Springtime In Guam

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 11:46 AM

B-R-I-D-G-E, you idiots! BRIDGE! Now he's in trouble with the in-laws.

I will be thinking of you and Wakana today, Brett. Be very happy.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 09:48 AM

Brett-

I want you to know that in deference to your impending marriage I successfully resisted posting anything having to do with your typo "arching bride" until Ebbie did her post above. I'm now working on a song which I promise I won't sing to you...

Charley Ignoble

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 11:32 PM

Loved your phrase "hopelessly charmed". Brett. Says a great deal about you. Thank you for sharing your life with us, even vicariously. You are enriching us all.

I do wonder what you mean by "arching bride". What are you telling us? LOL

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: bbc
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 10:09 PM

Blessings on the morrow, my dear! Thank you for taking to time to share what you see & experience w/ us; it is almost as good as being there. I am so happy that you are doing well!

love,

Barbara (expecting snow/sleet/freezing rain tomorrow in New York)

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 09:20 AM

Ah, it just keeps on getting better. Today we did NOT go to the local temple. Today we went to three temples in an 80 kilometer ride around this part of the prefecture. But before we reached the first temple we spotted a thatched roof and stopped at a lifestyle museum. The main building was an old farm house with the old architecture you see in the old Japanese movies. It had tatami floors and sliding paper doors. There were no ceilings and you looked up to the underside of the thatching. There were two rooms with tokonoma, the decorative place of honor in a home. One was for entertaining high level guests and the other was the family's living room. In the kitchen there was a team of men making soba noodles (large noodles made from buckwheat) in the old-fashioned style. We toured the farm market attached to the main building and saw many examples of why Japanese cuisine will never be classed among those favored by Joe Sixpack. There were dried mushrooms and preserved fish, roasted grasshoppers and tofu, nota and sour plums, with many other delicacies besides. There were also many handicrafts including fabric, basketry, and wood work.

The first temple was hidden in the hills and was the perfect vision of a Buddhist temple. It lay among giant cedar trees with a stream noisily babbling past. We came in through the series of gates to the arched bride that crossed the stream and then up a long flight of granite stairs to the last gate. Inside were the temple grounds with the main building ahead and various outbuildings around a gravel yard decorated with sculpted trees. There was a belfry with the temple bell, a four foot dome of metal intricately laced with Buddhist themes.

And the peacefulness that has settled over that place was awesome. It was like a vacation from the world. Once we crossed the first gate we could feel it laying it's touch on our minds. Once we reached the courtyard we felt that even a raised voice was impossible. While we were there a car delivered a priest to one of the upper buildings. The crunch of tires on the gravel seemed an obscenity in that place. I left there thinking I would like to stay and learn the secrets of the Buddha but I know better than to try that.

Next we stopped for lunch at a little tea room in a small hillside village. We had soba ramen and rice wrapped in seaweed. There was devil's tongue in the ramen and tofu in the miso soup. For desert we had fruit cocktail with red beans and ice cream. We drank green tea with the meal.

The next temple was on the itinerary because Wakana's father said there was a statue that looked like me. As we climbed the hill to the temple grounds we turned aside to a grove in which there were statues of each of the Buddha's 16 disciples. We stopped in front of one with a large belly and they patted it and said that was it. If I were one to take offense easily I might have. We took some pictures and went on to view the grounds. Later Makoto-san explained that the statue was of the disciple that devoted himself to bringing happiness and comfort into the world and that he had a big belly because he took into himself all the bad luck of the people who came to him. He was a laughing person and a caring person. Makoto-san says that is why I resemble that disciple. I guess I can live with that.

The temple grounds were a study in what you can do when you train and sculpt vegetation and blend it with rock and water. There were simple stone Japanese lanterns set in small points with water around them and bushes and leaves and peace and happiness and quiet and... Take it as read that it was a lovely place. At one point I sat on ck and contemplated a tree standing on one side. It seemed as if that tree was the whole purpose for the existance of the universe. And if that one tree were to die or be blown down the whole temple would cease to exist. I needed a priest to discuss this with but none were in evidence.

