Viewed in Wonderland: So very disappointed

When Allan and I found out that they were making a movie out of the cartoon Avatar we were so excited.  We used to see my nephew, Mikey, watching it at my parents house and one day I came home from work and Allan insisted I watch this cartoon with him.  We feel in love with it.  Allan and I have slightly obsessive personalities and when we get hooked, it's serious.

Of course we later found out about the casting decisions and were put off on the movie, but after seeing the previews we decided to give it a shot.  And so we woke up early yesterday to make sure we could make it to the morning showing in 3D.  Wow!!!  We were so disappointed in the first 30 minutes that we had to leave.  Everything was going by fast and heavy with narration and the dialog seemed awkward.  It's one thing that they didn't really look like the characters in the cartoon, but their personalities were different too.  They even pronounced some of the characters' names differently.  It was so awkward I felt awkward watching it. It was really sad.  But you don't have to take my word for it.  I'm not super movie know it all.  I've been known to like some generally considered lame movies.  :P  Go watch it and let me know what you think!

I love my 3D glasses though!!  Instead of putting them in the box to be recycled Allan and I kept ours.

Allan used his as eye protection while he worked in our tiny yard, later that day.  :P

Life in Wonderland: productive day off

I requested to have yesterday off from work.  Originally I wanted to attend the Guam Environmental Alliance's first event.  They spent yesterday painting murals on bus stops in the southern area of Guam.  Sounds like an awesome way to spend a Saturday to me, but Allan and all my friends either had to work that morning or were sick.  I hope to make it to the next event though.

Don't worry though!  I didn't waste a requested day off to lounge around in my pajamas and watch shows on Hulu.  My mom actually needed help cleaning her closets and gathering stuff for a yard sale that Guma Mami is having. The yard sale is actually a fundraiser for Guma Mami.  I had fun helping her decide what to keep, what to give to me, and what to donate for the yard sale.

 After I finished helping her I went back to my apartment and decided to do some major cleaning and purging. I ended up with a banker box, a large shopping bag, and 2 paper grocery bags filled with items for the yard sale.  It felt good to not only get rid of some clutter, but also know that these things would be going to people who need them, will help raise money for a good cause and also stay out of our landfill.

And after all that was done I spent the evening in my pajamas watching You Tube vids with Nel, in the comfort of my clean apartment.  I love it!

Oh and I also found the time to hang up some of Luke's paintings.

I love his robot series!  He also did a painting of a robot inspired by Viva, our not so little puppy. So cute.  I'm trying to get him to do one of our kitty, Merlot. I don't want her to feel left out.  :(

Grow in Wonderland: With love from my tiny yard

My crown of thorns.  

I moved them outside because my friend told me that having thorny plants in your home is bad feng shui.  :P

My herb bowl and papaya tree.

Eventually I'd like to have more edible / fruit bearing plants.  I'd love to grow my own tomatoes and green beans. 

Life in Wonderland: One amazing woman's story of Freedom

A year or so ago, I found a book on my mother's bookshelf and decided to take it home to read. It didn't take too long for Stolen Lives to transport me to Morocco and I was so hooked on the book that it felt like I was becoming a family friend of the Oufkirs.  I was enraged to hear of their imprisonment and desperately waited for their liberation.

Malika Oufkir, the author, was locked away with her family in 1972.  And by locked away I'm not talking about being in prison with 3 square meals a day and medical attention when needed.  Imprisonment was a stark contrast to the beautiful life she led as the daughter of a general and companion to the princess. For two decades the Oufkirs were held as prisoners for a crime Malika's father was said to have committed.

A couple days ago I reconnected with Malika, when my mother lent me Freedom: The Story of My Second Life. This is the story of Malika rediscovering the world she was banished from. I haven't finished reading it, but I can say that there are parts that have made me laugh, like her encounters with the ATM machines and pushy women in the grocery store. But there are also serious parts of the reading that'll have you thinking for hours about certain aspects of our society.

"And yet, I cannot bring myself to accept the principle of credit. My education, my values, the long absence that cut me off from the ways of the world, all tend to make me reject this general eagerness to spend money that does not exist. I was a helpless prisoner for too long to willingly chain myself to the anxieties of a life on the installment plan. People who live in freedom are tempted by so many enticing things, their dreams are stocked with so many treasures, that they're ready to commit themselves for ten, twenty years, a sentence without appeal, just for a new car."

If you don't have the time or attention span to read Malika Oufkir's books, please consider googling her during a bored moment at school, work, or home. Her story is one that I feel should be shared. Not only does she make us aware of a tragedy that we might have a hard time believing, but she also reminds us that it is in us to rise from such tragedy and grow and nurture.

Life in Wonderland: a guilty pleasure

Allan has been harassing me about how many bottles of black nail polish I have.  And I've been harassing him about how I need more.  :P

Just thought I'd randomly share that.

