BS: Settling in Guam

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Jul 08 - 11:51 PM

I'll be there Friday afternoon. I still have to glue up the other side of the rocking yacht and do some laundry. And I have to find an ATM. Look for me late on Friday.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 08:43 AM

Brett-

OK, we'll be expecting you in Richmond, late Friday afternoon.

Guess we better shovel out the office!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 10:17 AM

I slept at Charley's house last night. This afternoon I will be at the Press Room with the whole gang. Tomorrow it's down to Georgetown to see Charley and Alison sing.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 11:24 AM

That's Georgetown, Maine, a small island about 30 minutes from here, connected to the mainland by two sets of bridges (at last count).

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Jul 08 - 09:58 PM

Does Wakana ever check in here? Brett looks great. But you are missed, lady.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 10:33 PM

I'm sorry Mary but she doesn't even check her email. For anyone who believes in the stereotype of Japanese being all caught up on technology you need to get to know my wife.

I was driving north today after going to the Press Room last night and I got so homesick for her. I intend to call her in a few minutes.

Great weekend. It was so nice to see so many of my old friends.

By the way, five years ago when I was first headed to Guam I went to the Press Room for my "last" time. There was a woman there, hell of a musician, who thought my talk of Guam was a joke. When I left and wished everyone goodbye she tumbled to the idea that it was no joke. Last night was the first time I've seen her since then and she was amazed to realize I was the "Guam guy". I've had quite a few chuckles over that incident five years ago. Last night I told her I'd see her again in another five years.

We've gotta stop meeting like that. I think her husband is getting suspicious.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 09:40 AM

Here's something I forgot to mention. In my first phone call with Wakana she complained that our machete wasn't sharp. It seems the cats located a snake in the yard and the machete wasn't sharp enough to sever it's head. She had to beat it to death with the backside of the blade. She is one wonderful woman.

The machete is a very cheap blade. I have never had any success sharpening it. Crummy steel. Dad is sending a machete to her in my luggage. It's actually a cane knife he confiscated back when he was on the Border Patrol boat out of Miami in the mid 1960s. He has rigged it up wioth a very nice sheath and gave it a pretty grip.

The rocking yacht is coming along nicely. We glued the second set of gunnel strips today. I think all we have left is to fasten it to the rockers and then we paint it.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 09:56 AM

Brett-

And are you planning to strap on the machete when you fly back, or include it within your checked luggage?

I'm sure the security folks will be impressed with your father's craftsmanship.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 09:57 AM

machete in the luggage?

makes ya wonder what the x-ray folks at customs think as they look at luggage. 20 years ago Oz Customs admitted to a friend they didn't often see china doll's heads or doll-sized mangles in handbags. (for the younger readers of this thread, mangles were large gadgets with 2 rollers used to remove water from washing in the days before washing machines!)

Recently I went interstate for a conference - Needlework Tools collector's Society - & members had things like 18th & 19th century scissors in their luggage. I carried an antique sewing basket in my hand luggage & put it's sewing needles & pins & pearl-handled tools (awl, pen knife, buttonhook etc) in my luggage along with my knitting stuff (bamboo needles, scissors, sewing needles) & manicure set.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 07:25 PM

You think that's bad? I am also taking a rifle home with me.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 10:55 PM

Why not a cannon while you're at it?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 11:24 AM

idle thoughts late at night - I wonder what is the most unusual item seen in a suitcase

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 11:37 AM

I transported a box of sonar paper used for finding fish. It was in a large suitcase which I carried on. Eight cylinders which looked like batteries in the scanner. I was surrounded by armed security people in an instant. Had a hell of a job getting that suitcase packed again.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 01:24 PM

SHoulda put little dolly heads on 'em!! :D

Good like with the air transport hoolihan, there, Brett.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 06:56 PM

I don't think Dad would let the cannon go yet. And I don't have room for it in Guam.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 07:05 PM

Charley's fence charger arrived today. I'm looking forward to giving it to our next door farmer.

The paint is starting to go on the rocking yacht. It's looking pretty good.

My brother is due to arrive in about an hour. He's bringing his girlfriend with him. She is currently the talk of the family. My mother kept asking me for my opinion of what is going on in his life and she wouldn't believe me when I told her it was his life and my opinions had nothing to do with anything. I have no intentiion of judging him or his decisions. I doubt I could have done any better if I was in his place.

My parents have a list of chores for us to do. They want us to research small heaters for the living room. We have to replace a window with a rotted frame. There are a number of roof leaks in various roofs that need repair. The lower half of the house needs paint. And my mother is mining my brain for help in running her computer. Sigh...