Just inside the gate was a little cluter of rocks with a bamboo tube stuck into it. There was a sign, a cartoon that indicated you were to listen to the tube. The sound that floated out of there was otherworldly and beautiful. Apparently there was a pot under the stones and the water dripping on or into the pot made a lovely chiming bell note that seems to float up out of the pipe.

The last temple was a combination shrine and temple. It was the home of a giant tengu mask. Tengu are the shinto spirits with the red faces and the huge noses and this one was enormous. The mask must have been 5 feet tall and the nose was at least as long. This temple was in a village so there was no aura of peace, or at least what peacefulness was there was frequently disturbed by the sound of engines.

Now we are home and headed for bed. Tomorrow is our wedding day. Need my strength for that!

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Amos
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 08:38 PM

What a strange and wonderful trip it has become, Brett!

Well done.


A

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: JudyB
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 08:31 PM

Thanks for sharing all this with us! Best wishes to you both for a long and happy life together!

Love,
JudyB

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 01:04 PM

My reaction, too, Charley! WOW-O-WOW! It sounds just like a movie, Brett!

And, he gave his camera! How kewl is that!? Hapy wedding day to come..this is SO neat!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 11:30 AM

Wow!

It just gets better.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 06:02 AM

The scary part is over. I have met the family and they have welcomed me with open arms. But that is later in the story.

We spent our second day in Tokyo visiting and seeing some sights. We went to Asakusa which was the original downtown for the city when it was Edo. The streets are narrow and lined with shops close by each other. We were accosted by a young man wearing a half kimono jacket and a headband. He sold us a ride in his jinrickisha at the price of 1500 yen for 10 minutes. That took us out and about. We authorized an additional 10 minutes and he took us to the big temple. Then he only charged us for the initial 10 minutes and wouldn't take a tip. It was yet another once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I felt bad for him because I am not a lightweight person but he picked up the bars of the ricksha and ran off down the street while cars edged past us and pedestrians jumped out of the way. At one point an older man walking on the sidewlk waved to us and called "Are you happy?" To which there was only one answer, "Hai!" ("Yes!")

Our guide paused at significant points to explain where we were and, I suppose, to catch his breath. He must be in remarkable shape for he ran, pulling us along, as though we weren't there.

After we left him we wandered over to the Asakusa Buddhist Temple. It has been destroyed by fire several times so what we saw was just the most recent reconstruction, barely 150 years old. There is one gate to the temple grounds that is still of the original construction. It is over 400 years old. There we many people on the grounds. One group were gathered around a cauldron from which smoke poured. Inside, standing in sand, were burning scrolls of fortunes that people had bought. It sems that burning the scroll is how you persuade the Buddha to grant your fortune come true. The people were waving the smoke on to themselves. Wakana explained that they believed the smoke would cure their minor ills, headaches, muscle strains, etc. She waved some on to my bad knee but it didn't seem to help.

We went into the temple and saw the richly colored paintings on the roof and looked into the inner part where the Buddha sat. It was a beautiful building with magnificent sculture and painting. I paid 100 yen for a fortune. I had to shake a stick out of a hole and then read the number from the stick. The number corresponded to a drawer and in the drawer were the fortunes. Mine was that I would have a good marriage, among other things. As prescribed I tied it to the rack so it would come true.

There was a shop selling other worship related Items and I bought a present for my daughter there.

We then walked over to the oldest gate but got sidetracked to the Asakusa Sinto Shrine. It is a smaller building sitting behind the temple. Buddhism and Shinto coexist in Japan. Neither and both are the "official" religion. Japanese houses, including this one, have both a portable temple to Buddha and a small Shinto shrine. They are carefully tended and form a large part of daily life.

