Illustrating in Wonderland: This is my life :)

illustrating for  finattanlinala.com

Blue skies in Wonderland: a beach day with my cousins

InnerVoices by Uncle Tote

Marianas Homegrown

What a beautiful song for a beautiful day!

Penaflor cousins - Me, Rie, and Jake

The day started out really rainy, but look at that beautiful sky!

with our mer-jake

Yay for beach days!

Community in Wonderland: We heart Carmen!

I went to a medical fundraiser this evening.  Carmen Costello is an amazing artist and beautiful human being.  Our island was very blessed to have her with us.  She'll be leaving us very soon to spread the love and get healthy.  We're sending soooo much love and appreciation her way.

Look at the amazing pieces I took home!!  The print is by Carmen and I decided to purchase it as a gift for Allan.  The 2 ceramic pieces are by another local artist, Monaeka Flores.  I have a large painting of her's hanging in my living room.  :)  The red necklace is by Carmen.  She makes such unique pieces!  My mom bought me this since it matched the dress I was wearing  The orange bead and seed necklace is by Mama Jill.  Mama Jill is a master carver and just a really beautiful person.  She does so much to encourage the preservation and appreciation of our culture.

I had a really awesome night, but I'm a little sad.  I wish Carmen could stay longer or I wish I had met her sooner.  She tells the funniest stories and has such amazing energy.  She has so much to share and teach and she's not stingy with her stories, talent, or heart.  We love her very much and wish her all the best!

Carmen, in red, signing prints.

some jewelry by Carmen & ceramic and clay pieces by Monaeka

Carmen's originals up for auction

donated raffle prizes

Life in Wonderland: 2010 - 2011

The New Year's celebrations are over and I'm finally finding some quiet time to sit and think about everything.  2010 was an eventful year.  While a spent a lot of time frustrated and angry last year, I also spent time learning, growing, and loving.  I learned to appreciate what I have  so much more.  I've made new friends, have spent time with old friends, and am still loving my besties as much as ever.  Allan and I have grown closer and have strengthened our relationship.  I've also spent more time with my mom in 2010.  I wish I spent more time with my brother and his beautiful family though.  I guess that's a goal for 2011.

This year will be a great one.  I'm sure of it.  I have a bunch of things I want to work on this year.  I have a few projects I want to work on that I'll be sharing as they materialize.  They aren't all that serious.  I want to actually learn how to play my bass, the one that is collecting dust.  I want to perfect my wonky latiya and learn a few more local dishes.  And the other projects I'll talk about later in the year.

The first 2 weeks of 2011 have gone by pretty fast.  Here's what I've been up to:

spent a lot of time with Al and his crazy friends

ate really awesome takoyaki - made with love by Al and Joel

went to an amazing poetry slam

had our first beach day of the year

<3 <3  -  <3 <3

allan and I got our hair cut - hello bangs!

Community in Wonderland: More on the Pagat rally

According to the email I received from We Are Guahan, there was over 300 people at Pagat last Friday.  For  a usually complacent community that is a good turn out for a protest.  Considering it was a week day and it was also extremely hot, I wasn't expecting there to be that many people. I was a little worried that not enough people would show up.  Thankfully I was wrong.  This sends a great message to the visiting officials, our leaders, and the rest of our community.  I was really glad that I was able to attend.  This is history in the making and thankfully we had some documentary film makers at the event.

Speaking of film, here are some videos I found on You Tube.





We Are Guahan did a great job organizing the event.  They had volunteers shuttle people from the parking area at the Guam Raceway Park to the trail head through out the event.  They had ice cold water being handed out by volunteers.  They led chants that even I was yelling along to.  I don't usually raise my voice for any reason, but it felt good.  It released a lot of frustration in a healthy way.

And the police did a great job too. You'd think they would be intimidating during a protest, but they just made sure that everything was safe.  We were lining a road during a busy time and they made sue the motorists slowed down when approaching the area.  Someone actually sped through and was stopped by the cops.

As great as the community action event turned out to be, I'm sure there is more work to be done.  I think one of the most important things is awareness and commitment.  We need to make as many people as possible aware of what is happening on Guam. They need to know that the people of Guahan are still being treated like second class citizens by the U.S., a country that has become the world police.  Who will police them???  And we need to be committed to spreading awareness and not letting them push us around anymore.