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 07:20 PM

Brett-

I do hope you test out the electric fence charger in the time-honored fashion, which only farm boys would be aware of.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, been there, done that!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Jul 08 - 07:34 PM

Brett,
When you're done with Mom's HoneyDo list, come visit me.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Jul 08 - 10:54 AM

Ah Mary, I wish I could.

On the brighter side for Wakana's fans she is talking about us coming to Maine next year. Make your plans accordingly.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 05:50 PM

The time has been too short. I am at my sister's house and will be on the plane at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning beginning the torture, uh, flight back to Guam. I can't wait to see Wakana.

A few days ago she and I talked and she was feeling low because she'd become the focus of some gossip in the Japanese community. I guess some of our acquaintances, the ones she doesn't like, have been talking about her. They seem to think she is 'eccentric'.

I had to remind her of the members of that community who liked her and respected her. I reminded her that the ones who are talking about her are the ones she does not respect. I think she's feeling better but I wish I'd been there when she needed me.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 06:29 PM

Brett-

It was great to see you again, and swap a few songs.

I'm sure you're not looking forward to the long road home, but there will be a warm welcome awaiting you.

Give our best wishes to Wakana.

Cheerily,
Charlie and Judy

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 07:12 AM

I'm home again. And feeling exhausted. The flights home were all nightmares except for the last 3 1/2 hours. I arrived last night about 1:00 AM and spent too long getting through immigration and customs because of the rifle.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but my father once gave me a WWII Japanese Model 99 Arisaka 7.7 mm rifle complete with bayonet. I am loaning it to the War in the Pacific Museum they just reopened here on Guam. The inspector had never had to deal with a weapon coming into Guam that wasn't for personal use.

I slept most of the day and still feel tired. It's 9:00 PM and I just want to go back to bed. But I got off my butt long enough to go up to the school to get my texts for my new classes. It turns out I will not be teaching history after all. I am scheduled for five U. S. Literature classes and one composition class. Not so bad. I've already taught comp so I will have some idea of how to do that.

I'm going back to bed.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 08:48 AM

Happy to hear that you and your "WW II Japanese Model 99 Arisaka 7.7 mm rifle complete with bayonet" got safely back to Guam and through Customs.

I shudder to think what your father may donate to the Museum the next time you're here for a visit. A small atomic bomb, perhaps?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 12:46 PM

Wakana's eccentric and that is a problem??? Wonder what those mean old gossips would make of most of the women here.

Miss Wakana,
Honest - it is better that they are gossiping about you rather than about some poor soul without a loving husband and friends who respect her to step in and make it right.

What they see as "eccentric" I see as beautifully special, loving, generous, beautiful, and a little foolish...after all you did marry Brett.

Come back to Maine and Jacqui and I will help develop your eccentric side with a foray into the Christmas Tree Shop.

Eccentric? I wonder if it has anything to do with all the crap we stuck in your suitcase post-Getaway? LOL
Much love,
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Aug 08 - 04:48 PM

From our point of view (i.e., non-Japanese, Wakana is not eccentric in any way. However, from the point of view of a traditional Japanese she is a very strange person indeed. She does not wear make-up nor does she concern herself with jewelry or name brands. She lets the sun turn her skin dark. She does not act like a servant to her husband. She smiles a lot.

She might benefit from a trip to the Christmas Tree shop with you two. However, you might be in for some surprises yourselves.

As for the items tucked away in the luggage it would appear that homeland security took steps to preserve western civilization by removing them and carting them off for proper disposal.

I have recovered somewhat. I was able to mow the lawn yesterday. Of course I destroyed the hood over the motor on the riding mower in the process. Now I have to figure out how to fix it.

As for the next school year they have relented a bit. I still have five American Literature classes. Instead of U. S. History they assigned me to composition again. I guess they figured I didn't need to put too much into preparation on that one. It only leaves me one prep period, the last one on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That works for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Aug 08 - 02:50 AM

What a bureaucratic song and dance I witnessed today. I brought my rifle from Maine to Guam so I could lend it to the War in the Pacific Museum. I innocently packed it up as required by the airlines, checked it as luggage, collected it in Guam, and went through customs with it. At no point did I try to hide what it was nor did I make any false statements.

Customs told me to get it registered at the police station. I innocently took it in today and asked to have it registered. Sigh. First I have to get a firearms permit. That will cost upwards of $80 and take several weeks to process. Then I get to register the rifle and that will cost another $40. Only then can I take it to the museum. And the police are holding the rifle ('confiscated' is the word they used) until this farce is all acted out.

I'd be pissed off except that the guy working in the armory was such a nice fellow.

