BS: Studying in Guam

Subject: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 11:23 PM

I recently went through a huge change in lifestyle. I went back to school. And I've been thinking that the other thread was getting too long. So here we go with yet another one.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 11:24 PM

Here's the last thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 11:48 PM

I loaded Google Earth on Wakana's little computer, the one she gave me after mine was broken in the crash. Then I started looking at some sites in Maine, Arrowsic, Bath, Brunswick, Richmond...

Then I saw the pictures of the Wiscasset schooners Charlie posted on Facebook.

I think I'm a little homesick now.

I may have to think about moving home again. How's the housing market?

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 12:51 PM

Brett-

The housing market in Maine is just wonderful for buyers, not so good for sellers. And the mortgage interest rates are less than 5% for good applicants. So do you want an older house that will cost a mint to fix up or a newly constructed energy efficient house? And do you require a view of the sea?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 01:02 PM

Rent, my friend. That way you can run back to Guam if the weather gets too cold for you.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 03:20 PM

I wish I was in a position to go but I have finish my education and that includes the extras I would need so I could qualify to teach in Maine.

Sigh.

I guess I'll just have to go out on my carport and enjoy my coffee and watch the breezes stir the palm fronds.

Sins, what you say makes a lot of sense and I probably will rent once I get there. By the time I'm ready to buy the market will have healed itself and I won't be able to afford anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 03:50 PM

Well, if you could scrape up the down you might get a place and rent it out until you need it.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 08:18 PM

Just what I was going to say. Good for you to stick to what you need to do in order to get a teaching job.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Nov 10 - 01:34 AM

Thsi weekend has been a little rough. Wakana is burning out and needs a good long rest. Part of the problem is that the teacher who supposedly taught the kids Japanese I failed miserably to get them to learn something. So now she has a mess of ignorant unruly kids to deal with. Here we are, halfway through November, and she is still reviewing(teaching) Japanese I instead of Japanese II.

As for me, I was in some pain yesterday with some kind of bladder/urinary infection. I was going to go to the doctor today but I am feeling much better.

Anyway, we went out to run some errands this morning and decided to have lunch at Gyoza-Yatai. We walked in the door and were disappointed to see they had a Sunday brunch buffet set out. As much as we like that restaurant we do not care for their buffet. The waiter came up to greet us and apologized. He said they would serve a la cart after 2:00. We turned to leave and were almost to the elevator when the manager stopped us. He asked why we were leaving. We told him we'd come for the Hongkong Rice bowl and an Sanctuary plate of gyoza. We said we'd come back later.

He wouldn't hear of it. He promised us our Sanctuary plate and said they had some Hongkong fried rice on the buffet line. We could have that. We went inside.

Now, it needs to be explained that we really like this place and we like to talk with the people who work there. Last time we were there the cook came out to see us and we had a good time with him. The general manager, Frank, is a very personable guy who we like very much. Today's manager is a local with a girlfriend in Japan. He disappears every once in a while to go visit her. This is the place where we met the family of one of Wakana's high school classmates. We have some good memories of that place.

As we ate our gyoza the manager brought out a huge stone bowl of Hongkong fried rice. The cook wouldn't allow the manager to feed us the rice from the buffet line. Instead he insisted on making us our own pot. He brought it out to us himself and mixed it on our table. The manager introduced him and explained what had happened. We were really touched. We sat and talked to the cook for a long time and thanked him again and again for his kindness. As we ate the waiter kept us well supplied with iced tea, big smile on his face, and very warm personality. When we left the cook came out to say goodbye and wish us well. We were both touched and our spirits were lifted.

Life is good.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Nov 10 - 10:45 AM

Nice!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 07:11 AM

Tonight I went to another film hosted by the GLOBAL MILITARISM: GLOBAL PEACE? organization. This one was on the military occupation of Hawaii. Many people don't understand that Hawaii was stolen by a consortium of plantation owners including Bob Dole's (great?) grandfather. Then in 1959 the territory forced a vote on statehood one year before an expected UN resolution on decolonising indigenous peoples. By making Hawaii a state they took away the UN's authority in the matter. Hawaii was on the UN's list.

Now Hawaii is home to over 120 military bases which have been built without regard to sacred sites around the islands. The tourist industry is pushing Hawaiians out of their lands faster and faster. Native Hawaiians make up 4% of the total population and 60% of the homeless. There are camps, similar to the hobo jungles and the dust bowl refugee camps where hundreds of Hawaiians live because they cannot afford to live in their own homeland.

This relates to Guam and the military buildup going on here. Just today the anti-buildup group We Are Guahan filed lawsuit against the USA for trying to take away access to Pagat, a site considered sacred to the Chamorros. Their web site is here: Pagat Village.

