News From Guam

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 10:41 PM

We had some soursap at lunch today. It is a sweet fruit that tastes a little like lemon flavored watermelon. The texture is soft and mushy. The outside is green with raised points. Very good!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 03:42 AM

I have a telephone! I am sitting at home checking in on the Mudcat. How lovely.

Yesterday morning, Saturday, I went to the regular meeting of the Traditional Seafarers. We were to meet at the canoe and work on carving new yahms for the outrigger float. Many was also going to teach us a chant for keeping away squalls while at sea. Larry had suggested that we include a lunch. When I got there at 10:00 one of the guys was cooking steaks on a wood fire while two others were busy at a work table.

Now, I want you to understand and picture the scene. We were gathered under a carport though the area under the roof was much larger than a regular carport. Built into the back wall was a BBQ grill for a wood fire, a set of propane burners, a work counter, shelves for cooking pots and utensils, and a sink made out of a bathtub. The bathtub is raised up to a working level and cemented into the wall. There is a working table, an old free standing bar, and an eating table knocked together with 2X4s and plywood. The trade winds find there way into one side of the shelter and out the other. Unfortunately they are not strong enough to blow away the house flies that swarm everywhere.

Pots of food began to fill up the eating table. I noticed the green fruit. They look like green orange no bigger than a pingpong ball. I asked and they told me the name but it was a Chomorro word and I cannot remember it. They gave me half on one to taste and it was similar to lemon. They were using it to make fine dene.

And that brings me to the differences in foods. Up till that morning I knew and liked fine dene. And I knew it was a brown sauce that included vinegar and soy sauce. This version of the sauce included neither of those items! This version was a golden color and tasted of the lemony green fruit and the peppers and spices that make fine dene so tasty. But it looks and tastes nothing like the fine dene I had gotten used to.

Then someone handed me a plastic container full of cut up raw mackeral, including the heads and fins. Others reached in and grabbed chunks and started to eat. I reached in and took a small piece. To my amazement it didn't taste like fish at all, but then it did. This was a form of fish kelaguen. As I have said elsewhere in this diary I don't like kelaguen. But this was excellent. Once more, a difference in recipe. Another plastic container came around with cut up chunks of raw octopus (octopus kelaguen), bright red and rubbery but delicious. There was another bucket full of taro and manioc. More familiar dishes included rice and the BBQ steaks. There was also some BBQ fish, skipjack they said. It was an awesome meal.

After I had eaten I was told to throw the food waste into the compost heap. I stepped down on to the wet concrete step. There was a slick coating of algae and I slipped. I put my other foot down on to the ground and hit the mud which gave me no traction at all. The next thing I knew I was rolling into the compost heap. The rest of the gang came running but the only ting injured was my dignity. Once we ascertained my lack of injury we all had a laugh at the dangers of composting. I had to rinse the mud off my leg and sneakers. When I drove home I had to remove my shirt because it was crusted with grime from the heap.

Unfortunately Manny was late and I had to leave. It is September and that means I cannot have my own weekends. I hate September. Some day I will retire and/or change jobs and I will learn to like September again. I used to love that month.

I went home to shower and change the headed to work. There I found the gang hard at it. When the locals heard I'd had octopus kelaguen they were jealous and impressed.

So that was my weekend. The only other thing to report was the little earthquake I noticed a few minutes ago. Like a big truck rumbling by.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 03:50 AM

I can't believe I forgot to mention the Pago Bay Reefers! Last Thursday I went down to Le Tasi Bistro for dinner and to listen to the band. I'd heard there was "wierd music" at Tasi Bistro. I'd also heard that the restaurant was expensive. And it is medium expensive. I had a German beer and a shrimp pasta dish and paid $25.00. Desert was included in the price and I chose a cappucino cheesecake.

The band was not bad. They played old folk music and Beatles tunes in a kind of bluegrass/tropical blend of styles. The played Big Rock Candy Mountain, Rocky Top, as well as the Beatles tunes. They have a guitar, bass, steel guitar, banjo, fiddle, accordion, and mandolin. They sure seemed to enjoy themselves.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 11:33 AM

Sure sounds like fun, Brett, but watch out for the slide toward the compost heap. I mean if that's the end to your story at your young age, we're all going to have a hard time keeping a straight face while telling the story to the rest of your friends and family at the memorial gathering.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 11:39 AM

Oi, ya, too bad about Brett -- he's been recycled, ya know, ya....it was an accident, sure, but too bad, ya know...

