Last Post From 5nGuam

Moving. So many thoughts and emotions.  This is our eight move with the Air Force, so in a way it's "old hat", but each and every move has its own quirks.  For the most part for every move we were ready to move.  The one exception was our move from Japan to California. I was not ready to leave Japan in any way.

Especially at 35 1/2 weeks pregnant.  But that's another story for another time.

I'm ready to move....ready to leave Paradise....ready to be back in a first-world/develop country.  Don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed living here in Guam. Enjoyed the friends I have made here....enjoyed seeing a different part of the world...learning about new cultures. But ready to leave and be closer to family.  The closest to family in the past was 15 hours by car. Being in the same state is just amazing to me.

Leaving here I'll take the sheer beauty of the island. In many locations it is just so incredibly beautiful, words are hard to describe it all.  But there is a down-size to the island...maybe in most islands.  The poverty...the hopelessness some of the people have. After all, when living in the States, its easy to relocate and start anew a few towns or a state over.  Here a place ticket the mainland is out-of-reach for most workers. Then there's the corruption and greed that abounds in the island government.....the carelessness of the people toward the beauty of the island as well as the value of human life.

Just this morning there was an article in the paper about a nine-year-old boy being killed because he was riding the back of  a pick-up truck and fell out then hit by another car.  While  its legal for a parent to allow a child to ride in the back of  pick-up truck, they are trying to discourage it by an ad campaign with the slogan of "Your family is not freight".

Amazing that people have to be told that....sad really.

The locals have a love/hate relationship to us in the military.  They are totally appreciative that the Marines in 1iberated Guam from the Japanese in 1944 (Liberation Day is a bigger celebration than  July 4th here) and so, are very patriotic with many joining the Armed Forces. But at the same time they are deeply jealous of what we military families have - from our houses on base to our schools to the military access only beaches on the bases to our base stores. Many do what ever they can to have what is part of our benefits for being in the military.

There's also a deep resentment that foreigners are on the island at all. All children - even ours in the military base schools are required to take Guam Culture classes. There I have seen how the teachers talk about the "invaders" who came and stole their lands and made the Chamarro's a weaker  by intermarriage. It was little uncomfortable listening to those lessons....seeing the look of disdain on the face of the teacher....But with all parts of history, both sides can and should learn.

With Guam now a part of our personal history now, I hope to leave more grace....compassion.....love. It's been a wonderful three years.  I pray the next part of our adventure will be as enlightening.  You can read about our next adventures at my new blog - 5with family here.

Homeless

I'm homeless. Again.  But it's a planned homelessness. 

So, far the move has gone well. The last of our things were packed yesterday in the express shipment (this shipment will take 14 days instead of the 60 for the rest of our things). This morning Drew checked out of our military house - very relieved that we didn't have to do any major cleaning or yard work!  Last night we spent our first night in the hotel.

All's going well....

We still have a car to sell. While it'll be nice to sell it and be done, it's also nice to have a car these last few days.  I'm actually borrowing a friends car, so I'm not stuck without one while Drew finishes up things.

And he still have several things to finish up. His replacement comes in tonight and so he'll spend more of the weekend with him briefing him on how the office runs. The kids were disappoint that Dad wouldn't be around to play at the hotel's water park, but they'll get lots of daddy time in the next few weeks.

Me? I feel so less stress right now. Yesterday...lots more stressed.  While Drew was at the house with the movers, I went on field day with Benjamin's class. It was a great day at Tropical Fruit World and Jeff's Pirate's Cove, but in the back of my mind was all the things that needed to be done....our TB test read ( a requirement to leave the island)... meds to be picked up...cleaning the house...getting rid of the food that the movers would not pack.....

But it's all done now.  The kids and I will play for the next few days....three and half days left in Paradise.....then onto our next Air Force Adventure.

Almost there...

Its less than a week now until we leave....my mind is overwhelmed at times with it all.  The house is empty, but yet at the same time a total mess. How can you have so few things scattered everywhere?

Last night was my last evening Bible study and I'm now getting ready to walk out the door to my last morning study. I will miss these ladies. For the last three years they have prayed for me, entertained me, feed me, and up-held me.  As usual while a location maybe easy to leave - the friends never are.