The shrine was also beautiful. We couldn't get into the inner sanctum but we could see it with the straw rope over the entrance and the folded paper tassels hanging from it. The guardians were there in ancient samurai armor. We added our donation to the pot and clapped to pray.

We walked from there up the main street that led from the main gate. It was a crowded thoroughfare of walking pedestrians, open shops fronts, brightly colored decorations and talking, laughing people. I bought some more Christmas presents for my children and was hopelessly charmed by the whole thing.

After we left there we rode the subway to the train station and boarded the bullet train (shinkansen). Unfortunately it was dark by the time we left the station so I have no sense of how fast we were going but Wakana says we were moving at about 150 KM/hr. I might have another opportunity to find out more next week after my day in Kanda at the music shops with my brother-in-law.

Wakana's parents were waiting for us at the train station. We drove to their house, a lovely Japanese house on the edge of a commercial zone. The house has a tiny yard with a sculpted garden of bonsai trees and curving pathways. The doors slide open and inside is a wonderland of wood floors, tatami mats, and scultures, photographs and paintings.

Unfortunately they do not believe in central heating. There is a split air conditioner/heater in the major rooms but they don't bother much with that. The kitchen, dining room, and living room get some heat but that is turned off in the evening at bedtime. I haven't been this chilly in a long time.

We gathered in the living room around a short table, seated on the floor. Wakana's mother served us salty cherry tea, a lucky drink. Green tea is considered an unfortunate drink to serve when meeting your future son-in-law. I then formally asked Wakana's father for permission to marry her which touched the old man deeply. We drank sake together, toasting the future, and then I gave them my presents. I had bought presents to be opened on Christmas day but they are not Christians and the custom is to offer small gifts when you visit. They loved them.

We have become very close in a short time, notwithstanding the language barrier. Today Wakana's father gave me a very nice Pentax camera with a 90 - 200 mm lens. He has used it for years in taking his outdoor photos. I was deeply toched.

Tomorrow we will do some sightseeing and visit the local temple. The day ofter that is wedding day.

Having a great time.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 08:16 PM

Yesterday was devoted to our business at the embassy and then visiting with Wakana's old friends and brother. All I saw was subway stations and trains with the occasional walk down a city street. We had dinner in Subiyashi which is where one of the key scenes in Lost In Translation was filmed. Look for the scene with the enormous outdoor TV screens.

Her brother is cool. He has one of those hole-in-the-wall music shops devited to jazz. We talked about music for a while as best we could considering the language difficulty. Next week he is closing the store for good which makes Wakana sad. It was his dream and it didn't work out. I can see how happy he is in that shop but there were no customers while we were there.

Next week he will join us at Wakana's home and then "kidnap" me to go to Tokyo to look around the music shops. We laughed about that trip. All the way he will be saying "Pardon?" because he doesn't understand English and I will be saying "Wakarimasen." because I do not speak Japanese. I expect we will have a great time.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:52 AM

Hey Brett, someone just mentioned your name in the "vote for the sexiest voice" thread! And well deserved too, I might add!

Watch out for those Japanese characters - they look a bit weird to me :-)

Jenny

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 07:42 PM

By the way, I am typing oon a public connection in the hotel lobby. Wakana had to set it up to work in English but every once in a while I it the wrong key (\) and get Japanese characters. Then I get something that looks like this:

‚Ä‚¥"w‚ ‚ꂶ‚á"h쳌Q‚¹ƒ`ƒƒƒ‰‚ƒƒe‚'‚"쳌B

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST,Brett in Tokyo
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 07:39 PM

Well here I am in Japan. We arrived in Narita last night after an unremarkable flight. It was over an hour and a half from the airport to the hotel. The room is tiny, barely large enough to hold the two twin beds, and there is only about six inches of space between them. The beds are hard as rocks and the pillows even harder. But we are in Japan and it is allpart of the adventure.

The subway from the train station to the hotel was crowded though Wakana says that isn't really the case. All I know is that I could have let go of the suitcase and it would not have fallen to the floor. And if, by some miracle it had been able to get to the floor I never would have been able to bend over to pick it up.