Celebrate in Wonderland: Twenty Six :P

Uh oh!  That's a lot of shots!

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.

Celebrate in Wonderland: Belly Blessing

I had such a lovely Sunday evening recently.  I was able to do my first belly blessing.  Amanda, who runs Gaia Eco Solutions, is a henna artist also and has done many belly blessings, but was not able to have her own when she was pregnant with her daughter, Evie.  It felt really good to be able to this for her, this time around.  The entire time the baby was moving around getting excited.  The picture above is at the end of the session.  The paste is on and the yellow is made from turmeric.  There are crystals and glitter also.  The picture below is one she sent me of the next day with the paste and sparkles all peeled off.

Celebrate in Wonderland: One Night in Tokyo and Sky Creations!

Just thought I'd share some pictures from Sharon's birthday party!

If you like Sharon's outfit you can find it on Etsy!  We ordered it from Sky Creation!

If you like my top:  Thanks, I made it!  : P

Found in Wonderland: The invasion of Guam?

Invasion???

I'm sorry, but I thought we were LIBERATED.

Now I'm just confused.

Community in Wonderland: Pago na ha'ane. Today.

Welcome 2010. Your coming brought on a wonderful night. The full moon was directly above us as we enjoyed the company and view at the cultural center. The fireworks display at midnight was amazing and the laughs and love shared was appreciated greatly.

This year I will enjoy Guam more. I won't allow myself to be too busy to appreciate the sunsets and sound of the waves. I will take in my surroundings and etch it in to my soul. I won't make excuses to skip out on a day at the beach or a hike through the jungle. And I will do my best to speak up for my island home. I will join in the chorus of the voices acting on our pledge to her.

Today, the first day of the new year, we went to Pagat Caves. This area is desired as a future firing range for the military build up.

ladera cliff

liyang cave

tasi ocean

halom tano' jungle

Yayas yu'. Maipe yu'. Malangu siniente-ku.

I'm tired. I'm hot. I feel sick. :P

So much fun, but I was soooo tired at the end of the hike. I barely made it out on my own.

Oh and I tried to incorporate Chamorro in the captions. I used a couple sites for simple words and phrases. I hope they're accurate. :P

Celebrate in Wonderland: Breakfast for his birthday!

garlic shrimp fried rice made with LOVE!

Celebrate in Wonderland: Happy Birthday Allan!

Happy birthday to my love!

Crafting in Wonderland: This one was a Christmas hit

Allan got the hang of bottle cutting just in time for Christmas! We gave out some Corona and Guinness glasses as gifts. Allan even made one out of a wine bottle for my mom.

We're hoping to perfect this and get into etching and painting so we can produce a bunch. I need to get rid of my glass bottle collection. I'm running out of space, but feel guilty throwing them away.

Celebrate in Wonderland: Xmas '09 - part 2

Recessions presents = gifts from the Japanese $1.50 stores. :D

We also encouraged creative recycled wrapping.

Thats a rolling pin. :P

perfect for a single egg

Clara is a teacher. Nel got her chalk and red pens.

The pink thing in his hand is a giant pen. lol

Shauna handed out mini christmas trees, sugar scrub, and candy!

Sharon is an animal lover. :)

Marchell loves strawberries.

It's not in this pic, but I got Mark a flat tire kit and head lamp for his bike!

some of the other $1.50 gifts included:

resin key chains w/ bugs! chopsticks! reusable grocery bags! origami paper! Japanese flash cards! nail polish! notebooks! Pot holders! and so many more awesome things.

All night people were saying, "You got THAT at the $1.50 store." You'd be surprised at the many neat things you miss when browsing those places.

Celebrate in Wonderland: Xmas '09 - part 1

Retro Recession Christmas Cocktail Party!!!

We invited our friends over for drinks and appetizers to celebrate the holidays. Allan and Quincy served up takoyaki, sashimi, veggie spring rolls, meat balls and gravy, hummus w/ toasted pitas, and spinach rolls. Sharon brought cookies. Nella made a punch bowl of Sangria and everyone else brought beer. The food, drinks, and the company was absolutely festive and perfect.

He doesn't hate me. He just refuses to smile for pictures. :P

Viva was so excited!

I have awesome friends, the gifts that keep on giving.

Nella and Michele. I love them!

No party is complete without some hooping.

So exhausted!!!