I learned today what 'Taimanglo' means. It is the name of our street. In Chamorro 'tai-' means 'no' and '-manglo' means 'wind' or 'breeze'. I already knew what 'tai-' meant as it is a popular prefix for quite a few names on the island. There is also 'Taitano' which translates to 'no land'.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Aug 08 - 06:08 AM

& when you no longer have a rifle can you get a refund of your permit & registration?

Did you ask if the Museum authorities have to get a permit after you hand it over? Surely someone would have thought of this or they're losing zillions of $$$$'s revenue! Imagine the number of weapons in a War Museum!!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Aug 08 - 10:08 AM

Brett-

It's a good thing that the rifle was not loaded. It wasn't loaded, was it?

"No good deed will go unpunished!"

That's my proposed slogan for the Customs Service.

I still remember the customs office in Addis Ababa which refused to release my mother's Christmas fruit cake without the payment of a substantial fee. It's probably still there nesting on the shelf, as good as the day it was baked.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 03:40 AM

We are winding up our lovely vacation. I've been going in to the school to prepare my classroom and attend mandatory meetings in how to push the message of Catholicism. I'm working hard at the first and barely staying awake at the second. At Mass yesterday (our initial Mass giving us a blessing for the year to come) I noticed we are down to three non-Catholics, me and the two Japanese teachers. The student counselor doesn't pay any more attention to the Mass than I do (i.e., kneeling and praying and all) but I believe he is Catholic. His wife is deeply into it.

But I have the text and a curriculum map and I am getting into the planning for the classes. This year I will NOT use the crummy textbook for the Composition classes. I will make up handouts for the kids to work from. That will help keep from losing books though it would be no loss if we lost all of them.

Wakana is working on her classes. This year they have new books at her recommendation. They really needed them. The old books were soft cover and falling apart. Plus, according to her, they are poorly organized.

This morning at breakfast we saw a strange cat out by the treeline. Mama Cat saw it too. She headed out there as fast as she could waddle. By the time she got there the other cat had vanished so she waddled back to show that she had driven off the intruder. Wakana watched her and once more promised to put her on a diet but she also acknowledged that she is just too softhearted to restrict their food intake.

Nekko is fit and well. She spends hours out prowling the property. Unfortunately she then has to come in and find us to tell us all about it. If we are asleep then she has to wake us up so we can listen to her. If I was Wakana I would get pretty tired of it but she just coos and talks to the cat and tells her she is wonderful.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Aug 08 - 07:04 AM

Today I learned that the Festival of the Pacific Arts will be held in Guam in 2016. Why not plan a visit then and see the festival and visit us at the same time? Plenty of time to save up for the trip.

I spoke with my parents this morning. My brother is visiting. When I was there he and I went out to gather information on pellet stoves. For those who don't know a pellet burns little pellets of compressed sawdust. You buy it in a 40 pound bag. One pallet costs $250 and carries a ton of the pellets. To feed the stove all you have to do is open the top and dump in the pellets. My brother bought a stove for them and had it installed. they used it the other night and it did a nice job of keeping the house warm. It burned all night. When they opened the hopper in the morning they could not see and appreciable consumption of pellets. I'm hoping this will get them through the winter and help lower their heating costs.

Tomorrow I have to report to work by 7:45 AM! My vacation is over! There will be no kids in the school then but the Freshmen arrive on Tuesday for orientation. The sophomores come in the day after that and then the Juniors. Senior on Friday. My busy day will be on Thursday with the Juniors. Until then I will work on my lesson plans and my room. I need to get it in order for opening day next Monday.

Of course, there is an up side to the resumption of school. My paychecks begin to flow again! Yippee! It's been two months since our last payday and things have been a little skimpy around here. Fortunately I have my retirement pay and the teeny little disability check to get us through the months.

And it will be good to see the kids again. I intend to remind them that they are a year older and consequently they have a little more maturity to draw upon... and they can handle more complicated work!

Oh! My mother told me about an evil trick my brother plays on his kids (he teaches also). He'll walk into class eating a Pop-Tart (a toaster pastry). He'll look at the kids and say, "I'm eating a Pop-Tart but I didn't bring enough for you. But! I do have a pop quiz for you!" He also does the same thing with a soda (pop) and I think he has a jack-in-the-box too. I love it.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 11:13 PM

Here I am, a happy guy. Why? Because the horribly busy year I saw stretched out before me has resolved itself into a better picture all around.

While I was home in Maine they told me I would be teaching English III and Composition and that I would only have one free block. Then I arrived here (I'm at school) the other day and they told me they could not give me the composition class. That gave me two free blocks, Block 4 and Block 7. Today I learned that my actual free blocks will be Block 3 and Block 5. Block 3 was the huge headache block because it comes right after lunch when everyone is still buzzing from having an hour off.

