Life in Wonderland: Cost of War

I was scanning Yahoo News today and I saw this article.  I though I'd share it with you all.

Anti-war graffiti group become Afghanistan's 'Talibanksy'

by Lynne O'Donnell

KABUL (AFP) – On walls around Afghanistan's scrappy capital, where million-dollar mansions line rutted roads, anonymous graffiti artists are daubing their disapproving take on the devastating cost of war.

Styled after the anonymous British vandal-artist Banksy, Kabul's streetwise stealth stencillers go by the moniker "Talibanksy", a reference to the Islamist Taliban who have been waging war in Afghanistan for almost nine years.

The street art forms a commentary on the cost in blood and treasure of the war, which has brought 126,000 US and NATO troops to Afghanistan and kills about 2,000 Afghan civilians a year, according to the UN.

Black, spray-painted silhouettes of soldiers and dollar signs, poppies, helicopters and tanks, and children running hand-in-hand began appearing in downtown Kabul a few months ago.

Some show the shadow of a helmeted soldier holding an assault rifle, inside a red circle with a line through it. Others have a silhouetted gun-toting trooper and a dollar sign joined by an equals symbol.

Or simply the words: Cost Of War.

Financially the war is estimated to cost some 100 million dollars a day, according to US media reports.

The human cost to foreign forces so far this year is close to 170, according to the icasualties.org website which keeps tally and says that of the 1,737 who have died since the war began in 2001, 1,051 were Americans.

The people behind the anti-war graffiti call themselves Combat Communications, and claim to be "a small anonymous group of international artists founded last year with the sole aim of advocating/promoting free expression".

According to a statement, they wish to remain anonymous and call their work "social and politically driven graphics".

To read the rest of the article Click Here

Picture source

All dressed up in Wonderland: Originals

My first semester back at school is nearly over.  Yay!  As you can see I've been busy with more than just the day job and school work.  I've been spending a lot of time in the art room sewing.  I wish I could say I've been painting, but lately my medium has been thread and  t-shirts.  I'm actually really proud of these two dresses because these are all me.  I didn't use tutorials or online patterns.  I didn't even draw these out first.  I just went with it and made it up as I went.  They turned out pretty good too.  

I can't wait for school to end and summer to begin.  I want to make more dresses and hope fully start building an inventory to sell some pieces.  ;)  I need to pay for school somehow.

Life in Wonderland: Eigo o hanashimasu.

Watashi wa Andrea desu.

Chamorro jin desu.

Eigo o hanashimasu.

In order to get a degree I need to take two semesters of foreign language.  I chose to take Japanese.  Many people take Japanese because Guam's main economy is dependent on Japanese tourists.  I don't really intend on working in this industry forever.  I just wanted to learn Japanese.

Anyways, in my last class we worked on a dialog where you had to say what ethnicity you are and what languages you speak.  My class is made up of different ethnnic backgrounds.  What I found interesting was that many of the students from the Philippines and Chuuk speak their native language as well as English.  All of us Chamorro students could only say, "Eigo o hanashimasu."  I speak english.  Not one of us speak Chamorro.  Although I do know of one student who took a semester of Chamorro at U.O.G.

It's strange that we haven't left our home, like many of our other classmates, yet they can speak their native language.  Okay, so it's not that strange and it isn't new info.  It was just really weird, hearing it out loud as my classmates declared their mother land and the languages they speak.  I wonder if any of the others picked up on this.  I wonder if any of them were as mamahloa, or embarrased, as I was at that moment.

Life in Wonderland: Blessed

I am truly blessed.  I am surrounded by so many amazingly talented individuals. 

My brother, although he doesn't have the time for it now, is a great artist and poet.  My sister in law, Erin, is also an artist in both the visual and culinary realms.  Nella, my sister in heart, is fun and passionate in her drawings, vectors, and paintings.  Quincy's art work is so detailed and just jaw droppingly beautiful.  The Hope's and the mini army of artists at Hope 4 Pain produce unbelievable works of art on skin and on canvas.  Zhandro is amazing with his calculated vectors and his paintings that just flow with dumbfounding ease.  Tessa has an amazing eye for spotting beautiful fleeting moments and eternalizing them with a click and a flash.   Luke, who produces like a factory, is filled with endless inspiration and the energy and talent to put his vision down.  There are countless other visual artists and musicians who fill my life with so much beauty that sometimes I just can not believe I am this lucky to experience it all.  