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Sep 03 - 05:34 PM

Another thing I learned at the meeting on Saturday is that Charlotte Shelob is a banana spider. There were several like her in the rafters of the carport but none as large. Mine host reached up with his finger and tickled one our of the center of her web. They are harmless.

Apparently there is a wolf spider here on Guam that gets very large. One of the guys indicated a circle about two inces in diameter to indicate size, legs and all. They talked about how Guam supposedly hass the highest population of spiders in the world because the snakes have eaten all the birds that eat all the spiders. There aren't that many different species just lots of spiders.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:06 PM

Bad news! My class has been disapproved so I will not be going home in October! Bah! Humbug!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:18 PM

Oh, POOH! To set you up that way and almost assure you that it was on! Not fair...(who ever said the govt. was fair)

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Lana
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 04:55 AM

I'm sorry Dad, that really sucks. :-(

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 11:57 AM

Oh, Brett, I'm so sorry! You will be missed!

Barbara

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: MMario
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 12:01 PM

I get confirmation on Mystic and you move to Guam...I get confirmation on Getaway and you class gets canceled. I think you are avoiding meeting me. *grin*

gotta find the humour somewhere, yes?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 12:02 PM

Damn it, Brett! I was looking forward to seeing you. We'll be sure you get pictures and a toast will be made in your honor.
M.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 01:42 PM

Sad news indeed, Brett; you must be too smart to need any silly classes. But, no fear, we will drink a round to your health at the Festival this weekend, and sing a shanty in your honor. Just let me know what you'ld like belted out.

be well -- Tom

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 04:35 PM

Well, that's a bummer! But we'll see you in Sydney in November. Maybe we can smuggle in an appropriate gift from the folks at the Press Room.

"Yes, Mr. Customsman, this stuffed toy is a gift for an old friend. Yes, it does have a lot of legs, and, yes, those eye stalks are rather unusual. No, I'm not quite sure what to call it...but if you pull that string, maybe it will tell you!"

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 06:06 PM

Thanks, gang, it helps to hear from you at this time. Right now I am so tired that I cannot process the bad news. We are working long hours but it feels like we are running in sand.

After that class was disapproved my boss told me to put in for the same class whereverr it is offerred. The system only allows 3 applications at a time so I put in for 3 more places and dates. This morning there were messages from all three disapproving the application. I don't know why they couldn't be so efficient with my first application.

What's really funny is that I need the class to be certified to do my job at the full performance level. My boss was complaining about it and suggested they might want to send me home under some kind of warranty clause. He was kidding of course.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 09:04 PM

Brett,
Do they give you a reason for disapproving it? Spell your name wrong, maybe? Classes are full? Or the processor just doesn't like you? I know it's the US military but they should still give you a reason. Or maybe your boss should handle it if it is important to your job performance. For all you know, they may have a rule that you can't fly back to the States before completing six months in Guam.

Maybe if you explain to them about the Getaway, they will make an exception. Maybe we can help and start a chain letter on your behalf.
Maybe...
SINS

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Sep 03 - 12:41 AM

Good one, Sins. But in today's political climate such a letter might be construed by Asscroft (as Kendall calls him) as a terrorist act and we'd all end up in Guantanamo Bay.

The reason given is that the billets assigned to the Navy are all full. There is a continuous learning program that we have to work with. We have to earn 40 continuous learning points every year. I have met my requirements and that means I get bumped from classes if I have to compete with someone who hasn't met their requirement even if the class is necessary to performance in my position.

Sigh, I have 18 months to meet the requirement. I'm not sure what they'll do if I can't.

Last night I went over to hear the Pago Bay Reefers rehearse. We had a big feed of spaghetti, eggplant lasagna, and brown rice and eggplant, and then the band settled down to work. It brought to mind all the Roll & Go rehearsals I've been to where the confusion was the preeminent condition. They talked set lists and the attributes of various songs and compatibility of placing one sang next to another, and how long it's been since they played this one or that and who was the lead on that song and what key it was in, etc., etc.

After the band finished I was invited to do a few songs for them. I trotted out a few favorites and we sang them together though I know very few songs that anyone else knows. They invited me to play during the 15 minute break during their regular Gig at Le Tasi Bistro. Also I was invited to play a live set at the local Public Radio show during Jay MacDonald's folk show on Tuesdays. So I guess I am up and coming, so to speak.