Long Weekend

Drew was to be home Friday night, but ended up not making it in until Saturday night. Melissa was finally fever-free for 24 hours by mid-day Sunday - and the best part? So, far no one else is sick.

Although, William has complained of a headache....which is normal for him....praying it's his normal and not getting her germs.

Sunday we went to the Haputo Beach - one of my favor places in Guam....pure white beach...nice green jungle surrounding it....very much un-touch by people.  Usually, when we go the tide is in and the waves very high - much too high to enjoy the water. One friend almost lost her mother-in-law! She got swept out with a rip-tide.  She was very lucky that she only had broken ribs, but still had her life.  This weekend the tide was so low we could  walk out all the way to the reef.

So incredible beautiful!!

I would have pictures but my camera cord got packed up with the movers and our lap-top is in the process of crashing....Drew is trying to save it....but it's not looking good at all.

Today was a day to get a few things done around here before an office party.

Then I ready the invite again.

The party was on Saturday.

Opps.

This will be a busy short week....we leave the house on Thursday.....fly out a week from tomorrow....still hard to believe it's all coming to an end and we get to move home......yeah for us!

Spring Happenings

Children's Quizzing Sunday School Class...I lost....Melissa won, though!

Ben's  Field Day

Blue Star Fish hunting at Asan Beach - we  found 7! So lovely!

A very happy Melissa at a school play

William at running for cross country - Run, William, run!

Cast-Away

As I was driving home from Bible study tonight, I noticed a small cast-away. A gecko was crawling across my windshield wipers....shaking a little from the wind!

He should have stayed tucked in the wipers...he got blown off.

Poor thing....yes, I like the geckos....as long as they are NOT in my house!!  If they are in my house, they just might have to have to relocate via a vacuum cleaner!

It's all in the Timing....

The movers have gone. The house is mostly empty. So empty it echoes at times. But its a good kind of empty.  There's very little clutter.  It feels like I can breath.  It's nice to know that most of our things are on to our new life.

Until about 5:30 this evening.....in the middle of me cooking dinner....the power went out.

And our generator is on it's way to a new house.

Thankfully, the power was only out for  about two hours. I feed the kids sandwiches and then packed them  up for the library. Thankfully, they had power.

We kept calling the house  - so happy when the answering machine answered.

This is one part of living in Guam that I won't miss.

Controlled Clutter Chaos

I hate clutter. I like things nice and neat and in it's place.  Not really possible during a move.  The movers will be here in the morning and the last week has been spent getting things ready...

...all the pictures off the wall....half the kitchen on the  counter-tops.....suitcases open and full of clothes and books.....

It's going to be a long three days... but I'm looking forward to an empty house....not so much to the boonie furniture.

"Boonie" meaning island - it's really loaner furniture.   Just image bad hotel furniture.

Yeah, it's really that bad.  But it's good, because it means we're that much closer to flying home.

Just Life

Already, this has been quite a week. We enjoyed seeing Drew - if only for about ten hours..most of which was in the middle of the night with us all sleeping. But I'll take it. Sharing a bed for a few hours is better than no time at all. He finished one trip, came through Guam to clean his clothes, and is now in the States for a conference and house hunting. When I see him again, we just may be the proud owners of a house in Louisiana.



Sunday I did one of the things I hate most: going to church without Drew. For some reason I feel his absence most at church. Worshipping on Sundays has always been a family event for us as much as it is serving the Almighty. Of course, being an an Air Force base, I wasn't the only one who was without their spouse....it's good to have friends to sit next to.



Sunday afternoon the boys (Melissa was with friends) and I attended a graduation for the son of some friends. He has been home-schooled his whole education. It was a neat ceremony - very personal. He leaves soon for his summer job in the States then on to college. It was a glimpse of where we will be in five shorts years.



Monday I spent most of the day dealing with moving stuff and preparing for my last board meeting as president of the ladies' group at the chapel. One of the traditions of the group is to have a board retreat early in the year to plan and to get to know one another. As much as I like to get away, I didn't feel that a weekend retreat was right for us. I hosted luncheons every few months here at the house. Just a time for us to come together to break bread...to relax....to visit...to share with one another about our lives.



I'm sad to say that I missed the last one. I was to host one in February or March, but life was busy. I knew I wanted to do one last one, but once again - looking at my calendar and everyone else's I knew times were busy. Instead, I hosted this last board meeting here at the house (instead of the chapel) and had a dessert bar for everyone to enjoy.



