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Seattle, Washington July 2010

I'm a pretty fortunate person. Sure, I've had my share of misfortune in life, but all in all, I've got it great.  I've had an awesome career doing things I love.  I've spent 16 years at GES, been through different administrations and met so many people who have become part of my extended family.  Sometimes I think about what it would be like to do other things.  Sometimes it's exciting to think about starting fresh and other times I fear not being able to catch the same magic that came my way.  I know there are changes on the horizon and I also know that it's counterproductive to worry about what will happen, especially when I should be taking time to enjoy what's right in front of me.  Right now I'm just eager to start a new school year and ready to take on the task put before us. 

What is it with my sister and giving birth when I'm off island?  When her first child, my goddaughter Savannah was born I had just gotten in from a trip and missed the whole thing. So, this time she gave me ample warning and I made sure not to accept any training opportunities during her due date, the second week in July.  It turned out that the very night I came in from my trip to Seattle she was in the delivery room, a whole week and a half earlier than expected! Luckily for me, Wayne drove me straight from the airport to the hospital so I could be there.  Welcome to the world little Aiden, I'm glad you waited for me :)

 

I remember the day I planted the rose bushes these came from.  There was an improperly planted rose bush in our garden with exposed roots that we needed to uproot.  I cut two stalks from the bushes we pruned because I couldn't bare to see my rose bush thrown away, placed them firmly in the soil and whispered, "I believe in you.  You'll grow and be beautiful."  Wayne smiled at me, but secretly doubted that you could just stick things in the ground like that and expect them to grow.  Don't you think that the most beautiful things sometimes come from the broken and discarded?

*~Wedding Pictures~*

I know, I know, I've been so unforgivably delinquent. So sorry my internet friends. Wayne and I got so caught up preparing for, getting married, enjoying a honeymoon and getting back into the swing of things that I have missed posting for so long. There's much to tell you family, career and life-wise and so much to share too, but here are some photos, a sampling of our last month until I can get some dedicated time in blogland.

It's so nice to be home, we spent last weekend with all the kids, it was the perfect ending to a great honeymoon! We're back to the swing of things now, but as Wayne says, "who says the honeymoon has to end?" Enjoy the photos, they aren't in any particular order although I did try.

Looking for a good place to get some grub in WA.

Ryan and Wayne. Are they excited to see me or what?

Driving around Walla Wall made me a little silly-willy!

The requisite Chamorro BBQ, complete with red rice, potato salad, laughter and music. Gino and Ryan making beautiful island melody.

Dinner at Red Lobster with the Pangelinans: Wayne, me, Gerhart, Yuko, Ryan and Chris

Our rendition of the parking lot scene in Twilight. Taken in the parking lot at Forks High School, WA. with the Jones' and the Pangelinans.

A day with dad. Demi, Wayne, Min, dad, Ryan and me.

Jumping off Bella's truck in Forks!

We started out at the Cheesecake Factory in Kirkland and ended up in Nijo, a nice Japanese bar. Jasmin, Cliff, Dean, Lihn, me, Wayne and Gerhart

Kuta Beach Sunset. There were so many people on the beach this evening, but to us, they were invisible.

White Rose in Kuta, our wedding day was gorgeous. It rained a few hours before the ceremony, but by the time we got there, it was all sunsine and smiles.

Walking down the aisle

Rice terraces in Ubud. It wasn't harvest time, but it was still gorgeous.

Our infinity pool in our private Villa at Komaneka. It was so hard to leave!

Lunch at Bubba Gump's in Kuta. They played Forest Gump over and over again. And everytime you called a waiter they'd yell, "run, Forest, run!"

Balinese cuisine at Kitmani volcano lookout. Most of it tasted familiar, but there was a dominant spice we couldn't figure out. Mmm...it was all yummy though!

Guam, where it all began!

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I've deliberately not read the paper or watched the news, but I can still sense something like panic coming all around us. I sat in on a meeting with some women that I admire recently, talking about some of the things our government can do for us and things we can do for ourselves, including making our voices heard about the beauty and natural resources we are so fortunate to live around. We talked about the potential they have to bring us into a new way of enticing tourists and investors alike. I realized that even with the "election frenzy" and economic panic in the air, there are many things we can do to take advantage of our location and natural treasures. I didn't have too much to offer, but I left with so many things to think about. It's our CNMI guys, where do you see us going?