We walked out after we checked in to get some dinner. We found a Chinese restaurant next door to the hotel where we had a mediocre dinner. In our short exploration we found a MacDonalds and I had to look to see what that would cost.

In all the years before meeting Wakana I have heard stories about how expensive Japan is, especially Tokyo. Well, it's all bull. A meal at Mickey D's is only about $5 to $6. Not much different than back home. Our hotel is about $100 per night.

Today we are headed for the American Embassy to get some paperwork for the marriage. Then we will do some sightseeing and visit with some of Wakana's friends and her brother.

By the way, Wakana's brother owns a shop that sells jazz CDs and reccords. Unfortunately it has not been easy to keep it going in Japan's sagging economy so he will be closing it soon. He has agreed to take me to his favorite music shop to look at instruments. That should be a fun trip.

More to come.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 10:36 AM

I thought the KEYS were a big secret????? Relax and be yourself, Brett. Dad will love you or not. You can't control it and Wakana will be amused either way.
Sayonara.
SINS

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 08:37 AM

Amos-

You forgot to mention his KEYS!

Oh, shit! Now they've disappeared along with his passport into some black hole.

Well, at least he has love!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Amos
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 11:01 PM

Brett:

DO NOT MISPLACE YOUR PASSPORT. Tell Wakana I said so, okay?? LOL!!


A

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 09:33 PM

Good luck Brett. I'm sure you'll do fine with Wakana's parents, being the lovable sort of fella you are. And Wakana, if he ever brings you to Sydney, you can be sure of a warm mudcat welcome - Brett will confirm this!

Love, Jenny

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 07:29 PM

Congratulations, Brett and Wakana!

Don't forget....no I don't even dare mention what you might forget, if you ever found it, or got it replaced.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 07:16 PM

Thank you ClaireBear. Yes, I too think of folkies as one huge extended family. And there are lots of old friends I hope to meet some day.

Today Wakana and I fly to Japan. This evening we will be in Tokyo. Tomorrow we go to the United States Embassy to get a paper signed and sealed and do some visiting and sightseeing. Then, day after tomorrow, we head for her home town to MEET THE PARENTS!

I am quite nervous about this. After her mother's initial reaction I find myself wondering how her father will react to my size and beard. We have been laughing about it between ourselves.

Wish me luck.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 03:54 PM

Happy belated Thanksgiving from sunny but chilly California -- and have a wonderful trip and a grand lifetime adventure with Wakana!

No, Brett, I haven't met you. Sorry to confuse you. I'm in the SF Bay Area songs-of-the-sea-singing community and tend to think of all of us chantypersons as one big happy family, so that makes us cousins who haven't met. Still hope to, someday.

Did I mention how wonderful a writer you have become?

Claire

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 07:35 AM

When my kids were young they enjoyed eating the packaged ramen noodles that we could get for pennies in the grocery store. This evening Wakana took me to a ramen restaurant where she ate ramen and I had Chinese dumplings and rice.

This morning we finished the job of placing the big pavers along the front of the house. It looks pretty good if I do say so. Gordon says he will power wash and apply one coat of paint to the place while we are in Japan. Right now the color of the walls varies from white to blue with some rather shocking grafitti on the end wall.

We are getting pretty excited about the trip to Japan. I get to meet the parents and she gets to visit home and see family and friends.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Amos
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 11:20 AM

Blessings on you, buddy!! May the next year be even richer!!

A

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 10:56 AM

Happy Thanksgiving, Brett. It is supposed to go into the 50's or 60's. I am off to Tom and Lynn's for dinner and some fun. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: JennyO
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 08:18 AM

Brett, I was only thinking a couple of days ago, that this time last year, you and Charlie were in our backyard at Earlwood having a barbeque. Even though it was almost summer, the weather was filthy - dark skies, wind and occasional rain, and you said you didn't believe we had warm summers.

