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

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.

Life in Wonderland: Dinner for one

Allan's at his gig so I had to make myself dinner.  Under that mountain of mushrooms is red snapper. 

Happy Mother's Day!

There are so many amazing mother's in my life.

Today, I'm wishing them all the love and appreciation in the world.

Especially my mom

and the many amazing mother's in my family!

And for the mother's who've lost a child, I'm wishing them love and strength.

To the mothers of my friends: gratitude for nurturing such beautiful people.

I hope all the mother's in the world have a wonderful day!

Life in Wonderland: Viva & Merlot

The tourism industry on Guam has been hard hit for a while and it's not looking like it's getting any better.  In fact my hours, at work,  have been cut.  At first I was a bit worried, but I figure the best way to look at it is that I'll have more time to spend with family and friends and maybe even more time to sew.  Maybe this is the universe pushing me to do something more with my sewing.  People do ask me if I sell stuff, but up until now I haven't had the time to make enough for an inventory.  So from all of this Viva & Merlot was born.  Of course Viva and Merlot are my furbabies but now it is the name of my new blog, that is strictly for my sewing.  Hopefully it will be turned into a little business too, soon - I'm probably going to need the money.