, I don't have a lot to keep me gainfully employed. This is a good thing, it has enabled me to start school again. I only have two more classes to complete and I will have my associates degree in business administration by Christmas. I recently finished two classes, got an "A" in one and a "B" in the other, I'd say my GPA is pretty good.
To date I have no actual friends. Where I work we had two interns relatively close to my age, they were on 2 - 3 month orders and are both gone now. I liked both of them and would have gladly welcomed them staying longer. There is a woman that works at one of the commands across from mine I met at the pool. She and her husband are very nice, we've met up at a few social events on base. She and I went to the movies once, it was nice not to have to go alone. I'd like to do more with her, but it's not easy finding someone to kid sit when you only know 3 people, and two of them you work for.
It's not that I'm an unlikeable person, I am very like able, just ask my mom. It's that I don't work with many people my age and/or single. I don't get the exposure I used to and don't meet many people outside my office. I try to get out and do things, hence the TKD and we go snorkeling and to the beach all the time, but it doesn't seem to be working. Maybe I'm just too impatient. Is it too much to expect to make some friends after being somewhere for six months? I didn't think so, but apparently it is.
Oh well, maybe if I stop looking for friends, they'll fall into my lap.
Good gawd, my life sounds like a bad country song...but its in Chamorro.
So, there, now you are now up to speed.
Did I mention we are from the Great Pacific Northwest? When we left Seattle, it was 35 degrees in the sun. When we landed in Guam it was about 89 degrees. Needless to say the jeans and sweatshirts we were wearing came off as soon as possible.
If you are scratching your head wondering exactly where Guam is, our latitude is 13 degrees North and longitude is 144 degrees East. Look for the Marianas Trench...only 7 miles deep! Guam itself is less than 40 miles long.
I came here with so many high expectations, hopes and plans. They have all since changed. Change is good, it all depends on the attitude you have about it. I know what Jimmy Buffet meant now.
"It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes,
Nothing remains quite the same,
With all of our running and all of our cunning,
If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane,
If we weren't all crazy we would go insane".
A newlywed of only 11 months, I arrived here very happily married to the man of my dreams (or so I thought). I was excited about the prospect of having a baby and heard Guam is a great family place. My husband never made it here. I am now in the middle of what I hope to be a quick divorce, being that it was such a quick marriage. Along with that I lost a woman (I use that term veeeery loosely) I thought to be a valued friend and confidant, although she was a bit obsessive. I no longer intend to have any more children (always subject to change) and getting married again is certainly not on my to do list for at least another 10 years, if ever. I haven't spoken that that "woman" in three months.
I have the greatest dog in the world. The Guam Department of Agriculture liked him so much they held him captive for four months because I didn't have the proper paperwork. It may have been easier for me to have said paperwork prepared and processed were the requirements updated and posted somewhere on the internet for personnel inbound to Guam. Lucky for me, my dog is one of the sweetest and loving animals I have had the pleasure of knowing. Let it be known that I was NOT a dog person. Until he came along that is. I love this mutt. His face is so cute and sweet and soulful. He'll make you love him, you don't have a choice. You won't know what hit you.
I also came here with a couple of flat screen TVs, a PS3 with blue ray, a digital camera, a laptop, two purses I liked a lot, my B&B Works collection of lotion (about 20 bottles, no I'm not kidding), and some jewelry. I have since been relieved of those burdensome material possessions. Some people I don't know broke into my house one day while I was at work and decided they needed them more than I did, most likely for drugs. I hope they OD. Eh, I was looking to simplify my life anyway, they just made it easier for me. Less trips to the Salvation Army for drop off I guess.
On a happy note of loss, I am down 20 el bees and counting. I started exercising a lot soon after I got here and now have more motivation than ever. What is more motivating than being single on a tropical island?!? There are hordes of shirtless, fit men that run every morning. If only I knew they could speak...
My son and I have started Taekwondo (henceforth known as TKD) and love it. We were recently promoted to Yellow belt. While that may not seem like a big deal to most, it is to me, especially because I am one of the oldest people in my class. There is only one person older then me and it's by mere months. He's a Blue belt.
The TKD dojong we belong to is wonderful. Our Chief Instructor is a 5th degree black belt and his entire family is involved. All three of his children are black belts and they are the most well behaved, intelligent and caring kids I've come across in a long time. Of course they are, they get to kick the dickens out of each other and call it sparring. The rest of the class is great too. Everyone gets along and treats each other like family. Maybe even better than family, because there is a mutual respect that you just can't get at Thanksgiving dinner at your grandmoms house. I also know that respect is one of the tenets of TKD. It is well practiced there.
My job is pretty agreeable, I don't have a lot to keep me gainfully employed. This is a good thing, it has enabled me to start school again. I only have two more classes to complete and I will have my associates degree in business administration by Christmas. I recently finished two classes, got an "A" in one and a "B" in the other, I'd say my GPA is pretty good.
To date I have no actual friends. Where I work we had two interns relatively close to my age, they were on 2 - 3 month orders and are both gone now. I liked both of them and would have gladly welcomed them staying longer. There is a woman that works at one of the commands across from mine I met at the pool. She and her husband are very nice, we've met up at a few social events on base. She and I went to the movies once, it was nice not to have to go alone. I'd like to do more with her, but it's not easy finding someone to kid sit when you only know 3 people, and two of them you work for.
It's not that I'm an unlikeable person, I am very like able, just ask my mom. It's that I don't work with many people my age and/or single. I don't get the exposure I used to and don't meet many people outside my office. I try to get out and do things, hence the TKD and we go snorkeling and to the beach all the time, but it doesn't seem to be working. Maybe I'm just too impatient. Is it too much to expect to make some friends after being somewhere for six months? I didn't think so, but apparently it is.
Oh well, maybe if I stop looking for friends, they'll fall into my lap.
Good gawd, my life sounds like a bad country song...but its in Chamorro.
So, there, now you are now up to speed.
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