Well, guess what! Same weather again on the same date! I must remember NEVER EVER to have a barbeque or go camping at this time of year. The weather is too unstable. Mind you, now it's getting hot again - a hot weekend is expected, and I'll be camping and singing - oh joy!

Would you have believed a year ago that things would have turned out this way? I'm really happy for you, and I hope there will be a chance some day for us Ozcats to meet Wakana. Maybe we can drive her around "Dirty Newtown" eh :-)

Jenny

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 01:41 AM

And we are MOST Thankful for you, Brett, for sharing so much and opening your heart up to so much new and so many possibilities and LOOK where it lead you ANd sharing it with us. It has been wonderful!! Thanks!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:26 PM

Here in Guam it is Thanksgiving Day. This afternoon we will join Tom & Barbara for a traditional dinner, turkey with all the fixings. Poor Barbara is probably hard at work now.

As I look back over this year I find a lot to be thnkful for. Admittedly my year has been difficult at times what wtih the fire and ID Theft, Megan's recent death, and a number of minor difficulties. But this year I found Wakana, and I found another house to live in, and I have two wonderful children who are making lives for themselves but still have time to share their news with their old dad. My parents are both alive and amazingly active. My siblings are well and healthy. I am thankful for all of this.

And, added to all that, I am thankful for you, my Mudcat friends, who want to share this adventure with me and who let me know that you enjoy the news I share with you. I am thankful that you would like to share an evening of music with me and that to do so you would come to visit me if money would only permit. And I am thankful that I would be welcome in your homes if I were to leave Guam to visit you.

Life is good. I have to say that because for many years I said, "Life is a bitch and then you die!" I no longer believe that and I am most grateful for that.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:27 AM

Very busy day today, and yesterday. Wakana and I calculated that we went to 11 different places today. I bought a part for the bicycle and we got a shoe cabinet. For those who are not familiar with Asian lifestyle it is frowned on to wear your outdoor shoes in the house. They have a "shoe-off" place next to the door where you can change into your indoor slippers or whatever. The outdoor shoes go into a cabinet. We found a nice wicker work cabinet at Marianas Handicrafts up in Tamuning. It was only $30 and should do the job.

We also visited China Arts, a shop I have wanted to explore since I got here. Unfortunately I only remember that when I am on my way home and not interested in stiopping or when it is closed. What a neat shop. It's full of exotic Asian furniture, mostly Chinese, and Persian carpets and delicate China, and stamping materials and... Let's just say, it's full.

Now we are tired and ready for a break but we have a whole lot of presents to wrap so we can get the box in the mail. It's a long way to Maine from here.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 04:38 PM

Thanks Kat, that's a lovely poem. After a night's sleep I feel better but still sad. Kids aren't supposed to die. God's fan club claims that there is a plan and all is in accordance with it. As far as I'm concerned any plan that involves killing kids is not worth the paper it's drawn up on. I told Him/Her that last night.

I have not been very good about thanking you for the web sites. I've been busy with Christymas shopping and working around the house. Plus a certain fiancee, no names, has become addicted to Spider Solitaire and takes up a lot of computer time....

Thanks very much for the web sites. I will explore them and see what I can use to help her refine her English. Her skill varies with her mood, no surprises there. When she is angry or depressed her skill drops but when she is happy she can chatter away like anyone else, almost.

Clairebear, I am touched by what you said. Yes, I have changed over the course of this story. I am seeing a good counselor (and taking the right antidepressant) and I may have the black dog of depression finally leashed. Now I only hope the leash holds.

The other day I described depression to Wakana as walking a huge dog on a leash. Sometimes you can control the dog but more often he drags you where he wants to go. The trick is to teach the dog to respond to verbal commands so you can keep him controled without a lot of pressure on the leash.

By the way, Clairebear, have you and I met? I have a friend named Claire back in Portland, Maine, but you said you hoped to sing sea songs with me but did not say "again" so I'm guessing you are not she.