Early in the evening, when I was the first to arrive, I noticed the hostess had some unusual tattoos on her hands. I asked about them and she explained she is a Chamorro Master Craftsman in tattoo. It turns out she did the tattoos on our navigator's legs. She and he are spirit siblings. This is after all a small island. I think I'm going to talk to her about getting a traditional Chamorro tattoo.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Sep 03 - 12:58 PM

You know, Brett, most people from away who settle in places like Guam never reach the level of contact that you've been able to achieve in 4 short months. Not bad! Now you've got a place to try out some of your own music, and recycle some of our songs as well!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 04:21 AM

I'm going to have to learn to play Dead Dog Cider for sure.

I was thinking about that "level of contact" the other day. I've been so absorbed in my job since about the middle of August that I have been able to do very little beyond going to and from work. I even had to leave work early yesterday so I could get some groceries into the house.

But as I drove home one evening I reflected on those on the base who do nothing else but stay at the base and surround themselves with other military. They never see the real Guam. They don't meet people like Nando, Anita, June, Norma, Ellie, Manny, Frank, Maria, Vince, Jerome, and the other Chamorros I meet. They enjoy themselves, don't get me wrong, but they don't really get a sense of what it means to be on Guam. It's just another temporary place for them.

Then there are the people (ha'olies (sp?)) who live here and don't mix in with the community. One guy I know has been here 8 years and I don't believe he has any Chamorro friends at all. I could be wrong, I don't know him all that well, but it would be a sad commentary if it were true.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 10:27 PM

It's been rainy and cloudy for the last several days. Now, with the weekend the sun is shining and the trades are gently blowing in the trees. And here I am at work. It is the end of the fiscal year and the whole office is gathered for the last push to the end of the month. This weather is just the last insult.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 08:12 AM

I was reading the Sunday paper this evening and saw the latest statistic from the roads. So far this year there have been 15 fatal car accidents. On an island only 9 miles wide and 30 miles long with 150,000 residents that is an incredible number. Then you have to consider that the speed limit here is only 35 mph.

But you also have to consider that this is a mountainous country with winding 2 lane roads. And the coral rock paving is mostly limestone and get very slippery in the rain. And a lot of people drink too much. The drinking age here is 18.

It all adds up to 15 dead on the roads so far this year.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 08:31 AM

The drinking age is 18 here, too but that doesn't stop lots of under-age drinkers getting into cars & killing themselves or their equally young passengers. Binge drinking is the No. 1 activity of young teenagers (or is under-age sex, tho they only have to be over 16 for that activity to be legal)

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Oct 03 - 08:05 PM

Thank God it's October! No more 12 hour days. No more lying in bed worrying about the workload. No more arguments with the contractor... well, we still have to fight with him but at least the deadline pressure is gone.

Yesterday, October 1, I came into work late and left early! I went over to Gab Gab Beach to do some snorkeling but the surf was up and the water was murky so I just went swimming instead. I wore my dive mask anyway and swam in the confines of the swimming area. That's an area that looks like a swimming pool, blue green paint and three concrete walls, ladders in and out, etc. The fourth side is open to the ocean and is only marked off with a line of floats.

Just outside the floats are a set of concrete stairs leading down into the water. It's a handy place to get in from because you can sit on the steps, put on your fins, wash out the mask and do a liesurely push off into the water.

As I was leaving the water I paused about half way up the stairs and sat down to watch the day. It's been cloudy and rainy for the last week or so and it was pleasant to sit in the sun. Suddenly a large wave rolled in and washed me off the steps. I swam away from the rocks and waited for the larger waves to subside. Then I crawled out again. My mask was gone, washed off with me never to be seen again. I looked for it but the water was too murky to see it. Damn!

So, this afternoon I have to go find another. I think the dive shp on the base is having a sale. That would be handy.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Tenjiro
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 12:03 AM

Drinking age is 18, dad? WOOO!!! hehehe

~Amy~

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 03:30 AM

Yep! For everyone but you!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Tenjiro
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 11:26 AM

hey! *pout* but we could go to bars together and I could have a REAL pina colada!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 11:39 AM

Tenjiro,

Not my place, but believe me, you aren't missing anything. Stick to spring water as long as you can hold out; don't let the barbarians take over without a fight!