Going to the movie, which was an extra credit exercise, means I missed out on a meet-and-greet party given annually by the English Department. It was a costume party. You had to dress as a character from a book that had been made into a movie. I had been planning to go as Woody Guthrie with a sailor's hat on my head and guitar slung over my shoulder with an old piece of rope. I was even prepared to sing This Land is Your Land as a hint. I figured it was about as obscure a movie/book combination as I could get. Sigh....

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 06:10 AM

Today is Wakana's birthday. She was born in 1960 so you do the math. I gave her the traditional birthday card (I make them and include pictures of the animals), a couple of movies I recorded from the TV (Metropolis & Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow), and one purchased movie (Onmyoji II). I also gave her a thumb drive loaded with music. Her new car has a USB port where she can plug in the drive and listen directly from there.

This evening I took her out for dinner at Hoa Mai in Agat. I had previously purchased a small apple cheesecake and some candles. I gave it to the owner and asked that it come to the table as our desert.

I had sweet & sour pork and Wakana had fried pork chops with Fene Dene. The owners are very friendly and they are Chinese (real China, not Taiwan). It is tradition in China that you have to eat noodles on your birthday. So, we had just finished our meal when the cook showed up with a bog steaming dish of noodles, vegetables, and chicken. We couldn't refuse so we ate some of it and they packaged the rest. Now we are too full. We didn't eat the cheesecake. I intended to share it with them. I feel like I am about to burst.

Tomorrow morning we are going to see Harry Potter.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: maeve
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 07:24 AM

Happy Birthday, Wakana.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 08:15 AM

birthday wishes from me, too

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 10:38 AM

Happy Birthday, Wakana! Sounds like a fun time.

kat & my Rog

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 12:57 PM

Happy Birthday, Wakana, from Charley Noble and JudyB as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 04:46 PM

Very happiest of days Wakana!! Thanks for taking care of our Naemanson.



A

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 05:02 PM

I just passed your birthday greetings on to Wakana. When I read them to her I identified each person and where they were writing from. Wakana is thrilled and touched to get birthday greetings from around the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 10:26 PM

Oh, and birthday greetings from our two housecats, Tilahun and Tejitu!

Cheerily,
Charley

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 11:04 PM

Hey, we can't leave out Alaska! Happy Birthday, Wakana!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: ClaireBear
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 02:54 PM

And California. Happy birthday, Wakana!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: mmm1a
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 03:41 PM

from Indiana too

   happy Birthday Wakana

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 05:28 PM

Happy Birthday, Wakana!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 08:08 AM

Wakana thanks you all. She is very happy and hopes you all can have happy birthdays like her.

She also wants you to know the cats and dog say thank you very much.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 08:16 AM

The other day Wakana harvested the first of our bananas. The outdoor table is now covered with green bananas, short and fat and quickly turning yellow in the warm weather. These are the Philippine bananas. The other plants are Chiquita bananas, like you get in the stores. They will need another month or so.

These classes are kicking my butt. As I tell people, I spend 10 1/2 hours a week in class and the rest of the week isn't enough to do all the homework. For this Saturday I have to prepare two power point presentations, plus read three chapters for one class and two for another. For Monday I have to have my rough draft for my paper on Potiki ready to turn in to be workshopped. Plus I am behind in writing up my school observations and I need to get my portfolio started for my classroom management class.

The problem is that I feel like I've worked all day long and have made no real headway. I'm tired.

Enough whining. I'm going to take the dog out so she can pee and then I'm going to bed.

Goodnight!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 10:15 PM

Just worked out what is due in the next two weeks. Starting to panic now...

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 10:23 PM

Brett-

Geez. I hope you at least take a break for Thanksgiving. Do they have turkeys in Guam?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 03:29 AM

Funny your should mention that...

It is the evening of Thanksgiving Day. I suppose I should be lying down with a belly full of a big turkey dinner.

Well, we don't bother with all that here. This morning I worked on the two presentations I have to do this Saturday then we went to the laundromat. I knew it had been a long time because the baskets were full and I was almost out of socks and underwear.

We filled up nine washers and ten dryers. It cost $22! Luckily everyone else was out for dinner.

We stopped at Subway for sandwiches before we washed the clothes. Then home, folded, and now it's back to work on the papers. Holiday? What's that?