Sketchy in Wonderland: just a thought

Celebrate in Wonderland: Twenty Six :P

Uh oh!  That's a lot of shots!

Community in Wonderland:

Some sad news

Another Guam soldier was killed in Afghanistan.  Joshua Lukeala is the 35th soldier from the micronesian region to be lost fighting in an American war since 2003.  :(  He left behind a wife and daughter.

A few times a week I work at the airport and I have to walk by these blown up pictures of all the soldiers from Guam who've died in the "war on terror".  It's really depressing because there are a lot. I'll try to take a picture on Saturday when I work.

Read the article, Guam Soldier Killed at Guampdn.com.

Life in Wonderland: Adventures in my kitchen

Allan is at his parents house babysitting his 3 youngest siblings.  So I was home alone and starving, again.  At first I was thinking about making estufao, a local dish similar but not exactly like adobo.  I didn't feel like waiting for chicken to defrost and I don't care much for handling raw chicken anyways.  After doing a sinkful of dishes I decided on Quorn, meatless grounds, with chickpeas and stewed tomatoes.  I never made it before, but since the Quorn grounds defrosts quicker I figured it would be easier.  I also went to my tiny backyard and cut some green onions and basil from our herb bowl.

It turned out okay, but I think it needed to be more saucy and could've used some lemon juice.

Viewed in Wonderland: Change

Life in Wonderland: Under the influence

Last Thursday I went with my friend, Luke, to Ladies Night at DNA.  They were having a "Sex and the City" event to benefit the Edward M. Calvo Cancer Foundation.  Since Luke works for DNA he had to be there and since they were serving vodka and wine I had to be there.  After my first vodka and monster I had three dresses hanging from my neck.  Now might be a good time to mention that DNA is a clothing/lifestyle store.  Trying on dresses under the influence of alcohol isn't always a great idea.  I think it nearly beat my self esteem to death, but later when Nella showed up she helped my choose one that I could wear for my upcoming birthday party.  After purchasing the dress and winning a raffle prize, bag of DNA products, I perked up and we all went to Bully's to hang out.

So after a couple more drinks and a conversation with a friend about recent events in her life I started to question a major aspect of my life.  Reflecting on your life while under the influence is about as productive as trying on dresses drunk.  Nel and I ended the night out in the parking lot.  She was half passed out and I was on the verge of an emotional breakdown.  Before she did actually pass out and before Allan and Luke came to rescue us, she said "Just because a girl understands doesn't mean she isn't angry."

Of course my breakdown continued at home.  And of course I let it go the next day.  I'm such a Gemini.  I switch my feelings on and off so quickly.  Plus I realize that I tend to confront my feelings and reality when under the influence and hide from them in my sobriety.  I'm not even sure why I'm sharing this.  Maybe I just want to document it and also remind people to drink responsibly.  Remember to have a buddy!  Thanks to my buddy I managed to make it home with out blisters.  :P  Love you NEL!  ---> Picture is from one of Nel's birthday parties.  :)


BTW:  My birthday dress is Lucy Love!  They make super cure and comfy clothes.  They're a family business and the clothes are made in California.

Community in Wonderland: Creative Spirits 2010

Last Friday was the annual Guma Mami art auction.  Considering it was wine free the turn out was pretty good.  There were so many beautiful pieces of art work and lots of smiling faces.  The auction helps to support Guma Mami Inc.  Guma Mami supports persons with mental illnesses.  Most of the art work at the auction is art work produced by the clients.  But there are also awesome local artists who donate art work for the auction, like my friends Nella and Luke.  

This was the second year that I did henna for the show.  I do henna in exchange for donations to Guma Mami.  It's an awesome feeling and a lot of fun, but by the end of the night my hands are hurting, I'm super hungry, and my eyes feel like they're going to fall out of their sockets.  It's so worth it though.  :) Many people here don't really know about henna so it's a good chance for me to share all that I've learned through reading. 

Learn more about Guma Mami Inc.

Learn more about henna.

Community in Wonderland: Good news for Pagat!

The National Trust for Historic Preservation will be adding Pagat to a list of the country's historic and endangered sites.  I hope this means Pagat and the areas surrounding it will be safe from military build up activity.  It is such a beautiful place that has so much historical significance to our people and should remain accessible to all our island's residents and visitors.

The military stated that if they build the firing range and prevent access to Pagat it will protect it from illegal dumping and vandalism just like the other historic sites that are with in their gates.  What is the point of preservation if the people to whom it has historical significance are never or rarely be allowed to visit the site?  There are people who must get permission to visit relatives graves because the military controls access to these sites.  grrrr. 

Anyways, Hooooray for Pagat!!

To learn more about Pagat please check out these links:

Guam PDN - Pagat now historic, endangered site

preservationnation.org - Pagat

Guampedia: Pagat