A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 12:43 PM

Thank you, Brett!! Wonderful and you are amazing!!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Oct 03 - 09:35 PM

That's OK Amos, this is a continuing comic debate between the two of us. She knows she can drink if she wants to. The only restriction I place on that activity is that she is not to drink and drive or ride with anyone who's been drinking. It seems to work as a strategy. She isn't getting away with anything so she doesn't find it as thrilling as if she were sneaking the booze.

Oh, and I've threatened to wake her early after her drunken night and speak in a loud voice and clatter lots of pots and pans while she deals with her hangover...

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 04:57 AM

Interesting day. This morning as I headed out to meet with the Seafarers the plumber arrived. Since I'd been witing for him for two weeks so I stayed home while he changesd out the angle valves under the kitchen sink and the valve in the toilet. He had a helper with him and they talked in Tagalog as they worked.

Finally I got off to the meeting. When I got there they were holding a formal meeting. We talked for a while about the upcoming fund raising aactivities and plans for PacFest 2004. Then we started to work on the canoe. Or, rather, Manny and this old guys started to work on the canoe while the rest of us stood around and watched. The old guy had only one hand. They told me he'd lost the left one to a shark. He and Manny worked on the yahms. They fussed with the placement of the pontoon and fit the broken yahms in place. It was hard to stand by and watch but the Chamorros were working in their own language. Actually it may have been a different dialects. One young man laughed and said they were working in three different languages.

They inspected all the wood the others had cut and declared only one fork usable. We still need three more. The old guy, I wish I knew his name, attacked the wood with adze and machete. His machete rose and fell like machinery carefully hacking off precise chips. He would chop, turn the piece, chop some more, turn the piece and chop some more. When he knocked off the previosuly curved piece was thinner and straight as an arrow.

It rained the whole time they worked on the piece. I finally headed out. It was such a luxury to not have to go to the office. I drove up to the Faith Bookstore. I'd been trying to get there because they are reputed to have the best collection of books on Guam and Micronesia around. They do have a pretty good collection. The real find though was their map department. I found a great topographic map of Guam and a small map of the Pacific islands.

Then it was off for groceries and home.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 08:51 PM

I forgot to mention something I saw last Thursday. I left work late and was headed up to the Top O' The Mar for dinner. As I left the base the sun was setting behind me and there was a rain shower ahead of me. I could see a brilliant double rainbow shimmering ahead of me. That is not in itself unusual here. There are plenty of rainbows happening during the rainy season. This display was not complete, the arches didn't extend beyond my view through the windshield. The point is that they were so close I could see the rise of the land through their bases. I felt as though I could touch them. What a sight.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 09:19 PM

While you're watching the sunset, Brett, you might break out your 12-string guitar, tune it, and practice a few of your songs for our OZ foray. That's coming up fast, just about a month away, give or take a day or two depending which side of the International Date Line you're on.

A bunch of us will be heading for the Press Room next Saturday for the usual Shanty gathering. We'll raise a glass or two for you!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 11:40 PM

Thanks Charley. Thats the gathering I'd hoped to get to.

By the by, I am curious how many are still following this thread. Can we have a role call to see what the audience is?

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 11:47 PM

I'm following it. As a matter of fact, I printed out the first 50 pages and sent them to Giac. Susan formatted it in Word, small print, 3 columns. It took my poor printer all day to print it out!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 11:55 PM

Mary, I've made a copy in Word format with some pictures in it. So far I've only done up to July 22 but I'll start on the next part soon. If you want a copy PM your email address and I'll send it along.

By the way, I seem to have lost my new digital camera. Half way through the last month I started looking for it and realized it was gone. I have torn this house apart, gone through the truck, and racked my brain trying to remember where I used it last. Of course, last month was so crazy I could have done anything with it.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: GUEST,JudyB
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 12:55 PM

Hi Brett - I usually lurk and let Charley do the talking, but I do enjoy reading about your adventures, and am finding Guam an interesting place.

Charley suggests you take a photo of your digital camera and post it so people can let you know if they see it....

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 06:58 PM

Hi Judy,

That's kind of a hole-in-the-bucket scenario.

With what shall I take the picture dear Charlie, Dear Charlie?