Kat, you mentioned how nice it must be to have things peaceful. It is... and it isn't. The key to adventure is to do the things you want to do and not have to deal with the fuss of the bad things that happen to you. The reality of adventure is that you have to deal with both. A sane, peaceful life is not what I am looking for right now. I do want a solid foundation in my personal life and I think I have found that. But considerations of how tall the grass is getting in the yard, whether or not the bills have been paid (the phone was cut off last week - bills were sent to the old address), how much gas is in the car, and other little items are not for me.

But I am going to Japan on December 1 to get married so I guess I have some adventure to look forward to. We will tour Wakana's home town and I will get to meet the family. They are concerned about my ability to eat at a low Japanese table. I cannot sit in the Japanese fashion. I hope they won't make too much fuss.

And there is the adventure of landscaping. We have been setting those big heavy pavers around the base of the wall. This involves an even layer of sand, carried in five gallon buckets, then walking the paver into place, shifting it till it fits, and pouring more sand into the cracks. We are looking for a large Japanese lantern to place at the corner by the door.

And I also hope to get involved in the adventure of exercise again. I reinflated the tires on my bicycle (remember that?). It is now mounted on the back of the car and will go with me down to Asan Park where I can ride it around the park. A couple of circuits ought to help out. Wakana calls Asan Park Little Waikiki. It's a lovely open field with a line of coconut palms along the white sand beach. There is a walking/bike trail around the park. It's also the site of the landing by American forces when they retook Guam from the Japanese in 1944.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 12:05 PM

Oh, Brett and Lana...{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} I am so sorry to hear of this.

For Megan:

O Master -- Musician
Tune me for life again.
The awakening of new music
    My heart wants to become.
My life is now mingled
    In ecstasy's height.
             --Sri Chinmoy

In love and sorrow,

kat

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:31 AM

I got some very bad news tonight. Megan, my daughter Lana's, best friend and a kid I always considered to be like a daughter to me died quietly tonight after a long battle with leukemia. Apparently she got a lung infection and that's what did it.

Megan joined my daughters and my nephew in an 8 year game of Dungeons and Dragons. We started the game when they were 12 years old and kept it going through blizzards and summer heat. Late nights were spent around the table battling all the monsters the DM could throw at us. As we fought she created tiny origamis and drew fantasy scenes with the grease pencil. When she was diagnosed with leukemia the rest of us pitched in to buy her something to help her spirits. Not for us a bunch of flowers that would wilt and die. We bought her a sword.

But she has finished that last big fight and now journeys on to another land that may wait for all of us. This is why we humans believe in an afterlife. It isn't just for us. We want to believe that our loved ones are in a better place.

Megan, Fare well in your journey. You fought a brave battle. Rest now before you meet the road and again sally forth into adventure.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Amos
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 05:43 PM

Brett:

It is my belief that clearing up individual words and syllables will make a lot of difference and is 99% of the task. They are the core building blocks of the crazy matrix of concepts that is a language.

A

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 12:32 PM

Brett,

Because I'm an editor professionally, I concentrate on sites that teach written rather than spoken English, so this site may not be right for Wakana, but I like it because it's interactive and very thorough. You might take a look first and see if it will help.

Brett, I just want to add that I've been following your story closely since you left for Guam, and as time went on I was continually moved and saddened by your -- evidently hard-earned -- wariness of relationships with women.

This spring, I had surgery and radiation for cancer and was housebound for three months with no Internet access. When I got back to work, the first thing I did was to check your thread to see how you had been faring. I wish I could describe my joy at seeing the change you'd undergone while I was away. You helped my recovery with your own, and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.

My best to both you and the redoubtable Wakana. I hope to sing songs of the sea with you someday.