Later, when we get hungry we have leftover barbecued ribs and I am planning to make nachos.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 06:07 AM

9 washers & 10 driers - I bet the staff were happy to see you on a public holiday, you probably almost paid their wages.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 06:30 AM

It's a family business, convenience store with a laundromat next door. They are a Korean family. The father is doing everything he can to drive his daughter nuts. He is micromanaging her education. She's a bright kid, she's doing very well in school. Whenever we go over there we are subjected to a long conversation with him about her. He's a good guy and wants only the best for her. She has an ally in her mother so she gets out from under his thumb occasionally.

Our bananas have ripened. They are short and fat with very thin skins. The flavor is sweeter than the Chiquitas you get at the store. There seems to be a bit of orange flavor in there too. We've shared with the neighbors and still have quite few left. They are very filling. Two of them suffices for a meal.

The nice thing about bananas is that they are a renewable resource. Alex planted two trees about a year ago. we are getting our first bananas now and at least three other trees have sprouted from the same place. the tree that gave us fruit has done its duty and will need to be cut down to make room for the little ones coming in behind it. Those two trees should provide fruit for a few years at least.

I am procrastinating. I finished my two presentations and now have to read the three chapters for tomorrow's class.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 09:45 PM

Charlie, I just started a thread on two lists of NZ songs I found. The NZ Folk Song List includes something called the Fishfinger Song. You should check it out. It ain't your old favorite. Caution: If you decide to use it you should change "orientals" to "Asians" and make it fit.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 02:47 PM

Here we go! There are 9 days left in the term and I have a mess of work to do. I did catch a break yesterday. I thought we had to do 15 hours of observations. The number is really 10. I think I am done with that requirement. Now all I have to do is write them up... and write... and do more writing... and more...

Yesterday I went to Wakana's school to do some observations. In the morning I watched a chemistry lab and in the afternoon I saw a government class. The second class was in a "temporary" structure. But what a structure! At some point in the past the school had needed six extra classrooms so they bought them from a New Zealand firm. What they got was six cedar log cabins just like the modern log houses we have back in Maine. The logs are uniformly cut and interlock to give 6 inches of wood for insulation, the ceilings are high and the room is wide and open. There are lots of windows. I felt like I was home again.

Well, back to work!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 07:19 PM

anytime you feel homesick for Maine, you know where to go!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 08:09 AM

This afternoon we were driving back to FD to pick up my pickup. I was telling Wakana about an episode of Top Gear I'd seen earlier where they finally get "The Stig" out of his helmet. For those who've never seen the show, The Stig is their "tame racing driver" who does all the timed laps for the cars they are evaluating. Since the early seasons they have never identified him. He always wears pure white race coveralls, gloves, boots, and a helmet that covers his whole head.

Anyway, I told Wakana that the man in the suit was Michael Schumacher, a Formula One race driver. I was NOT prepared for her reaction!

You see, years ago, when she was living and working in Tokyo she and a few friends would gather for an evening of entertainment and food at a restaurant owned by one of those friends. The entertainment was usually watching Formula One racing. Schumacher wiped the track with their favorite drivers. They hated him.

Wakana was very tired at the beginning of our conversation but when she heard who was in the suit she got all fired up. And she abused me for not recording the episode!

Ain't life strange...

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 08:16 PM

Speaking of Guam, and your ultra-intelligent FINE Democratic 'Representatives'..This is a MUST SEE!!!

Your tax dollars at work, at their finest...I'm glad we have the best..even if he is a Democrap!


Absolutely Great Genius!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 08:42 PM

No clue she was a formula 1 race car fan? I've never even heard of the show, Brett, but I see it's a BBC show.

Is there a download of that show here?

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 02:56 AM

Sanity, you may want to put your criticism in context:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20001567-503544.html.

You know, I'm sure the good congressman fully understands that Guam won't literally capsize from overpopulation. Nonetheless, his colorful figure of speech makes a good point. Could it be that his critics don't understand "figures of speech"?

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 03:30 AM

You actually bought that pantie waste explanation??? Even before you get to the 'tipping over' part, listen to him describe the size of the island..even that is screwed up. Nope, I don't buy the 'damage control' explanation...and if it was merely a 'joke' how did you like his delivery? Personally, I think this stuff is par for the course..and BTW, there are plenty more of these 'distinguished morons' spouting their nonsense! The Pelosi moronic clips fill several pages on 'youtube'!..even Hank 'you can call me Tip' Johnson has a few more. This guy has the space case rap of someone who just got up from being in coma...No, I take that back..He still is in a coma!

Look, sometimes I like an elected guy, but NOT solely on the merits of what party he is affiliated with. An articulate statesman can be respected, even if his views differ from those that I may personally agree with. Some actually make me seriously consider their point of view, because they seem to have a great rap, which contains a little truth, instead of the policies of the party line.....but most of them might as well being promoting the thirst quenching wonders of bottled hot dog water!