And when the thought of all these blessings are just about to make me burst, there is that voice that is filled with more passion than one person should be able to express out loud, and I can do nothing more than just be thankful to be given my life and the people in it.

I love painting, drawing, crafting, and sewing.  I love that I have the opportunity to share my creative side, but more than that I am thankful that amazing people share their art with me.  I wake up everyday next to someone who never ceases to amaze me and inspire me.  His love for music is so natural and pure.  And we go through our days together with others who appreciate, support, and create so much beauty.

Our lives and our island are filled with so much talent and beauty.  We don't have a grand and glorious gallery.  Our island is the gallery and there is so much on display.

This post was supposed to be short and wordless.  I just wanted to share a painting my friend Luke did.  But the painting got me thinking about all the people who touch my life with the beauty they create.  I just wanted to take some time to recognize that and give thanks for the blessings that they are to me.

The Environmentalist

Crafting in Wonderland: Peace Love Charity

A couple weeks ago, Nel and I were going to the $1.50 store and we spotted a new thrift store.  This shop was really nicely put together.  Unlike the other thrift shops on island it was not dusty and crowded.  They didn't have as many items as the other thrift shops, but what they did have was in excellent condition.  I saw a Le Sportsac Toki Doki bag and even a Harajuku Lovers clutch.  I bought this cute t-shirt for only $3 with the intention to turn it in to a tube top.  It sat in the art room until finally last night I decided to work on it.  I thought about maybe doing a halter instead, but finally decided to add some scrap tulle and this cute piece is what I came up with.  I'm not usually a big fan of one shoulder tops, but I like the way this turned out.

Here is the info on the thrift store if anyone on Guam is interested.

Peace Love Charity, a vintage store, features a collection of gently used, vintage, brand name and previously owned apparel, accessories, and shoes for men, women and children plus house wares, toys, books, and other items in good condition at great prices. The best part of shopping at Peace Love Charity is that 100% of the proceeds from the store benefit the Edward M. Calvo Cancer Foundation. Peace Love Charity is located in the Calvo Commercial Center, 600 Harmon Loop Road, Suite 101 in Harmon (next to KUAM). The store will be open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in December (excluding holidays) from 10am-5pm. For more information, please call 632-4PLC (4752) or emailpeaceloveandcharity@gmail.com. 

Crafting in Wonderland: I've got a double!

I was off from work today and decided to finally make a duct tape double of myself.  I've been wanting a dress form for a while, but shipping a dress form to Guam would be so expensive.  After seeing all the great DIY dress form tutorials on You Tube, I decided this would be the next best thing.  So I enlisted the help of Allan. He did a really good job and I managed to not pass out.  She isn't an exact double, but she fits my t-shirts okay so I can't complain.

I could've really used that double a couple weeks ago when I was making this top.  Instead I was forced to try it on, take it off, sew adjustments, try it on, take it off, sew adjustments . . .   Oh well.

Life in Wonderland: News from Guahan

Priest Abuses - an article from Marianas Variety about a problem that is being brought to light around the world.

Philippine fashion icon coming to Guam: Inno Sotto to host charity fashion show -   Article, from the PDN, on the prince of Philippine fashion" and his upcoming visit to our island.

Build up utilities cost: $1.75B - PDN article on one of the prices to be paid for the military build up.  And yes that is B, for billion.

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

Celebrate in Wonderland: GAX and One Night in Tokyo

Two events on Friday night.  Allan and I are both off from work and school, but he has his usual gig at Bully's.

Opening act for Friday is GAX, the Guam Art Exhibit.  I'm excited for this show, mainly because my very good friend, Luke, works for the company that puts it together and he has been very active in the production of this show.  I also know many of the exhibiting artist.  Hopefully Nel, Tes and I will be exhibiting at the next one.  