I am a happy guy.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 11:25 PM

Good!!

Now, you have me wondering if it would be cheaper to buy pellets for the stove for cat litter instead of the way we buy it now. Might be cheaper! Sounds like the same stuff...little pellets of pine, break down into sawdust.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 07:05 AM

The other day as I stepped out of my classroom I was ambushed by a group of students. They were all seniors. They wanted me to become coach of the Academic Challenge Bowl team. We sat in my room and talked about it. There are five of them. I made a deal with them. If they each recruit one or two underclassmen I will be the coach.

So there I am, a coach. We will have an organizational meeting next week. We will begin fund raising for the trip to the nationals in Orlando next June. They only had one request for fund raising. No car washes.

I know we will gel pretty well. One of them noticed a Dalek I have on a shelf in the corner of the room. She too is a Dr. Who fan. Then one of them asked about Talk-Like-A-Pirate day and I was able to tell them the date. They were very pleased.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 09:06 AM

Brett-

Maybe a few "pirate cruises" with the sailing canoe could assist with the fundraising effort.

Arrgggh!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 06:40 AM

It's over! It's finally over! Today we got Wakana's green card in the mail! She can travel to visit her parents, my parents, the islands, etc. She is a legal resident alien for the next ten years.

Hmm, ten years. Maybe we should start the renewal paperwork....

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: maeve
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 07:18 AM

Congratulations from the Grand Old State of Maine, Wakana and Brett!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 09:58 AM

Who-Hoo!! Congratulations!!

Now, you can really say "I married an alien!" **bg**

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 10:50 AM

yah!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 11:56 AM

Congratulations!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Barry Finn
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 12:42 PM

That's good news Brett, congrats to both of you

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: The Barden of England
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 01:43 PM

Finally - - - Congratulations. So pleased for you both.
John Barden

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 01:45 PM

Hard work pays off!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 04:45 AM

Poor Wakana has had another new experience. Yesterday, on her way home from work, Wakana made a rolling stop at the last stop sign before getting home. A cop saw her and stopped her. She couldn't believe he was running his lights for her. At least he didn't have to use the siren.

He walked up to her window and asked for her license, registration, and insurance papers. She fumbled them out. He asked her where she was going and she explained, in a tiny, terrified voice that she was going home. He asked her where she worked and in that same tiny voice she responded, "Father Duenas". He let her go with a warning. She was so scared by the incident that she couldn't sit still all evening.

Today we went out and she counted to three at every stop sign. She also makes a point to wear her seatbelt and make me wear mine. When she saw the lights she had pulled the belt over her shoulder but had not fastened it. She won't be stopped again!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 11:51 AM

Poor Wakana. Just another of those &@*^%#! learning experiences, huh. I've had my share of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 05:08 PM

As Bat Goddess taught me: AFGO = Another Fucking Growth Opportunity (Apologies for the F word if it offends Wakana.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 07:21 AM

I love Wakana.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 02:45 AM

It's the weekend. Wakana and I are like zombies. I went to my class this morning and came home tired. I slept until 2:00 when Wakana went out to her last day on the job at Underwater World. I've been trying to coordinate some lesson planning but my mind won't focus.

The reason I am so tired is that this week was "Spirit Week" at ND. On Monday the kids had to wear the color of their division. The Juniors were wearing green. On Tuesday it was mix and match/crazy hair day. Then we had Blast From The Past day where each division wore clothes from a different past time. And there was Superhero/Supervillain/Cartoon Character day. And last but not least there was the I Love ND day where the kids wore signs and other paraphernalia to advertise their feelings for ND.

In the midst of this I had my classes outside on Thursday and Friday to better demonstrate how stories made up a huge part of the oral tradition. We met on the "Holy Grass" where the school has a covered table and benches. The kids were to tell stories from Guam's body of myths and legends, stories from their 'manamko' (elders), or stories from their own past. It worked out pretty well. The kids had a good time and I worked my butt off trying to keep them from wandering off and keep them on task.

I heard lots of variations on popular stories. I heard tales of the taotaomona (a sort of forest spirit), the duendas (another spirit creature) and ghosts from around the island. It was pretty cool.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 10:29 AM

Life out there doesn't seem boring!

Thanks for the update.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 11:28 AM

You are a GREAT teacher, Brett!!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 10:23 PM

Garsh, thanks. I'm just doing the best I can.

Poor Wakana was laid up with a cold over the weekend. She was pretty miserable. She's feeling much better now.

I've been teasing her about the cats. She keeps saying they are kawai-i (cute). I tell her that they are kowai (scary).