And BTW, the view I just expressed is consistent with the majority of the American public! It's the steadfast, bickering within themselves Democrats who are in an increasing minority!

They fucked up!..just about EVERYTHING they promote!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 04:37 AM

P.S. So do the Republicans!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 08:50 AM

Would those of you that want a fight please go elsewhere. Would the rest of you please ignore the troll. Let's keep this thread clean.

Jeri, thank you so much for that site. I've been looking for full episodes... not very hard with my workload and all but...

I did know that she used to watch Formula One but didn't make the connection with a British driver.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 04:51 PM

You are correct, Naemanson, I was going to post, on my last post, that we should move this to another thread.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 07:26 PM

Jeri, the episode is Season 13, Episode 1.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 07:33 PM

I'm procrastinating again. I have so much schoolwork to do and four more days to do it. No classes on Wednesday because it is Our Lady of Kamarin day on the island. Nothing is open and there is a big procession around the cathedral.

Wakana and I have our own tradition. Schools are included in the processions and faculty must be there. In the past we helped control the kids until the walking started then we'd sneak off to the nearby Mexican restaurant for lunch. This year we can park in the restaurant's parking lot. I'll go in with a good book and stake out a table. I'll eat nachos and drink iced tea until she comes in to join me.

I haven't reported on animal happenings in the house lately. Shawna has settled in with all but Neko accepting her. Neko spends a lot of time being bitchy about both Mika and Shawna. She expresses her bitchiness by yowling, growling, spitting and batting at both of them. I would have thought she'd have learned to accept them both by now.

Mika and Shawna are starting to play together. Mika pounces on Shawna when the dog isn't looking. He sneaks up on her and bats at her ears too. Shawna will play jump in Mika's direction occasionally. It's very funny to see. Shawna is also getting tired of Neko's crap and jumps at her too. No playing there.

Mika has a new trick. He sits on the floor between my feet while I watch TV. If I pat on my chest he'll jump up and settle himself down for petting. He has a loud purr. I have to be careful though. Sometimes he wants to jump up to bite and scratch. I keep the water bottle close to hand.

He has another trick. When I sit on the toilet he climbs into the pants bunched around my ankles and settles himself down very happily. It's hard to pull up the pants with him in there.

Last night was our last real class in my Literature of the Pacific Islands course. We discussed the Kantan Chamorita. This is a form of entertainment that predated electronics. Groups of (usually) young people working at different tasks would sing a spontaneous four line stanza which could express a "wide range of emotions and experiences." These are done in a call and response format with two opposing groups. I will post the whole article in a separate thread under the music section.

Quote from Kantan Chamorrita: Traditional Chamorro Poetry, Past and Future by Laura Souder

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 02:50 AM

The full article on the Kantan Chamorrita is HERE!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 05:51 PM

December 6 was a our wedding anniversary. I was out of my head with papers and Wakana was exhausted from work so nothing was done or said. Today is an island wide holiday so we took time last night to go to Gyoza-Yatai for dinner.

We got there about 9:00. Frank (the manager) was shocked to see us at night because usually only go for lunch. We told him it was our anniversary and he gave us our usual table by the window. We ordered a Chinese salad, the Sanctuary Gyoza plate, a stone bowl of rice and gingered pork, and a dessert parfait. while we waited and drank our iced tea Frank and the waiter brought us a Happy Anniversary balloon. Motoki, the cook, came out to wish us well and talk with us for a bit. He arrived after the stone bowl and then, when he realized who we were, he wanted to take the bowl back to the kitchen to improve it. Don't know how he could have improved it. The food was great!

The dessert was a tall parfait glass filled with Chinese almond jelly, whipped cream, some fruit bits, and, at the bottom, cornflakes. Try adding cornflakes to a jello and whipped cream dessert someday. You'll be surprised at how good it is. Just don't let the cornflakes get soggy. Eat it quickly.

Today is Our Lady of Kamerin day. This afternoon the Catholics will be gathering for a procession around the Cathedral. For us, it's a day off... kinda.

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: maeve
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 10:01 PM

Happy Anniversary, Wakana and Brett!

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 11:36 PM

Happy Anniversary!

My video driver is messed up. I hope the colours show!

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 11:40 PM

Actually, it is my mozilla...I can see the colours fine in IE. (Sorry for the drift!)

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 06:04 AM

Many congratulations. We are celebrating our 40th on the 19th with a "bit of a do" (lunch + magician friend- no music to make sure I don't sing!).

RtS
Many are called but kazoo are chosen

Subject: RE: BS: Studying in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 07:11 AM

adding my congratulations to the list.