Headlining for my Friday night is "One Night in Tokyo", my friend Sharon's birthday party.  Sharon is a very sweet girl and last year she spent her birthday away from all of us, in Japan.  She was there taking care of her mom.  For that birthday we had all pitched in to buy her the cutest outfit, but we didn't give it to her until our Christmas party.  So it is kind of the inspiration of this party.  Well that and she is half Japanese (cue Weezer music now) and has the most kawaii anime eyes. :P

In preparation for this night I've been working on a Japanese inspired outfit.  In fact I'm taking a break from my sewing to post this.  :)  I hope it turns out well.  Either way I'm sure It'll be a great night filled with awesome art, great friends, and lots of celebrating.

Hope everyone else has a great weekend!

• One Night in Tokyo flier produced by Nella @ Resolution Tree

Life in Wonderland: Reminding myself to breathe

Life in Wonderland: another breather

Lately I've been really caught up in school, work, and the DEIS/Build up.  Well as far as school is concerned I'm back in the zone.  I got a 100% on my first Nihongo test and an A on my first math test.  So I think I'll be OK in the studies department.  Work is work.  Not much else to say on that topic.  And as for the build up, the DEIS comment period has been over for a while.  It's amazing what was accomplished in such a short amount of time. The people at We Are Guahan did an amazing job getting information out to the public.  And it's nice to know that many of our concerns were also reflected in the EPA's comments.  For such a major move from a very powerful and important department of American government, it is really sad that the DOD didn't put the effort in to make the DEIS, and their plan in general, safer for the environment and people of Guahan.  They shouldn't be surprised that the DEIS received the lowest possible score.  It's not over yet, but I think we all deserve a moment to breathe.

My breather

Since the beginning of the year I've barely ventured in to the art room, except to get some supplies to make protest signs or to stash Allan's gig equipment.  Last week I decided it was time to clean up the art room and start a project.  I saw an episode on Thread Banger, a while ago, where she made a shirred dress.  After watching that I went out in search of elastic thread and found some at Rhadi's.  I never got around to making anything though, until last week.  I made this blouse out of some fabric that Shauna had given me.  It ended up being a bit loose on me so I decided to give it to Nella.  I seriously need a dress form.  I'm going to try to make one using one of the many duct tape dress form tutorials online, as soon as I can find the time and money to buy the supplies.  Then maybe I'll be able to actually wear some of the clothes I sew.  :P

Life in Wonderland: GUAHAN

Recently, in his state of the island address, our Governor expressed that he would like to work with the legislature to reclaim the indigenous name of Guam, Guahan.

This excites many people.  Some welcome the name change.  Some are against it.  After reading many of the comments on PDN I think many people are frustrated that our Governor, of all his choices for a last effort in office, has chosen this.  I think many are upset that he side stepped other important issues and went straight to something that would tug at emotions and be more symbolic than concrete.  This act will ensure him some pages in our history books and he admitted that it would be his legacy.

Guahan is a strong name for our island.  It means "We have" and it is the name our ancestors used to refer to the island that sheltered and provided for them. Yes, to give our island back her name, would mean so much, especially at this point in time.  But I don't believe it should be the governor or the legislature that does this.  I feel it must first come from the people.  Like most things in life, this reclaiming of her name, must start in the home.  It must start with each of us, individually.

When I first heard about this, I started thinking about names of countries.  As an example, Japan is Japan to the world.  The Japanese refer to their home as Nippon.  We refer to the natives of Japan as Japanese, but they are nihonjin, or nipponjin, in their language, nihongo.  What the world calls them does not affect who they are, because they know who they are.  Another example is my name.  I work in the tourism industry and many agents have a hard time pronouncing my name, Andrea.  I've been called Angerika, Angela, Andolia, and many other names, besides my own.  At first it bothered me, but then I realized that this is a minor thing.  My family and friends matter most and they know my name.