If was fun to bake desserts that I can't make for my family (due to food allergies) -yes - most were chocolate and peanut butter! Soooo yummy.



Over all the meeting and dessert went well. One small issue. One lady has had issues....problems. with me. I don't do things like others. One example is the lack of that weekend board retreat in exchange of the luncheons. There's been a few other things as well....I just don't think like she does. I know she has tried to hint at how things "should" be.



Hints I have ignored. I feel that is she - or anyone else - feel strongly about something, then she should have laid things on the table instead of saying things like "I have some concerns, but I'm going to pray about them before I talk to Kelley or the rest of the board about them."



Okay - fine with me. But she never came to me.



All this to say that last night she gave her "end of the year report". All her frustration was there. I personally felt like I had been thrown under the bus. In front of many of my friends. In my own home.



But I understand where she is coming from. So many times we think...feel...we know best based on what we have done in the past. But I have learned that tradition for tradition sake is not worth anything. New ideas may not always work out, but it's worth learning the lessons. I am very comfortable with what this group has done and accomplished in this last year under me.



And I think my Lord is pleased as well.

Once again, I Hate the Dentist

I may have said this before once...or twice...but I hate going to the dentist. And going to the dentist in Guam is even more of a joy.

Not.

Today was the boys and my bi-yearly check-up and exam. (Melissa will go in a few weeks...for some Guam reason she's few weeks behind us.)

All in all it was much better than other Guam dentist visits...no one yelled at my son (I don't think I posted about that, but yeah....don't yell at my son! That's my job, thank you very much!) or yelled at me. And all three of us were in and our within an hour. Nice.

Very nice.

Of course, it wasn't totally smooth sailing....

As I was checking out, I was told by the receptionist that the insurance company didn't pay for Benjamin's sealant and that I owed $145. Well, of course, they didn't pay! This dentist was re-doing the work another dentist did - and got paid by the insurance company.

So, I had to fork over my credit card and pay. And guess what??!! Just before this the dentist told me that one sealant didn't take and it needed to be re-done.

That'll be $45, please.

Surely, I won't have these kinds of issues with a dentist in the States....I pray...

Orders Have Arrived!

Early Friday morning Drew received his orders for us to move. We rushed to the "TMO" office that handles the movers and were able to schedule that, we went by housing to notify them of the date we're moving out, made tons of copies of Drew's orders because it seems that every office needs ten copies, and we were even able to do the paperwork to request our airline tickets out of here.

Basically, it was a few hours of rushing from one office to another all before driving Drew to the airport to catch a noon flight.

And no - he did not make it two hours before his flight...but hey. This is Guam -it's a small airport. He did make it to his flight and he is currently enjoying his trip.

He's especially glad to be gone this week because the base is in the middle of an exercise - he gets to miss 12 hours night shifts. I think he was giddy with relief.

Today I dropped off my car at the port. Soon it'll be on it's way to the States. Who knows...maybe it'll even make it there before we do.

Spring Break

Spring Break has finally started for our school system. I honestly think we are the last ones on Earth to have it. And it is much needed. Yesterday was a teacher work day, but the kids enjoyed it as the first day - and it was perfect - nice and sunny.

I was able to meet my friends at the base track for our exercise time, then I went home to cook for a lunch meeting I had at the chapel. The meeting went long....much longer than it normally does, but it was productive. I went home and veggied for the rest of the day.

Until date time with my husband. We had Japanese...ooohhh - so yummy!

Today dawns nice and cloudy. With rain. Not sure what we'll do.

We did give serious thought to taking a trip this week - China!! We really wanted to give the kids the experience of standing on the Great Wall. But when we sat down and ran the numbers....and thought about what all we need to buy this summer....we decide to stay home.

We do have a few things planned....orthro check-up for William, asthma check-up for Ben.....hopefully some snorkeling at Spanish Steps or some other fabulous beach here....maybe even one night at a resort here that has a water-park.....sleeping in is also high on the list.

Mainly, just enjoying one another. We have eight and half weeks left here...Drew will be gone for five of that....then we're off!

Back to Normal

We lost Internet for most of the week....do you know how much I missed it??? And yes, I felt very much out of the loop.