Brett

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 07:49 PM

Actually, Brett, with a little help from Photoshop and a screen-shot from some vendor website, we could put out an all-points WANTED POSTER for your missing digital camera in less time than it takes to expose yourself.;~)

What do we call the process of losing a digital camera, disindigitazation? Maybe I can re-work Tanglefoot's "Paddy's Finger."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 01:08 AM

I realized this morning there are more points I haven't addressed. There are patches of a type of grass here that grows very tall, perhaps 8 or 10 feet high. Now, with winter coming on that grass has blossomed with white mare's tails fluttering in the trades. The result is theere are now patches on the mountains that look like impossible patches of snow.

Mowing is done with weed whackers. I have seen a few lawn mowers and there is one huge field here on base that is mowed by a tractor and gang mower. But all the small patches get gangs of people with gas powered weed whackers, carefully swinging back and forth as they trim the uneven ground. And the workers don't strip down to accomodate the heat of the sun. Instead they are robed like Arabs with head gear to cover their whole head, plexiglas face plates to protect their faces, masks to keep them from breathing in the dust particles and heavy work aprons.

I hadn't realized how slick the coral road surfaces are until I left the house last night. I had the windows down in the truck and when I started out from the stop sign at the end of my road I could hear my rear wheels slipping on the pavement. Amazing.

I am fighting ants in my kitchen. They are coming in through the electrical outlet that feeds juice to my coffee maker. I cleaned up the counter and set out an ant bait to try and dissuade them from coming in. They are very tiny and they move very fast.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: The Barden of England
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 02:54 AM

I've been reading it for months, and your descriptions are powerful. It'll make the UK winter bearable, after the long hot summer we've had. Thanks for continuing to brighten up the day.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Dahlin
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 08:21 AM

Brett

    I have been following your great island adventure fairly regularly. The burning question is, "Have you fixed the windshield wipers?".

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 08:31 AM

Hmmmm! The ants are blowing in the wind?

Well, the trick we used to do in Ethiopia, back in my old Peace Corps days, was spread fresh Eucalyptus leaves around the edges of the room. The Ethiopian ants didn't like Eucalyptus oil, and we really used to have some massive invasions. Now look, gang, this really works!

I wouldn't especially recommend spraying kerosene, like they used to do in the foc'sles of old sailing ships, although you don't smoke.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 08:39 AM

Naturally I'm an avid fan & really looking forward to meeting you in person, Brett.

not very long now!! So as Charley says, get practicing!!

sandra

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 08:57 AM

Eucalyptus & kerosene probably mess up the buggers' scent trails so they can't follow each other and probably can't find their way back home. Maybe Pine Sol would work. Or you could plug the outlet

Show me the way to go home
I'm tired and I wanna find my hill
I laid down some scent about a minute ago
I thought t'would be there still
But aimlessly I roam -
Cuz all I smell is a pine cone
As I wander, I'm bitchin' cuz I'm lost in this kitchen
Wontcha show me the way to go home!

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 09:13 AM

Great tales and insights, Brett. Keep the news from Guam coming -- Tom

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 07:03 PM

LOL Jeri!

As I drove home last night I noticed that one of the houses at the top of the pass has acquired a carabao. It was grazing peacefully in the front yard as I passed. It looked young. Adds another bright spot to that drive along the Cross Island Road.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Amos
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 07:25 PM

I'm still reading it, Brett!


A

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: bbc
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 09:51 PM

I check every few days to see how you are doing, Brett. I'm settling in pretty nicely now in my new home. I saw 2 rainbows a few days ago, after an unexpected hail shower! My house is starting to feel like home; it's good!

love,

barbara

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 11:16 PM

I'm reading it, for sure. I try to let it go until there are at least four posts since the last time- because then I figure you have posted another vignette. Good stuff, Brett. Thank you.

Subject: RE: News From Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Oct 03 - 01:07 AM

Tomorrow I will take the day off and run over to the University Of Guam (UOG). It takes a little while to figure out what is being said when you hear someone mention that place. UOG is pronounced as one word (yoo-OH-gee).

Anyway, I am headed for the MARC (Micronesian Area Research Center). My hope is to meet either Dr. Salas or Dr. Diaz or, if I get really lucky, both of them. They are sisters and their specialty is Chamorro chants and song. One of them is also a music teacher. Failing that I intend to leaf through the collection in search of any recordings of the music of the Chamorros. I have high hopes.

Thanks for letting me know that people are reading this. I had hoped I wasn't whistling in the wind. I enjoy sharing my adventure but I didn't want to be talking to an empty room.

Barbara, it's good to know you are settling into your new place. I had hoped to be visiting you this week but, as you know, the class was disapproved.