I'm not saying that I don't want our island to hear her native name ever again.  I just want her to hear it from her people first.  All the legality and print changes won't matter if it is not being spoken.  To the world she may be Guam, but as long as her sons and daughters know she is Guahan, that is what gives her name beauty and strength.  That is what matters most.

If our leaders want to encourage a cultural renaissance, I suggest they focus on the communities and schools.  Maybe they can offer weekly CHamorro classes at the mayor's offices for a donation that can go to cultural programs and groups.  Guam's school system could use a more advanced CHamorro language and Guahan history curriculum.  They can encourage the development of more television and radio programs that focus on our history and culture.  I think it would also be helpful to support a dialog between our culture and the other cultural groups that we share our island with, returning Guahan back to her hospitable and inclusive roots.  Helping people understand what they have and what our island gives us will cause the name change to happen naturally and more effectively.  This is the kind of change I'd welcome.

This is just my opinion.  I'd love to hear other's thoughts on the name change and what you feel can be done to encourage Guahan's reclaiming of history and culture.


Here are some links to related posts and articles:

• The rich irony of changing Guam’s name to Guåhan @ The Guam Blog

• GVB Reacts To Proposed Guam Name Change @ www.pacificnewscenter.com

• Senators & We Are Guahan React To Governor's Speech @ www.pacificnewscenter.com

• Camacho: Name change will affirm identity @ www.guampdn.com

Morning in Wonderland: Once more, Tell me what you're fighting for . . .

For one of her classes, Nel had to create a list of 10 things she loves about Guam.  Sounds interesting.


Here is my list:

• family .  Guam is home to the people I hold dearest.  They may not all still live here.  Some may not have even had the chance to visit, like my younger nieces, nephews, and cousins.  But Guam is still home.
• friends . I have some of the best friends ever!   And I know that where ever life takes us, we can always come back to Guam.  When your friend leaves, you know they will be back, because this is home.  ;)
• community . Our island is made up of many different people, many different communities, but really are all one.  We see this most during natural disasters.  The aftermath of typhoons are softened by the beauty of the community coming together to share and rebuild.  
• resilience .  We have survived colonialism, occupations, war, and natural disasters.  Granny said it best, when she refused to leave her house before a storm, "This is my home. I'm not going anywhere."
• food . Food on Guam is amazing!  If I had to live off the same meal for the rest of my life, I hope it'd be a fiesta plate.  Another great thing about food on Guam is that there are so many choices of different ethnic foods.
• beaches . I don't go to the beach every weekend.  Sometimes I go months with out visiting the ocean.  Yet, I can not imagine not having her near.  I can't imagine not seeing her every day.  
• flora .  I love the beautiful scenery our island offers us.  The flame trees in Hagatna, the papaya tree in my tiny backyard, and Grandma's "heirloom" orchids in mom's garden - I love it all.  Seeing ixora always reminds me of my childhood.  We'd suck the sweetness out of the flower's from Granny's yard, in Ipan.  And when I was in Florida, the smell of plumeria got me through my homesickness. 
• matrilineality . My female ancestors where just as important as my male ancestors.  It's a bit difficult to explain, but as a woman on Guam, I feel empowered.  Even though we take on men's last names, I still feel that our lines are traced through our mother's and our grandmother's names.
• trips down south . Stopping at Ipan Mobil for ice cream, after a long scenic drive, is amazing.  Visiting Gef Pago' for a tour of the old village, or even just for natural sea salt, is a great way to spend the day.  Splashing around Inarajan Pools or watching Viva swim at one of the beaches down there is extra special.  Whether I'm with friends or family, being down south has an inexplainable feeling, like finding home after a long journey.
• the past mingles with the present . While Guam has been developed and modernized, some things don't change.  Subtle things hint back at our history.  To this day, we still ask Guela yan Guelu for permission to enter the jungle.  Latte stones stand in the midst of contemporary homes.  Tanks and war bunkers are the missing pages in World History books.  The sinahi hangs off men's necks above collared dress shirts.  The women of Guam are still heads of their modern households.

What are some of the things that you love about your home?  I'd love to hear them.

While you're thinking about that, you can listen to the Mad Caddies.  :)