But! The repairman actually came at the appointed time. Yes, that's a big deal on this island where people and businesses have what we call "hafa adai" mentality.

"Hafa adai" is hello in the local language, but when spoken it sounds like "half a day" and that's about how much work some do around here.

If that.

It's really the same island attitude that a lot of islands have - oh, so cute when you're on vacation. Not so much when you live here and need things done.

But not today. Today the repairman showed up and fixed our poor corroded wires and tips.

Yeah!

And it seems one of the biggest things I missed was the possibility of our island capsizing. Yes, I know. Boats capsize not islands, but some congressman from GA seem to think that we could capsize when the Marines move from Okinawa to here in a few years. Amazing to think this man was elected to the United States Congress! (clink here to see the video)

Where there are many concerns about the Marines moving to Guam, capsizing is not one of them...but if it was -at least I won't be here!

This Week to Come

The weekend is coming to a close. We're all sitting in the living room watch Modern Marvels. MM is actually one of our favorite shows...it's one of the few shows that we all can without Drew and I having to cringe or explain things that the kids aren't ready for.

We've had a good weekend.....William could have used a little more wisdom, though. Friday night he spent the night with a friend, then on Saturday the spent the day at the local water park in celebration of his friend's birthday. William forgot to wear his swim shirt...or ask for sunscreen. Yep. He's red. Very.

And now smelling like aloe vera.

We're hoping he's learned a lesson...only time will tell....but after three years in Guam and being only burnt bad this one time, I guess it not too bad. But on the other hand, after being thee years in Guam, he should have known better.

Also, as we sit here Benjamin has the sniffles. So far, no fever, so just another cold. Hopefully, he'll be at school tomorrow. I really need to get him healthy and stay that way - he has his yearly asthma check up next week. But h has to be healthy for the check up.

The other issue taking up some of our weekend, we the ladies retreat I'm helping plan for this coming up weekend. It'll be a great weekend learning more about Jesus, but man! It's a little stressful!!

One of the great things about this weekend was the naps....Drew and I got one in on Saturday and Sunday....now that's a great weekend!

Here Vs There -Part 2

I know without a shadow of a doubt I will NOT miss the master bathroom in this house. While I'm glad it does have a bathtub unlike the other military master bathrooms we have had, this bathroom has got to be the smallest bathroom. Ever. It's roughly five feet by seven feet - one sink, very compact. On days that Drew and I have to get dressed and out the door at the same time, it's interesting to say the least.

There's a cabinet above the toilet that I house my toiletries and all most of girly stuff. It's just not big enough. And I'm tired of things falling.

I'll let you to your imagination as to where they land most of the time.

One thing I can say about a small house, is that it seems to brings us closer as a family. With only one living area, we all are usually there. And with only one TV, we usually pick kid-friendly shows.

We watch a lot of Food Network....which is great unless it's 8 o'clock at night and it makes you hungry.

I will miss the palm trees in my yard. I love how when they drop leave - or fronds - its one big item. Very easy clean up. Unlike an oak or pine tree that drops loads of leaves and needles that have to be raked up. My kids will be in shock next fall!! I don't think they remember how many leaves there can be!!

While I don't have any in my yard, I will also miss the "fire trees" and the plumeria trees - so incredibly beautiful. Also, the plumeria trees smell so sweet when in bloom. There's one on the corner of road where I pick the kids up from school. I love being able to pick up a blossom and stick in my hair.

Makes me smell sweet for the rest of the day!

Getting out the Door

Wednesday nights we go to the chapel for AWANA - a Bible club thingy for the kids...sort of like Sunday school with games instead of crafts.

Which Ben is very happy about.

He hates crafts...just not the crafty kind of child...boy...at all.

But games? He loves the games. And I'm assuming that he and his siblings love learning Bible verses as well.

I work with the kindergarten class. The last two years I did more in which I had to do lots of paperwork, but this year I just have to show up and work with the kinder class for a while.

Should be easy, but man. Some weeks it's not. But once I get out the door and actually get there with the kids (and around my friends!) its a lot of fun. I love seeing the kids learn their verses and make progress in their books. Even if there's a very boys that we...well...shall we say active?? Loud, also comes to mind.... Nerve-wracking would be another....