Claire

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:09 AM

You both deserve a peaceful life after the recent Hard Times.

sandra

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:09 AM

hKinda nice to have things so calm and less adventuresome, isn't it, Brett? Less for us to enjoy as your loyal readers, but less stress, too, I'd imagine.:-)

here are a couple of sites which might help: English Course

clickie

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:57 PM

It's an interesting fact of life that a contented person generally is not a person who is having adventures. Thus, there is nothing to report except the humdrum daily activity of an almost married couple. There are disagreements and teary times but there are very nice times as well.

Wakana is frustrated by her lack of progress in English so we are going to be working on her vocabulary and grammar. If any of you knows of a free web site where there is help available please feel free to send it along.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 12:45 AM

I am typing this on a nice new PC! What a lovely machine. I feel like I have finally recovered from the fire.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 06:48 PM

We went out to dinner last night to Din Tai Fong, the Chinese restaurant we went to with Yumiko and Yamachan. This time we went with two friends from my old life, my former boss and his wife. We had a nice time. Wakana stole the show introducing us to verious Chinese dishes and tastes. It was great fun. I couldn't even begin to tell you what we ate except for shrimp shumai and some kind of fried noodle dish. We also had some kind of shrimp dumplings. I am making a lot of progress eating with chopsticks (haschi). I may not disgrace myself when we go to Japan.

I plan to spend this week shopping for Christmas presents and Wakana's birthday present. I am at a loss for the latter. I prompted her into a conversation about hobbies yesterday trying to figure out what would be a good line of gifts. I wanted to buy her some Japanese carpentry tools. When we met she claimed to be a carpenter and later she sadly explained to me that she'd sold the tools when she moved to Guam. After our conversation I got the idea that the tools might not be a good idea. I must not have been too subtle in our conversation for this morning she made some comments about how much she enjoyed building the bench she made for herself.

She also commented about needing a rake and some tools to do yard work. Hah! That would be like the man who bought his wife a vacuum cleaner for her birthday. Carpentry tools are hobby tools. Yard tools aren't. "Here, dear, I bought you a lawn mower... OUCH!"

Today is a great day in the neighborhood, or at least this house. The NEW computer arrives today! Sleek, black, powerful, and up to date, this machine will really fly. I am so looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Amos
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 11:13 AM

Just goes to show that good songs knwo no age group, eh? :D Goodd thing you aren't a dirty old man, BRett!! Great story, though!

Many many congratulations to you and Wakana. Good luck getting hitched!!

A

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 09:53 PM

Impure thoughts about me in England? Gah! Wakana may want to meet those girls when we get to England. Did I tell you she used to practice kendo? Are your friends conversant in the language of swords?

Thanks for the kind compliments. Sins, I have always been available as a boy toy. Wakana, being Japanese, SAYS it's natural for a man to look for such opportunities. I really don't believe she would be able live up to that philosophy and I am certainly not dumb enough to put it to the test.

We have been landscaping. We now have a border around the base of the first corner of the house up and around the entrance. I would like to get a large Japanese stone lantern to place outside of the door. They seem to be rather difficult to find here. They have some stone lanterns at the Chamorro Village but they are actually Chinese design and rather crudely made, and expensive.

We are trying to figure out how to make a marriage between a Japanese and a United Statesian. In Japan the marriage process is separate from the ceremony. It is easy but... First I need to go to the American Embassy in Tokyo to get a Single Affadavit For Marriage signed and sealed. We then take that to her home town hall and get married. Then the real fun starts and I don't mean the honeymoon.

For her to emigrate to the U.S. I need to fill out an I-130. That is an application to apply for an immigrant visa. We need to provide proof of our relationship including, according to the embassy website, photos, emails, letters, phone bills, and any other proof that you have a relationship. Note, that a marriage certificate is NOT part of that list.

Sigh, back into the halls of bureaucracy.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST,winterbright
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 05:11 PM

Just catching up with the news. Congratulations to you both!

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 11:15 AM

Brett, I'm very happy for both you & Wakana--long life & love!

