Roaches

OK- Guam is great but this past weekend makes me appreciate my clean house, yes it may be cluttered, but there is no TWO INCH COCK ROACHES in my home in St. Charles. Friday night I screamed like a horror movie as a roach crawled across my bedroom floor, as I tried to hit it with a shoe it kindly went under my bed!  Mark was not expecting that early morning call, he had to convince me to get in my bed and that a roach wasn't going to crawl into my ear while I slept. I hate this Navy Inns and Suites. I have had ants and cold showers and now roaches!!  If I had to pay the bill, it wouldn't happen. I would not pay a penny of my own money for ants, roaches, and cold showers. Since the navy is paying  I have no choice.  By the way the next morning I saw him again and he did not get away this time. I could go to the closet where he tried to hide and take his picture for you all but I am trying to forget it is in there...so no picture of the roach.

I have been away from the blog for over a week...I guess time is going fast on Guam, but not fast enough...I think I have hit my limit of pleasure and I am ready to head home. I have so much respect for all the military men and women that spend so much time away from their families but I certainly hope I do not ever have to spend this much time away from my family ever again.

As for my latest adventures I spent the past weekend with a special friend of mine I met when I was in Japan on my 2 week AT for the Navy about 9 yrs ago, Ms. Kiyomi. She came over on Friday and spent the weekend with me. We haven't seen each other in about 5 yrs when she came to the USA to visit with me and my family.

We had a great time out together and touring the island together. We headed up North to Ratidian beach at the very northern tip of the island. It was the most beautiful white, smooth sand and clear blue water...gorgeous!!

Then the next day we headed down south to find the exact opposite type of beach...hard to tell from this picture but the sand is black. It comes from volcanic rock deep under the island (according to our friend/tour guide). It was still cool to see, but not the beautiful beaches of the north!

This is called "Bear Rock" as it is said to look like a bear! I think every single state has some rock that looks like something...funny!

Anyway, It was a fun weekend and so great to see my friend.

More fun in Guam

Is that a chicken crossing the road, no a Carabao...I see these all around the island and especially right outside my apartment in the green field near by.  So the story goes that there is one guy who lives in town with his carobao and booney dogs (muts) and you can see him walk along the road with the booney dogs riding on the back of the carabao...and at Christmas the dogs were dressed up in santa hats! I haven't seen him yet but I always have my eyes open.

Today I went up north to explore. Anderson Airforce base is up there and I ended up on this jungle road (off base) with more potholes than I have ever driven on in my life. (thank goodness it was a rental car) This little chapel (I suppose) was on the side of the road. And below you can see the view from the road to the beach actually on the base. It was raining most of the day but right before I was heading back to the south side (Navy side), the sun peaked out for a few minutes...then rained the whole drive home.

It was pretty good day, ready to get back to work tomorrow. Until next time.

Saturday Hikes with Rec an Crew

Last week I went on a nice hike with an organization on base called Rec and Crew...it was really fun. The top picture is down by the ocean at our destination. the middle picture is at the top of the hike looking down on the water.

Unfortunately for this blue starfish, he dried up on the beach. It reminded me of the story about the boy who walks down beach throwing the starfish back in the ocean when someone saw him and asked him why he bothered doing that because there was so many startfish and he could never save them all...what did it matter....and the boy picked up another starfish and threw it back in the ocean and says "it matters to him".  So we can all keep that in mind when we go through our days and wonder why we should say hello or smile or open a door for someone, because it may not seam like a big deal but it matters to someone...make someones day by doing something thoughtful.  You don't know how many small chats have made my day here while I am away from home and I am so thankful complete strangers took a few minutes out of there day to brighten mine.

Corrine in the kitchen

Now I know why my sister invited Corrine to SC, too do the cooking...my sister never was a big fan of cooking. It actuallly looks green, could that be a vegetable she is cooking....way to go Corrine if that is indeed spinich! Looks like she is having fun, can't wait to get home and have Corrine cook me some dinner.  6.5 more weeks to go.

Corrine's last day at Grandma's house

Corrine is getting to spend a few weeks in South Corolina with her cousins...she even gets to skip a few weeks of school!! However, Aunt Bridget is used to homeschooling, so Corrine will stay on top of things I'm sure! Plus she may learn a few things I'm not ready for her to learn yet since I hear she is up until 11pm most nights and watching PG 13 movies...I think we put an end to that though! My sister forgot what it is like to have a 6 yr old in the picture!

But really, I know she is having a great time and it is a once in a young life's opportunity to spend a few weeks alone with the cousins. I hope it is a good experience for everyone.

Corrine on her way to Iowa!

Looks like the car is loaded and she is off to Iowa with her cousins and her Aunt and Uncle...she looks so excited and made it up until 3 minutes out of the hills and the puking began from car sickness...1 stop at the dollar store for new clothes and they were on their way with no more epidsodes after that...what a trooper!