I am looking forward to Spring break....I need the break....I need spring....I know. I actually won't get a spring until next year....so....I'll take the break...even if it's weeks off here in Guam.

Here vs. There (Part one...I'm sure there'll be more...)

I've been starting to think of things that I will miss when we leave Guam. Yes, there are things I will miss.

For about ten and a half months of the year, the weather is great. I really don't like the heat between Thanksgiving and the New Year - it's just not right to be in tank-tops and flip-flops during the Holidays! But other than that, we have gotten spoiled with the weather. It's nice not to have to deal with coats, gloves, and scarfs.

I will also miss my walks here. I love being able to walk out the door even if it's still dark and not have to worry about my safety. There are advantages to living on base, and safety is a huge one. But I love my walks not just knowing that I'm exercising in a safe place, I love watching the stars disappear and the sun rise...all the colors from dark to light putting on such an amazing show. All with the temperatures just about perfect! (Unless I wait until after 8:30...then it's a little too hot, but early in the morning or after 4 pm - perfect!)

One thing I won't miss? I don't think I'll miss this house. Even William talked about how this hasn't ever seemed like "home". Knowing that we would only be here for three years, it was hard to sink too much of us into it. We have pictures on the walls - even bought posters for the kids and "wallies", but still. Not home. I think it has to do with the wall color. Every military house has the same drab, boring off white. Yuck. I wanted to paint, but Drew did not - so we didn't. (You have to paint the walls back to the off white before you move out - even though they go behind you and paint before a new family moves in.....can't just put up some primer! Oh, no. You have to make it look great - just so they can paint over it. Makes. no.sense. at. all. But that's how it is in military housing.)

But he has been given notice that our next house will have color.

Spanish Steps

Melissa & I at the top on the way back to the car.

The view from the top.


William getting ready to make the climb back to the top.

The limestone islands

more limestone islands

My new favorite place in Guam: Spanish Steps. It's located on Big Navy. It's about a mile from the parking area to the water....with a drop of 160 feet straight down.

The hike is not for the faint of heart....several places along the trial its a straight drop down. But so worth the hike. There's ropes and even old stairs at places to help you make the climb. While the beach is total coral - no sand in sight - the snorkeling is probably the best I have seen on Guam. At no other place on the island have I seen so many different kids of fish....even got to see a few Nemos! Cute little things!! One purple fish stared at me for the longest time....I guess he was trying to figure out what type of fish I was.

While I didn't have an underwater camera, I did take several pictures of the limestone island (which reminded me of Palau - lot of limestone islands there).

Valentine's Day Early

Tonight Drew and I will go out to celebrate Valentine's Day - yes, a week early. Most nice restaurants double their prices for Valentine's weekend. So...we're being cheap and going out tonight. It's sunny outside, so I'm hoping it say that way and we'll end our date with a walk on the beach.

Bomb Drill

Today our base school did a bomb drill. Like a fire drill everyone is required to leave the building. But unlike a fire drill, we don't just get to stay in the parking lot until the "all clear" sign. Oh, no. We get to take the students to a "safe haven".

A safe haven - that's about a twenty minute walk away from the school.

But today was a beautiful day in paradise for a walk. A perfect day for a walk, in fact!

The first grade class I had did a great job. They kept walking and didn't complain too much.

After we arrived at the safe haven (a conference center on base), we sat and waited for parents to arrive to pick up the children (buses still went as well as the CDC was still open).

This has been an interesting event for us here in Guam. Every year the school here is required to practice either the bomb threat or an intruder drill. The intruder drill involves a "lock down" - everyone has to hide and lock the door - which they did last year.

All trying to prevent another "Columbine" - now this we did do at our previous school.

But at our past schools if there was a bomb drill, they did not evacuate and move over 1,400 students to a new location. (1,400 - that's the elementary and the next door middle school)

Quite ambition if you think about it. Of course, not every school will have a "safe haven" that will hold all the students and is in walking distance. And I'm still not sure of the safety of walking that many children through base housing. I mean - if there's a bomb at an on-base school, then were are in serious trouble....so do we want all our children out in public like that??


I'm glad it's over. No more speculation.

Of course, if the powers that be really want to test the schools readiness - they would do the drill again next week- this time with NO ONE knowing in-advance!