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 09:20 AM

Seems to me I remember Brett performing Gordon Bok's "Cape Sable"(Title?) and setting a few sighs in motion. While you're still single - any interest in filling the role of Mudcat Toy Boy? We are taking applications and you have already filled the HUG requirement. Sorry, Wakana. It will only be temporary.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 08:22 AM

good one!

he does have a lovely voice & really made an impression when he was at the Dog last year. Shivers when up & down spines when he sang Stan Rogers.

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Tenjiro
Date: 08 Nov 04 - 08:29 AM

Dad, Had something amusing happen that I thought you and your mudcat buddies would enjoy. I was in a car with my friend Robin and Ariel last night and they were listening to a mix of folk songs. Last year I had let Robin burn a copy of the Roll and Go cd and she'd forgotten that the cd was yours. Th following conversation happened:

*Maid on the Shore plays over the stereo in Ariel's car*
Me: Oh I love this song...turn it up!
Robin: You KNOW this song?
Me: Duh...its on my dad's cd...that's my dad signing the male part.
Ariel and Robin: THAT'S YOUR DAD?!
Me: Yea...uh..why?
Ariel: Oh nothing...we've just been having impure thoughts about the guy who sings this song all year.
Robin: He has a sexy voice...it's your dad?

So yea, dad...you have fan girls now. Feel special!

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Nov 04 - 03:34 AM

Trivia corner: UK tv programme claimed that world's highest consumption of Spam per head is on Guam,. I think it said 17 tins per year!

RtS
("Spam, spam, spam spam...")

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: JennieG
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 11:58 PM

Goodonya Brett - all the best. When are you bringing Wakana to Sydney?

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: GUEST,Millie Webb
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 10:17 PM

Hi, again,
My daughter is now in Guam to arrange her base housing and her and her son's sponsorship to move there to live with her Navy husband. She is VERY impressed with the island so far. We are keeping our grandson until she comes back. This thread has been a wonderful help for me so I can know more about the area that is not in the books or available elsewhere. Thanks, again, for this thread.
Millie

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 10:47 PM

Al was telling the story the other day about a man who sailed the islands down here exchanging the old silver coins people used for money for paper American dollars. Once he had a load he would sail for Hong Kong or Singapore and sell them for the weight of the silver. Apparently he made a lot of money doing that.

I haven't mentioned Guam politics much in this thread. basically it was because I didn't understand it but I was also uninterested. Now, with the election behind us Americans, I can look back and tell you about what I have seen.

First of all the government is led by the governor. He has an assistant. Then there is the legislature, a single body called the senate. There are 15 senators. The senators do not repreesent a region or area so the whole island votes for each one.

Villages have mayors and the mayors have a lot of power. It is the mayor who gets things done for his town, whether it is road repair or preventing landlslides. The mayor's office provides everything from canopies and chairs for parties to loads of coral gravel for repairing driveways.

Here in Guam the family ties are very strong. Every politician is careful to list which families he or she belongs to. The political signs include all three names as well as any nickname the politician has. For example, Tina Barnes ran under the name Tine Muna Barnes. She had to make sure people knew she was a member of the Muna family. The mayors take advantage of this by giving their family members jobs in the town government so the trick is to elect a mayor with a small family.

In the primary election the islanders vote straight ticket for each party. THis year the democrats had 16 people trying for the 15 seats. It wasn't much of a choice.

And, of course, you also have to have corruption. This is politics, after all. I think 3 of the last 4 governors are under investigation for some kind of corruption. One of them used territory materials and workmen to improve his ranch. Another used Guam money for personal trips abroad. Of course, the judges they appointed make sure that the casess move slowly or not at all. It makes for an interesting circus as long as you don't get involved.

And the parting shot from the election is that many of our TV programs come to us 2 weeks after they show on the mainland. That means we still get political ads for up to two weeks after you guys are done with them in the States. Ugh!

Subject: RE: Springtime In Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 04:42 PM

Brett-

I'll drink to that!

Now, let's see what we've got around here to drink...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble